spring bouquets

Am I going crazy with the spring and floral thing? I'm so excited about spring and summer, you would think I still lived in the midwest! Here are two fresh designs. The tulip pendant is accented by a cultured pearl charm. The lavender pendant is accented by a cluster of small amethyst beads. You can find them in the shop today. Have a great weekend!

spring in my step

I started my morning with a coffee and a notebook at the coffee shop down the street from my house - it was much needed. The thoughts and ideas running through my mind lately have felt awfully crowded - it was wonderful to have the time and space to make a list, brainstorm and be alone {oh, and eavesdrop on conversations around me - isn't that the best?!}. Then a new friend joined me -- we were meeting to talk about a future partnership -- and boy am I excited....smiling ear-to-ear, giddy, spring-in-my-step excited. I can't wait to tell you about it - hopefully in the next few weeks.

THEN, a good friend called us for an impromptu lunch out. It was a beautiful day and besides the {frequent} interruptions by my two buddies, we had a wonderful time. What a fun day!

Oh - and Silas is doing this thing where he gets on all fours and moves forward - not sure what that's about - certainly not crawling - because I'm not ready for that. He's a wild one, so I am imagining getting even less done. Not to mention a certain not-so-happy 3 year old who isn't thrilled about a little brother that moves.

New designs tomorrow...

ramblings & a giveaway

I didn't get my fresh cut flowers this week for my workspace...so I made these. It was fun to do something creative other than jewelry for a moment. I remembered that I had paper poppies - Lance bought the kit for me for Mother's Day last year. {He knows the stores where he pretty much can't go wrong - Paper Source is one of them.} And it's beneficial for me to stay out of those stores if I'm trying to maintain any kind of budget at all. My goodness, how can so many lovely things be in such a small space?! It should be illegal.

Once again, I will say that I am really looking forward to this new year {is it still new? - it's already the of February! how did that happen?!} and this spring. I really love where bel kai designs is headed - and am so thankful for all of you emailing me ideas and ways to partner with me to create jewelry. It's really fun. So thanks!

Two new designs coming your way - this week. And maybe, just maybe, a discount for you early birds thinking ahead about Mother's Day. Sign up to be on the mailing list here - so you don't miss out on it!

And if you are feeling lucky - head on over to enter a giveaway for a $50 gift certificate - here - running through Friday. And stay for awhile and read Kristen's well-written, funny and inspiring blog. You'll love it!

*new* vintage paisley necklace

I am loving this new design - these are my colors...the beautiful shades of spring. The days are getting longer - isn't it nice? Since Lance is gone four evenings/nights a week, I am definitely noticing that - it makes the evenings go by so much quicker.

The translation for the verse on the necklace {on the left} is "her children will rise up and call her blessed". {I'm thinking this one would be a *sweet* Mother's Day gift.} And I decided to make this design available for a custom pendant, as well. You can find them here. The stone charms {ruby, amazonite, peridot & yellow jade} are a beautiful accent to the pendant.

This pendant is a little larger {an inch in diameter} than the other pendants I currently offer. Available on 18" or 24" antiqued sterling silver ball chain.

By the way, I am feeling well rested. I took a nap today {really I did!}. Was so proud of myself. Even took some time to hold Silas while he slept - there really is nothing sweeter than sleeping babies, is there? Off to work on my taxes - can you think of a better way to negate a well-rested feeling than that?! Agh. :)

this week

This morning, we met friends for coffee & a pastry and then walked down the street to averyboo arts - a kid's art studio here in Long Beach - my jewelry is displayed there this month. I have felt so bad, because I've had to stop in several times to pick up/drop product off over the past two weeks and every time we go in, I tell Elliot that we aren't there to play. But today was the day - he was excited! It's pretty cool - if you are in the area, support local {they need it now} and check it out!

We went for open studio, which is neat, because you can float around the room and do building blocks, legos, painting, dress-up, puzzles, books...whatever! We took full advantage of the fact that we were the only ones there and did it all! Much fun.


