featured design for april & giveaway

since last month's design was such a hit, i decided to stay in the same vein...


tiny squares.

Two hammered squares (About 1/2" each) are hung from a thick, sterling ring and strung on 18" sterling chain. A cream freshwater pearl adds the perfect detail. Each square can fit up to 6 characters. Oh, it's so perfect!!

$46.00, additional charms $14.00

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So...I am giving one away. Leave us a comment and tell us something fun scheduled for April.

then head over to Craft and Found *such a fun blog!!* because she is doing a giveaway, too! Happy Monday!!

you should know about...

these amazing ladies!!

First, my friend Sue. She is genuine, easy-going and the best hostess around. She bakes, decorates, is a great listener and tons of fun! Also, she is a very talented speaker. If you are looking for a Christian woman to speak at your women's conference you should definitely check out Sue. Her blog is well written and so inspiring. Love you Sue!!




Second the designers at Creative Design Solutions. Janet and Erika walked into this mess *so embarrassing* but didn't even flinch. We just painted our spare room (also known as the dumping ground for anything we don't know what to do with). They worked their magic...
and 5 hours later the room looked like this...

Isn't it lovely?? They organized, tidied and redesigned. They used what we already had but completely recreated the space. They are so creative and affordable! I love it! This space has always been blah and cluttered and they made it sooo beautiful.
If you live in SLO county give them a call to help redesign your spare room, office or any space. 543-3151

working hard!

we've been working on the website all weekend and we're getting VERY close!  i.am.so.excited!!!  i'll keep you updated.  

Mama Necklace

I have been so, so pleased by the response to the mama necklace. Sarah did an amazing job with the wording. It's poetry, really and simply captures the essence of being a mommy. I am so happy with how the piece came together. Thanks everyone for your orders and sweet emails!


Matty loves it, too. He loves to touch it and talk about how it means that mommy loves him. Sarah I have one set aside for you, I just need to get it in the mail!!


Drop by Sarah's blog for your daily dose of mommy inspiration. I know you'll love her as much as I do. There are a few left, so hurry if you're interested. Mama necklace $58


Hmmm Sarah, what should our next piece be???

custom leather cuffs and other fun stuff

Rachel and I have teamed up on this project for the Prostate Foundation. We are making leather cuffs with their custom logo and slogan. It has been so fun and it's definitely keeping us busy! The first order was 100, but there has been talk about ordering 1,000! Sure, let me just clear my schedule for the next 3 months...INSANE! I'm working on a necklace to benefit the Parkinson's Foundation and have also created an exclusive necklace for Victoria Magazine. Lots of fun stuff happening around here. And of course the usually everyday stuff, too. Off to do some dishes...

thank you for calling...

'this is called "MY OFFICE", I'm talking on the phone right now so please be patient. And have a nice day.

(his words...)

the bestest, most funnest

daddy in the whole world. we love you.

egg hunt tutorial [by max and matty]

run around and grab as many candy eggs as you can.


then shove candy in your mouth before 'they' (those darn parents who always cramp your style!) take the baskets away.


top off the candy with a cupcake.


i mean, really go for it!


perfect, now you're ready to bounce off the walls!

feels like spring.

the sun is warm, we baked cupcakes for easter, matty picked me flowers, the boys got haircuts, david has been exploring non-stop, i found sparkly brown flats, matty and i played chase, steve and i are going on a date tonight...feels good.

hold hands with me.

David is the kind of kid who won't be pushed. He learns at his own speed. If we push too much he shuts down. He has literally fallen asleep in the middle of a therapy session. We try to provide lots of opportunities to grow, explore and try new things. David learns through gross motor movement. When he reaches a new gross motor milestone, we see growth in other areas as well-communication, fine motor, and general awareness. David won't be pushed, but when he is ready he will jump in on his own. And it's so sweet.

it's a zoo around here.

I can't believe it's Easter on Sunday and then Spring Break next week! We are planning to meet the girls at the zoo-yay!! I haven't told Matty about it yet because he'll ask every five minutes when we can go. I told David, though, because he can keep a secret!

Steve and our good friend Ryan are busy building a website for the jewelry. If Ryan wasn't a good friend before, he is now because--1. He's helping us build an awesome website out of the kindness of his heart 2. He is over often and into the wee hours of the morning. 3. He loves to rough and tumble with Matty.

I'll keep you updated on the site progress! Any big plans for Spring Break?

mama.

I am thrilled to present the mother's day necklace! Sarah and I teamed up on this project. That girl has an amazing way with words. We were roommates in college and she remains one of my closest friends. Her blog is a daily source of insight and inspiration. Her words completely capture the essence of being a mother. The sterling pendant is just over an inch in diameter. It is hammered and given a bit of an domed shape The pendant is layered with a sterling heart and strung from adjustable, large link, sterling chain. A cream pearl dangles from the end of the chain. It is so sweet. Perfect for mom. A limited number are available! $58

finally, a good excuse...

for being late for church.


there was a cow chilling out in the middle of the road. doesn't get much better than that :)

where north and south meet.

we ended up spending the entire time in carpinteria. and it was sooo wonderful. it's nothing fancy. just two sisters-together, talking, connecting, knowing each other thru and thru. it was great.

i picked up this vintage oil painting. i fell in love with it.


we ate lunch at a small sidewalk cafe on linden. yummy salads, mmmmm.


if twins take their picture in a mirror, does that make them quadruplets???


then she heads south and i head north. fulfilled but a little sad to see it end...until north and south meet again.

