Erin Jane

Links!

2010-06-18T13:09:00.001-07:00

Hi there! Lots more posts on my new blog since I posted here last...

http://www.erinjanedesigns.com

Working with Gold

2010-06-01T19:02:00.001-07:00

New post! http://erinjanedesigns.com/2010/06/working-with-gold/

pretty fun stuff... :)

2010-05-27T09:04:00.000-07:00

New post over on the new site! I forgot to tell you about it!

Don't forget to switch your feed if you are a subscriber to this blog! :)

http://erinjanedesigns.com/2010/05/gifts-for-grooms-grads-and-dads/

New Posts on the New Blog!

2010-05-24T14:29:00.000-07:00

Hi there! Check out the 2 new posts on my new website! Don't forget to subscribe to the new RSS Feed! I'll keep updating this blog for a while, but would love to see you over at the new one! Just copy and paste this URL into your reader: http://www.erinjanedesigns.com/feed

Here are the links to the new posts:

http://erinjanedesigns.com/2010/05/new-purchase-from-bottlehood/

http://erinjanedesigns.com/2010/05/refining-refining/

My New Website is LIVE!

2010-05-19T07:48:00.000-07:00

Oh, it's here! Yay! http://www.erinjanedesigns.com - go ahead and check it out and ubscribe to the RSS feed! I'll keep checking in with you here to gently remind you to go to the new site. I'm DYING to hear what you think....please stop by and let me know! Thanks to ALL of you!! Looking forward to more!

How do you label yourself?

2010-05-12T08:41:00.000-07:00

It's We Scout Wednesday at Scoutie Girl and today's question is "What's your label?"

I have struggled with this questions for several years. And, not just because I don't know how to answer it, but I just don't like what's behind the question. When someone asks you "What do you do?" they mean for a living...but that's not always what defines us. When I was in the corporate world, it was even harder for me. I hated when people asked what I did. I was a marketer for a high tech company. Couldn't define me as a person any less - but that's the answer people are looking for. So, although I will still struggle with this question, at least the answer now is more "me"!

Am I an artist? A jewelry designer? Maybe I'm a metalsmith! I recently was "labeled" a metalsmith (something I've thought about, but never called myself) and I really didn't know what to think! I felt like I was tricking someone into thinking I had been schooled in the art of metalsmithing. So self deprecating! From today forward I will do my very best to start using labels that I aspire to...what's wrong with that?

What's your label? Do you struggle too?

Jewelry Making - Start to Finish

2010-05-05T17:51:00.000-07:00

This post title may be a bit misleading...I really love reading tutorials and how to's by other artists - jewelry, of course, but especially from other crafts that I don't understand. It fascinates me to see others in their element creating their art. I've tried a few times showing some process photos. I often forget to take photos during several steps.. :( Kind of ruins it...but, I just get so in to what I'm doing my little brain can only handle so much. Anyway, I still want to show some process photos of the rings I worked on last week...

Once my bezels are made, it's time to solder the bezel on to a backplate...

Once the bezels are successfully soldered on and the pieces pickled, I saw away the excess metal and then file, sand and polish the setting until no seams show. Then it's time to solder the ring on to the setting (oops, forgot to photograph that part).

Once the piece is all together, pickled and cleaned...it's off to the tumbler.

Tumbling the rings cleans them so beautifully and also hardens the metal. I love tumbling.

Next, it's time to set the stones. I use a bezel pusher and a curved burnisher to set the stones. I position my ring in a vice that is lined with a chamoise to protect the metal and push and burnish away! I finished with a quick polish and...

Voila! Rings!

Show and Tell Time + Next Week's News

2010-05-01T07:56:00.000-07:00

Well, finally! I can show you my new gift from myself to myself! She came the other day and I still haven't attached the handle, but soon... It's a bench shear! So excited! I can't tell you how long my money clips take me...saw a crooked line, then sand and sand and sand...and sand some more to make it perfect. But, now, this little shear will help me make perfectly straight lines and cut down on my sanding time by 80%, at least. Obviously not just saving time on money clips, but so many other things. I have a hand shear and the serrated edge it makes, also takes tons of time to sand down, so YAY!

I also got this Key Holder as a free gift.....wow. Thanks. I will literally never use this - ever. How random.

And, last, but not least, here's what I've been working on. Lots of these little guys are ready to list! So, I will be posting photos and links soon. I have some process photos that I will also share next week. Lots coming up! I am still waiting on my website completion, but I did update all my other branding (except on my blog...which will be moving anyway). So, check out my Facebook page and My Etsy Shop and let me know how they look!

I'm back! + Quick Blog Feature Mention

2010-04-28T08:05:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm back from our glorious long weekend in the bay area. I. Love. California. So sunny and warm...we had a great time and I came back to a vegie garden FULL of spinach and arugula and all my herbs are growing like crazy...potatoes coming up, peas all over...I love this time of year.

I have a lot of catching up still to do, but wanted to share this blog mention real quick this morning. Beth from The Ruby Blog featured my Pink Tourmaline Ring in her blog today. Her blog is just gorgeous. She picks gorgeous photos and items and pairs them beautifully...so lovely and inspiring.

I should get my birthday gift to myself tomorrow and will post photos soon :). Can't wait.

How could I forget + Birthday gift

2010-04-22T08:21:00.000-07:00

I don't know how I let this lovely slip through when I posted all my new goodies the other day...well, yes, I do. I was wearing it :). Well, here is a GORGEOUS yellow quartz pendant that I'm totally in love with. I will add one of my "blur the edges" photos for you too... :). And, thanks again to all of you for your further editing tips! I'm so very excited - I really think my photos are going to be much improved from now on!

I will be posting this and others in my shop next week. Next week you ask? Why, yes, I will be out of town for a nice long weekend to San Francisco. My husband's birthday is Saturday and mine is on Monday, so we are making a birthday weekend out of it. AND, I got myself a gift yesterday...it will arrive when I get back. It's exciting, trust me...I'll post photos for you once I get it.

More work + iPhoto trick

2010-04-20T17:19:00.000-07:00

I have a few quick things to show you! And, one that I need an opinion on...I'm opening a can of worms, maybe :). I'm still in a crazy ring phase, but I thought I would do some bezel set necklaces this week (plus one random wire wrapped one)...Here's the newest batch...

Whiskey Quartz and Oxidized Sterling Necklace...will list soon...

Labradorite and Sterling Necklace - simple design, but this stone is a real stunner, so simple is all it needs - check it out

White Chalcedony and Oxidized Sterling Oval Necklace - will list soon

This is the one I'm not sure about. I like this photo best, because you can really see the scallops. I normally don't use the scalloped bezel wire unless I have a really simple or rustic stone to use - then I like the scallop to give it some cuteness juxtaposed with rustic. So, what do you think? Meh? Cool? Pretty?...

Aqua Chalcedony and Sterling Ring - this stone makes me swoon. Love, love, love the color...love.

So, the iPhoto trick. I'm a little slow on the uptake for the most part. But, today I finally discovered the "Blur the Edges" tool in iPhoto. Anyone know what that is? You can essentially airbrush your photos! I've always been too shy to take photos of my jewelry on me. I think it's so helpful for customers to see the scale though! Such a dilemma...So, I started with rings - fine, no big deal...then I tried earrings and NO WAY! Far too close up. So, I tried necklaces and I was not happy...until I started editing and found the "Blur the Edges" options in iPhoto in the "Effects". Ah, now I can just blur myself out and leave the pretty jewelry in the middle...what a relief. I guess I have to try earrings again. Ugh.

Front Page of Etsy...again!

2010-04-14T17:37:00.001-07:00

Oh, my title sounds so cocky..."again"...I love it. Anyway, I was lucky enough to snag another spot on the front page of Etsy yesterday - the upper left corner again! Seriously - this doesn't happen to me...and probably won't again! I may as well enjoy it! Sooo happy!

More branding elements + RINGS!

2010-04-13T07:13:00.000-07:00

I have more branding elements to share! This is all coming together so fast...I'm so happy! These are my new earring cards! Quite happy with them.

I still have to figure out some other packaging changes - but it should be fun and easy. Did I already say I can't believe how fast this is all happening? :) I can hardly wait to wrap it all up - I'm so ready for my new look and to share it with everyone!

I spent a nice long day in the studio yesterday making made to order items, but I'm hoping to get back in later this week and work on some new things that are cooking in my brain.

Last, but not least, I'm still on a big ring kick...here are some newly listed items...and one that will be listed later today...

Prehnite and Oxidized Sterling Ring - yeah...I'm in LOVE with this one...

Black Agate Druzy Ring

Amazonite Ring...look for me soon!

Front Page of Etsy!

2010-04-11T08:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had a lovely surprise - my Chalcedony and Oxidized Sterling Ring was on the front page of Etsy! See the screenshot below - the top left item. This is my third time on the front page and it is just as exciting as the first and second! It's so fun to watch your shop and items get so much love. Lots of fun. I'm a pretty happy girl :)

New Branding off and running!

2010-04-08T10:02:00.000-07:00

It's been a big day today already! I just sent files to get my new business cards printed. I should get them next week. They turned out so cute. I'm totally in love.

AND, I sent off my requirements and files for my website update! Phew! It feels great to have everything moving. My brain is still churning as far as how this new website structure is going to change things and how exactly I'm going to manage it. Exciting stuff though. The biggest change is that I will no longer have a shopping cart. My Etsy shop will be the retail engine. I think this is a great change - but also risky to rely on a different website for a shopping experience - but I get so many more eyeballs with Etsy and the inventory management really works for me.

My blog will also be on the new site - so I will eventually have to deal with getting YOU over to the new site. :) Hopefully an easy task! My current website is so static...I never update it and I never add new items - it's terribly neglected. I think this change is going to be so helpful in creating a more interactive and fun web experience for visitors. I'm awfully excited! Can't wait to show a mock up to you.

Eventually I will be working on a separate line for wholesale and get back to knocking on retail outlet doors. Not my favorite thing, but necessary. So, anyway, those are the crazy thoughts inside my head today. Sorry to be so wordy. I'll at least leave you with some new items that are up in my shop...

Aqua Chalcedony and Oxidized Sterling Necklace

Glimmer Earrings - Textured Sterling Discs and Champagne Quartz

Peach Moonstone Ring with Oxidized Silver

A Favorite...

