Category: News and Features

Posted in News and Features

Find Custom Fit Jewelry at 5Ever Permanent Jewelry in Washington

Posted on by Amanda

Holly (Nelson) Cook is the owner of 5Ever Permanent Jewelry, located inside the Washington Community Arts Studio, at 307 Elm Street in Washington. Holly started 5Ever about three years ago as a pop-up style business, appearing at markets and other events around St. Louis.

When she relocated from Salt Lake City to the Washington area in 2022 she noticed that there weren’t a lot of businesses offering permanent jewelry in Franklin County at that time.

Holly Nelson standing in front of the 5Ever storefront
Owner Holly Nelson outside the 5Ever storefront, located inside the Washington Community Arts Studio. Photo via 5Ever’s Facebook.

“When I first started there weren’t that many people doing permanent jewelry here, because it hadn’t really hit yet,” she recalls.

Although the concept and term “permanent jewelry” may seem to be something that just started showing up in social media feeds, boutiques, and pop-up events over the past couple of years, having a custom piece of jewelry isn’t necessarily a new concept.

A jewelry maker using pliers to attach a jump ring on a permanent bracelet on someone's wrist
Although it’s common to refer to the jewelry style as “permanent” 5Ever owner Holly says custom is a more apt description of the pieces. Photo via 5Ever’s Facebook.

Unlike a traditional bracelet that has a clasp, a permanent bracelet is seamless, and fitted to the wearer. And since the bracelets, or anklets, are sized at a custom length for each individual, permanent jewelry is a great option for anyone with a smaller or larger wrist or ankle.

“There can be a lot of misconceptions about what permanent jewelry is,” Holly explains. A couple things she’s encountered when people hear the phrase permanent jewelry, is assuming the piece is something that can’t ever be taken off, and permanent jewelry can be removed.

“I prefer to call it custom fit instead of permanent,” she shares.

Another custom aspect is selecting the style. In her studio, Holly has a wide variety to choose from – customers can decide on the type of link they want, with selections ranging from dainty to bold links and even chains in unique shapes, such as hearts. The metal styles are available in either sterling silver or gold filled.

Two different wrists with matching gold bracelets
Couples, friends, and family members often like to book an appointment together to get custom bracelets made by Holly at 5Ever. Photo via 5Ever’s Facebook.

Once a style is picked out, the process of getting custom fitted and making your piece of jewelry is pretty straightforward. Holly made my custom sterling silver heart link bracelet in a matter of minutes while I was interviewing her for this article 🙂

“The hearts are really popular,” Holly says about the style I chose.

Because the goal is make the pieces look seamless, the two pieces of chain are hooked together with a small circular piece, called a jump ring, that’s closed using pliers and is then welded to keep the piece in place and secure.

Three gold necklaces with charms
There are also a variety of charms to choose from at 5Ever Permanent Jewelry. The charm necklaces have a clasp and can be worn and removed whenever the wearer chooses. Photo via 5Ever’s Facebook.

Although getting bracelets or anklets are popular, especially since friends, family members, or even couples can get custom made matching bracelets, there’s also a charm bar with a variety of fun and unique styles.

The charm necklaces have a clasp, so they can be put on and taken off as often as you wish.

Interested in gifting that special someone a piece of custom jewelry or adding to your bracelet stack? Connect with 5Ever Permanent Jewelry and Charm Bar on Facebook, Instagram, or by phone at 636-283-0056 to make an appointment.

Posted in News and Features

Meet New People and Swap Homemade Goods at The Homemade Exchange in Owensville

Posted on by Amanda

Although Facebook and other online communities have several groups that are set up for bartering or can be considered “buy nothing” groups, one community emerged earlier this year that’s taking the idea of swapping goods with people in your community one step further.

On the last Saturday of each month, a group of people get together at the Scenic Regional Library’s Owensville Branch to trade homemade and homegrown goods with one another.

Homegrown veggies like garden fresh tomatoes, sponges made from dried luffa plants, as well as homemade baked and canned goods are a few items from a past event. Photo credit: Taylor Miller via Facebook.

In June, Owensville resident Taylor Miller decided to create The Homemade Exchange based on an idea she’d seen online. These monthly meetups offer people based in the Owensville area an opportunity to connect with others, chat, and exchange items on a free, one-for-one basis.