We got to see some friends this week that were visiting from Indiana - and it was really nice - we haven't seen them in over 3 years - so we hadn't met their beautiful children and them ours. We played at the park and walked up the street to Beachwood BBQ - yum-o....friend green tomato sandwich, sweet potato fries and blue cheese grits! oh my. {I know, I know...I'm such a health nut.} ;)

Beyond these happy moments this week, I am still waking up with Silas at least 2 times a night - it is usually more like 4...and sometimes 5. So there you have it. I'm exhausted. {really exhausted.} I think I may be more exhausted these days than I was when he was first born. Every morning when I wake up, I promise myself a nap while the boys are napping in the afternoon and every day I work instead. I'm thrilled to have something to work on {thank you} and honestly, it is still a way I unwind and recharge but I need to find a way to rest a little more.

I finally had an opportunity to photograph my new designs this afternoon - hoping to get them in the shop this weekend. I hope you have a great weekend!

Do you have anything fun planned?

adorn necklace #2

I just got in new strands of the birthstones I am using for the adorn necklace...I am enjoying working with beads again....and loving the pops of color in addition to the pendants.


The necklace has been a big hit! Here are some more samples to show you some of the necklaces and birthstone combos I have done...


I am designing a new piece in preparation for Mother's Day - it's just about ready. I am also working on new packaging...long overdue! I LOVE great packaging - and ever since I started my business, I have been on the search for the perfect way to present bel kai jewelry and haven't found it. So, I am in the midst of putting all the components together myself.

Oh - and potty training - there's that, too. I think I started dreading potty training a couple months before I got pregnant...I seriously would shudder at the thought of when to start, how to start. It has to be one of the least fun parts of parenting toddlers, right?! Takes too long for this impatient soul. Elliot turned 3 in October and then we went to my mom's in Nov/Dec. So, the plan was for her to do it for us. ;) I told her there was big money in it for her. While she was a big help, most of the training has been done here at home since we got back in January. And we're finally there. I'm sure we'll have some set-backs here and there, but the majority of it is behind me! So thrilled about that fact.

my valentine

We did our valentines today - we started with a free printable template - here. Thanks for the link, Angie! And then Elliot added some extra special painting. Don't you love the things kids do when the concentrate? Elliot always has the fingers on his left hand all curled up like this when he's super busy. ;)


And this, my friends, was a totally unscripted moment {hence the blurry photos} between Greta & Elliot this morning. She brought over a pocketful of candy hearts - for her and Elliot to share. So, when they were done painting, she got one out for him - she said the pink was for him. And then Elliot says - 'I'm gonna kiss Greta, mama.' Ok Elliot. How sweet is that?! We're holding off on the wedding bells though - I'm pretty sure he got a little shove in there before she ended up leaving for the morning...but the moment was sweet nonetheless.


Happy Valentine's Day! Do you have anything fun planned?

iphone photography

Only ONE {1} more day to use coupon code 'hugs' for 10% off your order!

Photos taken using the Hipstamatic app

shout out :: no. 1

Shout outs. Brownie Points. Props. Hollas. Kudos.

This is my blog, so I'm going to take the opportunity to brag a little...but it's not about me. I want to tell you about some of the really cool, super creative, talented people I know. Because they are inspiring. Because they are like me - trying to make it in the {sometimes difficult} world of small business. Because you may need a photographer, a designer, handmade children's clothes...or a vintage dress. You just never know! My goal is to introduce you to someone once a week - for as long as I can ...

We had the pleasure of meeting Andrew & Anjula Caldwell last summer - only a couple of weeks after Silas was born. I worked with them on a necklace that I designed for a couple that had recently been engaged. They had photographed the couple for their engagement photos and I made a pendant out of one of their photos - you can see it here. Andrew & Anjula visited my blog, saw that I was expecting and asked about photographing Silas to build their baby portfolio. So glad we said yes. This was the first {& only} time we have ever had professional photographs done. What a treat! Now, I'm just a little sad we didn't do it when Elliot was a babe.

