Aardvark Silver

Thank You

2011-05-14T07:16:00.000-07:00

It has been several months now since I wrote here.A quick update is in order.

I went back to Germany over Xmas and New Year because my head was no better.I had several tests and lots of talking with Drs and came home with Xrays, MRI films and CT scans.I was told to go home and rest.
Ok so I got back to Thailand early Feb and decided to "suck it up" as the saying goes and get on with life.Apparently all was normal now in my body as some of the "best" Drs in the world had told me so.
I went back to work as best I could and have been struggling with teaching and trying to keep up with it all as the pain did not improve.In fact it was getting worse.

So what to do next? I went to have acupuncture to see if that would help to reduce pain levels.Well it worked to reduce the pain a little for about 1/2 a day after treatment but as my Dr was only available one day a week this was kind of not suitable.He asked me to bring in my films so he could take a look at what was shown there.
Well I sat in his chair and he looked and looked again and then asked me what was clearly (for me anyway) a bombshell question. His words were " they said these were normal scans?"
As I nodded he started to point out different places that were not normal on the pictures.

From there I was referred to see a Neurospecialist at another hospital who has referred me for more MRI films and tests including another Lumbar puncture (Spinal Tap) and a set of blood work which includes Tumour markers.
I saw a second Dr for another opinion and got the same sort of referrals and so went to see a third Dr who also concurred with the other two.None of these Drs knows the others and so it was interesting that they all came up with the same ideas based on the "normal" scans I had been sent home with.

I have had some blood tests done and am awaiting results.I see a new Neurospecialist in 25th May and go from there.

As a result of being unable to keep up with everything I am closing Aardvark Silver.The web page is already closed and the Artfire stores have been downgraded to Basic and I am not listing anything new there.
I have a partner here who will look after any customers who wish to still purchase silver or other items and you can contact him via the email address aardvarksilver@yahoo.com. He will then be in touch and let you know where you can still get products.
If you want to keep in touch by email please use the same address and I will do my best to get back to you.I spend a lot of my days sleeping and then trying to get to class so I can at least keep a roof over my head.
It has started as an interesting year and looks set to become even more so.

I want to Thank everyone.Aardvark Silver was my whole life for a long time and it is kind of sad to see it go.I will miss you all in so many many ways and I really do appreciate the Love,Care and Support that has been shown.I hope you feel I have returned it as that was my intention.

And so this is my last post.

Thank you again

Light and Love to all

Tanya

Thank you

2010-12-14T22:00:00.000-08:00

Ok I know it seems I have been slack and I guess I could have tried a little harder to update my blog but in the last three weeks I have struggled just to do daily living stuff and to keep my head above the proverbial water.

Today I make an effort so that I can give away the lovely Labordorite set.The other two give aways are also here as well.Thank you all for your patience.

So the Torque necklace and the wire wrapped Turquoise went to Miss Barb in the US.She already has it and I hope she likes it but havent heard back yet.

The Coral set is going to Miss Piglet.I hope you like it and I hope you enjoy wearing it.It should get there for the festive season if I hurry and get it away today

The Laboradite set will go to Miss I in PA. I will need you to email me with your shipping details so I can get it off to you.I hope you love it as much as I have enjoyed being a part of it as well.

The silver is still on sale in the web page at 50% off until 22nd Dec.I am having to have that date as my last date for orders so I can get them shipped.I am taking a break for I dont know how long so please hurry in and get supplies.As these prices are mostly less than cost you get a bargain and I get to share Xmas good will with you all. Coupon code is 50%off to be used at checkout and most items will not be restocked as we are looking at new products.

The sale will continue until New Years Eve in the AardvarkEurope Arfire store so if you miss out off the web site you might find something else there.50% off will not EVER be offered again. Marjorie has a 20% off on her stones right now as well.

So on that note I am off to pack up these lovelies.

Thank you all for your support this year.I could not have done it without you.Please keep in touch via email aardvarksilver@yahoo.com

Light and Love to all

Tanya

Winner Time and Merry Xmas,well a little Early

2010-11-04T02:51:00.000-07:00

Red Coral with Sterling and Fine Silver Bracelet

Red Coral with Fine and Sterling Silver earrings

Red Coral with Fine and Sterling Silver Necklace

Merry Xmas, Merry Xmas, Merry Xmas.

Oh too soon? I know we only have 50 days until Xmas and so this give away will come wrapped ready to gift to you or to someone you love.

How to Enter?

Post a link to any of our web pages or to the blog.These are listed at the end of this post.
Email me with the link to aardvarksilver@yahoo.com so I know you have entered.
If you havent already friended the Aardvark Silver children details are below and these are also ways you can enter.

This draw will run until 22nd Nov 2010 so there is plenty of time to enter.Make sure you check out and add yourself to the other draws as well.

Aardvark Gems Europe is a joint venture with Marjorie Ixes A most amazing lady who has such lovely gems and jewelery.All items from her Artfire store Aardvark Gems Europe will be shipped from The Netherlands.

Bonus entries will be awarded for every $10 you spend in the Artfire Aardvark store, in the Artfire Aardvark Gems Europe store, in the Aardvark Silver web page or at the Fusion Muse web page.
For news letter subscribers in the web pages we have sent out our first news letter with some really great Pre Xmas specials to get you on track for your Xmas production. Look for our next letter as there will be more great discounts and as silver has increased in price so much in the last months you will get even better prices than usual.Some items are below cost so hurry in as it will be first in first served.This will go out in the next few days and has new specials just for subscribers.

Today's Winner
The earring package that was given away on Tuesday goes to Drum Roll please.........
The lovely Miss Beth Martin.Can you please send me your shipping address to email aardvarksilver@yahoo.com

We thank you all for your interest and look forward to you playing soon.

Light and Love to all

Tanya and Marjorie

Aardvark Silver fan page
Aardvark Gems Europe
Artfire Aardvark
Artfire Aardvark Gems Europe
Aardvark Silver web page
Fusion Muse web page.

HandKase Mit Music

2010-11-02T02:30:00.000-07:00

The first give away game we were playing was to correctly identify this dish.LOL It is Handkase mit Musik.This dish is traditionally eaten in the Palantine area of Germany and it is really a delicacy that requires some getting used to.Let me explain..... it is cheese that smells like socks that have been worn in wet gym shoes and then stored in a locker for another three months.Add to that raw onions, caraway seeds and brown vinegar and hey presto you have a dish that will produce music from your body about 12 hours later LOL. It is eaten with Rye bread usually and if you have a partner make sure they can stand the smell because the cheese smell lingers for days.Check out the Wikipedia link if you want to know more http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handk%C3%A4se

Well I have been through all the emails and the only people who know what it is are not playing.So how do I give the lovely Pearls set away?
Randomly chosen was Miss PaulaNC.......Can you please email me with a shipping address so I can get this away to you? Congratulations Miss Paula.

So I have a new give away.

Fine Silver Torque which is a solid piece of silver.It has a slight hammered texture and can be worn naked just as it is.

I will include the lovely wrapped Blue Howlite Pendant in this photo so you have something to hang on the swirl if you want to dress it up.

How to Enter??????

Same way as before.

Post a link to any of our web pages or to the blog.These are listed at the end of this post.
Email me with the link to aardvarksilver@yahoo.com so I know you have entered.
If you havent already Friended the Aardvark Silver children details are below and these are also ways you can enter.

Aardvark Gems Europe is a joint venture with Marjorie Ixes A most amazing lady who has such lovely gems and jewelery.All items from her Artfire store Aardvark Gems Europe will be shipped from The Netherlands.

Bonus entries will be awarded for every $10 you spend in the Artfire Aardvark store, in the Artfire Aardvark Gems Europe store, in the Aardvark Silver web page or at the Fusion Muse web page.
For news letter subscribers in the web pages we have sent out our first news letter with some really great Pre Xmas specials to get you on track for your Xmas production. Look for our next letter as there will be more great discounts and as silver has increased in price so much in the last months you will get even better prices than usual.Some items are below cost so hurry in as it will be first in first served.This will go out in the next few days and has new specials just for subscribers.

This give away will run until Monday 8th Nov 2010.As that is a pretty special day for me there will be an extra special bonus for the winner.

Thank you for playing.I also know I have one other give away due to finish today too and I will find the winner and announce that later today.

We are looking forward to hearing from many of you.
Light and Love to all

Tanya and Marjorie

Aardvark Silver fan page
Aardvark Gems Europe
Artfire Aardvark
Artfire Aardvark Gems Europe
Aardvark Silver web page
Fusion Muse web page.

Here We go again.........

2010-10-28T23:00:00.000-07:00

Today I have a very special give away for a very special reason.
I want to introduce you to some very special children that came into being while I was in Europe.
First let me show you a little of what is on offer.

Laboradite and Prasiolite (Green Amethyst) with Sterling Silver bracelet.
This set that I am putting up for give away has been about 15 months in the making.I finally was able to complete it just the day before yesterday.It has been on hold because my head basically said "no more creating". Well I have finally over ridden that command and so here is the end result.

Laboradite and Prasiolite (Green Amethyst) with Sterling Silver Earrings
Each stone is individually wrapped onto the custom made chain.The earrings are set on lever back hooks so they will stay securely where they are put in your ears.

The focal pendant features an amazing Laboradite cab that has been faceted to catch the light and has loads of flash and colour play.The upper stone is a Topaz that gently compliments the colours in the Laboradite.All set in a Sterling Silver bezel.

Laboradite and Prasiolite (Green Amethyst) with Sterling Silver Necklace
The AAA grade Briolettes of faceted Laboradite and smooth polished Prasiolite move with you.They are securely wrapped directly onto the chain with Sterling Silver pins.

A little more detail to show you.

This set would retail of about $1500 so it a prize worth winning.

How to Enter
1. Become friends with AardvarkSilver Europe
2. Become friends with AardvarkGems Europe
3. Post a link to any of the following stores:
Aardvark Silver
Artfire Aardvark
Artfire Aardvark Gems Europe
Fusion Muse
And then send me an email at aardvarksilver@yahoo.com to say you did.

If you are already friends with the pages mentioned then you can LIKE the Aardvark Silver fan page and still send out links to the stores.Already LIKE all the pages and want to get more entries? Post links and let me know by email aardvarksilver@yahoo.com or make a purchase from the stores.

Bonus entries will be awarded for every $10 you spend in the Artfire Aardvark store, in the Artfire Aardvark Gems Europe store, in the Aardvark Silver web page or at the Fusion Muse web page.
For news letter subscribers in the web pages we have sent out our first news letter with some really great Pre Xmas specials to get you on track for your Xmas production. Look for our next letter as there will be more great discounts and as silver has increased in price so much in the last months you will get even better prices than usual.Some items are below cost so hurry in as it will be first in first served.
If you have not signed up then it may be a great time to do so as I will have to increase silver prices to meet the increased market price very soon.In fact I have begun to adjust pricing in my files but wont upload it to the various different selling sites I have until the end of October so that you can all benefit from the lower prices.Newsletter subscribers will get additional discounts and coupon codes to use that wont be available to the general public.

Aardvark Gems Europe is a joint venture with Marjorie Ixes A most amazing lady who has such lovely gems and jewelery.All items from her Artfire store Aardvark Gems Europe will be shipped from The Netherlands.

And so now you have a little more idea why this is so special.
We are celebrating and want you to share.

Looking forward to sending this out to a new home.This Give away runs until Dec 15th 2010 and will be sent gift boxed ready to gift to yourself or someone you love.

Come and join in the fun.
Light and Love to all

Tanya and Marjorie.

And so we Keep on Giving Away

2010-10-24T23:37:00.000-07:00

Todays give away......
Well I figured it was time to look in the cupboard again and see what was there.
How about a bundle of earrings today? To keep or to give as gifts.
So the earring pics below are in the bundle I am giving away today.All handmade with Sterling components and shell,gemstone or pearls.Lovely little bundle.One set doesnt match your wardrobe??? Well gift them on.Xmas is coming after all.

How to enter?
Same as the last few days.
All you need to do is post a link to this blog, The Artfire Aardvark
store or to the Aardvark Silver web page and let me know where you set the link. You can either post it here in comments or send me an email to aardvarksilver@yahoo.com and I will enter you into the draw.

Bonus entries will be awarded for every $10 you spend in the Artfire Aardvark store or in the Aardvark Silver web page. For news letter subscribers in the web page we are about to send out our first news letter with some really great Pre Xmas specials to get you on track for your Xmas production. There will be great discounts and as silver has increased in price so much in the last months you will get even better prices than usual.If you have not signed up then it may be a great time to do so as I will have to increase silver prices to meet the increased market price very soon.In fact I have begun to adjust pricing in my files but wont upload it to the various different selling sites I have until the end of October so that you can all benefit from the lower prices.

I also need to let you all know we are running some great BELOW cost specials in the web page Aardvark Silver.It is time to give you guys the gifts so you can share them as well so I am keeping the silver prices the same until 1st Nov even though the price of silver has increased by about 60% in the last year.A HUGE jump and it is set to increase even more.So if you need supplies then now is the best time to buy before prices incease.Email me aardvarksilver@yahoo.com if you are interested in a wholesale discount.

This giveaway closes Midnight Bangkok time 2 Nov 2010
And if you havent entered the giveaways from previous days there is still time.

Thanks for joining in my fun giving away bits.
I look forward to giving away more pieces.
Light and Love to all
Tanya

Party Day 2

2010-10-24T03:52:00.000-07:00

Ok so lets see what is in the magic cupboard today that I can give away.

I am so excited that you all want to play.

I have picked out this lovely bracelet with a Huge Citrine focal, Carnelain,Smoky Quartz and Onyx for the give away today.
This one runs until 1st Nov and as we will be giving away many bits I do encourage you to enter as often as you like.These give away pieces will make great gifts either for you or someone else that is special in your life and they can be sent gift wrapped and ready to give.

To go in the draw for this one all you need to do is post a link to this blog, The Artfire Aardvark
store or to the Aardvark Silver web page and let me know where you set the link. You can either post it here in comments or send me an email to aardvarksilver@yahoo.com and I will enter you into the draw.

Bonus entries will be awarded for every $10 you spend in the Artfire Aardvark store or in the Aardvark Silver web page. For news letter subscribers in the web page we are about to send out our first news letter with some really great Pre Xmas specials to get you on track for your Xmas production. There will be great discounts and as silver has increased in price so much in the last months you will get even better prices than usual.If you have not signed up then it may be a great time to do so as I will have to increase silver prices to meet the increased market price very soon.In fact I have begun to adjust pricing in my files but wont upload it to the various different selling sites I have until the end of October so that you can all benefit from the lower prices.

I am going to keep giving away items until my cupboard is bare.Please help me get them to new homes where they can be loved and shown off in the world.

Light and Love to all

Tanya

Lets get this Party Started!!!!!!

2010-10-22T21:10:00.000-07:00

If you have been reading my previous posts you would be aware that I have recently come back from 3 1/2 months in Europe where I spent time in Germany to have my head condition treated.Intracranial Hypertension is not a trendy disorder.It doesnt get publicity like other diseases and many times the people who suffer from it are just medicated with antidepressants and told to live with the headache as it is all just in your neurotic imagination.
Well after two more lots of surgery and now having Lumboperitoneal shunt and a very fancy valve implanted I am back in Bangkok trying to pick up the pieces of my life again.

