Full Circle - Tradeshow Prep

Last week was mostly all about prepping for the San Francisco Gift tradeshow. I also worked on a custom order, that will hopefully turn into a regular offering in my Etsy shop. (See last photo.) I'm actually blogging mobiley today, so fingers crossed this post doesn't end up looking all wonky!

above, a little bit of the display refining for the tradeshow  

Arlo, looking at me like "you've been working way to much this week!" 

And, above, that custom order I've been working on.  

Alright, back to the tradeshow world! I hope everyone's week is off to a great start :-). 

Full Circle - Learning Curve

I'm working on new line-sheets this week for a tradeshow that's coming up fast (this weekend!) I'm not the most adept user of photoshop, so I sat down with Jeff and he showed me quicker ways of doing what I usually do. Man, was I making my work so much harder than it needed to be! 

Also, I'll announce the winner of the giveaway tomorrow. I didn't realize that today is a holiday for most folks until this morning, so I figure more people will be around on the inter webs tomorrow. So, check back then =). 

A little run down of the above photos (top to bottom):

1. my brass bead stash
2. patterns and textures: two essential ingredients to my wardrobe
3. Todos Organics infused cocunt oils. Soooooo good for the skin!
4. Arlo, lazing in the sun. (Yes, that's a wound on his forehead. He got in a pretty nasty cat fight a week ago. He's healing up nicely tho!)
5. Otis, lounging in the backyard with his brother.
6. my current weaving project. I'm working some driftwood into this one. I'm curious to see where I go with this one.
7. Some new designs! I really want to get these in the Etsy shop this week, but reality and my schedule may dictate next week. I'll post here when they go live!

Full Circle - Back to Events and Craft Fairs

Last week was the return to selling events (pop up shops, craft fairs, art walks, etc) for Tangleweeds. First Friday/Art Murmur in Oakland on Friday night and a pop-up shop at Rickshaw bags in San Francisco on Saturday. After taking about a month and a half off from events I thought I would feel a bit rusty, but nope, it all came together pretty well!

There was also some planning and scheming time. The longer I run Tangleweeds the more I understand that things just don't happen without a fair amount of planning. It can of course get in the way though: if you find yourself always waiting until everything is perfect before trying to make any changes, or make something new happen, then you're probably hiding behind the planning. But a bit of planning, definitely a good thing in my book!

Photo details (top to bottom):
1. my set up at events
2. bracelets for an upcoming tradeshow
3. work in progress at the studio
4. morning tea and sketchbook
5. winter flowers in our yard
6. hedgehog mushrooms, part of Thursday nigh't dinner
7. my Susan Eastman silk blouse (that I picked up at the KPFA Craft Fair.)

Today is a "catch up on paperwork day" so I better get back to it. Here's to a wonderful week!

Full Circle - Back to the Workbench

Last week, was, well, just really really busy. After a week off sick I had so much to catch up on! Honestly, I'm still catching up on all of it, so I'll keep this post short and sweet. (See below for picture details.)

1. Some of my Geometry hoops, fresh off the workbench. 
2. A new-to-me floral dress found at a thrift shop. My floral dress collection is kind of exploding!
3. Messy workbench.
4. A shot from my newest look-book, Everyday Magic.
5. Jewelry headed to the local shop, Oak Common.
6. One of my favorite handmade jewelry pieces from An Astrid Endeavor.
7. Lastly, tea and trains with my nephews this weekend. A fun way to end the week!

I hope everyone's week is off to a great start. Don't forget to enter my contest for my last pair of Singularity earrings over here!

Full Circle - Slowing Down

This last week was mostly spent home sick. Boo-hoo. I have to say, the beginning of a new year is usually when I'm feeling extra-super motivated to start next projects and simply make things happen, so taking a whole week (five days) to slow down and simply care for myself was sort of going against a lot of the cells in my body. Mainly the brain cells. I drank pots and pots of herbal chai, laid around a lot, and actually managed to finish a weaving project. 

