Shop updates...

I spent a bit of time last night adding more items into the New Cinnamon Sticks Website!

Things like this beautiful Vintage style Cross

My VINTAGE LETTERS necklaces with a pop of color

My Layered Ovals necklace, this one hasn't made it over to etsy yet so only in the NEW SHOP

This one I just had to share because I loved how it turned out soooo much! This was an

Eclectic Family necklace I made for a customer. This one really came out adorable I hope she loved it as much as I do.
I have to say hands down this is still my favorite design to create! Each one is different and every single one is just gorgeous!!!

I'm hoping to get a bit more added into the NEW SHOP this weekend.

Next week I will announce my Christmas Order cut off date. I know it seems a bit early, but I've got to plan ahead... and it really is never to0 early to start shopping for Christmas that way you are not overwhelmed by bills come January!

Wont you consider shopping with us this Christmas?!! Pretty please :)

xoxo

Canela

Girls night!

Last week I was able to sneak off for a couple of hours to catch up with Monica and enjoy some girl time. we had dinner at the Mission Inn, and chatted over coffee to catch up on life.


Monica and I have been friends since our first awkward year as freshman in high school. We have seen each other through so many major life events. We have seen each other grow into strong creative women.


Monica is a published writer and college professor.
When the economy took a turn for the worse and many of the Universities cut their staff, she lost her job.

After my first assistant didn't work out, I needed help with my shop, and she needed some part time work while she applied for new positions. Monica came to work with me for a bit last spring, shipping packages, and answering e-mails, and even at times cleaning oxidation off of completed jewelry. Don't you miss those black finger tips Monica?


In August she received a sudden job offer from a University here in So. Cal, then a couple of weeks later, she received a job offer from a second University here in So. Cal.!

So now Monica is a busy gal teaching and commuting between two Universities.



Congrats Monica! I'm so happy for you :) Miss having your help! But soo happy for you!!

Do you get a chance to head out for some girl time? What do you do on girls night?
xoxo
Canela

Bringing 'em back!

I frequently get e-mails and convos asking about older designs that are no longer in my shop, so after some consideration, I decided to bring a few back!

Remember the bar necklace that had 4 sides? I'll have that one back in stock mid October, after I find a more reliable supplier for the square wire I use to create them.



Back in stock now are my copper initial necklaces. In light of the continued sluggish economy I wanted to offer something that is budget friendly and still super cute!

These guys make Great stocking stuffers (hint hint ;) Find them here and here.



One of the old designs I get asked about more often than any other lately, are my wax seal necklaces.

The Fleur Di Lis was the original one I carried. It's some where here on the blog in the archives (way way back), but I didn't get a chance to hunt the photo down. I discontinued it about a year ago when our seal stamp broke, but after a long search I found a manufacturer and ordered a set of custom font seals! I'm still on the hunt for another vintage Fleur di lis seal. Hopefully soon for those that asked :)

They are elegant and regal, and I just LOVE them! They pair beautifully with our bright chalcedony stones, or are great just on their own.

You can find them HERE

The ones with the Gem stones are HERE

The ones with no stones can be found HERE :)

Is there a discontinued design you love and wish I would bring back? Let me know I'd love to hear!!

xoxo

Canela

Mr. T

No not that big hulking guy with a bad mohawk and tons of gold chains.

Our Mr. T is soft spoken, a little shy, inquisitive and inventive, and today He is 8!

Our Mr.T is a gentle sweet soul. He is always looking out for others, asking how he can help take care of his siblings. He builds and creates, and invents daily, and describes his creations with such passion. He amazes us daily and brings so much Joy to our family.

Happy Birthday Baby! We love you!

Dad & Mom

A bushel of apples (or 5!)

Every year we say we are going to go apple picking and every year something comes up. Between Rob's work and his Masters classes and my holiday orders, and 3 of the kids have birthdays in the fall all about 2 weeks apart. It's a busy busy time of year!

So this year I vowed come heck or high water we are going apple picking!! I think that I tested the fates though, because the day we committed to go it was 109 degrees at home!


Fortunately even though we are only 20 minutes from the apple orchards, the altitude change was enough, so it was only 89.

We loaded the kids up in the van and trekked off to Riley's Farm.
Each of the kids got their own bag. We headed out in to the orchards and it was just heavenly! The smell of the apple and pear tress mixed with the mountain air and the creek the snaked it's way through the farm.

(the baby was was on my back in his pack so he didn't make it into the pictures)

The farm was adorable with old log buildings, old tractors, and hay wagons. I got stung by a bee snapping this picture so I gave up taking pictures of the buildings.

The trip wouldn't have been complete with out stopping into the general store for a little sweet treat, some fresh apple cider, and yummy apple butter, and pumpkin butter. The kids had a great time and they can't wait to start baking!

I think an apple pie is in order, and maybe a tart, and an apple pear crisp, and some apple sauce...We have more than enough apples for it all!

What did you do this weekend?
XOXO
Canela

Winner and a guest post :)

Winner of the 3 stacking rings chosen by Mr. Random.org is comment #4 Rhonda! E-mail me Rhonda and we can chat.

As one of the fellow Queen Bees I was asked to write a post for the Queen Bee Blog

I usually keep my posts pretty short and simple. This one is a bit longer so grab a cup of coffee, or tea and cozy up :)

Here it is...

Super Mom


"Wow! You must be super mom." I hear this all the time just after people find out that I'm a mom of 6 and a small business owner. I tend to have the same reaction every time. I giggle uncomfortably, and say, "no not really". Shuffling my feet and trying to steer the conversation away from me. In my head I'm thinking..."OH you haven't seen me when I loose my temper with the kids, and become the ugly mommy monster. You haven't seen the pile of dust bunnies in the corner of my living room that seems to multiply, well, like bunnies" I AM NO SUPER MOM!

