Busy Busy and Contest Winners! (Updated)

Things have been much busier than a usual January, mostly because of shop orders, 5 this month! I've also been spending time sketching out new ideas, can't wait to do more of that in a few weeks. I'm very excited to finally pull together an idea I've been waiting to try... charm bangle bracelets! Many of my smaller pendants are a perfect size to adorn simple forged bangles. I made some in brass with a sterling rivet and some in sterling with a brass rivet. I love the way these came out and they'll soon be in my Etsy shop and available for stores to buy. The Chakra Bangle is in my shop now on brass or silver.

Restocked Trinket with this large order. They will be all set for Valentine's day!

Just finished this order for The Shoe Horn, love the mix of shapes and colors!

Got this sweet, small order together for Common Deer.

I sent out an earring order to Pure.Original last week, love how they're displaying them. 

I've had 17 lovely entries for my Instagram contest! (Blog post has been updated) The 3 winners each won $75 credit for my Etsy shop. Winner of most Instagram likes from Lyn: 

It was tough for me to pick my two favorite entries. So many kind words! Ultimately I decided that if the image was of someone wearing my work, I wanted to be able to see the jewelry. I chose Lea's, I really loved the Bohemian vibe of this one too.

If the photo was an image of just jewelry, I wanted it to be a strong photo of the jewelry. Also from a graphic design standpoint, I wanted to be able to read the words. So in thinking of those criteria and also the words used, I chose Sara's. Thanks so much to all who participated! The rest of the entries follow below.

New Instagram Contest!

I've been meaning to do another contest and I wanted to come up with one that didn't require owning any of my work to enter. I've also been trying to come up with some new words to say about my work. These two things have formed together to create this Instagram contest.

It could be a photo of you in my jewelry with the quote written in the negative space or a photo of a piece or pieces you own with the quote overlaid. It could also be as easy as writing something on a post it (good penmanship helps!) or creating an image with funky fonts in Photoshop or an app... 

I'd love to know how my jewelry makes you feel. I'd love to hear a snippet of a story. That's all. The image with the most likes will win (so tell your friends!) as well as 2 of my top favorite images. Each winner will win $75 in credit for my Etsy shop. 

So excited to see and hear what people come up with!

Back in the Swing of Things

It's always hard to get back into the swing of things and to get into the new year. Especially cause I savor the time to reset, regroup, rest and recoup. But it's slowly happening...
I've cleaned and organized my studio and now I'm figuring out my next steps. 

One thing that's helping me with that is my new Passion Planner. Check out this video...

I love the idea of implementing the bigger ideas/goals into everyday life and reflecting on the progress all within a day planner. 
I'm currently geeking out on excel spread sheets. I've pulled all of my data from wholesaling to shops last year and now I'm using it to figure out what sold best and how to use this info for the future. I will be tightening up my wholesale line while planning on adding to it and making a new catalog. 
I'm also taking an online course on wholesaling and loving it, it's just what I was looking for!
There's not much time now to really delve into all of this since Valentines day is right around the corner so I'm looking forward to more fully pursuing this in a month from now. 
Meanwhile I have 4 store orders to work on and mail out for Pure.Original, Trinket, The Shoe Horn and Common Deer. So I've been busy making orders and getting back to production.
I'm also getting ready for a private Valentine's Day trunk show.
Whew. It's been good to catch up on reading and seeing friends and taking things a bit slower. 
Hope your 2015 has gotten off to a great start! 

3 More Stores!

2014 is coming to a close... I had my best shows ever this holiday season. Thanks so much for all the jewelry love! Feeling extremely thrilled and a bit exhausted. Somehow over the last few weeks I've even gotten into a few more stores, which brings the total to 17(!!!) 10 of which are in Vermont. 

You can now find my work at Axel's Frame Shop in Waterbury. 
This shop is part frame shop and also a gallery and they have a growing section of local, handmade work. The wonderful owner, Whitney Aldrich has been trying to get my jewelry for several years now so it's great to finally make it happen. She picked a perfect selection of silver and brass earrings and a few necklaces. What a fun place to check out before heading to eat at Pro Pig! She curates group shows and solo shows so there's always something fresh to find there.

Some of the pieces she chose.

Heather Turnbull opened a very cool looking shop in Rutland this year called Pure.Original. She carries handmade and unique gifts from Vermont and beyond as well as funky rare vintage finds. She ordered some of my earrings at my last show which will soon be there and at her new shop, of the same name, that's opening in Killington this week! 

You can now find some of my more spiritual necklaces at Yogarama. The Chakra Kahn line is growing! 

 

When you're there be sure to pet this little muppet. Chloe!!!

It was so much fun to stroll by Spellbound and see my necklace on the mannequin in the window!

 Love seeing Kahn Man on display inside too. 

