Rhinestone Wrap Bracelets

These bracelets are all the rage and are showing up in magazines and on celebrities all over the place.

 I came up with a few examples of ones I created and wanted to share them with you all. 

They are so fun to make and are lightweight and perfect for the summer.  Now, what colors of leather and waxed cotton cord would you like to see in my designs.  I want to hear from you!

Be sure to check out Hammi Jammi Jewelry's facebook page to keep up to date on all the new items created daily.

And the WINNER is.......

Peggy D. is the winner of this beautiful memory wire bracelet with rose quartz and Czech fire polished glass beads.  Thanks to all who participated.  I will contact Peggy via email.  

Show Me Love Giveaway Winner....

The winner of my "Show Me Love" Giveaway of this wonderful memory wire bracelet:

is...#66....who is.....JannyBee....

Thanks to everyone who participated!

Magnetic Personality

♥ Focus ♥ Concentration ♥ Willpower ♥ Reliability ♥ Courage ♥ Confidence ♥ Optimism ♥ Trust ♥ Balance ♥ Stability ♥ Protection

Hematite grounds and protects us.  It strengthens our connection with the earth, making us feel safe and secure. 


It endows us with courage, strength, endurance and vitality.  A "stone for the mind", Hematite stimulates concentration and focus, enhancing memory and original thought.

Hematite utilizes the magnetic qualities of our yin-yang energies to balance the meridians within the body and to provide a stable equilibrium between the ethereal nervous system and the physical nervous system.  It focuses energy and emotions for balance between the body, mind and spirit.

Dissolves negativity and prevents you from absorbing the negativity of others.  Haematite is strong, supporting timidity, boosting self-esteem and survivability, enhancing willpower and reliability, and imparting confidence.  It helps to overcome compulsions and addictions, treating overeating, smoking and other forms of overindulgence. 

These bracelets/necklaces are so fun to wear.  Unwrapped they measure 36 inches and are held together with magnetic hematite.  Can be worn wrapped around your wrist several times or twice around your neck as a necklace.

"Ground yourself, strip yourself down, To blind, loving silence.  Stay there, until you see. You are gazing at the Light. With its own ageless eyes." ~ Rumi

Wordless Wenesday

The Legend of the Lotus Flower

Because lotuses grow out of the mud pure and clean, like morning dew from Heaven or water in springtime from a flower creek, lotus decorations and designs are everywhere the eye turns. Even other flowers-like these magnolias-are piled into lotus shapes.

Chinese poets also use lotus flowers to inspire people to continue striving through difficulties and to show their best part to the outside world, no matter how bad the circumstances may be. This is understood as being just like the lotus flower, bringing beauty and light from the murky darkness at the bottom of the pond.

Another symbolic characteristic of the lotus flower leads from the observation that the plant's stalk is easy to bend in two, but is very hard to break because of its many strong sinuous fibres. Poets use this to represent a close unbreakable relationship between two lovers or the members within a family, showing that no matter how far away they might live nothing can really separate them in heart.

In Buddhism the lotus flower symbolizes faithfulness. The golden lotus that is mentioned in Buddhist sutras has two meanings, one is the symbol for the achievement of enlightenment and the other points towards a real flower which is beyond our normal perception.

Shamballa-style bracelet made with brown 2mm leather.
Handcrafted ceramic beads and button lotus flower closure.
Adjustable in size using a sliding knot clasp.

I need your VOTES...

I entered Beadaholique's "Falling Leaves" design contest and I was chosen as one of the 10 finalists.  I need your support.  If you are on Facebook,  all you have to do is go to the following link and "like" my bracelet.  It is design number 4.

Oh yeah...pass it on to your friends, too.  Thanks for your support, faithful readers!!!

Happy Autumn

I love this time of year and created this lovely just because.....

If you have any interest in purchasing this 7.25 inch bracelet made with antiqued silver mum charms and various glass beads, please contact me at carriegrab419@hotmail.com!

What Is Lupus And How You Can Help

Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body). Chronic means that the signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for many years. In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs ("foreign invaders," like the flu). Normally our immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders. Autoimmune means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues ("auto" means "self") and creates autoantibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body.


Lupus is also a disease of flares (the symptoms worsen and you feel ill) and remissions (the symptoms improve and you feel better). Lupus can range from mild to life-threatening and should always be treated by a doctor. With good medical care, most people with lupus can lead a full life.


