How did this happen?

How did this happen?  My little guy, my youngest, “my Tiny”, my baby – just turned eight!  I honestly don’t know how this happened so fast – the last 12 years have been a whirlwind of babies, toys, kids, pre-school, elementary school, middle school (!), new friends, parents of friends, new cousins, play dates, activities, sports, teachers, minivans, camps, swim lessons, baby-sitters, trampolines, family vacations, and most of all LOVE.  Unconditional, unequivocal, unmitigated, flat out LOVE.

Throw jewelry in there and owning a business and I can see now how it’s gone so fast.  I know I can’t slow down time (I dread the day my daughter leaves for college), but I do want to enjoy every minute of the next 12 years by cherishing every moment, at that moment, and always making sure my kids know they are loved.

 

10 Tips for Buying Hand Stamped Personalized Jewelry

Shopping for personalized, h and -stamped, engraved, or etched jewelry can be a lot of fun.  But there are a few things you should be aware of before you make your purchase.  Before you put your trust in someone to create your very special and unique piece of jewelry, make sure you have asked the following questions:

  1. Is the company well established?  Have they been in business for a while, and will they be there for you in the future if you want to add to your jewelry or ever have a problem with it?  Dealing only with established businesses also increases the chances that their product and service is of higher quality.  Otherwise they wouldn’t be able to survive very long.
  2. Can you contact them if you need to?  Does the company have an About Page and an easy way to contact them?  If a company does not tell you about themselves or makes it hard to contact them, there must be a reason.  Shopping with someone you can talk to will ensure you get what you want, and that they will st and behind their product.
  3. What kind of products do they have, and can you customize them?  Can you add a charm or stone or chain to a necklace?  Can you get charms personalized on the back as well as the front?  Are they willing to work with you to customize something without charging you an arm and a leg?  This is a personal and unique piece of jewelry, so make sure you get what you envision.
  4. How creative can you get with your customization?  Do they carry lots of unique symbols to your name charms and pendants?  Can you truly create something that is unique to you?
  5. Are the products high quality?  Have they been doing this for a while, or are they learning on your piece?  Do they use high quality metals in their designs?  Metals like gold, gold-filled, copper, sterling silver and fine silver are all optimal choices for creating jewelry and will withst and to a lot of abuse.  Keep in mind that pewter has lead in it so that is a metal to steer clear of for jewelry.
  6. What is their return policy?  Do they care if you are unhappy with what you get?  Will they fix mistakes immediately?  Do they realize that YOU are the most important part of their entire business?
  7. What do others think?  Can you find their Facebook page, product reviews, and testimonials?  Do you see negative comments from customers or questions that go unanswered?  Do they answer in a timely manner?  It can very clear how a company treats their customers when you see how they treat questions and possible issues that have come up.
  8. How much do they charge for shipping?  Don’t be fooled by low product prices with high shipping costs.
  9. What chain options do they have?  Can you select a chain that fits your style?  Or are there only one or two choices?
  10. Are they safe to do business with?  Is their site secure and are they accredited with the Better Business Bureau?

Most of all, do you get the feeling that the company cares about you?  Browse their site for signs that they care about their customers, that they will treat you well and that you can trust them.

How to choose the chain style that best fits you!

Heart on Your Wrist offers a range of gold-filled and silver chains that you can mix and match with different name tags and mom charms to create a look all your own.  Generally speaking, the chain you choose can reflect a certain mood or style, based on the look, size and luster of its links.

Ball Chain

Ball ChainThe Ball Chain is distinguished by 2mm wide spheres, or solid balls, rather than open links.  Available in sterling silver, this style is traditionally used for military dog tags, but looks great with charms of all sorts or very large pendants.  This chain channels a bit of military style that is casual and modern.

Fine Ball Chain

Fine Ball Chain Gold Fine Ball ChainSimilar to the Ball Chain only smaller in scale, the Fine Ball Chain is available in gold filled and sterling silver, and have spheres measuring 1.5mm.  These strike a trendy and casual look.

