Father's Day Designs

I am currently prepping for the Ohio Pibble March Event on May 30th at the Columbus, Ohio Statehouse. I will be providing more details about that in my next post. On Monday, I decided to try out using my portable workbench on my front porch. I have a hobby that can be a bit loud. I also have an 11 month old baby that I wouldn't dare risk waking up. This makes it very difficult to find the time to stamp my orders, let alone anything new. My idea notebook has been growing by the day, so I needed to find a way to get some things done and try out all these new design ideas I have without having to recruit grandparents and babysitter's to watch him, so I can work. I cut my hours at my day job, so I could spend more time with my son. For that reason, I avoid working while he is awake on my days off. I have 2 days off from my day job a week, so I like to plan outings and activities for us to do. Anyways...stamping on my porch worked out beautifully and the view was much better too!

I was on a roll. I stamped out several pitbull designs for the upcoming event. I also spent nap time on Tuesday stamping out more designs including grandfather and father gifts for Father's Day.

I am happy with how they turned out. Now I have new designs options and a gift for my Dad and my husband from the boys for Father's Day. Of course, we will still be putting together other items to go with it, which will most likely be Pinterest DIY projects. I'm obsessed with Pinterest and DIY projects:) I also stamped out a few cuff bracelet designs that I adore. "Trust the path unseen" and "Wild heart gypsy soul."

I decided to make a few pairs of earrings too. I used to make a lot of beaded necklaces, earrings and some bracelets. That is where my jewelry making journey began. I started an Etsy shop with encouragement from friends. I was making more than I could ever possibly wear. I sold a few things, but I was a bit clueless about how to get my business established. Am a very goal oriented person, so I set goals for myself every year. The list is usually long, but for the past several years has always included learning a new jewelry making skill.

In 2013, I decided I wanted to learn how to make handstamp jewelry, so I did. It appears as though this is what I'm supposed to be doing. I really enjoy making personalized items. It is much more satisfying to my soul. I love when people share their stories with me, the reason why they want the items that they want for themselves or as a gift...what makes it so special. I love when people tell me the recipients of my jewelry items cried when receiving them. It means so much and it has become so much more than just a hobby or just a business. I can't imagine not doing it. I have met so many amazing people along the way and pets:) Also, it's a productive stress reliever. I can take my stress out hammering and make beautiful things. It's a win win situation. For my day job, I educate kids on nutrition in a psychiatric hospital program. In the psychiatric world, we would call this one of my coping skills. It has also allowed me to help animals which I also love. I've had a life long love for dogs and would save everyone if I could. I donate a portion of all of my pet jewelry items to a local animal rescue and I've also donated many gift certificates for my shop to different animal rescues all over the U.S. to use for raffles and auctions to help raise money for the rescues. Thanks for reading and for all of your support!

Special Projects

Life has been keeping me extremely busy these days. I hope to post handstamping demonstrations in the future, but right now I'm just trying to accomplish posting regular blogs! I feel like there are so many things to keep up with between completing orders, preparing for shows, keeping my etsy page up to date, posting regularly on instagram & Facebook and just finding the time to create the new designs that I want to make...and still keep my house fairly together and have a meal on the table! Crafting has taken priority over cleaning in my house these days! I love crafting and creating things, so I plan far to many projects than I have the time to complete as quickly as I would like. I'm not one to rest much. I could work all day when I'm at home making things for my boys, making jewelry, food, planting a garden, exercising, making homemade bath & body and cleaning products, etc. The only days that I feel accomplished and satisfied are the ones where I am getting a lot of things done and I feel absolutely exhausted by the end of the day. I wanted to share a few of the projects that I have been working on lately. I created a special first communion personalized necklace recently.

I have started adding birthstones to designs recently. This was for a June baby. June birthstone can be a pearl or Alexandrite stone. I went with the pearl like bead because I thought it fit best with the occasion. I have also been working on several new Mom designs because I sell my mom jewelry consignment at a local Mom/Baby store called Blue Cocoon in Montgomery, Ohio. Blue Cocoon offers mom/baby classes, lactation consultations, an open play cafe and support for moms with classes and groups to help support moms on a journey to be as natural as possible (breastfeeding support groups, pumping and returning to work, essential oil classes and make your own, cloth diaper classes, etc.) I have been invited to sell consignment at the Cincinnati Enrichment Center also in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is a center that has an open play café, healthy snacks, mom/baby classes and a space in the back for local artists to sell mom and baby/kid craft items. I am trying to come up with some new designs for my display and I was also preparing new designs for Mother's Day. This was a custom order that I did for a dad who was looking for the perfect gift for his spouse. They had just had their first baby 3 weeks before Mother's Day.

I'm always impressed when I'm contacting by men and they put as much thought into a gift for their woman as this man did. I love this design! I was a bit stumped when he told me all of the things that he wanted to include in a bracelet design, but I love how it turned out. Custom orders are so fun to do and I love the challenge. Trying to complete all of these new designs can be challenging with working outside of the home part time and having an 11 month old crawling all of the place and keeping me on my toes. Nap times are work time! Some days I have to nap with him though. I cut my hours to part time, so I could spend more time with him, so I won't allow myself to work when he is awake. I have also been working on projects for him as well. I finally moved most of my craft supplies to my basement workspace, so that I could turn my craft room upstairs into a playroom for him. I also made him this giant floor pillow to go in his tent in his playroom reading corner. He loves it!

Check back soon! I have several upcoming events that I'm preparing for and my son's 1st birthday party that I'm preparing and making things for, so I will have plenty of pictures and new designs to come and also a new pet rescue project that I'm excited about! Thanks for reading.

