Because it matters...

Handstamped by Tiawanda

It looks simple. H-O-P-E. Four letters on a disk, but the process for a teenager is time-consuming and tedious.

1) Having to pick the letters and place them correctly (making sure that it's not upside down...or that the p, wasn't a b or a d).

2) Using the mallet and hitting it hard enough, so it makes the imprint.

3) Coloring it in so that the letters can be seen.

4) Removing the excess ink soon enough and meticulously, so the marks can't be seen on the disc.

5) Washing the disk off, so it doesn't smell like the remover.

"All of this for one little tiny charm? I don't like it...why even spend all this time on this?" stated Girl 1.

"Because it matters," replied Girl 2.

One Year Ago This Month

One year ago this month, Esme wrote a journal entry about an act of violence she witnessed. In her own words, she describes her feelings at witnessing this event.

                                                                     ***

So, my last week prayer request was for  the violence in our street to stop. 

So what happened to me last week was I was going to this new ice cream shop. They barely opened, so me and my cousin and brothers were walking like at 10.30 at night and all the sudden what we saw was some gangbangers beating on a teenager. 

What I experienced was bad. I felt like they were treating and beating on the guy like if he was a dog or garbage. I realize that that some people don’t realize what’s happening in our environment outside. I never realized myself until I saw it. It was some kind of bad experienced i will never forget. Someone needs to step up and be brave.

*** 

We were writing this, then Yaneth says, "Nobody stands up to them, because they are scared."

"I would," said Helen.

 "You would? But, then they would take a gun to prove themselves that they are tough." 
                     
                                                                             Esme, 2012-2013 BLING APPRENTICE 

Fall or Winter Wedding? Accessorize with BLING

BLING loves designing  for weddings! For Kelly's wedding, three strands of  pearls graced the wrists of bridesmaids. A strand of 10 mm chocolate brown Swarovski pearls, a strand of 8 mm of bride-chosen color Swarovski pearls, and a strand of 6mm freshwater pearls. 

Classic. Beautiful. Personalized.

For Randi's country wedding in Skull Valley, Arizona, three stranded bracelets with freshwater pearls, gold yellow Swarovski crystal beads, and individualized antique pewter for each bridesmaid made each friend feel special and loved. 

Simple. Individualized. Elegant.