Let’s Party!

Posted by Monica Graves

Thanks to everyone that attended our Grand Opening Christmas Party!  The evening was a huge hit!  Here’s how great the place looked before the guests arrived!  Please remember to join our mailing list to get an invitation for next year’s bash!  Here are some SPECIAL thank you’s that we sent out to the people that helped make the party a huge success!

Fig and Olive Larder
Jackie!

What a GREAT night!!! Thank you sooooooo much for those beautiful platters!!!

We were totally in awe, everything was so delicious! Everyone LOVED the food!

You ROCK girl!!!
Monica xo.

a little affair
Cheryl!

Your cupcakes were a HUGE hit at the glamjulz Grand Opening!

We really appreciate all the work you put into them!

The pink and blue icing was such a nice touch.

Thanks for helping to make our event special!

Monica xo

Christy’s Gourmet Gifts

Christy!

Thank you so much for the delicious sweets!

Our Grand Opening was a big success and we were so happy to be able
to feature your amazing CRUNCH!

All the guests loved it!

Monica xo

Tracy’s Wine Jelly

Tracy!

Thank you so much for the beautiful wine jellies that you gave us for our Grand Opening!

The guests LOVED all of the flavours!  The Cranberry-Rasberry Merlot Jelly was so popular!

We really appreciate that you were a part of our special night!

Monica xo

 

One of A Kind

Posted by Monica Graves

I remember that feeling a few years back when I used to walk the One Of a Kind show and think, one day I want to be a part of this.  This show is beautiful!

I thought you might like to take a look at the state of the Direct Energy Centre before you shopped your way through the One of a Kind Show over the last 11 days.

These amazing artisans from all over Canada are creating their own 11 day “boutiques” for you to enjoy.  Many build walls, drill holes, install shelving, paint, hang lighting, the list goes on and on.  800 artists, with their own vision but all with the same goal, to be a proud part of the most beautiful craft show in Canada!  Just think, the majority of these artists have been hand making products for months for the show and now here they are taking two full days to build their booths.

As I am now a proud member of this group I have to say setting up the booth is one of the most rewarding  jobs.  It allows me to create my world, the glamjulz world, in a 5×15 space to show off to all of you.  Making you a part of this world and feeling great when you come to my booth brings me so much joy.

I think I speak for every artist when I say that those of you that come to One of A Kind really are a special group.  We strive to make you feel good in our worlds and deliver to you a quality product that you can enjoy but the feedback that we receive from you is ten fold.

Comments like these is what makes us feel great as artists and know that we are creating beautiful products for tremendous people:

“I LOVE buying from Canadian artists, I ONLY do my Christmas Shopping at this show!”

“I can’t believe you made ALL of this by hand! WOW!”

“It’s so amazing that you are doing what you LOVE as a carreer”

“Your booth looks fantastic, I had no trouble finding you”

“I have told so many people about you, can I hand out some cards for you?”

These are just a few of the comments that I have heard as well as other artisans.  I think that’s why we all kind of float around and feel warm and fuzzy all over for the month of December.

Thank you all for your purchases, visits, votes of encouragement and loyalty to us and the One of A Kind Show.  I hope you realize how special you are.

 

 

 

 

Helping Those in Need

Posted by Monica Graves

In 2010 glamjulz started the “3 Little Wishes Fund” which is an ongoing project where every Christmas season we donate a percentage of the sales from a specially designed glamjulz piece towards families living with cancer. We had amazing success with this last year and love the fact that our friends out there (that’s you) wanted to help out.

This year we present to you the glamjulz Swarovski Crystal Snowflake Bracelet, and are honoured to introduce you to Christine and her Family.

Christine is a devoted wife, a mother of two children, aged 12 and 14, and has been fighting a battle with breast cancer for more than 6 years.

After Christine’s initial diagnosis, a mastectomy, extensive chemotherapy and radiation then followed. Even after all of that, the cancer returned to the original site and has subsequently spread to her remaining breast.

