LOCAL COLOR

About a year ago my bff girlfriends/neighbors and I got together to have a little local art show in the neighborhood. We decided to have 10% of the proceeds benefit a local organization -- The Old Blair Auditorium Project . We met every week, found local donations for food, etc. , and eventually set up in 2 yards and 2 homes on the day before Mother's Day 2008. We had wine tastings, a kid's craft table, and all of us displayed our work for sale to our neighbors. It was such a wonderful event ... I cannot encourage you enough to do it in your own neighborhood! All of us sold our work very well, and the neighborhood came out by the hundreds.

Our group did not die. In the summer of 2008 -- in conjunction with Pyramid Atlantic, we opened the Pyramid Atlantic Community Arts Store, at 924 Ellsworth Ave., Silver Spring MD. Our store represents local artists from the Silver Spring local area.

The pictures below are of our group making the "founder's table", which now resides in the store. Hoping to rename the store "Local Color" when we take it over formally, on July 1, 2009.

Meeting Etsy face to face

Selling on the internet is so anonymous. I've gotten used to that. I've also developed what I consider to be friendships with people that I've never met -- customers who I've sold to for years, vendors, etc.

Today I met one of my Etsy clients. It was so funny. She was visiting her son -- a metro police officer where I live -- and she noticed that I sell my work at the Pyramid Atlantic Community Arts Store in Silver Spring. She popped in! Such a simple thing you would think... but it was so fun and exciting to put a face with and Etsy client!

Thanks, and hope you love all the earrings!

Time for another Mosaic Workshop

These are too much fun!

This time we will be making little miorrors ...

When? April 23 and April 30 from 6 to 9. (Two consecutive Thursdays.)

Where? The Pyramid Atlantic Community Arts Store at 924 Ellsworth, Silver Spring, MD.

Cost? $120.

More info? Call Linda at 240-643-1194

New Website Update

My new website is not only up and running, but is now also packed with new Spring and Summer inventory -- like the gorgeous Pearl and Gemstone Cluster Earrings and fantastic Coral Necklace above.

Come check out A-Z Jewelry Design's new look and let me know what you think!

New site is up!

As many of you know, I have been working on my new web store for some weeks. I decided to go with Yahoo Merchant Solutions, as I liked the format and the ease of use ... and also the many features that my old store just didn't have. (And Etsy didn't even pretend to have.)

What an arduous time warp.

But -- guess what! It's up! Not too much inventory to choose from, yet. But I think it looks sweet, and I will start to get used to everything I can do with it. Wanna see?

I do believe that the time used is an investment in the future. I can add so many more items, so much more quickly. My clients do not need to sign up for anything ... all they have to do is buy what they want!

Let me know what you think. And if you have a yahoo store with some wisdom to pass on -- let me know!

Gwen Ifill wore my jewelry on PBS Washington Week last night.

I must admit -- I love her, I love the show and I was completely humbled.

Gwen came into our shop, The Pyramid Atlantic Community Arts Store, in Silver Spring, MD, (Washington DC). She was doing a book promotion as a benefit for her sorority. The evening was delightful as she introduced her wonderful new book -- Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama, and spoke openly and forthrightly to us all.

I asked her to choose one of my sets telling her I'd be thrilled to see her wear it on her show. She chose a Lapis Lazuli set and loved it so much she promised to design her Friday night's outfit around it. During the show I could hardly hear what they were speaking about I was so thrilled to see the jewelry...

Almost ready!

My new website is almost ready to be unveiled to the world. I'm just putting on the finishing touches and adding new pieces for the coming season. Stay tuned! Until then, below is a preview of what I'm creating for Spring...

Despite the snow...

I've been motivated by the impending arrival of Spring! Have you noticed how mimosa yellow seems to be all the rage for the coming season? What to wear with it? I think this coral choker above would look beautiful! Or let this dainty Calcedony Quartz necklace be your touch of yellow.

Check them both out at my Etsy site. And remember, everything is 20% off from now through this Friday, February 6th!! To receive the discount -- Don't submit the payment and write "Heart" in the message box, and I will invoice you the discounted price. Happy shopping!

Sale, sale, sale!

My Valentine's Day gift to you? 20% off all jewelry on my Etsy site!

When checking out of my Etsy site, submit your order but DO NOT pay. Instead, contact me and write "Heart" in your message. I will then send you an invoice with the discounted amount for your order. Hurry - the sale only runs from January 21 - February 6!

I heart you....

Is it conscious or unconscious? I don't know. But this is what popped out of the studio yesterday! Visit it on Etsy or send your sweetheart to see it!

Starting off the New Year right.

I'm starting 2009 by getting my Etsy site more organized -- new categories, new photos. Take a look and let me know what you think!