House of Jewels small, tucked away boutique in the heart of Vancouver

I have found a wonderful little shop in the West End that has inspired me to make one of kind jewelry for the pleasure of it. I hope to create enough pieces so that I can consign them to this really nifty shop, House of Jewels If you are ever downtown and want something to wear that is not mass-made, then the House of Jewels is the place for you.

Adoption #3 entry (mentally challenged?)

My journey to my Mom and Dad had several bumps along the road. For some strange reason I was not considered to be a normal healthy child in the orphanage. They (as in whoever makes these types of decisions in Kowloon) thought I was mentally retarded and thus it was decided that I was not ‘fit’ to be adopted by a nice english couple. Lucky for me, my father was a very stubborn and determined sociologist. Definition of sociologist, from the free dictionary on the web: The study of human social behavior, especially the study of the origins, organization, institutions, and development of human society. So it seems, my father hypothesized that a child without any permanent role-models whom had to sit quietly in her crib all day long, while not being sufficiently fed perhaps had some ‘issues’ that did not mean this child was mentally retarded.

My Dad, Reg Robson, as many whom had the pleasure to meeting him while he was alive, would attest that my labelling of him as stubborn and determined is indeed a blessing and sometimes a curse. In this instance, I really benefited from my Dad’s stubborness to prove that I was not mentally retarded

Adoption #2 When is my Birthday?

Back in 1963, I was born sometime in late May, most likely. I don’t know exactly what date I was born on. This tiny fact is not a bad one, why? Well, I’ve always considered that since I don’t know the day, time or where I was born, I can celebrate my birthday for a whole week so at least I’ll get hit one the days I was born on. My parents didn’t really go for this concept since I wanted to have presents every day as well and cake too, but I didn’t push the cake part. This little unknown fact about me is a great conversation piece when getting to know someone, since usually at some point if you get to know someone well enough, you find out about when they were born so you can make or buy a card, or forget their birthday.

My first two years are very sketchy. I lived in an orphanage in Kowloon. The only record I have are reports from the nurses at the orphanage and the psychologist report for my adoption. The gist of my stint in the orphanage is that I was very nimble and could climb out of my crib easily and then climb into other children’s cribs and take their bottles of milk. I was labelled “the trouble-maker”. To further cement my label as a ‘trouble-maker’, I would demand the nurse’s attention when she would come into the ward and when I was older, like 1 years old, I demanded to use a knife and fork. I guess we used our hands or maybe the dreaded chopsticks for congee, but apparently I used to see the caregivers using forks and knifes and thought this was more civilized. My mom says this is why I was adopted because the orphanage wanted to get rid of the ‘troublemaker’, well at least she would have a civilized child who ate with a knife and fork!

My journey to my Mom and Dad had several bumps along the road...

Adoption #1 Basket Case

Finally I'm ready to write about my wonderful parents. My life has two parts, before Mom and Dad and after. Before I could talk, crawl or even say no, something special happened to me. I was abandoned on the police station stairs in a basket in China. So I come by being a basket case legitimately. Special you say? How could that be special? My journey to my parents started the day my birth mother gave me up for life she hoped be better than what she had.

In response to newborn abandonment

Child abandonment of newborn babies in Canada is a criminal offence under the Criminal Code.

I think it time to change the criminal code so that mothers in small rural communities, big cities will have one less thing to feel guilty about.

What St. Paul's has done is good, but to what length? A new mother, distraught living in Richmond, or Surrey, do you think they'll travel all the way to St. Paul's?

In 1963 I was abandoned in a basket on the police station stairs in Kowloon, so I feel very strongly about abandoning children. Personally I think it would be the hardest thing for a new mother to do, and it is one of the most special gifts that a new mother can give her child, the hope for a better life than what she can offer at the very moment.

My birth mother gave me the biggest gift, life and a chance to live a wonderful life.

