this past weekend:: jewelry!

Happy Tuesday, everyone! I hope you all had a fun and relaxing holiday weekend. I took a mini blogging break this weekend, but I'm back today. I may not have blogged over the weekend, but I did make some jewelry for my new Etsy shop, Sun Sugar Studio. Right now I'm in "use the supplies I've got" mode, but I did some brainstorming for some new designs and collections, and then made a few prototypes (like the one below).



This one's not in my shop yet because I can't decide if I want to keep it or sell. The business side of my brain says to sell it, but the shopping side says keep it.It's one-of-a-kind due to the nature of lampwork beads and geodes, although I could make a similar piece for myself should I choose to sell this one. So, what do you think? Keep or sell?

in the mood for:: mint chocolate chip

chocolate and mint lampwork earrings by great expecations, chocolate mint buttercream cookie-wiches by tookies, mint chocolate damask dog collar by big doggy bling, mint chocolate chip triptych by kraftworx, mineral eye shadow in dark chocolate and meadow by noella, yarrow t-shirt by critter jitters
Keeping this post super short, you guys, since I have my thesis proposal presentation tomorrow and I'm funneling most of my extra time into that (wish me lots of luck!). But yeah, how can you not love this color combination? Cool mint green, rich chocolate brown- easily one of my favorites. It's good enough to eat. Where's my spoon?

i heart cali:: la la land by sixth & main

It's no secret around the DU household (or to anyone who's ever had at least one conversation with me) that I'm really a displaced California girl. I've never lived there, but I make a habit of visiting often because truly no place has ever felt more like home to me than the Golden State. (And someday I will call it home for real.)

And because this is my blog and it's about things I love and that inspire me, I'm starting an "I Heart Cali" column/post thingy where I post things I love inspired by the state I love. Not sure how regularly I'll post about it, but look for it to pop up every now and again.

So here's the first "I Heart Cali" post:

I love everything about Sixth & Main's La La Land photography series- the dreamy photos, the pink tints and of course, the subject matter of all Los Angeles landmarks. Must. Have. Now.


{ top row: downtown los angeles theatre, route 66, hollywood }
{ middle row: shopping on melrose, los angeles skyline, santa monica pier }
{ bottom row: sunglow surfer at manhattan beach, rush hour, paris to la }

shopping for:: lampwork heart jewelry

So apparently Valentine's Day is coming up soon.

I'm not really a fan.

But you know what I do like? Handmade artisan lampwork jewelry. I even like handmade artisan lampwork heart jewelry since it's not all lovey-dovey, melty-smoochy, chocolate candy conversation heart, gag me with 12 dozen roses, over-the-top Valentine's Day insanity and stuff.

Did you read that, Mr. DU? If I celebrated Valentine's Day, I would want some lampwork heart jewelry.


{ 1- blue green heart earrings by natalica | 2- apatite and heart pendant by bella beads originals | 3- lampwork heart, moonstone and sterling silver necklace by loriyab | 4- glass beaded skeleton key and glass heart necklace by the venerable bead | 5- be my valentine heart of the waterfall beaded bracelet by heart of glass designs | 6- charmed love lampwork glass heart necklace by bead crazed }

the ice storm cometh

Or so the weather peeps keep saying. Apparently, Central PA is about to get pummeled by snow and ice and snow and ice and snow and ice. In that order. Over the next two days. Don't be jealous.

In honor of the impending ice-over of my city, I thought I'd post some of my favorite snow and ice (and snow and ice) inspired Etsy accessory finds.


{ 1. snow owl steampunk ring by enchanted lockets 2. snow blossom kanzashi flower brooch by petal mix 3. bloom handmade white flower earrings by dreamy vintage 4. white druzy sterling silver ring by andrea bonelli jewelry 5. snow white leaf and vine necklace by fourtyfour0ranges 6. snow garden enamel earrings by star of the east }

Fashion:: Design Star, Emily Henderson

Does anyone else watch HGTV Design Star? What did you think of last night's finale? I was happy Emily Henderson won because I really like her overall aesthetic and she just seems like a nice person, too. And isn't it nice when a nice person wins? But I'm not really here to talk about the finale. I'm here to talk about the outfit Emily wore in the second to last episode.

Specifically, this outfit:

Image sources: Left | Right

I'm obsessed. I just love the blue ruffled dress with the tan, heeled menswear-style shoes. So, I went hunting for some similar styles. And here's what I found:


I'm on Sapphire dress from Modcloth | Tissue v-neck T from J. Crew | Hammered NuGold Cuff by Cyndie Smith Designs | Double-lock leather belt from Madewell | Sueded opaque control top tights from Hue | Canyon messenger bag from Madewell | Langford platform high-heel oxfords from J. Crew

The dress isn't identical (*cry!*), but I added a long-sleeve gray t-shirt to give it some interest (and seasonal mileage, since summer is fading fast!). I think I like it! What do you think?

PS- Emily has a pretty cool design blog call The Brass Petal. Check it out!

Objects of desire :: "I'm an artist, not a ..." custom-made rings

Sometimes we all need a little reminder of where we're going and who we want to be. And that the current situation is. not. permanent.

I recently stumbled across these custom-made rings by Kathryn Riechert, and I found them nothing short of inspiring. And I love the story behind them, too- how Kathryn first thought to make them when she spent her days waitressing instead of creating. I'm sure most of us can relate to this on some level. Maybe you're not a full-time waitress with the soul of an artist, but you've got to be working toward something, right? Most of are, whether it's career-related or not. We all have goals and dreams. Why not keep a reminder of them right at your finger tips?


My mind is already in idea overload with possibilities for my own set of rings from Kathryn. ("I'm a creative spirit...not a corporate drone" is sort of amusing to me.)

So, what about you? What would your rings say?

Oh, and Kathryn? She's now a full-time artist who spends her days creating cool jewelry like this.

Etsy as an incubator

Megan Auman, who authors one of my favorite indie business blogs, Crafting an MBA, recently posted about how to use Etsy as an incubator and why you should eventually move on. It really resonated with me because that is exactly how I view my Etsy experience. I've had a shop there for a while and I've worked on the exact topics Megan mentions, like product development, market research and branding. I also realized that my current shop is not working and I want to go a different direction. And of course, grad school also played a big part in forming my ideas for my future plans, too.



For my new shop, I still plan to use Etsy as an incubator while I finalize business plans (because this one is a much bigger plan). But once I have those plans ready to go, I'll be moving in other directions to become a multi-channel retailer. I never plan to leave Etsy completely. I just love the community there* and wouldn't want to lose touch with it, but I know I will outgrow using just Etsy and brick and mortar consignment eventually. You can check out a little preview of my new designs here and here.

*Speaking of communities, I'm a proud member of the Etsy Beagles Team, and we have a challenge coming up called "Lazy Days of Summer." That picture up there is part of the supplies for my challenge entry, and I'll post the finished piece when it's ready.

Happy weekend!