I ♥ The Bead Gallery!

2012 - Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:39:00 +0000

Dear Jamie,

This year, I resolve to listen to my heart and love with ALL my heart. I will stop and be in the moment, especially when I am tempted to react in fear. I know that I fear many things: fear of disappointing others, fear of not being liked, fear of being left behind, fear of not being included, fear of looking foolish, ... and the list goes on. You may find we have a lot in common. :)

Because I fear those things, I tend to react too quickly in situations where I feel vulnerable. I used to quickly cover up with rejection before I get rejected, anger: before I could get yelled at, dislike: before I could be disliked... and again the list goes on. again. It's amazing how we protect ourselves, and the very thing that protected me was also the same thing that didn't allow the love to flow.

In the past couple of years, I learned a lot by putting myself in "risky" situations. By being myself, being TRUE to myself and listening to my heart. I stopped writing here because I had nothing new to share. I stopped posting because it stopped pleasing me. Today it pleases me to write and though I still have nothing NEW to share, I'm ready to heal a lot more of the old. This year is about coming to terms with a LOT of stuff that has brought me here, and I'm ready to move forward mindfully and I'm willing to push past my fear.

So if you are reading this.. know that you are LOVED, understood and cared for. Not just by me, but by the universe, and if you are willing to accept that love, then the flood gates will open and you WILL feel the love flow. Stop saying, "no", unless someone is hurting you. Stop saying "later", unless you are talking about dying. Stop saying "I can't", unless you REALLY cannot. e.g. "i can't hear you," because I'm truly deaf in my left ear :) wink!

Include more Yes's, I'd love to's, I can's, I will's, and I love myself's!!! We are truly valuable and we MUST must MUST practice and believe this. and if you need a helping hand, come see me. I have some different things we can think about, do, believe, and create together. I've been blessed with many helping hands and helping hearts around me, and I extend the same to you :)

with love and aloha! jamie
ps. you can FLY!!!

last day of the bead gallery on ward

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 10:42:00 +0000

Good Bye Bead Gallery on Ward!

i've spent the last 12 years of my life in the same building, going up and down those stairs, and meeting thousands of wonderful people. it's been the best part of my adult life, and i'm sitting here in awe of what was created. i'm not thinking just about the jewelry, the projects, the emails, the website, and all the creative ideas... i'm feeling full of spirit, love and gratitude.

the best life lessons of hurt and healing, rejection and acceptance, miscommunications and understanding, conflict and resolution, loss and gratitude, ... ALL have occurred under this particular roof. and all of the energy that was poured into my life, my environment, and in the familiarity of the PLACE around me is now recognizable only within me. i thought it was in the things around me, in the comfort of the location, and the everyday sameness of familiarity - but amazingly... it's not!

when i looked at the empty, broken-down store before leaving tonight.. i thought i'd be sad. or something to that effect, especially after so many customers asked me.. "aren't you going to miss this place?" i wasn't sad. i felt nothing... just ready to go home with my husband, like the last 4000 days we've done so.

everything i am, everyone that i love is already in my heart. i carry the best of me, the best that i can do, the best of everything that i have ever done- inside of ME, and i only realized that today. i've never been more tired, more irritable, more emotional (hello period, thanks for visiting me NOW), more in physical pain, than the past 3 weeks, and with all that going on - I cried twice today, both times because i was so grateful. i finally understand that dedicating the past 14 years of my life to tbg was not a waste, i have no regrets, and that this whole journey has been about bringing love into my life. Today was a clear message, that i am successful.

once in my office in the middle of the move - i started to tear up. I had to stop and ask myself, "am i sad? why am i crying?" only to discover that chasing that emotion led me to think about anna and gale holding down the fort at the new bg, while ali, amanda and my other girls were packing like crazy in the main showroom - and i felt so grateful, my heart felt so full. to follow a dream, live the opportunity and be a part of a community that shares in that love, there is nothing better.

after getting home and pulling up in the driveway at 11pm, i cried again. because i was so thankful for my husband, and we had just had a late dinner prepped by my supportive mom. everything i do has been 100% supported by them, and i will always be striving to share that gift with as many others as i can. it is a gift that i honor and will serve for as long as i am able, and that i am able to unreservedly receive love and support from those around me, and share that openly is a culmination of the work in progress that is ME!

thankfulness doesn't always show up in the middle of chaos, in the middle of total non-stop action. and i am writing this message and sending it out in the universe, so that i can REMEMBER that it should. and i can make it so.

living with gratitude and appreciating the love that i receive and am blessed to share, jamie

mahalo ke akua, mahalo, mahalo, mahalo!

