I have had the privilege of helping Helen, a friend who works with my parents in China, with a new business. And, to be honest, I’m pretty excited about it myself! The most precious gift we were given before we traveled to bring home Lydia was a special charm my mom had a jeweler make for me in Beijing. It was a sterling silver charm, hand cut from a sheet of silver, of Lydia’s Chinese name, Mei Yue, which means “beautiful moon.” I just loved it. I wore it everyday in China and loved when people there would notice it and ask if it was our daughter’s name. In fact, one of the orphanage staff noticed it around my neck and commented to our translator about it. I hope it showed them how much we treasured our daughter’s history.

I’m excited to be working with Helen and make these available to other families! Jaiyin Designs is selling all sorts of hand cut silver charms. Take a look, and think creatively. Do you have a child who is not Chinese as well as a Chinese child? Perhaps you could get 2 charms – one with your child’s Chinese name and one with the meaning of your child’s American name (e.g., Ashlyn means “tree by the water” which would make for a really cool charm). Or, get a charm with your child’s Chinese name, a “mother” charm, and a “big sister” charm. The jeweler will make any characters you want, and each one is one of a kind.

And, in an effort to draw people to the site and get some new business, Helen has given me the go ahead to give a charm away! The winner will be able to get any charm of his or her choice and free shipping (a value of $60). To enter, leave a comment on this post and share what charm you think would be your first choice. Leave a second comment for a second entry if you blog about this giveaway on your own blog (please provide a link to your blog post). I will close the giveaway on Friday, May 28th at midnight and do the drawing that weekend. I’ll contact the winner as well as post about it here! (If you don’t have a public blog linked to your blogger profile, leave me your email address as well so that I can contact you.)