300

300 hearts

Show me the love...

I had a couple of pretty simple, year end goals for my Etsy shop.  300 hearts and 50 sales and I reached 300 hearts yesterday!  

BUT, I'm still 2 shy of 50 sales...8 hours and 20 minutes to go. Will I make it?

Wile E. Coyote

Coyote

Canis Iatrans

It's 1:30am...Really, I should be in bed right now.  I just came in from a late night out...I drove home, alone on the dark and mostly deserted streets of Pasadena, the night before the busiest, most exciting night that Pasadena is host to, New Year's eve on Colorado Blvd.  

I stopped for a light and glanced to my right. Out of the corner of my eye I glanced a shadow moving in the darkness near the curb.  I thought it could be a stray dog... I'm a sucker for a stray dog, so I made a right turn to further investigate.  There, illuminated by my headlights, standing calmly on the sidewalk of a beautiful tree lined street dotted with quaint little houses, was a gorgeous coyote.  He was so calm and unafraid of my approaching headlights, he looked right at me at one point and when I met his eyes my heart broke just a little bit.  I was reminded of how humanity is encroaching, bit by bit on this stunning creature's habitat...so out of place here amongst the concrete, asphalt, and cars whizzing by....just makes me so very sad.  

Getting organized

photo: marthastewart.com

Organized = Pure Bliss...

As my profile reads, I'm a frustrated minimalist.  What I mean by that is, I like less but have more. I like clean, empty surfaces yet am burdened by piles of papers and the this and that of life which seems to accumulate all around me.  This is something that plagues my daily life and I am sick and tired of it...

Now~ finally~ I'm going to do something about it!  Oh, don't get me wrong. I've made half-hearted (even 3/4-hearted) attempts to diminish the piles around me before.  They were valiant efforts that lasted weeks, sometimes even months...but before I knew it, there they were, the piles.  They sneak up on you until one day BAM!  you're wading through them, gasping for air.

So, part of my New Year's resolution is to GET ORGANIZED, once and for all.  To declutter my last clutter.  To be free to invite the random drop-by, unannounced guest or neighbor into my home any ol' time without cringing because of the mess.  

Now, I don't want to leave you with the wrong impression.  My house is not a pigsty by any stretch.  It's just not the way I want it to be; clean, uncluttered and organized.  One of the reasons I have finally reached my breaking point is that it's just after the holidays, I recently had a big Trunk Show and after that was busy filling holiday orders, then my daughter was sick and stayed home from school, now the school is closed for 3 weeks for the holidays, I had to have a little 'unplanned' but necessary surgery (read: not an emergency appendectomy) which laid me up for a week, etc, etc, etc, and as a result my house has gone straight to hell in a handbasket!

I will post some before, during and after pictures.  I think the first room I'll tackle will be my daughter's....

Ah, I feel better already.

StyleList

Garnet Luster Necklace in Gold fill

Delightful...

Today I was featured on the  StyleList Blog, a style guide website featuring celebrity style along with the latest trends, from hairstyles to fashion to shopping and yes...jewelry!

You can read the article here (I'm just below Hugh Jackman...but, I'll spare you the puns): Something Blue

Thanks to Mallory Whitfeld at MissMalaprop.com who wrote the article/interview giving my work a new opportunity to be seen by so many more people!  Thank you :)

Sincere Apologies....

I feel like I must apologize for being such a slacker lately.  I have neglected my blog for the past 6 weeks and I am truly sorry...please forgive me!

Now, on to blogging like I've never blogged before.  Ready? Set....GO!

Trifecta

A Celestial Triangle...

The Moon, Jupiter & Venus 

Won't happen again until 2012...so I had to take a picture.  

Vignettes

Sea Shells & Pearls 

Vanity vignette

I love vignettes (at least that's what I refer to them as...tableaus perhaps?), the gathering of treasured objects displayed in one's home.  I love arranging them in my own home and for me they are constantly changing, keeping things interesting and dissuading me from more drastic redecorating like painting the walls or rearranging the furniture (again!)

When I saw this charming collection of sterling and pearl jewelry amongst heaps of lovely sea shells on a friends bathroom vanity, I just had to take a photo.  Here it is...inspiring me now to seek out even more of these delightful groupings and share them with you.  And so the quest begins.

