Crafter's Round-Up

So if you live in the Chicago area, or are visiting the weekend of August 7-8, why don't you just mosy on over to Chase Park to the Crafter's Round-Up and say hello while viewing my wares! That's right! TheLoudWhisper will be selling at this show! I am so excited about it and am really anticipating a great turnout!

I am leaving town today to spend some time back in the Spa City. That being said, I may not be posting much over the next week (believe me, though, I am trying to get better at posting more frequently). Also, I will be setting the shop to vacation mode until July 8th.

I hope everyone has a fantastic 4th of July weekend!! Until next time...

New Offer!

I'm so sorry that it has been a week now since my last post! Much has been going on. The most exciting of those things being that our little guy started saying "Da-Da"!!

I wanted to take a moment and say YAY to Emily James from Emily James Events for purchasing the featured necklace and getting free shipping! She is an event planner out of Texas and has lots of great ideas. Check out her website, blogs, and Facebook FanPage for more information on her. *Psst-I here there's a special deal listed about TheLoudWhisper on her FB FanPage. It's only good for a week (6.30.10) so hurry over and check it out!*

Well, today has been long so I'm hoping to relax a little by heading into the kitchen to do some cooking and baking (Thank you Julia Childs for reminding me that there is a difference). My hubby had a long day too so I'd like to surprise him when he gets home with some yummy-yummies. I hope everyone else had great days, though, and continues on to have a great week! I'm excited to be listing some new items over at the shop in the next few days so be looking forward to that!

Until next time...

Happy Thursday!

I can't believe today is already Thursday! This week seems to have flown by for me. At the beginning of the week I was a bit under the weather (which worked out because the actual weather wasn't all that nice either), but now I'm feeling much better. Me and the boy-o got to go down to the Farmer's Market on Tuesday and pick up some very fresh, very delicious eats! We got some beautiful asparagus and peas that were as tasty as they were photogenic!

Tuesday night we realized that someone had busted into our car breaking a window, ripping out the cd player (which was about 7 years old), taking our gps (which didn't work anymore) and stole our jack out of our trunk. All in all a pretty terrible hit on their part, but still a big headache for us. Thankfully, the hubby was off Wednesday so when not hanging out as a family we were dealing with all the car stuff. And that brings us to today! And what a beautiful day it is here in the Windy City. I took the little guy down to the lake this morning and we both enjoyed the nice breeze and the beautiful scenery. I tell ya, there is nothing like Chicago in the summer.

I'm very excited about all things jewelry too! I have so many ideas pouring into my head that I just can't stand it! I wanted to let you all know that the necklace that was featured on an earlier post is still up for grabs over at my shop.

Just type in SUNNY SUNDAY as a "Message to Seller" when you check out to receive free shipping! There have also been some new products added that you should check out as well. New necklaces and, my personal favorite, the Eyeglasses Chain. I wore mine all through college and always got big compliments. In fact, it was my top seller at the time! I think it brings out everyone's secret librarian side!

Have a Happy Thursday!

It's All Worth It

So I am the mom of a 7 month old little boy. For those of you who are moms, you know that sometimes it's possible for your whole world to stop - time, distractions, everything - and you realize the absolutely amazing gift that you have in your arms. That happened to me tonight as I was rocking with my son before bed. Thankfully, I have been blessed with a little guy who loves to cuddle so it's easy for him to hunker down in your arms and cuddle up against your neck right underneath your chin. But I like to think that (with the exception of my husband of course) that I am his most cuddle-perfect companion. I love that he does great with other people, but there is something so special and so unique about how he rests on me. It's different. It's calming... for him and me, and I feel honored to know it. Even though he's just now learning how to open and close his mouth to begin to make communicable sounds instead of leaving it wide open and just letting his sounds fall out, he is already teaching me and showing me so much. I feel that there's a million cliche's you could enter in here to sum this up, but the fact is, they're probably all true. It's just that when you experience them, they're more like an epiphany than anything else. He's teaching me to be brave and face my fears. He's teaching me to enjoy the simple things (i.e. a shower, a nap, quiet time to myself) which I know I only took for granted before him. And he's teaching me a new love for him as well as a deeper love for my husband. I can honestly say that this has probably been the most stressful, scary, and at the same time exciting 7 months of my life so far, but I am so thankful for when all time can stop and he can lift his head from underneath my chin, put his hands on either side of my face, smile at me and fall onto my face with a big 'ole wide open mouth of a kiss. I know then that it's all worth it.

