::new:: website

This might sound weird, but there have been a number of times that I didn't know that I was pregnant until it's time to give birth.  This time, I had no clue until I was 8 weeks due.

No, I didn't have a human baby...

I birthed a business.

It literally grew in me at record gestation.  It was always in me- but, this summer, it fertilized and it grew.  In a matter of weeks, I labored and pushed...

I spent hundreds of hours sketching, designing, importing and making around 200 handmade pieces of jewelry.  I taught myself new jewelry techniques, and website building.  I went out and bought a wardrobe, styled and photographed models, then edited, rephotographed, edited, and literally woke up to a website.  It felt alike a dream or whirlwind, or some kind of crazy transport in time.  I'm not sure why I felt the need to do this... why it needed to be born right now... or for what purpose this new direction in my business is going... but, here we are, and I'm holding my dream in my arms.  It's kind of exciting to let life just happen.

www.modernmamajewelry.com

::new:: monogram jewelry & summer designs

Hallelujah for summer sun, ice cold drinks, pool time, BBQ's (absolutely a must here in the Carolinas) and sleeping in!  Summer vacation so far has been grand!  Still, I am working like a busy little bee!  Here's a peek at my new summer designs...

Monogram pendants were hand sculpted using precious metal clay.  For the half locket, I handmade the locket, and gave it a vintage scalloped design on the back.

weekend project: metal clay

So this year has been all about confronting my fears.

In the past, I had spent years yearning to take my metal smithing skills up to the next level.  Things like torches, kilns, chemicals, etc. freaked me out just a little.  I was nervous to invest all the money in equipment and really go for it.  At the beginning of this year, I decided it was time to "step out of the boat".  It was finally time to pursue with all my heart, and get out of my small business mentality.

Since doing so, I've had some incredible opportunities open up for me.  I can't disclose yet, maybe even not until next year, but trust me- some exciting things are ahead for Modern Mama Jewelry!  I know with out a doubt that those doors opened because I decided to face those fears, pick up a torch, try some new techniques & push outside my comfort zone.

waves.

I've been meaning to write out these thoughts lately.  You know, it's been a while since I've been in business.  I'm starting to remember the rush of sales and success, and then feeling them dry up at times.  It's easy to flood the dry times with extra effort, advertising, research on marketing, new products, and stress everyday that there is no sale.  I can find myself completely consumed with the lack of consumers visiting my site. 


One day it hit me.  I was watching the waves in the ocean 
ebb & flow.  I said to myself, "I trust God with the talents and gifts He has given me."  "I have given Him my business."  "He knows what I can and can't handle."  "His plans are perfect."  I remembered in the past how He had provided business in seasons, and how He also allowed it to quiet down for His purposes.  I've noticed that I had needed those quiet times more than I realized, because other areas in life had gotten overwhelming.  Sometimes, the quiet times had allowed me to rest and dream of more designs.  Other times, it was followed by a giant wave of business, and if it weren't for that season, I would not have been prepared.  In and out, in and out.  In both ways,  He still provided, He always came through.  How simple?  

So for now, I am learning to apply this.  And it IS better living.  Rest when there is time to rest.  There will be a time to be productive when the season allows again.  Like breathing... organic rhythm, unhurried.  This is trust!  Letting go.  Allowing the ebb & flow.

-Lindsey

giveaway!

GIVEAWAY!! We're kicking off the summer with this HOT item! 

FIRST... LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE, THEN... SHARE THIS ON YOUR WALL for your chance to #WIN your very own personalized "Family Tree" ring! Winner will be randomly selected and posted June 14th at noon!

(If you are already a fan, you can still enter to win! Share on your wall for your entry to count!)

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

nautical inspiration.

 

 I am a nautical nut.  My house is mostly decorated with sea treasures from the Caribbean, Florida, and the Carolina coast.  I grew up in Florida about an hour shy of the beach, and when my husband and I relocated to the countryside of NC, I found myself yearning to hear the waves.  So I adorned my home with calming colors and things that would remind me of my roots year round.  Summer is always fun because we come back from our beach trips adding to the collection of driftwood, sticks, shells, bottles of sand, sea fans, sun-bleached coral pieces, etc.

pirate party

I love making my kids' birthdays special.  It's funny how children get enamored with something for a while.  That's when I try to take mental notes for their birthday parties.

