curio j is blogarific!

Quarter-life crisis?

2006-07-08T09:53:00.000-07:00

I'm bogged down with work and stretched way too thin, all the while trying to secure a place for myself in the future being happy, doing what I love and well, something had to give! So, I'm taking a little break with curio j to focus more on Modish, take my weekends back, have time to do yoga, and maybe read a book or two. Right now I'm not sure about the future of curio j, I love it, but I love writing more and want to start getting my writing career headed somewhere. Plus, I'm planning on moving to Portland soon! I'll check back if anymore drastic decisions ensue, in the meanwhile, enjoy your summer!

New earrings!!

2006-06-18T10:27:00.000-07:00

Wow, have I been productive lately, or what? (Don't answer that, leave me to my delusions of grandeur please.) I posted three new pairs of earrings yesterday, all of which are made with vintage beads and antiqued bronze findings. Check them out, they're summery and colorful and unique!

New Rings!!

2006-06-14T08:07:00.000-07:00

Alright, I did it, I buckled down and I finally put up some new rings! They're summery and bright and one-of-a-kind and will fit anyone's fingers except for mine (they're gargantuan!! my fingers, that is) But enough about me, take a look at the goodies!

I know I don't post much...

2006-06-11T10:40:00.000-07:00

...and I'm sorry for that. But, I just wanted to stop by, say hi, and tell you that I'm gonna buckle down today and get the rings that I've had made for the past month on the website, finally! (I figure if I write it down, it just HAS to happen now, right?) It's so hard working 40 hours a week, keeping up with Modish, ANNNND being able to update curio j as needed. Oh, how I wish I could quit my day job. Someday, hopefully someday soon. Alright, enough whining, back to work I go!

Spreading the love!

2006-05-18T15:44:00.000-07:00

curio j was featured today on a new blog called clothes-pin, run by the fashion loving, super sweet and witty Karen. Check out the write up on our Montana necklace, and make sure to cruise around the other posts and bookmark clothes-pin to stay up on the latest fashion trends.

Vintage Bead overdose!!

2006-05-15T08:26:00.000-07:00

I thought I had scoured the web for every vintage bead store that exists, but alas, on my search for "carved wooden beads" I somehow stumbled upon an AMAZING vintage bead store that didn't come up in prior searches: Earthly Adornments. Needless to say, I purchased much, received my order this past Saturday and am IN LOVE! I got so much great stuff, I'm definitely stoked to make some new goodies. (I'm always making stuff actually, it's the putting them up on the site part that seems to take a looonnnnggg while...) So anyway, I'm going to try to not procrastinate. I'll have new earrings and definitely some new amazing rings soon, and perhaps some bracelets too. So, keep your eyes peeled for all new and unique goodies made from rare and beautiful vintage beads!

Celebrate spring on your neck!

2006-05-09T23:41:00.000-07:00

Celebrate with a wonderful spring themed necklace, of course. Oh look! I happen to have 3 right here that you may fancy:

Check them out at curio j!

Vote for curio j!

2006-05-01T17:37:00.000-07:00

Hey, Style Bakery has teamed with Girlshop to once again sponsor their yearly "on the rise" awards which are meant to "recognize the hottest emerging designers and hippest online boutiques." You can vote for your choice in lots of categories, like best clothing site, best handbag site, and {ahem} BEST JEWELRY SITE...yeah. And, lookie der, I happen to have a jewelry site that I think is awfully great =). So, if you agree, stop on by Style Bakery's vote form, and let 'em know! You'll be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a $250 gift certificate from Girlshop, so really, you've got nothing to lose. You've officially got one month, entries are being accepted until June 1st. So start surfin' and then go exercise your right to vote! (for me. {cough} thank you.)

Modish

2006-04-06T16:14:00.000-07:00

Not that I'm betraying my blog roots here, but I've created another blog that may be of interest called Modish! It's a shopping guide for handmade goods and is made to showcase and support all the incredible indie businesses out there! We feature great new indie finds every day, have a "site of the week" spotlighting one business every Thursday, and will bring you special shopping guides around the holidays. So, go check it out if you'd like, and if you're a craftastic independent business owner and interested in having some of your products featured, just drop me a line!

More new earrings!

2006-04-04T11:28:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling very mod, can you feel it?? These euro-chic vintage lucite earrings are putting me in the mood. Check them out!

Happily Handmade Winner!!

2006-04-03T14:48:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Sandy Umber, one of the lucky winners of the Happily Handmade Giveaway. Sandy won from an entry she made on my site, yippee!! She is stoked and so am I. Congrats again Sandy! Here's a peek at all the goodies she won:
See, dreams really do come true. =) If you didn't enter this time around, you'll have another chance in the fall!

