Jem's blog - back from the silence?

I can't quite believe that my last blog was written in 2008. Also that I made spelling mistakes! Shocking.

Well, a fair few things have happened since then. In 2009 I met an extraordinary human being who changed my life, despite only being in it for a little more than 5 months. Kenny was one of life's unique and enigmatic people and whilst the unfairness of his passing will forever cast a shadow, I'm a better person for having known and loved him.

In 2010, despite worsening health, I started my run-from-home business Jem's Gem Box. Initially the ideal was to provide an ultra low cost yet still totally customisable version of the European Charm bracelet systems that had become huge at that time. I had support from my friends and especially from my friend Paul, who allowed me to set up at the kid's play centre he operated in Banbury.

Lots of buying in thousands of bracelets and components and talking; for me, not a problem; I am not shy!

In 2011 as my little business grew, I discovered that I couldn't " just " assemble premanufactured jewellery, but that I could make it myself, from the ground up.

And so I did!!

I've been on a course of metal working and self-taught no end of techniques, learned valuable lessons in trust and even been on tv, and I LOVE IT!

I wish I'd found my passion in earlier life, wish I had had enough faith in myself to do this sooner.

2012 brought us puppies! My son was desperately terrified of dogs, so when my friend Philly's JRT had a litter, I asked if I could bring him over to meet these non-threatening silky bundles of joy and we came out owning our very own tiny JRT. Our Bitsa-breed rescue joined us in January 2013. We have never looked back :-)

In 2013 my health reached a low, with episodes of pleurisy and hospital and I spent weeks in a wheelchair with a mysterious paralysis, but I also battled my PTSD with a fantastic treatment from local practitioner Hector and I now feel mentally stronger than ever before.

In 2014, just a few months ago, my work situation changed and Jem's Gem Box is now my soul source of income and after 20 years in a low-paid and non-creative "day-job" I am now happier than I have ever been with what I do for a living, albeit we have little in the way if disposable income, my wonderful husband continues to support us.

I still love my guitars, my family is the most important "thing" in the world, our pups bring joy and love (and dog hair) into our lives and I continue to learn and grow and develop my jewellery making skill set. Hopefully I will also remember how to blog!!!

Love and light, your Jem xxx

a Year's end?

Can't quite believe anyone would want to listen to the inane ramblings of a 30-something guitar wazzock from the very middle of England ... but anyhoo ... here you are :)

Being as myspace and facebook have gone fubar on my PC (until new installation of XP one assumes) I guess I could use this place to bleat on about the boring crud that fills my brain :)

Last coupla months been a long farking slog ... what with the nipper being in and out of hospital (at least he's had his operation now *phew* nothing like seeing your kid in excrutiating pain to make you sweat bullets) and with myself also taking a few trips to a&e *that's ER to those stateside types* with bizarro x-files style viral crud (and woo*goddamn*hoo for the mega-painkillers I swallowed for that little week of pain joy-riding) ...

Although captain strop has another bug (probably cos he went back to school with a low immunity after hospital) and now he's stressing for England and making me slightly more mental *sheesh, never thought that possible!* I really really really hope that this cruddy year has flung it's last poo pie ...

2008 shall not go down in history as my favourite year of all time. Although there's been some highlights of course, seeing the lad go to school for the first time (awwwww) and catching up with good friends was great, there have also been some totally shit moments too. Losing my Nan for one thing ... well, it's a big thing, y'know ... discovering that actually I'm NOT superhuman and can and do suffer from frailties was kinda sucky ... man that did not sound good ... let me rephrase :)

Having discovered I have certain lifelong and non-simple illnesses this year has knocked me off my little pedestal if immortality - I guess the good side is that I can concentrate a bit harder on taking better care of myself ... yeah, I know ... unlikely.

Well, I think as a first draft on the life and complaints of one Jem from England, that'll probably do for now ... hopefully I haven't poked fate in the eye with a shitty stick by wondering if 2008's crud-ness has run it's course ... still, if you never hear from me again, you'll probably realise that providence might have got her own back!

All the best to you and yours, may the festive season bring you all joy and great health, happiness and let you be with those you love. May your hearts be safe and minds be clear. Hope that 2009 brings you all the things for which you strive ...

love, Jem x