Come see me!

This Saturday, we'll be selling The Rusted Chain jewelry here.

{Barn Sale image removed to protect the innocent. Plus also because it had my address on it and I'm not crazy about creepy stalkers. I just like nice ones like you.}

If you're in the area, stop by and see me!

Do you have weekend plans already? Or are you going to wait and see where the wind takes you?

I don't blog to make friends...

But sometimes it just happens.

I have met so many wonderful people through blogging.
Some in real life, and some online.

Ruth is one of those people. I think her blog is one of the best on the internet.
And I'm still trying to figure out what she sees in me.
She's young and gorgeous, single and stylish.
She lives a fab life in England, travels with friends, goes to pubs and wears flowers in her hair.

Occasionally she'll pop in here with a comment that makes me laugh out loud.
And sometimes I open my mailbox to find a lovely surprise package from her.

There was a little note inside that said, "From one beautiful Hastings to another."


I really must make it to England some day.
I must.

Thank you sweet Ruth!!
Gosh, I love the internet.

Have you made real friends online?

Beauty in Silence.

In the midst of chaos lately, somehow the silence has been where I've found beauty.
Last week, on Friday - I thought it was Tuesday.
I'd lost a whole week and didn't even know!
So.So.So.Busy.



There is so much beauty in laughing children, games, running, and playing.
But there is a simple beauty in silence.

And lately I've been soaking that up every chance I get.



Beauty in the cold Fall air.
Beauty in a hot cup of coffee in my hands.
Beauty in a husband that knows when I need help.
Beauty in a God who loves me unconditionally.
Beauty in the sunrise, every single morning.
Insane blinding beauty.



Have you found beauty in unexpected places lately?

I'm alone. {.Giveaway.}

The Man has taken all the kids out for the day.

What in the world am I supposed to do all alone?
This happens like once or twice a year for me.
And I'm stumped when it does.

I could clean house.
Eat myself into a food coma.
Create.
Organize.
Take a 45 minute shower.
Exercise. (that's just silly talk.)
Be a sloth. (sounds more appealing.)
Dance.
Pick my nose. (What?! No one's around to see!)
Watch tv. (Yes, we finally got tv this week!! WOOOHOOO! No more Amish days for me.)
Crank up my music.
Soak in the silence.
Catch up on emails.
Catch up on photo editing.
Blog.

Share my new designs with you.
Runner Girl Marathon necklace


Official Photographer necklace


Photographer keychain


Sweetly Your's necklace (how precious is this bow?! It's exclusive to The Rusted Chain!!)


Bound Together necklace (I'm in love. I'm swooning over this!)


Cranberry Spray earrings


Swirled Monogram necklace (Also exclusive to The Rusted Chain! Love. Love. Love.)


So, I'm alone.
Guess what I decided to do? Blog and give away some free jewelry, of course!

Wanna play?
Let's give away 2 $25 gift certificates.

1. Leave a comment telling what your weekend plans are. (required to enter)
(The following are optional entries.)
2. Leave another comment telling what you'd spend the money on from The Rusted Chain.
3. Blog, Facebook, or Tweet about it for additional entries. Leave a seperate comment for each one. ( "Sweet new jewelry giveaway from @TheRustedChain! http://tinyurl.com/2eotvdg" )

Fingerprint Friday

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God
So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them? Here's how to join.

1. Blog with your interpretation of God's fingerprints. Be sure to link back here so others can find the entire list of participants.
2. After you've posted your blog, sign the Linky below. Have fun exploring the other links as well! Please sign in only if you're participating. Hopefully this will make us look at things through fresh eyes throughout the week.
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Yesterday it was pouring rain and I was excited to put on my new rainboots.
And then it hit me.
So many people in this world don't even have a single pair of shoes, let alone special ones for special occasions.
No heels for church, tennis shoes for running, boots just to look cute, wellies for when it rains.
They would just be thrilled to have anything to cover their feet.

We are just so incredibly blessed.

Oh happy day.

Over the weekend we went to "the craft show."
It's big. REALLY big. People come from all over the country to go to this one craft show, out in the middle of Nowheresville, Kansas.

I try to go every year.
Last year I met up with Julie.
This year I went with a friend.



I was a bit disappointed this year, in the amount of pre-made things that were there.
Clothes from Children's Place that still had the original tags on them, that hadn't been altered at all.
Pre-made junky jewelry.
It was strange.
But there were some cute booths, too, as always.



Not a single booth with jewelry like The Rusted Chain.
I should've been there selling!
But I have a big show coming up in a few weeks that I'm preparing for.

I loved this red sign.


This cute dog with sunglasses.


And squishy Levi in his sunglasses. Cutest baby ever.


On our way home we went off roading, Thelma and Louise style.
We were bouncing down old dirt roads that didn't even have gravel!
I didn't even know roads like that exsisted!
I'm surprised we didn't see wagon trails on them...

It was a really good day! Fun, coffee, laughing, brainstorming, off roading, and shopping.
Score.