The March Sampler

2006-03-13T07:42:00.000-08:00

Free stuff is ALWAYS a good thing. If you're currently a veteran at sampling, here's a look at what you could win this month, including some "lucky charms" by yours truly. If you haven't yet heard of the Sampler, or aren't sure what it's all about, check out the info page where you can learn all about Marie, the Sampler, and subscribe to receive handmade goodies in your mailbox every month!

Yay!! New Earrings!!

2006-03-07T08:29:00.000-08:00

Well I know I'M excited, and maybe you will be too once you see them! Check out the first crop of new Spring 2006 earring styles, ALL made with vintage elements.
Here's a couple to wet your whistle...

In other news, we now accept credit card payments directly through our secure SSL protected shopping cart! Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover are all accepted. So, now more confusing Paypal to deal with! (Although, you can still use that if you'd like.) So, now you can go ahead and explore the new Spring styles and not be afraid to pay for them! =) Now, if only the weather could cooperate with this new spring theme...

Crafty Synergy

2006-03-01T14:00:00.000-08:00

There's a great new blog called Crafty Synergy that spotlights a new independent woman artist/business owner every week, and I'm up! If you'd like to find out why I got started, what I'd like to accomplish and things of that nature, check out the interview! You can also peruse the past week's interviews with other amazing women, and keep it bookmarked to stay on top of all the future posts! And thanks to Patricia of Crafty Synergy who is helping to keep the indie business scene alive and well!

Happy Love Day!

2006-02-14T10:58:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's Valentine's Day. It is awfully anticlimactic, huh? Hopefully you all have something great planned for the night though, whether it's dinner with a loved one, or a movie with Ben & Jerry, I wish you all well. And, just wanted to reminded you, today is the last day to get free shipping on any order over $40! Happy Valentine's Day!!

It's Officially Underway...

2006-02-13T08:16:00.002-08:00

The Happily Handmade Giveaway has now begun! We will be accepting entries on our site through March 27th. Just sign up for our mailing list and you'll be automatically entered to win! Check out the Happily Handmade site for official rules and to see sneak peaks of the gift baskets that will be up for grabs. This Winter '06 giveaway is HUGE with over 80 artists, designers and shops participating so that gives you over 80 chances to win! Don't wait, enter now!

As promised...

2006-02-09T08:01:00.000-08:00

...there are a few pairs of new earrings up on the site and more to come shortly. Take a look at the new goodies!

Happily Handmade Giveaway!

2006-02-07T08:11:00.000-08:00

It's almost time for this year's Happily Handmade Giveaway, a contest made to support independent designers and shoppers! You can enter to win one of many great giftboxes that will be filled to the brim with handmade goodies. My holland necklace and vera earrings will be included amongst some of the prizes! You can't enter until 2/13, so mark your calendars! More details are to follow, and you can always stay posted at the Happily Handmade homepage.

New bracelets!

2006-02-06T11:38:00.000-08:00

We have 2 new bracelets available on the website! They're both made with all vintage beads and are truly one of a kind. So, give 'em a looksie if you'd like. And, head's up, we'll have lots of new earrings coming soon too...

Shop Indie!

2006-02-04T20:06:00.000-08:00

Some girls I met on the Switchboards (a forum for independent business women) and I have put together a collective website called ishopindie.com. It features one product from each of us ladies and was created in hopes to spread the notion of buying handmade and supporting independent designers. It is currently being advertised on a great music site called Stylus. So check out the site, you may find some original gifts for your boyfriend, friends or yourself! Shopping "indie" helps support artists and craftspeople that often struggle in this world wrought with mass produced goods. Plus, it's just plain fun.

Valentine's Day is coming...

2006-01-28T12:09:00.000-08:00

Funny how the holidays I once wrote off as cheap commercial hallmark holidays (Valentine's Day being #1) suddenly become of utmost importance when you have your own business. I haven't become the super crazy Christmas lady that starts putting lights up (or in my case, starts "holiday-izing" her site) right after Labor Day, but I have realized that if you have to buy gifts for your girlfriend/wife/friend/lover or whomever else on Valentine's Day, you might as well buy handmade and get your loved one a truly unique gift.

So, I've created just that- a simple little necklace with a lot of heart that may be just the gift you are looking for. Feel free to take a gander! It is created in limited edition and will only be available to purchase until 2/28/06. Because, as everyone knows, after that it's time to start exploiting St. Patty's Day! =)

Thrifty Boutique Jewelry

2006-01-22T00:15:00.000-08:00

Shari from Thrifty Boutique asked to review my jewelry, and she has! I'm so excited to be mentioned among all the other great designers that are featured there. So, what are you waiting for? Check out the review yourself!

