Featured Designers: Monkeyshines

Here is a lovely new pair of earrings that Jen of Monkeyshines made. The faceted teardrop shapes are iolite stones, which Jen explains that in gem lore is said to have spiritual properties: opening the soul and enhancing psychic experiences. Wow! All that and they will make you look great too!

Thanks Jen for sharing your treasure with us.

- Elaine

Good News from Ornamentea

I had a great trunk show at Ornamentea this last weekend. Thank you to everyone who stopped by. Since most of my time working is alone in my garage, it is a nice break to get to spend some time with such creative people. During these shows I get to chat with the staff and hear all kinds of wonderful ideas from the customers. To my heart's delight, many of the customers wore pieces of jewelry to the show that they had made from previously purchased items.

The good news is that even though the inventory at her two stores: Ornamentea and Panopolie, and on the web site are slightly different, Cynthia let me know that how easy it is for local beader to buy items from the website. When checking out on the web site, just click “pick up at the store” shipping option and let them know if you want to pick up your order at Ornamentea or Panopolie with an email to weborders@ornamentea.com. It’s that easy.

Thanks again to everyone who stopped by and to all the wonderful people at Ornamentea who continue to make me look so good!

"Soul Support "

A great friend of mine, Bonnie Anderson, is walking 3 days this weekend in support of the fight against breast cancer. She participated last year in the Atlanta 3-Day, saying it was the greatest physical challenge and one of the most rewarding experiences of her life.

The 2006 3-Day raised $86 million dollars in 12 cities and Bonnie's team "Soul Support" raised over $10,000 with only 3 walkers. This year, they will walk in the Philadelphia 3-Day October 5th-7th.

If you can, please give Bonnie your financial support. Your tax deductible donation will fund breast cancer research, raise awareness, and provide education and early detection of breast cancer. Your donation makes a real difference in the lives of those affected by breast cancer today and provides hope for tomorrow.

When deciding to donate or not, keep these numbers in mind: to train for this event, Bonnie has walked approximately 500 miles and has a personal goal of raising $3000. If you follow This Link you can see she is sooooo close to her goal and how you can help her meet and maybe even exceed her goal.

Thanks so much in advance for your support of everyone affected by cancer. I know that not everyone can donate right now, but I do know that everyone out there has been touched by cancer in one way or another - thanks for all the support, both emotional and financial everyone has provided for our brothers, sisters, moms and dads.