Everything Jamie Loves is In Here!

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 10:17:00 +0000

The Bead Gallery - Part 3

It's our 14th year in business and I can't believe it's time to move for the 3rd time. Change is haaaaaaaard!! Can you hear me grumbling as I say this? Maybe it's cause my body hurts, my brain is in overdrive and I wonder where the past 14 years disappeared to, and what I have to SHOW for it.

It's been too easy for me to look for quantifiable proof that the last 14 years were productive, worthwhile, purposeful. Maybe if I had a million dollars in the bank, I'd feel terrific! No. Even as I type that, I roll my eyes. Maybe if we had children, I'd feel like I had something to show.. that I added to humanity and created a life. Hmmm.. still not sure bout that. But as I bring home boxes and boxes of &*(^ that have accumulated over the past decade+, I wonder.... what was I saving? What is this stuff? Is this what I have to show for my adult life?

So as my anxiety continues about the business being "successful", I continue to dissect, re-evaluate and reflect upon my meaning. What am I here for? What am I here to do? What is success? Whose idea of success am I determining my current state by?

Last month, I asked Michelle and Jason, "if we didn't do all the things we did, like classes, dvds, kits, displays, packaging, offers, emails, website, new products...." would we still be here today, in this exact place? When they both answered to the effect of "most likely/yes/probably" I couldn't stop laughing at the irony. I saw myself as a little mouse on a wheel, pedaling as fast as I can, and going nowhere! I was so busy being busy, I didn't even think about the VALUE of my life. I was putting so much effort into keeping the business alive, I didn't even consider WHY that was important to ME.

I never once questioned, "is this worth it?" I just put my head down and bulldozed forward for the past 5000 days, saying the bead gallery was the most important thing. work was most important. making money was primary to taking care of all of us. But I never thought it through, to WHY was that important to me.

When we realized that we couldn't continue the business at its current rate of decline in this economy, I had to choose: move or close. Maybe at the time it was pride, fear, ego that spurred me to reject closing, and finding a new, cheaper space with lots of parking and on the first floor was way too easy and convenient. So I chose move. BUT I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT WHY I wanted to continue. Loving beads is NOT enough of a reason to have a bead store. trust me!

Last week, as I painted the new store with JoAnn, we discussed grieving, being in the moment and just being present with our feelings. This was the first time I spoke aloud of my feelings toward the store, so it was a surprise to ME, to hear why I'm doing this. I told her that for the past year, I've been pledging my service to ke akua, to doing whatever it is that I am called to do. That I will have a willing heart and open mind to god/the divine spirit/the universe, and that I am here to serve whatever is needed. That I have been blessed with a most loving mom, and a most loving husband that have supported me and loved me and showed me that with unconditional love, you can do ANYTHING! I am so grateful and so thankful, that I am committed to sharing that which I have received, with as many people as I can in my lifetime.

I am not continuing the bead store for money, success or to provide people with employment. I am not moving the store just so that Jason and I can work in non-traffic times. I'm not even doing it because it's the only thing I know how to do at this time, and I understand that the job market is challenging.

I truly love the people that I work with. I love the people that come through the door. I love the interaction, sharing our lives, stories, opinions and perspectives with each other. I love the healing work that we do through the bead store. I love that we have invested 14 years in creating a community, a place of fellowship, trust and equal energetic exchange. I love that there are people that will always challenge me, and give me situations to practice patience, kindness and understanding. This is not just a bead store to me. It's a place of healing, love, creativity and growth. It just happens to be a bead store. If I wanted to re-name it, I would change it to "everything jamie loves is in here". And that's a perfect reminder that I do carry everything I love with me all the time.. in my heart. The store is a convenient meeting place where YOU + me = Us

This move is meaningful. I am deliberate in using this change to reflect my inner changes as well. I plan on doing what I know is right. I want to move forward with honesty, balanced with compassion for myself, and others. I want to experience abundance of spirit, love, and energy. I will do my best to listen and follow through with my heart's messages, knowing that I am loved and supported in all that I do.

