A "Bryony"-Inspired Bracelet From a "Team Henry" Member

In December 2024, I ran into Jamie Wood, owner of The Raven's House at a holiday vendor fair (Rebekah and I'd come out to support Cindy at her first solo event).

If you recall, I met Jamie in October 2024 when I bought my "Stingy Jack" necklace from her.

I admired one of her handmade bracelets called "Red and Rose," which Jamie then said she felt inspired to make it after reading "Bryony."

In fact, after she finished "Bryony," she messaged me and said she "loved Henry a lot" and then added:

He seemed the most sincere in his intent. I was drawn how he chose to be the "dumpy" lit teacher in the "real" world. As a young girl, he would be the type of Vampire I would have been drawn to if I lived in the book.

Well, I have super skinny wrists, so Jamie offered to make a smaller version of  "Red and Rose"  for me. I also admired a bracelet that reminded me of a lake, but that one is no longer available.

Jamie then showed me her winter/snowflake design and asked if I'd like that one. I did (it felt like a marrying of Simons Woods with Lake Munson to me), so Jamie made a smaller one in that design, too.

Well, 2025 was off the charts for my family and me, challenge-wise. So I only just recently was able to pick up those bracelets. And they are lovely!

Jamie and I are now (quite unintentionally) "three for three."

Because Jamie also bought "Visage" and "Before The Blood: Henry Matthews" over this past year.

To purchase "Red and Rose" and check out all available store items (jewelry and more), visit theravenshouse.net/s/shop.

It's So Pretty!

My two oldest sons called back-to-back late on Mother's Day evening to wish me a Happy Mother's Day. 

That worked out wonderfully as I'd had a very long, very intense working Sunday (I only sent my own mother a Happy Mother's Day text).

I let Joshua know that Leila had a gift coming but it would not arrive until Tuesday (it actually arrived on Wednesday).

Then he said I had one coming, too (also on Tuesday), from Canada of all places.

Well, it did show up in the mail on Tuesday and it was from New York.

But it's not important if the gift came from Canada or New York when it comes from the heart, right?

Anyway, I opened it and cried out, "It's so pretty!" 

As Joshua said, the necklace has the blue as well as the vintage look I like so much.

Scroll through the photos and see.

Especially since the box had a message of its own.

A Lovely, Thoughtful Birthday Gift

I wanted to share the gift Rebekah gave me for my birthday because it's a wonderful example of how our family approaches gift giving: a bit homemade, highly tailored to the recipient, and always a wonderful surprise.

Rebekah started with a wooden box from the dollar store that she colored with markers.

And then she filled it with two pieces of BryonySeries themed jewelry. If you've read any books of the series, no explanation is needed. 

If you haven't, you can still admire the pieces and the effort Rebekah spent in finding the right ones.

The gifts are as much a reflection of my interests as they are of the type of person Rebekah is: thoughtful, loving, giving, and altogether lovely.