A Pretty Rock Jewelry on Facebook

My 101 List

My 1001 Day Project ends on Friday, October 1, 2010 in .

• Main Goal
• Do something towards my goals every week (1/104)
• Cooking
• Catalog all my stray recipes
• Grow an herb garden
• Grow an organic garden in a pot
• Learn to cook fish
• Learn to cook flan
• Learn to cook my dad's garlic chicken
• Learn to cook pastelles
• Learn to cook piononos
• Declutter
• Clean out garage
• Declutter house
• Photograph and post at least 10 ebay or craigslist items for destashing 1x month (1/34)
• Photograph and post at least 10 supply items for destashing 1x month (2/34)
• Scan and shred all household documents
• Financial
• Create a budget
• Establish a $1000 emergency fund
• Inventory household items for insurance purposes
• Pay off all credit cards
• Health
• Establish an exercise habit
• Get hair trimmed 3x year (1/9)
• Get a real hairstyle…and not just a trim
• Grow my Kickboxing skills
• Lose 80 pounds
• Plan my meals out and shop for them 1x week (1/143)
• Start mountain biking again
• Start rollerblading again
• Test for brown belt
• Visit dentist 2x year (2/6)
• Household
• Buy/make non-disposable shopping bags
• Finish our living room curtains
• Fold laundry 1x quarter (4/12)
• Landscape yard 2x year (0/6)
• Paint our bedroom
• Setup memory board/mirror display in living room
• Vaccuum house 1x week (0/143)
• Wax truck 2x year (0/6)
• Jewelry
• Buy a tumbler and shot
• Establish a blogging schedule for A Pretty Rock
• Learn Chinese knotting
• Learn silver wire fusing
• Pay off A Pretty Rock debt
• Redesign website
• Submit website for write up to 4 blogs 1x month (3/34)
• Knowledge
• Learn to type Spanish language characters on keyboard
• Read 3 books in Spanish (0/3)
• Read Boriquas: Influential Puerto Rican Writings -- An Anthology
• Refresh my Arabic language knowledge
• Loving my dog
• Brush Snickers 1x week (0/143)
• Take Snickers for walk around block 5x week (0/143)
• Personal
• Create a family tree book
• Create an "in event of our deaths" list for both our moms
• Help our mom's fill out their own lists (0/2)
• Give blood (hate needles)
• Have a baby (again...hate needles...and pain)
• Create a book from my Grateful 365 project
• Take my mom to see The Nutcracker
• Recreational
• Attend a USPS dead letter auction
• Create website for my WoW guild
• Create wedding scrapbook (been 9 years…about time!)
• Finish baby blanket cross-stitch (started for my godson who is now 2)
• Go hiking in the Appalachians (I live so close!)
• Go horseback riding
• Learn how to handbind a book
• Learn to alter/customize clothing for myself
• Learn to rock climb
• Learn to snowboard
• Participate in project 365
• Purchase a dSLR
• Read all the Chronicles of Narnia books
• Read my lapsed comic book series
• Visit a corn maze
• Wear a costume to DragonCon
• Relationships
• Buy/make everyone's Christmas gifts before November each year (0/3)
• Host get-together 3x year (1/9)
• Keep track of birthdays and anniversaries (and addresses) and send a card on each one.
• Write thank you notes every time I receive a gift
• Spiritual
• Go on a missions trip
• Memorize a bible verse 1x month (1/34)
• Read bible 5x week (2/143)
• Travel
• Go back home to Puerto Rico with husband
• Take Jason to La Palguera
• Visit St. Thomas/Virgin Islands
• Visit New York
• Go to the top of the Empire State Building
• Go to the top of the Statue of Liberty
• See a musical on Broadway
• Visit Europe
• Visit Las Vegas
• Take a weekend getaway with my husband 1x year (0/3)
• Work
• Back up my computers 1x week (0/143)
• Create a program to serve a useful purpose for others
• Grow my business so my husband can stay home and work with me
• Join a networking group
• Learn a new programming language 1x year (0/3)
• Learn to expertly analyze web traffic tracking results
• Organize files on computers (0/3)
• Read a technical book 4x year (1/12)
• Setup landing pages for all my registered domain names
• Update paperwork for taxes 4x year (0/12)
• Write a blog post 1x week for Turtletopia (2/143)
• Write a blog post 1x week for YazminMedia (1/143)

