Metalheads: A Learning Lesson, Part 1 | Enamel Jewelry Care

I know it’s a bit nerdy, and it may be the last thing people think about when purchasing a piece of beautifully handcrafted jewelry, but not knowing proper care instructions is like buying a new car without driver’s manual! In order to make it an heirloom piece, let’s talk about jewelry care. I have been wanting to incorporate an educational  blog post for some time. I hope you will find this information useful and valuable!

I have included the materials and metals that I use in my work, but you can also apply these care tips to the jewelry you have that share the same medium. Jewelry is as diverse as the artists that create it. With so much information to share I decided to break this information up into a five-part series: enamel jewelry; gold-filled/gold vermeil/gold leaf jewelry; oxidized sterling silver jewelry; sterling silver jewelry; and gold and platinum jewelry.

Also, if you have an educational topic to suggest, please email me.

Caring for Enamel Jewelry

Enamel jewelry is created by the fusion of glass at very high temperatures with metals. Like a fine glass sculpture, enamel jewelry is beautiful and yet fragile, and can scratch easily. It needs proper care on a regular basis to maintain its beauty. Be careful handling your pieces of enamel jewelry. Place jewelry on tissue paper or soft cloth and wrap it up before and after you wear it. This will protect the glass from accidental scratches and chips. And place the jewelry in a separate storage box; this will prevent them from being bumped against other items and becoming accidentally damaged.

Next month I’ll cover gold-filled, gold vermeil, and gold leaf jewelry. Stay tuned!

Crafting Beauty by Raleigh Magazine

I am honored to be featured in Raleigh Magazine’s  “Crafting Beauty,”  a feature on local Raleigh jewelry designers. My work was highlighted along with two other talented women for their July issue.

Cheers!

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A native of Taiwan, Hsiang-Ting Yen grew up fascinated by jewelry. She played with it as a child, collected it through adulthood, and since 2013, has sold it from her store in Raleigh.

Yen’s collections have grown from various influences including sculpture, geometric shapes, and bold colors. Looking at her portfolio, you can see her work shift as she is exposed to new muses, letting her “artistic gut” take over.

Imagine hand-crafted pieces made from sterling silver, electro-formed copper, enamel and 24k gold vermeil. Triangles cascade down her earrings, large ovals dangle from her necklaces, and her rings jump from traditional to her Black & Gold Armor Statement Ring, a warrior-like piece worthy of a superhero.

“I love earrings,” says Yen. “When I create a new collection, I start with earrings. They are my best sellers at shows. A lot of times I have to remind myself to make more than earrings to create a full collection.”

Her collection is both wearable and bold at the same time, designed for confident and unique women.For Yen, jewelry design has a dual purpose. There is her vision, and then there is her client’s. “For custom pieces, I help individualize the jewelry and help people create a piece that tells their own story,” says Yen.

Custom pieces range from wedding rings to men’s accessories, and sometimes even include heirlooms. A past client, for example, has hired Yen to make a ring repurposed from her great-grandmother’s pendant. In terms of custom pieces, Yen says that rings are her favorite to make.

Yen admits that her custom portfolio may seem “all over the place” because of the individual attention she must pay to each client. “My customer is my inspiration,” says Yen.

Yen started her business with a studio space and also attending craft shows all over the country. While Yen has had to cut down on her show attendance to focus on custom work, she still loves the shows and can be seen occasionally from San Francisco to Atlanta.

Click here for the full article: http://raleighmag.com/2017/06/crafting-beauty/

Lover from A Past Life

My father and I, circa 1986.   The picture was taken on Kinman Island where my father was posted and met my mother.

There is a famous saying in Taiwan that reads “A daughter is her father’s lover from his past life.”  It describes the special bonds between a father and daughter in such a sweet way.  It took me years to understand the true meaning behind it, even after I left home to live in the United States.

My father, a retired military officer, has high standards when it comes to discipline and education.  Growing up I was always scared of him a little because he expected me not only to be well-behaved, but also to be a positive role model to my younger brother and sister. I was to blame if I didn’t meet his expectation. He was very strict about building up our moral characters and how to be a good person and citizen in our society.  But, he never got upset if I didn’t do well in school, instead, he encouraged me to try again next time and that the most important thing is to not give up.   

I love my father, but because of this pattern I was too shy to express the appreciation and love I have for him. And we had so many fights during my rebellious adolescence age (who doesn’t?).

