That's What Friends are For

One of the biggest perks I've discovered about crafting and designing jewelry has been the fabulous friends I've made along the way. These women are kindred spirits, who 'get' me and my quirks, who understand the ups and downs of creative pursuits, and are always willing to lend a helping hand. So today, as Thanksgiving draws near, I wanted to pay tribute to some of the ladies without whom I may have thrown in the towel a long time ago.


I first made contact with my friend Danette when I ordered some beads from her Etsy shoppe, Embellissez La Reine, over a year ago. When the package arrived and I noticed that her address was in the same town as mine, I knew we had to be friends! Now we talk almost daily and visit all the flea markets together. Last week I mentioned that I wanted to buy this adorable perfume bottle pendant from her, and the next thing I knew, look what turned up in my mailbox!





Now that's what I call true friend! Danette sells all these wonderful vintage rhinestone findings and clasps in her supplies shoppe, and also makes her own beautiful handmade jewelry available at French At Hart. Please pay her a visit!

Next on my list of friends is Moe Munroe. Moe and her sister have owned Morning Glory, a popular clothing boutique in Burlingame, California for over 38 years! (They were about three years old when they opened it - ha, ha!) Moe has been a big supporter of my jewelry and last winter was diagnosed with breast cancer. Thankfully her prognosis looks good, but her medical bills do not. All of her artist friends in the community (myself included) are rallying around and putting on this fun Vintage Arts Market on December 3. Please stop by if you live in the area! A percentage of our proceeds will go toward helping Moe!


Sometimes friends don't live in our neighborhood. Or even in our hemisphere! I 'met' Coralie when she kindly wrote to me on Etsy to compliment my work. She herself, a photographer by trade, has a lovely shoppe called The Velvet Teacup in which she 'cobbles' (her word) swoon-worthy headpieces from vintage fabric and millinery trim. Now here's the catch: Coralie lives in Australia, but that hasn't prevented us from getting to know one another through e-mail and helping encourage each other's work. I promise if you are in the market for a fascinator or two, Coralie is your gal!




And I would be remiss if I didn't mention my long-time friend Sharon, whose blog The Teacup Incident continues to inspire me. She is also the mastermind behind my blog banner, marketing pieces, and countless other nuggets of crafting and graphic design wisdom. Finally, a huge hug to my family for their encouragement, advice, hours on the phone talking me off the edge, doing my laundry, and - oh yeah - my parents just ordered me a power drill! There's no stopping me now! :)

And just for good measure, here's what I've been up to in the studio this week.











Major 'thanks' to all my friends - I couldn't do this without you! :)