It is given. It is free. Amene.

Blogging.. what happened?

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 21:56:00 +0000

Question: So when did blogging turn from being a joy to a chore?

Answer: Perhaps when I realized that I wasn't doing it for myself.

Journaling is intimate, focused inwards to my heart. It allows me to be reflective and aware. A blog is similar, but I found that I held back on some truths. Many of those truths unveil a part of me that I am not used to sharing with the general public.

In the store, I'd like to think that I am being my TRUE SELF at all times. But I know that I don't serve my highest good at all times. I hold back. I bite my tongue. I shut up (even though it doesn't seem that way, huh Anna!!). People hurt my feelings and I allow it. People energetically help themselves without returning the love, and I allow it. People bring their baggage and attempt to leave it. And I allow it.

At what point do I say, NO THANKS! I love you. Please love me.

So, with that reflection, I say, goodbye blogging for entertainment. Unless I want to be entertained. Goodbye to blogging for information sharing.. Unless I want to share. Goodbye to blogging, without being aware of my soul's purpose.

THEN, when I do write something... it will be for my good, my evolution and my awareness. And if I change my mind, then HELLO to balance, hello to acceptance, hello to equanimity.

don't you just love a win-win?

* * * * * * * * *

Here's a quote to inspire me:

Don't worry about what the world needs. Ask what makes you come ALIVE and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

- howard thurman

aaaaaand......

here's a pic of jason's favorite bracelet. knotted imperial topaz with all different religious symbols.

he's added a couple more since this shoot...

i so admire my husband. he has such an open mind and acceptance about belief systems and his interest in the divine and his openness about each individual's personal journey with their god or gods... i'm fascinated by that! mahalo, mahalo, mahalo ke akua! i am grateful for the people that are in my life. lessons abound!

Happy New Year- come get blessed!

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 20:10:00 +0000

Happy New Year my friends! So many exciting things coming up... sooner than I ever imagined too! We've been in business for 13 years, and in our Ward space for over 10 years now, and our lease comes up this year, so we plan on moving! Keep updated, and we'll let you know what happens :)

On that note, I've been breathing in, and breathing out a LOT! Keeping calm and staying present in my body.. it's so tempting to jump forward to questions like "where are we going?" "how will we get all that stuff over there?" "what if business continues to decline?" YIKES!! so i just keep breathing and focusing on this very moment - where I am okay! I am perfect as I am. Mostly I write this to remind myself, in case you are wondering.

My beloved kumu is coming to The Bead Gallery to bless my friends and family! Read below and email me if you want to come!!

Ho'omaka Blessing for the New Year!

Happy New Year! Let 's welcome the new year with love, gratitude and blessings! Join us for our Ho'omaka (new beginnings) mini sessions with my lomilomi and spiritual teacher, Kumu Karen Carroll!

She will be here doing blessings and energy clearings from head to toe! Perfect to start off the new year. We will also gift you with this sterling silver charm stamped with our very own angel wing/ho'omaka design!

Gina and I designed this charm for our family and friends, so that it would carry our love and intentions - to remind you that YOU are loved and cared for.
The angel wing - for protection and blessings, is combined with a tiny spiral to remind us that we are always able to experience NEW BEGINNINGS!

Saturday, January 22: 10:30 - 3:30pm and Wednesday, January 26: 1:0o - 6:00pm
We are scheduling appointments every 15 minutes, so contact us for your time! $35

Call (589–2600) or email for an appointment!

*We will have other ho'omaka shell pendants that have been blessed by kumu at the healing pools, and will also be doing custom stamping on-site as well, so if you want additional charms to be made with meaningful words, (like below) please let us know!

doing what i love....

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 11:47:00 +0000

dear bloggy:

where have i been? following my heart.... i decided to write only when inspired. not to entertain, and jeez... that left me without much to say in the recent months.

i've been busy doing spiritual readings at the store, and giving gemstone recommendations to people looking to enhance and become more aware of their being, and of their wellness. that's been quite amazing.

yesterday, my mom said that she's going to write down EVERYTIME something serendipitous, "coincidental", or wish-come-true happens. she already had one by 2pm yesterday. now that's some awesome manifestation! i really love her a lot. she's my inspiration and idol - she was cooking healthy and threw away her msg far before it became "popular" to cook without... she was recycling, reusing and renewing - sewing, and making things by hand when it was for those who "couldn't afford". I'm amazed how she told me not to take too many medicines and adjusted her own heart medication decades ago, because she trusted her own body vs. the application of straight up western medicine. I remember being HORRIFIED that she would over ride the doctor. Now I'm just amazed at her intuition. way to go mom!