I am - poem by Emma

I am...
I am a patient girl who loves hedgehogs.
I wonder how hedgehogs evolved on the earth.
I hear the wind, softly blowing as it rustles the trees branches.
I see a hedgehog climbing out from its hiding place to seek other shelter in the vast area of trees and open grass.
I want to follow it, but I do not for I shall not disturb it.
I am a patient girl who loves hedgehogs.
I pretend to be a hedgehog.
I feel the wind tugging at my hair, telling me to follow the hedgehog.
I touch the hedgehog's spiny fur.
I worry that it might prick me and that I will get hurt.
I cry as I feel the hedgehog's spiny fur enter my soft flesh.
I am a patient girl who loves hedgehogs.
I understand now that I should not touch wild animals.
I say, let all hedgehogs be at peace in their green home.
I dream that all hedgehogs are not disturbed so they may be at peace.
I try to talk to the hedgehog, but it can not understand me and runs away into the dense green brush.
I hope that I will see that hedgehog again soon.
I am a patient girl who loves hedgehogs

Dad's Family

I really need to start going through all my photos. Some of them are so priceless.

Horseback Riding Competition April 18, 2009

Before the first competition of the day, Emma is ready.

Emma with her first place ribbon after the first competition!!!! The two competitions inbetween, Emma entered two events (Walkt/Trot/Canter Equitation [ages 11-17] and Pleasure Pony) that were for ages 11-17, and she came in 3rd in both events! I think she was the youngest one.

The last competition of the day, Emma won first place!!! A great way to finish the competition for Hunter Under Saddle Pony. Needless to say, Emma is so proud of herself as we are. (picture below is with Gail, who is Emma's wonderful instructor.

Emma's Social Studies Project - Traditional Japanese Room

Emma holding her traditional japanese house. She used a shoebox and made the table out of origami and pillows using origami paper.

Emma's drawing of a traditional screen.

Traditional origami crane and box. It was very hard to blow up. It is about 2 cm across.

The lamps were a challenge since we didn't know how to make a circular blow up origami shape. So we did the next best thing, made a big cube for an overhanging lamp. The japanese are minimalistic. This type of organized house really appeals to me.

Socks the Hamster arrival

Coming home. Shannon is Socks benefactor as well as Emma's wonderful tutor.

United Way Basket Competition at VGH My Diva Basket

At the hospital each year we do a United Way campaign. Usually units form teams and submit baskets then VGH does a silent auction. For the last 2 years I've always submitted my jewelry as an individual. This year, I'm doing a Diva basket, a kind of PIF (Pay it Forward). My rule to myself, donations are mainly labour, or items that are brand new and did not cost the donor anything.

My friend, Tiffany donated a tea towel, "Diva's don't do dishes", and martini glasses (she won these), I donated my jewelry, a dancing freshwater pearl choker and Swarvoski crystal bracelet in pastel pink and purple. To go with the theme of "Diva" I asked two of my favourite bakers to donate as well, my friend Tannis who owns Elegant cookies, and is donating cookies with Diva and my favourite cupcake store,, co-owners Kathy and Lori,"Cupcakes" who donated 1/2 dozen of "Diva" cupcakes.
Right now this a work in progress, I'll post the final submission once I create the basket.

Emma's Pumpkin

Look what we carved tonight. Guess what!!!? no cut fingers.

Rainbows Vancouver

What a lovely surprise to come home to an amazing full rainbow. The day started off rocky and ended with bright full colours.

Coming home from camp

The trek out from camp. Hmm seems that Emma had some equipment issues. Holding her therma rest and drink... All-in-all, Emma tells me that she had a wonderful camp. This year she did something really special. A first year Guider needed to go to the washroom in the middle of the night. The guiders have buddies, for going to the washroom is an adventure up a mountain, where they must leave the cabin and go outside in the pitch dark to the outhouse. I'm told spiders grow about 6 inches overnight too. Anyway, the buddie didn't want to go with this first year guider. Emma heard the girl start to cry and called out "whoever is going to cry I'll go with you to the washroom". This is an event that to me as a Mom, makes me so proud of Emma.

Hollyburn Mtn - Girl Guide Camp

I've not posted much lately, and made even fewer pieces of jewelry. Winter is coming and the torch is getting used again.

Here is Emma at camp today. I popped up to her campsite since she had such a difficult week, Emma got her second phase of braces and vaccinations for grade 6 students. Of course Emma is just fine, how could I think otherwise? Silly me.

