Merry Christmas to Everyone!!

Give me a big Christmas Smoochie!!

a new painting...

I like this portion of the painting better than the whole piece so far. I still need to go in and touch up and lighten and darken, but I am fairly happy with it so far. I got a video tutorial and followed it and did this much in 1 hour, so that part made me happy! This canvas is 16" square.

It's all a learning process and I need to spend more time painting and practicing techniques and just playing around. When it is finished, I will put a clear glossy over it so it will shine! It is much more colorful than it shows. I took this pic at night with just the kitchen light on so it's kind of blah.

finished at last!

I think it got a little busy, but it has alot to look at!! I put little messages here and there. I now have my kitchen table back I am very happy to say!

Now I am going to start on a new acrylic painting. Can't wait, it will be a vase of flowers, mostly purples and violets with red and light green accents!! I can see it in my minds eye. I plan on it being FABULOUS! Hows that for working on my confidence!!

PayPal Special Discount!

Lets celebrate having PayPal available now by your taking 25% off everything you order when you enter the coupon code " PP ". You can pay with PayPal or with your credit card, it doesn't matter, I am just so happy to offer the option to you!

All presents are beautifully wrapped in really cute gift boxes with matching tissue and a personal note from the artist, (that's me of course)!

PayPal or credit card?

Which do you prefer to use when shopping online? Your credit card, or your PayPal account? I would really like to hear from you on how you feel about it.
(I have added PayPal to my website so you now have the choice!!)

Like my new changes??

Do you like my new banner picture above? I just took it today and thought it would look good here. I was trying to capture the "essence" of my jewelry. I think I did, do you? Hope you like it, xoSandy

"What's in a McDonald's McNugget?

I know this is not my normal type blog post, but I just read this and thought of all the kids eating these, (and plenty of adults too) and thought you would want to know. Its just awful what has been allowed to happen to our food system.

"What's in a McDonald's McNugget? Chicken is just half of it.

03 November 2010
What’s in a McDonald’s Chicken McNugget? Only about half is chicken – the rest is made up of taste enhancers and preservatives such an anti-foaming agent, and a chemical used in lighter fluid. Even the chicken parts come from pulverized chicken skin and mechanically reclaimed meat, says consumer action group Organic Authority. The group has dissected McDonald’s recipe for its Chicken McNuggets to discover that ingredients include dimethylpolysiloxane, a silicone-based, anti-foaming agent u......"

Excuse me,"Chicken SKIN"?? Isn't that the part that many people, including me, pull off cause its so fatty and bad for you!! Now we know what companies do with the skin when they offer other choices of 'skinless grilled breast' and so on.
You get the picture. This is an excerpt from WDDTY "What Doctors Don't Tell You" a medical newsletter/email I get.

a little more done...

The latest:

Beginning:

You can see I added the phrase, "We can all travel down the path of our dreams". It is from a quote of mine on one of my sterling bracelets, which I changed a bit for this collage. I painted more color also, can you see the difference? Somehow I still have an empty space in the middle!! I was thinking of a mirror, or is that too weird??
I am going to do more stamping up the left side and some around the sun. I need to get it finished so I can get my kitchen table back!!

"Friends Sale" ends tomorrow night & a Special Bonus

This is a special sale for followers, readers, and friends of Toby and Max Jewelry who are invited to save 25% off EVERYTHING you order. My post below has all the details. This Sale is NOT mentioned on my website, it is only for YOU, my friends and followers!!

As a Special Bonus, go to My FaceBook page here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Toby-and-Max-Jewelry/130698990309749?v=wall and click on the "LIKE" button, and I will give you an extra $5.00 off on your order! And that will also give you another way to keep up with my special sales to my "friends" only!! Its a good thing!

5 day SALE~ 25% off EVERYTHING!

5 DAY HOLIDAY SALE STARTING TODAY

For our loyal friends and followers, here's a special sale just for you! Now is the time to get those pieces that you know you've been wanting, and also get holiday gifts for the special people in your life.

Don't wait as the price of sterling is skyrocketing and our prices will soon have to be increased.

This is your chance to get fabulous Toby and Max handmade sterling designs at a large discount AND at "last years" silver prices!!!! Give a gift that will last a lifetime and always remind them of you.

You pick, and we ship, either to you or to your recipients. Each item is beautifully wrapped and includes a note card with your own greeting! If your recipient would prefer a different design, exchanges are easy. No worries! Really!