Illusion Necklace - Take 1 · 02/05/2010

Whew! This week has been backloaded with posts! But when you have a lot to say… ;)

Word of mouth is amazing. I still consider it – hands down – the best method of marketing. I wouldn’t have a web development business if it wasn’t for word of mouth. The same goes for my jewelry business…

Recently, thanks to “word of mouth”, I was recommended by one of my friends to one of her soon-to-be-married friends to get custom necklaces created for the bridesmaid party. There’s something about making bridal jewelry that I find puts me in a good mood. I guess it’s the thought of the celebration. How can you not be happy when two people are committing themselves to true love?

Back to the jewelry…the bride requested I make illusion necklaces. I can’t remember the last time I made illusion necklaces…mainly because once I worked with wire, I never looked back. I still had tons of the illusion cord and other components. All I needed to purchase were the large quantity of crystals and pearls. After a quick trip to the local bead store (researching colors for future wholesale purchases is a must), I sat down to the task.

As I worked the individual pieces of this initial necklace, I was reminded how much fun they were to make. It also made me think that I would like to get back into pearl knotting. I enjoyed that a lot as well, but I think I’d like to take it into a different direction other than the traditional pearl knotting you think of when someone mentions Akoya pearls and the sorts.

Maybe I’ll sit down this weekend and create a new pearl knotted piece. Time to find my silk cards!

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tags: beads, bridal, custom, jewelry, necklace, swarovski

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Should I go back to Etsy? · 02/05/2010

My post yesterday was part of the 52 Weeks of Blogging Your Passion. We were meant to ask a question and while I am sincere in wanting to hear your opinions on yesterday’s question, another one came to mind today. (And for those looking for the Color Theory Friday post, I’ll be postponing it until next week.)

As you may know, I decided to close my Etsy shop last year. The tasks of maintaining the shop and participating in teams and the forums really left me stretched thin. However, I’m beginning to wonder if maybe it’s time to open shop again.

I have no plans to join a team or to even peruse the forums. If you’ve ever been part of the forums, you’ll know that it seems there are too many who don’t search for their answers and tons of bitter trolls ruining the fun for everyone. Most of us probably have better things to do with our day than be someone else’s entertainment, so I’m sure you’ll understand why I wouldn’t visit.

Despite all that, I realize without a team to help me promote and without popping my head up in the forums, I’m wondering if it is really worth it. Would it even make up for the time suck of posting on Etsy…

So this is where you come in. My question to you: should I…would you…go back to Etsy and why?

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tags: 52 weeks, business, etsy, jewelry

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On the 12th Day of Holiday Deals 2009... · 11/22/2009

On the 12th day of holiday deals, A Pretty Rock offered me…The The Labradorite, Peruvian Opal and Swarovski Crystal Chandelier Wrap Earrings at $25.50!

For the 12 Days of Holiday Deals, I’m offering one item on my site at a discount of 30% – 50% off the original price of the item. You only have until midnight EST to make your purchase on my limited edition pieces the day I post them on my blog. So if you want this item, don’t delay. Tomorrow, this deal will be gone!

And as a little extra to everyone who stops by during my 12 Days of Holiday Deals, for each item purchased or each comment left (1 each a day), you’ll get entered to win a $50 gift certificate to my shop! That’s 24 chances to win over the course of 12 days!

The Labradorite, Peruvian Opal and Swarovski Crystal Chandelier Wrap Earrings…Flashy faceted labradorite teardrops are paired with smooth Peruvian opal and Swarovski crystals to create these eye-catching chandelier earrings. The silver has been oxidized for an antique finish.

