Happy Thanksgiving?

Hello -

Hope that everyone is having a wonderful day today.  I just got home from the hospital.  I had an operation on Wednesday.  Needless to say, I am not feeling great and I cannot really do much else except type. 

I really feel sorry for my puppy, Piper.  She needs a much needed walk which I cannot give her.  Maybe I can convince Tom into taking her on one tomorrow. 

Well I wanted to share with you an unfortunate happening last night at the hospital. Since I did not know would be staying overnight, I did not bring anything except the clothes on my back.  After I found out that I would be staying the night, I told Tom to being back my i-phone and a few magazines so that I would have something to do except watch TV. 

He did and within 2 hours the phone disappeared!  Before security and later the police were called I double and triple checked with myself and the nurse on call.  Nothing! 

I just find this horrific!  I am in much discomfort, think I am in a safe environment and my personal property is taken!  I am going to send a letter to the president of the hospital as I do not feel that I should have to pay for a replacement. 

Oh well I do hope the rest of you had a wonderful holiday with family and friends.  On a positive note, http://www.jewelrybyfrancine.com/ is offering black friday and cyber monday deals - 20% of all in stock items though December 1, 2009 plus FREE SHIPPING!  E-mail for your reduced rate!

Thanks!!!

The Latest in Holiday Jewelry

Hi -.

I have been getting a lot of solicitations lately for holiday garb - clothes, jewelry and accessories.

I thought I would focus on what's hot this season:

WOW  I like all of the trends - what do you think?  Looks like based on this forecast business is 2010 should be strong (I'll keep my fingers crossed)
2010, in contrast to 2009 nine will be all about symmetry and coordination of clothing and jewelery. No longer will you be looking to call attention to your unique jewelery pieces with brash colors and shapes, but a more subtle use of your jewelery is trending in. Bold was good, now bold and stylish is the name of the game.

The price of gold continues to skyrocket. This will continue to have an impact on jewelery making trends. Brass, silver, wood and beads are going to take over the field while gold remains unaffordable for the masses. Beaded jewelery and unique custom made pieces will help people express their individual style while not taxing already strained financial resources.


Cold colors will be the new fashion trend. Wild beads and earth tone colors will be used a little more sparingly, while blacks, whites, blues and grays will help create a fashion image of strength, collection and ability. To stand out with flaring color is no longer trendsetting in 2010.


Handcrafted unique jewelery will continue to be hugely popular. More popular than ever, in 2010, because of the desire to express oneself through creativity rather than extravagance. Expect the truly fashionable to be wearing their own beaded jewelery, from necklaces, pendants, to rings and bands.


A search for meaning will lead jewelery fashion setters to create pieces that have greater symbolism. In 2010, each piece of your jewelery box should have a story to tell and a history to speak of. Selective wearing of symbolic jewelery will set the 2010 trend strongly.


Small, light bracelets, and subtle pendants will carry the day. Perhaps you have a beautifully beaded pendant, small, and nearly unnoticeable until you turn slightly and it catches the light. Jewelery of this type will be all the rage, and occasion many a conversation.


Dangling earrings, with glass beads or a central focus piece will grow in popularity. 2010 will be all about focus and meaning, and the dangling earring provides a perfect counterpoint to the less audacious clothing fashion trends that will be seen.

Friday

Hello all!

My router crashed and I just got my laptop back last night!  YEAH.  I have had a lot of computer issues this year. 

So I need your help!  I am redoing my home page on my website and need your ideas.  I need a catchy phrase that draws people in and making the layout very interesting.  Any ideas?

I have started my marketing campaign.  I called a few hair salons to see if they would be interesting in having a trunk show. I am also posting more on FB.  Don't get me wrong, I have had a great holiday season, but want to do more (always)

Well Rachael turns 17 tomorrow - so hard to believe. She is so grown up and so independent. Those of you with small kids - enjoy your time.  I remember always wishing she would get bigger so that I could take take her out without worrying about changing diapers or that she could talk to me and carry on a conversation.  Just enjoy every minute as they grow up so quickly:(

Well - have to go pick up her birthday cake - have a great weekend everyone. I have included a pic of an order I delivered this week - I really like and more importantly, the customer LOVED IT!!!

