So, if you’ve been following along the past two weeks, we’ve been celebrating some big birthdays over here! Jewel of Havana turned 12 on March 14th & I myself am celebrating a BIG ONE on April 1st. I had plans of traveling somewhere wonderful, but it’s show season & one of my best friends was getting married so I decided I’d rather travel to her wedding this past weekend than go on a birthday trip I could do when I wasn’t so busy. All this to say, I just got back from Nashville & had no plans for my big birthday this week.

The Set Up

My little Sis called to make a date with me. We planned on going to dinner together and then heading to the Old State Capital to attend a good friend’s art exhibit. It was a long day in the studio trying to catch up from being away & I had to go to the DMV … TWICE to renew my license. (Have any of you heard of the “Real ID”?... I digress but let’s just say they have more identifying papers on me than my Mom at this point.) I was super tired by the time my date with my Sis came but I was looking forward to a little girl bonding time, so I wasn’t going to miss it!

For those of you who don’t know, my brother lives next door…. (like we share a fence next door) and he and my SIL, have a Supper Club they’ve been holding for years. My Sis is about to renovate her house and her architect is a member of the Supper Club, so my Sis says, “Can we run over to Hugo’s real quick and pick up the house plans? They are ready, but I don’t want to crash their party by myself to get them”.

So off we go to pop in next door…. Cars lining the driveway (normal for supper club). We open the door and a beautiful table is set (normal for supper club) …. but where were all the people? My SIL was filming us… that was weird…. And then I hear “SURPRISE!!!!” ….. I look across the room and see the best of girlfriends from all different parts of my life standing there. I was so confused I just stood there & my Sis has to say, “It’s for your birthday!” LOL!!!! I literally was standing there in my head going…. Where are the supper club people? Why are they yelling surprise? Why is Nanci (the artist I thought we were going to see) here? Why are the girls I’m seeing for my own supper club tomorrow night here? I thought Mom wasn’t feeling well? …. All these thoughts in my head in a split second … so there I was completely stunned and blown away by their kindness. THEY GOT ME GOOD!!!

If you haven’t joined in the fun, you still have until April 1st to shop Jewel of Havana and receive birthday gifts from me to you! It’s been so much fun shipping out extra gifts the past week. Just join the VIP list and shop the website, your gift will be in your package when it arrives! Thanks for being a VIP and for helping us celebrate some big birthdays!!

It snuck up on me! As I sat to work this morning I looked up and this piece of paper caught my eye, or rather, the date did: 3/14/2006.

Today is the 12th Birthday of Jewel of Havana. 12 years ago today, urged on by a room of strong beautiful women backstage at Beauty & the Beast on Broadway, I took the subway down to 60 Centre Street in New York City (yes, you’ve seen it on Law & Order) and made it official. I turned my backstage jewelry making hobby in to a real business.

I had no idea at the time it would take over acting to become my full-time career. It would take me back to my home town in Louisiana where I could be close to my family and still have a career as an artist. It would allow me to be a tiny part of so many special moments in your lives… weddings, anniversaries, graduations, new babies, birthdays or just because you love.

The love you show one another in every card I’m asked to write is beyond beautiful. Honestly, sometimes you bring me to tears with your sweet messages. Or just being a part of that moment when your eyes light up because you feel beautiful in a piece I’ve created. There is nothing like it for me. You are the completion of the art.

And Gentlemen….  I’m here to say, I see the BEST side of you every day in my work… the caring, the thoughtfulness, the romantic, the tender. I love helping you shine and will continue to work hard to make sure you look good giving your gifts.

Thank you all for supporting me and Jewel of Havana all these years. It would not be what it is today without all of you.

From now until my own birthday on April 1st (and it's a big one) all VIP list members will receive a free gift with any purchase over $50 on the website! It won't show up in your cart but will be in your package as my gift to you. Check your newsletter for more details.

Join the VIPs if you haven't already!! Just click the button below and you'll be in on the free gift as well!!

​Thank you for 12 years of awesomeness!! It is truly an honor to make for you every day and Jewel of Havana would not be here without all of you.  

With gratitude and love! xoxo Ana