Well, hello again.

originally posted 17 November 2010:


Between birthdays and memorial services, there hasn’t been much time to sit down and write about my adventures in jewelry.  But fear not – I’m back and I’ve got plenty of things to tell you.

First off, the etsy shop is finally open.  It’s still pretty bare bones as I’ve been slacking on taking pictures but it’s there and waiting for you to start shopping.  And I’m also learning about writing copy.  This is about as easy as writing a bio or an artist statement or a cover letter.  If you’ve had to do any of these things, then you know what I’m talking about.  Maybe it would be best to enlist someone else for this job…or have a couple drinks beforehand.  Anyway, as well as the Scarlet & Madrone shop open on etsy, it’s also now possible to buy items directly off the Scarlet & Madrone facebook page.  Stoked on that.

Even though it’s been a hectic few weeks, there are some new editions coming soon to the Learning Curve collection.  Lots of copper happening here – bright and shiny copper, antiqued copper, copper chain, copper wire, copper hammered links, copper pearls (well, technically bronze, but close enough).

It’s not the first time I’ve used copper.  I love the way antiqued copper looks paired with ivories, pinks, and other colors often paired with gold.  It lends a vintage appeal to modern items, such as cameos.  I heart cameos – they’re kind of goth-y, kind of vintage-y, and romantic in a Victorian-esque sort of way.  I've designed a couple cameo necklaces so far, but expect to see more in the next collection.

These are one of the newest projects done in copper.  Like it?  So did someone else.  These lovely drops sold within 24 hours of listing.  And they look absolutely gorgeous on their new owner.  But if you MUST have these, contact me and I’ll create another pair just for you.  Expect to see another pair of earrings made of copper in the collection and a couple of necklaces too.

Copper isn't the only thing I've been working with.  Brass will also be included in the collection.  I'm enticed by romance as lockets and keys seem to be a recurring theme for me in this metal, as well as a bohemian vibe evident in the use of large stones like agate and jasper.  I'm excited about it - I have a few ideas and some rough sketches worked out.  Now it’s time to sit down and work.

As long as someone will let me.

Egos. Eggos. Leggos. Logos.

originally posted 22 November 2010:

So when this was nothing more than a thought running around in my head, Ryan asked what I thought I might want in the way of type.  I wasn’t in love with anything but wanted something done in script.  Given he’s the one with a BFA in graphic design, I pretty much left it in his hands.  And this is what I got:

Don’t get me wrong; it’s gorgeous and lovely and the colors are exquisite and according to Ryan, it is appropriate for the jewelry designs I create.  So we went with it and it’s been well received, but when I came home with dinnerware by Rosanna, and looked at the packaging, I realized how much I really.  wanted.  script.  “Too punk rock,” Ryan tells me.  Maybe my designs aren’t overly punk rock, but a part of me will always be.  And so I asked again.  “You know what they say about cobblers’ kids?” He tells me.  Right, no shoes.  So I let it go.  For awhile.  Because I really don’t know how to let go of anything.  I start looking at type online and say, “Oh, this looks nice,” and “Ooh, I really like this,” and I know I’m becoming that client, but I can’t help it.  I really want script.
So here we are now – Ryan has a day off and is enjoying doing nothing.  I come home for lunch and ask about the logo.  Maybe fifteen minutes later, I mention it again.  He makes a snarky comment and I leave it alone.  I come home from work, we eat dinner, and I start working on packaging for Scarlet & Madrone.  He’s doing something on his computer on the other side of the table.  My email bings at me:  new email from Ryan.  Attached is the new logo in four different sizes.
He’ll tell people that I made him work on his day off, but I know the truth.  And I’m good with that.

For Christmas:

originally posted 23 November 2010:

I would like CS5 and a subscription to Pandora.  It will make work (and my life) much easier.

