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

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. 

Saw, Solder, Sand, Repeat…

Here's an example of just a few of the pieces I've been working for the Etsy Vancouver show for Etsy's Made in Canada Day, September 27th (find me under the dome of the "ice rink" at Robson Square!). 

There's a lot more where that came from but I'll break it up into several posts. 

More in a few days! 

xo

Check this baby out!

I had to hold onto these pictures for a little while because this one was being given as a gift and I couldn't ruin the surprise! Well, the flashy hunk of amethyst and silver you see below has happily found her way home so now I can share!

Isn't she a beauty?! It's a good thing it was claimed before I even built it otherwise I surely would have kept this one for myself. 

♥  

I've got my nose to the grindstone trying to pump out some work for the big Etsy Vancouver show coming up in a month! And filling orders. Be advised that I may have to put the shop on vacation for a short stint so I can focus solely on building stock. But we'll see... 

Keep an eye right here and on my FaceBook page for some sneak peeks of work that will be available at the show. 

Snippets of Summer

And once again I've let the blog fall to the wayside… 

You've been keeping me so busy in the studio! I am incredibly grateful! It has been a struggle just to keep up with my orders this summer and I couldn't be happier about it. With the kids being out of school and all of the fabulous summertime distractions this city has to offer, it has, unfortunately, also meant that studio time is at a premium and I haven't had much of a chance to add anything new to the shop in the way of one-of-kind work--but I'll have some news about that in a minute!

In non-jewelry-but-still-creative news: after taking a bit of a hiatus from photography (except for product shots), I've been slinging my camera over my shoulder again before heading out the door in the mornings and trying to capture at least a few shots every day. It feels good. 

So… some pretty big news on the work front!

I applied to and have been accepted to show at Etsy Vancouver for Etsy's big Made in Canada Market on September 27th! As a general rule I don't really do shows (nor do I use the term "as a rule"), so this is a kind of a big deal. Mark your calendars and come out and see me and my jewelry (and the work of many other talented Etsians) at Robson Square. 

Once again I'll be a busy little Canadian beaver building up stock for the show until then. And for those of you who aren't local, the good news is that whatever doesn't sell at the show (there is sure to be plenty) will go into the etsy shop afterwards. So there should be a good supply of new ready-to-ship work available, just in time Christmas. ;)

My next post should have some fun shots of some pretty fabulous pieces I've been working on lately. I'm just not allowed to share them yet! 

Until then...

Xo

Oh, hey.

Been a while. 

I apologize. 

Life has been a little hectic since the holidays. 

I mean, life around here is always a little hectic, and actually I've been making an effort to stop and BREATHE a little more these days (literally - I've taken up Moksha Yoga and meditation), and I guess the blog has, unfortunately, been relegated to the end of the priority list. 

I'll try to make more of an effort.

she's said that before

Mostly, I've been busy making jewelry! Wow! I've been a busy little metalsmith since November. 

I spend at least two days a week in my studio making nothing but wedding rings. 

What an honor. 

I am still so incredibly amazed and touched that you lovely people entrust me with such an important task. I love the fact that my rings are out there, being worn by men and women (and women and women and men and men), as symbols of their love and commitment. I do my best to make each one with intention (never mindlessly), and to spend a little time as I'm sawing and filing and soldering and sanding focusing on the love and passion and friendship and partnership that the silver I'm working will eventually come to symbolize. It's been such a pleasure and I'm looking forward to adding even more ring styles to my line in the near future (and gold, gold is on the horizon). 

Speaking of jewelry that's an honor to create, over the winter holidays I had the immense and humbling pleasure of being asked to produce one of the most meaningful pieces of jewelry I've worked on yet:

 A hollow form pendant built to house a portion of the cremated remains of the wearer's recently departed partner.

The sides of the pendant have been filed to resemble my signature wedding rings.

Thank you, Meggan, so much, for granting me the honour of creating this piece with you (and Mikel). It was an incredible honor and I feel like my studio is a different place now that it has contained the vibrant spirit of your love.

♥

As for other pieces in the works, when I'm not busy filling wedding ring orders, I am most certainly still creating one-of-a-kind art jewelry and regularly updating the shop. There's a new Wonderland Ring in there, a recent addition of gemstone stacking rings (made-to-order in your size and choice of stones), and various other pieces come and gone (you'll have to check the sold section to see those).  If you missed anything, make sure to follow my Facebook page - I try to post new work there as I list it.

Now here's to spring!
xo

Forest Nymphs

The girls and I had to entertain ourselves all weekend as Dr. Foxy was a very busy beaver (hmm... mixed metaphor? oh well, it stays). 

We managed okay, my little forest nymphs and I.

Oh, and as promised I listed a couple of new rings. There's still a turquoise Wonderland Ring on the bench that's being a bit of a boor, but it should be up sometime this week. 

 SOLD

Available here

It was a busy week in the shop! I spent today restocking necessities in the shop and filling some made-to-order orders. 

A day making wedding bands is always a good day. 

Thank you all for your lovely support! It means the world!

xo

Simon Says

Three new turquoise rings in the shop tomorrow.

Don't miss them!

We're All Mad Here

The Mad Hatter: You're not the same as you were before. 

You were much more... "muchier." You've lost your "muchness." 

Alice: My "muchness?" 

The Mad Hatter: (Points to Alice's heart) In there.

I recently re-watched Tim Burton's version of Alice in Wonderland, and was inspired to create a line of rings for the Muchy Alice at the end of the film. Warrior Alice. The Alice who can slay a dragon! 

Or maybe... maybe they're actually for the Alice at the beginning of the film. To remind her that she *is* the Alice at the end of the film...

Wear this ring and summon your muchness.

In the shop here 

(sorry, the turquoise one is already gone, but I promise there will be more!). 

~~~~~

I've had a rather unproductive couple of weeks in the studio (sick kids, pro-d days, just some-of-those-days, blah, blah, blah), but it all turned out okay since these rings were the final result and I am so so in love with them. I have a few more things near completion on my bench and will definitely be making more of these also!

I trust you all had a good Halloween. Halloween is always kind of a big deal in our family. It was always our favorite, but then our "little" one decided to come into the world on that day five years ago and now it's especially extra special.

And I have to say, Vancouver does Halloween well. 

We had so much fun trick or treating last night.

I've never seen a neighborhood so in the spirit.

So many spooky houses.

Grown ups playing witches and ghouls and goblins.

Fireworks!

Even honest-to-goodness fog.

It was straight out of a movie set. 

Couldn't have been more perfect.

Happy Friday, my friends!

xo

First Fruits

The first fruits from my new studio. Finished, photographed, and listed in the shop!

I have several other pieces in various stages of completion on my bench which may or may not make it into the shop this week. I probably won't get as much time in the studio this week (I've got appointments, parent/teacher conferences, house guests to prepare for and Canadian Thanksgiving to shopping to do!), but I feel pretty good about what I finished last week!

More soon!

xo