Research estimates that at least 1.5 million Americans have lupus. The actual number may be higher; however, there have been no large-scale studies to show the actual number of people in the U.S. living with lupus. It is believed that 5 million people throughout the world have a form of lupus. Lupus strikes mostly women of childbearing age (15-44). However, men, children, and teenagers develop lupus, too. Women of color are 2-3 times more likely to develop lupus.People of all races and ethnic groups can develop lupus.More than 16,000 new cases of lupus are reported annually across the country. There is no cure for lupus and in rare forms there is so much organ failure because of the disease that the it is fatal.  However, most people do not require hospitalization and can live a fairly normal life if they follow their physician's instructions.  (Lupus Foundation of America).  


I have a dear friend who suffers from lupus and I am starting to help her raise funds for the Foundation.  She is participating in a walk/run coming up in the next month.  I will be hosting a jewelry party for her where 15% of the profits will go towards the Foundation.  I am also selling some awareness bracelets online in my shoppe.  Here is a sample bracelet.  It can be purchased with or without the awareness ribbon.


Thanks for taking a look and helping out this great cause!

Got Poopdots!

You read that correctly...POOPDOTS!  My youngest son couldn't say POLKAdots when he was 2 and he called them POOPDOTS.  I hope you get a little chuckle out of that.

ENJOY!

And the lucky winner is.....

NUMBER 64: Congrats to you Diana!  I will be in contact with you via email so I can get your prize mailed out to you!

Thanks to everyone who participated.  Keep looking at my Hammi Jammi Jewelry Facebook and Website pages for new merchandise.

Got Focus?

Do you need help with your meditation practice?  Do you have trouble keeping track of your time while meditating?  Well, I've got the thing for you.  Focus beads can be worn as a bracelet or hooked on to your belt loops and are used as a tool to assist you with maintaining focus, avoid drifting, and give you an idea of time spent in the practice.  

At each bead you will stop and meditate on a topic of choice.  Meditating on each bead

will help you become aware of your thoughts and words in everyday life; helping to choose to

think and project happy positive energy to yourself and to those around you.

Do you need help getting started?  Here are a few positive affirmations to get you on your way:

“Loving myself heals my life. I nourish my mind, body and soul”

“The more grateful I am, the more reasons I find to be grateful”

“I give out Love and it is returned to me multiplied”

“I have a wonderful partner and we are both happy and at peace”

“I am my own unique self – special, creative and wonderful”

“I trust in the process of life”

“My life is a joy filled with love, fun and friendship all I need do is

 stop all criticism, forgive, relax and be open”

“I choose love, joy and freedom, open my heart and allow wonderful things to flow into my life”

Namaste'

Mother's Day Bracelet Giveaway

In honor of Mother’s Week and all of the hard work you do for your families, All Things for Mom has teamed up with Hammi Jammi Jewelry  to offer this fantastic giveaway just for you, our favorite moms.  One lucky reader will be chosen to win this gorgeous, handcrafted bracelet.  Keep reading for your chance to win!

The bracelet measures 7.25 inches and includes an extender to make it as large as 7.75 inches.  The hand-stamped brass 'Mom' charm is accentuated by the handcrafted, earth-tone ceramic beads (created by an artist in California).  Fire polished glass beads and brass artistic wire finished off with a gold-plated lobster claw clasp highlight the ceramic to add an elegant and serene touch to any outfit.  To see more of Carrie’s jewelry or to speak with her about creating a customized and affordable piece just right for your special occasion, take a look at her etsy or big cartel shoppes, or contact her at carriegrab419@hotmail.com.

Who wouldn’t want to own this gorgeous work of art?!  Okay, here are the rules for your chance to win.  You’ll receive an entry (up to four) for doing each of the following:

1. Leave a comment here telling us all about your favorite Mother’s Day EVER!
2. Head over to Hammi Jammi Jewelry’s Facebook Fan Page and “like” her.  Be sure to leave a comment on her page letting her know that All Things for Mom sent you.
3. If you haven’t done it already, “like” the All Things for Mom Facebook Fan Page and let us know that you did.
4. If you have a blog or a Facebook Page, link up to this giveaway and let us know that you did.

The winner will be chosen at random using Random.org and we will announce her name on the website and ATFM Facebook page on Monday, May 9th.  Good luck and Happy Mother’s Day!!

How To Make Fundraising...Well....Fun???