Everything changed in 2002 when we almost lost him due to a severe liver illness. Fortunately my mother was able to donate 75% of her liver for a transplant and now they are truly part of one another..  That experience really changed how our entire family communicates: we are no longer feel embarrassed or awkward to express ourselves. The thought of losing my father is unbearable. We learned that life is too short to not let people know how much you care about them. I live 8,000 miles away from my family now and I try to visit yearly every time I go home for a visit the airport goodbyes just get harder and harder. My dad is typically  the first or second one to burst into  tears. Although, normally we take turns and then laugh at each other.  

My dad and I are so much alike, from our look to our personality.  As an adult I really appreciate his strict parenting style because  I learned his values and have applied them to my life personally and professionally.  I wouldn’t be who I am today without his nuturing.  I still seek his guidance when I’m facing any difficulties in my life because I know he will give me the best suggestions. He is my dad , my friend,and my life coach.

I love you dad!  Even though we celebrate Father’s Day in August 8 in Taiwan, since I’m in the United States, I guess I get to celebrate twice with you! : P

Please scroll down to see the jewelry I’ve made for my father in the past. From left to right: Chameleon inspired cufflinks, oxidized sterling silver ring, and an enameled tie pin. 

A Dutch Adventure: Finding Inspiration at the Rijks Museum

As a jewelry artist, I am always seeking my next source of inspiration, even when I’m on vacation.(I know I shouldn’t think about work while vacationing but I just can’t help myself : P ). It is part of who I am, it is my identity.  

My husband Nate and I spent two weeks in April visiting friends in Germany, France, and the Netherlands. I spent time people-watching on the streets, in the stores, museums, and the subways and finding the most interesting pieces of jewelry. This was my first visit to Europe and I did notice a huge difference when it comes to jewelry between American and European style. My observation was that people wear a more subtle style and a lot of smaller gold-tone jewelry. Occasionally I found some very avant-garde modern jewelry. I wish I could have taken pictures of those people, but I didn’t want to be mistaken as creepy.  

I felt like I was in heaven when we visited the Rijks Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The museum has an extensive permanent jewelry collection from the 16th century to the modern era. I was especially drawn to the 16th century Renaissance-era and Baroque-era enameled jewelry. The craftsmanship of these master pieces are amazing. The details of the ornate designs are so intricate that I was left wondering how the goldsmiths were able to develop the metalsmithing techniques back then. I was like a kid in a candy store, wishing I could learn those techniques from the jewelry masters. Now I understand why the Netherlands is known for its “Dutch Design”: the Dutch people have inherited their aesthetics from talented, past generations.  

Here are couple of my top favorite pieces that I want to share with you:  (list of 6-8 images of jewelry)   

It is nice to be home again and back in my studio: I am feeling fully rested, re-charged, and inspired. While I don’t know how this trip is going to influence my future designs, I do know the seed has been planted. I am excited to see how it’s going to flourish in its own surprising way. Stay tuned!

North Carolina Museum of Art Special Exhibition Art in Bloom, March 30 - April 2

lthough only in it’s third year the North Carolina Museum of Arts (NCMA), Art in Bloom exhibit is sure to become a signatures annual fundraising event. The show, which ran from March 30 - April 2, featured over 50 pieces from the museum’s permanent art collection paired with floral designers who use the artwork as inspiration to create a floral installation. I’ve never seen anything like this before! And who doesn’t love flowers? It is the perfect Spring indoor activity for anyone who enjoys true beauty. As soon as I found out about this exhibit, I purchased tickets for both my husband and I. Just because we have both been so busy at work for the past two months and can totally use a date!

The show was amazing! I was blown away by all the floral designers’ creativity and craftsmanship.The way they interpreted the artwork was so clever no matter whether it was narratively or abstractly. It was very inspiring. I was amazed by every single detail they addressed in their installations, and how they made the right choice regarding the types of flowers or plants that work for each piece of  art. It was a feast for the eye with so many different kinds of exotic flowers. Most I had never seen before. The NCMA did an amazing job this year and I am  happy that I got to witness  this beautiful event!

