What's a good Christmas Present??

Who knows?  Isn't it all relative.  I mean if you are 1 years old the perfect present may be that great stuffed dog or that toy that lights up constantly (although not a parents favorite).  But when your 40, it maybe 5 minutes to yourself, a moment to use the restroom in peace (especially as a mom), or that hour massage that brings you great joy.

Regardless, I still think it is relative.  Sometimes we don't know what is a good present until it is received.  Some people never experience parenthood, the feeling of watching your child open their gift, or see them ride their first motor powered toy.   It's amazing, at least for me.

That was my present.  Watching my boy just light up like a light about everything.  So much so that he didn't even take a nap today, just so overjoyed with excitement and overstimulation, but it was such a great day!!   I wouldn't trade a moment of it for the world. 

Although, at least from my experience, everyday is like Christmas, as a parent.  Such a wonderful gift!!!

Its the Holiday Season

So here I am months later writing a post.  It seems like such hard work until I sit down.  It really is easy.

It's the holiday season and I struggle always what to get for friends.  Now what I want them to have and what they want to have may be two very different things.  But for some reason I always want to give jewelry.

Let's be honest, I want to give jewelry all the time.  I guess maybe because I design jewelry, or have an affinity for it.  Whatever the case may be, it isn't likely that people want to receive my jewelry all the time.  Well I can say that my friends always say they want my jewelry, but I have just one main aesthetic and I can assure you it can get old if all your pieces look the same.

I have a friend who always posts #YOLO in her texts.  She has been doing this for a year. At first I thought she went over the deep end.  Not the first time.  Then I asked her what it meant and she said, You Only Live Once.  That is her phrase.  I know its everywhere, but truly it is her phrase.

So for Christmas instead of doing what I could have done.  I went on to Etsy, yes I have a shop there too, and found a small business who was making gold filled lettered charm necklaces and I ordered her #YOLO necklace. 

In some ways I feel like I am giving a gift to my friend, but also to the small business.  Small businesses need a helping hand.  This is a great time to do that!!!

Just a few of my favorites on Etsy!!!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/RoseGilleyDesigns?ref=si_shop

https://www.etsy.com/shop/BethDaiglePhotograph?ref=listing-shop-header-item-count

https://www.etsy.com/shop/fluxproductions?ref=listing-shop-header-item-count

https://www.etsy.com/shop/tinahdee?ref=listing-shop-header-item-count

Oh how time flies....

I said it.  I don't regret it.  I have fallen behind on everything.  No I mean everything.  My jewelry, my social media, my orders, my cleaning up, putting away, following through, and on and on.  It's crazy to think before I had a little one, I could have done anything and all the things I didn't do.

Now that I have a little one, there isn't anything I would rather do, than be with him.  Although when I lay down at night I think about all the other stuff listed above. 

I have to say, if there was a way to shake the hand of every "good" mom out there and say thank you.  I would.  It is a blessing to be a mom.  It is a blessing to be able to figure it all out. 

In the meantime, I hope the pictures and pieces that I have done in the years past, will suffice!! 

The San Francisco Show

Is here...my first time doing the summer show.  I don't know what to expect but I am hoping for some new faces, new buyers and return customers.  I have some new pieces including crocheted jewelry and some long dangly pieces that are new for me.

In addition I have my new display that was a huge hit last show, so let's hope we keep it rolling. And we were moved to the front of the showroom which will give us more exposure!!!  So with lots of positivity in mind, here it comes!!  Watch out SF!!!! 

New Pieces....

I have some great ideas for new pieces, they are all in my head, now if I could get time to make the become reality!!!  I did briefly do a couple of pieces, but let me tell you I need like a week solid of just designing and then I would feel fulfilled.

That's ok.  Some things are just more important.  When all is said and done, no one will ask about my jewelry.  But they will ask about the time I spend with my son.  And that will be the most important thing.

So the orders, the designs, the stores, the customers, all have to wait.  Sorry.