So with that reflection, I realize that I can trust myself. I've seen enough, experienced it and need to believe. NO wonder that's such a popular word: believe.

so bloggy.. i'll be back. i'm busy being 4 decades old. that's a lot of experiences to live with, things to reconsider, and constant evolving.

my first consideration is to follow my heart. i'll start with that.. every day.. every minute and go from there.

With love and light, jamie

here's a cute candied box i made while i was sick at home this week:

and here is a cute vintage lucite pink buddha that i brought home from the store, just because!

what's the SALE?

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 09:42:00 +0000

i used to like sales. until i realized that it was stuff that didn't sell. that's ironic, that it's called a sale, huh! anyhow, i've finally come to a point in my life where i have a LOT of beads. and they are all mine!! and i had the amazing realization that i will NEVER EVER use them all in my lifetime!

maybe this is what happens when 40 is coming. at least for me. i'm excited, and it seems so significant, and i feel like whatever i've been delaying or postponing... well, I'M GOING TO DO!

and so this leads to our exploding SALE table. i've been putting a lot of stuff on SALE. some of which i've outgrown in taste, style or interest, and others that i just have to let go of cause there is NO ROOM! it's hard. letting go is hard.

but here's what i've learned, especially in the last 13 years of beadstore owning: material things come and go, but all the people that i've met and loved along the way are in my heart and that's something way more valuable than beads. the store is an avenue for us to meet, greet, welcome, share, create and BE with other people- participating in LIFE with other spirits, and a place to experience love. it could very well be boiled eggs, t-shirts or cups. it just happens to be beads.

so goodbye little beads... bye bye freshwater pearls. sayonara vintage glass. SIDENOTE: thanks to my marm for bagging them, tagging them and labeling them for sale!! my idol :)

* * * * * * *

here's just a scattering of photos of friends we've made along the journey - see the light that shines, the genuine connections that are made! thank you to everyone - your picture may not be on this blog, but your spirit shines in my heart.

g-blog in da house!

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 09:06:00 +0000

my friend, geralyn/g-blog, was kicking it in the store with me today, and brought her canon 5d to visit me (an awesome camera with video capabilities). She captured me in the moment of making her a wellness necklace, and we want to share it with you!

* * * * * *

and here's a fun pic of me and my friend, mary k.

i met her at at craft fair over 14 years ago, and learned how to do many MANY beading techniques from her. that's where my love of wire, vintage beads, and peyote stitching started!!

thanks mary, for your continued love and support! and stop hiding behind me!!

very cute photo, thanks to g-blog of hokulii images

inspire me and win a prize!

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 10:37:00 +0000

***

okay, i love 2 things a LOT. Contests and being inspired. SO, here's my contest. Inspire me in any way you like to make a piece of jewelry for you... and the winner will get..... a piece of jewelry from me!

The "prize" may be simple (honestly, cause i haven't been beading much lately), but I've been feeling a surge of creative energies as I turned the calendar page and began the countdown to Christmas! i just need some help getting focused and basically something out of the ordinary to entertain myself with!

Comment on the post, and I will read them. I promise. And yes, Michelle and Anna, you can enter ;) wink!

Be creative. So will I!

me 'n cissy desperately in need of something to motivate us!!

good nite! luv jamie

my present is my present!

