A walk on the beach but no Bon Bons

This time last week, I would have told you that it's time for a break.  Christmas and Hanukkah are fantastic times for the jewelry business.  Long walks on the beach and eating Bon Bons sounded so appetizing too!  The funny thing is, I currently don't live anywhere near a beach.  Technically, I'm landlocked except for the Chattahoochee River.  So long walks on the beach are out of the question, right?  

So yeah, I grew up in Laguna Beach, CA.  I come home 2 or 3 times a year for a visit with the family.  If I'm lucky I do a quick walk on the beach when I'm visiting, otherwise I'm chasing after my 2 year old daughter, trying to prevent her from running straight into the ocean.  Notice, I said they are quick walks on the beach; chasing a 2 year old is exhausting.  

The strange thing is, I wrote about the so called, "long walks on the beach" and "Bon Bon's" a couple of weeks ago in my blog, while I was still in Atlanta. It's so strange, because I wasn't expecting to come home to Laguna so soon, but an unexpected funeral changed everything. I've been totally consumed with jewelry making for the holidays, that I wasn't seeing the big picture. So while I was here in Laguna, I took that walk, a very quick walk, on the beach to meet up with my good friend.  Even though I had my walk on the beach by way of a sad situation, I think I needed a burst of reality.  I got a few hugs, some fresh air, sand in my toes, and cold water splashing on my feet that has forced me to re-energize and re-focus on the important stuff. That's what the holidays are all about, right?

I can't wait to celebrate Hanukkah with my husband and daughter, I can't wait to have a little bit of a jewelry break... for about a day, and I can't wait to work on a new line.  I'd also like some of those Bon Bon's too.  

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, & Happy New Year.  If you don't get a chance for the long walks on the beach like me, I say...  Bon Bon's sound like a really yummy alternative.

Craziness!!

I feel like that is my life right now. I keep on telling people that I'm crazy busy right now. Good crazy, just working hard and trying to get it all done. I dropped my daughter off at school this morning and ran some errands. I needed to go visit one of my stores, Hand in Pocket, to drop off more jewelry. By the time I got to the store and had Mona, the owner, take a look at everything she needed, I was already late. I left her store when I should have been in the carpool line. Can I even tell you how mommy guilt feels? I called my friend, a fellow crazy working mommy, and asked her to hang out with my little munchkin until I could get there. I was over 20 minutes late! Of course Traci, my mommy savior, was awesome and understanding. My little munchkin was great and totally worn out from school. I guess it's just this crazy time of year!

There are just a hand full of shows left before Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years! This weekend I'm going to be in 2 places at once. See why I'm crazy? Throwing Stars will be at Mitzi & Romano in Virginia Highlands from Friday through Sunday. (I will be stopping by periodically to see how it's going). And I'll also be at the Beehive Holiday Market in Dunwoody, Thursday through Sunday. (I'll be stopping by when I'm not at Mitzi's). There is also a "Meet the Artists" Wine and Cheese party this Friday night from 6-8pm, and you can bet I'll be there drinking some vino!

The last and final show is next weekend, the 19th - 20th. Throwing Stars will be at Frolic in Buckhead. I'll be there taking last minute orders too. Last year I had a customer stop by and ask Ashley for some custom earrings for his wife. I thought, what a great idea, I can do the same for other last minute shoppers this year! I'm planning on being at Frolic in between my hubby's office party and our family Hanukkah party. Pretty much, I'll be in 2 places at once again. After next weekend and the last minute holiday orders, you bet you can find me eating Bon Bons and taking long walks on the beach. He he.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

It really is a wonderful time of the year. The leaves are falling, our green grass is filled with shades of gold and orange leaves. It just feels like fall. I know the song is about Christmas, but I can enjoy fall too. I can wear my fun new olive colored Frye Boots with my "tight ass" jeans. They really are tight ass, and of course the ones I purchased from Old Navy don't have the spandex option. So when I bend, sit, kneel, do anything else but stand, I can feel the tightness.

On a good note, I've been busy as heck gearing up for some holiday art/craft shows. There's the Indie Craft Experience this Saturday. And the Paideia Art Visions Show this weekend.

Although the "E" word is on everyone's mind, I'm still selling some jewelry. Enough to keep me working and able to buy some groceries, and that's all I can ask. I'm also in a new store that I forgot to mention last time I posted my blog. I'm in Hand in Pocket, A DenimBoutique located in the Smyrna/Vinings area of Atlanta. www.handinpocketonline.com. I've been in there for just over a month and I'm selling quite well! If you like jeans, even the "tight ass" kind, they are the place to go. I know, the jeans are really called skinny jeans, but I vote to re-name them!

