Friday 24 January 2014

Grow Your Blog

It is a trying experience figuring out how to add the link to the sidebar - sorry this is all new to me, but with persistence and effort, I hope to be able to add the link to the sidebar sooner rather than later.

A big thank you to 2 Bags Full for hosting this hop. Like so many others on the web, her generosity and thoughtfulness inspire me!

In the late 90s, I was co-owner of a successful ISP that grew from 300 to 75,000 customers in less than 5 years, and that included satisfying the needs of 18,000 very demanding business customers.  It was a hectic time, hiring and training 80 staff  members with the goal of delivering services in a timely, efficient and profitable manner. Whew!

Since 2000, I am no longer involved in that type of high stress environment. After selling the company, I began to direct my time and efforts towards more creative and passionate pursuits - like travelling and making jewellery. Who knew there was so much to learn and so many very excellent teachers to learn from? In person, I have attended classes in Canada, the U.S.A and Mexico. I have visited artisans in their homes and workshops and taken many on-line courses.

Every day, it seems, someone is offering new insights or developing improved techniques about some aspect of jewellery making. To me, jewellery making appears to be a hugely diverse world that continues to be  growing at an exponential rate  Keeping up with this rate of change seems overwhelming and it makes me a little bit uncomfortable with just how quickly things seem to be changing. In all honestly I would prefer to concentrate my efforts solely on making jewellery, but blogging and sharing information and ideas is just as important to me as is making jewellery. So I recognize that I need to push myself sometimes to communicate more using tools and techniques like facebook entries, blog entries and even a website.

I am a jewellery designer from Alberta, Canada. I love classes and tutorials of all kinds and take as many as I can. I started out in a metal smithing class making chains and have moved on to wire wrapping, enamel, sinking/raising, forming, metal clay ... the list goes on and on. This is the year for me to push myself in new directions and get more involved in the internet community. I hope this hop helps.

I am looking forward to checking all of your blogs and seeing more of what everyone has to offer.

My pledge this year is to be more active on facebook and so far that has been going well. (You can see some of my pieces by clicking the facebook link on the sidebar.) I am keeping to a pretty reasonable and  regular schedule and will attempt to do the same here. My aim is to share with you my ideas and experiences at least twice per week. Let's see how I do.

Being happily married to the same wonderful man since 1979 has been both a challenge and a joy. He continues to be supportive of just about everything I do. Together we have raised 2 children who have been my inspiration in life. They are both married to terrific partners. They assure me that they are practicing but, so far, we do not have any grandchildren. Oh well, all in good time.

My degree is in business with a major in computer science. All that I learned in the 70s and 80s is viewed as obsolete by today's standards. In fact, one of my COBOL textbooks is now on display as a museum exhibit in a computer lab at the University of Alberta! Most everything I know about computers from that time is now relegated to the history books. As I said earlier I was involved on the ground floor of the internet in the 90s, but much of that too has fallen by the wayside. What has been invented or introduced in the most recent 18 months, at most, seems to be what is important to learn about today, if you wish to stay current with technological advancements. Similarly, jewellery making seems to heading this way too.

My current passion is jewellery design / creation. I prefer chunky, bold pieces that make a statement. While some of my work is simple and easy to wear. some of it requires a strong personality and sense of style to wear. So be it! Be all you want to be! I tell my customers that it is all wearable, you just have to go for it and confidently express yourself through choices in fashion and complementary jewellery!

I am hoping to connect with some of you during this hop and, even if we only meet once, I am sure it will be fun.

Enjoy!

92 comments:

  1. hi there, i'm Beth from "E. Lizard Breath Speaks" & a "Grow Your Blog" party volunteer, i'm helping Vicki out by visiting several of the blogs from the link up. so many folks to see & we volunteers are all working together to check you guys out. i want to welcome to the party!!! i sure hope you are having a great day. be sure to go check out some great blogs. there are so many to see. ( :

    you have had a long marriage - that is a gorgeous thing these days. i wish you many more happy years together. i will go check out your facebook page to see some of your handy work. i hope you have a happy weekend. do take care.

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    1. Love your name - thanks for checking me out. This is fun!!!!!

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  2. Your jewelry is very pretty. It is great to meet everyone through this blog hop.

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    1. Thanks for the kind comment. Yes it is a wonderful opportunity to see sites we may never find on our own. Great to meet you here.

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  3. Thank you for visiting me, I like your style of jewellery its very nice!

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    1. Thanks and I hope we meet again. I will definitely stop by your blog again.

