It's the little things...

Hi friends! It's Rachel here, just wanting to spend a few moments with you. I love having this blog because it makes me feel connected to all of our wonderful customers, and as it turns out..on days like today.. that is something I REALLY need!
I have to be honest and tell you, I've been feeling a bit..mopey.. It could be the week and a half of rain we have had, or just you know, that darned economy (it's like figurative rain, is it not?) ANYWAY.. right in the middle of a mope session, I walked into the gallery to see my favorite 4 year old customer, Chloe, (accompanied by her mom) They were on their way to go camping in Provincetown, and Chloe wanted to get her dad a present. And she knew just what she wanted. Walking over to Pablo Valencia's case she pointed to the "life turns on a dime" necklace. Mom explained that it was the perfect sentiment for the way her husband lived. Wanting to make the piece more masculine, we put the pendant on a long leather piece, and it looked AMAZING! Right after that, a woman named Joan walked in. She is an online customer that drove up to us from Connecticut today, just because she wanted to meet us, and to give our wonderful sales manager, Laura, a hug, for being so fantastic to deal with. The fact that she also got to take home a brand new GOOD CHARMA bracelet made everyone even happier!
Needless to say, my frown was turned upside down, and I thoroughly intend to keep it that way! Our customers are simply the greatest!
Check back on the site often. In the next week, we are adding the amazing artists-HEATHER MOORE, AND CHRISTY LEA PAYNE to our collection, as well as brand new work from GOOD CHARMA.
sigh.. it's a good day, heck, it's a good life! And I for one, am grateful!

Shows a "generosity of spirit"...

That is what one of the top restaurant critics in the world said to my dearest friend, Suzanne Tracht, tonight during the airing of Bravo T.V's "Top Chef-Masters".
The show pits 24 of the best cooks in the world against each other. Each week, 4 go head to head, and only one comes out on top.
Tonight was the night Suzanne was on the show. To say I was nervous is an understatement! I was literally pacing around the house, holding onto a pillow, having Judith tell me it was o.k. to watch. I couldn't bear the thought of the judges saying something harsh to the person that has been my best friend for almost a decade. I couldn't stand the thought that someone, ANYONE would attempt to dampen her passion, or tell her that all the blood, sweat, and tears she puts into her career as a chef, everyday, wasn't totally obvious.
Well, that didn't happen.
The one thing I can say, absolutely, about Suzanne's cooking, is that she does it WITH LOVE. And to my utter shock and delight, the judges tasted this, FELT THIS, and Suzanne won!
I could not be more proud of my friend. Yes, this is wholly and only a huge shout out and congratulations to her, Suzanne Tracht owner/chef of Jar restaurant in Los Angeles, as well as being the keeper of my joy, and often, sanity.
I am SO PROUD OF YOU SUZANNE! NO ONE IN THE WORLD DESERVES IT MORE THAN YOU!
Speaking of jewelry (do you like how I did that? :))
Suzanne constantly wears three pieces from Giving Tree. The Me&Ro om drum with diamond necklace, matching earrings, and the gold 'courage' pendant.
And that's what she was all about tonight, grace, calm, and courage.
Oh, and love... SO MUCH LOVE!
To the most outstanding chef, mother, and woman I know.. Suzanne Tracht

Our AMAZING Customers...

Not only do our wonderful customers have exquisite taste in jewelry..(and jewelry sites :)) but sometimes, THEY SAVE LIVES!

That's right! Our dear friend and customer Nicole Clark O'Malley saved a 3 year old boy who was drowning!
here is the story: http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=327771
Nicole is the nurse!
We first 'met' Nicole when her twin sister Meg (now one of Rachel's very best friends) ordered a Faith ties the heart pendant from Me&Ro. In the comments section of her order, Meg explained that it was for her sister, whose husband Matt was being deployed, and Nicole was home with their newborn baby.
Long story short, Rachel emailed Meg, and the rest is beautiful friendship history!
Meg and her man Brandon came last summer and helped us get the gardens ready to open. This year, they are expecting their first child!
It you are a close reader of this blog (and you should be :)) Nicole's firstborn Shaye is in a picture, modeling her beautiful pearl necklace...Now, Shaye is one of 3beautiful children in the O'Malley home. We are so so proud of Nicole, her FEARLESSNESS and her COURAGE!

And speaking of births, another favorite customer duo, husband and wife Geoff and Laura Robinson are gearing up to welcome TWIN BOYS into the world on June 10th!
Here is Laura with their first, James. This is one of Rachel's favorite pictures, and Geoff and Laura have also become dear friends.