A New Pair of Shoes

I think I mentioned I am a mom.  I love it!  It's great.  But there are times when I think oh how nice it would be to be able to.....

So a friend recently said to me, don't be a victim of your own life.  She was right.  Sometimes I find myself in that staring out there phase thinking, oh I would love to this or that.

One of the things I enjoy the most, and I know I have mentioned this before, is running.  I love to run.  Walk out the door in any city and you can see the sites, take in the air, and make note of the sky just through a run.

So I make sure everyday I get out and run.  Sometimes for 20 minutes, sometimes for an hour and a half, but I love it.  I bring my little bugger with me, and he loves it too.  He has been running with me since he was 2 weeks old, so he is pretty used to it. 

Now with the obligations of a mom, come the tightening of the belt.  I love to run, and I have run my shoes into the ground.  So this weekend, as a little splurge, I said, I want new shoes.  And I found my way to a pair of Nike runners.  So happy, me, my feet, my mind.  It's amazing the little things that make us happy.

So off to the first trail run I have ever done at the end of this month, then to the Vegas Rock n Roll run and who knows where else.  But regardless of where my runs and my shoes take me, I will be sure to not be a victim to my life.

It's Funny

Life takes lots of turns. Good and bad. And really after a while they all start to make sense. At least I want to believe they do. Then something happens and I get all these old feelings, good and bad. And I forget why it all happened in the first place.   It frustrates me, with me. I know there was a reason it happened but how do I suddenly lose sight of that?

It's your mind playing tricks on you. Just like the mother who gives birth and forgets the pain it caused and chooses to do it again, our mind has a way of forgetting the pain that was caused. Making you lose sight of why?

Then you have to logically remind yourself. This is what happened, why it happened and life goes on.

Thanks today for the reminder. I guess I needed it.

New in the Showroom

New pieces on there way, seems to be my saying right now.  I did the SFIGF last month and was slammed with orders.  Little did I know I would fall behind, yes so behind that I keep running out of metal, that never happens.

So I have promises to get out stacks and stacks of rings, wonderful summer, frilly necklaces and unique hammered out earrings, all in the next week.  My inspiration has come from my Tucson trip this last month also.

Once a year I take the trip to Tucson stock up on stones and make big plans for them, and sometimes I actually get to them.  What will I do when I am done filling these must orders right now?  I will sit down with some of the prettiest turquoise you have ever seen and set the stones, create unique one of a kind rings, earrings, and cuffs, and maybe a pendant or two.  I can't wait!!!

In the meantime I put lots of love into my designs and orders that I am filling.  I love my new customers, from all over!!  What a blessing!!

Valentine's Day!!

Happy Valentines Day!!

I don't know what to say about Valentine's Day, some people love it others can't stand it.  I believe it depends on where you are in your life.  If you are in a romantic relationship and all is well you probably embrace it.  If you are alone, not lonely, you probably can do without it.

Personally, I don't care either way.  Not that I don't care about romance or about flowers and the frilly stuff, but I don't really care about the "day".  I care about all days.

I truly believe that everyday its the little things that should be celebrated.  I nice kiss, an I love you, a sweet note, a nice card, a "I will bring home dinner", or however you can show your appreciation for the other person.

So this year, as every year, I will celebrate all the days before and all those after just as I have for years.  Life, love and laughing is through the good and the bad, day after day, not just on A day. 

Happy Every Other Day!!!

It's here.....

Tucson my once a year trip and this year when I am looking for stones it will be something new, colors, shapes, textures, anything old. I can't wait to see what's there and go to new places I have never been before.

Wait to see what I create next!

Happy New Year!

It's here or almost gone actually. January. It came so quick and is leaving just as quick. So many great things happened in 2013 and 2014 is going to continue to be great.

Due to my little one, I will only being doing one show this spring, San Francisco, but I am hoping it is going to be great. I have been fortunate recently to receive a little help from a friend when it comes to the San Francisco show. My booth is going to be amazing and my jewelry is going to pop!

I can't wait to show all the new designs!