Very Fine Ball Chain

Very Fine Ball ChainThe Very Fine Ball Chain is available in sterling silver, and has spheres measuring 1mm.  These chains are have a light and delicate look.

Diamond Cut Ball Chain

Diamond Cut Ball Chainf you’re looking for a little glitter, the sterling silver Diamond-Cut Fine Ball Chain is a good choice.  The tiny balls, measuring 1.5mm wide, are diamond cut to create high shine–which is perfect when matched with birthstones or any of our shiny charms.  It’s a flexible look that can go casual or a bit formal.

Snake Chain

Snake ChainSnake Chain, also known as an “S” chain, has a solid look and slinky feel, as the links are close and continuous.  Our Snake Chain is 1mm wide, a good width and style for any of our charms and birthstones.  It is probably our ‘dressiest’ chain.

Dainty Cable

Dainty Cable Chain Gold Dainty Cable ChainThe Dainty Cable Chain is made of multiple intertwined links.  It is 1.25mm wide and gives a classic look when matched with pendants and charms.  This can be dressy or casual, depending on how you wear it.

Flat Cable

Flat Cable Gold Flat Cable ChainOur Flat Cable chain comes in both gold-filled and silver and consists of flat open loops that produce a lot of shine and sparkle.  You might want to pair this chain with gemstones or a matching pendant or charm for a formal look that you could wear to a party or family gathering.

Box Chain

Sterling Box ChainThe Box Chain is similar to the Snake Chain in that it has a steady stream of continuous links, but the links are box-shaped rather than S-shaped.  This is a chain that produces a little bit of shine and is one of our most popular chain types.  Use this with charms and pendants, or wear on its own for a hint of glitter.

Rubber Cord with Sterling Beads

Rubber Cord with Sterling BeadsOur Black Rubber Cord is a unique alternative with small sterling silver beads on this style, which is finished with a sturdy silver lobster clasp.  The cord is 1mm wide and the beads are staggered 10mm apart.  This look is ultra modern and adapts well to both large or small pendants or charms.

Leather Cords

Black Leather Cord Brown Leather Cord Thick Braided Black Leather CordWe offer leather cords in black and brown and either smooth and thin or thick and woven.  Our cords are finished with sterling silver clasps and make fitting companions for all sorts of charms and tags.  The look is modern and adaptable for both men and women.  The leather cords will arrive slightly stiff but will soften with wear.

Charm Bracelet Chain

Charm Bracelet ChainThis is a big link sterling silver chain meant to hold some weight.  It’s reminiscent of the charm bracelets of yore, but the lobster clasp makes it a little more secure.  We also solder any charms you select onto the links so they are will never fall off.  The bracelet is solid and strong enough to hold a whole wrist full of charms–so start collecting now!

Hammered Bangle

Hammered BangleOur sterling silver hammered bangle is a delicate piece of sturdy silver with a hammered finish.  It is a great option to use as a base and then any charms to.  We will solder the rings on the charms onto the bangle so they can take the abuse of a bracelet and will not fall off.  This bangle is great for slightly larger wrists as it’s opening is 2 3/4″.

Swirly Bangle

Swirly BangleOur sterling silver Swirly Bangle is another great option for adding charms to.  Its unique clasp makes it easy to take on and off while having a very stylish and unique look.  Rectangle charms, round charms, stones and other charms all look great mixed onto this bangle.  This bangle is great for regular sized wrists as it’s opening is 2 1/2″.  It’s also great for adding charms to as your family grows, as you can slip the charms on and off yourself.

Sterling Silver Key Ring

Sterling Silver Key RingLast but not least – our sterling silver key ring.  This is a heavy, thick and shiny key ring that will make any gift for dad or gr and pa just a little extra special.  Add letter charms, name pendants, stones or monogram charms to this key room for a unique gift for mom or a good friend.

Visit our Chains & Cords page to purchase or see more photos of any of these chains.

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