The Story Behind the Stories

I realized that some of you may wonder why I bother with all of the stories for each of the pieces of jewelry I create. Perhaps why I don’t just provide the necessary mundane details of measurements and materials and leave it at that. I thought I’d just write a little note and tell you why.

I believe that all work has a story behind it in some sense. As a designer I am constantly inspired by things I see in my day-to-day activities, my travels abroad, my conversations with friends, coworkers, strangers. I absolutely credit many of my design ideas to all of these things and I think it’s appropriate that you should know about them. Sometimes it’s so I can share with you what I’ve been thinking about or where I imagine these pieces of jewelry will be. Other times I see the places these pieces would have been, in another time and place.

In another life I think I would have been a writer. For me sometimes the stories come before the pieces do. It’s just one of my many little quirks. I enjoy writing almost as much as I enjoy creating, and I am happy to share both of those with you, if you’re willing to read my ramblings.

Here is my beloved Moleskin Notebook where I doodle most of my designs or write down the majority of my stories.
I simply adore these little notebooks!

I hope this helps explain why each of my pieces has a particular title and a story attached to it. Perhaps one day when I tire of thinking up clever little names, I’ll resort to “Sterling Silver Necklace with Bird Pendant”... but I sincerely hope not.

Hope you all are well.

Warmly,
C.

A day in the life of Jeweled Blossoms

It occurred to me earlier today, that some of you might be a bit curious as to how I spend my days. I know I'm often curious about the day to day on-goings of other artists, so I thought I'd give you a little snapshot of my day here in Sunny California.

(and if you have no interest, just wait for tomorrow's post on something less mundane!)

My day usually begins at 6 am, when I reluctantly roll out of bed to the sound of my buzzzing alarm. I get up, brush my teeth, check my email for any sales or questions from customers, then get my Bella fed, let her out and head in to work.

My day job is providing quality assurance for a vet pathology lab (yes, yes, I know, that sounds terribly boring, but I'm telling you, it's right up my detail-oriented-alley!). I spend the day checking emails here and there and eventually 4 pm rolls around and I head home.

From there, it really depends on how many orders I get. I usually try to photograph any new pieces I've made right away before the good afternoon light disappears. Then I fill orders, answer emails, create new pieces if the mood strikes me.

I grab a bit of dinner, a shower, work on packaging up orders, listing new items and working on my website, JeweledBlossoms.com. Usually around 10:30 or so I start to slow down a bit and if I'm lucky, by 11 or 11:30 I'm in bed (lately it's been 12 or 12:30).

It makes for a long day, but I really and truly enjoy every minute of it!

So tell me, how do you spend your days?

Great apologies...

... I have been greatly neglectful of my blogging for the last while, and I'm quite sorry, but I do promise to start posting more regularly in the future.

Life just has a way of getting in the way of things sometimes, you know? I 've been a bit busy lately though, creating a series of little lariat lovelies that I am so pleased to share with you all...

Introducing...

The Hundred Year Old Olive Tree Lariat
(currently for sale in the shop.)

And this little lovely is The Quiet Town of Julian Lariat...

I was also able to pick up the most wonderful sterling silver glass lockets, which are clearly family heirlooms ready for the making!

Sadly, I think it's time to turn in for the night. I'm exhausted from revamping my work space in preparation for a busy, busy day tomorrow.

Night friends!

xoxo
Cathy

Miss Leah, Mastermind behind Michon Design

I can honestly say, that I've never been one of those ultra-cool, swanky types who exude a seemingly effortless modern hip-ness. Lucky for me, I merely have to peak into see Leah's shop to find all the tools I need to appear sleek. Combining timeless gems such as pearls with clean lines of wire, Leah seamlessly creates modern looks that are refreshingly classic.

Miss Leah, my neighbor from the west, was kind enough to answer a few of my own questions, and here's what she had to say:

Pearl Flower Pendant

Artist name/Business name: My name is Leah, and my business name is Michon
Location: SF Bay Area, California
Website: http://www.michondesign.com/ and http://michon.etsy.com

JB: What do you create?
Jewelry

JB: When and where do you do your creative work?
I make jewelry when I have time, which is usually evenings. For wirework, I can work anywhere and sometimes make jewelry while I'm watching TV, but for metalwork that involves more tools, I have a studio set up.

