claraspearl

Easy Gift Giving Guide

claraspearljewelry@gmail.com (Abigail Hotovec) — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:03:46 GMT

What thoughtful gifts can I choose for my loved one on different special occasions?

1. Valentine’s Day: Romantic Jewelry

Opt for heart-shaped designs like the heart stud earrings , or personalized pieces like the " Two Peas in a Pod " necklace to express love and affection.

2. Mother’s Day: Sentimental Jewelry

Consider birthstone jewelry or pieces that reflect family connections and special memories like the Nest Necklace , Pea Pod or Family Tree Necklaces.

3. Christmas: Elegant & Festive Jewelry

Go for classic pearl drop earrings , holiday-themed jewelry like snowflakes, or pearl pieces for timeless elegance with a festive touch.

4. Anniversaries: Timeless Jewelry

Gift a pea pod ring , matching jewelry sets , or vintage inspired pieces that symbolize enduring love and commitment.

5. Graduation: Bold & Inspirational Jewelry

Celebrate achievements with The Simple Knot Ring , birthstone necklaces , or Flower Bracelet that reflect the graduate’s bright future.

7. New Year’s Eve: Glamorous Jewelry

Sparkle with statement earrings or necklaces , chain bracelet, or Leather Cuffs to ring in the new year with style and celebration.

No matter the holiday, jewelry offers a timeless way to show love and appreciation. Choose a piece that fits the occasion, and it’s sure to make the day unforgettable.

What Is My Birthstone?

claraspearljewelry@gmail.com (Abigail Hotovec) — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 22:28:00 GMT

Birthstones are a fun and expressive way to share your family story....

Birthstones are a fun and meaningful part of motherhood jewelry because they represent each child's unique birth month, adding a personal touch to any piece. Incorporating these stones into jewelry creates a special connection, turning it into a cherished keepsake that symbolizes love, family, and the bond between mother and child.

Here is the traditional line up:

January - Garnet : Symbolizes protection and strength, typically a deep red.
February - Amethyst : Known for its calming properties, amethyst is a purple quartz.
March - Aquamarine : A pale blue stone, symbolizing serenity and courage.
April - Diamond : Represents purity, strength, and eternal love.
May - Emerald : A rich green stone that symbolizes rebirth and love.
June - Pearl : Represents purity, innocence, and wisdom, typically white or cream.
July - Ruby : A vibrant red gem, symbolizing passion, vitality, and energy.
August - Peridot : A green stone, symbolizing strength and good fortune.
September - Sapphire : Known for its blue hue, representing wisdom, loyalty, and nobility.
October - Opal : A multi-colored stone that symbolizes creativity and inspiration.
November - Citrine : A yellow or golden stone symbolizing happiness, abundance, and vitality.
December - Blue Topaz : A vibrant blue gem symbolizing peace, tranquility, and loyalty.

"But what if I don't like my color combo??"

That's totally ok!!! (I personally connect more with Aquamarine than my designated birthstone stone, Garnet) If this is you, try going with favorite colors or color schemes.

My advice always is to choose what best reflects you or your loved ones and go with that. :-)

When you are ready, send me a message to get a personal quote and I'll get right to making your special piece.

Crazy Grief... Quiet Joy Pt. 4

claraspearljewelry@gmail.com (Abigail Hotovec) — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 18:17:09 GMT

Choosing to enjoy the small pleasures....

I am sitting outside during my favorite time of the day, sipping some wine from a broken cup. Pretty much sums up my heart right now.
Choosing to enjoy small pleasures, even if my vessel is broken.
I really want to reach out and thank the hundreds of people who have been praying for us and especially those who have read through my emotional posts and responded/commented. If I had the mental stamina, I would go through and thank each of you individually, but right now, this will have to suffice. I am sure I will be posting a lot more pictures and thoughts that will share my mental state in the future. If you don’t feel like reading, that is TOTALLY ok!!! I know it can be draining to read and keep up with all the hurting people, especially if you have your own drama. I write not only to tell you all how things are going, but to create a journal that I can access wherever and whenever I need to. Clara’s story is huge, and one day I hope she will be famous. Until then we trudge on and create a past that the future can look back on and say, “wow. Look what God did out of that mess.” So bare with me, guys. I wouldn’t be where I am without you.
#missingclarajoy #recovery

Crazy Grief.... Quiet Joy Pt. 3

claraspearljewelry@gmail.com (Abigail Hotovec) — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 17:17:50 GMT

Back to Normal....