How lucky are we to know such glorious spirits!
In awe,
Rachel, Judith, Kristen, Laura and Deanne

BEST DAY EVER!! (PLEASE READ :))

(Fair warning: I am ..itchy (poison ivy) Definitely overworked..and perchance, over 'wine'd ) also, listening to an amazing 'blues at 8' on WMVY..best station ever! how does a little island have such great music! check it at WMVY.org

ANYWAY, all I can say is WOW! ..Yesterday, I had the (in hindsight) BRILLIANT idea of asking YOU our customers, to 'friend' me on FACEBOOK. And I have simply been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for our lil business. I have to say, I have never been so moved. Thank you. Your comments and messages have made me realize that it really doesn't matter WHAT business one may be in, but if that business is run with love, integrity, compassion and dedication.. it will SHOW. I'm probably not making much sense, but I have to say, I am so proud. I am proud of Giving Tree gosh darnit! You like us! And truth be told, 99% of this is due to the women that (wo)man the site everyday. Not only do they put up with Me (not an easy task!) But Laura and Kristen (and Deanne, avec baby) work tirelessly to do those things that inspire you to write and say you heart Giving Tree.
I wish you could know them. Laura is, hands down, the kindest and most empathetic woman I have ever met. And, she is raising the most incredible, thoughtful, artistic and intelligent young woman, Ellen Dallaire. She has a totally beautiful relationship with her husband Donald, and has MANY a time gone above and beyond her 'job' to make sure I am, and Giving Tree is, happy, healthy, and growing.

And Kristen is singularly, the hardest working girl in the world. She comes in early EVERY DAY, to get the orders out, inventory IN, and keeps the site beautiful. She leaves daily with just enough time to get to one of her OTHER jobs, but always makes me feel like I have her 100%.
I think this is showing in our customer relations.

Seriously, I KNOW you can buy jewelry ANYWHERE. I also know you don't always NEED or even WANT jewelry. And that is just fine! But it means so much to me that when you do, you might think of Giving Tree first. We carry lots of the same things that lots of other places do, but I hope, we do it in a more attentive, aware, and honorable way.
YOU are why we are entering season number 21! YOU are why I am spending so many hours on the property, trying to create a space that you will WANT to visit, that will fill your SOUL with a feeling of well being and joy.

Yes, this is all .. strange to be coming from a retailer, but if it wasn't like 'this' so rewarding, on such a personal level, I don't think any of us could do it.
Again, I am just so moved by the responses to our attempts at a very 'grass roots' marketing campaign. We may not have the clout or the money to have full page ads in InStyle or Vogue, or whatever, but we have the heart to take care of your accessory desires, and MOST hopefully, your desire to have a positive, ENJOYABLE on line shopping experience.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Giving Tree Gallery is OPEN! And www.givingtreejewelry.com is going to keep working to be the best small business you have ever come across.

With overwhelming gratitude,
Rachel and Judith

Happy May! I know I have said it before..but...

I don't think I have ever been MORE excited for the upcoming season at Giving Tree!
The store is open!! and on Monday, May 4th, the gardens will be open too! They have never looked more beautiful, and honestly, my body being covered in poison ivy is a small price to pay for being able to offer such a gift to our customers.
When you plan your trip to Giving Tree this summer, leave a lot of time!
There are some 'brand new' things you have to discover! Besides the gardens and nature walk, there is the rebuilt meditation garden (picnic, anyone?) AND this year, a wonderful woman, Christine Cummings, who happens to be the BEST massage therapist I have ever had.. has created THE NEST AT THE GIVING TREE. That's right, you can come to shop for the most gorgeous jewelry, take the nature walk, andhave the most glorious massage!
I can hardly stand how happy this all makes me.
Oh, there is one more thing happening here.. but I can't tell you yet :) I have to leave somethingto surprise you with!
Again, HAPPY MAY! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.. HAPPY SPRING!
with love and gratitude, Rachel

We can't wait any longer- Giving Tree is OPEN!

As of Friday April 10th, Giving Tree Gallery will be open for shopping, celebrating, and being wowed by all of our beautiful new pieces! Laura and Kristen came to me earlier this week and simply said "We are ready, we can't wait any longer!"
So we are hustling this week to get everything set up and ready for YOU!
The gardens will follow soon, that is, as soon as we spruce them up!
Please please come visit! And since I have used my daily allotment of !'s, I will simply give you the address and wait for your arrival.
Giving Tree Gallery is located at 550 Route 6a, in East Sandwich, on Cape Cod.
Open 10-4 weekdays, and weekends, sporadically through May. Call 888 246 3551
YIPPEE!!

We have a HIT on our hands!

MarLa studio is the 'new sensation' here at Giving Tree Jewelry! We just received our entire shipment this week, and the pieces are even more special in person. As corny as it sounds (but if you read this blog you are used to it from me :)) You can actually FEEL the good energy in each piece of jewelry Marla makes. And with words like 'Beauty, Kindness, Compassion" or "Listen" in English on the back and with the Hebrew etched on the front- these pieces 'speak' to different languages, beliefs, spiritualities and souls! We feel so fortunate that Marla found us! Apparently, some of her customers told her we were a place she HAD to be. And we agree!
Speaking of customers, this is from one of our very best and most loyal, who just discovered Marla herself!

Hi there...... I just received the 2 pieces that I ordered by your new designer MarLa and have to tell you that I LOVE THEM!!! They are simple yet complex at the same time and I really hope to see more from her in the near future.......


SHOP MARLA STUDIO NOW