Etch a Sketch Mind

Sometimes your mind goes blank...like shaking an etch-a-sketch so that you are left with nothing but the weight of emptiness. Maybe you're physically exhausted from a demanding job or intensive caretaking. Maybe you're so deliriously in love that you can't think straight!! Maybe you're experiencing deep sadness over a loss. Or maybe you've just become bored with life. Whatever the case, a blank mind can sometimes cause a small fit of anxiety: "Geez there's nothing there! Where did it all go? Will it ever come back?"

Perhaps the first impulse is to scramble and scurry like a tiny mouse, looking all over your brain for those great ideas that have somehow scattered to the far reaches of your memory. My favorite solution is to somehow ramp up the visual stimulation in hopes that my brain will be jump started.

This week my mind is a blank canvas, and I'm trying something new by accepting it as the fog bank it has become. Who knows maybe I'll get some extra sleep, find myself in some delightful dreams, and wake up with a whole new set of creative ideas waiting to unfold :)

I hope you enjoy a little of your etch-a-sketch mind from time to time and find yourself reveling in the beauty of its nothingness!

Egyptian Sacrab Beetle: Consciousness & Meaning

New Day, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry): fine silver egyptian scarab beetle charm

Ancient Egyptians used the scarab (beetle) as a powerful symbol of transformation. Linked to the god Khepri, who rolled a flaming sun across the sky every day, the scarab also created something from nothing. Through our daily growth and discovery, learning creates a sense of genuine consciousness, allowing for connection with divine meaning and purpose.

Wear a scarab as a remembrance that you are slowly coming into being, creating something magnificent from seemingly nothing.

Where Bluebirds Fly...

Over the Rainbow

I curated this cheery Treasury called Over the Rainbow and had so much fun looking for color that screamed pick me!

Wish I could wrap myself in that luxurious, lemon-yellow shawl by Tickled Pink Knits or skip around town in some bright, cherry red earrings from Brooke Marton.

If I was art what kind would I be?

You Are Ceramics

You are open to the world and it's possibilities. You are able to start something without knowing how it will end. You trust your intuition above everything else. Going with your gut often works out. You believe that every day objects can and should be art. The best art allows ordinary life to be more stylish and beautiful.

What Type of Art Are You?

Luna Love

A Mermaid's Best Friend, Ashli Farrar: turquoise, moonstone, and silver

Besides adoring the shop name Luna Love, I am really drawn to the sensitive work of jewelry designer Ashli Farrar. Named in honor of Luna the first orca adopted for Ashli by her mother, Farrar's Etsy shop showcases an intriguing mix of earthy hues, intricate arrangements, and celebration of metal. In her necklace A Mermaid's Best Friend, Ashli has featured a sea horse charm from Hint Jewelry along with a cascade of tiny wire-wrapped turquoise gemstones. I can almost hear the mermaids and sea horses frolicking under the ocean blue!

A Lovely Life, Ashli Farrar: glass, turquoise, and sterling silver

Another delectable find at Luna Love is this dazzling bracelet featuring an amazing Day of the Dead sugar skull created by Anne Choi and lampworked beads by Crazy Cat Glass. If you aren't already a big of Anne Choi, this is an artist not to be missed!

Thank you to Luna Love for introducing me to an new way of seeing a drop of ocean in every turquoise bead :)

Unraveling Love

Saskia: October 1990 - April 21, 2009

soul sister & eternal teacher

Would it be too much to ask of myself to live every day in appreciation of the never ending flow of love you offered through every caress, lick, and meow? May I make my every intent in the world as pure as your infinite knowing. And may you forever delight in chasing after bumbling bees, skittering chipmunks, chattering squirrels, and soaring birds...

blowing a kiss to wherever you are in this moment...
xoxo

Are you my mother?

Eva, Beth Hemmila: amethyst, garnet, peridot, fine and sterling silver

Lately I've been pondering our understanding of the word "mother"? When I went to the source, I found its roots in the Latin word "mater," opening up a whole new level of kinship with words like material and matter. Moreover, the Online Etymology Dictionary sites that "mother" is related to a verb that means "to take care of." Wow isn't that amazing?!! I love how this concept shakes things up, for like all prescribe Hallmark holidays, I seek to find expansion in a consumer focused celebration.

For though I admire and honor the organic process of giving birth to children and the incredible devotion it entails, I'm wondering if the modern mind is missing a bigger concept that ties all people together and is not defined by gender. Wouldn't it be the most glorious thing to know from a deeper level that being a mother is really understanding the needs of the world and being able to nourish them to your fullest potential? In this way, I feel like the possibilities are limitless. I begin to see every little moment of giving as the act of mothering...opening a door for an elderly person, farming for a community, offering someone directions, teaching a kid to read, feeding an animal, making coffee for coworkers, and listening to a friend on the bus. Every act of contributing to the well-being to another human, plant, or animal is a moment of being a mother in our world.

