My Wish for All

Kathryn Ruffin

Facets by Kathryn.etsy.com

My Workshop

Its always great to buy handmade, even in this economy. For many crafters/artisans they have a love/hate relationship with their workspace. I thought I would post some pics of my workshop in it's cleaned up state. Since these pics were taken I have gotten a new, real, metalsmith bench which I am so proud! I will post picture of it when I have cleaned it up

A side view of my worktop and beloved tools.

The soldering station where I play with fire. I use a Smith Little

torch with an oxygen/propane mixture

My polishing station where everything comes up bright and shiny. Also pictured is my drill press make holes in anything. Lastly is my minature rolling mill to flatten, texturize and roll out wire. This is a work in progress as I am still making friend with this tool.

There you have it, where I spend a great portion of my free time and money. Oh, and on the other side of the room is the other things I have to use occasionally, the washer and dryer!

I will post pics of my favorite hand tools in a future post, stay tuned as I showcase them.

Exercise 101, Day 5


Well I've been to the fitness center five days. On Friday I learned all the machines to do the lower body workout. All of these are machine based and boy have I lost a lot of strength in this area! I walked on the treadmill for 35 minutes(including cooldown) at a speed of 2.7 miles per hour. Just my luck there were two young women in their late 20's visiting the gym. They proceeded to start on the elliptical machine for about 25 minutes, then one machine down from me they started running on the treadmill, and I do mean running at about 5-6 miles per hour!!

In my middle-aged mind I could see myself giving her a quick opps push off the machine, but what the heck, I was once young, in shape and thought myself invincible too!! Felt great and went home satisfied.

In the picture above are some copper pieces that have been in my studio since I took an etching class this summer. I could never figure out what to do with them until now. Decided they would make great pendants. So now is the before and after pics of some of the pendants that will be in my shop shortly.

This completed pendant will be on sale in my Etsy shop soon, so check it out.

After Christmas Sale in My Etsy Shop

30% Off Holiday Sale!!!

It's the day after Christmas and I'm having a holiday sale in my Etsy shop. Selected sterling silver and copper jewelry is 30% off. Come in and check it out.

Sterling Wirework Necklace

Was $35.00, now $26.00

Peridot & Sterling Oxidized Pendant

Was $45.00, now $31.00

Sterling Chainmaile Pendant
Was 42.00, now 29.00

Black Onyx Sterling Pendant

Was 36.00, now 25.00

Exercise 101

During the holiday break Ken surprised me by paying for the start up cost of a new fitness center close to our home, and I do mean close!

A Planet Fitness center opened approximately 2.5 blocks from our complex. I can go to our entrance and see the building. My exercise habits have been on a steady decline for several years, probably about five. I've also developed a lower back and neck problem where I'm losing space in between the vertebrae in both locations. This summer I walked as much as my back would allow.

In an effort to heal my body in a nonevasive way I have been going to a chiropractor for about three weeks for adjustments and massages. My assistant principal praised his methods and I decided to give it a try. So far the pain in my lower back has lessened and I can sit for extended periods without getting up like an 85 year old (I'm 56). My first massage was heavenly and I'm scheduled for another one this coming Friday.

It is my high hopes that with regular exercise to increase my flexibility, increase my cardio and the chiropractic, my general health will improve. I will keep posting on my progress and any ups and downs.

MIA for So Very Long!

It's been so very long since I updated my blog. Like many I have a difficult time dividing my time and getting things in order. If you're new to my blog, my name is Kathryn Ruffin. I'm an educator and crafter/artisan who lives in the south eastern Michigan city of Farmington Hills, just outside of Detroit. I live with my partner, Ken and my tabby cat, Megabyte, both of whom I care about deeply. I currently teach 6th grade English/Language Arts, social studies and reading in the Pontiac, MI school district. Being an educator has been paying the bills for 29 years.

As I sit here, I am looking out my window at the snow dump of two days ago. As a long time midwesterner I am used to a lot of snow, but folks here have gotten spoiled in the past 5 or 6 years of light snow gifts.

It is my intention to share so much with my readers over the coming weeks as I get this blogging thing together. Right now my little digits are in training to post regularly.