final weekends at Fenton Street Market

the last two weekends of October marked the end of the season for the Fenton Street Market...and it felt only fitting that we attended the last weeks as we were there when it started...a new, and better location, a bigger crowd, and probably the nicest weather we've had all fall...looking forward to going back next season!

Love & Glitter

if I could think of the perfect name, for a shop to have my very first wholesale relationship with, this would be it...Love & Glitter!

I first met Leslie at the BMAC show back in August, and she had the same overwhelmed look on her face that I did!  the show was a first for both of us, but I knew instantly that I liked her style, and wanted to work with her...so after another chance meeting at Fells Point Festival, we made plans to meet up and pick items to live in their adorable shop on Main Street in Old Ellicott City.

the beginning of a beautiful partnership :)

Fells Point Festival

another weekend, and another local craft show...this time the Fells Point Festival...another weekend I wouldn't have made it through, without the good company of my BEST girls! 

the second day was cold and rainy, but we got to meet a real live gummy bear!

new designs! finally!!

it has been about a year in the making...but my new designs that I dreamed up last December have finally come to life...the 'refined' glitter collection! 

and thanks to the motivation of my super friend Jen, of Yummy & Company fame, I got my stuff together, and tried something new...we soldered, tumbled, polished, resined and came up with a line of products that I am really proud of. 

earrings in a variety of sizes, and delicate pendants are the first round of this collection...stackable sterling rings and free floating earrings and pendants come next!

cap and gown please!

after 5 long years...I did it!  the 7 days a week, 12 months a year, with only a few small breaks...countless hours of homework, and giving up nights out with friends, weekends away and a general sense of overall freedom...through working multiple jobs, starting and running my own business, and attending more weddings then I ever thought possible...

I FINISHED SCHOOL!!  

I am the proud, and accomplished owner of a second bachelor's degree, in Graphic Design. 


whew...I need to lay down :)  no more HW!!  it's a weird, but very wonderful feeling!

Federal Hill Festival

and if I wasn't tired, crazy or busy enough...the day after we got back from Vegas, was the Federal Hill Festival...at least it was local, so I didn't have to travel too far...and I had good company for the day!

let the season of craft shows, continue! 

let the 30th birthday celebrations, begin!

I still have a little over a year, but some of our friends begin to turn the big 3-0 this year...starting off the celebrations in Vegas, we went to have a little fun for Joey, Scott and Karla.

this was pretty much a whirlwind trip...but because of a flight I had to cancel last year, and Brett's Southwest credit card...we flew out for free...and thanks to another good friend letting us use his timeshare (in a FANTASTIC hotel) we stayed for free...now this is the way to start out in Vegas...everything free! 

so good food, a little gambling, and the Beatles LOVE show...not a bad little trip!

a 60th surprise

it's hard to surprise someone like my Mom...she's a planner *most definitely where I got that from!* and since my parents are now retired and live part time in NJ and part time in SC, we had a small window of opportunity to really be able to surprise her for her 60th birthday, quite a milestone!

so, since on her actual birthday, in October, they'd already be back in SC, we used Labor Day weekend, and the annual family picnic as a diversion for the party...the picnic was planned for Sunday, so on Saturday while they were out golfing, Kyle and I snuck home and got the party ready! 

 

needless to say, she was mighty surprised, and thanks to our 30 guests, a great time was had by all! 

tweet, tweet

new obsession...twitter...

I blame the three day long, 10 hour days at BMAC...

my first wholesale experience

well, what can I say about the BMAC show?  it was an experience...a great (long) learning experience...with a few great friends to help me through it.  on one hand, I really didn't know what to expect, so it's hard to be disappointed, but it made me realize so many things about my work...what it is and what I want it to be...how to make it better and how to approach wholesale in the future. 

I made my first line sheet...met some nice people, and am hoping I might hear from a shop or two in the future...

new jobs!!!!

the day I never thought would come is here...I can finally stop working at Panera!!   :p  now it's been a very flexible job to have while finishing up my last classes for my degree- which I am soooo close to being done with!! - but it's time to stop waking up at 4am to go to toast bagels and brew coffee...

 so what will I be doing instead you might ask?  since one of my ultimate goals is to teach art, having work experience with kids is something I need to work towards..so my mornings will be spent with some adorable twins, Dhani and Dez, and in the afternoon, I'll be teaching an after school kindergarten program at my friends school in Fells Point!  I am so excited for these new positions, and I can't believe that I'll finally have jobs that are pointing me in the right direction!  

of course I'll still be making jewelry too, so as always I'll have multiple jobs, as well as class work...but maybe that's okay :)

♥

a shower for baby Parker

Kait and I took a little road trip down to Richmond this weekend to visit Becka, Tripp, and celebrate the long awaited arrival of baby Parker!  Catherine threw the shower at her house....it was so cute and blue!

I'm so glad to still be so close with my room mates...we really had the best senior year! We missed you Kate!

Grampy turns 90!

we celebrated quite a milestone this weekend as Brett's grandfather turned 90!  the family gathered in Vermont at Don and Dinah's cabin for the festivities

we had games, scavenger hunts and lots of good food!  and I made us some snazzy t-shirts (printed by custom ink- they are awesome!!)

Mr & Mrs Russell :)

this weekend I attended the fabulous wedding of Adam & Krystal...many happy years for these two!!

"inconceivable!"

Thursday nights over the summer, on Federal Hill they play movies on the side of the American Visionary Museum...and this week, The Princess Bride!!  Kristen and I went to watch with quite a crowd of people...there are so many fun, and free things to do in Baltimore!!

Baltimore Bucket List

our friend Sarah is moving down near DC, so before she moves, we are trying to complete her Baltimore Bucket list...and Duckpin Bowling is just one of those activities...

here's the crew at Patterson Lanes

Krysal's getting married!!

all the ladies gathered to celebrate Krystal's last few 'single' nights!  we had dinner at the National Harbor, and went to a piano bar- a preview of their wedding entertainment! 

all the girls also sported lavender glitter rings...her wedding party colors!

congrats girl!  can't wait for the big day :)

busy busy July!

I got to take a week off from school and work to spend at home with the family...it was relaxing, but also jam packed with fun events! 

the week kicked off with my Dad's retirement party, after 37 years at his job he's finally free to golf as much as he wants :)

then we had our annual July 4th BBQ, which also coincides with Dad's birthday

then I had to go back to reality...but exciting new jobs are on the horizon...hooray!

world cup fan

I actually enjoyed watching the world cup this year...for the first time!  maybe it was just the company :)  a few afternoons were spent with Anna and friends at the Gin Mill in Canton!

it's an Etsy Partayyyyy!

sometimes in the world of art you can feel isolated...working, toiling at your craft...so it's nice to get out, and play with fellow artists...and this time it was fellow Etsy-ers as well as just fans of the arts...all gathered together to picnic, and do fun crafts in a park in Hamden :) 

we made lawn flamingos, networked and just had some good food and good times :)