The other reason

So I'd like to be able to post at least once a week and hopefully more once my little guy gets on more of a schedule but today I want to introduce the the other reason why I wanted to create jewelry: her name is Angela. She is a beautiful, amazing, strong woman that I met by chance and now we're friends for life! (got that Angela?)


We've had a scary year. Angela was diagnosed with breast cancer in August and it has been a test of courage and faith for her family but she went in with guns blazing and came out on top! You can read all about her on her blog: http://cancerfnsucks.blogspot.com/. If she doesn't inspire you to be thankful for every day and to approach every hurdle with a positive attitude, then you must have no soul. I kid, but really read it. She is fabulous!

So what else does one do immediately after being diagnosed with breast cancer, but form a Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure team, of course! And thats what Angela did. Although she is 500 miles away from me I can still help. I stamped out a necklace that represents what all cancer patients must never lose sight of: hope. When all else fails, there is always hope.

This necklace is available for $14 and all profits will be donated to Angela's team. The Susan G. Komen Twin Cities Race for the Cure is in May so we have just a few short months to start raising money!! I can't be there to hug her or cook her dinner or rub her adorable little head, but I can raise money for her team and help spread the message! Here is how you can order:

1) Email me at rustic.charm.jewelry@gmail.com

2) Message me through Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Rustic-Charm/231606926897048

3) Visit my Etsy site here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/rusticcharmjewelry

Here's to you Angela!

Welcome!

Hello! Welcome to Rustic Charm and Flower Farms! My name is Mandi and I create custom made, hand stamped jewelry and now I am attempting to blog about how it fits into my life!

First, a little about me:

I am a 30-year-old working mom of three boys, 4-year-old twins and my 12-week-old little guy. I've been married to "Z" for five years and we live in the outskirts of a small town in Michigan. I love all things domestic including cooking, decorating, organizing, gardening and attempting various crafts. I say attempting because I could start a blog solely discussing the crafts I have failed at! I love handbags and coffee. And desserts. I have amazing friends and family and I am always looking for a my next big project.

When I say I have amazing friends, I really mean it. My sisters, co-workers and ladies I have met online are all very special to me but there is a certain group of girls that I just can't get enough of. They are the girls I've know since elementary school, that have seen me at my worst, laughed at me, cried with me, applauded my successes, cuddled my children, and stood by my side no matter what. Last year we all turned 30. blech. It wasn't really that big of a deal but it was a bit of a reality check. We are no longer those girls that dressed up in tight black pants and halter tops and strutted to the city to dance all night. We are grown ups. We are moms! And we are all 30.

We got together one evening this fall and laughed all night gossiping, complaining about our husbands and our children's bodily functions, and at the end of the night I sat and savored the moment. I love these women. Well, actually I was 8 months pregnant and the only one sober, so at this point in the evening I had no choice but to sit and soak it all in. But either way, I really do love them. I wanted something for all of us to have to honor our friendship and our lives as women. Of course - I can make something!


So Rustic Charm  was born. A stamped initial on a silver charm with a wire-wrapped pearl for each of them. The adult version of a "BFF" necklace. Now I continue to make custom pieces for others and I love it!






It is the new year and I have a million ideas that I can't wait to start working on and posting about. Thanks for reading and I hope you'll check in every now and then!

~mandi {rc}