About Me

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JLynn has been in the Art, Craft & Jewelry industry for over 30 years ~ promoting creativity through Education and Media. As a published designer, JLynn is known for her colorful Art, Artisan Jewelry, Altered ART Wood Tiles. Online since 2004, a former eBay Power Seller, on Etsy, and Amazon. Family, Art, Nature and Kaleidoscopes are some of her inspirations

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Superstition List for the New Year!

Wishing on Daisy Petals?
Believing in Superstitions?
Read on to get to those fun lists :)

So...as I'm watching the clock on the very last day of 2011...I'm feeling really GOOD!  Kind of like that good feeling when you pluck those petals from a daisy with a Love Me, Love Me Not and wind up with the LOVE ME?  Oh yeah!  But I have to admit to believing in a few superstitions - or at least I figure - well...why not...OR...why tempt fate - I'll just go with the flow ;)

You see there's a little old wives tale - I'm not sure if it's fiction or fact but this year I decided that - if it's true then I wanted to ensure I had a pretty balanced upcoming New Year lol.  It's the tale that says - whatever you are doing on New Years Eve into the New Year is what you'll be doing all year long.  So making my own list of superstitions ~ I decided to do as much as possible lol.  That means- spending time doing the things I enjoy (like jewelry design, making tiles, painting, playing with fire - lampworking) - but it also means finding the balance for work, house cleaning, ironing, sewing, cooking, baking - computer/reading time, and of course enjoying time with my family.  I'm not finished my self imposed list yet - but I figure I have a good number of hours to get more "checked off". 

So - you're wondering more about the so-called superstitions?  I'm sure if you google you can find lots more!  But I pulled up a traditional one from Snopes...the Chinese New Year and Latino ones for you.  They all have things that will make you smile, laugh and probably like me - figure - hey why not - I'm going to try it!  Guaranteed fun little things to do, to make bringing in the New Year a lot more fun!  Here's the lists...






HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Wishing you all the best in
Love, Luck & Happiness!

Friday, December 30, 2011

Do you have...?

a missing piece like me???

Life is like a puzzle...so take the time to place your "pieces"
 and appreciate all the different colors and pictures!

 
Puzzles symbolize a "falling into place" - but like the above picture...why do we need to finish it?  Isn't it kind of fun to have one piece "missing"?  That way, it's like we get to keep trying to solve the puzzle...and along the way appreciate all the mysteries and "coming togethers" in our lives.

Speaking of mysteries...this time of year is full of them!  For me, it's an exciting time because each day is like an unwrapped present throughout the entire year. Right now, we are in that passage of time, where you can almost feel the positive energy bouncing around.  All of these things make me a wee bit anxious - but in a good, optimistic way.  It also makes me think of Oprah Winfrey's saying of "Cheers to the New Year...and another chance to get it right"!  Remember - whatever chance you need...it's yours for the taking.  Consider the New Year a blank canvas or clean slate to start filling day by day ~ we just need to make each one count!

For my family and I...the week after Christmas is a winding down and a getting ready to rev those engines for the New Year.  Everyone is home...and everyone has something that they enjoy doing that's somewhat of a personal tradition.   For me, it's reading...and for my husband it's doing jig-saw puzzles and Bowl Games.  But Let me back up for a quick minute...and say that Christmas is a time of giving - and I LOVE to give (especially gifts that have meaning).  The puzzle my husband put together (NYC shown above)...was a surprise gift for him from me.  You see over the summer, we took a day trip to the big apple and had a blast!  So when I was walking through my local mall and saw that puzzle...I grabbed it up quick.  This gift is a reminder of that perfect summer day when we visited the Empire State Building, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Bryant Park, Trump Towers, many other places, and of course Time Square.  It certainly wasn't an expensive gift - but it was absolutely the PERFECT GIFT...

Gift wise...most of my favorite gifts are the ones that do not cost a fortune...or have a designer tag attached to them.  To be honest...sometimes I think people get caught up in spending or keeping up with the Jones'...that they truly forget about the true meaning of Christmas - as well as giving something from the heart, something handmade...or something that's simple but holds a wealth of meaning.  Each year I try to create something special from hand.  Aside from the obvious ~ designing jewelry (which typically winds up as a stocking stuffer)...this year I created these pretty cool magnets.  It's a spin on decoupage using glass cabochons (half domed)...and it was group project...I did the decoupage, sealing...and my husband applied the magnet and wrapped them for gift giving. Together we made 55 magnets for a total of 11 sets (phewwww...)


