I'm excited to be part of the San Dieguito Art Guild Annual Holiday Bazaar for the first time. I'll be there with other amazing visual and sculptural local artists with works for sale in glass, oils, water color, ceramics, fibers, enamels and more. I'd love to see you for my last in-person event of 2022.
Saturday, December 4, 10am to 4pm
Encinitas Community Center
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I am really enjoying the hint of fall in the air in San Diego. It's been a hot summer and snap, just like that, we are in fall.
In September, I was busying creating new one-of-a-kind pieces to share with you in my fall fairs when I came down with Covid -19 (event though vaccinated!) I'm happy to say that it was NOT fun, but both my husband and I recovered fully and our kids didn't seem to notice. Back to the studio!
I decided to spend more time doing metalsmith pieces this fall, since I bought a bunch of pretty stones a few months ago and I missed doing my metalsmith work. They are all unique, and I'm hoping you will enjoy checking them out at one of my coming fairs!
First of which---THIS WEEKEND!
Friday Oct. 15 9 am to 6 pm
Sat. Oct 16 9 am to 1 pm
RBCPC Annual Fall Festival
17010 Pomerado Rd, San Diego, CA 92128
Additional Fairs coming up:
Nov. 20, 2021
Santa Barbara Sea Glass and Ocean Arts Festival
Carpinteria, CA
Dec. 4, 2021
San Dieguito Art Guild Holiday Fair
Encinitas Community Center
For more details, click the link below:
https://seasideharmonyjewelry.com/pages/local-events-and-fairs-in-san-diego
A preview of a few of the new pieces showing on Friday....
I'm super excited to be part of in-person fairs again. See you soon!!
Namaste,
Sarah
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Some of you may be wondering, what the heck happened to Sarah? I was diligent in the first four months of the year writing my monthly blog posts, then...it just stopped happening. I'm sure many of you can relate to the struggle of sticking with a goal and sometimes falling short.
However, I do have some fun news to share with you. I have had a long term goal to get my work into more galleries and shops. For the past six months or so, I've been submitting pieces to the Off Track Gallery in Encinitas. It is a beautiful space that is extremely well maintained and managed. If you are in Encinitas, pop into the gallery sometime. It's in the Lumberyard area, that bricked courtyard right near the enter of Encinitas. They are open every day. You might even see me there, since I help "man the desk" and I have also joined their board of directors.
https://sandieguitoartguild.com/
I have had fun creating some larger wall pieces. These photos below are of two 4 inch by 4 inch enamel panels I created then framed for hanging. The lotus sold at Off Track already but I haven't displayed the koi yet. If you are interested in purchasing, let me know!
I now have a permanent space for my work that floats around Off Track. All the artists names are next to our work, so look around or ask to see my space.
Here are a couple items from my display.
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By now, you may know that environment issues, conservation and living responsibly in our current world plays an important role in my life. I believe that we all must take steps to educate ourselves and others in our families to the important issues facing us about climate change, our use of non-recyclable materials, steps to conserve our natural resources, and so many more important issues. As Earth Day is almost here, it is a great time to revisit our commitment to our future on this planet.
Earthday.org is a fantastic website that touches on the many issues related to taking care of our mother Earth. I highly recommend you check it out and see where you could focus your interest and action. Often, when we are faced with the enormity of environmental concerns, we feel overwhelmed, throw up our hands and think, "Why bother? It is too big to tackle!" or "What could I possibly do to make a difference?" I too feel this desperation at times. The answer is, focus on what you CAN do and how your particular interests align. No one person can do everything, but we can all do SOMETHING.
https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2021/
“Whatever the problem, be part of the solution. Don’t just sit around raising questions and pointing out obstacles.” Tina Fey
What is your role to play? Depending on what you do and your interests, you may have a huge impact. As an artist, business person and a mother, I have things that I can do. I recycle my materials as much as possible, I choose eco-friendly packaging and materials, I educate through my channels as a business owner. As a mother, I teach my kids to limit their food and material waste, purchase recyclable and eco-friendly family supplies, take them to do trash clean-up's in the community and expose them to learning about how they can be part of the solution with their actions.
As an artist and a lover of nature, I am celebrating Earth Day 2021 by releasing several waves of one-of-a-kind enamel necklaces that highlight some of my favorite sea creatures. The first release is colorful, texturally varied sea stars.
Each of these necklaces is made with a special enamel that creates crackled effects when layered with different enamel colors. I crank the heat up to 1550 F to get the enamels flowing. During that time in the kiln, the enamel gods do what they wish! That's why each pendant has its' own individual patterns.
If you love the sea stars (or starfish) but would like to ask about specific color combinations you don't see in my shop, let me know! I'd love to create a special sea star just for you.
As part of my commitment to supporting environmental causes, I will be donating 10% of the sales I make during this month of my special sea creature necklaces. Thank you for helping me with this goal!
Click HERE to view the listings~
So- we need to learn about and celebrate SEA STARS!
The Ocean Conservancy gives us these amazing tidbits about sea stars-
1. They AREN'T fish!
2. Sea Stars WALK!
3. They have two stomachs
4 .They’re extremely aggressive predators, and can sometimes be cannibalistic
5. Not all sea stars have 5 arms
6. They can re-grow their body parts
7. They don't have eyes like us but they still "see"
Find out more by reading their blog:
https://oceanconservancy.org/blog/2019/01/03/7-facts-sea-stars-world/
Stand by for the next release very soon--- whale tails!!
Namaste,
Sarah
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There are so many options out there to reach out and connect with others around a craft. Facebook has just about every possible group you can imagine. I am in a bunch of metalsmith groups on Facebook where I sometimes ask a question or answer a question. It is also a great way to show and tell to others who actually understand the time and skill involved in your newest creation.
On-line options are easily accessed and sometimes these groups are active and sometimes not so much. It is a great option for when you are not able to join in person due to location or um, a pandemic! I have found that when you pay a nominal fee, you are likely to get more valuable interaction in groups. I have been part of "The Thriver Circle" with Aussie Jess Van Den for a couple years now. I get tons of on-line business training, access to monthly Q&A's with Jess, a private Facebook group choked full of great tidbits, and more.
I also pay a small fee to watch enameling videos on Vimeo by Sandra McEwen. She lives in North Carolina and has won many prestigious art enameling awards. She gives you a bird's eye view of her entire process and answers any question you ask. She is so open and giving of her expertise and I feel lucky to have a connection with her.
While on-line is great, I'd rather engage in in-person opportunities. I find that I learn much more and get really inspired when I can be physically with the art and the people making the art. In the past year, I have been able to join the San Diego Enamel Guild and the San Dieguito Arts Guild. They are both groups of artists that show their art in galleries and have opportunities for collaboration, sales and education. I have met many inspiring, open people who are excited to share their knowledge with me and have expanded my ideas. These groups require some money to be paid and hoops to jump through but it has been worth it.
