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7.22.2009
Circulating the good dissertation karma!
I know all about good dissertation karma because if it wasn't for the dissertation gods finally smiling down on me, I probably would've jumped off a bridge before finishing mine a couple years ago. Dissertations are no joke and definitely some painstaking work. Every little bit helps, so I'm trying to do my part in circulating the good dissertation karma...
Holly Wilcox, an aspiring jewelry design student from Scotland, needs your help with her dissertation research. She is studying how the internet has impacted contemporary designers/craftspeople like YOU! If you have a few minutes, please help her out by completing her survey. And if you're not a designer, she's also interested in why you buy handmade. You can definitely fill out both questionnaires if you'd like. All participants will have a chance at winning one of her original designs: this necklace!
7.16.2009
MOVING SALE! one week only!
From today until next Friday 7/24 in my etsy shop:
or
BUY ONE GET ONE 50% OFF
(discounted item is of equal/lesser value)
Your discount will be refunded via Paypal. And as always, there's FREE PRIORITY SHIPPING for purchases of $100 or more. The special is good for everything in my etsy shop.
I'll be closing my shop after next Friday and will re-open in September with all new pieces. So the current pieces will no longer be available after my shop closes next week. Grab them now while you still can!
Dear Boston :: We'll miss you...
I'm feeling a little bittersweet lately because we definitely are leaving Boston and it's finally sinking in. Only one month left to enjoy this amazing city and now I feel rushed because that is asking the impossible! We'll certainly try though... and then we'll try to squeeze in some packing (oh how I dread packing!).
I wonder if I'll cry on moving day. Even though my husband and I have only been here for 3 years, Boston has etched an indelible place in each of our lives. I came here in 2006 to do a year of internship for my doctorate, my husband (then "boyfriend") came with so we could finally close the gap in our long distance relationship. It was an adventure in the making (at least for me since I had lived most of my life in Kansas up to that point). And during our stint here, we explored the city, made some wonderful friends, discovered what it was like to be within arm's reach of each other 90% of the time, took some amazing trips, explored the east coast, got married, and had 2 children. How we managed to do all that within 3 years, I'll never know. I feel like I blinked and now we have 2 kids. Funny how time works. I feel like the next several years will happen in a couple more blinks and before I know it, our kids will be in college and Alex and I will be staring at each other not knowing what to do with ourselves (but then we'll pop open some wine, pack our bags, and hop on the next plane to go explore the world).
But for now, we shall enjoy Boston. I'm well on my way to snapping a kajillion pictures so I'll share some of my favorite moments with you here. So stop back in to take a peek. ;)
7.13.2009
The fruition of a vision :: Aspiring Couture
Introducing a new online boutique: Aspiring Couture
Several months ago, I was approached by Allison O'Grady, founder of Aspiring Couture. She was recruiting emerging designers for her new venture and wanted to include my work. It's one thing (a very critical thing, I might add) to believe in your own vision, but to have someone else recognize and believe in your work is truly something else... something equally important in this vast entrepreneurial world, where it's quite easy to feel minuscule and irrelevant. I definitely consider myself a newbie in this little jewelry design venture of mine, but an "emerging" or "up and coming" designer was not a part of my self-descriptive vocabulary. To me, I am just creating jewelry pieces that I personally love and would personally wear, and I adore working with gorgeous natural materials and other interesting finds. That was the extent of it in my book. It's just delicious icing on the cake when others enjoy my work as well. And of course I hopped aboard the Aspiring Couture ship, not simply because I know it's headed for great places, but because I believe in Allison's wonderful vision as well. I'll let her express it in her own words:
"I'm Allison O'Grady, creator of Aspiring Couture, with a strong purpose to help passionate designers and showcase their work for those people who are looking for something different!
I started Aspiring Couture because I want to encourage other designers to continue to create on their dreams. I have grown up in a hard working and creative environment with the belief that helping others achieve their goals is an important part of one's life. You can't get anywhere alone, so it is important to help and support other people on your journey to succeed.
I am still learning so much, but I do want to thank those who have helped and supported me thus far. I look forward to the rapid expansion of Aspiring Couture which in turn means the rapid expansion of aspiring designers."
And what is Aspiring Couture?
"Aspiring Couture is an online boutique and fashion blog featuring the original work of aspiring designers. The purpose of Aspiring Couture is two-fold; first it is to help these truly amazing designers flourish and prosper, second, it is for those who are searching for something different and original to perfectly communicate their personal style.
Aspiring Couture was created for those people who are searching for something different. Aspiring Couture features only the work of aspiring designers in an effort to give you something new and original to wear! On the other side, you can feel good knowing that you have supported those designers who have worked so hard to create something to fit your personal style."I can't express how great of a fit it is for eNVe Designs to be a part of Aspiring Couture's overall mission. I'm a huge proponent of letting your individuality shine and work really hard to create pieces that would allow for optimal versatility to reflect the wearer's unique and multi-faceted styles. I take great pride in this because it's my heart and soul, but never truly know how well this passion extends into the real world. That's why it's such a thrill and an honor to have such encouragement. Thank you, Allison. Truly.
I am currently working on some limited edition pieces that will only be available exclusively on Aspiring Couture, so keep your eyes peeled!