We also were in a predicament of not knowing what to do for several family members...my Brother-in-law only wanted an Apple Class...my niece was saving money for a school trip...So we made them both "Money" Frames - here's a picture of my nieces...

We'd love to see your gift creations - if you made any...tell us all about them!  Or if you're a fan of ours on Facebook (J-Lynn Jewels) feel free to share a picture.   And...if you had some favorite gifts that you received - well, I'd be curious to hear about that too!  

As for me...2011 was a year of so many positive blessings, some tough times, as well as some heartache with the passing of my Sister in November.  So this year, I would have to say that my first favorite gift is an intangible one...and that is having another year to create memories with my family...and seeing my children another year older and all that goes with it (and no, I don't mind the wrinkles and other signs of aging lol).  

As for the "gifty-tangible-stuff" - I have to confess...that I absolutely LOVE my new pair of Black and Hot Pink Fuzzy Slippers (which if you knew me better you would know that this gift is an "annual" one...you see we have hardwood floors throughout our house which are very good for slipper skating ~ both speed and figure skating lol...).  Since these indoor sports are tough on said slippers, each year I receive a new pair - and no matter what the fuzzy slippers look like...they always make me smile.  This is a picture of me sitting the day after Christmas, after a loooong ride home - finally relaxing in the evening hours :)
My next favorite gifts involved my children...my son gave me a little something I hinted at on a trip to Barnes & Noble - a black scroll letter holder and a small gadget case and matching journal (two of which are pictured here)...

And my daughter gave me my favorite scented candles from Yankee Candle - and this very special gift with one of my favorite sayings "Live, Love, Laugh"...what a beautiful trio of votive holders which in my eclectic styling...will be used to house some special beads and components in my Studio/Office :)

My point in sharing?  One doesn't need to spend a lot to make a big impact...gifts from the heart that are carefully chosen out with thoughts of that person - are the most meaningful.

You know this evening as I sat "pondering" over the last year and the upcoming one...when I noticed a gorgeous sunset happening right outside my window - yes I'm one of those people that get easily distracted...and when I saw it, there was no time to waste, and I literally went running and sliding in my slippers to get my camera.  After I snapped a bunch of shots...I thought how ironic it was, that the colors revolved around Pantone's Color of the Year for 2012 "Tangerine Tango" ...along with a few other colors from the 2012 trendy colors!  It was such a breathtaking moment in time - that I personally took this as a sign of all the beautiful things that are in store for me in the New Year.  As always...it's the little things in life...and sometimes we just need to stop, and take notice.

So as you sit and ponder your own thoughts for the New Year...think about this...

Years end ~ is neither an end, or a beginning...
but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us
~ Hal Borland

 
SO....
My wish for all of you?
The most merriest day left in December...
Another year of health and happiness...
Faith and Hope to guide you...
Safety in your travels...
An open mind for new experiences...
and most of all...
A loving heart, to share.

HAPPY NEW YEAR just a little bit early!!!
BIG HUGS!  ~J-Lynn

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Just Breathe...or NOT???

Just Breathe...or Not???

Read on to find the meaning behind this bracelet...
as well as, the designer who created it for me...

For me, the saying "Just Breathe" is an indicator that we need to slow down and appreciate all that's good (especially during the holidays when our vision can sometimes get blurred with all the to-do's of shopping, baking, and other preparations...that we sometimes overlook all the truly important things - like the people in our lives).  Life is full of events that can take our breath away ~ ~ sometimes in a beautiful good way...and sometimes in a heartwrenching,  sad way - or sometimes in a "I am not looking forward to spending time in the dental chair tomorrow" type of way...

So as we head towards the end of 2011 - I wanted to say first off how thankful I am for every day I've had...my family, my friends, and all the new friends I've made along the way - as well as for EVERYTHING that's happened...because ALL of it was suppose to happen exactly as it did, in order to bring me closer to the place that I am meant to be.   "Wherever" that is - wherever the roads may lead - that's where I'll be!  Yes - I have goals, things I want to do - but if my path leads me down a different road...a path less traveled - and I need to make adjustments...well so be it.  I enjoy working hard...swimming upstream if that's what I need to do - but I'm also one for not taking things for granted...and for finding meaning in all the things that transpire in life.   I may have moments of sadness, confusion - but happiness for me - always prevails.  So...

Just Breathe...
Yes...always...