Wow! Look at our NEW MINI PENDANTS! These affordable gifts make GREAT little stocking stuffers. Choose from You're my Cupcake", "Love you to the Moon and Back" and "Bad to the Bone" adorable 3-d sterling charms. http://www.tobyandmax.com/store/index.php?main_page=featured_products&zenid=3ec35eea1a0400d36ccde7b1b0565d49


Please use coupon code - Loyalty -and order soon, as this offer is only good for the next 5 days!! (ends at midnight Oct. 25th)

If you are shopping for more than one friend and have different address for us to send to, just tell us which items go to which address in the "comments box" and we will take care of everything for you. If there is any question at all, we will ask you for clarification, so you have a "no worries" experience when ordering.


Our family here at Toby and Max appreciate your friendship and loyalty to our high quality American made products. We always keep your wishes close to our hearts and send you blessings throughout the year.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PASS THIS ON TO YOUR FRIENDS, AND POST IN YOUR FACEBOOK OR BLOG AND SHARE THE SAVINGS WITH YOUR PEEPS!!

xoxo Sandy

WWW.TOBYANDMAX.COM

FACEBOOK PAGE "Like" me on FaceBook!



Info@TobyandMax.com

541-997-7766

490 HWY 101

FLORENCE, OR. 97439

Join my new club!!

For all of you who have been waiting to order, my "Bad to the Bone" sterling necklace is now on my website. It is $22. on the website, but if you put in comments "BAD TO THE BONE CLUB DISCOUNT", your price is only $18.00!! (for a limited time) So, join now!! Don't forget your DOG wants to wear one too!!
See for yourself how cute it is and order info.

Having a little fun playing today

I thought I would try a collage type mixed media painting 'sort of thing'. I am so inspired looking at my friends collage art over on FaceBook that I decided to try one today. It is just the beginning, I still have to do a lot of embellishment around the edges, but I have this giant space in the middle (how did that happen?) and I thought I would ask for ideas from all of you. I just wanted to have fun and I did have BIG fun doing this, but I would also like to finish it with something good. :)

New Crazy Bloggers club!

A "BAD TO THE BONE" Club!!
It's not even on the website yet it is so new, and I have already been getting so many people who want to wear this little sterling "Bone" charm, that I thought I would start a club! After all, serious bloggers, got to be tough, diligent, interesting, cool, and of course a little "bad to the bone" to be able to do all that on a regular basis!! Right now it is only $18.00 and comes on a 20" chain ready to wear. I will be wearing one, how about you. I can post pics of all the 'club members' wearing their 'bones'!! So email me directly if you want to join the club!! Sandy@TobyandMax.com.
xoxoSandy

Who's your Cupcake?

Wouldn't your daughter just love this??? How cute and just under 1" tall and comes on a chain ready to wear.

Who do you LOVE this much????

Finally got a professional pic!! It is not quite 1" tall and comes on a chain ready to wear!


Brand new, I just got them finished. They are not even on my website yet, so if you want one please email me directly at Sandy@TobyandMax.com to reserve yours from my first batch!! "I Love you to the Moon and back". The price now is $22.00, but may be higher when it goes on the website since sterling is skyrocketing.
Do you like it?? I think it just turned out so cute!!

Donating to Breast Cancer Research

For this month of October I am donating to Breast Cancer research for every sale on any of these 3 items: "I am a Survivor" cuff bracelet; "Bless this Woman" neck tag; and "WARRIOR" (I am STRONG) cuff bracelet.

It is something that has affected most of us, whether a friend, a relative or ourselves. If you ever thought of giving a gift to the special person, a gift that gives hope, and inspires, now is the time as part of your payment will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. I thank you for participating in the very important fight.
xoSandy

Had to share this--Touching & Funny!!

HOMELESS MAN'S FUNERAL...To good to keep to myself, have to pass it on.

As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper's cemetery in the Kentucky back country.

As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn't stop for directions. I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was no-where in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch.

I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn't know what else to do, so I started to play.

The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. I played like I've never played before for this homeless man. And as I played 'Amazing Grace,' the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head hung low, my heart was full.

As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, "I never seen nothin' like that before and I've been putting in septic tanks for twenty years."

Apparently, I was still lost

Cupcakes are here!!!

I finally have some finished! They turned out so nice. Very layered 3-D with the frosting, sprinkles, and hearts. So cute, but I only have a few and they are not even on the website yet, so if you wanting one of these cuties, email me quickly.
I probably should have waited till I got a better picture, but I just had to show you. I love them. Wouldn't your daughter love having one of these to wear. Or maybe you should wear it for her!!

Am I crazy!? I tried out for a play this morning!!