American Craft Council - Atlanta Craft Show Review, March 17 -19

I headed to Atlanta, from March 17-19, for my third time to participate in the American Craft Council (ACC) - Atlanta Craft Show. I’ve always enjoyed this show: the venue is quite nice, it locates at Cobb Galleria Centre which is Atlanta’s premier convention center. The customers were friendly as always. I took time on the weekend to catch up with my artist friends from Raleigh and alumni from SCAD, including my department chair. The first day of the show, Friday, March 17th, happened to be St. Patrick’s Day. I loved how people dressed up in green to attend  the show. Unexpectedly for me, a couple of my green colored earrings were popular that day! (heart).

The show went smoothly from packing and traveling to set-up, sales, networking, breakdown, repacking, and more traveling. Attending shows is hard work but I love it and it’s always worth to me and my business. I’m happy with the result, not only my old customers came back to my booth with some purchases or said hello to me, but I was be able attract more new customers to fall in love with my new collection “Reveal!” This is my last show of the first quarter, now I can finally take a few days off to recharge and, (my favorite!) catch up with all the custom orders that have piled up :P

My booth

She's so happy to find the perfect earrings for St Patrick's Day : )

How I Rocked the American Craft Retail Expo & American Craft Council Show and Took On Philadelphia, Baltimore, & Washington D.C.

I did it! This was my first time attending and selling at two major shows in a row. I was on the road for over 10 days from Philadelphia to Baltimore, and then off to Washington D.C. Overall the shows were a success: I received a lot of positive feedback and took several orders for my new collection, “Reveal,” from both new buyers and returning customers. 

While in Philadelphia for ACRE my husband and I experienced nightlife in Philadelphia by dining at several delicious authentic Chinese restaurants such as E-Mei Restaurant, Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House, and this really amazing no name speakeasy bar in the center of Chinatown. I never say “no” to a dual-purpose business trip! I heart Philly!

After ACRE, I stopped in Washington D.C. for two days for rest with good friends. It was a pleasant break in between the shows Philadelphia and Baltimore. I recharged with eight hours of sleep and by visiting the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, and the National Gallery of Art for two days straight! Walking through the halls I was drawn into the unique structures and compositions of the contemporary art masters’ works. And, the Baltimore ACC was a reunion of many of my jewelry friends and made couple of new friends as well!

It’s March now and I’m finally home with my boys (my hubby and my two little boy cats) and my  girl (Nora, the wonder dog). I love presenting my work at shows but there’s nothing like getting back to work in the studio filling orders and restocking my inventory for ACC Atlanta later this month.

Hsiang-Ting Yen, signing off!

The State of Metalsmiths by Salt Magazine

I'm so excited and honored to be one of the featured artists at Salt Magazine this month, to know more about this article, here is the original link: http://www.saltmagazinenc.com/the-state-of-metalsmiths/#

Enjoy!!!

The State of Metalsmiths

Wilmington is home to some of North Carolina’s most acclaimed metal crafts people — a tradition that now spans the state        

By Emily Colin

North Carolina is known for its deep-rooted “maker” tradition, where crafting has risen from a traditional way of life to a finely honed art form. This is certainly true of metalsmithing, a field where an incredible community of designers has emerged over the past century — all dedicated to creating original, inspired personal adornment. The art has evolved, even as the tools of the trade — torches, hammers, pliers, anvils, files and roll mills — remain constant.

“One of the reasons that there’s such a rich tradition in the western part of the state is the craft movement that took place in the early 1900s,” says Melissa Manley, Wilmington metalsmith and Cape Fear Community College professor. Driven by economic initiatives, schools like “Arrowmont in Tennessee and Penland in the (N.C.) Blue Ridge supported local people by educating children and giving trades to adults, like jewelry making,” explains Manley. Penland School of Crafts (est. 1929) — northwest of Asheville — was at the epicenter. “(Students) wanted to learn from the finest people in the field, and (Penland) kept those fires stoked.”

Penland still thrives today, offering multidisciplinary workshops led by a rotating faculty. Asheville metalsmith Joanna Gollberg took her first-ever class at Penland, which “really changed the course of my life.” She is now an instructor there. “It’s a small community and everyone’s making something. Everyone’s supportive, and it’s a beautiful environment in terms of learning and sharing.” Though an anchor for the state’s tradition, Penland doesn’t offer a degree program.

