Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Jewelry Design!

It's Just Me...

2012-03-14T08:42:00.002-07:00

Working for yourself can be lonely. At my level I am making a living (and incredibly grateful for it) but aside from some part time help during the holidays, it's just me, my tools and my poodle sitting down and creating everyday. (and the blessing I thank the gods for everyday, my husband!) Sometimes I find peace in the solitude and joy in creating, sometimes I stare blankly at the table and check my Facebook, Pinterest, Email and blogs in a unending cycle of procrastination. Sometimes when I do get out, I am so excited to be around people I come apart at the seams and have a little too much "fun" rendering the next day virtually unproductive save reading a book or magazines. Someday this may change and I'll have (my new beautifully renovated, almost done studio space) bustling with helpers. Right now...it's just me. Keeping up with the orders, shows, website updates, post office visits etc. I think it's really important to remember that everyone lives a life that we only see about 20 percent of no matter how close we are to them and that kindness and compassion should always be the first tools of communication we employ. I am still trying to figure out a balance of work/life/friends, I think we all are.

It's ALL happening.....

2012-03-08T13:46:00.009-08:00

When I first moved in with my husband, I fell in love with the big, bright sun room and immediately started plotting a studio space for moi. There were these two funky orange and blue vintage chairs that I didn't know if I hearted or hated (I love now) and this huge vintage polo sign that was hanging on the wall. They have become my "concept" pieces. I have a friend that is going to paint the polo horse and the burgundy line the dark gold/orange of the chair. Trust. It will look AMAZING!

This is where we started. You can see the true hot mess in this post.

Look at all that gorgeous light coming in...perfect studio space am I right?

Let's get it started in here!

Here is where we are today. Did you notice the sky blue ceiling? The doors will be painted white as well and have cheesecloth curtains like http://pinterest.com/pin/75716837454647410/

From my Pinterest board originally from mayamade.blogspot.com Love the easy, breezy curtains. Pinned from http://my-dream-apartment.tumblr.com/post/16162519953

This Wendy Umanoff light is mine!

Originally from www.decorativecountryliving.com

Something very similar to this WILL be happening. Maybe not always with flowers that are alive. I am looking at some dead roses from V Day right now that I haven't thrown away. For real.

Can you see it? Can you understand my excitement? I am welcome to suggestions or Pinterest ideas. Will post more pictures as I go on.

Stand By for Technical Difficulties....

2012-03-06T07:37:00.003-08:00

There are men in my sun room! There is sawing, bustling, paint fumes and everything is covered in tarp. It's finally happening! My wishful studio space is finally becoming a studio. After years of lightly dropped hints,"Hey the sun room would make a great studio space if we got rid of the pool table," to blatant, "Seriously, get the freaking pool table out of the freaking sun room so I have a place to set up a work studio!" I finally realized the pool table has been my albatross and the sticking point that has been keeping the space from being transformed to a dreamy, Pinterest board of a studio. Taking a cue from Tina Fey in Bossy Pants, (which I have listened to seventy billion times) if you can't go through...go under, around, over! I suggested we put a wooden platform over the pool table (which btw NEVER gets used) and a pretty table cloth over that. Solution, pool table stays and becomes work table. Every body is happy. Add onto that an Internet connection the fritz out all weekend and is finally working thanks to the fabulous Jeff Hathaway and my evil plan is beginning to come together. (picture me maniacally rubbing hands together and laughing like Dr. Frankenstein.) Here is what the sun room looks like now:

Pinterest Drama Tied Up With Semi-Neat Bow!

2012-03-02T16:14:00.002-08:00

All the blogosphere was a-titter when a blogger who is also a lawyer did some research on Pinterest's terms of use and used the scary "lawsuit" word, it was pandemonium! Ok, I was pandemoniuous (pretty sure I made that word up) pretty much because there is a computer on my jewelry making table and I am a social media procrastinator. I am also a HUGE pinner and love Pinterest so I was concerned. After research and an email from a really nice guy at Pinterest who took the time to email me back with my concerns I was secure in the fact that a pack of lawyers were not going to sue me for my jewelry pliers and wire cutters.

Come to find out that Ben from Pinterest called the blogger and talked to her about her concerns. SERIOUSLY! How is THAT for customer service. Mark Zuckerburg surely isn't calling anyone personally about their Facebook concerns. Here is the blog post and I double-dog dare you not to fall a little bit more in love with Pinterest.

http://ddkportraits.com/2012/02/my-date-with-ben-silbermann-following-up-and-drying-my-tears/

BAT IN MY SINK!!!!

2012-03-02T05:46:00.002-08:00

Resume breathing. We have an older home and periodically we will encounter one of God's nocturnal creatures in our home. (sadly NOT the turning into Edward Cullen kind) Husband opens the windows and the bat flies out. Not a big deal. Until this morning.

While rinsing dishes in the sink I lifted a pan and there, sleeping like the pan was his own little bat cave, was a bat! I squealed like the littlest piggie and ran into the yard screaming, "BAT IN THE SINK, BAT IN THE SINK!!!!" If the neighbors didn't think I was a bag of batshit crazy before (hee hee) they do now. Again, said bat was wrapped in a towel and moved to a more bat appropriate place. (no I DON'T freaking know where...still trying to regulate breathing.)

It's now NOT ok. Any suggestions to keep bats out of our belfry that are humane?

Pinterest, we need to talk.....

2012-03-01T18:09:00.006-08:00

NO, we are not breaking up!

I just want to let you know where I stand. I started thinking some pretty shady things about you after I read this blog post: http://ddkportraits.com/2012/02/why-i-tearfully-deleted-my-pinterest-inspiration-boards/, and I started worrying about where our relationship was going and what your intentions were for me.

Pinterest, I'll admit, I started snooping. I started googling you and writing emails to people who know you. It was a bit stalky but then a girl's got to protect herself! I found your blog post http://blog.pinterest.com/post/17949261591/growing-up and I really believe that you are trying to deal with your issues in an honest and open way. After reading it I got a response from your friend Aaron and I feel much more secure in continuing our relationship. Here is his reply:

Aaron, Mar 01 16:10 (PST):

Thanks for writing in with your concerns. We are aware of some confusion with our terms of service, and are working on making our terms of use - and our intentions - more clear. Rest assured, we are listening, and we are committed to making our passion for content discovery beneficial to everyone, including both users and the creators of the content we love so much.

Thank you for your patience.

Aaron
Pinterest - Community Specialist

Pinterest, I feel like this is the start of something really special and I don't want to quit "us" just yet. Out of respect for other's feelings I have added this to my profile:

I pin pictures of people, places and things that I admire and for inspiration, not for resale or to copy. If an image that you own is on one of my boards and is not properly credited or you just want it taken down, please ask me and I will happily respect your wishes to remove the image or link it back to you website if it is not already.

It's not a cure all, but it's a start. I'll stay with you dear Pinterest, you had me at hello.

Watch Me Be A Complete Dork...and Then Vote!

2012-03-01T08:55:00.003-08:00

Why the Jazz Hands KShonk?

While in Salt Lake City attending Alt Design Summit I was lucky enough to do an interview with Maxwell Gillenham-Ryan from Apartment Therapy in regards to our home's style and my opinion on the Jonathan Adler designed toilet paper covers.

If I win I get to go to New York and meet Jonathan Adler. That I am posting this is and allowing you all to see my stuttering video interview is a testament to how much I want to go. Go to the link, scroll down to find my video, cringe in empathetic awkwardness and vote. Thanks!

https://www.facebook.com/cottonelle?sk=app_133397090112511

Your Grandma's Jewels...Only Better!!!

2012-02-29T11:08:00.008-08:00

If I had a dime for every time someone said to me,"Oh my gosh, I have a bunch of my grandmother's old rhinestone pins/earrings/vintage keys etc.....I should get you to make something," I could use them all to buy a mountain of Weiss rhinestone pins! Monica Lee(artist, textile designer, blogger extraordinaire!) put her postage where her mouth is and sent me 2 pieces of vintage goodness that was left to her by her grandmother with carte blanche to make her something pretty.

I am SO excited about both pieces, but OH that necklace is heaven! It's all about the Weiss rhinestone brooch. I can totally see that with a little black dress or casual with a white button down shirt and jeans. Thanks for giving me a chance to make you something pretty Monica Lee.

Thank you JFK......

2012-02-28T15:17:00.002-08:00

Thanks to JFK's philandering and Mimi Alford's brave decision to write a book about it after 41 years of silence, I got a boatload of jewelry made today!

Buy it here:

http://www.audible.com/search/ref=sr_lftbox_1_1

I was in parts horrified by what a predator the handsome, charismatic JFK was as I studiously twisted up flower earrings. Seriously though, what 19 year old fresh out of an all girl's school is going to turned down JFK? He was THE LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD...