The earrings are 2” (5.08cm) long from the top of the earwire. The circle of the chandelier is 3/4” (1.91cm) wide from one side to the other. All silver is sterling.

These are one-of-a-kind. Once they are sold, I cannot remake this pair of earrings!

$51.00 – $25.50

Sorry! The day has passed and this Holiday Deal is done. Go check out the latest Holiday Deal in the series!

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tags: 12 days of holiday deals, blue, chandelier, earrings, jewelry, labradorite, oxidized, peruvian opal, swarovski, teal

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On the 9th Day of Holiday Deals 2009... · 11/19/2009

On the 9th day of holiday deals, A Pretty Rock offered me…The Bromeliad Cascades – Amethyst, Pink Pearl and Opal Chandelier Earrings at $105.00!

For the 12 Days of Holiday Deals, I’m offering one item on my site at a discount of 30% – 50% off the original price of the item. You only have until midnight EST to make your purchase on my limited edition pieces the day I post them on my blog. So if you want this item, don’t delay. Tomorrow, this deal will be gone!

And as a little extra to everyone who stops by during my 12 Days of Holiday Deals, for each item purchased or each comment left (1 each a day), you’ll get entered to win a $50 gift certificate to my shop! That’s 24 chances to win over the course of 12 days!

The Bromeliad Cascades – Amethyst, Pink Pearl and Opal Chandelier Earrings…Reminiscent of beautiful bromeliad cascades, these absolutely gorgeous earrings remind of a flower garden in full bloom. With two jaw dropping onion brio focals totaling over 20 carats worth of flawless and beautifully faceted AAA Amethyst, these earrings are not for the faint of heart. Hovering below is a bed of faceted Amethyst rounds and pink dyed button pearls, with a beautiful pink Peruvian Opal faceted barrel bead. All of these beautiful components are securely handwired to a wire wrapped frame and hang from handshaped vermeil earwires.

Due to the size of the Amethysts, these earrings are more on the heavy side weighing in at approximately 1.25 ounces each.

This piece is part of my “Inspired” collection. Inspired by Jujem71’s photo Matchstick on Flickr.

The earrings are 2 5/8” (6.67cm) long from the top of the earwire. All metal is 14kt gold-filled or vermiel.

These are one-of-a-kind. Once they are sold, I cannot remake this pair of earrings!

$179.00 – $105.00

Sorry! The day has passed and this Holiday Deal is done. Go check out the latest Holiday Deal in the series!

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tags: 12 days of holiday deals, amethyst, chandelier, earrings, gold-filled, jewelry, opal, pearls, pink, purple, wirewrap

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On the 8th Day of Holiday Deals 2009... · 11/18/2009

On the 8th day of holiday deals, A Pretty Rock offered me…The Hint of Christmas Earrings at $11.00!

For the 12 Days of Holiday Deals, I’m offering one item on my site at a discount of 30% – 50% off the original price of the item. You only have until midnight EST to make your purchase on my limited edition pieces the day I post them on my blog. So if you want this item, don’t delay. Tomorrow, this deal will be gone!

And as a little extra to everyone who stops by during my 12 Days of Holiday Deals, for each item purchased or each comment left (1 each a day), you’ll get entered to win a $50 gift certificate to my shop! That’s 24 chances to win over the course of 12 days!

The Hint of Christmas Earrings…It’s the middle of the year, but the bright green of these little beauties remind me of Christmas! Made with bright green dyed chalcedony and vermeil components, they’re a great little pop of color.

The earrings hang approximately 1 1/2” (3.17cm) long from the top of the earwire in length. All vermeil (24kt gold heavily plated over a sterling silver core) and tumbler polished for add shine and hardness.

$16.00 – $11.00

Sorry! The day has passed and this Holiday Deal is done. Go check out the latest Holiday Deal in the series!

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tags: 12 days of holiday deals, chalcedony, earrings, jewelry, vermeil

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On the 7th Day of Holiday Deals 2009... · 11/17/2009

On the 7th day of holiday deals, A Pretty Rock offered me…The Peach Holiday Garland Earrings at $23.00!

