It was a blur...

It's good to be back home here on my little blog-I missed it! I am looking forward to updating and sharing new design ideas and creations and maybe some trips, too-I am getting that feeling again-need to fly!

(maybe Bali again...?..)

The past few weeks have been a frenzy of producing and then selling-a huge success! Thanks to all I saw down in New York, who ordered online, and who stopped by just to say hello!

Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year-do something special just for YOU.

Best,

Erin

Helping Hands

I spent this past Saturday night at a wonderful event to benefit this amazing organization. I was asked to come to Helping Hands' annual fund raising gala and participate as a vendor, donating part of the proceeds to the organization. I was truly honored to do so! 
Helping Hands trains and places monkey helpers with people who have disabilities and can benefit from the dexterity and intelligence of these monkeys. The event was held at the new-ish LEED-certified (important to me:)WGBH studios. There was great live music, gourmet treats from top Boston area restaurants, drinks, dancing and presentations about Monkey Helpers. They also had screenings of their new documentary. It was a fun evening for me and I was just really on the sidelines. The dedication of the trainers and of course the monkeys is really unbelievable to me. It was very moving to see this kind of commitment to helping people with disabilities. If you are looking for a unique organization to donate to this holiday season (I know there are so many!), this would be a wonderful choice.

 Thank you! :-)

Ode to Pyrite

I am in love with Pyrite. 

This is strange because it's not a stone I have used for long. 

It's not a stone similar to the types I have been using forever. It's not a stone which you can easily identify (what color is that anyway?). It's a stone that is a bit "rough around the edges" in appearance.

 But it just seems to go with almost anything I think of pairing it with.

 Like a refined, faceted Citrine.

 Or bright white sterling chain.

 Rich black oxidized silver and gold.

Or pearls and subtly colored gemstones.

And here's another favorite you may have already seen.

Come see all my pyrite selections in person at the last South End Open Market of the season!   It's on Halloween and is sure to be packed.  It's fully booked with creative vendors and they're having costume contests, free treats and more!

Have a spooky, cavity-inducing weekend! : o

Finally!

 oh, I think I use the word "finally" too much here. I guess that means I need to step it up a bit. Anyway, what I have to present to you now is worth the wait!  I have finally listed some "one-of-a-kinds" in the shop.

Geodes! 

 Yay! They are special, kind of magical, sparkly and colorful. 

Hope you like!

...and more will be coming sooner rather than later. really.

Have a great weekend!

Have a Windy Weekend....

More new updates have been made in the shop!

The necklace above is a new favorite, which sold out twice before I could actually get a picture of it! It seems to just really "work" when people try it on. It was difficult to photograph this piece in it's entirety, as it has lots going on, so I hope you can get the feel for it here. I think it would be a great holiday party necklace!


Sadly, my last Providence Open Market show was canceled for tomorrow due to high winds. I hope to be back next year! Otherwise you can catch me at the South End Open Market this Sunday and a week from then for my last Boston appearance 'till the Spring. Hope to see you there. It has been a really fun market!

Happy weekend!!

(loving this song today)

New Lockets in Gold

I love the warm glow that gold gives to these images. I have just one listed right now on the site, but there are more coming. And of course, you can always request any of the stamps you see in silver to be made in gold. Also! Feel free to talk to me about customizing. If it will fit, I am more than happy to put a personalized quote or message in the locket for you.
(p.s.-there are a few newbies in silver as well ;)

New Stuff. And hello!

Finally!

"New Things" are up!!
I miss my blog. I am hoping to get back to posting more next week now that lots of new pieces have been designed, made, photographed, edited and uploaded to the shop! Whew. There is still lots more to do actually, but I just wanted to say hello out there!

Happy Weekend!

It looks like great weather again this weekend-perfect for going to a market! I will be at my first Providence Open Market on Saturday, and back at the super-fun South End Open Market on Sunday (where I bought the most amazing orange cranberry bread and picked up an adorable poncho for my niece).
I just bolted back from NYC yesterday after a furious week of gem shopping. I have a gorgeous huge stash to work from now and will be posting new designs this week (along with some much sought-after items which had been out of stock).
Whatever you do-have fun!

Woops!

I am still here!
And my jewelry (well some of it, more coming) is too!
Summer was amazing, as it always seems to be on the Vineyard. Shows were great, thank you everyone!!! I have such loyal and sweet "customers" (hate that word, "clients" is no better)-friends! You really have made my dream come true! Ok, enough sappiness...

