Time Flies When You're Having Fun?

Has it really been three months since I last posted on my blog?  Where has the time gone?  Summer is now just a memory...but great memories were made with family and friends.  My North Carolina daughter and her family came for an extended visit, my parents came up from Florida for a month, and my cousins came up from Philadelphia...cousins I haven't seen in many, many years.  It was awesome!

Of course, I designed and created jewelry whenever I had a quiet moment.  I will admit, there were times when I didn't have any inspiration whatsoever, so my jewelry tools sat on the work table feeling quite neglected.  I was actually ready to give it all up...feeling as though my jewelry was pretty lackluster at best.  Needless to say, I did a lot of soul-searching...asking myself questions like, "Who would ever want to buy this stuff?" and, "What do you really want to do when you grow up?" And then...out of the blue...there were some sales.

As I started to make my way back to my workstation, and my hands gripped the lonely pliers, I felt confident that I could continue on my creative journey again.  As I began to think about how to market my collection, I decided to search for some craft shows for the Fall.  While this is a real stretch for me, I have been really determined that I need to take a deep breath, take a huge risk, and just go for it!

I am happy to report (I think) that I will be a vendor at three Maine Made Craft Shows - the weekend of October 29 and 30, November 12 and 13, and November 19 and 20.  Depending on how things go, there's a possibility I may do one more on Thanksgiving weekend.  In addition, I may also be having some home parties. Wow...and now another season will fly by!

You better believe my hands just can't keep up with my brain and all of the fabulous designs that I want to make before the end of the month!  I have been spending a lot of time with my jewelry tools lately!  If you're a friend of C J Collection on Facebook, you've seen some of my newest designs.  Here's one that I just finished yesterday, and I absolutely love it!

This Kumihimo necklace has so much bling, you need to wear sunglasses to look at it!  It's one of the most elegant necklaces so far.  Braided with black, silver, and charcoal AB crystals, it has a multi-rhinestone focal bead in the center. This necklace measures 18 inches with a 1.5 inch chain extender, and a sterling silver shepherd's hook clasp.

It's so good to be back at it again...doing what I really love to do.  Now to finish all of the items on my very long "To Do List!"

"The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time." ~ Abraham Lincoln
Carole

Dog Days of Summer

Living in the northeast, we long for warm weather somewhere around January. This year, the warmth arrived sometime in May, then it disappeared until July. Summer just can't come quick enough for us, but when it gets here, it flies by. There are so many things to do and we (I) start making lists because I don't want to miss out on any of it. As soon as I cross out one item on my list, there are two more to take its place. If you're a list-maker, you truly understand what I'm saying!

Needless to say, I've been really, really busy with my "To-Do list." (It's the first summer that I haven't worked at a job in 21 years, so this has been a treat for me.) I'm trying to juggle family and my jewelry business...both of which are things I love!  So far, July has had a wedding theme. I began the month by making a wedding cake...which is both fun and stressful all at the same time. I love creating and designing, and seeing the final product work its way from my head to reality. It amazes me every time. Here is a picture of the cake:

After finishing that project, I moved on to making wedding jewelry. Six of the eight attendants...got necklaces and earrings or bracelets and the two flower girls got bracelets. The necklaces and bracelets were created with 4mm plum Swarovski pearls and plum crystals...delicate and dainty. The Matron of Honor's jewelry was done in white rather than plum, just to make her a little bit different from the other attendants.

I probably got the biggest thrill from creating the bride's bracelet. As I began putting it together, I became more and more excited about the outcome. It has sparkle and shine like nobody's business! Anyone who knows me, knows how much I LOVE bling! This piece has more "bling" than you can imagine, and unfortunately, it doesn't show up in pictures. So the next item on my "list" is to figure out how to capture "bling" in a photo...which may involve a new camera or some photography lessons, or both. Of course it didn't help that I dropped my camera in the lake...but that's another story for another day.  Here's a picture of the bracelet:

I wish I had room to post all of the wedding jewelry pictures. If you want to see more, you can become a fan of C J Collection on Facebook and peruse the photos that I posted there.