When I designed Eva I was thinking about one of the most famous mythological mothers -- Eve. This tiny hummingbird seemed to express both Eve's innocence and curiosity, which ultimately led to new adventures, where she left the realm of paradise and journeyed into a world that was shaped by her own actions. The idea of an action as a defining element for being a mother creates this immense space for everyone to come inside and find a place on Mother's Day: a foster child, a daughter grieving the death of a mother, a childless woman, a male caretaker, etc.

Now I see there are so many people to honor on this coming Mother's Day and maybe one of the most overlooked is that internal mother that rests inside yourself. The one that offers you unfailing internal reassurance, self-care, and joy. I hope you find some grace while appreciating your internal mother and the people who have influenced your mothering in the world.

I write this piece with much gratitude to all the men and women who through selfless acts of kindness mothered me and have taught me how to be a mother in this world.

Sun, Fun & Murals: Art Mortimer

Manhattan Beach Mural, Art Mortimer, acrylic, 2007

Are you looking for a virtual vacation? Perhaps a drive up the sunny coast of California where you can enjoy the glistening ocean and sparkling beaches? Well be sure to pull out your shades and a pour yourself a cool drink before checking out my article on Planet Pink n Green about the muralist Art Mortimer where you can enjoy a little slice of summer anytime.

Flip Side

logo on the backside of a Hint Jewelry charm

Over the last year, the logo on the back of my silver charms has been shall we say...evolving. Here is the latest glimpse of what you might see hiding on the flip side of a charm.

Why did I choose a flower for my logo? Sometimes I wish it was something more original or clever, but every time I go to change this image nothing else quite compares. I came up with the name for Hint Jewelry while thinking about traces of fragrance. Like that subtle breeze of flowering trees in the springtime, I wanted my company name to evoke the ways we use our senses to intimately connect. Have you ever walked into an empty room and became aware that some trace of a person or animal you love is lingering? To feel closeness through an ephemeral imprint such as fragrance utterly fascinates me. What about you?

Love Dog: Affection & Companionship

Love Dog, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry) :
fine silver greyhound whippet dog charm

Dogs offer humans an opportunity to bond with nature in a close and affectionate relationship. Their understanding, trust, and joy bring warmth to dreary hearts and provide unceasing companionship and support. In Rumi's poem Love Dogs the great Sufi mystic reveals the secret to fulfilling humanity's search for meaning: “Listen to the moan of a dog for its master. That whining is the connection.” Sometimes, in the search for wholeness, you may feel like a dog chasing its tail, crying out in confusion, round and round in a circle. Let yourself rest in knowing that chasing your tail IS the deeper connection!

Wear Love Dog and reconnect with your gifts of joy, companionship, and affection.

Life Beats

Cinque Terre Anklet, Kim Benac:
seed beads, Thai and Sterling silver

Check out this spunky anklet created by my travel buddy Kim Benac at Life Beats. Are you thinking summer, beaches, ocean surf, and colorful Sno cones? As Kim tells it she was more aptly inspired by the colorful boats found along Italian beaches. She challenged me to seek out photos of Cinque Terre Boats on Flickr, and now I'm hooked on her romantic inspiration! Next time can I come?

Candy Apple Dream

Candy Apple Dream

I painted a picture of a candy apple against a bright blue sky to brighten your day! Here are some of my favorite picks from this Etsy Treasury:

Earrings by NighBluey (aka almost a red head)
Beret by Tiny-Toadstool
Scarf Shawl by Idea 2 Lifestyle

I'm the Star...Which one are you?

You are The Star

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Star is one of the great cards of faith, dreams realised

The Star is a card that looks to the future. It does not predict any immediate or powerful change, but it does predict hope and healing. This card suggests clarity of vision, spiritual insight. And, most importantly, that unexpected help will be coming, with water to quench your thirst, with a guiding light to the future. They might say you're a dreamer, but you're not the only one.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Thanks to Lynn the Star for sharing this link with me!

Bluebird: Happiness & Freedom

Happiness, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry Design): fine silver bluebird charm

Bluebirds soar through the backyard and perch in our old pine tree. I imagine the freedom they feel, flying through the sky, living without boundaries and rejoicing in their infinite songs. In mythology the bluebird of happiness is a universal symbol of joy, playfulness, and well being. This tiny bird and its infectious song is a reminder that happiness is present in every moment and simply waits to be noticed. True happiness is limitless, accessible with every beat of your heart, and only one giggle away.

Wear a bluebird and delight in the joy and laughter of your vast nature!

Are You Being Served?

My love for the blogging community just expanded to profound proportions after playing with my new best friend Google Analytics. Every day, the world of Etsy and blogging remind me that if you act with authenticity, then no competition exists. Mark Silver from the Heart of Business teaches that no competition exists when you learn to recognize the unique gifts you are offering are like no other person's concoction. I find simple proof in those delightfully entertaining challenges on Top Chef or Project Runway where contestents are all given the same parameters but come up with an endless number of solutions.

