'C' is for Charley Liana {Nursing Bracelet}

I can hardly believe that one of my 'baby' cousins is about to become a mother. For goodness sake...I used to change her diapers. But, it's true. M and her husband Justin are preparing to embark on one of the most amazing adventures ever: parenthood. They know they are having a girl; they have named her Charley Liana.

For their baby shower this weekend, I wanted to create something for her that was both meaningful and useful.

In my blissful sleeplessness of new motherhood, I often forgot which side I was supposed to nurse the baby on next.  So, I swapped a ring from one hand to the other.  I figured M could use this bracelet as a nursing reminder, just switching it from one arm to the other, if she wished. Useful.

Here are the meaningful parts...

A sterling silver disc with a 'C' because, well, 'C' is for Charley Liana. That's pretty self-explanatory.

A sterling silver sloth to remind her to take it slow and enjoy the ride. With your first baby, it's always a race to the next milestone. Oh, she can hold her head up...when will she sit up? Oh, she can sit...when will she crawl? Oh, she can crawl...when will she stand? Oh, she can stand...when will she walk? 

Enjoy each phase. they pass quickly. And then you blink and you have a middle schooler. Yes, I say this from experience. As Eric Carle wrote: slowly, slowly goes the sloth. 

A sterling heart with tulips because motherhood makes your heart blossom in ways that you never imagined possible. I know that sounds cliché, but I really didn't understand how much love I would feel for the little person I just created until I held him in my arms. I know you'll feel the same way about Charley.

And a sterling heart with footprints because Charley is a dream come true.

Some people come into our lives

and leave footprints on our hearts

and we are never ever the same.

Some people come into our lives

and quickly go... Some stay for awhile

and embrace our silent dreams.

I also used a sterling hand charm with a heart cut-out of it from the book The Kissing Hand. If you haven't read it, do! I neglected to take a photo of that charm before I wrapped it up. Whoops.

This bracelet was made especially for M and her soon-to-be-born baby girl, Charley Liana. 

The beads are faceted pink chalcedony. 

All of the elements are sterling silver and hand-wired with love. 

For a March Baby Boy...

When a friend had her first baby, a boy, I wanted to create something for her that was both meaningful and useful. I used milky aquamarines since that is his birthstone (meaningful) and added an easy-to-use silver toggle clasp (useful).

In my blissful sleeplessness of new motherhood, I often forgot which side I was supposed to nurse the baby on next.  So, I swapped a ring from one hand to the other.  I figured she could use this as a nursing reminder, just switching it from one arm to the other, if she wished.

This one-of-a-kind bracelet features milky aquamarine nuggets handwired with recycled blue glass and features a sterling silver charm with her sweet boy’s name.  It closes with a sterling silver toggle.

Welcome to the world, Orion!

Peanuts, Peas, and Princess Monkey Beans

Celebrating bellies...

 I love the names pregnant women call their burgeoning bellies: peanut, pea, Princess Monkey Bean. I think I just called Riley "ball;" and Dylan, as the second child, probably didn't have a name at all!

This necklace - with a sterling silver peanut charm - is an early birthday present for my cousin and her 'Peanut Bartoli.'

Recycled rootbeer glass, chocolate jade, recycled yellow glass, and sterling silver all handwired to make this one-of-a-kind necklace.