These are a few of my favorite (handmade) things...

I've been meaning to post this for a while. We got a TON of baby gifts before we had the baby, and though I loved and appreciated all of them, I wanted to post some of the handmade ones on here. Of course I went through a little nesting phase getting ready for the baby to come and had to make some stuff for her room (above). I've always wanted to learn how to sew so I made it a little project to make some scalloped bunting for her walls. I also did the little yarn wrapped letters of her name that hang over her crib. In my dream world, everything would be handmade...from her clothes to all of her toys to her furniture. But yeah...thats not reality. She does have some amazing handmade things from people I love though and I'd like to share a few of them with you. Some of these are gifts, and some are things we bought, but all are awesome in their handmade craftiness!

This gift was totally awesome and so special to me. The picture really doesn't do it justice at all, its so cool. My graduate school professor, Becky McDonah, made this baby spoon shaped like a shovel. It's sterling silver and copper and the coolest spoon you will ever see in your life!!

These awesome little bandsaw boxes were made by my friend Ellie, who I just happened to name my baby after. Check out her etsy shop here.

This crocheted blanket was made by my friend Allison and matches the colors we chose for the baby's room.

My grandma Hanson made this quilt for Ellie and it looks a lot like the quilt she made me when I was born. Its hand stitched and quilted with so much love you can feel it in the fabric:)

And this amazing quilt I dont even have words for. I LOVE love love love love it. My super talented and creative friend Debbie made it. I wish you could all see it and feel it in person. She used a mix of new and vintage fabrics and it is just so sweet.

She also made this darling banner for Ellie's room. It makes me happy every time I see it.This is me with Debbie and the gifts she made for us. Seriously, this is one talented lady and she is also an amazing mom. I want to be a mom like her.

I made this whale out of old jeans for Ellie for Christmas. The one pictured above is from the tutorial I followed here, and the one below is the one I actually made. Its pretty cool. Now I want to make a whole fleet of ocean creatures out of old blue jeans. Maybe this summer:)

Thats all for now!

Collecting Pulls

I started collecting antique drawer pulls a couple of years ago. This is a small part of the collection, but these are all cast brass pieces. I'm planning on using them for some new work in the very near future...just wanted to give you a sneak peek before you see them made into new bling!

Year in Review

2011 whizzed by in a blur and I really felt like I didn't accomplish much in my first year out of grad school. So, I decided to sit down and write out a list of my accomplishments, and when I did, it really surprised me how much I actually got done. Here is my 2011 year in review:

The biggest thing I did this year? I had a baby and survived to tell the tale:)

I celebrated 8 years of marriage.

I was published in 2 books: 500 silver jewelry designs, and Hiding Places:Memory in the Arts.

I participated in 7 exhibitions:

Contemporary craft exhibition at Mesa Art Center

Charmed at the Society for Contemporay Craft

Hiding places memory in the arts at the Kohler Art Center

Broche del noche at Equinox Gallery

Alchemy at Arrowmont

10x10 Benefit show at Mesa Art Center

Trunk show at snag

I taught a total of 18 classes!!!

I travelled to Seattle and Forks Washington.

I spent countless hours planning the 2012 SNAG conference (I am serving as a co-chair)

I did a BUNCH of home renovations (mostly while hugely pregnant).

I went dairy free for 4 months.

And, I bought a new car.

Thats pretty much the big stuff. Not such a dull year after all.

Spring Classes

This semester I will be teaching a new round of classes at Mesa Art Center. Info here.

Marriage of Metals
Findings and Finishing Touches
Tips and Tricks in the Jewelry Studio
Soldering Techniques
Earrings
Pins and Brooches
Fabricated Chains
Filigree

I will also be teaching 2 classes down in Tucson at Pima Community College West Campus.
ART 170: Metalwork I Jewelry
ART 270: Metalwork II Jewelry
Sign up Here.

Holy smokes am I going to be a busy girl. Good thing I LOVE my job!

2nd Place

Just wanted to share that my booth won 2nd place at the Mesa Arts Festival:) It was a great weekend, beautiful weather, lots of shoppers and my last big thing before Christmas. Great way to hit off my month long break from work:)
Thank you to all my friends, family and students that came out!

Oh, and I should mention that it was baby Ellie's first art fair. She was a great sport and charmed all my customers! My husband had this little onesie made especially for the weekend. So CUTE. Made by my friend Randi.