Reflections on Running

I know I'm not the first person to blog about running this week. And I won't be the last. But today is special for me because it's my one year "RUNiversary". Exactly one year ago today, I shook off my "I hate running" mentality and began the Couch-to-5K® program.

In all honestly, I didn't think it would stick. I thought I'd try it out, confirm the hatred bred into me by torturous one-mile mandatory runs in high school gym class, and move on with my life. Yet here I am a year later, still pounding the pavement. And you know what? I don't hate it after all. I actually kinda, sorta, almost like it.

So, why in the world did I start running in the first place if I hated it so much? Because last year in 2012, I attended the Boston Marathon with my husband and two of our close friends. I was so moved and inspired by what I saw there that I needed to give it a try and see for myself. We watched the 2012 race from three different locations and took it all in, starting in Brookline, then hopping on the T and watching from mile 25, then finally making our way on foot to the finish line.

It was exciting to watch the elite runners speed past. But then came the families running together. The very young running alongside the very old. A father running and pushing his wheelchair-bound son. The groups of friends running for charity or in memory of a lost loved one. And the crowds – constantly cheering and rooting for complete strangers! I'd never seen anything like it. It was all so heavy and meaningful and overwhelming. Of course, it wasn't all smiles and rainbows; I witnessed tangible pain and sickness and struggle in the incredible record-breaking heat. But through it all, I could feel the energy pulsing through the city that day. And the triumphant expressions on people's faces as they neared the finish line – well, that was the closest I've ever been to witnessing that much undeniable, genuine human happiness at once. Huge smiles. Tears of joy.

I cannot even fathom or begin to process this year's horrific incident. I look at the images and they don't seem real to me. I can't reconcile the scene I witnessed just last year with the scenes on the news. It doesn't add up. Who would ever want to spoil something like this. How could this even be real? It doesn't make any sense. And it probably never will.

It is not lost on me that I was at the finish line last year at almost the exact same time this year's bombs went off. These photographs, taken at the flags directly across from the bleachers, bear a time stamp of 2:42pm – almost exactly one year before the explosions. Almost to the minute. 

We were supposed to go again this year, but I was unable to take a day off work.

Runners are a community built on health, strength, determination and good will. It's a community I am very proud to be a part of. I will keep running and hopefully celebrate many more runiversaries. But now I'm running with a little more purpose. Running for those who lost their lives in Boston on Marathon Monday. For those who were injured. And for those who came so close, but didn't get to cross the finish line that day. I'm running for them.

Graduation Jewelry - Order Early!

It's almost that time again – young people across America are deep into their last semester of high school and getting ready to head off to college next fall. Or perhaps a bright young student you know is finishing up college studies and getting ready to enter the real world. 

Now is a great time to think about ordering a unique, early graduation gift they can show off during those final weeks and days of senior year. Custom graduation rings and necklaces for the class of 2013 start at just $45 and will surely be cherished for many years to come.

Custom graduation necklaces are crafted from a hand-cut circle of polished sterling silver and stamped with "Class of 2013". You can also include the school name, graduate's name or initials on the back and beads are used to represent school colors. A sterling silver chain, polishing cloth and gift box are included so you receive it ready for gifting. Order a necklace here.

 Custom rings are available in multiple styles (thin or thick, wide or skinny) and finishes (brushed, polished or hammered) and can be stamped with a name, nickname, school name, graduation year, or simply "CLASS OF 2013" (any year is available). Stamp it on the outside to show your pride or on the inside for a more discreet look. Order a ring here.

Please allow up to two weeks for custom orders to be shipped.

Loft BED ≠ Lofted

The best. Meant to share this awhile ago.

Fun with Flatware

Around the holidays, a friend approached me with a fun idea. She had been collecting pieces of antique silverware and wanted some special messages added to the handles. We sat down to brainstorm a list of appropriate (and some inappropriate) words and phrases together and I got to work with my alphabet stamps. 