2010-04-07T09:21:00.000-07:00

Again, I was inspired by Tara at Scoutie Girl...this time she has asked for readers to share a favorite shop, artist, or blog. Oooooo, fun! But, just one? This one is so hard. There are loads of blogs I read and artists I follow and am in awe of. But, there is one artist whose work always makes my heart skip a beat when I look at it. Her name is Anika Easter and I could cover my house with these beauties...check out her shop.

Our Wedding...

2010-03-31T13:05:00.000-07:00

OK, I know we just had our 2 year anniversary and I posted some photos last month, but I saw this post on Scoutie Girl today and just had to participate. How sweet! I love Tara's story and with every wedding there is a story...

I was a bit stressed the year we planned our wedding. I, like so many brides, wanted it to be perfect. There are so many people to please, so many decisions to make...and at times, it felt impossible. But, also lots of fun :). Invite designing, dress shopping, photographer picking, menu making, decorating...oh, the fun girly stuff!! You might think I spent time thinking about what jewelry I would make for myself...but you would be wrong. I spent time designing my mom's and my sister's jewelry and ended up making mine just a few days before we left. Now when I work with brides, I have so many ideas and so much excitement to make something perfect for them. Something I wasn't able to do for myself.

We decided to get married in Maui. I really wanted a small wedding and we had a hard time getting the guest list as short as we wanted, but getting married so far away definitely helped :). Don't get me wrong, I wanted all my friends and family there - but I also wanted it intimate.

It ended up being the absolute best time of our lives. That sounds so obvious - but it was perfection. Most of our 50 guests had never met before and a few days before the wedding, we snorkeled, whale watched, golfed, ate and of course drank lots of fruity drinks together and everyone became best of friends. That was definitely one of my very favorite parts was seeing all the people I love together and having so much fun.

It was simply a beautiful day and now I have the best husband a girl could ask for to show for it.

Can't wait for wedding season... :).

Feature Designer on Indie Design Studio

2010-03-31T12:46:00.000-07:00

What an honor to be a featured artist on this cute blog!

I had a quick little interview with Indie Design Studio yesterday. They are a website design company for indie designers and also have a great blog - which the feature is on. Check it out.

Thanks so much for the feature!

Working...

2010-03-29T11:52:00.000-07:00

I spent most of the week and weekend working...in the yard, in the garden and in the kitchen...anywhere but my studio! It's been awfully quiet in my Etsy shop the last couple weeks which makes it difficult to feel very motivated to create. I won't feel too sorry for myself or complain for too long...don't worry, but so slow! Sales just came to a screeching halt after a pretty good February. Anyway, I will always keep on keeping on.

We made insanely yummy pizza this weekend - eggplant, mushroom, mozzarella, goat cheese, roasted garlic and caramelized onion. Good god it was delicious. I also made a fantastic cocktail to go with it. I don't have a name for it, but it's sort of an herbed lemonade with vodka...so good - watch out!

Ingredients

2 oranges

2 lemons

2 limes

4-5 good sized sprigs of rosemary

1 bottle of lemonade

vodka

Cut the fruit up in chunks and drop in the bottom of a pitcher. Add in the rosemary and muddle all together. Add lemonade and stir. If you are patient, let it sit for 30 minutes or so. Put ice and however much vodka you like in your glasses and add top with the lemonade mixture. Drink up!

I've also used lemonade concentrate and only added part of the water, then topped the drink with some soda water for a little fuzz. Super fun and yummy.

Cross your fingers for me for some sales this week!

What a weekend!

2010-03-22T07:40:00.001-07:00

I wish the weekend wasn't over! It went so fast and so much happened. I'll just dive right in...the hubby finally found a car. He's literally been car shopping for months (and just kinda looking for years...3 to be exact) and FINALLY bit the bullet. It's a much longer story than just this, but I won't bore you with the details. All that matters is that his new car is adorable...I mean totally bad ass. I don't think men want adorable cars. Anyway, it's a huge relief and I'm glad it's over. Buying a car is one of the grossest experiences I can think of. Hate it.

Sunday I ran the Mercer Island Rotary Half Marathon. I shaved about 18 minutes off my time from November. Good, but not great, especially since I stopped the first time for what seemed like 20 minutes. So, I probably didn't run any faster, but my official time was much better :).

It was a hard run, even harder because my running partner had to drop out of the race due to an injury - so I did it all by myself! But, it was great to see a smiling husband at the finish line.

The rest of the day I ate and drank champagne. That's right. Celebration time. Oh, and built another 8x4 garden bed. I can't wait to get my garden going. It's going to be twice as big and I have lots of plans for planting. I'm going to get my herbs and some hardy greens in this weekend. A little early, but the hardy stuff can handle it.

That's all for now. I'll be in the studio this week too, so will hopefully have some new works to show soon too!

New works - only for you!

2010-03-19T08:01:00.000-07:00

I finished taking photos of a bunch of new work yesterday. I'm trying to stagger my uploading of new goodies to my shop - but I couldn't wait to share photos! I had been neglecting necklaces for a long time...I was on such a ring kick for a while...well, still am. So, I went nuts with a bunch of new necklaces. I find them extremely difficult to photograph. Sigh. Rings are my favorite - or studs. Anything teeny tiny I have a much easier time photographing. Earrings I still need work, but they are OK. Necklaces - so hard.

First, are the 3 items that I did end up listing last night - so go check them out!

Rutilated Quartz coins in Gold Filled Chandeliers

Gold Filled Curls on Oxidized Chain

Teeny Labradorite on Sterling Chain

Here are the rest of the bunch from this week. They will all be listed in the next few days!

Update + Rings

2010-03-15T13:19:00.000-07:00

My blog posts have been pretty far and few between lately. I've been working on my websiteupdate a bit and can hardly wait for it. The designer is going to start on it April 8th and we hope to have it done in about 3-4 weeks. Needless to say, I've been neglecting this blog while thinking about, and planning my website. It's going to change A LOT! The branding, the layout, well, everything. It's where I will end up doing my blog postings and I will be more focused on my jewelry, inspiration, process, etc...than personal stuff.

Although my current site was built for me to be able to upload new products, make copy edits, etc...it's just so darn static. I rarely update it and I end up directing people to my Etsy shop to see my work. Well, that's just dumb. I have my own website! I should be excited to share it! So, I decided to have my Etsy shop be the shopping part of www.erinjanedesigns.com. My Etsy shop has become so easy to manage and it's where I add all my new products anyway. OK, I'm going on and on...there is so much to tell! However, I think I will wait to spill too many beans until I have something visual to share. It will make things much more clear.

In the meantime, enjoy some photos of new goodies. I am loving rings lately. They are so fun to make...and wear. Here are a few new ones.

Chrysoprase Ring

White Druzy Ring

Chalcedony Ring

Crooked Trails Trunk Show

2010-03-08T11:08:00.000-08:00

What a nice weekend! It's been awfully nice in Seattle and I've gotten so much yard work done just in the last 2 weeks. I'm so ready to plant my garden and just can't wait for spring and summer. Sit on the deck, grill, drink vodka tonics...oh, I cannot wait.

Besides my warm weather dreaming, I had a trunk show at a great customer and friend's house. 25% of the sales went to Crooked Trails. Crooked Trails is a non-profit community-based travel organization helping people broadening their understanding of the planet and it's diverse cultures through education, community development and responsible travel. Yes, I took that straight from their website... :). Check out the website though. I think it's hard to sum up all that they do with just that little blurb. It's a great organization and I especially love their focus on responsible travel. I feel so fortunate to have been included in such a great group. It was a great event.

Plus, it just made me feel good. For some reason, I never really knew how exactly I would want to go about donating (besides the obvious donating items for auction). But, I loved having a portion of the trunk show sales be donated. I got to meet the people, everyone was terribly enthusiastic and I just felt so much more a part of it and connected that just writing a check or mailing off a piece of jewelry. A great experience and I intend to do it again...and again :).

I also have just 13 days until my half marathon, so I had to get a 10 mile run in yesterday. It was hard, but I was still able to do yard work afterwards and I'm not too sore today, so I know I can at least be able to cross the finish line. I'll hopefully get in one more long run before the 21st. Can't wait!

I have a few pieces to share...even some that already sold, but I want to share anyway. And, off to finish some rings, cuff links and more!

Pink Amethyst Earrings

This lovely herkimer diamond necklace is snatched up already...

And this gorgeous White Druzy necklace has also already found a home...

So had this Green Amethyst necklace...

But check out this Solitaire (Herkimer:)) Diamond Necklace!

Custom work + works in progress

2010-03-03T07:21:00.000-08:00

I've been neglecting my Etsy shop ever since we got back from our anniversary trip to Vegas - I know, the most romantic place :). For the last week or so I've mostly been working on custom orders that sort of all came at once for some reason. I just finished up an order for a bride and her bridesmaids yesterday and have one more custom order (cuff links for a wedding!) that I will get to next week. Check out a few favorite custom pieces from the week...

But, that's not all I've been doing! I do have some new designs in the works! I usually only work on a few new things at once, but I was feeling like my shop was stale and I have so many new stones that I'm dying to work with, so I started a whole bunch of new work at once. I'm not sure if it's the amount, or just that I'm trying to work faster and trying things I haven't done before, but I've had a few super annoying moments of bezel melting, the bezel not fully soldering to the backplate, hard to set stones (oh, that one was bad - my arms were sore the next day), and things like that. Not that those things never happen, but they feel like they have been happening way more this week and sucking my time away...right when I'm dying to finish some things so I can get them photographed and up in my shop.

I WILL share new goodies soon! In the meantime, here's my pile of stones right after making all the bezels the other day. My bench is a disaster now - glad I took this photo before it got out of control...

Early Morning Front Page...

2010-02-28T09:12:00.000-08:00

I slept through my Ruffle Ring being on the Front Page of Etsy this morning! It's more fun to be awake when it's happening, but I'm grateful either way!

Running Playlist Help

2010-02-24T22:07:00.000-08:00

I'm running my second half marathon in a few weeks. I could REALLY use some help with my playlist! I've added a few new things since my last half marathon, but 13.1 miles is a long ways and stale music makes it feel even more ridiculously long. Even though this changes almost everyday, here are my current running favorites...what are yours?? please??

