For Your Galentine

I'm a big believer in female friendships; sounds corny to say but I love quality time with my girlfriends.  We can talk, and talk and talk and get complete understanding from each other when we may not get that from our boyfriends, husbands or significant others.  And it's not just that but it's more that understanding of what it's like to be a woman.

Cate, myself and Caroline, two of my favorite Galentine's!

So I propose that we show the love and appreciation for our girlfriends just as we would to our male counterparts.  Even if it's just a card, why not let them simply know that you love their friendship?  I grew up watching my Mom send thank you cards, little gifts and momentos to her own friends and family.  She made it a point to remember peoples birthdays.  And it has rubbed off on me.  And nowadays with the written word dwindling in favor of electronic correspondence it means even more to get that piece of snail mail.  I LOVE getting an envelope from a friend of family - because it's the first thing I open other than another bill!

Okay so to the point of this post, I have some suggestions of small yet memorable gifts to give the best babes in your life and the best part? They're all $20 and under!  So here they are:

1.  Cat claw earrings - This one is a no brainer, most of my girlfriends are cat lovers and these are super affordable and sweet. 

2.  Smudging Kit - Aroma and scents are very powerful, and what woman doesn't need a good cleansing of the spirit and home? These are only $10 and smell so earthy and good!

3.  A beautiful print - Just as much as I love a good scent, I also adore hand drawn prints.  It's calming to soak in an image of a powerful animal.  And Nest and Burrow prints have gorgeous detail.   I really love the Quietus of Munin crow print. 

4.  Wine profile card set - I got this for one of my girlfriends for Xmas and she loved it.  Most of my lady friends are wino's and it's fun and sweet.  Plus it passes on the point of sending out cards.  You could even use these to send to your galentine!

5.  Gem and Honey infused bath salts - I just bought these on my last visit to Everyday Magic and I love them! I'm a big bath person, it's my self care ritual and most women enjoy a good soak, with a glass of wine of course!  Your galentine needs that self care too. 

It's not too late too order any of these items and get them to your bestie - show her you appreciate all the times she listened to you and gave you advice or rescued you from a bad date!

A Red, Red Rose

Who doesn't love roses? Speaking of which, I need to buy some soon.  I love having flowers around, it's just calming.  And I'm lucky that with our new house we have rose bushes by our front door entrance. 

Spring is just around the corner, and with that comes all the gorgeous blooming, freshness that we've come to expect.  And that also means Valentine's Day and Wedding season!! Yes, yes, valentine's day is VERY commercialized, I know, but in defense it's honestly fun to share love and appreciation for people you care about - not just partners. 

I just participated in my first bridal show last weekend, and it was SO much fun! It was an indie show meaning - alterna - not your typical bridal show (which I'll be honest I've never been to one, but I know it wasn't as cool and hip as this one).  The Bourbon Bridal show featured vendors that aren't your typical bridal fare, run of the mill.  Participating in the show makes me want to get married all over again!  And I'm happy to say, the organizers of the show will be doing it again - biannually.  

It did get me thinking about all the times I have made rings and jewelry for weddings over the years and it is such a special treat! My first was back in northern Virginia when I was just beginning my education in jewelry, i was commissioned to make earrings and necklaces for the bridesmaids of my coworkers.  I made delicate dangle earrings with grey and blue crystal beads almost mimicking grape vines. 

With that said, I want you to know that I'm here for you for your wedding and Valentine's day needs - but if you are planning to order jewelry please ORDER now, so we can get it to you in time!  And I do love doing custom orders, we can select a special stone, setting and finish for your piece. 

Take a minute and watch one of my favorite videos of the Brigid Bridal Collection - super romantic, dreamy and lovey-dovey (I'm a die hard romantic, can't you tell?)

The Brigid Collection is not just a bridal collection but jewelry that is for lovers and dreamers; these pieces are romantic and fulflill that part in all of us that believes in everlasting love. The collection is named after the Celtic Goddess Brigid, she is also known as the triune patron deity of healing, smiths and fertility and poetry.

Surrounding Yourself With Beautiful Objects

I'm in TOTAL NESTING mode - as ya'll know I'm pregnant (7 months to be specific) and my husband and I moved into our newly purchased home last year in August.  Since that time I've slowly decorated and painted several rooms in our house. 

I'd never been able to paint any of the rooms I lived in because I rented but now, I'm crazy about using colors (hence my previous post).  And not just colors but artwork that inspires me and makes me happy or serene.  I love looking at my walls and seeing artwork by other makers and people that are talented and create beauty in the world.  I consider it an investment in my happiness and gallery of objects.  I grew up this way, my parents traveled often due to my Dad being in the army and they purchased beautiful pieces of furniture, jewelry and objects from Japan, Taiwan, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Venezuela, Panama...the list goes on and on. 

Thus, I have a brief list of new artists I've discovered that I've either acquired pieces or plan to.

1.  Christina Mrozik - Absolutely stunning hand drawn artwork that reflects beauty in death and animal still life.  Her use of opposing colors (bright versus dark) and shading is exquisite.  I'm very excited that I'll be acquiring one of her pieces in the not too distant future!

EEEk! I'm getting this one soon!

2.  Yoann Lossel - Yoann's pieces reflect an ancient quality, one that seems as though the scenes he captured actually happened.  I find that I could create an entire story just looking at his prints.  I just receieved La Morrigan in the mail!!! I can't wait to frame it and hang it up.

I plan on purchasing this one soon!