North Carolina’s eastern stronghold, East Carolina University’s School of Art and Design, was forged in 1962, bringing the state’s tradition to the coast and refining it. ECU offers both B.F.A. and M.F.A. programs. Celebrated instructors and internationally acclaimed artists Linda Darty and Robert Ebendorf helped shape an entire generation of metalsmiths, many of whom settled south in Wilmington post graduation. Ebendorf has retired, but Darty founded and directs ECU’s study abroad intensive in Certaldo, Italy.

Another ECU professor, the late John Satterfield, played a seminal role in teaching several of the metalsmiths featured in this piece, such as Wilmington’s Will Olney. “He intrigued me,” says Olney. “He had technical knowledge about everything. The way he constructed pieces, with mechanical, moving parts — it was steampunk before steampunk was cool.”

Goldsmith and designer Mary Ann Scherr’s role in shaping the metalsmithing scene — not just in North Carolina but in the field as a whole — cannot be overstated. Scherr passed away just last year, but lived in Raleigh and was a highly sought-after instructor, teaching at Penland, Raleigh Fine Arts and many others. A treasure beyond the Triangle, her work has been displayed in the Vatican Museum of Contemporary Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Smithsonian.

Raleigh metalsmith Sarah Tector served as one of Scherr’s studio assistants and later helped to found a Triangle metalsmithing group in her honor. “It was just such a gift to know her. She was an inspiration as a woman and as a creative person,” says Tector. “And it wasn’t just metals. She was the first female designer at Ford Motor Company, she did extensive work in commercials and graphics, she designed clothing — some of her cookie jars wound up being things Andy Warhol loved. To be doing this, as a female, in times when it was such a struggle to get recognition was amazing.”

This small but formidable group of instructors blazed the trail for the thriving and diverse community of metalsmiths that calls our state home today. From seasoned metalsmiths to emerging artisans, gallery owners to college professors, here is a glimpse into the world of North Carolina’s metalsmiths — from our backyard to the hills.

Hsiang-Ting Yen, Raleigh

htyjewelry.com

Hsiang-Ting Yen was an undergraduate business administration student in Taiwan when inspiration struck. “My parents were afraid ‘you’ll starve yourself if you become an artist.’ I studied business, so I’d definitely have a job when I graduated. But I wasn’t happy,” Yen says. Then, an end-of-semester metalsmithing show at her university transformed her perspective.

Yen went on to attend Savannah College of Art and Design, graduating with an M.A. in metals and jewelry and an M.F.A. in jewelry and objects in 2012. Now living in Raleigh, she participates in the Triangle’s monthly get-togethers founded in honor of Mary Ann Scherr.

“Right now, my business’s main strengths are custom designs, craft shows and wholesale,” Yen says. She loves revealing the end result of a custom design — it’s “like a kid opening a candy box.”

In a departure from earlier nature-inspired influences, today Yen leans “more toward geometric and sculptural forms. I love Art Deco, the Art Nouveau era — I like how they interpret the design and the color.”

 

Where to Learn

Cape Fear Community College, Wilmington.
www.cfcc.edu/hfa/home/art/metals

East Carolina University*, Greenville.  www.ecu.edu

Pocosin Arts, Columbia. www.pocosinarts.org

Cary Arts Center, Cary.

Pullen Arts Center, Raleigh.

The Crafts Center at NC State University, Raleigh.
www.crafts.arts.ncsu.edu

Sawtooth School for Visual Art, Winston-Salem. www.sawtooth.org

Haywood Community College*, Clyde. www.haywood.edu

John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown. www.folkschool.org

Penland School of Crafts www.penland.org

*degree program

Where to Shop in Wilmington

Blue Moon Gift Shops

203 Racine Drive, bluemoongiftshops.com

Cameron Art Museum Gift Shop

3201 South 17th St., www.cameronartmuseum.org

Edge of Urge

18 Market St., www.edgeofurge.com

Jonkheer Jewelry & Cicada Metals

4410 Wrightsville Ave., www.facebook.com/JonkheerJewelry

Spectrum Fine Jewelry, 1125 Military Cutoff Road, Suite J

www.spectrumartandjewelry.com

It's here!!! HTY Jewelry 2017 Collection "REVEAL"

I've been working so hard developing and creating my 2017 collection in the studio since last December....and now I can finally share my new collection "Reveal" with you!!! 