Learning the Piling System

My mom, Millie Goldschmitt, was just in town and she did her first art/craft show with me. How cool! It was Rag, Ribbon, Rainbow and it was last weekend. She sold her adorable children's clothing line and her aprons. A quick plug for my mom, her website for her aprons is www.flirttea.com. I'm writing this about how fun it was to be in a show with her, how I appreciate all I've learned from her, and where I've learned to truly appreciate where I come from.
I grew up in a very loud, fun, and messy house. Not messy/dirty, but messy with a sophisticated piling system. My husband makes fun of me, because I use a noun "pile" and changed it to a verb. Yes we had piles around the house. They were filed piles: piles of books (my dad), piles of toys (me and my sis), piles of bills, piles of homework, piles of pictures, piles of notes, piles of computer cables, etc. So you get where I'm going... Now when I go home to visit, the piles are still there. Now that my mom is retired from teaching and is pursuing sewing aprons and children's clothing, her new piles include: fabric, magazines, notes, sewing needles, thread, and buttons. I'm not being critical because, here's the kicker, my studio is SO similar! I have piles of beads, magazines, scrap metal, unfinished jewelry, mostly finished jewelry, finished jewelry, wire, and tools. Sometimes I feel so deflated because my house is pretty much the same as what I grew up with, the piling system in full effect.
It's crazy how the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree. For a good part of my teens and twenties I tried so hard to find my identity and not be like my parents. I know, it sounds so critical, but I wanted to be so different and wound up so similar. Or should I say that I've always been so similar, I just didn't want to see it that way. We both create and we both have our creative spaces with our piling system.
I can't tell you how hard and stressful is is for me to get organized. Then once I do, I can't find anything and I make it a pile all over again. Almost instantly it's back into the piles I'm comfortable with.
So mom, if you ever read this, I want to thank you for the piling system you inadvertently taught me. I feel the most at ease and most creative with my piles.

Jewelry Stolen October 7, 2008

Not such great news about my jewelry... I left my car open Monday night and about 10 necklaces were stolen and a couple pairs of earrings. Plus my IPod and the IPod adaptor were stolen too. I know, you're probably thinking, "what in the world was Amy doing with her jewelry in her car, and to leave it unlocked to boot!" I have no excuse and I'm going to take it as a great learning experience. At least he/she (I believe it's a she) didn't take everything.

I think she sat in my car and picked through what she wanted. I guess the upside is I think she has great taste.

Can I just complain for a few lines to get out all my frustration? It just puts me out about a weeks worth of time and money! Time is actually such a huge obstacle. I have a toddler so I work while she's at school and while she's sleeping. Many nights I stay up until 1 or 2am to work. I'm working on repleneshing what she stole and I'm trying to get it done by the end of the week, in time for some upcoming shows.

And to talk about some of those upcoming shows and stores I've repleneshed recently. Frolic in Buckhead has some new designs and a couple special orders I'm completing. Mitzi's Shoebox in Virginia Highlands will be getting new designs tomorrow! Yeah!


Next week I'll be a part of two shows. The first show is Girls Night Out by Loop Atlanta.

Location: Parker Smith Photography
Address:
1167 Zonolite Place Suite B
Atlanta, GA 30306
Date: Thursday, October 16th, 2008
Time: 6-9pm
RSVP: 404-309-1892

Also, I'll be a part of another show called Rag Ribbon Rainbow with the theme of "Facing Forward". It takes place Thursday, Oct. 16 through Saturday, Oct. 18th. The ladies who organized this show don't post it on the internet, however, how they display all the artwork is amazing. Lou and Sally transform a home and make it into a gallery. They remove all their personal artwork and chatchkees and fill their home with artwork that is for sale. Fine art, jewelry, clothing, hats, sculpture, gifts, etc. It's worth the trip if you can make it!


This year the show is at 4396 Club Drive, NE, Atlanta, GA 30319.

Show Times:
Thursday: 10am-5pm
Friday: 10am-5pm
Friday Night: Meet the Artists from 7-9:30pm
Saturday: 11am-5pm

Luxe Atlanta

I'm in a new store in Atlanta! When I originally walked into Luxe, I knew I had to have my jewelry featured in this store. Totally my style, and I knew it would be a perfect match for Throwing Stars. And with some persistence, I'm at the store. Luxe is located in the up-and-coming area just South of Howell Mill on the West Side of Atlanta. Located at 1000 Marietta St.

A couple of years ago, I'm not sure I would have felt comfortable driving my Subaru station wagon (mommy wagon) in the area. But now, there's some cute cafes and great shopping. Just wait, in another couple of years it will be the next shopping district on the cutting edge. Or should I say that it's already there!

Enough about the area, and let's talk about Luxe! Their clothing is to die for... they carry fun, fashionista, unique, great stuff and tend to have great sample sales if you sign up on their mailing list! Yes! It's just my luck, a great store with clothing I can't resist, and with sample sales to boot! I know, I'm a sucker. If you can't click on the picture try to link though this: http://www.luxeatlanta.com.