Of course my experience is limited to enameling and jewelry making in San Diego. There is a world of opportunities waiting for you if you decide to take a look. If you have an artistic passion, there are others out there who can feed your soul and encourage you. We only get so far by ourselves. I want to encourage you to not just be a looky-loo (you know who you are!) While it's fun to browse and see others' work, it sometimes backfires and leaves me overwhelmed and discouraged. Also know that there are groups for every phase in your creative journey. I was part of a group called "Knit One, Beer Two" before the pandemic. Believe me, it was all fun and no pressure. I'll bet they are planning on starting up again and hitting the breweries with the knitting needles.
I would love to know what groups you all are in to drive your artistic lives. And soon, I hope to be seeing more people around and about the art scene in San Diego.
Spanish Village, where the SD Enamel Guild lives (Studio 5) is open Thursday to Sunday right now and will be re-opening to full time soon. My work is on display there, along with 23 other enamelists.
https://sandiegoenamelguild.org/
https://spanishvillageartcenter.com/
The Off Track Gallery in Encinitas, is where my work will be shown in April as part of their monthly show! They are open every day, 10 am to 6 pm. Here are the two pieces I will be showing, and they are for sale!
https://sandieguitoartguild.com/off-track-gallery/
We don't all have time to be full time artists, but I do believe that most people have a little space in their lives to be creative and follow an artistic passion. It brings so much joy and satisfaction to my life, I am sure that all of you will feel the same.
Thanks for reading! Keep learning and creating.
Namaste,
Sarah
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Well, it's already February but it still feels pretty new to be in 2021. Covid is still lurking about and messing with us, but we are getting used to being resilient and pushing through.
I love the new year transition because I feel freer to try new ideas and spice things up. I've made some purchases of materials, supplies and tools this past month and I'm super excited to get to playing with them.
Turns out large pieces of metal require a lot more enamel than I'm used to using! I had to pause my wall decoration to order more. I'm excited to see how it finally turns out. I got some Murrini glass which is pieces of glass cane. Glass makers twist together long pieces of glass to create new cane and stretch that. The cross sections are tiny little beauties that can be fused onto other glass. I'm also ready to start my adventures with "crackle" enamel which melts at a lower temperature then reseals in all kinds of crazy ways. Once you introduce multiple colors into the mix, it get really exciting! I also got addicted to watching "Blown away" on Netflix. I only do reality TV if there is a creative activity going on. I've never done glass blowing but I love to watch other people do it. One day maybe I'll have the chance to give it a try.
In the spirit of Valentines (or Galentines, which I love the idea), I made some new pieces I'd like to share. I had an idea about a bunch of wonky textured brass hearts around a piece of abalone and I love how the pendant turned out. I added a sparkle with a little Alexandrite gemstone. The purplish green of the gem is the perfect pair with the abalone. I even made some sterling chain which I haven't done in a long time. It's a bit of challenge for soldering tiny links without having them stick together.
I also made some fun heart earrings (which can also be pendants if requested) in two sizes. I cut some fun, funky heart shapes and stamped the copper to provide interest. I then used transparent enamels to highlight the textures underneath and add some lovely pinkish red color.
These items are all available on my website now at
https://seasideharmonyjewelry.com/
If you have a special request for something for Valentines, please let me ASAP as time is almost up! I'd love to make something special for your special someone.
Expressing creativity is a very powerful way to handle stress and find hidden talents you didn't even know existed. I hope you all are enjoying some creative outlets during this tough time in our lives.
Stay safe and namaste,
Sarah
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It takes me a minute to recover from high energy activities such as the big holiday rush and vacation with the kids. Over a week, in fact! So, I'm finally getting my bearings about heading into 2021. I've even managed to pay my sales tax and estimated self employment tax on time so I feel like a champion.
Thank you to all of you who ordered "pretty things" from me in 2020. I appreciate each and every sale. In fact, 2020 has been my best sales year yet! It is definitely a case of working smarter, rather than working harder. The lessons keep coming.
Something that occurred right at the end of 2020 was that I had another guest interview release! It was almost Christmas and I was a bit distracted. Ijeoma Eleazu of the Etsy Conversations Podcast was kind enough to chat with me about my journey as a creative entrepreneur. Ijeoma is so kind and friendly, I felt like I was chatting with an old friend. I have listened to her podcast for years and it was a thrill to speak to her.
It's quite lengthy, so give it a listen when you want to keep your ears busy for a while. We delve into some interesting topics where fellow creatives will probably find common ground. Click the link below to listen!
So, what is new and exciting in your life for 2021? I'm trying to not get bogged down by national events and keep my focus on my family and my goals. I hope you have some creative aspirations (or otherwise!) for 2021 and I would love to hear from you.
You can always drop by to my Facebook group -
https://www.facebook.com/seasideharmonyjewelry/
Also, join my private FB group called Harmony Seekers from that page.
I always feel more audacious at the beginning of a new year. I feel compelled to push my enameling into larger realms - such as vessels for incense and wall art. This gets tricky with the increase in size for costs, packaging, etc. But you can not fight the creative forces! They will prevail!!
Keep yours eyes open for my newsletters with updates on my wacky ideas. Hopefully some will speak to you.
Keep your head up, keep creating and learning.
Namaste,
Sarah
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I also enjoy making things that I consider beautiful. I am excited to share some new pieces that show the range of metal work that I love to do. I am both a metal smith and an enamelist, and everything in me refuses to choose one over the other.
I knew that since the holidays were coming, I needed to delve into something other than ocean waves. Waves are controlled by the tides, which are controlled by the lunar cycle. I love everything about the moon. Ancient philosophy tells us that the moon is feminine energy and the sun is masculine energy. I do feel this tension in my life. I feel very comfortable as the feminine "mom", caretaker. I also feel compelled to demonstrate my worth and kick some ass occasionally. I consider that masculine energy. It is freeing to be able to artistically explore both of these energies.
I have been drawn to create moon and stars pieces using the beautiful golden color that is drawn out by firing copper very hot under a certain flux enamel. You will see this as the moon in my pieces. Under the enamel, I imprinted a spiral texture into the copper.
I then lay an amazing bluish black enamel over the gold to create the night sky. I tracked down the smallest star punch I could find to create the silver foil stars in the sky. I hope you love the "moon and stars" pendant and earrings as much as I do. I laid several layers of clear enamel over the top and ground the glass down to meet the fine silver cloisonné wire that creates the arc of the moon.
I have many influences, some somber, some full of energy and life. My ocean inspired mandala makes me smile. As a yogi, I am familiar with mandalas. Can you tell I love symmetry? It is so perfect, so satisfying. Nothing is really ever perfect, but I love trying. I also love druzies. Druzies are the sparkly center of geodes. They dazzle us with their brilliance. They are the perfect center for a symmetrical mandala. I am also obsessed with how amazing silver foil looks under enamel. I do love sparkle. ;) I have many other plans for these pieces, so stay tuned for future listings!
