Polls are Fun!

Thank you to everyone who took  my "bead treat" poll!  Michelle and I spend a lot of time thinking about what you want to make, but since we are not "mind-readers", (just heart-readers),  it's nice to get real-life feedback!

We are working on some new bead treats, and here's a peek at an oldie-but a goodie.  It's something we had as a potential class years ago, when macrame was NOT so popular, but we hung onto it!

Yay, because now that it's super popular.... we are bringing it back!

look for it on our website, and on our facebook page when we pick dates to teach it!

I am welcome to your ideas and suggestions, so if there is anything you are interested in, lmk!  We'll see if we can do it as a bead treat!  Comment here or email me directly!

aloha, jamie

Mother's Day Charity Fair 2012

Please come to our Charity Fair this Sunday, May 6th from 10am -2pm!  

This fair started about 13 years ago, in my first attempt to raise money to support a local organization called Kapiolani Breast Health Center.  They had supported my friend, Brenda, through her breast cancer, surgery and recovery and I wanted to do something "REAL" to show my gratitude for Brenda's survival and thankfulness for the loving care she received.

Our very first fair was held at my mom's house, and we invited a small group of friends raised a couple thousand dollars by selling store samples and donating 100% of our proceeds, and asking our participating friends to donate a portion of their sales as well.

As our customer base grew, so did our fair, AND the number of organizations we were able to support!     We increased it to twice a year, and I was so lucky to have Anna and Michelle really take over the reins in the past couple of years, so that I could do the "marketing" and social invitations!

We've raised over $100,000 since our very first fair, and extended YOUR support to so many places that flourish with your donations, so Thank YOU, thank YOU, mahalo!  Hey, click here to see a list!

Just like the little plant below (that will be at the fair!).. it's so wonderful so see growth, to feel the extension of our energy in tangible and helpful ways, and to know that we can stand by ourselves, but we are STRONG as a community!

Love love and more love to you, jamie
btw: contact me if you should want to participate, donate or get involved in future fairs!

This cute lil plant is just one of the many things we'll have for sale!

pocket plantie.. just last week

and look at her now!!

p.s. thank you gayle for your love, time and donation, AND for "rooting" these babies, giving them a sturdy foundation so that they can continue to grow after they are adopted into their new homes!

My Sun Sign Rules!

Why do I love beading and why do I love to teach?  Probably because I'm a Sagittarius and these are major elements of my sign.  Freedom... the freedom to express myself creatively and to allow my jewelry to say what I mean, and show how I feel.  I put a lot of thought, love and my spirit into all of my pieces, and I  do my best to teach that to my customers and friends.  Truth... I can allow my jewelry to express my honesty, beyond my words of the present moment, because I can speak my truth once, but the adornment is a talisman, and a lasting reminder of my expression of love, caring, and healing.  Learning... I am interested in everyone and everything.. if I weren't a bead store owner, I'd be a questioner (that's a job that I just made up).  I'd ask people questions all day so that I could see new ideas, new perspectives and see the world with new eyes, every day!

I love teaching and sharing because it's a wonderful way to express my joy in all the things that I've learned that expand my perspective, my mind, spirit and heart.  There is a sense of community being built when I can show someone how to access their creativity, and it's a wonderful feeling to share in their happy moment when the spark is lit!

After 20 years of beading, I've adapted to new styles, trends, techniques and have discovered so many things along the way!
I learned to be accepting when things don't turn out the way I expected.
I learned to be creative with limited supplies.
I learned patience by doing things repeatedly until I reached the end.
I learned to adapt by changing my mindset and expectations when things broke, ran out or didn't fit.
I learned problem-solving when faced with great ideas but not yet having the skills to execute it.
I learned that success is personal, ever changing, and involves loving what I'm doing and staying true to that focus.

I've practiced these skills in my craft, and then extended it to my life and my relationships.

In truth, it's not just my astrological sign that has determined my love for beading and teaching. :)  I've learned so much about myself, how to access joy, and how to love my life through this process we call "beading".  The relationships that I've created and sustained through sharing my love for creating and healing has come together, and I plan on continuing this practice, one bead at at time... one person at a time.

2012 - Happy New Year!

Dear Jamie,

This year, I resolve to listen to my heart and love with ALL my heart.  I will stop and be in the moment, especially when I am tempted to react in fear.  I know that I fear many things:  fear of disappointing others, fear of not being liked, fear of being left behind, fear of not being included, fear of looking foolish, ... and the list goes on.   You may find we have a lot in common. :)

Because I fear those things, I tend to react too quickly in situations where I feel vulnerable.  I used to quickly cover up with rejection before I get rejected, anger: before I could get yelled at, dislike: before I could be disliked...  and again the list goes on.  again.   It's amazing how we protect ourselves, and the very thing that protected me was also the same thing that didn't allow the love to flow.