1. The Walls Are Coming Down - Fanfarlo

2. 11th Dimension - Julian Casablancas

3. Salute Your Solution - The Raconteurs

4. Crying Lightning - Arctic Monkeys

5. Kiss with a Fist - Florence + The Machine

6. No You Girls - Franz Ferdinand

7. Good Ol Fashion Nightmare - Matt & Kim

8. Bad Romance - Lady Gaga (I know, I know...I can't help it...I love it)

2 years ago today...

2010-02-22T21:05:00.000-08:00

was the best day of our lives...

and it's only gotten better each day since...

Happy 2 year Anniversary to us!

photos by Kaua Wedding Photography

New Jewelry + Eggplant "caviar" recipe

2010-02-15T12:50:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day! Ours was adorable. Nothing fancy, just an overall great day. Well, the Eggplant Caviar I mentioned last week, but hadn't tried yet - turned out great. It's soooo good. So, here's the recipe and below it, a couple notes about my small adaptations:

Eggplant Caviar

2 medium eggplants

2 large cloves of garlic

1 medium onion, outer skin removed, but left whole

2 TBSP olive oil

2 TBSP fresh squeezed lemon juice

1 TBSP tomato paste

1 tsp balsamic vinegar

1/8 tsp cayenne (or to taste)

Salt and pepper to taste

Assorted vegies and bread for dipping

Directions

Preheat oven to 400. Cut a slit into the fattest part of each eggplant and stick in a clove of garlic in each. Rub the eggplant and onion with 1 TBSP of the olive oil. Roast the eggplants and onion on a baking sheet for about 40 minutes, rotating frequently, until the eggplants are collapsed and the onion brown. When done, cut the eggplants lengthwise and lay cut side down on several layers of paper towels to drain. When cooled enough to touch, peel the skin off and cut in quarters. Cut the onion in quarters too. Puree the onion and eggplant in a food processor. Add the rest of the olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, tomato paste, cayenne, salt and pepper and puree until very smooth. Check for seasoning and serve with bread and/or vegies. It's good warm or cold.

**I didn't have tomato paste, so I added about 1.5 TBSP of balsamic instead of just 1 tsp. I also added a bit more lemon juice and a little more olive oil since it was lacking depth without the tomato paste. But, it turned out wonderfully! YUM! Next time, I will add a couple more garlic cloves in the eggplants - the roasted garlic was outstanding!!

And, last but not least, a few more pieces of jewelry to share. The first 2 are already in My Etsy Shop, the other 2 should be listed today or tomorrow.

Valentine's Day Menu

2010-02-11T13:26:00.000-08:00

Everyone is gearing up for Valentine's Day! It's a sweet holiday (I use the term "holiday" lightly...and "sweet", not so lightly). We usually don't give gifts, but spend the day eating...our favorite thing :). I wish I had a great Valentine's Day photo from the past, but since I don't, I'll share a sweet little Strawberry Cheesecake shot from the restaurant CORE in Tucson that I took last week.

The hubby and I always stay in for Valentine's Day dinner and I try to make something fabulous for dinner - and inevitably go overboard with the number of courses. Dessert is always the most decadent part and I'm usually too full to really enjoy. So, this year I'm going light on dinner so we can enjoy dark chocolate fondue with Dandies vegan marshmallows, raspberries, bananas and tangelos. Yum!

For dinner we're having Eggplant Caviar (from The Mediterranean Vegan Kitchen by Donna Klein) and Brown Butter and Sage Linguine. I haven't tried the Eggplant Caviar yet, so if it's any good, I'll post the recipe. As for the Brown Butter and Sage Linguine - insanely good (and easy).

Brown Butter and Sage Linguine

1/2 lb linguine

1/2 cup butter

2 garlic cloves

1 cup torn fresh sage leaves

1/4 cup pine nuts

Freshly shaved Asiago

Salt and pepper to taste

Cook linguine according to package. Place butter, garlic, sage and pine nuts into a skillet and cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes. The butter should be a dark amber color, but don't burn it! :) Add cooked pasta to the skillet and gently toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Remove and serve with freshly grated Asiago. Serves 4.

Showing off my gems

2010-02-09T07:53:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm back from Tucson and it was a great trip. I even got to sit in the sun! It was fantastic. However, trying to manage the gem show is nearly impossible :), but I got a ton of new stones and met some new vendors that I'm so excited about. I uploaded a bunch of photos of my new gems to my flickr photostream, so check them out! Here's a photo of the whole load for now!

I also have some new items that I had been working on before I left for Tucson that I finally finished up yesterday. I've only added the Smoky Quartz Ring to my Etsy shop (because I love it the most!), but I hope to get the rest up tonight or tomorrow. That's all for now - just a quick little update...I'll be back with more soon.

Gem show in Tucson

2010-01-31T21:44:00.000-08:00

I'm busy making my shopping list for the gem show in Tucson coming up this week. Should be insanely overwhelming :). There is no describing the enormity of this "show". It's not really a show - the whole city is taken over by gems and jewels, fossils and minerals. It's HUGE!! It's just my second year of going, so I still haven't really mastered it yet. Anyway, I'm taking off on Tuesday and will be gone through the weekend. Looking forward to seeing some sun too.

I'm going to leave you with a song that I can't get enough of. Bon Iver is a genius. Much better than listening to Taylor Swift on the Grammy's right now. Yikes. She missed most her notes :). Poor thing. Anyway, I like this live version of Bon Iver's "Blood Bank". Be back next week!

Yay for Sweet Customers!

2010-01-31T16:25:00.000-08:00

Oh, do I love hearing from customers! I love when they gush over their new baubles. IT. NEVER. GETS. OLD. Even though an online sale can seem a bit impersonal, Etsy has created this community where feedback is so welcomed and so easily shared. I love it! I wanted to share some words from a recent customer who I don't even know, but if I met her, I would hug her, for sure. She was such a doll.

Throughout the whole process of this surprise custom item I made for someone special, she would have the sweetest things to say. Things like, "Its sellers like you that make Etsy so very special" and that the person she gave the gift to "absolutely loved it!!!! WOOOO HOOO!!" and that it was their "most fav. birthday gift." Just that simple gesture of letting me know how much someone enjoys something that I've made is one of the best things a customer can do for an independent designer. And when she ended her email with: "Im so pleased and wanted you to hear the ending of the story. Thanks again for your collaboration." ...aahhh! So sweet! She wanted me to hear the end of the story and by doing that...she made my day. It's pretty easy to do.

So, here's to sweet customers! Your gratitude makes us artists beam :). Thank you!

Success

2010-01-28T12:01:00.000-08:00

For a very long time I thought that success meant money, a fancy title, and corporate pats on the back. When I was younger I thought when you "grew up" you got a job at a big company, worked 9-5 and never left. I simply didn't know another way. So, that's what I set off to do. I stifled any creativity I felt and majored in business at a large university...because that's what you are supposed to do, right? Fast forward to 2006... After just a few years in the corporate world, (while getting the money, fancy titles and pats on the back that I had fully expected to make me feel good) I realized that I certainly wasn't feeling successful. In fact, I felt unfulfilled, restless, unhappy... Once I really thought about what it would take for me to feel successful, I realized I had had it all wrong. What I actually consider success is having great relationships, living a lifestyle that you want to live, doing the things you love and are passionate about, and most of all living healthy and happy. While these things seem general and even trite, when you apply your specifics to them, it means the world. It turns out I'm not alone.

Tara, from Scoutie Girl and her personal blog, Tara Gentile, has been blogging about success along with some guest bloggers and it's been wonderful reading. Here's a link to all the blog posts.

I'm so thankful to all these lovely ladies for sharing. Perfect timing!

White Vegetarian Chili

2010-01-27T14:37:00.000-08:00

First off, the chili isn't named after me :). It's just not your typical deep, thick, rich, tomato paste-y chili. Much lighter...and whiter. OK, here's where the real blog post starts.....

Do you have any recipes that you've had for so long that you pretty much have it memorized, but you take it out to follow it just in case? They have stains on them, notes all over them...? I do! Actually, just one. In this day and age (this is what old people say), recipes are found online, traded by email, etc... Most of my favorite recipes are saved on my computer, in a web-based recipe book or in a cookbook. But I do have this one... I'm not sure why I think it's so funny, but it was scanned from a magazine and then printed out. Is it just me, or is that totally archaic? If you want, I can fax it to you.

The recipe that I'm talking about is a White Chicken Chili from Cooking Light magazine. It must be 6 years old, or so. I've made it countless times and many adaptations and it was always wonderful. This year though, it's vegetarian. And, I know there are a lot more ways to make this more chili-like, but instead of adding in fake meat (which is something I think is so weird about vegetarians - some seek out fake meat that is supposed to have the same texture, etc...ummm, no thanks) I opted for more vegies which yields a light, fresh, clean, yummy chili.

The original recipe calls for 2 pounds of chicken breast, chicken stock, no black beans, zucchini or cabbage and less chili peppers - just in case you want to make the original. The zucchini and cabbage give it more substance instead of that fake meat stuff I keep talking about.

Well, enough chatter already! Here's the recipe:

White Vegetarian Chili

3 small zucchini - diced

1/4 - 1/2 head of cabbage, thinly sliced

2 cups finely chopped onion

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp oregano

1 tsp coriander

3 (4.5 oz) cans chopped green chiles, undrained

1 cup water

4 cups vegie stock

2 cans cannelini beans (rinsed and drained)

1 28 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Olive oil

1 lime

Yogurt (optional)

Salt and pepper

Heat 1 tbsp, or so, of olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add onions and saute for 6 minutes - stirring frequently. Add garlic; until fragrant. Add cumin, oregano, and coriander; saute 1 minute. Add zucchini and cabbage and saute until the cabbage starts to wilt and the zucchini gets soft - about 5 minutes. Add in chiles and tomatos. Reduce heat to low and cook 10 minutes, partially covered. Add the water, stock, and beans; bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add juice from the lime, salt and pepper to taste. Serves 8. Top with cilantro and yogurt.