Was my trip a success???? In terms of my treatment it was not.I am having to go back for follow up as the headaches still continue and the pressure is still increased inspite of the lovely mechanisms I have implanted in my body.
Are there any answers? So far there are none and so I am setting up to spend another couple of months trying to find out what the underlying cause is so that I can clear up the symptoms.In the meantime I am working on how I can look after my friends and customers better.

The party????
Well I want to give a lot of bits away before I head off and I am wanting to get you all involved.To celebrate and to share.

I was so so lucky have had great friends to stay with in Germany and one of the things we did was explore a little and see bits of cultural stuff together.As a result I was not just a tourist but got to see real life.One of the parts that I loved the most was trying new foods that I haven't had or seen before.And so we come to the first part of this give away competition.

This little dish is a traditional dish that is eaten in the local area where I was staying. The first part of the entry is to guess what this is. Yep that is going to be fun.
The prize for your participation is in the following few pics.

Clasp on the bracelet.Two strands of dark grey pearls with Fine and Sterling silver components.

Such cute little flower earrings with pearls matching the bracelet and necklace

And the necklace. It is 19" of Dark Grey Freshwater Pearls with a Fine Silver clasp that is worn as a feature. The pearls can be worn as three strands sitting side by side or wound up in a twist depending on your mood

This set retails for $179.

So the way to enter is this
1. Make a guess at what the lovely dish is in the picture posted.
2. Post a link to this blog or to the Aardvark Silver web page.
3.Send me an email (aardvarksilver@yahoo.com is the email address) with your answer and the link where you posted.

Bonus entries will be awarded for every $10 you spend in the Artfire Aardvark store or in the Aardvark Silver web page. For news letter subscribers in the web page we are about to send out our first news letter with some really great Pre Xmas specials to get you on track for your Xmas production. There will be great discounts and as silver has increased in price so much in the last months you will get even better prices than usual.If you have not signed up then it may be a great time to do so as I will have to increase silver prices to meet the increased market price very soon.In fact I have begun to adjust pricing in my files but wont upload it to the various different selling sites I have until the end of October so that you can all benefit from the lower prices.

I am going to be running a new give away often so keep an eye out.The more you enter the more likely you are to pick up the prize. This give away closes Oct 31st at Midnight Bangkok time.

I am looking forward to hearing from many of you.

Light and Love to all
Tanya

Celebrating again

2010-09-28T02:34:00.001-07:00

I came to visit with the lovely Miss M and the object of the visit this time was to donate my hair.
Hair Wishes www.haarwensen.nl is a group who make wigs for kids who have lost their hair due to illness. It is one of the ways I can show a little bit of love and care for others.

Before. Miss M and I were sharing a cup of tea before the trip to the Hairdressers.

Both of us sitting and ready.....Set.....Gone

After.It makes such a huge difference to the overall look.

We are celebrating for the shildren this time.The last time we had a small celebration it was for a pain free day.Well that was all too short and I am back to square one as far as the headache goes.This has come as a very very rude shock and is not the news I wished to share.
So lets try again.......
I want to sort this finally before I go home.
Lets have a competition
Any suggestions on that one?
Looking forward to sharing more soon

Light and Love to all

Tanya and Marjorie xxxxxxxx

It's a small celebration.......

2010-09-21T09:37:00.000-07:00

Hi
Surgery was yesterday and I slept the best part of the day and all of the night.
I woke today with NO headache.This is a small miracle in itself and it a major reason to celebrate.And so we will.

I had a very high tech valve implanted yesterday to control the flow of fluid in the shunt.It means now that the over drainage headache I have had for the last three weeks will settle as we get a normal flow happening.I am SOOOOOO excited.

To say Thanks for all the well wishes seems like not enough.I really appreciate all the Love,Care and Support that has been sent my way and I feel it from you all.Each of you has your very own touch and that individual care has been so wonderful.I am truly Blessed and Thank you.

So how would I like to celebrate?
I am going to create a limited edition earrings set to go out to all who purchase a piece of the auction/BIN jewelry and for all who take part in the sale we are currently running as well.
For the next week (from this post today) anyone who makes a purchase of any sort will have a signature pair of earrings included in their parcel as a gift from me.A way for me to say Thank you and for you to join an exclusive group.

Thank you all for your continued support.Please dont forget that Xmas is not far off and these items will make lovely gifts for you or someone you love.

Light and Love to all

Tanya and Marjorie

xxxxxx

Back to Hospital & Auctions

2010-09-13T10:11:00.000-07:00

Bids can be made by email: aardvarkgemseu@gmail.com, or in a Private Message on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MixesJewelry.

Auctions will Run for 5 days, Shipping will be $1.50 Worldwide (no matter how many items). Any Q's? Please Ask. Want Bigger pics? Just contact me. =) I tried to get the Pics and Color as Real as Possible, though Differences may Occur depending on Settings and Screens.

************************

Item number AVS-BAT

Size: 16.5 + 2cm = 6.5 + 0.8", measured inside.
Happy Bracelet with Agates, Smokey Quartz, Carnelian, Magnesite Turquoise, Amethyst, Rock Crystal, Crystals and Silver
SOLD, Thank you!

************************

Item number AVS-BTH - Size: 18.5 + 3cm = 7.3" + 1.2".
Lovely Tiger's Eye/Iron and Hematite Bracelet, .925 Sterling Silver.
SOLD! Thank you! =D)

Item number AVS-EGT - Size: 76mm = 3" including ear wire.
Stunning green Garnet earrings with .999 Thai Silver ear wires and Tassels.
SOLD, Thank you!

*******************

Code: AVS-BCA
Bracelet Tibetan Dzi beads, Agate, Thai Silver. Inside opening size 7cm 6.7inch
SOLD! Thank you!

Thanks heaps.These are a one time thing and I will not be doing this again after this lot of stock is sold.So take advanatage of the lowest prices you can while they are about.

Hi all,
Just a quick note to say how it all is right now.
I was due back to hospital for a shunt revision on Wednesday (oh that is today....where did my day go yesterday????).This now scheduled for Monday next week.That is if the actual valve arrives.The one they are fitting is a special one made to go into an L-P shunt.The ones that they usually use are to be placed vertically and so is unsuitable for this situation.It will sit horizontally and hopefully regulate drainage just that much better than has been happening.
To say I am anxious is an understatement.
Ok so now that I can see that light at the end of the tunnel I am now preparing to go back to Bangkok and to my regular life.It has been such a great time here that I am hoping to make it back next year after a trip to Australia for my youngest daughters wedding.
In preparation for my going home I am working on selling some of my stock.Marjorie has been a great help here as well.I could not have done this without her support. I need to sell as much of it as I am able because I really dont want to take it home.The import tax on taking my own items back is more than 30%.A nasty hit.
Todays auction pieces are here now and I was supposed to do these on Sunday.I wish my head would let me do what I need to do.Soon soon soon.
And so on that note I will close.
Please email Miss M with your bids at these contact addresses

Bids can be made by email: aardvarkgemseu@gmail.com, or in a Private Message on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MixesJewelry.
Auctions will Run for 5 days, Shipping will be $1.50 Worldwide. Any Q's? Please Ask. Want Bigger pics? Just contact me. =)
I tried to get the Pics and Color as Real as Possible, though Differences may Occur depending on Settings and Screens.

Thank you to all and Sending Light and Love.
Tanya xxxxxxxxxx

Update Friday, September 10th

2010-09-10T03:34:00.000-07:00

I have talked to Tanya (Aardvark Silver) this morning. She is very Tired and in much Pain but she is Positive and Trusts her doctors. She Managed to Restore some Trust between the doctor and her and had a Good talk with him.

She will not be going into Surgery today because they decided they needed a Special Pressure Valve for her Shunt, but that had to be Ordered. They expect the Valve to be there on Monday or Tuesday, so Surgery will probably be Wednesday.

To Help her Cope with the Awful Headache, they are sending her to the Pain Clinic in Hope she gets some Relieve. The doctor wants to Hold off on a Puncture, to not to Interrupt the Valve's workings when installed next week. After Puncture Fluids take up to 7-10 days to return to 'Normal'. He says over and under Pressure symptoms are alike and if Head is Bearable: please Hold on.

Meanwhile, Staff is Wonderful to her and she actually Enjoys the Silence and Peace of being Alone (well as Alone as you get in a Hospital lol). Please send her some Love, Hugs, Light, Prayers, Energy and all I Forgot to Mention? Thanx so Much! ♥

Also have a Look at the Aardvark Silver Jewelry Auctions Post on this Blog? Auctions run for 5 days and there's a Buy it Now price on them, for if you can't wait that Long. ;) I will be Posting new Jewelry by Tanya every Day.

Will keep you Updated on Tanya when I have News and the Auctions. Wonderful Friday to you All! ♥ =D) Mx

Tan is Back in Hospital... Solutions tomorrow?

2010-09-09T07:59:00.000-07:00

Hi All! No sorry, not Tanya here, but Marjorie ( from M-ixes, aka Mx). At the Moment Tanya is in the Hospital with a very Unhappy head and she will not Able to get online (much) for the coming days.

Tan has a Monster of a Headache and she's getting Painkillers for that. They are holding off on the Lumbar Puncture until tomorrow. They're getting Tanya back in Theater and do some Looking at/Revising (Valve) of the Shunt. They said the Shunt Works, but the Pain level indicates it's not Working very Well. If things don't Improve after the Surgery, they will do the Lumbar Puncture. Hopefully more Concrete Answers tomorrow. I will keep you Posted.

Tanya asked me to Update the Blog and Organize an Auction-Sale since Funds are Low and Medical Insurance (for Europe) and Rent in Thailand still have to be Paid, so I (we) Hope you Like to Play with us. =) The Plan: I will post pics of Jewelry from Tan-Aardvark Silver here on the Blog for a Starting price and a Buy it Now price. I will Try to post 3 pieces every day for the coming week (don't Shoot me if I don't make the Target ;). When you see something you Like, you can place a Bid or Buy it Now. This is a little Taste of Things to Come. =)

Also coming on Aardvark Silver: Value Packs! In the mean time have a Look at my Aardvark Gems Europe shop on Artfire: http://www.artfire.com/users/AardvarkGemsEU. Up for Sale are several jewelry items (Pendants and Earrings) and 75% of Proceeds go to Tanya and I offer Free Worldwide Shipping on this jewelry.

Any Comments or Suggestions? Please Share: very Welcome! =)
Thank you for Playing with us, Keep an Eye on this Blog and have Fun with it!

Warm greetz from The Netherlands! Mx

Hospital....Good News BUT......

2010-09-07T02:11:00.000-07:00

The view from my hospital bed.Lovely surroundings and very peaceful in the grounds.Very conducive to healing.

Ok so I went and had surgery.Wasn't that a fun time?????
I spent 11 days in hospital and was treated very well.The nursing staff and the Drs were lovely.Mostly..... I was sent home on 27th August by a lovely Senior Consulting Specialist who's parting words were... "I know better than you do about the headache you have and so go home and wait until I want to see you again" Arrogant man.
Anyway the good news is that the shunt seems to be working in some way.The BUT.... is that it hasnt resolved the head problem and if anything my headaches are worse than before.I am taking pain meds that are not the best to be using and still dont get much relief.Takes the edges off and that is about it.
So the next step is to go back tomorrow and I am due to have the shunt revised.They will put in a valve that hopefully will control the level of drainage better than is happening currently.Then maybe I can have my head back normally and can function.It is so exciting to be so close but is still disheartening and I will do what I need to to finish this process.
So close so close.

And so the next thing is to say Thank You to all.I am going to have to have a huge sale and a giveaway.We are also going to have some auctions ongoing in the next few weeks so that I can get myself back home to Bangkok and back to my regular life.It has been kind of surreal to be here.
I will sort the details in the next short while.I know with Xmas coming, supplies will be needed for those sales.Its great that I am able to help out there if I am allowed.
Ok now off to lie down again.Got to turn the pain in my head down a lot.
Any suggestions to help that are welcome.I am happy to at least try and see.
Thanks again and talk soon

Light and Love to all

Tanya xxxxx

The Netherlands

2010-08-10T09:07:00.001-07:00

Traditional Flat lands and cows.Windmills and beaches. Come to rainy Netherlands.We have it all here.
I came here late last week to mentally prepare for next weeks operation.I know that the whole surgical thing of having a shunt put in should be something I am used to by now after having had 4 previous operations I was a lot scared so I have come to stay with my friend here.
Miss M is such a calming healing influence and has such love and care and I am being looked after like I could never have dreamed.Thank you Miss M.
It has been lovely to see rain like there is here.It is so very different to Bangkok and apart from being cold I think I like this cold summer a lot.The great company has helped.
The cows are awesome to watch.We took the lovely Miss Crimson (beautiful dog who is part Shepard, part something else ) out for a walk and I was like a little girl marvelling over cows and sheep.I guess the fresh air and scenery change has kind of addled my brain but then it was confused before anyway.All good.
So I didnt actually sit on the beach but I did get to see the North Sea and to smell the salty air.Reminded me of childhood as I grew up near some beautiful beaches in Sydney.
I go back to Germany late Sunday to face the next step in my journey.I am not sure I am really looking forward to it because the Drs can give no guarantees of success but I am going to do this because there are few choices right now.If it doesnt have a successful outcome I am back to Bangkok to prepare to come back to Europe next year and try again.
Please also note....for those of you who are after supplies.... I do have some with me and I am able to ship out easily from here.Apparently it is even faster for delivery than from Bangkok so please email me if you need a whole sale lot so I can send you a price.I really dont wnat to take anything home if I can avoid it.

Thank you all for your continued support.I will keep you posted as I am able.
Light and Love to all
Tanya xxxxxx

Germany

2010-07-25T07:50:00.000-07:00

I made it.Yes I have been here nearly 3 weeks already and wow how time has flown.I am thinking I may need to stay a month longer.

So what have I been doing?

Well after sleeping off a week of jet lag and adjusting my head to new surroundings I managed to sit and make the Lovely Lady of the house a birthday present.This set is one of the first pieces I have attempted since the beginning of the year.Yes she was thrilled with it and it looks so so lovely on.

I have been to sit in the forest, hence the tree photos and the waterfall and I have had a chance to take a short stroll in the village where I am staying.Yes people really do live in the picture postcard houses and the vines really have grapes for wine.After all this is wine country.
Apart from all that exciting stuff there has been the daily tasks of just plain old living and the logistics of working around four young people as well as normal daily life of a family.Very different to what I have back in Bangkok that is for sure.

The Drs are lovely here and we have seen 4 now.Different specialists and had new opinions put forward as far as diagnosis but as yet nothing concrete as I have to have more tests in the next few weeks.I am going home well.I came here to do this and I am determined.If I cannot be made well then I will go back and do as I can.NO more after this.It is a final stop.

I brought stock with me so if you need supplies I may be able to help there.Let me know.I will update all my sites in the next day or so.It took me until yesterday to finish the stock take with the help of my friends here both adult and child,It was a fun time.

