Best of january 2018

Last month I did my annual road trip from Denver to Quartzsite, Arizona. This trip is always my favorite time of year, and usually I document my trip but this year I wanted to enjoy the gems show and family time with no lens.  I didn't even bring my canon with me. Of course I had my phone and did snap a few photos here and there. My parents have an RV so I hopped in with them when I landed in Quartzsite. I stayed with them for a few nights. It's always nice to get this quality time in with them because now we live so far, I don't get to see them as often as I wished. And now I have my dad to thank for getting me addicted to Mr. Robot. Has anyone seen this show? I literally watched a whole season in the three nights I was there. It's on amazon prime if anyone is interested:) 

On the way back from Quartzsite I found out my adventure sister Jess (i've collabed and adventured with her lots in past blogs here and here and she's done lots of my photography for the site) was traveling through Arizona in her RV as well. So I hopped in a couple nights with her and her husband down in Phoenix before heading back to Colorado. We did some awesome thrifting and shopping in Scottsdale at places I'd never been and decided to get fancy for cocktails at the W after I ended up scoring this beautiful beaded vintage dress. Always the best adventures with @explores_outdoors. We did document a little from our adventure at the Salt River when we ran in to the wild horses (photo diary up next). Here's five of my favorites captured on my iphone last month. 

Nativo Lodge | Albuquerque, nm

From VAN LIFE to RV LIFE. Follow my friends @explores_outdoors while they document their travels across the country. I plan to be hopping in again real soon;)

Route 66

Royston turquoise cabs for days

buckets of gems | Quartzsite, AZ

Renegade Craft Curated

Nikdreamer has participated as a vendor for Renegade craft for the past couple years (NYC and this past in Denver). I think it's one of my favorite events we participate in annually. This past year I was honored when they reached out to share our dreamers healing kits with them in their curated maker sets for their new online store. I adored this COSMIC APOTHECARY set so much (not just because the dreamers healing kits are featured!), but I wanted to share it and more of their sets on here. Another favorite of mine is the Coffee fix. Shop links below. 

Limited edition, bespoke and edited: Renegade Curated Sets feature some of our favorite goods from the makers and designers who inspire us endlessly. Each set showcases a theme that we hope takes you on a creative journey from our Fairs to your home. - RENEGADE CRAFT

Click on photos to shop! 

Photo courtesy | Renegade Craft

holidaze and retrograde

This year was interesting that mercury went retrograde right as holiday season began. I don't know about you but I definitely felt it all. We finally made it through! Sending love and light to your family and friends on this Christmas day. Here's a glimpse at some bts of the workbench this holiday season and video created by @insipidphotos and I. Wishing you all a merry christmas and happy new year! 

hand crochet blanket | from start to finish

When I was a little girl my grandma used to crochet blankets, hats, scarfs, even sweaters for my dolls for me. I used to admire her so much when she would knit. She tried teaching me a few times, I remember enjoying it very much but I was so young I don't even remember what I ever did with those crochet sticks. I recently came across a crochet crafting class in Denver but due to my schedule I was unable to attend. I was so grateful Anne, the teacher of the class reached out to me inviting me to her home for a couple hours this past Sunday to learn the basics of crochet (hand crochet that is). I didn't even use any tools except my hands to make this blanket. She got me started on it and I picked up the craft pretty quickly. I came home and was so excited to work on it the last couple nights. I think the hardest part was keeping the wool from tangling. I am so happy with how it came out! It's 100% peruvian wool. Super soft and cozy! Roman loves it too, I can't keep him off it. Here's a lil photo diary of the making of my first crochet blanket. 

Also, if you're interested check out Anne's website for beginner crochet and knitting patterns and kits. 

Happy six anniversary NIKDREAMER!

SIX YEARS! - 11/11/11 i opened my first shop on etsy! I will never forget the date.. b/c eleven eleven has always been an angelic number in my life. We've come a long way since making #armcandy! Have a few exciting works to share with you all in upcoming weeks.. for now here's a few photos of my little studio space in Colorado built with just enough room to share my bench with friends to come aside and get to work:)

I want to thank you every single one of you for continuing to follow the journey. I am grateful for these past six years being able to keep create and spread my love for these gems and jewels with you. I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for your love and support over the years. Can't believe how fast it goes... Thank you, THANK YOU!

P.S. Use coupon code: ELEVENELEVEN in shop today and tomorrow for 20% OFF all gems and jewels.

Roads less traveled shoot

To all those times we didn't know what road to take. I will never forget the first time reading The Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost. A poem I have lived by.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

To all those deserted dirt roads that lead you to the most beautiful places. This was one of those moments. Had a blast shooting for fun and exploring with these two in the old gold mines and abandon homes in the mountains of Idaho, CO. So grateful to have crossed paths with these two since moving here.  This was actually my first time shooting in Denver. I forgot how much I love these kinds of collabs. Hope to have more days like this before the snow arrives. Here's a few outtakes from our shoot last Sunday. Check out the photos here!

Denver Gem Show

WHY the universe really brought me to Denver. GEM HEAVEN! JK.. but really thou this show is AMAZZING. It's said to be the second largest gem show in the states, Tucson obviously the largest. In my opinion I enjoyed this one much better than Tucson Gem Show.  Tucson gets so overwhelming for me to shop. This was a lot easier for me to make my rounds. The show goes on for one week in different venues in Denver, but I mostly spent time in the coliseum show. I think my favorite piece was the amethyst table, which some day i will own! Looking forward to sharing more of my gem findings and new jewels with you in upcoming weeks.

photo and video by: @insipidphotos