Bracelet Inspiration - Mom's Charm Bracelet

Growin' up one of my fond memories was of my mom's charm bracelet. I remember laying in her lap at church and busying myself looking at each of the charms, remembering where they came from, and making up stories about them. She wore it every time she stepped out the door.


I remember we would go on vacation or for christmas gifts she would get a new charm to mark the occasion. She would have to take the bracelet to a jeweler to have them attach the charm, sometimes it would be gone for a few weeks. There is one sterling charm in there amongst the gold from when we went to Arizona to visit my aunt. One of Oral Roberts University from when we went to visit my brother in Tulsa. An anchor for my dad - being in the Navy. So many more memories. Mom gave this to me a couple of years ago along with her first wedding ring. I cherish them both so much - and never wear them. I am afraid of loosing them.


This bracelet was inspired by my mom's charm bracelet. There is a hodgepodge of dangles, some with rhyme, some with reason only the wearer will know.

Do you have memories that have inspired you to create something? I would love to hear about them!

Vacation!!!!!

Vacation for us is going home to visit family. Illinois for my folks and New York for James'. Wouldn't trade these trips home for any island get away or mountain ron-day-vu.

This is the house I want to call home. Smack dab on the shore line of Lake Ontario. This is a view from the back deck.

This 'Lake' (seems like a small sea to me) takes my breath away. It is so vast. When there is a good breeze, which is 95% of the time out here, the lake actually breaks on the shore like the ocean. Amazing.

From the kitchen table you can sit by the back door and listen to the waves. My favorite spot in the house. We could and do sit here for hours over a beverage and laff and talk for hours. Could completely waste a day right here.

I brought my 'Mondo Delux' busy bag with me for this week, because I didn't know what to bring and panicked :)


I have four trays of seed beads, crystals, findings - already sorted, wire, beading wire, bracelet blanks (hammer at home, cuz I didnt' want to bring my anvil), tools, roll of chain, and a couple tupperware containers with random handfuls of beads. It is going to be fun:)


Today has started off wonderful, a walk with the dog, a wander with the camera, and a stroll down memory lane. Comet may have the right idea, lets take a nap and then see what the rest of the day brings :)
May as well - here it is 11:30 and I am still in my pajamas!!!!

Sharing an old memory

My daughter is going to kill me -

20 some odd years ago my daughters art class made 'jewelry boxes' for them to give for Mothers Day presents. I remember her giving this to me, so proud, she had made it all by herself. I remember she said, "I made it blue because that is your favorite color". then she opened it up and showed me the cotton balls tucked into the egg compartments and said "This is so they stay safe in their own pockets!" (but she said pot-chets) *sigh* I am tearing up here just thinking about it.

This has become one of my most valued treasures, and for those of you who know me, that is saying something. I am not a 'keeper' when it comes to sentimental items. I keep the memories closer than I do the 'thing'. The only aspect of my life that I am a keeper is when it comes to jewelry making. There is always a purpose to repurpose!

In this little egg carton jewelry box I have a few pieces of my mothers and grandmothers old costume jewelry. The jewelry I remember them wearing as a kid and wishing my life away so I could be old enuff to wear it too.

So here it is 20 years later, with 20 years of wear and dust, and it is still the most beautiful thing I have ever received.



Just a few of the little treasures tucked away safely inside




Side note - remember the silver bells Jo? I had them forever too :)


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Edit - Jo read the entry and IM'd me -

[19:27] Jo: i just saw the note you posted on facebook.
[19:27] Jo: in the center of the top of the egg carton jewelry box, i put a 'diamond'
[19:27] Jo: i remember i took it out of the pile of stuffs that mrs. thompson had brought in, and i hid it so i could give it to you
[19:28] Jo: so i could use it to decorate yours
[19:30] tish@work: weren't you just the sneaky one
[19:30] Jo: yep
[19:30] Jo: when i was that little i thought it really was a diamond
[19:31] Jo: and i thought it was so cool to give you one
[19:31] tish@work: you just thought that whole process was cool
[19:31] tish@work: i love that thing jo
[19:31] Jo: i'm glad you do