I am bringing back my gemstone sterling silver wave necklaces and rings for the holidays. They are uncharacteristically dainty for me. Silver waves have been done before of course, but I wanted to add a special sparkle to make them special. I love mixing a classic with a little flair. My wave necklaces and rings strike just the right tone. They are simple and classic, yet never boring because you can add your choice of 12 gemstones to the crest of the wave. Everyone has their favorite. It's hard to choose, but I am total sucker for peridot. It's not even blue! Sacrilege!
I have so many ideas and plans to bring to you, time is the only constraint. I hope you enjoy some of my designs and that you are inspired to gift something to yourself or someone you care about. Click back to my email for links to my new pieces.
Thank you for reading and keep creating and learning. Please consider supporting handmade small business.
Namaste, Sarah
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In my quest to learn about the world of artistic business, I turned to my trusty podcast feed for education and inspiration. I LOVE podcasts, but I will tell you more about that later. I found a podcast called "Create and Thrive" hosted by a cheerful, down to earth Aussie named Jess Van Den.
Something about Jess really appealed to me. She talks like a normal person in her podcasts, not like an annoying salesperson. Her advise is "no frills, no BS". That is exactly what I wanted. We also have a ton in common. She is a metalsmith and yogi. No kidding!
I started listing to Jess years ago and I learned so much from her. I took her "Set Up Shop" on-line course to get myself into action mode in starting to sell on-line. I am part of her "Thriver Circle", a monthly subscription for makers. Recently, I was getting excited about the idea of being on a podcast myself. It seemed like a great way to get the word out about my business. A bonus for me is that I love to talk!
I pitched the idea to Jess and she graciously accepted. Since I felt like I knew Jess already from listening to her for years, it was easy to chat with her like an old friend. My episode just came out so I wanted to share it with you.
So, if you are curious about my transition from law enforcement to artistic business owner, click the link and take a listen. We get into some serious topics such as my battle with post partum depression and how creativity was a key factor in my journey to rediscovering my place in the world.
Namaste,
Sarah
https://www.createandthrive.com/ctpodcast
Once you open, scroll down to find the most recent episode~
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Do you expect to get the same price on an equivalent type product from a maker vs. a big chain store? People often do. The truth is, artisans can not compete on price. If they do, they are likely not making a profit. This isn’t fair, but we do it anyways because we love to create and want to earn our living at it. This is a very tough thing to do successfully.
Sometimes artisans will purchase pre-made components to save time. Some products are completely made with pre-made components. I’m not saying this is bad but that you should understand what you’re paying for. In that case, you are paying for the persons’ design sense and ability to put together beautiful things.
We all have our own ideas about what what we value in products. As an artist, it’s important to me that I make as much of the product as I feasibly can. For me, the main artistic component of the jewelry must be handmade by me.
For example, I started out sawing each of my copper waves. This was extremely time consuming, not to mention really tough on the wrist. Eventually, I found a water jet facility that can cut my metal waves for me. I created the design but it was not feasible to hand saw each piece. However, I enamel each wave in a kiln so that the artistic color effect is created by me.
For my circular designs, I use a disc cutter to increase my accuracy and speed. Other shapes I saw myself. On bezel set items with stones or sea glass, I saw and solder all the pieces together and set the stones. I do not make chain as that would be time prohibitive and it is not the main star of the show in my pieces.
I'm comfortable when I say that my jewelry is handmade. Does that mean that each individual clasp and chain is handmade? No. But I am okay with this distinction. After all, this is a business for me and not a hobby. I need to be able to pay myself a tiny bit and make some kind of profit. No profit is not much of a business. That said, would I be selling anything other than my handmade jewelry? Nope!
The whole jewelry thing has been a long process of self discovery. I started out beading, moved to wire wrapping and finally into metalsmithing and enameling. For me, it has been a quest to create in a satisfying way. It has brought me renewed purpose and a great deal of happiness to see when others love my work enough to buy it.
As a business owner, I also strive to engage in ethical and ecologically friendly practices. For example, I purchase 100% recycled paper boxes and tissue paper for my on-line orders. I also recycle my metal.
We all have choices about where we spend our money. Make your choices count as they say something important about you.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting Seaside Harmony Jewelry and Happy Fall!!
Namaste,
Sarah
The most beautiful stones in the world are often not found by the ocean. So, we as humans have to make them into that gorgeous smooth, round shape that we love so such. Since I am a lover of all things ocean inspired, I have been drawn mainly to blue and greenish stones. I spent time a few years ago at the San Diego Mineral and Gem Society cutting cabochons from rough or slab rocks. I actually just wanted to go to their silversmithing classes but I was told that I had to take a cabochon making class first. I don't know if I would have done it otherwise.
I'm so glad I did. Slowly filing the rocks into the rounded shape was like a meditation. It was a slow process so you could become entranced by the rhythmic movements required to shape the rock. The instructors gave you a general idea of what you were supposed to do, but the process is mostly intuitive. There are no mathematical calculations. You just "eyeball" it. Eventually, I stopped going to the mineral and gem clubs due to lack of time. I do miss it. If you ever get a chance to try it, don't pass it up.
Over the years, I have collected many stones, rocks and cabochons. Of course, I have many more than I could ever use. I am hoping that you will help me to share these gorgeous stones with others by giving my jewelry as gifts or for yourself.
I just listed a few pieces that showcase lovely stones and sea glass. They are all earrings. If you are interested in a necklace or ring with one of these stones, let me know.
Two of the earrings sets are made with Lapis Lazuli. I love that name! It feels so fanciful. Lapis Lazuli is one of the most sought after stones in use since man's history began. Its deep, celestial blue remains the symbol of royalty and honor, gods and power, spirit and vision. It is a universal symbol of wisdom and truth. (from Wikipedia)
I remember being in Italy and touring the ruins of ancient homes with lapis stone ground into the walls to make them blue. It was like ancient wall paper. I once cut an expensive piece of lapis from a mine in Afganistan and it was so soft, it carved like cold butter. Lapis is often a very deep blue with gold flecks. This is the lapis I use in the gold rimmed oval earrings.
Lapis can also can be found in lighter blues. My earrings with sterling silver eternity symbols holding the stones have denim lapis. This is more of a cornflower blue with a bit of white.
I found the Azurite cabochons at a gem fair and I just had to have them. A highly sought after crystal in the world of gemstones, Azurite is known for its stunning blue color, which evolved over the millennia through reactions between copper, hydrogen, carbonate, and oxygen. Azurite features deep contrasting shades of blue, which comes from its fusion with Malachite, a closely related mineral that contains nearly the same chemistry. In crystal healing, Azurite is a gem when it comes to enhancing creativity and inner wisdom because it cleanses and activates the third eye chakra. (From Energy Muse website).
These particular Azurite have bright green inclusions, which make them looks like little tiny earths. I only have 2 pairs of these little beauties, so snap them up before they are gone.
I have wanted to combine sea glass with enamel for quite a while. Since I mainly have clear sea glass, what better way to showcase that glass than with a beautiful ocean inspired color of enamel? I found all my sea glass myself (or was gifted it) from beaches near San Diego or where I have traveled.