In the past couple of years, I learned a lot by putting myself in "risky" situations.  By being myself, being TRUE to myself and listening to my heart.  I stopped writing here because I had nothing new to share.  I stopped posting because it stopped pleasing me.  Today it pleases me to write and though I still have nothing NEW to share, I'm ready to heal a lot more of the old.  This year is about coming to terms with a LOT of stuff that has brought me here, and I'm ready to move forward mindfully and I'm willing to push past my fear.

So if you are reading this.. know that you are LOVED, understood and cared for.  Not just by me, but by the universe, and if you are willing to accept that love, then the flood gates will open and you WILL feel the love flow.  Stop saying, "no", unless someone is hurting you.  Stop saying "later", unless you are talking about dying.  Stop saying "I can't", unless you REALLY cannot.  e.g. "i can't hear you," because I'm truly deaf in my left ear :) wink!

Include more Yes's, I'd love to's, I can's, I will's, and I love myself's!!!  We are truly valuable and we MUST must MUST practice and believe this.  and if you need a helping hand, come see me.  I have some different things we can think about, do, believe, and create together.  I've been blessed with many helping hands and helping hearts around me, and I extend the same to you :)

with love and aloha!  jamie
ps.  you can FLY!!!

last day of the bead gallery on ward

Good Bye Bead Gallery on Ward!

i've spent the last 12 years of my life in the same building, going up and down those stairs, and meeting thousands of wonderful people.  it's been the best part of my adult life, and i'm sitting here in awe of what was created.  i'm not thinking just about the jewelry, the projects, the emails, the website, and all the creative ideas...  i'm feeling full of spirit, love and gratitude.  

the best life lessons of hurt and healing, rejection and acceptance, miscommunications and understanding, conflict and resolution, loss and gratitude, ... ALL have occurred under this particular roof.   and all of the energy that was poured into my life, my environment, and in the familiarity of the PLACE around me is now recognizable only within me.  i thought it was in the things around me, in the comfort of the location, and the everyday sameness of familiarity - but amazingly... it's not!

when i looked at the empty, broken-down store before leaving tonight.. i thought i'd be sad.  or something to that effect, especially after so many customers asked me.. "aren't you going to miss this place?"   i wasn't sad.  i felt nothing... just ready to go home with my husband, like the last 4000 days we've done so.

everything i am, everyone that i love is already in my heart.   i carry the best of me, the best that i can do, the best of everything that i have ever done- inside of ME, and i only realized that today.  i've never been more tired, more irritable, more emotional (hello period, thanks for visiting me NOW), more in physical pain, than the past 3 weeks, and with all that going on - I cried twice today, both times because i was so grateful.  i finally understand that dedicating the past 14 years of my life to tbg was not a waste, i have no regrets, and that this whole journey has been about bringing love into my life.  Today was a clear message, that i am successful. 

once in my office in the middle of the move - i started to tear up.  I had to stop and ask myself, "am i sad? why am i crying?"  only to discover that chasing that emotion led me to think about anna and gale holding down the fort at the new bg, while ali, amanda and my other girls were packing like crazy in the main showroom - and i felt so grateful, my heart felt so full.  to follow a dream, live the opportunity and be a part of a community that shares in that love, there is nothing better.

after getting home and pulling up in the driveway at 11pm, i cried again.  because i was so thankful for my husband, and we had just had a late dinner prepped by my supportive mom.  everything i do has been 100% supported by them, and i will always be striving to share that gift with as many others as i can.  it is a gift that i honor and will serve for as long as i am able, and that i am able to unreservedly receive love and support from those around me, and share that openly is a culmination of the work in progress that is ME!

thankfulness doesn't always show up in the middle of chaos, in the middle of total non-stop action.  and i am writing this message and sending it out in the universe, so that i can REMEMBER that it should.  and i can make it so.

living with gratitude and appreciating the love that i receive and am blessed to share, jamie

mahalo ke akua, mahalo, mahalo, mahalo!

Everything Jamie Loves is In Here!

The Bead Gallery - Part 3

It's our 14th year in business and I can't believe it's time to move for the 3rd time.  Change is haaaaaaaard!!  Can you hear me grumbling as I say this?  Maybe it's cause my body hurts, my brain is in overdrive and I wonder where the past 14 years disappeared to, and what I have to SHOW for it.

It's been too easy for me to look for quantifiable proof that the last 14 years were productive, worthwhile, purposeful.  Maybe if I had a million dollars in the bank, I'd feel terrific!  No.  Even as I type that, I roll my eyes.  Maybe if we had children, I'd feel like I had something to show.. that I added to humanity and created a life.  Hmmm..  still not sure bout that.  But as I bring home boxes and boxes of  &*(^ that have accumulated over the past decade+, I wonder.... what was I saving?  What is this stuff?  Is this what I have to show for my adult life?

So as my anxiety continues about the business being "successful", I continue to dissect, re-evaluate and reflect upon my meaning.  What am I here for?  What am I here to do?  What is success?  Whose idea of success am I determining my current state by?

