Join us in the fun!

We have been very busy little bees this last year. 
We have been working on a pretty exciting addition to i declare!

...and now!...we are ready to launch the 

Affiliate Program!

 Seriously, we couldn't be more excited.

If you love sterling silver charms,

If you love sterling silver necklaces,

If you love sterling silver bracelets,

If you love customized jewelry,

If you love mommy jewelry,

If you love running jewelry,

then chances are, your friends will too!
So here's how the super easy program works.

You sign up  (for free).

You get a unique, just for you, link.

You post that link where ever you want, in an email, on facebook, on your blog, etc.

Whenever someone clicks on it and places an order, you get paid!

Pretty sweet huh?

You can click here for the specifics.

Here is an example of how your new business can work for you: 

  

MONTH 1 

Your mother orders a Love of My Life Necklace for the new mother in your family-$75 spent. 

Your sister just ran her second 1/2 marathon & wants to start a brag bracelet to show off her first 2 accomplishments-$153 spent. Your husband knows how much you love i declare! & orders a cluster necklace for your birthday (smart husband!)-$95.00 spent.

That's a total of $323. You receive a check for $48.45 (level 1 commission). It's that simple! 

  

MONTH 2

Your running group decides to get a charm commemorating your big race. 10 people buying a charm plus a few extra fun items-$398 spent. Four different friends saw your pin about your favorite new i declare! bracelet & each ordered one through your link-$276 spent. Seven people saw your post you passed on about our i declare! sale-$1380 spent.

That's a total of $2054. You receive a check for $410.80 (level 2 commission).
Not bad for just pinning & passing on an i declare! sale! 

You can email us with any questions... we would love to have you on board!

sales@ideclarecharms.com

All Things House....

It's all things house for me right now. Picking everything out isn't as fun as I wanted it to be. Instead it's stressful and time consuming. This is the one highlight for me.....my kitchen backsplash.  

I. LOVE. IT. 

Of course this isn't a picture of my kitchen, only a sample of the green tile I am going to use. I knew immediately it was "the one" the instant I saw it. No other green matched the color of the mental image I was trying to replicate.  I've got high expectations for it so it better turn out!! :) 

Erin

Hugest Sale Ever!

We have a huge sale coming tomorrow!  Are you on our mailing list?  

The code will be sent out tonight... and the sale will be for tomorrow only!
50% off!

Yikes!!

 

It's JoBecka again! This week I made a big step. I purchased my first race photo! I have ran a few marathons and I have always wanted to purchase a picture but I never have. They are ridiculously priced and I always look like someone who is running a marathon. BUT, I had to have this picture. To me, it symbolizes the running community and why I love to be apart of it. This was from my October marathon in St. George. I love the St. George marathon. The course is fast but hard (Everyone assumes it is all down hill, I'm here to testify that it is NOT!!!) The race is amazingly organized and there are showers as soon as you cross the finish line. I love it.

This last year I was hoping for a new PR. I was on track for a 3:25 marathon until mile 22. The hotter it became the more tired and pissed off I got. I slowed down and, heaven forbid, I walked a few steps. I'm the girl in the orange. The guy in the orange, whom I'm about to give a high-five, became my new best friend at mile 23.

We started playing leap frog around mile 23. It was one of those moments when someone passes you and then you get pissed and have to pass them. At this point in the game, I'll take anything to keep me going. At mile 25 he started to walk. I said, "You can't walk now! We are so close let's get this stupid race over." He agreed and we picked up the pace. I started to slack and he immediately chastised me. We kept pushing each other then the last 100 yards we both started to sprint. (if you can call it that after 26.1 miles) he pulled ahead by a hair and beat me over the finish line. We were both so ecstatic that a spontaneous high-five erupted between us. I would have kissed him if I didn't want to make it to the showers so bad!

We walked into the water spray and that was the last I saw him. I don't know his name and I never saw him again. At that moment he meant more to me than any other person. He pulled me through a super-human experience and I love him for it.  Even though I didn't get my PR, I finished the race strong and happy. That would not have happened if I didn't have someone to share it with. I love the support I get from my husband, family and friends. But, it takes a runner to know a runner and that's what I love about the community. I love the excitement before the race. I love the expos. I love that I'm constantly checking the weather the week before. Most of all I just love runners. I love their crazy, obsessiveness and the fact that it's based on individual merit but a shared experience.

Cheers,
JoBecka

Change....

Annette posted a while back about change....it seems like there is more than enough of that to go around these days and possibly some to spare. :)

I am Erin, the one who used to stamp all the charm creations. I use the word "used" because we (meaning me and my family) recently found out that we will be moving! I actually enjoy change and I love going new places and meeting new people...but that still doesn't mean it's easy by any stretch of the imagination. Thankfully, even with the move, I still be able to be a part of the ideclare! team and that makes me happy!

