2015 Charm Shop Options //

I really don't even know where to start this post. It's just all so good!

Every year I release new colors, options, and styles for the charm shop. This year's changes are some of the biggest and the best!

I've come to realize that the artistry of my pieces are in the details. The little things are what stand out. They are what show the quality and care that I've put into creating them. This year, I really wanted to focus on those details. 

Here are some of the changes you'll see in the craftsmanship for the charm shop.

JUMP RINGS // 

Starting now, you'll find thicker, chunkier and more significant jump rings throughout my work. Going up in size makes the pieces stand out more and pull you in. As always the jump rings are soldered shut to keep the piece you love safe and secure. 

BEADS// 

You'll notice on the beads a slight change to the wire wrapping. The wire has also gone up in thickness, but I'm hammering the ball on the end flat and giving them a more uniform wrap by extending the length of the bail. 

The beads are a range of crystals, pearls and glass.  I'm offering only a few, but that's all you need when they are so perfect. Use the crystals to represent birthstones or just to add a little extra flash to your piece. 

METAL CHARMS //

This is the biggest change to the charm shop for 2015. I did a massive revamp on the metal charms. With the details in mind, I had crafted molds for 8 beautiful charms. The charms are thick and durable. They are heavier and have much more silver than the previously offered ones. The amount of detail and texture in them makes such a strong statement, and adds to the rustic nature of my work. 

COLORS // 

Oh the charm colors. The base of which I build these beautiful items. The colors are where I derive most of my inspiration. They help solidify the line, and make your piece stand out. 

This year I've composed a collection of amazingly rich stunning colors. They each work so well by themselves, but also can be paired with many of the other colors to create your own pallet. Go with rich earthy tones or maybe brights and bolds. If that's not you, then you can choose from many of the neutrals I offer. Plus don't forget you can use these colors to represent your birthstones too! 

FONTS // 

Second to the metal charms, the fonts got a big change this year too. After so many years of using fonts, I've come to realize what works and what doesn't. This year there are 4 perfect fonts to choose from.  Each of them were carefully selected to ensure the best possible charms for you.  There is a script, one more rustic typewriter, a standard font and one that resembles a child's handwriting. What more could you need? 

OPTIONS //

When you get to the shop you'll notice that it's laid out a little differently. I've decided to switch the focus back to where it all started, the charms. The beautiful charms are the heart of this shop. For awhile I wanted to offer a wide range of items, and I will continue to pursue other offerings. However, for now I want to take it back. Back to what started this shop, back to what makes the shop unique, and back to my beginning. 

With that said, many of the options you will no longer see listed, and some which are on clearance until they sell out. Don't miss out on these items as once they are gone I don't plan on carrying them any longer.

EASIER SHOPPING // 

One of the last things I want to mention is how much easier your shopping experience and checkout should be. The listings are much easier to purchase from. Many of the listings contain options which allow you to choose how many charms you need or change sizes with just a click of a button. No more searching through the shop for hours trying to find the right listing!

The listings themselves are much shorter and more concise. You'll find everything you need to make the choice, but nothing more. I've put all the information you need to submit handwriting samples, silhouettes and footprints in one convenient location. 

Plus with a consolidated option chart there is more room for beautiful jewelry pictures. You'll have a better idea of how you want to put your piece together with so many  more examples. See a mixture of colors, sizes and beads throughout the site. Not to mention, now you just have to find 1 option chart rather than looking for the one you need. 

I  hope you enjoy it!

 ♥ Carin

To Do //

 September is almost over.

October rains have come in the NW.

I feel the cold settle into my bones.

I feel drawn to cuddle more.

I want to drink more tea.

This season is always a contradiction for me. 

Although it is my favorite time of year. It also kicks off my busiest.

I feel like the days are drowning in "To Do" lists.

I have so much on my plate. 

BALANCE.

It's a true art form. 

As we plunge into fall, everything of is getting a makeover.

New charm shop options.

New website.

New fall inspired items. 

Can't wait to show you more! 

♥ Carin

Signs of Fall //

 

I'm loving our evening walks these days.

 

Toting my camera along just in case I find a picture or two I want to snap.

It seems inevitable that I want to snap at least a few.

 

My eyes are wide open these days. I'm seeing beauty everywhere.

I'm noticing the shape of leaves.

The change of the wind.

The colors all around me.

 

So much inspiration.

So much to get me excited.

 

So much to bring back to my bench and my designs.

This picture is just some of what feels inspirational to me right now.

They are signs that the seasons are changing.

 

I'm loving the colors that nature creates.

The shape of the pine cones.

The red of the berries.

 

 

I'm loving the texture, the detail of it all.

 

I am working on pieces inspired by all that I'm seeing.

 

I cannot wait to share them with you!

 

-----

 

 

On a business note, I'm doing a lot of work behind the scenes lately.

