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The beginning of 2016 collection. One jewel a day//One day at a time.
This week we fell in love with mystic quartz. A new gem in the collection. I'm still on a hunt for topaz, hoping to find some at upcoming gem shows we will be visiting over the next few weeks. But for those of you asking, there will be many more mystic quartz gems coming soon.. keep watch here. Here's a few of my favorites from the month so far.
During the last week of reflections and goal making I've thought about changing things up a bit in 2016.. 2015 was an amazing year for business with learning new techniques such as casting and lapidary, working with new metals, launching four collections and two look books, being a part of an editorial shoot, Kristin Cavallari's fall look book for Chinese Laundry's, participating in our first LA and local pop-up shops, and even getting out to travel the southwest in the RV this past summer. But at the same time I look back at all these accomplishments and can't help to feel as though I could have challenged myself more. Moving forward one of my goals for the year is to take a step back from the seasonal "collections" as we've done in the past and focus more on customs, classics, and one of kind jewels to add to the collection this year as a whole.
This year I'd like to challenge myself as an artist, learn more of this skill, create more, and document the progression daily (or at least weekly) throughout the year. I hung a new 2016 calendar in my office today and I'm going to be printing a photo of each new jewel I design daily (even if that means a drawing, concept, finished piece or not) and posting it up. The first new jewel design of the year I finished late last night is the sleeping beauty stacked gem ring and is now available in shop. Sleeping beauty is one of my favorite turquoise mines located in Globe, Arizona which is now a closed mine. The gem is becoming harder to find, and more valuable since the mine closed in 2011. The gems are now only obtained from private stashes. I love the way this design came out making for the perfect turquoise statement ring and simply paring it with a classic stacker ring or the new little floral detail bead ring which is how I wore it today. This was my day 1 of 365. So really if all goes as planned I should have 365 new designs when the year ends! Stay tuned for day 2 jewel design.. currently in progress on the bench.
In other news the little turquoise gem moscow mule mugs are now in shop under gems.
#onejeweladay
2015.
It's wild to think how much can change in one year.. or even one day and then at the same time sit in one spot for one hour and see how quickly every thing around you visibly changes. I am grateful for moments like this that make me stop and remember time is really a gift. At the end of every year I like to take some time to myself and reflect on the past year and set goals for the new. While writing this post I went back to previous years 2014. 2012.. all the way to 2009. It was exciting to see that while so much has changed over the years.. my heart, dreams, passions, and wishes are something that remain pretty constant.
As I always have kept my blog personal and honest, I'll share some of my years reflections. This was a year of change. A lot of changes in everyday routines, learning self-discipline, the people I connect with, people I've let go, places I've visited, books I've read, music I listen to, and even food I eat.. I had some health issues mid-year that has changed my entire diet to gluten free. It has been quite the adventure considering I LOVE food, and I'm the least picky eater ever. I usually will try anything. I still get embarrassed to ask for the GF menu at restaurants. I really don't want to be that person who has everything served with red flags on it. But in all honesty I've never felt better. I've suffered horrible allergies, stomach problems, and skin rashes my whole life - but in the past few months I've been allergy free, my skin is clear, and my stomach has never felt better. My love for pasta, pizza, chocolate cake, and donuts struggle has been real! Although many restaurants now offer GF pasta and my local bakery does make fresh GF donuts every Saturday morning. Not to mention Dominos delivers a pretty good GF pizza. I'm actually quite impressed. I'm still learning a lot about this allergy and diet, but it's exciting meeting so many fellow GF friends in this process. I still miss my NY pizza, very much.
In other changes, this was the first year I've officially been self-employed. I still can't believe I did it! So many times this year I've thought about getting back in to marketing or finding a part time job. But every day I tell myself, I got this. I've been practicing a lot of self-discipline, waking up earlier, saying no to friends nights out, and weekend getaways. Although I do my best to still travel some where new once a month. I don't have a set schedule in place hourly like in all previous jobs I've had, but I do plan out my month and week accordingly and work to meet my deadlines, budgets, and goals set in place. The hardest struggle daily is really just conquering the fears of self employment. What I've taken away from this year is there is nothing more important then ending my day with a grateful heart, feeling blessed to be able to do what I love every day, thanking god for all that he does for me, letting him take care of all my worries and fears, and then waking up in gratitude knowing he will guide me on the new days journey.
Which leads me in to another significant shift in my year which has been my journey of enlightenment in faith. I would say I've always been spiritual but over the past few months I've been questioning and relearning the essentials of faith. I was born and raised roman catholic, went to church every Sunday, went through Sunday School and confirmation. It wasn't until when I went away to college I started not believing in my faith as much and stepped away from the catholic church. So here I am, 32 years old and I'm just now beginning to believe all over again. I'm still uncertain where I'm headed on my life's path, but I've been enjoying reconnecting myself with someone who understands this journey and I can now talk to on it. I don't feel so alone. In this process I've learned that when you're not communicating to God you're pretty much telling him that you don't need him, that you can do things on your own, and that you are capable of going through your life under your own power. I had been doing my own way for quite some time. Probably explains why my twenties was full of such detours, always feeling lost and misguided. If anything I am now certain of this. “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” We are not made to do it alone.