I am so buoyed up by all the Love Care and Support from everyone and thank you all for being there.I will make more of an effort to share this journey as it unfolds.It has been a challenge so far.

Light and Love to all
Tanya

Winners of the Give Aways.

2010-07-02T06:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had the pleasure of contacting the lovely Linda to let her know she had been drawn as the winner of the give away for Lorraine's fundraiser.
Today I am about to contact the winners in the give away that was running for my stores.

So a short drum roll please.........
And the lucky winners of this weeks random $20 gift vouchers are.....
Carrine,Kathleen,Christianne,Michelle and Janaita. I'll send you each an email to find out how you would like to spend it.

The winner of the big $100 prize and the Malachite ring is..........

A lovely lady called Jo. I'll email you as well.

I am off on Monday in the early hours and will touch down in Frankfurt Germany approx 5.50pm Monday evening.I am excited to go and also at the idea that answers may be forthcoming about my head and how to fix it once and for all.

I will still be supplying gems and some silver while I am away but stock will be limited as I cannot take it all.Way way too much LOL

Thank you all for your continued support,Light and Love.

Huge hugs and Love back to you all

Tanya

Todays Winners.

2010-06-19T18:28:00.001-07:00

This is the day to announce the 5 winners of the random $20 gift certificates from this weeks sales. I have randomly picked from each of the stores. Aardvark on Artfire, Aardvarksilver on Etsy ,web page for Aardvarksilver and web page for FusionMuse.

Drum roll please.......
Kathleen, Cleo, Linda, Jo and Marjorie.

Ladies please contact me for your coupon code for your discount in which ever store you wish to make your next purchase.

Thank you all for your support and for the ongoing support.
It is greatly appreciated.The good news is my ticket is now sorted and I fly out on 5th July and have two months in Germany to get treatment before I come back to start life again.

I am taking my business with me and will have stock but it may be limited.Orders can still be made as I can ship from there.

Today's Earrings photo is a donation from one of our friends to another friend. Lorraine Charmain Hickton from Trinity Jewelry Design is raising funds to pay for her daily medication.
The polymer clay pendants and the amazing beaded creations she makes are vibrant and alive in color and design. Anyone who make a purchase from Lorraine before 1st July goes in the draw for the earrings pictured as well as a $100 Gift Voucher from Aardvark Silver. Its my way of helping.

Please dont forget we are still having our own giveaway throughout our stores and this lets you get great products at the best possible prices.

Here are the details again
Prizes
A beautiful Malachite and Sterling silver ring

A $100 gift voucher

5 randomly drawn $20 gift voucher prizes each week until the end of the give away.

Lots of prizes to win.

How to enter??????

Make a purchase in any of my stores before July 1st. Every $10 you spend will give you one entry.

Where to buy?????

Aardvark Artfire store http://www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark

Aardvark Silver website http://www.aardvarksilver.com/

And introducing my newest store for my jewelry Fusion Muse http://www.fusionmuse.com/

The Artfire store already has 25% off all items.If you want multiples and they are not listed please email me and I may be able to add to a listing or to send you a separate invoice.

The web page is a 25% off if you use coupon code Germany. Please register as well because that allows me to set up any standing discounts on your account for future shopping.

The jewelry website has a 50% off using coupon code Germany until the end of the promo.

Thanks again and if you have any questions please email me aardvarksilver@yahoo.com and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Light and Love to all.

Tanya

Today,Today and a New Giveaway

2010-06-12T08:42:00.000-07:00

Hi all.

Yes I know....where have you been and all?
Well I have been unwell again.Yes I hear you all.It's this head of mine and it is not a happy camper.
So I need to get it fixed before I go blind,crazy or both.

And the solution is not to be found in this lovely country I live in.I saw a new set of Drs for a second opinion and guess what? Another person wants to put a piece of plastic in my head. NOT in this country.LOL It was bad enough having one put into my abdomen and that not working.Heaven knows what might happen if they start messing in my brain.

So I am off to Germany.I want to fly out 5th July at the latest.After being told yesterday that my eyesight is at risk I know I need to do this fast. I have been advised if I have a spinal tap a couple of days before I fly I am safe to go on a plane.YAY!!!! So that is all being booked as well as all the rest of the details. You know like making sure the house is secure and who will feed the dog,cat and budgie. Oh wait, I dont have that one my list. Oh, I dont have a dog,cat or budgie.That will be why.

TIME FOR A GIVE AWAY

So what am I giving away????

A $100 gift voucher AND

The lovely Sterling and Malachite Ring that is a Unisex design and features a round Malachite cab.It is a larger size (U, 10 1/2 or 63 depending upon where you are) and so would be suitable for a man to wear but I also have a similar one and it is the same size and it fits perfectly on my middle finger. (Maybe a pressie for the Dad in your life with Fathers day not too far away)

There will also be 5 randomly drawn $20 gift voucher prizes each week until the end of the give away.

Lots of prizes to win.

How to enter??????

Make a purchase in any of my stores before July 1st. Every $10 you spend will give you one entry.

Where to buy?????

Aardvark Artfire store http://www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark

Aardvark Silver website http://www.aardvarksilver.com/

And introducing my newest store for my jewelry Fusion Muse http://www.fusionmuse.com/

The Artfire store already has 25% off all items.If you want multiples and they are not listed please email me and I may be able to add to a listing or to send you a separate invoice.

The web page is a 25% off if you use coupon code Germany. Please register as well because that allows me to set up any standing discounts on your account for future shopping.

The jewelry website has a 50% off using coupon code Germany until the end of the promo.

ALL FUNDS are going towards my flight and health care. So many many said I needed to get out of here for treatment and I agree.I just wasnt able to do this before now. Target is a minimum of $3000 to cover the flight and basic expenses.Treatment costs??? No idea.I am currently playing that by ear. I hope to take my business stuff with me so I can keep sales rolling while I am away.

Any questions or comments you dont want to post here please email me aardvarksilver@yahoo.com

Thank you all for your support.It is invaluable to me and I appreciate every little bit.

Light and Love to all

Tanya

On Tao returning to Bangkok

2010-05-28T04:53:00.000-07:00

Greetings, all, John here. I was pleased to see Tanya post a selection of pics of her lovely city returning to life. One of the interesting things about photographs is that the choice of image tells us so much about what the photographer chooses to see.

Not surprisingly then, these reflect Tanya’s instinctive turn of mind. These are not photos of perspectives or vistas – these are people, “ordinary” people; those who are corpuscles in the lifeblood of the city.

Notice too, that they are all caught in the act of inter-relating; speaking, sharing, nurturing, supporting, negotiating; all the individual postures in life that, seen together, narrate the ballet of human existence.

And, too, the essential restless swirl of the energy of life; channeled but never fully directed.

I wanted to offer a few thoughts of my own, and they became this little poem.

Peace to all, john.

The Return of Tao to Bangkok

Looked at all your photos - and I saw
the immense will of life to go on.
After every storm, the sea returns to its' natural condition;
The leviathins come and go with the aspects of the stars,
While empires rise and fall in the cycles of tidal pools.
Immense and microscopic at the same time;
Mute while eloquent;
Irrepressible and fragile;
Infinitely individuated and remorselessly uniform.
Eternal in its' self yet transient within our portion.
The song of the day within the silence of galaxies.

Introducing John and Dylan Blue

2010-05-22T01:23:00.000-07:00

Examples of John's work.Various media and all beautiful in their own right.

To my Dear Friends,
In my last post I mentioned John would be joining with me in making AardvarkSilver grow. I am limited here in what I am to do alone for many reasons,not least the fact that shipping times are way too long to allow for customers to plan projects right now.
And so I will let John speak.

Greetings, all. I am John Madsen, who runs Dylan Blue. Tanya has described us as "joining forces", so I wanted to share my take on that decision and let you know how I feel about it.

So that you'll understand my perspective, a bit about me. I'm 56, a granddad, and a refugee in flight from Corporate America. In the first 30 years of my adult life I moved around through functions such as food service manager, firefighter, computer programmer, military service, production supervisor and manager, sales and marketing, and general manager of a paper-recycling business.
On the side, I was always interested in art - drawing and painting, guitar and percussion, writing and theater. When our kids moved out, I had to grapple with depression which turned into a horrible emotional crash.

However, in recovering from all of that, I've worked at developing myself as an artisan and seeker, through my jewelry and writing and painting.

Tanya and I met online not quite a year ago through a mutual friend, Meredith of CraftyGAGalCreations. Almost from day one things occurred that showed me that I could communicate with Tanya in ways that were new to my experience of what business was all about.So very very different from the regular sales world.

In the ensuing months, I've come to understand Tanya as an individual who combines a wonderful heart with an angelic spirit and a world-class mind. Needless to say, such a person is compels a huge amount of affection and respect, and it is an honor to join forces to make this grow.

Not surprisingly, I've viewed the place Tanya has created in cyberspace as being similarly unique - a place where commerce and art and human values co-exist cheerfully and in community. How cool is that? Massive Cool. In this day and age of the almighty dollar it is refreshing to see heart in a business.

After getting over the initial shock that Tanya accepted my offer to join with her I've begun to see the possibilities and I am full of gratitude and humility for the chance to be a part of making this into an even larger community that benefits all. My place will be to facilitate the growth of Tanya's vision, and contribute my own work and art at a later time.

My first goal will be to always ensure that the enterprise continues to be suffused with Tanya-ness; that it continue to look and feel exactly as it has. Tanya has plans for growth, and I truly believe that I can assist in bringing them to be in ways that are both creative and effective. Tanya is an integral part of all that goes on and as "the Aardvark" she is there as well.

So - that's my story. I look forward to working and playing and seeking and sharing with this community, and hope that you will find my efforts to be of use to you in your works and journeys.

Peace an' love, you-all, john

Bangkok May 2010

2010-05-15T00:15:00.000-07:00

The city I live in is in turmoil and is very very unsettled. Many are injured and others have died. We have had momentary lulls of quiet and almost normality followed by times of violence and tension. The fear at times is so tangible that you could almost cut it.

There are soldiers in odd places and police all about. There are barricades and walls of tyres and bamboo poles in one of the main trading areas. The major department stores in parts of town are shut and public transport can be erratic.The buses run along strange routes to bypass all the problem areas and the trains can be closed without warning causing many to be stranded. The water ways used to get about are also shut down for an unspecified time. Last night many Thai people faced long long walks home as the train systems were closed unexpectedly and taxis were not running as usual.

The shooting and fighting is happening not far from my little room and whilst I am safe as long as I dont venture too far out of my little street it still impacts in a huge way as the sirens are audible at all hours.

I have been wondering what to do next. My savings were depleted by my last foray into the health system here and I am currently not able to go back to teaching whilst the students are directed elsewhere.

So what next?????

After much asking and much searching answers have come.

Aardvark Silver is moving to the United States. We are merging with Dylan Blue to work together as a team whilst remaining two separate identities. The logistics of delivery and parcel handling will all be handled from the US. I am staying on in many roles I have been performing but will be still in Bangkok. John Madsen from Dylan Blue will be a great asset to the team and will provide means for Aardvark Silver to continue in a normal fashion.

What does this mean for all of you? All the customers,supporters and friends of Aardvark Silver? Well it means you get your supplies a lot more quickly if you are US based and possibly within the same time frame or slightly faster if you are European based.

This transition will be taking place over the next few days and hopefully by early next week all silver parcels and shipments will be from the US. As far as Aardvark on Artfire...We are changing that a little to just cater for gems,pearls (when I get them) and beads and will change logos soon.It will still be part of the Aardvark family and as we grow we will move that to the US base as well.
A new Artfire store will be opening in the next few days and will be AardvarkSilver on Artfire. I'll keep you posted.

As we make the transition we will be sending you updates via the fan page, newsletters from the web page and blogging more to let you know what is happening.

We expect to have a few new promotions happening in the next few weeks that will be exciting for you as they are for us to share.

So what to expect?? Faster delivery times,the same great service and excellent products, lots of new items as we add to the inventory and expand. Great ideas and new product lines are in the pipeline.
Why am I doing this? To show you that I care enough to make sure you can still get the same great products, more quickly but also at the best possible prices.

I can hear you...Yes I can. Tanya why dont you leave????
Well I have no funds left and I am still not allowed to fly as my head is still having issues of its own. This new way of working will allow for business as usual,will help me to work at accumulating savings and then I can go overland to seek healthcare elsewhere.

And so I ask you for your continued support.

If you have any questions please dont hesitate to email me at aardvarksilver@yahoo.com I will happy to answer any and all emails.

Thank you

Light and Love to all

Tanya

Happy Mothers Day

2010-05-09T01:52:00.000-07:00

It has been a little over a week since I got home and I am now feeling more human. I still have a headache for now but am working on that. I'll keep you all updated about how it is going.

I wanted to wish all the Mothers and Mothers to be the Bestest day.
It is always a moment of reflection when this day comes about.Times of great Joy and times of great sadness.
May you never take for granted the little things that make Mothering such a special task.
And for those in the middle of a mad scramble to get through a day because there is so so much to do please enjoy it as much as you can.Within the blink of an eye (or so it feels) it is all gone past and you wonder where it went.
And so moving forward into the next steps.

I wish to leave you all with this. It was written by a dear friend of mine Alfred John Sole.

"Open your mouth and spray me with Diamonds,
I'll open my heart and receive them all.
I'll cherish and make them part of my memory
To take out and polish whenever I please."

Light and Love to all
Tanya

I'm HOME

2010-04-30T06:20:00.000-07:00

First picture is 9th floor.It is the 2 bed cubicle I spent the last 21 days in.I know the cupboards to the left side of the photo very very well.I felt my way along them often.
They are where the linen for the ward is stored and so everytime linen was needed my bed was banged by the nurse as the cupboard was opened and closed.24 hours a day,7 days a week.I didn't get great rest.
The other photo is 5th floor.No Air Conditioning and very dirty.