For the 12 Days of Holiday Deals, I’m offering one item on my site at a discount of 30% – 50% off the original price of the item. You only have until midnight EST to make your purchase on my limited edition pieces the day I post them on my blog. So if you want this item, don’t delay. Tomorrow, this deal will be gone!

And as a little extra to everyone who stops by during my 12 Days of Holiday Deals, for each item purchased or each comment left (1 each a day), you’ll get entered to win a $50 gift certificate to my shop! That’s 24 chances to win over the course of 12 days!

The Peach Holiday Garland Earrings…Bursting with a cluster of peach keishe pearls and deep pink rhodolite garnets, these disco cut smoky quartz balls are just to die for. Topped by a smaller smoky quartz faceted round, these earrings are festive for any occasion.

The earrings hang approximately 1 1/2” (3.81 cm) from the top of the ball post. All metal is 14kt gold-filled or vermeil (22kt gold heavily plated over a sterling silver core.)

$34.00 – $23.00

Sorry! The day has passed and this Holiday Deal is done. Go check out the latest Holiday Deal in the series!

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tags: 12 days of holiday deals, brown, earrings, garnet, jewelry, keishe pearls, orange, pink, smoky quartz, vermeil

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On the 6th Day of Holiday Deals 2009... · 11/16/2009

On the 6th day of holiday deals, A Pretty Rock offered me…The Beer Quartz Shield Earrings at $20.00!

For the 12 Days of Holiday Deals, I’m offering one item on my site at a discount of 30% – 50% off the original price of the item. You only have until midnight EST to make your purchase on my limited edition pieces the day I post them on my blog. So if you want this item, don’t delay. Tomorrow, this deal will be gone!

And as a little extra to everyone who stops by during my 12 Days of Holiday Deals, for each item purchased or each comment left (1 each a day), you’ll get entered to win a $50 gift certificate to my shop! That’s 24 chances to win over the course of 12 days!

The Beer Quartz Shield Earrings…Rich and intoxicating, I fell in love with these beer quartz shields as they laid on the gem vendors table. Paired with vermeil spacers, they are simply decadent and timeless.

The earrings are approximately 1 1/4” (3.18cm) long from the top of the earwire and 1/4” (0.64cm) wide. All metal is vermeil or 14kt gold-filled.

$29.00 – $20.00

Sorry! The day has passed and this Holiday Deal is done. Go check out the latest Holiday Deal in the series!

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tags: 12 days of holiday deals, beer quartz, earrings, jewelry, vermeil

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On the 5th Day of Holiday Deals 2009... · 11/15/2009

On the 5th day of holiday deals, A Pretty Rock offered me…The Rutilated Quartz Gold-filled Framed Circle Drop Necklace at $77.00!

For the 12 Days of Holiday Deals, I’m offering one item on my site at a discount of 30% – 50% off the original price of the item. You only have until midnight EST to make your purchase on my limited edition pieces the day I post them on my blog. So if you want this item, don’t delay. Tomorrow, this deal will be gone!

And as a little extra to everyone who stops by during my 12 Days of Holiday Deals, for each item purchased or each comment left (1 each a day), you’ll get entered to win a $50 gift certificate to my shop! That’s 24 chances to win over the course of 12 days!

The Rutilated Quartz Gold-filled Framed Circle Drop Necklace…A large and lustrous faceted rutilated quartz adorns the bottom of this hand wrapped wire circle. A beautiful statement piece.

The necklace is 22” (58.88cm) in length. The pendant is 2 3/8” (6.03cm) long. All metal is gold-filled or vermeil (22kt gold heavily plated over a sterling silver core.

$110.00 – $77.00

Sorry! The day has passed and this Holiday Deal is done. Go check out the latest Holiday Deal in the series!

