Things I Know for Sure.....

"You don't know where you're going unless you know where you've been...."

It's been awhile since I've posted anything new, and that's because life has just been busy--which is all good.

Every night after my 3 1/2 year old son goes to bed (I've lost the afternoon nap, save for a few surprise rests here and there) I go to my studio and work like a busy little bee. The house is usually very quiet at that time of night, and my mind gets centered as creative ideas flow through me.

On my bench at the moment are scores of new designs for early fall. I am so excited about the way the work is looking at the moment, and I have so many new ideas I want to pursue after little boy fades into sleep....

During these quiet evenings of work, I have learned a few things about myself that I thought I would share. Oprah calls them "ah-ha" moments. I guess I would call them personal lessons.

While my list is long, here are 10 Things I know For Sure today:

#1. I am so blessed. I have my health, my family and a business that is poised for something great. But most of all, I have for the first time a positive frame of mind. From my mind flows positive thoughts about my work and life; and what I have seen flow back to me as a result is nothing short of a miracle.
#2 Coffee or Mountain Dew at 7 p.m. might sound like a good idea at 7 p.m., but not such a good idea at 2 a.m....
#3 Creating boundaries for yourself is one of the keys to happiness. Being able to say no--gently--when your radar goes up is just as important as saying yes to the important things.
#4 Nothing beats Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale in terms of retail therapy.
#5 See the good in others and they will see the good in you.
#6 There's always another way of looking at the same issue; be open to the way others see it.
#7 If you rule your life by fear, you will never reap the rewards of being truly open to the possibilities that present themselves to you everyday.
#8 There's no shame in having a good dermatologist on hand to fight Mother Nature's cold hands of aging. Call him often!
#9 On a bad day, nothing beats a slice of moist and delicious coconut cake with buttercream frosting.
#10 Have the courage to speak clearly and ask for what you truly want. You just might get it if you do....

Original Hardware Designs Featured in Seattle's Hip Zephyr

You got to just love the name of a place like Hip Zephyr, Seattle's coolest women's boutique located in Phinney Ridge.

Seattle is one of my favorite cities, having hailed from the Pacific Northwest. I love its cool urban vibe and hippy mentality, which is why I'm so excited that my designs are now part of this fabulous place for all things cool!

Shop owner Dana Smith has assembled quite a collection of high-quality goodies, from jeans to, well, jewelry.

If you find yourself, with coffee cup in hand, walking the streets of Seattle, stop by and pay her a visit. And tell her Original Hardware sent you!

Hip Zephyr is located at 6421 Phinney Ave N Seattle, WA 98103. Store hours are 12-6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 12-5 p.m. Sunday. Call the boutique at 206-905- 6069.

Thanks to Hip Zephyr for including Original Hardware designs in your lovely boutique!

Original Hardware Featured in Etsy Finds Weekend Deals!

Original Hardware is honored to be part of Etsy Find's Weekend Deals newsletter this weekend, which features all kinds of cool handcrafted items from shops offering Free Shipping Worldwide!

Original Hardware's Etsy Shop (http://www.originalhardware.etsy.com/) is offering free shipping worldwide on all orders today through Sunday, July 19th.

I ship USPS Priority Mail in the United States and USPS First Class International to all other destinations. So stop in and load up your cart!

Original Hardware Designs Now Available at Lark & Key!

Original Hardware is greatly expanding its roster of wholesale clientele, and I am proud to announce my latest customer, Lark & Key!

An intersect of art, design and craft Lark & Key, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, showcases the work of the two artists/owners as well as goods from other independent artists, artisans and designers from around the country.

Believing that great art and design should be accessible to all, they have created a warm and inviting space that offers a unique selection of artwork, pottery, jewelry, t-shirts, paper goods and more.

There is something for everyone - whether first time buyer or long-term collector, gift seeker or quality craft scavenger.

Lark & Key is located in NODA, Charlotte’s historic arts district, located 2 miles from uptown. The gallery is open Wednesday – Saturday from 11-6 and on Sundays from 12-4.

Stop by if you live in Charlotte or if you are just visiting. The gallery is just beautiful and the people who run it are, too!

Technology Overload!

I have been told by many others on Etsy that having a business page on Facebook is a great way to get the word out about your business. I have resisted until now, simply because I thought maybe it would be too much work.

In actuality, it is a lot of fun, and a great way to find new customers and others who appreciate the artists' way!

So, I now have a Facebook page! If you are a Facebook user, please stop by and visit my page and become a fan!

Thank you!

'Every time we remember to say 'thank you', we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.'

~ Sarah Ban Breathnach ~

Original Hardware has had a lot of good things happen this first half of 2009, and I couldn't be more excited about what the future holds. I haven't forgotten why my business is taking off in new directions.

Each one of you--my customers--is critical in building each block of this artisan business. Every day I think of the friends I have made over the years and the incredible connections I have as a result of this business.

It is time for me to say thank you to all of you with a Customer Appreciation Sale at Original Hardware. Through Sunday July 12th, get 20% off ALL designs! Just enter the promo code 'Thankful' at checkout and the discount is yours.

This is an exclusive sale extended to only those lucky enough to receive my newsletter or read my blog! It's my way of showing each of you how much I appreciate your business, and how much I look forward to continuing to create artisan jewelry in the years ahead!

Thank you!

Pop the Champagne!

"The biggest chance you take is not taking a chance at all...."
--Anonymous


Today I heard from the catalog that I submitted designs to a few weeks ago and it was great news! Two of the 8 designs that I submitted have been accepted for their Spring 2010 catalog!

I am so excited about what this might bring to my business in 2010, and the doors that have opened as a result. The lesson here is not that it couldn't be done; the lesson is that a year ago, I would have resisted doing it for fear that they would never get accepted in the first place.

This self-sabotage kills opportunities! So I say to others who have thought twice about taking a chance, DO IT. What have you got to lose?

I don't know any of the details just yet, and have been asked to keep things quiet until I have contracts in hand, etc. All I know is that my order will come in sometime in October and I won't have to deliver until January. That helps me plan to get ready in advance for all of the things that happen in the last quarter so I am moving into 2010 on all cylinders.

This has given me the confidence to seek out other opportunities that even some of my best customers have urged me to pursue. I am here. I am alive. I am present. And I am willing to take a chance on the things that scare me because they are worth it in the end.....

I want to immediately jump in and get started, but today I am savoring this milestone. It is 90 degrees outside and I have cracked open a beer. And heck, I might even have two!