I hope you have enjoyed learning a bit about the stones and natural objects I use in my jewelry. If you have a special rock or piece of sea glass that you want make into a custom piece of jewelry, let me know. I'd be happy to work with you. When you are at the beach, keep an eye out for that elusive gem hiding amongst the grey rough rocks!
The natural world is the easiest place to find wonder and peace of mind. Seek it out and you will be rewarded every time.
Namaste.
Sarah
]]>As a business owner, I have made choices to reduce my waste and purchase supplies that are ecologically sound. I recycle my metals, purchase recycled metals and purchase items for my packaging that are made from recycled materials.
In my life, I am drawn to brands that consider environment issues when creating their products and running their businesses. We all have a role to play in limiting the destruction we cause to the environment. If there is a choice I can make that is better for the environment, I feel compelled to do so. It's the least I can do!
When it comes to clothes, I love thrifting. It appeals to my nature in many ways.
1) I am cheap ;)
2) I love treasure hunts
3) I feel better about recycling the use of clothes rather than engaging the "fast fashion" industry
So, when I saw the "Thred Up" website in the digital universe, I was curious. I have made several purchases and returns with Thred Up now, and I thought I'd share my experience with you all as fellow environmentally conscious shoppers.
If you have not heard of Thred Up, it's a digital second hand clothing site.
They also have purses, shoes and some accessories. I recently bought some sunglasses. They also have kids clothes, which is a nice option for me since I have a funky teenage girl who likes funky clothes.
Fair warning: you can get sucked down the rabbit hole looking at clothes on this site! There is a TON of merchandise. From my experience, here are pro's and con's.
1) Take note of the categories.
Items that indicate "gently used" or any kind of wear and tear really DO look worn. If that bothers you, only look at "excellent" or "new with tags". You can't go wrong there. I went with "gently used" for some better brands (I like Athleta) because I know certain brands will last longer.
2) Be somewhat flexible with sizes.
I did the size quiz so that the site only shows me items that fall into the size category that it picked for me. As all women know, sizes are not consistent across brands. I bought a pair of shorts in my usual size that was an expensive brand, and they were enormous. Of course, it will make more of a difference in fitted clothes.
3) You can only see what they show you.
There is a front and back 2D view. You can zoom in a bit, but I always feel like I want to see more. If you are the type of person who must FEEL the clothes etc., this experience will be frustrating for you.
4) The filters and search options are awesome!
I found this really fun. You can narrow down to certain colors, patterns, accents, types of clothes, brands, condition, cost, size (of course), etc. There is such a huge selection that you can really narrow things down if you have something specific in mind. You can't do this at a thrift shop!
5) The website features are very cool.
You can click favorites and keep track. You can also save a certain "type" of search with various filters so you can do it again. There is a phone app (dangerous). They have "rescue" boxes if you want to upcycle clothes. They have a goody box feature, if you want someone else to find items for you (there is an extra fee).
6) The prices can be high for second hand, in my opinion.
I have found inexpensive items that were practically new that I was really happy with. However, generally, the prices seem higher to me than at a thrift store. If you are really into certain high-end brands, this might not be a problem for you. I think the prices reflect the benefits you get by being able to search up exactly what you want.
7) The shipping fees and return policy are fair.
It's $5.99 to ship for orders less than $79. Believe me, it's easy to get up to $79! There is a re-stocking fee to return items (if you just don't like the clothes) but they give you points for purchasing items so it didn't cost me anything to send a couple items back. You can just print out a return label and stick it back on the original packaging.
I have enjoyed Thred Up. I just ordered a couple new items with my return bank and it's fun to look forward to the polka dot package in the mail. I hope if you give it a try that you have fun with it.
Namaste,
Sarah
FYI- Thred Up is not giving me any benefit for this review!! :)
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Since my other exciting travel to Australia was cancelled this summer due to Covid- 19, I felt like the universe owed me a special trip. I even planned out several places along the way (with tide chart in hand) that are known for sea glass hunting. I figured my routes, driving times and booked my hotels and we were off.
Our first stop along the way was at Pismo Beach. I had never been to this area before and I was stunned by its' beauty. It has sheer rock cliffs, grassy parks and gorgeous beaches. I loved exploring the little rocky alcoves. It seemed a prime spot for sea glass but we got there at high tide. We had a blast anyway, listening to the waves wash over the pebbles and rock hopping. I almost fell off a cliff I was scaling when a root pulled out in my hand. I was being a bit overzealous in my desire to find that sea glass.
It took us the rest of the day to drive to Monterey. I had planned to visit the beach at low tide, which was the next morning. We headed over to Seaside Beach, in the little town of Seaside. It is a wide, huge beach great for walking or running. We did find lots of "hag stones", which are rocks with holes that the sea has drilled through them. They are really cool looking, but they are NOT sea glass.
We did find some glass but nothing worth writing home about. It started out as a misty day, as most days by the beach here. It turned out to be sunny and gorgeous. We also visited the beach near the Monterey pier and walked around the sites. The kids really loved the antiques mall with all its' weird trinkets and random junk. We had a delicious lunch near Cannery Row and poked around in a little rocky beach alcove with a gorgeous view.
We drove into the night to make it all the way to Fort Bragg. The last part of the drive was in the pitch black on a insanely windy road surrounded by soaring trees. It was amazing how the climate and terrain had changed so much since we set off from San Diego. This part of California is a place I wish I could spend a lot more time. You have all the lovely beaches but instead of the dry, brushy landscapes of southern Cal, you have awe inspiring forests, lush green vegetation and cliffs over water as far as the eye can see.
Finally, our third day of the trip and it was low tide and time to head to sea glass beach. I felt a little giddy in anticipation. It was 9 am and there were a few cars but it wasn't crowded at all. I caught my daughter's reaction to when we first made our way down to the edge of the water. It was a bit overwhelming actually.
I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't quite what I had anticipated. There were literally piles of sea glass all over the sand. In places, the little bits of sea glass actually replaced the sand. It was mesmerizing, sweeping my hands through the little bits of twinkly glass. The sun and water shone over the little jewels and it was certainly a sight to behold. Later in the day, it got a lot busier and people were swarming the place.
After being in places where I searched so hard to find even one piece of sea glass, it's a bit strange when it is all around you. The pieces are quite uniform in size, mainly the size of pinto beans to a quarter. Many are beautifully tumbled. I saw only clear, green and brown. We did find one or two yellowish or bluish pieces, but they were teeny tiny. I was hoping to be able to look really hard and find some diamonds in the rough, of course. One brilliant blue or even a perfect lime green. I searched really hard, but I did not stray too far down the bluffs. Maybe that was my mistake. Since there were so many little clear pieces, that felt pretty common and did not spark the excited rush I get when I find a piece amongst the rocks.
