barefoot news and owls and holidays

so one day i was on facebook and someone posted a meme about parenting that really resonated with me.  i followed the link to the facebook page of barefoot five.  do you know her?  as i was scrolling through her photos, i recognized her rings (because i am always checking out people's jewelry) and made the connection that one of my customers was called barefoot mama.  i contacted her to tell her of the serendipitous event and she responded, saying she never takes her rings off.  i sent her this message:

the timing of this seems so perfect, as is so often the case. i've just been rediscovering my power, remembering that my work is so important. during the break that i took from making jewelry i realized that i don't just make pretty things for people to wear. i believe that i make meaningful pieces for women to cherish, to pass on to their daughters. in the tiny town where i live, i've kind of become a new sort of healer. women come to me and we talk about what's going on for them, what they need in their lives, what they're working on, needing, desiring, wanting to let go of... we come up with a stone, or stones, that resonate with that and words or phrases or song lyrics to fit and i make them a special piece to wear and rub and focus on as they go through whatever it is. i sometimes think of my work as the opposite of a worry stone- intention stone, or manifestation stone.

i've made wedding rings for so many local couples over the years; i've made necklaces for mothers to give their daughters when they begin to menstruate; i've made "lanterns" to help women battling cancer; i've made many necklaces for mothers, grandmothers, aunts, etc with the names and birthstones of their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews; i've made countless dog tags for folks who cherish their dogs as their children; i've made memorial jewelry for remembering people who have passed... 

i am totally rambling now, but i think what i am trying to say to you, without meaning to sound grandiose or melodramatic, is that i think i am ready to really bring this out into the world. and you seem like such a wonderful, powerful woman to partner with! your message that you bring is so beautiful and it really resonates with me.

so let's create together!

one thing led to another and i asked her if she'd like to do a collaboration.  which led to this:

very exciting.  i will keep you updated.

i made this custom owl pendant for a customer's granddaughter yesterday.  aquamarine birthstones for eyes.

and the holidays are in full swing around here.  i am feeling so so grateful for my three girls right now.  they are my world.

hazel's a bit old for the santa visit.

in addition to several local holiday shows, i had my first ever trunk show at my house last week.  it was so much fun to have friends and neighbors over to eat, drink, and shop!  definitely a new silver sparrow tradition.

and theo is really enjoying herself.

there are several new holiday options in my etsy shop right now.  i have added a ready to ship section with items that can still be received by christmas.  i've also added priority and priority express shipping options to make sure you receive your gifts in time.  and, there is now the option to purchase a silver sparrow gift certificate, available here.

dorothy has been a great helper with all of my holiday orders this season, offering moral support and helpful suggestions from my back.

happy holidays!