Give a hoot.

I would love to add this to my decor.
via Rare Device

You deserve a break today.

I heard this song in a store the other day and can't get it out of my head, which is a good thing. It almost makes me want to dance to it, but I don't dance anymore (well, maybe at home with no one else around I might). I can't believe it's 30 years old... and that I remember it being released when I was a kid. So old. I am. Sigh. Nothing like a good old Sooooouuuuul Train performance to get you moving, even at my age.

Goofy.

Happy National Goof Off Day--really!

I was supposed to work an afternoon shift today but they ended up not needing me, so I am celebrating this day by doing much of nothing... but lately that's not very different than most other days for me. Today I'm posting a bunch of random photos that I shot some time ago, as I'm spending too much time goofing off to post anything more.

Spring has sprung.

Happy Spring everyone! I know I'm a day late, but I was in Manhattan yesterday to go to the Whole Bead Show with a good friend/former co-worker and then to a birthday party for a friend I've known since college. It was a great way to spend a beautiful spring day. I hope you made it a great day too!

Swap meet.

Anyone interested in joining me in an art swap?

I discovered the swap through Dawn at +handmade love+. From what I understand, you send a little work of your art (painting, photo, jewelry, etc.) to the person at the top of the list that's emailed to you and in return you will receive 36 pieces of art. It's my first time participating in such a swap, and I'm really curious to see what I get! I'm already thinking of ideas of what I'll send.

If you're interested, please email me at gem333(at)optonline(dot)net

I hope you'll join in!

Finally!

I've finally overcome my tendency towards procrastination... My Etsy shop is now open! To start I've only listed four necklaces, but please check back every so often for new items. I hope you'll like them!

Ageless style.

As I get older I sometimes worry that the clothing and accessories I'm drawn to aren't appropriate for someone my age, that some of the trends I like are meant for gals a bit younger than me. Then I remind myself that I'm not trying to pass for a teenager or college girl, that I just want to wear things that flatter me and express my sense of style. Style is not something that changes with age, and I hope I'll be able to express mine as well as these folks do when I (God willing) get to be their age.

Iris Apfel, founder of Old World Weavers, and a woman with a very definite sense of style and individuality. I still don't know how I allowed myself to miss Rara Avis: Selections From The Iris Barrel Apfel Collection, the exhibition of her clothing and accessories, when it came to New York not once but twice. I'll have to get a hold of the catalogue so I can pore over her amazing wardrobe collection. See a great interview with Apfel here.

Photo by Chester Higgins Jr.for The New York Times

Advanced Style is a blog created by Ari Smith Cohen, a twenty-something New Yorker who is inspired by the style of older people, people who are dressing only to please themselves and not to impress others.


Photos by Ari Seth Cohen

Random dog post.

How cute are these doxies?!? I so want one... or two... or three...

And those little doggie parkas and scarves? Adorable -- and they're color coordinated to the pups too!



Photos by Bill Cunningham for the New York Times

I'm blushing!

There are several blogs that I make sure to visit every day. Ermie is one of my first daily stops. Jennifer is very creative and has a great eye; her photos and writing let me feel the sunshine of California even in the middle of a New York winter. So I can't tell you how thrilled I was when I clicked over to Ermie this morning and saw two of my photos at the top of the page! Jennifer did a feature about the burgeoning trend of cord necklaces and was kind enough to include my soon-to-be-released pieces. It was an even bigger honor when I saw what talented company I had in the post: Jenny Gordy of Wiksten, Kate Miss of For Me, For You, and Stephanie Renee of Dores. If you aren't yet familiar with these ladies I highly recommend clicking through and visiting their sites... you won't be disappointed.

Thanks again, Jennifer, for including me and for all your words of encouragement! I'm really getting excited about this project, though a bit nervous about finally taking the leap into selling my work.

Works in progress.

I've been a busy little bee this past week. My new jewelry designs will be ready very soon. I hope you'll be as enthusiastic about them as I am! (As with all the photos on my blog, you can click on any image to see the detail.)