Pinterest~ Dumber'n a Bag of Hammers...

I recently came across several people using one of my original photos on Pinterest with a link to someone else's website, so I reported it. Pinterest deleted MY PINS. Can you believe that?? So, now it has a watermark. I will repost it. And they better not mess with me!!!

This is the photo (in question) that I took of my original Victorian Hearts Charm Bracelet back in 2004 when my business name was Legacy 925. My Facebook page and Etsy store were also Legacy 925. In 2012, I changed the name of my business to Belle West. Since that time, I've made new bracelets and taken new photos, which I actually like better. But that doesn't mean it should be deleted from Pinterest. :(

Here's a link to my original Legacy 925 store on Etsy where you can see this very same bracelet photo in my profile pic!!! https://www.etsy.com/shop/Legacy925 ... not sure why my old store is still open... I guess just in case someone's looking for me under my old name. Better safe than sorry. ;)

Here's the second iteration photo, years later, of the same bracelet I made for a new client. 

And, lastly, the same bracelet on a different background. The first photo, on crushed red velvet, did not have a watermark because it was taken back in the day, when such things were not considered important. Or, some of us had no idea people would be stealing our photographs to use on scammer websites... {insert angry emoticon} 

And, another favorite photo... I just love this old bottle... :)

Here's my original blog post from 2012 when I made the new bracelet with all the new photos for a very sweet client~

http://bellewest925.blogspot.com/2012/10/hearts-afire.html

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Which photo do you like best? 

And, do you think Pinterest owes me an APOLOGY? Yeah, right.

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You can find Belle West on...
Facebook... Belle West and Belle West Gems
Etsy... Belle West and Belle West Gems
On Pinterest... 
And, Tumblr...

Signal Corps!

This beautiful poem was written by my good friend, brother in Christ, and fellow worshipper, Steve Chavis, for the Flag Worship Team at City On The Hill in Boulder, Colorado. I love the images he found to go with it. Very powerful! Thank you, Steve! :)

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"See us, LORD"

It’s kind of like, “Watch me, Daddy!”

Flags waving, banners unfurled

Hats and hands in the air – Here we are – Your people.

 Hear us, LORD

We’re making a ruckus – a holy noise

A joyful noise, a shout, a clamor

In our hearts, in the power of the Spirit that knocked down the walls of Jericho.

X marks the spot. Christ – Messiah marks the spot

Cross my heart and I’ll live forever

Here is the red dot on the map

Ground zero at 600 cardiac beats a minute.

In a tactical action

Agents of the Captain gather in a single location.

Marked by repentence and humility,

The spiritual special operations forces make their presence felt and known.

And the Signal Corps…

Bearing fabrics on poles,

Align with timbrel and harp and voice;

Our location is marked.  

Angels of glory,

              Messengers of the Most High…

                             LAND HERE!!

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Signal Corps by Steve Chavis, 9/13/15~

Dedicated to the corps of flag bearers – part of the worship team at City on the Hill Church in Boulder, Colorado

Inspired by prophetic word from Lana Vawser, Elijah List, in the City on the Hill program of 6/28/15

“The destiny of America hangs in the balance. The LORD is calling His people to arise and pray for the United States of America. It is time to contend!

“Prayers are being heard. The LORD is seeing the heart cries of His people...”

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Come to Me...

Image via EveryDaySpirit.net

Three Days...

Belle West Gems

It's funny how, when I'm supposed to be getting my tax info together, I can find a million other things to do... besides my taxes. I have the hardest time focusing...

So, in my meanderings today, I posted a question in one of my bead groups on Facebook with this photo, and the crowd went wild! In other words, they liked my beads. Although I do not currently have any of these in stock {AB Labradorite Cubes}, I do hope to be getting more in soon, and will work diligently on restocking my pitiful gem store with some of the lovelies I've been hoarding in my bead closet.

So, pray for me... because the sooner I get done with these taxes, the quicker I can get those gems listed. I don't do yoga, but I could certainly use some FOCUS... :)

Facebook Pages~ an Endangered Species

Facebook is making it harder and harder for small business pages to survive without paying for ads. Most of my posts are only seen by a few people. So, last night I decided to pay for an ad, just to see how many people would respond. 

Well, it seems to be working. I guess, in the future, I'll be paying or staying hidden.... but in the meantime, I'd like to invite you to drop by Belle West on FB, and give me a 'Like' or comment. 

Click here for the post. :)

For those who have asked, I hope to be making jewelry again soon. And, I have tons of beads to list as well. So, follow me on Facebook, and hopefully you'll see when I post updates. 

Have a great week and may the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you!

The Peruvian Blue Opal, Amazonite, Gold Vermeil Bracelet above is For Sale. Please message me on my FB page, or comment below with your email and I will message you with the details. 

