New Blog, New Space for Sharing

I have just begun a new blog NovemberRose.net/blog which is part of my website NovemberRose.net.

It is taking some time to figure out the new blog and how it is all put together. (Many thanks to my husband who is my very own webmaster!)

I've got a headful of new ideas and am frantically working on a project that will be a part of my whole new look. I can't wait to share the details with everyone!

Cheers!

New Direction

After many years of designing jewelry, I've been searching for new inspiration. I have found my niche in vintage because it is my love. However after watching my vintage designs being re-produced in mass and sold practically at the dollar store prices, I have been considering new direction. I love to make all sorts of items, so the new items you see are again all of one-of-a-kind and cannot be reproduced.

I have an obsession with paper of all kinds. Tissue paper, wrapping paper, scrapbook paper, vintage paper and ephemera. Oh and an obsession with vintage buttons, laces and trims as well.

I have created several new items of which are now for sale in the Atelier.
Below I have featured two of them.

I have a fascination with maps! So with a map as an excuse, I have created a few vintage paper paste storage boxes. The first one is a long skinny European geography themed box. It would be perfect for storing anything from pencils to paint brushes to wayward receipts in an office.


The second box reminds me of travel luggage with its pretty antiqued brass look handle and hardware. This box follows a short story theme called "The Silver Mine" and it also has sheet music, poetry, dictionary pages, science info. It is topped with a beautiful Eastern Hemisphere map in beautiful pastels.


Here's to new beginnings, here's to Spring! Cheers!

Black Friday Thru Cyber Monday Sale

Announcing my very own personal Black Friday thru Cyber Monday SALE! Actually it has started tonight, the 25th of November. Why not include Thanksgiving Eve and Thanksgiving Day while in the Holiday Shopping Spirit?!!!

FREE WORLD-WIDE SHIPPING on every item in my Etsy shop. No minimun purchase, no maximum purchase, no promo codes to mess with, just shop away and no shipping will be charged when you check out. Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping!

Re-Vamp and Embellish

"Amanda Mine" Flower Pin Accessory, originally uploaded by November Rose Atelier.

In a time when everyone is talking re-using, re-thinking, and re-styling, whether it is for recycling purposes or due to the economic standstill, your wardrobe can receive a quick style punch with a chic little flower pin accessory. Wear your flower as a simple adornment for a fancy dress or for pumping up some style on a black t-shirt paired with jeans and heels.

This, That and News

Autumn. A favorite season of mine. Chilly mornings sipping coffee, sitting in my porch swing, watching the world wake up to another day. I breathe in the fresh and re-newed morning air, filling my lungs, getting energy to wake up and begin another day.

The cool air energizes and brings new beginnings so it seems. I would like to share some random bits that are of interest to me. I am a huge Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic fan! Her lovely company folded, but she is back! I knew she wouldn't be gone long. Her style and talent is too beautiful to hide and keep supressed. Check out her store locations and new book "Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Interiors". http://www.shabbychic.com/

In the way of new music to look forward to, I'm eagerly anticipating Norah Jones' new album titled, "The Fall". The release date is scheduled for November 17th, 2009. Check out the beautiful artwork and pre-order! http://www.norahjones.com/

My big news ~ November Rose Atelier has recently had the opportunity to be a tiny part of Fashion Fights Poverty. FFP, located in Washington DC, creates microfinance opportunities for individuals and communities in developing countries by using fashion to fund these efforts. Friday, September 25th, 2009 marks FFP's 5th year to organize a fashion show / benefit. This benefit, according to the "Washington Post", is said to be, "one of the largest fashion fundraiser in Washington DC." I have sent twelve pieces of November Rose Atelier jewelry to FFP for the silent auction. They will find their way to new homes in the DC area, and at the same time be fulfilling a dual benefit of usefulness. http://fashionfightspoverty.org/events/sponsors.html

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!

A Stylish Affair - to remember

Today is a happy day for me. I got my first Treasury on Etsy where I sell my wares. They have proven to be hard to get. This Treasury will expire this Friday, the 11th of July at 1:34 AM, until then you can view it at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=55241

Renewal

What a delightfully delicious, rainy Saturday! It is as dark as evening time and not even noon. It is not the vicious sort of rainstorm that sends darting glances towards the heavens and thoughts of dashing to the basement. It is the happy therapeutic sort of storm with thunder in surround sound. This always sends me to the porch where I take refuge in the swing. Here I can soak in the sounds of pouring rain and watch birds flit from tree to tree, happily singing their gratitude for a cool bath. When the breeze kicks up and sends a mist through the screens, I close my eyes and let the newness that a rain brings wash over me. This renews my mind and spirit.

Dear Blog -

I have thought about meeting you for quite some time now. The time is finally right. I look forward to our days ahead as I pour out my thoughts onto your virtual pages.

Everyone says that this is my little chance to tell the world what I want to tell it. I'm not quite sure the world wants to know what I have jumping around in my head, or that my fingers could even type it all! We will give it our best shot though. (My fingers, my thoughts, and I.)

Goodnight Blog.
Goodnight World.