I got home late last night after 21 days in a Thai Government Teaching Hospital.
Please Ladies and Gentlemen,If you EVER EVER get sick PLEASE,PLEASE go to a REAL hospital in another country.
I was admitted on the 9th April with the headache that has been standard since I have been being treated in this country for Intracranial hypertension.Ok all well and good.They found me a bed with some speed this time which kind of suggested I now had a history in this place and they knew that there was a problem. The neurosurgeon organised for a plain abdominal xray and arranged of a lumbar puncture to be performed later in the day.
So I went and had my xray and he comes back with, No puncture but we are going to give you an enema to see if that helps to reduce the intra-abdominal pressure so that your shunt can drain properly.
Now at this point in time I begin to protest because the previous night I had spent sitting in my bathroom with the worst case of the runs I have had in ever so long and so I KNOW I dont have a stopped up colon.
Ok so they do the enema and the result is more of the runs and the headache is intact.
NEXT>>>>>>>
So now they give me a shot of something for pain. It seems I am able to tolerate Fentenyl as a drug for pain relief (I am allergic to most other pain medications and a few other medications as well). I spend the rest of Friday and Saturday in the disgustingly dirty 48 bed crowded ward before the young resident finally says on Sunday morning I will get you a bed on the 9th floor. Pictures attached.
So I move floors.
Monday morning comes and I am supposed to see my surgeon. It seems that at one point when I spent 2 minutes in the bathroom my Dr came to see me and then he went on holidays for the next 8 days. In fact he was on the ward when I came back from the bathroom (I saw him) and he chose to "not" see me as I went back to my bed.
So now I have spent nearly 4 days in hospital with NO treatment and NO investigations done.
AND at this point in time I havent even been told my Dr has gone away,I find this out two days later.
I found out because I refused to leave when my headache got so bad I couldnt see and they still hadnt done more than give me pain medication. So finally the resident neurosurgeon got permission on the telephone from my Dr,who is now on holidays, to do a lumbar puncture to check to see if the shunt that had been revised in the last surgery I had is actually working or not.
Wed 14th April they do the puncture to find the pressure is 30.Normal pressure is seen to be 13.Yes I have a headache and NO the revised shunt is NOT working.
Ok we have established now that there is a problem.
NEXT>>>>>

NEXT>>>>>>

NEXT>>>>>

Thats right, There is no next. I wait until late Monday 19th (7.30pm to be exact) before the Dr actually takes the time to come and visit me and confirm that yes I have a problem and yes we need to get it looked at and what will we do next.
Ok so he has no idea.
Next morning he was supposed to come back and see me.NO visit
Wednesday NO visit.He stopped in to see a patient in a bed in the cubicle behind me but didnt even have the curtesy to ask how I was. And all this time they are pumping me full of a highly addictive pain medication.
So Thursday he comes to see me and tells me they will do an MRI with Flow studies of the brain to check what is happening there.Now by now my head is hurting so much I would be happy for him to cut my head open and take my brain out. So I spend the $500 and get another MRI which once again tells me my brain is perfectly normal and is behaving perfectly normally and that there is no reason for them to cut my head open or to even put a drain in my head. OK so this is good news.
Friday he tells me this and also tells me he has been consulting with his neurosurgical colleagues and they say put in a V-A shunt. A shunt from the Ventricle to the Right Atrium.They very procedure he has been saying from day 1 he will not do because my ventricles are too small and the risk of collapse and malfunction is too great and the need for revision often would be high.But now this is the ONLY option and the only one he will offer.
So I asked him to take a look at my LP shunt one more time.Ok so I go off for a CT of my abdomen with contrast, A $450 xray that shows that the shunt tip has now migrated by 8 inches even though it was supposed to have been anchored securely and now sits under my liver instead of on the left side of my body where it had been moved to during the last surgery when he did the last revision.
NOW I am really scared.This piece of plastic is now travelling about unsecured inside my belly.It now can puncture something it shouldnt and possibly cause peritonitis and then menigitis as the germs travel up the tubing to the brain. Time for it to come out.

I had the shunt removed on Tuesday 27th. I had stopped having pain injections about a week before because they were sending me crazy and I was losing all sense of reality.

I spent 3 weeks in the hospital in a small bed with nurses who would run away from me rather than help me most times.(I think they were scared I would speak English to them). On several occasions I had to be very persistent about basic necessities such as water to bathe with as I was unable to shower for most of the time I was confined in the hospital.One time the nurse came to my two bed cubicle spoke to the other woman asking her is she needed water or would shower by herself and when the woman didnt need water the nurse looked at me and ran off with the bowl of water I needed.Later that morning the nursing staff were roundly told off by the senior sister because I had been unable to bathe and change my pajamas in time for the Drs to visit.Its was a battle I had a few more times.

Often Thai people would walk past the open area to my cubicle and stop and stare at me like I was a circus curiosity.Like they hadnt seen a white person ever before.And passing people in the hall was very difficult because they stopped and stared and often times stood in my way so I had to go around.Very very difficult when I was relying on holding onto the wall to keep my balance and to keep upright.The nurses were too busy to assist me to walk to the bathroom 8-10 times a day and so I knew the bumps and divets on that wall intimately and so could close my eyes and know exactly where I was in relation to my bed and the bathroom at any point. I often had my eyes closed due to the pain in my head.

Having an IV inserted was a whole other nightmare.The last ones I directed the which nurses were allowed to touch my veins and where they were even allowed to attempt. This came about after one nurse tried to insert a cannula inside my right wrist and hit a nerve that sent pain shooting into my fingers.Electricity that still shoots into my fingers when I move my hand in certain directions.I wonder how long it will be before that damage heals?

So what have I gotten out of my experience?
I have had 4 surgeries. I have spent approx $4500 (conservative estimate, this was wages paid and sales after I had my heart surgery completed) and 7 weeks in and out of hospital. I have a series of xrays which may or may not be of use later due to the conditions they were taken under no matter how much I paid for them and I have 3 incision sites that are healing. The shunt that they inserted was destroyed even though I paid in excess of $450 for it because they chose to not allow me to have it even though it was my property and I paid for it.No refund on that one either. The reason was that it could be dirty and spread infection.The woman in the bed next to nme was allowed to keep her kidney stone. That couldnt even be sterlised unlike a simple piece of plastic. I wonder what was really wrong with the shunt that they wouldnt give it to me? Makes me wonder?
I have several damaged veins that may or may not heal to fully functionality, I have a damaged nerve in my right wrist and apparently I may have a hole in the spinal covering where the shunt had been inserted that may or may not heal by itself.

Oh and I still have my original condition.UNCHANGED.

So where do I go from here?
Right now I am home and am enjoying being in my own safe space with my own familiar things.Over the next few weeks I will work out what comes next.I have a few ideas forming but nothing concrete yet.I have to go back to work headache or no headache because I have no money now and so I will go from there.
Slowly but surely.
I want to thank you all for your Love and Care and Well Wishes.I am sure that is what has kept me alive and safe during the last few weeks.I do know without your support I would not be here as I am.
I am going to post more news more often.Better news and new things that are more exciting and better to read and share.
Thank you all
Light and Love
Tanya

Finally an UPdate

2010-03-25T21:30:00.000-07:00

The pics with me sitting is post op second op.Oxygen and staring eyes,still so drugged from theatre.Yes I went home about an hour after this was taken.
The blurry pic is the ER.70 beds jammed in an open space and everyone coming and going.No screens,no privacy and noise and screams and lights and that was an experience.
The other pic is my 45 bed ward where I went post op the first time after the shunt was placed.Side by side crammed in and in so dirty.Heaven for bacteria.Makes me wonder why they dont have more post op infections.I was glad to go home in many ways.

After my last post so much has happened.I have not been able to do this any sooner.I apologise for that.

5th March I had a Lumbar Peritoneal shunt put into my body.It runs from the lower spine to the front of my belly (on the inside) where it is supposed to drain. I came home after less than 24 hours and no drugs post op due to allergy and so slept a lot.No drugs anytime,I cant even have an aspirin or whatever your painkiller of choice is.

I had two days with NO headache and it was bliss.
My incisions were healing nicely and all seemed well.

Ok so on 18th March,Wednesday, I am back to the Dr. My head is set to explode again. A lumbar puncture that had me screaming in pain ( this is abnormal.Usually I dont move or make a sound.It was torture really) and the realization that the shunt is not draining.OMG what next.An overnight stay in the ER because there are no beds.

Back to theatre Thursday morning for a shunt revision.
I wake and he tells me , "The shunt drains outside of your body with no problems.I put it back and now wait and see'
Home after 6 hours because there IS NO BED.I was put on a hospital gurney and parked in a spare room.

Friday I dont have a headache and this is a good sign.By Saturday it is not happy again.And I cant do anymore.Yes this is the "I cannot " post for my status on Facebook.I am not able to do much on the computer for more than a few minutes at a time and so that is why I have not opened it much. It has taken me days to get this together.

Back to the surgeon yesterday.Stitches from the second op out and he says "Ok we can move the shunt to the other side of your belly" But what will that do? No idea if it will change anything .I said No
Ok so we can put one in from your head. This option was tossed out at the very start BECAUSE I dont have enough room in the area he would have to put it to not cause brain damage. I told him NO WAY!!!! He agrees because he know it will cause even more issues.He suggested it because he is running out of options.

Ok so next.........

And I got "I dont know".

Ok so this is honest.I can live with that.
So I tell him I want a scan of my lower spine to rule out other stuff and he agrees.
Yesterdays MRI is done and now I have to wait until Monday to know what is next.

My head.Well the pressure is off a little so it is not bad ALL the time BUT now I have these lovely headaches that are like a knife in the side of my head.....A bit like someone has grabbed your eyeball and is dragging it into the back of your throat.And they hit when ever and I find myself literally on the floor.A cough, a sneeze, even to go to the bathroom brings this one on.Crawl back to bed and wait it out.

Surgery is again on the horizon.I pray this one will be the last.I dont quite know yet what he will agree to do but I also pray that Someone upstairs guides the dear Dr to answers.They have to come soon.

Thinking of you all often even if I dont write

Light and Love
Tanya xxxx

The Neurosurgeon

2010-03-03T06:19:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of the placement of a Lumboperitneal shunt.

After waiting for nearly 2 hours to see the Surgeon today and feeling the room spin I was so glad I waited. The Dr is a lovely guy who took the time to listen to me and to then tell me I really am not crazy when I talk about the "rain" sound I get in my head or when I tell him my eye feels like it is about 10 inches outside of my face.
And after he checked all my Xrays,(Yes all 15 packets of them) and looked in my eyes and tested them he said," So how long have you had this set of symptoms?" and "Why weren't they treated sooner?".
I nearly fell off the chair. I have been looking for a Dr to actually see what was obviously a problem and not tell me I am a neurotic housewife that needs to take anti-depressants and get a life.

And the verdict is that I am going to be treated for Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (the idiopathic word means from no detectable cause) and have a lumbo-peritoneal shunt put in. 3 hours in theatre and then recovery after. After 48 hours if my symptoms are worse he will take it out and do a decompression. Yes what fun. Two surgeries possibly. Oh well as long as I dont lose any more eye sight.

The best news of the day is that I may get some of my vision back again. As we take the pressure off the optic nerve permanently it may function better.YAY!!! I will be able to see clearly.Hopefully.

So when? I can hear you all LOL
If a bed is available I will be in tomorrow night for a Friday procedure and if not then early next week.Yes that fast. It needs to be done now so my eyes can have a chance.
Its a teaching hospital ad so there are loads of upcoming med students that will come and check out my head LOL.It is quite a rare thing to see here so they come and look when they can and that is all good too.

So all good.I will be in hospital 3-5 days depending what I end up with and home after that.Business is closed but I may be able to check email.I may also be able to check FB which will be fun.Or at least post.We'll see if I am up to it all LOL

Ok lovely friends.I think that about sums it up. Any questions? Please ask.

Light and Love to all
Tanya xxxxxx

Good Morning All

2010-02-28T04:53:00.000-08:00

Its 8pm Bangkok time and I am finally out of bed for the day.So Good Morning.

This post was supposed to be the "Hi All, I am well again" post. Seems my head has other ideas.

Back in May last year I posted about the "Headache from Hell" and after a spinal tap it seemed to go away for a bit.
December came and my arteries had their turn and we all worked together one that one. Thank you.
So as I spent the time recovering I found that the head had decided to speak again. Frustration is reigning supreme here. My chest feels great, my hand is healed and now my head hurts. What the...?

So I rested, and rested and then rested some more.I spent almost all day every day in bed and the days I wasnt in bed and was working on my computer, I lay on my back on the floor with my notebook propped up on my belly so I could work.Not very elegant and not very comfortable but still let me talk a little and communicate with the outside world.

On 8th Feb I had had enough and went to have a spinal tap. Big ouch and horrible. The neurologist missed Twice and then the Dr who came and did the tap didnt take the pressure down. Why? Apparently she wasnt asked to and even though it was 19 points higher than normal she didnt stop and contact the referring Dr or even make a decision about treatment by herself but closed up and I had to wait until morning to do anything further. So next day she does the tap again and this time actually does what is needed. 4 needles into my spine in 12 hours.So not fun. And lying on your back for 24 hours is not the most comfortable spot either.
I went home on the Tuesday to rest some more. Sleep was great for a week. But crawling to the bathroom and around the little room I live in was not.
I even went to the River Kwai to rest for two days to get away from the computer and the city so I didnt work on anything at all.

My head hasnt improved at all this time.In fact if anything the headache is worse after this tap. So I went to find a new Dr, a new hospital and a very different possible diagnosis.
See in the past I had been being treated for Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension. This is where the fluid still moves up and down the spine easily but doesnt drain.Pressure building up and squeezing your brain. Click here for link . Like that isn't bad enough? Now there is a question mark over that. Is this ACM1 ? Acquired Chiari Malformation type 1. Check it out at this page

Probably acquired due to a blow to the head and this has aggravated the underlying non-symptomatic skull deformation I was probably born with.

The photo I have put up is an example of the type of finding on MRI. The brain stem slips into the spinal space.

So now that I have bombarded you with all this info, what does it all mean?
Well it means that the headache from hell is going to get worse.It also means that unless I get the pressure reduced permanently and soon I am going to go blind. My eye sight in my right eye has already deteriorated to the point where I have no peripheral vision at all (last May I was blind in that eye for a few days as well) and my left eye has limited peripheral vision. I cant focus unless I wear glasses and that really bites when I am trying to create, and all this has happened since last May.Yes really fast. The neuro specialist and the neuro eye specialist both seem to think that if I get my head sorted very soon the damage may be reversed.I am praying so. At the very least I should be able to keep the vision I have.

I see the neurosurgeon on Wednesday. I'll have a better idea of treatment options when I know exactly which of the two evils it is and can then let you all know what I am doing. The main thing is I am going to have to have surgery of some major sort again. And that is so not fun.

So my friends there you have it.Why I had a small and very short comeback and a longer quiet time again.Why I possibly will be offline again soon. I so wanted to get my shop sorted and get all my new goodies listed and catch up with everything and everyone. Seems that is going to have to wait. I wonder if my getting the genes from the bottom of the barrel means that someone else gets a chance to stay healthy? I hope so.I will make it easier to deal with that way

Ok so back to bed. Maybe if I lie down long enough the vice will stop squeezing my head.

Light and Love to you all

Tanya

Happy Valentines Day to all.

2010-02-14T02:51:00.000-08:00

Well I am home again.That is a quick shot pre op.I really wasnt in the mood for much afterwards LOL.
It has been a healing time and I have been buoyed up by the Light,Love,Care and Support from all around the world.
Today has really been the first day I have been out of bed very much and that I finally feel part way normal again.
My artery is repaired and is now in perfect working order.My hand has its blood supply back again and is pink and warm and all the sad, sorry parts are healed.
For those who dont know, I also had a spinal tap last week that was a nightmare in the making.The Dr missed twice and then the one who came after who managed to get into the area she needed to, didnt reduce the pressure.I had to have another tap the next day to remedy that.After 4 needles into my spine in 12 hours my back was so so sore.In fact after having to lie flat on my back for the best part of 18 hours my kidneys were protesting.I wont be going back to see that Dr nor go into that hospital again.

So onto new and better things for the year.

