Autumnal

Is there anyone who doesn't love fall? If there is, I just don't understand. All that cool, fresh air after the heat of the summer? And the rain! The rain here in the PNW is maybe my favorite thing in the whole world (followed very closely by Roots' cabin socks). Especially this year after our terribly hot, dry summer (and yes, that's right my Kansan friends, I now consider 80 degrees farenheit oppresively hot). I am *so* relieved that autumn is here again.  

I guess it also helps that the end of summer brings the return of my beloved Lucy from her annual summer trip to Kansas. 

I sure did miss that smile!  

But it was a good and fairly productive summer. The best part of it was that Alice actually enjoyed spending time with me in my new, big studio space (I *still* haven't snapped any shots of it - I'm just going to have to do that, mess and all), so I was able to bring her to the studio and get a lot more work done this summer than I have in summers past.  

By far my favorite project of the season was tackling these big-ass (come on, at 6mm wide and 2mm thick they are big-ass, there's no other way to put it) 14k yellow gold bands for Beaumont Studio-mates and candle-makers extraordinaire, Nick & Farouk at Vancouver Candle Company. These beauties are now also available as a made-to-order item in the shop: 

In other news, I will once again be participating in the Etsy Made in Canada Market - in just two short weeks! Come by and see me in booth 14 (across from the Etsy Booth) in Robson Square, Saturday Sept. 26th. If last year was any indication, it should be a lot of fun!! Until then, I'll be a busy, busy bee building pieces for the show and filling orders! And oh, I'll probably fit in a little puddle jumping. 

Letting Go

Once again, it's been about a lifetime since I last posted. There is just always so much going on and even though writing and blogging feel important to me, they rarely make it to the top of the list. Sometimes I feel like there is SO MUCH I want to get done that I start to feel a little panicky about the fact that there will never be enough hours in the day to make all of the things, write all of the words, take all of the photos, read all of the books, appreciate all of the art, AND be the best parent and partner that I can be. And then I just have to take a deep breath, let it all go, and remember that there will be the time that there is to do what I can do and that will be enough. Instead of panicking about the things I'm not getting to do, I need to LET GO, SLOW DOWN, and ENJOY the things I am doing. 

Like moving into a brand new studio, ALL MY OWN, and making pretty things out of silver. That's right - March of this year I moved out of my shared space and spread my wings into a space all my own. It's been a bit of a secret dream since I started this little venture five years ago to have my very own studio space to do with as I please, and now it's a reality! I've been waiting to take photos of my new studio until I put the final touches on the space, and that's taking a little longer than expected, but it's coming along! In the meantime, if you're local, feel free to come by and see me at the Old Beaumont building, Studio 5! Here's a sneak peek: 

And here are just a few of the new items I've added to my online shop since moving into the new space:

There's plenty more, but this is getting picture heavy, so stop by the etsy shop, or the shop link above to see what else is new! I'm adding new work on a pretty regular basis these days so don't forget to follow me on FB and Instagram for the latest. xo

A Day in the Studio

December 15th, 2014 

 @ The Beaumont Studios 

Vancovuer, BC

News, News & More News

So many things!

First of all, I'm so excited to finally be able to announce that Buffalo Lucy will be one of a select few (30, I think) etsy shops that will be represented at the first Etsy Holiday Pop Up Shop hosted right here in Vancouver! Details are still spilling out, but I know it will be held at thisopenspace 434 Columbia St. from Nov. 13th-19th! 

Second, I'm relaunching my email list. I started one a few years back but never really kept up with it. I realize now that it's really a great way to get the news out to my regulars and those of you who would like to know when I have something special to share. Especially since Facebook gets to decide who sees my posts and who doesn't (rather than you or I). So if you haven't already signed up, go here and get in on it. It will be worth it, I think (and i promise not to bug you too much!). 

Third, I realize it's been a *really* long time since I've had a giveaway and with all the thinking and planning I've been doing for the holidays (holiday shipping deadlines, ordering extra shipping supplies, submitting my inventory list for the Holiday Pop Up shop, etc.), I'm getting into the holiday spirit already. So... keep an eye on my social media accounts (and maybe my email list ;) ) because I'm going to be giving something good away very soon! 

Finally, here are those holiday ordering deadlines I just mentioned. I know, it's hard to believe that it's already time to be thinking about this, but it is. 

Also, I think I've added more new things to the shop since I last posted! Whew! Busy busy!! 

Can I Lie Down Now?

Whew!

What a month!

The Etsy Vancouver show was a huge success (it even maybe made me want to do more shows... maybe). I was shocked at the turnout! I don't know what the actual numbers were, but I didn't get a chance to sit down and take a breather for the entire 7 hours! My devoted wife and children were kind enough to bring me lunch but I was only able to sneak in a couple of bites between swarms of people at my table. It was lovely! :)

I was so busy, in fact, that I didn't have time to take many photos. But I snapped a couple:

(my little helper back there!)

I was very happy with my little set-up and got so many compliments from kind shoppers! I was worried that I wouldn't have enough product, but it turned out to be just right. Not so much that it was overwhelming, and not so little that I ran out of anything (actually, that's not true, I ran out of many sizes and styles of stacking rings, but I brought a LOT of those, so I did my best! ;) ). 

I was so busy in the month leading up to this show, trying to build up my inventory so I'd have a tablefull, that I literally worked until 2 and 3 in the morning (after coming home for dinner and to help put the children to bed) more nights than not. It was madness. But long hours in the studio is the best kind of madness I can think of. I almost didn't do the show because I knew how much work it would be starting from scratch, and meeting my clients face-to-face is a little out of this hermit's comfort zone - but I'm so glad I did it. As is almost always the case, stepping out of my comfort zone and trying something new was absolutely worth it. 

I owe a debt of gratitude to my amazing wife for giving me so much time and taking on so much of the lone-parenting duties over that month! Especially since she's also working ridiculously long hours as a tenure-track assistant professor. I love you honey!! 

And now that I've caught back up on orders… and sleep… I've spent the last three days taking and editing photographs of the pieces I have left and listing them in the shop.

Here are just a few of the new items I've listed over the last two days:

Shield Rings in Labradorite, Prehnite, and Moonstone 

 Glass Seed Bead Strand Necklaces

 Gemstone Studs

Lots of Rings! 

 Sterling Stacking Rings

 This necklace (one of several new necklaces!)

 Labradorite, labradorite, labradorite!

So head on over to the shop and check it out. Some of the items are made to order but many of them are one-of-a-kind and ready to ship.