Slowly making my way into the new year

    The new year starts for me about 2 weeks into the new year. I just need a grace period. A limbo. A time to recuperate, take it easy on myself, recover from the hectic making and selling, the holidaze and New Year's Eve madness. It's a quiet time to collect myself, move slowly. 
    My first step is to get plenty of sleep and to eat really well. But mostly just give myself time, to enjoy the feeling of having time, of having no pressure. To stop feeling the days fly by and really sink into them. Stay healthy, try to avoid whatever horrible flu is circulating. Catch up on unfinished things that fell through the cracks: half written emails, jewelry repairs, organizing, cleaning, CLEANING my studio. Make time to read, to see some movies, go for walks, take photos. ReNEW, recharge and reinvigorate myself.
    Half way into January I started going to the gym, I'm trying to become the me I always want to be. Trying to regularly incorporate movement into my life. These are not new goals and hopefully they aren't fleeting. I just want to be healthy, active... achieve balance within my days, weeks, months. I started to weave my plan for the winter and for the year, I've got some very exciting things planned... a shift in the way I do things...I also plan to keep up the blogging so I'll save that for another post.

A clean desk! Yes - this is clean! My new monitor makes everything so much easier. Working with photoshop and excel are a dream compared to just using my laptop screen.

Shopped for some gifts at Tradewinds Imports, Inc. last month, they gave out coupons to use this month (SMART). Between the 2 coupons and the 20% off sale they're having I got this beautiful $30 Chakra banner for $5! Gotta love a bargain and I love this banner, fits perfectly.

Well I can either have a photo filled with jewelry and a messy studio or not much jewelry and clean studio, the two can't coexist. That's ok.

Clean surfaces...ahh

I finally used my amazing, old singer sewing machine for the first time in this space, it folds out and JUST FITS. I put a lot of planning and spacial organizing into making it fit and it was fun to finally put it to use. So nice to have the time to try out a new design...

These earrings satisfy so many things for me, I get to -Use my sewing machine -Upcycle my growing collection of fabric and leather scraps -Make REALLY BIG and BOLD earrings that are so LIGHT -Rivet the sterling tubes in place and I LOVE riveting -Work with COLOR! Made of silk and leather and they rock! 
Find them HERE

I think I'm going to keep this pair, the new year has brought a new obsession with chartreuse.

I also realized, rather than wait (as I usually do) that I should really re-up my inventory. Valentine's day is coming and rather than have to make things as they are ordered it would be wise and more efficient to make one (or more) of everything. So I got back to some serious working... but at a more leisurely pace.

It always helps to get a new and lovely day planner. This one fits in my purse. And it's yellow. And it has a beautiful peacock on it. And it's totally FABULOUS. I bought it from an Etsy seller HERE.

So that's all I've got for now which is actually a lot for a year that really JUST started.

My Work at The Stowe Craft Gallery

Really excited to have my work at the Stowe Craft Gallery. This is the start of a transition for me. I'm pulling my work into two lines. A higher end line consisting mostly of silver and a wholesale line - mostly copper and brass - (more on that in another blog post soon). It's nice to see my pieces on display here and I've been told many pieces have sold already. So if you're in the area check out this wonderful gallery - recognized locally and nationally for fun shopping, great service, and unique products.

Sweet Sweet Lady!

It's that time again - time for my annual Holiday Trunk Show at Sweet Lady Jane! This year will be extra special...

Such a funny top, that would definitely come in handy. I spent some time in the shop today with the lovely Erica and we styled  some outfits with my jewelry in anticipation of my trunk show.

As soon as I walked in I noticed this leopard coat and sequin dress, both by BB Dakota. Kinda want the dress for New Year's!

It paired nicely with my new Ladder necklace and my Reversible Stitched Crescent Necklace (shown here with the brass side up) and my new Charmed pendant (silver side up).

How cute is this little Free People cardigan? It has a reindeer design on each side and the back. Love the mustard color.

Erica layered it up with my brass Relic necklace (she owns one of them and says she wears it all the time!), my Gold Third Eye Chakra necklace and my sterling hammered Bar necklace.

This super cozy black Kensie vest on this grey flowy cotton Free People top was just begging for a little color.

We added my new Modern Tribe necklace, a reversible Stitched Crescent pendant (silver side up), my sterling Wishbone pendant and my new Charmed necklace (gold side up).

The store is looking super cute and festive, I can't wait to spend the day Saturday. Hope to see you there!

