Wanna play in my Sandbox??

There is nothing quite like the feeling of kicking off your flip-flops, sitting down in a Beach Chair and wiggling your toes in the cool sand.  If you're like me...it brings back those childhood days of playing in the sandbox on one of those blue sky, sunny days.  Although, I confess that right now, I'd rather be wiggling my boots in some freshly fallen snow (in our area...we haven't received any snow other than a dusting...so it's not looking like we'll be building any snowpeople or creating any SnowAngels anytime soon)!  However, I think we can manage creating something...because the concept is the same - whether you're a warm or cold weather type of person...you can always play in...

The SANDBOX...

In the emotional, internal sense...the Sandbox

Is a mindset ~ a feeling ~ and a knowledge...

That when you're not feeling up to par,

frustrated with your lack of progress,

or lacking a certain pizzazz for life...

That it's time for a little break...

It's time to let that inner child out

and get back to the basics of creativity 

 by heading out to that happy "Sandbox" place!

All types of Love make the world go round...

So remember to take time-off for you...
Although the world will keep spinning, and time...ticking,

Those that love you, won't forget you, because

We all need time to play, daydream, and create...

It's KEY to rejuvenating yourself,

 and re-fashioning your internal sunshine to be a happier you.

With that said...wanna play??   Of course you do...so let me introduce you to...

SANDBOX CREATIVITY...

where living a balanced life is a passion...

lots of ideas, inspiration, and much more...including:

~Tah-Dah Tutorials/Tips (from JLynn and guests)

~ Play-Days (gottcha curious...don't I??)

~Inspire Me (have a little fun if you dare...)

~Energy Boosters (how to be more productive)

~Organize It! (DIY, Storage & Spaces)

~Popcorn Products (probably NOT what you are thinking lol)!

~The Booty (a Treasure Chest filled with eye candy & goodies!)

AND...

"Jewels of Distinction"

A series of Highlights featuring a medley of

Inspirational and Talented Artisans

Each month...you'll get to meet a designer that

caught my eye with their unique style

but also my heart, with their caring personalities

My hope is that by sharing and highlighting their passion for creativity...

you will be inspired and get to know them and their designs better...

and just maybe try your own hand at something creative!

Coming this week...

our February "Jewel"

Can you guess who???

Well, here's a clue...

She is full of sunshine and SOUL...with a special flaire for colors and textures!

Look for the answer and Highlight on Wednesday...Thursday...or Friday...

Anticipation...

Have a great evening everyone!

~J-Lynn

Bead Trends Designer Highlight - January 2012

Bead Trends Designer Highlight January 2012 ~ JLynn Jewels

And the story goes like this...MANY years ago (ok not that many years ago...but let's just say in the early 60s...) I was born a Jersey Gal.  I don't know why, but I was blessed with two very identifiable talents ~ singing and creating.  Time flies...stuff happens...and let's just leave it as there's a lot of things in my life between then and now, that brought me to where I am today...(like College, marriage, kids, moves, and a variety of career hats with many, many years spent in the creative industry in Marketing and Education).  Jewelry however, has been a constant since my "young days".  And through it all, I can't believe how fast time flies...and it gets faster every day - my proof this year, will be the turning of the magical 49 (forever 49...) lol! 

So what's the funny story...?

Well at the time, it wasn't really funny...

But it was exhilarating and impressive in a sick kind of way...

 with feelings generated by my caffeine intake and sleepless world!

Looking back, I can find the humor in it...

and with it, a sense of pride that I survived!

  

Let me take you back to mid-July of 2011...

My husband and I, along with our daughter and her boyfriend were touring a local University.  After spending the morning walking in 90+ degree weather only to enter a freezing cold building...with flip flops flapping down empty halls, trudging up and down hills and a variety of steps, along with stops at a selection of undesirable dorm rooms and than amazing state of the art classrooms ~ it was finally nice to actually sit down and have lunch.  I hadn't checked my phone all morning, so when I logged on there were a slew of messages...lots of junk but one that definitely caught my eye - but the waitress brought out our lunches at the moment...so when we got home, I sat down and read the email (actually three or four time before the light dawned on me...)...and when it did, I let out a hollar and started doing the Happy Dance in my Kitchen.  My husband thought I had lost it...lol.  But being asked by Tatia, Editor of Bead Trends magazine, to be the January 2012 Designer Highlight was something that took me by surprise, and it was so EXCITING! 

