From a happy bride....

"Carrie from Hammi Jammi Jewelry did an exceptional job creating sets of jewelry for my five bridesmaids and my flower girl. I spent hours searching department stores for bridesmaid jewelry that perfectly matched my vision for my wedding, but I came up short every time. I connected with Carrie and she was absolutely wonderful! She made EXACTLY what I had in mind- a stunningly elegant necklace, bracelet and earrings set for each bridesmaid and a beautiful bracelet for my flower girl. The girls LOVED their jewelry and it looked fantastic with their dresses. Carrie maintained an open line of communication with me throughout the entire process and she created and shipped the pieces quickly. I would definitely work with her again and I would recommend Hammi Jammi Jewelry to anyone who is in search of that perfect piece of jewelry! "

-Denise

For a Good Cause

I recently attended an amazing, inspiring, and deeply moving event called Yoga Unites Living beyond Breast Cancer; a Yoga event in Philadelphia on the steps of the Art Museum.  One thousand yogis were there for one cause and the energy was palpable.  It was such and uplifting experience for me. 

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, other than skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.
The chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer some time during her life is a little less 1 in 8. The chance of dying from breast cancer is about 1 in 35. Breast cancer death rates have been going down. This is probably the result of finding the cancer earlier and better treatment. Right now there are more than 2½ million breast cancer survivors in the United States (http://www.cancer.org).

A friend of mine was also moved by the experience we had on the Art Museum steps and she wanted to do something similar on a smaller scale.  A yogi in one of her classes is participating in the 3 Day Walk for the Cure and they decided to join forces to do some fund-raising for a good cause.

I wanted to invited any readers who are in the area to participate in an evening of Yoga accompanied by live harp music with Betsy Chapman followed by tea, coffee, pink desserts and fun giveaways. All proceeds benefit the 3 day walk for the cure. Suggested donation $20 Wear Pink!

When: Friday June 25th 7-9 pm
Where: 750 North Evans Street, Pottstown, PA 19464
RSVP: Barbara 484-524-5204

You can read more about this event at the High Street Yoga and Wellness Blog.

I will be participating in the giveaway by donating a bracelet and earring set made from Swarovski crystal pearls and some pink ribbon beads.  The earring wires and findings in the set are sterling silver.

The Bonds of Friendship and Motherhood

I just finished reading a book that touched me on so many levels that I was compelled to write about it.  This doesn't happen too often.  This book left me laughing and sobbing uncontrollably at the end.  It's a story about genuine friendship and coming of age, family and the mother-daughter relationship, and health.  It chronicles the journey of a friendship from the 70s until the present and incorporates music (how powerful music is and can bring back memories in an instant).  The book is Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah.

First of all, I have friends from different eras of my life.  The high school friends (Saadia, Jen, and Carrie).  The college friends (Kristina and Holly), the mommy friends (Barbara and Joy), the neighborhood friends (Cheryl and Robin) and then there are a few new friends who I anticipate I will remain friends with for a long time (Vanessa, Louise, Pam, Diana).  I have found something special in each of them: their genuine nature; their ability to be compassionate; their love and acceptance of me for who I am.  I can count on each of these girls for anything and their friendship  has lasted the test of time.  I am blessed to have these friendships.  While reading this book I realized that each of these ladies has come into my life when I thought I was alone in this world and brought things to my life I didn't even know I needed.  We all need special woman in our lives.  To quote the author, "  As I've gotten older, I've really begun to see how profoundly important we woman are to each other.  Men and careers and even children can come and go in our lives, but our friendships are forever. "  True friends are few and far between.  Thank you friends for being my valentines.

