The Smithery Shopping Haul!

The Smithery Haul!

I have the pleasure of knowing two brave independent artisan women named Jen and Anne. These two ladies had won me over with there good humor and kindness long before they opened up there own brick and mortar gallery boutique for handmade goods. MeShe Designs will not only be carried in there gorgeous gallery this coming holiday season in Columbus Ohio but I just purchased a few goodies from there wide selection of artisan pieces.  

http://shopthesmithery.com

I fell in love with a beautiful hand spun silk scarf they shared on there Facebook page The Smithery . I immediately contacted them to find out more information such as dimensions and pricing and I had a nice chat with Jen and Anne about some goodies I was interested in purchasing. Not only do they treat there friends, artists, and customers like gold they themselves are kind hearted women looking to support there network. This makes me want to buy from other makers as a consumer.

Lets get into the goodies shall we? I purchased three items. One the NV London Calcutta and Rob Ryan collaboration Scarf. Two a pair of Kristin Perkins glass blown post earrings, and the third item is my every growing collection of Jen Townsend stud earrings.

A beautiful card with lots of funnies written on it from my dear friends. They included the sweetest note inside which made me smile.

Here are some of the business cards included, Anne and Jen which own the The Smithery, and Kristin Perkins which makes the red glass blown earrings. They packaged everything so it felt like Christmas for me. Every bow and paper I unwrapped like Carrie Bradshaw and her Manolo Blahniks.

I was most excited for this scarf to arrive. Jen and Anne educated me on the history and background of the Artist Rob Ryan. This scarf was a collaboration piece with NV London Calcutta and Rob Ryan.  First off the packaging all together was luxe, I felt like I just went shopping at a Soho gallery. The scarf came in this beautiful blue box with information cards and the details on this particular line. Contact them for pricing and shipping.

Talk about attention to detail, this is why i love buying from artists. They want you to know the process like any well made item. It makes you feel like you are purchasing something special, cared for and loved.

I was immediately drawn to a few things on this scarf. The print: its like a wintery mix of wonderland with a beautiful quote that reads 'Look closer and closer and look further and further and listen harder and harder to the noise of the earth and the silence of the stars and what you will hear is a small voice that whispers -Don't try to get try to give'. This to me reminds me of the winter season ahead, it feels cozy and reminds me of Whoville from The Grinch. I especially was drawn to the man looking out the telescope. Overall this piece is unique, wearable, a true piece of art. The size is perfect, not too big or too small perfect to wrap around you, and your not swallowed in the scarf.

I love that you can see the print when worn. I have no words other than I am in love. I don't think I ever gravitated to an accessory quite like this one.

Now to the jewelry, which was packaged in tissue paper and a box. Look at those stickers yes I love it and yes I want it lol!

Each pair of earrings came in a jewelry box and a ribbon. I loved unwrapping there items start to finish it was a fun exciting experience. I am a sucker for good packaging.

These are the Kristin Perkins Circle Studs which are beautiful hand blown glass with a sterling dot in the middle and sterling earring post. Simple, everyday, and RED my favorite color. I was concerned that these would droop like some heavier post earrings. But Jen and Anne assured me they would just float on the ears. And that they do, they are ultra comfortable and don't sag. The glass looks like candy, blown to perfection. These are a must in my book.

Another shot of these beauties.

My Jen Townsend earrings, I already own three or four other earrings from Jen and I love love love them. Hence the reason I needed another pair. These are her classic pebble studs, which are enameled copper with a sterling silver post. They are so lightweight, everyday and dapped for dimension. I have these in two other colors. These are a total hit whenever I wear them, my best friend always expresses how much she loves them. I guess its time to buy her a pair as well :)

 Both of the earrings together

 Jen Townsend Earrings off the earring card.

 Another shot of the Kristin Perkins earrings on!