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Items can range from homegrown flowers, herbs, and vegetables, to baked goods, and handmade items. Other edible items at past events have included home canned goods like salsas, jams and jellies, spices and seasoning blends, as well as eggs, homemade teas and homemade apple cider vinegar. Non-food items are also welcome, like handmade art, homemade soaps, or similar items.

“We’ve had an average of about 10 people show up each month,” Taylor says.

The growth has been mostly organic, although Taylor has shared a few Facebook ads to help spread the word about the events. The meeting space inside the library has capacity for just over 30 people, so there’s room for the events to grow.

Although it’s still early days, she can see how The Homemade Exchange might grow beyond its current iteration, and is open to the possibility of holding the exchange meetups in additional local communities. And since the exchanges center around anything homegrown or homemade, Taylor plans to keep the exchanges going throughout the winter.

“I think it gives people something to do and a little socialization to look forward to throughout the winter, too,” she explains.

Homegrown herb and flower bundles as well as garlic and baked goods are a few edible items that have been brought to past exchanges. Artists have also brought items like prints of paintings they’ve created. Photo credit: Taylor Miller via Facebook.

While Taylor’s been happy with the growth of the event and the variety of items brought to the monthly meetings, some things she’d love to see at future gatherings include homemade woodworking pieces, homemade cheese, and non-food items like fiber arts, such as crochet and knit pieces.

There’s a Facebook group for the meetups, but Taylor says that people don’t have to connect in that way in order to attend the monthly events.

“People can just show up,” she shares.

The next Homemade Exchange event is happening Saturday, Nov. 29 at the Scenic Regional Library Owensville Branch from 11:15 a.m. – noon. Follow The Homemade Exchange on Facebook to stay up to date with the monthly meetups.

Posted in News and Features

Meet the Artists Making Union Merry and Bright This Christmas Season

Posted on by Amanda

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in downtown Union, thanks to the work of two local artists. Eileen Wade and Donna Huellinghoff are the duo behind the festive paintings that grace the windows of various businesses as well as Union City Hall during the holiday season.

What started a few years ago at one business, has quickly grown to a fun and jolly way for downtown businesses to get into the holiday spirit.

Each window’s design varies, but the scenes are always colorful, festive, and often feature a bit of whimsy.

On a chilly Tuesday morning, I sat down with Eileen and Donna at White Rose Cafe in Union, and over a delicious cup of hot chocolate, the artists shared the story of how they started painting windows in downtown.

Both artists have been creating art in one way or another for most of their adult lives, but started creating together in 2016 at a studio Eileen had at that time. Donna taught various art techniques at the studio, like creating barn quilt designs.

Eileen (left), and Donna (right), putting the finishing touches on the window designs at White Rose Cafe on a chilly November morning.

Although Eileen ended up closing her studio due to personal reasons, a few years later in 2022, the artists decorated their first set of windows on a business in Union, at the White Rose Cafe. After that first holiday season, it grew from there.

“It’s all word of mouth,” Donna says of the process. “We’d be out there painting and someone at another business would come up to us and ask us to paint their windows.”

The windows at Union City Hall are decorated with colorful holiday characters.

In addition to the Christmas season designs, Eileen and Donna also paint windows in the downtown area for other holidays, like Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween, and for the Union Homecoming celebration.

“It’s fun to share our art and challenge ourselves and think, ‘what could we fit in this window’s space?'” Eileen shares.

The process takes anywhere from two to six hours, depending on the number of windows and the design, among other factors.

“It depends on how many people stop and chat with us,” Eileen says with a laugh. “But that’s what’s fun and that’s why I laugh about it.”

The window decor at Sip on Main depict Santa and Rudolph after they’ve enjoyed a few too many “sips,” along with beautiful holiday cocktails.

Along with the painted windows, there’s also some permanent art installations that Eileen and Donna have created in Union. Together, they’ve painted eight murals that can be found throughout town, including the scene that runs along the wall inside Hansen Park, a mural along the wall at the MU Extension Center near the Pasta House, and several others.

The artists have also painted several murals around Union, including this one that is along the exterior wall of the Franklin County Historical Society in downtown Union.

See more photos of the holiday window paintings on Facebook. And be sure to take a stroll through downtown Union to look at the designs first-hand, they’re sure to make you smile and put you in the holiday spirit!