3.  Silver Linings Ceramics by Katie Marks - This artist creates intricate crystal and gold leafed ceramics and when they are listed on her Etsy site, they are snapped in SECONDS, meaning you have to watch her like a hawk when her pieces are listed.  I doubt I'll ever get one but it's a dream to have her crystal mug - to not even drink out of it but just to behold it and own it!

4.  Tanel Veenre - I've long admired Tanel's dreamy pieces.  He's a poet too.  He writes as if speaking of other dimensions, which his jewelry pieces also reflect.  Tanel composes jewelry that are disparate but seemingly well paired and appropriate.  Being from Estonia, there is an ethereal quality to all his adornment.  I don't think I'll ever own one of his pieces, for now I am happy with one of his books. 

Globus Gruciger - My Kingdom 2011/12

I hope you enjoyed my post of beautiful things - we all need that in our life!

thanks for reading.

London Calling

The first time, and only time, I've been to London was roughly 14 years ago.  Just typing that makes me feel old! And it was such an awesome experience, as you would expect of visiting such a cosmopolitan and renowned city.  I long to visit again, however in the meantime I'll make do with having my jewelry there for a short visit.

Outside the location of the Pop Up shop. 

As I had blogged about in my previous post about the Erebus Pop Up Shop, Eilisain would be making it's debut.  And I'm so grateful for the opportunity.  You see, for handmade products such as mine and many others in the slow fashion and small business' the chance to expose your brand to a wider audience takes work as well as the collaboration with individuals that want to champion your brand.  Thus, having someone like Chris Tull Williams, Managing Director of Erebus create an event to promote the handmade movement and appreciation for well made clothing and accessories is a huge benefit to my business as well as the slow fashion community. 

Chris Tull Williams, center.

Here are some fantastic photos from the successful event.  I'm loving the gorgeous pieces by Clon8 and futuristic leather pieces by Aumorfia.  These are not just clothing and accessories but objects of art and ones to be cherished.  

A selection of pieces I sent over for the event.

Flora jacket by Clon8 - I'm lusting over this exquisite piece!

As you can imagine, with online shops it's trickier for customers to get a sense of the feel and made of clothing and accessories, and for that reason pop up shops are a wonderful opportunity to try them out and put them on. 

I hope you enjoy these photos and take a moment to look through all the other talented and amazing designers over at Erebus. 

5 Easy Holiday Handmade Gifts You Can Make

Several years ago, when I first moved to North Carolina, I started school and didn't have much money for extravagant gifts.  I also wanted to make gifts that were personal and usable.

Thus began my foray in homemade/handmade holiday gifts.  And to be honest, I do think they were quite appreciated!

So here is a quick and easy list of items you can make to give as gifts, small gestures of thanks this season:

1.  Terrarium - This is my favorite one! And it lasts all year round.  You can easily purchase or reuse glass bottles, gather moss, small momentos to put in it (faux flowers or cranberries).  It makes a great addition to a work space or bathroom.

2.  Scented sachets - This is another super easy and special way to bring fragrance and warmth in a home.  Use old rose petals, lavender and other herbs and scented and dried flowers and put them in a handsewn or pre-made baggie.  Tie it with a ribbon and you're done!

Lavender sachet - so pretty and calming!

3.  Baked goods - Of course this is an easy and very popular one for the holidays.  I love gifting homemade cookies and bread to the people that service me every year - the mailperson, the post office workers, UPS delivery people, bus drivers etc.  This was instilled in me from a young age by my mom.  If you treat others with gratitude it will return ten fold.

4.  Spiced orange pomander balls - Can you tell I love fragrant objects? Ha! So use a corner of the citrus zester to make a few designs in the skin of the orange. Poke a row of holes in the orange with a tooth pick and push the cloves into the pre-made holes. .You can really make any design you like on the oranges.

5.  Mini-tool box from Altoid tins- I saved the best for last, this is such a cool and great idea! Here is the direct link to the instructions.  You'll have fun and it's something everyone could use.

Oil Is Good For You

Okay not as in the oil in the ground kind (cause that's bad), but natural vegetable type oils.  Over the past year I'd say I've become a big fan of using oils instead of lotions for my body and my food.

It first started with one of my cousins in Panama telling me she uses olive oil as a body moisturizer, which I liked the idea because I love olive oil on almost everything.  Then I found a lovely coconut oil serum for my face which felt decadent! Thus began my obsession.  Just yesterday I purchased a new oil for my collection, this one is an amaranth body oil, it's so pretty with floating flowers in it.  And not just with oils but honestly most of the bath products I use are homemade/handmade (other than my shampoo and conditioner). 

This also leads me to highlight one of my favorite small business and handmade organics for skin, body and hair.  Priya means Love,  I met the owner, Priya Narasimhan two years ago at the Art Star Craft Bazaar in Philadelphia.  For some reason I got a terrible sinus infection the first day of the show and I could not stop blowing my nose, it was awful as I had to also interact and talk to customers.  Lucky for me, Priya was there were her amazing sinus vapor balm that helped calm my sinus'! There wasn't much medicine that helped that day other than her product.   Ironically enough, just one month ago I did another show in DC and Priya was my neighbor!! I was so excited because I honestly love her products, and she's also a lovely person - gorgeous might I add, I'm envious of her beautiful hair and skin! 

The last day of the show, we traded products (amazing perk of working craft shows) and I'm in love with her Deep Radiance Face cream, once again, I feel like a goddess when I use natural and handmade products.  It's a lovely scent and glides on my skin.  Seriously I can't rave about her products enough!

I even gave one her gift sets to one of my friends and she loves it too.  So if you're like me and you love natural body products AND supporting small business - I highly recommend Priya Means Love products.

Gorgeous gift set - perfect for the holidays!