I was a bit disappointed to be honest. I have heard that the killer pieces are all gone now, plucked by sea glass hunters like myself. I felt a bit conflicted about that now. On the one hand, I really wanted to find those special pieces but on the other hand, I knew they were gone because of the popularity of sea glass hunting these days.
I think Instagram has also raised my expectations too high. I follow tons of sea glass hunters all over the world. Seeing daily posts of cotton candy pink gems, sapphire blue beauties and multicolored frosty marbles has made my dinky clear pieces seem boring.
I am choosing to reframe my bounty. These little clear pieces are also a gift from the sea, stunning in their own right. I plan to set these little gems into enameled metal and dress them up with cloisonne wire designs. I will take what I do to make art and add the color of fused glass on metal with my sea glass gems.
I have always been drawn to so many forms of glass. Fused glass, blown glass, enameled glass, stained glass, you name it. It just makes sense that I am also drawn to sea glass. The extra perk of looking for sea glass is that you are surrounded by the ocean and the surf, the rocks and the cliffs. This is where I feel most at home in the world. Whatever is going on in the world or my world, I know the the ocean will provide me with a safe haven to restore my spirit. I hope you all have places like that. Enjoy them as much as you can. Maybe I'll see you the next time I'm tromping around at the shore.
Namaste,
Sarah
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There are things we all hold in our minds for weeks or maybe years that we really want to try. Sometimes, it takes a long time for the circumstances to arrive when we are ready to take the steps needed. I'm sure all of you have these thoughts and ideas in many areas of life. Maybe a special place you've always wanted to visit (Greek Islands.) Maybe a renovation in your home that you would love to do (downtains bathroom! Kitchen!!) A complicated project you've been thinking about for a long time (so many knitting patterns..) Life is just busy and things take time.
I've been learning about how to be a business person for about 5 years. I've never run any kind of business in my life prior to starting my jewelry business. There has been so much to learn, it has been overwhelming at times. As many of you understand, balancing your career goals, parenting children, keeping fit, keeping your relationships healthy etc. is very difficult. I used to beat myself up about not moving fast enough in my goals. I'm getting better about telling myself that I just need to keep moving forward, one step at a time. I try to celebrate each little step with the knowledge that I'm doing the best that I can.
So, the exciting news for me today is that I have finally gotten around to planning an Instagram giveaway! This is my first of any type of planned giveaway, and the first time that I have sought out and collaborated with like-minded makers. It feels like something that a real grown business person would do.;) I am excited to have reached this milestone in my business journey.
The cool thing is that it is great for my seekers! You are already on my email list, so that is one less thing you need to do. All you need to do is FOLLOW me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/seasideharmonyjewelry/. On Friday, I will post the big giveaway graphic. Just follow the rules to enter. It costs nothing and there is no bait and switch. The giveaway will be open for one week.
Don't have instagram? Just download the app on your phone and make a quick account. Find me and follow. It's easy!
I will be giving away a beautiful abalone pendant that I am keeping secret until Friday. Meet my maker collaborators!
Nikki at @Nikknots creates gorgeous macrame goods from key chains to wall hangings. She is really talented and motivated. I am loving her decor. Check out her feed at https://www.instagram.com/nikknots/
Laura at @Gysywavesstudio makes resin poured wooden boards, wall hangings, ring dishes, sea glass art among other things! This gal has many talents. Check her out at https://www.instagram.com/gypsywavesstudio/.
We are all giving away items and the total retail will be several hundred dollars worth of merch. I hope you win!
Namaste,
Sarah
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I have a slightly different perspective than most in that I was trained as a police officer and federal agent and spent 10 years in law enforcement in San Diego, CA and surrounding states. I met my husband in the police academy. I have many friends in law enforcement who are extremely honest and empathic. I was lucky to have some of the best training in the country. I understand other states have far less.
In addition to feeling the pain and sorry for this loss of life in circumstances that clearly were not within any kind of use of force policy, I feel intense anger that a member of law enforcement (and his fellow officers standing by) could be so ignorant and callous. These actions ruin any kind of positive reactions felt by the public in dealing with fair, law abiding officers. It taints everyone.
I am not going to go into my opinions about how all this should be handled by the organizations and governments that are involved. I do have them, but I don't think that is relevant here.
I feel that my commitment to you as "seekers" is to pass along information and ideas that promote a positive way to seek understanding and healing. That is not all there is to do, but I will take that on as my role here.
Regarding police violence against the African American communities across the U.S. and the world, there is not one single motivation driving people to commit these acts. I went to UCSD and graduated in Psychology. I also have a Masters degree in Social Psychology. I feel my interest and knowledge in these areas informs me about what is going on at the individual and society level. I actually did experiments in graduate school about how race influences people's interpretations of situations. This idea is based on something that is called "implicit bias".
"Implicit bias” exists when we unconsciously hold attitudes towards others or associate stereotypes with them. For example, we often harbor negative stereotypes about others without consciously realizing that we do so.
When you are looking at the larger societal issue, I think it is important to notice the difference between intentional racism and implicit bias. Of course there are people who embrace racist views and are quite conscious of this. However, others who are born into a less racist generation and want to upload anti-racist ideals may still be influenced by implicit bias. The mental process is unavoidable. The good news is that we can learn to limit the effect that implicit bias has on our own actions.
One of my favorite podcasts, Hidden Brain, just replayed an episode they aired a couple years ago about implicit bias. It is based on scholarly research. I highly encourage you to listen to it. It is extremely well done and informative.
https://www.npr.org/2020/06/12/876073130/the-air-we-breathe-implicit-bias-and-police-shootings
In the Hidden Brain episode, they discuss whether people (and officers) can be trained to bypass implicit bias. I am encouraged to report that there have studies with positive results.
Do not misunderstand me to be saying that this is the key to solving all of society's bais and violence problems. However, it helps to bridge the divide and bring understanding to the issue. There is so much work to be done, and it will take a long time to do. I am hopeful to see the many discussions happening on-line and in the world about what needs to happen. This is all necessary to move our larger culture into a place in which decisions can be made by officers under pressure that are a direct result of a realistic assessment of danger to themselves and others without including skin color as a factor, either consciously OR unconsciously. This also applies to all individuals within a culture.
While protests and intense dialogue continue, Covid-19 still looms large in our everyday lives. Since I have school aged kids, we are reinventing our summer plans. My daughter just turned 14 and I wanted to give her some joy. We had a couple of her friends over and we all enjoyed her favorite Japanese cuisine: sushi, rice balls, mochi, jelly filled drinks, mochi cake, edamame and potstickers.
I will pivot here in the spirit of my daughter. She has given me the permission to share a bit about her journey. As many of us know, June is pride month. San Diego has a lot of openly gay, trans and other queer folk. Last June, I took my kids to the huge pride parade. I have always told my kids (at age appropriate times) that being gay is something some people figure out as they get older and it is completely normal. I tried to be very matter of fact about it and limit the fear based responses they might see in the wild. They were both looking forward to the parade again but of course it has been cancelled.