Heartfire Henna

I've known the fabulous Rebecca Freedner of Heartfire Henna for years now. Last year we even had a small studio in Burlington together. Now she's got a HUGE and gorgeous studio at 237 Main St in Vergennes, next to the lovely Vergennes Laundry coffee shop. There she hosts henna parties, women's gatherings, takes henna appointments and crafts henna products.

The space looks like it's out of a magazine. So well decorated, bright and inviting.

She serves a sweet and spicy chai that she makes herself. She creates at atmosphere of comfort and care that you just don't want to leave!

Then there's the HENNA! This design was so intricate and rich and the scent is beyond wonderful.

Our work goes so well together. We both have a tribal vibe going on. This is my Throat Chakra Pendant, Rebecca has this one in gold.

She makes these beautiful gratitude journals, I just love mine. Rebecca's gesture of line and curve are so amazing. She just free hands these complex and sacred designs. Truly magical.

She is now selling her chai tea blends in these sweet tins, she also sells her henna kits, her own blend of Morrocan hair oil, dyed silk scarves and new beautiful leather key fobs. My favorite are her lanterns, I have one and want another...

Rebecca will be at the Lake Champlain Waldorf School Holiday Fair this Friday and Saturday and we'll both be at the BCA Holiday Artist Market Dec 21st and 22nd. We are doing a trunk show together at a mutual customer's home this Saturday which we're both so looking forward to. 

She is carrying my Chakra wraps at her shop. I love the photo in the center of her henna hand with my Heart wrap. Check out her fab website and be sure to make a trip to her new studio, so many charming shops and restaurants in Vergennes, you can make a day of it!

Everyone Needs Some New Duds

I'm obsessed with this golden yellow/mustard color. I just made a necklace with these amazing hessonite garnet briolettes. I'm working on more sterling cuff rings with gold adornments. I'll have them in my Etsy shop soon.

Also, who doesn't love New Duds? An awesome couple makes up New Duds. Husband, Torrey, who draws, designs and screenprints. Wife, Tessa, who designs, cuts and sews. Most items they make are One Of a Kind, Limited Editions and Small Batches so grab them while you can! They make this quintessential Burlington Tshirt love the retro look. Tessa's bags are beautiful and so well made. I want the Golden Feather Tote and the small Feather Zip Pouch.  How great is the color of this Neckwarmer? Oh and they make Pillows too! Right now they are offering FREE SHIPPING ON ALL DOMESTIC ORDERS THROUGH MONDAY - Use Coupon Code : HOHOHO

WEBSITE: www.newduds.net
BLOG: www.newduds.blogspot.com

You can find Tessa with her bags, scarves, accessories and cat toys this weekend at the Women's Festival of Vermont. So excited for this show, today will be a crazy day finishing everything up for it. Hope to see you there! Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Girl About Town - with Nicole's Threads

These pieces from Nicole's Threads go so well with my jewelry. I want the Chevron Dress, perfect for any temp, easily layered and can be dressed up or down. I just love the print and colors of her Tribal Top. I own several pairs of her Leg Warmers (made from old sweaters) and I might have to get these too! She makes great button jewelry, Bobby Pins and accessories that are very popular and affordable. Check out her fabulous Etsy shop with all kinds of clothing, accessories and even housewares. She also has an amazing studio in the South end. All of her items are handmade by her and are either one-of-a-kind or limited edition.

We're so excited that our booths will be right next to each other at the upcoming Women's Festival of Vermont (the weekend after Thanksgiving). Workin' like mad till then!

Updating All the Things!

It's not easy to start bloggin' again after not bloggin' for a while... I am excited to start again and I figure the best way to begin is by just jumpin' back in.  From now on I'm going to shoot for at least one post a week. Topics will range from shopping local, other local artists and designers as well as those I love on Etsy. I'll post about my process and what I'm currently working on in my studio. I'll share my inspiration and ideas. I will also be creating a gift guide. I hope to start having guest bloggers too.

Right now I'm psyched about re-vamping things. I have a new font (yes I'm excited about a font!) and new packaging and I've updated/streamlined my Etsy shop, website...and now my blog!

I'm working 'round the clock to fulfill Etsy orders, keep Trinket stocked and get ready for my upcoming shows:

 




















I'm working on new designs, like my Ladder Necklace which has been selling like mad!

Also new: Sign up for my Mailing List to be notified of upcoming shows and events and for exclusive offers.

That's all for now but there will be so much more soon...stay tuned. xo