New necklaces!

2006-01-14T13:11:00.000-08:00

Hi all, two new necklace designs were recently added to the shop. They're much more geometric and graphic than previous designs, something new to add to the repertoire. Check them out!

Shop the holidays the Indie Shopping way!

2006-01-11T20:38:00.000-08:00

Check out the gift guide at indieshopping.com. There's lots of great Valentine's Day gift ideas by independent artists, including moi (of course.) Find my ad under the "Be Mine" section and get an exclusive discount on everything you purchase at curio j!

Seattlest

2005-12-16T11:41:00.000-08:00

The Seattlest, a website that's all about Seattle has an article featuring Copacetique (one of my favorite consignment buddies) and they mention curio j jewelry in it! Check out the article here: Seattlest. My presence is spreading...slowly but surely =).

New rings!

2005-12-13T20:22:00.000-08:00

I've added 4 new one-of-a-kind rings to the shop! Check them out here.

copacetique!

2005-12-09T11:43:00.000-08:00

I have some of my necklaces available again on copacetique, so if you're shopping around for some of their other great items, you can get everything in one svelte swoop!

Craft Fair Success!

2005-12-03T08:22:00.000-08:00

I organized a craft fair at my workplace for me and all of my fellow talented employees to show off, and hopefully sell, their handmade goods. I was totally stressed out about it, we had to change a lot of things at the last minute, people weren't confirming their participation, and I was ready to rip someone's head off (probably my own), but I am here to report that it was a total success! It started this past Wednesday and went on until Friday and went great! Everybody brought in awesome stuff: walking sticks made out of recycled Christmas trees, homemade soups & cookie mix, purses, scarves, knit hats, stools made of old bike parts, camping stoves made with red-bull cans, and handmade holiday cards just to name a few things.

My jewelry sold like hot cakes! I was surprised I sold so much! I want to say a BIG thank you to all the lovely girls who purchased some things for themselves and their friends, and the boys who got their girlfriends/wives some nice Christmas gifts. My first craft fair is now down the hatch, and I'm excited to get involved with some of the indie craft fairs around the country in the future. It was nerve wracking to organize, but I'm glad we did it, and everyone wants it to become an annual staple for the company. Hurray! Success!

i buy d.i.y., do you?

2005-11-25T08:20:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited!! I just finished my website last weekend and already I'm getting some great response! Just yesterday, Tracy at i buy d.i.y. told me she liked my site so much she decided to include one of my necklaces in her holiday gift guide. Check it out here! And thanks Tracy!

Halleluliah!!!!!!

2005-11-19T08:23:00.000-08:00

Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhh, it is a blessed moment indeed for I am finally done with my site!!! Yes! Yes! Yes! Check it out! I finished this afternoon, went for a celebratory lunch and beer at my favorite restaurant and spent the rest of the day doing basically NOTHING! Do you know how good it feels to do nothing? To just watch a movie without feeling guilty about not working on this or that! I still do have a lot to do marketing and PR wise and getting product out to consignment shops and I have a craft fair next week, but for now, I deserve a slight pause, a much needed break, a breath if you will...aaaahhhhhhh, feels good....

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

2005-11-14T08:24:00.000-08:00

So, I've made a lot of new jewelry and I've figured out the layout for all my product pages and (triumphant horn noise) last night I tackled the elusive shopping cart! I'm so excited. I'm now working on making all the product pages, I have the necklaces one almost done. There's going to be a lot of picture taking, layout handling, and site getting and putting going on in the next few days. I'm hoping to have my "Grand Opening" by this weekend. Wish me luck! I can't beleive there's an actual end in sight!

She's back baby....

2005-10-26T08:25:00.000-07:00

curio j has a new look, and I have new motivation to really get it DONE this time around!! Wish me luck on accomplishing the ever arduous task of building a website from scratch. It's gonna happen, it will, just you wait and see...

Double your money!

2005-09-07T08:26:00.000-07:00

A big THANK YOU to all who have purchased my Etsy items. I've sold 4 items so far for the hurricane relief fund for a total of $65 worth of stuff, and the excellent company I work for, Patagonia (I don't mind plugging them as they are rad), has agreed to match all my donations! So $130 will be going to the Red Cross so far. I'm going to make some more special items to sell, so remember, if you buy one, it's like donating DOUBLE to the cause! Thanks to all of you who have supported Crafters United, and please, keep on shoppin!
Here's pics of everything I've sold so far:

Crafters Unite!