The exciting thing for us about the move is building a house. Choosing all the finishes, colors, carpet, etc., has been fun but it has been super time consuming and super stressful! My kids are sick of me being on the phone, I am sick of me being on the phone, and by the end of the day I just don't want any more words to come out of my mouth....I am sick of TALKING!!!!

We found the house after it was already started so while there are things I would have done differently, I am really happy with the things that I am able to add....except that I keep going over budget. :/

Change is necessary and change is good....for me at least.  :)

Erin

10 Years!!!

Today, Matt and I celebrate our 10 year anniversary!! We met in Jackson Hole, WY working at a Boy Scout camp. He was my boss. I suppose one can say that I slept my way to the top. It has been fantastic! We've had our rough moments but even during those time I can honestly say I didn't get sick of him. My feelings of love may oscillate but I never want to be without him. I know I would be difficult to be married to. I have an exorbitant amount of energy, I'm nerdy ( I choose books over movies all the time.) I laugh at everything. I have a difficult time taking anything serious and I run a lot. Most of our Saturdays have included long runs and a tired Jo. But, he doesn't seem to mind. In fact he encourages the laughter and talks me into pushing myself harder in everything I do. I would be less of a person if Matt wasn't in my life. So three cheers to Matt. I love you!!

Expo Memories

Kathrine Switzer joining us at the Boston Marathon

Like Annette said, this past weekend in Seattle was the last expo of the season for i declare!  This was my first year that I attended these expos & would like to share some of my favorite highlights.

Las Vegas

Well...what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!

Phoenix

Yummy ice cream at the Sugar Bowl (Family Circle)

Tinkerbell

Downtown Disney

Cutest Minnie Mouse Caramel Apples!

BOSTON

 Catching a showing of Riverdance.  One word-Spectacular!

US History

        San Francisco & Seattle

Ghirardelli Square, "Full House" House, Lombard St., Pier 39, & Fisherman's Wharf

Ferry to Kingston, Space Needle, & throwing fish at Pike's 

    The best part of these expos?????  All the people I met & visited.  Thanks for stopping by to say Hi,  sharing your running stories, & having such fun personalities.  Good luck with your training & see you next season!

Mary Jo       

Weekend in Seattle

The marathon season comes to an end for us.

This is our last marathon expo until September.  We are excited to go out on a bang! 

Mary Jo and JoBecka took the show on the road and went to Seattle this weekend for our final expo of the season.  I will let them tell you how it was when they return...

We started a new game at this expo!  The $100 give-away!

Here's how it works:  When people would come by our booth in Seattle, we would give them a free lei, with a numbered card attached to it.

On Monday, they will look on facebook to see which lei # won the $100 giftcard to i declare!

Sounds fun? 

We think so too.

Passion for Running

Finishing my first half marathon
Prison Break, 2008

my neighbor & friend, David, & I after finishing my first half

Five years ago I gave birth to our youngest child, Reagan.  She was our fourth & we were so excited for her to join our family.  She is a fun & sweet girl & she will always hold a special place in my heart because she is, & always will be, my baby.

After my husband & I went in for her ultrasound, I knew, without a doubt, that our family was complete...Reagan would be our last.  Two thoughts flooded my mind.  First, relief.  Never again would I have to experience 3-4 months of nausea & feeling totally crappy, tired, emotional...9 months of feeling like I was living on the outside watching everyone else live their happy, healthy lives.  Next thought was, "what do I do now?"  I know...crazy thought...since I had 4 children to raise.  But, I really did feel a little lost.

When I had my oldest, Ernie, I was young & always planned my life around the kids I had & when we were going to plan to have our next one.  I was so focused on them that I never took care of myself.  I hardly wore makeup, never really felt like I wore the latest style, & I NEVER made time to exercise.

Now, here I was...reaching the end of a stage...birthing children.  I instantly felt old, even though I was only 32.  Being overweight (not able to get the weight off from my 3rd & 4th baby) didn't help either.  So, 6 months after Reagan was born, I really felt like I had adjusted (if there ever is such a thing) to having 4 kids & I starting feeling freedom & a desire to take care of ME!!!

I started an exercise routine (with the help of Greg) of lifting weights & cardio.  Joining a gym was intimidating to me, so I bought some hand held weights & an exercise bike & worked out consistently at home.  5 weeks in, I enhanced my diet & I started loosing weight & fast.  I was HOOKED!!!!!  I felt better &, for the first time, I really felt like I could focus on me...not just the kids.