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 09:31:00 +0000

september was overwhelmingly busy - 1 expo, 1 bead show, 4 birthdays, website renovation, 1 anniversary, 1 1st birthday party, 1 surprise birthday (yay gina!), my first acupuncture...... on top of our regular stuff. OOOH, and my kindle, and my new video camera to do HD beading videos, hoooray! no wonder i'm pooped out!

all this busy-ness got me to wondering. am i happy doing all this stuff. if i did absolutely NONE of it, would i be sitting here tonight feeling exactly the same? do all of my paths converge into the same future, which is now my present? is the present, called a present, because it's a gift?

so many questions. here's some answers from the past 20 days that fill my heart with laughter and joy:

our 11th anniversary

me 'n stephen meditating with my massage equipment

cissy paddling with my rice paddle in my cooler boat

30 scoops of ice cream with my trainer, randy

all dressed up for the beadshow- fancy!

soul intentions at the bead gallery

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 11:28:00 +0000

7 years or so ago:

somewhere along the way of having a bead business, i realized that i wanted to work with my friends forever! it's so much fun, i love it, and there's always laughter, support and sharing.

i used to WISH we could have a jewelry business together, and simply make stuff and sell it. years passed and i talked about it, and pondered. as i moved forward into expressing my love and spiritual guidance through healing with gems, the plan solidified.

last year:

the plan: i would make jewelry and sell it with my friends!! so funny to hear the same idea over so many years, and finally having the courage to move forward. after much thought and sharing with the girls, we agreed that we wanted to have fun, and to share our love and best intentions with others. we would not take into consideration fear based questions like, "will people like it?" "is is too expensive?" "should we use cheaper materials" "do those colors look good together?" and so on!

all we focused on was transporting healing energies through our thoughts, designs, execution, and sharing. it was an amazing process because i felt no fear, anxiety or self-doubt about pursuing this plan.

fast forward to our unveiling of the soul intention jewelry tonight:

after our first night at the women's expo, we sold absolutely NO jewelry. we left in high spirits, laughing, enjoying each other's company, our hearts filled with love, and looking forward to tomorrow.

we are successful, we are true to our mission and we loving our lives. there is nothing more i can ask for. i know that we are serving a higher purpose, and i will hold that in my heart. the mind is a funny thing - it wants to convince us that we are not deserving, not good enough, or that our dreams can't come true. the heart and soul send messages of trust, support and knowingness that everything is unfolding JUST as it should.

kahe wale, baby! let it flow!

thanks especially to michelle, gina, amanda, jana, cass, bonnie, jo ann, anna, jason- for the extra help these last few weeks - making it possible to fuse everything and everyone i love into one wonderful experience called LIFE!

vacations are fun!!!

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:52:00 +0000

jason and i went to boulder for my friend's (since 7th grade) wedding! to relax after all the wedding activites, we chilled out in san diego with the animals. so amazing to see them up close. here's some highlights from our trip last month.

crazy guy at orchid farm - choosing centerpieces for jen's wedding

shy panda in San Diego! the highlight of my trip!!

sleepy panda baby

cutest koala!! so tired.....

happy beignets about to be eaten in Boulder!

crazy guy at celestial seasonings factory - he keeps popping up in my photos!

at kumu's house

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:45:00 +0000

kumu and i creatively brainstormed today, about all the things we love! yippee!

soulscape haul

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 05:35:00 +0000

hi gina, (and all my other bloggy friends) here is my new "haul" from soulscape in encinitas. ccg: i got you a goodie from this super cool store, just want to say THANKS for loving me and for keeping my creative flow going while i have no beads around me :) this computer video stuff is quite fun, creativity in ANY form gets me going!!!

luv ya!! jamie

i'm a beauty guru!

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 08:50:00 +0000

thanks to gina and to you tube, i've been hooked on watching "beauty gurus" online, and learning make-up tips, how to "wing" my eyeliner, hide the shadows under my eyes, stretch out my high heels, poof out my hair, have a "back to school" look, and so on!

it's fascinating, compelling, beyond understanding, and tad bit disenchanting, but once i start clicking, i can't stop! it's amazing to watch them go from ordinary to unrecognizable with the help of beauty aids. i'm addicted!

some of these "beauty gurus" just suck you in, and as a tribute to them and a gift to gina, here is my very own beauty vlog!

and yes, you can be a beauty guru online too! come over and i'll video you with my mac, and we can post it online.. make sure your tips are just as helpful as mine, though :)

my crystal fix!