Burn Camp - Alice Lake

My article for VCH News:

My love of making jewellery inspired me to volunteer at the 15th annual BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund Camp for kids on July 24th. The camp is near Alice Lake, just north of Squamish and is funded by the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, many local corporations, foundations and individuals.
The cost for a child to attend the camp is approximately $3000. The ratio of children to counsellors at the camp is 2:1 or 1:1. Counsellors come from many walks of life, some are nurses, some are firefighters some are just people who are passionate about giving their time to the courageous kids at the camp.
Tracey Taulu, trauma program manager, and I set up a jewelry station to teach kids how to crochet with wire and beads. What surprised me most was that our first customers were the boys at the camp. The counsellors were also into making necklaces. Let me tell you, watching a 200 pound, big, burly firefighter, crocheting and helping his young burn survivor is really cool.
By the end of the day, several kids had come by our station wearing their necklaces and bracelets with pride. Seeing kids smiling, and hearing them laugh and just be themselves is what life is all about.
This year, 73 kids attended camp. These kids have braved experiences that many adults haven't experienced and it was truly amazing to have the opportunity to see these kids have the opportunity to just be kids.
During the course of the day I talked to Lois Budd, medical coordinator for the camp, and patient services manager, BCPFF Burn, Plastic and Trauma Unit, VGH, about how the kids feel about camp. She said, “Once camp is over, the kids start planning for next year’s camp the very next day. And when kids turn 18, they are given the opportunity to come back as junior counsellors to be mentor younger burn survivors.”
As for me, I left the camp exhausted, in a good way, and truly amazed to see the happiness of the campers and the dedication of the counsellors. I’ve already started planning some activities that I could do with the kids next year, so I guess it is not just the kids who start planning their return.
Get involvedVisit the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund Camp for kids website
(Photo Caption: Tracey Taulu, Patient Services Manager, Trauma Services, and 8 year old Julia, just finished making a necklace.) I post the caption shortly

My birthday gift to myself

I wirewrapped this necklace quite a while ago with 18k gold. The citrine step faceted stones I bought in early May, I knew I wouldn't be able to part with them. Finally I bought some 18k gold in 18 ga to make a clasp. ***gasp*** the cost to buy gold, and I had to buy a minimum of 6 inches. This necklace is perfect for my neckline at about 15.5" in length and can very nicely wrap around my wrist two times for a perfect bracelet.

Geo Earth Collection

My friend, Terrain, convinced me to buy these glossy bold botswana agate stones yesterday. This necklace is 34 inches long, needing no clasp. This is a definite break from my very tiny gems that I've working with.

Happy 11th Birthday

Curled Pearl Petals

Curled petals of silver with Keshi Pearls.

Labradorite flash

I didn't realize how difficult it is to photograph labradorite. To actually photograph the flash in the labradorite is quite an effort. I found that turning the labradorite helps as does angling the faceted briolette in the above picture.

Tuesday's work photography

I'm particularly happy with the photo of the Mystic Topaz and Tanzanite earrings. I've just listed them on Etsy along with the Exclamation Pendant below that has a turquoise bezel set stone in it.

Simple curves

Good Monday. A day of metalsmithing. No idea what to call this pendant. Measures 1 3/4 inches in length.

Smokey Quartz long long necklace

I finished making this necklace with my two jewelry friends today while watching "The Mist" by Stephen King. This necklace is outside my usual jewelry creations, chunky and 37 inches long. I put a clasp on it so it can be wrapped around twice. The stones inbetween are tourmaline. More photography practice with using the manual features AV on my Canon EOS Digital camera. I've learned to make the aperature really small so my depth of field increases - so the necklace is in focus at the front and back!!!! Edited. sad to say, I've sold this wonderful necklace.

Photography Practice

Practicing my manual setting on my camera. This gold locket was given to me from my parents for my tenth birthday. So I guess it is 30+ years old. I'm going to make into an heirloom necklace for Emma one day.

Here is a floating necklace, made with Blue Peruvian Opals and of course Swarovski crystals. This is a custom order for a friend's mother.

And finally, using some of the freshwater pearls that I bought last weekend for a commissioned piece. The richness of the pearls are really amazing.