cuff links for the man

Dreams of creating male jewels. Any ideas? Send 'em over. My most recent endeavor was crafting cuff links out of tiger iron stones. Gifted them before pictures were taken, but got inspired by some of the following beauties...

signs of spring

After another weekend of hibernation, I woke up this morning with the air of trip planning, new music, and a general sense of forward looking. The air is a bit warmer and signs of spring are beginning to show, starting with the roses outside of our bathroom window. Portland is nothing short of a playground when the sun decides to finally show it's face and it's this mere fact that we must remind of ourselves of mid-winter drizzle. These shots were taken a few springs ago in a park near our house. They are images that I would be equally in love with were they of strangers that I found them on the internet. Turns out, they are of people I know including me.

a place to put your things

Current drool factor: woodworking and it's potential to hold all of your precious jewels. I, for one, use old cigar boxes and could afford an upgrade. If you fall into that category, check out Hamilton Roberts for inspiration. Etsy, I'm sure, also has a cascade of beautiful such things.

say it, it's worth it

Twig and Thistle Valentines Stickers (free download!)

"Signs of Affection" by graphic design artist Paul Price

i heart sundays

an excuse to dig in and feel even more homey. tell me this doesn't warm your heart.

gratitude

I've always been a gift giver. Before I understood money or had any of my own, I (surreptitiously), would take single socks and fill them with pennies from my parents' coin jar. Once they were complete with a red bow around the top, I would stack them under the tree and wait eagerly for Christmas. (Things I've learned since then: my notion that money can be gifted was spot on and how to better conceal a gift).

This year was a throwback to the year of sock change: I was entirely more excited to gift then to get. And that, my friends, is more than maturity (only took me until a quarter of a century to get back here): it's gratitude. Most of my sales the past few months were through custom orders and house parties, and I am so thankful for all the business. Moreover, I am grateful for the fact that most pieces were gifted within one degree of separation because it meant that I was able to hear the stories and see people wearing their new bling over the holidays!

I wanted to share a few of the pieces that had particularly heart-warming stories involved.

First boy ring designed for Paul North, a man fitting of both name and accessory. This baby made it to Texas on Christmas Eve upon Paul and Lynn's epic road trip arrival from Oregon.

A pelican pendant designed for Sandy Suarez, upon the request of Derek. Pelicans are a long time love of hers, as she would remark to Derek as a little boy: "they can fit more in their beaks than in their stomachs!" Derek was a grinning fool for days after this. He knew we nailed it. I attached it to a lovely brass chain, and saw her wearing it one evening in Atlanta.

wrinkle in time

Last piece of holiday magic. A postcard from my dear friend Thibaut in Le Vanneau, France. 2011 is off to a solid, grounding start. Look forward to reliving the last month of my life via pictures and stories as I slowly get back to the internet routine. xox, melissa lynn.