2005-08-31T08:28:00.000-07:00

Last night while watching the wreckage of the hurricane on the news, I couldn't help but cry. The trigger was an interview with a man who literally couldn't hold onto his wife through the gale force winds, who hasn't found her yet, who is dreading the idea of raising his kids alone and going on with life without her. The fact that this was not an isolated incident made me just feel empty, hopeless. I clung onto my boyfriend through the night feeling very lucky to still have my life in tact, and at same time feeling selfish or at least confused as to why my life is still so stable and coherent, while other's lives are being literally ripped apart. So, I was slightly relieved and excited when I saw this post on a fellow crafty blogger's site this morning. I am planning to participate, and I hope you all will consider it too. Here's the plan from Craft Revolution:

"Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast earlier this week with devastating effects, forcing hundreds of thousands out of their homes and causing at least 68 deaths, including 55 in Mississippi. Rescue efforts are currently under way, with many victims trapped on rooftops and in flooded communities. The area is experiencing a shortage of food, a lack of drinking water and no power to homes that are still standing. The devastation is unbelievable.

We at Craft Revolution have been watching the news coverage together (online) with heavy hearts. We know full-well the power of the indie community to come together to support one of our own in need. Now is the time to mobilize that power and reach out to the victims of this horrific storm.

We have approached Etsy.com with a plan to offer donated indie items for sale on their website. Etsy has offered us shop space (http://craftrevolution.etsy.com/) and all proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund, which is providing hot meals to victims and rescue workers, as well as providing other much needed assistance such as shelter, medical needs and even therapy for victims."

So, if you're the crafty type, please consider donating your goods to the cause. If not, you can still help immensely by checking out the shop at Etsy. ALL proceeds from anything you purchase there will go directly to the Disaster Relief Fund. You can get some cool new goods while also helping out those in need, there's no reason not to!

Look how much has been raised so far!!

Also, you can go to the special disaster relief page on CraftRevolution.com where they list partner sites and maintain a complete list of participating shops and cash contributors. Or, if you’d like to make a direct donation with paypal, you may send your contributions to donations@craftrevolution.com. Please also send any inquiries or offers of donations and help to that address.

Thank you so much for reading! Those affected by this disaster will greatly appreciate your generosity.

I've been tagged!

2005-08-30T08:29:00.000-07:00

I took me awhile to find out that I've been tagged (I seem to have been lost on another planet for a bit) but now I've caught on, so here goes:

10 YEARS AGO TODAY: AUGUST 30, 1995
Hmmm, I was a wee tike of just 13, so I was probably just about to start 8th grade- I wore big baggy t-shirts embarrassed of my "budding" body, and my hair was always up in a half pony tail with a another tie at the bottom to hold it all together- very Elaine on Seinfeld mid 90's do. I also was beginning to realize that boys are cute even tho I thought they were all idiots. I had a crush on a boy named Justin and day-dreamed about him unwittingly while in the back of the bus singing every word of Wonderwall with my friends. I made mushroom charms out of clay, strung them on hemp macrame and sold them at my piano teachers house marking my first business venture.

5 YEARS AGO TODAY: AUGUST 30, 2000
This was the summer of growth when I finally was out of high school, just about to start college and was in love for the first time with a real live boy. I probably had just moved into my dorm room, met my randomly placed roomate (who ended up being pretty rad) and was very excited to start my new life away from the home I had lived in for the past 18 years.

1 YEAR AGO TODAY: AUGUST 30, 2004
I had broken up with said boyfriend from above who I ended up being with for 4 years, and met a new prospect, also named Justin like my childhood crush, and probably had my first "date" with him around this time. I work with him and had a little crush on him for awhile but officially had my first real conversation with him on his birthday 7 days prior (Aug 23rd) and we had a belated birthday beer together.

YESTERDAY: AUGUST 29, 2005
I woke up tired from the return of a San Francisco/Point Reyes camping trip the weekend before, came to work to a computer system that wasn't working and had a slow day wishing I was at home working on my website. Then, I came home (yay!) starving and fixed some pasta for Justin and I, while he ripped some hip-hop cds onto my computer for me. Then we ate, drank some yummy organic Reisling, and looked at a crazy book Justin found of extreme microscopic pictures of bugs and flowers and what not...

TOMORROW: AUGUST 31, 2005
I will come to work, go on a little field trip for work to the Recycling Plant to see how things work there, then come home starving again, probably eat some Super Burrito, work on my website and crash into an pile of tired.

5 SNACKS I ENJOY
chips and salsa, popcorn, ummm, I really don't snack at all so I can't think of anything else.

5 BANDS THAT I KNOW MOST OF THEIR LYRICS
Elliott Smith, Radiohead, Iron and Wine, Interpol, Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, the Beatles, Bowie, this list could go on forever, singing in the car is one of my favorite pastimes!

