I want to start off by thanking everyone again,  both for the participation in the contest and for the encouraging comments left to those who braved the rules and entered a design. It's so inspiring to see where everyone uniquely ended up, all from the same simple start. The 22 entries received were truly a masterclass in ingenuity, with each piece speaking to the personality of its artist. As mentioned in the previous blog post, to be told that this is the first time in years many of these participants felt inclined to pick up their wire and tools to create is a massive boon to what's become a rather bruised and battered spirit these last few years. Through your willingness to indulge me, and enter a design, you've inspired me and pushed me to continue to create. From creativity, creativity is born. I hope this cycle is indefinite.

As with the previous iterations of the challenge, there are two winners to announce. The first is the Group Favorite, receiving the majority of the votes cast by the participants. Of the 22 participants, the entry to receive the majority of the votes cast was the beautiful piece by Ellen Lasky! I can absolutely see why this piece won the hearts of the participating artists, with a fun (yet elegant) flow. And so appropriate for the summer months in which we find ourselves! While there is never a profound prize for the "Finish It!" Design Challenge (meant mostly as a fun exercise among artists), Ellen has won my final finished design (showcased in the previous blog post) and a handful of cabochons with which to continue her wire wrapping journey. 

Next is the Judged Favorite, picked by a majority from a panel of 4 wire wrappers (not participating in the challenge) and 3 muggles lol. It was almost unanimous amongst us that the beautiful peacock-inspired design by Sandy See take the title. And I admit to being more than a little tickled that the two winning designs are both inspired by animals! Symmetry is a personal nemesis of mine in that, while I love to attempt it, I admittedly rarely succeed at making something .... thoughtful. I personally found Sandy's piece a thoughtful exercise in symmetry, while also maintaining a fun spirit. Sandy has also won a handful of cabochons to continue wrapping with. 

Congratulations to both of the winners, and a truly heartfelt bellow of gratitude to the fellow participants and the community as a whole. If you have yet to view the Gallery of Entries and show your love to these wonderful artists, please take a moment to visit the link!

Now, I definitely appreciate that the summer months are a TERRIBLE time to host a contest, lol, so I hope to have the next one during a more opportune month or season. If you'd like to participate in the next challenge, leave a comment letting me know which month you'd prefer! Until then.... 

happy weaving and stay creative!
​Nicole

So, I recognize that the bustle of summer makes for a terrible time for a contest, but I'm so thankful for the 22 entries received in this round of the "Finish It!" Design Challenge. Its been incredibly inspirational and encouraging to see the creative depth in each of these entries, all of which started from the same steps, yet evolved to envelop their own story and personalities!

And, as someone with a chronic illness, who understands what it is to lack the energy or inspiration to create, I was especially touched to have received so many messages from those who said this challenge was the first time in years they've picked up their wire and revisited their love for wrapping and jewelry making. It made me feel excited again, to see the spark come alive for so many who thought it lost. Thank you so much for talking the time to inspire ME with your amazing resilience, creativity, and enthusiasm!

Now I would like to say that Pinterest, where the Gallery of Entries is, is easier to navigate than ever but, if you know social media at all, even a little, you'll know that's a bold-faced lie. These sites never make anything easy, do they? So, O have the gallery up for viewing at the link at the bottom of this post, but can't link directly to the July 2024 "Finish It!" Design Challenge album. It should, however, be the first to show. You can view all the entries there!

Now, about the voting.... only participants are able to vote for their ONE favorite entry, by commenting "VOTED" beneath the submitted image. However, despite what seems to be a new cap that Pinterest has placed on the number of comments you can leave in a day (at least according to the experience of those who have tried so far), I encourage everyone to revisit these images, as time allows, and leave some encouraging words for all the brilliant entries, when you're able. For reference, the picture above is what my design became, and you can definitely see the vast difference (better differences to boot, I might add) the entrants brought to the table.

I'll tally up the votes on Wednesday and announce the Group and Judged Favorites. Each will win a little bundle of cabochons, to hopefully continue revisiting that spark, and the Group Favorite will also win my completed version of this project. Stay tuned for the winner!

Get on ovet to the link, https://pin.it/1Za9F0yEE, and check out those entries! And thank you so much to those who entered for being such an amazing inspiration.

Happy weaving, and stay creative!

