PoTW 5/31/12

This is an encore presentation of a message that received a lot of feedback when originally sent.  I hope you enjoy it and pardon the re-run as I get caught up from vacation-Kim
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Good morning, Everyone-
 
This weekend is commencement for the Class of 2010 at Morse High School.  Nathaniel will be graduating, along with a great group of kids we've had the pleasure of watching grow up over the years.  It seems like yesterday when they held hands just to work up the nerve to board the school bus for the first time.  Time truly flies.
 
These days it seems like the words "Remember when...?" are a bit more common than usual.  Whether it was sorting through the old photographs looking for pictures to be included in the senior class slide show or just the realization that this is a major milestone for my baby (he isn't on this distribution so I can get away with saying that), I've found myself in reminisce mode quite often of late. 
 
As if I wasn't teary enough after going through old pictures,  I sat and flipped through a little notebook I kept with funny things Nathaniel said or did over the years.  One of the entries in the notebook seemed appropriate for this week's message, so I'll share it with you.
 
On a typical evening when Nathaniel was just 3, we were sitting in a rocking chair and he was all cuddled up with me before he went to bed.  He had that just-after-a-bath clean smell, hair still a little damp, face flushed, drowsy and angelic in his fleece 'footie' pj's.  It was a moment of pure love, and before I knew it, I had tears rolling down my cheeks just from the intense, quiet happiness of it.
 
I thought he was asleep, but instead of carrying him up to bed, I continued to rock him and hold him tight.  Then, all of a sudden, his head popped up from my chest, he sat back, stared me in the face and asked "Why are you crying?"  So I gave him an answer that was simple and true:  I said "These are Happy Tears!"  The explanation seemed acceptable to him, because he put his head back down, snuggled up closer and fell asleep.
 
I look back on that now and realize that it was probably his first awareness of the fact that tears can denote something other than sadness or pain.  I'm sure it didn't really sink in at that moment, but I recall him telling me he had "Happy Tears" when he was cuddling his first puppy, so it did register with him eventually.
 
Indeed, tears do comefor a variety of reasons and in a variety of sizes and shapes---which brings me to this week's feature:  Sterling silver "Happy Tears"!
>>>Sterling Silver Teardrops
See photos on my website:   www.twowillowsjewelry.com
 
Until next week---if you see me crying at the commencement ceremony-don't ask.  They're Happy Tears.
 
Kim 

PotW 5/9/12

Hi Everyone-

April showers bring May flowers, but what do May showers bring?   In Maine, the answer is most likely: "mosquitoes".  

I'm pretty sick of the rain at this point, but have been taking advantage of not being able to work out of doors to get a lot of orders done in the studio.  My housework isn't benefitting from the fact I can't work outside, but quite a few people will be getting something nice from TWJ for Mother's Day this Sunday!  Enjoy, all :o)

I suppose that the gray, rainy days we are having here so far this month are good training for my upcoming trip to Seattle.  Although I have had very good luck weather-wise on past trips there, I have heard, (from people in a position to know), that it can be pretty dreary from time to time.  I also heard rumor that there is a large mountain that appears on the horizon in good weather, but have found it to be fairly elusive when I am visiting.  In about a half a dozen trips there, I think I've seen it once, maybe twice---and with otherwise good weather conditions, this makes me wonder if it's really there or just some ploy to make people want to visit, despite Seattle's dismal weather reputation.

It is there, of course.  I know that.  I've been to the parking lot at "Paradise" in the National Park!  I had a wonderful view of...well...the parking lot.  Only part of the parking lot, if the whole truth be told.  It was just a tad foggy when we were there.  Mind you, it was perfectly clear when we left the house in Seattle and headed out to see "the mountain". Rainier, you jokester!

It matters not one bit whether I get to see Rainier when I am there.  I am on another mission.  A hug-smothered, "little"-chasing adventure.  I'm going for some quality sister time and way too-long between visits auntie time.  An "I am so glad my brother-in-law is part of my family" time.  I am going to hold down the fort and take care of my nephew and niece while my sis and her hubby go for a little get-away.  My excuse for going  a whole week early is to get used to the time difference and to get to know the kids' routines.  It is purely an excuse.

Other probably outings in a Seattle visit find me saying: "You guys have hemp milk in your coffee shops?"  "I need a fix from the barristas at Hotwire." "Of course I want to go to the French bakery!".  "Pho for lunch? OK!!"  "Let's go walk Alki and see if the mountain is out (hahahaha)." and maybe, just maybe..."Can we hit that bead store downtown that I like so much?"

The same store where I bought the Kyanite disks used in today's featured piece.  They've been in my bead-stash since an earlier trip!  See a photo on the website:  http://www.twowillowsjewelry.com  (on the Odds-n-Ends page, as always)  

Stay tuned for updates from Seattle on FB.  There won't be a PotW for the next couple of weeks because I'll be away, but I am going to load LOTS of new photos onto the site this afternoon to keep you busy.  They are marked with a star (anything with a star has been added within the last month or so).

If you haven't yet, pick out something nice for Mom, and I can deliver it or you can swing by the studio before Sunday.

Until next month-- get your DEET ready.

Kim

PotW 5/2/2012

Hi Everyone---

I am going to keep this week's message extremely short...  I'm quite busy in the shop putting together an order of items for Shore Shop Gifts on Isle au Haut, Maine, that will be delivered at the end of the week.  I'm also working on samples and cost quotes for the gift shop on Seguin Island, Maine!  I guess I'm going to be "Island Girl" this summer.

But I still want to get this last great suggestion for Mother's Day out to you, and give myself time to process any of your orders in time for gifting on May 13th!

There are a lot of styles of "Mom" jewelry out there---but speaking for myself, sometimes I think they are kind of cutesie, and don't reflect the active, down-to-earth nature of today's active Moms.  I have a solution for that!

My hand-cut tags are available in sterling silver or copper, and are hand-stamped with a nice, casual, lower-cast font.  The ones shown in the photo are about 1 1/8" long, but the tags look good in lengths up to about 1 7/8" to accommodate longer names.  Each tag is on a ring that is large enough to slide over most chains that people already have, but I also have sterling and copper ball bead chain, suede and leather cording, and NEW---18" black rubber cords that have a sterling silver clasp on them.  These are perfect for active wear and look super with the sterling tags.  (Rubber cords are available in other lengths, but would have to be ordered)

I could also add a small stone bead or Swarovski crystal to the ring of any tag to represent the person's birthstone, for an additional charge ($2-$4, depending on stone requested).

So if you know a cool Mom out there who isn't one to wear the mass-produced jewelry being advertised on tv right now, consider a hand-cut, hand-stamped, totally personalized name tag.  The perfect, unique gift for a perfectly unique woman!

See a photo on the "Odds-n-Ends" page of the website:  http://www.twowillowsjewelry.com

Until next week-

Kim