Now that I've crossed that project off my list, I am trying decide which item I want to tackle next. I'm somewhat sad that I don't have another wedding project...since I crave "bling"...guess I'll have to see what I can do to create some sparkle and shine during these Dog Days of Summer!

Enjoy every moment...summers are too short, and so is life!
Carole

No More Teachers, No More Books...

One of my childhood chants at the end of each school year was, "No more teachers, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks." Like a great many kids, I had a strong dislike for school. It wasn't until many years later that I had a change of heart. I just loved this chant...mainly because it meant spending the entire summer vacation up to our camp on Sebago Lake. I have sweet, fond, and strong memories of my summers there and was probably the only member of my family who loved it the way I did.

When my twins were young...probably as far back as when they were five or six, they played school every afternoon after they got home from school. By the time their little sister was able to walk and sit at a make-shift desk, they were excited that they had a "student" they could teach! I remember the days when I would be getting dinner ready, listening to them play school...no TV...just good clean fun teaching their student, who might not have always been cooperative, but that's another topic for another blog. ;o)

As time passed, their "playing school" turned into a real calling. Donna graduated from UNCW with her teaching degree in elementary and special education. Today she is a middle school special education teacher. Debra is working on completing her degree so she can focus on the social work side of education. She has been very active in assisting in her children's classrooms and directing children's ministry for several years. Yes, I am a very proud Momma.

So, this gives you a little more insight as to why I have changed my childhood chant into a grown-up cheer for our teachers! Now, I know my children didn't always have good experiences with all of their teachers, and we had some battles throughout the years. But the majority of their teachers had a heart for kids, academics, and growth on both an intellectual and social level.

Last week, I decided to give two of my grandgirl's teachers a custom-made bracelet from the C J Collection as a thank-you gift for their hard work. Since I don't like to give random gifts, I quizzed the girls about their teachers...what colors do they like, what do they wear for jewelry, and so forth. It helps give me inspiration so it's not just another gift that they throw in a drawer somewhere. (I've got some inside scoop as to what teachers like for gifts and what they don't like!) So, after we talked about their teachers, here's what I came up with:

This fifth grade teacher likes neutral colors and loves jewelry...freshwater pearls and illusion crystals with silver shepherd's hook clasp and chain to make it adjustable.

This third grade teacher loves purple...made with light purple quartz, variegated square glass beads, and darker purple illusion crystals, with silver shepherd's hook clasp and chain to make it adjustable.

It might be time for me to come up with a new chant I can teach my grandkids...maybe it will be as "catchy" as the old one. Any ideas? Teachers rule, students drool...oh wait...I think I'm confused with another "chant."

Okay, so I'm off to create something more original!
Carole

"Grandmothers are just antique little girls."

Little did I know over fourteen years ago that I would love, love being a grandmother. Since I was feeling too young to be called the "G" word, we decided my grandkids would call me "Mimi." Yes, I am one of those people who are quite sensitive about the "number." And no, I will not be getting over it anytime soon!

Over the past few months I have been able to spend more time with my grandchildren. What a treat! Most of the time, they make me feel young. They are growing up right before my eyes, and that's when I feel old!  In a few days, my fourteen year old grandgirl will be graduating from eighth grade...it just doesn't seem possible! Another granddaughter and grandson are going from elementary school into middle school. Wow! Where has the time gone?

This week, I created a necklace, earrings, and bracelet set for Gabby's eighth grade graduation. She will be wearing a pink and black semi-formal dress and will be looking oh so grown up! The necklace is made with light pink Swarovski pearls and silver crystals, and multi-faceted clouded pink crystals that add just enough sparkle and bling. Here is a picture...