Random stuff

2010-01-21T14:13:00.000-08:00

Definitely can't think of a "title" for this post. Just some stuff. Have you already noted my sour and woe-is-me mood? If not, it's really bad - so excuse my ho-hum-ness. I've been working on some more men's accessories which has been fun. Yay. I also did a custom double sided money clip, which I really did have fun with.

How am I doing so far? Am I fooling you at all?

Other than that my mind has been pretty scattered and I can't stop thinking about Haiti. I've been so down! Ugh. I won't go in to how helpless and worthless I feel. I did donated a pair of earrings and a necklace to Craft Hope for Haiti. All the proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders. They have been swamped with donations and sales - which is fantastic, but I believe it's 2 or 3 gals running the show and I'm sure they are exhausted. Anyway, they have a bunch of fun stuff, so go and check out the shop.

And, I promise not to be such a downer next time... :) See? A smiley face...I'm already feeling better.

Mustard Greens Pesto and Mushroom Pasta

2010-01-18T16:02:00.000-08:00

Yum. I've made this a bunch of times this winter and make it a bit differently each time and it just gets better with every adaptation. It's adapted from this Bon Appetit recipe. The original calls for butter (just a little olive oil will do) and smoked mozzarella. Don't get me wrong, I love smoked mozzarella - but the pasta was too rich and deep for me. I need some freshness and tang. Here goes:

INGREDIENTS

PESTO

1/3 cup olive oil

1/4 cup pecans (I've also used walnuts, almonds - all good options)

2 garlic cloves, peeled, quartered

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

3 cups (loosely packed) coarsely chopped mustard greens

MUSHROOMS AND PASTA

2 TBSP olive oil

1 pound fresh shiitake mushrooms, stemmed, thinly sliced (Shiitakes are expensive! Add some button mushies or cremini in too)

1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage

1/4 cup dry white wine

1 pound fusilli or rotini (spiral shaped)

6-8 oz goat cheese

optional - The rest of the mustard greens from the head you used for the pesto - roughly chopped

PREPARATION

PESTO

Blend nuts, mustard green, vinegar, parmesan and garlic in processor - process to blend. Add oil while processing andblend until smooth. Season pesto with salt and pepper. Transfer to small bowl. DO AHEAD Can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover; chill. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before using.

MUSHROOMS AND PASTA

Add oil to large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and sage and sauté just until mushrooms wilt, about 3 minutes. Add mustard greens and wine and sauté until mushrooms are tender, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain. Return pasta to pot. Add pesto, mushrooms and crumble in goat cheese; toss to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer pasta to bowl and serve.

OTHER ADAPTATIONS - try this in the spring time with arugula instead of mustard greens. warm leftovers and place on a bed of watercress, arugula or spinach for lunch.

Some blog love

2010-01-15T12:54:00.000-08:00

I just got a little note from Muse Silking Paintings that she featured me in a post of hers'! Thanks so much! Here it is - my earrings are #4:

Quiet weekend

2010-01-11T14:18:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's over!! I did all the things that you should do during a lazy weekend:

1. Read a book

(not pleasant - lots of tears and cringing and heartbreak, but necessary - seriously - you need to read this)

2. Played cribbage

Totally random - we found a board Saturday afternoon and learned how to play Saturday night. I won :).

3. Made delicious meals

Vegie Thai Spring Rolls and miso soup from my new favorite cook book by Deborah Madison.

4. Went to a movie.

Yep! I'm on the bandwagon. I never want to see a movie that isn't in 3D ever again! AMAZING! Even the trailers were blowing my mind. Can't wait to see Alice in Wonderland.

Does that even sound real??!! I can hardly believe that the hubs and I got to just enjoy each other's company and have such a nice, quiet weekend. Can we do it again??

Just for funsies - here's the trailer for Alice in Wonderland. Just try to imagine it in 3D :)

New Jewelry in my shop!

2010-01-07T12:45:00.000-08:00

I've been adding some new jewels in my shop the last couple days. Here's what's new...more to come too!

Oh! And, I also listed the cuff links and money clip that I blogged about a while back. Can't wait to do more men's accessories. So fun.

SMARTFISH

2010-01-06T08:51:00.000-08:00

SMARTFISH is getting some blog love today. I first saw these adorable shoes via Mixed Plate and thought... "How perfect are these??!! I want to blog about these too!" Their shoes are handmade, sustainable and vegan. I love seeing CUTE leather alternatives for handbags and shoes.

So, after seeing them on Mixed Plate, I also saw them featured in the Etsy Finds email today. It looks like they are a fairly new shop, so I hope they have fun with their recent press!

I think these flats with the bows are my favorite...

Wheee!!! Tiny Etsy front page feature!

2010-01-05T10:11:00.000-08:00

My Crescent earrings made it to the front page...sort of! In one of the scrolling Storque Articles at the bottom of Etsy's home page there is an article called "Basic Skills" and my earrings are featured! Hooray! It's so fun to see the amount of eyeballs that see your product if you are on the home page - it's overwhelming. New views and shop hearts come flooding in. I love it! There are so many Etsy lovers out there. Anyway, here's what the little article looks like. Click it to see all the products featured. My Crescent Earrings are shown again waaaay at the bottom of the article.

Help?

2010-01-04T08:52:00.000-08:00

I need some opinions and I know you have them... :). I've been (slowly) working on some brand updates and am stuck on step one and the most important - my logo. I wanted to get away from the big, pink, tropical flower. When I first created my brand, the flower was more appropriate. My jewelry has evolved so much and it's time my brand did too.

I love the script font and I would like to keep the logo somewhat recognizable - so the flower goes and the fonts stay. Here's where I need help. I've narrowed my options down to these 2 logos. I like them both - the first one a bit more, but I think the second one might lend itself to more applications in a better way. Business cards - blog and etsy banners, stickers for boxes, earrings cards, etc...so I am confused!!

What do you think? Leave a comment or email me - erin(at)erinjanedesigns.com. I'll also post them on my Facebook page if you want to leave a comment there. Here are the new beauties:

Welcome 2010!

2010-01-02T09:08:00.000-08:00

I wouldn't say I'm glad 2009 is over, but I'm definitely OK with it. It wasn't a bad year by any means, I just think 2010 is going to be a good one. My theme for this year is to enjoy. I have a blessed life and want to enjoy all the wonderful things in it and remind myself everyday how lucky I am. I want to enjoy my home, cook wonderful meals, snuggle up with my dogs and hubby, take advantage of the fantastic city I live in, grow and find fresh, local, healthy foods and share them with friends and family. I want to make jewelry!! Because I love to. Doesn't all of that sound fun??!! What are your resolutions this year? Here are some more of mine:

1. Organize one room in the house every month

2. Run another half marathon

3. Master vegetarian cooking

4. Take a trip with my sweetie to Italy

5. Take a road trip to Minnesota for some cabin time with the dogs

6. Become a better blogger

7. Take more photos

8. Be a more mindful buyer*

9. Double my garden space

10. Make lots of jewelry! Did I already say that??

*Yesterday after erasing any signs of Christmas from our house, I decided to go through the cabinets under our bathroom sinks and all of our bathroom drawers - haven't done that for years - gross, I know. I cannot believe the amount of cosmetics and other junk I had accumulated over the years. All garbage. I felt terrible throwing all of it away. Some was unused and will be donated, but most just garbage. So sad to think where it ends up. I resolve to be more careful!!! Do I really need 8 different blushes?? Nope.

Ahhh.....quiet.

2009-12-28T14:51:00.001-08:00

I hope everyone had a happy, happy holiday! We had a houseful over Christmas and it was a lovely time. Everyone is gone now and I'm kind of enjoying a little quiet time. It's back to reality and I really can't tell you how excited I am for 2010. Have I already said that? Well, whatever...I repeat, I think it's going to be a good year. I also have a sneaking suspicion it's going to be an eventful one. I'm not sure what's in store, but I just have this funny feeling that a lot is going to happen.

As far as Erin Jane Designs goes, I've been working on a list of things to do this year. First up, some branding updates - a little logo change, color palette update, etc.... I think I'll be ready to share concepts really soon :). I actually might need a little help deciding on some things.... Next, a bunch of boring organizational things that I won't go into (you're welcome). And, of course, I'm working on lots of new designs. I'm dying to have a full day in my studio - no interruptions. I need to recover some brain cells (too much sugar and booze the last several days) before I'm able to do that.

I'll leave you today with picture of a very cool Christmas gift from my talented brother in law. He drew a comic of my hubby and I on the Seattle waterfront...check out my butt...pretty nice.

Secret

2009-12-22T18:01:00.001-08:00

If you are my husband, stop reading! If you know my husband and can't keep a secret...stop reading! Unless you want to ruin Christmas.

OK, now that they are all gone, I can tell you about a couple of my husband's gifts. I usually stay away from handmade gifts for the hubby - not really his thing. But, this year is a little different. I decided to make him some cufflinks and a money clip - he has recently ditched the wallet and just carries cards. I think he's going to really like them!! So, here we go...

For the cufflinks, I texturized thick silver sheet and cut out squares. I polished up my squares and soldered them on to sterling silver cufflink components. Cool, huh? And, totally manly... :)

The money clip was lotsa, lotsa fun to make. I cut a 7/8" x 4" piece of 20 ga silver, rounded the edges, sanded and polished up the edges and then the fun part...I drug the piece of silver perfectly straight across a piece of super coarse sandpaper (a few times - with lots of pressure), then drug it the other way to give it a cross hatch pattern. I bent it around a mandral, gave it a good hammering with a plastic mallet and...voila!

After Christmas, I definitely plan on adding these to my Etsy shop - plus work on a few new designs. I think they are pretty cool. And, I think guys will think they are pretty cool too...

You might have noticed my initials on the corner of the last photo...A few weeks ago I ordered this fancy stamp with my initials so I can stamp my pieces. I just got it in the mail a week or 2 ago. The stamp comes out beautifully! I still feel a little shy about adding my initials to my jewelry. I'm not sure why, but I AM sure I will get over it :) I mean, look how pretty it looks!

Ramping Up...for Christmas and 2010

2009-12-21T18:49:00.000-08:00

Well, more neglect. I do apologize. However, I am still recovering. I even made a visit to the doctor! It turns out I have bronchitis. And, a case of pink eye...eyes...both of them. Which is why I went to the doctor in the first place. I thought only little kids got that. For some reason I was sort of embarrassed that I had it. :) Feeling better, but definitely not great. I had a busy week last week and it felt so good to be making so much jewelry! I'm really happy with the sales I had over Christmas. It was quite fun to be so busy.