EnJoY

Happy Halloween!

Hello - Halloween just isn't what it used to be when Rachael was younger.  We used to make a big deal out of getting her a costume.  We would let her pick out the costume at John's Fun House (which has since closed) and then go out to dinner.  These days Fridays and Saturdays with the family are non-existent and as far as a costume goes, well check out my FB to see the pics!

It takes holidays to really remind me how fast things happen.  Rachael will be 17 in 2 weeks. Seems like just yesterday I took her to kindergarten.  Speaking of time - I will hit the 20 year mark at my company.  I basically spent the majority of my adult life with this company.  I was married, had a child, and many other milestones while working here.  Here's to another 15 more:) 

Well I am somewhat sentimental today - not sure why but I hope that everyone had a great Halloween.  I have posted a picture of my little princess Cindy!!

Marketing

Hello!

I have been think a lot about marketing lately.  I have never hired anyone because it is just me and I do not exactly have a marketing budget.  However, for the upcoming year, in order to solicit some new business, I may look into it.

I was contacted several months ago by someone and at the time I did not have time to discuss anything with her.  So I told her to call me back in September and no call and I lost her e-mail.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  Don't get me wrong - I pound the pavement (well not literally).  I send a lot of e-mails and make a lot of calls until I get either a YES or a NO.  I send out mass e-mails to prior customers and folks who have showed interest at shows, but I want to do more. 

Well I look forward to your suggestions.  I have posted some cute pics of my "girls" and a new piece which I am just in love with - I cannot wait to wear it!!!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Getting Better

Happy Saturday!

I really should not be blogging I have to be at a wedding at 11am and I am not even dressed!  Oh well I have priorities. 

Thanks to everyone for all of the well wishes about Bailey - She will be missed.

I want to shout out to Michele for having a wonderful party for me last night.  Great food, people and her house is lovely!

I have posted a picture of what a typical party is like - as you can see I take up very little space:) 

Have a great weekend!!!

My Little Bailey

It is with a very heavy heart that I tell you that I have made a difficult decision to put my little Bailey to sleep tomorrow. Bailey will be 15 on May 5, 2010.

I have always said that when she loses sight in her other eye that would be the determining factor and today, she did just that. She is bumping into things is afraid to go outside and with the other girls in the house - it is just not fair. Bailey is also deaf and has cushings disease both of which she has lived with for the past 3 years.

You all know how much I love my dogs but little Bailey was so special. She was not a show dog, she was not well bred, she was just that little black dog that was given to us almost 13 years ago. She was the best dog money could buy - and she was FREE!!
Bailey was Rachael's first dog. She was there for her first soccer game, her first day of school. Rachael used to take her for walks around the block and boy did everyone know the two of them:)

Bailey introduced me to the world of dogs. If it were not for Bailey, I would never have Shea, Cindy or Piper. By they way - she was quite the little agility dog:)

Bailey introduced me to so many wonderful people over the past 13 years. There are too many to name.

Bailey was a therapy dog. Boy did she love that - she got to lick all of the crumbs off of the floor:) She gave so much joy to the residents of the nursing home. Vets could not believe that she was a Cocker Spaniel as she did not have a mean bone in her body! (well maybe she didn't like that other Bailey down the street so much:)

Bailey never needed a leash - she would get a few feet in front of me and turn around to make sure I was still there.

Bailey was my shadow - if I moved, she moved.

I could go on and on about the memories that little black dog helped me create. However, the most important one is that she helped me understand what unconditional love is and what it feels like to be adored by a little black dog.

Bailey - I love you and if there is a heaven for dogs - you will definitely be there.