Red Jade and Tiger's Eye Om Cuff

I arrived home from a wonderful vacation  today and got straight back to 'work' on my jewelry.  I have been using a lot of red Jade recently and I wanted to create something with a Tibetan feel to it.  Reds and oranges/browns were the base colors and I was very excited to incorporate the Tiger's Eye beads.  To find out more about this lovely memory wire cuff, click on the picture or click here.  Then check out other wonderful pieces at Butterfly Warriors Jewelry. 

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mothers everywhere will be celebrated very soon.  I have been the proud recipient of many a fine gift from my sons. I cherish the thought behind the gift probably more than the gift itself.  I do, however keep each and every single one...forever!  

Kids are usually on a budget, and as I thought about this celebration of love for Mom, I felt my Mottled Glass collection was probably the most ideal gift.  The glass beads are so amazingly beautiful with colors of the seashore.  The double hearts are a reminder of the love between a mom and child. The matching earrings can also be added for that extra special touch, also.  And best of all, it is at a price-point that children can reach without too much help from Dad.  

Countdown to Mother's Day Week 7 (I'm a little late!)

Let's celebrate Mother's Day with a blog hop led by a wonderful blogger over at Blue Morning Expressions.  I am late to the party but you can check out all the rules and fun here.  I will be more on the ball next time and link up in time for others to join me.  Meanwhile, take a peek at some of the wonderful gift ideas for those spacial women in your life.

Fundraising: The Salisbury Bracelets

Last week I sat in a meeting with my grade level teaching partners, planning the curriculum and focussing on learning when, out of the blue, one ask me to make a bracelet for a silent auction at a Salisbury Seagulls fundraiser.  The charity was the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society...how could I say no?  But...the event was in two days so I had to get moving.

I'm good at working to a deadline so I headed to my supply shop and found the perfect quartzite beads in the school colors, maroon and gold.  I even found alphabet beads and a charm that would look delightful.  I stocked up an set about creating a nice design.  Wanting to give options, I made three prototypes.  My friend could pick which one and I would make three or four; one for the auction and a couple for her and her family.

My friend, Karen, literally squealed with delight at the sight of the three bracelets and announced that all three were perfect and can I have five more ready for Friday?  It was Thursday, I had no more supplies, and I had a baseball game and swimming to attend with my kids.  BUT...it was for the LLS so I said yes.

Life After Leukemia - A Little Scare

When people talk about finding a cure for cancer, it has many meanings.  My son is not technically cured...he has to be five years clear of treatment before he is declared "much less likely to relapse".  This means every time he gets sick, I have to calmly check in and make sure it is just a 'normal' sickness.

Most times I don't overthink things.  I don't always run to the doctor.  I watch and wait for a series of symptoms to emerge.  If they do, off to to docs we go.  Today was one of those days.  My mommy gut was telling me to stay calm, but the nagging voice in my head was a little louder too.  This got louder as the nurse, having taken the history, asked if we minded waiting until our regular doctor made it in because of all the strange things going on....WHAT?   Um...yes, we WILL wait (and panic a bit).

I must have flashed back the full two and a half years of hospitalizations, radiation and surgeries in the twenty extra minutes we waited.    I remained calm and my son was oblivious...but I was a mess inside.  You see my son's cancer does not yet have a real cure, and he can relapse at any time.  I know that.  He fears it but does not know the facts fully.

The final result was a diagnosis of Fifth's Disease.  I was so happy, I almost hugged the doctor.  The office was being cautious and I appreciate that.  But we need to find that CURE!

To make a donation to my son's Light The Night fundraising page for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society please visit: http://pages.lightthenight.org/wch/Wstchstr14/KZweig

To purchase handmade jewelry in support of cancer warriors ($2 of every sale goes to my son's fundraiser) please visit: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ButterflyWarriors

Terrific Turquoise Treasury - Featured Curator

How could I resist this lovely treasury when it features my absolute favorite color!  Click on the picture to view the entire treasury in all its turquoise glory.  Many thanks to Wendy Wilson from Shrewsbury Creations for including my turquoise HOPE bracelet in this collection.  Check out her beautiful Polymer clay jewelry here.

