I found this clever saying today and could certainly relate to it so I decided to share it here on my blog.

A lot of my jewelry designs are inspired from photos of nature. I love to look deep within the photo and perhaps find something that most cannot, or choose not to see. The whole time I am designing the piece, I am thinking about the photo inspiration. Wondering what really is hidden in a crevice? What was the special thing in the photograph that inspired the photographer to take the picture in the first place? Or, in the case of the artist, what were they trying to achieve in the artwork? Is there a certain mood portrayed but yet hidden unless you know the story behind the picture? How does all of this relate to what I create? Can I do the photo any justice at all with the creation I design?

When I am looking for a my next photo inspiration, I immediately know when I've found just the perfect one. It seems all of the above factors come into play and I get so excited to start working on my next project. All of the above questions have been answered, or at least in my mind, with the exception of the last one. Can I do the photo any justice?

That is where the creativity all begins! That is when the sleepless nights start. That is when I almost get giddy with excitement. I know what I want to achieve, yet now need to figure out how to do it! Which brings me back to the topic of this post. The more I use creativity, the more I find it keeps flowing, hence the sleepless nights. The ideas just keep coming. It's like I am feeding a baby and watching it grow! Although beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I may never know if I'm still answering the last question about doing the photo any justice, I do know that something beautiful is blossoming and that beautiful thing is called creativity! I urge you to continue to be creative in all you do, but watch out - you too will see the signs I've described above!

There is a quote from Erma Bombeck where she says:

For years it has done its job.  It has led me not into temptation.  It has reminded my husband numerous times at parties that it's time to go home.  It has been a source of relief to a dinner companion.  It has been a status symbol in the maternity ward. 

She was referring to her wedding ring. Although this is sweet sentiment  and it does compliment jewelry (which I always appreciate), I'm wondering what do you have that deserves a "Job Well Done Award"?  Please feel free to comment below!

It's Not Forty Shades of Gray, But.....

Did you know that Johnny Cash wrote a song for his Irish friends called "Forty Shades of Green"?
Well, this one of a kind green necklace doesn't have forty shades but it is certainly worth forty compliments! St. Patrick's Day and Spring would be perfect times to wear this necklace. It's being displayed in my Etsy shop. You can click right here to find out more details!

How Nice

How nice of you to visit my blog today! I can see you have GREAT taste! I know that you're sincere about showing support to those you love!

OK, yes, you've been able to see right through me. The reason why I have started this blog out like this is because tomorrow is National Compliment Day & I'm going to throw out a challenge to you!

Everyone has something good in them. Yes, I said everyone. It's always easy to compliment your mom on her cooking (if indeed it is good) and other loved ones are right there with her as being easy to compliment. My challenge to you tomorrow is to dig deep (if you have to) and say something positive to at least three people who you come in contact with & make sure these people aren't family members or close friends. Are you up to the challenge? Of course you are!

Productive Long Weekend

Here it is, the end of a long weekend. I had been looking forward to it for so long. Looking back on the whirl wind of activities that went on around here, I can honestly say, despite the interruptions, it was a productive one as far as my shop is concerned.

I introduced a bunch of  items showed in the collage at the right. It's almost a shame the creativity has to end tonight for tomorrow will find me heading back to my desk job. It was such a therapeutic weekend!

The links to the items can be found here:
Multicolor blue, brown and white necklace
Brown and black beaded necklace
Puppy dog earrings
Green iridescent earrings
Brown silver cap earrings

It was one of those strange Virginia days today so this was the perfect photo inspiration I could have picked (last week) as my design project for this weekend! You could look out the kitchen window and see sunshine, which I soon learned was a false illusion of warmth. It was definitely very windy and cold when we went out to attend a family lunch to celebrate my sister-in-laws birthday.

I have been going back and forth between this picture and my stash of beads all week and was anxious to get this one started. Working outside of the home during the week, I tend to only have "design time on the weekends. I have many sleepless nights tossing and turning while I try to figure out how I am going to do these photo inspirations any justice at all. I think I nailed this one right on the head.

I can definitely see this necklace being worn with a winter outfit, perhaps because of the frosty looking blue beads and common winter brown colors. However, I think it would also be perfect for those tank tops in the summer because of those same light blue beads and hints of white.

A full sized picture of this necklace can be found in my Cynhumphrey Etsy shop. All you have to do is click here and it will take you directly to the listing.

Cynhumphrey Turns One

The Etsy shop of Cynhumphrey opened one year ago today. During the last year there were a lot of lessons learned and I know there are many more waiting for me. Overall the experience has been fun because of super customers and faithful supporters. For which, I am thankful for them all.

When friends and family finally persuaded me to open my own shop, I would have never dreamed that the experience would be so.... well.... interesting and challenging, to say the least. However, this experience has confirmed that I can function with little sleep, I can successfully think outside of the box, and I've figured out that challenges motivate me. Not only that, but look at me now! I've started a blog! Who would have guessed?

The Cynhumphrey shop is still a work in progress, that I know. I'm looking forward to seeing the shop grow during the next year and can't wait to see what my post will look like this time next year. However, for the moment, I'll try to keep my feet on the ground and will add these "fun facts" as a base to measure my growth. Now keep in mind, I'm not sure how these facts measure up to "successful" shops but I've had fun getting this far and that's all that matters to me! I choose to look at the glass as half full.