You know...like so many others - and maybe...even you ~ "stuff" or as I call it "shtuff" (this is my mixed up word that I use when not-so-nice things happen - as in a certain four letter word lol).  EVERYONE - I don't care who you are - has "shtuff" that happens in their life.  Yes it does.  We get injured, we get emotionally hurt, we have people verbally attack us, we have people that we know and love die, or get a terminal illness, we lose our fur babies...the appliances go...the car breaks down...need I go on?  No - you get the picture.  At times like this, we can either whine, complain, or retaliate in kind (which mind you is something I do NOT recommend...) - or we can "Anty-Up" and keep moving forward in a positive direction.  I, for one - simply refuse to let the "shtuff" get me down - and I'm always in an "Anty-Up" frame of mind (although I admit that sometimes my family has to give me a kick in the butt to get it in gear...).

If I told you ALL the things that have made me cry, made me sick, made me lose sleep...made me forget important things...made me doubt myself...my abilities...If I told you the details of feeling like I was thrown under the tracks, having the life sucked out of me...having my heart ripped out, being stabbed in the back and simply all my worries ~ well...I think the read would be pretty darn boring!  Because you know what?  We ALL have these feelings at one point or another in our lives.  "SHTUFF" happens - and we have to deal with it.  Period - end of story.

So the "Just Breathe" bracelet???
Well that's what this post is all about...it's sharing a bit of one of the toughest times in my life to remind you all to keep the important things in mind...

At the end of summer, I had "plans" for a tremendous 4th quarter full of lots of fun things for my business.  Unfortunately, many of those things never made it to fruition.  You see, in late August we went through an Earthquake, Hurricane, some personal "Shtuff" - and by the end of September - just when I thought that things were turning around and life was returning to normal...my Sister (who had been sick for well over two years or more) - wound up in the Hospital ICU on life support.  During this time I found a lot of comfort...ways to ease my confusion, anger, sadness, and distance through the art of jewelry design.  I created many things - all highly personal and full of meaning.  This is one you may remember..."Emotional Tides" for the Sari Ribbon Challenge of b-Sue Boutique in October...you can read the blog post on this at:  http://jlynnjewels.blogspot.com/2011/10/sari-silk-ribbon-design-blog-hop.html

Emotional Tides

After I created this bracelet (and without a lot of details...) - my Sister was upgraded to a regular room.  And after a couple weeks...just when we thought that maybe she would be released soon...she took a turn for the worse, wound up back in ICU and on life support.  With no hope from the Doctor's...my Mother and I were called to make the trip up North to Maine, where we had to help her family make the difficult decision to allow my Sister to be set free.  The evening before I flew out - I realized I was in another challenge with Heather of Blissful Beads - and to be honest - I was going to bale out...but once again the beads in my hands brought such comfort...that I wound up staying up a lot later than I intended and created "Teardrops from Heaven" - I can't begin to explain the amount of comfort I got from these...in the design and then simply by wearing them during my trip and the many long hours and days in the hospital...
Teardrops from Heaven Earrings - read more about these at:

Jewelry designing is a form of self expression,
one that brings comfort and helps you to
 "Just Breathe..."

In the early morning hours of November 9th...we all were present to send my Sister off on her next journey.  The Doctor gave us all Rose quartz Hearts that we were told to hold in the palm of our hand, warm up and remember all the love and good things.  It was a blessing to no longer see her in pain and struggling - and it was peaceful...

Well - if I made you cry...made you think of the many things to be thankful for...for the people in your life...for the good things that have happened and have yet to happen - then they are good tears.  It is never too late...to touch hearts.... 

Speaking of which - my heart has been touched by many of my new friends on Facebook.  This year, I went from 26 fans on Facebook to well over 2000 fans.  It has been an amazing journey full or many blessings...including "meeting" people that I never would have met...and many reaching out to get to know me better and become such sweet, wonderful, supportive, loving, good friends.  Hopefully, one day I will get to meet some of them in person - but for now - we share electronically and through the mail and it is a VERY big blessing.

So the mystery designer?
Well, after I came home from Maine - when I was still coping with things - when I was hit with another round of "shtuff"...the "Just Breathe" bracelet came in the mail for me.  It was designed and created with lots of heartfelt emotions and love from my online friend Jennifer Justman of Souls Fire Designs (http://soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/) - who lives on the West coast.  When I saw her hand-drawn scroll decorated package - my heart just warmed up...and when I put this bracelet on - I swear it made me breathe easier...I think she knows exactly how it felt too - and that it symbolized that even when you feel battered and beat up - there is still so much beauty to be found if you just "breathe" - it's something that I will always treasure and even when I'm not wearing it while working in the studio...it is in view hanging off the light bar on my office table lamp.

