Monday, June 23, 2008

What kind of name is ChezChani?!!

Funny you should ask because I was just in the mood to tell you all about it. I grew up in a suburb of Montreal, St. Laurent. We always had a country house in the Laurentian mountains where we’d go weekends in the winter and then spend the summer. Around the time I was 10, my mother decided to open a ladies clothing store in the town we’d had our country house for several years, Ste. Agathe Des Monts, which is about 60 miles north of Montreal. I don’t have very clear memories of this but I do recall that there was a process where you had to have the name approved. Not sure who had this authority, maybe the city, but that’s not important. I seem to recall she’d tried a name that was a combo of all her kids’ names but it was rejected. Someone, I think an aunt, came up with Chez Chani (house of Chani.) Apparently stores had to have a french name and Chez Chani was inspired by my mother’s Hebrew name, Shoshanna. So that was the name of the store and everyone started calling her Chani. By the way it’s pronounced Shay Sh-ann-ee. Eventually we moved there, living along the lake, Lac Des Sables. And though it’s been many MANY years since I’ve lived there, and I’ve lived in several places since, Ste. Agathe was home to me like no other place has been. I will always miss it, as well as the bedroom set I was forced to leave behind.
I found the picture above on the internet. It’s the main shopping street in Ste. Agathe. The first Chez Chani was on the right a few doors down. A second store was opened later in St. Jovite about 20 minutes north. The other picture is a new bracelet design I’ve come up with. It is peyote stitched with Delica seed beads and there is a Swarovski crystal in each little window. I’m playing with a larger one now.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Swarovski Crystal Frame Ring


I saw a picture of a ring like this in the Fire Mountain Gem Catalogue and I just had to make it. I am going to be making it in lots of colours because I just like it so much. Very comfy too. It will be on my Etsy site soon, at just $15. I'm also at work on a bracelet with little windows, in each window will be a Swarovski crystal. I love Swarovskis, there are those that would prefer them over diamonds. They have amazing sparkle, the best crystal you can buy. Should be ready in a few days and I'll post a pic.
It's my Sunday so I'm trying to get stuff done as well as just relaxing and doing what I want. It's another balmy day in Las Vegas, in the low 100's. BUT IT'S A DRY HEAT.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Introducing






Don't have a lot of time but I would be remiss if I did not introduce my two furry babies. That is Izzy and BamBam. Izzy is short for Isadorabelle, because she is adorabelle. Bam Bam came indirectly from the pound in Los Angeles and Izzy the Las Vegas Humane Society. They have a message they'd like to me tell everyone. They think it's very unfair that when people want to adopt a kitty they always go for the kittens. "People, the kittens are easier to place so find it in our heart to get a grown kitty." The kitten stage is not that long so you aren't missing that much. And when you adopt a grown kitty, they are forever appreciative of their home and their family. And never go to a pet store! And keep your cats indoors for a longer healthier life. So that's it for today. Meow.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Check out our Etsy Site



Chezchani is the mother/daughter team of Roz and Elayne. Roz is currently into glass and wire wrapping. Elayne is mad about Peyote Stitch. But just how much of this stuff can one person wear? So it's time to offer our work to you. Please check out our site at http://www.chezchani.etsy.com/. And if the stuff gives you ideas, let us know. Custom work is welcome. Custom colours, designs, sizes. Elayne can design rings, bracelets, small pet necklaces with names or initials. And keep checking, we'll add our newest work as fast as we make it. Which isn't that fast because handmade pieces like ours take time as well as love. Wanna talk to us? chezchani02@aol.com.