I became addicted to exercising & looked forward to it everyday.  After loosing close to 30 lbs. & finally getting in shape, I decided I would take a leap & go for a run.  My husband has been running since I've known him & I had always envied him for that.  (I should note that I had tried running in the past & HATED IT!!!!)  My goal was to see if I could run 2 miles.  Well, to make a long story short, I did & I loved it!!!!

There really is nothing like running.  It is a sport that I can do just for me.  I can go early in the morning, before the madness of the day begins.  I can listen to whatever songs I want, as loud as I want, & I can run anywhere I want & for as long as I want.  It is all about me.  I can think clearly without any distractions.  I can feel my heart pumping & I get such a high!!!  When I finish a run, I love that feeling of complete exhaustion.  Biking & swimming are great workouts, but they don't come close to making me feel the way running does.  I could go on & on about my love for this sport, but really, when it comes down to it, I have such a passion for running!

Mary Jo  

Growing Pains

Change is good.

Change is good.

Change is good.

I have to keep telling myself that. 

It seems there is a lot of change coming up in my life.  

i declare! is growing crazy fast, and at the same time erin (our lead stamper) is moving (boo!!). SO-- training new stampers and adjusting to a new routine around here is going to be tricky.  

Plus, some rather large personal changes (more later) make it all to be a trying time.

I read something this morning that was really good.  Timely.

"It is often in the trial of adversity that we learn those most critical lessons that form our character and shape our destiny."

Apparently I have a lot of learning coming my way. 

But possibly a well defined character and better destiny as well.

I'll keep you posted...

On a more lighthearted note: How about our new mother/daughter necklace?  I love it! 

~Annette

Family Pictures

Family pictures. I have a love/hate relationship with them. When they turn out I can't stop staring at them. But, when they don't it makes me realize that, like family, it's not always perfect. Take this picture for example. It is our most recent picture taken at my brother-in-laws wedding. My 4 year old daughter Harper. Is starting to wilt like the beautiful flowers she is holding. This was an incredibly big day for her. At the ring ceremony, Harper carried the rings down the aisle (to her new aunt which Harper would rather refer to as "the princess").  Harper spent the day looking beautiful and playing the part of the perfect niece but when this picture was taken her facade was cracking and the 4 year old was breaking free. Don't get me wrong Harper is a darling. But, a little girl can only be sweet for so long.

Hank is my two year old son. He is a cyclone of energy. It might be difficult to tell by my husband Matt's dashing smile but he is restraining Hank. Hank's first problem was he had to many clothes on and they were mostly pink. He found an activity to off set the sweet colors. He spent most of the evening on the balcony dropping dirt from the flower pots on unsuspecting guests. It is hard to tell by his angelic looks but his curiosity can match a certain monkey we all know and love.

Then there is my striking husband Matt. He is the calm in the eye of our storm. While the kids and I flit around he is our grounding force. His wit surpasses his height and his charming personality sets everyone at ease. I often call on him for comic relief. His most annoying trait is when I'm mad and want to rant and rave he makes me open my eyes and see all perspectives. I suppose that if his annoying trait makes me a better person than it can't be that bad.

I'm last. I'm in my egyptian phase right now. Matt calls me Nefertari, which suites me just fine. I like to try out different personas. I love to read and my reading creates my fantasies. I also love to run. Mary Jo and I got into the St. George marathon and we are looking to set new PRs. I'm sure you are going to find out all about me. I would love to know all about you. If anything I say strikes a cord let me know. We'll all sisters just trying to find our way in this crazy, busy world.

My crew!

School has ended & summer has begun!  For me & my family, this brings a lot of excitement.  Goodbye homework, bedtimes, schedules, and clean house.  Hello sleepovers, swimming, birthdays, day trips, staying up late watching movies, & a constant cluttered house (this last one I am not really looking forward to).  Let me introduce you to my crew! 

My husband & best friend, Greg!  

Greg & I just celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary this past week.  We first met each other in junior high (his locker was right next to mine), started dating our senior year in high school, & have been together ever since.  I couldn't ask for a better friend & companion!

Ernie, 13 yrs. old,

loves to play the trumpet, piano, video games & is an honor student

Maddy

 11 yrs. old

Loves to put a thumbs up in photographs, to play the clarinet, piano, anything with art & is also an honor student.

  

Thomas, 8 years old,

my birthday buddy (we share the same birthday), loves to play soccer, baseball, basketball, & will be playing football in the fall

Reagan (Ray-Ray), 5 yrs old,

is my baby and FULL OF LIFE!  

She loves to dance, sing, & play with her friends.

