Copper, Copper, Copper

So I use copper in my designs, it is fun to work with and sometimes takes on a rose color, much cheaper than rose gold. Copper has healing properties that alleviate cramp-like pains from menstruation, now that is great! It also is said to promote smooth funtioning of glands. Copper is good for the heart chakras and prepares one for meditation. It is found in the US and all over the world. Copper should be cleaned with hematite stones, and should not come into contact with water.

So I have updated the website...again. I need change, constantly, keep looking for the right look, the right feel...something new. It is almost like cleaning out my closet in some ways.

I was also fortunate to have two good friends of mine, Darcy and Alexa of Me & D, model my jewelry for me. They took so many pictures so I have something to show what pieces look like while being worn.

So up this week is a Holiday Bazaar at Parkside Pharmacy, I am telling you that place is so cute!! And then between now and January 8th, I will be working to get ready for the San Francisco International Show...so excited, I hope it is a good show.

It is time to start thinking about my new year's resolution and in preparation I bought "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin. I am only about 30 pages into it, and I am loving it!!!

Hope all had a great Thanksgiving...enjoy the upcoming holiday festivities. Up next will be....Jasper. Thats fun!!!

Ladies Night Out

Last night was ladies night out at the Citizen Hotel, thanks to my delightful girlfriends for going with me. We had a little drink, little food and got to see some local boutiques and local businesses. Thanks to Serendipity and Face It for showing off my pieces as well.....that was very sweet of you!!!

What's new....well Dec 4th is an open house at the Parkside Pharmacy, did I mention it is a boutique, in William Land Park, so I will be working on pieces for that. And guess what, San Francisco International Gift Show is just around the corner, I barely have time!!! But I will get it together!!

Oh and the pieces that I got at last weekends Antique Faire, to incorporate into my designs.....lovely!! Can't wait to use them. Have a great weekend!!

Curate Gifts new website!!!

I met these ladies, Debra and Mary, at the San Francisco International Gift Show last February and they were embarking, n their new boutique adventure. I was fortunate enough to be one of the designs they chose to put in their store. Most recently, they created the website to go with their boutique. They are located out of New Jersey and have created a unique gift shops.

Their online boutique is fabulous with one of a kind gifts to purchase for yourself, friends, family, yourself (hahaha). But definitely a must check out. My favorite items, so far, are the "Dream" Belt buckle...
http://www.curategifts.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=5676

Also....this vintage looking journal
http://www.curategifts.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6174

So take a second and check out www.curategifts.com

I can promise that you wont be disappointed!!!

Aquamarine - What does it mean for you....

Buying jewelry for someone is such a personal thing. It can be helpful to have some insight as to what certain parts of a jewelry piece mean when looking for a gift. So with that I have decided to start providing information about the stones I use....Aquamarine is up to bat!!

Aquamarine is place around the neck to heal neck and throat problems. It can also protect against seasickness. Aquamarine symbolizes peace. It encourages a gentle nature and personality in the wearer. For Aquarius it promotes friendship and love, while for Pisces it encourages awareness. Libras are warned against danger.

The stone is to be worn directly on the skin. It is found in Brazil, Madagascar, Ural, USA, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

"Healing Crystals and Gemstones" Dr. Flora Peschek-Bohmer, Gisela Schreiber

Next stone up for meaning....Copper

What's New!!

So I love books....and I can't get enough books, magazines, anything that I can read, review, gain knowledge from, and admire!! So lately there isn't a book/magazine that I have passed up, including that I now have a membership to Barnes and Nobles. Right after I got it, my friend said "aren't they going out of business?"....Great...well too late now...so what is my new favorite book purchase..."Where Women Create". It is this amazing book of various fabulous artists who have allowed the cameras into their studios to show off their functional, inspirational and creative studio spaces. I love them all!!! Makes me want to revamp everything!!!

Next up, Parkside Pharmacy November 4th, Ladies Night, then Holiday Bazaar Nov 4 - 7 & Nov 11 - 14, Parkside Pharmacy Holdiay Bazaar December 4th. But tomorrow, new designs into Serendipity Boutique and by next week new designs for Parkside Pharmacy.