Stopped by Trinket too and they are running out of work so be sure to get it while you can! If you're a real down-to-the-wire shopper and you're looking for places in Vermont that carry my work... here's some other shops where you can find it:

Stowe Craft Gallery - Stowe

The Shoe Horn - Montpelier

Stoweflake Spa - Stowe, VT

The Gallery in the Woods - Brattleboro

Common Deer - Shelburne
I hope everyone has a fabulous holiday and I wish you a splendid New Year. xo

Last Minute Holiday Gift Guide - 8 Gifts From $28 - $98

Here's 8 (GREAT!) gift ideas under $100. These range from $28 to $98 through $10 increments. Something for everyone! These are all still available in my Etsy Shop, just click on the link under each image to purchase. You can even use coupon code FREESHIP but orders must be made by tomorrow to get these by XMAS.
I also have ONE MORE SHOW! Find me and all your favorite BCA Artist Market vendors at City Hall in Burlington this Friday (4-8) and Saturday (10-6) for the Annual Holiday Artist Market.

1) For your Pop: Brass Keychain $28 - Great stocking stuffer! This features a kind of patchwork pattern which delineates the 14 Vermont counties. The VT letters are made up of my signature "patch" design. 

2) For your new Girlfriend/Boyfriend: Tiny Sterling Key $38 - This little key is a sterling replica of a vintage skeleton key. 

3) For your Daughter or Son: Tree Pendant $48 -This lovely piece features a tree on one side and a leaf pattern on the other. Wear it on either side, great for an "every day" necklace. 

4) For your Momma: Small Copper Crescents $58

Can’t go wrong with my crescents! The color on the copper is due to a Flame-patina, which is a spontaneous process and allows for an array of red/orange colors patterns, no two are exactly alike.  

5) For your Wife: Ring Holder Necklace $68 - This simple necklace resembles a horse shoe and serves as a ring holder. I had a request from a massage therapist, she wanted a necklace that she could hang her wedding ring from so she could have her hands free. Also great for pregnant women for when finger sizes change.

6) For Rockin’ Out New Years Eve! Large Silver Pendulum $78
They are definitely related to my crescent earrings but maybe somewhat edgier, flashier, a bit more dramatic, a modernized/ futuristic version yet still an Ethnic and tribal feel. 

7) For Yourself? You deserve it! Sterling Ladder Necklace $88

This modern necklace is so edgy but so simple. Sleek, thick, hammered sterling is united by oxidized sterling chain. 

For a Good Friend - Gold Chakra Necklace $98

Chakra Kahn - healing pendants. There are 7 major chakras. Each one has specific associations with certain elements, glands, colors, gemstones and physical and emotional disorders. Each one is also related to a personality trait, which can manifest in positive or negative ways depending if it’s energy is balanced or imbalanced. 

24k gold fused to pure silver suspended from precious stone strand.

First Annual Trunk Show at Heartfire Henna

Come down to Rebecca Freedner's cozy studio, in the heart of Vergennes this Saturday from 12-5. Heartfire Henna is located at 237 Main St, Vergennes. See the Facebook invite HERE. Shop some of the finest art and craft in the area, curated and assembled just for you. Have a snack and warm cup of tea while you browse pottery, jewelry, hand bags, ironwork, and more. Bring your friends and make a day of it maybe have lunch at Three Squares or chocolates at Daily Chocolate? 

Check out new work by Rebecca, she will also be doing henna so make some time among the hectic holidaze to get adorned!

David Matesi - Vermont Wood and Iron Works 

I love my blue mason jar mug, these make such great gifts.

Me! I've even reduced the prices on all of my Druzy Pendants.

Josie Furchgott Sourdiffe  - Feisty Ink I have this tank top and I love it!

Tessa Valyou - Foliage Handbags Can't go wrong with one of these bags, what a nice gift!

Carry Root - The Root Studio Carrie has great holiday decorations and soft gifts for little ones!

and Samantha Cofino -pottery

There will even be a cookie decorating space, by donation, to benefit the John Graham Shelter which tirelessly serves families in housing transition/crisis right here in Vergennes.

Holiday Gifts From Some Of My Favorite Women

Last weekend was an epic show for me at the 25th annual Women's Festival of Crafts, it was my best show over! I worked super hard getting ready for it and made a ton of work, I even had some back stock. 

I shared my space with Molly, it was her first show. So great to have her by my side.

She sold several of her fabulous rings and got many inquiries about custom orders. I love her display!

I had so much fun shopping for gifts and for myself! Here's some of the things I nabbed from some of my favorite artists and crafters.

Bought this felted feather garland from Carrie Root of The Root Studio. She had so many cute items at her booth.

Love this goat print and little sloth magnet from Nikki Laxar. 

Couldn't decide which wrist warmers to get from Nicole's Threads so I bought both. 

Bought these Batik flags for myself and others as gifts from Alison Parsons (she doesn't seem to be on the web but you can email her at parsonsaj@comcast.net)

I've been eyeing Heather Sterns pottery for a long time and I'm so happy to finally own a set of her gorgeous mugs. Her website is Muddy Creek Pottery.

I already own several Foliage bags from Tessa Valyou but I was drooling over her new ones. Got this tiny wallet for my business cards.

Love these rocks from Rebecca of Heartfire Henna.

Had to have this fun fake fur hat by Nancy Rood of GreatHat.com 
Lots of fab items, hope this helps you find some great gifts.
Oh and one more... 

Right now there's a Localvore Deal for half off a massage from Amanda Young - my favorite massage therapist. A perfect gift to give or keep! Happy Shopping!