Life in Another Land of Islands

I live is a little tiny town in an region (province?) called the Far North - if you can deduce anything by this name, it's pretty far up there on the North Island.  It's on the coast.   Many super smiles for that.  Wonderfully, it's in an area called the Bay of Islands - and if you can deduce anything by this name - just beyond the coast, but still in the bay lives a plethora of little islands.  Non-wonderfully, due to the fact that it's located on a bay with lots of little islands blocking the seashore, there's not much in the name of big waves.  But it's all G, y'all. You can't have everything, as they say - whoever they may be.

Luckily, there are lots of seashells- both brand new and worn through the ages smooth - appearing to be little pieces of finely sculpted artwork...and I will soon make those little pieces of artwork into handcrafted pieces of artwork - for your ears...and maybe wrists.  And possibly necks, one day.

A little sampling of what my hands have been crafting the past few weeks:

I heart these (below)...and the little shadows they make on your neck.

I've more recently been into making chains - nothing like necklace style yet, but several bracelets.

I was inspired a while ago by a cycle tourist staying where I lived in Rotorua.  She and her partner are sailing  for an unknown time period.  She has in the past made jewelry and suggested using a little hammer to flatten wire.  Just what I want - more opportunities and ideas to be creative.  I don't have a hammer yet, but used my rounded pointy nose beading pliers to flatten the spiral ends of these hand-wired beads.  I like how it came out and look forward to discovering how this will dangle from an ear.

I'm employed!  Perhaps the grandest news of all, eh?  Check out the lovely colors of my uniform:

I'm also working for accommodation at a backpackers so that means no rent!!  Yeah!!

Ok, life is good.  I've been running nearly everyday, despite my issues with rice last week, and I'm officially in lovelovelove with running again.  Just gotta get back on the bike and jump into the freezing ocean...


This post  (the sea-related part) reminds me of Morcheeba's "The Sea" from the album Big Calm. Listen to it if you please.  One of my all-time fave bands.


And just to let blog know...I neeeeeed/waaaaant to ride my bike tomorrow.  I keep putting it off cause my deralliuer hanger snapped in half a while back and I replaced it...perhaps I'm fearful of my mechanic-ing skills and that the newly replaced hanger will snap in half again.  But, let it be known - I will put if off no more!!

It's officially the shortest day of the year today.  I'm so excited for longer daylight hours again - so soon.

Happy solstice day wherever you are in the world!