Bringing attention to different awareness causes

http://www.customjewelrybytammy.ecrater.com

I feel very strongly about bringing awareness to various causes. Some, because they touch me personally. Others, because it's something I believe in or because it has touched someone I love or care about. Recently I started designing pins using my tile charm technique. Then I came up with the idea to design my pins in awareness colors, example is shown here.

Diabetes runs on both sides of my family, more so on my fathers side. Thank goodness I am not affected with high blood sugar but I do have to deal with low blood sugar. I get tested yearly because my father had high blood sugar and my doctor keeps close tabs on me. This is why I choose to showcase my Diabetes Awareness tile charm pin. Spread the word and bring awareness to this issue and hopefully there will one day be a cure so that no one has to deal with picking their fingers and injecting themselves with insulin.

The pink & blue awareness pin with butterflies on it symbolizes another issue that has affected me. Loss of an infant/miscarriage/premature birth/stillbirth all have affected me and is something that needs to have awareness brought to as well. I will set aside an entire blog one day to share my experiences in more detail. Hopefully the things I have went through will help others going through what I did. To loose a child is something no mother should ever have to experience. Thank goodness I have two sons, grown adults now, without them my life would have no meaning. They both have brought great happiness and meaning to my life.

Grey awareness ribbon stands for several things including brain cancer/tumors and diabetes. On top of dealing with diabetes, my father also suffered from a brain tumor. Which was inoperable and back then they did not have the technology or knowledge they have today to deal with these things. I want nothing more than to see a cure for brain tumors and all cancers. No child should have to grow up without a parent due to the fact they have died from cancer. I highly feel that bringing awareness and attention to an issue puts it in the spotlight and helps to push for a cure.

The various other awareness colors I have showcased affect friends or those I have met along the way. In the days and weeks ahead I will be designing several more in various colors.

Fight for a cure!
Tammy
http://www.customjewelrybytammy.ecrater.com

Celebrating Easter

I have many customers who come back to me year after year, looking for a little something special for certain holidays. Easter seems to be one of those holidays.

This year I have designed two pair of earrings and one charm bracelet for Easter. I hope to have a few more pieces designed in time for ordering soon. Of course, I always accept custom ordered pieces and always love working with a customer on something special. I think my custom orders are my favorites because it allows the customer to be in on the design. They can choose their own colors, charm designs, etc.

You can purchase the above earrings here
http://customjewelrybytammy.ecrater.com/p/10221697/pastel-pink-easter-egg-earrings

You can view my other Easter pieces here along with various other holiday jewelry
http://customjewelrybytammy.ecrater.com/c/1249220/holiday-jewelry

When I am designing my Easter jewelry I don't have to look far for inspiration. I have a window right here that looks out to my various bird feeders and bird bath with a tree right outside the window. In the tree I have suet and I am lucky enough to attract a variety of beauties to my window. I am surprised I don't scare them away sitting right here but maybe they are used to me, who knows. Either way, it allows me to see up close the beautiful colors of the various birds. I use that inspiration in my designing of spring pieces. As I see the colors change from dull, grey and blah to beautiful greens and all the pastel colors of the spring flowers as they emerge from the ground.... these too inspire me.

It's funny how as a jewelry designer, I seem to take note of things a lot more. I often look at something in a different way than I used to. I see something now I really like and immediately start to think how can I design that into something I can wear. Better yet, how can I design that into something that others would love to wear!

Stop back soon, to see what inspires me next!
Tammy ~ Designer
Custom Jewelry by Tammy
http://customjewelrybytammy.ecrater.com/

Breast Cancer Awareness Magnet

I have decided to use my blog to showcase some of my favorite jewelry designs.  Some of my jewelry designs have a story behind them, others, I am just inspired by various things or people and I will share that here.

Today's showcased piece is my Pink Ribbon Awareness Magnet pictured above.  To purchase, click the link below.
http://customjewelrybytammy.ecrater.com/p/10977516/pink-ribbon-awareness-magnet

I put a lot of thought, planning and time into my Breast Cancer Awareness jewelry designs. I was inspired to design these pieces after my aunt was diagnosed with Breast Cancer a few years back. When I first found out she had cancer I was in a panic but after talking to her and listening to her goals, my panic eased. My aunt had nothing but a positive attitude about her battle and she kept telling me, "I am going to fight and I am going to win!" She did just that! She scheduled her surgery right away. They removed the cancerous breast, beyond that I am not sure what else they did during surgery. I was there when she came out of surgery, was the first person in to visit her. I was not sure what I was walking into but I am so glad I was there for her. She looked so frail but she still had that determination she had before her surgery. I helped her with sips of water, tried to make her comfortable and just sat there with her so she was not alone. I went back the next day and it was like weeks had passed, she looked so much better the next day! She asked me if I wanted to go for a walk with her, I jumped at that chance. Let her set her own pace, I grabbed her IV pole and wheeled that along with us and I took her arm and we just walked. I lost count but we walked up and down that hall several times.

She underwent her chemo treatments, did everything she was supposed to do. She did end up loosing some weight, I am not sure about her hair but knowing her that is something she would have considered trivial and would have dealt with it.

I am happy to say my aunt is one of the survivors! It's been six or seven years now and she remains cancer free. I am so thankful to her doctors and surgeons, thankful that my aunt goes in for her yearly checkups and this was noticed to quickly! There is HOPE! I am praying that there will be a cure for Breast Cancer within my lifetime.

Last year during the month of October, I ran a special on my web site. I was donating $1.00 from every Breast Cancer Awareness piece I sold on my web site. When I was done, I had collected nearly $20.00 and all of that I donated online to the Breast Cancer foundation.  I am hoping to do this again in October of this year and would love to go over that amount!

To all those who are currently fighting Breast Cancer, don't give up! Stay positive, surround yourself with positive people and know that there are people like myself who think about all the fighters daily!

To all those who are survivors, I am so happy for you! Help get the word out, share your stories, be the voice of Breast Cancer survivors.

HOPE for a cure!
Tammy Olmsted

Been a busy week for this beader

I am always looking for inspiration and as I sit here at my table I often gaze out my window at the beauty of nature. Lately I have been inspired by Spring and the rebirth of everything as it awakens after our long, cold and very snowy winter!

This weeks theme for jewelry has been lots of pastels! I have a pile of new supplies laying here on my work table and everything is shouting flowers, spring and summer! I have these beautiful pastel flip flop charms I will be adding to pastel colored ankle bracelets.

With the Nascar season fully upon us now, I will be busy with driver jewelry designs for all my wonderful customers. I promise there will be some beautiful new pieces this year for everyone to wear to the race tracks!

Be sure and visit my web site this weekend. I spend several hours yesterday adding many new pieces. As always, customs orders accepted with a smile!
http://www.customjewelrybytammy.ecrater.com

I hope everyone has a wonderful first day of April!
Tammy