Thanks for the love!

~Belle

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You can visit Belle West at~

Belle West on Etsy 

Belle West on FB 

Belle West Gems on Etsy

Belle West Gems on FB

On Pinterest... 

On Tumblr...

On Twitter...

Welcome, March! Spring is on the Way!

One of my favorite months of the year because it heralds the soon coming first day of Spring.

And, of course, it's my birth month. :)

Happy March! Spring is on the way!

Godspeed, Joanna... It Is Well

In Loving Memory ~ Joanna Pierotti

January 30, 1957 - February 16, 2015

A Facebook friend lost her battle with cancer today. Her sister posted last night that she was nearing the end, and at a loss for words, I spent hours looking for something to express my feelings~ the right quote, verse or image, and came up empty. So, I turned to the Word of God and made this for Joanna from one of my favorite scriptures in Revelation.

I never met Joanna Pierotti in person, and only knew her on Facebook, but she was a sweet woman; a very talented artist who shamelessly shared her faith in Christ and was an inspiration to many. Below is a video of Joanna announcing a Mixed Media Workshop in 2011. I've never seen this before tonight. I found it while searching for her website. Isn't she the most precious and beautiful woman you've ever laid eyes on! What a sweet spirit. I would love to have met her and taken one of her classes.

Here is a short clip of some of her art. Absolutely beautiful.

I am grateful and honored to have known her, even it was only on Facebook. Such an inspiration, in her art and her faith. In this realm, she lost the battle with cancer. But in God's economy, she gained her eternal home, where there is no more pain, no more tears, no more suffering. Forevermore in the Presence of her Beloved.

Godspeed, my sister in Christ, you will be greatly missed. 

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And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;

and there shall be no more death,

neither sorrow, nor crying,

neither shall there be any more pain:

for the former things are passed away.

And He that sat upon the throne said,

Behold, I make all things new...

~ Revelation 21:4-5 ~

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It is well... with me

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UPDATE:

I began this post late on the evening of Sunday, Feb. 15, and was finished in the wee hours of Monday, Feb. 16. Little did I know this would be the day Joanna would fly home. This is my tribute to her, my faithful sister in the Lord. You fought the good fight and the final victory is now yours. Well done, thou good and faithful servant.

Click HERE if you'd like to contribute to a fund set up in Joanna and Ron Pierotti's honor to help with funeral and care expenses. Thank you for sharing the love of Christ with this family.

Hello, December!

I can't believe it's December and 2015 is right around the corner!

Wishing you all a blessed month!

The Magnificent Peacock!

Gorgeous Treasury, featuring my Peacock Druzy Beads~ I've always loved these colors, and am honored to be included in such a fine collection.

The Magnificent Peacock! Treasury~

https://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTYzNDY3Nzh8MjcyNjgwMDk5MA/the-magnificent-peacock

Belle West Peacock Druzy Beads~

https://www.etsy.com/listing/128245552/peacock-titanium-druzy-pyrite-nugget?ref=shop_home_active_3

Thanks for dropping by!

Have a blessed week.

❤

Belle West Clearance Sales Event

Belle West and Belle West Gems is having a Gems, Beads, Jewelry, Gifts, Vintage, Scrapbooking, Art Supplies and Tools SALE over on Facebook. This Event is Open to the Public, so Come on Down, and Invite your Friends!! I'll be listing some more things tomorrow night~ Here's a sneak peek of what's coming up… 

Sterling Silver Pill Boxes

Sterling Silver Dragonfly Hair Barrettes

Sterling Silver San Marco Bracelets

Sterling Silver Engravable Earrings

Sterling Silver Black Onyx Pendant

❤

Click Here for the Event~

https://www.facebook.com/events/1558063814421956/

Visit Belle West on Facebook~

https://www.facebook.com/BelleWestLLC

Visit Belle West Gems on Facebook~

https://www.facebook.com/BelleWestGems

Visit Belle West Gems on Etsy~

https://www.etsy.com/shop/bellewestgems

Thanks for stopping by!

Hope you'll come see us for the Sales Event!

Have a great week!