You see Bead Trends is a favorite of mine...I absolutely love the selection of interesting and unique designs...as well as, the amazing photography - month after month.  As a team, they never fail to inspire, share techniques and resources.  I know I've said it before...but my heartfelt thanks is still going out to Tatia and the entire Bead Trends staff ~ it has been an incredible honor and journey with this fabulous company.  You can see all of the published pieces on the JLynnJewels website PRESS page - just click on the individual photos for details.  Plus if you like saving trees like I do...you can get an electronic subscription at Northridge Publishing Company's website 

So back to the FUNNY...well as deadlines go...I had a little over three weeks to pull together 7-8 designs for the 10 page Highlight spread.  That day I took my excitement and sketched out a variety of design ideas, then layed out a couple different color palettes complete with metals, beads, and focals.  In my mind...designing them would be a piece of cake - or so I thought...  Time continued ticking - and as I finished up a large amount of Custom orders (both tiles and jewelry), a few more College visits with my daughter, along with preparing for our family cruise (Novia Scotia/New England to celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary) - it was the end of July.  So with less than ten days to go - I finally was able to sit down and focus soley on the designs.  However, after a couple hours of working with the palettes and components, NOTHING was coming together as I had visualized it. I stopped for that day and went back to it the next day...again NOTHING...this doesn't happen to me very often, and I was thinking to myself...of all the times...seriously, are you kidding me???...the WALL?  I can't believe it lol.  For a split second, I considered using some designs I had already created...and I really could have justified it (but in my case only wound up using ONE because it fit my theme and palette and it's a favorite of my "Green Granny" pieces that I designed by upcycling vintage finds).  But I was determined that for the higlight, I definitely would create designs that were extra special and new. 

BUT...when you hit that wall...

There's only one thing to do...

#1 - Clean up your area completely and....

"walk away" from the design table...

#2 - Focus on something mundane, like...

cleaning the bathroom, reorganizing the Pantry, or ironing

#3 - If that fails...go out to dinner, have a drink

and when you come home, get on Pinterest and "pin"

Which is exactly what I did...and it worked :)

A day and half later, refreshed and raring to go...I headed for my studio...sat down with ALL of my focal and bead collections and just started a fresh, visual journey...with no thoughts...no design ideas...I just let the beauty of all the pieces soothe me.  The ones that "talked" to me, got placed in a special "consideration" pile...and by the end of several hours - I had a mix of Artisan Lampwork Beads, Polymer Clay focals, Ceramic pieces, Czech Beads and of course my own ART tiles...and have to say I was feeling GOOD (yes thank you Michael Buble for your rendition of that song!).  Ironically, the one thing missing in my layout?  Sterling Silver (one of my favorites)...but this time it was pushed aside to make room for a mix of metals from Vintaj, Fallen Angel Brass, as well as some Copper from DMSupply on Etsy. 

So at this point...I had a little under 4 days before the deadline (and our cruise...).  Nothing like a little pressure!  If you know me - then you know I'm a very private, shy person - but at the same time, I like to have fun...and music definitely inspires me.  Like my decorating, choice of storage and organization...my tastes of music are the same...eclectic.  I started out with "soothing" piano and guitar music.  Normally this relaxes me and helps me with the "flow" - but not that day... I was in need of something that would make me move, stay focused and basically keep kicking my butt.  I put on my headphones, cranked the music up...and played, Maroon 5/Christina Aguilera, Moves Like Jagger over and over and over again!  Those 4 days before the deadline were non-stop jewelry designing, writing up the tutorials with early mornings...and late nights (which were actually mornings...) - but this is my design story and thought process...sometimes it's interesting to know what goes through the mind when you are creating...so here's some insight...

