Etsy Treasury - limited time only!

I nabbed a great treasury on Etsy today! Its Mermaid themed and features some great lampwork from the Lampwork Etc. Etsy Street Team!

You will be able to view this treasury until 4:55am EDT, Friday March 28th here:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=5228

Some of you already know little Shelby got into the recycling bin and some chocolate last week - we think she was upset at being alone. We only left here alone for about 1.5 hours on Tuesday and about 1 hour on Wednesday. Anyway, she ended up getting sick and our vet made some strange decisions about her treatment that actually made her feel worse. We got a second opinion and have everything back on track. Shelby is feeling alot better! She still has some recovering to do but I think we are close to having her health issues back under control.

And I have more exciting news - at least to me! I just joined the Southern Flames and will join them in Atlanta at the end of April for a class with Lisa St. Martin!!! If you aren't familiar with Lisa's beads, visit her website! Her work is absolutely gorgeous and I have been wanting to take a class with her since I started lampworking.

Its March free bead time. This 20mm x 32mm boro focal bead will be given away in the next free bead drawing!!! All March purchases count for a chance to win this bead in April! Don't forget, you can visit my website to learn how to sign up to win the bead without making a purchase.

The past few days have been very sad and empty feeling. Lexus was such a huge part of my life for so long that I hardly know what to do with myself. The staff at Westvet (specialty vet clinic where Lexus received pysical therapy and acupuncture for the past few years) sent a lovely flower arrangement today to commemorate her life. It means so much that they thought of us and our loss enough to send this arrangement.

In memory of Lexus, the sweetest Dalmatian girl I have ever known. Rescued 1/6/2001, died 3/8/2008. We watched her deteriorate over the past several months and we thought it was because of her spine injuries. A couple of weeks ago, her breathing starting seeming a bit labored so we had that checked out and it turns out her chest and abdominal cavities were full of tumor(s) and were starting to fill with fluid. This must have been the cause of some of the deterioration - we just didn't know because of her other health issues. In the past few days, her midsection grew and her breathing became more difficult - it was time to let her go. We hand fed her food and held and petted her while our vet took care of the euthanasia and she didn't really even notice anything besides us. She has peacefully and quietly gone to the Rainbow Bridge where she will be whole again and have no more suffering or pain of any kind. We miss you already, Lexus and we will never forget you.

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... Author unknown...

I held the drawing today for the February free bead and the winner is Lisa in N.C. - congratulations, Lisa! A picture for the March free bead will be up by the end of this week. I'm thinking something in boro!