A long-time Indigenous tradition.

Photo copyright Aji, 2025; all rights reserved.

One of three hearts in the works, plus a separate royal lapis oval necklace. Some of them need beads, though, so they won't be done before Wednesday at the absolute earliest, because the bead ladies are closed until then.  

That heart up there? Yes, that irregular surface is like that intentionally. It's rejected silicon, slag from the silicon refining process for making the wafers used in computers and cell phones and electronics. That rippling is probably why it was rejected; a lapidary artist whose work we regularly buy got hold of it, and cabbed it into an incredible heart. [The other two hearts are Rosarita and Leland Blue glass, respectively; the latter is a byproduct of the iron refining process in one particular mine in my homelands]. Recycling as fine jewelry, a long-time Indigenous tradition.

A lot to do, and of course, I'm always behind.  Spent the first half of the day yesterday trying to raise enough money to buy a load of firewood for someone off-grid in the boonies with none and no heat [which we managed], only to get ghosted entirely by the person who complained to me that their neighbor had no heat. So I'm trying to find someone else to take it out there, but they're going to have to coordinate with that person, because I have no idea where it is, and I have spent so many more hours than I could afford on this, and now I'm irritated. Because I had another episode last night [not quite as bad as Friday's thankfully, but still, it's my own body trying to kill me], and that means I feel like absolute hell today, and I'm already behind anyway.

It doesn't help that the world is still on fire, they're still coming for us all, and we still have to worry about our communities, about our relatives [both of whom are disproportionately affected by this illegal "funding suspension"], . . . and about us. Last year was indescribably bad on pretty much every single front, especially sales. This year, already a month into it, and it's not appreciably better. I have GOT to make some sales, since we've had only two so far in this new year, and we're already in the second month. It takes at least one sale a week [sometimes more] just for us to break even on the year, and last year? We didn't even do half that. We're going to have to replace the well pressure pump, without question. Taxes are coming. My laptop apparently will have to wait yet another year [assuming I can keep this alive that long, which I can't assume for a moment, actually]. So now would still be a good time to buy. TONS of new and fabulous work on the site, and tons more on the way, too [two new pairs of Red Creek jasper earrings last night, and with luck, a new royal lapis necklace and the three heart necklaces/pendants later this week]. But I've got to sell something, for the love of all that's holy. I won't survive another awful year like last year. Every day I wake up to pain that was worse than the day before. I also wonder what will happen to us if it gets so bad that I can't even do this much every day. Lately, that day is seeming like it's maybe not so far off now, and that scares the hell out of me. My current pain levels make me worry that it might be nearer than I know, and I don't know we'll do if that happens.

Links are here:

• Sales here; 
• Testimonials here; 
• Amazon wishlist here (Amazon cards are probably most useful at this point); 
• Patreon here;
• Ko-fi here.

After such a grim year, this one far worse than the last, we urgently need to begin 2025 on a better footing before taxes take every cent, so please share all of the links. 

All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2025; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.