For my birthday in April, Jeff gave me a chain saw. It was what I wanted. But I wanted him to use it to cut up downed limbs and trees in the woods in my backyard so that we can use it in the fire pit.
I Bought This/Gift, Informational Links
Although he bought me the chain saw, he felt that I should have another gift that I would use and to mark the day. Again, he asked what I wanted. Hmmmm. Just before the pandemic started last year, Jeff and I went to the Marblehead Art Association to look at their current exhibit. I stopped in the gift shop, of course, on our way out and I saw a beaded bracelet that I loved. Jeff was eager to leave, so I grabbed the business card of the person who made the bracelet, thinking that I would return to the Art Association gift shop and try it on. Days later, the Art Association along with everything else closed for about a year.
I remembered that I had saved the business card of the man who made the bracelet. I found the card and went to Bill’s Beadery on Etsy. There were lots of bracelets in different colorways and designs, but I wasn’t sure about the size that I needed. I contacted Bill through the Etsy messaging system, and I heard back from him the next day. I asked him if I could meet him somewhere to measure my wrist and perhaps look at some of his bracelets to get some ideas. He told me that he often makes custom jewelry. Great! We arranged to meet at a cute boutique called The Hiccup in the seaside town of Swampscott MA where Bill also sells his jewelry.
In one of the jewelry cases, I immediately saw the bracelet that I wanted. It was made from indigo blue sparkly glass beads. But the bracelet had a lobster claw clasp, and I knew that it would be difficult for me to open and close the clasp on my own. So I asked if he could make the bracelet with a slide clasp instead. He said he would make the bracelet from scratch to fit me with the clasp that I preferred. Yay!
But before we settled on that plan, I asked if I could see some of his other bracelets. We went to his office in the building next door. He brought out A LOT of other bracelets for me to see. I fell in love with two more designs, one green and blue with seed beads:
and another with pink pearls and grey and black beads in an open design:
I will choose one of the two vintage designs above for my next bracelet from Bill’s Beadery. Bill also brought out two more drawers with other designs.
And one can always design one’s own special design. Bill also makes rings, necklaces and earrings. Plus, he’s a really nice guy.
I decided to go with the bracelet that caught my eye originally with the indigo blue AB (aurora borealis) faceted beads. I love deep blue and, as you probably know, I love anything that sparkles. It turned out that Bill had to order the beads from the Czech Republic, so it took a couple of weeks for them to arrive. But Bill is an amazingly fast worker, and my bracelet was ready about a week later. I love it! I’ve been wearing lots of blue clothing so I can wear my beautiful birthday bracelet.
If you’re looking for a special gift, check out Bill’s Beadery on Etsy and on Instagram. Or have your own design realized at Bill’s Beadery!
Those are lovely pieces! Quite uniqe. A very happy birthday!
Thank you, Janice! I love the bracelet, and it’s fun to wear it with jeans too
I like the blue bracelet the best. Elegant. Dressy or not. I hope you had a Happy Birthday.
Thank you so much, Myrna! I wear the bracelet with jeans, another reason why the blue works so well for me. So nice to hear from you on my blog. I hope you and Arnold are doing well xoxo
Wow, these are all so gorgeous! The blue bracelet that you selected is absolutely stunning, Allison!
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Thank you xoxo
Happy birthday, you fabulous lady! What a stunning bracelet!
Thank you, Gabrielle xoxo I love jewelry as much as I love cosmetics!
Th bracelet you chose is absolutely beautiful, Allison!
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Thank you, Cindy! Gimme all the jewelry!
Fabulous. You have great taste as does he. I really love the pink and black one!
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Thanks, Marcia! I love the pink, black & grey one too. I may get that one next. So pretty and vintage, but as much as I like the toggle closure, I think I would have him make it with the more secure slide clasp.
Hi, Allison – You got me at chainsaw. Lol! And the sparkly indigo blue beads are indeed lush. Heck, you could wear that bracelet with jeans or a printed piece of clothing that has a bit of blue in it. It would look good with purple or green tones too. Maybe it would go with anything! You think? You have a great man. I hope your birthday was absolutely fabulous! XO – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
Thank you, Angie! And yes, Jeff is the best! I do wear the bracelet with jeans since lately that’s all I wear, lol. And because of the aurora borealis effect, it does look terrific with green and purple as well as blue. BTW, I linked to your review of Silent Mind singing bowls in my post today. 🙂