They're BAAACCCKKKKKKK

Back by popular demand...my Steampunk Collage Pendants! Out of the studio and listed on etsy.

I'm trying to work on them in small batches, as we've had a very fussy little man lately. Sam's been diagnosed, at 6 weeks old, with reflux. He hasn't been sleeping well so that means very little studio time for me!

I will spend the next two weeks finishing up my spring line and getting ready for our first show. Maternity leave ends on 3/1, so I'm trying to get a jump on everything!

In the studio....

With some help from our new baby, Sam....I was able to get all of my orders out today and spend some much needed time in the studio. Ok, he slept peacefully, allowing me some studio time, but he's definitely earning his title of "Mommy's Little Helper".

My new best friend - our postal carrier - delivered some wonderful new silver filigree and stones. Soon, many of our most popular designs will be available in silver, as well as aged brass. With some additional assistance from my new little helper, hopefully I will have the new pieces posted to the shop yet this week!

The yummy Valentines treats for my orders came today too. I had to try them out, of course :-)

Inspiration

While working on my 2010 business plan, I have spent a lot of time thinking about my goals for this year - expand my line, blog regularly, do more shows, sell 2 new wholesale accounts a month, spend more time in the studio.... At first glance, my goals are a little daunting and enough to put me off for an entire year lol. But, I'm convinced that they are achievable. If i think it, i can do it...so I printed off some of my favourite inspirations to put up around the studio....

***You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do -Eleanor Roosevelt


***To dare is to lose one's footing momentarily. To not dare is to lose one's self. -Soren Kierkegaard


***Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful -Joshua J Marine


***Unless a man undertakes more than he can possibly do, he will never do all that he can - Henry Drummond


***Go ahead and play the blues if it makes you happy -Homer Simpson (ok, this one might not be applicable to my 2010 goals, but i had to throw in the Simpsons, eh???)


As I move forward through this new year, my goal is to embrace the challenges and all of the new designs and creative moments that 2010 has in store for Simply Willow. Steampunk Airship TeleController Doomahicky anyone????

Simply Willow in the News!

While i was away...a wonderful thing happened! I was contacted by a reporter for the local newspaper -- the Kalamazoo Gazette. He was doing a series of features on local artists, would I be interested?

WOULD I? It took about 5 seconds to decide that yes, of course, I was interested!


The interview was done over the phone, a photographer came out to the house the following week. The result? "Steampunk Jewelry reflect "Dark Romance" of Victorian Era"

A huge thank you to Simon Thalman and the Kalamazoo Gazette!

Willow is back in the house!!!

After an extended absence from my rambling posts....I am back! To catch you up a bit...over the past few months, we have moved our home and my studio, had an unexpected visit from my eldest son and found out that we are expecting a wee one! The latter came somewhat as a surprise for although we had been trying for around 2 years, we had both given it up thinking that we were too old.



I have been busy in the studio, getting ready for our exciting summer show schedule. After this summer, we will be cutting back the number of shows due to my already expanding waistline. I hope to spend a good deal of time updating our website and posting regularly Under the Willow Tree!

I have a tip for anyone out there who has a website or business that they are trying to promote. Sign up with Google Alerts. I did and a couple of days ago, I received an alert for all of the Simply Willow mentions out there that were new. Look at what I found! http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vintage-steampunk-jewelry-simply-willow I had no idea that this very positive and flattering article on my steampunk jewelry had been written! Google Alerts - check into it!