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 10:25:00 +0000

i love sparkling things! here is a quick demo to show you how EASY it is! I've been doing it for years, and just recently realized...

if i SHOW you how easy it is, you will finally BELIEVE me!!!

at the very least, Gina and I had a great time playing around after the store closes ;) thanks gina, you're a doll! not only did she shoot the video, she loaned me the shirt off her back for the demonstration. hey, no video of that!!

bling bling! jamie

desperately seeking perfection

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 10:16:00 +0000

an apt title for this blog entry. haven't blogged in a while cause i had a GREAT idea of making a little video of me showing you how to use the hotfix rhinestone setter, demonstrating how EASY it is to add swarovski crystals to clothes, bags, scarves, hats....... and putting it on my bloggy!

then i was going to put the hotfix tool on sale at half off, so that we can all walk around in our sparkling outfits!!!

BUT, i haven't had time to make such video, much less put the setters on display, or even talk about it with customers cause i've found other fires to put out. SO, because i couldn't move forward with that project, i just couldn't move forward with blogging. CRAZY huh. and i'm sure there are many of you nodding your heads in agreement, about how our minds make rules that we think we must follow. i forget that perfection isn't a goal to achieve, it's just being here in this moment!

well ladies, tonight, i'm breaking that habit of waiting for that "perfect moment" or for everything to "align perfectly", or "go in perfect order", and i'm moving back into the flow and i'm here to say, "IT'S ALL GOOD!" no video, no samples. i'm still blogging, and i'm not going to even post a pic. how's that for some rule breaking??

i am perfect as i am. and so are you. right now, i am loving myself completely with gentleness and compassion. please gift yourself with that as well!!

love to you, jamie

p.s. want to see me sparkle-ize something? bring it in, and i'll hotfix a crystal to it for you! my treat! (make sure i'm in before you come!)

texting my heart out!

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 07:24:00 +0000

so kelli, my beloved employee, left for new york last year. tomorrow, it makes ONE YEAR, wow! isn't that synchronistic that i felt compelled to write this?

i feel like i watched her grow from girl to woman, and i am so proud of her, and love her so

much!

loving someone that much, made it hard to let her go to and not be able to watch her embrace the world. i was so tempted to call and ask questions, offer advice, and want to steer her in the "right" direction. MY direction, in retrospect. it's so hard NOT to interfere, but i learned to separate MY fears and anxieties from hers. so i bit my tongue, and for the past year resisted calling, spying, interrogating and just watched her from afar i.e. Facebook!

last week, i felt a tug of worry as we drove to work. suddenly she was at the very surface of my heart, i hoped she was okay, and i felt like i needed to do something. so i did a quick prayer, texted her my love and hit send.

later that day, she let me know she had gone home cause she felt really sick. just confirmation that love connects us. even without email, facebook, iphones.... all i have to do is trust my heart. it sends and receives so easily...

thank you kelli! we are and always will be connected through love, laughter and joy!

here's a picture of me, wearing one of her earring creations! did i mention she's a jewelry designer in new york? whoo hooooo!! i'm so proud, my smile looks too big for the photo!

sunrise at waimanalo

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 08:49:00 +0000

sunrise at waimanalo, so beautiful... so worth waking up at 4am for!

my sistah "g-blog" of hokuli'i images took this picture, and i MUST say, that i LOVE looking at this pic of me and my luvie! she took it on MONDAY, and it's only wednesday nite, but i've looked at it many many times!

every day, i see him through MY eyes. many times distracted by the day, and all the little things that fill up my hours, until i realize... whoa, where'd my day go? it's amazing to see "us" from a different perspective. from 3 feet away. to see what he sees when i look at him.

13 years - we've been together and my heart is filled with so much love and when i SEE that love and joy, captured so clearly- it centers my heart and my life and reminds me of what i am here for. beauty, love, companionship, laughter, comfort, loyalty, understanding, friendship.

i am focused. just like this picture. centered on what's important, and fuzzy around the edges.

i am so grateful for all the love in my life!

aquamarine rock

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:29:00 +0000

so bebe made this gorgeous necklace featuring our shell pendant toggle clasp in the front - so pretty!!!! and speaking of necklaces, i was inspired to make a gift-wrapped aqua pendant for myself, just yesterday!

this baby fist-sized chunk of aquamarine is more for display (ON ME!) than for jewelry, but it made us LAUGH once i put it on! amanda voted for a thick silver chain, to balance out the 1/2 lb. stone, but i thought that the cord looked much more pleasing, HA HA!

i could only wear it for like a few minutes, before it was WAY too heavy. come in and try it on.. it'll make you laugh too!

byeee! jamie

put your best intentions into it

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:11:00 +0000

Had a round of intention knotting classes this weekend, and it was terrific! I made new friends, they made beautiful, meaningful and supportive jewelry, and I practiced communicating my insights and gemstone messages.