“Back to normal.”

The phrase used by so many to describe the ideal situation of life going back to the way it was after something monumental has happened.

But my question is: how? How do you just settle back down as if nothing has changed? How do you get back to the grind of housework, play, grocery shopping, laundry and the rest after you have lost something so treasured?

How do you get used to the constant little reminders. How do you learn to ignore the pangs of sorrow and bitterness whenever you see a belly bump or a baby?

I think the truth is, there is no “back to normal.” Not really. It’s just a new normal. #missingclarajoy

Crazy Grief.... Quiet Joy, pt2

claraspearljewelry@gmail.com (Abigail Hotovec) — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 17:47:02 GMT

Saying Goodbye....

Clara’s Departure pt. 1.

Today has been a day that no parent should have to wake to. I felt torn between wanting my baby to stay near me and yet knowing she needs to be put to rest. I felt the anxiety and fear clamping on my heart telling me, “no! Your baby needs to rest in your arms, not the ground! Don’t leave her! A good mother never leaves her baby!” Then the logical part would counter act with, “stop it. You know where she needs to be. She can’t stay forever in your freezer.” Then the heartache and tears would hit.

I was surrounded and comforted by so many friends and family that it gave me the strength to move forward. As we walked down the path to the gravesite; a path I ran down as a baby, child, teen and adult, never dreaming I would soon put my own child to rest there, peace descended. I am thankful she is buried where I spent my youth. I am thankful we can visit her regularly. I am thankful I could hold my son in my arms and gently talk with him about what was going on. He will remember this day.

“Bye, Baby, I love you.” I whispered as I sprinkled the first few handfuls of dirt. My dad had made a wooden box and we encased it with pieces of shale that we had gathered as kids. Caspian wanted to help, and Jazzy jumped in. They knew what was happening, and in their childish ways, sweetly put most of the dirt back inside. I loved having them be a part of this journey. Death affects us all, young and old, and if we shield them from it, they will never truly grow

What more is there to say? We have been overwhelmed by the hundreds of people praying us through this journey. I know the grief is far from over, but we have come through the hardest bit. I already feel the closure in my heart that I needed. This morning I was scared and confused. Now I feel peace again. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but for the rest of today we are going to celebrate my first baby turning 3

#missingclarajoy

#griefisneverlogical

Crazy Grief..... Quiet Joy

claraspearljewelry@gmail.com (Abigail Hotovec) — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 17:37:59 GMT

Part 1 - Why I do what I do.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."

On August 7th, 2020 my daughter, Clara Joy, was born into this world. She was 13 weeks old and saw the face of Jesus before she could see mine. My life has been changed because of her, but for the better. I have experienced the most insane crazy grief, and yet under it lies a current of quiet joy. This blog is for anyone who wishes to follow me in this journey while I navigate the rivers of a life without the baby we prayed for. It will be bitter and sweet at times. Isn’t that what life is really about?

This is also a space place. Meaning that I want to provide an opportunity for other moms and dads to share about their own children that have gone ahead. Miscarriage and infant loss is something we don’t talk about much. In fact, it’s almost a taboo subject. Millions of mothers and fathers live every day with an invisible weight that most of us know nothing about. That is wrong. We need to bare one another’s burdens. Because of Clara’s life and death I feel a calling to reach out to those of you who experience something similar. I want to weep and pray and laugh with you becuase not many others will. I want to celebrate the anniversaries that no one knows about. Let me live life with you.

This blog is also for those who have never experienced child loss but have friends or family members who have. Read these stories and experience the raw reality of grief so that you know better how to be a support, and if, God forbid, you one day find yourself in my shoes, come here and let us support you.

Thank you.