The Memories and Thanks Blog Hop is both in honor of a lovely friend of Lori Anderson's, Marianna, and for those people in our lives who mean a lot to us - you can read more about the hop here.
I'll start at the beginning - why I started making jewelry.
My beautiful niece, Erica, was diagnosed with cancer in September 2008 - that rocked my family's safe, comfortable world - this doesn't happen to our kids!! Erica had been living on her own and making a comfortable life for herself in Myrtle Beach, SC. When she got sick, her Mom made her come back to Merrimack, NH to get the best care they could find. I wanted to be able to do something, anything, for her. Knowing that she liked jewelry, I started taking classes at my local bead shop. During this time, I started calling her Sweet Girl (SG for short) because she had such a sweet little voice - she also had a wicked sense of humor! As time went on, she was in treatment and I was making more jewelry, so I asked her to help me come up with a name for my "shop". She chose Sweet Girl Design which I love, because she's why I got into making jewelry and she continues to inspire me. Erica was beautiful, delicate-graceful, funny and, most definitely, full of love. My niece, Jackie, wrote this wonderful poem about her sister.
This past September was the 3rd Annual Erica's Run which raises money and donates it to local families in the Merrimack area, who are fighting cancer. Three of my sons and I were able to go - there were 436 runners, up from 207 in 2011! The team that puts this run on is a wonderful group of people that have helped lift my sister and her family up from the depths of despair - they're now a part of our family, too. There aren't enough words to say thank you to them, we are eternally grateful!!
I was fortunate to have been able to move my Dad near me, in February 2011, when he had dementia. He lived in a beautiful nursing home about a mile from my house, so I was able to visit every day. My boys would often come with me and play cards and laugh with him - they got to know their grandfather in a whole new way. My parents had divorced over 20 years ago, but any anger or resentment melted away, and Mom would often visit him when she was in town. The love and compassion my Mom showed towards my Dad at the end - she wouldn't leave his side and held his hand as he passed.
In February 2012, my Mom went to stay at my sisters in NH for surgery - she had just found out that she didn't have cancer! She was in such a state of pure joy - the weight of worrying lifted. On Valentine's Day, my sister and her fiance found Mom on the floor in her bedroom, unresponsive. My sister called me as soon as the paramedics left - I said, of course she's going to be ok, it's Mom, the strongest person we know! My other sister, uncle and I flew in immediately, not sure what to expect. The aneurism was so big, that there wasn't a chance for her to come back - our rock, the best person we knew, wasn't coming back to us. The memories we shared in my Moms last couple of days - we laughed..... we cried.... I'm so thankful for my two amazing sisters, the two strongest people I know!
The memories my boys have of their grandparents - priceless! They were able to see the silly side of Grandpa - one I hadn't seen since I was a kid. Nana was always interested in what they were doing even if she didn't understand it (computer anything, video games) and often flew in for their many events.
My oldest sister married her best friend, last summer, in a beautiful wedding in Wilton, NH. I was able to make her a necklace using beads from one of my Moms and Grandmothers necklaces. The dish in the picture is one, of many, that my Grandmother painted - she was a fabulous painter!
I made these necklaces using my Moms clip-on earrings and a crystal drop - I wear them often. I've also made necklaces for my sisters and nieces.
I picked up a crochet hook over the Christmas holiday (it's been years!) and started making scarves. Lori suggested we use the color red in Marianna's honor - I found this Starbella Collegiate yarn - it's now my favorite scarf! I've made several of these scarves because I like the ruffles - or as my nephew used to call them, buffles. I love how soft, fluffy and buffly they are!
I found this key in a local antique store - it's a grandfather clock key that I put on a chain of stringed beads that slips right over your head. I added a blingy crown made with a vintage pearl, bead cap and Swarovski rondelle.
If I could turn back time with this key .....
one more hug .....
one more smile .....
I'm so grateful that I have two amazing sisters to share all of our wonderful memories with, and make new ones - I'm thankful, daily, for their love and constant support!!
Thank you for taking the time to read my post! I hope you'll take some time over the weekend to visit the many participants - I'll be spending the next few days reading all of the inspiring stories.
I'll start at the beginning - why I started making jewelry.