In the past year, my daughter has expressed that she is "questioning" her sexual orientation. She does not want a label stuck on her because she is not even sure how she feels. She just knows that she is drawn to the queer community and feels a bond with them. I am extremely proud that my daughter has had the courage to question other kids who have made rude remarks about gay people (while in class) and to stand up to insensitive kids who bluntly demand to know if she is a lesbian.
So, in honor of pride month, I have created a pendant that shows my artistic contribution to being a queer ally. Know that each layer of enamel and wire fired is a labor of love. This piece requires about 8-10 firings to complete. In addition to showing support to the queer community, the rainbow represents the highest spiritual ideals such as diversity, equality and hope. Just about every religion in the world has attached a symbolic meaning to a rainbow.
Although I don't identify with a particular religion, I am drawn to Native American spirituality. The following is an excerpt from Navajo teachings called the Hopi Prophecy of the Whirling Rainbow.
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I'm sure your lives are just as disrupted (if not way more) than mine due to the current pandemic. I feel pretty lucky since I am mainly at home anyway in my role as stay-at-home-mom and home based business owner. One thing I really miss is going to my yoga studio. We all miss our little communities that we normally interact with on a regular basis. I take as well as teach "zoom" yoga, but seriously, it's not even close to the same. By seeing our friends in person and going to places with our social or fitness groups, we fill our souls with that sense of belonging. The virtual world does allow us to do the yoga or see our friends but we miss out entirely on the feeling we get being with other people. For me, it's a palpable difference and I'm sure I'm not alone in this. The virtual meetings feel somewhat stilted and hollow.
My kids are certainly experiencing this feeling. They usually attend a martial arts studio several times a week. My kids are not fitness enthusiasts, to say the least. It's rather annoying since my husband and I have been endurance athletes to some degree our entire lives. What the heck? I'm convinced that it skips generations. My parents were and are rather sedentary. Both my brothers and I have been runners, soccer players and athletes since we were little kids. Maybe one day my kids will decide to be ok with sweating.
In the meantime, the most I can force them to do is go to an amazing martial arts studio called Swiftkick in Rancho Bernardo. The young instructors are kind and exude enthusiasm and joy. They are insanely patient as well. Basically, they are my angels. My kids have attended for years now. The studio sprung into action when Cov-ID closed them down. They started Facebook then Zoom classes with the same level of enthusiasm and pep as usual. Those happy, pumped voices are sometimes the only perky noise in our home these days amidst the groaning and despair. The kids do the classes but they are not excited. You know why? Because Zoom is NOT the same. I am not faulting these instructors. They do their level best and even call out to kids to tell them "nice job, Cole!" or, "kick your leg back, Dillan!". It is just energetically and psychologically not the same as being in a room with a bunch of kids, sweating, laughing and punching bags together. I feel their pain. It's easy to think, "what's the point?" I have been enforcing the classes anyway, in an attempt to keep remnents from "regular life" and some semblense of fitness. We also say, "it's better than nothing". It is, but not much.
As for school, long sigh. I am actually very lucky in this realm again. My kids are older and mainly follow directions on their own. I mainly need to crack the whip, as they say. If I notice one kid spending a little too long on a "break", I might inquire as to what they are in fact supposed to be doing. I am not teaching much at all. Thank goodness, because I suck at teaching. I am not patient and I feel an overwhelming desire to fix all the mistakes and be done with it. There is a very good reason I have never had single inkling of desire to home school. I am just not built for it. This is clearly in evidence by the fact that my sweet 11 year old boy has broken down crying on several occasions saying how much he misses his teacher. This is always during one of my attempts to teach him something. I don't take offense. I know I suck at teaching. I feel like crying too. And I have, numerous times.
Even in the best of times, I struggle. I have a long history of mild depression but I got hit with the worst bout after I had my second child 11 years ago. I had the usual baby blues with my first but it was a whole different story with my second. I'll share more about that whole awful period of my life at some point. I'm bringing it up now because that experience made me completely restructure my life. I was totally overwhelmed by my responsibilities and cracked under the pressure. In order to rebuild myself, which took years, I had to create a lot more space for myself to recover. I had to build space to breathe into my life. In addition to running, which has always been a love of mine, I became interested in yoga.
I could go on and on about the benefits of yoga, but I won't here. Feel free to contact me anytime and I will tell you more. One thing I will say is that there is a type of yoga for every type of person. I am a serious Type-A, so I gravitate towards power and more intense Hatha yoga. I notice a lot of people love Kundalini yoga, which is much less physical and more about meditation and breath practices. Yin yoga is also a fascinating practice that I had no interest in for many years, but I am now starting to embrace. So, there's my yoga push. However, that is just one type of activity that helps many people "ground" themselves. There are as many grounding practices as there are people. These activities are the things we need to focus on during times of stress and disruption, like now.
I have noticed that it is popular to encourage people to "self care". This is quite generic and I agree. The thing is, what does that mean? My daughter loves taking long baths. I really don't like baths. I get pruney, the water gets cold way too fast and I get bored. No thank you. You know what I love doing to tune out the world? Knitting. Therefore, that is a grounding practice for me. It's like a little vacation from thinking and slipping into that beautiful space of blissful effortless effort. I have tried to convert all my friends to knitters but very few have taken the bait. They have their own way to float in space, I hope.
Think of things you like to do to relax that are possible right now. Generally, I don't consider watching TV to be grounding time. It is relaxing for sure, and I zone out as much as anyone. Screens have their own issues and inject outside forces into what we are experiencing. My opinion is that to benefit the most from a self care or grounding practice, we must feel good about what we are doing. That is why needle arts, drawing, painting, woodwork etc. etc. are so great for this. By creating something (no matter how messed up it looks), we are expressing our creativity. I know many people love gardening for this practice. I have a black thumb, so that doesn't work for me.
Exercise of any kind is another great grounding practice. I'm sure I don't need to tell you the benefits to mind and body for exercise that has been confirmed with scientific study. I have heard that regular exercise is essentially the equivalent of taking an antidepressant. From my experience, this is 100% true. While we may be limited in where we exercise (gyms, yoga studios, tennis courts, etc.) we can be creative in finding ways to exercise. Luckily, we can get outside here so walking, running and biking are all fair game.
One of the fastest ways to connect with this grounded feeling is to go outside. This is nothing new but it is so easily taken for granted. For me, running, biking or hiking outdoors is mandatory. If I go several days without this, I start to wilt on the inside. We are not meant to stay inside our little homes all day. Just breathing the fresh air is like medicine to our bodies. How hard we like to exercise is based on our personality. However, I don't think anyone can survive well mentally without engaging with nature to some degree. So, exercise while in nature is like a double whammy of good brain chemicals. Just a nice stroll in nature has immense benefits.
There are so many other things we can think of that can be grounding. Interacting with our pets is a huge one. Just stopping to give Gaia (my dog) a nice rub down gives us both a moment of peace and comfort. I'm sure you can think of other things available in your life right now that give you that sense of connection. It is a feeling of having your feet firmly connected to the earth with a sense of inner calm.