... and looked like this!

...and she was so classically beautiful, I'd almost say she reminded me of someone...mmmm....who could that be...

... fellow Miss Porter ancient (they call them ancient instead of alums, i am all "in the know" because I read the book!) Jackie O?

I 'll post pics tomorrow of what I actually accomplished!

Now comes the hard(ish) part....

2012-02-28T05:03:00.004-08:00

Some days I am inspired and on fire! 11 pm rolls around, I finally look at the clock and decide it's time to go to bed, flowers and skulls and sparkling sea green chalcedony dancing in my head. Other days it's sunshine-y outside and the birds are chirping and there is a movie I want to see and magazines piling up and there is NOTHING on Netflix I want to watch (while working)....but I HAVE to work! Those flower earrings are NOT going to make themselves and the fabulous shops that have taken a chance on me need more designs to sell. Today is a bit of a buckle down and get to it kind of day. Here's my strategy for days when I JUST DON'T WANNA!!!!

I pretty much treat myself like a child. I bribe myself. I will go to audible.com and treat myself to a really, really good book I've been wanting to read but just don't have time. Nothing keeps me in my seat like a good tale of hitting rock bottom and finding redemption. (hence my addiction to Intervention..pun intended!)

I really enjoy Wasted by Marya Hornbacher!

I only allow myself to listen while I am actually working on jewelry, no listening while loading the dishwasher or doing laundry. On a pretty day like today I will also bargain with myself and make a promise to go to the park and run if I finish "X" amount of what I am supposed to do. It also helps to make a personal challenge that keeps things simple such as,"Make as many earrings today as you can." If I know I don't have to think about anything but twisting wire into familiar shapes I feel like I can just turn my mind off and enjoy the routine.

I am grateful for everyday I get to do what I love. but as in life, some days are more challenging than others. Although nothing compared to say, Mackenzie Phillips and her struggles with addiction, eating disorders and incest in High on Arrival

A disturbing listen but I am really pulling for her!

If you need me I will be happily making twisty flowers and thanking the gods that I am NOT shooting up black tar heroin.*

*(for the record, I feel that addiction is a stunningly difficult disease to overcome. That last sentence, thought frosted with humor, is sincere.)

Oscar Worthy.....

2012-02-27T08:10:00.004-08:00

As you may know, my friend Jessica went to the 84th Oscars last night as a (apparently impossible to get position!) seat filler wearing a pair of earrings and a bracelet that I made specially for her. She looked GORGEOUS and outshone the jewels!

Here is Jessica, rocking KSho for the Oscars!

I watched like a hawk but didn't get to see her....although I did fall asleep at about 11 so perhaps I missed it? Loved when Rose Byrne and Melissa McCarthy made Scorcese into a drinking game! Thanks for letting me adorn you Jessica and I hope you had a great time!!!

5 Celebs I'd love to KSho.....

2012-02-22T05:19:00.000-08:00

Ok, caught up in the Oscar-ness of having someone wear my jewels to the main event has got me daydreaming and so I'd like to share my "Top 5 Actresses Who I'd Love To Wear KShonk".

1. Sheryl Crow

Might I suggest a rock star worthy vintage key bracelet and necklace?

2. Drew Barrymore

Drew is all flowers and butterflies and I am sure she would love the recycled glass gypsy earrings.

1. Kate Capshaw

She just seems cool and classy and I really just want to drink a lot of wine with her and Rita Wilson. I'd love to see either of these pieces on her!

4. Which brings us to #4 Rita Wilson

Seriously? Loved her in "It's Complicated" SO much and just wanted to pop onscreen and throw a multi layered boho chic necklace on her or a long rosary style necklace.

5. Miranda Lambert

No brainer. She's super cool, wears awesome jewelry, has restored Airstreams and hunts. Bullet necklaces! (and rock star recycled leather bracelets)

Those are my suggestions for now....anyone you think should wear KShonk Designs? I may do another post on this!

OSCAR BOUND........

2012-02-21T05:16:00.000-08:00

Two years ago I was stoked that a friend of a friend was going to the Oscars with her beau and was going to wear my jewelry.(see this post) I whipped up a few sets for her to choose from, sent them for her perusal. Sady, in the Oscar madness that followed, there were no pictures for me to post. (I totally understand!)

This time, shit's for real y'all! A sister of a friend is going to the Oscar's to be a seat filler, and will be wearing this set with her gorgeous gown and has PROMISED she will take pictures that I can post! Look for them to be on sale after the event (unless she decides she HAS to have them!)

As always, it's an honor just to be nominated...to fill a seat;)

Just like heaven....

2012-02-21T05:05:00.000-08:00

The beads.....dear God the beads!!! So the International Gem and Bead show in Chantilly was everything it's was before and more. I go in with a budget in and then run around the wholesale section like a crazed hamster my eyes darting left and right as sparkly bits and baubles flash at me and I ALWAYS go over budget.

I got almost everything I wanted see this post with the exception of a few things. I cannot find the elusive lemon yellow onion chalcedony in just the right, bright lemony shade and can someone please direct me to a faceted green garnet rondelle that I don't have to sell my poodle for! I got a few strands of chalcedony briolettes but the bead vendors are hip to the fact that EVERYBODY has discovered this magic little gem and they were priced much higher than usual. Damn you other designers and your fabulous taste! All in all, I was about $250 over budget. That's cool, I'll live on sunshine and air! If anyone knows of my holy grail of beads (lemon onions and green garnet rondelles about 8 mm please feel free to comment)

KShonk Crack.......

2012-02-17T04:05:00.000-08:00

OMG it's here!!!! The Chantilly International Bead show is my jam!!!! There is a whole area in the back just for wholesale buyers and I literally feel like I am drugged up the whole time I am there and afterwards I just lay everything out and bask in it's sparkly goodness. I will take bunches of pictures and post them later. WHOO HOO!!!!! Here are a few things I am hoping to find:

Photo Make Over.....

2012-02-16T04:59:00.000-08:00

One of the aspects of having my own business that makes me want to rip out my hair in frustration is taking photos of my work. I am dead serious when I say it has taken YEARS to get them where I am kinda happy with them and that includes a 6 month intense photoshop course that had me in tears almost everyday. (which I am, of course, thrilled that I took now!) I have not learned everything, I would love to get a photo lightbox like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Table-Photography-Studio-Lighting/dp/B001MYGCVY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1329397322&sr=8-2

but I feel as if I have I have experimented and tweaked enough to get them close to representing the actual pieces. So for fun, here are a few before and afters:

So you get the picture. (no pun intended) It's SO hard to get a bright, clear picture without washing the image out a little bit. Any suggestions are SO welcome, just put them in the suggestion box below! (comment)

I'm Whupped....

2012-02-15T07:10:00.002-08:00

Whew! Valentine's week was insane what with the give aways, the SPCA necklaces and happily delivering scads of gorgeous V Day bouquets for Strawberry Fields yesterday. Top that off with a lovely double date with our dear friends Greg and Elizabeth and you have one tired girl. So this is what I am doing today:

Now I realize on par with say, having a full time job and kids my week was nothing and I am a big, fat wussy, but I will be snuggling in bed today! Just so you don't think I am a complete slacker, here is a pic of a new necklace and me wearing it.

Gotta go, that mac and cheese is NOT going to eat itself!

...And the winner is.....

2012-02-15T04:36:00.000-08:00

Jess Crabhill!!!!!!!

Thanks to everyone who played and congratulations to everyone who won! Such an awesome response and I SO appreciate all the nice compliments on the new designs. I hope you'll keep coming back to check out new blog posts and new designs! Have a great day!

How is this NOT the funniest thing EVER!!!!!

2012-02-14T20:14:00.000-08:00

http://pinterest.com/pin/4855512068075675www/

Leather!!!! Happy Valentine's Day!!!! Last Give Away!

2012-02-14T04:02:00.001-08:00

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

Congratulations to Regina Boone on winning yesterday's give way!

Today is the day! Leather cuff give away and because it's Valentine's day, I am throwing in a boho chic leather necklace with a swarovski crystal necklace to compliment it. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for playing everyday and thanks to everyone that bought a necklace from the SPCA. We raised almost $500.00 for the cause! With no further ado....today's give away:

If you are loving the cuffs, check out the updated leather cuff page on my website:

http://www.kshonkdesigns17.com/bracelets.html

1. Post a comment here, choose name/ url and just put in your name.

2. Like KShonk Designs on Facebook and post a comment there.

3. Email me at karynjewels@yahoo.com

HAPPY V DAY!!!

Leather Cuffs!

2012-02-13T17:26:00.000-08:00

Just a quick word for everyone that was asking for leather cuffs...the website page has been updated with 4 new ones. Check it out:

http://www.kshonkdesigns17.com/bracelets.html

Multi Layers of Jewelry Goodness...VDay Give away 6!

2012-02-12T18:20:00.000-08:00

Congratulations Kate! You have won the big pearl necklace!

Not that we are getting to the end of my Great V Day Give away....let's bring out the big guns. Today we have a multi-layered necklace with a hand cast pendant made using vintage rhinestones. The necklace is garnet, iolite, vintage pearl, sunstone and green garnet and you can remove the pendant. Let the games begin!

As always there are 3 ways to win:

1. Post a comment here. Go to the bottom, click on comments, choose name/url and only put in your name. (unless you have a url)

2. Like KShonk Designs on facebook and post a comment there.

3. Shoot me an email at karynjewels@yahoo.com

Slow Sunday.....Give Away Day 6....

2012-02-12T06:24:00.001-08:00

Congrats to Christina on winning yesterdays give away!

I am a little slow on the this gorgeous Sunday morning but never fear! There will be a give away today. On the block is another crowd favorite! This blue is a neutral to me and goes with anything....Let the games begin. It's Sunday so there may not be a lot of names in the generator, upping your chances for the win. Go for it!

1. Email me at karynjewels@yahoo.com

2. Like KShonk Designs on Facebook and post a comment

3. Go to the bottom of this post, check name/url. You only have to put in your name.

Good luck and Happy Sunday!!!!

Three way give away....VDay Give Away Day 5

2012-02-10T18:04:00.000-08:00

Congratulation Beth! You are the winner of the bullet necklace!!!!

Necklace. Three way necklace give away. This was a necklace design that I learned from the great Stephanie Lee.

It's a long necklace!

It's a bracelet with a shorter necklace!

It's a wrap bracelet with a pendant!

It ain't Superman, it's EVEN better! The 3 Way Necklace!

Do I need to remind you that there are 3 ways to play? I will anyway!

1. Comment on this post. Go to the bottom, click on comments, post a comment, choose name/url and only put in your name (unless you have a url).

2. Like KShonk Designs on Facebook

3. Email me at karynjewels@yahoo.com

Good luck and Happy Saturday!

More from Jack Shonk

2012-02-10T17:29:00.000-08:00

I thought it only fair to keep y'all in the loop concerning the Kardashian/Humphries baseball scandal.

This was my response:

Dad,

Please don't spend my inheritance on anything KK even looked at or breathed on. Thank you. Your money is best spent on one of the necklaces I made in Sterling Silver that will benefit the Richmond SPCA on my website. Lucy will love it and it will help doggies like Memore get fixed. Have you been looking at my website and blog? I have been updating everyday. Your loving only daughter,

Karyn Shonk

KShonk Designs

and my brother's:

Dad it is very disturbing to me that you follow the kardashians. If u don't stop your going in a home.

and last but not least.....I give you my father:

It is obvious based on messages from BOTH of my children that you do not take me seriously. One trying to put me in a home and the other trying to sell me jewelry which I cant wear to my club. All I was trying to do was to invest in a priceless artifact that would enhance any inheritance that you might have coming from my vast estate (If by vast estate he means his endless coin collection and wall of hats I am really going to miss out!).

Dad Shonk.

I hope you find this as funny as I do and I promise no more s..t my dad says. At least about "The Baseball".

Love and a Bullet....Day 4 of the VDay Giveaway

2012-02-09T19:35:00.000-08:00

Congratulations GingerMandy!!! You won the birds nest set!!!!

In the spirit of adventure and keeping things interesting my husband took me to the shooting range last weekend. Maybe not my first choice for a hot Saturday night but I gamely shot a 22 revolver and called it a day while hubby shot semi automatics. As he was shooting, I was dodging brass casings like shrapnel when lightening struck:

There's jewelry in this here shooting range!

I started gathering up the casings and stuffing my purse like a little old lady hoarding equal packets at a Dennys.

These are GEN-U-WINE recycled bullet casings and one lucky winner will be able to choose between these three necklaces. They are about 33 inches long and I freaking LOVE them! Hopefully you do to. Now get to commenting you crazy kids!

1.Post here, choose Name/Url. You only need to put yourname to post.
2. Like KShonk Designs (click to like) on Facebook (and post a message on the wall, I like to hear from you:)
3. Email me at karynjewels@yahoo.com and I'll add your name to the mix

And Now....a Message from my Dad.....

2012-02-09T18:58:00.000-08:00

I received this email from my highly conservative, extremely sarcastic retired father this morning and had to share:

Dear Andy and Karyn,

There is news. Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian signed a baseball at a Minnesota Twins game in July. The Twins are auctioning off the baseball. I believe I will bid on this wonderful item. What do you members of the family think? Can't you just picture this ball on the mantle maybe next to Karyns picture? Have a wonderful day. Looking forward to your supportive responses.

Daddio Shonk

And THAT is where I get my sense of humor!

Put a bird on it......

2012-02-09T04:43:00.001-08:00

That's right, I quoted Portlandia! Today's V Day give away is a hand wired bird's nest necklace and earrings made with the palest of blue freshwater pearls. To make it better, I put a bird on it. And here is how you can win them:

1.Post here, choose Name/Url. You only need to put your name to post.
2. Like KShonk Designs (click to like) on Facebook (and post a message on the wall, I like to hear from you:)
3. Email me at karynjewels@yahoo.com and I'll add your name to the mix

CONGRATULATIONS to Madeline Hadder on winning yesterday's Gypsy earrings!!!! Email me so we can get them to you right away!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner......

2012-02-07T17:25:00.000-08:00

.....drum roll please.....
Congratulations Just June! You are the winner of yesterday's giveaway. Email me at karynjewels@yahoo.com to arrange to receive your prize! Stay tuned, the next give away will be posted in just a few minutes. If you had trouble posting yesterday, here are a myriad of options.

1. Email me at karynjewels@yahoo.com and I'll add your name to the mix

2. Like KShonk Designs (click to like) on Facebook

3. Post here, choose Name/Url. You only need to put your name to post. Does that work? Cool!

Gypsy earrings for freebies!

2012-02-07T13:58:00.000-08:00

Ok, so apparently there was an issue with posting yesterday and some people had issues. Here are some posting options for you:

1. Email me at karynjewels@yahoo.com and I'll add your name to the mix

2. Like KShonk Designs (click to like) on Facebook

3. Post here, choose Name/Url. You only need to put your name to post.

Enough with the boring stuff, bring on the sparkles!

Up for grabs today is a crowd favorite, The Gypsy earring. Hand formed patinaed brass, aquamarine briolettes and garnet stones topped off with sterling silver earring wires! For a chance to snag these beauties use one of the posting methods above, I will check them all!

Check back at 8am to see the winner and and even more fabulicious (?) give away!

Here they are in action!

Psssstttt.....thanks to everyone who snapped up the SPCA necklaces. I was truly thankful and overwhelmed by the response. I whipped up another batch of 5 and there are only 3 left. If you are hoping to get one go to www.kshonkdesigns17.com

Valentine's Week Give away....Day 1....

2012-02-06T06:42:00.000-08:00

If you can't comment on this blog for any reason, like KShonk Designs on Facebook and comment there and I will enter your name into the drawing. Sorry for any snafus!

If I could make confetti shoot out of your computer with Celene Dion singing, "My Heart Will Go On" at decibel 40 I would. (OK I wouldn't because that would be super annoying) but you get my drift. I am ALL about the love and being thankful for all your support. So with no further fanfare, here is today's sweet give away:

Three sets of hand painted rose post earrings! You can keep them all for yourself, or keep one pair and have your own little give away. They are all yours, just post a comment. It can be anything!

Tune in tomorrow for the winner and a brand spanking new giveaway! You have to be in it to win it so remember to post! (Turns out give aways make me use excessive exclamation points! Who knew?!!!)

This pic is supposed to show you what the turquoise posts look like when being worn. Not sure how well I accomplished it!

THE SPCA NECKLACES ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT www.khonkdesigns17.com!

Give it away, give it away, give it away NOW!

2012-02-06T06:27:00.000-08:00

First Giveaway? Maybe!

Every morning I wake up and I get to do what I love for a living. I get to whip up pretty sparkly things that dance in my head all night long. That's all well and good but without each and everyone one of you coming out to support what I do, either by buying the goods, putting the word out their about KShonk Designs in media or passing it on to your friends and family I wouldn't be able to get up every morning excited about that day's projects!

As a BIG, FAT thank I am showing you the love! Every day this Valentine's Day week I will be giving away a pretty KShonk piece on my blog,www.kshonkdesigns17.blogspot.com. I'll post the picture of the day's giveaway by 8 am. All you have to do is comment by 8 pm. The entries will be selected randomly by the computer and I will post the winner the next morning along with the previous day's winner. As the days go on the jewels will get bigger and better (there may be a 5 layer necklace towards the end of the week!) Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!

I will also be making 5 special necklaces. They are each hand formed in wax

and cast in sterling silver. These beautifully simple necklaces will be $55.00 each and 100% of the profits will go to benefit the Richmond SPCA. You may purchase them on the front page of my websitewww.kshonkdesigns17.com starting tomorrow.

Solid Sterling Silver Heart Charm with Chain for the SPCA

Memore Hearts other Puppies at the SPCA for Valentine's Day......

2012-02-01T06:10:00.000-08:00

100% of the proceeds will go directly to the Richmond SPCA!

No the doggie is NOT for sale...read on!

Memore recently got "fixed" at the Richmond SPCA. She was so happy with how kind they were to her and how well they took care of her even though they made her wear a big cone on her head and she felt silly. She also knows that there are a lot of puppies less fortunate than she is that can't afford to be fixed. She wants to help.

No. She won't be helping by giving out candy hearts!

These little beauties are my way of helping Memore help others. I have hand formed 5 little charms that I will then cast in sterling silver and put on sparkling 16 inch sterling silver chains. They will be dainty, pretty, shiny and only $55.00 each and will come with a little card thanking you for helping the Richmond SPCA so that your loved one (or yourself) will know that they are loved (like? admired? highly esteemed? appreciated? lusted after?) by a person generous of spirit and heart! I will post them on my website when they are all ready to sell, first come, first served of course!

100% of the proceeds will go directly to the Richmond SPCA!

I am feeling skulls.......

2012-01-31T05:00:00.000-08:00

Last summer I became fascinated with using skulls in my designs and making them sparkly and pretty with flowers and crystals. I made some earrings and used some discreet clasps on bracelets and then kind of let them sit in my studio (ummm....sun room with the pool table) not sure if my sassy customers were quite ready for my skullerific designs. When I began selling at the museum for some reason the subject of skulls came up and the fab buyer got all excited and so I brought him what I had. Last week I got an interesting voicemail message ," Hi Karyn, it's (fab buyer) from the museum, I am just checking on the skulls?" So here is what is on my table today:

Very "Day of the Dead"....no?

Strawberry Fields Forever......

2012-01-30T12:32:00.001-08:00

Strawberry Fields Flowers and Finds will always hold a special place in my heart for 2 very important reasons:

My dearest friend Deanna King is the owner (who also makes amazingly beautiful floral arrangements...hello Valentine's Day!)

...and she is also one of the first places to take a chance on my jewelry and is still one of the best places to go to find a variety of my designs.

Look for my designs up front fabulously displayed by Wendy Umanoff!

The shop has just gone through a huge transformation and it looks so amazing. Not only do they carry a large selection of locally handmade and handmade in the USA gifts, they have recently expanded to include studio space for Richmond Soap Studio a somewhat addictive local line of handmade soaps that smell like heaven and have quirky local names like "Soap of Northern Aggression", "Trendy Fan Bar" and my fav "Monument L'av".

Love the 50's kitchen table! Such a cute studio space!!!

I have it on good authority that they are doing candles now as well and I for one am looking forward to adding to my candle collection (obsession?) Strawberry Fields is located at 423 Strawberry Street (Next to the Strawberry Street Cafe). You can find more info online at www.strawberryfieldsflowersandfinds.com.

Valentine's was a blast last year and there is always a large group of Deanna's friends and family pitching in to help out! Stop by to pick out something speical or call (804)213-0232 to order a gorgeous floral arrangement and maybe some locally made toffee!

Ben from Pinterest...

2012-01-25T16:51:00.001-08:00

I heart

One of my great delights at Alt Summit this year was meeting the guy that signs off on every re pin email I get! He was funny, humble and a great speaker. He told his inspiring story from beginning to end and didn't leave out the down and dirty parts in between. (that sounded a little smarmy didn't it?) From quitting his dream job at Google with the promise from some of his friends that they would follow only to have the economy tank the next day and everyone leaving the cheese to stand alone,(your not cheesy Ben, or if you are like a really great Brie) to 2 years of trying to get venture capital and hoping and praying that people would get what he was doing and finally pushing everyone as fast as he could to get the product online as soon as possible. (I apologize for the longest run on sentence EVER) His story was so inspiring! I was lucky enough to spot him at the party that night and went up to thank him for speaking. I gushed like an eejit and when I paused to take a breath he said, "Thanks so much, I'm Ben by the way," and stuck his hand out to shake mine. I'll be re-pinning this memory for a long time!

photo from http://www.thejealouscurator.com/blog/2012/01/22/alt-summit-2012/#comment-339319 via http://justinhackworth.com/blog/

BTW? Someone needs to make Pinterest shirts that say "I am a Follower" in the Pinterest font. Or Pinterest on the front and "Are you following me?" on the back? Maybe Pinterest? I'd buy one!

Chic Crushes from Alt Summit.....

2012-01-24T13:19:00.000-08:00

I met a bunch of really amazing women at Alt Design (and men....here's looking at you Chris from www.curbly.com (go BlueJackets!) and Ben from Pinterest (like you really need the link to that!)) but there were a couple of women that had me at hello. Here is my top 5 in no particular order (drumroll please):

Elizabeth Aubry from: http://www.thewholepretty.com/

Seriously, with a photo like this how could we not be BFF's?

I had read Elizabeth's blog before and was so excited to not only sit next to her at the first lunch but also to learn she is as entertaining and super cool as her blog. I then kept running into her around the Alt Summit circuit and she was always impeccably dressed, witty and talk-y. She makes me want to be a better blogger!

Regina Boone

I come from a small town outside of Detroit called Wyandotte, MI. Rarely do I meet someone who has ever heard of it. Regina was a friend of my friend Wendy Wyne, an amazing Richmond event planner. I was happily surprised that Wendy was there and when I sat down at her table and met Regina I found out she was SO familiar with Wyandotte that her husband is a doctor at the hospital in Wyandotte that I was born! Regina is an amazing photographer and I am so excited to have met her and to meet up in Wyandotte!

We have a date for the Wyandotte Street Fair Miss Regina, don't stand me up!

Jessie Artigue of http://www.styleandpepperblog.com/

Grace and kindness in a young woman so successful and gorgeous are traits that you might not expect to co exist. They do in Jessie. As I am trying to expand my brand and reach more people with my jewelry design, I was REALLY looking forward to some advice from the bloggers at the Runway + Street Style: Fashion Blogging 101 panel. I sat my little self right up front, "first day of school" nervous to ask questions, knowing that's the only way you get answers. Jessie was so enthusiastic, open and sweet that I thanked her every time I saw her. (Sorry so stalky Jessie!) I am so glad I had the chance to meet her and look forward to chatting with her more in the future.

Monica Lee of http://monicaleestudios.com/blog/

http://www.monicaleestudios.com/

I totally crashed Monica's tea party with the wonderful artist Jenean Morrison. (I guess this is 2 girl crushes for the price of one!) http://www.jeneanmorrison.net/bio/. Turns out Monica has a little white dog AND she used to be a flight attendant. Oh LORD help anyone stuck between 2 former flight attendants. I had a great conversation with both ladies and am looking forward to talking again. (maybe not about layovers and end of flight garbage pick up!)

Last but surely not least is my good friend Stella Singleton of http://stellasingleton.com/alt-design-summit-day-1/

She made this whole she bang happen!(for me) She planned everything from, hotels, rental cars, trips, sight seeing AND she drove! Which is HUGE to me because I hate driving in a strange town. I wouldn't have done half the things I did without her planning. Thanks Stella! You rock!

There's no place like home.....

2012-01-24T11:47:00.000-08:00

My goal this year is to build my brand and reach more people with my designs, turns out what I was looking for was in my backyard all along. (well, really in my laptop!)

I feel like the past week in Salt Lake City lasted a month. I don't know if I have ever done that much sight seeing, learning, listening and celebrity stalking EVER!!!! I wasn't sure what a jewelry designer with a sporadic blog (that doesn't get updated until her dad reminds her),would get out of Alt Summit and I was surprised at how inspiring and informative it was. It lit a fire under my butt for sure and showed me the possibilities of marrying various social media in an effort to reach a wider audience.

Alas, I will not be tweeting. I believe the thoughts that occur rapid fire in my brain benefit greatly from having a chance to cool. Very good possibility NO ONE would sit with me in the lunch room if ya know what I mean!

There is a ton I want to blog about from last week and a boatload of people that I want to write about but that's for another day. My beautiful mother in law is coming to stay tonight, the house is a mess, the moodle needs to be picked up, our once beautiful christmas tree is dried up in the corner but still twinkling optimistically (um....fire hazard?).....you get the picture!

If mama ain't doing it, it's NOT getting done! Look for more posts, giveaways, (oh yeah, jewelry for free!) and new designs coming down the pipe, must go spot clean the kitchen floor with Windex now!

Leaving....on a jet plane....

2012-01-16T16:09:00.000-08:00

I am SO excited to be traveling to my first Alt Design Summit in Salt Lake City, UT. I am meeting up with my fabulous (and ridiculously organized) friend Stella, she has our schedule for the week in PDF form including links to suggested restaurants and their menus! Being a sporadic blogger, I am hoping to meet bloggers that have stylish sites with dedicated followers and bribe them with jewelry;) I am also looking forward to meeting new friends and experiencing SLC! As an added bonus we are going to Sundance on Sunday to see a movie (stalk famous people)! And now I have to go and try to sleep so I can be daisy fresh for my freaking 4 am pick up! See you in Salt Lake!

BTW....I heard a rumor that little miss Ala made jewelry for FOUR hours after our class! Mmmmmmm....what's the age limit for employment?

My First Day Of Class

2012-01-12T09:05:00.001-08:00

Let me start out this post by saying if there was a way to duplicate Ala I'd take 3! What an absolute pleasure of a kid. She is everything you would want any child to be, smart, funny, polite and just a joy to hang out with. We started out by looking through a couple of the books that I left for her and she took the task of marking everything she liked
to heart. At every Post it she would tell me what she liked about a certain piece of jewelry. I was really surprised at how sophisticated her opinions were, she really "got" it and was so excited to learn. It also gave me some idea of what I want to teach her in future lessons. For the first class, I taught her basic stringing around a focal point bead and she picked it up so quickly there was time to teach her how to make a focal point beads with wire. I am really looking forward to seeing what she makes with these techniques and I can't wait

for our next session!

My second half of the day as a student showed me what an amazing teacher Stacey Lane is! That 2 week Penland course more than prepared me for this class and I think I will actually be able to bring some new techniques to the class. It was also taught in the same classroom where I took my very first metalsmithing class about 10 years ago. I started reminiscing about the amazing people that have helped and encouraged me to get where I am now and I left that class filled with gratitude and the hope that I can pass on a little of what I have learned.

The teacher becomes the student.....

2012-01-12T04:43:00.000-08:00

A couple of months ago a friend of mine asked me if I would be interested in teaching her adorable daughter a jewelry making course as part of her home schooling curriculum. I said yes immediately. I love the idea of passing down what I have learned to someone that wants to learn, and teaching kids is the best. They come at it with no ego or self consciousness and a willingness to play and learn and experiment. Which is pretty much how I come at jewelry making and why I describe my life as being very Kindergarden-ish. (play time, nap time, snack time:) That my friend also happens to be an amazing masseuse and wants to barter for the classes is just a big fat glob of icing on the proverbial cupcake!

To get Ala excited about our first day and create a dialogue about jewelry, I dropped off a bunch of books that had tons of pics of jewelry in it with the instructions that Ala put a post it note on every page of jewelry she likes and a little description of why she likes it. This will give me some ideas of where to go in her lessons so she learns things she is excited about! SO looking forward to our first day together.

In a strange twist of fate and scheduling snafus, today is MY first day of a class I signed up for at The Visual Arts Center in Richmond. For those of you who don't know, Richmond has this amazing Center that attracts some very talented teachers that specialize in a million different artistic forms such as woodworking, fiber, and of course, jewelry making. I am taking a class with local jewelry artist Daniel Eaves on lost wax casting. In August I was lucky enough to take a 2 week course in casting at The Penland School in North Carolina with the talented Stacey Lane and I am excited to finally get back in the studio and build on that foundation with some new tricks!

So today I will start out giving back what I know and end it taking in something new! (Cue the Lion King's Circle of Life!)

A Thanksgiving full of joy and remembrance....

2011-11-29T07:26:00.000-08:00

Two years ago, my amazing full of life father in law was diagnosed with cancer and we lost him a week after Thanksgiving. I have never met anyone more passionate about life and interested in everything around him. Whenever I would see him he would ask me,"What's your next show?" and this would start off an hour or so of his intent listening to me talk about my business. He would ask questions and give advice. He was a successful, self made business man who was still growing two companies after his "official" retirement and I was always so grateful that he would take the time to talk to me about my dreams and hopes for my future. He never treated my jewelry designing like a "hobby", his believing in me helped me to believe in myself. His passing left our world without his laughter, bear hugs and constant cheerleading in everything we did.

This year we were lucky enough to spend Thanksgiving in a beautiful home at the beach with family and new friends. There was lots of food, laughter, love and even some bear hugs! I am so thankful to have spent 5 days getting to know such a boisterous, life-loving group of people and am blessed to have added some new friends to my life.

Most days we enjoyed bright sunshine and mild beach breezes. One afternoon following a gray, rainy morning, a vibrant rainbow appeared over the ocean. The colors were bright and sharp against a sky fuchsia with the setting sun. We all ran for our phones and cameras to catch the moment and the miracle of it's beauty. None of our pictures captured all the colors or glowing pink sky behind it. In the end, we keep our precious memories most vibrant in our hearts.

I heart you St. Bridget's!

2011-11-17T20:32:00.000-08:00

Whenever I go to a show filled with interesting, stylish women who "get" what I am trying to do with my jewelry it fills me with sunshine and rainbows! Seriously, tonight rocked and I appreciate everyone that came out to make it a success not only for me but for St. Bridget's school. I'll be back anytime you'll have me ladies.

These lovely ladies circled around 3 times before landing on the perfect necklaces for them.

Thanks for coming back!

I knew the seaglass belt buckle wasn't long for my table!

Karen has been a longtime visitor to my booth and this cuff had her name ALL over it. Thanks for coming to see me!

Sometimes it's hard to say goodbye to a piece...this was one of them!

Across from me this year was Kim Nix whose dreamy, soulful, beautiful paintings took my breath away. I took some pics but there is no way my blurry camera will do her wonderful artwork justice so check out her website for non blurry renderings. Here are some images I "borrowed" from her site:

Gorgeous!

It's always great to see Andrea Danner-Schultz and her adorable booth design, fab jewelry and paintings. Notice how her booth coordinates with her recycled cashmere sweater from Imagine That?

She is normally not this blurry.

All in all a fabulous nigh,t and now I will eat something because it is 12:00am and this was dinner:

So don't hate me if I forgot to spell check!

Christmas is coming...the poodle's getting fat!

2011-11-17T04:11:00.001-08:00

Christmas is coming and I am having christmas anxiety nightmares. I had a dream last night that there were kids having snowball fights in front of our house at 4am and the whole city was decorated in a Christmas theme. We went outside to ask them to keep it down and then couldn't get back in because our house was covered with a Christmas themed cottage and we couldn't find the entrance. That was after I dreamed that I drove the 8 hours to a Country Living Show and realized I had forgotten my jewelry. Analyze that.

www.vintagetravelertrailerart.com

Looking for something to do tonight where you can drink wine AND get some holiday shopping done? Check out St. Bridget's Girls Night Out! This will be there:

...and this will be there:

This treat eating poodle won't:

See you there!

I hear ya Dad!

2011-11-15T09:55:00.000-08:00

Every time I let my blog lapse my dad sends me an email. Since I haven't posted since last May you can only imagine how many I've received. So what have I been up to? I spent an amazing 4 days in Stone Mountain Park, GA taking part in Country Living Magazine's awesome show! I met so many cool people who "get" my jewelry and I just had a blast hanging out with my bestie Deanna King owner of Strawberry Fields Flowers and Finds who made my booth look amazing and was in general the best cheerleader a girl could want!

The gorgeous display of gourds on the way into Stone Mountain Park

Our bargain lunch for 2 at Cracker Barrel

Forgot my sunglasses at home but picked up these "bad ass" shades at a gas station!

Nothing says "Country Living" like skulls with fire shooting out of them!

Booth shot, Deanna hung EVERYTHING! Best booth buddy EVER!

I have been trying to figure out a way to make cool leather cuff bracelets and was, until now, intimidated by snaps. I went to The Tandy Factory in Richmond and they should me just how easy it could be. Here are some pieces I made once I stopped swearing and got the hang of it:

The cuff bracelets are made out of recycled leather belts and that got me to thinking about belt buckles. I love them and have collected them for years, why not make some. Here ya have it:

A couple of belts with vintage bits sunk in resin

I have many shows coming up this holiday season and am looking forward to seeing everybody. I promise to try and keep up with my blog a little better....sorry Dad:)

Writers are my rockstars....

2011-05-04T18:01:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in awhile but I have really good excuses:

Collegiate's Village Green Fair

St. Catherine's Daisy Days

Craft Mafia's Spring Bada Bing and the upcoming Strawberry Street Festival.

Thank you to everyone who's been out to the shows and made them such successful and fun events!

I have been a jewelry making fool. I also had a tv appearance which you can watch here:

http://www.wtvr.com/videobeta/269531f4-02ab-4130-8ac1-d70e9d604f66/Community/KShonk-Designs

My friend Jess rocks it and makes me comfortable every time! Even though I have been really busy I made time tonight to see one of my idols of writing Jen Lancaster. Her hilarious memoirs have gotten me through many long haul flights between here and AZ to visit my mom or to CA to take a class. She was just as funny and down to earth in person as she is in her writing and I really enjoyed the event. I even gave her a necklace but wouldn't let her open it while I was standing there because seriously? What if she hated it and had to be all, "Ehhhnnnhhh really pretty," while thinking (I've seen more attractive macaroni lanyards at a 6th grade camp). So Jen? Lie to me, I promise I'll believe:) Hope to see everyone this Saturday at The Strawberry Street Festival, thank you for reading and good night!

Aw Nuts!

2011-04-03T10:38:00.001-07:00

So I have been talking about soldering nuts for about a week now and FINALLY took some pictures! Shall I give you the history of the nuts? Why not! While walking through Lowe's with my contractor husband I found myself completely bored. In the interest of turning a negative into a positive I started wandering up and down the isle and found myself in HARDWARE and drawn to the nuts and washers. Industrial + pretty = jewelry. I think the end result is very antique spanish catholic church. No?

New TV Appearance Coming Up and Super Sweet Card....

2011-04-03T06:07:00.000-07:00

Being given the chance to appear on TV is great exposure for my jewelry and upcoming shows. It's such an amazing opportunity and I am thrilled to do it anytime I am asked. That being said, and this is not a compliment fishing expedition, I HATE seeing myself of TV. So the fact that I posting this link is crazy.

http://www.wtvr.com/videobeta/fdcd414c-45fb-41f6-a740-b9e9e310e80c/Community/Handcrafted-Jewelry

I tried to watch it again and got a couple of seconds into it before putting my hands over my ears and humming "Mary had a little lamb". I was SO nervous and self conscious that I am determined to enjoy myself next time. As a regular gym routine with yoga usually relaxes me and make me feel like Wonder Woman I will begin today for my next appearance on April 25th. It's ON!!!

Enough about that.

I recieved the sweetest card from my friend Marilyn. She is a fellow jewelry designer

who makes GORGEOUS pieces so I was super flattered when she bought my owl piece.

She is now following me on this blog (not stalking she said....following;) thanks Marilyn!!!!

I will post later with Nuts pictures. Curious?

SNOW DAY!!!!

2011-03-27T09:19:00.000-07:00

Kind of. I woke up this morning to a sifting of snow covering our roof and a smattering falling from the sky. After the past 2 weeks of schizophrenic Virginia weather where we have experienced high 70's this was unexpected. But kinda nice. It's nice to have one last cold snowy day because before you know it we'll be sweating through a sweltering southern July and August!(nice alliteration eh?) I am taking advantage of the chilly weather by staying in my flannel, snowflake printed pj's, enjoying the last fire of the season and of course, making jewelry. I've been a slacker these last few months, churning out some new pieces but not enough for the THREE shows and 3 stores I need to stock in April. I know that may not seem like much, and I have friends that have a billion more stores and show than that, but as I have discussed in prior posts, I don't have people.(yet) Just me. Alas, it's batten down the hatches time, so it will be all jewelry ALL the time for the next 2 weeks. Pictures to come...maybe later today!

Rise and Shine!

2011-03-23T07:34:00.000-07:00

My most productive days begin when I jump right out of bed and into work. This morning I was awake, coffee-ed up and watching Gilmore Girl reruns while soldering in my attic studio. I soldered chain and brass nuts for 2 hours and will now begin putting it all together. Some mornings it's hard to peel myself out of bed and tackle jewelry making with the degree of enthusiasm needed to sustain a full day. If I sit down at my computer and start reading pop culture blogs, my friend's blogs and checking email I can easily loose an hour or 2 and then I drift into other non-jewelry making things and just get mired down in the molasses swamp of ADD related activities. I thought I would share a photo from the studio this morning:

You may call this lousy house keeping, I call it respect for the creativity of one of God's little creatures. Honestly? I am afraid of retaliation, I have this image of spider's repelling down from the ceiling yelling,"Kamikaze". The wasps don't fair as well as evidenced by the large white bottle in the left hand corner. As much as I hate the wasp-o-cide that takes place in that attic, and I apologize profusely to the wasps as I spray, it's a very survival of the fittest place up there. If it's stung or be stung. I will be the one doing the stinging. Now I have to go soak up all this caffeine with some breakfast! Have a great day!

It's ON....

2011-03-22T09:52:00.000-07:00

I am on fire! I don't know if it's the gorgeous sunny weather, my new haircut or the Diet Coke but I am full of inspiration and on a new creation tear today. Sometimes I just have these days filled with ideas and not enough time to get them all out. A "list" you say? Pffftttttt.....for amateurs (and by amateurs I mean highly organized, successful people:)! Although I do love the bird's nests, I was getting tired of the same old/ same old. Inspired by SL (stephanie lee's new moniker in this blog) I sunk the the tired old nest in resin and funked it up by layering it. One necklace is hand chained labordorite with a little bird charm and the other is hand soldered chain and bezel with a hand made bird's nest sunk in it. The little charm says fly! You can wear them as one necklace or detach and wear them separately! As my new friend Stella would say...WHAT?

And now I have to go solder brass nuts. Pictures coming soon:)

Into each life a little rejection must fall...

2011-03-21T12:22:00.000-07:00

It's inevitable. You put together your application filled with pretty pictures, witty words, links to your website and blog, tie it up with a big old sparkly bow and it's not accepted. It's going to happen. It's going to suck. It's going to feel as if you're back on the playground and no one wants you on their team. It's especially going to happen if your a jewelry artist vying for the small amount of open spots when there is so much talent out there. In the interest of honesty, here is what I did when I got mine today:

1. I had a teeny, tiny pity party.

2. Then I reminded myself of the shows that I did get into.

3. I thought about all the new skills I have learned and how excited I am about showing all my new stuff

4. Not to be all Oprah, but I counted my blessings

5. I looked again at the number of vendors that would be in the show (small show) and looked at the show's website to see that they already had a bunch of really amazing jewelry people. You can only have so many in one show before people get irritated that a show is "all jewelry".

6. I went and sat with my husband by our peaceful, little koi pond and felt a thousand times better!

7. I wrote them an email thanking them for their consideration and wishing them a great show and sat back down to make more jewelry.

The show must go on!

Father Knows Best.....

2011-03-21T05:43:00.000-07:00

Actual email from my dad who maybe looks at my site once a year:

Why isn't your web site updated? You still have November dates. Do you have a new web site?

Dad

I have taken actions to prevent further parental chastising by updating the first page today....I will be updating throughout the day so please check the site for new pieces that are actually for sale. (the wonder!) Here is the link to the website just in case you wanted to check it out:

http://www.kshonkdesigns17.com/

What I did today:

2011-03-15T12:52:00.000-07:00

I took a long walk, ate Sticky Rice, made a couple pairs of earrings, visited with friends surfed blogs and went to the bead store. I went grocery shopping to get stuff for dinner (vegetarian chili dogs and bbq potato chips), put flower arrangements together for nursing homes, straightened my hair, made some necklaces, played with my friend's baby and wrote this post.

What I didn't do:

Update my LEKJ)()(*#%LLM!!!!! website. But there is hope! I am getting the software for my laptop tomorrow and so Thursday commences OPERATION WEBSITE UPDATE!!!! Mmmmm.....although I AM supposed to meet my friend Katie and her new baby and there WAS mention of it being St. Paddy's Day and wouldn't it be unpatriotic if not down right dis-respecting my deceased Irish Grandma if I didn't drink green beer?

Just sayin'.

Things I am doing instead of updating my website....

2011-03-14T10:22:00.000-07:00

As my only updating software is on my husband's desktop and every single time I get on it to begin the process of updating my website with new pieces he barges through the door Lenny and Squigy style (Laverne and Shirley....google it kids!) I am TOTALLY procrastinating. Today I have run all the little errands that usually claim my procrastination attentions (bank, groceries, etc) swept the kitchen floor, cruised various gossip sites, (who Taylor Swift is now dating is available on a need to know basis. And I? Need to know!)sent out more show applications and am now updating this blog. I will probably put it off further by actually making jewelry, building my budding relationship with solder and bronze and washing my hair. So now you know why my website has had the same leather bracelet on it for 6 months and to actually go to the shows that are listed you would need the Delorean from Back to the Future. Soon. I promise.

The Necklace of Endless Possibilities!

2011-03-13T09:34:00.000-07:00

Another amazing class with Stephanie Lee this weekend. I swear every time I take a class with her I have about 5 new weapons in my jewelry making arsenal. This time around it was the multi-purpose necklace and how to solder without swearing:) She also taught us how to incorporate mica into a pendant which I have always been curious about (who hasn't?:) and I worked with European bronze wire which is just gorgeous. My husband was sweet enough to go with me and hang out in the hotel room all day and then get dressed up and go to a dinner party that night. He is just SO supportive of all that I do. LOVE him!!!! Without further ado....here are the photos of what I made!
Altogether the necklace is a long one....
...and as a chain bracelet with pendant....

...and as an 18 inch necklace and bracelet set. Oh the possibilities!

Pick me! Pick me!

2011-03-10T07:31:00.001-08:00

I am deep in new show application mode right now and LOVE the shows that you can apply for online. There are SO many amazing jewelry artists out there that competition is FIERCE and I promise not to cry into my keyboard too much if I don't get it. I am very zen about it all this year and trust that the skilled jurers will pick artists who compliment their audience. I fully intend to blog about my awesome experience at An Artful Journey and my class with Stephanie Lee when I have more time. Until then, here are some pics of what I did with my new plaster class skills:

First I hand solder the bezel, I then pour the plaster and begin the process of figuring out what the heck it's gonna be. I then hand paint the scene and then resin over to make it bump resistant. I am kinda in love with this right now, at least until after this weekend's class with Stephanie Lee in D.C. (um....a bit of a stalker are we?) With all this inspirational learning and show applying....who's gonna update my website for me?!????

People who need people....

2011-02-07T06:39:00.000-08:00

I hate going to the post office. There is always a long line of unhappy people and it smells like cigarette smoke and impatience. One grumpy employee is allocated to serve the long line of impatient, cigarette smelling people and it takes FOREVER. (at least it feels that way to me)Recently while complaining to some fellow crafty folks, I was surprised (and freaking jealous) to learn that they had "people" to go to the post office for them. I want "people"! By next year this time I WILL HAVE "people". As God as my witness I will never go to the post office again! (after next year.)

Super Duper Bowl Sunday!!!!

2011-02-06T11:07:00.000-08:00

WHoooOOOO HoooooOOOO!!!! Super Bowl Sunday is here! Finally the culmination of a million games boils down to this one glorious day when the true victors will be decided. Go TEAM!!!! Honestly? I have no idea who is playing and have not watched an inch of football this season. I will however be taking part of that time honored American tradition: The Super Bowl Party. I will eat a ton of junk food and drink a few too many light beers and enjoy hanging with good friends and socializing. In the spirit of man versus man locked in a brutal competition to the death (or at least till someone wins the Super Bowl Cup ( Bowl?) I'll leave you with one in a series of necklaces that I have worked on today. I call it "Can't we all just get along".

It'd be funnier if you could actually read the charms but when I try to make it bigger it goes all blurry. It's a vintage military jacket button with hand stamped charms that say peace and love. Funny right? Whatever. I am going to drink light beer!

Dear Hoarders.....

2011-02-05T12:22:00.000-08:00

You know those beautiful shabby chic studios with a place for everything and everything in it's place? Where the walls are painted a pleasing shade and tabletops are cleared, just waiting for new trinkets to be created? Mine is not one of them. Which would suck less if I didn't have the fabulous Sherry and John Petersik from Young House Love (this is the link to the blog where they crashed our house!) actually come in and give amazingly clever ideas to de-clutter and re-design the space. (white washed walls are coming any minute guys I swear!) My friend Maryellen's studio is what my studio wants to be when it grows up:

Maryellen's space is clean, inviting, organized and chock full of beautifully created pieces. Now for my space.....

This here is the room where the pool table lives. Memories of raucous pool games long in the past, it's now the land of the misfit pieces where various necklaces and earrings go to die.
Note the orange sticking out by the bottom right hand corner. It's a bulk box of Ramen noodles. Um...doesn't everybody have a bulk box of Ramen in their studio? My campaign to find the pool table a new home where it's owners will actually use it for it's intended purpose and it can be happy is so far unsuccessful. (we can do this the easy way....or the hard way...it's your choice husband:)
Please come along and visit my quaint little space upstairs or as it's called in every other house...the attic:

Ah yes....this is where the magic happens. This is where I go to torch things because everyone knows that you should keep your torch in a room surround by untreated wood. This room is uninsulated as well so there are about 2 months out of the year that it's comfortable to solder. The other months can find me sitting Rapunzel like in my tower either sweating buckets or bundled up in a winter coat shivering. I don't mean to sound ungrateful, I understand how lucky I am to have any space to work and a husband that doesn't complain about all the crap....I mean gorgeous pieces in the making lying around everywhere. I am just hoping that by sharing these photos with you I will somehow shame myself into cleaning, organizing and making a pretty, pretty grown up studio which I can be proud of.

These are the people in my neighborhood....

2011-02-03T11:03:00.000-08:00

About once a week I get fed up with the hermit-like existence of working at home with only the latest book from audible.com to keep me company (right now it's Andrew Morton's biography of Angelina Jolie which is disturbingly addictive). When cabin fever becomes unbearable I make the trek to Strawberry Fields for friendship, laughs and caramel macchiatos. At my great friend Deanna's flower and finds shop I have my own little desk where I can sit and create and visit with all the people that come through the store. It often feels like our own little Mr. Roger's world with people ranging from the editor-in-chief of Richmond Magazine to the man that cleans the windows.
Here are some pictures from yesterday:

This is Wendy Umanoff the rock star merchandiser and design stylist that works with Deanna to make the shop look so gorgeous.

This is the owner (and my friend Deanna), artist and floral designer Theresa Wizard and Maggie the mail lady who's golden doodle often has playdates with my favorite golden doodle Marvin!

This is me faking work while Deanna takes a picture! (convincing...no?) I love having this place to go to when I am fed up with the hours of alone time. I may not get as much jewelry making done as I would like (that caramel macchiato isn't going to drink itself!) but it's a great way to connect with friends and feel like I am part of a community!

Going back to where it all began....

2011-02-02T05:31:00.000-08:00

When I first began making jewelry I was a flight attendant in a small town in Wyandotte, Michigan in the Detroit suburbs. There was a lot of sitting around and waiting to get assigned a trip as what the airlines call a "reserve" flight attendant and I was bored. I decided I wanted to try my hand at jewelry and as the only place to get supplies was a local Micheal's with a very teeny jewelry making section, I got the basic tools there and then headed downtown to a couple of antique shops armed with my imagination and a little cash. The first thing I noticed were the rosaries. This being a large Catholic community there were a ton and I figured if I said novena before using them it would be ok to use the beautiful chains of beads to begin learning how to make pretty jewelry. Along the way I would pick up rhinestone pins, old watches, military buttons etc. and add them to the jewelry not really knowing what I was going to do with them. Cut to today. Searching for inspiration I looked at the pile of of odds and ends I have been collecting over the years and decided to make some one of a kind, artsy pieces. This is what I ended up with. It was a blast !

Bibbity, Bobbity, Boo

2011-01-30T10:34:00.000-08:00

With my first upcoming event of the year looming, a trunk show at the fabulous Ciao of Carytown, I am staring at piles of sparkly bits and pieces foraged from thrift stores and antique shops over the course of last months travels (Vermont, California and Rochester, NY) and waiting for inspiration to hit.

When I am stuck in a creative vacuum I turn to a few tried and true sources to spark my imagination. As you can see in the upper right corner, there is a pile of Belle Amour Jewelry back issues. I have such gratitude for the artists that publish in this journal and allow their work to inspire others. Through Belle Amour I have also had the great pleasure of learning about and then meeting some of my favorite jewelry artists such as Richard Sall ey and Stephanie Lee.
Googling my favorite eras in jewelry can also provide ideas about color combinations and design, my favorite being the Victorian era. Here are a few shots of my kitchen table right now and what I will be staring at and creating from for the rest of the night:

For those of you that were brought up Catholic as was I (though a little lapsed these days), yes those are rosaries and just so you know I say a novena to St. Theresa before I use them so it's all good!

The thrill of the hunt

2011-01-24T07:26:00.000-08:00

One of my great pleasures in jewelry design is going in search of odds and ends to create one of a kind pieces. On a recent trip to California my husband and I stopped in small antique store on the way to hike at Joshua Tree National Forest. It was on the side of a long stretch of road winding through a very small dessert town and to be honest I didn't have much hope for finding much in the way of treasures. Eric, on the other hand, started talking to the very nice owner and she went into the back and bustled out with a box of sterling silver antique spoons. I was trying not to show how excited I was while negotiating the price, but inside I was freaking out. She gave us a great price and I about cleaned her out. I can't wait make the gorgeous pieces into beautiful spoon bracelets. (inspired by Stephanie Lee)

Credit where credit is due....

2011-01-12T18:05:00.000-08:00

People have been making jewelry since the beginning of time. Since the first cave person saw a red berry, thought it neat and dangled it from their ear, we have been inspired by others to create and imitate. I have always believed that there are no new ideas, only new interpretations of old ones and yes, I have felt the sting of getting knocked off with no acknowledgement of being an inspiration. You have two choices in that instance, you can be a pissy jack- nog threatening law suits and hissing at fellow jewelry designers at shows, or just come up with new ideas. I chose the latter. (and have met those who have chosen the former. hating makes you age!) I have been inspired by SO many other artists, I learn from them in classes and see fabulous examples of work that they are generous enough to share in magazines and online. Here are a few of my favorite people:

Richard Salley (holy crap! a genius in found object jewelry and all around cool guy)

Stephanie Lee (she is a rock star in jewelry, in writing, in painting....etc.)

The Victorian Era (in general)

My husband (ridiculously great ideas on what direction in design I should take when stuck)

Every customer who has suggested tweaks to jewelry

Lara Gibson (genius use of color)

Thomas Mann

Chan Luu (the mother of contemporary crocheted/hippy-chic/bo-ho designs)

...and countless others! You will never see a post or picture in my blog that does not bow down and kiss the feet of people who have inspired me in the design of a piece. Check back tomorrow for some earrings that I totally loved making inspired by the front page of a fab mag....

p.s. When I can figure out how to link directly to the websites of my inspirational gurus I will do so!

Aim Low (or New's Year Resolutions for 2011)

2011-01-10T06:29:00.001-08:00

In honor of the New Year I am going to create a gentle, kinder and flexible list of resolutions:

1. Lower my expectations:

I was hyper ambitious this year in regards to my show expectations and nearly drove myself and loved ones of the proverbial cliff by freaking out over having enough inventory, the right kind of inventory and a kick ass display. In the end it was the smaller, indie-vibe shows that rocked for me and inevitably everyone ended up wanting whatever I had made the least of. (girl plans, Gods laugh) I will not mention the HUGE show I got into where the promoters promised me a great first building spot (We are SO excited to have you! Of COURSE we'll take care of you, you fabulous local girl!!!) and then stuck me in an small dark corner with no Internet capability with which to run credit cards on my pricey system that I set up specifically for the show. (Nobody puts KSHO in the corner)In the end? Wasn't. Worth. It.

2. Work out.

I am not saying everyday...wouldn't want to fail before I started, but my gym membership needs to be more than a generous donation to the kind folks at American Family Fitness.

3. Keep my website updated with fresh designs that are actually for sale and update my blog.

After becoming addicted to a couple of blogs and checking day after day for new updates I realize the importance of keeping up with this for anyone that's interested in the minutiae of my day to day life.

4. Learning, learning and more learning.

You never know what classes will spark inspirations for new designs. I have a tool making class, a PMC class and a plaster class lined up in the next couple of weeks.

5. And for number 5?.....drumroll please....(I never said I would have 10!) I want to have my designs in 5 new stores. I may already be one down with an amazing store on Catalina Island, Ca. that I visited on vaca this past week. (um....I worked so I can write it off...right?)

Happy Belated New Years...I will now honor #2!

Oscars

2010-03-07T07:33:00.000-08:00

The lovely and talented Lisa Butterworth,(check out her blog) associate editor for Bust magazine is going to the Oscars...and she is wearing my jewelry!!!

When I found out through a mutual friend that Lisa was going to the Oscars I started sending her emails begging for the opportunity to create an Oscar-worthy design for her to rock down the red carpet and she graciously said yes.

...it's a privlege just to be nominated...

Lisa wasn't sure on a dress yet and told me that she liked black and so I went to work to create a bunch of different looks for her to choose from. I had a week to complete this "project runway challenge" and with no Tim Gunn there to implore me to "make it work", I was on my own. It was a little intimidating but in the end I just stuck to my designs that I loved and came up with a few new ones and sent them off hoping she would love them enough to choose one.

...and the nominess are...

...you like me! you really like me!...

Lisa will be wearing one of these creations with a gorgeous black Diane Von Furstenburg dress.

...the envelope please...

...stayed tuned for Lisa's selection!

A random accounting of Thankful things.

2009-11-26T09:03:00.000-08:00

Here is a random list of things that I am thankful for today. (in no particular order)

1. This beautiful sunshiney day
2. My handsome boyfriend Eric and his wonderful parents.
3. My comfy worn- in Emu boots
4. That I have so much love in my life
5. The great shipment of tiny, antique skeleton keys that rock my world
6. That I have laughed a lot already today
7. The ability to do what I love for a living
8. Campbell's vegetable soup on a cold day with lots of croutons
9. My baby niece Juliette, mom, dad, step-mom, brother, his fab wife etc...
10. My health

I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving in whatever form it takes!

Inspiration Comes From Everywhere (and show stuff)

2009-11-17T17:26:00.000-08:00

I did my first phone interview today for Richmond Magazine which was very exciting all by itself, but in talking to my interviewer Super Intern Erica Wells I was inspired to return to my poor little neglected blog and write a little something for whomever might be reading.

As this is my first year really going at the jewelry design business full time, I am finally able to concentrate on promoting the business. This means shows. Lots and lots of shows. After all the applications are in and you have been green lighted to be a apart of the show you have to get ready. This means making tons of jewelry in lots of different price points for everybody to enjoy(the best part), hand decorating tons of bags and boxes to pack purchases in ( a little control-freaky I know!) ordering business cards and packing up my boyfriend's Expedition (thanks Eric) to go the show. Then there is the schleping of boxes, displays, jewelry, materials to work on...etc. all over God's green earth and hoping to meet people who not only "get" the jewelry but also become customers.

I have to tell you, I love it. I have met such interesting and and inspiring people in the other vendors as well as new and old customers. I have been impressed with how generous everyone is in giving advice and tips. There are long days and scary slow periods when you wonder if you are even going to make back your booth fee, but in the end every show I have done I have walked away with new thoughts, places to go and friends. I have had a long show day today so I am now going to bed...inspired and tired!

Rejection is all about Perception

2009-03-24T05:54:00.000-07:00

Trying to sell my designs makes me feel like the rose selling vendor in Oliver Twist wondering who will buy my wonderful roses. When I call a new store for the first time I feel like I am back in high school calling a boy I had a crush on. (My mom tried to tell me that girls shouldn't call boys, but I always did go after what I wanted!)The butterflies in my stomach, sweaty palms, the inability to string intelligent thoughts together. When I finally get the buyer on the phone my end of the conversation is studded with ums and half sentences tripping and awkward like a toddler getting her footing. If I am lucky enough to get a meeting it starts all over again. I am in my little studio pieces of wire flying, pearls getting swept off the table and rolling to all corners, it's like the little bluebirds in Cinderella twittering about to finish the dress in time for the ball. I am just hoping the buyer sees a beautiful silk gown instead of a burlap sack. Applying for a show is a little less exposing, but I still try to make myself sound interesting as well as pick what I hope are the photos that represent the best of my designs. With all the talented jewelry designers out there, someone is going to be left without a chair when the music stops. How you choose to view that rejection is up to you. Not all stores are going to like what you make. People have different tastes. Maybe by not getting into a certain store, you will have an opportunity to get into a different store that will be a better fit for your jewelry. Not getting accepted into a show is not the end of the world, that polite rejection letter may be freeing up the time you will need to fill that huge order from Neiman Marcus:)

Jewelry Design and all that goes with it!

2009-03-22T09:14:00.000-07:00

I set out to be a jewelry designer because it's the only thing I love doing for hours at a time that overcomes my ADD tendencies to do laundry, randomly eat, check emails, update facebook and/or see what everyone else is up to etc. I am happy in my little studio that I have carved out of an unused attic space, perfectly content to do nothing but make new jewelry and listen to audio books or movies. It turns out, if you want to make a living at it there are a bunch of other things that go along with it. Marketing, selling, finding places to carry your stuff, applying to shows and trying to get publicity. You can be a modern day Faberge' but if it's all sitting in your studio gathering dust, you're not going to sell it. So today I decided to take care of a few of the non-making jewelry related things like taking photos for publicity things. My boyfriend, Eric gamely dragged me out into our beautiful backyard to take the pictures. For the next half hour we had what can only be described as the most unprofessional photo shoot ever with me threatening at one point to "kick him where the sun don't shine" if he touched my hair again. Avedon and Cindy Crawford it wasn't but ya gotta do what ya gotta do! We got a good laugh out of it!