New Items Including Introductory Pieces in the Four-Legged Companions Collection!

They are finally here. Well, at least some of the charms and beads for the first few designs are here. I am anxiously awaiting a few more deliveries in order to add to the collection. I hope to have more out very soon as the designs are ready for the materials.

A Moment of Gratitude

In just a short time, the blog has grown tremendously. This is due to the support of family and friends. Special thanks to Mom for the recent indoor photos and her search for just the right beads, Diane for the recent outdoor photos, Laura for feedback and ideas to explore and Rhonda for the branding guidance to make Simply Be consistent.

I would especially like to send a long-distance hug of thanks and love to "my sweetie," Clark. He just started working out west (we are East Coasters) which was a difficult decision to make as it keeps us apart and keeps Clark apart from his youngest son. The decision is one focused on our long-term goals and I am incredibly thankful that he is safe and doing well  out there. Clark, I love you, I miss you and I cannot wait to see you...hopefully very soon.

Four-Legged Companions Collection

In celebration of our furry little friends, I have added a page dedicated to them. Jewelry designs will be coming soon. In the meantime, I hope that you will share some of your favorite stories about your four-legged companions, as we gear up for the introduction of the collection. Check out the Four-Legged Companions page for information on how the collection will help to rescue animals from abuse and neglect.

Ready to Ship as well as Customized For You

Soon you will see some new pieces of jewelry including bracelets and necklaces on memory wire and elastic with a variety of sterling silver, glass and ceramic beads. See "dragonflies in flight", "funky geometrics", "days at the beach" and "lovin' life" designs.

Friends and family have shared their stories with me and inspired many of the designs created thus far. They have shared their journeys with all of the twists and turns ups and downs, special moments, successes, obstacles, stumbles and transformations that have created them. As they tell their stories, textures and colors and messages come together to create a unique piece of jewelry symbolizing their journey and all that is to come.

Within a week, new items will be added with stories to share. If you tell me your story, together we can create a design just for you.

Okay, it's Monday and I have to take a quick mental health break. Great weekend with family and friends and a great celebration of who my Daddy is....with my mom and sister and some nachos and burgers....nice.

Great new designs were coming together last night and materials were all over the place as my mind rushed through the possibilities of color and texture. I was on a roll and then realized it was getting late.

This morning was "one of those mornings" for me. By 9:00 a.m. I had reset my office from the maintainence work that took place over the weekend and broke glass all over my rug cutting my foot in the process. Thankfully, my dear friend, Christina, rescued me with band-aids.

You know the commercial for some kind of plastic container where the woman opens the cupboard and all of the plastic containers fall on her?.....well, it wasn't quite that dramatic but you get the general idea. And to think that all I wanted was one small container.

However, after "one of those mornings," I decided to take a mental health break and start the day over again. I am off to a much better start now!

Jewelry Pics are Here!!!!!

Wow! They are here! Rhonda did a beautiful job bringing my pieces together in front of a camera. These are just a few of the items that I have created and am here to create custom designs just for you. Great as hostess gifts, for the recent graduate or to celebrate your gift to Simply Be exactly who you are.

Last night while Rhonda was photographing my pieces and my friend and colleague, Christina, was assisting, I was in my home thinking of how fortunate I am. My story contains twists and turns like everyone elses with successes and disappointments thrown in for a healthy balance. hahaha! Nearly two years ago I was, like many people are today, unemployed. I had not been unemployed since I was sixteen years old and working summers and after school. Some of those days looked so dark that I often stayed in bed for hours after searching online and making contacts and beatin' the street for jobs. It was dismal.

Now, nearly two years later, I am working a wonderful job with wonderful people and I love to get up every morning and head to my office. I am lucky enough to have a job where hard work, integrity and simple kindness are important.

My friends and family have been supportive throughout the struggles and the successes and are watching me climb gently out on that limb as I introduce my jewelry concepts. It is my hope that my good fortune will show through my jewelry and bring others those moments of peace of happiness that we all deserve.

And to all of those people that are unemployed or underemployed, my heart goes out to you and know that you are not alone. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. All the best!