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Colby June GIVEAWAY

Colby June Giveaway

low2Colby June is one of my all-time favorite handmade jewelry designers. Based on the tiny details in nature, this intricate jewelry is beyond elegant.

Besides being an incredibly talented jeweler, Colby is also a mother, wife, and school counselor. Many of the designs are inspired by her daughter Parry’s free spirit and her husband’s taste in modern architecture. A testament to the balance of nature, Colby June’s dainty jewelry is absolutely remarkable.

She was generous enough to send me these two stunning rings. I wear the leaf one everyday. You can buy them on Etsy here.

 

I am also doing a GIVEAWAY for the “small twig” ring below!

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Rules:

Giveaway open to US Only. Begins at 12 a.m. 3/26/2014 and ends 4/2/2014 at 12 a.m. One winner will be selected in a random drawing from among all eligible entries. Winner will be notified by email. The winner will then have 24 hours to respond or another winner will be selected. Odds of winning will depend upon the number of eligible entries received. The use of multiple email addresses, Twitter handles, or Facebook Profiles is not permitted and will result in disqualification. Not completing entry requirements will result in disqualification.

Here are some images of items also available at Colby June:

Colby June provided me with the two small rings pictured. I did not receive any other compensation. All opinions are my own.

Lifestyle

Greek Stationary from Greeked

Stationary from Greeked

Continuing my recent obsession with Etsy, I stumbled across the store Greeked. The owner, Lisa Arnett, created this spin-off from her other Etsy stationary store, Skel Design, to have a Greek emphasis.

Greeked offers extremely cute to-do lists for almost every sorority. For an office supply addict, this is one of the best things ever. I love making to-do lists. There’s something about crossing items off that’s extremely satisfying.

Please check out Greeked on Etsy here.

Please also check out Skel Design here.

 

Skel Design creates super cute prints like this one!

Skel Design creates super cute prints like this one!

Stationary from Greeked Stationary from Greeked

Lisa was kind enough to throw in the “Keep Calm and Get it Done” notepad as well in the package she sent me. It was such a generous surprise! I loved it!

When I emailed Lisa, she was genuinely interested in my life. I really enjoyed working with her and it was fun to hear about how she was a Delta Gamma at UCSB and her daughter is an Alpha Phi at UT! I love meeting other sorority women!

I would highly recommend ordering through her because she clearly values customer service and everything shipped so quickly.

Here are some more examples of their Greek stationary:

Greeked sorority designs Greeked sorority designs

Please check out Greeked on Etsy here

Please also check out Skel Design on

Greeked provided me with the four notepads “Big,” “Little,” “Kappa Alpha Theta,” and “Keep Calm and Get it Done” for free. I was also provided the “When I laugh with my family…” print for free. I did not receive any other compensation. All opinions are my own.

Fashion

Incredible, One-of-a-Kind Sorority Jewelry

Kappa Alpha Theta pendants

A retired art teacher of 32 years, Donna Johnston spends her winters in Texas, her summers in Michigan, and free time making incredible sorority jewelry. Donna has been a member of the Greek community for over 60 years! She is a member of Pi Beta Phi – passing her legacy down to her granddaughters. Using them as her inspiration, she began designing these beautiful pendants that she sells through her Etsy shop. Please check out her amazing sorority pendants that are only $19.50 plus $5 shipping here.

Kappa Alpha Theta pendants

Completely her own designs, Donna draws them first in ink, sends them to a lazer to cut them out of brass, and then she finishes the cutting process by filing each one and tumbling them for about 18-24 hours. After this, she puts a bail on each and they are plated in gold or silver. It’s incredible to think that each stunning pendant has so much thought, care, and time put into it.

Donna was beyond generous to send me two pendants for my own sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta. When I first opened the package, my breath completely left me. I had seen her designs online, but seeing them in person is a completely different experience. The attention to detail is so clear in the design and quality of the pendants.

Outfit of the Day March 20

While Donna’s jewelry takes center-stage, I also want to talk about Donna herself because she’s an incredibly inspiring woman. I had the incredible privilege of being able to chat with her over email and learn a little about her life. The legacy Donna has left behind her is absolutely remarkable. I respect her so much.

Here are some of the many jobs Donna has had:

  • Art teacher for grades K-12
  • Kindergarten teacher
  • Third grade teacher
  • Fifth grade teacher
  • Seventh grade teacher
  • Professor at Bowling Green University
  • Professor at Eastern Michigan University
  • Professor at Toledo University
  • Workshop teacher at local schools
  • Teacher at the Toledo Museum of art (children and adult classes)
  • Supervising teacher for student teachers
  • Elementary Principal
  • Author of her own book, “Now This is Art!”
  • Art gallery owner

 

I don’t know about you, but if I were to accomplish 1/4 the amount Donna has, I would be incredibly satisfied with my life. She also teaches art classes from her home and participates in art shows. She also attends various art classes like the watercolor class she’s enrolled in now! I highly recommending checking out her book – it’s great for young educators looking for new ways to teach art. Donna has put so much time and thought into it, it won’t disappoint.

Donna shared this quote with me from somebody she met at a meeting a few years ago: “We are always in the process of becoming!” Donna lives by this and firmly believes that constantly learning is what keeps one young in mind and heart.

I am beyond inspired by this woman. At almost 85 years old, she still has a thirst for knowledge. Her kindness, generosity, and passion shine through her incredible life’s work. I hope to live as full of a life as Donna has. She has inspired me to follow my passions and have the heart of a servant. Her dedication to education is remarkable. I am sure she has changed the lives of so many. I can only hope that I lead as a fulfilling of a life as Donna has.

Working with her has been an incredible pleasure. I hope that everybody reading this checks out her sorority jewelry store as well as her personal art store. I wish there was some way I could give back to this woman who has inspired me more than she knows.

Donna is licensed to make pendants for the following sororities:

Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Phi, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Alpha Xi Delta, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Delta Zeta, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Phi Mu, Phi Sigma Sigma, Pi Beta Phi, Sigma Delta Tau, Sigma Kappa, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Zeta Tau Alpha

Please check out her amazing pendants that are only $19.50 plus $5 shipping here.

I received these pendants from Sorority Jewelry free of charge. All opinions are my own.
Fashion

Jewelry Obsession: Forever 21

Jewelry from Forever21

If you know me at all, you know that I’m a bit of a shopaholic. My excuse? There are way worse things to be addicted to.

Anyways! I just wanted to share some of my favorite thrifty jewelry finds as of late! All of the jewelry below is from Forever 21. Honestly, Forever21 is pretty much the only place I buy fashion jewelry from (with the exception of rings). When you’re looking for more trendy items like statement necklaces or a bold pair of earrings, you don’t want to spend a ton of money. I’ve found Forever 21 jewelry for the most part to be decent quality at a very low price. They’re my go-to place when I’m looking for statement necklaces in particular. They have an amazing selection!

Jewelry from Forever21

I apologize for the low quality of the picture. I had to take this with my iPhone 4s because I lost my camera cord the other day! The new one is coming in the mail soon (Thanks Amazon Prime!).