I started my little shop as a means to sell the pieces I made when I "just needed to create". It has evolved to a perfect outlet for my personalized Filigree Mother's Pendants and Earrings as well as my new line which I've been calling "earth prints".

And then... I realized I needed a name adjustment... read on:

It's just a name ... right?
Names... everyone has one... two... three... more!
When I was growing up one day I realized each of my brothers and sister were "named after someone". Older brother - Dad. Younger brother - Grandfather. Sister - Mother. Cindy? Negative. Nada... I wasn't. And one day after that realization, as we were driving to "Grammie Hoitt's" house we passed a dry cleaner called... yup... "Cindy Ann Cleaners". Oh. My. No!

I was named after a dry cleaner!! I was CONVINCED. No amount of denial from my Mom could change my mind. ::chuckle:: I literally grew up POSITIVE that I was named after the dry cleaner near where my mom grew up. EVEN as an adult when asked and Mom said "I always wanted a daughter named Cynthia" - I still believed. Weird? Yup!

But seriously Names... they can make you feel things.
If I heard "Cindy" it was usually family or friend.
If I heard "Loug" it was usually a college friend (or me talking to myself).
If I heard "Cynthia" it was 'Grammie Loug'.
::chuckle:: If I heard "Cynthia Ann" I was in SERIOUS TROUBLE!! ;)

But wait... Why am I talking about this?
Because my jewelry business name has been unconsciously causing me distress. Unconsciously? Yup. "calDESIGN Naturals" ... it fit.. It fit in my head for what I was making. It fit in my head for what I love - nature and creativity. I even created a jewelry line "earth prints" that fit that "Naturals" theme. Since naming my jewelry business I have learned many cool traditional silversmithing skills. HERE comes the unconscious problem. I LOVE just creating. pendants and bracelets and rings using the cool cabochons I have purchased. BUT - how do they fit with the "Naturals" theme? Do they? If they don't... can I put them in my etsy store? Time and time again I struggled and finally over the weekend I thought ...

"OMG Loug... Just change the name!!"

But to what?

It was right there the whole time. I had been using it already... for YEARS. You see, growing up I use to make cards for birthdays, Christmas, etc. And on the back I always put a mini "logo" ... 'Another cal Design Original' ... with the date somehow added. I still do this today! It goes on the back of my Christmas card now as it did when I was 12. It is what Dad still looks for... "Is this a cal Design Original?" he will ask? Well yes, yes it is.

When I made the decision to change the name... it was like the pressure on my brain started to release, The unconscious static, self doubt, worry - started to recede. It is now "OK" to just create cool pieces out of cool stones, beads, and more!

So I welcome you to my new name... calDESIGN Originals and gosh that feels good!!
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What is Filigree?
My filigree pieces are crafted by hand - or "from scratch" as one of my pleased recipients referred to it - from Sterling Silver wire and settings. Each piece of wire is hand cut, shaped and formed into my stylized designs. Man-made stones (lab grown and CZs) are used for birthstone representation as a way to allow you an affordable - yet beautiful - personalized gift.

"earth prints" ...
I AM SOOO EXCITED about about these - they are made from bronze, copper, sterling and fine silver metal clay using molds I created myself from herbs, grasses, and yes - even weeds - found in my yard and around Memphis as well as during my travels. Each "earth print" is individual - no two are the same. Some have rough semi-precious gems in crystal form, others are simply metal. Many are organic in design while others are refined and modern looking.

I have a blog - http://caldesign1.blogspot.com/
and a Facebook fan page - https://www.facebook.com/calDESIGNOriginals

Secret... I started the blog when I realized that my enthusiasm for my new found addiction (metal clay and jewelry design/creating) was making people crazy! It’s well... all I talked about! So one day on a plane for work I thought - "HEY! I’ll start a blog!" and then I can type it all out. I tend to write like I talk so I basically am talking to myself (not so weird if you know me) or anyone who wants to read it. Please hop on over and check it out - It gives information on projects I’ve created - projects as they were in the works - the meaning behind pieces I've created, the personalities that are receiving the pieces and the bits and pieces of me that go into the work. ~~ Thanks for “listening”! ;o)

Please visit both! :o)