Our most recent collaboration and exciting boutique we have entered is Madam Butterfly in the Pavilions. It is an amazing boutique that offers a wide variety of clothing, fashionable and timeless, with much style. All the girls that work there are inviting and very friendly...so check it out Madam Butterfly, Sacramento, Pavilions on Fair Oaks. We'll be back soon!!

Fashion Show

My friend and I drove to San Francisco yesterday to check out the Northern California Fashion Show, to see if we would like to have a booth there for my designs....we learned quickly not a good idea!!

But I did make a decision, I am going to do the San Francisco International Show, once again. We did it last February, this coming year it is in January. Lots to do and focus on so I need to get creating!!

One of the best ways to find inspiration is in learning a new skill, on my list(long list) of things I want to do!!!

Hope the summer has treated you well, here comes fall!!

Appeal

There are things that we come across in our lives that appeal to each of us. Some are visual, some auditory and others based on smell or reminiscent of past experiences. My appeal to jewelry and the pieces I create come from all of these for me. When life has misguided me or I have become lost it is hard for me to draw from these various areas.

This piece comes from my desire to find something pleasant to focus on. To me if feels vintage and rich (and I am not talking about money). I hope that you will take a few minutes to enjoy this necklace made with gold filled wire, sterling silver wire and aquamarine stones.

Pieces of Jewelry

Hello....what do you do when things beyond your control keep happening? How do you deal with it? What do you focus on?

These are all things that I have been forced to think about lately. More like in the last year. It is funny how you think life is going one way, and then boom, it takes this unbelieveable turn. It is for the better? Is it for the worse?

Who knows. I don't. But I am trying to find direction. In something. Some days easier than others. Some days I feel like there was an explosion in my heart and in my head. I am fortunate, I have lots of good friends to get me through those crazy days.

I have friends who bring me laughter, who bring me joy and who allow me to just be me. Not everyone gets that. Not everyone is fortunate enough to spend days as they are, without question.

Some of my best days are alone. It feels good sometimes to just be stuck with myself....that is funny!!

Well the one thing I am trying to do is refocus on my designs. I have stepped away at random times in the last year, but in the upcoming year I have great plans. I plan to move forward with the pieces that I am passionate about, regardless of what others are inclined to like. I plan to make plans to do the New York show. I want to do that so much!! I am going to go to school, yes, the self taught girl is going to go to be schooled. I am so excited about that!! I have wanted it for years, and I just kept putting it on the back burner. No more!!

So, I have this new found faith in putting my goals out there...I mean literally, look where I have put them. On the world wide web....lol. So my challenge to you...put one dream/wish/desire out there...for the world....I promise if you believe in it, it will come one way or another.

Life takes us down a road for a reason...sometimes we just don't know until later.

Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!!

Is May Here?

So I have been horribly bad the last month. No posts, no winners to the giveaway and no giveaway for May. Well life has happened, things have changed and people have to. Myself included. So I will announce the March giveaway winner, but we will not be doing anymore giveaways, I am sorry to say.

As for the jewelry world, KKPW Designs (that would be me) will be on Good Day Sacramento next week, I believe May 25th at 6am to be exact. I am very excited about that. We have lots to prepare for including making my studio area presentable. At this point it is so far from that. But I will accomplish my goal!!!

Hope all are doing well in blogging world!! I will announce the March winner shortly, and yes I will post it!!

KKPW Jewelry Designs

We did it!! We did it!! We finally finished our new web page. I had no idea that I could do it on my own. I thought, you must pay someone if you don't know how to write HTML....well guess what I thought Wrong. Several years ago I paid a company to do www.kkpwdesigns.com since then I have been unhappy with the look, the length of time to get updates done, and just the overall service. So with a challenge from my husband and a push from the ladies of Me & D I found a service already in existence where you can do your own site but with there assistance, only you don't have to ask for the help they have it all there. It is wix.com....awesome site!! So now you can visit us at www.kkpwjewelrydesigns.com let me know what you think, do you like it better than the other? I do!! But I want to hear from you....so take a look and leave a comment.....boy am I happy about this!!