​Nicole
​

Now that I am feeling a little more myself, I will be, for the time being (and maybe only occasionally) bringing back some favorites, such as the Tuesday Tutorial Treasure Hunt, video tutorials, and the "Finish It!" contest. Unfortunately, there no longer seems to be the interest required to continue the Tutorial Membership Discount Program. But hey.... take what we can WHEN we can, right? I'm very happy to finally, after all this time, have the energy to offer a free lesson here and there, and host a contest here and there and maybe throw in a video tutorial ... you got it... here and there. I can't go promising this will be a regular occurrence but it's for now, and that's got to count for something, eh?

My spiritual practice has recently allowed me to express myself creatively, with new crafts that have even inspired my jewelry making. So far this year, I've made rawhide rattles, wands, spirit dolls and poppets, headdresses, amulets and talismans, because when I have the energy, I like to share it with others, lift others up when they are low or sad, because I understand what it feels like to feel alone. It's a wonderful thing to make something, pour my energy and intention into it, and to know others are using it, enhancing their own spiritual practice. What a beautiful thing to be and feel so.... included. 

and I feel I should credit all of you, who have rallied behind me, despite the emotional mess of my life these last three years (perhaps in spite of it). It is because of you that I now have it in me to give back to others which is, I feel, how it should always be, this cyclical movement of sharing. 

When I was at my lowest, so many gave to me in so many ways, and I'm forever grateful. For today, I'm able to indulge my creativity AND my spirituality, with both Nicole Hanna Jewelry and The Witch's Rattle, and I couldn't feel more blessed. I'm excited for what's still to come.

Thank you. 
​Nicole

Well. Hi there! It's been a hot minute, hasn't it? In fact, it's been OVER A YEAR since I last posted a new blog post and that is just one of many things I aim to change these next several months, starting now. 

When Covid-19 hit, the world was forever changed. We had to re-evaluate how we interact, how we work, how we manage our spending and finances. Jobs were lost or forever altered. Businesses closed amidst frustrations and tears and, quite frankly, I almost saw myself among them, especially these past two years. Because, with the chaos of Covid, came a chronic-illness flare that saw me ill-equipped to handle the new stresses now facing me. For two years, I struggled to work, to clean my home, to get out of bed at all, even. Still today I sleep 12 hours at a time, force myself to crawl from the cocoon of my blankets and do something, anything, with my day. And, if you've ever experienced chronic illness, you'll know it's almost always accompanied by it's faithful companion, Depression. 

Many times, I thought "Today is the day. Today I'm announcing the closure of my business", and I was ready to do it. I was ready to sell everything, beef up my resume and find whatever soul-crushing retail position this town could provide. At least, I thought, that's stable... that's a paycheck. I know what I'm getting myself into.  And yet not even that felt feasible while I slept half the day and cried for the rest. 

I reached out when I could, when my energy allowed. I journaled at times, to help work through the traumas of my illness and the ever-present feelings of failure. And this helped for a time, for a day or a week even. But still, I slept. And when I wasn't sleeping, I was weeping. And through the struggle, somehow, I seemed to find the other side of it. Through perseverance and the support of others, I moved through each day, only thinking of the next minute in front of me.

Eventually, the depression seemed to slink into the shadows, and I could see a bit more of the light. I wish I could tell you how, but that doesn't seem to be how depression works. I don't want to romanticize mental illness with some white-knight allegory about how all I needed was love. Sometimes, what you need is therapy and medication, the time AND the support of others. I was privileged to have that time and that support, required to see me through. I was privileged to have a doctor who listens (with an abundance of tissues and hugs). And, quite frankly, I got a little lucky that, just as I hit my limit, the darkness dissipated and the weight of sadness lifted. If I could wish anything at all for those who suffer illness and depression, it would be these same privileges and luck. 

I handled what I could handle, gave up what I couldn't, and saw myself day to day towards some semblance of living. And I feel safe now, in my own head. I still chronically ill. I still sleep 12-14 hours every single day, break out in a rash when I'm hot. I'm still losing my hair, gaining unexplainable weight, and can't climb stairs without a sweat soon to follow. I'm still incredibly nervous about getting a cold or the flu, which almost always worsen my symptoms ten-fold. But, despite it all, I feel safe in my own head. And, for that, I'm eternally grateful. 