First up in my reminiscing about my designing party - were the glorious Mykonos Greek ceramic beads, probably because I was thinking winter and New Year Eve parties with family and friends.  Now in case you're wondering...this design was not planned at all.  I just looked at the shape of Mykonos beads with the large hole, and felt a circular connection of FUN...one that had me wanting to utilize large Vintaj Jump Rings as the focal pieces and then  accenting with the charms and beads themselves...just a little different approach than the norm.  It came together quickly (~20 minutes) and the earrings followed suit.  Have to confess though...when I put this one on...I was really hesitant to send it in because it felt so right sitting on my wrist lol.

Here's the first pages of the Designer Highlight

Best Memory - chair dancing to "Moves Like Jagger" while designing lol...

My next thought...NEXT!

So the next project involved choosing between a few ART Tile sets that I had created.  I went with my gut/intuition and chose the beautiful vintage fabric print in warm, chocolate browns and rose pink colors and Fallen Angel Brass was the perfect compliment to it, as well as some beautiful Rhodonite gemstones (known as a love stone - it is said to balance the emotions and clear resentments so you can forgive).  Gemstones brought back lovely memories of two different bead buying trips to Potomac Bead Company in Ocean City, NJ.  The combination of the vintage print on the tiles, the meaning of the gemstone, and the deep, dark brass of FAB (Fallen Angel Brass) reminded me of Victorian days, Ladies in Waiting and romance.  I worked at least 3-4 hours straight trying to create what was in my mind...and I can't tell you the number of times I scrapped things...but I was driven with an energy and recurring thought reverberating through my mind that said "you are SO close...try again...you can do it" and I kept going until it was all that I visualized and then some.  The Lady In Love Bracelet is relatively easy in terms of technique, but it's very time consuming with the detail oriented steps with the chain and jump ring placement.

More pages from the magazine...

At this point, I had a fabulous idea for a pair of earrings...and wound up creating a pair of doube sided Dog Tag Tiles (which was unexpected additional work because my tiles are a lot more involved than the standard decoupaged and distressed ones - but the time I spent was worth it).  I knew that I wanted to use the FAB hearts and key charms...and for me - the chain symbolizes a loving relationship...the chain coming from the back, represents all the internal emotions that are kept inside or close to the heart...and the chain coming out the front of the tile, represents all of our expressions of love.   

Soon after these Earrings were complete, a quick flowing necklace seem to magically appear - it was just one of those designs that just came together so easily due to the inspiration of the other two pieces in the "Lady in Love" collection.

As I was typing up the Supply List and Tutorials for the above designs, I still had two more designs to go and I was excited for them too...I wanted to use a combination of Vintaj, FAB, and Copper accents with a very eclectic selection of lampwork beads, gemstones, Czech Glass, crystals, and a very organic like Ceramic pendant by Yoland's Clay.  I remember when I was typing...I would take a quick breaks to go find a bead or component that I thought would work great in the Naturally Yours necklace.  It was kind of like a structured Treasure Hunt - and as I added to my pile, I started laying out the design while I was typing.  Now who said computer work wasn't inspirational?  So the last design set completed for my highlight...was the "Naturally Yours" set...and included a mix of the old and new, metals, gemstone/ceramic/glass beads in a very intentional, asymmetrical design.

LOVE these earrings!

Reversible "Naturally Yours" bracelet -

Wear the Filigree out (as shown in Bead Trends)

or in as shown in the photo below

So you're wondering I know...the funny.

Well after a week of non-stop jewelry, working under immense pressure to finish up my to-do's and meet the Bead Trends deadline, I had to get all these designs with their directions/resource listing in the overnight mail by 4pm...and I'm happy to say that I made it to my Post Office to Overnight these pretties with ~10 minutes to spare (but I was sweating it).   OK - so here it comes - the funny...here I was breathing a HUGE sigh of relief that I got everything shipped off in time...all that was left was to follow up with electronic versions and pack for our cruise which we were leaving for the NEXT day.  I pulled in my driveway, jumped out of the car and raced into the house.  And low and behold - there's an email from Belle Armoire wanting to publish a necklace and pair of earrings of mine...I don't know how I did it...but I wrote an 800 word article/instructions with resources and was able to get it all shipped out the next day - as well as packing for our cruise - so it was definitely a big funny - funny that I got it all complete...and just simply FUN!

