Gifts from the Heart - Happy New Year!

As another year draws to a close with a New Year on the horizon - I'm taking a moment to think back and count my blessings this year - hope you take time too.  And those blessings - whether they are personal, business, friendship, achievements or promotions - all have one thing in common...the people that helped you reach that particular success or milestone.  Remember...No-one that achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others...it's been said that only the wise and confident, acknowledge help and support WITH gratitude - so I'm taking this time to send a big THANKS to all the people that have helped me along the way (family, friends, business associates, customers, acquaintances).  So...take time to do the same and no matter what you're celebrating over the next two weeks...be safe, happy and enjoy your time!   2011 - let's hope it's another healthy and happy one!

For me personally - I'm ending another year with lots of wonderful thoughts about 2010 - people, places, things and designs...and especially my new found lampwork and jewelry friends via Facebook.  I am so thankful for the many inspiring people in my life - from family & friends to customers, stories and all the inspirations I see from nature.

As for JLynnJewels - in 2011, some new designs will be featured in the national magazine "Bead Trends".  We are thrilled and excited for this new opportunity!  Look for new collections and tidbits of information on our Facebook biz page - become a fan to take advantage of our special offers and sale :) - we can be found at "J-Lynn Jewels" - or go to our main website and click on our Facebook link.

A big part of our business comes from working with our customers one on one - and it's so meaningful for both of us.  I'd like to share two of my very last special orders for this year...the first one is from our September Inspiration Photo winner (Shay Burrows) who will be giving to this to one of the special ladies in his immediate family.  It features a beautiful USA Artisan Lampwork bead from the "Watercolor" collection and has two cascades to form a weighted Lariat on a Silk Cord - all Sterling Silver with Swarovski Crystals and a few Czech Glass frosted beads.

Interestingly enough - a few years ago I started a recycling of vintage jewelry program called the "Green Granny" (named after my own Granny who passed away in the late 80s - click on the link to learn more) - each year it grows in popularity simply by word of mouth.  I wanted to share the very last Green Granny project of 2010 - one of my customers had her Moms Wedding Lampwork bead necklace which I took apart and redesigned into 7 different pendants and earrings - one for her, her sister, sister-in-laws, daughters, and nieces in the family.  My customer just shared with me how exicted she is to be able give these for Christmas.  You see the original set was her Moms who died shortly after Christmas in 1999.  She told me that everytime she wears them her Mom will be in her heart and mind...and that she plans to wear them often :).  The nice thing with these types of projects is that one necklace can go a long way - even with all these pendants and earrings completed...there's still enough beads left over to create additional jewelry pieces in the future if our customer so wishes. 

Green Granny designs are not only full of heart...but are economical too because we are utilizing beads and components that come directly from the original necklace - so all our customers pay for are findings, wire, and design time.


Here's a before picture - very pretty set but only suitable for one person and as a result was sitting in a drawer unused...

 


















And here's the "after" picture...3 large bead pendants, 4 smaller bead pendants all with Vintaj Antiqued Brass, along with some coordinating earrings. 

Sometimes the best gifts are those that can be shared and come from the heart.  This year...and all throughout the year - think about the many things you can give that have meaning and remind you of something or someone special.


Happy Holidays and wishing you a Happy, Healthy, and properous New Year!
~J-Lynn