They came to our home on Father's Day. They spent several hours getting to know us, playing with Elliot...all the while conscious of our feeding/changing/sleeping schedule for Silas. It was such a nice, relaxed time - and we were thrilled with the final photographs.

It seems like a lifetime ago now...








You can see some more of our photos on the Caldwell's blog. If you live in So. Cal and are in need of a photographer, we HIGHLY recommend them. What a beautiful couple - it's so fun to see couples work together. Lance and I could never {I know...never say never} do it...but they pull it off very well!

making a trip to the dentist fun!

I'm not a big fan of going to the dentist - if you knew me in high school, you know why. Lots of orthodontic work, several surgeries and some intense dental work on my front four teeth made me seriously loathe going, much less making an appointment. Yesterday, I found a way to make it fun {no, really!}. I scheduled a morning appointment in Newport Beach, grabbed our good friends and we headed south.


The sweet little girl is Elliot's BFF - Greta Grace - but Elliot calls her Grettie. They spend at least two days a week with each other because her mama and I swap watching each others' kiddos. And at least another day together at church. So, they are becoming a little like brother and sister -- you know, in the way of Elliot beating up on her -- just like big brothers do. Today, he started out the morning by giving her a flower he picked from my bouquet at home {his idea} but ended up taking it from her and hitting her with it. We're working on that... ;)

It was a lovely day - started out cloudy, but the sun peeked through just as I was walking out from my dentist appointment. We hung out at the park, took the ferry to Balboa Island and had a picnic on the beach. It was quite windy, so there was a definite chill in the air, but sunny nonetheless. And the dentist said no root canal for now...that made for an even better day!

Remember - 'hugs' discount code is good through February 12th.

Hope to see you tonight at Averyboo Arts - from 6pm - 8pm!

new designs & upcoming show

Here they are...the pieces I have been working on this week...just in time for Valentine's Day. I just love them - so romantic - they have me dreaming of another {hopefully one day} trip to Paris. I am having fun making clusters, by adding stones and other charms with the pendants...and I am loving the 24" chain with these.


I wanted to post these to show you, but I haven't had time to add them to the shoppe yet - I am busy getting ready for a show tomorrow. If you live in the Long Beach area, stop by First Fridays in Bixby Knolls tomorrow night - I'll be showing my collection at...
...a really sweet art studio for kids. You should come by! And bring the kids - they can make a heart pendant necklace for only $2. Hope to see you there!

a quiet house

I am enjoying these beautiful flowers and this cupcake {almost too cute to be eaten....I said almost} - gifts from friends this week. Silas just finished a 25 minute scream fest - he's almost 8 months - aren't we passed that? Screaming like an infant. Not sure what it was about, which makes it all the more frustrating. Teeth, gas, reflux, just mad? I don't know. But it is making me REALLY appreciate the quiet house right now. I was going to take a nap today because I've been really tired this week. For some people, a nap is relaxing, energizing - but for me, this is energizing...my work. I'm not much of a napper. So, I am going to push through and get to work - I have a bunch of new pendants to show you and put in the shoppe. They are so romantic - just in time for Valentine's Day {or whenever!}. This lovely strawberry cupcake...it's so good...I'm eating a bite here and there as I type - trying hard to savor, not devour. ;)

Also - had our first MOPS meeting this morning for the spring semester - it meets at our church. I am co-coordinating this year and it really has been a fun way to serve, meet people and build lasting friendships. The time at MOPS truly feeds my soul - I really look forward to our meetings - the breakfast, the speakers, the relationships - can I just say, thank goodness for friends!? And thank goodness for friends in this same stage of life?! The days are hard {and long} sometimes - how comforting to know you're not alone. Speaking of - if you're a visitor here on my little corner of the world, say hi sometime! It's just as fun as seeing a note or card in the mailbox...and makes it feel like a conversation instead of me rambling to myself {I do enough of that already}. Anyway - as always, thanks for stopping by. Hoping to post tonight or tomorrow with my new designs - I think you're gonna like them. ;)