 

There are a lot of loose ends to tie up.

Big annual projects that need completing.

 

I've got a lot to do to gear up for Christmas.

 

This week I'll be getting a few new tools to help bring the business up to speed.

 

A new computer which will promptly be put to work editing charm shop listings.

I'll be working on updating the wording, what I'm offering, and officially announcing the 2015 options!

 

Then I'm set to receive my new big girl torch! The excitement is so unreal. I've never had to be so patient for UPS. I've been studying up on the next torch purchase for awhile, and I'm sure you'll hear so much more about it when it arrives. But needless to say it will provide me with the ability to make a much wider array of designs.

 

Good things are happening!

 

♥ Carin 

Settling into the Chaos //

 

 

 

As the temperature cools down.

As the days shorten.

As the leaves change color.

I settle into the routine of our days.

 

Wake up

Coffee (lots of it) 

Breakfast

Get Kaleb off to school

 

Then coming back to the studio. Oh, the studio. My special perfect place.

Most days I rush to get everything that I want to completed.

I find that I have no minutes to spare before school is out.

 

The evenings are mostly spent together.

Walking the dogs.

Making dinner.

Catching up with each other's day.

 

I find little time to run errands.

Complete chores.

 

The dishes usually need put away.

I find toys in every room of the house.

We're living out of our laundry baskets.

 

Nothing is perfect. Everything is messy.

 

But I'm happy.

_

 

To me this chaos is a sign that I'm enjoying life. Living it to it's fullest.

 

That I'm not tied down with the minor details. I'm soaking up all the beauty and time life has to offer.

 

I pick up a little here, a little there, but it's never spotless.

 

When friends ask to meet up, I say yes.

When Kaleb wants to cuddle for a few extra minutes, I say yes. 

I'm spend the evenings with my husband instead of answering emails.

 

This is how life is meant to be lived.

 

Learn to the let go of what life should be. Instead embrace what it is.

 

 ♥ Carin

 



Getting Lost in the Mountains //

 

Such a crazy awesome opportunity arose recently to make lots of mountain saddle rings.

 

 When I say lots, there are more that wouldn't fit in this picture.

I knew I had to take it. As I'm saying now, "when life gives you lemons, make mountain saddle rings!"

 

And so I did.

It was such a different experience for me. Normally in my batches of orders I'll get a few of the same item. Or I'll break the orders down making several of the same elements.

But nothing like cutting 90 discs in one sitting.

 

This type of production is something new to me.

The experience was so unique.

It allowed me to get into this amazing rhythm.

 

Cutting, sawing, stamping, sanding, soldering, finishing, polishing.

Each with their own movement.

Their own sound.

 

Creating a beat. A rhythm.

 

 

 ♥ Carin

The Journey //

 

 

This time, this time is so interesting to me.

 

Over the past 6 months I have had some of the lowest times,  but oh, the highs I've had too.

 

Let me start out by saying, that because my life is my work, and my work is my life the two cannot be separated. They are intertwined, woven so tightly. The atoms intermix and dance together in a beautiful song. The energy passes from each state so fluidly as though there is no barrier between them.

 

Therefore, the journey I have been on to find my true self, might feel very personal, but it's also very professional. I can tell this process is drawing out an artist inside of me. Someone, something I knew was there all along, but wasn't quite ready to emerge.

 

She's ready now.

I see her regularly, and when I get a moment to embody that true artist I feel an overwhelming sense of peace. I feel at home.

 

It was as if through all these years I was a puzzle piece trying to find it's true fit. Other things felt ok, good even. There were times when I thought for sure I was where I needed to be. And maybe I was where I needed to be in that moment, that instance, that time.

 

But this, this feels different, this is different.

 

THIS IS ME.

 

Currently she is fleeting. She comes and goes. Sometimes my true self stays for hours. Sometimes days. But she's growing, getting stronger, staying longer.

 

It's hard for me not to rush her. I want her so badly, my head says I'm ready. My heart knows to be patient. To take the time. Sort it out. Fine tune the details. Let her have her time to grow so that she may shine so bright.

 

I keep telling myself, it's more about the journey than the destination. It's ok to not be there yet. Because I will get there.

 

I know I will.

 

♥  Carin

 



Emerging //

 

 

 

Emerging. Birth. Rebirth.

Becoming.

More.

Growth.

Change.

Healing.

Better. Different.

 

 

It's been a good season. I am emerging from the darkness.

 

I know myself better.

 

I am happy with who I am.

 

I'm done trying to be something I am not.

 

I am beautiful. I am confident.

 

I'm coming as I am.

 

No more, no less.

 

Perfectly flawed.

 

I like this road I am on. The path may be overgrown, but the journey will be beautiful.

 

I am an artist.

 

I am a maker.

 

I am me.

 

♥  Carin