JB: Do you have another day job?
Yes, I work part time.

Grace - Pretty Feminine Pendant

JB: Where and what did you study?
I studied linguistics at UC Berkeley.

JB: Where do you find inspiration?
Inspiration is everywhere. There are so many beautiful things to look at, both in nature and manmade things like art, or really beautiful architecture.


Gossamer Wings

JB: What motivates you?
Right now my motivation is earning more money so I can work from home & take care of my son instead of going to a day job.

JB: When did you start doing this?
I've been making jewelry for more than ten years, and selling it for about five.

Green and Brass Resin Pendant

JB: When and why did you decide to start your own business?
When I realized how much time and money I was spending on jewelry making, I decided to sell some of my pieces to cut down on the expense and hopefully make a little bit of money.

JB: How did you choose the name for your business?
Michon is my middle name, and I always liked it.

JB: What are you most proud of?
My son, who is about three months old.


JB: What advice would you give other women on starting their own business?

"It isn't easy, but it is rewarding to make money doing something you love doing, so if you don't mind working really hard, go for it. Just understand that you have to work really hard to make money, and unlike a day job, you don't get to go home and forget about it at the end of the day. But it's worth it!"

JB: What's the biggest challenge you face in your work?
Currently, finding time and energy to work is challenging because I am getting used to being a mom. I've been making quicker, simpler designs because I need projects I can finish while my son is napping.

Rose Quartz Centerpiece with Freshwater Pearls


JB: What do you love to do in your free time?
Sleep!

JB: What are you currently working on?
Photographing some earrings I made a couple weeks ago so I can list them in my shop

JB: What do you hope to do next?
I really need to get busy making rings for a gallery that sells my work...

Thank you Miss Leah, for sharing your thoughts with us!

Until next time...

xoxo
Cathy

Song of My Heart Necklace

My! It truly feels as though it's been ages since I last posted. Luckily, I was able to put together a small little necklace..

The Song of My Heart Necklace

Quietly humming along

like a sweet sparrow's song

the Song of My Heart.

Every moment of every day

while He is away

I look to the sky and

wonder why it should ever be this way.

I close my eyes and make a wish

exhale softly and let my thoughts adrift

to sail across the warm breeze

carrying to you a wish from my lips.

Until later today dears, have a lovely afternoon!

xoxo

Cathy

The Storque

So here I am, just finishing wrapping up a package to ship out to a lovely gal in Canada (Hi Miss Clare!) and I decide to google my jewelry shop to see what comes up...

.... Low and behold, I am featured in a Storque article on Etsy!!

Come see my timeless, creamy white pearls hand-picked by a rather stylish Teen.

Top 10 List: A Teen's Perspective

I shall be having the sweetest dreams tonight indeed!

xoxoxo
Cathy

Hello, Hello dear friends!

So happy to make your acquaintance!

I suppose that I should make a proper introduction. My name is Cathy and I am the jewelry artist behind Jeweled Blossoms. I've lived in California my entire life and I'm not quite sure I ever want to leave it permanently. Rather attached to it, truth be told. I'm mother to a darling miniature daschund who answers to the name of Bella.



Presenting Miss Bella

Though she must seem small in stature, I must assure you, she is fearless, as the postman will surely tell you.

A few things to share...

Things I simply cannot do without:
1. My bed
A refuge of ten thousand perfectly fluffed pillows, down comforters and sheets that smell sweetly of clean laundry
2. Traveling!
I must admit I am a bit of a travel-holic... I just love falling into a new culture and figuring out how to be a local.. I assure you, a plethora of pictures are already on their way...
3. Good books to read
I'm a bit of a hoarder, I'm not afraid to admit, when it comes to cleverly written books.. Always on the lookout for a new bit of reading
4. Iced Tea!
I am quite convinced that I am single-handedly keeping the Iced Tea industry in business. With the recent sweltering heat in my neck of the woods, Iced Tea is just heavenly and an absolute necessity
5. Romance
I am a true romantic at heart. I love cheesy love stories and I revel in the hope that love brings. I've been lucky enough to find someone who loves my neurotic self... My dearest MT...

Certainly much more needs to be said, but the hour grows late and I grow weary... so until next time, I bid you all sweet dreams!


xoxoxoxo
Cathy