I am celebrating being here and it is because of the generosity of so many and the support of so many that I am able to do this.

Today is the big draw day. Happy Valentines to all and a very Lucky Chinese New Year to you as well.

There are so many many wonderful people who helped in so many ways and I wasnt able to thank everyone in in person.Please know I didnt over look you.You are in my heart as well.
I spent the day preparing to do this draw.We had a total of 1602 entries.This was with anonymous donations as well as sales and registered donations on the Pledgie page. I really wanted to send some token of my appreciation to everyone but that is impossible.
So for the next 3 months we will be having coupons in Artfire and on the Web site to give a discount to everyone who helped and donated. The codes will be given tomorrow as right now I want to use the rest of this post to announce the winners.

A very Special Thank You to Brenda Roberts and Family for hosting the Have a Heart For Tanya page.It was a great way to bring people together.
Huge Thanks also go to Marjorie,Cleo,Ingrid and Jutta and everyone else for putting the word out in places I would not have reached otherwise.

And Now for that moment......

Drum Roll Please......

The $250 certificate Prize goes to K. Trost.
$100 certificate prize goes to L.Hadberg
$100certificate prize goes to N. Koyama
$50 certificate prize goes to S. Orr.
I will email you later today as well.

All prize certificates can be redeemed for goods to the value in any of my stores and any area of my stores or by special order request.Please email me when you are ready to spend your prize.

I will email the winners of the 10 pairs of earrings to get your choice of stone you wish to have included in the design I have made.These are collectors items and are a small token of my appreciation for your support and generosity.

Once again I thank you so much and now look forward to sharing the rest of the year and have lots of exciting things planned we can share and work on together.I am looking forward to working with more of you to give back to the community at large.Tutorials are something I am looking to produce as well.So exciting.

Will be back again soon..

Light and Love to all
Tanya

3 Days to go and we are at 85.68%

2010-01-27T07:07:00.001-08:00

Hi all
These last few weeks have been a lot of a rollercoaster ride and one I dont know that I would have made it through without the Light,Love Care and Support that has been sent my way.

The awesome effort at raising funds has not gone unnoticed and I want to Thank everyone who has had a hand in that.Every little bit counts and I have tried to Thank everyone in person but may not have been able.I didnt intentionally leave anyone out.I may just have run out of time or energy.

I have been working really hard as well and have gotten all the orders arranged and packed if not yet sent.I will input the tracking numbers when I have a little more time and focus.

Only 4 sleeps and 3 days to go.I am scared and excited and so looking forward to a positive outcome.I am glad my friend is able to go to the hospital with me.He will translate and help out with getting me all settled and then will let people know when it is all done and how it all went.

And so in the morning my time I will put my stores in holiday mode and then I will finalize everything and have a rest.Friday is my last class and then I am resting until Sunday.

Sunday morning I am at the hospital at 6.30am.I have my taxi booked already to take me.
And as I write this is suddenly becomes so much more real.

Ok I am off to bed.I am weary.It has been an exceptionally long day.

I'll update again soon

Light and Love to all
Tanya

264 pledges,69.38% and seven days to go.

2010-01-23T04:02:00.001-08:00

A BIG Thank you
I wanted to say a Big Thank you.

25.45% in about 24 hours. WOW!!!! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

I have had a quiet day today.I sent a messenger out for the stock and I also got groceries in as well.It was so nice that the kind man I paid to help out carried all the water I bought up the 38 stairs.I made sure I will have plenty for when I get back from hospital.I also have a few other supplies as well so am kind of set up now.

Hospital is only 7 sleeps away.I am going to be glad when it is done and I can breathe again and feel my arm properly and see these strange bruise like patches heal up and go away. I do believe they will.Along with the pain.That is an exciting thing to look forward to....not hurting.

Its funny but when I was younger it was one of the things I took for granted.A bit like my eye sight and my hearing.Pain would always go away even if it was from stupid stuff like exercising too hard after not doing much for ages or from tripping over and falling down. This has taught me a whole new appreciation for the value of pain free days.I know when I get them back again I am going to work hard at staying that way.

And so on that note I am off to bed.I need to rest again.That comes around faster these days too.I hope that goes away quickly as well but will give myself a break as well so the healing can be as good as it can be. I forget to do that most times but I am not taking any more chances this time.

Light and Love to all.

Tanya

141 Pledges, 43.83% and only 8 days to go.

2010-01-22T06:23:00.000-08:00

My younger children in the Asia MTV fundraiser for the Tsunami effort in 2005.Carter was shown in this and about 3 billion people watched him as he held a candle to show how they were lighting the way for those in need.I, too, have given over the years to support a couple of Thai boys.I guess it is my turn to say Thank you now.

What a huge effort we have all made in the last few weeks.Thank you all from my heart.

ONLY 8 days to go. This is the final weekend before I go into the hospital next Sunday 31st Jan.
Can we see if we can reach the target by Friday or sooner?

I will be winding down my sales on Wednesday at midnight US time so I have time to complete and pack all orders and to get them away. All store will be in holiday mode after than until I am well enough to work again. At this point in time I have no idea how long that will be.If I am lucky I may be out of hospital within 3-4 weeks and then back on deck properly a few weeks after that.If it is anything like the last time I had an artery repair it will be about a year until I am 100% fully recovered.It is a long road but one we can travel together.

I have learnt so much in the last few weeks.I have learnt strangers have become friends and they help me more than my family.I have learnt that I have made a difference and I am making a difference.I have learnt I have skills I never realized before now.I have learnt how to receive as well as how to give and I have learnt that Love opens so many doors. What a learning curve.One we have shared.

Today I forgot to change my pain patch.Well I was only hurting a little as I had just gotten up after sleeping a good night sleep for a change and went off to work.Yes guys I am still working.I finish next Friday for my last class.(Got to do what I can as well to reach this target). Anyway,I went off to work and realized when I got there I wasnt going to be home for about 5 or more hours.Ok so maybe I can do this.
I found that by the time I left the office my body was shaking,in shock, from the pain level as it increased.I got on the train and was whimpering.It sounded like a hurt cat or dog.I couldnt help it,I was hurting so much.Some kind girl got up and let me sit.That was so wonderful.Normally they ignore others in need.I guess I was too noticeable to ignore this time.Anyway I got home finally.Getting up those 38 stairs was....well it was only through sheer will power I got there.In the door to the fridge and a new patch on and then I passed out for an hour.
I am up and about now and can move again but I have now set my alarm in my phone and written on my calendar and posted it on the fridge NOT to forget again.A painful lesson that one.

Only 8 days to go.

The sale for 20% off in the Artfire store is still on and so is the MAYDAY coupon code in the web page.You can use it as often as you need until 14th Feb.Anything bought from the web page after 29th Jan will have to wait until I return so please try and finalize your purchases before the 27th or 28th at the latest to give me time to get them to you. Dont forget that there are daily extra 20% off specials and a daily freebie to the first person who finds it.

There is a group page that was set up by some wonderful young people in Australia and on that page many of our friends have posted goods that you can buy and either 100% or less will be donated as well.Please help there too if you need beads or want to buy an amazing piece of jewelry for Valentines. Here is the link http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=254827023429&ref=ts
ONLY 8 days to go.

Am I scared?
Yes a little and this is ok.I am finding I am ok really though with all the Love,Care,Prayers and Support that is incoming.It is holding me together and I am honoured and Blessed by the continued support. Thank you.

Light and Love to all

Tanya

If you missed my earlier blogs this is my current specials and offer.
What I am offering.
1. I am going to make a standing 20% discount in my Artfire store www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark until Valentines day.

2. A 20% discount in all areas of my web site www.aardvarksilver.com. This covers jewelry and silver supplies. Code is MAYDAY and can be used as often as you purchase until Feb 14th.

3. We have a $7 earring listing. It is in the special offers area of the Jewelry section of the web site.Let me know about how long you like your earrings,the colour you would want and if you want a post earring or a hook style and we make you a custom pair of earrings using the best silver and stones we can.

4. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A GIVEAWAY OF ONE $250 VOUCHER TO ONE LUCKY CUSTOMER AND 2 LUCKY CUSTOMERS WILL RECEIVE A $100 VOUCHER EACH. WE WILL ALSO SEND OUT 10 PAIRS OF EARRINGS TO LUCKY CUSTOMERS AS WELL.

How to enter the give away???????

Its really really easy.

Make a purchase in any area of my stores.There are a few of these to make it easier for you.
www.aardvarksilver.com
www.aardvarksilver.etsy.com
www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark

Each $10 of your order gives you one entry into the draw. EASY. The more you purchase the better your chances of winning but also the more likely I am to reach my target and have the funds I need to keep me alive.

Aardvark Silver is silver supplies and Jewelry
AardvarkSilver Etsy is silver supplies only.
Artfire Aardvark has Gemstones as well as silver supplies.

Please feel free to contact me if you are after wholesale lots of any items.

38% raised and 11 days to go.

2010-01-19T18:21:00.000-08:00

Just a few of my past students.Yes, that is my daughter in the centre.Hiding LOL.

With time running away and my body not behaving very well it has now become even more urgent to reach the goal.
I thank all of you for the Love,Care,Support and help that you are giving.It is priceless to me and I cherish you all for the prayers and love you have been sending.

I am now at the point where stairs are a nightmare.I get to the top eventually,usually after having to stop several times even on a short flight and have to wait while my heart stops hammering in my chest and I can get my breathe back.

I get the strangest looks from people as I stop and wait because I seem to look very healthy and am a young woman.I watch the old people bound up the stairs ahead of me and sometimes they turn and look down on me as if they are better than I am.LOL Good luck to them that they have a strong body.

I also have taken to being more assertive on the bus and the train about getting a seat.I have had young Thai women all but push me out of the way in their rush to sit down. Now I just say "excuse me" very loudly in Thai and they get up.I often get up for old people who cant stand because the young things who are fit and healthy feel they have a right to sit.Sad state of affairs that.

In the last two weeks I have had a couple of my students I taught in my first classes come back into my life.I get this feeling that someone is trying to show me in person how much of a difference I have made.The young woman and young man I am referring to are wonderful young adults with a sense of confidence and pride in themselves and are so clever.They are doing really well in their studies and are caring,considerate people.I have taught about 7-800 students in the time I have been here.If they all turn out to have similar qualities then this country is in safe hands.I am Honoured for the privilege of having taught them.

Friends have made a page which can be found at this link http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=254827023429 Only a few days to go and time runs quickly.Please tell all your friends to take a peek and join.There are great offers on this page to help the fundraising as well.

The sale and Draw for the Give Away of prizes is still current.Dont forget to tell all your friends as well.Valentines Day is just around the corner.Treat yourself to a lovely piece of jewelry at a great price.Or find the freebie.There are new ones everyday.I have also discounted a new item each day by a further 20% on top of the MAYDAY coupon 20% off.These are changing each day so keep your eyes open.I am working on listing new things as I can.I'll let you know what I put up.

Thank you all again.Please feel free to tweet,repost and forward as you can.
Light and Love to all
Tanya

If you missed my earlier blogs this is my current specials and offer.
What I am offering.
1. I am going to make a standing 20% discount in my Artfire store www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark until Valentines day.

2. A 20% discount in all areas of my web site www.aardvarksilver.com. This covers jewelry and silver supplies. Code is MAYDAY and can be used as often as you purchase until Feb 14th.

3. We have a $7 earring listing. It is in the special offers area of the Jewelry section of the web site.Let me know about how long you like your earrings,the colour you would want and if you want a post earring or a hook style and we make you a custom pair of earrings using the best silver and stones we can.

4. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A GIVEAWAY OF ONE $250 VOUCHER TO ONE LUCKY CUSTOMER AND 2 LUCKY CUSTOMERS WILL RECEIVE A $100 VOUCHER EACH. WE WILL ALSO SEND OUT 10 PAIRS OF EARRINGS TO LUCKY CUSTOMERS AS WELL.

How to enter the give away???????

Its really really easy.

Make a purchase in any area of my stores.There are a few of these to make it easier for you.
www.aardvarksilver.com
www.aardvarksilver.etsy.com
www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark

Each $10 of your order gives you one entry into the draw. EASY. The more you purchase the better your chances of winning but also the more likely I am to reach my target and have the funds I need to keep me alive.

Aardvark Silver is silver supplies and Jewelry
AardvarkSilver Etsy is silver supplies only.
Artfire Aardvark has Gemstones as well as silver supplies.

Please feel free to contact me if you are after wholesale lots of any items.

WOW!!!! 28.5% and rising.

2010-01-17T00:11:00.000-08:00

The view from my back door.Looks much prettier at night.

I woke this morning to great news from you all and to not so good stuff from my body.

Thank you so so much for all the donations and the sales.My little words just dont express how much it all means to me but please know I am grateful. I think you can understand.

I have had a day of packing orders and sorting out custom made chains and items as well as resting in between. When I woke this morning I had the worst pain in my chest and couldnt move.I had to get a courier to go to the market to pick up stock as I couldnt get out of the house. After putting on a new pain patch (with the old one still in place as it still has a life of another day or so) I feel less pain but not so well.The tummy is objecting. It was a trade off and pain relief won out.

I am so glad to be sending more of my lovely things to new homes though and hope you will all encourage others to come and shop while we have this sale. I will be finalising sales by about 28th Jan 2010 as I need a couple of days to tidy up and pack and get parcels away before hospital on the Sunday morning.

On the agenda for this week I am planning on doing something extra to help speed things along.Every day I will be discounting a new item by a further 20%.It will go in the specials area and will be advertised there.That means once you add your MAYDAY coupon 20% off you will have a 40% discount on that item.
I am also going to mark one item each day, free.That one I am not going to tell you about.You will have to take a browse and find it.If you only purchase that piece you will still have to pay shipping so it can get to you.It may be jewelry or a silver item.At $3.50 for registered Air Mail that is cheap enough.

I also wanted to remind you all that the bargain bin for the jewelry is also subject to the coupon discount and most of those items are already 50% off so they become a really good bargain with some below cost when you take a further 205 off with your MAYDAY coupon. I will be adding more items to the clearance bin in the silver section as well so keep an eye open there too.

I also want to add that all who are donating via a Pledgie donation are going in the give away draw as well so you can have a chance to win the give away prizes.Its another way I may have a chance to thank you even more to those who have given so generously.

And that has been my day.

Thank you so much for your continued Support,Love and Care. At the rate we are moving along we can reach the target and I can go and have treatment without stressing over money.

Thank you
Light and Love to all

Tanya
If you missed my earlier blogs this is my current specials and offer.
What I am offering.
1. I am going to make a standing 20% discount in my Artfire store www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark until Valentines day.

2. A 20% discount in all areas of my web site www.aardvarksilver.com. This covers jewelry and silver supplies. Code is MAYDAY and can be used as often as you purchase until Feb 14th.

3. We have a $7 earring listing. It is in the special offers area of the Jewelry section of the web site.Let me know about how long you like your earrings,the colour you would want and if you want a post earring or a hook style and we make you a custom pair of earrings using the best silver and stones we can.

4. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A GIVEAWAY OF ONE $250 VOUCHER TO ONE LUCKY CUSTOMER AND 2 LUCKY CUSTOMERS WILL RECEIVE A $100 VOUCHER EACH. WE WILL ALSO SEND OUT 10 PAIRS OF EARRINGS TO LUCKY CUSTOMERS AS WELL.

How to enter the give away???????

Its really really easy.

Make a purchase in any area of my stores.There are a few of these to make it easier for you.
www.aardvarksilver.com
www.aardvarksilver.etsy.com
www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark

Each $10 of your order gives you one entry into the draw. EASY. The more you purchase the better your chances of winning but also the more likely I am to reach my target and have the funds I need to keep me alive.

Aardvark Silver is silver supplies and Jewelry
AardvarkSilver Etsy is silver supplies only.
Artfire Aardvark has Gemstones as well as silver supplies.

Please feel free to contact me if you are after wholesale lots of any items.

21%

2010-01-16T03:25:00.000-08:00

During a walk in the park we came across this lovely sight.I guess they cant read even if it is in pictures.LOL

After a busy busy week when I have been tidying up so very much as well as trying to keep up to date with everything I finally had a chance to sit and update the counter.
Wow!!!! 21%. We are going forward and it is all good.
I went to see the surgeon today.Well he tells me he is not happy with me waiting but there is little that can be done right now.Need to get to the target.

As far as my health goes. I am now at the point where the 38 steps up to my little room are bigger than a mountain and I have to stop after about each 3 rd or 4th step to catch my breath.Not sure what I will do when I have to go and buy supplies etc at the end of the month so I am able to come back home and have food and water in my house.I guess I will pay someone to carry it all up.I KNOW I wont be able.LOL
My arm and chest are hurting more than before and the pain is now breaking through the pain meds.I cant increase the dosage as it makes me very sick.In fact I have had to reduce the dosage so much so that I can still function without vomiting all day and this is part of the problem.I am allergic to so many pain killing drugs so have little choice right now. My options are severely limited and I am so hoping to make it to healed with some tolerance still.So far so good but I wonder how much longer.

My current date now is for the 31st Jan. The end of the month and only about 14 days or so away.

It is interesting when you start a project like this one how much there is to sort.I guess business has added to the whole equation.I remember last time I was able to just sit the weekend before and write my will,call my family and enjoy being with my children.This time I have been working out business stuff and how to put things on hold.Its all a learning curve and I am learning fast LOL.

And so we go forward.
The sale is still underway and is going along great.It came to me this week we will have a special a day.Each day a different featured item or line and an extra discount on those.Keep your eyes open for it all.

I want to thank everyone for your help.I appreciate it no end and thank you for the prayers and the love and care that is sent as well.If you cant purchase I understand but can you please tweet my blog or forward it or something to get it out there so I am able to get more traffic.
Thanking you in advance and looking forward to meeting more of you

Light and Love
Tanya

13th Jan and 19%

2010-01-13T06:17:00.000-08:00

My two sons and younger daughter.Wonderful young people.

An update.
I am booked for my procedure on 31st Jan now.I have had it put back an extra week to see if we can get my blood pressure back under control.It has been sitting in near stoke level. 220/170 is way too high and I am already on medication to try and sort it.Heaven knows how much it might have been if I wasnt LOL.

A piece of good news..... we are now at 19% and the total is climbing slowly but surely.

However, I am now going to take my last orders this month on 28th.I need to get them packed and away before I go to hospital so it raises the bar a little more and means I need to speed things up a whole lot.That is 18 days less than I thought I was going to have and I am still needing more than 80%. I just cant wait any longer than the end of the month.To do so may mean irreversible damage on a much larger scale.So what happens if I cant pay? I dont even want to consider that one but will address it if I have to.Right now I am holding on.

I have Faith that it can be done.I have Faith in this process and know that the Help,Love,Care,Prayers and Support that are pouring is in from all over the world will mean I am able to reach the target set.

On another great note.....I have closed the Etsy jewelry store 9DollarEarrings. One lovely lady has purchased the rest of the stock. I want to Thank Mrs H and her lovely man for their generosity and help.It all adds up,every sale,big and small.
I still have great items of jewelry on the web site and have a bargain bin that is almost overflowing.20% is also able to be taken off these already heavily reduced items. Click here to go direct to the catalogue page to check out the lovely items.

Thank you all again for being a part of my journey.For sharing it all with me. Thank you for the Love,Care and Support.

I send Light and Love back to all

If you missed my earlier blogs this is my current specials and offer.
What I am offering.
1. I am going to make a standing 20% discount in my Artfire store www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark until Valentines day.

2. A 20% discount in all areas of my web site www.aardvarksilver.com. This covers jewelry and silver supplies. Code is MAYDAY and can be used as often as you purchase until Feb 14th.

3. We have a $7 earring listing. It is in the special offers area of the Jewelry section of the web site.Let me know about how long you like your earrings,the colour you would want and if you want a post earring or a hook style and we make you a custom pair of earrings using the best silver and stones we can.

4. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A GIVEAWAY OF ONE $250 VOUCHER TO ONE LUCKY CUSTOMER AND 2 LUCKY CUSTOMERS WILL RECEIVE A $100 VOUCHER EACH. WE WILL ALSO SEND OUT 10 PAIRS OF EARRINGS TO LUCKY CUSTOMERS AS WELL.

How to enter the give away???????

Its really really easy.

Make a purchase in any area of my stores.There are a few of these to make it easier for you.
www.aardvarksilver.com
www.aardvarksilver.etsy.com
www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark

Each $10 of your order gives you one entry into the draw. EASY. The more you purchase the better your chances of winning but also the more likely I am to reach my target and have the funds I need to keep me alive.

Aardvark Silver is silver supplies and Jewelry
AardvarkSilver Etsy is silver supplies only.
Artfire Aardvark has Gemstones as well as silver supplies.

Please feel free to contact me if you are after wholesale lots of any items.

18% Sunday 10th.

2010-01-10T06:05:00.000-08:00

The photo is of me and my sisters when we were growing up.Gosh that was such a long time ago LOL.My how time flies

Well another weekend has finished for me and I am winding down for the day. Tomorrow it is back to see the Dr again and have some blood work done and to get some more pain patches.I cant function without them now.I have tried.My chest and arm hurt too much as I come off them.
We broke the $10000 to go to mark, and now have only $9903.30 to go. What a great effort.

I was supposed to have my operation today but have now rescheduled it for the 31st January.I feel that if we all work really really hard and all push together we can do this.As a team we can make this goal.
I want to thank everyone for all the help so far.It is wonderful to have so many to spread the word.I know it can speed up a little as well and all will be great.

I am still working as well.I am teaching about 10 hours each week.I love being a teacher and sharing the knowledge I have.I will also begin to make tutorials after this crisis is all over so you can benefit from some of the skills I have taught myself.That will be fun as well.I look forward to it.

I only have 15 items left in my Etsy jewelry store and I am so glad that the items are going to new homes.I am looking forward to closing it up at the end of the month or sooner if all is sold.If you would like a piece and it is not already discounted please make me an offer.I am open to all reasonable offers.I also want to clear these pieces because they were part of what Attit made.It would be great for me to open a new store with just my pieces and have a clean slate.That is set for later this year after I get myself well.

I bought a new sim card for the internet as well so I can update FB and my blog from my phone.I will be able to do this from hospital so I can keep everyone posted on my progress.

Sale is still going and I am reposting details here so all can know and take part.I am also extending my give away draw to anyone who made a direct donation.

Thank you is such an inadequate couple of words to express how grateful I am to have wonderful friends and such awesome support and help.There are no other words and so I say Thank You and it is said from my Heart.

Light and Love to all

Tanya

SALE!!!! A really BIG BIG sale.A SALE for my life so that you guys get the benefits as I do.

What I am offering.
1. I am going to make a standing 20% discount in my Artfire store www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark until Valentines day.

2. A 20% discount in all areas of my web site www.aardvarksilver.com. This covers jewelry and silver supplies. Code is MAYDAY and can be used as often as you purchase until Feb 14th.

3. We are going to have a $7 earring listing.Let me know about how long you like your earrings,the colour you would want and if you want a post earring or a hook style and we make you a custom pair of earrings using the best silver and stones we can.

4. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A GIVEAWAY OF ONE $250 VOUCHER TO ONE LUCKY CUSTOMER AND 2 LUCKY CUSTOMERS WILL RECEIVE A $100 VOUCHER EACH. WE WILL ALSO SEND OUT 10 PAIRS OF EARRINGS TO LUCKY CUSTOMERS AS WELL.

How to enter the give away???????

Its really really easy.

Make a purchase in any area of my stores.There are a few of these to make it easier for you.
www.aardvarksilver.com
www.aardvarksilver.etsy.com
www.9dollarearrings.etsy.com
www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark

Each $10 of your order gives you one entry into the draw. EASY. The more you purchase the better your chances of winning but also the more likely I am to reach my target and have the funds I need to keep me alive.

Aardvark Silver is silver supplies and Jewelry
AardvarkSilver Etsy is silver supplies only.
9 Dollar earrings is a very small number of items and once they are cleared (and most are discounted by 50%) the store will be closing.
Artfire Aardvark has Gemstones as well as silver supplies.

Please feel free to contact me if you are after wholesale lots of any items.

15%

2010-01-07T05:28:00.000-08:00

Let me share my news.

I saw the surgeon yesterday.

That was the easy sentence to cope with.

He tells me my upset artery is more serious than I thought and that I need it fixing As Soon As Possible. Sunday is the day he has booked for me.

I have to cancel.I dont have the funds to do this yet.We moved up by 2% in 2 days to 15% which is wonderful.If I had more time it might be ok but my lovely Dr also informs me that my hand and arm now have very reduced circulation and I am getting very small patches of the muscle and tissues dying. It has begun.

This is a basic plumbing job.An almost routine piece of surgery that will be able to be completed in about 4 hours.Whilst the recovery is going to feel like I was hit by a bus I am still able to regain good health and be a very productive member of society.I am not able to do it as needed because of dollars and cents, not having the tools at my disposal.If my arm circulation keeps reducing at the rate it is I am told it will be maybe 3-4 weeks at the best, before my hand and arm die completely and the rest of me follows that very very swiftly.Yes that is "at best" dates.

I havent given up yet.I am going to keep this going as hard as possible until I can do what I need to do to stay alive and to keep on helping and sharing and caring and sending out Light and Love.I am only young at 42 and am not ready to leave yet.I have so much I need to finish,so much I want to share and so much Love to give to all.

Please take a few moments to think about how you might be able to help me reach my goal.If you are not able to make a purchase I understand completely.In that case please can you post my blog somewhere,tweet it somewhere,spread it about so more people can see and help too?

Right now I am doing the best I am able.My body is so tired I am not able to do much more.I hope you all understand.
Thank you for all the Love,Prayers and Care that you have sent my way.It is appreciated more than my small words can tell you.

With Light and Love from my heart

Tanya

SALE!!!! A really BIG BIG sale.A SALE for my life so that you guys get the benefits as I do.

What I am offering.
1. I am going to make a standing 20% discount in my Artfire store www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark until Valentines day.

2. A 20% discount in all areas of my web site www.aardvarksilver.com. This covers jewelry and silver supplies. Code is MAYDAY and can be used as often as you purchase until Feb 14th.

3. We are going to have a $7 earring listing.Let me know about how long you like your earrings,the colour you would want and if you want a post earring or a hook style and we make you a custom pair of earrings using the best silver and stones we can.

4. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A GIVEAWAY OF ONE $250 VOUCHER TO ONE LUCKY CUSTOMER AND 2 LUCKY CUSTOMERS WILL RECEIVE A $100 VOUCHER EACH. WE WILL ALSO SEND OUT 10 PAIRS OF EARRINGS TO LUCKY CUSTOMERS AS WELL.

How to enter the give away???????

Its really really easy.

Make a purchase in any area of my stores.There are a few of these to make it easier for you.
www.aardvarksilver.com
www.aardvarksilver.etsy.com
www.9dollarearrings.etsy.com
www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark

Each $10 of your order gives you one entry into the draw. EASY. The more you purchase the better your chances of winning but also the more likely I am to reach my target and have the funds I need to keep me alive.

Aardvark Silver is silver supplies and Jewelry
AardvarkSilver Etsy is silver supplies only.
9 Dollar earrings is a very small number of items and once they are cleared (and most are discounted by 50%) the store will be closing.
Artfire Aardvark has Gemstones as well as silver supplies.

Please feel free to contact me if you are after wholesale lots of any items.

Wednesday

2010-01-05T17:28:00.000-08:00

The photos today were taken from my balcony during a storm.The rain was not around my home and that ray of sunshine poking through the clouds came with the rainbow after the rain had stopped.Inspiring really.Showed me that there is beauty in all things that may seem terrible.

Its "go to the surgeon's " day today.
Crunch time really for timing.I will find out today what he wants to do and when and if I need to have one hospital stay or more. In the wind is an angiogram and then the "big cut". And whilst I am kind of ready in many ways you are never fully ready.

I had a similar surgery in April 1997.I was a lot younger then....oh weren't we all? I had no idea of what to expect.

I woke up feeling like I had been run over by a bus and had tubes and wires and all sorts coming out all over me.And cold feet. The major recollection of that morning was I had to ask my mum to put my socks on.I was back to being like an infant,totally reliant on another.

So now as I prepare for round 2 ,which by the way was not ever meant to happen, I know some of the pitfalls.This time I am alone and will be surrounded by strangers most of whom wont even speak my own language.I am preparing the small bits whilst I collect funds and sort dates and get the big things in line.

I am working out what sort of food to store in my home so when I get back I can at least make me a meal without having to go out.I need to get in enough water to last at least 6 weeks because I sure wont be able to carry it up to my place when I am recovering(I live on the second floor and right now those 38 stairs are a challenge everytime I have to go up) , and I will get in dry goods and canned things and foods I can freeze so I have a supply.I expect to be in hospital for at least 4 weeks for recovery so cant even stock the fridge before I go as those perishables wont last.

Then we have to look at the household stuff.Things like ,how do you keep the room clean if you can't sweep and mop,or do the washing? I dont have a washing machine and all the laundry has been done by hand for over two years now.I guess I'll have to sort a maid to come.....yes more money.It all has to be taken into account.

Business and customers....another very interesting quandry.I will have to close up shop whilst I am in hospital and I am not sure how long it will be before I can get it open again after I get home.I hope only a day or so but that is going to depend on how well I have healed. Stock shopping and going to the post office are going to be a hard one.I'll have to work on that one some more.Couriers are cheap enough and that may be the way to work it out.

Then last on this list, but by no means the least, is me.Who will be there to help me wash my hair,to put on my socks,to hold my hand while I make my way to the bathroom? To make sure that nothing goes wrong or who can call the Dr if something does? The hardest answer to that one is that no one will be there. I will be alone to do it by myself.I cant go back to Australia, I am not allowed to fly due to the associated risks and so I face this and know in my heart that the only ones who can and will be there,will be my virtual FB friends,my internet email friends and me.