A lot of bloggers out there are talking about this NY Times article about selling on Etsy. Even though I'm not surprised by anything in the article, it still got me excited about 2010. There's been a lot of sketching going on at my house lately. I've been making a lot of jewelry lately, but not many new designs, so I'm so excited for January. I hope to go nuts with new stuff!

In the meantime, it's all Christmas prep for the next couple days. My dad is coming to town and we will have 11 over for Christmas dinner. Should be fun. Dinner menu follows:

- Pear, blue cheese, candied pecan salad

- Roasted beet soup
- Mushroom risotto
- Thyme popovers
- My FAMOUS Garlic rosemary mashed potatoes
- Panetone bread pudding with cinnamon sauce

I'll post recipes soon. Still perfecting a few... :)

Where have I been?

2009-12-15T14:59:00.000-08:00

I guess it's not too unusual for me not to post for several days, but I've been trying to be better about it and getting one out every day or every other day. Well, anyway, things have been busy and I've been yucky sick. Ugh. I'm not a good sick person. I complain...a lot. I might even whine a little. Worst of all, my brain doesn't work and it's not good for me to try and hold conversations. But, I think I've been pretty productive this last week all things considered.

I somehow rallied yesterday after wrapping, packing and sending out all of our out of town gifts AND all my jewelry orders from over the weekend. We had tickets to see Santa Baby by the Seattle Men's Chorus. Oh my gosh, it was fun. Beautiful music, hilarious skits, just overall insanely entertaining and festive. We went with some friends and we all decided it should be our new Christmas tradition. So, Seattleites - if you can't make it this year, make sure you do next year...

Well, I'm off to rest some more and hope for a healthier tomorrow. I'm having about 10 girlfriends over here for a little Christmas party tomorrow evening, so I better be feeling GREAT! :)

The making of a Ruffle Ring

2009-12-11T10:15:00.000-08:00

I've been making a few Ruffle Rings lately. I love making this ring. Each one is just a little different and I fall in love with each one. Yesterday while making some, I decided to take some process photos. It's harder than I thought! I really have a hard time breaking out of my groove to stop and take a photo. I really admire all those artists out there that do this and share their expertise with other artists. I think it's so fun seeing how people work - like all art, there isn't just one way to do something, so it's fun to see everyone's process - and secondly, I love to pick up some tips. So I hope I can help someone out there! Here's a peek at what it's like to make a Ruffle Ring:

First, I use one of these to hand cut 3 different size discs...

Like this...

Then, I hand form each disc until they are "ruffled" to my liking.

I then take my 3 ruffled discs, flux them, and stack them so that there are several contact points between all the individual ruffles - to insure they all stay firmly together once soldered. I use medium solder and place little pieces of it near all the contact points. Now, it's time to solder! I heat my brick up mostly and then watch for my solder to flow. I throw my perfectly imperfect ruffle into the pickle and make a ring for whatever size my order is for (oops, forgot pictures of that...sorry).

I sand down a little flat spot on my ring, again, for a larger (hence, stronger) contact point for my ruffle. Flux everything. Then, I use my third hand to hold the ring on top of the ruffle, place a piece of easy solder between the band and the ruffle and solder.

Once soldered, my ring looks like this. Yuck, huh? Back to the pickle for cleaning.

Now, it's been pickled and just needs to be finished. I use a radial sanding disc with a pretty high grit to give the ring an all over sanded finish. Because, although I love the ruffle, I don't want it to be too pretty. I like to add a little roughness to it.

And here is the finished product...

Oh, and of course, you can also find it here :)

A day in the studio feels good

2009-12-10T12:47:00.000-08:00

Ahhh, finally I have a full day of jewelry making! Such a great feeling. A full day only because I have a cold and am moving about 30% slower than usual. I have a little cloud in my brain today and I'm trying to listen to fun music to get me moving a little faster. The funny things is...the song I keep listening to is "Sleepyhead" by Passion Pit. Which is actually exactly what I am today. If there was a song called "You have 10,000 things to do today and you're moving really slowly for someone with so much to do" I would be listening to that.

Here's my little pile of goodies going out in the mail tomorrow morning. There's still time to order for Christmas! Plus, that whole free shipping thing I'm offering...get shopping!

As for our household's Christmas prepping update, the house is decorated, the tree is up, the hot cocoa mix is made, the peppermint bark is made, cookies baked...just a few things left to do!

Oh, and this is so sad. Kyra has had these antlers for about 10 years - since her first Christmas, I think. And this is what Lulu did to them today...bad girl.

A weekend of holiday goodness

2009-12-07T13:21:00.000-08:00

Oh, where do I start?! Our adventure cutting our own pesticide-free tree down at Miss Becky's? Vanilla extract making with my sister? We did it all this weekend! Tree decorating. Wreath finding. Dog bathing. Christmas baking. Recipe testing for Christmas dinner. I'll just share a couple moments...

It was our first time cutting our own tree and I have to say I might never buy a pre-cut one again...so much fun. It felt so much more Christmas-y to go out in this farm and pick your tree and cut if yourself. Plus, it was a simply gorgeous day. The sun was shining, there wasn't a cloud in the sky and it was cold! I know! Seattle?! Sunny and cold? Weird.

The woman who owned the farm - Miss Becky - was hilarious! It took us at least 40 minutes to give her our money for the tree. It's a long story, but we basically chased her around to try and get her to take our money and we finally just laid our cash on a table and said, "Well, we'll just leave this here for you..." and left without getting change. It's not that she didn't want it, she was just like a little puppy - so distracted by anything. She would just disappear in mid sentence.

We didn't quite finish decorating the tree last night. OK, fine...we barely started. Anyway, I hope to finish tonight and take some photos of our lovely little tree. But, it's up and ready for some love!

Sunday my sister and I made vanilla extract for some Christmas gifts. Sorry to ruin the surprise for some of you :). I got the idea and recipe from Bethany Actually - you can see the process and directions there.

But, basically you just cut a couple vanilla beans in half for each bottle you are making, stick the beans in the bottle, fill with vodka and let them sit for a month or so. They turned out adorably! It was such a fun project. I made our labels in Word and even though I am certainly not a graphic designer (hence creating them in Word), the labels are super cute.

Last, but not least, it's so wonderful to have fluffy, fuzzy, clean and sweet smelling dogs once again. Kyra and Lulu say hi...

Christmas cards

2009-12-04T11:34:00.001-08:00

I got my Christmas cards the other day! I'm so excited. They are beautiful and made by Smock Paper, they also have an Etsy shop. Smock prints on sustainable, pesticide-free bamboo paper and run their shop on wind energy. 1% of their proceeds goes to For the Planet - so it's just hard not to feel good about not making my own cards this year and sending these beauties out instead. Also, you HAVE to see their wrapping paper - oh my gosh, gorgeous...

I'm trying to stay distracted by all the decorating, baking, gifting, and crafting that I have coming up this month. I do love this time of year for all those reasons. But, I was hoping to be busy in my studio with lots of orders. Holiday sales for Erin Jane Designs just aren't what I thought they would be...maybe all those last minute shoppers will still come flooding in :). In the meantime, I still have the house to decorate, the tree to trim, the crafts to make and the goodies to bake! Every year my sister and I have our annual holiday crafting day. Sunday is the day and this year our gift is homemade vanilla...I'll post pictures soon. Should be a fun project. I have a few more up my sleeve too - I'll wait to spill the beans on those later!

Have a happy weekend!

*photos care of Smock

My adorable advent calendar

2009-12-02T17:21:00.000-08:00

Ok, so it's not fancy, but I think our advent calendar is adorable. We put it on our fireplace so we see it everyday.

Here's what we did:

1. Cut 24 3"x6" pieces of X-mas themed papers

2. Fold them in half

3. Put the dates on the front - I found some stick on numbers and put them on sort of randomly. When I ran out of the stick on ones, I just used a marker to print the rest :)

4. Print out you list of activities on address labels. I used the Avery 8160 template - they fit perfectly in the 3" square, but use what you like. And, of course, you can totally just write in there, but printing was faster and my handwriting is horrid.

5. Randomly stick your activities inside the cards. We had several planned out activities that we had to do on certain days, weekends, or what not, but try to keep it random - it's silly fun.

6. Cut ribbons to go around the card to keep them shut. A little over a foot each.

7. Put double sided tape on the back of each card, over the ribbon, so it stays in place and stick on your fireplace, or wherever!

Oh, and it sure is getting fun - and it's only the 2nd of the month! We had an easy one yesterday - "get a new Christmas CD". We got the Nutcracker...so looking forward to that. Today's was pretty hilarious. It was "open a gift". Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I haven't gotten much shopping done quite yet. I guess that's what's so fun about this calendar - you just don't know what's coming, so it makes things pretty entertaining. So, today while I was grabbing some wrapping paper, I looked around for something for the hubby. I can hardly describe how hard this man is to shop for. Doesn't like anything (well, maybe a few things!), doesn't want anything, doesn't need anything...I have had a few triumphs over the years, but also a few failures. I'll let you know what he thinks about his wine thermometer some other time :(. Yep, I said wine thermometer. It was last minute!

A treasury...now front page!

2009-12-01T08:39:00.001-08:00

My beautiful ruffle treasury made it to the front page early this morning! How cool is that?! I'm sorry I slept through it, but one of the designers that I featured was nice enough to tell me about it. I don't have a screenshot yet, but I do have an archive so you can at least see what was featured (they moved a couple things around - enough where I didn't get any credit :(...). Here you go!

13.1 miles...finished

2009-11-30T09:15:00.000-08:00

Well, we did it! 13.1 miles yesterday. Everything went great - no need to walk, the knees held out, weather was fine - all in all, a great day. We ended up getting to the race pretty late. It's weird enough to drive somewhere just to run for 13 miles, but to get stuck in traffic for 45 minutes and watching people walk by while your stuck is even stranger. Well, we finally got to the start line and I tried to mosey my way over to the fancy port-a-potties, but no one would let me through! Needless to say, I had to start the race with a full bladder and after one mile, I stopped and waited in line for at least 20 minutes to use the potty. Horrible. I was so antsy! I just wanted to RUN! I watched the last of the last runners and walkers go by by the time my turn was up. It took me the rest of the run to catch up to anyone that was running my pace. I finished in 2:16, but next time I plan on beating 2hrs. Use the bathroom before the start is my new rule.