So, what I wish to say to you, reading this now, is that I see you, and I hope for you freedom from your burdens, your illness, your stress and sadness. I want for you support and, while it's not a cure, the love of those who care for you. You deserve no less than that. And if you are struggling, just look at the minute you are in, and the minute coming next, and focus on walking from one minute to the other, and keep walking and, someday, it's not quite a chore. Someday, you'll realize there's a little more light by which to walk, and your legs don't feel quite so heavy and maybe.... just maybe.... you can smile and laugh and mean it. 

​I see you. I love you. Keep walking. 

I started with something easy... packaging. My packaging, I thought, needed some sprucing. I wanted to maintain something recyclable, or at least mostly recyclable, so anything plastic was out. I settled on greens and florals as representative of growth and expansion, and my husband had a brilliant idea to include a scratch off ticket with every package shipped. One out of 25 will include a code for $75 off a single purchase. I'm excited to see who the first recipient will be, as they've started to roll out with purchases placed last month. For customers: be sure to remove the gold sticker to dispose separately before adding the box to your recyclables. 

The earliest change I made, which some may recall, was that retired lessons would no longer be re-released on their brief, bi-yearly basis, and they had a final hoorah early last year before enjoying their senior years permanently ensconced in storage. There are a couple reasons I retire lessons frequently: 1) 600 lessons listed at once (even 100 lessons) can be overwhelming, for both my website and the viewer and 2) I try to keep designs consistent with what's popular, so what's available creates a cohesive collection for those who are looking for projects in which to invest their time and money. If you are interested in any lessons, I always recommend purchasing them as soon as possible, as lessons are retired every few months. Then, later in the year, we saw the end of the Tuesday Tutorial Treasure Hunts. These became an unfortunate  victim of my chronic illness, though I still hope to offer them on an occasional basis.

Now, the next change may not be a popular one, but I feel it's a necessary one. Due to some mental and physical difficulties these past three years, I've had to prioritize my energy in ways no longer serving me. While I've greatly enjoyed offering the Tutorial Membership Discount Program these past five years, I'm afraid this current year is the last, at least for the foreseeable future, and will not be renewed this fall. COVID has caused a great shift in priorities for many, rightfully so, and tutorials are no longer in demand as they once were. There was some talk of this in January of 2022, as I began to see the decline in demand set in, but wanted to see through one final year, with some of the best lessons (I think) I've offered yet. 

While I have always loved creating lessons, and have amassed more than 600 comprehensive designs over the last thirteen years, including a detailed six-part workshop, I can sadly no longer dedicate the time involved in the production of lessons for the price of the membership, as consistent monthly releases are (deservedly) time-consuming and becoming difficult for me to maintain. My chronic fatigue now limits what work in which I can indulge. I've found, these past several months, I've had very little time to invest in original creations due to the promised commitments of the membership which has, sadly, grown less popular and, as a result, is now financially prohibitive. Unfortunately, there's no way to guarantee enough interest in the membership to move forward with it this fall. It has been such an amazing program to offer, and I'm so glad to have been able to offer it for as long as I was able.

If by some chance, my health and energy greatly improves these next several months, I'll be happy to revisit the idea. Otherwise, I will definitely do my best to continue to offer new lessons when possible, and would like to return to YouTube with free designs if my energy allows, but as it stands now, once this membership concludes in August, lessons will likely be much fewer in number and frequency. However, hopefully this means I will have the time and energy to focus on new original creations and my shop may finally be filled with wearable goodies once more! This prospect fills me with a tremendous amount of joy, as I've missed having the opportunity to offer one-of-a-kind creations. I hope to even invest time in a couple personal bead embroidery projects, in which I haven't indulged in more than two years! 

I understand many will be disappointed that the retired lessons are, or will be, gone forever (including those which are slated for retirement this year), and that the membership will not be renewed this September, as has been the routine these last five wonderful years. But I truly hope you'll stick around to see what's still to come. There will certainly be occasional new lessons, possibly treasure hunts, as well as live chat tutorials in my Facebook group and also, perhaps on YouTube. And lots and lots (if things go according to plan) of new jewelry to share. I'm very excited for what's still to come! 

TRIGGER WARNING: This post discusses depression.

I've always, from the time I was 10, been an avid writer. I used to sit on our porch and wax poetic about the trees as if I were a brandy-drinking Henry David Thoreau, using nature as a metaphor for social structures. This evolved naturally over the years into poetry and fiction, however, I always held true to my diaries, completing more than three dozen during a three decade stretch... all of which were burned in a yearly ceremonial pyre of release!

