Spring is Here....

Well, it's supposed to be anyway.  Here in Pennsylvania it's been C-O-L-D!  I mean, colder than it has been during the winter....it's actually flurrying here today.  It you know me...I dislike the cold months.  I much prefer the Spring and early Summer.  

To get me out of my funk, I have been creating some of my Spring and Summer line of jewelry.  Flowers, butterflies, and beautiful colors are enough to get my spirits higher.  And if you need more inspiration head on over to the Hammi Jammi Jewelry website and do some browsing.

Hope these new pieces brighten your day too!

It's been a little while......

Summer time hits and I don't know where my time goes....

We've been to the beach (twice), had friends and family visit, my parent's 40th wedding anniversary festivities, and had several camps.  I don't think I've been home all that much....well maybe just long enough to make a few pieces of jewelry and to do wash!

I am usually pretty good about posting pretty regularly on my blog, but it's been almost 2 months, so apparently I'm not THAT good!  I am pretty good at posting on my facebook page so you can keep updated on my new items that way.  Be sure to go there and "like" my page if you haven't already done so.

One of my college besties recently visited me with her kids.  She commissioned me to make a few items for her.  Let me show you what I made (and if you are a facebook liker of Hammi Jammi, I apologize for redundancy).

The first piece is a magnetic hematite wrap bracelet:

HUGE sellers this summer.  I can't make them fast enough.

The next item is a beautiful necklace made with vintage lucite rectangular beads, silk ribbon, smokey glass beads, and some Swarovski crystals.  LOVE LOVE this piece:

I had some leftover beads from her creations and I made a bracelet/earring set.  I really love the color combinations:

It always blows my mind at all the different things you can come up with using the same beads.

I promise it won't be another two months before I post again!!!

Happy rest of summer to you all!

For The Love Of Larimar

I recently took my second trip to the beautiful island of the Dominican Republic.  It's pristine beaches, amazing all-inclusive resorts, friendly people, and relaxation keep drawing me back to the island shared with Haiti.

On my first trip to Punta Cana, I picked up a beautiful Larimar pendant set in sterling silver.  Larimar is a beautiful blue gemstone that is only found in the Dominican Republic. Its blue color is very similar to that of the tropical beach waters and because of its appearance, it is frequently mistaken for turquoise. Larimar stones are thought to have formed years ago as a result of volcanic eruptions. It is theorized that as magma was forced from beneath the earth’s surface, it mixed with a variety of substances such as aluminum compounds, sodium, calcium and iron.


Because larimar is indigenous to the Dominican Republic and because of its unusual beauty, there is naturally a lot of Dominican folklore surrounding it. It is often looked upon as a powerful, spiritual stone. It is said to soothe, heal and enlighten. It is supposed to enable one to view things from a different perspective. The stone itself represents peace, clarity and love and is recommended for people who are stressed. This is all undoubtedly due to its tranquil blue color. 


So I finally created a necklace using the pendant and some matching earrings.  I paired the Larimar pendant with some Czech glass roundelles and some bead capped vintage crystals.  I can't wait to wear (or sell) these pieces.  It will remind the wearer of the beautiful oceans and calming nature of the sea!!!

It's the Nutcracker Time of Year!!!

It's time for the 40th Anniversary Production of the Nutcracker put on by the Schuylkill ValleyRegional Dance Company.  It's going on at the Hill School Center for the Arts in Pottstown on December 3 at 7:30 p.m. and also on December 4 at 2:00 p.m.  Tickets are $20.00 for adults and Seniors/Students are $15.00.  There are discount rates for groups of 10 or more.


The Schuylkill Valley Regional Dance Company will be performing a brand "new to the area" "Nutcracker" this year to celebrate its 40th Anniversary. Two former principal dancers from the Kirov Ballet, Andrei Ustinov and Elena Martinson, will be setting choreography on the Company based on the original work by Marius Petipa (originally performed at the Kirov in 1892).


The Company performs a "Nutcracker" annually but this year there will be many changes to what people have become accustomed to in the area. For more information you can call the Company at 484-941-0683. This is a holiday tradition not to be missed.


I am helping out with some fundraising for this wonderful arts center by creating a jewelry set for their basket raffle.  Raffle tickets can be purchased at both of the productions of the show.


I created a lovely necklace/earring set...just perfect for the holidays.  It's complete with lots of sparkle.  Swarovski crystals are paired with crystal pearls and some lampworked glass.  Silver plated chain and a lobster claw clasp are used.  The earrings are hung on small kidney bean sterling silver wires.

Holidays are coming

Something shimmery, sparkly, and FUN for the holiday outfits.  Don't forget to accessorize and make a statement!

