to find one's soul . . .

Miss Annie Huntley . . .

I have known Annie since she was a young girl . . .
she was . . . and still is . . . a sweet, happy and carefree girl . . .
and . . . if you ever get a chance to meet her - you will instantly know
how she can light up a room the moment she walks in!!!

  

I remember watching her as a young girl . . .
and I specifically remember watching her leave her safe little nest here on Bainbridge Island
to travel the world . . .

She traveled to far away places like Bordeaux or Jerusalem . . .

following her own path as she went . . .

Sometimes I would run into her at some random place when she had returned . . .
and there she was - Miss Annie . . . happy, smiling, and sweet as can be . . .

but there was more depth to that smile of hers . . .
there was also wisdom . . . and strength . . . and knowledge . . . 

Annie would always tell me about her latest travels . . .
she would tell me about her latest thoughts on religion . . . and her feelings about the poor . . .
and her deep, deep desire to help out in the world.

each and every time - it would touch me . . .

and then one day . . . the other day . . .

I realized she was no longer a little girl . . .

but a young woman . . . full of beauty and grace . . .

a woman who was strong and brave . . . and whose heart was open and kind . . .

Annie had traveled the world . . .

she had followed her heart . . . and she had flourished in it . . .  
. . . . . . . . . . . . 

The day I realized all of this . . .
was the evening I watched her accept an award a few weeks back . . .

"The Amy Award"

This is an award that was founded by my dear friend . . .
Caren Anderson and her husband David . . . in memory of their beloved daughter Amy.
It is an award given in celebration of a young artist and their hard work and talent . . .

what is truly special about this award is that one can not apply for it . . .
 as the artist is chosen by our local arts community here on Bainbridge Island. 

This year - they choose Annie  :) :) 

To watch her accept this award was truly a special evening . . .

Here below is some of her beautiful work . . . 

In her work . . . you will see Annie's thoughts and beliefs . . .

as religious icons often show up in her work . . . such as a Virgin Mary coin . . .

or an antique Star of David as shown here . . .

her jewelry shows . . . quality . . . and patience . . . and grace . . .
in each and every piece . . .

and sometimes . . . her pieces take you far, far away . . .

her jewelry shows you who Annie is as an artist . . . and as a person . . .
what she stands for . . . and what the world means to her . . . 

All I know - is that I feel so blessed to know this young woman . . .
and am sooo proud of her on every level!!

. . . may your whole life be filled with sunshine Annie!!

Love to you today and always!!

xoxo - liz

to see more of her work . . .

Dotted Line Jewels - Website

Dotted Line Jewels - on Facebook

to read more about Annie and her Amy award . . .
click here and here!!