She gave out several pieces as holiday gifts and they were a big hit! Have a fun idea of your own? Let's chat. I love custom projects!

Geek Love - Custom Binary Rings

Just in time for Valentine's Day! I recently had the opportunity to create custom his and her rings for a couple with "I ♥ You" spelled out in binary code. How sweet and nerdy is that?!? (For those of you who aren't super nerds, binary code is a computer language where  data is represented digitally using zeros and ones.)

To create these bands, I first measured and cut strips of bare metal sterling silver to size for each ring. I then hand-cut the tiny hearts and stamped the code using 0s and 1s:  01101001 ♥ 01110101.

The next step was to hand-forge and solder each ring. Then they were polished to a shine and shipped off to their new owners.

The couple was very happy with the finished rings and can now proudly show off their love for one another every day.

Interested in your own custom his & her rings? Contact me today via Etsy or email me directly to talk about your ideas!

UPDATE - October 2013: 
Binary code rings are now available in my shop all the time!

Before & After - Post-Holiday Clean Up

The Loft - Before & After

December was downright insane in my tiny loft studio. Don't get me wrong, I totally knew where everything was (most of the time). My work space was just, shall we say, creatively re-arranged for awhile. When my jewelry-making time is very limited but in high demand, there just isn't time to neatly put things away between projects. In fact, there is no such thing as being "between projects". I was making no less than ten different items at a time with constant overlap, so to put things away would be undermining my productivity. At least, that's what I told myself every night around midnight. 

But inevitably, the orders from my online shop slowed down after Christmas and I took a moment to look around. I was horrified. How did it ever get THIS bad? Every surface was covered in metal shavings and silver dust. Every tool was out. Things were even overflowing from my workbench onto the FLOOR. 

It had gotten way out of control. So I did what any sensible person would do in this situation...I avoided the studio altogether for several weeks. :) When I was finally ready to face the mess, cleaning up was such a rewarding project.

Behold! The clean studio!

Of course, it won't stay this way for long. Craft show season starts in a couple of months, not to mention the flurry of Valentine's Day orders hopefully coming soon. But for the time being, everything is in order and all is right with the world.

How to Interview With JetBlue & Not Land Your Dream Job

Exactly one year ago today, I interviewed to become a member of the newest fleet of JetBlue flight attendants. And while it was a nerve-racking experience, it was also the most fun I've ever had at a job interview.

To give you a little background, I've always loved to fly. I get excited about it—borderline giddy—every single time. It's just totally amazing to me that the technology exists to transport hundreds of people through the air together in a giant metal tube. So, when the 8-6 desk job started feeling claustrophobic, I decided to pursue my passion for people, planes and travel. It seemed like the perfect complement to my part-time Lofted Designs jewelry career. I did some research, chatted with some flight attendants I know and started thinking I'd finally found what I want to be when I grow up!

In October of 2011, JetBlue (one of my favorite airlines for many reasons) posted job openings for in-flight crew. I was ready with my resume and applied immediately (applications are usually only accepted for a few days). As it turned out, I was one of 2,700 candidates to apply during this window. In November, I completed an automated phone interview, and after a few weeks I received a call inviting me to Queens, NY (home of JetBlue's corporate offices) for an all-day face-to-face interview on January 19, 2012.

My plane from BOS to JFK

I arrived in New York the night before, and spent a little extra time lingering in T5 at JFK learning about the history and culture of JetBlue in preparation for the big day. Terminal 5, if you haven't been there, is essentially a JetBlue museum featuring cool exhibits and embodying the airline's brand experience. They even have live concerts there. With musicians you've heard of. I'll put it this way: it's the only airport terminal I've ever wanted to hang out in.

From there, I made my way to Queens, checked into the sketchiest hotel I've ever stayed at in my life and did some last minute prep work. I'd already been preparing for this interview for three months, but when it comes to your dream job you can't really be too prepared. My suit was laid out, my nails were manicured and my hair was cut and freshly styled. I felt confident and ready to look and act the part.