While I am excited to see her all "dolled up", I don't know if I can make it through this graduation with emotions in tact. Gabby is a great kid...sensitive, creative, loving, and beautiful, and I've begged her to stay a little tyke. (I've actually asked all of my grandkids to stay small, but they aren't listening.) G has told me a couple of times that adults aren't invited to the dance that's going to be held after the graduation ceremony. Thinking her comment was funny, I told her that I already had my dress...I am chaperoning it. She didn't laugh...which made it even funnier! I'm not actually going to be a chaperone, but I'm kicking myself for not calling the school to volunteer. No problem, I have more grandkids coming along and then there's always G's junior and senior proms! ;o) More than likely, she won't be amused by this thought, but I do like to tease her a little bit now and then. Adore you, Miss G!

Happy 8th Grade Graduation to G! I am so proud of you...I can't believe this Mimi will have a grandgirl in high school. I know you're trying to make me feel old...but I'm fighting the feeling...hard!

"A grandmother is a mother who has a second chance."

Carole

Lost At Sea

For the past week we have enjoyed some awesome Florida weather, and some quality time with my parents.  Hubby and I took one of our grandgirls with us for this visit and it definitely was one of the best vacations I've had in a few years.  I didn't keep a calendar...make a "to-do list"...nor did I bring a work laptop with me and log in remotely to the office.  Of course, I did bring some jewelry-making supplies with me, but that's just not "work", if you know what I mean.  Yes, I made some jewelry pieces, but I actually laid on a float in the pool and read two and a half books on my Kindle.  And I have a great tan!

Since yesterday was our last full day in Paradise, we decided to take a trip to Bathtub Beach to enjoy the ocean and collect some shells.  It was a hazy day, so the sun was not scorching us.  I walked along the sandy edge and the waves were pretty strong compared to other trips to that beach.  While I was looking for shells, I noticed that my toe ring felt somewhat loose and I had to keep adjusting it.  This was my very first sterling toe ring I had made earlier this month...which I posted about in my last blog entitled "Happy Feet." 

I stopped shell-hunting and decided that I might want to join my hubby and granddaughter, Lucy.  They were swimming and having a great time trying to body surf on the bigger waves.  It looked like so much fun...but something that I need to convince myself to do since I think I might be a bit too old for this type of activity. As I stood in ankle-deep water with waves coming in and going out at a rapid pace, I noticed my toe ring had moved to the top of my toe.  I bent down to take it off and had my fingers on it at the same moment a wave hit me, and I lost my balance.  You guessed it...I didn't actually have a good enough hold and it slipped right into the ocean.  It was gone...it all happened so fast.

As I stood there trying not to be upset, Lucy came over to me.  I asked her if she would use her goggles to see if she could find it.  She was more than happy to help recover my lost toe ring.  Little did I know right before that happened, my hubby had a similar experience with his college ring that he has worn for the past 40 years.  He's lost so much weight, his ring slips off easily. While he was swimming in the ocean, it fell off his finger. He quickly used Lucy's goggles to find it again, which truly amazes me!  How much more meaningful was his college ring compared to my first-ever sterling silver hammered toe ring? I was SO happy for him!

Lucy said, "Don't worry, Mimi, we can get you another toe ring."  When I told her that I had made it, she said she thought I could make another one.  So I sat on my towel on the beach and tried to design a new toe ring in my mind that I would like better.  I was sad but only for a brief moment...there are so many things in life that aren't replaceable and I just couldn't allow myself to dwell on something as simple as a lost toe ring. We even joked about the fish that would come and swallow it up, and then the fisherman who will catch and clean the fish only to discover a nice piece of silver in its belly!

Of course when I went back to my parent's house, I took out my silver wire and started bending and hammering.  It came out different than my mind had designed, but I just never know how any of my pieces will actually look until it's all done.  I put it on and showed Lucy.  She said, "Oh Mimi, that one is much better than your other one."  I just love that girl's heart!

Here is a picture of my new "Tootsie" ring:

Yes, one ring was "lost at sea", while the other, much more important and sentimental ring was "recovered" from the bottom of the ocean.  I still have "Happy Feet" and a very happy hubby!

Moving forward and enjoying the important things in life!
Carole

Happy Feet!