So, without further ado, here are my stats for the last year.

• 8,688 shop views
• 5,054 favorites 
• 38 orders (from Etsy, not counting friends and family)
• 100% positive feedback from customers
• my items have been featured in 126 treasuries
• I'm in 128 circles
• member of many Etsy teams, and actually a captain of one

So, what do you think? How did I do??? 

New Today! Nature Inspired!

I have been busy designing this morning and again would like to thank Earl Branham for ThoreauFair for allowing me to use his photo for an inspiration. 

I seem to be doing a lot of designs using the color red lately! I guess that's OK! After all, garnet is the birthstone color for January, ruby is the color for July! Red is not only popular in February and December, but it's actually a favorite color among many for year round use! 

You can find these items now being displayed in my Etsy shop. Links are here:

Cynhumphrey Etsy Shop

Red Swan Murano Lampwork Glass Necklace

Red Chandelier Beaded Chain Earrings

Red Stone Beaded Necklace

I've Been Featured!

I have 4 more items being featured  in some neat treasuries. Be sure to check out all of the neat items by clicking the links in each description below!


The pink feather earrings can be found here. Thank you Emma Cotter for showing them off in this collection!

The purple necklace can be found here. Thank you Sophie for including them in this lovely collection!

The red rose earrings and blue / aqua butterfly set can be found here. Thank you Anastasia Noelle!

Ladies, you all did a great job!

Looking Forward to February

Being a shop owner, I try to stay one step ahead of the fast approaching months. I try to be sure  I have something designed in the birthstone color. Next month, the birthstone is amethyst. C'mon, we all know February isn't ALL about Valentine's Day and the color red, don't we? I'm excited about being able to design with this color! It should be fun since one of my favorite colors is any shade of dark purple.

So Much To Do So Little Time

Is it just me or did the holidays wear everyone down? I have so many designs that I would like to introduce but so little time, it seems, to actually sit down and do it. I actually find myself having a hard time falling asleep because all these little "images" are floating around in my head and when I go grab them, they sink like a fishing bobber on the water. Having a full time job outside of the home finds me living for the weekend. By the time the weekend gets here, I'm too tired to remember what I wanted to do! With that being said, I'm looking forward to the weekend! I have some photo inspirations I'd love to complete!

It never ceases to add a little excitement to my obviously boring life when I see someone has chosen one of my designs to be featured in a treasury they are making! This time I would like to thank Jo from foundforyousupplies on Etsy for including my puffy green owl pendant. Please be sure to check out Sweet Pinks and Greens to see what I'm talking about! (Click the links).


I would also like to send out a quick THANK YOU to Barbara Shea for including my brown and black lampwork glass heart necklace in her Going Black treasury!

Treasury Contest Help Needed

SPECIAL FAVOR REQUEST: I have entered an Etsy treasury contest with a theme of hearts & flowers. I would love to be able to at least "place" in one of the three winning spots. The winner is chosen by the amount of page views. The contest ends at the end of the month. If you would click on the link below, I'd appreciate it!!! The link to the treasury is here! There are some pretty neat Valentine items on display! Your help is appreciated!

My Heart Loves Flowers!

Featured In Some Treasuries!

A BIG THANK YOU goes out to a BUNCH of Etsy shop owners for taking the time to include a few of my items in their treasuries! Please take a moment to show the collections some love! You might be surprised at what you will find once you open the door!

Please note: you will be able to see my item AND the total treasury collection by clicking on the links in each acknowledgment.

• Gayla from TheChickyHouse has included my red and black bracelet  in her Black and White and Red All Over  treasury!
• Earl Branham from ThoreauFair has included my red double heart earrings in his Springtime in Paris treasury!
• Polymerclaybeads has included my dazzling green dangle chandelier earrings in the treasury called Just Dazzling Darlin'.
• Rosy from KnitBlossom has included my elegant purple beaded chain necklace in her Purplicious treasury!
• Kristen Twyman from ChubbaChunkDesigns has included my brown and orange beaded chain necklace in her Apples and Oranges treasury!

What a GREAT JOB everyone! 

Emerald Green Color of the Year

This fun photo challenge is courtesy of a fellow Etsy team member from the shop of ThoreauFair. He has consented to me using a few of his photos & this one caught my eye right away. You can see his entire shop by clicking on the link above.

The two items I chose to design for this inspiration are actually showing off the emerald green color of 2013 too! Additional information can be found by clicking the links below. See the true beauty by looking at the bigger pictures! Here are the links!

Gemstone Stretch Bracelet            Green Earrings

This photo inspiration brought back many "warm" memories of happy times at the beach. You can find the full details of each item by clicking on the links below. Which one is your favorite?

The link for the owl charm earrings is here!
The link for the butterfly earrings is here!
The link for the two toned silver chunky necklace is here!

The challenge for this month's Upcycled Clothing 'N Things team was to create or design something with a bird theme. It's early in the month but I was able to just introduce these feather and chain earrings in my Etsy shop. I may have to work on another design since I completed this one so early! Would you like to check them out closer? Click here!

My creative challenge this month in my Etsy team is to produce something with a bird theme. It can be something made from a picture of a bird, bird fabric, feathers, or even something for a bird. The possibilities are huge! I've got a few ideas in mind so if I can pull off completing one early in the month, I MAY just have to do more than one project!

Do you have any suggestions on what I could make?