Tangerine Treehouse

Spiffy new banner

2008-08-19T10:49:00.000-07:00

So I updated my banner above. What do you think? I also updated the banner on my etsy shop and I did a big update of my website. I think it looks cleaner and more modern. Ooh la la.

I'm still trying to sort out a tagline. I like the idea of having a tagline because it gives me a quick and simple way to describe my work and draw someone in. Especially with several shows coming up - I can use all the help I can get to pull people over to my booth(s). The problem is that I've spent so much time thinking about what sort of language to use that it's all a big jumble in my head. Which is where you come in... If you had to pick two or three words to describe my jewelry - the style, the feeling, the construction - what would they be? I would so greatly appreciate any thoughts. (You can just leave 'em in the comments.)

Making the most of my weekend

2008-08-16T12:23:00.000-07:00

This week was a perfect example of why it can be so hard to juggle jewelry-making and another full-time job. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, I had to be at the office much much too early for a training (seriously, 6:15am?!). Which, needless to say, meant that I was tired to the point of delirious by the time I got home. I did a little bit of soldering Tuesday evening before I realized that I was probably way too tired to be wielding a torch.

So, I have BIG plans for this weekend, and a lot to finish up.

First off... the big pile of pendants to be soldered. Here they are, waiting patiently in my pickle pot. By the end of today, I need to have them all prepped and ready for me to drop in the bark and twigs and seeds and paper...

Next up is finishing all the bangles on my bench. I got in an order of some beautiful new seeds, so I want to set some of the bangles with some different colors. And, after that, I have another bunch of earrings waiting for me. Whew.

Also, I've been working with my mom (who is a beautiful graphic designer) to re-vamp my logo and construct a tagline for my jewelry. I'll be updating the banner on my sites shortly, but here's a sneak preview...

Have a great weekend everyone!

Woo Hoo!

2008-08-11T14:51:00.001-07:00

It was such a pleasure to drop by the website of the show I'll be participating in and be greeted with this lovely image...

Fall Festival is getting closer and I am so excited!

Back into Production Mode

2008-08-10T17:45:00.000-07:00

I'm getting back into the groove of working in every spare moment in order to get ready for Fall Festival. Below, lots of pendants I cut and formed and filed and sanded this weekend, now waiting to be soldered together...

On another note, I also made reservations for our train trip to Oregon for the show. I'm excited to be able to able to travel via train and not have to rent a car or fly. While a bit slow, it's such a lovely way to travel (not to mention that it leaves a smaller footprint). And I'm really looking forward to those 30 hours to just relax (because, after all of this hard work, I am really going to need it!).

Reader's Choice

2008-08-08T10:34:00.000-07:00

Thanks Kat for posting my work as the current Reader's Choice on Smidge! Smidge is a great website with articles and a forum to connect you with the modern craft community.

Going Car-Free

2008-08-06T16:51:00.000-07:00

I am sitting in my apartment right now, a bit stunned by how easy it was to part with my trusty Saturn. Her new owners are a lovely couple, exactly the people I was hoping would come along. And they are very excited to take her home. He paid me in cash, I signed over the pink slip, handed him the key, and that was it.

And now I am officially Car-Free!

No more insurance payments. No more remembering to move her out of the way of the street sweeper. No more scheming where to park her when we'll be out of town.

As much as I loved my car and have really incredible memories of her, it's such a wonderful feeling to let her go and be 100% on my bike and my own two feet. And I feel incredibly blessed that I have the option and opportunity to make this choice.

Bye Scout.

(Photo of me driving away in Scout in May 2001 after my graduation... Our maiden voyage was from school in Massachusetts to my mom's home in Oregon... Notice my dad's reflection in the back window as he takes the photo)

What I'm working on today

2008-08-02T19:21:00.000-07:00

Today, I'm giving my camera a bit of a workout. I've been wanting to change up my style of photos for awhile now and decided that today would be the day. A few examples...

And new photos mean a shop update!

Today is also the day that I took the plunge and put my trusty car up for sale. I'm quite proud of the fact that I've only driven 627 miles this year. And that I go practically everywhere on my bicycle. So, really, it just doesn't make any sense to hang onto her anymore. Bye, Scout. If you're interested in a dependable, high-mpg car, let me know.

