Within the Sound of My Voice

I had my very first interview last week with an online magazine / radio called She Unlimited. I don't know about you, but when I hear my voice played back to me I just cringe.

Click here to have a listen.

But this was so much fun. Gary was the interviewer and he was super nice. The editor also expressed interest in doing a product review for their upcoming relaunch of their website in June. I'm so excited! :)

I'm a Junkie...I admit it

I'm a junkie. I'm totally hooked. To that evil box. The boob tube. I cannot be in the house without at least one television on. We have three hooked up and a spare just in case.

What is it about having the TV on? When I was in school I even studied with the TV on. And I got decent grades too. As and Bs.

And I watch the weirdest things. Who would've thought that a show about Crab Fishing would enthrall me so much. On the Discovery Channel there is a show called Deadliest Catch...I'm watching it right now (aren't you shocked?) ... I'm totally hooked on it and I have no idea why.

But then again I'm hooked on a lot of shows. That's why our new DVR (poor man's Tivo, we use Comcast's box) is great...or not so great depending on how you look at it. I'm able to tape House and Scrubs while watching Deadliest Catch. Plus I don't have to stay up late to watch Law & Order SVU.

My long list of favorites includes America's Next Top Model (stop laughing), Survivor, House, Bones (this show rocks!), Apprentice, Surface (waiting for the next season), Alias (I've got the last few seasons on DVD), CSI (the original one only), My Name is Earl, and the Office. Oh but that's not all. I also LOVE watching reruns of Seinfeld, Friends, King of Queens, That 70s Show, and Everybody Loves Raymond.

Needless to say, my weekends are for catching up. There's never a whole lot of good shows on Sundays so it's either movies or DVR.

Heck, if I could get cable at my desk at work I'd have it on during the day too! Actually, I admit it...when I work at home I'm on the couch with the laptop in front of the 42 incher.

It's a little sad...okay, it's pathetic. At least I admit that I have a problem and that's the first step right?

What I've Been Up To...

Sorry for being away so long. I was a bit preoccupied by an exciting event. Here's my very first press release:

5/12/2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Disco Fever – Sparkles of Hope for MS

Independent jewelry designer and owner of Casto Creations, Megan Casto, designs special Sparkling Crystal of Hope bracelet for celebrity charity event.

Olympia, WA May 10, 2006 – Casto Creation’s “Sparkling Crystal Hope” bracelet is chosen by Jewels and Pinstripes as an item for their “Disco Fever to Race MS” event gift bags. Celebrities gather on May 12, at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, for the 13th annual “Race to Erase MS”. This year’s theme is “Disco Fever to Erase MS” and independent jewelry designer Megan Casto designed a special “Sparkling Crystal Hope” bracelet.

Handcrafted, using Swarovski™ crystals and sterling silver, this adjustable length bracelet ends with a sterling silver charm saying “Hope” for the hope that all those diagnosed with MS should have in their lives. While MS is still very much a mysterious disease, The Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis raises millions of dollars for research and aid for MS. Research is ongoing and discoveries are made frequently to help unlock the clues as to a cause and a cure.

Celebrities expected to attend and receive this special bracelet at the event include Marcia Cross, Nicole Richie, Tom Arnold, Lara Flynn Boyle, Brooke Burke, Carmen Electra, Daisy Fuentes, Leeza Gibbons, Anne Heche, Jenny McCarthy, Randy Jackson, Bill Maher, Sela Ward, and more. Performances by Kool & the Gang, Sister Sledge, and Natalie Cole.

For additional information contact Megan Casto or visit www.castocreations.com. This special bracelet is available for a limited time. For each bracelet purchased in the month of May 25% of the $125 retail price is donated to The Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis. Accent colors available include light pink, tanzanite, and champagne. Bracelet is adjustable to fit 7 to 8 inches with a special sterling silver heart style lobster clasp.

Casto Creations is an independently woman owned business.

Contact:
Megan Casto, Owner, Designer
Casto Creations
360-701-9895
http://www.castocreations.com

Julie Kenney, Founder and President
Jewels and Pinstripes
925.462.7776
http://www.jewelsandpinstripes.com/

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And here are a couple other photos of the bracelet as I was putting together 51 of them on Sunday night.

Pile of 51 Boxed Bracelets
Inside the Organza Bag

I'll try not to be away so long next time. :)

Name That Stone - Charoite

I LOVE Charoite. It is such a stunning stone (say that 3 times fast) with such amazing color and depth. It has an almost mother of pearl finish of irridescent design.

I seem to fall in love with stones that are fairly rare and hard to find. I managed to purchase some absolutely outstanding beads while in Tucson this year. I made a watch and earrings for someone and nothing since. Which is silly because the stones are so spectacular.

Discovered by the West in 1978 (hey, my birth year!), Charoite is found only in Russia along the Charo River. And actually, Russians are said to have discovered it as early as 1947. This part of Russia is desolate and was once a place where political prisoners were exiled. Experts aren't entirely sure why it is only found in one location, but speculate that it is due to a unique combination of unique limestone and physical conditions in the area. It's color can be white, lilac, lavender, violet, and purple. The darker the purple color and the more irridescent opal like tone the higher the quality. It really is an amazing stone.

And if you believe that stones have healing powers Charoite is said to give courage in order to overcome fears. I do like this quote though "It survived great trauma, rains, winds, heat and cold, only to become more beautiful over time." Isn't that just like life? An inspiring stone regardless.

References
The Mineral Charoite
All That Gifts
Rainbow Crystal
Gem Hut
Design Jewelry