First, I want to introduce you to an organization unlike any others....Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC)  was founded in 1991 and was one of the first resources to provide information, connection and support to woman with breast cancer who have completed treatment.  Today, it's an organization that assists women at all stages of diagnosis, treatment and recovery at low or no cost.  They cover education and support services to woman who are newly diagnosed, are in treatment, have completed treatment or are living with metastatic disease.  LBBC really empowers woman affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality life.


I am honored to be part of LBBC's annual event "Yoga on the Steps" again this year.  It's an event where a thousand plus yogis assemble and practice yoga all in the name of Breast Cancer Awareness.  It's such an uplifting, powerful event and I encourage anyone in the Berks, Montgomery, of Chester Counties to join our "Tri County for a Cure" team.  This year, unlike last, we have assembled a team and have begun our fundraising efforts to help this worthwhile cause.


I was asked by LBBC to write a short e-blast about how to make fundraising fun.  I thought I would expand on my few short sentences and give you some details on what Tri County for a Cure is doing to raise funds.

"A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go farther than a great idea that inspires no one." ~Mary Kay Ash

Brainstorm with your team and find ideas that inspire.  There's lots of things that you can do that require very little work.  And even if you do have to put some manpower into your efforts, you won't notice since you are inspired!

Our team is having a yoga/live harp music event.  At this event we will have a basket auction with some donated items (Mary Kay products, jewelry, massage/restaurant gift certificates, handcrafted yoga bags etc.)  We will also have a table set up with some items for sale.  Tri County for a Cure is making some tee-shirts with our team logo.  We have a phenomenal artist on our team who has generously donated her artistic abilities to design our logo.  We are getting iron ons and some tee-shirts pretty low cost and the profits of the sale will go towards our fundraising, as will the sale of raffle tickets.

Another idea we have is having a fundraising night at Rita's Italian Ice in Early April.  This is easy to do and requires very little from our team.  We really just have to promote the event and watch the funds roll in.

Additionally, Hammi Jammi Jewelry has created a fundraising bracelet and some other jewelry items where 15% of proceeds will go towards Tri County for a Cure.  The team members have order forms and are getting friends and family to purchase.  

We have another very special project that we are working on that gets the whole community involved, but that will have to be revealed at another date.  I don't want to ruin the fun and spoil the surprise.

I guess my main message is to "do what you love, love what you do" and positive results will flow!

Namaste'!

Mark Your Calendars....

Hi all,

I will be the Featured Artisan at Kimberton Whole Foods in Kimberton on March 19, 2011 from 11-2.  Mark your calendars and I hope to see you there!

Hammi Jammi Jewelry will be there to answer any questions and debut the Spring line of jewelry.  Here are a few of the items that will be shown.  Please, please come on out and support local!

I will have a wide selection of bracelets, earrings, and necklaces in all the Spring/Summer colors!

Hope to see  you there.

Blog Carnival: What are your favorite color combinations?

What are your favorite color combinations and what do you create with these colors?

I would love to hear of your color inspirations, but for me I tend to do a lot with greens and blues. I also really like how amazonite and red coral looks together. I really love the ocean and the sand. I love the warm weather, especially now that it's like -2000 degrees here. I also am partial to purple for some unknown reason. I like amethyst and dyed purple jade.

Here are a few examples of my favorite color combinations in the jewelry that I've created:

This bracelet was created as a Christmas present

for my son's preschool aid.  There is a little

charm that says "inspire" at the clasp.

This necklace was created using Amazonite and 

a red Cinnabar heart.  I envisioned a bridesmaid

wearing this piece at her friend's wedding.

So, what colors inspire your creative side.  Inquiring minds want to know!!!

A Child's Paradise....

I have had the opportunity to share my talent with others and I am thrilled to share my experience with my readers.  Back in May, I was asked to submit a proposal for several jewelry workshops at Arrowhead Day Camp during the month of July.  I would be working with intermediate and senior campers to create jewelry.  I was nervous and excited at this work opportunity.  I have done a few children's birthday parties, so this couldn't be that different.  I was correct and I've had such a great time with these young ladies and being able to share my passion with them.

With the senior campers we created freshwater pearl and Swarovski Crystal ankle bracelets with a flip flop charm.

With the intermediate campers we worked on a green and pink fire-polished glass bloomin' stretchy bracelet.

Arrowhead Day Camp is located in West Chester, PA and is situated on over 50 acres of rolling countryside--and it's been there since 1956 and run by the same family.  I was totally blown away at all this camp has to offer--you name it, it's there...horseback riding, swimming, boating, a taboggon style waterslide, games, arts and crafts, computers, and much, much more.  They are even putting on a production of Annie this year.

