Happy Halloween!!

Jewelry That Is Beautiful & Raises Awareness

As October comes to a close, I wanted to take a look at some of the beautiful jewelry that's being made in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness. This is a cause that is very dear to me. When my grandmother was 73, she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Our family was in shock, as she had always been so healthy. We are blessed that she is doing well and has been for a few years. Not everyone is that fortunate. I believe finding a cure for this disease is in our near future. By giving a portion of the proceeds to cancer research from these beautiful designs, I believe these ladies are truly raising awareness!
When I saw this necklace at the top of the article, I knew I wanted to include it. Made by poetsummer, it includes glass beads in various designs and shades of pink, silver charms, and an adjustable rope chain. It's a One Of A Kind Piece and sells for $42.99.

This meticulously handcrafted bracelet can be found at a lovely shop called time2cre8. Mary Lou is a very talented beadweaver and I've been in awe of her work for some time. This is a woodgrain pattern she does in peyote stitch using delica seed beads. It sells for $63.00 and 20% of the proceeds will be donated to the Susan G. Komen foundation in the purchaser's name.

These adorable sandal charm earrings are made in honor of all the cancer walks that are held in the fall. For $20 you can purchase these sterling, Swarovski crystal, and pearl beauties from kari1121 on Etsy.

This handstamped sterling silver necklace is dainty but powerful. It signifies the hope that there will be a cure one day! Accented with a pink Swarovski crystal, it can be found at indigosignature for only $26.00.

These pretty little earrings are made with lampwork glass ribbon beads, Swarovski crystals, and silver. For just $15 you can show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness by purchasing them at tilleyjewels.

The last piece is called a Wiggle Weave bracelet and is just so pretty and unique! Made with seed beads and Swarovski crystals, you will definitely raise awareness! It sells for $40, with $5 of the proceeds going to the St.Louis affiliate of the Susan G. Komen foundation. Handcrafted and found at JewelsbyJaci.

With all these pretty pieces, I'm sure you can find something that's meaningful to you. It's always time to raise awareness!

Originally published at Boutique Flair.

Unfulfilled Dreams

I'm sure most of us have had dreams in our life that have not come true. I know my life has definitely taken a path I would never have expected. I am so very blessed to have my little girl. I was raised by a single mother, and we didn't have very much. It was my dream to make something of myself and to be successful. It was a big accomplishment when I graduated from college. Now my mom, at 49 years of age (yes, she had me young!), has gone back to college to complete her degree to be a R.N. I'm very proud of her for going after her dream, no matter how long she waited. I thought I'd share with you some things that I wanted to do in life that I have not fulfilled:

Become a top model (okay, I don't really have a desire to do this anymore, but I sure wanted it when I was younger).

Move to a big city.

Become a fashion designer (does making jewelry count?).

Travel to new and exciting places (slowly doing this one).

Those are just a few of the things I thought I'd do in life. I'd love to hear from all of you what your unfulfilled dreams are. I was so thrilled to hear that Lily of Tulip's Talking has a daughter that started modeling! Good for her! I hope it brings her happiness!

I have many dreams for the future both for me and for my daughter. I want her to know that she can be anything and do anything she wants. I will support her in all endeavors. As long as she's happy, that will be my most fulfilled dream!

Inspiration and A Tagging Game

I am asked quite often where I get the inspiration for my designs. There are many things that inspire me. First and foremost, I think the beads themselves make the design. I often by a bead because I love it, then later on figure out what to do with it. I'm also inspired by TV, fashion magazines, and images on the internet. I love to see what other people are wearing and sometimes I take something I've seen and put my own spin on it. I'm also inspired by the seasons: fall brings about the changes in the leaves, winter brings sparkly snow, spring with it's vibrant flowers, and summer just reminds me of the beach. I was recently reading the blog, Designing Hilary, where she talks about her inspirations. Hilary is a very talented jewelry designer whom I've met in several of the social networks we belong to. Check out her shop to see what I mean!

The ring above is one of my newest designs and I was inspired by the beautiful Vintaj brass pieces. I wanted to do a ring in brass, and when I saw they introduced this etruscan piece that could be manipulated into a ring band, I was thrilled. I love the look of this brass, it has a vintage look while still being modern. I used a round of Chinese Ocean Jasper which I think compliments it perfectly.

Lastly, I've been tagged! I have to say it's a first. My wonderful buddy Annette of Under the Loupe tagged me and I must tell you 7 things you may not know about me and then nominate 7 other blogs, with a link to the person's blog who tagged you. Here goes:

1. I was raised by a single mother.

2. I've always been very shy and mostly a loner.

3. I wanted to be a veternarian when I was little.

4. I have a B.A. in Visual & Apparel Merchandising.

5. I was diagnosed with Endometriosis when I was 13, and was told I most likely would never be able to have children. I proved the doctor's wrong and had my miracle baby 3 years ago!

6. I used to model in high school.

7. I have a very mixed ancestry. I am part Irish, German, Dutch, Italian, and Native American. My husband calls me the melting pot!

Okay, enough of that! Here are the 7 blogs I've tagged:

Macaroni and Glue

Nina's Window

House of Raquel

Lady Lynn's Boutique

Top Cat Creations

Nighthelper Blog

La Dolce Vita

Shop For A Cure

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, I wanted to share some of our designs. Both Cindy and I have had family members affected with this disease, so this is a cause that is very important to us. While Cindy's mom and my grandma are doing well, many are not so lucky! With each sale of any of our Cancer Awareness Items, we will be donating 20% to the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. Please help us Shop For The Cure!!

Why We Do What We Do

We are getting back into the swing of things with our Skwigga-zine Blog Ring group, and this week's featured artist is Karen of Cherished Dreams. She makes some very lovely quilts, something I don't think I would have the patience to do! She is also a lovely person. When I suffered the loss of my precious Andy, she was there with kind words of support. She is a fellow dachshund lover (and owner) and knows how they become a huge part of your life! Karen also understands how some days you wonder why you do what you do. But we realize that we are doing what we are meant to do and we are at this point in our lives for a reason. Sometimes we don't know that reason. We just perservere and know our lives do have meaning. Thanks Karen for putting that into perspective!

What's Most Important

It seems like forever since I last posted. Cindy and I are selling our designs at the York Women's Show this weekend and I've been busy putting together new creations. Not to mention my most important job, being a mother.
I've expressed my frustrations over being a stay at home mommy in previous posts. The feeling that you have no time for yourself. Always catering to the needs of your little one. Being exhausted and lonely. And I only have 1!!! I have no comparison to Debi of Who Says 8 Is Enough? She has 9 children, many of them are still at home with her! She has an amazing story of love and unselfishness and I admire her for doing what she does. Debi has a blended family, some are her natural children, and others her and her husband have adopted. She recently posted about how overwhelmed and exhausted she is and how she feels she can't get anything done!!! I'm sure! I know how I feel with just my darling Chloe! She ends her post by saying though, they sure are cute! In the end, the love for our children is what matters the most. Not how tempremental or cranky they can be. Not the fact that you hear "Mommy" a thousand times a day. But the fact that you are shaping another human being and you love them unconditionally. You want to protect them and let them know you will always be there for them. When I saw my daughter dancing around the room the other morning to the Dora the Explorer theme song, I was filled with tears. Not tears of frustration or sadness, but tears of joy. She looked so adorable and innocent just having fun watching her favorite show. That's what's most important!