That wraps up my blogpost for The Smithery. I am beyond pleased with the entire experience shopping with Jen and Anne. I truly felt like I was in the store buying from them. Be sure to check them out if you are local and if you aren't feel free to visit there website http://shopthesmithery.com or call (614) 867-5780.

Weekly Update 7/2/2014

Summer is officially here, this is my favorite time of year. I love the relaxed ease of getting dressed into flowing tops, shorts and flip flops.  There is a carefree feeling that comes with the summer time. I love being by the water and starting my days with beach walks and rock digging. The past few weeks have been productive on the bench as well as personally. Happy July everyone I hope you are planning something fun for the 4th!

 

 It was a dear friends 30th birthday a few weeks ago, what better way to celebrate than going on a booze cruise around the city. It was the perfect night, warm, no humidity, just a slight breeze, water was clear and not choppy. The skyline was incredible, lots of dancing, cheers, dollar store party favors, and throwing a message in a bottle overboard. Maybe It will come back to me one day :)

 It doesn't matter how many times you see the Statue of Liberty or any significant landmark.  It always looks beautiful on a serene night with people you love.

This image was perfection, freedom tower, sailboat, and sunset.

 

As we circled around the sun had set on Manhattan. Enough said.

Just a few designs that were shipped out all made to order all available on my website From left to right: Amazonite, Amethyst, Norwegian Moonstone, Labradorite, Man in The Moonstone.

Man in the moonstone earrings shipped out, all of my post earrings come on my circle business cards. These I can remake in a lighter grey or peach. I don't have them listed but they are available upon request.

 I recently did a blog post of all the new gems I purchased within the last month.  If you would like to check that out click here.

 Beautiful new strawberry quartz, I only have two sizes left you can check this link for availability.

 

 A beautiful rose cut emerald set in a gallery design on a thick half round band.  This is fit for a queen.

 

 I have this oval druzy on sale for 45.00 free shipping within the US if your interested email meshedesigns@yahoo.com.

 I am apart of a very amazing group of talented women who are all jewelers. My sweet friend Tynessa sent me a beautiful peach necklace. Isnt is the sweetest thing!! I love it.

Me setting up to shoot pictures for my website. I really cherish each and every one of you that take the time to comment, like, and purchase from me. This is my dream and you all allow me to express, create, and live it.

Tynessa also sent me some awesome temporary tattoos so I just had to....

 .

Pre setting stage for some made to order pieces, the purple chalcedony collections, and a labradorites.

 I shared all the finished purple chalcedony pieces on my Facebook and Instagram but this ring is my favorite of the collection.

 Another one of a kind piece headed out to the UK. Rainbow Obsidian.

 These are my most popular post earrings, vintage fire opal glass. I acquired a whole vintage lot at a vintage warehouse. They are set in sterling with a sterling post.

New addition coral post earrings, simple sweet and the perfect salmon coral.

 Went rock collecting for a good friend who uses beach rocks for some of her designs. Her work speaks for itself she puts so much heart and soul into her collections. You can find her Facebook page here.

More blue labradorite because I cant resist when It comes to stones.  All four are available for customs.

 

Starting my day good morning rocky beach.

 And a little fruit parfait. I love berries on the beach.

 I created this custom piece for a lovely customer of mine in Texas. She is a warrior spirit and was immediately drawn to the purple labradorite stone. This design just came very natural from start to finish. It felt like it was hers from the moment I started sawing the metal. Every piece is made with love but this especially is a spirit piece.  It has so much positive energy radiating from the neckline.

 I paired it with a thick sterling chain and purple amethyst on the bail.

 Look at my Little Pirate, Wally is winking at you ;)

 Another shot of the vintage opal earrings , rose quartz ring, and recycled flat set.

 I got a whole strand of quartz points in. I will be making more vintage point necklaces soon!!

 Tigers eye ring, and Norwegian Moonstone
each metal order receives a card with a special code on it :)

 This is a super luxurious ring just launched. Beautiful blue labradorite with a beaded band bezel.

