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It’s quite possible I have an addiction to tiny faux trees and handmade ceramics. But I won’t apologize for either of those! Just know you’ll be seeing a lot of both around here in the coming weeks! (Not to mention my silver on steel stacking rings. I’m pretty much addicted to those as well right now!)
I just got back from a few days in New York City for the first annual NYC Jewelry Week. And while I was certainly there for work (lots of networking, research, and inspiration gathering happening) it was the first time in a long time that I’ve been to the city where I haven’t been tethered to a trade show of some sort.
So I spent a fair amount of time wandering the city, taking in lots of great jewelry, and drinking plenty of coffee. Technically, they were lattes. Don’t judge, it snowed a lot while I was there. (And it’s only the middle of November!)
And all that coffee drinking and wandering gave me time to develop my new jewelry obsession: wearing one of my silver on steel rings as a thumb ring. Because it turns out that, if you’re constantly holding things, wearing a ring on your thumb is the best way to get to see it and enjoy it the most. (And it certainly makes for some Instagram worthy snaps.)
So I have to admit that, while I don’t love how early holiday stuff ends up in stores, I have no shame when it comes to decorating my house for the holidays already. Especially when it involves putting cute little faux trees in my stripy Elizabeth Benotti cup. (And rocking my silver on steel stacking rings with it!)
In case you aren’t familiar, #mugshotmonday is a hashtag on Instagram where potters and ceramic artists share their mugs. And while I’m not a potter (clay is too squishy, I’ll stick to metal, thanks) I am an avid collector of handmade ceramic mugs! So I decided that #mugshotmonday would be a good way to show off some of my favorites from my own collection, give a shoutout to some of my favorite makers, and show you how well handcrafted ceramics pair with my own handcrafted rings!
I mean, can’t you just imagine sipping your daily dose of caffeine from this lovely Bella Joy Pottery mug while rocking your silver on steel stacking rings?!
Thinking about fall yesterday made me want to cozy up with a cup of tea in a handmade mug. Especially when I’ve got a gorgeous handmade mug by Elizabeth Benotti that pairs so perfectly with my new silver on steel stacking rings! Which are available now in my online store!
Way back in the days when I used to do a lot of painting (ok, that was 2013, but it’s starting to feel like way back) I also designed a line of textiles based off some of those paintings. And while I have no intention of bringing those back (the production process just didn’t work within the context of my jewelry studio) I did have some fun the other day uploading some of my designs to Society6.
Of all the seasons, spring is definitely my least favorite. (Thanks allergies.) But there is one thing I love about spring, and that’s all the flowers. And there’s no flower I love more than lilacs. I’m fortunate to have a number of lilac bushes outside my studio (both purple and white varieties) and the smell always makes me so happy.
Plus, the lilacs seemed like the perfect opportunity to show off the new(ish) silver on steel stacking bracelets that are now available in my online store.
These bracelets were actually part of my very first collection when I was starting my jewelry business, and after many years, I decided to bring them back. It turns out that, after years of making jewelry, my skills at making them are much better than when I retired them!
And it’s not just bracelets. There are earrings and necklaces too! So head over to my online store to check out the entire silver on steel collection.
One of the biggest challenges of running a creative business has got to be finding the balance between a never-ending to-do list and time to execute new ideas. (Because as a creative person, I’ve always got so many new ideas!) And as I learned when I posted this to my Instagram last night, I’m not the only creative biz owner who feels that way.
Usually, I’m pretty good at carving out time for new ideas, but this summer, I really overcommitted myself. I’m looking forward to a little more time for creative projects as the summer winds down. Tops on my list are a big stack of books to be read, more time to experiment with creative ways to photograph my jewelry (like the image above), and making a new batch of Contra Collection rings. (Since I’m pretty much sold out of size 7 and 7.5!)
PS. The ring in the above image is available now in my online store. (Or you can join my mailing list to be the first to know when a new batch of rings is available!)
I just found out (thanks to Instagram) that today is National Ice Cream Day! Fun fact: I spent three summers in college working at an old fashioned ice cream shop in Ocean City, Maryland. I can make a mean milkshake and at one point could actually hold five ice cream cones in on hand! Thankfully, my professional ice cream scooping days are behind me!
Now I only scoop ice cream when I want to attempt a pretty picture for the Internet.
PS. The one of a kind Contra Collection ring in these images has already sold, but you can check out all the rings currently in stock here or join my mailing list to be the first to know when new one of a kind rings are available!
I was a bridesmaid in my little bro’s wedding this weekend and this was my lovely bouquet! (Which, of course, I had to bring home to photograph with one of my Contra Collection rings!)