We should always make these types of activities a significant part of our daily lives. They should not be the first thing to go when other responsibilities crop up. I get the impression that some people feel these practices are "extra" and a special treat. This might be from the western idea that we are always supposed to be productive. My opinion is that taking the the time daily to do these things allows you to be productive in the other moments of your day. To me, they are not a treat or optional, they are mandatory to a balanced, peaceful existence.
Sometimes, our ability to take time for ourselves is severely limited. Having small children is a good example. If we allow it, every moment of our days will be sucked up into the needs of other people. We are allowed to have our needs and space. This is why it is so important to create a structure in your day to give you this time. It is not weakness to demand time for ourselves. This is how we remain strong and resilient to life's curveballs.
Also remember that our grounding practices shift over time. Making jewelry used to be that way for me. Since I have created a business, it is less so. I heard someone say once that if you make your hobby a business, get another hobby. Best advice ever. That's why I started knitting! Be flexible with yourself. Explore new ways of finding that grounded feeling. Do this during pandemics, but also during the "normal" times.
Namaste,
Sarah
P.S. Below I shared some of knitting projects. They contain many mistakes but it doesn't matter at all. I'm not selling them! ;)
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Since the holidays of 2019, I've been in a mild digital hibernation. I really needed to step away from the Facebook. I stopped posting my jewelry, stopping making IG posts, stopped making demo videos, just stopped. I am not a born marketer, so that process feels pretty draining to me. January is a good time to take stock and regroup anyway. Then, February happened. I still wasn't motivated. Ok, March. I am revving up now! I finally started to feel that burning desire to hit the presses again. Whoops! Lock down! Isolation! Kids stay home for school??? For how long??
If you are a parent, you feel me here. My brain said "does not compute." I adore my kids, of course. But I really need my quiet time- my creation time. I felt a bit robbed, to be honest. However, I wanted the kids to "do the right things." Work on math, reading, writing, enrichment....but they are not so interested in that part. I needed to manufacture activities, be close by, monitor. That takes a lot of energy. It took all my energy for a while.
In the meantime, I had been working on developing some new beautiful fine silver enameled items. Transparent vitreous enamel on fine silver is like a really nice glass of wine: classy, iridescent, sparkly. I'm not sure about that comparison but it's posh, that's what I'm telling you. I'm kicking it up a notch.
So, I'm reaching out to you with an invitation to check out my updated website with new collections. I think moms of the world will love these. My new beauty to introduce: open circle karma necklaces.
I love circles. Everything about circles makes me happy and feels like "the truth." They are happy. They are whole. They are eternal. They show how earth and all life on it operates. They symbolize the feminine divine and the notion that we all must reap what we sow.
I created these circles from heavy gauge fine silver wire by fusing and hammering. But then, the gorgeous ocean-inspired transparent enamels add a pop of color to make them even more special. My color palette of choice is the ocean: seagreen, light blue, royal blue and aqua. They are adorned on quality sterling silver cable chain that can be adjusted in length by the wearer.
I have so much more to show you, but you can see it all on my website!
Just click the gift box below.
Stay safe and shop for goodies from home. Support your local businesses.
Namaste,
Sarah
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It's officially FALL in San Diego. This is really my favorite time of year. Summer is great but it does get pretty hot inland where I live. Fall is just about perfect. A bit of cool air but still brilliant sunshine. I love running on the trails near my house in the fall. In fact, I'm gonna do that right after I'm done to get out some of my nervous energy for the Talmadge Art Show tomorrow!
I'm so excited to see people's reactions to my new fine silver and sterling ocean-inspired pieces. I love them, and I hope you guys do too. It's that time of year for holiday gifts, and I hope you consider purchasing something from me to give to yourself or someone you care about. I put a ton of time and care into my handmade pieces and handmade is a bit rare these days.
Here are a few pieces to show you what I've been working on!
I am also loving my new sterling wave necklaces and earrings..simple with some sparkle. I can set your favorite stone just for you.
All these new items are not available on my website yet -- so come to one of these shows soon to check them out~
Talmadge Art Show on Sunday, Nov 17 10 am to 4 pm
The grandma of San Diego art shows at Liberty Station. Check out the gifts, have a nice lunch at one of many nearby cafes and restaurants.
https://sandiegoartshow.com/
New Additional show:
San Diego Made Holiday Market, Nov. 23-24
This is where you find the hippest of all artisans. This year located at their brand new beautiful space. You want to see what is brand new in the craft world- come on by.
It's ON! The fall season of festivals. San Diego has amazing fall weather (of course) so we are lucky to enjoy so many festivals.
TOMORROW!!
RBCPC church on Fri Oct. 18 & Sat 19
Yes, that's all day Friday and half a day Saturday. This fair is a local favorite because most items must be handmade. I am always blown away by the other crafters here and buy my own gifts every year.
http://www.rbcpcpreschool.org/craft-fair/
Talmadge Art Show on Sunday, Nov 17 10 am to 4 pm
The grandma of San Diego art shows at Liberty Station. Check out the gifts, have a nice lunch at one of many nearby cafes and restaurants.
https://sandiegoartshow.com/
New Additional show:
San Diego Made Holiday Market, Nov. 23-24
This is where you find the hippest of all artisans. This year located at their brand new beautiful space. You want to see what is brand new in the craft world- come on by.
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I know I love to hear how other people's creative process unfolds, so I thought you might like to hear about mine. I often have ideas pop into my head at all hours and places. I keep a list of ideas in my Evernote app (free), in case that might help anyone. It's an easy way to organize ideas and projects.
Sometimes trends come along that I want to explore. If they have nothing to do with my brand then I stay away. I like to think of a trend as a starting point, a fun place to jump off from and see what I can come up with that still fits with me as an artist with my unique perspective.
You may have noticed (um, who hasn't?) that geometric designs, especially earrings, are super trendy now. I like that geometric designs invite color contrasts for a visual punch. I also like the multi-piece aspect of it. The possibilties of putting together different shapes and colors are practically endless.
What I have noticed is that the current trend is mostly angular shapes with straight edges. That is NOT my asthetic! Maybe you have noticed that I LOVE waves, circles, spirals, half moons, curves, etc. etc. NOT into straight lines. So, I decided to spin this trend off for my brand by using anything I can punch out with my disc cutter! That way, at least one side will always have a curve.
Once I started to play with it, I was having a ball. Skinny moons! Fat moons! The pieces that were left over after cutting out the moons! Then, I started figuring out cool combinations of shapes and how to align them. Double U's, doubled half moons, dots and double sided ovals. I have so many ideas I can't keep up. I drill the holes to attach the pieces together how I want, and I'm off to begin enameling.
With enameling, you get to focus on color and color combinations. I wanted these pieces to be visually strong but not too fussy. I paired up my favorite ocean inspired blues and greens to create a cool palate that fits with my brand.
I create my own sterling silver components (jump rings and ear wires) and put it all together. Now I have the beginnings of a collective that can grow.