I'm pretty sore today, but happy :).

Have a happy Cyber Monday and don't forget to SHOP!

A treasury!

2009-11-28T14:06:00.000-08:00

So, those of you who aren't regular Etsians, well, you should be, but anyway, the Treasury is an ever-changing, member-curated shopping gallery of handpicked items. Members can feature their favorite items, items selected on a theme or just whatever they like. If "popular" enough, your treasury can be featured on Etsy's home page. And, I made my first one today! It was pretty fun and I can see that it could get addicting pretty easily. Anyway, here's mine. Leave me a comment and click around on the images...it helps get it "hotter" (more popular)....

Thanksgiving and Sale

2009-11-27T09:29:00.000-08:00

I don't know about all of you, but I'm recovering from yesterday's overload of food, but still feeling very thankful. Just 2 more days until we run our half marathon and then my thankfulness will really be over the top :).

I wanted to give you some promotional codes for your holiday shopping with Erin Jane Designs. Here's how it's going to work:

25% off your ENTIRE order on http://www.erinjanedesigns.com from now until December 19th! Type the code "HOLFACE09" in the "promo code" box on the homepage to receive your discount.

__________________________

Buy One, Get One half off in my Etsy shop from now until December 19th! - http://www.erinjanedesigns.etsy.com. Type "Facebook Holiday" in the "notes to seller" when you check out and you will receive your refund via Paypal.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and here are just a few more designs you'll find in my Etsy shop all ready for the shopping season!

Holiday FREE shipping

2009-11-24T08:31:00.000-08:00

A pre Black Friday and Cyber Monday heads up for you all! I'll be offering free domestic shipping and $2 international shipping through December 31st in my Etsy shop and my Erin Jane Designs website. It starts today, so go get your goodies now!

Noooo...you can't eat these.

2009-11-23T13:11:00.000-08:00

I just got LOADS of new insanely gorgeous stones! I honestly can hardly contain my excitement. Don't they just look edible and incredibly tasty? You are looking at Smoky Quartz, Obsidian, Sunstone, Chalcedony, Crystal Quartz, Labradorite, Tourmalated Quartz, Rutilated Quartz, Amazonite, Star Quartz, Pyrite Quartz, Manifest Quartz, Amethyst, Moonstone, Charoite, Rhodonite, Aquamarine...the list goes on! Well, I will update you with my new creations soon. In the meantime, enjoy the pretty colors.

The Holidays....are here!

2009-11-19T08:36:00.000-08:00

I can hardly believe it! The holidays are here! I think they come earlier each year...

Today I saw a super cute idea that you must check out by Jordan Ferney for an advent calendar. December 1st is rapidly approaching and I want one too! I have a rough list of some things for Hubby and I to do. Most of my ideas have to do with eating and drinking so far...hmmm, oh well. Here's a little sample:

1. Make a GOOD spiced wine and drink it by the fire

2. Make massive amounts of my now famous peppermint bark

3. Find (or make!) a new ornament for the tree that will forever remind us of this past year.

Lots more to go and I won't bore you with all of them.

One another note, here are a few new items that I just put in my Etsy shop. Can you say holiday party PERFECT?!!

Half marathon ready?

2009-11-15T14:42:00.000-08:00

In 2 weeks I'll be running my first half marathon! Hubby and I signed up several months ago and now it's right around the corner. I'm a pretty regular runner and have been for quite a while. However, once it came time to start training a month or so ago I, of course, hurt myself. I never really figured out what is wrong, but I think I just have "runners' knee". After running downhill I get this crazy pain in my knee - like its going to buckle underneath me - and I just have to stop running. Insanely frustrating. So, I haven't really been talking about the marathon since I wasn't even sure if I would be able to run it. For the last few weeks I've been running only on the treadmill and on flat courses trying to heal my knee. But...today was SUCCESS! It was the first 10 mile run I've done in months and although I'm a bit sore, I didn't have to stop and my fears of not being able to finish the half marathon are just about gone. It felt great! It was pouring rain (just like it probably will be in a couple weeks) and pretty fricking cold.

I got some new gear from Lululemon the other day to prepare for running in the rain and since I agreed to do some product testing for them - I got this fantastic jacket for free! What?! That kind of stuff never, ever, ever happens to me. I am so excited.

I love it. It's super comfy, keeps me totally dry and is just warm enough. And, I have to say, its way cuter in person.

Anyway, wish me luck with my further training and knee health :)

Front Page of Etsy!

2009-11-13T12:18:00.000-08:00

My Crystal Quartz Ring made it to the front page of Etsy today! It's a first for me...I'm so excited!

Oh! And new items to share...

2009-11-10T16:06:00.000-08:00

Here are a few new things going up in my Etsy shop. I hope to get them all posted tonight. I really want a packed shop in anticipation for the holidays coming up. I will also post my holiday code for discounts and let you know the scoop on that in the coming days...

Vitamin D in Sedona

2009-11-10T15:36:00.000-08:00

Hubby and I decided to take a quick weekend getaway to Sedona for some much needed Vitamin D before the Pacific Northwest winter really takes over. We got back last night and our trip was fantastic. The SUN was fantastic. Indescribably beautiful in Sedona. Pictures just don't suffice, but I will share some anyway :). Even though the airline lost our luggage for a full day (we were only there 2...) we had a great time. Our room at L'auberge was crazy! A little cottage with an outdoor shower and sunny deck. We got a great deal on the room since they are doing renovations, but we didn't even notice. For just being there a couple days, we did and saw it all!

Our absolute favorite thing was our trail run up Broken Arrow trail to Submarine Rock. I was a little worried about the altitude, but trail running is so fun and it was so gorgeous, I didn't even notice if I was tired or not. Of course I didn't have my camera with me since we were running, but I don't think I'll ever forget the views.

I have to say I am happy to be home. Normally, I want to stay wherever we vacation for...well, ever. I missed good food though!! Southwest cuisine is not my thing. Burgers everywhere! Fried this, fried that, green peppers and onions on everything. Every place we went had an identical menu. I finally found fresh halibut from Alaska the last night and was pretty happy. What a food snob I am. Now it's time to detox all the grease out of me...

Enjoy the photos!

Weekend Deals on Etsy - Buy one, Get One!

2009-10-30T13:05:00.000-07:00

Gosh, I feel so car salesman-y.... But, I am holding a Buy One, Get One Free sale in my Etsy shop this weekend. For every item you buy, you get these earrings free. Just enter "weekend deal" in the "Notes to Seller" during checkout. So, get some holiday shopping done!

There are TONS of Etsy sellers doing the same all weekend long. Click Here for just a sample. You can also search "weekend deals" on the home page and get a ton more results of shop owners offering Buy One, Get One deals.

Have a great weekend!

Quiet night...

2009-10-29T20:43:00.000-07:00

Well, a super busy week came to an end...all the family is gone - even my hubby is gone out of town. So, it's just me and the dogs and a seriously delicious dinner. I thought I would treat myself to a bit of a naughty dinner tonight...butternut squash pasta with brown butter. A couple weeks ago, hubby and I went to a little restaurant, La Medusa, and had a delicious dinner. I had a pumpkin pasta and just had to try and recreate it. Now, I'm no recipe writer, but I will do my best....

BUTTERNUT SQUASH PASTA AND BROWN BUTTER

Ingredients

1/2 butternut squash

1 shallot - diced

1 clove of garlic

small handful of sage leaves

dash of nutmeg

2/3 cup of ricotta

1/3 cup yogurt

Olive oil

salt and pepper

2 TBSP butter

pasta sheets

freshly grated parmesan

Directions

Preheat oven to 425

Peel the butternut squash and cut into small bite size pieces. Toss with a little olive oil and salt and pepper and roast for about 30 minutes.

While the butternut squash is roasting, saute the shallot and sage leaves for about 5 minutes, adding the garlic at the last minute or so. Cook your pasta according to the package. I used lasagna sheets, but I would have liked to use fresh pasta sheets. They are shorter and wider and just seem cooler. However, if you are less lazy than me, you could make ravioli too.

Stick the shallot mix and butternut squash in a food processor and add the ricotta, nutmeg and yogurt. Puree and add salt and pepper to taste.

Put the butter in a saute pan on medium to medium high for a few minutes until it starts bubbling and turns brown.

Place a couple pasta sheets in a bowl and add some of the squash mixture. Top with the brown butter and parmesan. Enjoy.

New Goodies!!

2009-10-21T17:08:00.000-07:00

I've spent the last couple days making bezels, setting stones, filing, sawing, polishing...Whee! So, here they are....Look for these new goodies in my Etsy Shop in the next couple days. I will hopefully have time to post them super soon. More jewelry tomorrow and a super fun weekend coming up. My mom will be here and it's my sister's birthday, so lots of good stuff coming up!

Oh, and check out the pink Opal ring in the middle...remember that stone?? Oh my gosh, I am in love with it...

Studio Song

2009-10-20T12:37:00.000-07:00

So, the White Denim album "Fits" just came out today - so now I can finally download my new favorite song - "Regina Holding Hands" - perfect for a day in the studio. Go ahead and take a listen - make sure to give the song 1 minute and 20 seconds and you'll fall in love...

I'm hoping to take some photos of all the goodies I've been working on in the next couple days...so keep your eyes peeled for those on my blog and in my Etsy Shop. Then, Thursday my mom comes for a visit - Hi Mom! (She's the only person who reads my blog, I think :). A good couple weeks coming up...

New stone setting projects

2009-10-15T18:52:00.000-07:00

Ooooo...here are a few fun stones. I've been working on a few of them already. The big pink one is actually an Opal from Greece. I got it from a guy who got it from THE guy who found it and cut it in Greece. You will be surprised when you see what I'm doing with it...Oh, I love it! Then there are 3 Labradorite stones (1 bigger and round and the other 2 smaller and square), a Peruvian Opal - the triangular shaped one and then a Chrysoprase. It will be fun to show you what I do with them all! Wheeee!

