"We love you yeah yeah yeah 8 days a week!?".. BONUS BLOG!

OK SO!.. Not sure if it's as WILDLY evident to you as it is to us here at Giving Tree Jewelry, but we are SO inspired and ..busy! this brand new season! In fact, we found a way to "do" something, kicky, fun and celebratory.. every day of the week! (hence the singsongy blog title :))

It started with Twitter Tuesday, not only because it sounded good, but truth be told, Twitter is still a bit of a mystery to us, and we are working hard to acclimate to it (Thank you Susan for the vote of encouragement.. in so so many ways.. YOU ROCK!) The other funny part of our 'Twitter journey" is that Rachel's dear friend happened to 'follow' her right out of the gates when he set his page up.. so it seems our Twitter follower number has increased.. A LOT.. most all of them out of curiosity no doubt! (And don't worry, we vow to never 'talk politics' here at Giving Tree, unless it's to answer the pressing question "What color Leighelena cuff, red or blue.. could I rock more in the summertime?" ;))

Anyway, I digress.. The point is,.. Twitter Tuesdays led to 'TGIF' Fridays (Truly Glorious Incentives on Facebook (Courtney, you are so darn clever!).. which led to Win On Wednesdays!

(can you track the whole 'spring makes us bloom theme yet?')

And, just last week, after having such a good time writing the "Live From NYC" blog post.. we decided to make a BRAND NEW BLOG an all the time MONDAY thing!

So.. that took care of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.....

but what of sweet, 'almost the weekend' Thursday??

Well, I have to say.. I think it may be the day I am MOST EXCITED about.. I can barely wait to debut!.. In fact, I'm so excited, I have already strayed from our "written in big black magic marker" on all our wall calendars in the office schedule by writing THIS..
A BONUS (read: NOT on a Monday) blog!!

YES.. it's that good! And yes, it is also THAT hard to keep a secret!

But the good news is.. Thursday is only a few hours away!
I will give you a couple of hints

it's good.

It's part of the 'big BIG dream' I dream about.. just about every night

The 'idea' came from one of our most cherished, supportive, hysterical, and TOTALLY RAD THIS WOMAN KICKS ASS! customers..

She named it. We tweaked it.. and (sigh, gosh darnit) we just all have to wait until tomorrow to see what THURSDAY brings to GTJ!

please please.. I IMPLORE YOU! STAY TUNED!! :)

And congratulations again to the supercool supertalented HEATHER CAMERIO for winning our 'Win On Wednesday" contest today!!!

Heather is a mother, a wife and a truly stunning photographer, writer and BAKER (you do have our address Heather, yes?? :))
check out her blog at

http://itaintmeyourelookingfor.blogspot.com/



Because at Giving Tree Jewelry.. we are ALL about.. purpose, passion, philanthropy.. and .. pastries!!

*See you all tomorrow for the big DEBUT!

P.S
This bonus blog comes to you LIVE FROM THE UPSTAIRS COUCH AT CHEZ GIVING TREE... Sun setting, feet up, dog cashed out, brownie calling... HAVE A MAGICAL NIGHT!

XXXXRachel

P.P.S... pics are of Courtney in front of the gallery earlier today (nice shirt! a GTJ original!) and .. of my feet, right now.. :)

"A New Dawn, A New Day!"

Greetings from New York City!! (I will explain that in just a little bit ;)) But first, I want to CELEBRATE a bit what truly looks to be the start of a fantastic Spring.

Personally, Spring has always been my favorite because it brings with it a sense of "new", rejuvenating the earth, and the spirit.. And "new" also means things have changed, and I think change is always growth.., Which to me is proof and that we are ALIVE! (and should revel in this fact!)

"To be fully alive in springtime.."

Let me explain. I can't imagine there is anyone out there reading this that didn't experience some sort of challenges or adversities over the last year or two. It was unavoidable! At Giving Tree we did all we could to weather the storm, and stay positive as we dealt with a variety of very challenging things...
And then...
the snow melted,
the first crocus appeared out of the hard earth...
and HOPE found its way into our hearts again.

How?
In a word or three - Courtney walked in.
Actually, she's walked into the gallery many, many times over the years...first as Courtney Clifford... I will never forget her first visit to the Giving Tree to buy the gift of a Dogeared mini wishbone.. I was still in that 'Just back from L.A. can I really LIVE on Cape Cod" mindset when Courtney came in. I remember thinking... "What a cool girl! hmmm and SHE lives on Cape Cod :)"

Over the next years Courtney bought lots of gifts for her girlfriends, so as a thank you to her, just before her wedding day (yippee!) we treated her to a massage at THE NEST at Giving Tree...
The next time we saw her.. she was Courtney Philos Jensen. Courtney was married! (check out this picture perfect picture!)

