This year we have a special new product offering, the photo bead, which will make an extra special addition to the Euro – bead you may already own. We also have our stunning photo pendant necklace available again. For pricing and details click here -Remember these are only offered at this event.

I will also be at the shoot site with samples and supplies to capture your child’s fingerprint.

Photo bead and sway silver fingerprint bead on a Euro style bracelet.

As a Parent, I’m sure you have noticed how time passes so quickly and one day blends into the next?  Schedules are chock full of our children’s school, lessons and activities and our work and meetings keep us busy. Time passes before you have a moment to breathe.  A week and then a month go by without having had a moment to share a coffee with friends and without connecting with those that you love the most and who love you and really get you.

If you are within an hour’s drive of Cambridge Ontario Canada consider hosting a Sway Silver Fingerprint Party. It’s easy and your friends will appreciate you for taking the time to get them together , providing this convenient way to help them capture their memories in metal! With a minimum of 6 ordering guests, I come to your home or the location of your choice. I bring everything I need to capture the fingerprints of the loved ones present at the party, children and adults -no one is too old! I meet with each ordering guest and their family individually to help them choose the design that best suits their needs. Samples are on hand to provide inspiration and custom designs can be discussed.  The mould making process is quick and simple with no mess, allowing you time to visit with your friends. There is no presentation to sit through. I simply focus on helping your guests pick out a design that suits their style the best and capture the fingerprints of their loved ones to be made into their own custom made piece of silver jewellery.

• You don’t need a lot of space and their is no mess a place at a kitchen table or well lit spot where I can set up to capture fingerprints and complete orders is all that I need.
• Nervous that everyone will show up all at one time and turn your serene house into a crazy zoo? In my experience an open house event over a 2 hour window works best to allow guests to stop in and  to leave at their convenience, especially if they have babies and toddlers.
• Of course there might be a friend or two that can’t make the date or time but still want to order. In this case, I provide a few DiY mould making kits (with instructions) in your hostess kit to help you take the order prior to the party so that all party orders are submitted by the party date.
• Once I have finished each custom piece of silver jewellery (usually about 4 weeks) it is shipped/delivered to the hostess to be distributed.  Hostesses receive a minimum of 20% discount on their personal order. Party dates are available January – March and June – October.
• Too far away? Email me to find out how you can host too!

Please, email heather@swaysilver.ca to book your fingerprint jewellery party date and capture your memories in metal!

]]> http://www.swaysilver.ca/jewelry/perfect-time-for-a-fingerprint-jewellery-party/feed/ 0 http://www.swaysilver.ca/jewelry/flourish-and-thrive-academy-2013-challenge/ http://www.swaysilver.ca/jewelry/flourish-and-thrive-academy-2013-challenge/#comments Mon, 14 Jan 2013 01:55:29 +0000 Heather http://www.swaysilver.ca/?p=902

Baking with Mom

2012 was a record year for Sway Silver. I’ve met so many incredible people celebrating the arrival of new babies, growing families, the lives of loved ones in their last days and the courageous families hoping and fighting for a life. I never expected the impact that personalized jewellery and especially fingerprint jewellery would have on my life or the importance of it to my customers. Capturing your memories in metal has been AWESOME! With the last year’s success in mind, there is still so much to learn and so much that can be done to improve how my business runs and how I serve you.

Today, I was baking cookies for my youngest son when the idea came to me – my jewellery business is a lot like this recipe. My kids call this my “jewellery job”. The hours I put into this “job” are full time but mostly during the time when they are at school. I suppose I have sacrificed some precious moments of Mommy time sending my youngest to daycare a couple of days a week, but for the most part, my hours are flexible and I am more than grateful that I have this chance to use my creativity and create jewellery for a living. Now as an artist, I tend to focus on designing and making. It’s the really FUN part of what I do. In my sugar cookie recipe, had I filled the request of my sweet toothed little one, our sugar cookies would be nothing but pure sugar and butter without the binding flour or the baking powder. Not really a cookie at all- just sweet mush. In my business, while I’m paying my bills and turning a small profit, it’s the (boring) numbers that I fail to tend to and that is an important ingredient to leave out of the business recipe! Just like failing to follow a recipe results in terrible cookies, failing to follow a plan – numbers and all – will likely result in an unprofitable short lived business. Sure, seems like a waste of all these hours, money and supplies to just putt along to fail, now doesn’t it?

There is no time like now to take this “jewellery job” to the next level! I really want this business to be something my family is proud of, especially so I can employ other Moms,  give generously to causes that I am passionate about and mostly to provide for these growing boys! To achieve this I’m committing to a renewed focus on EVERY part of this business and I’m excited to announce that I’ve joined the Flourish and Thrive Academy Laying the Foundation Volume 1 to help me learn, and re-learn, the parts of the recipe that will result in the best business outcome for me, my family and my customers. As I said in my last post it’s about tasting all of life! It’s going to be a fabulous year!