It's so hard to come home

2008-08-01T14:52:00.000-07:00

A good vacation is one where you can forget what you left behind and just relax and rest. Which is definitely what ours was. Lots of fresh air, trees, exploring a beautiful city, drinking wonderful NW beers, eating way too much good food. The trouble with good vacations, however, is that it makes it that much harder to get back into the swing of things upon returning.

I do have a lot of plans for my weekend, though, so it's time to shake off this sluggishness and get back to work.

Clocking out for a few days...

2008-07-22T21:03:00.000-07:00

I am running away from Southern California for a few days to enjoy the trees and fresh air of Portland, Oregon. And, boy, do I need it. Isn't it funny how you always end up running yourself especially ragged right before leaving on vacation?

I didn't quite get my bracelets all finished the way I wanted. They're just missing the seed. Which, of course, is the part that makes you feel like you've truly accomplished something. But, sometimes, you just have to say enough.

I'll be back July 31, hopefully rested and ready to dive into all of the other work ahead of me.

A few close ups...

2008-07-20T19:24:00.000-07:00

I finally finished stringing some new pendants this afternoon and I thought I'd post some close up shots. I'm really happy with the way these turned out.

Seed pod. One of many I found just down the block.

Lots of bright pink flower buds. Rescued from a fading flower bouquet.

I really must find a good botanical book to help me identify what all of these seeds and flowers and leaves and whatnot are. Anyone have any good recommendations?

Flickr update

2008-07-17T11:46:00.001-07:00

I decided to make my life really confusing and create a second flickr account. Really, I think it'll make things simpler, since I can separate jewelry-related stuff from my other random personal stuff. So, if you've made a note of my previous flickr account, make note of my new account: Tangerine Treehouse.

Right now, it has my inspiration photoset and some jewelry pics. I will continue to update with some process photos and my new work over the next few weeks.

Sustainable Bling

2008-07-15T11:57:00.000-07:00

It's here! It's here! I was so excited when my package from Hoover & Strong arrived yesterday. Besides the simple joy that comes from receiving a big box of metal (which, trust me, is kind of like opening presents on Christmas), I'm excited because this is all recycled metal!

Wait, what? Remember my waxing on poetically about sustainability and how much I've been wanting to reduce my impact as a jewelry maker? Well, I opened an account with Hoover & Strong, a refiner in the United States that takes scrap precious metal from around the industry, melts it down, and sells a product we makers can whip into jewelry. Like that beautiful piece of sterling silver sheet shown above. (Read more about Hoover & Strong's commitment to recycled metals.)

I still have some non-recycled metal to use up and get out the door, so it will take me some time yet for all of my jewelry to be fully constructed from recycled silver. But, think of it like a farmer making the decision to turn organic. It can take up to seven years for soil that's been tainted with petrochemical fertilizers and pesticides to be certified organic. My process will be similar, although I sure hope it doesn't take seven years!

What all of this means is that I'm no longer contributing to mining, which is not only harmful to our planet but to the thousands of men and women employed in this way. It means that I'm using what we already have around us, instead of creating more (much in the same way that I use leaves which have already hit the ground). And it means that you can feel better about your purchase of Tangerine Treehouse jewelry.

Watch for labels noting jewelry that's comprised of recycled metals. And if you'd like to learn more about the impact of mining and what we can do to effect change, let me suggest a few links:
Rust Belt Research Blog
Fair Trade Jewelry

Happy Tuesday!

On a roll...

2008-07-13T18:31:00.000-07:00

I have been in work mode all weekend. As Fall Festival looms ever closer, I'm starting to get a bit nervous about finishing everything in time. Especially since I'm off on vacation in a week and a half. So, my goal for myself was to get the pile of pendants on my bench finished this weekend, along with a pile of new earrings. Then, when I get my Hoover & Strong order tomorrow, I can start cranking out a pile of bracelets. And, hopefully, I'll be able to relax when we head out of town.

So, how am I doing? Well, here are the pendants, waiting for the shellac to dry...

And here are the earrings that I've finished up so far (10 pair)...

Which I guess means that I'm in pretty good shape.

Great Bike Stuff on Etsy

2008-07-12T17:31:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Sally over at On DogwoodLane for including my head badges in her post about great bike stuff on Etsy.

I was so thrilled to hear from her because I have been secretly coveting her handmade bags for bikes... and plotting one for my new touring bike that I'm ever-so-slowly building up.

Speaking of head badges, check this one that I finished up today for a custom order.

