All Looped Up In BoHo Style

Chain Loop Necklaces: Lapis Blue, Jade and Coral

Here is look at another necklace style that is part of my Spring/Summer 2013 collection.  Three loops of delicate sterling silver chain are attached to a bar of Swarovski Pearls in Lapis Blue, Jade and Coral.  This bohemian look goes well with the tribal patterns that are trending right now in clothing and accessories.

These necklaces can be found at Lut Boutique 4219 Main St, Vancouver

SeaWheeze 2013 Special Edition Shorts

SeaWheeze likes to do things differently so instead of getting a t-shirt for signing up for the half marathon (I never wear those shirts) you get a pair of special edition Lululemon shorts that are only given to people who are signed up for the Seawheeze.  Women got to chose between two styles, Speed Shorts or Track Attack Shorts (I chose the Speed Shorts) and Men got Pace Breaker Shorts.  I think it is a really neat idea and certainly something that I will happily wear.  My husband's pair arrived about a week ago and I have been patiently waiting for mine and they finally arrived today!

SeaWheeze 2013 Special Edition Men's Pace Breaker and Women's Speed Shorts

The shorts arrived in a special pouch and have a special edition hang tag which are different for women and men. The inner liner in both the women's and the men's shorts is a crazy pattern and the women's interior waistband is striped. Hopefully these will help to keep me motivated as the "Get Ready, Get Sweaty" training program starts on June 3rd.  You can find the SeaWheeze training app here.

Women's Speed Shorts with SeaWheeze Pouch

 

Men's Pace Breaker Shorts with SeaWheeze Pouch

 

Women's and Men's Special Edition SeaWheeze hang tag

Men's shorts with the liner pulled out to show the pattern which is also the same on the Women's liner.

Running...How it Has Been Part of My Life and My New Goal

In August 10th this year I will be tying up my running shoes and heading out with my husband to participate in the SeaWheeze 2013 half marathon here in Vancouver.

Running has been a part of my life off and on since I joined the track and field and cross country teams in elementary school and it is always something I gravitate towards when I want to get into shape or I need a goal to focus on.  For me, running is a wonderful way to deal with the ups and downs that happen in life. 

I am on the left in the white shirt (age 12)

My biggest running achievement to date was in 2009 when I completed a Nike Women's Running Study while training for the Scotiabank Half Marathon.  By the end of all the training and the half marathon, I had accomplished my goal and had a time I was really proud of but my knee was hurting and I was ready to be done with running.  I thought I probably would never run a race again.

I am steps away from the finish line of the Scotiabank Half Marathon 2009

After having my first baby in 2012 I wanted to find a way to work out that would work around being at home with a baby.  I wanted to do yoga because I had become really interested in it before becoming and while pregnant or to try barre fitness or crossfit or go swimming which is really my first fitness love.  All those activities require that someone come and babysit while I am gone for 2+ hours. This is not convenient and for me fitness success means it has to be convenient or I won't do it.  The classes that I found that you could bring your baby to required your baby to be pre-mobile...my baby started rolling at 2 1/2 months so there wasn't much time for me to fit those classes in!  Running seemed like the best option because I can go for a run in the morning before my husband goes to work or I can take my baby in the running stroller (we got a running stroller for $15 off Craigslist) in the afternoon and it is also something that we can do together as a family on week-ends.

Running was again giving me that mind clearing high that I had had before and I was really getting into it but I needed a goal to keep me focused.  I had started to buy some new running gear at Lululemon and luckily it was just around the time that Lululemon started to talk about the 2013 SeaWheeze.  I had never heard of it before but loved the idea that it was a community type event that wasn't just about running the half marathon and then going home but that it is a whole week-end party.  I signed up and roped my husband into signing up as well and made sure that the grandparents were available for the week-end to babysit so it is going to be like a mini staycation for us.

My goal for this half marathon is simple...cross the finish line with my husband.  I don't want to accomplish a personal best time, I just want to be there and do it and I am so excited about it.  Running is not always easy for me and I certainly have to work at it but I think it is something that will always some how be a part of my life.  I also like that as my baby gets older I can show her that fitness and health are important and can easily fit into your life no matter what.

Another Spring Sneak Peek

I have been working away at creating new designs using my spring color palette of coral, denim and jade and the creating continues!  Here is a sneak peak of new earrings design that will be at my booth at Make It Vancouver and then will be found on my etsy shop after the show.  I just love wearing bigger earrings especially in summer because they add that much needed pop of color and sparkle but still staying light and airy.

If you are planning on going to Make It Vancouver on April 19th, 20th and 21st and you want to save a couple of dollars on the entry fee then don't forget to purchase your tickets beforehand on their website.  The more tickets you purchase the more you save so get a group of friends together to purchase tickets and have a great afternoon shopping local.

Creativity, Business and Success...they can all go together

       Coming up on April 19th-21st it will be my fifth year participating in a craft show in Vancouver called Make It which is organized by sister/brother team Jenna and Chandler Herbut.  This show is by far the best one I have ever done and I always end up doing lots of shopping there too.  There is so much variety, so many talented artists and it is so much fun!

Jenna has branched out and started Make It University which provides business training and general help on how to get your handmade business up and running. This talented and busy woman does not stop here and is now creating Make It Happen An Independent Handmade Documentary with her boyfriend Neil Mangan which features interviews with successful handmade artists of all kinds to show that creativity, business and success can happen.  The trailer can be seen here and if you contribute to their campaign to raise funds there are perks to be had.

There are so many creative, talented people out there and it is exciting to see Jenna and Neil trying to spread the word and love for the handmade world.

Spring Inspired Color Palette

Spring certainly is here in Vancouver! I just came back from a beautiful walk in the sun around my neighborhood where the cherry blossoms are in full bloom and there are lots of other flowers out as well.  With spring comes new jewelry and Make It Spring Show.  For the first time I have actually picked out a color palette of coral, denim and jade to inspire me as I design. 

Here is a sneak peak of some of the pieces that I have been working on in this spring color palette:

The pendants are a new design and the studs and tear drops are previous designs that I think are going to be gorgeous and simple for spring and summer with any outfit.  There will be more new pieces and more detailed photos to come as we get closer to the Make It April 19th-21st show dates.

Busy Life and Craft Show Starter

Life certainly has been busy since I last updated my blog...since then I have moved, renovated, moved again and had a baby!  Needless to say it is hard to keep up with business while there is so much else on the go.  At this moment baby is sleeping and I am trying to catch up on many months of missed work and over all just dropping the ball.

To get me super charged back into making new creations and to throw myself head first back into my business I will be selling my jewelry at Make It Vancouver November 8th to 11th at the Croatian Cultural Centre.  It is an amazing 4 day show with so many different types of artists and products.  This is my favorite show both for participating in and buying at.  It is organized by a sister and brother team who are Canadian and I really like that I am supporting Canadian business while they are supporting mine.

Here is the link to the Make It Vancouver website site:
http://makeitproductions.com/vancouver/welcome-to-make-it/

If you are planning on coming don't forget to print out this coupon or save the image on your phone and show it at the door for $1 off the $5 admission charge.
http://makeitproductions.com/vancouver/2010/02/20/2-off-admission/