Having come from the corporate and creative sides of the big fabric and craft retailer Jo-Ann's, I know first hand the importance of Education.  Tie that in with my personal background and love of the Arts, Music, Crafts and of course Jewelry - you'll understan what drives me to keep sharing and inspiring.

Exposure to the Arts and Crafts inspires & generates interest, to...

Educate & Create, which in turn...

Grows the Economy through...

 sales of products and handcrafted items

Creation of Arts and Crafts brings personal happiness,

 as well as a legacy to pass down to our children

THIS YEAR...I hope you take the time to CREATE

and I hope you take the time to let me know if I've inspired you...

along with sharing those creations with me and our followers/fans!

~JLynn

WORD!

"Snowflake Fantasy" Batik Resist Watercolor by JLynn

Word is right!  Between the weather...and a variety of other things that I will refrain from mentioning here - the word, "WORD" comes to mind.  This phrase was a very popular one back in the 80s...and seems to have survived a number of decades ~ you can even find it in Urban Dictionary with the definition of "well said", "I agree", an exclamation of surprise as in "That is unbelievable but I believe you", or even a simple greeting replacement for "What's Up"...

• So if I were to say..."Today it's January 27th here in Maryland.  It is almost 60 degrees and we are having a Thunderstorm" - you would go "WORD Janice!"
• And if I were to say "Hey all my fantastic, friends, customers, and fans...how are you all today?"  You might say "WORD up J"
• Or...if I said "Kindess and Love go a long way...but if you don't have anything positive or nice to say, then silence and keyless is best" - you would hopefully say "WORD!!!"

Well - I'm a fanatic about words, phrases, kindness, inspiration, colors, music, quotes and more.  And I'm driven to spread the positive parts about being what my friend Jenn J./Souls Fire Designs would call...a "Pollyanna" at heart...because I love sharing positive thoughts through a variety of art mediums and social places (like here, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, etc.) and expressing the good things through creativity in my Art (Watercolor, Acrylics, Altered Art, Digital) and my Jewelry and Designer Components.  So this year - every few weeks or so...I will be highlighting a WORD here on my Blog - a real word that is.  One that will hopefully make you think, and inspire you in good ways.  

"Chickadee Frost" ~ Acrylic Painting by JLynn

"Woodland Beauty" - Watercolor & Pen/Ink

"Seeing Red" - Watercolor by JLynn

In case you couldn't guess...my theme for this post - the "Beauty of Winter in Nature".  SO...therefore since the beauty of snow and winter inspire me - I had to conjure up and create some things that reminded me of all the beauty of those special winter days...because they never fail to inspire by simply taking moments to "watch" the little things...a Cardinal, the bare tree limbs, the frozen water, a snowflake...it just refreshes me and allows that sense of peace and happiness to invade my heart, body, and mind - AND subsequently brought to mind a special WORD.  You see during the month of January, like a good number of other people I know...it's a time to regroup...a time to organize...a time to get a grip on life and maybe come up with some good intentions.  For me - this year is about finding a better balance between my to-do's in both aspects of my life....personal/family and business.  So the word I've chosen for however long you want to think about it, is: 

BALANCE

"Serenity Falls" - Watercolor & Pen/Ink

"Balance" aside from the feeling of equilibrium that keeps us upright...

Balance is also a state in which two forces of equal strength/importance cancel each other out to maintain stability.  In "harmony" terms...Balance is a state in which various part form a whole and nothing is out of proporation, or unduly emphasized at the expense of the rest (compliments of Bing Dictionary)

In simple terms...

and these are my WORDs...

You need BALANCE in your life in order to be happy...

and in my opinion, the three most important things in life are:

Love, Health & Wisdom

without which, it would be hard to function and be successful...

That means...maintaining a healthy BALANCE between your:

Relationships, Activities, and Work

It's not easy...but it's worth the effort to be healthy and not stressed...

(ummm...this would also apply to the common sense guidelines for posting and time spent on those social networks such as Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest...)

So remember...

BALANCE

and...

as always...

my wish for you to...

Hope you enjoyed this moment...and continue to Believe, Hope & Dream in your little corner of the world.  Check in over the weekend to hear my funny story of my Designer Highlight with Bead Trends...and how I got from there to here ;)

Happy Friday!

