Jolene has no idea that I have chosen to name her jewelry. For me, it is symbolic of the New Chapter I am beginning – or will be beginning – on October 1st with my new home.
You see, I met Jolene of Graceful Agony around January/February of this year. A few days later, I entered a contest she was having on her blog for some jewelry that she would design and make. I never dreamed that I would win…
but win I did.
A few months later when Jolene found out about my daughter’s wedding, she contacted me and asked if I would mind if she made the jewelry to match my outfit for the wedding. She even offered to make my daughter’s jewelry! (Yes, Jolene is amazing!)
Anyway, I was totally fine with that. Little did I know that I would lose everything I own just a few months later and her gift would become very significant to me.
On Monday I received a package in the mail from Canada and I knew the jewelry had arrived! I was quite surprised when I saw the jewelry. It was beautiful and matched my dress to the tee! Not only that, this jewelry is quite substantial. I was completely overcome that Jolene had done something for me that was so graciously kind and loving. If you haven’t noticed, I think Jolene rocks!! 
Anyway, since you have seen my dress I thought I would share Jolene’s beautiful jewelry with you as well. I have decided to name the set, “New Chapter” as that is what this jewelry signifies for me. (If you click on the image, it will expand to a larger size! )
These are both two different bracelets! I got 2! I love the ribbon on the second one. I have named it the “Invisible Awareness Ribbon” Hmmm…maybe I should design a ribbon called that! I also love the beading which you can see really well in the first shot!
Again, you can see the beautiful bead work, Jolene created!
More beautiful bead work. The clasp (you see on the right) is gorgeous! I have never seen a clasp like this. Even my friends were oohing and aahing over it!
When I first saw these earrings, I thought, “Perfect – simple and classic” ! Love that!
Sorry this one isn’t as clear but the necklace was too big to fit into my Blackberry shot! Love it!
Jolene, I’m sure, doesn’t realize this but her act of kindness taught me something this week. You see. I can’t do this alone. I know you all think I am determined and whatnot, and I am, but I am able to be ‘all I can be’ because of the gracious kindness and love of my friends here – online and off.
Without the love of my friends, I would never have survived twenty years of living with CFIDS/ME and FMS. I owe each and everyone of you a huge thank you!
And to Jolene … you have marked the start of my new journey with a gift that I will always have to remind me that I can (and did) start over and become even better than I was before. You also have added a special blessing to August 28th, my daughter’s wedding. THANK YOU! I love you!
Determined to continue forward,
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Wow…beautiful, Dominique. What a lovely gift.
Linda´s last [type] ..Ontario trip- 2010
Linda – Thank you! I think so to~
What beautiful jewlery. I really do hope it marks a new chapter for you! Certain pieces of my jewelry remind me of good friends and/or good times, but I never thought of naming bracelets, etc. beyond “the one with the blue glass beads” or the “beach charms bracelet.” What a wonderful idea to name your new pieces!
phylor´s last [type] ..Let Me Introduce Myself- 1st Graceful Agony Blog Carnival
phylor –
What beautiful jewerly your friend Jolene has made for you. Wonderful! And I echo your words Dominique….we cannot do this alone…we need the support and love of family and friends…the blogging world provides us with friends who really get it. They totally understand and have compassion for each other….How grateful I am for the internet!
Renee´s last [type] ..Bartonella vs Herbs
Renee – You and me both!
YAY!!! I AM SO GLAD YOU GOT IT!!
I hope the antiqued gold finish matches as well?
So it matches well? That was a bit of a challenge to try and match it perfectly to your dress over the net
I included both bracelets so if you want to keep your wedding set for ‘good’ you will have the awareness bracelet that you can wear any old time… even in your jammies in bed if you want
I am SOOOO happy that you like the set, and that it means so much to you, it was honestly an honor to make it for you, and to feel like I get to be a small part of such a special day for you and your family hon…
I love you too. It was nice to give back what you give me everyday my dear friend, a generous and kind spirit!!
XOXOXOXOXO
Jolene´s last [type] ..Dear Jolene-
Jolene – smile – he he! I thought you would be! he he
I don’t know how you did it but the color is a perfect match. You are good!
Again, I am SO THRILLED that you like it! I have gotten to know your spirit online, and you know I love you – but I have never had to design a set without ANY feedback or a swatch of material to look at
WHEW!! I can stop sweating now!
All I ask is I get to see some BEAUTIFUL pics of you and your daughter!!
XOXOXOXO
Jolene´s last [type] ..Dear Jolene-
Jolene – You got it!
Beautiful!!!! How lovely for you, and how kind of Jolene. Can’t wait to see a picture of you with the dress and accessories to match! Hope you have a fabulous time at the wedding… it wont be long now!
Laurel´s last [type] ..Hope
Laurel – Yes, Jolene was incredibly gracious. I can’t wait to be at the wedding!
How wonderful! It warms me that there are still nice caring people in the world!
PJ´s last [type] ..The Dad Life
PJ – Yes, you are right. There are still amazing people out there. I find many of them here in the CFIDS/ME/FMS/LYME/CHRONIC PAIN section of the internet! Amazing people every one of them!
You are going to look fabulous! Praying you will feel much better for this
special occassion. We need these special memories and I pray the day
will be absolutely wonderful for everyone.
Patricia – I am, aren’t I! he he! I am praying that my energy will be good on the wedding day as well and that it will hold out for the whole day 8 am to midnight. Boy that is going to be a looooooong day! Phew!
Dominique, I am trying to catch up on my blog reading…with little success. I have missed so much. I have been leaving my lap top at the hospital/senior housing so whoever is “babysitting” can use it during long periods of boredom. My Mom also likes to read her emails when she is awake and feeling okay. I’m not getting an email telling me when you have a new post. I have subscribed a few times and it keeps telling me hat I am already subscribed. I must be doing something wrong. Your outfit for the wedding and jewelry are just beautiful! (Like, WOW Jolene!) What ever happened to Aunt What’s her Name”? Did she back off the kids or just disapear? You know we will need lots of pictures of the gala…I’m hoping for good weather and good health on this special day!
xoxomo
mo´s last [type] ..Where am I today I’m not sure
Mo – Maybe you should try signing up for the email subscription and see if that works. Or if that is the one you have, try the RSS feed. I will check out the feed but as far as I know everything is working okay. I know some people had to update their browsers to google chrome or firefox because the new wordpress is now beta 3.0 so that may be the problem.
Thank you! I do like my dress and Jolene did an awesome job on the jewelry!
Aunt Z! She completely pulled out and has pretty much been out of the picture. Once we cleaned up the mess we went from 100+ guest to 82. But at least we will now having a wedding without anymore headaches.
It is looking good for weather in the 80s right now which would be awesome. That should not negatively affect my lungs.
I will be taking my laptop with me so I will be posting photos as soon as I am able!
I am praying for a full and speedy recovery for you mom! I hope you are holding up as well.