Another theme of the book is about the mother-daughter relationship.  The mother-daughter relationship is magical, complex, powerful, transformative.  There's nothing like motherhood that makes us reassess how we were as daughters.  Who we are in the present is colored by the differences in how our mothers raised us.  That is definitely seen in the main characters in this book.  One had a loving, slightly over protective mother and the other a drug addict who was never present for her child.  I think back during my childhood and think about all the things my mother did for me.  Yes, she was overprotective, but that was her loving me to the best of her ability.  We will all mess up our children in some small way, but at the end of the day, it's love that really matters.  She would play with me and never miss a birthday celebration.  I don't recall too many mother-daughter heart to heart conversations, but I think that was the generation...a lot was left unsaid.  I don't think I was a horrible or bad teenager either.  I did what I was told and only wanted to please.  I do recall one time when I was trying to assert my independence...it was prom and my Mom wanted to call the parents who were hosting the after prom party and I refused to give her their number.  I just wanted some trust, but now I understand wanting to be protective and keeping your child out of harm.  I have no idea if she ever found their phone number or called, but it felt good for me to refuse and stomp away.  Afterall, I was leaving for college in a few months.  I just want to thank my Mom for being a special woman in my life and for putting up with me.  You made me who I am as a wife and mother.  You are amazing!

The last theme in the book I wanted to discuss is health-related.  I have my Master's degree in Public Health, so this is an important one for me.  If I can help one woman look out for warning signs, I have made a difference.  One of the characters in this book gets a rare, aggressive form of breast cancer called Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC).  The character in the book was diligent about mammograms, breast self exams, and annual gynocological visits.  She even went to the doctor for treatment of a bug bite on her breast and was given antibiotics.  Unfortunately, what everyone thought was a bug bite was IBC.    Symptoms of IBC may include redness, swelling, and warmth in the breast, often without a distinct lump in the breast. The redness and warmth are caused by cancer cells blocking the lymph vessels in the skin. The skin of the breast may also appear pink, reddish purple, or bruised. The skin may also have ridges or appear pitted, like the skin of an orange.  These symptoms usually develop quickly—over a period of weeks or months.  These symptoms can be typical of other things, like a bug bite so diagnosis can be missed.  If you want more information about IBC please visit the National Cancer Institute.

Now, that I finished talking about the touching nature of this book.  You are probably asking, "why the hell are you writing about all this on a jewelry blog?"  Well, the only answer I can give is that this book touched my HEART and I wanted to share it all with you.  It's a must read for the summer.

Custom Thank You For Teachers

I spoke of this idea in my last post.  I created a really beautiful, sterling silver hand-stamped necklace for my son's teacher.  The round pendant reads "Teach - Love - Inspire" and has a heart and some Swarovski Crystal pearls dangling near the pendant.  The words on the pendant can be anything you would like.  The back can even be stamped with the teacher's name.

It's a really nice keepsake to remind the teacher in your life that they are special and that they do an important job!

Contact me if you are interested in creating a custom necklace for your teacher, too!

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.

Scenes of Summer

Wow, I can't believe Summertime is quickly approaching.  For me, this means having BOTH children at home and not in school, occupying our days with pools and bike riding; it means warm weather and blue skies with the occasional quick thunderstorm; it means vacations and ice cream and just old fashioned family fun.

One of the traditions in our family is to spend a week or two at the beach each summer.  It's tranquil and a change of pace for us.  There's not much to do besides play in the sand, swim in the ocean and pool, go for long bike rides, and get ice cream treats after dinner time.

That's why when Artbeads asked me to focus on creating something with a Summer theme, I was excited with anticipation for all the fun I could have with their vast selection of pendants and glass beads and how they could relate to what I think summer means.  Ultimately, I chose this amazing stoneware pendant and paired it with some mint alabaster and blue iris fire polished glass and some
topaz porphyr fire polished glass beads.  There are also some turquoise roundelles and sterling silver findings in this piece.  All the colors in these beads and pendant remind me of the summers we spend at the beach and brings a smile to my face.  I hope this creation brings joy to you too.

If you live in the area, this piece is currently on consignment at Kaleidoscope Angels.

Disclosure: I participate in Blogging for Beaders with Artbeads.com and have received the products free of charge from them. I am honestly reviewing the products and have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received.

It's my BIRTHDAY--SALE today!

In honor of my birthday...my 35th if anyone is wondering....I am having a sale in my shoppe.

Everything is 15% off, TODAY ONLY!  Email (convo) me and I will adjust the price before you pay!