I want to thank everyone who reads my blog. My random thoughts and my pleas. Every little bit of support that has been given,whether it is in the form of a purchase or just reposting and tweeting, is appreciated more than my words can describe. I am running out of time and whilst people say "oh you still have weeks until Valentines day" the reality of it is that today is already 6th Jan and in an instant that time will have passed.I live every day as if it is my last because I feel I am a walking time bomb and the timer is faulty.It may go off at any time.Kind of an eye opener really.

Thank you again for everything.

Again I post the details of my SALE and GIVE AWAY so you can pass it on or have a read for the first time.
With Light and Love to you all

Tanya

SALE!!!! A really BIG BIG sale.A SALE for my life so that you guys get the benefits as I do.

What I am offering.
1. I am going to make a standing 20% discount in my Artfire store www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark until Valentines day.

2. A 20% discount in all areas of my web site www.aardvarksilver.com. This covers jewelry and silver supplies. Code is MAYDAY and can be used as often as you purchase until Feb 14th.

3. We are going to have a $7 earring listing.Let me know about how long you like your earrings,the colour you would want and if you want a post earring or a hook style and we make you a custom pair of earrings using the best silver and stones we can.

4. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A GIVEAWAY OF ONE $250 VOUCHER TO ONE LUCKY CUSTOMER AND 2 LUCKY CUSTOMERS WILL RECEIVE A $100 VOUCHER EACH. WE WILL ALSO SEND OUT 10 PAIRS OF EARRINGS TO LUCKY CUSTOMERS AS WELL.

How to enter the give away???????

Its really really easy.

Make a purchase in any area of my stores.There are a few of these to make it easier for you.
www.aardvarksilver.com
www.aardvarksilver.etsy.com
www.9dollarearrings.etsy.com
www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark

Each $10 of your order gives you one entry into the draw. EASY. The more you purchase the better your chances of winning but also the more likely I am to reach my target and have the funds I need to keep me alive.

Aardvark Silver is silver supplies and Jewelry
AardvarkSilver Etsy is silver supplies only.
9 Dollar earrings is a very small number of items and once they are cleared (and most are discounted by 50%) the store will be closing.
Artfire Aardvark has Gemstones as well as silver supplies.

Please feel free to contact me if you are after wholesale lots of any items.

11% and counting.

2010-01-04T16:36:00.000-08:00

My Pictures here are to show that even stormy times can be so so beautiful when viewed from a distance.

Wow what a great effort and I am so so honoured to have great friends like you all.
I am only 11% there but am working on getting it all to the target.

I found some really cool sales tools on my web site and now we have a few featured items and some sale items on top of the 20% off.I am currently working to clear some lines so I can put in new ones and so you get even better savings.The special prices are there and they will be reduced by a further 20% when you check out using the coupon code MAYDAY.

I cant discount much if at all on my Etsy items due to fees etc but you can find many of the same items of silver either at Artfire www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark where they have 20% off the price already or in the web site www.aardvarksilver.com where you can use your discount coupon code.

I would like to also close up my Etsy jewelry store www.9dollarearrings.etsy.com As many of you may have read it was Attit's store to sell his items and so raise money for his mum. He left at the beginning of Dec 2009 without warning.Yep, just packed his bags on Dec 1st and was out the door.NO reason,no explanation and no fights. Well that was kind of a blessing but I still dont know why he has gone. Anyway as he is no longer around I need to clear the last of his stock and close the store. Make me an offer on any item.I am open to all reasonable offers. Most items are reduced by 50% already.

Anyone looking at earrings??? I have a $7 special (thats retail and I will wholesale as well).I made about 100 pairs and so have plenty. Ask me for the best price if you want a bulk lot.

Thats about all for now.Will be back soon with a new update.I do believe I owe you all a blog from way back so will work on that one as well.Please dont forget to pass this on where you can.All support in anyway is appreciated.

Light and Love to all
Tanya

SALE!!!! A really BIG BIG sale.A SALE for my life so that you guys get the benefits as I do.

What I am offering.
1. I am going to make a standing 20% discount in my Artfire store www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark until Valentines day.

2. A 20% discount in all areas of my web site www.aardvarksilver.com. This covers jewelry and silver supplies. Code is MAYDAY and can be used as often as you purchase until Feb 14th.

3. We are going to have a $7 earring listing.Let me know about how long you like your earrings,the colour you would want and if you want a post earring or a hook style and we make you a custom pair of earrings using the best silver and stones we can.

4. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A GIVEAWAY OF ONE $250 VOUCHER TO ONE LUCKY CUSTOMER AND 2 LUCKY CUSTOMERS WILL RECEIVE A $100 VOUCHER EACH. WE WILL ALSO SEND OUT 10 PAIRS OF EARRINGS TO LUCKY CUSTOMERS AS WELL.

How to enter the give away???????

Its really really easy.

Make a purchase in any area of my stores.There are a few of these to make it easier for you.
www.aardvarksilver.com
www.aardvarksilver.etsy.com
www.9dollarearrings.etsy.com
www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark

Each $10 of your order gives you one entry into the draw. EASY. The more you purchase the better your chances of winning but also the more likely I am to reach my target and have the funds I need to keep me alive.

Aardvark Silver is silver supplies and Jewelry
AardvarkSilver Etsy is silver supplies only.
9 Dollar earrings is a very small number of items and once they are cleared (and most are discounted by 50%) the store will be closing.
Artfire Aardvark has Gemstones as well as silver supplies.

Please feel free to contact me if you are after wholesale lots of any items.

Sale SAle SALE

2010-01-01T18:37:00.000-08:00

Our sale is progressing along and we have now raised $521.14 towards my $12000 goal.Still a way to go yet but we still have a little time. At this point in time my goal is to get to Feb 14th, Valentines Day so we can do our big draw then.

I see my surgeon on Wednesday and will find out his time line then.I do know that the pain in my arm as it loses its circulation is slowly but surely increasing.I am praying I can do what is needed before it shuts down completely.

I am also so excited about the number of entries into the draw we are having.It increases each time a purchase is made.Each time you buy you get an entry into the draw for each $10 you spend.Its easy.

Even easier is the fact that I have a few different products (LOL, Just a few), and more coming.I am working towards putting up a few items each day in most of my stores, if I can stay awake long enough LOL. I listed new gemstones last night on Artfire www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark I still have more to come including an amazing strand of diamond beads.They are the ones in my photo here . It is a 15 inch strand with more than 13 carats of white,grey and yellow diamond beads.They are tiny at approx 2.5mm at the widest size but are Oh so sparkly and very clean to look at.A steal at $750 but make me an offer.I am open to all reasonable offers right now. I am also happy to wholesale if you need a bulk amount of items.

We will also be having random items on special over the next few weeks on the products in the web page.You might get a spot of luck and get 50% off just by choosing an item I have discounted. The Bargain bin in the Jewelry section and the Clearance bin in the Silver section of the web page www.aardvarksilver.com are also able to be discounted using your coupon MAYDAY for 20% off.I'll be adding more items to the Clearance bin for silver as we go.

For those of you who are shopping in 9 Dollar Earrings,my etsy jewelry store, www.9dollarearrings.etsy.com , I am looking to clear the stock so I can close it. If you like any of the pieces please make me an offer. I am also happy to sell at wholesale price on all of those items.They really are lovely pieces and I would love to send them to new homes.

This is your chance to pick up a bargain.We both benefit from this.I have put my sale terms and offer below again for those of you who may not have seen it yet.

Thank you all for your support.If you cant buy then please repost this so others may see it and may help if they are able.

I thank you with all my Heart.

Light and Love to all
Tanya

SALE!!!! A really BIG BIG sale.A SALE for my life so that you guys get the benefits as I do.

What I am offering.
1. I am going to make a standing 20% discount in my Artfire store www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark until Valentines day.

2. A 20% discount in all areas of my web site www.aardvarksilver.com. This covers jewelry and silver supplies. Code is MAYDAY and can be used as often as you purchase until Feb 14th.

3. We are going to have a $7 earring listing.Let me know about how long you like your earrings,the colour you would want and if you want a post earring or a hook style and we make you a custom pair of earrings using the best silver and stones we can.

4. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A GIVEAWAY OF ONE $250 VOUCHER TO ONE LUCKY CUSTOMER AND 2 LUCKY CUSTOMERS WILL RECEIVE A $100 VOUCHER EACH. WE WILL ALSO SEND OUT 10 PAIRS OF EARRINGS TO LUCKY CUSTOMERS AS WELL.

How to enter the give away???????

Its really really easy.

Make a purchase in any area of my stores.There are a few of these to make it easier for you.
www.aardvarksilver.com
www.aardvarksilver.etsy.com
www.9dollarearrings.etsy.com
www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark

Each $10 of your order gives you one entry into the draw. EASY. The more you purchase the better your chances of winning but also the more likely I am to reach my target and have the funds I need to keep me alive.

Aardvark Silver is silver supplies and Jewelry
AardvarkSilver Etsy is silver supplies only.
9 Dollar earrings is a very small number of items and once they are cleared (and most are discounted by 50%) the store will be closing.
Artfire Aardvark has Gemstones as well as silver supplies.

Please feel free to contact me if you are after wholesale lots of any items.

Thank you for a great start.

2009-12-29T06:32:00.001-08:00

Thank you to all who have come and visited and made a purchase.We now have funds on the board and I am so excited by that.
We have until 14th February,Valentines Day.
So all of you who need supplies or are after a little something to treat yourself you can get it while the savings are on offer.To make sure you get supplies in time to make your stock for Valentines day I strongly recommend you buy early.I also suggest keeping an eye on the web site as I add new stock lines that I have not had before.I am looking to add a few each day so keep checking back.
We will also be having random specials on some items so if you are really lucky you may get an extra bonus special price.

You also go in the draw for a possible $550 worth of prizes. YES a large giveaway pool as well. Just to remind you all I am putting it here again.I have set up the $7 special earring listing so you can treat your friends as well as yourself.At that price they are going to move fast.I have 100 pairs and will wholesale them as well if you are after a bulk lot.

You can use the coupon code in the web store as often as you wish up to Valentines day.The Artfire store sale will run until then as well.I have great gemstones there.Ones I would add to my collection if I was keeping them and they are going to have new ones added there often as well.

This is to be a really BIG BIG sale.A SALE for my life so that you guys get the benefits as I do.

What I am offering.
1. I am going to make a standing 20% discount in my Artfire store www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark until Valentines day.

2. A 20% discount in all areas of my web site www.aardvarksilver.com. This covers jewelry and silver supplies. Code is MAYDAY and can be used as often as you purchase until Feb 14th.

3. We are going to have a $7 earring listing.Let me know about how long you like your earrings,the colour you would want and if you want a post earring or a hook style and we make you a custom pair of earrings using the best silver and stones we can.

4. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A GIVEAWAY OF ONE $250 VOUCHER TO ONE LUCKY CUSTOMER AND 2 LUCKY CUSTOMERS WILL RECEIVE A $100 VOUCHER EACH. WE WILL ALSO SEND OUT 10 PAIRS OF EARRINGS TO LUCKY CUSTOMERS AS WELL.

How to enter the give away???????

Its really really easy.

Make a purchase in any area of my stores.There are a few of these to make it easier for you.
www.aardvarksilver.com
www.aardvarksilver.etsy.com
www.9dollarearrings.etsy.com
www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark

Each $10 of your order gives you one entry into the draw. EASY. The more you purchase the better your chances of winning but also the more likely I am to reach my target and have the funds I need to keep me alive.

Aardvark Silver is silver supplies and Jewelry
AardvarkSilver Etsy is silver supplies only.
9 Dollar earrings is a very small number of items and once they are cleared (and most are discounted by 50%) the store will be closing.
Artfire Aardvark has Gemstones as well as silver supplies.

Please feel free to contact me if you are after wholesale lots of any items.Also feel free to repost this as often as you like in any area you wish.I need all the support I can get as fast as possible.Time is slipping away fast.

Thank you again for your Love,Support and Care.
Light and Love to all
Tanya

MAYDAY,MAYDAY, This is your Captain speaking...

2009-12-25T19:08:00.000-08:00

Now that Christmas and those festivities are over it is now time to begin planning for the New Year and what you want it to bring.

My title to this blog says it all for what I am planning. I need some help.

About a week ago I was told I will need a major artery repair.If I was back in Australia the cost would be covered in a public hospital.Here in Bangkok I am reliant on my health insurance and when they were approached they said they will not help.Classed it as a pre-existing ailment even though I have had no problems with this before.Here insurance companies change the rules to suit their own requirements and it is totally legal apparently.

So I now have the goal of raising approx $12000USD in a short space of time.About 6 weeks to be exact.

A little bit of background.The artery I have to have repaired is one of the major ones that comes off the aorta,that is the big artery that comes off the heart for those of you who dont have any anatomy in your kit. It feeds the blood into the right side of the chest and into the right arm.

Already I have problems with circulation into my hand and it "falls asleep" often and I have less strength than I used to.Makes typing and writing and so many other tasks difficult.If the artery fails completely my hand will die within a few days and then that will move up my arm and my whole body will die.Needless to say this is quite painful and even reduced blood flow is causing angina like pain in my chest.

So I want to have a SALE!!!! A really BIG BIG sale.A SALE for my life so that you guys get the benefits as I do.

What I am offering.
1. I am going to make a standing 20% discount in my Artfire store www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark until Valentines day.

2. A 20% discount in all areas of my web site www.aardvarksilver.com. This covers jewelry and silver supplies. Code is MAYDAY and can be used as often as you purchase until Feb 14th.

3. We are going to have a $7 earring listing.Let me know about how long you like your earrings,the colour you would want and if you want a post earring or a hook style and we make you a custom pair of earrings using the best silver and stones we can.

4. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A GIVEAWAY OF ONE $250 VOUCHER TO ONE LUCKY CUSTOMER AND 2 LUCKY CUSTOMERS WILL RECEIVE A $100 VOUCHER EACH. WE WILL ALSO SEND OUT 10 PAIRS OF EARRINGS TO LUCKY CUSTOMERS AS WELL.

How to enter the give away???????

Its really really easy.

Make a purchase in any area of my stores.There are a few of these to make it easier for you.
www.aardvarksilver.com
www.aardvarksilver.etsy.com
www.9dollarearrings.etsy.com
www.artfire.com/users/Aardvark

Each $10 of your order gives you one entry into the draw. EASY. The more you purchase the better your chances of winning but also the more likely I am to reach my target and have the funds I need to keep me alive.

Aardvark Silver is silver supplies and Jewelry
AardvarkSilver Etsy is silver supplies only.
9 Dollar earrings is a very small number of items and once they are cleared (and most are discounted by 50%) the store will be closing.
Artfire Aardvark has Gemstones as well as silver supplies.

This is my New Years Resolution.I am raising funds in a fight for my life.
Please feel free to contact me if you are after wholesale lots of any items.

Light and Love to all
Tanya

This weeks Draw

2009-08-09T04:31:00.000-07:00

Due to a few set backs in giving things away and an underwhelming response from the people who have been randomly chosen I have decided a new approach.I feel this will give all you lovely people who really like our items a chance to be in the forefront for winning this weeks gift.