This set can be found at my Three Sister's Marketplace shoppe here.

Goodie Bags

Next time you purchase from Hammi Jammi Jewelry, you will get an adorable, handcrafted bag with your purchase.  These bags are perfect for gift giving or to just keep your special purchase safe!  Also great for traveling with your accessories!  Just a little special touch of appreciation for your purchase!

Don't forget to "like" Hammi Jammi on Facebook too!

Harvest Time Is Coming

With the coming of autumn, the days grow shorter and the nights longer and the temperatures move from warm to cool. The colors of orange and red represent the changing, brilliant colors of autumn foilage. If summer is the period of youth in one's life, then autumn is the adult period.


I have come up with a few pretty new Autumn pieces.  This is one of my favorite times of year to create jewelry...the oranges, reds, browns, and muted greens and the changing colors of the leaves can inspire some stunning jewelry pieces.  I also love the symbolism associated with the harvest.  Nuts and fruits can also pep up creations.


Here are a few examples of things I've come up with to invoke a sense of Fall:

Under the Boardwalk

I am so in need of a little R and R.  Lucky for me, we are heading "down the shore" on Saturday.  A week of fun, sand, and surf is exactly what I need.  I'm looking forward to reading my book under the umbrella or on the porch of our house; playing in the sand with my kids; hitting the arcade on the boardwalk; eating some fantastic seafood; and just spending some much needed time with my family.


I have been super busy with custom orders and gearing up for the Phoenixville Farmer's Market in July.  Also, I've begun prep for the items we are creating at Arrowhead Day Camp this summer.  Never a dull moment in Hammi Jammi land.  


Just to gear up for the summer and beach, I changed my playlist on this blog.  I included on of my all time favorite beach songs.  "Under the Boardwalk" by the Drifters always reminds me of my Dad and our trips to the beach when I was younger.  I also created a fun shell necklace and matching earrings that I wanted to share with you, my faithful readers.

Well, ta ta for now.  Happy beach season everyone!

Happy Birthday to ME!!! Pay It Forward....

Earring Sampling

I really love doing things for others.  I suppose I am a nurturer by nature.  In honor of my birthday, I wanted to do something special for my readers.  But there is a itty bitty, small catch.  I will send you a pair of sterling silver earring in your favorite color.  However, you must send a Facebook request to "like" Hammi Jammi Jewelry to 10 of your friends....especially to those people who like fun, everyday jewelry.  Feel free to send the suggestion to more than ten.  If you don't have 10 people who you think would like Hammi Jammi, then please send the request to as many as you can.

That's not too hard now is it????
Just send me an email at carriegrab419@hotmail.com and let me know your name and mailing address and your favorite color.  This is only a one day event.  Don't delay; participate today!


Thanks for participating in my Birthday celebration!

Renewal of OLD!

I love vintage and antique pieces of jewelry.  I can appreciate the craftsmanship and the history behind old pieces.  I was lucky enough to acquire several pieces of old jewelry that belonged to a great aunt of mine.  One of the necklaces was made out of crystal nuggets of various shapes and sizes.  I'm not sure how old these crystals are but I would estimate around 75-80 years old.  I thought this piece, in particular, would be perfect to deconstruct and create something "new."  The deconstructed pieces have been sitting in a jar on my workbench just waiting to be changed into something more current.  I was waiting and waiting and then an opportunity came to me.

Since I am an Artbeads Design Partner, I get periodic emails about getting products to create with in exchange for blogging.  There current blogging challenge theme is "What's Old is New Again."  Now was my opportunity to use my great aunt's crystals.

I chose some great products from Artbeads.  Typically I stick with using silver-toned merchandise in my creations.  So, I thought I would step outside my comfort zone and use some brass in my vintage-inspired jewelry.  I wound up using some brass artistic wire and also a brass toggle clasp.  I also chose some really beautiful lamp work glass beads.

Without further ado, here are my "What's Old is New Again" creations.  The lariat-style necklace also contains Swarovski crystals, in addition to my vintage crystal nuggets, some Druk beads in a yellow/tan hue.  The earrings are made with gold-plated earring hooks.

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.

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.

And the Snowflake Giveaway Winner Is.....

The winner of these awesome earrings:

is:
#4


Which corresponds to RONI!!!!  Congrats and thanks to all who entered.  I will be contacting Roni via email shortly.

Winter Enchantment Earring Giveaway

I am an Artbeads.com Design Partner.  Periodically, I get to choose products based on a theme and then get to create beautiful jewelry using the materials I pick. The current theme is Winter Enchantment and I was asked to create something that represents what I find beautiful or inspirational about the winter season. Whether it's the beauty of a snowflake, a winter landscape, a sport you love, the coziness of a blazing fire, fun indoor activities shared with family and friends, a vacation to a warmer place, a favorite winter themed story or poem...I had to use my imagination to come up with something that evokes winter.