We also listed this new necklace for sale. Isn't it so cute?!
Oh Happy Day.


What did you do over the weekend?

Whining and chocolate.

I'm a whiner.
I whine about too much to do.
I whine about the laundry pile that never goes away.
I whine about not getting enough help around the house.
I whine about having to cook dinner and being unprepared because I worked all day.
I whine when other jewelry designers steal my ideas.
I whine because I don't have chocolate and live too far to just run out and get some.
I whine about my thighs. (Surely not related to the chocolate...)
If I perceive it as a problem in my life, I will whine about it.

And recently it hit me. What if I didn't?
What if I just didn't whine?
What if I chose to be a 50's style tv housewife?
What if I chose to be a Proverbs 31 woman?
What if I was thankful because I have so much to do and am never bored?
What if I smiled while folding that laundry?
What if I was just grateful for the help I do get around the house?
What if I chose to be flattered that I'm a threat to other jewelry designers?
What if I started dinner earlier in the day?
What if I welcomed my family home from school and work to a clean house, a pretty mom, and a warm dinner on the table?
Maybe even with a chocolate cake for dessert?



Seems to me, it's a win win situation for everyone involved.
And I get that chocolate, after all.
No whining.
That's my goal for the week.
Do you have a goal?

Dollar Day.

Also affectionately known as Mullet Day.
Every year we go to the State Fair on Dollar Day.

This year, as we were browsing through the art section I mentioned that I was disappointed in the lack of mullets.
The Man said, "Oh we're just in the wrong area. Wait until we get to the rides."
And he was right.

There was rock climbing, and then we encouraged our kids to fight.
We're awesome parents.


A long wait to ride the train. But it was worth it.
And look how cute the crossing guard is, in his overalls!




How awkward would it have been if we'd both shown up in the same outfit?!
Fortunately I wore my jeans.


Cutest little cowboy. Ever.


State Fair is a classy place.
Live Bed Bugs and a painted gourd winner.



Of course there are always plenty of prize winning animals.
I like the one with the toupee. Of course I didn't let on that I knew it was a toupee.
Wouldn't want to make him self conscious.


This is a one stop shop. In case you need to do laundry at the fair, or replace a fuse, or stock up on chewing tobacco, or write a letter on pretty stationery.


One more train ride.


It's always a great time! Love the sunsets in Kansas.
See you next year!

Fingerprint Friday

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God
So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them? Here's how to join.

1. Blog with your interpretation of God's fingerprints. Be sure to link back here so others can find the entire list of participants.
2. After you've posted your blog, sign the Linky below. Have fun exploring the other links as well! Please sign in only if you're participating. Hopefully this will make us look at things through fresh eyes throughout the week.
-------------------

Just when I thought I was going to get some real work done in peace and quiet, I realized the my hearing is much better than I thought.
BANG!!!
I'm thanking God for great hearing, and great imaginations!

Have Mercy.

A while back I introduced you to Kristen.
She probably doesn't need introducing to many of you.

But in case you're not familiar with her, she went on a life changing missions trip to Africa.
Her own life was changed, as well as many many others.
She didn't just "go".
She did, she learned, she was broken. And now after months of prayer she and her family have decided to open a maternity home.

Here are Kristen's words:
"Imagine you are 13 years old, the oldest of 5 children. You live in a slum without electricty, clean water and most days, food.
You watch your siblings starve. Your mother drinks to forget.

Maybe she asks you to give your body to a man in exchange for food or maybe you choose to do so because you cannot bare to hear the hunger cries of your baby sister for another night.
Or maybe you catch the eye of the man in the next shanty over. He rapes you in the dark alley and no one cares. *A woman is raped every 30 minutes in Kenya.

Either way, you get pregnant.

Your problem just got worse. You cannot continue to "work" and you cannot feed another mouth.

Abortion is illegal, but you think it's your only choice. You have a backstreet abortion in the slums of Africa with a bottle of alcohol and a knitting needle.
Ten days later, you die of an infection, just like *26,000 other women do every year.

Why a maternity home?

A loving home will offer a second chance, another option for these girls. It will be a loving, safe place for them to get prenatal care, counseling, and to have their baby. It will give their baby a chance at life, to be raised by a mother who is learning skills and self-sufficency or by a local Christian orphanage, whichever she chooses.

Why a maternity home? Because it's what Jesus would do.
He would simply love them."

At The Rusted Chain, we've been looking for an organization to work with.
And crazy as it sounds, several have said no for various reasons. Their logo is trademarked, they don't want us to use their words, etc.
I understand, but we genuinely want to help!

And when I asked Kristen if we could help, she immediately said yes.
No hesitation, no questions asked, no fuss.
Just yes!!

So we are now selling this Love Mercy necklace, with $10 from every one sold going directly to TheMercyHouse.

"He has shown you, O man, what is good: To act justly, love mercy, walk humbly." Micah 6:8

I understand that not everyone will want, or be able, to buy a necklace.