5 THINGS I'D DO WITH A MILLION $$
Quit my job and start my jewelry biz for real, give some to moms and pops, donate a bunch to free tibet, TRAVEL TRAVEL TRAVEL, save the rest for living off of for as long as possible, oh and buy a Jetta Wagon.

5 PLACES I'D RUN AWAY TO
Portland, Tibet, Prague, Costa Rica, the Moon

5 BAD HABITS I HAVE
laziness, picking my lip, running late, cussing, messiness

5 THINGS I LIKE DOING
being with my beau, yoga, writing, making jewelry, traveling

5 THINGS I WOULDN'T WEAR
any animal print, things brazen with brand logos, anything with a cliche word tatooed across it like "hottie" or "sugar", um, hammer pants, or acid wash denim of any kind

5 TV SHOWS I LOVE
Seinfeld, Sex and the City, Top Model, the OC, and sneaking up to a favorite is the Family Guy

5 MOVIES I LOVE
Amelie, Royal Tannenbaums, Baraka, Lost in Translation, Magnolia

5 FAMOUS PEOPLE I'D LIKE TO MEET
the Dalai Lama, Terry Tempest Williams, Saul Williams (again, for real this time), Stevie Wonder, Marc Jacobs

5 BIGGEST JOYS AT THE MOMENT
love, my kitty, my little burgeoning business, traveling, great hopes for the future

5 FAVORITE TOYS
my ipod, my imac, my lomo, Studio MX, and my cat

Ahh, everything is copacetic

2005-08-10T08:29:00.000-07:00

Life is good. I just got back from a trip to Portland and Seattle for my birthday. It was fun and relaxing and filled with some of the most delectable vegan food I've ever had. I had time to kind of "forget" about the website creation thing (it was always in the back of my mind, I just was glad to leave the pixel/server/upload/forum/graphics/argh! behind for at least a bit.) But, I come home and immediately jump back into the swing of things, and what to my wondering eyes should appear, but 4 spanking new necklaces of mine on Copacetique! It's nice when you can kind of forget about things and leave them up to the capable hands of others, such as Janice with Copacetique. Thanks so much for getting those on the site Janice! And I'll be sure to stop by next time I'm up in your neck of the woods =).

Glitter Workshop

2005-07-27T08:30:00.000-07:00

Hey all, another store now carries my necklaces- the Glitter Workshop in Madison, WI. So, if you're ever in the midwest looking for some gear, check out my jewelry and all the other great handmade goods they carry. And thanks Naomi!

France & Amber

2005-07-24T08:31:00.000-07:00

Hey! If you're ever in Allentown, PA, stop by France and Amber! It's an awesome store that carries handmade and vintage goods, now including some of my necklaces! Check out their website to see pics and get more info...

Pinkthread!!

2005-07-18T08:32:00.000-07:00

Some of my necklaces are now available for purchase at pinkthread Go check them out, and thanks Veronica from Pink Thread!!

Thank you hair weave

2005-07-17T08:33:00.000-07:00

So, Friday I dropped off a few more necklaces at the Never Ender, a local art gallery and shop that sells handmade wares. I walked up the stairs past a lady with foils in her hair, a black cape, a cigarette in one hand and a cel phone in the other. She was obviously waiting out the weave she just received at the salon next door. I continued inside and dropped off some new necklaces with Amber, the owner of the shop. As I was leaving the lady met me at the door, "I might as well look around in here," she said with a bored tone. I smiled at her and walked out thinking nothing more of it. Later that night, at an opening for the (con)temporary gallery, I ran into Amber and she was like "hey, ya know that lady that was sitting out on the steps when you brought your necklaces? She came in, asked what you had dropped off, and bought like three of them."
So, basically this little blog is to say: thank you lady with the hair weave. You seriously rock. I hope your new "do" and your new hip neck wear go excellent together. And if you ever somehow stumble upon this blog, I want you to know, I love you =).

curio j, tis true?

2005-07-12T08:18:00.000-07:00

Look at this, I have a blog now, which is intimidating (yet motivating) in two ways: a) I am now required to do enough curio j related things for which to write about and b) I now need to actually sit down, organize my thoughts (well, maybe that's going too far) and write about them. Hmph. Well, here goes, my first note for curio j is to welcome you, say "hey, thanks for coming and please, come back soon because the tide, she's always changin." I will hope to keep the curio j related news updated for you through this channel as long as my creative urges keep on flowin. So here's to the hopeful beginning of a fruitful venture, and my journey into official blogdom. (and thus, the blog was born.)