Posted in News and Features

My Experience Working With Your Accountability Bestie

Posted on by Amanda

Today’s post is a bit of a departure from my usual content, but I believe there’s power in sharing our personal experiences – both our triumphs and setbacks. So, if you’ll allow me some vulnerability, I’d love to share how I recently overcame a few struggles.

For roughly five years I worked out at least five days a week without fail. Most of those workouts consisted of HIIT running, light resistance training, dancing, and hiking. However, numerous life changes began to compound about two years ago and I let my work outs slip, and my nutrition followed suit.

Before I knew it, I’d gained weight. Although I would still workout during this period, I wasn’t consistent and when it comes to being in fit, I’ve found consistency is the key. I thought if I just “started” my old routine again, I’d bounce right back, but the saying “what got you here won’t get you there” is popular for a reason.

Trying to force my way into prior rhythms and plans just wasn’t working, which made me feel like a failure, which made me give up, which made my progress stall. It was a vicious cycle and I spent about 18 months spinning my wheels. I felt as though I’d lost an essential part of myself and I wasn’t sure how to find me again.

After those starts and stops with trying to get back into shape, I realized I needed a different approach. And part of that approach meant that I couldn’t do this all on my own. In late summer I made the decision to work with an accountability coach to help me get back on track with my fitness and nutrition. From late July through late October, I worked with Sam Hyndrich owner of Your Accountability Bestie. 

I feel like I have my “sparkle” back again!

Although it wasn’t clear exactly how, when, or where I’d lost me, during my first client meeting with Sam, I knew I’d made the right decision because through her words and demeanor in that initial meeting, it was clear that she saw the real me. The version of me that had gotten buried somewhere along the line and believed my dreams and goals should come second, third, or even dead last, to every day life stuff (laundry, house, taking care of others).

I chose to work with Sam because of how she made me feel seen from the very beginning, and because I just had a gut feeling that she’d be able to help me find the hole in my plans that were keeping me stuck.

I also knew going into the three month block of working with her that I’d be challenged to give up my excuses, to put in work, and to stay committed to myself. She created workout and meal plans that worked with my lifestyle and interests, since much of my movement centered around things I love to do like dance classes and going on HIIT runs. Sam also challenged me to increase my protein intake, which helped me to maintain a higher level of energy daily and not get cranky in the afternoons (if I’m hangry you better watch out!)

I’m not at my goal weight yet, but I enjoy getting dressed up again and like what I see in the mirror (and yes, I know I should’ve closed the closet door before taking this selfie *facepalm*)

After one month of working with her, I lost close to ten pounds and several inches, but there was something even greater that I lost: my desire to put other people’s needs above my own. That’s not to say I stopped caring for others, but rather, I made sure I filled my cup first. 

As our relationship grew, during our regular client check-ins, Sam would ask me to look a bit deeper within, encouraging me to share not only my wins with her, but also what I was struggling with. During these moments I started to look at other aspects of my life, like personal and professional goals that I’d been toying with but for one reason or another, they kept making their way to the backburner. 

One of those goals was related to my writing career and I’m happy to report that I’m working on some creative goals I abandoned years ago, as well as refining my focus on this website, which will go into effect in January!

I still have a ways to go toward reaching my fitness and personal/professional goals. Because she’s a coach that works with clients across a broad spectrum of goals – from personal, fitness, business, relationship, and more – I am continuing to work with Sam in a professional capacity to help me stay accountable, reach for bigger goals, and refine plans when needed.

On a recent trip to Idaho, my husband and I hiked up Mineral Ridge, a 3 mile loop with a pretty significant elevation gain. It was challenging since I hadn’t done a hike like this in over five years. When I got to the top I was so proud of myself, and the first person I wanted to share my achievement with was Sam, so of course I texted her this selfie 🙂

If you’re ready to make changes, consider working with Sam to help you get where you want to go faster. And, I know cost can be a barrier for many, however, without giving away the exact pricing structure, I will say that the three-month cost for working with her breaks down to being roughly the same as going out for a latte and sweet treat a few times a week and my friend, ain’t no coffee shop treat gonna make you feel as good as investing in YOU.

Find out more about Sam on Facebook, Instagram, and her website.