The “Revel” series is the true marriage of geometric inspired elements and electro-formed enamel design. I'm completely intrigued by the endless possibility of the triangle form: from the 2D form to the 3D form to the wearer, and the space is created among three. I intentionally left the fold-formed enamel triangle component with an opened seam in order to create an invitation for the wearer to look closer because there is more to be revealed inside. The organic pattern is created by electro-forming. This makes every piece unique.  

It's available in my shop now, how would you dress of these beauties? 

I love to hear from you! Let me know what you think about this new collection!

Custom Jewelry Design FAQ

I hope this post will help for those you are interested in starting a custom jewelry design project with me!  

Q1: Why custom design?

Ans: Custom design jewelry is a great way to celebrate your life’s journeys, such as an engagement, wedding, anniversaries, or even a redesign of heirloom jewelry.  Custom-designed jewelry is original and allows you to tell your unique story.  Custom pieces of jewelry can include engagement rings, wedding bands, heirloom jewelry redesign, and custom design for special occasions.

Q2: How long does a custom jewelry design order normally take?

Ans: Generally speaking, from initial consultation and brainstorming to final delivering, it takes around three to six weeks.    

Q3: What is the process? What should I expect?

Ans: After you contact me, we will schedule a thirty minute to one hour initial consultation via email, Skype, Facetime, or in person where you will give me all the essential information I need to begin the design process.  Soon after this consultation I typically provide four to six hand-drawn sketches. Depending on the project I may also use a CAD (Computer Aided Design) drawing  to enhance and ensure visual communication.

At this stage you are welcome and encouraged to add ideas or makes changes to the design. My goal is always to make my customers happy and feel confident in the final design before we moving forward. Please note: I will not continue to the next step until I receive your final approval (Email with final design attached). This stage may take anywhere from three business days to two weeks.

Based on the final design I determine the best fabrication method for your design. Often, with a simple design, I can hand-fabricate the entire piece in my studio. However, if the design is more complex I will create a wax model of the design and have it cast in the material of your choice before I perform the final fabrication.  This step may take anywhere from five business days to two weeks.

After hand-fabricating or casting I polish the jewelry, set the stones, and give it a final touch before the piece is delivered to you.  This step might take anywhere from five business days up to two weeks.  

Lastly, my favorite part: Watching that magical moment when your eyes brighten as you hold the final piece in your hands. A design dream come true!

Q4: How much does custom jewelry cost?

Ans: There are several factors that may affect the price  of a custom piece of jewelry. However, custom jewelry can cost less than you might expect depending on the materials and design. Of course, it is more costly than mass produced. I believe that custom jewelry is worth the time, money, and effort in order to get a quality piece, made just the way you want it. The time invested in design, labor, and production are what makes custom jewelry more expensive than ready-made. Normally I ask that clients give me an estimated budget so that I can suggest appropriate materials and designs. This ensures that we avoid any unexpected costs.

Q5: What is the source of the diamonds and color gemstones?

Ans: Most of the diamonds and gemstones come from reputable jewelry suppliers such as Stuller and Rio Grande, and all diamonds are conflict-free. I can also work with diamonds and gemstones from provided by clients, such as heirloom jewelry.  

Q6: How will I know what ring size to order?

Ans: I can send you a plastic ring sizer once we start the project.  

Q7:  I really like HTY Jewelry’s style but I do not live in Raleigh or the Triangle area. Can I conduct the custom jewelry design process with the designer remotely?

Ans: I have had the opportunity to help clients from outside of North Carolina to design the perfect piece of custom jewelry including Virginia, DC, Baltimore, San Francisco, New York, Chicago,  and even outside of United States such as Australia, France, Korea, and Taiwan.  We communicated the design process via email, Skype, and even Facebook. Finished pieces are only shipped with insurance using UPS Domestic/International Express Shipping.  

Q8: Do you accept trade-in pieces?  How would this work?

Ans: I am able to recycle your gold or platinum pieces to up to 85% of the weight value. You can deduct this value from the total cost of the custom jewelry fee.  

Q9: I saw a ring by another designer. Can you make a copy for me with my diamond?

Ans: I do not copy another designer's work. Legally, this practice is prohibited. Ethically, as a designer of unique pieces myself, copying another designer’s work is not part of my core values . Certainly, though, if you would like to have a design in a certain motif, style, feeling, or perhaps with the same essence expressed by an example you found, we can certainly design a new piece that meets your expectations.