I have been busy today getting it made but I ran out of daylight.I cant see well enough anymore to construct things using artificial light and so need to make things in the day time.I can still focus well enough at night to see the computer so I can still work on things from that end after dark.So it is not quite done and I dont have a photo.I wanted to do the best I possibly could for the lovely person who will get this set.It is Black Diamond beads, White diamond chips,freshwater pearls and a surprise chain made by me.I will be unveiling it when the pic is finished.It is a first for me for this style as well so I am going to keep you in suspense a while longer.

I have decided this is a step wise entry and entries will close at 6pm next Sunday night (Bangkok time) to allow for all to be able to participate.I know some of our friends who would like to take part are away at present and this time span allows for them to get back before a draw takes place.

What to do? This is the easy part.Now that you have found the blog and read the blurb I want you to email me by the FB mail and tell me the 5 best tips you use for Time Management. Easy? I thought so.

All the names of all the people who send me an email by FB mail will go in the draw and a winner will be chosen.There will be 9 runners up consolation prizes as well.

So put on your thinking caps and when I have collected all your ideas together I will compile them for you in this blog and we can share as well.

Thank you so much for being a part of the Aardvark Silver Fan club and family of friends.

Light, Love and Success to all
Tanya and Attit.

Our pictures today are new pieces I have not yet listed and so you get a sneak preview.

This week

2009-08-07T05:03:00.000-07:00

What a busy one.It has flown past and I still have to work tomorrow as well.Its not fair that my lovely 4 day working week has now expanded out to 6 days especially as I am now more busy with Aardvark Silver.
Oh well I have to learn to use that little two letter word more often...you know the one......No.Thats right.I have to tell myself (and them) No a few more times.That way I will get back to what I want to have for me.

On that note I want to share something I found one time on Etsy and I think is one of the most AWESOME concepts. McFlashPants http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6298514
I cant own one because they wont let me bring one to Thailand but I wanted to let you guys all know about this because I feel it is pretty special.
This lovely lady, not only makes silver she makes it in an eco friendly way by recycling and using old materials that have a new life breathed into them.And the end results are spectacular in my opinion.
So now we can celebrate her work also.Thanks for listening today.
Light,Love,Success and Health to all
Tanya

Today

2009-08-04T05:30:00.000-07:00

What a day.It seems that just as I am getting organised and seem to have it all under control the Universe very kindly throws me a curved ball.
Some of you know I am back at school learning Thai.Now that is a fun thing.I can finally read a lot of those funny squiggles and it is getting easier with each lesson.Well classes are fun but they take up 8 hours for the time that I am at school and then about an hour each way travelling for the three times I go.That's 14 hours just for Thai school.
I also teach a little as well.Well that kind of changed into "I teach a lot". I have 4 new private students as well as my usual GED class now and have had to scramble to find 30 hours (No that is not a typo) extra in my next two weeks as this lad needs to be finished in time for a huge exam on 20th. And those hours are on top of my regular 12 hours in the week.And then we have travel time to work as well.So that is 30 hours this week alone going to work.
Etsy is looking like it is picking up and I have been working frantically with the lovely Ingrid to get the Web Page all done.It is revamped and almost open for business in its new format.Next week possibly.So that has meant long hours on stocktake,spread sheets and other set up stuff that I had to do.
My head....well it has been good.Sort of.I had a slight headache the other day but stretched it out and it is now sitting straighter LOL and I feel ok.I am not holding my breath.I am saying Thank You everyday I am able to get up feeling Ok.
And Yes I finally got time to sit and Blog LOL

And so today I want to introduce some work from the lovely Moonbeemz.
http://moonbeemz.artfire.com
http://moonbeemz.com
http://moonbeemz.blogspot.com
You can find her and her work at any one of these links.
I have been wearing her pendants for a few years now and they are so so lovely.If you want a custom made something she makes to order as well.Have a stone of your own to be wrapped? Not a problem...it can be done.
The pics in my blog today are her pieces.A very talented lady who is also a very accurate astrologer and paints the most awesome Mandelas and other pictures.

And so now I am going to work on my time management and see what I can do to arrange things a little better.I know I can spend more time by cutting something some where.It is now a matter of pruning to see what I can cut out and give me back some time.I get the feeling work is gonna have to go LOL.
Light Love and Success to all.
Tanya

Thank you for Being Patient

2009-07-07T05:45:00.000-07:00

I only just realized when I looked at my blog page today that it has been so long since I last posted.
I was doing really well after my last puncture until about 3 weeks ago when I felt the pressure rise again.I can feel it change now and am so much more aware.Anyway it then became a real battle to just get through the day and even my listing and creating took a very big back seat as I was having really bad problems even seeing at times.
It is really hard to teach when all you want to do is rip your head off or lie down and sleep and I am sure all the teachers out there will understand that.
We made it to last Saturday and I had another puncture.I have mostly recovered from that now and am taking it slowly.I think I have slept more in the last three days than I have in weeks.My sleep bank now is in credit.I have to keep it that way.

I have met some of the most lovely people in the last few weeks on Facebook and one lady who has a most amazing idea is Melanie Hazen. Melanie has begun an Earring of the month subscription. This is the link to her store so you can check out the details. But what an awesome idea. You pay a little and get such a lot. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18728630

Melanie also makes the best Lampwork beads and then she has the skill to make them up as well.An all round very clever and very very talented lady.

The pics are of Melanie's lovely work.

Ok I am off for now as I am still resting a lot.I'll catch you all tomorrow.
Promise
Light and Love to all
Tanya

A long time No hear

2009-06-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

What a long time between updates.I am sorry for that.
I have been dealing with a health crisis and am now on the mend.I feel that way anyway.
It has been rounds of stupid Drs that know less than I do and them trying to give me very expensive medicines that I dont want or need and them not doing what is needed.I have given up on the medical system here and am going my own way.
But apart from all that all is well and we are fine.I will be putting up pics tomorrow.I still have to get them from the camera.We went to Laos for a visa run.I'll show you more of that later.
Anyway off to play at something else.
I made a new piece recently though.
Check it out.
Light and Love to all
Tanya

The Boys

2009-05-01T04:33:00.000-07:00

Well for those of you who have read our profile on Etsy we look after two lads upcountry with the proceeds of Etsy.
They are doing really really well and are due to go back to school soon.
I just wanted to share a photo so you can see who we look after.
The big boy is 15 years old and his name is Kitdit and the younger guy is 12 and he is Anupong.
Handsome clever young men who are so thankful for your help and support.
Thank you

Light and Love from us to you

Tanya,Attit and the boys

The Headache from Hell

2009-05-01T04:05:00.001-07:00

It began about a week ago as a twinge in my neck and upper back.OH NO!!!!!
I have hydrocephaly,too much water around my brain.It has been with me all my life and as I have aged it has given me more problems.
I havent had a really bad headache for about 10 months now.Before that I was having a spinal tap (lumbar puncture in Aussie language) about every 4-6 weeks.The only way to get rid of the pressure is to take the water out.Fun Stuff Hey? You get a headache,they tap you and you spend the next 5-10 days crawling around with what feels like the worst hangover on Earth and you didnt even get to enjoy getting drunk. You get relief for about 8-10 weeks and it is back.This 10 months have been heaven not having a problem and not expensive.It costs about $500+ a time to have a puncture/tap.
So when it began last week I was a lot not happy.By Sunday night I could hardly touch the skin on my head.It was on fire.
Monday morning I woke not being able to move as it had moved down my back and into my arms and legs, but went to work anyway.Do you know how hard it is to write on a whiteboard when everytime you move you want to cut your head off??? LOL.
Anyway I finished my class and went and had a massage.Now that was even worse but it helped to stop the muscle spasms at least.
Tuesday I woke up blind in my right eye.Yep cannot see at all.So I rang in sick.I went to the Dr and he looks in my eye and says Hmmm we have a problem. DUH!!!! thats why I am there. The blood vessels have dilated due to the intracranial pressure.Will I get my sight back??? Well he says Maybe!!!
So I have to go for a CT scan.Ok not a problem,expensive,about $100 but I want to see what my brain is doing.I can feel it is not happy so want to see if it is smiling or not.
We go to the hospital in the area.Yes a real hospital that is closed at 5pm in the afternoon.CLOSED!!!! What? We went to the ER.One person there who looks at me,sees no blood and says Come back at 8am we will xray you then.Heaven help me if I had been having a stoke or something serious.
So we go back at 7.30 the next morning to book the scan because I have to go and teach from 10 until 12. We waited 1 hour and 20 minutes for them to find my chart. Yes 1 hour and 20 minutes.Very efficient.Then we went to the next room to book the X-ray. We wait a further hour before I have to leave.I am still trying to make an appointment for this scan.Attit stayed,waited another hour and was told Oh no problems she can come at 1pm.
So I get back there at 1pm have my blood taken (what for? It has nothing to do with my head the tests that were ordered) and have my CT all in the space of 10 minutes.Maybe they are awake after lunch???? Who knows?
I go back to the Dr later and we sit waiting to see him listening to him talk to his patient about her being an alcoholic and how it is causing her cancer.Very professional.
We sit down,he looks at my X-ray (Yes I do have a brain and it is not smiling back at me) and says Its the same as the last one.I know this already LOL.He then tells me that as I cant take any drugs he could give me he cant help me because it is all in my head.What???? I am now being told what????
He wants me to see a Neurosurgoen for an operation based on the fact that he cant see anything has changed in my head in two years and I must need a drain.NO WAY!!!! I am not letting some Thai surgeon near my head with a knife.The fact that I now have half a brain is just starting to register.The rest of the stuff in my head is water.It really is incredible that I function at all.

Well today I can see again and Attit has been working on my head with the hot herbal massage balls that they use in the real massage places and it has helped.I am not sure what is going on but I do know I am tired of having a headache and it is time it left.Maybe I could sell it on eBay? Anyone what a really huge only partly used headache??? Going cheap.

With Light and Love to All
Tanya

Time

2009-04-22T19:36:00.000-07:00

Can someone please tell what day it is today? I seem to have blinked and lost a whole three days LOL.I get up,madly dash through my morning stuff of Etsy and Art Fire and Facebook and and and (I'm trying to work out Twitter as well but havent been too successful there yet.I'll let you know when I do) .Then I dive through the shower to make myself all smelling sweet to go to work.Somewhere in there I manage a coffee and maybe a quick reply to an email.
Then I get on a bus.LOL Bangkok buses......I often manage to get the Yellow Air conditioned one or even the Orange Air conditioned one and they are ok.Mostly.Except when rude people shove the old people out of the way so they sit and the older people have to stand.I get up for the older people.It seems young Thais have no sense of politeness when it comes to bus ettiquette.
Anyway the Air Con buses are quite a treat compared to the Red Buses,Green Buses and White Buses.Now these have open windows and seat that have been sat in probably millions of times so they are not in the best condition.That is if you can get a seat.LOL The little Green bus is 6.50 Baht.About 20 cents to ride to any stop.They seat maybe 12 people and the rest stand.You hang from wherever you can hold onto because the driver is a mad man who races as fast as possible to pick up more passengers.The pollution happily gusts in the windows and by the time you get off you are kind of glad.The Red bus and the White Bus are a little better as they cant drive so fast being a bigger vehicle.Having said that I did get off one Red bus because I was so scared of the driving LOL
Well work is the next part.Next time.Today I have to fly.
I will show you another of Khuns' lovely pieces though.Rose Quartz and black thread.The stone has lovely rainbows that flash as it moves and is so pretty.Maybe I will wear this one myself.LOL So many to choose from.LOL
Ok got to fly again.
Catch you soon
Tanya

What a Weekend

2009-04-18T21:33:00.000-07:00

So yesterday we were off to meet up with Khun to collect new stock and Attit and I decided to wander around the Chatu Chak Markets.Now that is a whole story in itself.Some one remind me to tell you all one day.

We were strolling along one little lane as best you can stroll with 50,000 people crammed into a tiny space (maybe 5000 actually but when you have that many bodies all crammed in together it may as well be 50,000.Whew what a stink as well LOL) when a lovely elderly Thai lady decided to ram her metal trolley into my knees.Now for those of you who are lucky enough to not ever have had this experience,let me describe it to you.It is like have a very sharp knife driven into your leg and then twisted as your legs buckle.I looked up as all this was going on because my immediate reaction was to reach over and punch the person in the nose.Fairs fair,lets share the pain.And then I see her look me in the eye and all but dare me to hit her.She them moved her trolley around me (as she could have done in the first place and not hit me) and walked on without so much as a Kor Tort Ka (Sorry in Thai).

Well I had to sit and that helped a little and so we decided to continue on and meet with Khun after all.Mind you by the time we got there (and he was only 5 minutes away) my leg was screaming at me LOL.

I sat and looked at his new stuff which is as awesome as the other bits I have already and we bought a new lot.I trust we can interest someone in buying them to sell on as well.I can do a bulk wholesale lot as well at a really good price and Khun is happy to make 1000's if that is what you would need.

I have put up a couple of photos of other items here as well and the rest will go on Art Fire and the web page.

So today I can now bend my knee but can't walk really very well.I hope it is ok by tomorrow as I have to go back to work.Teaching can be done sitting down but it is hard to reach the top of the white board to write notes then.LOL

Catch you again soon.Oh and for all you who are looking to work in Asia,my friends web link is now up.He specializes in posting teachers.

Thanks again

Tanya

A Little more by Khun

2009-04-15T20:24:00.000-07:00

The necklaces all look great and they are so versatile.For both boys and girls.
So we added a range of Bracelets to match and once again both the boys and girls can wear them so you can share.They are easy to wear as well with a slip lock that adjusts to suit your wrist size.One size fits most.And the stones used really add a bit of life to the thread.The first one is set with Black Onyx ovals,the second one with the Black thread has sparkly Brown goldstone which is actually a man made glass with copper to give that lovely sparkle and the final piece has lovely dark Smoky Quartz .We have other stones as well, I am still getting to the photos.LOL
If you would like a custom made piece we can work on that too.Contact me via this blog or at Art Fire.
Thanks for your support in anticipation

Our Feature Jewelry for the rest of the Month.By Khun.

2009-04-14T00:26:00.000-07:00

We are going to feature a new line of Jewellery each month.It will be either a new designer or a new design line created by one artist.

This month we are featuring the lovely simple work of a Thai unknown by the name of Khun. I met Khun at the markets as I was wandering past one day and was attracted to his lovely rings that he has made himself.He speaks no English and so we had fun talking and arranging times for us to meet at a later date.Attit was out of town so he couldn't sort it for me as he usually does when Thai is needed.My Thai has improved for the meeting and that is a Blessing for me.
Khun told me he has learnt all the techniques he uses by trial and error and he said in the beginning he made a lot of mistakes.Now he is quick to pick up skills as he knows what is possible with the materials he uses.
Today I have a small sample of necklaces that are knotted cotten cord with a waxed finish.He has used real gemstone beads in these simple looking designs that are suitable for both boys and girls of all ages.I will put up more bits as we go along.If you want to purchase some of these items please visit the web page Aardvark Silver in the links section,our Art Fire store or the Art Fire quick check out on this page
Thanks for stopping by.We look forward to many more visits.
Tanya and Attit