She has undergone a number of drug-based treatments including specific targeted therapies offered through several drug trials at Sunnybrook and Princess Margaret Hospitals, but the tumour presence is described as advance stage localized cancer, and at this point, considered too deep for further surgery. Christine now relies heavily on pain and nausea medication for relief, while facing an emotionally charged, painful and draining battle.

It’s 2011, and the definition of a “Family” has changed dramatically just over the last decade. Whether it be the classic definition of a family or one Mother, one Father, Heterosexual, Homosexual, young, old, black, white, biological, adopted, dogs, cats, or maybe your family is the group of your closest friends, we all need people around us for love and support.

We at glamjulz like to think that deep within everyone is the ability to share that love to someone outside of their family who may need a little extra support. Last year you proved this to be true, and we hope that you can help this year, keep this family in your thoughts and cherish every single day you have with the people that you love.

Thank you for your support,

Monica and Wayne

In the Spotlight

Posted by Monica Graves

Woo Hoo!!!! The booth is all set up for One of A Kind!!!! Doesn’t it look amazing????? I feel so proud!  Wayne re-designed the whole thing, beautiful hot pink drape, made lovingly by my Mom, tons of space for tons of new julz!!! I’m so excited to show you all!!!

Well I’m afraid I’m gonna make this a short one….gotta get some rest!! I had an amazing “Monica” day!  Nails are done, hair is done…..I did a hot yoga class!  I feel like a ROCKSTAR!  LOL!

I’m all ready for the show!  11 days of FUN!!!!! Can’t wait to see you there! xoxo

 

 

Keeping Organized

Posted by Monica Graves

What is it about being dis-organized that makes us all so frantic?  Some people seem to manage with piles on their desks, garages and basements packed with miscellaneous items but most of us simply can’t handle it.

Sometimes I think it’s my all or nothing personality that makes it challenging for me to compartmentalize different projects that I am working on.  For example, if I have a pile of receipts on my desk that I have not yet organized for my book keeper I find it diffucult to be creative and design a new piece of jewelry for my latest collection.  Being dis-organized can also affect me personally.  I’ll decline invitations to go out and spend time with friends because I have no idea how I can possibly do that AND get all my work done.

Any of your feel the same?  I think this is a classic case of  just being plain old overwhelmed! Paying attention to the details is very important but it is the big leaps and jumps that truly make a difference!  It will take me 1 hour to organize my receipts and 1 hour to design a new necklace that’s just been an image floating around in my head.  Which will get me further ahead in the long run?  The necklace of course!  I am trying to make a conscious effort to be aware of these differences.  Kinda follows the old expression, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”  It really is the truth.

My TO DO folder is my most favourite thing on my desk because it allows me to tuck away what can wait till later.  Also, I have decided that time with friends is a HUGE stress relief and being more adventurous and saying “yes” to invitations has in fact made me a more organized person.

Files, post it notes, folders, shelves, boxes…..whatever it takes, go out there and splurge on these necessities!  Then sigh a huge sigh of relief as you jump ahead leaps and bounds and still have time for FUN in your life!

Julz Julz and more Julz!!!!

Posted by Monica Graves

With 14 days to go until the One of A Kind show and about 44 days till Christmas we are working away like little elves at the studio!

This is such a great time of year.  I LOVE the build up to the shows and the positive response I receive from all of you truly is addictive!  All of your visits, emails, facebook comments and tweets!  How could I ever have a day that  I didn’t feel like a rockstar?

I am so pumped to see you all over Christmas and show you our latest and greatest beads and we will have some NEW designs at the One of A Kind show that I know you will LOVE!

Thank you for all of it….thank you for everything….thank you for always coming back for more…..none of this would be possible without you….as I always say, we have the BEST customers…supporting Canadian designers and small business is something that very special people like you make an effort to do….thanks for allowing us to thrive!

Stay glamtastic! xoxo

 

Rollerskating Rocks!

Posted by Monica Graves

A couple of weekends ago Wayne and I, along with a group of old friends and their kids enjoyed a wonderful Saturday afternoon at Scooters Roller Palace!  We had such a blast!  Great exercise and fantastic music.  Old school for us and Top 40 for the kids!