The Lake. To

In spring of youth it was my lot 

To haunt of this wide world a spot

The which I could not love the less-

So lovely was the loneliness

Of a wild lake, with black rock bound,

And the tall pines that towered around.

But when the Night had thrown her pall

Upon that spot, as upon all,

And the mystic wind went by

Murmuring in melody-

Then- ah then I would awake 

To the terror of the lone lake.

Yet that terror was not fright,

But a tremulous delight-

A feeling not the jewelled mine

Could teach or bribe me to define-

Nor Love- although the Love were thine.

Death was in that poisonous wave,

And in it's gulf a fitting grave

For him who thence could solace bring

To his lone imagining-

Whose solitary soul could make

An Eden of that dim lake.

-Edgar Allen Poe, 1827

This has always been one of my favorite poems and there was a time when I had it completely memorized.  It seems morbid at first but I find it only slightly haunting and somewhat uplifting.

Another Etsy Front Page

Etsy Front Page 10/31/08 shopsomethingblue
Originally uploaded by Etsy Front Pagers

I can't believe my good fortune! I just figured out (yeah, I'm a little slow...) that the second treasury I ever made also made the Front Page of Etsy!
This one was on the Front Page on Halloween, how cool is that? I'm over the moon and itching to get my hands on another treasury, soon :)

That's a lovely scent you're wearing...

Fig Apricot eau de parfum by Fresh®

available at Sephora

One of my absolute favorite perfumes is the Fig Apricot scent by Fresh.....I just can't get enough of it!  It has this true, figgy-ness to it and the apricot blends perfectly.  It's sweet, but not sickeningly so and has that delicious, clean smell.  

Fig Apricot Body Cream by Fresh®

at Sephora

Fig Apricot Shower Gel by Fresh®

also available at Sephora

While I was doing my 'research' for this post I came across this luscious body cream and shower gel in the same, wonderful fragrance! I'm sure they're both pure heaven and I'm putting them on my wish list right this second.

Fresh Scents was created by a single mom, Terri Weitzman, several years ago.  Her story is so interesting and inspirational.  Read more about her and all of her fabulous products here.

Rockin' the vote!

I voted today....

I hope you did too.

On the Front Page...again!

Etsy Front Page

10/28/08

No sooner had I posted about my own treasury making the Front Page, that I (ok, not me personally...but rather my Carnelian Earrings) was/were on the Front Page!  This is turning out to be a banner week for me at Etsy...yay!  Thank you justCHARMING :)

I need to rest now...

Front Page on Etsy!!!!!

My first treasury...

was on the Front Page 10/27/08!

Many of you know by now I have a shop on Etsy where I sell a selection of my jewelry and headpieces....I joined almost 5 months ago and just recently, last Sunday to be exact, snagged my first ever treasury. If you're not familiar with an Etsy treasury you can read more about it here. 

Of course my theme was "Something Blue" and I pretty much threw it together on the fly.  I had a few items in my favorites but for the most part I combed and searched right then & there, and I was quite pleased with the finished product given the 'spur-of-the-momentness' of it all.  So, imagine my surprise when I took a peek at my treasury the next day only to find it had been on the front page of Etsy!  I could have died!  I wanted to jump up and down, I wanted to tell someone, I wanted to share this exciting accomplishment with someone. Right. That. Minute...

but then I realized no one I knew IRL (in real life) would understand the magnitude of the FRONT PAGE!  I mean just the simple fact that I was able to get a treasury in the first place is practically like winning the lottery and then to have it chosen for the Front Page? Unbelievable!  Especially since it was my first one, ever...have I mentioned that already?  

OK, I done tooting my own horn.

Just when I thought it was all over...

Ta da!

Lolly  has arrived

It started out like any other Wednesday.  I dropped the peanut off at school, returned home and started on the breakfast dishes (pretty exciting so far, huh?)  I had just taken out the kitchen trash and as I bent down to grab a new trash bag something caught my eye.  Lolly had emerged!  I was so excited!  Mostly because I had all but given up on her.  I was truly convinced she didn't make it.  It had been forever since she had chrysalized - 15 days to be exact - and I just had a funny feeling.  So, imagine my surprise when she appeared!  I can't believe she was right there on the windowsill, slowly emerging from her cocoon right in front of me and I didn't even notice...I was so engrossed in doing the dishes.

