Thursday, July 3, 2008

Congratulations Kristin!

Today, I received an email from a recent bride whom I'd been in contact with a few months ago. Kristin first approached me after finding my company through a conversation I had with someone at Martha Stewart's chat room. We conversed back and forth for a few weeks and I became familiar with her plans for a beautiful wedding. She sent me pictures of her bridesmaids' gowns as well as her's, in preparation for my designing their jewelry.


Unfortunately for me, and unbeknownst to the bride, her maids bought all of their jewelry independently as a favor for her and I was abruptly out of the picture! Kristin, as sweet as she is, promised to contact me when she settled in to married life and that is just what she did! The pictures that she sent me completed the cycle and I greatly appreciate her thoughtfulness. It really means so much to me to see the end result of all the planning! Thank you Kristin and I wish you a lifetime of love and happiness with your family!

Kristin

Monday, June 30, 2008

Oh, The Places You'll Go!

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Well, it happened. There was no stopping it. Joshua graduated from his high school, Ward Melville. I actually thought I'd be fine. I was there to celebrate my son's hard work and accomplishments. I was all set to yell and scream when they called his name. We even located him in the sea of 650 fellow graduates. I was lucky enough to remember my zoom lens and I could even take great pictures of him from so far away. All of my family was there and the storms that were predicted were non existent. Everything was sailing along perfectly until a speaker began to read a poem by Dr. Seuss' called Oh, The Places You'll Go!

One of the most favorite memories we have from when my kids were little, was all the love that my husband gave them by reading with them. Ira looked forward to this more than they did, if that was even possible! He is such a silly man and he was so animated as he read to them every night. He made games up as he went along and he acted things out, etc. Needless to say, Dr. Seuss was one of his favorites. As a matter of fact, I have his Dr. Seuss books from when he was a young child.

Well, there I was on the verge of celebration, when this lady began to read in verse. My ears tuned in and I realized what I was listening to. The tears immediately began to flow and I couldn't hold back my emotions. Ira grabbed for my hand. This poem was meant to be read at my child's graduation. It has so many meaningful messages to be made known. I urge you to follow the link above and read it for yourself. Take the moment. It is for all ages.

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So I gathered myself and wiped my tears. I found the enthusiasm to whoop it up as they announced Joshua's name. I even snapped some of the greatest pictures that I would like to share. Thank you for sharing in my special moment.

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I love you Joshua Ryan. So...get on your way!


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Friday, June 27, 2008

Prom Time!

All went beautifully! I am happy to say that Josh's prom was beautiful. Even the weather held out. Storms were called for and the sun came out instead! Joshua looked so handsome and Melody was beautiful. We took tons of pictures and then sent them on their way.

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You can't see the dresses all that well, but can you believe that the girls did not plan their dresses to be those colors?!!! I kept saying ROYGBIV ! They looked like the colors of a rainbow! All they needed was orange and purple. And their dresses were so appropriate as well.

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I love you Josh. I hope that this is just the beginning of a lifetime of happiness and fun times.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Last Minute Prom Plans

There is nothing like waiting for the last minute! We have been prepping for Prom and graduation for weeks with my son. We have tried to tie him down to letting us know what his plans are. Is that too much to ask? We ordered his tux weeks ago. His girlfriend got her dress months ago! I wanted to make her jewelry as a gift, but I could never get her to tell me what she wanted. I only see her almost every day! So there I am trekking into Manhattan, yesterday, on the last possible day. I got the crystals that I thought would best match her gown and sat in hours of traffic and a thunderstorm all the way home. The things we do for our children!!!

Today, the day before the Prom, my son asks if everyone could come over after the Prom to sleep over. Now don't get me wrong. I am thrilled that I will know where they are and what they are doing! But I need time to get prepared! It isn't like we have been asking for weeks for him to let us know! Well...he did! Oh and I spent the entire day making Melody's jewelry! I hope she'll like it because there is no time left to change it! I'll post pictures tomorrow of the final "look"! I'm too tired to take pictures now!

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Leanna's Recital

It is funny, the way emotions sometimes creep up on you. My oldest child is on the verge of going off into the world as he graduates and goes to college. I have been able to keep those emotions as they should be. As a matter of fact, I have actually been feeling excited for him. It has been feeling like the natural progression for him.

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Today, I went to see my niece dance at her recital. The first group of 5 year olds came out in all of their adorable glory. I said my usual "awww how cute!" and promptly began to sob. I am talking, full out sob. I needed tissues as the tears kept flowing. My tears were not for my adorable Leanna. Not this time. This time, my tears were for my own child. All of a sudden, I became very aware that there would be no more innocence, such as this, in my life. I have always been a "mommy" at heart. The only time that I feel totally at one with myself is when I am in the mommy capacity. I am transitioning from that and I feel like I am losing a part of myself.

Dance recital - 2008

I know that this is all part of life, but it doesn't make it any easier. Joshua will be attending his Prom on Thursday and will graduate on Saturday. I'll post my "proud momma" pictures later in the week.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Nicole's Wedding Day!

I am so excited to share some beautiful pictures with you all! A few months back, I was hard at work designing jewelry for a customer of mine named Nicole. We had lots of fun, and because she worked in the same building that my studio is in, we were able to meet in person and do what girls do best...shop and talk! Nicole's Aunt came with her to the first meeting and we began with pictures of gowns and lots of samples of jewelry. We tried on many different styles and began narrowing down some choices. Nicole went away from our first meeting with a smile on her face and way too much information!

Over the next few weeks, we further narrowed down her choices until she became sure of what she wanted. I gave Nicole a while to sleep on her decisions and then went to work. I must say that I was so very excited to work on her necklace. We actually took a headpiece from my collection and fashioned a necklace from the same style. It is such a gorgeous intricate piece, if I say so myself ;) I am hoping to have this piece professionally photographed soon. Amy Carroll...call me!

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We decided that the necklace was such a statement that Nicole would wear a classic styled clip in her hair. I created a simple Swarovski pattern for her to wear. Doesn't her hair look perfect? Anything else would have looked overdone.

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I am waiting for pictures of the Bridesmaids' chokers and earrings. I will share them when they arrive.

A huge thank you to Nicole for choosing to have me be a part of her special day! It is always such an honor!

Friday, June 13, 2008

Filling Orders

I've been happily busy with my current bride's order. She has given me fun design challenges and I am so appreciative of her involvement. I have always been the kind of person to tear pages out of magazines and keep sketches of things I love. It makes it so much easier to describe what I am thinking of. So I have this connection with people who are like that! Haley has been wonderful, directing me along with pictures and descriptions. It is so much easier for me to create jewelry that is what she is thinking about. Thanks Haley! Here are some pictures of another earring choice. I thought you might like this style even better!

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And here is the necklace for your flower girl. I think it is something that she will cherish.

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These pictures are of some ideas I have for your mother and mother in law's gifts. These pieces will be feminine and delicate, just as you wished. I hope you like them.

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I just wanted to say that I am so lucky to be able to create pieces that brides can pass down to their loved ones. It is so wonderful to be a part of tradition. Thanks for the opportunity.