Feature in Brides Magazine

I am beaming at the moment and let me tell you why?

I have been designing jewelry for a very long time and loving it... I decided last year after the passing of my beloved Nana that I would really go after my dream of being relevant in the jewelry design world.  We own and operate several restaurants in Md and Va that takes up so much time and energy.  I am the CFO but it really means that I keep the books and invest our money to open new restaurants.  I opened an Etsy store in February of last year,  bought tons of gemstones, camera, lighting systems invested in advertising became addicted to learning facebook, twitter and creating a blog.  I did pretty well last year and was very excited. I sold over 275 pieces of jewelry and counting which is a pretty  good number for a beginner on Etsy. 


 About 3 weeks ago, I received an email from an assistant editor from Brides Magazine saying they were interested in using one of my necklaces in a shoot. 

I was so excited and thought wow, finally,  someone recognizes the beauty in my jewels.  I work so hard to create something unique, fresh and beautiful.  I waited to here back from them on pins and needles and very little sleep. Unfortunately,  I would not make the book but I would be in the "online" gallery with mentions of our company Lillyput Lane Design Company.  Well, after hearing that heart breaking news,  I felt so sad and thought maybe I am just not good enough to be on that level.  


I was at our new restaurant yesterday helping with our new licensee input the sales, bills extra.  I was feeling so overwhelmed with orders for my jewels trying to help organize our new people and not to mention my husband is working back to back doubles for the next 30 days with our partner as per our contract with the licensee.  Well,  that leaves me with just about everything else,  kids, groceries and our restaurants and my jewels.  I was feeling so stressed out and I was thinking, maybe I will just give up my jewelry business. I will just have a fire sale and shut down.


 I set out to create a brand that screams WHOA that is beautiful and I want that... I have unbelievable customers and wonderful feedback from them. I l o v e my Brides. They make all of the hard work,  worth it.  To be apart of such an intimate day and to create a timeless treasure that can be passed down to their children just makes me smile and yes get a little teary. I feel so proud and humbles to be apart of something like this. Truthfully, I did know I would connect with my customers the way I have. They are all so sweet and encouraging. 


Anyway, I was in the pick-up line at school yesterday, feeling a little down, stressed and in need of a Bravo Housewives stay in my comfy bed and make may husband David watch every episode of the Orange County Housewives (laugh out loud) and I receive and email from our friends from Ruffled Blog. In short, they said that Lillyput Lane Design Company would be mentioned with our images in Brides Magazine in a spread featuring the blog

http://ruffledblog.com/

Photo Gallery

Well, WOW... I thought,  what the heck is going on. I called my husband David and had him look at my email to make sure I was not losing my mind or something and creating a virtual world.  I though maybe the stress is just making me delusional and yes, I am laughing out loud as I am writing this. 

 I am just so excited but the funny thing is- I know my NANA is behind this.  Her saying was- "when God closes the door, he always opens the window."  I love and miss my Nana and it is coming up on the one year anniversary of her passing at the end of the month.  I say good-morning to both my Nana and pa's picture on the refrigerator almost everyday.  

My feeling is... find something you love, don't be afraid and just flippin GO FOR IT...