Something sweet to buzz about...

Several items from November Rose Atelier's online shop have been featured over at "the b-line". Buzz on over and take a peek at Amy's "Window Shopping"!

Our house ~ Christmas in pictures...

The mantel.

Decorated with glass glitter effects (compliments of Wendy Addison), feather tree and dove, and lights tangled in fresh cut pine and holly branches.

Shelf vignette.

Beaded bottle brush trees and a glittered reindeer stop for a moment near a steam engine and an antique church photo which includes my great great grandparents.

The buffet.

Christmas home to my small Fontanini nativity collection and glass ornaments in candlesticks.

Table top.

The bird that faithfully gives up its warm nest in exchange for freedom.

321.

Where my life happens.

post holiday thoughts...

Here is a secret that is not so secret to those who know me well… I love to cook. I don’t mean I love to cook regular food. Regular food is necessary, sort of. Who wants to get in the rut of eating the same old pot of spaghetti, mashed potatoes and gravy with roast? Those are all well and good and tasty and appreciated, but why lead a boring food life when you can eat food that will excite your senses and not just simply taste good?

I have an addiction when I cook. I wish it were as simple as stirring a pot with my right hand with a glass of wine in my left just like in the movies, but no not me! I have a bottle of spices in my left-hand, shaking, adding, and changing that hum-drum meal into a symphony of flavors in your mouth.

Most of my dishes aren’t for those whom you have to tiptoe around in the kitchen with, catering to delicate palates. I haven’t yet figured out how the picky eater syndrome managed to sneak into our society. As a child, my siblings and I were required to eat “some” of everything that our mother had labored over. Day after day she gave up what could have possibly been her free time. (e.i. eating bon bons and reading romance novels while sitting upon a pink cushion) Instead she provided us with healthy, tasty, and yes sometimes gourmet meals to grow up on. Thank you mom for instilling food variety into my life!

A few days before Christmas I started to fulfill my candy making binge that had come over me two weeks previous. This is not usual for me because in years past when we arrive at a family Christmas celebration, there are already pretty heaping plates full of sugar in many shapes. So why waste my time? However this year was predetermined to be different. I had been dreaming of dipped pretzels and peanut butter cracker sandwiches. Then to that I added my Cranberry Orange Almond Truffles and Coffee Truffles rolled in cocoa. What fun I had! Oh and did I mention the Onion Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball and the Southwest Cheese Ball and baked sausage balls? Mmmmm.

The holidays have rolled by in taste, with a dash of joy and a pinch of love! May this year hold many joyous moments in store for you!

Etsy Finds: Expedited Shipping for Last Minute Shoppers

I'm happy that I was featured in the daily Etsy Finds e-mail for Expedited Christmas Shipping yesterday. I'm running a 10% off sale in my shop and shipping is FREE to US buyers! So take a peek at the article! I can ship through Thursday the 18th for Christmas orders.

Just mention "CHRISTMAS" in the message to seller for the discounts and wait for a revised invoice! Happy Holidays!!!

http://www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/etsy-finds-expedited-shipping-for-last-minute-shoppers-3073/#comment-51304

Feathers and Such...

Recently I have been experimenting with feathers. Feathers in necklace designs, feathers in hair clips, and on cuffs. I have always loved feathers, especially the wispy white ones that look beautiful in the shabby chic style for the home. I have an all white feather wreath that I purchased a few years ago during the Christmas season. I know it is technically for the holidays, but not at my house! It has been hanging in the same spot for a while now, and happily employed as a fulltime resident. I have also started a small collection of white Christmas birds with real feather tails. Most of these collections are not new, but sweet vintage reproductions. The latest however is an antique mercury glass swan with real feathers. She was purchased for a song at a local antique store. She has found herself a nest in a pile of black velvet roses and seems to be comfortable there. So, for the time being, expect to see a few feathery be-jeweled pieces floating around in my Etsy shop and stay tuned for cuffs! I just can't help myself! I have always been fascinated by them. In the mean time, enjoy 20% off of all my fall jewelry pieces. Look for "SALE" in the title of the item and you will get an additional 20% off after purchasing. See my notes on Etsy for instructions. Happy Thanksgiving to all! Let us not forget to be thankful for all things good!

Nest ~ Changing the world one purchase at a time.

I have some exciting news to share with you! I am participating in a new online shopping venue! It is called Build a Nest. Nest is a non-profit organization based out of Saint Louis, MO, that is dedicated to changing the lives of women in developing countries. The mission of Nest is to support women artists and artisans in the developing world by helping them create sustainable entrepreneurial businesses. To do this, Nest provides micro-credit loans to be used for the purchase of the supplies and materials necessary to begin and/or maintain art or craft-based businesses. "Everyone needs beauty as well as bread." (John Muir)

I have listed four necklaces for sale on the Nest website. I will be donating 30% of my sales to Nest to essentially help fund the micro loans that they issue to women in developing coutries.

A direct link to my Nest page can be found on my website: http://novemberrose.net/

To watch an interview with Nest founder Rebecca Kousky and KSDK STL News Station, and learn more about how the business works, click on the link below and go to the Tuesday, October 28th, 2008 blog post.
http://nest-buildanest.blogspot.com/

I am so excited and honored to be a part of Nest and their wonderful business of essentially helping the needy survive by their own means!!!

These Crazy Busy Days of Summer Turn to Fall

What a perfect Saturday for dreaming and creating lovely jewelry! We are enjoying the after-effects of Hurricane Ike - constant gentle rain. The rains are therapeutic after a busy week.

It seems that all of my weeks are busy these days, which ultimately made for a busy summer with friends and family pouring in from out of state. However, we are always glad for their visits!

Just a bit of fun info to bring you up to date...

I am pleased to say that my jewelry is now being carried at Mezzanine in Saint Louis, MO. Mezzanine is a lovely shop in Central West End. One can't go wrong when surrounded with fine dining, lovely architecture, and friendly people! http://shopmezzanine.com/

Also this summer, I designed a custom bridal order for a bride in Finland. She was lovely to work with and allot of fun! See the necklace at left, "Love Me Only" from the Labyrinth Collection. Seven unique golden tangled chains sweep from the right side to the left where they are layered and joined to a large metal five leaf cut-out design.

Most recently I have been designing and getting ready for a fall show - Cider Days on Historic Walnut Street in Springfield, Missouri. I have one week left to create before the show as it is the 20th and 21st. I am praying for cool non-rainy weather which makes for a beautiful ushering in of fall. See below for a sneak peek of some of the necklaces that I have been working on for the show.

"Physiognomy" ~ Large Spider with glass cherry red body. Inspired by an Emily Dickinson poem.

"A spider sewed at night
Without a light
Upon an arc of white.
If ruff it was of dame
Or shroud of gnome,
Himself, himself inform.
Of immortality
His strategy
Was physiognomy"

"Gypsy Grace" ~ Twisted, tangled chain bracelet. Many chains dotted with gold and peacock blue beads.

Inspired by "The Hollyhocks" by Craven Langstroth Betts.

"Some space beyond the garden close

I sauntered down the shadowed lawn;

It was the hour when sluggards doze,

The cheerful, zephyr-breathing dawn.

The sun had not yet bathed his face,

Dark reddened from the nightʼs carouse,

When, lo! in festive gypsy grace

The hollyhocks stood nodding brows..."


I have designed many other pieces that will be debuted at this show. Hope to see you there!