In 2016, with the growth of my business well under way, I began to recognize the need for a conventional planning system, which extended beyond standard notebooks, to help organize my projects, goals and tasks, while still maintaining a daily journaling practice. While I toyed with a digital system, I felt it never held me accountable because... well... I had no desire to view a digital planner. It made everything feel a little too clinical and clerical. Blech. So, to pen and paper I went! The Hobonichi planner became my obsession and I was truly excited about planning and completing projects, simply for the excuse to be inside all these beautiful books and crisp, crinkly paper!

And the planner helped, too! I was more organized, more likely to stay on task if for no other reason than to enjoy the satisfaction of ticking tasks off my list with my favorite pen. I rarely left my house, but could now highlight the few instances of social gatherings and appointments that kept me connected to the outside world. And, with a daily journaling habit, I had a clearer path towards living a healthier life. It was a joyful, almost spiritual process, during which I would empty myself of the heaviness of the day.

Then COVID hit.

social anxiety​ against which I (sometimes barely) won my battles was a small price, I learned, for the precious freedom to socialize. We need one another, dont we? We are not the solitary creatures some of us might convinve ourselves we are. So, without those rare social situations in which to invest my energy, I slowly withdrew into my own thoughts for company. But I'd forgotten, somehow, that my journals were meant to take the burdens of my day. Perhaps I thought "What day?" I was home. I'd done nothing to plan, had no experience to journal. But ignoring what was once a natural inclination to journal because the world shut down somehow began to burden me with my own negativity. In the past, I would've naturally turned towards journals during difficult times to work through the shadows and eventually... hopefully, see the light. But, for some inexplicable reason, I abandoned them and, as a result, the sadness festered deep in my thoughts. 

I didn't understand at the time exactly the depth of the damage I caused myself but retreating from my journaling habits into a really poisonous internal monologue of negativity. If I wasn't putting these thoughts to paper, they took root and grew. They grew with a ferocity I almost didn't crawl out from underneath. My work suffered. Our income suffered. Our home was no longer a bright place of promise, even though I struggled to maintain a face of (if nothing else) benign resignation with some inkling of hope. 

It was a dark time for me, the past (almost) three years. And, during a rare day of clarity, I realized at least one thing I'd been missing... my journals. 

And I started to enjoy productivity again. I was releasing, while slowly, some of the best tutorial designs I've created (in my opinion, ahem) in years. Truly. I was proud and excited for work. I was making plans, again, for a future I could finally see through the darkness. I was able to work through the mud in my head with my journals and, as a result, experience clarity and, most importantly, a hint of happiness, for the first time in almost two years.

I will not lie. The darkness almost took me. 

So now I have many notebooks. For poetry, prayer, journaling and planning, for notes and tutorials and jewelry ideas. I have notebooks I haven't even found a use for yet, but they bring me comfort regardless. I have filled six 400 page books since last August. Filled them with fear and doubt and allowed them to strip me naked of negativity, to make room for something... bright. I am a minimalist, yes, and I had to work through a period of justification to have so many notebooks. But it's an easy justification to make once what was on the line became so frighteningly clear. 

They have been my friend these last several months, when I felt the most lonely. Without judgement, without suggestions or opinions or ideas about what's best for me, they allowed me to work through the pain of depression. And I'm smiling again. Laughing again. Hopeful again. 

I wont say that journaling is the answer for everyone or everything. How could I possibly know? But what I will say is that it saved me, and I'm grateful. 

2023 may not be any easier than the previous three years, but I'm ready for it. 

​Change is a natural part of what is hopefully progress, though the changes I've implemented may seem a little.... backwards. I am un-doing many of the things, especially in my business, that have been a staple over the last few years, and I'm here to talk about what those changes are, and why I've made them (as best as I'm able, at any rate). These changes have been announced here and there, on social media, in my newsletter, but for those who may have missed it, here's the scoop!

First off, some may have noticed that January marked the first month, in many many years, that I haven't had a Tuesday Tutorial Treasure Hunt. That's right, the trusty Tuesday hunts are a thing no more. Now, that doesn't mean there wont be hunts, they just wont necessarily by on a Tuesday, nor necessarily for a tutorial. Occasionally, I may have a crazy good 70% off coupon code available in limited quantities as part of the hunt. Sometimes there may be a hunt for the checkout page for a free piece of jewelry. They may not be every month, they may be twice a month. And there may still be tutorials in the hunts as well. There just wont be quite the adherence to schedules as was previously the case. (Note: Those who purchased the membership last August and September will still get an intermediate design as if it were a Treasure Hunt tutorial). 