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tags: 12 days of holiday deals, chain, gold-filled, jewelry, necklace, rutilated quartz, wirewrap

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On the 4th Day of Holiday Deals 2009... · 11/14/2009

On the 4th day of holiday deals, A Pretty Rock offered me…The Green Holiday Garland Earrings at $23.00!

For the 12 Days of Holiday Deals, I’m offering one item on my site at a discount of 30% – 50% off the original price of the item. You only have until midnight EST to make your purchase on my limited edition pieces the day I post them on my blog. So if you want this item, don’t delay. Tomorrow, this deal will be gone!

And as a little extra to everyone who stops by during my 12 Days of Holiday Deals, for each item purchased or each comment left (1 each a day), you’ll get entered to win a $50 gift certificate to my shop! That’s 24 chances to win over the course of 12 days!

The Green Holiday Garland Earrings…Bursting with a cluster of green keishe pearls and deep pink rhodolite garnets, these disco cut smoky quartz balls are just to die for. Topped by a smaller smoky quartz faceted round, these earrings are festive for any occasion.

The earrings hang approximately 1 1/2” (3.81 cm) from the top of the ball post. All metal is 14kt gold-filled or vermeil (22kt gold heavily plated over a sterling silver core.)

$34.00 – $23.00

Sorry! The day has passed and this Holiday Deal is done. Go check out the latest Holiday Deal in the series!

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tags: 12 days of holiday deals, brown, earrings, garnet, green, jewelry, keishe pearls, smoky quartz, vermeil, wirewrap

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On the 1st Day of Holiday Deals 2009... · 11/11/2009

On the 1st day of holiday deals, A Pretty Rock offered me…The Prasiolite Heart Vermeil Earrings at $20.00!

For the 12 Days of Holiday Deals, I’m offering one item on my site at a discount of 30% – 50% off the original price of the item. You only have until midnight EST to make your purchase on my limited edition pieces the day I post them on my blog. So if you want this item, don’t delay. Tomorrow, this deal will be gone!

And as a little extra to everyone who stops by during my 12 Days of Holiday Deals, for each item purchased or each comment left (1 each a day), you’ll get entered to win a $50 gift certificate to my shop! That’s 24 chances to win over the course of 12 days!

The Prasiolite Heart Vermeil Earrings…As one of my favorite gemstones, I know that Prasiolite is always a great choice for many outfits. With the light misty green tones paired with bright vermeil components, these earrings are perfect as classics.

The earrings are approximately 1 1/4” (3.18cm) long from the top of the earwire and 1/4” (0.64cm) wide. All metal is vermeil or 14kt gold-filled.

$29.00 – $20.00

Sorry! The day has passed and this Holiday Deal is done. Go check out the latest Holiday Deal in the series!

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tags: 12 days of holiday deals, chain, gold-filled, jewelry, necklace, prasiolite, wirewrap

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Picking the Right Stone for Birthstone Jewelry · 07/25/2009

With so many variations on the birthstone jewelry chart, I’m sure it’s hard to decide what stone to select when purchasing birthstone jewelry. I get asked quite often what the appropriate stones are for birthdays. So let me share the chart I use when suggesting birthstone jewelry and the meanings behind the stones:

From traditional to modern, ancient to mystical, there are sure to be numerous variations in charts. Ultimately, the best stone selection is one that has meaning to the recipient, whether that happens to be their birthstone or not.

Are there any differences in lists that you use for selecting birthday stone jewelry? Let me know!

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tags: amethyst, aquamarine, birthday, bracelets, clusters, diamond, earrings, emerald, etsy, garnet, gemstones, hoops, jewelry, love, necklaces, pearl, purple, rings, sterling silver, swirls

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Last Chance for Happily Handmade Giveaway Entry! · 05/13/2009

Thank you to all you fantastic Happily Handmade Giveaway followers! You guys are the reason most of us indie business owners do what we do. You are appreciated!

To everyone else who has been waiting for the last minute to enter...THIS IS THE LAST MINUTE! Don't put it off one more day, 'cause it will be too late.

Go enter now!

