Shopping Local & Handmade...

As a small business owner I understand how important it is to have customers from your local surroundings. I couldn't do what I do without the relationships I have built with my clients and customers. Most of these people live near the place they purchase my jewelry, whether it is at a show or on my new website.
I try to shop local & handmade as much as possible in my life too. Whether it is my local farmer's market, vintage store or bead store. 
There are a lot of options out there on the big ol' world wide web and I am guilty of using those options from time to time. Usually it is when I see something REALLY unique and just can't live with out it. I also like to shop for handmade gifts when I need them, whether it is at the local arts market or art/craft fair or on etsy.com, I think it is more meaningful when it is handmade by someone. That means that your friend down the road probably IS NOT going to have the same thing, which I think is AWESOME. 

My favorite bead stores that I have visited or shop at regularly:

Crescent Moon Beads: Eureka Springs, AR

Argenta Bead Company: North Little Rock, AR

Dark Star Visuals: Fayetteville, AR

Wild Hare Beadery: Norman, OK

The Bead Merchant: Tulsa, OK
The Spiral Beadery: Oklahoma City, OK

Sedona Bead Garden: Sedona, AZ

Beauty and the Beads: Santa Fe, NM

Plum Bazaar: Branson, MO

Studio Space

I just got moved into my new home and am settling in nicely. Yesterday my studio room got painted!!! The color is Sherwin Williams - Cooled Blue and I LOVE IT! I think I finally have the furniture arranged the way I want it as well... it turns out, I have a lot of stuff, but that is okay because it takes a lot of stuff to stay creative and to do what I do. It was a little bit overwhelming while I was packing, moving and unpacking. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Work table & places to lay out bead/finding trays.

My desk for editing photos, keeping books, carding earrings, pricing jewelry, maintaining the website etc...

Boxes of beads, findings, vintage goodies etc.  (16 years of collecting)

My non-ergonomical work desk! But, believe it or not I love this hand-me-down desk. Thanks Ashley!

Happenings

Sorry I haven't been writing much lately... I will work on that!

I would like to thank my lovely boyfriend's family for being so kind and sweet over the 4th of July holiday. Matt and I enjoyed getting to see all of you for the afternoon. Thank you all so much for supporting my business, I truly appreciate it.

Other happenings here... 

I just wrapped up the Midsummer Night's Fair in Norman, Oklahoma. This event was the first time I set up with my new EZ Up tent. It was very nice to have the option of walls, especially because there was rain on Friday and a brisk Oklahoma breeze on Saturday. 

I am playing catch up this week to prepare for the Argenta Art Walk in North Little Rock on Friday. This is one of my favorite events, I missed it last month and can't wait to see all my Argenta friends!

I have completed two really cool Vintage Redux necklaces this morning. Watch my facebook page for photos. I will try to post some on here too.

Hope you're all enjoying the summer time!