Thank you so much for reading! Please come check out my growing collection of geometric pieces done Seaside Harmony style - click the link below.
Namaste,
Sarah
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You might wonder why someone who went to graduate school for psychology and worked in criminal justice and law enforcement for almost 15 years is selling jewelry on the internet. I often wonder that too. The truth is, I am a reluctant retailer. I don't much like marketing and I am a total cheap skate when it comes to buying stuff. I don't like it when people try to sell me stuff. So what the heck am I doing?? Yes, you see the conundrum.
If I wasn't making my jewelry as a passion and obsession for about 7 years now, I'm sure I would not be part of the on-line sales world. I'm not into hype and not really into trends, so I am pretty much the antithesis of a marketing pro.
So, why do I continue to make and sell my jewelry? The creative process is so deep in my soul now that I don't know how I would live without it. The fact that you can make something by hand, put all the skills you have learned over years into your craft and have someone half way around the world give you money for it is truly awesome. It used to be that artists had to deal with gate keepers in order to be seen. It sure helps to get the attention of a big name retailer, but we can do it all on our own now.
I get motivated when I see other artists doing and selling amazing work out in the world and on-line. I have awe and respect for the many people out there who use their hands to create works of art and craft. So, I tell myself, I should be able to do that too! That keeps me going.
There are so many goods today constantly flooding the market that seem to be made to last only a few days. My son is really good at finding the weaknesses in toys that are not made well and then we just have more crap for the landfill. I am filled with such joy in seeing a finely made artisan piece. It could be a sweater, a wooden bread board, a dress, a painting, or anything.
Sure the cheap mass produced stuff is cheaper. Don't get me wrong, I buy it too. But I am trying to limit that to utilitarian items. My desire is to buy fewer decorative things but plan to keep those things forever. I want to support those artists and crafters to keep them doing what they do. A world with less junk going to the landfill is critical now.
It is my hope that I can continue to make pieces of jewelry that lift peoples' spirits and make them smile. Some people have shared with me that they bought items for friends who are going through hard times. I would be forever honored if someone bought one of my pieces and kept it for a long, long time. My goal is to make pieces that have personal meaning to those who wear them.
For anyone who knows about Ayurveda, the sister science to yoga, my dosha is mostly Pitta. That means I am full of fire and intensity. The ocean is the balancing element to my disposition. The inspiration for my jewelry with Seaside Harmony is the ocean and all the nature that surrounds it. I'm hoping that people feel the peace and balance the ocean brings me when they wear my pieces.
If anything I have said resonates with you, let me know! Please share this post with any other ocean/nature lovers out there who also value the work that artisans do. Say hi on my Facebook page or in my private FB group.
https://www.facebook.com/seasideharmonyjewelry/
I am thrilled the summer is starting and the beach is calling. It is a great time to dinners outside and walking down the beach with no where to be. Earrings are always an easy accessory to toss on with those cool beachy dresses. In celebration of the start of summer, I have just listed a new line of enamel wave earrings with a tiny handmade infinity symbol. My personal faves are the transparent enamels that sparkle in the sunlight.
Namaste,
Sarah
Click here to zoom to my collection of new enamel wave earrings for sale.
https://sv2p5dmotetswsdj-11616124987.shopifypreview.com/collections/enamel-wave-earrings
]]>I love San Diego...especially when it's beach weather. And it's starting to feel like summer here. The waves are calling...and I decided to listen!
For example, my daring friend convinced me to try surfing with her for the first time ever a couple weeks ago. I know- how can I not have tried surfing before?? Well, because it's really hard and can be seriously punishing! I'm sorry to say that I got face slammed about ten times and barely made it to my feet. After soreness has abated, I am committed to trying again. I think. Any surfers out there?? I need some serious help! But I DID enjoy being out in the waves, as long as the board did not smash my head.
Surfers and beach bunnies-- dudes, little dudes, dudettes-- really anyone- I can say that my signature wave necklaces and bracelets will stand up great to the real waves out there!! Also, I can figured out how to make my transparent colored waves even more golden and beautiful.
Check 'em out and don't forget your personalization options! Mother's Day is coming soon-- and if mom loves the beach and sun-- I have many colors and options to choose from. If you like the earrings I am wearing in the photo- let me know! I'm making options now but they have not hit the website yet. They have a little silver infinity symbol too.
Gaia loves the beach too. Last weekend, she had her first EVER off leash visit to North Beach in Del Mar. She had a BLAST!!! It was so much fun seeing her run from dog to dog, jump little waves and even snuggle up to some random people.
It's hard to stay in the hot old garage and make things when the sun is out and the beach is calling!! I'm trying...
My first fair of the year is coming May 11th!
North Park Festival of the Arts
11 am to 10 PM-- it's an ALL day and evening event. Come and out and have fun. All ages. Beer garden, bands, DIY fun-- you name it.
Namaste,
Sarah
]]>I will be at the corner of University and Iowa St. with the North Park Craft Mafia. We are a small group of "handmade only" vendors. Skip the commercial junk and see what the people who work with their hands have created for you. Last minute Mother's Day gifts, lovely self care products, fun, silly stuff- we've got it all.
I have also dug into a new line of jewelry that I am super excited about. My goal is to make really interesting pieces that don't look like everything else you see. I want you to know they are handmade! That is what makes them different than all the stuff shipped over from China.
My process on these is to make the focal part of the piece from copper that I have etched. I have created various ocean inspired patterns like swirly lines, waves, circles and spirals. I then enamel a clear gold over the top and do another layer of gorgeous sea loving colors like aqua, seagreen or baby blue. These are the basis for a range of cool new items such as earrings, necklaces and cuffs.
Eventually these will make it to my website for you to be able to order. For now, here is a sneak peek!
]]>When I began thinking about where I wanted to go to college, I dreamed of going all the way to San Diego, California. I envisioned gorgeous beaches, sea breezes and perfect weather all year around. I wasn't too far off. I got into UCSD- and I was in love.
There is something to me about being at the shore that brings immediate peace. It is a sense of wonder, limitless possibilities and feeling part of a much larger natural world. I love the sound of the waves brushing up and down the sand. It is meditative and relaxing. To me, a mermaid is not just a sexy fish-woman, it's a mentality of playfulness and imagination. A Mermaid Mama is youthful no matter her age and loves to commune with the ultimate mama, Mother Nature.
With Mother's Day coming up, are you looking for a thoughtful, handmade gift for your mom, a mom friend, or yourself? As Mermaid or Ocean mamas, we belong to that greater world of the sea, which is always gently calling us to come back and visit.
I am offering my Mermaid and Ocean mama's wave pendant necklace in four colors: seagreen, baby blue, aqua and turquoise. Also, for the moms, I am offering to do a personalization in enamel on the back at no extra cost.
Order before Mother's Day to get a lovely gift wrapped package to deliver yourself or have it directly mailed to mom, wherever she is in the world.
Namaste,
Sarah
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