Amethyst, Rhodonite and Quartzite Bracelets - Healing and Protectio

The idea for this bracelet came from a customer request.  I have sold many Pink and Purple Bracelets with Rhodonite and Quartzite, but she asked of I could create one with Amethyst as the purple bead.  Of course  was happy to do this and delighted with the result.  Butterfly Warriors Jewelry had a new design! 

The healing properties of this stackable bracelet come from the Amethyst and Rhodonite stones. Pinks and purple tones are highlighted with natural earth-tone beads and gold accents for a stunning effect. The 6mm rhodonite semi-precious stones are interspersed with 10mm Amethyst and Quartzite beads, separated by antique gold spacers. 

Amethyst is a stone known for its protection and healing powers. It also has the power to help with insomnia and headaches. 

Rhodonite is a healing stone and clear emotional wounds for the wearer. Past traumas can be dealt with, and the heart is opened up and healed. Rhodonite nurtures love and brings out confidence while eliminating confusion. 

Rhodonite also aids in bone growth and healing organs. It is used to help those with auto-immune diseases and ulcers of the stomach. It also decreases swelling of joints and promotes relaxation and a sense of well being.

A Beautiful Gift for My Etsy Store

Creative DIY

They say good can come from bad situations and I am a walking reference for proof of this.  Despite having some very major issues with the health of both of my sons: my eldest tried to emerge into this world at only 24 weeks gestation and, after a very difficult bed rest, was delivered by emergency C-section and rushed of to the NICU for breathing complications; the very same child developed bacterial meningitis at the age of 4; and my younger son…well he wanted to trump big brother so he fought leukemia…(yes, they still argue about who had it worse!!!)

Yet I am an exceedingly lucky mom.  Both my sons are healthy now and I have experienced so much generosity, kindness and caring from such a diverse group of people, even people who have never met any of this crazy family, and it truly humbles me. 

One such person is Etsy shop owner, Regina Gold.  I have never met Regina, nor had I visited her shop, Gold Puff before.  Yet, after me posting on the discussion forum asking for design advice, she sent me a beautiful logo made especially for Butterfly Warriors.  She told me that my son’s story had touched her and she wanted to donate her talents.  Regina’s shop is not a design shop.  She is not promoting anything for sale.  She is just an incredibly creative person who did something so good. 

I even had the nerve to get picky about the color of the ribbon!  Yep, I am that person (sometimes). But the reason is because I never want my mission to be forgotten.  I notice I am becoming more involved in other illnesses.  I am painfully aware of the horrors of autoimmune diseases: my mom has Lupus, ME and Fibromyalgia.  I have ME. But I still try to focus most on raising cancer awareness.  Also, my donations from each sale go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, so it makes sense to be clear about the main focus. 

So Regina was a superstar and gave me an orange ribbon.   I have to say, I love having such a beautiful logo for my Etsy Store, but it is so much more meaningful because it came from the heart.  Someone took the time to show love for all the warriors, and that is not lost on me one bit.  So here it is, the new logo for ButterflyWarriors on Etsy.  Perhaps Regina has a new calling and should open a shop selling them…I would be a customer if I had not already been gifted such a treasure. 

Summer Freshwater Pearls

I fell in love with freshwater coin pearls as soon as I laid eyes on them.  The shape…the velvety look…the fact they were not perfect!  I knew I had to do something that maintained their natural beauty as well as show them off.  I decided to keep this bracelet very clean.  No fancy frills, I just had the pearl coins do all the talking.  I added detail by breaking up the pearls with copper beads.  Their colors were a perfect match…I really couldn’t have been more pleased. 

While copper and rich velvety colors don’t usually scream ‘summer’ to me, I feel this bracelet can be worn all year and especially in the summer.  Summer means bare feet, natural sun kissed faces, beach hair and casual style with a touch of flair.  Imperfect, copper freshwater pearl coins are a perfect natural element that combines sophistication with beachy. 

Some wonderful Etsy finds that would compliment this bracelet are: