Catching Up ...

I can hardly believe that my last post was in JULY! Really, how does that happen? I guess I can chalk it up to the inevitable march of time on my life. Since my last post, I feel as though my world is really opening up, my network is expanding to include some of the greatest people in this industry, I have been blessed to be a part of some Blog Reviews, Shows and people's lives. The most amazing part ... it's just getting better!

Since July:
-I have had our jewelry reviewed by Style on a WHIM, and soon-to-be-reviewed by classymommy.com.
-I have linked up with a fantastic new company called Madison Handbags, where I have become a consultant and have learned so much from my amazing teammates and leaders.
-I have also had some some amazing shows for both the jewelry and the handbags as I travel from AZ to CA to PA!
-Most recently I had the privilege of participating in a fantastic Art/Fashion Show Birthday Extravaganza, for a lovely woman making a BIG SPLASH in the Arizona fashion community ... Clorae Baca. She pulled all of her favorites/friends together to create a delicious palete of talent: Brian Hill from Phoenix Fashion Week, two:peas jewelry, Uneek Collections, Joshua Christensen, Pink House, Carolyn Murray from Stylettoz, Madison Handbags, FAWAZ Entertainment, Kacie DeJesus, Rockin Designs, DJ Ishmael, and all of the fabulous models! WHEW!!! Did I leave anyone out??
-We had a great experience in FGI-AZ's "Keeping It Local" Shopping Event
-I was just accepted into Scottsdale Fashion Week's Community Night Fashion Show for Accessory Designers!

It has been a whirlwind to say the very least, but I cannot begin to explain how blessed I feel at this time in my life. Working hard is only part of the equation (granted a very LARGE part of the equation), but the rest comes from being surrounded by the people that love and support you, your network that helps nurture you to grow and step outside of your comfort zone (Clorae), and the rest is preparation meeting opportunity!

Please accept my thanks for following me, being kind, loving and most of all ... my extended family. I look forward to catching up more in a later blog.

~Peace & Love

Life, Liberty Lux speaks to the Masses

A true talent in the Valley, Robert Ballew ... stylist and owner of LifeLibertyLux, presents to us his quirky yet informative "Blogtique" that is a delight to peruse. From tips to trends, guidance and coaching Robert is a "style-guru" you can have access to 24-7 through his tweets, updates and articles. A definite must-read for the fashion-savvy ... check it out! xo

INTEGRITY/n (1): adherence to a code of values : INCORRUPTIBILITY (2): SOUNDNESS (3): COMPLETENESS

INTEGRITY. I could drone the definition in my sleep at a very early age, not because I was a 10 year old who embodied it, not even because I lived my life by the "code", but because I was raised in a family of successful business owners who ran not only their lives but their businesses with a strong sense of it. I was raised in a home with consequences for every action. I was held accountable for not only what I did, but what I spoke, because words are truly the most powerful tool/weapon we possess. I thank the powers-that-be for the parents, grandparents, family and friends who raised me and showed me everyday what it meant to be a person of quality and integrity. Values that are very difficult to find in a world/economy/familial system seemingly void of it.

Fast-Forward to present day ... today in fact, and you will find a very different version of the little girl with big dreams and an idealistic view of her world and the people who inhabit it. I guess you could say that today, my "3rd" eye was opened, or rather pried opened (think Malcolm McDowell's character, Alex, in "A Clockwork Orange"), while going about my normal morning work routine. It occurred to me, as I read over an email so perfectly written in it's attempt to blow me off, that I actually had to step back from the screen, chuckle and then sound off in disbelief over what I was reading. The question I am left with, the one that threatens to break down what little hope I have left for TODAY's business owners, "When did we stop being human?" When did it become OK to blow people off, shoot people/their goals out of the sky and make every attempt to cut with our words? To someone like myself, who has more integrity in her pinkie than most people have in their entire being, it truly cuts like a knife.

I don't wear my resume on my back (thanks Neil), and I don't treat people as if they aren't fit to breathe the same air I do ... I go out of my way to treat everyone as politely and kindly as I can. I am not perfect, and there are times I want to crawl back into my shell, but if I am not interested in what a person is "selling" to me, I thank them for their time and respectfully decline. Everybody's time is valuable to them in regards to what they are looking to accomplish, so I respect that by not wasting it.

As the proud co-owner of two:peas jewelry these past three years, I have truly received a "Masters in Business". I have met some of the most undesirable people in the world, and yet I have met some of the best people. People who actually have taken the time to either mentor me, talk to me, and/or teach me what not to do, based on their ups and downs in the business. It's those people, who invested time in me, and valued me enough to listen to what I had to say, that keep me going on days like today. Those of you who are reading this, we can all relate whether you are a business owner or not. Why? Because we are all a participant in LIFE (albeit, some of us more active participants than others) but participants nonetheless. I invite you all to exhibit a little kindness today: (1)Ask someone how they are doing, (2)Offer to listen to someone, (3)Return emails/phone calls in a timely manner and above all, (4)Live your life with INTEGRITY.

Bendel's ... a Pea's lesson in waiting

NEW YORK CITY / 2:30 am, Thursday, March 25, 2010. This was the exact time I stepped out of my cab and onto the cold, rainy sidewalk beneath Henri Bendel's famous window on 5th Avenue. I was there to attend the twice-annual "Open-See" event, where designers from around the world can show their wares to the buyers of Bendel's in hopes of being discovered. I was following in very famous footsteps (Todd Oldham, Anna Sui, James Purcell, Pamela Dennis, etc ...) and that knowledge coupled with my determination were what kept me going for the next 6.5 hours I waited in line. Did I mention it was 35 degrees and rainy??

My only company for the first hour in line, aside from the brightly lit accessories tucked warmly inside, were two lovely friends from California (Carine, a jewelry designer and Chris a law student attending Columbia). My spot in line is the empty spot under the sign ... yup 3rd in LINE!!! I had heard and read so much about how people sleep out, but I can only assume that the weather kept many people warm in their beds (lucky bastards).

We were soon joined by designers of  The Valley Bag, who came all the way from Tennessee, Hirotaka Inoue, a jewelry designer, and his friend from Tokyo, and a bag designer from Brazil. Suddenly, we were all sharing experiences, smiling and making our way through the darkness and cold together. Amidst all of the chatter, we realized we were standing in the wrong spot and quickly relocated to THE DOOR ... note the picture below:

Again, lucky for us the weather kept most people away until later, I went from being 3rd in line, to being 8th ...still in the top 10. In this neck of the journey, I met Ronen (owner and designer of FancySexyMe.com), a very talented jewelry designer from Brooklyn, and a host of jewelry designers, handbags, cosmetics, hair accessories and gift items. You name it, they were there in droves and from every part of the world. By the time the doors swung open, it was 9am and the line was wrapped easily around 4 city blocks. I had been joined by my friend Libby, and the first 25 were quickly ushered into the warmth to take their swing at the buyers.

Down, Down, Down we went ... into the bowels of Bendel's. It was then I realized how cold I was, when trying to sign my name to the list. I had no function in my hand/fingers, and had to take a minute to warm up. The whole moment went by so quickly, it's a well-oiled machine of a production down there. We set our things down, took off our coats and before I knew I it were presenting in front of our buyer. Although the buyer praised us for the quality and look, it was deemed to be, "Too Fine" for the pieces they currently sell. Most of the pieces in their store are BIG, BOLD & BAUBLE-Y ... very different from what we were offering.

I took it all in stride. I was confident in my presentation, my appearance and our display ... the rest was out of my hands. I figured I still deserved a pat on the back for doing something extraordinary. I would and WILL do it all again, even if only for the experience I had in line. I have never met a more determined, fun, creative and inspiring group of people, as I did that morning. It was a privilege to be with them all through the journey and I look forward to seeing their products in stores in the near future. The next "Open-See" is in October, and I can assure you that I will be there ... this time with my Custom Line of jewelry.

Diversifying and satisfying ...

Being a "creative",  I am constantly looking for ways to keep my artistic perspective fresh and ever-evolving. I tend to get bored easily and so to counteract that, I am always involved with various projects to keep my inner-muse happy. One of the projects that helped to spawn my jewelry business is my custom jewelry collection. A few years back, as I was toiling away at writing business plans, researching manufacturers and designing a concept on my computer, I decided that I needed to be able to do more than to sketch and design well. I needed to be able to speak the lingo that jewelry-folk speak. I wanted to be able to understand what molding, casting and and setting meant ... not only did I want to understand those things, but I wanted to be able to do them. So, I let my fingers do the walking,  found some classes and began CREATING. There really is nothing quite like having an idea and learning how to bring it into existence.

