Making Hearts

I'm not sure when I made the first heart, maybe around this time last year. I made it for myself actually. I like doing that sorta thing....making stuff for myself that is. I especially love making jewelry. So fast forward to the Whatever Camp Create this fall when I was wearing my heart and sweet Honey said "girl can you make me one of those?" Sure Honey. So I went home and made her one and shipped it off. Now I should say before this event I made some for my gallery in Birmingham for the Microlove show and NONE sold. So I didn't think people would want them. I was actually very sad because I loved them.

But turns out, when you send your heart off to sweet Honey and she wears it in her instagram posts and people ask her where she got it and she says Jenni made it people start asking me for one too. So I got off the couch and start making. And making. I've now had 2 Instagram sales and one Etsy sale with the hearts and sold out within the day on each sale. Plus some more added in. It's kinda exciting I have to be honest.

 Each heart is completely hand crafted. I can physically make about 14 in a weekend, then use the week to slowly wire bead the chain. I love each step of the process.

Lawrence hates when I make jewelry because I stand up instead of sitting in my usual chair. He likes to cuddle and be held at all times. And holding him and a torch at the same time is just not a good idea. I totally need a baby wrap for him. He'd love it.

 I personally love the rainbow bead combo....but the cool colored beads seem to sell best.

 I love the way each turns out so different. These are making my studio very happy these days!

The bottom was my favorite heart shape to date. Something about the robustness of it. Anyhoo....I called a company about manufacturing these for me. It's a huge leap of faith that the heart is not just a trend but meant to be something bigger. I do feel thus far the whole experience has been God laid out. From being asked to teach at Camp Create and meeting Honey and her graciously sharing my name on her large followed feed to the present demand for them. There's just something about the whole thing that seems bigger. I follow several artists on Instagram that once they allowed His dreams to grab wings they have truly taken off. Maybe my dreams are just about to be those God sized ones too.

Be sure to follow my Instagram feed for updates on the next heart sale. Mailey and I bought some fabulous beads this week I can't wait to string onto some hearts!

Heart Necklaces

I've had a couple of requests for my heart necklaces recently and I had a friend with a special birthday so I actually whipped out the blow torch and made a few of these lovelies during winter break. Which, I might add, was genius since it was a bit nippy in the basement. No wearing gloves for this project!

If you are interested in a special heart necklace please email me at jennihorne@ymail.com so I can get one made just for you!

Taking Your Heart

I think I've mentioned before that I wear my heart on my sleeve.  Yep.  So I am thinking this composition must have come out of something going on in my little world.  Because I just caged it right up and took it along.  Less likely to get damaged?  Probably not, but it's got a ring of guards around it.  I like to think of those rings as my peeps.  And one special blog reading peep sent me an email today that really made me think.  What we put out into the world by way of body language, smiles, gestures, you name it, sometimes gets read more than what we physically say.  Am I right?   Sit on that thought for a spell.  I personally am working really hard on what I put out into the world.....trying to live an authentic life.  I'm diggin deep and opening up about my imperfections.  And man does that take some serious courage.  But you know what, it feels good.  Because finally some light is coming in through the cracks I've been patching for 39 years.

The Truth

Yesterday while watching my son's baseball games and weaving little nest pendants I began to watch those around me.  Parents mingling with one another, making small talk all the while hoping that their son will make the next big hit or amazing play in the field.  You can see it in their eyes....the anticipation.  The boys are playing 11u travel ball.  It's "real" this year.  It's no more trophies, it's about points accumulated to play in the Little League World Series.  Yep.  Now please do not get me wrong, I LOVE to watch my William play.  He is amazing.  But what really inspires me is how they as a team have begun to know each other, and can anticipate plays.  I love that they win as a team, as well as loose as a team. 

Sometimes I wish friendships could be a little like this.  I wish my team could anticipate when I need more or less room at the plate.  Or when I hit a homerun they are all on that plate chanting like mad men!  Better yet, after striking out they are in the dugout saying, "man, you'll get it next time!"  Yes, I want those around me to know my heart. 

So as I navigate the silence today, working toward goals in the studio the team will be back at the field.  Cheering one another on as parents watch in anticipation.   Of course I know I'm not all alone in the studio.....you guys are right here with me in the journey.   And I am pretty sure you know my heart.  :)

Listen To Your Heart

My daughter Mailey is in 2nd grade this year. Each week she brings home her rather heavy reading book that contains many short stories. One is read each week. This week's story is a Frog and Toad one. Have you ever read any of those? Well, this story really hit home to me for some reason last night. I'll tell you why. Or better yet, I'll give you a summary of the little story and then say why. Toad and Frog are best friends you see. One morning Toad goes to Frog's house to find a note on the door that says, "Dear Toad, I am not home. I went out. I want to be alone. Frog" What? Toad does not understand, and of course jumps to the conclusion that Frog is mad at him, or doesn't want to be his friend anymore. But once he finds Frog, after a series of events, he finds out that Frog woke up super happy that day and wanted to be alone to reflect on his good fortune of having a friend like Toad, and having a wonderful little life. So why bring Frog and Toad into this post you ask me? Well, in the past week I have had friends from all my walks of life say almost the same thing to me, "Jenni, how have you been? I haven't seen or heard from you in awhile." Or something similar to that. You see, I've always been one for alone time. And quite honestly sometimes I don't even realize that I have isolated myself until someone brings it up. But I can't apologize for this behavior because it is a part of who I am, a part of my growth. And honestly, Frog says it quite well when he said he woke up so happy he wanted time to think about how FINE everything really is. Because everything is fine. I wake up every morning so very thankful to have this life. It has taken several years of trying out different jobs, but man have I hit the nail on the head with this one. And my family, well we are all growing in such an amazing direction that I can't help but smile when I think of them. Now, it's not a perfect family, nor a perfect life. But challenges and growing pains are what make us stronger and make life full filling. Lastly my dear friends, well I am very fortunate to have each of you in my life. I know that you were placed in my path for a specific reason....each of you makes me more complete.

So this new little orange bird says on it, "Listen to you Heart." I don't know what led me to place those words with this bird on this stand. But it has all my favorites....my favorite color is orange, my favorite flowers are daisies, and my heart....well it hasn't failed me yet. And if you listen to your heart a little more often than your head, it will lead you places you hadn't imagined. So I challenge you to take a day and be quiet, still and thankful for all that you have. I think if you do you'll realize how abundantly you are blessed.