But even if you don't, will you pray? Pray for Kristen's family, The Mercy House, and the needs in Kenya?

Thank you!!

My Happy.

It's pouring rain outside.
Lightning and thunder everywhere. Power is going in and out.
If it goes out and stays out today, I'm gonna have to clean my house.
That doesn't sound like a good idea...

Anyway, these are a few of my happy things lately.
1. Lilo. 2. Sidewalk chalk art. 3. Playground.
4. Wild flowers. 5. Sunrise photo The Man took. 6. Heart in the sand.
7. New jewelry. 8. Old school. 9. Puffy Kansas clouds.



Another happy: I went to bed last night thinking about my dad and how much I love and appreciate him.
I woke up this morning to see that he'd left me a blog comment on the post before this one.
Happy tears!

What's your happy today?

(p.s. The winner of the giveaway is Becca at Our Crazy Boys. Email us at TheRustedChainInfo AT yahoo please.)

Me... in a magazine!

If you follow me on facebook or twitter, you might have seen me mention this last week.

I was so flattered a while back when I was asked by Wichita Family Magazine if they could do a feature story on me.

Lots of celebrities wear our jewelry, we've placed ads in magazines, and the business is growing daily. But to just feature me?! That's wild. And crazy. And cool. And very flattering.

Click here to read the entire interview. There's even talk about the blog!
That's how much I love you guys.
Love you even more than my coffee. Maybe. Almost.






Now, lest you start thinking I'm some kind of amazing mom who has it all together (and I know you were on the verge of thinking such things), just know that I forgot to bring my kids home from church yesterday.

Yeah, I really did.
Didn't even know it until I got home.

At least they were in God's hands...

I cried.

I bawled.
I was a Missouri girl, living in Colorado, very pregnant with my second child.
As the radio alarm went off I heard a voice say "...and then the plane hit the second building."
What?! I had worked for airlines. I'd been a flight attendant.
Planes can't just fly into buildings! That doesn't even make sense.

The Man and I jumped up and ran to turn on the tv.
It was The Today Show. And suddenly it all unfolded in front of our eyes.
I watched for about 10 minutes, getting sicker by the second.

And then I went to the bathroom. Curled up in a little ball (a pregnant ball) on the floor. And cried.
I just cried and cried.

I didn't know anyone involved. I knew no one in NYC, DC, or Pennsylvania.
But it just felt so personal.
How could someone do this to us? To me? To my country?
It felt the same as if they'd done it to my immediate family.
I was crushed and devastated.







May we never forget the pain.
May we never forget the lives lost.
May we never forget the heroes.
May we never forget the way we became a nation united.
May we never forget that we are the most incredible nation in the world.
And may we never forget that it was God that saw us through that terrible time.

Fingerprint Friday

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God
So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them? Here's how to join.

1. Blog with your interpretation of God's fingerprints. Be sure to link back here so others can find the entire list of participants.
2. After you've posted your blog, sign the Linky below. Have fun exploring the other links as well! Please sign in only if you're participating. Hopefully this will make us look at things through fresh eyes throughout the week.
-------------------
This week it seemed like we were able to relax for the first time in a long time.

The kitchen floor is done, school is back in full swing, things have settled for a little bit.
We've been taking walks every night, and most importantly - laughing.
We have laughed and laughed over everything!

The Boy is known for a quirky sense of humor.
This morning when I woke him up for school, I said, "Good morning Sunshine" as I always do.
Without even opening his eyes he said, "It's Angel. Say it with me ayn-jell."
What a goof!!

God knew we needed a break from the heavy serious stuff and just have a lighthearted week to giggle.

I am woman...

Our Labor day weekend was filled with labor. Huh.
We're still remodeling this farmhouse, even though we wanted to have things done by now.
You know how that goes.
And because we've flipped several houses, we know how long each project takes.
Or we should. We still underestimate it every time.

So over the weekend, we tackled the kitchen floor.
This lovely 50's yellow stuff was just awful.


Every 18 inch square had about 30-40 nails in it.
This house was built to never be remodeled. It's good and solid.
And incredibly frustrating. For The Man. He worked for about 14 hours removing this floor while I was out shopping.

It's a dirty job.


The next day we (I) screwed hardibacker into the floor.
It's a cement board that you use as a base to tile over.
This was another all day job.


The next day we started laying tile, finally.
At the very last second, I told The Man, "Wait! I don't want it in a grid pattern. I want them staggered."
I thought he was gonna smack me. But I assured him it would look better and be just as easy. (I'm so smart...)
He gave in (as a man should) and we began laying tiles. Again, this took all day. I can't even imagine one person doing it by theirself.


And another day later we grouted, wiped, wiped, wiped, wiped, and wiped some more.
It takes forever to get all the grout off the tiles!
But the end result is that our kitchen is finally coming together!


Lilo's very excited about it as well. No really, she is.


Have you ever laid tile?