I can't quite believe it myself. I started taking acting classes a couple months ago and our teacher who is a retired acting coach from southern california is directing a new play, and I actually got up the nerve to go and "read"!! The whole experience is so interesting, from all the things to learn about how to act, (and not be "acting") to how try-outs are done. We are supposed to find out tonight who gets parts and which ones. I don't care, I don't need to be in the play, not even sure if I want to be, I just wanted to experience the 'readings' with other people who were trying-out and soak in the new experience.

See, I am really quite shy, and I thought this whole thing would be good for me to expand my boundaries and do something that was a bit uncomfortable. I had no idea that it would be so much FUN!

New designs in a couple days--HERE!!

I can't wait. They all turned out so cute. Wait till you see them! My main computer crashed with all my info and pics and everything on it, but I will receive the new computer I ordered tomorrow. So stay tuned, I only have a very few completed pieces in this first batch, so you will want to order quickly to be sure of getting one, or two, or one of each! They are so cute stacked up!!! What a time for my computer to quit!

I could hear the roosters crow from my hospital bed...

This is why you haven't heard much from me lately. It all started with a sinus infection about 2 weeks ago. I thought I had it under control and then coughing started. Lab results showed I needed more care and interveinous antibiotics. So I have been in the hospital for the last 2 days and nights. I am home now and feeling much better. The docs at first thought it was pnuemonia, but then downgraded to severe bronchitus and sinusitus. Very good to be back home, being without internet and computer is no fun. Neither were the every 3 hours through the night blood pressure checks and hooking me up to an inhaler.

The first morning I was there I woke to roosters crowing. Oh, did I mention that I am in Panama, Central America right now and that was my first real experience with the health care system here. It was very good. And the bill, even though it was large, was probably about what my co-pay would have been in the states. If you are interested in more details about any of this, leave a comment, I would be happy to share with you.

Sweet Cupcakes, 'Love you to the Moon' and 'Bad to the Bone' ready next week!!

I am so excited, these new designs are just the cutest ever! And they are the right size to work for yourself or your young ones, and also very affordably priced. Wait till you see them!!! The cutest cupcake with 3-d frosting, sprinkles and hearts. An adorable smiling man in the moon "I love you to the moon and back" with hearts and stars. And of course, a new design for all my dog loving friends and their pooches, "Bad to the Bone" on a plumb little sterling bone! Stay tuned and check back for pics coming soon.

Thank you Kim from Todays Creative Blog for "Sharing the Love"

A fellow blogger who has a fabulous blog, just wrote this about me today. I am so excited. Here is the link: http://todayscreativeblog.net/stamped-jewelry/

Just a snippet to get you enticed to go see:

"Sandy has a beautiful spirit and it shows through her art. I figured with our love of stamped silver, that you too would love her spin. I love the little bone on his cuff. The saying is “become the person your dog thinks you are”. Or something like that.

Isn’t this the cutest little house? Very symbolic if you ask me.I think this is my fav…….it’s a cuff she made for herself. In her words…. “I actually made this as a constant reminder to myself to stay on track of fulfilling my dreams when they seemed unreachable. And now my dreams are coming true!! Keeps the positive thought energy working everyday”.

OK, I lied………I think this heart with wings is my fav. She made these with mom’s and grandmothers in mind. She was having a contest for words and saying to go along with them. Any ideas? I have a feeling she’s always open for inspiration.