Last month, I asked Michelle and Jason, "if we didn't do all the things we did, like classes, dvds, kits, displays, packaging, offers, emails, website, new products...." would we still be here today, in this exact place?  When they both answered to the effect of "most likely/yes/probably" I couldn't stop laughing at the irony.  I saw myself as a little mouse on a wheel, pedaling as fast as I can, and going nowhere!  I was so busy being busy, I didn't even think about the VALUE of my life.  I was putting so much effort into keeping the business alive, I didn't even consider WHY that was important to ME.

I never once questioned, "is this worth it?"  I just put my head down and bulldozed forward for the past 5000 days, saying the bead gallery was the most important thing.  work was most important.  making money was primary to taking care of all of us.  But I never thought it through, to WHY was that important to me.

When we realized that we couldn't continue the business at its current rate of decline in this economy, I had to choose: move or close.  Maybe at the time it was pride, fear, ego that spurred me to reject closing, and finding a new, cheaper space with lots of parking and on the first floor  was way too easy and convenient.  So I chose move.  BUT I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT WHY I wanted to continue.  Loving beads is NOT enough of a reason to have a bead store.  trust me!

Last week, as I painted the new store with JoAnn, we discussed grieving, being in the moment and just being present with our feelings.  This was the first time I spoke aloud of my feelings toward the store, so it was a surprise to ME, to hear why I'm doing this.   I told her that for the past year, I've been pledging my service to ke akua, to doing whatever it is that I am called to do.  That I will have a willing heart and open mind to god/the divine spirit/the universe, and that I am here to serve whatever is needed.  That I have been blessed with a most loving mom, and a most loving husband that have supported me and loved me and showed me that with unconditional love, you can do ANYTHING!  I am so grateful and so thankful, that I am committed to sharing that which I have received, with as many people as I can in my lifetime.

I am not continuing the bead store for money, success or to provide people with employment.  I am not moving the store just so that Jason and I can work in non-traffic times.  I'm not even doing it because it's the only thing I know how to do at this time, and I understand that the job market is challenging.  

I truly love the people that I work with.  I love the people that come through the door.  I love the interaction, sharing our lives, stories, opinions and perspectives with each other.  I love the healing work that we do through the bead store.  I love that we have invested 14 years in creating a community, a place of fellowship, trust and equal energetic exchange.  I love that there are people that will always challenge me, and give me situations to practice patience, kindness and understanding.  This is not just a bead store to me.  It's a place of healing, love, creativity and growth.  It just happens to be a bead store.  If I wanted to re-name it, I would change it to "everything jamie loves is in here".  And that's a perfect reminder that I do carry everything I love with me all the time.. in my heart.  The store is a convenient meeting place where YOU + me = Us

This move is meaningful. I am deliberate in using this change to reflect my inner changes as well.  I plan on doing what I know is right.  I want to move forward with honesty, balanced with compassion for myself, and others.  I want to experience abundance of spirit, love, and energy.  I will do my best to listen and follow through with my heart's messages, knowing that I am loved and supported in all that I do.

It is given.  It is free.  Amene.

1. 
   

Blogging.. what happened?

Question: So when did blogging turn from being a joy to a chore?  

Answer: Perhaps when I realized that I wasn't doing it for myself.

Journaling is intimate, focused inwards to my heart.  It allows me to be reflective and aware.  A blog is similar, but I found that I held back on some truths.  Many of those truths unveil a part of me that I am not used to sharing with the general public.

In the store, I'd like to think that I am being my TRUE SELF at all times.  But I know that I don't serve my highest good at all times.  I hold back.  I bite my tongue.  I shut up (even though it doesn't seem that way, huh Anna!!).  People hurt my feelings and I allow it.  People energetically help themselves without returning the love, and I allow it.   People bring their baggage and attempt to leave it.  And I allow it.

At what point do I say, NO THANKS!  I love you.  Please love me.

So, with that reflection, I say, goodbye blogging for entertainment.  Unless I want to be entertained.  Goodbye to blogging for information sharing.. Unless I want to share.  Goodbye to blogging, without being aware of my soul's purpose.  

THEN, when I do write something... it will be for my good, my evolution and my awareness.   And if I change my mind, then HELLO to balance, hello to acceptance, hello to equanimity.

don't you just love a win-win?

* * * * * * * * *

Here's a quote to inspire me:

Don't worry about what the world needs.  Ask what makes you come ALIVE and do that.  Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

- howard thurman

aaaaaand......

here's a pic of jason's favorite bracelet.  knotted imperial topaz with all different religious symbols.  

he's added a couple more since this shoot...

i so admire my husband. he has such an open mind and acceptance about belief systems and his interest in the divine and his openness about each individual's personal journey with their god or gods... i'm fascinated by that!  mahalo, mahalo, mahalo ke akua!  i am grateful for the people that are in my life.  lessons abound!