New Beginnings

I am proud to introduce to you my absolutely perfect granddaughter, Leah Dawn. Weighing in at 9lbs, 1oz., she's healthy, happy and beautiful! But you can see for yourself in this photo when she was not quite one day old.


Holding Leah for the first time last week, I was overwhelmed with the depth of love and emotion I felt. I'd always heard it was even better being a grandmother than having your own children, and now I get it. Seeing how my son and his wife beamed with pride, and the love I could see in their eyes for each other and for this child they have created, was beyond expectation. There's something really sweet and powerful when you see your child hold their child. Wow. Let's just say my eyes did not stay dry.



As I draw nearer to being 50 years old, I am very proudly wearing the name of Grandma. Pretty soon my friends will start running the other way as I reach to pull out my little photo book I keep in my purse. Hey, I'm a new Grandma...kind of like being a "born again" mother. Only better! And I promise to look at every one of my friends' pictures of their grandchildren because now I get it.

"Grandpa" and I are counting the days until we get to see Leah again, at Thanksgiving. You can bet this year our family has a LOT to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.
Grandma Mary Anne

The Incredible Logo Makeover!!

I am so lucky to be the recipient of an Incredible Logo Makeover by LeeAnn Brook of Brook Design Group! She is taking my Madison Designs Jewelry logo that I created myself (with limited logo design experience) and bringing it to a new level of professionalism and awesomeness!!

If you want to follow the progress, please go to LeeAnn's blog: http://www.brookdesign.com/company/blog/ and you can even comment if you'd like.

Stay tuned....

Jasper Brings Peace

Jasper is an opaque and fine grained variety of Chalcedony. It is found in all colors including: red, brown, pink, yellow, green, grey/white and shades of blue and purple.

Jasper is protective, it brings peace and well being and gives insight. It can align all the chakras and balance yin yang energies, it is stabilizing and healing. Medicinal values were long attributed to jasper, including a belief that wearing it strengthened the stomach. Jasper was also believed to cure gynecological problems.

Legend says that Jasper would drive away evil spirits and protect against snake and spider bites. In the fourth century, it was thought to bring about the rain.

Whether this is true today, I can't guarantee. However, if you wear a lovely piece of jewelry made from jasper I can promise you will enjoy the compliments! To see this necklace (this jasper was mined in nearby Auburn, California) and other quality jewelry, please visit www.madisondjewelry.com.

And have a Happy Easter!

Wear Pearls to Enhance Your Integrity (and look beautiful doing it!)

Pearls -- whether they are cultured, Tahitian or fresh water variety, are said to enhance personal integrity. Pearls promote sincerity, truth and loyalty. They also bring wisdom, safety and love to the wearer. Pearls and soothing, calming, yet focuses attention on the wearer. Pearls come in many shapes, sizes and colors. To see more examples of pearls in jewelry, visit www.madisondjewelry.com.