Bad Girls of the North Rock Fairbanks!

Last weekend was our annual Bad Girls of the North craft show in Fairbanks. Once again, I am awed and humbled by the customer turnout and the enthusiasm with which we were greeted. I love when there's a whole crowd of people just waiting for us to open then doors to the banquet room. Thank you Fairbanks!

On a more personal (and when I say personal, I mean Orion Designs) note, my asymmetrical necklaces were a big hit again. I had 5 of them with me and sold 4 of them on Friday evening. Why is it that nobody will ever buy the last of something? Seriously, about 4 people tried on that fifth necklace. Maybe there's comfort in seeing a whole batch of something. Makes me wonder: if I had 8 of them with me, would I have sold 7? Dunno. Can't really go back to test that theory.

In case you don't remember what necklaces I'm referring to, there are several in my etsy shop.

Click on the photo to go directly to that listing. Or, click here to see all of my asymmetrical necklaces.

And if you just haven't seen enough asymmetry, here's a pair of earrings that might satisfy your craving:

Sale in My Etsy Shop!

I don't do it often (and I actually do it less frequently than I used to), but I'm here to announce a sale in my etsy shop.  This one starts today and ends Friday, the 14th.  The entire shop is on sale at 25% off.  You need to use Coupon Code AUTUMN to get the discount.  And don't forget to click "Apply" after entering the code!

Here are a few new things in my etsy shop that might tempt you.

Copper Flourish Earrings II

Rose Quartz and Mystic Pink Quartz Cubes

London Blue Topaz Cubes with White Pearls

As always, click on any of these photos to go directly to the listings in my etsy shop.

The Best Bran Muffins . Ever

I've been making these bran muffins for over 15 years.  I worked on the recipe for a few years before I got it just the way I wanted it.  The truth is, it is a conglomeration of several recipes, with enough changes that I feel I can call it Mine.

Vicki's Bran Muffins

1 egg
3/4 cup milk (I use 1 %)
1/2 cup oil
1 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 cups All Bran cereal (that's the one that looks like twigs)
1/3 cup honey
3 tsp baking powder
1 cup raisins

Pour the milk on the cereal and let sit 1 - 2 minutes. Beat the egg with the oil, then add the milk/cereal mixture.  Stir to blend.  Add the honey, flour and baking powder, stirring just until moistened.  Stir in the raisins.  Spoon into 12 muffin cups, lined with papers.  Bake at 400 for about 20 minutes.

This etsy shop has some really cute cupcake liners: Cupcake Social

Happy baking!

What's On My Work Table?

After what has seemed like an endless round of making earrings, I noticed that my necklace inventory was having that "picked over" look.  I had sent some of my most colorful pieces to galleries on consignment and I was left with lots of neutral pieces.  Time to brighten it up!

I spent a few hours selecting gemstone duets and trios (the funnest part, for sure) and then spent the next day or so wrapping with wire and assembling the necklaces.

Here's the line up:

Most of these are slated for general inventory, but I have selected a few to photograph and list in my etsy shop. If one of these catches your eye, let me know and I'll provide a better photo for you to examine! Then, if you simply must have it, I can list in for you on etsy.

Quit Your Day Job

Just in case you wanted to know even more about me and my life story, I've been featured on the Etsy blog as part of the Quit Your Day Job series.  You can read the whole article HERE.

Cherry Plum Crisp

So, I had a bowl full of cherries and a few very ripe plums.  What to do, what to do.  A crisp!  I haven't made a fruit crisp in ages -- obviously a long overdue dessert.

Cherry Plum Crisp

Fruit Layer
4 cups of fruit (I used about 3 cups of pitted cherries, halved and 1 cup of chopped plums)
  (I think this recipe could have benefited from another cup or 2 of fruit)
1 1/2 TBSP brown sugar
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp cinnamon (I completely forgot this)

Topping
1/2 cup rolled oats
2 TBSP chopped walnuts
1 TBSP brown sugar
2 TBSP melted butter

Combine all of the fruit layer ingredients and turn into a greased 9"x9" baking pan.  Combine topping ingredients until well mixed.  Bake at 375  for 30-45 minutes.  Keep an eye on this so as not to burn the oatmeal.  Of course, this is best served topped with vanilla ice cream. 

Two notes about this recipe:

I adapted in from my favorite apple crisp recipe, so feel free to substitute any fruit for the cherries/plums.
The oat topping will be chewy, but I like that kind of texture.  If you don't, you may want to either grind up the oats, use the quick cooking type or pre-cook them.