Wedding Jewelry for my friend, Kelly!

I just got back a couple of days ago from a trip to New York and then straight to California. It's been a crazy few weeks, from the Accessories Show at the Javits Center, then I scouted out a few stores in Laguna Beach and Los Angeles, CA. It was absolutely beautiful on both coasts, and now I'm back in the ATL where it's muggy... No worries, I've got air conditioning.

So going back... a good friend of mine/old roommate who helped me out in the very beginning of Throwing Stars Jewelry, asked me to make her bridesmaid jewelry. Of course I said yes! She was so awesome when I was getting started. She sat with me at our dining room table while I would bead. She even woke up at 5am with me, on a Saturday morning, and helped me set up my first booth at the Minturn Market, CO. She even went so far as to collect rocks from nearby Eagle River and carried them to my booth to help me add some character to my display. The rocks were beautiful, heavy, but beautiful! I really don't think I could have done that first booth without her.

So while I was in Cali, she sent me a picture of her sister-in-law, Liz, wearing the jewelry! It's so great that all of her girls were wearing Throwing Stars! Happy Wedding Kelly! Congratulations!

Accessories Show, New York

My fabulous friend, Golfo, from Tres Chic Furs is helping me out this weekend. She's letting me use a small space in her booth to display some jewelry. She does fur, and I mean everything fun, hip, new, chic, and classic too with fur.



She's sent me some of those fur scarves, one is this bright fuchsia pink and the other is more classic, a nice brown/camel color. Anyways, we'll be in booth #1234 at the Javits Center in New York. I think you'll be seeing me wearing fur and jewelry... and nothing else! Just kidding.

New Store In Athens, GA

I'm gettin' out of Dodge! No really, I'm in a new store in Athens, GA called Rouge. They really like my stuff! Very exciting!


Rouge
1860 Barnett Shoals Road
Athens, GA 30605
rouge1860@yahoo.com
706-208-1102

Stephanie and Sylvia Wilson, a mom and daughter team own and run this fun boutique. Stephanie got personally attached to a few items...

Olivia Necklace: Gold-Filled tear drops with gold-filled chain. With accents of amethyst and small moonstone briolettes. Reversable... wear it with the clasp in front even! It's a show stopper and one of my favorites too!



A model wearing the Angelle Hoop Earrings and the Leaf Necklace. Both are available in Sterling Silver and Gold-Filled wire.

Stephanie loved the necklace so much, she took a picture of it on her cell phone and sent it to a friend of hers. I think she may order a few more... Whoo Hoo!

LUXE - Atlanta Summer Event

It's my first event with LUXE Atlanta, a very hip/fun/cool... what can more can I say? I could easily buy everything in that store. It looks like a bunch of stuff will be on sale, and I'll be there with a bunch of my sale items! Whoo Hoo! (I've been saying that for years before the bank started using it) Anyways, I'll be there hanging out... and trying to control my cravings for shopping. It's the hazard of making jewelry and selling to fun boutiques. All I want to do is shop! Oye!

http://www.luxeatlanta.com/LuxeAtlanta/Events.html

Beehive Co-op, Atlanta

I think I'm getting my bearings at the Beehive. I've met some wonderful designers who have been very helpful with suggestions on my booth. It's all about presentation. I'm good at making jewelry, and I can use all the help displaying my stuff at the Bee. Now, I can honestly say that I think my space is lookin' good! The necklaces are easier to try on, and I've removed a little bit of extra clutter.


And if you're interested in finding the Beehive Co-op, check it out at:

Caring for your jewelry

Let's start off with sterling silver. The silver that I'm starting to use religiously is called argentium silver. Argentium Silver is still considered Sterling Silver with the same label of (925), but with a few extra elements to help keep the silver, silver. The reason being, argentium silver is not supposed to tarnish as easily. However, there is no guarantee that argentium silver won't tarnish.

So, I have a couple easy ways to help keep your silver shiny! Plastic sealed bags work the best. Keep the jewelry in the plastic baggies to prevent the moisture from tarnishing your silver.

As for Gold-Filled wire, it's not supposed to tarnish. However, I hammer and solder the Gold-Filled wire... which probably exposes more of the wire to the elements. My suggestion would be the same, keep the Gold-Filled designs in a dry, plastic sealed bag.

If you're still running into tarnish issues, I also use a product called "dip-it". I've also heard of a more natural way of removing tarnish with baking powder. I'll let you know if it works!

My new friend, Malene, from iram-inal designs is the influence behind this blog. I met her at the Beehive Co-op, and she's an awesome new friend in the same boat of jewelry designer/owner. Check out her website, www.iraminal.com, her designs are fun, bright, sophisticated, and chic!