Next, I've made some changes to my packaging, which I'll have a separate post on soon. My packaging has, for a while, been 100% recyclable, as eco-friendly practices have become much more important to me, personally and professionally. There are no tins, no drawstring bags, no jewelry boxes with those poly-cotton inserts. Just paper products with recyclable labels for boxes and shipping. 

dSo, when I say lessons are retired, or only available for a limited time, it's forever. Once gone, they are gone, with no opportunity to snag them moving forward. This also helps me run my website more efficiently, as over 500 lessons and images can become a frightening mammoth to sort through on a bi-yearly basis when retired lessons made a brief appearance. So, the many many lessons (over 300) currently listed in the Retired Lessons shop section will be available through the end of February and then permanently deleted from my storefront and from the admin side of things as well. EDIT: COUPON NO LONGER ACTIVE, AS THESE LESSONS HAVE NOW BEEN PERMANENTLY RETIRED.

The 2021 membership may also mark the last membership moving forward, though I still have time to contemplate this decision. Eeek! I know! But there are still new things coming, such as the various treasure hunts mentioned above, a 5000k Members Facebook Group 12 Hour Giveaway (you can join my group here), most likely happening sometime between late April or late June, new YouTube videos and more mystery box options! And who knows what else this brain of mine might cook up, so stay tuned!

I recognize the last two years have been.... an adjustment, for most of us. But I just want to say that I appreciate all the support shown to me these many years. I've fostered many fantastic friendships, full of inspiration and creativity, and hope to be around to foster many more. So, on that note, I'll see you in the next blog post... of which there will be many!

Happy weaving,
​Nicole

into something a little more.... ritualistic. As stated in a previous post, my spirituality and spiritual practice has begun to play a much larger role in my creative expression these past many months. Somewhat due to the mental exhaustion of quarantine but mostly as a general balm for my mental health, as a whole, which has been much in need of outlets healthier than ice cream and chips (ahem). 

As a practicing pagan for more than 30 years, the idea of ritual has played a prominent role in my day-to-day life. It's important to make a ritual of even the simplest tasks because within this ritual is a cleansing of the spirit and release of negative thoughts. Much like journaling (another passion of mine) is used to dust off the day, whether of a happy nature or not, the same can be said for cleaning, organizing, photography, and creating in its many forms. We can pour the pent-up energies of our lives into these projects and tasks, and free ourselves for new experiences. 

With this in mind, I began to craft these new headdresses as an expression of what I felt I lacked in spirit, or what I had an abundance of, in order to release them into the ether and let that energy live a life of its own, to affect my own life or not, as it chose. This may sound too esoteric or eccentric for many, which is understandable, however, I've approached the creation of my jewelry in this manner for many years and been better for it. 

I don't expect these to make regular appearances in my shop, as part of a collection, as my creative outlets shift over the months to suit what I need to express mentally or spiritually. Perhaps simpler versions may appear with wire wrap adornments, perhaps these will be all there will ever be (at least for some time). So, if you'd like to add a little meaningful ritual to your day, I'd urge you to take a look at my creations. Should you find yourself in possession of one, wear it. Wear it every day. Walk around the house in it. Feel like a wood witch, a goddess, a queen of your own making. Wear it to ritual, if it suits you to do so, or during cosplay and festivals for fun.

​Wear it, simply, because you can.

But, while I've always taken time to meditate, practice gratitude and journal on a daily basis, the true mess this year has made of things has further driven home the need for cleansing... of a different sort. Ironically, as you can see pictured, my sacred space is the only space in my home you could say lacks the minimalism I've otherwise wholly embraced. But each thing has great meaning and usefulness to me and my practice.

This is my creative and spiritual oasis. Some may assume my desk, where I create my jewelry and tutorials, would better serve this purpose. But, because jewelry is my business, I've learned it suits my productivity better when my work space remains practical and usable and easy to navigate. However, that's not to say I don't carry my spiritual inspiration, lessons and messages from my meditation cushion to the workbench. 

These new designs were all conceived here, in my sacred space, where I'm surrounded by the symbolism of my life-long practice, my Slavic roots and ancestors, and the peace of stepping away from the crazy of 2020, if only for a few minutes a day. 

I hope you'll enjoy the designs to come and maybe derive a little peace of your own. 

Brightest blessings,
​Nicole