~JLynn

P.S.  If you haven't joined me on PINTEREST...here's your personal invite - we have lots of fun things planned and even have a couple group boards to share some of our Customer's designs they have made with our ART tiles

Quote me Not...

"But Friendship is the breathing rose, with sweets in every fold"

 ~Oliver W. Holmes

HAPPY NEW YEAR my friends!

 Well - it's my first post of the New Year (fashionably late)...and it's a clean slate...a blank canvas...a new everything!  To be honest...the last 10 days or so I've had plenty of things to write about, but my timing was off...or maybe it was the fact that I've been in the "catching up" mode.   However, rather than start off the New Year with a "Year in Review" ~ I felt compelled to start by sharing some things, that will hopefully make you think about all that's important in your life, and maybe if you feel a little out of sorts, lost, or simply in one of those "funks" - you'll begin to feel encouraged to...

Dream...Laugh...Love...and Live

with appreciation & simplicity

So - join me, as we start the New Year together...starting with some of my personal pictures from JLynnPictureArt (copyrighted)

 and paired with a few of my favorite quotes... 

~ "A cluttered desk is a sign of genuis"~

yes...this is my desk...and this quote is a mantra of mine,
as we all need a little humor, when we're at our Biz-E-est!

~ Hopes, Dreams and the Possibility of it all ~

This is a photo from January of LAST year (still no snow this year...)

I woke up in the middle of the night and simply stared out the window in awe...

I grabbed my camera and raced to my front porch and was surrounded by beauty, peace, and calmness - with a little bit of sparkle and magic in the air

 ~ Sometimes Yoga is not enough...~

Warm Chocolate Chips, fresh from the oven & cold milk...get my vote everytime!

These are my daughter's creations - we call them "puffers" lol.

I am always confused though...I taught her to bake, yet my cookies come out FLAT...and hers come out perfect...everytime lol!

 ~ My eyes are an ocean in which my dreams are reflected ~

This is a picture I took on our Cruise this past summer...

My husband and I were celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary

and the first day at sea, I spent the ENTIRE day

 on our balcony, enjoying the endless scenery and just "being"

The sun, salt air, and overall peacefulness of that day

 is something that I will always remember and treasure...

 ~ Music is an Outburst of the Soul ~

Michael Buble in Atlantic City, NJ ~ June 2011

I'm a Music Major (Voice/Music Education) and although I have a degree to teach

I took a turn off the beaten path and followed my dreams of creativity...

But Music is also buried deep in my soul - a part of my life...

so I was so happy to see MB as he is one soulful singer (and funny)!

~ Happiness is a Warm Puppy ~

Sweetness captured in July of 2008 at Jeff King's place in Alaska

We were able to hold these sweet Husky pups...

and meet Jeff (multiple winner of the Iditarod Race)

 ~ And your Point is??? ~

In November of last year, my husband and I took a trip to Myrtle Beach, SC

This was one of those comical moments where you just had to laugh at the ludicrousy of it all...There was ONE very vocal White Egret (not shown) and all these Black Crowned Herons that just kept putting on their own little "drama & attitude" show.  The Egret would "talk" and then all Herons would shift and as if they were synchronized...together - look the Egret up and down...

with a twist/bob of their heads, then let out a squawk that spoke volumes!

~ Start where you are...use what you have...do what you can

It will be enough to enjoy the moments because

Life is a Journey...not a destination ~

Live life peacefully, with purpose and joy...

It was a cool, summer night as I took this picture standing beneath an old pier...
And as the tide went out...I felt an overwhelming sense of relief...
because along with the water, all of my negative emotions went out too.
And in their place...Forgiveness in my heart, and a rising
 sense of hope, peace and newfound happiness for the future.

~Life is like a good black and white photograph,

there's black, there's white, and lots of shades in between~

There are moments when we are frozen in time, with no color...no movement...

And then...as if someone opens a door...you exhale and breathe deeply...
And suddenly you are alive again...in a rose garden with blue skies!
This one just happened to be my Mom's garden :)

So, this year...
 Open your heart and mind to the possibilty...
and to all the colors that surround us...