During this reflecting week, I took a drive out to my closest mountain escape, Mt. Charleston. It's the one place I go when I need inspiration, peace of mind, a meditation, hike, or just breathe in some fresh air. This time I took Roman my pup, who has filled my heart every day since I adopted him two years ago. I could not imagine what my world would be like now without this little dude by my side. I know it sounds silly but when you work from home, there are often times you get lonely but with this little guy here there is always laughs, singing, and dancing in my house every day. This was actually his first adventure to the mountains with snow! I'm not so sure he liked snow, I think because it is so foreign to him. He doesn't move when he gets his paws wet, it's so funny he just freezes up. We drove up to lee canyon to watch the sunset. I captured the changes in the sky east v. west every 15 minutes during the 4 o'clock hour which was incredible. Photos don't even do justice for the colors in the sky, but like I mentioned earlier in this post, it's wild to see and document all these visible changes happen so quickly. I'm looking forward to the new year, again with no resolutions or plans set in place but just reflections to remember how far I've come and faith in the steps that guide me from here. We can make our plans, but the lord determines our steps. // Proverbs 16:9
Thank you for stopping by and reading, sharing your support, and love. I am truly blessed to be able to share my love and creations with you daily. Please feel free to comment and share your reflections and goals for 2016, I'd love to hear them. Here's to a new year of adventures, LOVE and DREAMS!
The past few weeks have been one wild holiday adventure after participating in 5 local pop - up shops, finishing up holiday orders with shipping deadlines, customs, a mid-december mountain escape, while working on a new collection to launch in January. I'm exhausted even thinking about everything we've done this past month.. But we made it! Merry Christmas Eve!! I want to thank you all for your support along the way this holiday season.. and this year. It's been an amazing year. I have a few more blog posts to follow before this year ends.. but here's a little photo diary of what we've been up to these last few weeks.
Stitch Factory Market Row Pop-Up, November 12th
DTLV Art Fest, November 14th
West Elm Holiday Pop-Up, December 5th
Tivoli Village "Small Business Saturday" Holiday Pop-Up, November 28th
West Elm Pop-Up, December 19th
More from Zion.. including the canyon overlook, emerald pools, and watchman trails. The canyon overlook was the first hike we did, right when we got in. We got up to the canyon just before sunset and all shared a bottle of wine at the top to start our weekend. The walk back was a little chilly as the sun was setting, but the wine did help a little! Emerald pools was the second hike we did which was a gorgeous hike with all the mountains around and emerald pools, although that hike was all in between the mountain (no sun) and it was so cold that day! I froze on that trail. The last hike we did was one of my favorites, the watchman hike. I had a slight obsession with all the turquoise sandstone throughout trail. That hike was a beautiful easy hike all on the sunny side of the mountain a perfect way to end the weekend. Zion, you are magical.
This was my second stay at ZMR - which is a beautiful ranch right outside Zion National Park. My east coast babes from college flew in to Vegas the for the weekend and we all wanted a little mountain getaway so we headed north to Zion. When we got there it hadn't snowed yet, but the first morning we woke to a winter wonderland which was just so dreamy! My December wish came true. I haven't seen snow in so long, I forgot how pretty that first snow fall is. I got some pics I shared below on our morning walk around the ranch.. and then enjoyed the house skillet breakfast at the buffalo grill. Since we came off season there wasn't many options for meals on the menu, but the grill cooked some amazing house dishes just for us. Our dinner there was also quite memorable, especially with that cheese plate documented below, we could never forget! Serious cheese heaven. I just love this ranch life... especially with all the animals wandering around. Roosters, lamb, ponies, bison, horses... I loved them all! Two nights is just not enough. I'm ready to go back.
Sweet December. Since it doesn't snow where I live... I must go seek a little bit of winter white and evergreen this month. Looking forward to a cabin adventure next weekend in Zion with my east coast babes to celebrate some holiday together! Found some winter inspo on pinerest this am. Wanted to share on the blog today to get us all in winter feels. Remember it's the little things that make December so sweet.. that first hot cocoa, fresh cut wood, oatmeal instead of cold cereal, a snowfall, movie nights in, decorating your tree, homemade christmas cookies, pulling out your winter boots, gloves, hats, scarfs, and sweaters. Sometimes we get so caught up in the stress of finding the perfect gifts during holiday season.. that we forget the little sweet moments of sharing things so simple with the ones we love is really the best gift.
5 days and counting..
It's that time of year, our favorite time of year when the pumpkin pie comes out, lights, trees, and sparkle! Looking forward to sharing a new little holiday jewels update with you in shop this Friday. My sister and I were in the mood to start decorating our home early this year. Here's a few bts. More pics to come Friday! We will be hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas in our home together this year for the first time so we wanted to share our holiday spirit. There will be lots of holiday jewels, home decorations, wrappings, diy crafts, baking, and cooking from our home on the blog during the next couple weeks, stay tuned!
Looking forward to this upcoming holiday season and all the events and jewels we are preparing for you! Stay tuned in the upcoming week for announcement of all new holiday jewels in shop.
For my LV locals - I hope you can make it to one of the 5 events/pop up shows we have on the calendar in the upcoming month. Next week our first show starts at Stitch Factory's Market Row, Thursday November 12th from 4pm -10pm. See flyers below for more upcoming shows and event details. Also we'll be doing two in-store holiday pop up shows at West Elm at the District in Green Valley, December 5th and 19th from 11 AM - 4 PM.
The photos from this shoot ended up getting published in two fashion editorials, one international. See links below!
Photography & Styling: Jessica Passecker www.JessicaPasseckerPhotography.com
Model: Alexa @ TNG Models www.TNGmodels.com
Hairstylist: Andrea Cec www.AndreaCec.com
Makeup Artist: Luxe Makeup Artistry www.LuxeMakeupArtistry.com
Jewelry: Nikdreamer www.NikDreamer.com