She is now, officially, a KINDERGARTNER!

(My youngest in kindergarten??????  Yes, I feel OLD!)

Some of the i declare! team

Introducing...

Some of the i declare! team.  

In trying to keep up with a (happily!) growing home business and 3 (crazy!) kids, I had to get some help with this blog. Some of my team has agreed (been forced) to help post here on our blog.  

These ladies are awesome! They represent runners, great runners, non-runners, busy households, calm days, mothers of twins, mothers of adopted children, great cooks, not so great cooks (that one is me by the way), and lots of things in between. The one thing they all have in common, they love to help you get your i declare! just perfect.

They are funny, they are happy, and they will be fun to read. 
They are going to share both their life, their interests, their goals-- and their part of i declare!  

Let me introduce you:

Erin: Erin is now our lead stamper.  She creates (with some serious skill) even the toughest requests you guys can come up with.  She does an amazing job. She also keeps track of all our inventory (the not fun part of her job).

Mary Jo: Mary Jo is our Expo Director and Order Processing Manager.  She is the laughing, bubbly personality you will see at all our expos (except the ones she's not at) :).  She is also the one who makes sure your order is perfect before it goes out the door.  If we goof, we blame it on her.  She has a lot on her plate (hmmm.. looks like literally), and she pulls it off so well!

Sarah:  Sarah is our Lead Director of the i declare! Consultant Sales Team.  She answers all your consultant questions, and helps make sure your at home business is a SUCCESS!  Everything she touches turns to gold, and she knows how to get a job done.  Ever the Good Idea Lady, we love having her on our team!

JoBecka: Jobecka is our resident supermodel.  She is our Retail Sales Director and coordinates all of our product into retail stores.  She is working on getting us in some really fun places.  She also attends most expos, and apparently is going to be joining a roller derby team?  Stay tuned...

 This isn't everyone.  We couldn't survive without Keri who answers all of our customer service questions/phone calls and emails.  Or Renae who make our beautiful birthstones and pearls.  Or Natalie who does a fabulous job as our graphics designer.  Or Alex who is in charge of shipping each order.  I feel so lucky to have such great people on board with this dream of mine to launch i declare!  Now let's see if I can keep up!...

Where Have We Been??

Well this is just embarrassing.  Our blog is so out of date!  That new little baby that came on 10.10.10 is now 18 months old and walking everywhere.  I have hired lots of fabulous team members to help out, and we have grown like crazy.  I have endured a bike wreck , a broken hand and surgery, a move (THAT was crazy!), and have enjoyed vacations, runs, time with kids and friends and a good life.

i declare! has been honored with a partnership with Kathrine Switzer and created an exclusive line for her. 

We were so excited to have her at our booth at the Boston Marathon and become friends with her.  She is an amazing lady.  You should read her story!

Keychains!

 

We have a new product up on our site now.  Just in time for the holidays! The perfect gift for the "non jewelry" person in your life.  :)

Click here to take a look!

Know someone that might like this?

Grace Anne Allen

Baby Gracie is here!
We are thrilled that she is finally here. 

She arrived on our hopeful due date of 10.10.10

We are hoping to catch up on all of our orders that we need to get out.  Be patient with us-- we still aren't getting any sleep yet.  :)

Summer was fabulous

Summer was fabulous.  

I can't believe it is over (almost).

I know most kids have gone back to school and the official schedules of life have resumed in most households. 

But here we still have a preschooler (5 yr old) and an aspiring ballerina (3 yr old) and we are not yet ruled by the academic calendar.

And since it's still 80+ degrees, we are wearing shorts, eating popsicles, having playdates at the park, blowing bubbles and laughing so hard as we chase them.  

We are going to squeeze every last drop out of this summer.

Keep on Running!

So this morning I read in USA Today that in 2009, women outnumbered men among U.S. finishers in road races.  

We beat the boys by a score of 5.4 million to 4.9 million.  Nice work ladies!  

 

Of course we have more motivation to finish than the men--

i declare!'s customized running jewelry.  

Isn't it high time you treated yourself to a runner's brag bracelet?  

To celebrate beating the boys, runner's brag bracelets are 20% off this week.  

Just use code GIRLS20.  
(*Offer good until 11:59 PST 9.07.10)

And keep running girls.  Let's keep the title in 2010!

$50 Giveaway

Today was a red letter day for i declare!  

Our custom jewelry was featured on one of my favorite blogs--www.theidearoom.net  If you have not visited this blog, go check it out.  I'm sure it will become one of your favorites.

They are hosting a $50 gift card giveaway from i declare! 

What could you do with $50 at i declare!?