Thank goodness it's sandal season...love, love my sandals! Whenever I uncover my sore feet from the dreaded winter shoes and boots, my feet cry for some pampering. While I've been wearing sandals for a few days now, I got a really good view of my feet when I sat in the dentist's chair this morning getting my teeth cleaned.  For the record, that is my least favorite thing (dental chairs) in the whole world!

Anyway, as I was reclining in said chair, I had time to study my sandals, feet, and toe rings. Love, love toe rings! I was not impressed with how my rings had fared the winter...dull and very old looking. I couldn't get too bothered by it since they didn't cost a lot and I felt I did get my money's worth.  I was trying to picture what kind of rings I wanted to replace them with and then I instantly had the idea that I could make myself new rings!  So rather than let my blood pressure sky-rocket as it typically does whenever I go to the dentist, I sat there trying to design new toe rings!  What better way to pass that kind of time?

Before I knew it, forty-five minutes had passed and my dentist came in to check my teeth with the hygienist. I laughed when his first question to me was, "Now I know I'm not really current on fashion and nail polish etiquette, but is it okay to have one color polish on your fingers and another color on your toes?" The hygienist quickly pointed out that the nail polish on my fingers matched my necklace, but my dentist couldn't get past the fact that my pink toe polish didn't match my aqua finger nail polish. What struck me funny about his question was that after I had painted my nails aqua yesterday, my hubby, who barely ever says anything about those sorts of things, asked me if I had ever worn that color before. When I said, "No, I don't think I have," he then said, "I mean, you have never, ever worn that color in all of the years I've known you." My interpretation? He hates the color! ;o)

You might have already suspected that when I came home from my dentist appointment, I went up to my studio and began working on toe rings!  Yes, I have pictures of the "before" and "after"...but not of my feet...that would be an awful picture to post!

If you look closely, the ring on the left is split...it broke when I took it off.  I guess I knew it was time to let go of the old...which is a current and on-going theme in my life right now!

These "Tootsie" rings are made with 16 gauge hammered sterling silver wire.  (The one on the right is softly hammered and the one on the left is boldly hammered.)  I did make a third ring, but it ended up as a pinky ring...it has an aqua bead wired to it that matches my aqua nail polish! ;o)

To refer to my last blog post, inspiration can even come while sitting in the dental chair.  I wonder if they will look at me funny when I go to my November cleaning appointment wearing sandals. 

I think my feet are very, very happy...
Carole

Inspiration Comes in Many Different Forms

Have you ever been aware of the things that inspire you?  Since I've been designing jewelry, my inspiration has come in many different forms.  Most of the time, it's something that I've stumbled across.  For example, while helping one of my daughters clean out her basement recently (fulfilling my "urge to purge"), I found a piece of costume jewelry that gave me a great idea about a new design using freshwater pearls.  Sunday I sat in church with my friend who wore turquoise and coral...it was stunning!  So now I'm trying to think of what I can design using that color combination.

Last year, I made a great necklace for my daughter for her birthday (with my sister's help).  It has to be one of my favorites and, I have to say, it was really tough parting with it.  The other day Deb said, "Mom, every time I wear that necklace, it makes my heart happy."  As she studied it further, she was inspired to decorate her bedroom with those colors and wants to hang a framed picture of the necklace to document her inspiration.  She even sent me a link to a comforter set she found online that will work perfectly with her "Butterfly Hugs necklace bedroom." Let's just hope her hubby won't mind the new theme.  <insert smiley face here>

Here's the picture that will be framed:

I really can't wait to see how she ties this all together...but with her talent for decorating, I'm sure it will look awesome!

While it wasn't planned, it's been rather nice having the time to bring some of my inspirations to life in the form of jewelry.  If you have an idea for a special piece of jewelry to go with that special outfit, please let me know and I will be more than happy to work with you.

Let me just put in a plug for Mother's Day - it's right around the corner, and handcrafted jewelry makes a great gift!

Inspiring minds really want to grow!

Carole