My beautiful niece, Erica, was diagnosed with cancer in September 2008 - that rocked my family's safe, comfortable world - this doesn't happen to our kids!! Erica had been living on her own and making a comfortable life for herself in Myrtle Beach, SC. When she got sick, her Mom made her come back to Merrimack, NH to get the best care they could find. I wanted to be able to do something, anything, for her. Knowing that she liked jewelry, I started taking classes at my local bead shop. During this time, I started calling her Sweet Girl (SG for short) because she had such a sweet little voice - she also had a wicked sense of humor! As time went on, she was in treatment and I was making more jewelry, so I asked her to help me come up with a name for my "shop". She chose Sweet Girl Design which I love, because she's why I got into making jewelry and she continues to inspire me. Erica was beautiful, delicate-graceful, funny and, most definitely, full of love. My niece, Jackie, wrote this wonderful poem about her sister.
This past September was the 3rd Annual Erica's Run which raises money and donates it to local families in the Merrimack area, who are fighting cancer. Three of my sons and I were able to go - there were 436 runners, up from 207 in 2011! The team that puts this run on is a wonderful group of people that have helped lift my sister and her family up from the depths of despair - they're now a part of our family, too. There aren't enough words to say thank you to them, we are eternally grateful!!
I was fortunate to have been able to move my Dad near me, in February 2011, when he had dementia. He lived in a beautiful nursing home about a mile from my house, so I was able to visit every day. My boys would often come with me and play cards and laugh with him - they got to know their grandfather in a whole new way. My parents had divorced over 20 years ago, but any anger or resentment melted away, and Mom would often visit him when she was in town. The love and compassion my Mom showed towards my Dad at the end - she wouldn't leave his side and held his hand as he passed.
In February 2012, my Mom went to stay at my sisters in NH for surgery - she had just found out that she didn't have cancer! She was in such a state of pure joy - the weight of worrying lifted. On Valentine's Day, my sister and her fiance found Mom on the floor in her bedroom, unresponsive. My sister called me as soon as the paramedics left - I said, of course she's going to be ok, it's Mom, the strongest person we know! My other sister, uncle and I flew in immediately, not sure what to expect. The aneurism was so big, that there wasn't a chance for her to come back - our rock, the best person we knew, wasn't coming back to us. The memories we shared in my Moms last couple of days - we laughed..... we cried.... I'm so thankful for my two amazing sisters, the two strongest people I know!
The memories my boys have of their grandparents - priceless! They were able to see the silly side of Grandpa - one I hadn't seen since I was a kid. Nana was always interested in what they were doing even if she didn't understand it (computer anything, video games) and often flew in for their many events.
My oldest sister married her best friend, last summer, in a beautiful wedding in Wilton, NH. I was able to make her a necklace using beads from one of my Moms and Grandmothers necklaces. The dish in the picture is one, of many, that my Grandmother painted - she was a fabulous painter!
I made these necklaces using my Moms clip-on earrings and a crystal drop - I wear them often. I've also made necklaces for my sisters and nieces.
I picked up a crochet hook over the Christmas holiday (it's been years!) and started making scarves. Lori suggested we use the color red in Marianna's honor - I found this Starbella Collegiate yarn - it's now my favorite scarf! I've made several of these scarves because I like the ruffles - or as my nephew used to call them, buffles. I love how soft, fluffy and buffly they are!
I found this key in a local antique store - it's a grandfather clock key that I put on a chain of stringed beads that slips right over your head. I added a blingy crown made with a vintage pearl, bead cap and Swarovski rondelle.
If I could turn back time with this key .....
one more hug .....
one more smile .....
I'm so grateful that I have two amazing sisters to share all of our wonderful memories with, and make new ones - I'm thankful, daily, for their love and constant support!!
Thank you for taking the time to read my post! I hope you'll take some time over the weekend to visit the many participants - I'll be spending the next few days reading all of the inspiring stories.