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  4. Hello! It's a pleasure to meet you today as you did on my blog. I see you're at the beginning with your blog, as I was 2 years ago. One thing at a time! Slowly, you will discover how to add pictures and text on the sidebar and you will play with that one day. If you need help, let me know and I will see how to help you. Welcome on the blogland! Have fun with all of us!

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    1. Thank you for your kind offer. I will follow-up after the hop when I have more time. Again many thanks.

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  5. I love your jewelry! Very bold and exciting. I'm visiting during the GYB party and will continue to follow your blog to keep up with your creations. I like you on FB. Please visit me at wirednan.blogspot.ca

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    1. Just started following your blog. Nice to meet you. Hope to see you again soon.

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  6. Hi and thank you so much for your lovely comment on my blog. I'm looking forward to following you too. Your jewellery is exquisite and your blogging style is very witty. I laughed at both the comments about your children having to assure you they were on track for getting you grandbabies and you having your book in a museum - what an honour but making you feel ancient in one go! Looking forward to my return visits.
    Love and Best
    RedSetter

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    1. Thanks for your kind comments. My daughter was not as thrilled with my comment. :) Thank you for stopping by. I am headed to you site now to refresh my memory.

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  7. You have such lovely Jewelry designs! Happy hopping!

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    1. Thank you so much. The hop has been really enjoyable.

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  8. Your jewellery is amazing and you write in such a light hearted fun way that I 'm really looking forward to following you in the future.
    Australia calling in from the GYB hop Hope you are having a fun weekend!
    Wren x (Little Wandering Wren )

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    1. Thank you for your kind words. I am also following your blog with a subscription to RSS.

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  9. thanks for visiting my blog. The jewelry you make is very beautiful! ♥

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  10. Best wises with you blogging, I will be checking in with you later. Thanks for stopping by my blog today. Its been so much fun seeing everyone's blogs.
    Teresa
    www.foxhollowtales.com

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    1. Thank you as well. The hop has been a lot of fun - a really enjoyable way to spend time.

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  11. Hi Marie, thanks for your lovely comment on my blog today. We both agree that jewelry making is very relaxing and I enjoy it just like you do. I have been hopping all day with the GYB party and I am glad to have found you. Keep making and enjoying and happy hopping!

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    1. My heartfelt thanks to you. It is a real pleasure to meet like minded people through the hop.

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  12. Hi Marie, thank you for visiting one of my blogs! I really enjoyed reading your writing. How about a follower button somewhere? I would like to follow you or add you to my Google circles. Keep on writing and creating!! Hettienne

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    1. Thanks for your feedback. I thought I had a follow button but I guess not. I think it is there now.

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  13. Hello, I'm still catching up from the blog party yesterday...
    I wanted to say thank you for visiting me and leaving a lovely comment :)
    You make some fab jewellery - sadly, my poor brain just can't cope with Facebook - all those pop-ups and messages...
    But I've found your blog, which is a much calmer place to visit :)

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    1. I hope you have had a chance to return to my blog. I have added a few pieces or my work here and will definitely add more in the coming weeks. Thanks for your suggestion.

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  14. Hi.. Thanks for visiting my blog and so glad to meet you.. Looking forward to see more of your Jewelry creations.. Have a great day! Cheers :)

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  15. It would be nice to see some of the things you are working on. I do like that your blog is not as cluttered as many of the other craft blogs I visit.

    Thanks for visiting my redwork/ embroidery blog yesterday! I have my follow button working...

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    1. Thanks for the suggestion. I have added some photos of my work and will add more in the coming weeks.

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  16. Hi! Thanks for visiting me at Adirondack Girl @ Heart. I'm pretty new at blogging myself--this party has been fun, hasn't it? So nice to meet you, Diana

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    1. It has been so much fun - really enjoyable, Thanks for visiting.

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  17. Hello, I've stopped by from the GYB party to say hi. Your blog name caught my eye since you make jewelry (as we spell it in US) I've joined your blog as a follower, and will be back to see more of your creations. Stay true to your design style and yes you will find some to appreciate it. Keep learning, study what is available for sale on Etsy and the like. I am still working out what exactly my jewelry style is, I've mostly been involved in stringing and wire wrapping. I invite you to stop by my blog for a visit and have a look at my jewelry creations. You're welcome to follow me, too if you find it interesting.
    Louise, from Lily and Jasmine Treasures: http://lilyandjasmine.blogspot.com/

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    1. I am currently a subscriber to your RSS feed. I enjoyed your blog as well. The name is a combination of my children's middle names. Macmillan (my son) Marie (my daughter) Thanks for your kind words.

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  18. Love your jewelry! Writing is not my favorite thing to do like you, and I am not very good at it. But I love to blog and share my experiences and recipes and travels. It is fun to find others that share your passions! I hope you continue to blog!