❤

Hershey Chocolate Bar Cheesecake

I just saw this recipe on Facebook and HAD to pin it, but when I pinned from the {original} website, Pinterest blocks the page link saying they've been reported as spam. It's just a RECIPE, people. Chill out! So, here it is with a link to the original site. I promise my blog is safe. I am not spam. Although I did eat a lot of it as a child. :P

HERSHEY CHOCOLATE BAR CHEESECAKE
The Cheesecake Factory Copycat Recipe

Makes 1 (10 inch) Cheesecake

Cheesecake Layer:
2 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
1/4 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 oz. chopped Hershey chocolate bar, melted

Chocolate Cake:
2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water

Chocolate Frosting:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
2/3 cup cocoa powder
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups milk chocolate chips

To prepare the cheesecake: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a 10-inch round baking pan with aluminum foil. Let the edges of foil extend over sides of pan and then spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray. In large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy and smooth. Whisk eggs in a bowl; add to cream cheese mixture. Blend just until eggs are incorporated. Stir in sour cream and melted chocolate. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the top just starts to turn golden. Let the cheesecake cool completely in its pan on a wire rack then cover and chill for 4 hours.

To prepare the chocolate cake: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 10-inch round baking pans. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.

To prepare the chocolate frosting: Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla.

To assemble: Spread a layer of frosting on top of one chocolate cake. Using edges of foil as handles, remove cheesecake from pan and peel away foil. Carefully layer the cheesecake on top of the frosted cake. If the cheesecake becomes hard to work with, you can place in the freezer for 20-30 minutes. Spread some chocolate frosting on top of the cheesecake layer. Place second chocolate cake on top and ice with frosting on top and on all sides. Decorate the sides of the cake with Hershey’s chocolate chips.

Here's a link to the original recipe which I could not find anywhere else on the internet. I hope they will appreciate me sharing so that people can pin… since they are blocking your site… 

http://www.bestyummyrecipes.com/hershey-chocolate-bar-cheesecake/

Image credit Chef Ron

Have a beautiful weekend, Pin More Recipes! Eat More Chocolate!!! :)

Happy Mother's Day… Yesterday...

Since I decided to spend less time on Facebook and the internet in general, I sometimes miss the opportunity to post on our beloved holidays. But after someone commented on this old pic I shared last year on Pinterest, I couldn't help myself and had to post it here.

Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day!

Until next time… ;)

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting!!

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cakes have been around forever. It was one of the first recipes I gleaned as a teenager from my mother's recipe box. In all the years I've had this recipe, I've never made it. I am ashamed of myself. When I saw the photo of this one with peanut butter frosting, I melted in my chair. I suddenly have the need to make this. But I might be making mine with Ghirardelli Cocoa. If I do, I'll report back and let you know how it was. :)

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting~

CAKE:
• 2 cups all-purpose Flour 
• 2/3 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
   ~I prefer Ghirardelli Cocoa, it tastes heavenly...
• 1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 eggs
• 1 2/3 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla 
• 1 cup Hellmann's Mayonnaise
• 1 1/3 cups water

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and lightly flour two 9" round cake pans. Set aside. 

2. In medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and baking powder. Set aside.

3. In large bowl, with electric mixer at high speed, beat eggs, sugar and vanilla for 3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in *real mayonnaise at low speed until blended. Alternately, beat in flour mixture with water, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Pour into prepared pans.

4. Bake 30 minutes or until toothpick in center comes out clean. Cool on wire racks 10 minutes, remove from pans and cool completely. Frost, if desired, or sprinkle with confectioner's sugar.

*Can also be baked in a 9x13" pan for 40 minutes.

FROSTING:
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup milk

Mix powdered sugar and peanut butter in medium bowl with spoon or electric mixer on low speed. Stir in vanilla and 1/4 cup milk. Beat until smooth and spreadable. If necessary, stir in additional milk, 1/2 teaspoon at a time. Spread over cool cake and enjoy!

Note:
The original Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake Recipe is from Hellmann's and is exactly the same as the one above. The Peanut Butter Frosting is from Julie Seguin Talbot, who doesn't appear to be on Facebook anymore.

For nostalgia sake, here's a photo of the original recipe from a 1950s magazine...

And for those who care about things like calories... ;)

Have a blessed day and enjoy the beautiful gift of chocolate. :)

What Are You Having…?

When I opened this new jar of Talenti Sea Salt Caramel Gelato and saw that perfectly untouched landscape of creamy goodness with the little specks of ice scattered about, I couldn't help myself. I had to take a picture. I'm just crazy like that. Cell phones... ;)

A Pearl of Great Price

Has anyone ever told you how awesome you are?
This video makes me cry every time...

"The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls...

and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it."

Matthew 13:45-46

You are that pearl.

No matter what shape, size or color.

You are beautiful, precious and of great value. 

His love for you is so deep.

Nothing can separate you from Him.

"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels,

nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come,

nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing,

will be able to separate us from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

Romans 8:37-39

You gave me hope

You made me whole

At the cross

You took my place

You showed me grace

At the cross where You died for me

And His glory appears

Like the light from the sun

And age to age He shines

Oh look to the skies

And hear the angels cry

Singing Holy is the Lord

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Image Source: Pearls, His Love For You