New projects for the week freshly soldered and pickled. Now ready for some clean up time.

All the pieces above, cleaned up, soldered, set and polished. All pieces are available on my website.

 

Kayaking just around the river bend.

 

 I am ending my weekly update with my after work kayaking adventure. I hope you all are having a great week! Stay tuned for more updates shortly. If you have any questions please dont hesitate to contact me anytime!

MeShe xx

Weekly Update 4/12/2014

Weekly Update 4/12/2014

Sorry I did not get the chance to update last week.  I was busy last weekend making pieces for customs and attending some milestone events for my friends. I always seem to have a lot of ideas brewing throughout the days, I am trying to use some of my new stones I hauled in a few blog posts ago.  If i rolled out half the ideas I had I would have new stock for weeks!  Without further ado lets get started with my photo roll of updates!  Let me know if you would like to see more or less of anything :)

Here are the finished photographed earrings I was working on in my last blog post.  These druzies are stunning a beautiful green blue, perfect for any season.  Even down to the ear wire is handmade, I wire wrapped beautiful Iolite gemstones to the bottom of the ear wire.

Click photo for listing and details 

My lovely customer from Hawaii had chosen this gorgeous Rose cut tanzanite stone for a custom ring. 

The finished Tanzanite ring, I couldn't be more please the deep hues of purple and blue are eye catching.  Below is a short video clip of the final product.

If you like this tanzanite I can source additional stones.

Some more projects and custom orders.

I had a friend that loved this ring but she has tiny tiny sized fingers.  So I customized this adjustable brass ring for her smaller hands. Click picture for finished product.  These are really cool all components came from a vintage warehouse in NYC.

I had a flow of blue lace agate orders last week. These are beautiful with unique color patterns and measuring in at 20mm!

Creating the bezels for the rings.

The finished product. The high shine silver compliments the stone, if you know MeShe by now you know I love that minimalist chic finish. 

Here in NY we have had such a long dragged out winter,I love NY and winter but I enjoy starting my work days at the beach with some music.

 I love the beach. Makes me really want to get creating.

I came home that day to find a box full of old jewelry tools from a lovely neighbor of mine.  Need to clean this stuff up a bit, but it was like Christmas for Jewelers.  Wax, flex shafts, mandrel, peoples generosity amazes me.  

I rephotographed this older piece and put it on sale on my Etsy site. Rhodocrosite and phosphosiderite. 

My beautiful customer on Instagram shared this lovely photo of her new Labradorite ring.

I had a nutella crepe OMG. Enough said.

New Green Onyx gemstone bullet necklace these can be a unisex design.

A little video clip of me sawing a bezel.

 I dyed my hair back to red, my favorite color of all time.

Some new wire I just got in, can't wait to incorporate in my designs.

New rolo chain. I want to start carrying this chain for certain necklace designs.

Progress shot this is pre polished and pre set stage.  A custom listing for my beautiful customer. She saw these lapis bullets on my Instagram and fell in love.  I have one more available for order. 

The final product. Luxurious, the chain is so thick and overall this is a great collectors piece.

My best friends puppy Bailey, she went in the water for the first time.  Such a cutie.

Working on bridal party jewelry some inspiration from my line and stones/color.  

Pink Topaz just launched, I kept this one.  Such a blush shade of pink, stunning on the hand.

Creating some prong settings for three Koroit Opals I have in stock from a USA Opal cutter.  He does fantastic work.

I have three stones available, and I will be finishing these this weekend.

Here is a sneak peak of the prong set Koroit Opals and other new designs.  These are not finished yet.

The beginning, progress shots.

 These are really labor intensive but rewarding projects.  I plan on adding more cuffs to my shop soon.

 Pre soldering

Dirty hands from polishing makes for that shiny metal.

 The final product, so pleased with these "Flower Child Cuffs"

Hope you all had a great week so far! Enjoy your weekend, and as always let me know if you have any questions or comments! MeShe xx