Kiki Ward's Essential Guide – definitely helped me prepare!

The next day, I arrived at JetBlue's offices early for fingerprinting. There were about 40 of us interviewing on the same day...people from all walks of life. All ages, races, backgrounds and geographic locations. One thing tied everyone together—it was the friendliest group of people I've ever met. Honestly, I'd say about 80% of those people could have made amazing flight attendants.

After fingerprinting, we all gathered at large round tables in a conference room where a group of JetBlue representatives introduced themselves and presented information about the company and the job. Following the presentation, we each had the opportunity to introduce ourselves and participate in some ice breaker activities.

Next, we all took turns going into various smaller rooms for jumpseat and reach tests. In one room, we were asked to read safety announcements and answer a variety of questions where it was very clear they weren't listening for content but for vocal quality and speech. Toward the end of the day, we were brought into a room in groups of 3-4 candidates and asked one-on-one questions round-robin style:

1. Give a brief overview of your work history, focusing on customer service experience.
2. Talk about a specific time you were faced with unreasonable demands from a customer and how you handled it.
3. Describe a time you had a conflict with a co-worker and how you resolved it.
4. Talk about a time you worked with a team to solve a problem.
5. Describe a stressful situation you've been faced with and how you handled it.

In between each of these segments, there was a LOT of sitting around and waiting. Following advice I'd read in several places, I made an effort during this "down time" to be as outgoing and cordial as possible by introducing myself to the other candidates sitting nearby, engaging with the JetBlue representatives and learning people's names and remembering them. I felt very confident at this point that I was doing everything right.

The interview wrapped up in the early afternoon and we were told we'd be contacted within a week, either by email if we were not selected or by phone if a background check was required to advance to the next step. About a week later, I received the dreaded email: "The competition for this position was strong. And, while your background and experience are very good, we have made the decision to offer the position to another candidate." 

I am eligible to re-apply now (there is a one year waiting period) but for the time being, my dream is temporarily on hold. My full-time desk job pays the bills and my crafty jewelry business Lofted Designs keeps me happy and creatively stimulated. Someday I hope to be one of the friendly faces in the sky—whether for JetBlue or another airline (Virgin America, I've got my eye on you!).

View from above – I always pick a window seat

Giving Back in 2012

Another year has come and gone, and 2012 was a big success story for Lofted Designs! Happily, this translates to increased donations at the end of the year to organizations that help others.

As you may know, each quarter I select a non-profit organization to receive a portion of Lofted Designs' profits. In addition to the great success I experienced at craft fairs and events this year, I hit a huge milestone by surpassing 450 sales on Etsy in December! Thank you (yes, YOU!) for supporting my small business and helping to make this possible.

HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF

All proceeds from pet ID tags sold on my Etsy site between the time of Hurricane Sandy and the end of 2012 were donated to organizations on the ground in New York and New Jersey including the American Red Cross and the Humane Society's Disaster Relief Fund to help people and pets displaced by the storm. 

B.O.N.E.S.
Beagles of New England States is a charity very near and dear to me, since I am the proud mama of a beagle rescue. I try to include them in my charitable giving whenever possible. They have rescued, rehabilitated and found loving homes for more than 1,200 beagles since their start nine years ago.

THE CENTER FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN
Based in Portland, Maine, the Center for Grieving Children has provided free bereavement support and crisis response to children, teens, young adults and their families for 25 years. They encourage the safe expression of grief and loss and foster each individual’s resilience and emotional well-being.

HOPE ELEPHANTS

Hope Elephants is a unique facility in Maine that cares for retired elephants, provides education programming about elephants and inspires wildlife conservation. Rosie and Opal, a pair of aging and injured retired circus elephants, receive state-of-the-art physical therapy and nutritional support in a purpose-built habitat dedicated to their needs.