New Year, New Beginnings

I ended 2013 with a single order for 8 of my horse handstamped necklaces. It was a great way to end the year. 2013 was a great year! I completed my first official craft show by myself. I had hoped to at least do some networking and went into the show with the mindset that any sales would be an added bonus. The show was a success. Sales were great and accomplished networking as well.

One of my goals for 2013 was to learn how to make handstamp jewelry. To specify, I don't make New Years resolutions, but I do make a list of several goals I would like to accomplish during the year. I was able to learn and have been making personalized handstamped animal jewelry. I volunteer at a local pitbull rescue, Adore-A-Bull in Cincinnati. The first several necklaces I made were pitbull specific because I have a love for the breed and I agreed to donate part of the proceeds to the rescue which was an added bonus. I've had requests for other breeds and also for cats which I've happily completed. I brought the year to an end by making handstamped horse necklaces for a friend to give as gifts to her mom and sister. I displayed those necklaces and then received my 8 necklace order. I accomplished my jewelry related goal for 2013 and the handstamped necklaces are now my top selling item. I haven't had any time to complete any beaded jewelry projects because I've been staying busy with custom orders.

It was also a great year because my husband and I found  out that I'm pregnant with  our first baby. After spending 3 years trying to conceive  we couldn't be more excited!!!  I'm looking forward to all that 2014 has to bring.  I'm hoping in 2014 to continue with my handstamped jewelry, establish more designs and hopefully work on more custom orders. My 2014 goal is to learn how to work with polymer clay and make some of my own beads and pendants. Thank you for reading:)

Pitbull Necklace

I finished the customized pitbull necklace for one of the representatives for Adore-A-Bull Rescue in Cincinnati. I hamdstamped her pup's name on the bottom of a blank metal pendant and added a pitbull charm and a heart charm. She has recently shared her necklace with friends and I'm working on a few more orders. I am creating one necklace that will have 3 pets name on it (2 pitbulls and 1 chihuhua). I am also creating a necklace for another client that will have 2 pets names on it and a few charms for pet's lost along the way. I have come up with several other design ideas and a few are being used for the necklaces that are currently being worked on. There will be more to come. Please check back soon to see pictures of the new orders. Thanks for stopping by:)

Special Order

I had a request to design a matching necklace to go with a pair of earrings that I created. I love special orders. They are more difficult and take more time on my part, but I enjoy special designing items that the buyer will love and will perfectly fit the client's style. I had my work cut out for me on this order, but the special lady now wearing this set loves it!

Happy Happy Happy

Anyone who knows me is aware of my love for Pitbulls. I adopted my first pitbull in July of 2012 and fell in love. I didn't have any experience with the breed and my husband and I weren't aware that the puppy we were getting ready to adopt was a pitbull mix until after I had already been holding her for 40 minutes and we already knew she was "the one". We have never, not for one moment, ever regretted our decision. I'm so glad that we didn't let the media and all the negativity they distribute about pitbulls affect our decision because I don't know what I would do without My Lucy. Just like kids, dogs are a product of their parent/guardian. When not taught right from wrong, cared for properly and put in negative environments many things can go wrong. Any dog, regardless of breed, can be an amazing dog when cared for by a responsible owner. After having Lucy for a few months I was so amazed my her. She is so loving, loyal and smart. She has brought so much happiness to my husband, my 7 year old step son and myself. Did I mention pitbulls are great with kids! I started taking her to training classes at 4 months and was amazed with how quickly she progressed. I was happy to have the chance in training class to display to non pitbull owners the positive side of pitbulls that the media never talks about. She made quite an impression in her training classes. After having her for only a few months I felt that I needed to get involved in advocating for the breed. I have spent the last year volunteering and fostering for pitbull rescues in my area. I am currently volunteering with Adore-a-bull Rescue in Cincinnati. I have met some amazing people through my volunteer work and I'm so happy to be involved in advocating for the breed and helping find pitbulls safe and loving homes. I know have 2 pitbull mixes. Due to friends knowing of my love for the breed I was contacted about a puppy that was found abandoned and tied to a pole. The previous owner had left a bag of the belongings they had for her including food that she couldn't reach. She was emaciated when she was found. I was trying to find a rescue to take her in and help her find a home while my family fostered her, but after having her for only 30 minutes we decided to keep her. We have had her for about a month now. I'm happy to say that she is healthy now and has gained a significant amount of weight. Obviously my house is a bit chaotic right now with a 7 year old, a 1 1/2 year old pup and a 4 month old pup, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. So...now to get to the part about jewelry. I decided I wanted to learn to make handstamp jewelry as one of my 2013 goals. As my first project, I decided I wanted to make a pitbull necklace with my dogs name on it. I did make one and wear it often. I won't share the picture of mine just yet because it isn't the best considering it was my first. I will share it once I finish the one I'm currently working on. One of the girls from my rescue asked me to make one for her which is what I'm currently working on. She also asked me if I would like to sell my pitbull jewelry and donate part of the proceeds to the rescue group!!! (this is the reason why I am happy happy happy. That is what I had hoped to do so I happily agreed to do it. So I am very inspired and after talking to her I went out in search of more supplies and also came up with a new pitbull necklace style that I like. I'm hoping to finish several items this weekend and she will then share the items on the rescue page which has close to 10,000 followers. I'm very excited!!! I had previously only made the necklace for myself since they are customized. I'm hoping this generates more pitbull jewelry orders which will give me the chance to play around and come up with even more pitbull jewelry designs. Also, more good news...I received paperwork Tuesday informing me that I have been accepted as a crafter in the Anderson High School Craft Fair in early November. I have been waiting for 2 months to find out. This will be my first official craft show by myself. I have currently only shared a booth with a friend at a show. Hopefully within the next few days I will have pictures to share of newly finished pitbull jewelry!






Lucy and Lobo

Custom Order

In my previous post I had mentioned I was working and a custom order and I just wanted to share the finished product:)