Allison's gems were aquamarine, kunzite, and moonstone, basically for peace, love and insight. I say basically, cause it took 30 minutes to convey the message, but for bloggy's sake, i cut it down!

After 3 appointments - LUNCH! boy, all that holding a space in my heart for my peeps made me hungry!

Emilie made this gorgeous knotted bracelet with ametrine, kyanite, ruby in zoisite, green amethyst, pink sapphire and blue sapphire. Her gems supported communication, connection to the divine, making a space in our hearts for love, encouragement to follow thru and flexibility of mind and heart. SO wonderful!!!

What a great day.. i love putting our intentions, listening to our messages from our hearts, and allowing spirit to flow while creating a supportive adornment for our bodies.

Love to you all! going to exercise and make another bracelet for ME today!

jamie

dirty jewelry? no way!

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Wed, 19 May 2010 22:37:00 +0000

Spent hours making beautiful earrings and necklaces, only to have it yellowy-grey and dingy after a few months?

Dirty jewelry! What causes it and what to do!

Very simply, our skin, moisturizers, make-up, chemicals, smoke, foods, and air can cause our jewelry to turn dark and dirty (see below).

What do we do at TBG? Polish it with a non-toxic cloth/pad, spray it with a non-toxic, non-acidic enzyme, or throw it in the tumbler.
Our favorite is the tumbler cause we can LOAD it up with beads and finished jewelry, turn it on, walk away and come back to it looking awesome! It uses stainless steel shot (jason's homemade mix) and a little bit of soap, and you're green lit to go!
Bring in something tarnished, yellowed or just in need, and we can guide you to products that will help, and if there's time, we may even clean it for you!
jason recently ordered a limited amount of tumblers, and we have a handful left in stock. email jason@thebeadgallery.com for more info!
three cheers for clean jewelry!
luv jamie

love making the jewelries!

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Thu, 06 May 2010 20:29:00 +0000

my friend mi'ilani brought her friend akiko to the store, so i did a mini cupcake wellness for her! i did a reading, a gemstone consult and made these pretty earrings (that we did a quick blessing and set our intentions on)! Love it!!

it's a dream come true for me, to have a bead store AND use all my skills and inspiration to design jewelry that is meaningful and carries the vibration of love and positive energy for that specific person!

i wish i could do this every day! in fact, i will make myself a bracelet for that VERY wish! let you know how it goes...

luv ya! jamie

charity fair countdown....

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Sun, 02 May 2010 08:45:00 +0000

just a few more hours of prep work to go and ready for Sunday, May 2nd charity fair from 10-2.

putting the final touches on my silent auction silver clay charms donation, and the store is in gear for tomorrow! we will have it out in the courtyard, so dress for warm weather!

looking forward to tomorrow, yippee!!!!

love jamie

we need your help for hawaii's kids!

noreply@blogger.com (beadgirl) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 19:46:00 +0000

Kids Hurt Too (one of our charities close to our BG hearts) is one of the groups that got to work with ProjectFocus Hawaii!

ProjectFocus Hawaii is a local non-profit run by Lisa and Laurie, and is VERY close to my, and especially Jason's heart. He has always told me how much photography has meant to him and his creative expression, and how we believed that it could be a wonderful experience for kids. When we found out about ProjectFocus, it was like a dream come true. We look forward to working with them AND if they get VOTED TOP 10 PROJECTS AT THE END OF THIS DAY, THEY GET $25,000!

Please click here and vote! The last time we rallied, we got 50,000 books for Hawaii's keiki that arrived last month, yippeee!!!

Rally rally, come on peeps! Just vote.. you will have to either facebook, or fill out the form but $25k for Hawaii's kids at risk, is worth it!

Project Focus Goals

• Encourage children to have a "voice" through the camera lens
• Build self-esteem and self-awareness through use of photography
• Facilitate private school scholarships for deserving participants
• Provide mentoring opportunities for kids beyond scope of program
• Provide media exposure & visibility for our non-profit partners'

LOVE Jamie!