The wonderful people along the way

There have been some wonderful benefits from operating my own business on the Internet. One of these are the people you meet along the way.

Sometimes I am too focused with my own shop that I forget to take a look at what's around me. Morgan Moe of Morgan Chelsey Designs is one such example. She is the owner/operator of a lovely hand-made jewelry shop on Etsy.

It wasn't until recently did I really take notice to the gorgeous earrings and necklaces she makes. I was floored at the low cost of the items as well. She uses semi-precious gem stones, crystals and plated Sterling silver on all her goods.

I consider Morgan a friend of mine. Every time she visits our shop she brightens my day. I have never met such a courteous and ultra polite person as I have with her. She claims these attributes came from dealing with the public all her life. She reports that she refuses to be like some of the people that she has encountered in her life. For this I am greatly appreciative because most of us, if not all, have had our share of difficult patrons.

I bought this beautiful Chalcedony necklace from her shop just recently and can't wait to receive it. Maybe if you ask her she will make you one too! =]

LUCID - Chalcedony Necklace - SOLD

Pictured below are just a few pieces of the gorgeous work she does. Do visit her shop. It is an experience you wouldn't want to miss.

Treasured Earrings - Swarovski and Filigree - $12.00

REGAL Earrings - $15.00

SAFARI Necklace - $18.00

BLOOM Earrings - $12.00

Thanks for dropping by. It is always a pleasure to serve you.

Anne & John

Leather Made Nice - Etsy

Leather Made Nice . com

It's the Love That Comes With It

I was entirely prepared to write a blog about an award a group of 15 people received, myself included. The recipients were to pass on the award to 15 new blogger's, of their choosing. I was to discovered these new blogs and report what was learned about each one. Quite pleased about receiving this award I took on the challenge with enthusiasm. I did my research for countless hours and had written and re-written the blog until my head hurt. I said to myself, "Anne, writing a blog shouldn't be hard work. It should be spontaneous and fun".

I thought it curious that my situation was mimicking my daughters life at this very time. She is a highly intelligent and attractive young lady but recently she has been having a difficult time assimilating with her peers. At home she is quick witted and humorous but at school she is introverted and shy, thus having a difficult time fitting in. She has her usual classmate friends but now she is in a different setting - a stage production with new faces and unfamiliar personalities. As I spoke with her this morning I realized I was trying to do that very thing. I wanted to fit in with a certain group of people that share a common thread - a radio program they follow.

In the latter part of 2008 a group of them participated in a live show and because I couldn't access the live portion of it I felt left out. My business took off leaving me little time if any to follow the show, so again I was distancing myself from this group I wanted to be part of.
As I listened to the advice I gave to my daughter I could hear my inner voice say "take my own advice." So here you have it. I have decided to feature 3 individuals that I have come to appreciate and befriend from the Etsy community and blogging world.

Back in November 2008 a lady by the name Amy of Brandi76662 added my shop to her "Hearts". As a courtesy I sent her back a thank you convo for doing so. Amy responded in kind and we began discussed things quite openly. A bond developed and now we are very good friends. I have never met any one person that has faced so many adversities as she has and remained optimistic and good hearted. Her cavalier approach to everything often lifted me to where I thought my dilemmas were inconsequential in comparison to hers. She has the most genuine an relaxed sense of humour that I can truly identify with. No holds barred and spoken from the heart.
This is one of the items that I like from her shop. If you send her a convo, tell her I said "Hi" :D

Leopard on the loose - $10.00

Pam, of Magdalenejewels is a lady that I have come to meet and like via the chat rooms and other blogs that I follow. She has a classy demeanour and always conveys herself as such. Very unassuming and eloquent are her convos to me. I recall her son opening a shop on Etsy and I "Hearted" it. He was featured in a previous blog (Hollywood Icons). Pam being passionate about her life and family sent me a thank you convo in which I could identified with and appreciated. To my great surprise she purchased two wristbands from my shop. I was thrilled. Thank you again, Pam. When I communicate with her I always feel as though I am chatting with an old friend, welcomed and understood as will any person who visits her shop. This is my favorite piece of jewelry from her shop and it depicts her beautifully.

Juliet - $48.00


The last of the ladies I am featuring is Delina of Glyptic, and yet another New Yorker. She has to be one of the sweetest young ladies I have ever had the privilege of conversing with. Her modesty is refreshing and she has the knack of making one feel important without effort. I made her a custom belt and bag and in appreciation of it (and payment) she sent me two gorgeous bracelets. Simply put she is a lovely and talented young lady and you really must visit her shop.

Topaz Wreath N Dangle Pendant - $64.00

Please do check out these shops and let yourself experience the love that comes with it.

Anne ^i^

Leather Made Nice

A Test of Faith

To test a dye that we may use on our products I made this wristband. The test was a failure but I fell in love with the wristband regardless. I wear it often, especially when I need to remind myself to have faith in God and that things will work out.

Yes, it may be a ostentatious bracelet but if I am going to ask for help I might as well ask for it loudly. On the other side of it, which you don't see, are the words, "Thank you, God." I am Christian and I do believe in the power of prayer and as a spiritualist I know He hears us.

In mid-November we had problems with our '97 SUV. Unexpectedly, "Jimmy needed major repairs to pass the emissions test. Thus taking a huge bite out of our Christmas money. With cool heads John and I presevered having faith that the money would magically show up. The magic of prayer and positive thinking brought us a rush of sales from our Etsy site at Christmas and continues to this day.

Sadly, it has been reported that our area (near Toronto, Canada) has a recorded high amount of snow fall in over 75 years. That translates to - yes - you have it, "Jimmy" lost his reverse gear. Parking for the last two months has been a challenge..., sigh!! Again, John and I remained calm and put our faith in God that we would get through this. The sales continued to come in and we thank Him for every blessing. At one point we believed the crisis was over...., until of course one afternoon, while taking our son to work in the next town, the transmission ceased to work. Jimmy would not go beyond second gear. Thirty-five kilometers an hour was all it could do. I never thought I would look forward to stopping for red lights or travelling behind slow moving vehicles. In fact, John and I would laugh when a garbage truck sped off leaving us trailing behind.

Since we have invested all our savings in getting our business off the ground, cash flow is sparce. At least the interact machines haven't laughed at us yet - that's a good sign.
As I look down at my wristband I sent out another request to the universe - any color vehicle will do - God -thank you!! Patience is our lesson at this time.

When I start to feel sorry for myself and downtrodden I think of the ladies that I have met on etsy. All of them in their own way have faced great adversities. One of my most recent friends is, Nancy. In one of our first conversations she candidely shared some life experiences with me. Hers dwarfed mine by a longshot. An error occurred during a transaction and I wanted to re-imburse her for it. She nonchalantly told me to send it along stating, they are just things! She was referring to objects in our lives that most of us (me) consider(d) important. She in her own way reminded me of what is important in our short lives. It is something I give thanks for everyday - my family. When I feel like I am drowning in circumstance I close my eyes for a second and imagine them gone. Everything else pales in comparison.

Pat is another such friend. She and Nancy have helped me open my eyes. Their kindness and candor is refreshing and welcome.

This is a chakra necklace which I use in meditation

To the wonderful people that chat with me on our Etsy site and my good friends, Kim and Deb, at the post office, their friendly smile and kind words get me through these hard times. Thank you!!!

Smiles!!! ^i^