I haven't set her free yet for 2 reasons.  The first, hungry birds are more likely to gobble her up in the early morning and secondly, the peanut needs to see her!  She is glorious to say the least.  I even saw another Giant Swallowtail flitting about the same tangerine tree where I found Lolly, so today must be "Coming Out" day.

I have since moved her to larger diggs and have supplied her with some food (a cotton ball soaked in sugar water) until the peanut gets home and we set her free.  I hope to take some video of her maiden flight and will post it here.

Think Pink!

'Think Pink' charm bracelet

Look good...for a good cause!

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month so I have designed a few special "Think Pink" pieces to feature in my Etsy shop and 25% of the proceeds will be donated to the Susan G. Komen For The Cure fund.  

If you've never visited their website do it today! They have a ton of information there including this Breast Self Exam guide which you can download.  It's all about early detection and prevention...

Memories...

Busch Gardens Yahoo Flume Ride

Tropical section

While talking with my Mom on the phone this morning she mentioned Marine Land...."Marine Land?  Oh, yeah, I remember that place..."  I said.  Which led me to my next childhood theme park memory, Busch Gardens in Van Nuys, CA.  I grew up in the San Fernando Valley and one year my Dad bought season passes to Busch Gardens. Almost every night after school we would head over there. My Dad would give me a couple of bucks (usually spent on a slice of pizza or some delicious fudge from the old fashioned candy store) and pretty much set me loose in the park, with an hourly check in time, of course. (oh those were the days!) I must have been about 9 years old and it's one of my fondest childhood memories, I'm actually getting a little teary as I write this.

My all time, favorite ride was the Yahoo Flume ride, although I remember it as the "Log Ride". This was a water ride which meandered through the park but also had a thrilling drop at the end. My favorite part was the Tropical section where you would enter a bird aviary filled with beautiful, exotic birds.  It was a truly unique experience.  

By the end of the year Busch Gardens was like my own backyard, I knew every nook and cranny of the place and had free reign.  Oh what I wouldn't give to relive that year of my life!

Quote of the day

Mint Chocolate Knot Apron Dress

available from Plainly Janes on Etsy

apple orchard. child's dress

available from bustle on Etsy

After being dressed in an adorable, hot pink tank top and super cute pair of tan shorts with flower and button appliques, my 2 1/2 year old daughter looked up at me with her big brown eyes and announced in the saddest little voice:

"But I don't have a dress on...I can't dance"

Looks like I need to do some shopping on Etsy!

Garden Delight

What kind of Caterpillar is this???

Read more and find out!

Just this past weekend, when my husband was out in the backyard trimming our Tangerine tree, he pointed out a very strange looking caterpillar on one of the branch cuttings.  It looked like a lizard at first glance and kind of gave me the creeps...but, I decided it would be fun to keep it in an acrylic box (handy for more than just beads!) and watch it do it's thing, ya know,the whole "metamorphosis thing". My daughter, a big time bug lover, named it Lolly.  After placing Lolly in her (I'll just stick with 'she' since her name is Lolly...) new home with a couple of twigs and some leaves she almost immediately started getting ready to chrysalize.  By the next morning she was in complete chrysalis mode, hanging at a 45 degree angle from one of the twigs. 

Lolly looks just like this right now...

shhh, she's sleeping.

At this point I still had NO idea what Lolly was, a moth, a butterfly?  And what type?    After a little internet research, aka Google, I finally discovered Lolly was a Giant Swallowtail Butterfly!

Giant Swallowtail Butterfly

Isn't she pretty?

So, now we wait...10-14 days according to my vast "research".  I can't wait to meet Lolly and set her free to start the whole cycle over again.  I plan to take some video of the event and post it here.  Stay tuned!

New Packaging & Branding!

New packaging v.4

hmmm, I wonder what's inside?...