"The whole world, as we experience it visually, comes to us through the mystic realm of color.  Our entire being is nourished by it.  This mystic quality of color should likewise find expression in works of art."
 ~Hans Hofmann

So my friends...as I give my personal farewell to 2011...I'm thinking it was a year of changes...with some frustrations and a few tears...it was also a year filled with sweet things to laugh and smile about, good times, new friendships and some pretty fabulous opportunities that I never thought possible in the art of expression.  Some might say that last year was the start of the "new" me - but I know it was just the start of a new chapter - one that wouldn't have been possible without all the prior ones!

This year I'll turn the perpetual 49 lol.   I don't know where the time goes...but looking back - I've made many stops in my chosen career paths, and you know what?  I wouldn't change anything if I had to do it all over again ~ because each and every step, has brought me to the right here, and right now with a huge sense of appreciation for everything.  It seems hard to believe that my journey in creativity began when I was in Elementary school...or by the time I was in my mid 20s, I was in to beading, sewing, embroidery, knitting, wire wrapping, macrame, decoupage, floral designing, wood burning, drawing, and painting.  You see I've always had this insatiable desire (and still do) to keep learning, teaching, and sharing all things creative.

With that said, 2011 was filled with wonderful surprises in the jewelry world.  In all the years that I have designed...it had never crossed my mind to submit any of my pieces for publication.  Sure - I had written plenty of articles, taught many classes, developed a relationship marketing program for a retail craft/fabric giant...been on TV, given live demonstrations for large venues and small alike - all in the name of passing along techniques, ideas, and sharing product knowledge. However, having the opportunity to share in such a personal manner, was entirely new for me.  After being asked to write a Tutorial for the Bead Trends blog, I was inspired to share more.  Right before Thanksgiving in 2010, I submitted four technique based designs, and to my surprise...all four were accepted for publication for the May 2011 Bead Trends.  I was so excited to be included - but more importantly - sharing creativity, techniques in a much broader audience.  For me - being published, is actually less about the designer...and more about the actual sharing of the design, the love of creativity, the passing along of techniques, along with the inspiration you are fostering in others to be creative.

It is definitely an honor to be published - something that in my book, is never taken for granted.  Some months you are given the opportunity to share - and some months you are not.  There are no guarantees...and although some say that once you've been published several times, it's old hat...for me - that couldn't be further from the truth, because being given the gift of "sharing" is special everytime.  Do I get butterflies in my stomach?  Yes - every time...

This little beauty was one of six that kept trying to catch my attention, 

as I was taking pictures of blooms on my Butterfly Bush in the backyard.

And the waiting to hear about your submitted design?  Well with each submission...there's a breathlessness and a count of days...  When it's a yes - there's a Happy Dance moment.  And when it's a "no" - it's time for a little bit of chocolate lol.  Although everyone handles rejections differently - for me, I try not to take it personally and know in my heart that not all my designs will be a "fit" every single time.

So if you missed any of the in-print articles, here's a collage of all the designs I had the privilege of sharing in 2011.  To see the details and individual photos - click on  the magazine covers on our Press page at JLynnJewels.com starting in May of 2011 with Bead Trends and ending with Belle Armoire Jewelry in the December release of their Winter 2011/2012 edition.

2011 had a lot of beautiful memories...and incredible honors

2012 you'll see the addition of many more

 Jewelry, Craft and Art Tutorials and a few fun surprises!

Check in over the next few days to see details about me and my designs that were featured in a very special way...

Bead Trends January 2012 Designer Highlight

including...

Jazzlicious Life (Bracelet/Earrings)

Lady in Love (Bracelet/Earrings/Necklace)

Naturally Yours (Bracelet/Earrings/Necklace)

So...HAPPY NEW YEAR my friends!  This year my wish for you is to:

BELIEVE in...

Hope, Magic, Harmony, Dreams,

the Spirit of Friendship, Peace, Miracles,

 and Yourself!

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...

Snope's list of New Year Superstitions

Chinese New Year Superstitions & Taboos

Latino New Years Traditions

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wishing you all the best in

Love, Luck & Happiness!

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