 Last year my son was totally obsessed with Mickey Mouse.   We decided to go to Disney that summer.  While at Magic Kingdom, he went on the Peter Pan ride for the first time.  He absolutely loved it!   Since then, it's been all about Peter Pan, Neverland, and pirates!  He literally dresses up as a pirate everyday.  It's so adorable.  Anyway, here is what I came up with for his party:

beach inspired jewelry

I was able to get away with my husband for short cruise during our family's spring break a couple weeks ago.  The beach is my happy place.  It was so nice to clear my mind.  Only, I kept seeing textures, colors of gemstones, and new summer inspired designs with every turn!  Here are a few nautical inspired rings paired with some stacking bands and gemstones!  And, also my Receding Wave Band.

    

::new:: modern lockets for mother's day

I've been experimenting with resin lately...

Years ago, when I started my photography business, I always envisioned my pictures as charms and keepsakes.  I finally made them!  I love how cute they turned out...

a new season

About 4 years ago, I was {what I would call}, actively creating.  Also, around that time I got sick.  Dealing with those challenges, I realized I could not focus on my family and have the ambition I usually have for my craft and business.  I made a conscious decision to lay it down and simply focus on the day to day.  Laundry, dinner, ballet class, school projects, soccer practice, dishes, diapers, sleep, you get the idea...  

calm

"He hushes the storm to a calm and to a gentle whisper, so that the waves of the sea are still." Psalms 107:29 AMP

{My husband and I just got back from our 10th anniversary trip to Exuma, Bahamas.  These are a couple of photos that I took while there.  We had such a relaxing & restful trip.  So thankful to have had those moments of peace and solitude with my favorite person ever.  Now I'm just working on bringing that peace back into everyday life!}

undone

I am going to be honest.
I have been struggling with this blog.  I've wanted to publish so many posts that I've been writing.  I have written drafts, gone back and forth rewriting them, analyzing, and editing.   

Then it hit me. I am trying to hide again.  I've always felt more comfortable blending in.

dirt

among you all...

gf apple cinnamon granola bars

Ok.  Had to share my latest fall granola bar.  Apple Cinnamon Nut.  They are amazing!  It's a adaptation of this recipe.

grain-free pumpkin cheesecake

You had me at "pumpkin."  That's all you have to say.  I love pumpkin.  I love cheesecake.  So, I made a pumpkin cheesecake using my grain-free pie crust.  

"fight" #47

they scorn the adorned

hurling mud in their way

unknowing, they can't touch them

or even ruin their day

jealousy fumes

and they don't know why

they hate the elect

they want them to die

kill them they might

but hurt them, they will not

their pain has already been

in the fight that they've fought

this poem was written November 10, 2006 by Lindsey Collins

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Taken from the L. Collins 2006-2007 Poetry Archives, #47 of 

200+ poems written during short season of writing.

gf/ vegan apple cinnamon bread

Fall is in the air!  Those crisp fresh breezes, a slight tinge of yellowing in the leaves... pumpkin and apple flavors showing up in grocery stores, coffee shops, and candle stores.  I love it!  It's my most favorite of seasons, being that I am a Florida resident runaway. :)  The only seasons we had were, hot, hot, hotter, and ridiculously hot!  I am so thankful that we moved further up "north" to North Carolina, where the seasons are so pleasant!  Apple bread always gets me in the fall mood.  This time, I tweaked the recipe to be a tad bit healthier than last season... 

" taking orders"

this is a fight, a struggle, and a war

awake to dishes from the night before

living in combat, hand to hand

serving a lunch to a child not "planned"

life can be summed up, taking orders

whether at home, work, or at the enemy's border

the task for the soldier and waitress is same

fighting and serving is their ultimate aim

different indeed, their roles can't compare

taking orders, perhaps, is what they commonly share

This poem was written on September 18, 2012 by Lindsey Collins.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

ice cream party decor

My "middle little" wanted a ice cream party for her 4th birthday.  I love making decorations, and this time I wanted to keep it cheap and simple.  Have you ever browsed the internet for birthday party ideas and stumbled upon those blogs?  You know, the handmade outfits that match the decor, wooden forks, macaroons, the many glass jars of candy that no one ever eats, custom cupcakes and lollypops and cookies, the miniature milk jars with straws!  Oh, I'm guilty... I bought the "push-up cake pops" that got pushed up and dropped on the ground.  The themed food that I spent hours making that not one child touched, the days I spent looking for the perfect matching cups, plates, cupcake liners and table cloth, only to be completely overlooked by the same dozen of balloons.  I would come up with crafts and games only for them to say, "mom, we just want to play!"  Sure, they appreciated the party, but was all the tedious details really necessary?  All that stress about not finding the perfect sprinkles?