A little blog love...

2009-10-14T08:56:00.000-07:00

I had a really nice little blog feature this morning in the Seattle PI featuring my holiday collection! The blog is written by a gal who runs the Urban Fashion Network here in Seattle.

Very nice!

Now off to get my hair done. Nothing like a fresh cut and color...it's going to be a good day!

Launching my Holiday Collection '09

2009-10-08T16:38:00.000-07:00

It's here! I am so excited to release and announce my Erin Jane Designs Holiday '09 Collection! It's only about 20 new pieces, but they are all FANTASTIC and so perfect for dressing up for the holidays, gift giving plus lots of basics for day or evening. Something for everyone! It's such a great feeling to have been able to include items that have soldered elements. For so long I've had design ideas that I've thought I can't do because I don't solder...well, not anymore! Yippee! I've been working so hard learning these new techniques and having even more fun. I'd love to hear from you on what you think of the new designs. Leave comments or email me at erin at erinjanedesigns.com.

Here's a little peek at what you'll see...

Metalsmithing and other new endeavors...

2009-10-01T15:50:00.000-07:00

Wow, I've been so busy! A couple months or so ago, I decided to give metalsmithing a try. I've taken a couple classes before, but never really applied the things I learned in my own studio - thinking I couldn't have all that fancy equipment in my house, plus I wasn't ready or willing to spend the money. But, in fact, you can do a whole lot with some pretty basic tools...and a whole lot of patience. To refresh my memory, I bought a few books for reference and gave it a go. Oh! And YouTube! Good god there is a ton of cool stuff on there. Tutorials galore. I started with just some basics - soldering posts on to earrings, soldering circles and hoops closed, etc...I loved it! It was so satisfying. Since then I've set a few stones and even made a few rings! I can't even tell you how much fun I've been having. The items I've been making have been taking forever though. I'm used to pumping out tons of pieces of jewelry a day, but with some of these new techniques that I'm still a novice at, I can only get a few done a day - at the most :).

I'm also getting ready to release a small holiday collection for Erin Jane Designs. I'm hoping to get my photos finished, pricing done and launched on the website in the next couple weeks. I haven't released a new line since last spring, so I'm pretty excited. You'll see a lot of examples of my soldering...I couldn't really get enough. I'll keep you updated and also post some teaser photos :). Some seriously cool stuff.

One of my favorite (and most time consuming!) items I did recently, is this ring. I'll be putting it in my Etsy shop SOON! Here is a photo after I made the band, bezel and backplate and pulled it out of the pickle - plus the crystal quartz stone I would soon set. Then, the after...bling!!

I'm also working on a necklace setting - it's still a work in progress. Ugh, and it might be for a while. I'm having such a hard time polishing these little guys. I'm learning that there are still so many tools that I still need to make the job easier.

More to come soon...!

A song for you...

2009-09-30T18:29:00.000-07:00

I love music. I listen to it while I work out, while I work, while I drive, while I cook...well, you get the idea. Just about every week I have a new favorite song, so I thought I would share some with you occasionally. Here's my FAVORITE right now - Take a listen. It's called "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

I just read on their MySpace page that they performed on Letterman - guess I'm not as hip as I thought... :)

Sale, Sale, Sale!

2009-09-18T11:44:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm ready to make some room for some more fall and holiday jewelry, so I've reduced prices by 25% on 15 items in my Etsy shop. There are items for $15 in there...what?!! Just click on the SALE link.

I've been working on a holiday collection that I'm really excited about. I'll post some photos soon.

In the meantime, check out the sale for early holiday shopping! Here are a few of the items included. Just click the photo to get to the sale!

Farewell Summer!

2009-09-10T18:36:00.000-07:00

I'm not quite ready for summer to end, but I can feel it in the air. Fall is here. I love everything about summer - EVERYTHING. Long days, warm nights, flip flops, summer fruit...all the FOOD! Yum. Needless to say, we've been eating well in the Staples household. Heirloom tomatoes have been wonderful this season...as usual. Here's an easy recipe for you for a wonderful Heirloom Tomato salad. The recipe is for 2 :)

2 Heirloom tomatoes - big ones :)

1/4 red onion, thinly sliced

2 TBSP red wine vinegar

4 TBSP garlic flavored olive oil (I'm obsessed with this lately)

1 handful of croutons

salt and pepper

Cut the top 1/4-inch off the tomatoes and set aside. Cut the inside of the tomato away from the outside skin without cutting through completely; scoop the good stuff and seeds out with a spoon and stick in a strainer set over a bowl to drain. Season the hollowed tomatoes with salt and pepper.

Put the onions in a small bowl and add them 1 tablespoons vinegar and a pinch of salt. Whisk together 1 tablespoon vinegar, the garlic oil and the drained tomato water. Season well with salt and pepper.

Coarsely chop the drained tomato and put in a mixing bowl. Add the onions and croutons. Drizzle the dressing over the bowl and toss very well; season again and add more oil, tomato water and vinegar, to taste. Stuff each tomato with 1/2 of the stuffing and garnish with the tomato tops. EAT.

Ahhh, Minnesota!

2009-09-09T18:25:00.000-07:00

Every summer my husband, Tom and I head to Minnesota for a week or so. I grew up in Duluth and have friends and family that we visit. We just got back from our annual trip on Monday night.

Every year we head up the Gunflint Trail to East Bearskin Lake where our family has had a cabin for the last 3o years. There's really nothing quite like time up at the cabin. It's so peaceful. No cell phones, no computers, no TV...just quiet. There wasn't enough time for fishing this year :(. We were only there for 2 days - which is WAY too short - and then headed to a little town just a ways from Duluth for a wedding. It was gorgeous and so wonderful to watch two of my very favorite people get married.

Cabin photos...

Wedding photos...

Now, back to jewelry...

TONS of new jewelry for Asher Anson

2009-08-25T17:24:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited about this order I just finished up. Below is just a tiny sampling of all the new Erin Jane Designs jewelry delivered to Asher Anson today. But, there are so many great designs just in time for fall! Go and check them out!

I, of course, couldn't leave without snagging a new ADORABLE dress they just got in. I got this little number in navy blue. So cute!

Wedding Jewelry

2009-08-07T11:56:00.001-07:00

As the wedding season starts to wrap up, I'm so looking forward to seeing photos from the brides I've worked with this season. It's so much fun working with these gals to create something just for them. My very good girlfriend, Mackenzie is getting married over Labor Day weekend and I just can't wait to see her in her jewels. Her 3 bridesmaids too...Here's some photos.

Mack's earrings

Her necklace

And, for Laurie...

For Miss Mya...

And, for Jenae...

And the winner is...

2009-08-05T12:03:00.000-07:00

The winner of the giveaway is Astrid Klopsch! Thanks Astrid and enjoy!

August Jewelry of the Month

2009-08-03T10:23:00.000-07:00

These lovelies are the Erin Jane Designs' August Jewelry of the Month. They are Yellow Opals in square gold filled wire hoops. Just type in "blog" to the note to seller for the month of August and I'll refund your shipping. Find them HERE!

New Tools = New Techniques

2009-07-27T12:38:00.000-07:00

I LOVE tools. I love researching new ones, getting new ones, and of course, practicing new techniques with them. I just got a few extra toys, so, I finally am set up to do some basic soldering. I fuse with fine silver all the time, which takes less steps and less heat, but there is so much more you can do with soldering. I'm really excited!

I also have my pickling solution all set up - which I have actually used. For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about - a quick explanation...a picking solution is something you put your metal in after you've soldered or just applied a ton of heat to. The metal gets awfully dirty and the pickling solution - which is acid based - cleans the metal off beautifully.

Here are a pair of earrings made of fine silver and gold-filled wire. The gold filled piece was actually a large oval jump ring that I just reshaped and hammered. Then, I fused (still not confident enough to try soldering :)) a larger fine silver ring and hammered it. At that point the gold was filthy from the heat of fusing the silver - like an uneven, dirty rusty color. So, I dropped it in the pickle solution for just a minute (you have to be really careful with gold-filled material not to leave it in too long) and VOILA! You can find them in my Etsy Shop!

July Jewelry of the Month

2009-07-01T17:52:00.000-07:00

Here is a simply fantastic bracelet that I am featuring this month. Oh, I love it. The oxidized sterling silver and gold filled chains are just a gorgeous mix. It's both sweet and tough at the same time. Not too big, not too small...just perfect.

You can find it in my etsy shop and if you type in "blog" into the note to seller during your purchase throughout the month of July, I will refund the shipping!

It's Giveaway time!!

2009-06-25T15:36:00.000-07:00

Check out this one-of-a-kind, gorgeous necklace! It could be yours! The pendant is a Fluorite Druzy with flecks of Pyrite in it. It's on a multi-strand chain of sterling silver and oxidized sterling silver with Green Amethyst, Smoky Quartz, White Topaz, and Keshi Pearls.

If you are on Facebook, just have 2 friends sign up as fans and get entered into a drawing. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Erin-Jane-Designs/47151974088?ref=mf

Check the Discussion Board for more details.

If you aren't on Facebook, well, I'll enter you anyway! Just comment on this post and I will add your name. The drawing is August 5th. Go, go, go!

Our Adventure

2009-06-23T13:15:00.000-07:00

My husband and I (and our 2 dogs) just got back from a 9 day road trip down the Oregon and Northern California coasts. What a FANTASTIC trip! There were so many great moments, but I thought I would share some of my favorite photos including one of a California Condor that was sitting on a guardrail on Hwy 1 near Big Sur. We were driving when I took the photo, but I still think it turned out well, although you can't tell how insanely huge he was - at least 3 feet tall.

I also finished my giveaway item today! Of course, I left my camera battery charger somewhere along the way on our trip and my battery is totally dead :(. But, any day now I'll have details and photos for you so you can learn how to enter for the giveaway.

Enjoy the photos!

Lulu with her ball

A sunset from our deck in Santa Cruz

Here it is! The California Condor! Just 172 living in the wild...and we got to see one!

Ahhh...Big Sur. So gorgeous.