Etsy and blogging are like this gigantic, colorful, and exuberant marketplace where each shopkeeper is welcoming their visitors and then saying, "if you really love the beauty here, then you must dash over to Sally, Laura, and Jane's to check out their extraordinary work." Just like this photograph of tiny white flowers all dangling from the same branch our beauty is interconnected and no two buds are alike, so why not share it all?


If you have a blog, Etsy site, or other Web site, then I recommend high tailing it over to Google Analytics and signing up for a report that reveals who has devoted their heart to serving your business. As you can see from this pie chart, 71% of all people visiting my blog arrive from referred sources such as other bloggers or social networking sites such as Flickr and Facebook. What a great way to be in gratitude to the people who make you shine on a daily basis, and reaffirm your own desire to serve these people and others in return.


From the data above, you can see that four generous souls have repeatedly led kindred spirits to my site: jewelry designers Lorelei Eurto from Handmade Jewelry by Lorelei, Heather Powers from Humblebeads, Erin Siegel from Every Heart Crafts, and Lynn Davis from ExpeditionD.



Some days feel like the center of this flower, where everyone is a tiny, delicate thread, dancing together, spreading pollen, and generating collective waves of beauty. Many heart felt thanks to all the people who are generously sharing my work with the universe! :)

Note: To add an Etsy site to Google Analytics, choose Your Etsy > Shop Set Up > Web Analytics. Follow their directions to add the Google Analytics Tracking ID.

Easter Bunnies

Juliet, Beth Hemmila: garnet, peridot,
amethyst, iolite, fine and sterling silver

Here at Hint Jewelry I've been getting ready for bunnies to burst onto the scene for the glorious month of April. I've designed a couple new milagro styled necklaces featuring my Rabbit Run charm and clusters of tiny, sparkling gemstones.

Violetta, Beth Hemmila: garnet, iolite,
pink tourmaline, fine and sterling silver

These necklaces feel both delicate and devotional, and each one suggests an underlying story...a memory from the past, a fleeting moment in time, or something special to come. The possibilities are endless, so I hope you decide where this story leads!

Spring Arrivals

Messenger, Beth Hemmila: plum freshwater pearls, fine and sterling silver

Ready for some pretty hummingbirds to flutter in your garden?

Tree of Life, Beth Hemmila: labradorite, fine and sterling silver

Anticipating the new buds and leaves on the trees?

Zen Lotus, Beth Hemmila: aquamarine, fine and sterling silver

Ready for some centered reflection during the season of renewal?

Geisha Packaging

I'm a costuming nut and find myself drawn to the many layers of colors, patterns, and textures geisha achieve in their unique style of dress. These fantastical women remind me of brillantly colored birds, where under each layer of feathers another surprise is waiting to take your breath away. I wanted to express Hint's "Wild West meets Far East" aesthetic in my gift packaging, so I tried design a piece that would communicate both American cowgirl and Japanese geisha.


The result was a deep, saddle-brown box that reminds me of a Morgan horse or an earthy cowgirl hat, wrapped with a layering of contrasting ribbons much like a geisha's obi (a kimono sash). Depending on my mood or the season, the ribbon on top will change color, but the deep burgundy ribbon remains constant. Included in the gift box is a mini business card from Moo with a picture of Hint Jewelry.

As I'm writing this blurb, I'm getting a tad giddy, because this packaging looks a lot like my favorite pastime...soaking in a bubble bath, while sipping Merlot and eating a piece of sinfully delicious, dark chocolate. There is nothing like a little guilty pleasure to make you feel a wee bit more beautiful...what about you?

Spring Birds

Bracelet, Lorelei Eurto
polymer bead (Humblebeads), silver charm (Hint Jewelry), glass,
blue lace agate, silver, prehnite, Hill tribe silver

I found this little gem of a bracelet while browsing Lorelei Eurto's Etsy shop last weekend. First I was drawn in by the delicate array of soft pastel colors she chose, and then surprise...there's a little Hint Jewelry hummingbird charm right next to Heather Power's Dogwood Flower from Humblebeads. What fun to see how jewelry designers mix and match beads. Be sure to check out Lorelei's latest spring arrivals.

Heather Trudeau (Peacock Fairy): silver, copper, brass, and wood

Here's another jewelry designer from Etsy, Heather Trudeau of the Peacock Fairy, who used a Hint Jewelry pendant in one of her fabulous necklaces. I invite you to stop by her shop, for Heather has a unique way of mixing different metals and textures. In this piece she altered a store bought necklace so that layers of filigree frame each coin with the Hint Jewelry peacock pendant as the focal point. Each side of the necklace has a Vintaj brass piece and an etched copper component from Nancy Schindler at the Round Rabbit.