If you’re looking for wonderful holiday gifts……..there I go again talking early about the holidays…..seriously……..you could do all your shopping online, in your jammies….you don’t even have to put a bra on. Besides her blog, she has an online shop.
She is offering 25% off all orders if you link to her site or facebook. You can find the link access on her site."
~~~
Thank you KIM, you're my new Best Friend!!!! Visit Kim's Blog and you can see the pictures/pieces she is talking about.

"You're my Cupcake"!!

Almost done with a design in my new Mommy n' Me line of the cutest little cupcake you have ever seen!!!! It is a petite little beauty that has frosting and hearts and of course sprinkles, all in sterling silver. And on the back it reads "You're my Cupcake". I can't wait till I get the first one finished so I can photograph and show you. It is YUMMY!!

My painting--finished!! well almost

Notice anything different in the two pics?? After I hung it on my wall (top pic) I thought it still needed a little balance, and not wanting to make a mistake and ruin the whole thing, I cut out a little flower and painted it and just 'stuck' it on with tape! Now, I see that I need to go ahead and paint it in for real. Can you see it? It kind of makes it like a collage at this point. Its a small orange flower on the top left at the wall line of the 2 different colors.

Oh, and this is not the very large painting I showed you before that I am working on. This is a different, smaller one I decided to do before I continue on with 'El Grande'!

so many ideas

I love the comments and suggestions that you all have sent me. I love the "you are my sunshine" and I am developing the design for it now! SunieDawn sent me that suggestion and she will receive for free one of the first ones I make! I also really like the "I love you MORE!" How cute that would be to wear.

I am also making "I love you to the Moon and back", with a cute smiling moon face. I love so many of the comments that you have sent, I am having a tough time deciding on just which ones. I think I will be making about 10 of these little cuties so keep sending me your ideas, and favorite sayings. I really enjoy hearing from you and your stories that go with your favorite words.

2 days in Panama City

I spent 2 days last week in Panama City, and that is not the one in Florida. As always it was very hot which is why I only go there when completely necessary. I take taxi's everywhere I must go because, believe you me, you don't want to drive here. It is quite different than the states. They have their own rules, but they all seem to know them so it works out.

I went to the American Embassy, which is my first time ever to any embassy. I wanted to take pictures but the security at the entrance was so tight (tighter than the airports!) that they kept my camera, cell phone, keys, phone charger!, and water bottle, and returned them to me on my way out. So I could not get any pictures. It was very cool though, a new building and very efficient. I was in and out in about 45 minutes, which in Panama is unusual and a very good thing!

New stuff for Moms!! And a contest to boot!!

I am developing a new line of charms for Moms and their kiddos! (Some samples above) How great is this! And all the mommies out there can participate! What words would you like to wear that are important to you? And do you have a favorite symbol or picture, or icon that you would like to see on the front?

I am having a CONTEST for all you mommies, and of course GRANDmommies, and of course, anyone else who wants to participate ! To enter leave a comment of what you would like to wear, or have for your child. I don't know about you, but I still call my mom, "mommy"! There is just something special in that don't you think?

Anyway, please leave your entries and ideas in comments below, or email me direct at Sandy@TobyandMax.com. Any person who comes up with a design that I add to the line, will receive a FREE one when I first make them!!! I should be making these within a month or so, so start those creative juices flowing and win yourself a free sterling charm to wear on your wrist or around your neck. That is if you can get it away from your little girl, as she will probably want to be a fashionista too! You can be wild and crazy with ideas. Let's have some fun!! Be sure to add your email address, website, or something so I can get in touch with you.

xo Sandy
"words of encouragement, love and friendship"
www.TobyandMax.com

a work in progress

Can you tell I worked on my painting a bit more? (There is a 'before' pic about 3 posts down.) I did this in the 3 hour painting class I go to once a week. I like the contrast of the background color on the left. It will be easier for me now (I hope) to fill in with more flowers and more color since the background is there. I also need to pick a color for the 'tablecloth'. It is really much more colorful in person, I don't know why the color didn't come through on the picture.

I love the farmers market

I was so happy to find SUNFLOWERS ready to plant, not cut, at the local market!! They are so bright and cheerful, and I couldn't resist the red Gerber Daisy also. Now I need to figure out what pots I have to plant in and if I even have a suitable pot. You know how that happens, you find something you really like for a really good price and when you get it home you realize that to 'complete' the project it is going to cost even more moolah! Oh well, they make me feel good and maybe at some point they will feed the birds too.

I have always wanted to paint

I started taking lessons last month and have ventured into starting a large painting. 30"x 30". I like large. I like it when I walk into a room and there are large paintings or other types of artwork on the walls. Strong, dramatic. Thats what I am hoping to achieve. This is a picture of the beginnings of my first painting. I still have MUCH to do. But I am having some fun with it in between making many new jewelry designs, and working on my website, my blog, and walking my wonderful dog. I will post more pics as the painting comes along. Besides large, I like colorful and bright too, the kind that when you look at it, it just makes you feel good.
xoS

new dog designs coming soon

I am currently putting together a few new "charms" that will be perfect on your 'babys' collar, dog or cat that is. and many will also work well as a necklace for the dog/cat owner!

