A Locket made for a Hero's wife

I can now safely say that I have officially made my most important piece of jewelry yet.

Yes, my wedding ring was important, but definitely not in the same way.

Captain Matthew Freeman
Matthew Freeman, was killed in Afghanistan on August 7th, 2009 at the age of 29. He was a fighter Pilot who volunteered to go serve in Afghanistan. He was an exceptional person, in school, with friends and family, and in life. He came from a family that includes many servicemen and women. He was married to Theresa Hess only three weeks before he passed. This story is tragic and my prayers continue to go out to the Freeman's and the Hess's.

http://freedomremembered.com/index.php/capt-matthew-c-freeman/

My family has been friends with the Freeman's for almost as long as I can remember--summers consisting of camping trips, boating days and weekend crab boils. I also played Varsity Soccer and went to Saint Anne's Catholic church with Theresa. When Matthew's Mother Lisa asked me to make a locket for Theresa, you can imagine how perfect and meaningful I wanted this locket to be. I understood that it was something Theresa would keep and cherish forever. Lisa wanted to use some of Matthew's baby hair and their wedding photo in the locket. I had the leeway to decide the rest.

This is what I came up with...

"A Locket for Remembering"

Sterling Silver with 18 Karat Yellow gold accents.
Garnet set in Yellow gold bezel. (Matthew's birthstone)

Theresa's birthstone is Amethyst. I set her birthstone in a hand-pierced heart and engraved "Always" on it. I made the chain so that she could wear it at 3 different lengths 18, 20 and 24 inches.

I used watch crystals to "encase" Matthews hair. I wanted this to be two-sided, so that she could wear it with hair or the birthstone facing forward. I did not put their wedding photo in for the photo shoot...I thought that too personal.
I also wanted to make the packaging just as special. I hand-stitched this pouch out of recycled leather from a local Athens leather shop.Hand-made down to every last detail....

Thank you Kelli Guinn for the great photos!!

http://www.kelliguinn.com/

Hi-ho, Hi-ho is off to work we go....

So I have been super busy these days.....

It's A New Year....It's a new day!

For starters I was hired back full time at my old Job with TK Anderson Designs, as a bench jeweler and designer (this is a good thing-thus far). Unfortunately it is take most of my creative time, but I have managed to make a few magnificent pieces, (here and there...)! I will be posting photos and stories this week. I have also decided to start blogging about some of the funny stories I hear at the store it can be like working at a salon, and some of my own stories....

So.....I have started the year off right so far.

I started with a 5 day cleanse and it was GREAT. If you ever feel the need to do a cleanse I would highly recommend the Master Cleanse. It is like pushing a reset button. You are suppose to do it for 10 days, but I had a goal of 5. I had so much energy!! Derek was saying I was like a 10 year old, (I have very high energy levels to begin with). Secondly wake up at 6:30 for gym, emails, errands or blog before work....so far so good, and I feel great! Thirdly stay motivated, healthy and prepared. Derek says to me on New Years Eve "In order to succeed you must prepare t0 succeed...." I thought this to be true..... PREPARATION!

Stay tuned for some pretties and some stories!

Love and Laughter,

Chelsea BEE