I'm back! + Quick Blog Feature Mention

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

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

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!

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!

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!

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!

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...

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.