Also, some designs are termed "generic" and are simple and widespread enough that no one can claim ownership of them. For example, a simple comfort-fit ring band with matte or hammered finish or a solitaire 14k white gold engagement ring prong set with a brilliant cut diamond.  These designs I can recreate.  

Q10: What metals do you work with?

I work with precious metals: Platinum, palladium (a platinum group metal), 18 karat yellow gold, 18 karat white gold, 14 karat yellow gold, 14 karat white gold, 14 karat palladium white gold, 14 karat rose gold, and sterling silver.

These metals offer the workability and durability needed for the artistic creation of fine jewelry. I work with them using fabrication, casting, reticulation, hand-engraving, and advanced stone setting techniques. Sometimes I create wax models for casting using CAD and CAM (computer assisted manufacturing) mentioned above. I always finish and detail the pieces by hand.

Q11:  Do you work in Titanium?

I do not work in industrial metals: stainless steel, tungsten, titanium, niobium, and so on because they require industrial techniques and machining.  A jewelry designer’s studio produces pieces in precious metals; a factory produces pieces in industrial metal.

Congratulations to B & J : )

“I had SUCH an awesome time working with Hsiang-Ting on my wedding band. I really wanted something non-traditional and custom-made to compliment my engagement ring. We met one-on-one so she could get a feel for my style and what I was looking for and she took it from there. The whole process was so much fun, she’s an incredible artist who is really good at listening to you and running with your ideas. In the end I have a GORGEOUS wedding band (white gold/sapphire) that is completely one-of-a-kind. I am in love with my ring and it is so special knowing that I am the only one with a ring like this, I can’t thank her enough! I would highly recommend Hsiang-Ting if you’re looking for a custom piece of jewelry!!!!!!”

— Brooke S

Congratulations to B & J! I had such an amazing experience working with her, very easy to communicate and she has a clear picture about the perfect contour ring to match her gorgeous engagement ring, so that made the design process flow smoothly.  I appreciate she fully trusted my artistic instinct, so I can be as 100% creative as I could, the fabricating process is totally effortless yet rewarding!  

[HTY Jewelry] The Special Offers are Here!

Gift card codes: $20GIFTCODE

                           $35GIFTCODE

                           $50GIFTCODE

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND ENJOY!

[HTY Jewelry] Black Friday Special Preview

Happy Holidays from HTY Jewelry

Our Black Friday Special Starts from Nov 25 to Nov 28
get a first look at our great deals!

It's been a wonderful year for HTY Jewelry, but we couldn't't have done it without you!  To honor the Thanksgiving spirit, our way to say thank you by offering several great Black Friday Specials just for you!

Make a set:  We are offering a gift set special, Silver & Gold Geometric Earrings $65 + Silver & Gold Geometric Pendant $79 for just $125.

Mystery Gift:  We hand select a special piece of HTY Jewelry just for you with any purchase over $300.

Gift Card Codes: Like our Facebook page and/or follow our Instagram (HTY Jewelry), share a picture that you are wearing HTY Jewelry with our hashtag #HTYJewelry on social media and shoot us an email, the first 20 responder will receive $20, $35, and $50 gift card codes* that can be used toward to any HTY Jewelry purchase.  

Hit up our site to see the full range of things we have in store for you.

Happy holidays from HTY Jewelry

Hsiang-Ting

*Limitation applies: $20 off with $100 purchase, $35 off with $175 purchase, $50 off with $250 purchase.  Excluded custom design jewelry service.

Love Fall Proposals

It's that time of the year again, fall, everything is perfect, the weather is just cool enough that gives you a bit of crisp in the morning, the leaves are changing, the sun is shining, and the love is evolving......

Back in June, my good friend A told me about his grand proposing plan, and he asked me if I can help him to design the perfect engagement pendant for his future fiance-soon-to-be, he doesn't want to be traditional, we ended up choosing the Forever One Moissanite as the center stone for the pendant.  The design is based on the core concept he gave me, it's a mobius strip, and I added a lit bit twist (literally) to it, so it presents as two circles wrap up as one mobius strip, the bigger circle represents A, and the smaller one represents her, and their love just like the mobius strip is eternal and forever and ever.  

A picked one of the most romantic places on earth to propose - Budapest, Hungary.  He put one knee down right in front of her at Chain Bridge (Szechenyi lanchid), and she said yes, everything was just so perfect as they can ever imagined.   

