Cindy's Blog features upcoming events, new product lines, gift giving ideas, in the works and words to live by.

The warmth of summer has passed and there is a definite chill in the air...even a few snow flurries on occasion. The holidays are fast approaching and I am looking forward to the sights, sounds and wonderful aromas of the season.

I would like to apologize to anyone who went to the Apple Harvest Festival in Amherst, MA on September 26th and happened to be looking for my booth. Unfortunately I had an out of state emergency and was unable to attend. I was truly disappointed but sometimes there are unforseen circumstances that are not within our control. I am really hoping to participate next year.

I am presently showing at Wilson's Dept. Store's Abbott Gallery in Greenfield, MA. I am showing all my creations for a month long show. The show is running from Nov.2-Nov. 28th.(I will be closed on Nov. 14th and Thanksgiving day). This show encompasses a larger variety of creations compared to my previous show there in May 08. I will still have my jewelry, pottery, photography, greeting cards and artwork but I will also be featuring fall and Christmas items. There will be centerpieces, floral keepsake arrangements, wreaths, ornaments and many more items. I hope you will have time to stop by and visit a bit while at Wilson's Dept. Store. The gallery is on the third floor of the store...just ask any clerk in the store and they can point you in the right direction. I am really looking forward to the show and especially to meeting new people and having fantastic conversations. I was in awe at my last show there as the turn out was unbelievable and I met so many wonderful people. The conversations were so fantastic and I feel so blessed to have been able to share in those conversations and to have listened to the stories of so many peoples' lives. I feel as though each person left me with a little piece of their heart by sharing their personal stories with me. What a blessing!

I will be launching my Sentiments Line(tm) of jewelry to local retailers right after the beginning of the new year. I have spent a great deal of time on this project. I am looking forward to this line being carried by retailers in their stores. This line represents the reason why I started my business...a desire to touch peoples' lives in some way that might bring them joy, comfort and peace. This line of jewelry will not only be available as a wholesale line to retailers but will and has been available to you, the consumer, both on my website and through my store/shows. I am continuing to broaden this line to include many new pieces. The motto of this line is "when there are no words to say...say it with the Sentiments Line(tm)." Each piece was created after researching the stones used to find their deep meaning and how it relates to the context of each piece. Presently I have bracelets and/or anklets, earrings and necklaces in this line that include either an insert card or a card tag that tells the story of each piece. There is a Grief, Cancer Survivor and Stop Domestic Violence line with each of these having a portion of the proceeds donated to Grief Recovery programs, American Cancer Society or Hospice and to NELCWIT which is New England Learning Center for Women in Transition. This is a program that helps woman and their families who are affected by domestic and sexual abuse. (You can check out their website and they are located in Greenfield, MA.). In this line I also carry Bridal jewelry (custom pieces can be created to match the bridal party colors). There are pieces in this line that make great gifts for the mother of the bride and/or groom as well as the bridal party. There is also a Sentiments Line(tm) Chip line. They are created using semi precious chip stones and come with a card describing the spiritual, emotional and/or healing meaning of the stones. This line has stretch bracelets and anklets as well as earrings and necklaces. As new pieces are created I will keep you updated. I will be adding new and additional pieces to my website in the near future.

I want to wish all of you a joyous and abundant holiday season. Often, we become so consumed by the hustle and bustle that we don't take the time to see the wonderous small things around us each day. Those small sparkles that are gems in our lives. I hope we can all take time to look for those sparkles....little things such as; *the small child waiting anxiously in line to sit on Santa's lap...notice that sparkle in that child's eyes. *the store clerk who goes out of their way to accomodate what you are looking for and does it without hesitation. *the little things your family does for you on a daily basis just because they love you. *the abundance that surrounds us that has absolutely nothing to do with money and everything to do with relationships, conversations and unity.

I feel so blessed by looking back to where I was 4 years ago after my husband passed away and to see where my journey has brought me to thus far. Those blessings came about not on my own but by all the angels I have encountered on a daily basis who through their words, their smile, their comfort have carried me through to this day. Thank you to all of them. Thank you for supporting my passion by visiting this site. I wish you many blessings in you and your families lives.

Happy Holidays,

Cindy Dikeman A Touch of Grace