In a black mood....

"The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud."
--Coco Chanel

I don't know about you, but I follow Coco Chanel's classic fashion advice: when in doubt, wear black.

My closet is full of it, and so I tend to be drawn to designing and creating classic jewelry styles that marry silver and black together.

Such is the case for the pieces that I have just recently added to Original Hardware and Etsy sites.

These pieces are fabulous for wearing all year-round, whether it be with a little black dress or a little black t-shirt.

New rings that I love!

Hi all!

I have too many new designs to post to count them all.

It will take me days and days to finish edits to photos and posting to both of my sites!

But I wanted to emerge from my computer stupor to share my newest rings that I love!

A late week pick-me-up

It's nice to be on the front page of Etsy!

My Aura stacking rings are second box in the left column.

A Week of Self-Portraits...

Hi. My name is Carrie Schafer.
I am a rock and silver addict.

I have a big event coming up for Original Hardware and was asked to submit a photo as part of the promotional efforts. This is what I ended up submitting. Thought it would be a good blog entry on a particularly light week! :-)

I am tired this week, and I think it's because of the off-again, on-again cold weather here in Colorado.

Yesterday it was 80. Today it was cold and ready to rain/snow. Here, you go from wanting to barbecue and have an ice cold beer outside to making mashed potatoes and meatloaf within 24 hours!

Oh well, at least I have this photo! And with Photoshop, I learned how to take a few of the wrinkles out around my eyes. It's either that or plastic surgery........tee hee.

Calm before the storm.....

"One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul."
-- Clarissa Pinkola Estes


This is me this morning. Don't I look calm? I am feeling pretty calm, too, despite the fact that my list is long and I just burned through 3 hours with my son in preschool on a silly issue that (gratefully) turned out to be nothing.


This is me being calm. I will look at this photo, when, a week from now, I am NOT calm. To prevent myself from freaking out at all of my to do's, I typically create a list so that I can have some control over them and knock them down one at a time.


As you think of the hectic holiday season, think of me and this face. I am sure that I won't always look this calm, but the good stuff is coming up. And I just want to be calm enough to remember it and enjoy it.


Come January, I'll be so bored out of my mind I will miss the hectic pace!

Today I am Grateful for.....

* Hot coffee on a cold, foggy morning.
* A cute little boy who still wants to cuddle sometimes with his mommy.
* The way the fog looks when it rolls in over the foothills and sticks just above the ground. It feels like a London winter!
* Twinkies.
* A couple of days of rest to focus on rejuvination. Tomorrow it's back to getting ready for holiday.
* Clarity.
* A Mexi Melt at Taco Bell. It's only 89 cents and I know it's crap, but boy is it good!
* A clean bathroom, preferably made clean by someone else.
* Getting organized for the chaos that is to come.
* Having the time to work out. It makes me feel strong.
* Being at peace despite the storm clouds that come into and out of your life.
* A much-awaited catalog order that finally came in. It's officially my first catalog order! And I know it won't be my last!

What are you grateful for today?

Post Trunk Show and Ominous Weather.....

"Life is the first gift, love is the second, and understanding the third." --Marge Piercy

I had a great weekend with my friends at Hip Zephyr in Seattle--what a great showing!

I sold lots of goodies to Hip Zephyr fans and met some new souls. And the good thing is I have about 200 new pieces still left that will make its way to my Etsy shop and Web site--stay tuned for announcements on the new bling.

To top it all off, I had a great time with one of my best buds, Brooke. She and I go way back, and seeing her is like maple syrup for the soul (comforting and sweet). It could be months since our last chat or visit and we start immediately right back up, pecking like hens with so much to talk about. She is a beautiful spirit inside and out, and when I'm with her I can be my true self.

But now that I'm back, storm clouds are brewing here, figuratively and literally. I look to the next week with some trepidation over what's to come, and yet a stillness and peace that I cannot describe. I see the cold whisping its way over the foothills and licking at my feet; I can feel ominous things stirring, and great things stirring, too.

It is the beginning of a big period of change. I look forward with wide eyes and a wider heart; I look to the world with grace and gratitude.

Like a wild horse, I tell my spirit that it is time to run without hesitation over the grassy hills of yonder; to the places I've never been.

Indeed this year has taken me to a lot of places I've never been; some good and some not so much.

But each is a gift, now isn't it? It's all a gift. All we have to do is look at it for what it is; then peel back the gift wrap and stare in awe......

Trunk Show Prep--can I just go to sleep now?

Next Thursday evening, I have the special privilege of being the featured designer at a trunk show sponsored by Hip Zephyr, this super cool boutique located in the Phinney Ridge area of Seattle.

In preparing for the show, I've made at least 100 new designs and won't be finished with my booty until end of day Tuesday. Then, I'll have to shoot all of it, price it and pack it up so I can be on a plane Thursday morning. Booyah!

Every time I think I have enough, I can't stop! Between custom orders and the upcoming show, I'm a bit frazzled.

I know it will be worth it when the show goes well, and the bonus part is that I get to spend the weekend in Seattle with my BFF.

If you're in the neighborhood, please stop by next Thursday night, from 6-9 p.m. at:

Hip Zephyr
6421 Phinney Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 905-6069