When it came time to hire someone to help do, well.. everything Courtney was our very first thought. And it is looking like it may be the best decision we ever made!
Courtney at the Giving Tree every day, truly 'completed' us. (and yes, she had us at hello!) She and Laura were fast friends, in fact, I know they found an hour in the beautiful sunshine yesterday to work on the gardens together! Plus, they share a mutual love.. no OBSESSION with cupcakes! In a word, Courtney was the perfect personality fit, which is super important to me, because I have always said I just want to work somewhere where everyone just WANTS to be there, and works with a happy heart. I have often called Laura 'the heart of Giving Tree' (and she is!).. it seems Courtney is turning out to be the joy of it too!
And that doesnt even touch upon her diligence, her skill, her CREATIVITY! All you have to do is look at the site to see her almost instant effect!. Brand new 'flash images' (those rotating screens at the top of the home page) new sections, like FABULOUS FASHION, And helping us launch TWITTER TUESDAYS, WIN ON WEDNESDAYS AND TRULY GLORIOUS INCENTIVES ON FACEBOOK (TGIF) on our social media sites. She is a veritable gold mine of talent and energy! And the result, in my eyes, is the BEST INCARNATION OF THE GIVING TREE JEWELRY SITE AND BUSINESS YET!! Thank You Courtney! And Laura! For making me feel that THIS is the spring that changes everything!


And what of NYC? Well, that's where I am going to spend part of my time! It's beyond thrilling to me, as I have 'tried' to do this in the past, but honestly, could never quite imbibe and match the 'rhythm' of the place.. it was just so big and overwhelming to me! But apparently, the 8th, or 12th?? attempt is the one! I think I can do it! I can't wait to split my time between the gallery and gardens at Giving Tree, and the streets of NYC! I also know this will only help Giving Tree (and me :) ) GROW!
Here, I get to REALLY see what is moving fashion forward, what the trends are, and what the truly trend setting are wearing! I also get to nurture and indulge in friendships with our artists like Alexis Bittar, Susan Lieberman of Sparc Jewelry, Anna Sheffield of Bing Bang, and of course, the inimitable PABLO VALENCIA! We spent Easter Sunday together and I thought he was going to hug everyone in the entire restaurant he was so happy we would be getting to spend more time together! (I feel the same way!)

So, expect a lot of 'reports' from the big apple!
And speaking of apples, and art, and LOVE.. if you aren't a 'friend' on my page (and Giving Tree Jewelry's) on Twitter and Facebook, please please join me in my NYC experience! I am so happily overwhelmed by this place I am CONSTANTLY sharing pictures and little stories of my time here. I've started a very loose art project of taking pictures of LOVE in all it's forms.. around the city.. and sometimes, if the night commands it.. you might even find me juggling apples to celebrate the BIG apple!

Yes, it is Spring. Yes it is glorious and YES.. HOPE, AND LOVE AND GORGEOUS GROWTH ARE ALL HERE TO STAY.Thank you, again and again, for 'sharing in our dream with us!"
May you experience the sense of joy and wonder that Spring brings with it.. every day!
With all the love in my heart,
Rachel

"Wherever You Are, It's Your Friends That Make Up Your World"

Never have truer words been said! I really couldn't wait to write this blog. Driving back from a quick mid week trip to NYC, all I could think about the whole ride home, is how completely blessed and FULL my life is, thanks to the wonderful friends that make up my world. What is even more amazing is that many, many of these friends that bring me joy, on a daily, no on an hourly basis.. I have never even actually met! Yes, it is partly due to the 'power of technology', however, I would much rather (and do) attribute it to the power of the heart.. meaning when someone cares for you, and is considerate, and kind, and consistent in their support and love for you (regardless of how you are looking,feeling,acting that day) THAT is the true 'power' that transcends ideas like needing to meet face to face, to feel someone is a true friend. I'm not feeling very 'good with words' tonight, because my own heart is speaking to loudly to let my brain have its say. And my heart is saying THANK YOU.. to all my beautiful friends. What does this blog have to do with jewelry.. not a lot, actually, but a dear friend told me that is absolutely alright! And it isn't completely unrelated. So so many of the people I thought of all day, began as 'customers' (and still are.. thank you again!) but now.. .beautifully, gracefully and oh so gratefully, we are forever 'linked' as friends!
Here are two recent pictures. Yes, these are friends I have met.. (and I hope to meet you all some day..soon!) I post them because I think it is absolutely undeniable, inconceivable, to deem me anything less than so SO happy, and so proud to call people like Caitlin and Penny my friends. .(oh, and Penny is wearing her 'linked friendship necklace.. so there's that) HAPPY WEEKEND TO ALL! May you spend some of it with friends that make you smile THIS BIG!

Amazing Contest, Wonderful Artist Of The Week!

BEST START OF SPRING EVER!
(I know, I know, it's not quite officially Spring, but when did we ever follow the rules here at Giving Tree Jewelry??)

Our biggest, most amazing give away ever.. A TRIP TO CAPE COD!
CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE DETAILS

but let me just affirm.. it IS as amazing as it sounds!! Airfare! A room at the most beautiful inn on Cape Cod! Private Giving Tree Garden Tours, Lobster Bake, Fishing Trip, Biking the Canal, Taking home a print of Cape Cod by Pete Blanco.. it truly couldn't get ANY BETTER!



A beautiful new ARTIST OF THE WEEK!
Danielle Birritella of Ella Poe Jewelry is like Spring itself.. fresh, exciting, alive and beautiful in being AND spirit

Watch our newest Artist Of The Week Video With Danielle now!