New Find

I am always looking for good deals on beading supplies and new websites for inspiration. Recently I was was approached by a company (I was not aware of) to do some blogging for them. This company is Aunties Beads. I was really quite impressed with their selection of jewelry supplies, beads, and findings and really encourage you to check out their site. They have tiered pricing (so the more you buy the more you save) and they also have a Beaders Advantage Club where you can accumulate points for your purchases, get free shipping, and get 10% off all your purchases (including sale merchandise). There is a physical store located in Southlake, TX.

I wound up getting several products from their online store and have created some really beautiful (in my opinion) pieces of jewelry. The first is a turquoise and coral necklace, bracelet, and earring set. To make these items I used 10mm turquoise rounds, 12mm red bamboo coral carved diamond stands, and 4 mm flat bali spacers.



The next pieces I created using 12mm lampwork glass beads. I think black and white is so classic.



Then I also made 2 different bracelets using 14mm ceramic round beads and 17mm ceramic square beads.





So check out all the great jewelry supplies at Aunties Beads. I hope I provided some inspiration!!! Happy Beading!

Wacky Cracker Stationary Giveaway

Whenever I need birthday invitations or announcements the first place I look is the Wacky Kracker online store. Casey and her husband who creates and draws the majority of the stationery designs have a wide variety of products in whimsical designs available for your purchase.

Casey has graciously offered to do a giveaway. Do you want to win these awesome circle address labels? She is giving away 5 sheets of these stickers (that's a total of 100 stickers). All the sheets must have the same personalization and design. This contest is only open to US residents and the free products must be redeemed within 30 days of the contest ending.

Are you wondering how to win? This is what you need to do for a total of 3 entries:

1) Go to the Wacky Kracker blog and become a follower (1 entry)

2) Leave me a comment about what products are your favorite from the Wacky Kracker online store (1 entry)

3) Sign up to follow the Hammi Jammi Jewelry blog (1 entry)

The contest begins Saturday, May 16 at midnight EST and will end on Friday, May 22 at 8 pm EST.

For The Hip, Young Mom

Everyone seems to LOVE my domino pendants and pins that I've created. So, I thought I would make one to celebrate motherhood. I hand stamped a mother and child figure onto a painted domino. I added sterling silver 18 gauge half hard wire wrapping and then I have a Sworovski crystal dangling from the wrapping. This crystal symbolizes the month of January. I can add up to 5 crystals to a pendant. Here's a picture of what I made.



I'd love to hear your comments. If you are interested in one of these for yourself, you can contact me through this blog and I will set up a listing for you in my shoppe. I'm thinking these cool, hip necklaces will range in price from $35-$40 depending on how many crystals you need.

Looking forward to your thoughts!

Mother In Law

I know that I am lucky and blessed to have a mother-in-law that I love and get along with. She is such a strong lady...stronger than she gives herself credit for. She raised the man who I love to be a caring father and wonderful spouse. She helps us whenever she can with our children and her grandchildren. She has a devoted and supportive group of friends, many whom she's had for 30 years or more. She truly is a special lady which is evidenced by all the lives that she touches.

So when trying to think of something to give her for Mother's Day (because I think of her as my mother too). I wanted to make something that was as vibrant and beautiful as she is. I think I came up with something appropriate.









Too bad she doesn't read my blog. Maybe I'll let her read it after she gets her gift. I think she knows how I feel about her but I bet she would like to see it in writing.

Happy Mother's Day to all the special woman out there.

Just listed....

This was just listed in my shoppe. I thought it would be perfect for bridesmaids or for Mother's Day!

I would love to know what you think!

Simple Woman's Daybook...Saturday, May 2, 2009

For Today, May 2, 2009...

Outside my window... Nightfall

I am thinking... I can not believe 6 years has gone by since I had my first baby. The time has gone so quickly.

I am thankful for... a wonderful family, a successful birthday party, and just being surrounded by my sister, brother in law, and little nephew.

From the kitchen... It's all cleaned up from our family party...meatball sandwiches, salad, chips and of course, cake!!!

I am wearing... jean capris and a maroon long sleeved shirt with a domino pendant.

I am reading... Nothing at the moment. I need to get to the library.

I am hoping... that I get a good night's sleep tonight. I'm tuckered out.

I am creating... the favors for the MOMS Club banquet coming up.

I am hearing... Brennon and Aunt Shelley talking about football positions.

Around the house... everything is pretty much in order. I have some wash to do (but that's a never ending cycle).

One of my favorite things... seeing my husband interacting with my boys.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Brennon has off from school on Tuesday so we'll do something fun, Yoga on Tuesday night, MOMS Club banquet on Friday.

Picture Thought of the Day:

Banquet

A few posts ago, I re-posted an article from a Toronto Psychotherapist talking about the importance of girlfriends. This post goes hand in hand with that one.

So, I belong to this amazing group of woman. When I moved here 5.5 years ago with a 10 month old baby, I felt isolated and lonely. I didn't know the area and I didn't have any friends here. Plus, have a child who wasn't a great sleeper left me constantly tired and irritable. I didn't know what to do or where to go to keep us occupied those LONG (and I mean really LONG) days! I was so fortunate to find the MOMS Club of Coventry PA which is part of the International MOMS Club. I started going to their monthly meetings and soon enough, we had our activity calendar filled to the brim. We were involved in playgroups, went to parks and zoos, had story times and music, went to kiddie gymnastics, and even I went to the occasional Moms Night Out. Before long, I had become friends with these women. They are diverse, and caring, and some of the most generous people I have ever met. They lend a helping hand with meals or babysitting when you are in need of support. I have learned so much from them and I hope that they have learned from me.

I have taken on leadership roles within the Club as Vice President and Treasurer. I have participated in the nominating committee to help the Club elect officers and have also helped with planning the yearly banquet. I do all of this not because I needed more on my plate. I do it because I need the support and so do my children. I hope that my kids, as well as myself, have gained some life long friendships.

With all that being said, I wanted to encourage all those new moms (and also the experienced ones) out there to look into this group. They are all over the country and world. They really are a special group of Moms Offering Moms Support.

My Club is gearing up for their annual banquet at a local golf club. It is usually a fantastic night for moms to get out and have a nice dinner and conversation with their friends without the kids interrupting. There are door prize giveaways and I was asked to donate a few items of jewelry so this is what I came up with:

A hand painted and stamped wire wrapped domino pin:


A pewter hummingbird bookmark:


A Fluorite memory wire bracelet:


A pair of sterling silver ear wires with stoneware beads:


I hope that if you are in need of some motherly support, you would check out this group.