serendipity

When celebrating the start of a new year I always feel a sense of gladness and hope. They are such refreshing feelings. Like anything is possible and new again. This is where kindness of spirit takes flight and all is calm in my mind and heart. As if to let myself know that what was not accomplished last year can absolutely be pursued in this new year. Renewal!

So, while shopping at my local thrift store, I found this bag. But at closer look it turned out to be a little more than a bag. As I was inspecting it, to see if it would fit my laptop, I found an envelope, but not an ordinary envelope.  I slipped it out and noticed it had some writing on it. I began to read what was written on it. I was frozen! It was meant for me to find. "Serendipity".  On July 15, 2006 she wrote, "maintain positive spirit, joyful, reverent, balanced - healthy faith"! I couldn't believe it. She wrote more through scribbles and clarity. Isn't that what complete and honest thought is all about. So whoever she was I thank her for leaving this list for me to find. I am a true believer that things happen for a reason and I am proud to be the one to take these words and add them to this year's way of living. I also wanted to thank each and everyone of y'all for reading my blog these past years and I wish y'all a happy and healthy new year! xoxo joyann

Play, Play, Play

We are enjoying these wonderful lazy days now that Christmas has come and gone. Playing choo choo, staying in our jammies all day watching videos, and playing more choo choo! Wren has made this Christmas extremely magical and so much fun. That is why I am so greatful for this past week and all the memories we've made.
Hope you all were able to enjoy some lazy days in your pj's too.

Ornaments And Friends

Where has the month of December gone? It is the most wonderful, yet hectic, time of year. In a span of a couple of days I attended our annual DIY ornament exchange and was part of an amazing handmade holiday open house.
Getting up to that point was a lot of preparation but heaps of fun to be a part of. Tiffin hosts the ornament exchange every year and this year she just made her home a wonderland. A wonderland of crepe paper and vintage baubles. Each one of us had our own personal ornament boxes to put our creations in. I couldn't wait to see what everyone came up with this year. It really truly amazes me. Even those who say they are not creative end up making the best ornaments. This year mine were a decoupage of pages from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and glittered to the hilt :)

A jump to a couple days later, Jenni, Tiffin, and I got together at Jenni's home and hosted a handmade holiday open house. It was so much fun. And we turned Jenni's already amazing house into a boutique. All of her beautiful paintings, jewelry, and wonderment that she does paired with Tiffin's amazing hand drawn botanicals, re-purposed vintage lamps and sweet, sweet embroideries. I couldn't have been happier to be among them. It was a nice success and I think we may do something else this spring.
Merry Christmas Everyone!! I hope your holiday is a very blessed one.

sorry for the dark picture but it still looks like a crepe paper wonderland doesn't it?

my own personal ornament box

it was filling up fast;)

I got to set up in Jenni's amazing pink dining room!!

my newest creation! crocheting on chain! I am in LOVE!!!

also preserving vintage baubles on cuffs! another LOVE!!!

one of Jenni's amazing paintings!!!

also her necklacs with my faves.... birds :)

her sweet message heart ornaments

Tiffin's amazing botanicals

her o so sweet embroideries..

Tiffin is a true jill of all trades... jenni's art tiles in the back ground

Looking a lot like Christmas

I love pulling out our Christmas decorations! I am a cheese ball and always tell the ornaments I missed them. Which is what I used to do as a kid. Instead of my sister laughing at me my husband does that now. :) I can't help it I always get so super nostalgic around this time. And this year Wren really understands what is going on. When we lit the tree he just kept saying wow, wow, wow!

I found these amazing vintage ornaments at the thrift! I had to rescue them. They are on a smaller gold tree. The little gnome on the right is in Wren's room. He calls him gnomeo.

Love our white retro tree! We have a real one in another room. Pics of that one coming soon.



At an estate sale I went to this summer I came across a box of vintage foil reflectors. I knew I could do something with them and at 2 bucks for the whole lot it was a no brainer. Then as I was researching them I found out that they are going for up to $10 for just 5 reflectors. Wowssa!

An Invitaion

Hey everyone, my friend is hosting a Holiday Open House. Featuring Jenni (the artsy hostess), Tiffin (Linwood Avenue), and I.  And ya'll are INVITED!!  We all have so many wonderful handmade pieces for that someone special.  So, join us for this wonderful holiday event.  If you live in the area and want to attend e-mail me for the address! joyajewelry@hotmail.com

Falling For Fall

Lately our weekends have been full of playing in the leaves and scouting out as many acorns as possible. Wren is at an amazing age right now where everything is so wonderous and extraordianary. It is so much fun seeing everything through his eyes. My cup runneth over and I give thanks for my family everyday. I hope all of you have a wonderous and extraordinary Thanksgiving. xoxo

Falling for fall is wren's favorite song right now. Love Moose and Z on Nick Jr.



This was just the beginning :) his wagon is now  full of  acorns. Need to put them back in the yard for the squirrels :)

Trying New Things

I have been holding on to a box of silver clay for about four years now. I had no idea what to do with it and all the goodies that came with it. So, it just sat in my crafting closet. After a funny talk with my friend Elizabeth about how long I have had it she and I were hoping it wasn't dust. She is a super talented jewelry designer and was ready to show me how to use it. She works with silver and has experience with the clay and the crazy torch that you have to use to fire it once it is dried. Wowsa! No idea that it would be so addicting once I finished my pieces. I know it has been around for forever but I was just too busy with all the other ideas swirling in my head to play around with it.:) Plus for those of you who know me I am so impatient with directions. I am a visiual gal. So, 20g made these four pendants below. The large piece is the Jane Austen pendant I made out of a stamp that I bought at her home in Chawton a couple of years ago. I can't wait to bead and chain it.  I put the other three together on one chain and absolutely love it. Now I have to buy some more silver clay and keep practicing. But to be honest with ya'll the torch to fire the clay freaks me out just a tiny bit. Will work on not burning down the house. :)