I was so inspired from the afternoon that I pulled out my Rollergirl costume for Halloween this year!

I just love Rollerskating, I always have, I was actually quite addicted as a young girl, like temper tantrums when I couldn’t go!  LOL!  If you are a huge fan like me you must check out the following:

Movies- Xanadu and Whip It

Local Rollerskating goddesses – Hammer City Rollergirls, Toronto Roller Derby, and many more across Canada……..

Music – Old School Tunes to enjoy!!!

Smooth Moves – Shoot the Duck, Backwards Skate, Crazy Legs,  Jumps, Cross-Overs

Where to Shop? Rollerskatin.ca

“Get down on it” my friends and get out there for a skate!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keeping the Body Strong

Posted by Monica Graves

So how are you all feeling now that the days are shorter and it keeps raining???? Exhausted perhaps?

Morning walks are in darkness and the thought of a walk after dinner is out of the question?  I know how you feel.

How did we go from flip flops and barbeques, tons of exercise and who cares about lack of sleep to THIS????

It’s called an adjustment period I guess.  Last week for the first time in years I came home at 3:00 one afternoon and slept the rest of the day away.  I also cut back a couple of days of walking and slept in.  Went to bed early a couple of nights and even embraced snoozing on the couch by 7:30pm.  A wonderful thing happened this week, I FEEL GREAT!!!

I know that we sometimes get fixated on exercise and eating healthy to give us energy and keep the body strong but I do believe that sleep may very well be the hottest commodity this time of year.  Ever wonder why the flu runs rampant in the fall?  We’re all adjusting, exhausted and trying to keep up with it all.  Well I say, nap, sleep, snooze and repeat.  The gym will always be there the next day, week or month.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

 

 

Mother’s and Daughters

Posted by Monica Graves

A couple of weeks ago was the Third Annual Mothers and Daughter’s weekend at our family cottage!

What a great time!  We mixed things up a little this year and had an early Christmas Market for all of the neighbours.

I had my julz of course, Audrey was there with Norwex, Brenda with her beautiful clothing line and my Mom was selling my brothers awesome T’s!

It was such a great afternoon! Friends and Neighbours shopped till they dropped and little daughters ages 3- 13 were eager and willing to help make sure the event was a success!

What a great way for these young girls to learn! They felt so empowered.  It’s pretty amazing to see how beneficial it is for children to be around Mom’s and Dad’s that live their passion!  I think it makes such a difference for them as they grow and mature.  From my observations these kids seem to have fantastic common sense and the confidence to take initiative when simple things need to get done.

School isn’t always able to teach kids these skills and I am in complete adoration of my friends that do take the time to be patient with their children and let them try new things!

Sure it’s probably easier to make your kid a snack because he or she might make a mess but after a few tries they’ll get it right and maybe be the next Jamie Oliver later on in life!

Feeling Thankful

Posted by Monica Graves

I hope you all enjoyed the beautiful Thanksgiving that we just had. Sunshine, trees glowing in full colour and an extra day to spend time with loved ones.

Every year at Thanksgiving I think we are all reminded to think of what we are most thankful for.  This year it really hit me that my health and the health of my loved ones is what I truly treasure.

Health is something that most of us consider a number one priority. Eating well, exercising, surrounding ourselves with positive people.  All great ways to stay healthy.  Sometimes those things are not enough, many people are dealt cards in life that some of us will never have to face.  I have close friends that have had to deal with so much turmoil, grief and fear in their lives and they truly are the strong ones!

I want to introduce you to one of those people.  A dear friend Janet Cockburn who is a two time breast cancer survivor.   Through all of Janet’s suffering she had the strength to make her pain her passion.  She translated her experiences into helping women just like her, to empower them, help them feel comfortable in their own skin and she has become a new friend to many.

I invite you to check out Janet’s website and read her story, I know it will move you.

http://www.janacsportswear.ca/mystory.htm

Janet is a powerful woman that teaches us all to believe in ourselves and that sunny days are always ahead.