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    1. Thanks for your kind words. I am definitely going to try very hard to stick with blogging. A little discipline is good for all of us :)

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  19. Oh wow your jewelry is gorgeous! good luck finding your niche, it is very hard but so rewarding once you do. It has been nice meeting you.

    Hugs
    Caroline

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    1. Thank you for your kind words. Likewise it is so nice to meet you.

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  20. I am a new follower of your blog!

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  21. Visiting via Vicki's GYBP and enjoyed your post. Your jewelry is beautiful and cannot imagine such a high stress job as IT (if that's what it's called...I'm a low tech geek myself.)

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    1. I had a wonderful career in IT but it could be stressful. But I think all jobs can be stressful at time. (Even artists have deadlines!) I enjoyed your blog - your work is wonderful. Thanks for visiting.

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  22. Hello from Yukon! I hope you're enjoying this party as much as I do :)
    Evalina, This and that...

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    1. Oh, what a lovely (if cold) place to live. Summers are so short but amazing. Thanks for visiting.

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  23. I love the top photo of the multi coloured beads. It looks like a fun necklace.

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    1. Venetian tutti fruity beads - I love it too. Thanks for dropping by.

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  24. You've got some lovely Jewelery. Glad to have met you through the blog party, and look forward to seeing more of your creations.
    What a beautifulp part of the world you live in too.
    I've visited Banff and Whistler on many occasions to snowboard, and find the people so friendly.
    x

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    1. Glad you have enjoyed your trips to Canada and yes I love the mountains too. I am not a skier but I hike in the summer and snowshoe in the winter. Thank you for your kind words regarding my jewellery. It truly is a labour of love.

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  25. Your jewellery is gorgeous. Will look forward to checking it out again.
    Liz, www.rambling--prose.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate you stopping by.

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  26. Well it is very nice to meet you along the blog party route! Yes, your jewelry is great! FUN...FUNKY...I'd wear all of it...ok, not at the same time. Keep creating! And enjoy the party! Blog on!!! Aloha

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    1. Not at the same time? :) I am sad - just kidding. Thanks for your kind words. The hop has been great fun.

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  27. It was a thrill to "re-discover" your blog, Judy... I was here last March for Erin's Challenge of Music event and unfortunately lost track of your blog. So pleased to be able to visit again thanks to Vicki :)

    **I should add I did drop by yesterday, but as you allude to in your intro, technology can be a harsh and fickle master. I just had time to add myself to your GFC list, when my computer unexpectedly did a swan dive :( Oh well, all's well that end's well... I will now be able to pop over and catch your subsequent posts!

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    1. Nice to meet you again. Wasn't Erin's hop for the Challenge of Music wonderful. I loved that necklace. I am so glad we can reconnect. I have been an RSS follower for some time. (maybe lurker is a better description) Have a great day.

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  28. Lovely to meet you and your jewelry is awesome, I LOVE your pieces. Plan to return and spend a little more time here and will be following by email.

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    1. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate your kind words and the time it took to visit. Wasn't the hop great? You are welcome to visit anytime.

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  29. I loved you getting to know you statement it was very well written and told me a lot about you and your passions. I love your jewelry and aspire to be the type of person who can confidently wear a statement piece like you create.

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    1. I believe it is an attitude and the right piece of jewellery. Start smaller - maybe wear two of your favourite pieces together - you will be surprised at what you can enjoy wearing. Go for it.

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  30. Visiting from GYB. Beautiful jewelry. I like the pearls, but also the one with chains (shown in your next post). such a great variety!

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    1. thank you for your kind words. Thanks for visiting.

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  31. Hi! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. I love your jewelry. I will definitely start following. :) Hope you have a great weekend.
    Jennifer
    www.karmas-journey.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks for visiting and for your kind words. I have subscribed to your RSS feed.

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  32. What a fascinating story. I come for a highly technical background too and I think that making jewellery and beading in particular sort of appeals to me partly because some of the more technical aspects of it (how am I going to securely attach this to that, how I am I going to make that sit properly). It's subtly geeky and yet a wonderfully artistic thing to do.

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    1. Great insight! I also think jewellery can be very linear ---

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  33. Glad to see you are relaxing in your realm of enjoyment. So glad to meet you. You have much to share and i will be back. Thank you for sharing , enjoy the party and the warmth of Mexico.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words. Sharing is difficult for me when it comes to my own work - I somehow seem to never measure up. The party ha been wonderful. So many amazing artists to meet!

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  34. I loved my visit to your blog! Taz makes quite the model for your lovely jewelry!