Sunny Sunday

Contrary to the title of this post, it is neither very sunny or Sunday. In fact it's a sort of grey, very humid, Friday. But please continue reading for the importance of that title to be revealed.

Well I am excited to say that the overhaul on my shop is well under way. I have added several new items and have many more that will be going up soon. It never fails, though, that whenever I start taking pictures or trying to do the "business" stuff that has to be done I always end up churning out new pieces. It seems that often times I am most creative when it involves interrupting other tasks. Oh well. You gotta strike while the iron's hot, right?!

Speaking of new pieces, I wanted to introduce the necklace that came about from that afternoon when I was gazing out the window while trying to fall asleep (read my "Beauty Galore" post for the full story). I am very pleased

with how all the textures, shapes, and colors came together. I am also very big into pendants

right now. All of my necklaces have several things coming off of them and I'm really okay with it. I like the idea that the necklace doesn't have to stop just because the chain does. Anyways, you can see this item with more pictures at www.theloudwhisper.etsy.com. If you decided to purchase it, type SUNNY SUNDAY in the "Message to Seller" box and you will get free shipping!

I hope that everyone had a good week and that everyone will have a safe and wonderful weekend!

Until next time...

Inspiration Galore

I just love the way all of the world's colors go together absolutely seamlessly. I often find myself pulling inspiration for my jewelry from snapshots all around me. Just yesterday I was lying down for a quick nap and I was staring out our living room window and I was totally captivated by how the white trim work of the window perfectly framed the green of the leaves, the more yellow-green of the leaves with sun shining on them, the little bit of blue that was peaking through the leaves, and then the darker more contrasting gray and brown of the tree bark. It was beautiful!

Today it is quite gray and rainy here in Chicago. My husband has the day off so I hope that with his help with the kiddo I'll be able to get some new pieces made. I'm excited about what is going to come out of that snapshot I was just describing to you and I'm also excited about a new concept for a new collection that I've been working on. I'll be excited to start letting you know the details very soon!

In the meantime, be expecting a major overhaul on my Etsy Shop. Lots of new items will be making their debut so feel free to check it out and send your friends to it!

Until next time...

Ta-Da!

Finally, theloudwhisper has a home for her thoughts! For so many years I have been trying to get my internet act together and I can now say, "Ta-Da!"

Now, for a proper introduction. My name is Stacy M. and I live with my hubby and kiddo in Chicago, IL. I have been making jewelry for over five years and it all got started because I could not get my ears pierced. Believe me, I tried to get them pierced, but my sensitive little earlobes just wouldn't allow it. So, I began making myself clip-on earrings and one thing led to another and I ended up making necklaces, bangles, and real earrings for those lucky ladies who could actually wear them! Over these many years I have sold some of my items to friends and family and been a part of a few shows, but I'm just not satisfied with that. Hopefully you glanced at my "The Purpose" tab above here and saw that my focus for making jewelry has shifted from mere clip-ons for the pierce-less to trying to make a big difference in people's lives with my sales. Whether the proceeds go towards someone you love who is needing help and encouragement, or if this brings light to issues that may have been ignored, swept under the rug, or taboo, or if this just makes someone feel pretty then it will have all been worth it. I used to not be able to bear life, but now I love it! I hope that love and hope is evident through the one thing I feel that I can do really well, and that's my jewelry.

So what's in store for this blog? Well, I hope for it to keep you in the loop with the store by letting you know when there are new items, specials, and events. Ultimately, though, I hope that it allows me and you to have a more personal connection.

Until next time...