When my mind won't shut off and the ideas are over-flowing, jewelry-making allows me to dig in and bring my imagination to life. It truly helps to satisfy the artist in me. Take a look at some of my custom creations, and let me know what you think! Cheers.

Put a Little "SPRING" Back Into Your Step ...

Put a Little "SPRING" Back Into Your Step ...

Ready to break out of hibernation mode and step into those flirty little dresses hiding in your closet? Here are some great looks that will get you thinking SPRING! xo

To Blog or Not to Blog ...

courtesy of avoidinglife.typepad.com

This really is THE question of the moment, although unless you live under a rock the answer is obvious ... BLOG, BLOG and then BLOG some more! Having worked at being a "Young Entrepreneur" now for the past two+ years ... I was initially resistant to this social media concept. I thought everything was much more significant to my process, than writing down my thoughts and posting them out to the world. I have been known to be wrong before ... this would prove to be one of those times.

We live in a very connected environment (albeit, sometimes a bit TOO connected, but connected nonetheless). Admitedly, I am likely to be swayed off that perverbial fence in either direction, when I hear or read critiques from my peers (aka-bloggers/testers/writers). Whether you have created the next Statement in Fashion, or the hottest invention to hit since "ShamWOW," Blogging can and often is that missing link that gets the "Buzz" out to the masses and often to your target markets.

The Doubting-Thomas in me, was challenged last year, when at one of our trunk shows a lovely woman approached me (after making a purchase), to tell me how reading my post about my journey as a jewelry designer touched her. It took a very sterile and inanimate object (said jewelry) and made it into something that had a story with emotion behind it. Blogging was the bridge, in this instance, that took the reader from the product to the final purchase ... all by making the connection with the reader.

That's one of the best part about this business ... the lessons learned, and the people that teach them to me on a daily basis. Thank you Colette. :)

Gone but NEVER forgotten ...

His artistic confections that took our breath away, as they strutted down catwalks worldwide, was the stuff that dreams are made of. Every season topping the one previous with whimsy, edge, spirit and passion. Alexander McQueen dared us, even taunted us into looking at fashion as more than a shirt on your back, but rather as an expression and an extension of the wearer.

At only 40 years of age, McQueen has left a deep-rooted impression on the world he immersed himself in. Having launched out of London, he soon won hearts in every fashionable city from Milan to Paris. The launch of his subsequent label McQ, was slated for presentation Thursday at NYC's Fashion week, but was cancelled upon the news of his untimely death.

McQueen meant so many things, to so many different people. He was a visionary, a leader, a game-changer ... but most of all, to me, he was a man who changed the world he saw around him by the masterful creations he put into existence. Thank you Alexander ... R.I.P.

Expressions of LOVE ...The Dancing Star 2010 Bankle Collection - Fashion Industry Network

Expressions of LOVE ...The Dancing Star 2010 Bankle Collection - Fashion Industry Network

The road ahead in 2010

It's a new year, a clean slate, a chance to make EVERYTHING right in the world ... well at least to make it right in my world. When that ball dropped on 2009, I eagerly threw open the doors to view the big beautiful road before me. A road filled with any and all possibilities, new adventures and unexplored territory. NOTE OF CAUTION: quiet the music in your head, tone down the visions of grandeur and realize that the age-old saying, "In order to know where you are going, you have to know/understand where you have been," actually means something. It's the only way I know how to road map my next few steps, so that I am building my tomorrow's on a strong foundation of yesterday's.

My reflection time revealed to me what I needed to take me and my business to the next step ... A business coach. Having worked at this for the past two years, I feel as though I am at a crucial pivot-point, where I needed a mentor/guide ... someone else in "the know". That's what I found at The Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence at the University of Pittsburgh.

Having only just begun my journey with my coach, I already feel a greater sense of calm. A feeling that I am no longer alone in this and that I have someone in my corner. I am fortunate in that I know where I want to go, I just need a little help in knowing HOW to get there.

I would like to leave you with these questions: How do you plan to move ahead in 2010 whether it be personally, professionally or both? What are some methods that work for you and for the entrepreneurs out there, is coaching something you have tried/would try?

I will keep you posted on my progress, but in the meantime enjoy your journey and explore the possibilities.