Thursday, September 12, 2013

What did our winner choose? *drumroll please*

Last week about this time, we announced a drawing for a $25 gift certificate to be used in our store or on a custom item. We were so excited that we got such a great response. On Friday, we drew and name, and Michelle Blesoe was our big winner. Yay! We like to give things away!!  I thought I'd give you an update and show you what she ordered because I just finished it today. Can't wait, can you?

Michelle asked for matching necklaces for her and her best friend. Next year will mark their 40th year of friendship. Isn't that wonderful? She wanted a mixed metal tag with a heart, BFF, and a bible verse on it. The verse is Proverbs 27:9, "Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel". I had a lot of fun with this one: mixing metals, hand stamping, hand texturing, and riveting. Plus, I know this one has a special meaning for both of these women. Friendship is a blessing and very, very precious. So, without further ado, here's the final project ...


I just love how this one turned out, and I'm very honored that I got to celebrate their friendship by making this for them.

What is something that you'd like to celebrate? Or honor? Or recognize? I'd love to make a special piece, just for you.

Thought this giveaway was fun? Be on the lookout for more. Stay tuned to this blog or our facebook page because you'll never know when we'll do it again ... might be soon ... just saying ... *wink, wink*

Pssst ... In case you're worried I've let the cat out of the bag, don't be. Michelle gave me ok to post about the project.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

In Honor of Chad ...

When I was asked to become co-owner of Simple 66 Stuff last January, I never dreamed I would end up making hand stamped jewelry as part of my contribution to our company. I’ve made jewelry in the past, but I’d never stamped anything, even though I was very intrigued by it. A few months ago, I bought my first set of stamps, and I was completely, utterly, absolutely in love! We’ve talked about introducing different lines within S66S, and I’ve started calling this one “Impressions”. When I design, I want to create something unique, a piece to be loved and treasured. I’m not simply making an impression on a piece of metal. I’m celebrating, rejoicing, hoping, praying, and crying right along with whoever receives my creation. Bringing joy or peace to someone else is my ultimate goal in anything I craft.

It’s with this in mind that I’ve decided to introduce my newest design. I hope this one sheds light on a painful subject, starts conversations, provides hope, and helps an organization that is near and dear to my heart, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Here is more about this organization from their website, which is: “at the forefront of research, education, and prevention designed to reduce loss of life from suicide. With more than 38,000 lives lost each year in the U.S., the importance of AFSP's mission has never been greater. AFSP funds research aim to improve our understanding of suicide and ways to prevent it, including: educational programs to increase awareness about prevention, warning signs and the psychiatric illnesses that can lead to suicide. Suicide takes an enormous toll on family, friends, co-workers, and the entire community. AFSP provides opportunities for survivors of suicide loss to get involved through a wide variety of educational, outreach, awareness, advocacy and fundraising programs.”

The reason I want to help suicide awareness is because of this man:




This is my cousin Chad, pictured here with his beautiful nieces. He was born in 1972, a couple months before my little brother. I didn’t know him or his younger sister, Keri, as children. We met them after their mom married our uncle. I remember Chad as a high school student, full of hopes and dreams. He took his own life and left us on January 7, 2008. What happened to that young man so full of life and promise? Suicide was no longer just a word to our family. It had become a reality, leaving devastation and sorrow in its wake. Keri said it best in a letter: “The face of my family changed forever. I was changed forever. He is at peace and hurting no more, but my heart hurts each day for him. Each day I miss him, but I know he is with me and is looking down on my girls.”

Since 2011, Keri has been walking in honor of Chad. He is her brother, her hero, and her angel. On September 29, 2013, Keri, along with her team, will be walking for him again, along with thousands of people nationwide, to spread awareness, to educate, to support those left behind, and to give hope to others. She’s been asking for donations for her team, and I’ve created this design to help her in those endeavors. This item will be for sale in our shop continually throughout the year because I want to keep raising funds for this organization, whether it’s time to walk or not. It’s a hand hammered, hand stamped mixed metal tag with foot prints emerging from the darkness. It can be worn as a necklace or hung on a clip or keychain. A portion of the sale of this item will go to Keri’s team, “In Chad’s Honor”.



Give others hope by supporting this wonderful cause. Purchase one of these tags in our etsy store:

                             www.etsy.com/shop/Simple66Stuff?ref=si_shop
If you’d prefer to donate to Keri directly, visit her support page at:


http://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfmuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=399140

Suicide is real. Suicide can happen in anyone's family. Suicide leaves its survivors reeling in pain and heartache. However, there is hope. Hope comes by bringing this subject out into the light. It comes with awareness, education, and support.

I, along with Keri and our entire family, appreciate any donations, big or small. Helping this organization could end up making a big impact on someone's life. You never know how much you can help by simply clicking one of the links above.


With warmest blessings and gratitude,

Joyce