Succulent Cocktails that won't get you drunk!


Check out this new Succulent Cocktail ring! I just listed it on my etsy site...
it's beyond fun!
Try one on...you'll see!
Wear it for a while, and you'll feel naked when you take it off!

Have a couple necklaces in the works.... check back soon!

To do...

I love making lists.
I know it's weird, but I do. When I was going off to college my dad sent me an article by the fella, Robert Fulghum, who wrote "All I Really Need to Know I learned in Kindergarten." It was about writing things/goals down on paper, and how you are 80% percent more likely to accomplish your goals if you write them down. Sounds like good advice, right?!

Well, later on, I had a to do list on my computer desktop going... a computerized sticky note containing all of my to do's... so high tech and fancy!

Man what a mistake! I just kept adding more and more to it, nothing was ever checked off...just deleted. I missed my check marks! I was feeling like I wasn't accomplishing much, feeling down on myself, lazy even...but felt like I was working nonstop. I was growing anxious and was so upset one day, that I called my dad and asked him...

"Dad, do you ever feel like you have enough time to do all you need to do?"

He said, "Jen, I feel like I'm shoveling the Sahara with a spoon."

I don't know why, but this really hit me.... so I asked him another question....

"Dad, do you ever feel lazy?" His answer, "Yes, I do... "

This really blew me away... I've always considered my dad to be a workaholic, someone who went above and beyond, never in my wildest thoughts have I ever thought of him as being lazy! So, on this day, after having this conversation with my dad, I decided that our way of life is screwed up! If my dad felt lazy, then there's something wrong with how we go about life. I was so focused on what I wasn't doing, that I didn't stop long to celebrate what I WAS doing! So, I immediately deleted my list on the computer. You can't believe how much better and lighter I felt! Overwhelming pressure...gone, just like that!

Now, you might ask... do I still make lists?

Yes, constantly!
I just do it on paper, combining them with sketches, ideas and designs, they're much more fun and inspiring to look at and being able to cross a few things off always feels good. Do I cross off every task? No.

The article said... you are 80% more likely to do the things you write down....
so, instead of beating myself up for not nailing down that 20%, I focus on celebrating the 80% that I do accomplish!!!

Fresh from the Studio!


More brand new Succulent Rings.....
Anyone who's been to my house, knows that I have a thing for succulents, so I guess it's no surprise that they have begun to invade my work!

Here is another sneak peak at the new Black Licorice line... Be sure to stop by Great Grapes on June 13-14 or Pile of Craft on June 20 to see them in person!

Farmers' Market


Image from www.ablrightfarms.net

Had a really nice time at the downtown farmer's market this morning with my honey...got to meet lots of vendors and picked up some veggies, breads,eggs and more plants for the vegetable garden.

One vendor I came upon was Albright Farms, the young man running the booth mentioned that they have a website so I figured I'd visit it. To give you a gist of their philosophy, here is a quote from the site...

" At Albright Farms, we believe in farming responsibly. We live on the land we farm, and eat what we grow. We want to grow a quality product while we take care of the land where it is grown. We want to see the land in better condition when we leave than when we came, preserving it for the next generation."

So, three cheers for the folks at Albright!!!

I will definitely be buying from them next week!

Escaping the Studio...

As a vendor, I love getting out of the studio and going to shows...

I am blessed to be able to work out of a fantastic studio, I have lots of space and tools at my disposal...but (there's always a but!) ....it can get quite lonely! I cherish the time I do get to escape the confines of the studio and visit with folks at shows. It's great to get reaction to new work and lots of fun to visit with other crafters and friends.

So, what are your favorite things to see and do at craft shows?

As the craft season kicks into full gear, I was wondering what you are most likely to walk away with when you do go to a craft show?

Upcoming!


Right now, I am at full throttle, getting all kinds of new goodies ready for this year's Pile of Craft!
Be sure to mark this date down on your calendar!
June 20th
10-5pm
It's the best craft event of the summer!

Who's in Your Micro-Economy? #4


This next business that I am spotlighting is one of my favorite places to go...Beadazzled! Not only do they have tons of beads and jewelry supplies, they also have gorgeous jewelry for sale.
All the colors and textures are inspiring and always get my creative juices flowing.
They also offer a bunch of classes and workshops.
The girls who run the shop are wonderful and so helpful... and make spending all my hard earned money there a pleasure!

501 North Charles Street
Baltimore MD 21201

(410) 837-2323

Open 7 days a week: 10:30 AM to 6 PM.(At Charles and Franklin - Near Walters Museum and Peabody)

For their other locations, see their website!

More newness...

 isn't this little box crazy cute?!

Thank you and Upcoming events!

Just wanted to say thanks to all of you who stopped by on Saturday!
Squidfire did a great job of hosting it's annual Art Mart.
The weather was fantastic and the crowds showed up in force...
I had a great time and sold lots of goodies!

If you missed the fun this past weekend, you can swing by the Bethany Beach Craft show, June 6th, I 'll be there with my buddy Lynne, helping her sell her fabulous jewelry line!

After that, my next show will be on June 13-14 at Oregon Ridge's Great Grapes... Uncork the Fun!
Following that, on June 20th, I will be at the Pile of Craft show, right here in Baltimore!

New!

I've been in the studio non stop for the past several weeks gearing up for the art market I was in yesterday in Mount Vernon...

And I realized today, that I didn't even get a chance to share the new line of jewelry I have been working on...so here is a quick peak!

These earrings are surprisingly light weight...and are great paired up with a nice casual look. Each piece is hand formed by yours truly.

The design is inspired by a series of paintings I did on canvas.
I have been wearing one similar to it all week!
Hope you enjoy this peak, I have to get back to photographing and posting them up on etsy!
Check back soon for more...

We reach the Summit and it was.....

AWESOME!!!!
I got a chance to go help out at the Summit of Awesome this past weekend and was so glad I did! Jen McBrien of Jennyjen42 joined me for the trip.

We went down to DC see Handmade Nation on Friday nite, and went back the following day to help with lunch and logistical things. Fortunately, there was plenty of time to see a bunch of great speakers and presentations.
One of my favorite speakers was Jeffry Everett of El Jefe Design. Check out his work and you'll see why!

We also got to hear the gals from Biggs and Featherbelle recount the journey of their soap dynasty!

Another great speaker was Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching, who is on a mission ro revive the art of embroidery and stitchery!.

We also attended an informative talk by several lawyers from the Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts. They helped simplify some of the tax implications of starting a craft business.

I had a great time chatting with Jen on the ways down to DC and back, and will definitely go back again next year!

Who's in Your Micro-Economy? #3

In keeping with the concept of sharing who is in my micro-economy, I'd like to introduce you to...
Jim...the Jolly Rancher!

Stop in, meet the family,  and pick up some flowers for mothers day!

Pleasant Hill Garden Center
2751 Baltimore Pike, Hanover PA

The Summit of What....

AWESOME!!!!!!!

Why is it so awesome????

Because some of Baltimore's BEST will be there presenting!
Megan Von Wagoner, of VW Studios, Juliet Ames of the The Broken Plate , and Sherry Insley of Dandelion Blu and Kelly and Kasey Evick of Biggs and Featherbelle will be on hand, demonstrating and educating us all on the how to's and why we should's....!

Photo of the Broken Plate's custom cufflink.