I was so happy for them when he told me the good news, and he can't wait to share the pictures with me, and here they are. 

Congratulations! A & W!

She said YES!!!  (Pendant: 14k white gold, Forever One Moissanite)   Photo credit to Dana in Budapest @flytographer

The magic moment!     Photo credit to Dana in Budapest @flytographer

The eye witnesses (lol)        Photo credit to Dana in Budapest @flytographer

The beautiful Chain Bridge.      Photo credit to Dana in Budapest @flytographer

Cody is always on my mind

Custom Made Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings with Natural 5mm Blue Sapphire & 4mm White Sapphire

Custom Made Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings with Natural 5mm Blue Sapphire & 4mm White Sapphire

Custom Made Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings with Natural 5mm Blue Sapphire & 4mm White Sapphire

I want to share the story behind this custom made earrings.  In 2005,  I was working at Yellowstone National Park with my J-1 visa (work and travel program for exchange students), it was one of my best summer ever, and we met H during one of our epic hitchhike adventures from Old Faithful to Cody, WY (It was a little over 100 miles of the trip).  Yes...i know... we met a friend through hitchhike....

I've always have some fantasy about the wild west and cowboy/ girl culture,  I invited (or more like insisted) my friends to go to Cody with me so we can go watch some rodeo show.  The trip wasn't very well planned, we just decided to take off one day after work.  It was early evening so there weren't that many cars leaving Yellowstone, we were waiting and waiting, hoping our luck will pick up somehow, we were just about to give up and head back to our dorm, there was this huge Ford F-150 showed up, it was H.  

H: Are you guys OK? Do you need some help? 

Us: We want to go to Cody to watch rodeo show, can you give us a ride? 

H: Sure, I'm heading back to Cody from Idaho, just hop in.

We were so thrilled and excited, and amazed by how lucky we are, without a doubt, we jumped right in! We had a great time during the three hours of ride, right before he was dropping us off to the rodeo arena, he mentioned if we had booked hotel for the night after the show, since we didn't really plan the trip, we didn't have any hotel reservation.  He seemed really surprised and concerned, so he offered his guest room for us to stay the night, and again we gladly took the offer.  

Next day in the morning, before he dropped us off to downtown Cody, he told us he can totally give us a ride back if we want, but we didn't want to trouble him more, so we graciously turn down his offer.  We enjoyed our day in Cody, visited Buffalo Cody's Museum, cruised the downtown a little bit, had some good meal at Irma's hotel,  by end of the day, we had to face the reality, apparently nobody is going to Yellowstone in the evening (what would they? ).  It was getting dark, and we still have no luck to find a car to take us back to Old Faithful, we were struggling to call H as our last resort.  Right this moment, there came a white pick-up truck, we were just celebrating our good fortune, we realized it was H who came to the rescue (he changed the truck), we were so embarrassed but so grateful, he brought us back to Old Faithful safe and sound. 

A week after, he even brought his father to visit us since we were leaving the park within a week, we hung out. catch up, and he even took us to Yellowstone Lake Diner for the dinner.  Everything was so surreal and wonderful, good times always gone fast, there were some tears when we had to say goodbye because we didn't know when will we really meet again.  

Thanks to the modern technology and social media, we got to stay in touched even though we are thousand miles away.  The connection is always there, the friendship never ends.  I've always thinking about going back to visit, 11 years after, I finally was able to visit Yellowstone and Cody with my husband, we took a two weeks road trip this summer, and we stopped by Cody as our last road trip stop.  H welcomed us just like 11 years ago, he shared his love of Cody with us without reservation, we had so much to catch up, some have changed yet some still just like the same, and we got to stay at the same room again this time!  Again, good times always gone fast, we had to say goodbye, just before we were leaving, he mentioned that he wants to consign me to design a piece of jewelry for his daughter-in-law as her birthday present, I was thrilled and honored to take the job, the design process was pleasant and smooth, and he is very happy about the end result.  

I truly learn a lot from H, he's a great businessman, entrepreneur, son, father, grandfather, friend, and just a great person with a big heart.  He helps people within his power without expecting or asking for any return, he's generous and loves to share with his family and friends, he has a great work ethic and a man in his word.  I cherish the friendship and connection we have, thank you for picking us up that night 11 years ago.