How often do we beat ourselves down? As a mom and as a woman.

There was a clip on the news the other night, that said a typical stay at home mom works the equivalent of 16 or more jobs. Oprah once shared how much a stay at home mom would earn if she received a paycheck. I don't remember the exact dollar amount but it was huge!

As moms we keep our house in order and make it a home.
We take the kids to and from school, and the doctors, and play dates, and... We fix 3 healthy (most of the time) meals a day. Do the grocery shopping, with baby in tow. Clean the dirty butts. Stay up late with the hot glue gun in hand helping to finish that project that is , due tomorrow at school. And on and on it goes.
But beyond the super genius running of our house hold, we have super powers. We have the power to chase away bad dreams at midnight. We have the power to kiss away boo boos. We have the power to dry away tears and heal hearts with a hug. We have the power to LOVE. And that makes any mom super mom.

So yes sometimes I get overwhelmed, I lock myself in the bathroom and pretend I don't hear the ruckus on the other side of the door, and I have a good cry. Then I stand up and put on my big girl pants, or my mommy cape, step out and I return order to my home. Cause I'm super mom and I rock!

So let's stop beating our selves down, thinking we are just not up to par.
It doesn't matter if you are a mom of 1 or a mom of 10, dust off your capes and wear 'em proudly! Cause you're super Mom too, and you so ROCK!

xoxo
Canela

Something new and unique!

Another design that was inspired by my weekend at SPARK!

This one was inspired by the amazing decorations draping from the ceiling all over the venue.

I haven't decided what type of chain to use with it, but as soon as I do I'll have it listed in my shop.

Next up will be a ribbon pendant like one of these cuties above!

I'm curious, what would you do if you had a weekend to yourself?
xoxo

Canela

Happy Fall!

As if on cue the fog rolled in this morning. It's cool and crisp out side and I'm cozy and warm inside sipping my Earl Grey tea, and daydreaming about going apple picking with the kids this Saturday.

(I'll have to ignore the fact that they are predicting it will be over 100 this Saturday, we're going apple picking and that's that ;)

Because it's cool enough to put on a sweater today, because I'm looking forward to a warm caramel latte later today, and because I love all my wonderful customers and blog readers I have two giveaways for you today.

First head on over to the QUEEN BEE MARKET blog. They are hosting a giveaway for each of the vendors that will be there in Nov. This week is my turn :)

There will be SOOO many AMAZING and TALENTED ladies sharing their wears if you're in Southern California, (or even if your not) Mark your Calendar for November 12 and 13th, the perfect chance to do all your Christmas shopping!!!

Now, because 2 giveaways are better than one.

Leave a comment here for a chance to win a set of 3 stacking rings!

Just leave a comment and tell me either what you would have stamped on the ring, or your favorite fall memory.

I'll choose a winner at random on Friday!

xoxo

Canela

Is it Fall Yet?!

I am oh soooo ready for fall weather.
Ready to pull out my favorite chunky sweaters
Ready cozy up at night with a hot cup o' caramel apple cider and fuzzy slippers.
Ready to bake! Breads and pies.
Ready to be immersed in the heady scents of cinnamon and cloves.
Ready to cuddle up with my honey on date night, wrapped in our thick soft blanket and watch a funny movie.
Ready to take the kids apple picking, and to the pumpkin patch.
Ready to breath in the crisp cool breezes and changing leaves.
I'm ready!

Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost
Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leafs a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

I love Frosts' poems! I have 2 necklaces in the works both inspired by his poems. They are almost ready to be unveiled. I can't wait!

What do you look forward to most in Fall?

xoxo

Canela

Um...Did that really just happen?!!

Have you ever had one of those small moments in life that just seem too surreal, like maybe you stepped into a sitcom?

I've been fighting off a nasty cold all week. Yesterday I gave in and decided I should lay down and take a much needed nap.

I climbed into bead and sank down on to my pillow.

Content and comfy I started to drift off. Somewhere in that blissful place where awareness starts to fade and sleep takes hold I heard a scratching noise on my pillow. Sure it was my hand brushing my pillow or the beginnings of a dream I ignored it and re-adjusted my head. Scratch scratch scratch...

Jared into awareness I gingerly picked up my head and lifted my pillow.

Nothing under it, so I opened my pillow case to peek in, and I swear I screamed so loud I'm sure the neighbors heard it through closed windows.
I dropped my pillow sure what i had just seen was a ginormous centipede.
Knowing I had to do something about it I picked up my pillow again and peeked back inside.

What a moment before I was sure was an evil centipede with fangs dripping ready to strike (yes i know they don't have fangs, but really, they're creepy) turned out to be a little bitty Lizard!

Poor guy, I'm sure he was way more freaked out to have been found than I was to find him, but seriously?! A LIZARD IN MY PILLOW CASE?!!!
It was one of those moments where i had to stop and say, did that really just happen?

Rob swears he didn't put it there. Though he likes a good piratical joke it's not his style to frighten an innocent animal, his wife yes, a bitty lizard no.

I asked the boys if anyone brought home new pets that they didn't tell mommy about, they were as shocked to see him as i was.

I guess he just wandered in with us one day and thought "huh, that looks like a good place to hide".

I caught the little guy and gently set him outside in my garden.

In my rush to catch him and get him outside uninjured I didn't get a photo.


Not sure who took this one but I just found it through google free pics :)

Oh and I didn't get a nap, would you sleep after all that?

Has anything surreal happened to you this weekend?
xoxo

Canela