When I think I winter, I think of the color blue so I decided to create some snowflake earrings with different shades of blue represented. I started off with some beautiful sterling silver snowflake charms. Then I decided on some aquamarine chessboard Swarovski elements and some sterling silver earring wires with faceted blue Swiss Blue Topaz stones. Finally I chose some really fabulous Blue Sky Quartz Cubes to add to the mix.

So, this is the design I came up with:





I then decided that I wanted to give these earrings away.  Yep, that's right...you could win these earrings ($30 value). This is how you can enter to win:

1) "Like" Hammi Jammi Jewelry on Facebook (1 entry).
2) "Like" Artbead.com on Facebook (1 entry).
3) Blog about this giveaway.  Be sure to leave an address in the comments section so I can check it out (1 entry).
4) Send an invitation to your Facebook friends to "like" Hammi Jammi Jewelry (2 entries).

The contest will end on Friday, January 28, 2011 at noon EST. Make sure you leave a comment for each entry and to leave me your email address so I can contact you if you are the winner!

I hope you're a winner!!!!

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.

Holiday Glamour

My dear friend is having her 20th high school reunion and she wanted to get the perfect outfit so she feels good about herself.  After having 3 kids and staying home for the past several months on maternity leave, the standard mommy attire just didn't cut it and didn't make her feel good about herself.  I helped her put together a smokin' hot outfit complete with sparkly tank, shrug with some feathers around the collar, tight black pants and tall leather boots.  She really looks fantastic.  The only thing missing was her jewelry.  I told her I would create something that would compliment the outfit perfectly.
Here is what I came up with for her.  This is not the exact set but something very similar.  It is perfect for the holidays coming up (Christmas parties, New Years, Hanukkah).  I also think it would be great if you are having a black and white wedding.  It would be really pretty to add that touch of glam to the bridesmaids dresses.  Another great thing about these pieces is that I could create the same thing using a different colors scheme to make any outfit look fantastic!

I would love to hear your thought on these pieces.

Some New Baubles

New Jewelry November - free slideshow maker

I did a small craft show on Friday night and for the size of the show and the amount of people and the competition I had, I did very well.  I got so much positive feedback on my items and my set up.  I really do feel that I have SOMETHING for everyone.  I have pieces for the young and old, at all price points.  I am very proud of the quality of my pieces.  I use sterling silver and silver plated materials and I use wire guardians to prevent wear and tear at the clasps.  The pieces I create will last for many special occasions and beyond!

Thanks for taking a look!

The Lucky Earrings Winner is.....

mkokopelli. Congrats!  I will be emailing you to get your information so I can mail out these
earrings to you :

Chakra Earring Giveaway

Do you find yourself running from one thing to the next? Do you need some balance in your life?  Well, enter this great giveaway and you could win these gorgeous Hill Tribe Silver Chakra Earrings created by Hammi Jammi Jewelry.  Earring hooks are sterling silver and the flower stamped charms are Hill Tribe Silver (which is an even higher quality of silver than sterling).  The beautiful charms are enhanced by Swarovski crystal bicones that represent the seven chakras:

Red- the Root Chakra- this is about the balance between materialistic monotony and the drive of courageous self-protection.

Orange- the Sexual Chakra- associated with emotions, instincts, states of desire, and imagination.

Yellow- the Solar Plexus- is the focus point of our power and will.

Green- the Heart Chakra- associated with love and understanding, compassion, empathy, and forgiveness.

Blue- the Throat Chakra- associated with creativity and the ability to communicate.

Indigo- the Third Eye Chakra- ability to perceive clearly. Intuition, insight and imagination.

Purple- the Crown Chakra- associated with divine wisdom, oneness with the universe, and enlightenment.


Wear these earrings to enhance your mood and re-align your body's energies to fight off illness.


So, I am trying to get 300 followers on my blog.  I am pretty close at 242.  Help me reach my goal.  Here is how you can enter this giveaway:


1) Sign up to follow the Hammi Jammi Jewelry blog.  Leave me a comment stating that you are following me and be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win (1 entry)


2) If you are already a follower, send my blog link to all of your friends and leave me a comment that you did so.  Don't forget to leave your email address.  (2 entries)


3) Blog about this contest.  Be sure to leave your blog address so I can check it out. (1 entry)


Pretty easy, huh?


The contest is open to US and Canada residents.  Contest starts 8/1 at midnight and will end on 8/8 at 8 pm EST.  Winner will be chosen at random.


Thanks for spreading the word!

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!