Essentially Perfect

As a jewelry designer my favorite thing to make is a long strand of wire wrapped gemstones. I work this element into most of my storyteller pieces but my favorite will always be the Essential Necklace. I think these necklaces are so incredible. I have at least three in my personal collection and my bright gemstone mix on bronze wire is my go to necklace. I have never worn it that someone didn't ask me where I found it. Pictures and words don't do these necklaces justice in my opinion. It's best to hold them in your hand and see the light reflected off the stones in person. Of course the next best thing is a video. 

The Essential Necklaces take an hour and a half to two hours to create making the price point a bit higher than my other designs but the versatility of this piece makes it worth the investment! In this video I go over 5 different ways to wear the Essential Necklace and how to pair it with with my Essential Pendant to take it to the next level. 

I try to keep as many gemstone mixes and wire options in stock as possible, but if you don't see exactly what you are looking for please contact me with your custom requests! Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go play with gemstones!

Storyteller

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I have a love for stories. I just love to know more about the people we share this earth with. I also have an insatiable appetite for inspiration. The more stories I hear the more I think of creative ways to tell those stories. My Inspired Collection is of course representative of the stories in my life and the ways that people or scripture have inspired me, but what about you? I want to create pieces to represent what inspires you.

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That is what the Storyteller Collection is all about. These new designs are all unique. I will never duplicate a design in it's entirety. The elements of these designs take on a personality and tell the story that you want to hear. I have loved seeing my friends pick up these pieces and say, "I have a friend who needs this." I want these pieces to have so much personality that they simply belong to one of you, before I even know it. 

There are so many more designs to come in this unique line. Many are currently on display at Vintage Warehouse of Spartanburg & Rustic Restorations of SC. You can find some online HERE. I hope you find the one that belongs to you or a friend!

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Blessings

Shortly after we learned about James's encephalocele my sister sent me a playlist of songs that she thought would encourage me. One of those was Blessings by Laura Story. This was the song that I played anytime I found myself alone and needing comfort. The lyrics were so true where they said, "what if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near". I've grown up in a christian family and I've had a relationship with God for the vast majority of my years on this earth. Still, I have never felt God's nearness the way I have this year. I've grown stronger in my faith and I honestly feel this experience is making me a better person than before.

Let me pause here to say something important. It is so easy to say "everything happens for a reason" when we don't know what else to say. However, I simply don't believe that there was a reason my son had to die. I believe that God created a perfect world that became imperfect through disobedience. I believe that the human race has continued to sin and make bad decisions since the beginning of time and that has perpetuated the fact that bad things happen. God doesn't cause the heartache in our lives; He sees it coming and prepares us for it. When tragedy strikes and we call out to Him; He will answer us. Sometimes He gives us a miracle. Sometimes He uses the pain and heartache - if we let Him - to shape us and give us blessings we never imagined.

Chapter 5 in the Gospel of Matthew is familiar to most of us. We quote it often to remind ourselves that life won't always be easy, but God uses those circumstances to bless our lives.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 5: 3-10 NIV

One of the many blessings we have received is the courage for me to change directions with my career. Instead of working full time and creating on the side, I now work part time to focus on building my business with the goal of eventually being a work from home mom. From the moment I began designing James's Joy I started to think of other scriptures and songs that inspired me and I decided that I would create a special line for these designs. This Blessings necklace is the second in that collection. A beautiful little reminder that sometimes His "blessings come through raindrops".

What if Your blessings come through raindrops? What if Your healing comes through tears? What if a thousand sleepless nights is what it takes to know You're near? What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?

Blessings, Laura Story

You can find this and other Inspired designs in my shop HERE.