I have a show tomorrow which should be great, weather looks lovely for Boston. I'll be here:

This looks like tons of fun. They've got the handmade arts area, an antiques section, a farmer's market, and gourmet food trucks!! What more could you want? Oh yeah-the South End!! Tons of cool boutiques, cute cafes and yummy restaurants.
See you there!
(if you can't make it tomorrow, no fear! I will be there every Sunday through October)

My Favorite Stone

Of all the stones I see on the beach, this one is my favorite.
Some of you Vineyarders will recognize it no doubt .

Sadly, I can't take this one home with me...probably a good thing for everyone :)

Symbols of the Sea

Here for you, the ultimate beachcomber's earrings.

I could easily spend an entire day wandering a long stretch of (deserted, please)beach, searching for the little treasures it gives up to me-a shell, a striped stone, and once a perfectly whole perfectly frosted blue marble. There is something about the looking, the sound of the waves and the solitude I just can't get enough of.



Peaceful and Inspiring.

Finally!! My rings are here! These were a vision, of sorts, and I am pleased to present them to you now. This project combines my love of rings (I have been wanting to have rings in my shop for an eternity it seems...) with my love of words and the way they can affect me, and hopefully you, too. I wanted the quotes on the rings to be especially for the wearer, so they are a bit of a secret. By all appearances, these appear to be very pretty rings with colorful groups of stones.

When you turn your hand over, however, you will find a message, a reminder, a direction perhaps. Just for you to see and no one else.

This one here is the quintessential summertime ring. With a quote I have used many times. It is from a part of an Emerson poem and goes:
"...live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air..."
It always feels more appropriate to me in summer, especially here on the Vineyard.

More rings with varied gemstones and secret messages are here. Enjoy!

(p.s.-rings are a nice substantial sterling band which won't get bent out of shape :)

Happy Fourth!

This picture was taken last summer on the Fourth here on the Vineyard. Today is an equally beautiful day to go out and celebrate freedom-enjoy!

What's New

Well, I actually had this shell necklace in the shop last Summer, but love it so much, I brought it back. This year, it's updated with more intense color from a bright blue Apatite gemstone and a little shot of lime green Peridot. Put this on in June, and it'll stay all summer long....

(also available in gold filled)

Swimming your way...

While in Bali I met a young man who carves amazing works of art out of unusual materials. This little seahorse is hand-carved from fossilized mammoth tusk, a beautiful creamy color.

I found lots of information about seahorse symbolism and general facts when researching to write something enlightening here. My favorite two tidbits: in the seahorse world the male carries the babies! And, in Hawaiian culture, the seahorse symbolizes eternal friendship. Personally, I think they're kind of fascinating.

I'll be listing lots of new things in the shop this week, including this baby.

Guilty as charged....

I can not resist the "raindrops on flower petals" photos. But this one is different, right?
Thankful for a Mum who loves to garden, giving me a chance to indulge in gulity pleasures.

Back Again

Been working on these (in the shop soon!)...

...after looking at these...

Can't wait for Summer!! I will be in my usual spots...

The Featherstone Flea and Fine Arts Market
and
The Chilmark Flea Market

See you there soon!

It was all about...

Him and Her

As I mentioned before, I lost my guide during most of this ceremony, so I really don't know what was up with these two....were they local royals? The future king and queen? Two kids representing past royalty? I don't know, but I can say this boy here was all over it-very cool, calm and collected, very comfortable with his apparent status and future life of luxury. This young lady was more.....irritated. At first, she was in a small pavilion where lots of women primped her. She had just had enough, and the show hadn't even started yet.

And then, things did start and they were literally picked up and carried (awkwardly) away.

To a spot where they were apparently blessed (held aloft the entire time).


They appeared reverential when it was time...no more sourpuss (even though she was slipping off her carrier the entire time).


Then whisked away again and hoisted onto the tiniest ledge of an altar where they had an audience with two seriously spiritual looking men-priests/holy men/community leaders?
who each continually chanted their own tunes and did some bell ringing.

What a day, and it's not over yet....

There was (a lot) more to the procession, actually....so I'll hold off on the stars of this show until tomorrow. Here is a bit more of our walk down the road to a temple set back in the jungle, just above a gorge and swiftly flowing river.

A bit more waiting...

The musicians were young and loud!

Almost there...