GirL tImE!

meeting chris in SB today. so we can talk and laugh and shop and linger and talk and eat and chew bubble gum and walk on the beach while we talk and laugh.

*sigh*

After the kids are bathed and tucked in Steve and I pop a movie in, dish up some ice cream and work on email. I usually sneak in and check on the boys after a half hour or so. They always looks so sweet asleep in their beds. The day is done, the busyness can wait until tomorrow. All the small things that seemed so frustrating earlier melt away and I see these little people in a new light. Precious little boys who have been given to me to care for. I almost *almost* want to wake them up to give them one more hug and tell them that I love them more than they know. To tell them that I am so, so blessed! But instead I just linger for a moment to take in their sweetness.

conference pics...

thought i'd share some jewelry from the women's conference last weekend. it was so fun to connect with some ladies, make a target run, and sell almost everything!

love how this is off-center. so sweet!
steve laughed when i made this one. it's a good reminder-i need to slow down sometimes!

love the dots and hammered and hammered heart.

Just a few fun ones...

I sold all my earrings the first night! They are so simple-great for dressing up or down.

The boys are napping and I'm getting a few things done. Have a wonderful day!!

need a boost?

David has been quite content lately. His reflux seems to be under control. My mother in law brought some 'Boost' protein drinks with her last weekend. They are lactose free, high calorie and full of vitamins and protein. David just loves his new strawberry shakes. I am really hoping he will bulk up a little (he only weighs 20 lbs. at 5.5 years old). Every ounce matters! But the best part is we have replaced apple juice with the Boost drinks and he seems happier, more energetic and more content overall. I hope it continues!

hello, monday.

it always comes quickly with more to do than other days. or maybe i'm just relaxed from the weekend and have to readjust to the busyness. we are good over here. this morning matty and i got coffee while david was at school and visited a store downtown who carries my jewelry. then we met friends at the park for a little play/mommy chat time. i've got to organize and email while the boys are napping. curry chicken salad for dinner-yum!

a day at the beach.

we walked along the shore in cambria and came upon a seastar. matty wasn't willing to touch it...
but he wanted me to put it back in the ocean
we found a huge log to play on.
and practiced writing letters in the sand.
steve is away for a conference, but we had so much fun with nana!tonight and tomorrow I am selling jewelry at a women's conference in Atascadero. It will be a fun getaway. What are your weekend plans??

lost and found.

Breathe. Original Circle with two reeds, strung on sterling 18" chain $44


Love Well. Hammered Oval on Sterling 18" chain $44

arent' they sweet? i made them quite a few months ago and came across them this morning.

random thoughts...

I have three places where I pile things...the kitchen counter under the phone, the table in our entry way and the side board. I am happy to announce that there--are at this moment--no piles!! It's amazing what can be accomplished in an hour. My plan is to keep these areas pile-free, we'll see...

We had a play group this morning at Lindsey's that was so much fun! these ladies are amazing and and real. It felt great to connect.

Next weekend Chrissie and I get a sister overnighter in Santa Barbara. To say I'm looking forward to it is a drastic understatement. I am giddy!!!

I discovered you can buy used CDs on Amazon.com and I have been buying every cheesy CD I ever liked and having SO MUCH FUN getting reacquainted with these old, memory provoking tunes. I'm pretty sure this counts as recycling. And the best part is, most of the CDs are about $2. Awesome.

I am in an organizing, pile attacking mood. Better put that to good use. Happy Wednesday!

looking up.

matthias, even though you were born 18 months after david, in many ways you have become the big brother. not just because you are twice david's size, but also because you are able to do more things and you learn so quickly. i know you didn't ask for this role, but you are doing such a good job of watching out for david. sometimes you can be a bit bossy, but i guess big brothers tend to do that. i love to watch my boys together. i love that you have a hard time falling asleep if david isn't in his bed next to you. i love that you set your toys up so that david can knock them down. you are starting to notice david's differences, but you don't mind at all. you love and accept him just the way he is. any other thought has never crossed your mind. even though technically you are the little brother, it's obvious that david looks up to you.

featured design for march.

how can it be march 3rd?? that's just crazy. the teenie tiny initials have been such a hit, so i marked them down for march. march, wow. spring is right around the corner...

$42 with two charms, $8 for each additional charm

stir crazy.

cabin fever. whatever you want to call it--we just had to get out of the house before someone lost their mind. david was slamming cupboards with more fervor than usual and matty was yelling at his legos because they weren't 'listening'. i was on the verge. pack up the boys and bike and head to the park for a little sunshine.

to let the wind blow us a little...

matty rode his bike and climbed all over the equipment.

david was clingy at first. happy but clingy. here he is with his head on my lap.

finally he decided it was time to explore and broke away from me.
we were all a little better after the park.