“Meadow Gazer” one of a kind silver tube bead on leather, Renann Isaacs Contemporary Art, Guelph. SOLD $150

Remember a time when you had butterflies tickling your tummy, you probably didn’t sleep much and you fidgeted in anticipation of starting something you hadn’t done before? Whether it was a new school, new grade, new job or an extreme sport experience those times when something new is on the horizon don’t change much. The unknown looms with hopes, expectations, guesses at what will be and estimations of how the you will handle it. The courage builds sometimes less steadily than the doubts do. New can be stressful! It can also be exhilarating!

Looking back over the last year I’ve had a number of firsts. New home, new studio, new galleries taking on my work. Most of that happened fast, like pulling off a bandage so fast I hardly felt it! It’s been a big year in hindsight! It also included my first ride in a limousine (40th birthday surprise from my husband) and my first trip to the U.K – which I did all by myself, I must add!

Almost daily I watch my boys trying new things. Frequently NEW is met with EW! (especially at the dinner table) It drives my husband and I crazy watching the looming fear of a single bit of new tastes and textures fill their heads and spawn disgusted reactions before a morsel touches their pursed lips. I wish I could see into those minds at those moments of trepidation. Fear is keeping them from the tantalizing scrumptious and flavourful…which they inevitably will dowse with ketchup anyway. I suppose if I were to go back in time, I too sat at the dinner table with the same discomfort. To be completely transparent, there are still times when I sit solidly planted in the coziness of my life and peer into the unknown with sheer trepidation.

2013 is going to be full of these moments of new tastes, new textures, new designs and opportunities. While I’m tempted to stay cozy, I’ve been itching at my core to go a little further, experiment a little more, stretch my creativity and grow my business. It’s time to taste the spice, feel the fear and step out beyond the safe knowing that my past experience has built the foundation of stepping stones that will take me in new directions. Unlike my boys I want to taste it all and not cover it up with ketchup!

A simple DIY project using an up-cycled cupboard door

Everyone can use a little help with organizing. This was a simple DIY project that I made for the accessory lovers in my life. An up-cycled cupboard door was easily transformed using mismatched porcelain and brass knobs found at the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. With a touch of leftover paint and hot glue these cast offs became a handy jewellery organizer with a message board to leave reminders and notes of inspiration. I had a light wooden box which fit perfectly in the recess of the door, making  perfect catchall for little pins and hair barretts. A small canvas from the craft store recovered in scrap fabric was perfect spot for keeping earrings safely paired.  I’m hoping that my choice of neutral colours will provide my pre-teen nieces with a useful piece they can love for years to come.

Valentine’s Day Fingerprint Jewellery Order Cutoff is January 21st 2013

Don’t get stuck this Christmas! Make sure your orders and moulds are here on time to ensure you will have your gifts ready for Christmas.

2012 Christmas ordering cut off  NOVEMBER 16 

Order your Do It Yourself mould making kit by November 2 

Gift Certificates available

Order kits here

Winner of the photo caption contest: Dayna Schuyler If that blows up, am “I” in trouble, or Santa?? Thanks for playing everyone!

2012 Christmas ordering cut off  NOVEMBER 16 

Order your Do It Yourself mould making kit by November 2 

Gift Certificates available

http://www.swaysilver.ca/fingerprint-pendants/

So proud to share the artwork of Laurie McNair Blue. This year she was chosen to illustrate an art card for the Mom2Mom Africa project that I am also so very fond of. Laurie is an accomplished artist, a graduate of Sheridan College’s Illustration program, & an art teacher who is from Ontario Canada and is currently serving as a missionary in Monmouth Wales with her family.  ( YES – in the spirit of full disclosure – she’s my Sister.) The cards feature a brightly coloured illustration of two Mother birds and their chicks in a style inspired by Tanzanian artist Edward Tingatinga (1932 -1972). The heart string represents Mothers helping, loving, and supporting Mothers in Africa and Canada.  The mother bird is feeding the love to the baby bird.

Pack of 8 cards, blank inside, illustration by Laurie McNair Blue – $15

Purchase of this card has helped pay the school fees of a child in Tanzania

Watch this video to learn more about the founder of Mom2Mom Africa,  Alison Fraser . Alison is Mom to three young daughters, and a full time environmental toxicologist with a passion for education and a big heart for helping brighten the futures of children in need. Her story of action is an inspiration! Contact Alison directly to purchase your cards.  alison_fraser1@hotmail.com