After many years of the same simple (but beautiful) packaging I decided it was time for an upgrade.  I'd had a new identity package put together a couple of years ago, which included tags, so I wanted to utilize those in the new packaging and branding.  A few prototypes later...and here it is!  I'm now using gloss finish, two part jewelry boxes and wrapping them with a gloriously wide (1.5" or 36mm), double faced, satin ribbon in blue (of course!) and topping that with another gorgeous, double faced, satin ribbon (.25" or 6mm) in a chocolate brown which is threaded through the Something Blue tag and tied with a dainty bow.  I love how these turned out and judging by the reaction from my customers it's a definite success!

Weekly Feature 5: Something Blue

Because everyone needs a little 'Something Blue' in their life...

In my DREAMS

I came across evesimone on Etsy just the other day and was blown away by her uniquely beautiful photography.  Her keen sense of color and raw compositions are so intriguing, I can't take my eyes off of them.

Eve was kind enough to share what inspires her, among other things:

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I try to capture moments, my style is basically everyday moments that pass.

Q: What inspires you?

A: Traveling inspires me, new places, fresh faces.

Q: How long have you been selling on Etsy?

A: My Etsy shop opened in March of this year; there is so much amazing work on Etsy it can be a bit overwhelming.

Q: What is your favorite shade of blue?

A: Electric blue is my favorite shade of blue!

Coney Island Wonder Wheel, Emulsion Lift

First Day of School

Well, I did it.  I sent my little sweetheart to school for the first time today, sniff, sniff.  She's barely two and a half and this is the FIRST time I have ever dropped her off somewhere other than with her Grandparents.  She didn't want me to go, she cried a sad little cry and said "No Mommy, you stay here."  Which broke my heart into a million little pieces.

As I turned around to leave I started to cry myself...not because she was crying, I knew she would get over that as soon as I was out of sight, but just thinking about this new chapter in her life (and mine).  She's going to make new friends and come home with new ideas and have new experiences that I am not a part of.  

And I am going to get a  L O T   M O R E   D O N E!  Like blogging, ha,ha,ha...

I can't wait to hear what she has to say about her first day at school.

Crocs...Really?......Still???

IHateCrocs.com

Croc shake anyone?

I don't think words can adequately express my feelings about Crocs any better than the photo above. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words (although I'm certain I could come up with far more than that if I had the time or the inclination). Let me just say, I hate them, they're aesthetically offensive and people should stop wearing them. Now.

Quote Of The Day

The Mall of America

Large enough to hold 32 Boeing 747s

"Shopping at the mall is for teenagers and people from Minnesota"

Design Preview: Fall 2008...

Golden Crocus Earrings
Gorgeous, Green Tourmaline

For the last few weeks I have been designing and creating tons of new pieces for the Something Blue Fall Collection...
I know what you're thinking, a little late, huh? After all, Fall is just around the corner! But circumstances beyond my control, read: toddler underfoot, have kept me from dedicating the quiet time, reflection and physical presence required to accomplish such a task. So I say, better late than never! And quite honestly, these pieces go far beyond Fall, and can definitely be worn year-round.

Petal Necklace

A single, lustrous, Keshi pearl

Here are a few examples of what's to come. You can already purchase a few of these pieces on Etsy ...just think of it as a sneak peek.

Majestic Earrings
Hand carved Fluorite

Getting to Know You...

While undertaking the daunting task of organizing my files (this hasn't been done since my daughter was born, 2+years ago!) I came across an article I tore out of the Real Simple Nov. 2005 issue. The article, titled "Getting to Know You", was written by Erik Jackson and is a kind of roadmap made up of intriguing questions, some many people would never think to ask, yet would love to know about their closest relatives.
Here is an excerpt:
The Kind of Life You Lived
• What were the best years of your life?
• What was the hardest decision you've made?
• What are the most important things in life?
• What do you consider to be your strongest character traits?
• What traits or habits do you wish you didn't have?
• Do you believe that people can change?
• Do you believe in God?
• Has life made you more cynical or more hopeful?
• What do you consider to be the most important world events of your lifetime?
• Do you think life now is harder or easier than when you were young?
• If you could do anything over in your life, what would it be, and what would you do differently?
• What are you most proud of?
• What do you hope to be remembered for?

First Treasury Feature!