Below, is the piece I finished. I'm really really proud of her. I named her "Harvest" in honor of the harvesting that I feel like I am doing in a way in my life. I feel like this year is about harvesting the good that has come from a lot of the hard work I've put into Tangleweeds the last five years and harnessing it to fully realize my dreams. . . 

Annnnnd, lastly, a couple of great thrift finds worn once the sickies went away. One recent (the crescent moon print dress) and one that I found last year at a little charity shop in Sacramento (the coat). I am seriously in looooove with the dress.

Lastly, if you have noticed, my newest Look-Book, "Everyday Magic" is now posted on the site. It was inspired quite simply by the little things in life, the "everyday magic" we sometimes overlook, but when we slow down and allow ourselves to be present (instead of distracted and stressed to the nines) we get to marvel and wonder over. I hope you enjoy it! Many of the pieces are already available in my Etsy shop. Those that aren't yet will be in the next few weeks to come. 

Al righty, lots of jewelry work this week, lots of making and creating to do. If you like to see my daily work, remember you can always follow me/Tangleweeds over here on Instagram.

Have a fabulous week everyone!

Full Circle - New Places, Favorite Places

This last week was all about finding my groove with my work/Tangleweeds schedule as balanced out by time for self-care. As I write this I'm dealing with a nasty cold, (boo!) bringing home the importance of taking care of myself even when things get really busy. I'm working from home today, resting as needed.

This past weekend Jeff and I went to Down Home music in El Cerrito for a free music show. It's a great place if you have a love/interest in country, americana, roots, blues music. While we were over there I finally stopped by the little button shop, Exclusive Buttons. They sell vintage buttons and the selection is amazing. Be forewarned tho, they're only open on Fridays and Saturdays. The buttons I picked up may find themselves into some one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces later this year. I'll make sure to share photos if and when they do!

In the studio there was lots of work on the classics: the swoops, the featherlight necklaces (which are currently sold out in my Etsy shop, but more will be added later this month), and the full circle earrings. 

I also decided to have a little sale for the rest of the month. This season I'll be discontinuing some designs to make room for new ones. A lot of the designs are older ones that I have either re-invented at this point, or they've ebbed in popularity. Everything in the shop is 25% off with the coupon code "jan2015" for the rest of this month. I figure it's a sweet little way to pick up something you've had your eye on for a while before it's gone for good! That last photo at the bottom is an example of one of the deigns that'll be discontinued. 

Al righty, it's time for me to make a big pot of tea and go curl up in bed with a book for a bit. I'm hoping this cold runs it's course in a quick manner!

Full Circle - Weekly Recap

Good morning and good Monday folks! 

My first point of business 'round here: I'm going to be changing my "weekly recap" posts name to "full circle". The name feels right 'cause these posts are my way of looking back over the last week and seeing where I've been and what I've done (and sharing it with all of you), in essence coming back "full circle" to Monday from last Monday. And it's the name of one of my classic collections, yet another reason it felt right. 

This last week was my first week "back to work" with Tangleweeds. I must say it felt great. Taking a break right after the holidays always helps to re-charge my batteries, both creatively and around more practical matters. But this year I'm striving for a bit more balance, and this last week  definitely held a better balance: farmer's market shopping with Jeff, thrifting with my mom in Livermore, and time to practice my new found passion and hobby: weaving!

If you follow me on Instagram, then you've seen that this last week I was spending some time getting my studio cleaned up, including creating a small showroom space. This took the better part of Monday and Tuesday, but I was so glad I had the time to do this. I can't begin to explain how satisfying it is to look over my shoulder while I'm sitting at my desk, typing this blog post, and see my work all on display. I still have a bit more work to do to get the space completely ready for any sort of open studio time, but it will happen this year! Overall this last week was a lot about planning and laying out the groundwork to make my goals this year for Tangleweeds happen. 

Now, I gotta go prep for a small photoshoot that's happening tomorrow. I'm putting together a look-book for a tradeshow I'll be showing at in February. 

Here's to a wonderful week everyone!