Journey of a Jeweler

a journey into fashion decorating style and life with jeweler lisa lehmann

Lisa Lehmann Designs, formerly StudioJewel

family life

Memories. Regrets. And shining brightly.

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There will be pivotal memories in life that are so vivid and clear in your mind. Some of those memories might be from your childhood. Your youth. Maybe your college years. It could be so long ago, but something you may bring up often or reminisce about. And then there are things we call regrets. Or shoulds. Or “I wish I”. Or I think of things I thought were going to play out differently. Do you know what I mean?

making memories. The things we remember, good and bad, are our memories to cherish.

summer 1972 – I actually remember this moment baking with my mom…sitting on the kitchen counter.

For instance, I thought I would have a gaggle of college friends that I gathered with year after year. Maybe spent summer vacations with or winter holidays. But it didn’t work out like that. And sometimes I beat myself up wondering what did I do wrong? But I didn’t. Life just played out differently.

I need to reflect at the people that have come into my life since then. The people who have made my life better. The people who have been friends through different seasons. Those are the memories I created and continue to create. Those are the things in the now that I will remember five, ten, twenty years from now.

And what about the memories we are making right now. The stories we will tell to our grandchildren, or nieces and nephews about when their mom and dad were younger and the crazy things they did.

That is the thing with memories. You don’t know when you’re really making one. Oh sure… we see all the things on Pinterest and read all the blogs that tell us to “make a memory”. And yes, I think you can facilitate that. But what REALLY makes a memory in your mind? Is it something you conjured up because you dictated a scenario? That my friends is a recipe for disappointment.

Maybe it occurs when you allow yourself to truly be. Be in the moment. Enjoying the present. I really don’t know. I don’t have an answer.

take time to collect memories. they are so precious to us.

[Read more…] about Memories. Regrets. And shining brightly.

Graduation. Letting Go. And stepping stones.

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It’s that time of year. All we hear about is graduation. Tents pop up in people’s lawns.  Open House signs everywhere. So much celebrating.

This year it’s near and dear to my heart. Again. Time number three. Daughter number two. I feel like I’m watching time whip past my eyes and only once in a while it comes into focus. Everything moves so fast.

But. Instead of being sad and wistful. I’m choosing to be giddy and excited. This time in her life unlike any other. It’s her first big step out of the nest. It’s a step towards independence. It’s a step towards spreading her wings. Finding her voice. Following her path. It’s a stepping stone towards her future and I’m thrilled for her.

The stepping stone band is perfect. It marks a journey. NOT a destination.

[Read more…] about Graduation. Letting Go. And stepping stones.

Family Style. All about the blue.

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Last week we were full on summer for family style. This week I’m at least trying on something transitional – I mean…it has sleeves. If you know me at all…I never wear sleeves. Like ever. In fact, when I showed my “back to school list making toilet paper and wine” friend Cris, she asked if I needed scissors. Funny. To her.

Clearly Tahlia is in full denial that school starts today. She is STILL embracing summer style with her strappy sandals and dress. And don’t forget the bralette…that game is strong this year!

I know autumn is coming, I am aware. And I really can’t wait for crunchy leaves and boots. Last fall was such transition. This day last year, the first day of school, it was Isabel’s 16th birthday. We had literally moved into a rental home the day before. Everything was in upheaval. It was over the top stressful. What a difference a year makes. This September I plan on FULLY embracing autumn on the Lake Shore. And…it’s almost time to break out the fall decor! Woot!

I just sent my Senior and Freshman out the door for the first day of school. Strange knowing this is the last year I have multiples in school. And this is the first year they have ever been in the same school. (homeschooled for 10 years).  Time really does fly.

fall fashion at 40 when I decided to try rocking a romper

[Read more…] about Family Style. All about the blue.

Aging. Birthdays. Choosing. And a celebration sale.

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Birthdays. Inevitable right? No big deal right? I mean, they happen every year. And it’s “just a number”, right? All of these things are true. I’ve said them. I’ve written them down. In fact, in my head I really do believe them 1000%. In. My. Head.

For some unknown reason I’m experiencing a strange disconnect between my head and my heart lately. Things I KNOW are suddenly not resonating. They’re jumbled up. Confused.

Turning {gasp} 47 on Saturday…that would be tomorrow...has me in a bit of a tizzy. I don’t know if it’s the number or the fact that I’m tipping dangerously close to 50, or that some of my kids are adults. Or the simple fact that I looked in the mirror.

For some unknown reason I’m experiencing a strange disconnect between my head and my heart lately.

[Read more…] about Aging. Birthdays. Choosing. And a celebration sale.

How to survive back to school crazies with toilet paper and some disappearing ink. And wine.

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Back to School time. My talented friend, artist, author and all around amazing person Cristine is guest posting on my blog today. I’m blessed to “share a wall” with her at my studio. We laugh daily. Her writing brings me to tears…the good kind. And after saying to her for the millionth time, “Cris, you should post this”, I’m just taking the liberty (with permission). If you have kids. If you’re in the middle of back to school. If you’re ready to start drinking at 7am. What? Mimosas people. You need to read this. Trust me. Cris is on “my list”. Read on and you will COMPLETELY understand.

Cristine Grimm began life as a performer. She sang before she talked, always wrote like a fiend, and dreamed of playing clarinet in a symphony. Until she grew up and got practical. Then came college, a degree, a management position at an obscenely young age, blah, blah blah. Marriage, motherhood, and a car accident around 40 changed everything, and a career as a jewelry artist and teacher began. Her jewelry business, SilverFire Studios, remains important, but now, at age Not-40, all the one dimensional focus feels pretty constrictive. As she told someone recently, her censor is on walkabout while her inner child throws a hissy fit in the corner. Time to embrace it all. Including that insistent writer’s voice left abandoned in a corner many years ago. Welcome to her world.

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For some reason I have free time, so I think I’ll write. Because in my world, free time usually means “take all the stupid, crazy, crap jobs you hate but have to do anyway because you’re a self-employed mom of teenagers who apparently doesn’t do anything” and insert them into the list.

You know The List. You have one. It’s the one you must keep but never gets done. The Revolv-a-List. This list doesn’t fit on a sticky note, no matter how small you write. This list makes you wish toilet paper were thicker, because that’s always where you are when you think up all the new stuff that’s not on the list. Except in my house, where your first thought in this situation is “Where’s the damn toilet paper????!!!!!”

back to school survivalSo let’s assume that your list is on some sort of paper. Why? Because if your life is so organized that it fits in an electronic device that remains charged, and you actually have said device in your possession when it’s time to add to the list…I dislike you. Truly.

Simple. Quick. Nothing personal. Just capital D for Dislike.

Because in my world, free time usually means “take all the stupid, crazy, crap jobs you hate but have to do anyway because you’re a self-employed mom of teenagers who apparently doesn’t do anything” and insert them into the list.

If you’re in the category of women who usually have working electronics, either your kids are still little and cute, you were smart enough not to HAVE children, or you’re one of those permanently happy empty-nest moms who tell me to “treasure these moments because they grow up too soon”.  Doesn’t matter. I Dislike you. [Read more…] about How to survive back to school crazies with toilet paper and some disappearing ink. And wine.