Starfish in an Oregon coast tidepool

Strawberry Jam

2009-06-08T13:14:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure where the urge came from, but I had been thinking about homemade strawberry jam, but usually you have to mess with pectin, etc...and it just seems too tedious for me. But, then I found a recipe that uses apple to act as the pectin and it worked great. I messed with the recipe a bit and...Yum, yum, yum!!! You've got to try this recipe! The lemon at the very end adds such a nice tartness and really brings out the strawberry flavor. Seriously...so good.

Ingredients

3 pints fresh strawberries

3 cups sugar

2 tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur

1/2 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and small-diced

1/2 lemon

Directions

Rinse, drain and hull the strawberries. Cut the larger berries in half or quarters and leave the small berries whole. Place the strawberries in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot such as heavy Dutch oven and toss them with the sugar and orange-flavored liqueur.

Bring the berry mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring often. Add the apple and continue to keep the mixture at a rolling boil, stirring occasionally, until the jam reaches 220 degrees on a candy thermometer. This should take 25 to 35 minutes. Skim and discard any foam that rises to the top. Squeeze the half lemon in and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature and then store covered in the refrigerator. It will keep refrigerated for at least 2 weeks.

Erin Jane Designs Giveaway sneak peak

2009-06-05T11:56:00.000-07:00

So, is it just me or is everyone giving stuff away? Well, I decided to jump on the bandwagon and do a giveaway. More details to come, but I thought I would post a photo of some of the materials I will be using for the piece I am making...maybe for you! Here's your little sneak peak. Stay tuned!

Hummingbird!

2009-06-01T14:33:00.001-07:00

Oh, this little guy couldn't be cuter, so I just had to share. I had my hibiscus outside for some sunshine and this little hummingbird was sure happy with it.

Studio Transformation!

2009-05-26T13:23:00.000-07:00

Well, FINALLY! My studio got some LOVE this last week or so. Of course, the project took on a life of it's own, and was a bit more time consuming than I first thought - but I don't even care anymore! I am loving how it turned out. There are still a few things to do, but there always will be...

So, the first photo is the "Before". I had already started to take some things out of the room before I took photos, so this isn't even the messiest :).

And, now, the AFTER!

So much more storage! So much more light! So much more inpiring! My favorite part is probably my white concrete floor. I had hideous beige carpet that just didn't seem appropriate for a studio, so since I didn't have a budget for a new floor, I just threw some white paint on the concrete that was under the carpet. Not perfect, but great for the interim. Plus, white floors are so cool.

Here are a few more photos...

Orange!

2009-05-15T12:50:00.000-07:00

Well, I finished my first painting of my orange series. I love it. The other one I'm working on isn't working out as well, so I'm glad I like this one. So bright and cheery! I'm not sure where to put it though! In our living area, this is really the only spot to put a painting, but it needs a BIG painting and looks a little naked with the white birds. And, I really don't feel like putting more holes in the wall. Since my husband is probably the only person who reads this darn blog (and is out of town, so hasn't seen my painting yet), I will just ask him which he likes better...before or after, honey?

The best pizza dough!

2009-05-11T13:09:00.000-07:00

So, besides jewelry, my next love is definitely food. Eating it mostly, but making it is awfully fun too. I spent about 5 weeks in Italy when I was in my early 20's and developed a true love for pizza. And I mean pizza neapolitan style, not like delivered from a teenager. Light, chewy crust. Yum. Anyway, I have a pretty darn good recipe to get that authentic crust. I'll tell you right now that cake flour is the secret ingredient.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon active dry yeast

1 1/4 cups warm water (105 to 115 degrees F)

1 cup cake flour (not self rising)

2 1/2 to 3 cups all purpose flour (you can sub a cup or so of whole wheat if you don't want all the processed stuff)

2 teaspoons salt

Olive oil for the bowl

Directions

Sprinkle the yeast over the water and let stand for 1 minute, until the yeast dissolves.

In a large bowl, or in your Kitchen Aid, combine the cake flour, 2 1/2 cups of the all purpose flour, and the salt. Add the yeast mixture and stir until a soft dough forms and knead for about 10 minutes.

Lightly coat another large bowl with oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning it to oil the top. Cover and place in a warm, draft free place and let rise about 1 1/2 hours.

Flatten the dough with your fist. Cut the dough into 2 to 4 pieces and shape the pieces into balls. You can go ahead and make your pizzas now, if you are impatient like me or you can let the dough rise another time for 60-90 minutes.

Thirty minutes before baking the pizzas, place a baking stone on a rack in the lowest level of the oven. Turn on the oven to the maximum temperature, 500 to 550 degrees F.

Shape and bake pizzas in desired fashion.

So good! We make pizza about once a week, but lately I've been making Carta De Musica - which is basically a salad on top of a pizza crust. Now, I'm no food stylist, but isn't this pretty??!! All vegies from my garden. Use 1/2 the dough recipe above to make one of these guys. First, add some fresh rosemary, a little olive oil, and crushed red pepper to the dough and bake it for about 12 minutes on 500 (or until golden brown), then top it with this yummy salad:

1 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel

1 cups baby arugula

1 cups baby spinach leaves

1 cups mixed baby greens

4 baby carrots, trimmed, peeled, thinly sliced lengthwise

4 Easter Egg radishes or breakfast radishes, trimmed, thinly sliced

1/2 cups stemmed edible flowers (such as pansies, violas, calendula, or marigolds)

Oxidizing silver

2009-05-08T11:21:00.000-07:00

Well, for most jewelers oxidizing is probably something they've been doing forever. For me, I just started. And, yes, another obsession. I can't get away from it! I love it! I especially love mixing it with gold. Oh, so pretty. I'm still in the experimentation phase. I've been using liver of sulfur, which is pretty gross, but I've been doing a ton of production work for couple boutiques in town and have been making a TON of jewelry, so the more environmentally friendly version of oxidizing with a hard boiled egg just isn't happening.

But, anyway, I've learned a bit about how to get the really black, black color (just add a touch more liver of sulphur and leave it in your hot water until you get the right color). To get that steel grey color, I use a bit less and then I take it out when the silver actually looks like an oil slick - you know that rainbow-y kind of look. It's scary! But, if you polish it up with a silver polish cloth, you get that nice steel grey color. Don't forget to check out my Etsy Shop for more examples!

Spring Painting Inspiration!

2009-05-07T16:26:00.000-07:00

I've been taking this painting class for the last couple years. You are probably thinking, "class?... for a couple years? ...maybe painting isn't your thing..." But, it's not like that! It's really like studio time where I get to paint in a REAL artist's studio with lots of fun people, unlimited paint and supplies and ask questions...lots of questions. Anyway, I haven't been going since this fall and am finally back!

I had been a bit obsessed (there's that word again - I think you will see it a lot) with wintery scenes, birds, dark trees, etc...so my house is filled with paintings like this.

But, now it's SPRING and I want bright, fun, happy colors! So, I have a color palette that is in my head and I'm hoping to do some fun things with it.

LOTS of orange and white with some grey and a watery blue accents. I still don't think I can get away from trees and birds quite yet, but I'm definitely ready for some happier trees and color. So, of course my teacher, Mark, tells me that orange is the most expensive color to make - so he was literally about to have a heart attack when I told him how much I wanted - I wanted A LOT. He-he. He'll be OK.

Here's a bit about Mark.

Maybe I'll talk about jewelry soon :)...

Starting a blog today!

2009-05-06T11:10:00.000-07:00

Well, here it goes. I'm starting a blog. Normally, I'm not the type to be so out there, but I feel like I should keep up with the times and promote my jewelry designs and hopefully talk about some interesting things that are on my mind. Lately, I've been a little bit vegetable garden obsessed. I've never had a vegetable garden before and this year I decided to go all out and learn all I could about organic, urban gardening. I have to say it's fascinating and there truly is no better feeling than picking fresh vegies from your very own garden. I'll post some photos soon. but, first, let me get used to this blog thing.

The other thing I'm obsessing over lately is my studio. First of all, it's a disaster, but lastly it's totally uninspiring. When we moved in to this house, we pulled carpet, painted, redid floors, redid stairs, railings...you get the idea. My studio was the last room and it got NO LOVE. I'm looking for studio inspirations right now and can hardly wait to get going.

More soon, just wanted to get that first post out there. Phew, done. Can cross that off my list.

Erin Jane

Links!

More posts!

Working with Gold

New Posts on the New Blog!

My New Website is LIVE!

How do you label yourself?

Jewelry Making - Start to Finish

Show and Tell Time + Next Week's News

I'm back! + Quick Blog Feature Mention

How could I forget + Birthday gift

More work + iPhoto trick

Front Page of Etsy...again!

More branding elements + RINGS!

Front Page of Etsy!

New Branding off and running!

A Favorite...

Our Wedding...

Feature Designer on Indie Design Studio

Working...

What a weekend!

New works - only for you!

Update + Rings

Crooked Trails Trunk Show

Custom work + works in progress

Early Morning Front Page...

Running Playlist Help

2 years ago today...

New Jewelry + Eggplant "caviar" recipe

Valentine's Day Menu

Showing off my gems

Gem show in Tucson

Yay for Sweet Customers!

Success

White Vegetarian Chili

Random stuff

Mustard Greens Pesto and Mushroom Pasta

Some blog love

Quiet weekend

New Jewelry in my shop!

SMARTFISH

Wheee!!! Tiny Etsy front page feature!

Help?

Welcome 2010!

Ahhh.....quiet.

Secret

Ramping Up...for Christmas and 2010

Where have I been?

The making of a Ruffle Ring

A day in the studio feels good

A weekend of holiday goodness

Christmas cards

My adorable advent calendar

A treasury...now front page!

13.1 miles...finished

A treasury!

Thanksgiving and Sale

Holiday FREE shipping

Noooo...you can't eat these.

The Holidays....are here!

Half marathon ready?

Front Page of Etsy!

Oh! And new items to share...

Vitamin D in Sedona

Weekend Deals on Etsy - Buy one, Get One!

Quiet night...

New Goodies!!

Studio Song

New stone setting projects

A little blog love...

Launching my Holiday Collection '09

Metalsmithing and other new endeavors...

A song for you...

Sale, Sale, Sale!

Farewell Summer!

Ahhh, Minnesota!

TONS of new jewelry for Asher Anson

Wedding Jewelry

And the winner is...

August Jewelry of the Month