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.

A few of my favorite pieces..

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Only 2 days left for the sale...

Last minute notice if you want to get super prices!! Sale ends December 10th at midnight.

Thank you to everyone who has ordered and added to their collection of Toby and Max jewelry. We understand it is a careful decision these days as to where you spend your money. You are appreciated! And my dog Oscar thanks you too for his bones!!

Have a great Holiday and Christmas!

xoxo Sandy, Tracy, Oscar Noodles the Poodles, and a few other work people and helpers.

Adorable new designs

These cuties are in very limited numbers right now, and oh so affordable, the 2 smaller pendants on the right are only $22.00! Sale ends December 10th, so best shop soon."I am so excited to share my new jewelry with you! I love these little designs! They are just so doggone cute, as well as versatile and very affordable. Stack them up on a chain or cord for a necklace, or wrap around your wrist for a charm bracelet!
I think they are sexy!"
Enjoy!
Sandy

Also available in earrings....
Go to www.TobyandMax.com/store and click on NEW.


And last but not least ... our most favorite dog phrase, on a cuff! After getting so many requests for this, how could we refuse?
"Be the person your dog thinks you are" on the top, with 2 cute 3D dog bones on each side of the phrase.

If you don't want to order online, feel free to call it in at 541-997-7766
Why don't you forward this email to a friend with gift ideas!

"Be the Person your DOG thinks you are" is ready!

A lot of dog people have been waiting for me to make this bracelet into a cuff which has been so popular in my links design. I have just finished it and here it is. It is truly adorable, just like your pups, with a tiny 3-d dog bone on each end of the words. Isn't it the cutest!!

Are you wondering what to give?

Give a gift that has meaning. Toby and Max Jewelry has words that mean something to both the giver and receiver. Share your love, your appreciation, your dreams, your confidence and belief with another. Solid sterling that will last a lifetime and be treasured as a reminder of you for all time.

www.TobyandMax.com

To make life easier, we will ship directly to your friend or loved one with a beautifully wrapped package and notecard with your words.

Need some Cheap Therapy??

Have you seen the fabulous art paper and inspired words from CHEAP THERAPY? I just love that name. Cheap Therapy, I can go there! Well, Lisa, the owner artist is a wonderful inspirational person who makes all her paper notecards, posters, and so much more by hand. Go by and take a look. www.CheapTherapy.net I know you will feel refreshed by her thoughts and inspired by her work.

Lisa sells Cheap Therapy exclusively to her business partners. If you happen to be a wholesale buyer who'd like to offer Cheap Therapy to your customers, contact Lisa at cheaptherapy@embarqmail.com for partnership details. Mention Toby and Max to receive a 20% discount on your first order! (This offer can't be combined with other special offers Lisa may be offering at the time of your order.)

If there is not a store near you that sells Cheap Therapy, there a link at the bottom of her page for Creative Artworks, where you can buy retail online.

One of my favorites is this one of course!

"Dogs aren't your whole life, but they make your life whole".

Favorite Cuff for Dog Lovers on its way!

Dog lovers, your new bracelet is almost ready! One of the favorite phrases on my link bracelet, "Be the person your DOG thinks you are" is now going to also be offered on a cuff! I have had many good folks ask me to put these words on a cuff for easy wearing and it is almost ready! I will have these in time for Christmas. As soon as I get the first one finished I will snap a pic and post it here.

And the design is very cute with a little 3-d dogbone on each end of the words. Quite a nice conversation piece and a great gift for your dog loving friends.

While walking to town, always with my camera in my pocket, I found a bee that would actually stay still long enough for me to get a shot. Good bee, good bee. Oh yes, I have been without my dog for too long.

Some Amazing Jewelry

If you want to see some completely amazing jewelry and what I call works of art jewelry, please visit my friend's sites linked below. Amazing pieces! This pic is just a 'tasty'!

David Robbins Art and
David Robbins more and different

I received this note today..

"my pendant from toby and max jewelry came and i am so excited! it is gorgeous, and i love it and i don’t know if i will ever take it off!
thank you sandy, for having the contest, i am so glad i was the winner! huzzah, huzzah.
renee"

you are very welcome Renee, enjoy!

Renee was so excited to hear she had won. Here's what she had to say,

"Dear Sandy,
oh my gosh--you just totally made my day!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Tears are streaming down my face.
I feel so honored and deliriously happy. It is so perfect. thank you.
This is so encouraging and beautiful -- i am full of tearful joy...
Renee"

I am so happy too Renee,
Enjoy~Enjoy~Enjoy!!

And the Winner is....

RENEE ALTSON!!! Congratulations Renee, you are the winner of my sterling "Protect Me" pendant!! I will be contacting you shortly to get your address to mail the gift. (If you see this first you can email me directly).

A big thank you to all you wonderful folks who took the time to leave comments about their favorite Toby and Max jewelry pieces. I have enjoyed reading all of the comments and it makes me very happy to know that the meaning behind my jewelry has touched all of you in a special way.

Tomorrow -- The Winner!

Tomorrow I will announce the lucky winner of my first sterling give-away contest. Check back Monday evening and see if its you!!!