Every Mom Deserves Something Special

As part of our MOMS Club of Coventry we are adopting a family this Christmas.  This year it's a single Mom with two young boys.  We are gathering items for the boys that the Mom can wrap and place under their tree this year.  Well, we also decided that the Mom deserves something special this year too.  I created this simple, yet elegant necklace for her.  I used brass and copper rings and created a chain maille necklace.  I also added some shimmery crystals, glass pearls, and some lampworked glass.  Here is the finished product:

If I knew the children's initials I could hand stamp them on the back of the pendant for the Mom.


I surely put some thought into this necklace and I hope that it shows.

"It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving." -Mother Teresa-


Merry Christmas to all my readers.  May the spirit of giving bring you much joy, peace, and love!

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.

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!!!

Wedded Bliss

I was honored to be a part of Jen and Mark's wedding back in July.  Albeit a small part, but nonetheless I was involved.  Jen asked me to create some bridal and bridesmaid jewelry to complement her dress and her bridesmaid dresses.  She was going with an ocean/sea theme and her bridesmaid dresses were greens and blues.

I couldn't wait to get started on these.  I knew I wanted to incorporate genuine sea glass in all of the necklaces to keep consistency.  She showed me an example of what she wanted for herself, so her's was pretty easy to create:

Sea glass highlighted by Swarovski crystals and white seed beads.

For the bridesmaids, I used different green and blue colored beads to highlight the cobalt blue sea glass and the pewter sand dollar pendants.

I worked back and forth with Jen to get the design she wanted.  I also worked with the correct sizing to work with the dresses.  A few of the necklaces needed to be re-sized.

All and all, these necklaces were fun to create, Jen was a great bride to work with, and I was so happy to be just a small part of Jen and Mark's special day.

Congrats to you both.  May you have a lifetime of love and happiness.

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!