My first Treasury Feature on Etsy

Luminesse Earrings

I awoke this morning to an e-mail from clearcutcrafts2007 (who, by the way, have some really beautiful, 3D butterflies in their shop) alerting me to the gorgeous treasury they featured me in.  I think, and this really is my unbiased opinion, that this treasury is definitely worthy of the Front Page on Etsy....time will tell!

What a great way to start the week!

Recharging

Big Bear Lake

I'm off to Big Bear for the weekend!  I'm making the 2 hour drive with a friend and meeting two other friends there.  The four of us will be staying in a cozy, but very roomy cabin right on the lake.  Because we are all moms of toddlers our plan is to do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING while we're there...I am really looking forward to that!  The only thing work related I plan to do is sketching, if the mood strikes me.  Otherwise, sitting on the deck with a Gin & Tonic and watching the sunset is just about all I can think about.  I'll be back soon.

Weekly Feature 4: Something Blue

Because everyone needs a little "Something Blue" in their life...

Sea Blu, necklace

I think I can hear the ocean...

This week's featured artist is jewelry designer, Dawn, from Moondawn Designs.  She came to jewelry making in an interesting way and you can read all about it here in her profile on Etsy.  Dawn's designs are eclectic and delicate with a vintage feeling.  

When I asked Dawn about her creations this is what she told me:

Q: How would you describe your 'style'?

A: I like to consider my style as "nothing, but anything".  I don't really have a style but I will try anything when an idea pops into my head.  I don't like to stick to one kind of style.  My mind would get bored, and there are so many different styles to try, and create.  Why would I stick with just one?

Q: What inspires you?

A: My inspiration could come from anything I lay my eyes on.  I could catch a glimpse of a bicycle rim in the right light and come up with a great pair of earrings (uh oh...ideas are coming), or see a television show where the sand is blowing across a sand dune, and come up with a wonderful idea for a beautiful, slinky necklace.  It really is confining to be inspired by one or two things, so I don't limit myself.  It's more fun that way!

Q: How long have you been selling on Etsy?

A: I have been selling on Etsy for about 9 wonderful months now and I have loved every minute I spend on the site.

Q: What is your favorite shade of blue?

A: I love tropical shades of blue.  They remind me of the cool ocean waters and the warmth of a tropical sky.

Nanalan'

Mona

I stumbled across this delightful children's show, Nanalan' about a year ago.  Back then, my now 2+ year old daughter wasn't watching TV, but I was!  This tale of a curious 3 year old named Mona is so enchanting and creative, I couldn't take my eyes off of it.

Mona stays with her Nana during the day while her Mom is at work.  Nana is, well, a nana in every sense of the word.  She sings funny songs, reads books, tells great stories and bakes tasty treats.  Her neighbor (and love interest), Mr. Wooka is a puppeteer extraordinaire and puts on elaborate and awe inspiring puppet shows on a daily basis.  And then there's Russell, Nana's Jack Russell Terrier, who loves to accompany Mona on all of her adventures, from finding bugs to jumping on Nana's bed. One of the interesting things about this show is that they don't use a script and mostly ad-lib the dialogue. The sets are really colorful and downright adorable.  I love this show... and now that my daughter is a old enough, she loves it as well.  If you have young children they're sure to love it too!

Weekly Feature 3: Something Blue

Because everyone needs a little "Something Blue" in their life...

Sky Filled with Poppies, sugar & creamer set

So sweet

Today's Something Blue feature is Alina Hayes whose pottery & jewelry has an ethereal quality to it, so beautiful...and I'm in love with the unexpected flower elements she uses. Now a fellow Californian, Alina is originally from New York.  She has some wonderful items in her Etsy shop, be sure to take a look!

Petit Tuile Earrings in Turquoise Matte

Really unique

This is what Alina had to say...

Q: How would you describe your 'style'?

A: My style is a balance between contemporary and traditional, but I still tend to lean on the modern side.

Q: What inspires you?

A: I get inspired by nature, plants and flowers.  Organic shapes and colors, other potters and artists.

Q: How long have you been selling on Etsy?

A: I have been selling on Etsy for 11 months :)

Q: What is your favorite shade of blue?

A: My absolute favorite shade of blue is the Robin's Egg Blue. I love how vibrant and rich it is and that you can incorporate it in almost everything.