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

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. 

Giving Thanks

This past weekend was Thanksgiving here in the Great White North. One of the best parts about moving back to Canada is that we have more frequent visits from my family. We were graced with the company of my brother and his lovely wife for part of this weekend and we made the best of it! 

We are having the most amazing fall! Last year it had already rained a lot by now and we'd settled well into our wellies, but this season has been dry and sunny and glorious! I don't mind the rain (I love how impossibly green it makes the forest!) but I'm doing my best to appreciate every single moment of sun before the rains come.

I've continued to be productive in the studio. I am forever grateful to have the opportunity to work there. I love everything about it. Even getting there. We are a one-car family so I often take public transit and I even love my bus rides! One morning I was literally moved to tears by the amount kindness I witnessed as I watched strangers interact with each other during my 10 minute commute. 

People are good, when it comes right down to it.

I also love that my new building is a whirlwind of artistic activity. There are always models coming and going for fashion show fittings, or artists nervously preparing for show openings, or filmakers filming, or party planners planning... not to mention the regulars, making art in the studios around me. It's impossible not to be inspired. And the best part is that even with all of this creative energy and activity just outside of my glass-doored studio, I can close the door, turn on my music, turn my back to the action, and be in my own creative space, just like that. 

A few new items in the shop. In addition to adding some new options for mens/unisex wedding bands, I've also finished this beast:

Sterling silver (but of course) and New Mexican Apache Rhyolite. Size 7

And two bracelets:

Double Strand Bracelet, Sterling Chain and Seed Beads

 And this, the first of several made-to-order bangles I will be adding to the shop:

I've also worked on several custom orders and have a few other pieces near completion on the bench. 

I can't wait to get back to work tomorrow. 

How lucky am I? 

xo

Slacker!

Oh boy... it's been a really long time since I've blogged!

But I promise it's not because I'm lazy. We've had so much going on!

My parents came to visit over spring break and we had such a beautiful time. 

There were picnics:

Educational field trips:

 (sorry, you know I can't resist!)

And theatrics!

Although apparently neither the girls nor Stephanie were impressed ;)

 Tough crowd.

 (but they sure are pretty!)

Since my last update I've also made (a little) jewelry:

(Chrysoprase and Sterling, in the shop now)

And I worked on a large custom piece that took a whole week of studio time to complete (and was so worth it! I'll share pictures when I can).

AND I revamped the Buffalo Lucy website. Check it out and let me know what you think!

I do have one other piece of exciting news to share! This spring I'll be participating in my first show! I'll have a booth at the Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair! Click on the "blog" link on the top right corner of their page and you can see their blog feature on me as well as a bunch of the other artists that will be at this show. I hope to see some of you there in Kansas City on June 1st and 2nd!

That's all for now! I'm checking major to-dos off my list left and right (taxes? check! midterms? check! Post midterm papers? check!) and will have new work for the shop shortly. I've got a leather and mookaite bracelet near completion on my bench right now--hopefully in the shop this weekend or on Monday).

Ta ta for now!

xo

Oh Wow, Hello March!

Apparently February was not my month to blog!

As I type this, Jeff Buckley is crying achingly into my ear, "oh that was soooo reeeee-aaaaal," while the biggest, fluffiest snowflakes I've ever seen are fluttering past my window. 

Yesterday it was 70 degrees. 

So much happened in the last month that I had every intention of blogging about but just never made the time.

The month of February in pictures:

(a birthday present for my beautiful birthday girl)

(sold)


(sold)

(pink and blue sold, yellow available here)

And I think that about sums it up! February was good to me. My family is beautiful and amazing in every way. I made things and people bought them. We had every type of weather I love (snow, thunder, sun and warmth). What more could a girl like me ask for?
 I am blessed.

Here's to another beauty of a month!

xo

At this moment...

These adorable little hands are tucked under that adorable little chin while tiny snores escape that adorable little nose.  All snuggled up under my arm right here on the couch (I'm typing one-handed).
♥

I made a couple of things last week.  I actually worked on three (plus some made-to-order wedding rings), but the porcelain  jasper necklace didn't quite get completed. It should be ready sometime next week.

So this week was all turquoise, baby!

A nice big, chunky ring:


And some swishy swashy feathery earrings:

(sold)

Oh, and I have a new friend!  His name is Tonka (short for Tatanka). Here he is celebrating Kansas' birthday last week (taken with my iphone):

He's kind of a party animal.

Speaking of parties... who's watching the Super Bowl today?

not me