Things I should do, could do, and need to do...

orginially posted 30 October 2010:

Always evolving and ever expanding:
1.  resale license
2. list items on etsy
3.  list items on wazala
4.  import blog to facebook
5.  spreadsheets
6.  price items
7.  lifestyle photo shoot
8.  product photo shoot
9.  research business laws/taxes
10.  shop policies, company overview, mission statememt

Un-done.

originally posted 25 October 2010:

It was a very unproductive weekend in the world of Scarlet & Madrone.  A few new projects were started but not finished, no research was done on the business end of this venture, and rain destroyed any attempt for a photo shoot.  For the second time.  This month.  Arg!  Then,  I spent the better part of a day trying to figure out how to import to Facebook and have yet to be successful.  Sigh.  All this failure has left me feeling a bit dejected and rather scattered.

Decisions. Decisions.

originally posted 22 October 2010:

Just finished a 12 hour day, the dishes are piling up by the sink, and Dexter is sitting next to his favorite toy, staring me down with big pathetic eyes and pupils so wide, they almost look human.  And all I’ve been thinking about today is this bracelet I want to make.  What is a girl to do?

  

Who am I kidding?  Like there’s even a decision to be made.  We know who always wins out.

Ugh.

originally posted 19 October 2010:

It seemed like a lot of fun.  Design some jewelry and maybe sell some of it and take some pictures and have an excuse to write a little something – all things I like to do.  Score!  Then I started thinking about some of the other details – how am I going to package it?  Do I go eco-friendly or cheap?  Do I get padded envelopes or the set price boxes from the post office?  If I choose small jewelry boxes and padded envelopes, should I stamp the top with something?  Like a pretty little design.  Or a customized stamp with the Scarlet & Madrone logo.  I could get a customized stamp!  Or maybe get boxes pre-stamped with the logo.  Oh!  And can I get an embosser?  Yes.  I want an embosser.  And yes, I’m getting carried away with all the small details and forgetting the larger infrastructure of creating a…well, I’m not really sure what it is yet, but there are other, larger issues at hand before the nitty gritty.  Like setting up a shop to sell some items.  Or maybe even a price list. Or getting a resale license or a business license or something to make this a little more legit.
None of that stuff sounds like any fun.

Start.Up

originally posted 18 October 2010:

“So now what?”
Everyone wants to know what your plans are after college.  But what do you tell them when you don’t have a clue?  Grad school is a good one, or taking more classes at the community college also works well.  I guess everyone just wants to know that you have a plan.  I’ve never been very good at planning.  Instead I decided to adopt a cat.

I brought him home from our local SPCA and stalked him around our studio apartment with the camera.  We had a lot of fun; him wearing ties and onesies, hiding in laundry baskets and purses, and me snapping pictures.  In fact, Dexter the Inspector Fang has his own album on Facebook.  But after awhile, people start asking again: “So now what?”  I guess they don’t see much of a future in photographing your pet.  Plus, I’m kind of starting to look like the crazy cat lady.  I guess another hobby was in order.

I used to write.  A lot.  And then I stopped.  But then I started up again and felt so satisfied and inspired that I even bothered to go to school for it.  And then, in my final semester, I took a class that killed any desire I had to continue to write.  One day I'll come back to it, I always do, but in the meantime, I need a creative outlet.

I'm not sure how it all started, really.  I worked with a girl who made jewelry and sold it off her body during her shifts.  There was a popular necklace in the jewelry case at work that used the same knotting technique I used to make hemp jewelry in high school.  While visiting my grandma up north, she wore a necklace I made for her in middle school.  She mindlessly played with the pendant, telling me about the compliments she still receives when she wears it.  Soon enough, I was looking up local bead shops in SF.

At first, I designed for myself.  I'd see things I liked and decide to make it at home.  Soon, I was trading jewelry for services at work.  After a client stated she would be willing to buy the necklace I was wearing, I figured why not?  Over the summer I worked on designs, learning new techniques and using materials I’d never used before.  This first collection is filled with one of a kind, limited edition items.  I’m excited to see what happens with it.  I’m excited to see what happens after it.  I’m just excited to see it.