Hostess, Lori Anderson Pretty Things
Adlinah Kamsir Dream Struck Designs
Aimee Biondolillo Aimee's Jewelry Treasures
Alicia Marinache All the Pretty Things
Andra Marasteanu Handmade by Indra Marasteanu
Andrea Trank Heaven Lane Creations
April Grinaway Brooklyn Bead Goddess
Andra Marasteanu Handmade by Indra Marasteanu
Andrea Trank Heaven Lane Creations
April Grinaway Brooklyn Bead Goddess
Barb Solem Vivi Magoo Presents
Becky Pancake Becky Pancake Bead Designs
Beth Emery Stories by Indigo Heart
Bonnie Coursolle Jasper's Gems
Cassi Paslick Beads: Rolling Downhill
Catherine King Catherine's Musings
Cece Cormier The Beading Yogini
Chandra Leitz Juniper Goods
Chrizette Bayman Bead Soup Mix
Cindy Wilson It's My Sea of Dreams
Crystal Thain Here Bead Dragons
Cyndi Lavin Beading Arts
Debbie Rasmussen A little of this, a little of that
Diane Hawkey diane hawkey
Dita Basu ankarshilpa
Donetta Farrington Simply Gorgeous
Dyanne Everett-Cantrell Deeliteful Jewelry Creations
Emma Todd A Polymer Penchant
Erin Kenny beadiful therapy
Erin Prais-Hintz Treasures Found
Gina Hockett Freestyle Elements
Gloria Allen Innovative Dreams Jewelry
Heather Marston CSW Designs
Inge von Roos Inge's Blog
Jacqueline Marchant Fiddledeedee Jewelry
Jami Shipp Celebrating Life!
Jean Yates Snap Out of it Jean, There's Beading to Do!
Jessica Murray Whimsical Monkey
Joan Williams lilruby jewelry
Jo-Ann Woolverton It's a Beadiful Creation
Joanne Browne josjewels1
Jodie Marshall Jodie Marshall Lampwork Beads Wearable Art
JuLee Wolfe The Polymer Penguin
Julie Bean Blue Pig Blog
Karen Mitchell Over the Moon Designs
Kelly Hosford Patterson The Traveling SideShow
Kim Ballor Vitamin C ... A Daily Does of Creativity
Kim Dworak CianciBlue
Laren Dee Barton Laren Dee Designs
Lea Avroch LA Jewelry Designs
Leanne Loftus First Impression Design
Lena Adams (Mari's daughter) -- TBA
Liddy McLaughlin Liddy McLaughlin Art
Liddy McLaughlin Liddy McLaughlin Art
Linda Florian Lily's of the Valley Jewelry & Creative Creations
Linda Inhelder Must-Haves Jewelry
Lori Bowring Michaud Artfully Ornamental
Lori Poppe Adventures in Creativity with Lorillijean
LouAnn Elwell Southpass Beads
Mandi Effron Craft-o-licious
Marcia DeCoster MadDesigns
Marcia Dunne The Alternative Foundry
Marie Covert Creating Interest
Marjorie Savill Linthwaite bennubirdrising
Marlene Cupo Amazing Designs by Marlene
Martha Aleo Ornamento
Marti Conrad Marti's Buttons -n- Beads
Mary Ellen Parker BeeTree by m.e.
Mary Govaars MLH Jewelry Designs
Mary Lindell Mary Lindell Artisan Jewelry
Maureen Connolly Mrs Beadsley's Workshop
Maybeline Tay The Jewelry Larder
Melissa Elgin The Addicted Beader
Melissa Mesara one-eared pig beads
Menka Gupta Menka's Jewelry
Michaela Pabeschitz la mar de bonita
Mischelle Fanucchi Micheladas Musings
Mona Rae Baroody Who Does She Bead She Is?
Nan Emmett Spirit Rattles -- Spirited Earth
Nancy Pedersen Something Heartfelt by Nancy
Pam Farren re-maker
Rebecca Sirevaag Becca's Place
Robin Kae Reed Artistry HCBD
Rochelle Brisson a creative chelle
Sabine Dittrich perlendschungel
Sandi Volpe Sandi Volpe
Sandra McGriff Creative Chaos
Serena Trent All Things Made Jewelry
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections
Sheila Davis Stone Designs
Shelley Graham Turner Fabric of My Life
Sherri Stokey Knot Just Macrame
Sherry Baun Unicorns Jewels
Skylar Bre'z Brising Beads
Stephanie Haussler Pixybug Designs
Tania Spivey Moobie Grace Designs
Terri G. Blooming Ideas
Terry Carter Tapping Flamingo
Terry Matuszyk Pink Chapeau Vintage Jewelry
Tracy Martin Nutkitten's Jewelry
Zia Parks Anzi~Panzi's Work Shoppe
Zoe Marcin Beads, Tea and Sweets