Win something for me. *wink*

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tags: giveaway, jewelry, press

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The April 1st 2009 Happily Handmade Giveaway is On! · 04/01/2009

Enter the 2009 Happily Handmade Giveaway

What better way to celebrate independent business than by winning a box full of indie goodness! The Happily Handmade giveaway was created in appreciation of indie shoppers, everywhere. Over 40 different indie shops have donated items for this giveaway. A total of 25 fantastic gift baskets will be given away to customers entered at each participating shop’s site. And you can enter, right here, through my site! You could win a boat-load of fabulous indie goods including jewelry, handbags, bath & body, knits, accessories, and stationery – all handmade by the talented indie designers listed below:

Indie Shop Sponsors
You may enter the giveaway through one or all of the shops listed below. Who knows, you may just discover something new!
360 Skin Care	A Pretty Rock	Bidwell Botanicals
Casto Creations	Christina Maser	Clinkscales Arts
Daisy Janie	Dee-Zigns	Deluxe Junque
Designing-Diva	Feisty Elle	Freshie & Zero
Funky Utopia	Girls Night Out Designs	Gohgirl
The Ivory Magnolia	Jewelry By Jennifer Casady	Jungle Dread
Karalee Designs	LA Black Bags	Lemon Lollipop
Lindsay’s Candles & Stuff	A Little Red Heart	Lucky Ducky Designs
MAUstudio	Megan Leone Designs	Michelle Smith
Midnightsky Fibers	Panopoly Creations	Pattern & Paw
Pequitobun Jewelry	Pink Koala	Polyartgirl Designs
Pretty In Skulls	Primrose Design	Red Delicious
Red Instead	Tangent Designs	TK Jewelry Design
Yokomono Studio	Zu-Li Designs	Zuzu’s Petals

How to Enter

Sorry! The entry deadline has passed!

For more information, official rules, and to see photos of the gift baskets, please visit the giveaway home page at http://www.happilyhandmade.com. If you have any questions at all please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

The Fine Print

Read the Complete Giveaway Rules at the Happily Handmade Giveaway website.

Entries are only accepted through the official Indie Shop Sponsors listed on this page. You may enter only once through each Indie Shop Sponsor. Visit all the Sponsors to increase your chances of winning.

Entries will be accepted from April 1 through May 13. Any entries received before or after these dates will not be entered into the giveaway. Winners will be selected and contacted on May 18, 2009.

All entries must contain your full name (first AND last) and a valid email address. Please make sure your email address is correct, and use an email address you check regularly. If you win, this is how we will contact you. If your email address bounces, or you do not respond within 72 hours, your prize will be immediately forfeited and a new winner will be selected. We highly recommend you add all of our Sponsors to your address book to avoid these emails being sent to spam. Mailing addresses are not required for entry but are encouraged.

International entrants: you are responsible for any applicable customs fees upon receiving your prize. Prizes will be marked as gifts, however we have no control over international customs regulations. We are not responsible for prizes lost in the mail or held up in customs indefinitely. Prize boxes are one of a kind, and unfortunately, if it is lost in transit, we can’t do anything about it.

Your privacy is important to us. Your personal information will not be sold or shared with outside parties. Sponsors may request you subscribe to their mailing list as a condition of entry into this giveaway, however you do have the option to opt-out of all future mailings at the end of the giveaway.

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tags: jewelry, press

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Winner Long Overdue... · 03/18/2009

Earlier December of last year, I made a post about unexpected gifts. I asked readers if they would share stories of unexpected gifts with me, expecting to see numerous stories to celebrate with everyone. I even offered to send a little gift to the story that touched my heart the most. (I was feeling very sappy that week.)

I was disheartened to find that I only had one response. No one seemed to have stories to share. That thought made me sad.

However, with only one person responding, that meant that they were the winner of my little gift:

Christine, send me your mailing address so I can get these little baubles in your hands! (And sorry I am soooo late following up…seems to be my M.O. these days…) ;)

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tags: jewelry

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