They say that's it's where new experiences are a common daily occurrence; where friendships and memories are endeared; where kids can learn, grow and enjoy to the maximum their talents and abilities. And I truly believe that I would be hard-pressed to find a child who wouldn't have the time of their life at this place.

I am so glad that they let me into their Arrowhead family for a brief period of time and I thank the owners Ellen and Howie Gilbert for such a wonderful camp experience.  I had a blast and I think I will keep these memories close to my heart for a long time.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Remember To Thank The Teachers

“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." Henry Adams 


How do YOU thank the teachers who have taught your kids throughout the long school year?


I only have one child who is school age.  I know when he is home from school the dynamics in our household change.  There is more noise, more fighting, more everything.  Being a teacher is a job I surely wouldn't want to have.  I know that as a mother, I AM a teacher, but the thought of having 20+ kids in one room really sends me over the edge of insanity.  Being a teacher is an extremely hard job.  Teachers mold our children and prepare them for the future as productive adults.  

So, let me ask you again..."How do you thank your child's teacher?"  Do you give them soap, a candle, a "World's Greatest Teacher" mug.  My mom was a teacher and I know for a fact that she neither smelled nor needed any more teacher mugs.  I think teachers deserve more than these items.  They deserve something that they can cherish and remember why they do what they do day in and day out.



Here are some suggestions of items that I can create to send the right message.  Teachers are appreciated for their hard work!

 This lovely beaded pen can be done in a variety of colors and price points.  This is really useful and special for the teacher in your lives.

This bracelet is created using glass rounds with a focal bead made with ceramic.  This is something a teacher can wear again and again.

What about a simple pair of earrings?  These brass earring are elegant and very pretty to wear everyday.


I am also working on some hand stamped sterling silver necklaces that have phrases such as "Teach~Dream~Inspire" on them.  


Contact me today and we can discuss your options.  I can create something special within your budget.

Etsybead Team--Mystery Bead Swap--Part One

Hello readers.  I wanted to share something fun my wonderful Etsybead team is doing.  The etsybead team mystery bead swap is a way to spark our creativity and have some team fun along the way.  The way it works is: Participants were randomly paired up with team members and the partners have to send a selection of beads to each other.  These beads and findings are no longer wanted or needed and the partners create new jewelry out of the supplies.

I was paired up with Dg Designs based out of Central, NJ.  I was especially excited that I got her since she makes handcrafted lampwork glass beads and was secretly hoping she would send me a few of these beads.  Boy, I wasn't disappointed.  This is what she sent me to work with:

And this is what I created with the supplied pieces.  I used a few pieces I had around here too:

These creations are available for sale in my shoppe.  You can also go to etsy and search for "Etsybead team mystery swap" to find other artist creations.

I have another partner I was paired with so be on the lookout for the second round of the mystery swap!

Communion and Motherhood

I have been super busy working on custom orders these past few weeks.  I thought I would share a few of those pieces with you.  I hope it sparks your creativity and helps you to figure out customizations of your own.

This first piece is a bracelet a client is giving to her niece as a Communion present.  This is actually one of three she is having me create.  The other two bracelets will use Rosaline Swarovski Crystal pearls.

Light green Swarovski Crystal pearls are paired with sterling silver daisy spacers and one larger round on each side.  Sterling silver alphabet blocks are used for the initials.  Cream Swarovski Crystal pearls are near the lobster claw clasp.  A sterling silver extender is used so the girl can wear the bracelet for years to come.  Oh, and how can I forget the sterling silver cross to commemorate the special event.

The next item I created was for a thoughtful husband to give to his wife in the delivery room after the birth of their first child.  The hubbie really wanted to incorporate the peas in a pod to the necklace.

Graduated sterling silver rounds complement the hand stamped heart and the pewter peas in a pod charm.  The front of the charm says "Mom" and the back has my client's last name.  Truly a special keepsake for the new mother to cherish for years to come.

The last piece I wanted to share is a Mother's Day Present.  It's a Copper bookmark and I think this is perfect for the avid reader.  My client's mother LOVES pink so this is what I came up with.

Rose quartz, pink Swarovski Crystals, Rhodonite rounds and some copper make this bookmark magical.

I just wanted to thank you for taking a look at my work and sharing in my creative process.