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    1. I am so happy you enjoyed your visit. Thank you for coming. Taz seems to have a flair for fashion! My daughter is a beautiful young women with a flair for fashion and Taz seems to emulate her. They say that people and their pets begin to look alike over time - RC and Taz do not look so much alike but they definitely have similar mannerisms. Again, thanks for your kind words.

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  35. Thank you for visiting my blog, I'm glad you are enjoying the Party meeting new bloggers. I loved seeing your lovely dog Taz modelling your fantastic jewellery. My favourite is the kitchen sink one, it would be a good talking point. I'm looking forward to following you and seeing more items you're making on the course while you're in Mexico. See again soon.

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    1. thanks so much for visiting and I am glad you enjoyed your visit here. I love making the kitchen sink style of jewellery. I am working on a heart piece now - I also have several more in trays waiting for a few more pieces. They are fun to wear - I love the "tinkle" when you move. Take care.

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  36. Hello , my name is Dawn your my one stop on the blog party, Hope that I soon will be friends with all of you cyber neighbors. Can't wait to see more of your great projects in the making. My site http://overboardcreations.blogspot.com/ and contact info is ovr_brd@yahoo.com

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    1. Thank you so much for visiting. It means a lot to me that you took the time to comment on my blog. Maybe this will be fun after all :)

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  37. Hello - thanks for your comment on Comptonia :) Now I'm going to poke around and find some pictures of your jewelry creations!

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    1. Thank you for visiting. Hope you enjoyed your visit.

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  38. Great designs...visiting from GYB blog hop.

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    1. Thank you for your kind comments - hope you had a great time while here.

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  39. Hello, it's nice to meet you! I'm visiting from GYB and thank you for visiting me! You have a very lovely blog! I read several of your post, you are very talented, your jewelry designs are beautiful!

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    1. I really appreciate your kind words. Thanks you for visiting - I hope you enjoyed yourself.

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  40. Hi! Thank you for your kind comment and subscribing to my blog. I'm your latest follower as you create beautiful jewellery. Setting up a blog can be a challenge. I did everything by myselt. If you would like to add the badge to the GYB party, you'll have to go to blogger, select your blog, select scheme(?) (its icon looks like a newspaper) on the left, choose add a widget on the right, choose image (title, subtitle, link, image, and adjust). Good luck. Ana

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    1. Thank you for your help - I am now looking for the necessary code - to put where you suggested. Hope to have it up soon. Thanks again.

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  41. Hi, macmillanmarie. I love your jewelry and your blog. Thank you for following my blog, and for your kind words about it. I'm following your blog now, too.

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  42. I must have missed you out somehow, probably misread where I was on the list!
    Love your designs and would think your now in a much more interesting and therapeutic area of work than cyber waves and migrating to Mexico when its snowing in Alberta lol no contest!
    I used to travel as aircrew and went to Calgary many times but when ever we went anywhere in the snow, it was always a blessed challenge for me with poor circulation in fingers n toes lol

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    1. I know what you mean about circulation - I wear socks to bed :) - much to my husband's disapproval. (Calgary is amazing in the summer though) I am glad you found me :) --- I am sure we all missed people - the list was so long (but fun) -

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  43. Hi there, nice to meet you and thx. For stopping by my blog. I've seen your jewelry and it is very good work. Your designs are great. Thanks for sharing.
    Gloria

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    1. You are very kind - I have enjoyed this hop very much. thank you

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  44. Good evening, I love your work-very beautiful! So glad you found me from the party. I am now following and reading you on bloglovin
    Kathy

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    1. Thank you for your kind words as well as for following. I appreciate it.

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  45. Your jewellery is beautiful, thank you for commenting on my GYB post! I will be back for a longer look!

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    1. Thank you - you are always welcome to drop by.

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  46. Hello and lovely to meet you on Vicki's GYB party!
    You are another amazing creative soul - it's wonderful to see women following their dream, good on you!
    Such beautiful necklaces and bracelets - I'll be back again to read more of what you're doing.
    I loved hearing about your time at the beginning of the computer age. I clearly remember the day a techno guy came into the office where I worked and told us how computer technology would change the world. People would only work 3 days max a week as computers would halve the workload!!!!
    THAT hasn't happened - maybe they've complicated things along the way - I don't know, but the human brain is still the most sophisticated brain. It will be interesting to see developments over the next 10-20 years!

    I'm so pleased you found your way over to me - I'm now following you too via email!
    You're doing great getting yourself "out there"!
    Hugs
    Shane

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    1. Thank you - I also remember the "paperless" office we were promised - that has also not happened - Computers have changed how we do things in some ways but I still think they are glorified "toasters" --- They may help us but we still do the thinking... And they are only as capable as the poorest programmer. Have a wonderful day.

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