So my wish for everyone as we count down the final days of 2011...is to be remember all the good things in your life...all the beautiful people...all the things that make you smile.  Remember...let all the other "shtuff" go...and "Just Breathe"...no matter what!

HUGS & LOVE TO ALL
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
~J-Lynn

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Holiday Gift-Away Winners!

Winners of our Holiday Gift-Away...

We were in the holiday giving mood...
Here's a snapshot of the 117 names we had in our
random drawing for our December 2011 Gift-Away :)
Many of you liked and shared all four of our Gift-Away posts...
which increased your chances of winning.
If I don't hear from everyone by the end of the day tomorrow,
I'll be going down the Random.org list  to the next person.
Thanks again for getting in the holiday spirit
and following J-Lynn Jewels on Facebook!

$25 Gift Certificate - Terry Burkert
Christmas Tile Earrings- Jennifer Justman
Snowman or Christmas Tree Earrings - Karen Vincent
Christmas Tree or Snowman Earrings - Luana Steele

To receive your gift-away...
just send your mailing addie to JLynnJewels@gmail.com

Happy Holidays!!!
~J-Lynn

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Artists Helping Artists Silent Auction

Artists Helping Artists Silent Auction
December 8 til' December 11th midnight
Several artists in the blog community have decided to band together to help a fellow artist in need.  For me...when a person is in need, I'm one to reach out and help in any way I can.  I've already personally donated, but also decided to participate in the Silent Auction.  So please know that by bidding on my donated items here...(or any of the participants items listed below) - you will not only be receiving lovely items...but the money you spend will all be going to "Artists Helping Artists" :) - we've all had a time in our life when simply the thought of having someone to lean on (whether that's in person or electronically) is a very special thing indeed - I hope you can join me in anonymously helping too.

JLynnJewels will be auctioning off your choice of beautiful original Watercolor ART Tile Earrings created in Brass (valued at $30 with your choice of colors featuring J-Lynn's original Watercolor Artwork "In the Garden") ~AND~ if you are a designer and would prefer to BID but receive a selection of ART tiles instead of the earrings, you can choose the set shown, or customize your own (valued at $30).  So...when you are bidding please indicate "Earrings" or "Tiles" - thanks!
BID for your choice of either of these items...
Watercolor ART Tile Earrings OR Tile Set

BIDDING starts at $15
Would you like to be the winning bidder?
In the event the bidding rises above valued amount of $30,
additional jewelry or tiles will be added to the winner's package :)

TO BID...
Leave a comment with TILES or EARRINGS, your bid amount AND Contact information.  There must be a way to contact you (if you're already a JLynnJewels follower, please check your email preferences...and if they are turned off in your blogger profile...please leave your email within the comment section). 

Note:  This auction is valid for all United States domestic addresses,
Canada, Greece, and the UK  (other destinations - please contact us prior to bidding to ensure we can ship to your country...)

Please keep in mind that ALL proceeds
 will be donated to "Artists Helping Artists

If you are the winning bidder...
you will receive an email from me confirming your information/choices
AND a payment invoice after the close of the auction from our Event Coordinator. Once payment confirmation is received,your item(s) will be on their way to you.

Many other Artisans are auctioning items to help out!
 Please visit these the other pages listed below and place your bid...

Heidi Post http://expostfactojewelry.blogspot.com/
Marie Cramp & Lori Anderson http://skyejewels.blogspot.com/
Barbara Bechtel http://secondsurf.com/
Erin Fickert-Rowland http://elysianstudiosart.com/
Keirsten Giles http://www.cerebraldilettante.blogspot.com/
Andrew Thornton http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/
Karen Totten http://starryroadstudio.blogspot.com/
Kristi Bowman-Gruel http://dreamsomedesigns.blogspot.com/
Nan Emmett http://spiritrattles.blogspot.com/
Maire Dodd http://mairedodd.blogspot.com/
Amanda Cargill Austin http://www.seashoreglassgirl.com/
Janice Everett http://jlynnjewels.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Justman  http://soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/
Rebecca Anderson http://songbeads.blogspot.com/
Shannon Iko Chomanczuk http://formysweetdaughter.blogspot.com/
Erin Prais-Hintz http://treasures-found.blogspot.com
Kerry Bogert http://kabsconcepts.blogspot.com/

Questions - feel free to contact me through any of our links listed in the above right hand corner or via Facebook at J-Lynn Jewels.  Please keep comment section on this post to bids only - thanks!  We appreciate your supporting "Artists helping Artists" - Happy Holidays!
~J-Lynn