Now is the time if you have any special sayings that you would like to see made in metal. Join me and lets have some fun with this.
Leave a comment below or email me directly at Sandy@TobyandMax.com. So, what would your dog/cat look good in??

Does this dog look "Bad to the Bone"??

Your right, he doesn't. He is a sweetie with attitude that belongs to a friend of mine. But I think he would be awfully cute in one of my new 'upcoming' dog tags that says "Bad to the Bone" with a tiny sterling 3-d bone on the front!! Maybe it will scare away those big dogs!! And attitude does count for something doesn't it?!!

update: donating 25% to Audubon Society

I have been searching to find the organizations that are doing the most to help the wildlife that are in crisis in the gulf. I wanted to post on my blog who would be receiving the 25% of purchase price donations. I am sure there are many organizations and groups, but the Audubon Society has a large team in place in Louisiana working hard to help. The donations from you and me will go there. I have links here for you to see what they are doing and how you can help directly also.

I hope you know, I am not offering the 25% to help the birds as a sales gimmick. I wish I had alot of money and I would just donate a zillion. But this is something I can do, and I hope people who care will find my blog and want to participate also. These people who join with me will have something beautiful to wear to show that they care, and that they helped; and the pendants will remind them and others that you can do something to help in this crisis. Please spread the word and email this blog to your friends.

I have also decided to include another design (besides the one in the previous post) that you can wear close to your heart where 25% will be donated to help the birds. It is a sterling heart with wings with the word "Free" on the back. I do want these birds to be free again to live naturally, free of the oil, free of what has happened to them. I know I am getting emotional here, but I just can't seem to help it. Did I tell you that I have owned parrots before, and they are such beautiful, intelligent creatures, and that they show love much like people. The price for this beautiful, petite, sterling pendant is only $22.00!
Click here to see this design and to order/donate.

((Update:I just realized that on my actual website page I failed to add information about helping the birds in the gulf or the 25% donation. In my haste to make this donation available to people on my blog, I did not think about also putting it on the website page. I got very caught up in my research and what is happening in the gulf and blogging about it. I will be making the addition to the page as soon as I can get my website builder to make the changes, but for now, please know that any purchases on these 2 designs I will be donating the 25% to the Audubon Society.

I hope this did not confuse anyone and cause them not to participate when they wanted to get involved.))


Here are some links that show what the Audubon volunteers are doing to help. I want to help them as much as I can, please join me.


http://magblog.audubon.org/oil-spill-photo-gallery-oiled-wildlife-rehabilitation-center-part-2

A day in the life of a volunteer:
http://magblog.audubon.org/oil-spill-volunteer-shares-her-experiences-helping-save-oiled-birds

Another good site: http://www.allaboutwildlife.com/american-wildlife/volunteering-to-help-gulf-wildlife/4843

And this from the NWF as an Emergency Alert. It really brings it all home as to what is happening:

"Millions of gallons of oil have oozed into the water since the April 20th rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico. Some estimates calculate the oil flow to be up to 60,000 barrels of oil a day—that’s 2.5 million gallons of oil a daycontaminating our waters and threatening wildlife and sensitive habitats!

And we still don’t know when it will stop.

The wildlife casualties are adding up. Hundreds of birds and sea turtles have already been found dead. Hundreds more animals are struggling to survive, drenched in toxic oil. Sadly, this is just the beginning of what’s in store for wildlife in the region due to this devastating tragedy.

Please donate today to support National Wildlife Federation’s efforts on-the-ground to confront this crisis. We’re tracking and reporting on the impacts of the oil spill, and we’re setting up an extensive network of volunteers that will support wildlife rescue and rehabilitation efforts and restore damaged coastal ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico.

We’re working hard to safeguard the treasured wildlife and wild places impacted by this catastrophe. But we need your help to get the job done." Go here to donate directly to help.

Lets do something to help the birds in the gulf

Doesn't it break your heart when you see the pictures on tv? I can hardly stand it when they show the birds all covered in oil. I wonder why more isn't more being done? Maybe I am not getting the full story on the news, seems like 'they' must be doing more than it sounds like.

I want to do something to help the people/organizations, in the gulf that are helping these poor helpless beings. I will donate 25% of the purchase price to either a bird sanctuary or other group that is actually helping find the birds and clean them up from the oil. The Pendant has a bird wing on the front, and it says "Protect Me" on the back. PROTECT ME, and isn't that what we will be doing when we help get them cleaned off of oil and re-released somewhere safe. Some might say it looks like an angel wing, and believe me, from what I can see, these creatures need all the angels they can get. It is sterling silver, and the price is only $38.00. That means that $9.50 will go to help for every pendant you buy. Show your friends and get them to join in and help the sanctuaries that are helping the birds/turtles, etc. in the gulf. Its not a big thing, but it is something!!! We need to do something!! I have to turn the tv off I get so hysterical some times watching what is going on. This is a small thing, but it is something that I can do and I hope you agree with me and will join in. The Pendant info is here.

A graduation gift full of determination and dreams...

What a wonderful way to show your graduate that you believe in them and that they will be living the life of their dreams. Solid sterling, made in America, what more could you ask for??

"I will travel down the path of my Dreams" stamped inside.

Click here to find out more.