Featured Artist

2008-07-10T13:40:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Catherine for putting up a lovely feature on me and my work over on the EtsyMetal blog!

Check it out...

Introducing Custom Head Badges for your Bicycle!

2008-07-07T15:27:00.000-07:00

This idea has been brewing for about two months and I am happy to announce that I am finally taking orders for custom head badges!

What's a head badge? Think of it as a hood ornament for your bicycle. It gets mounted to the front part of your bike's head tube. Most bicycles these days have a wimpy plastic head badge or, even worse, a painted logo. But, you're unique, and you want your bicycle to reflect you (not the company that you bought the bike from). Which is where a custom head badge comes in...

These are just a few samples that I have made for myself and friends. But, the sky's the limit as far as designs. If you can draw it as a simple black & white line drawing, then I can make it into a head badge.

Basic pricing is as follows:
:: Custom head badges in copper start at $70.
:: Custom head badges in sterling silver start at $85.
:: Design fee (if you need some help making your idea into a 2-D image): $10.

How do you order? I have added listings to my etsy shop where you can order easily. Simply use the "Notes to Seller" section to explain what your design will be and provide an email address or phone number so I can contact you. Turn around time will be approximately 1 week.

Over the next few weeks, I will also be adding some simple "stock" shapes that will be less expensive, in case you want something more unique than "Trek" but aren't sure just what you're looking for yet.

Need some ideas? Check out the head badge group on flickr.

P.S. Thank you Bike Commuters for a lovely write up!

Simple Silver Cuff

2008-07-06T20:30:00.000-07:00

What a fantastically productive weekend I've had. I have lots to share this week. And I thought I'd start with this new bracelet...

It's a simple silver cuff, with a hammered texture and a single chocho seed (I bought these when I was in Peru a few years ago- they're supposed to bring good luck).

The only problem is that I was so excited to see what it would look like with the seed that I completely forgot that I had wanted to add a patina. So, this is my trial piece. I'm going to wear it to work tomorrow and make sure it holds up through the day and see if there's anything else that I want to change about the design. With any luck, I'll have these up in my etsy shop in very short order!

Edited to say that I will need to order some thicker gauge metal, as this bracelet is a bit too thin and fragile-feeling. It will probably be next week before I get my order in and have some bracelets ready to sell.

The lighter side of the "Not What We Were Expecting" Tour

2008-07-01T22:08:00.000-07:00

We're back from our crazy weekend adventure. I'll skip all the gory details, but suffice it to say that we picked some gnarly climbs to go up and over and some pretty ridiculous roads to get us to the top. Instead, I think I'll focus on some of the more lovely aspects of the trip... A beautiful sunset over Lake Cachuma... lots of gorgeous wild grass everywhere... and one of the most amazing campgrounds ever at Refugio State Beach...

And, now, I need to stop playing for a little while and get some work done.

It's my Birthday - and I'll bike tour if I want to

2008-06-27T11:59:00.000-07:00

As Russ and I get more and more into bicycling, bike touring more and more becomes our vacation of choice. And, this weekend, as a celebration of my birthday, and a sort of bribe to myself for entering that dreaded last year before I turn 30, we're headed off on a mini tour. Taking Amtrak up to Goleta (North of Santa Barbara), then riding up to Cachuma Lake for a night of camping, then riding down to Refugio State Beach for another night of camping, then back into Goleta to take the train home.

There are lots of hills to climb, incredible views to look out upon, and hopefully some stars (maybe we'll be far enough away from civilization?).

And all of the work to be done can just wait for me on my bench...

A few things up my sleeve...

2008-06-25T17:12:00.001-07:00

I'm happy to report that the heat wave has come and gone - and that a line of new pieces and experiments await me on my workbench. I'm excited about some of the projects that I'm working on and look forward to spilling the beans. But, I've got a few things to finish up before I make any announcements, so we'll all just have to be patient. :)

In the meantime, I wanted to say thank you to all the lovely members of etsy metal for voting me onto the team. I'm so thrilled to be a part of the group and look forward to getting to know you all!

Heat wave

2008-06-22T13:50:00.000-07:00

Not to whine or anything, but it's really hot here in Long Beach this weekend. And since I'm not yet fortunate enough to have an air-conditioned studio, this is what I'm facing indoors...

Which stinks because the last thing I want to do in this heat is light up my torch... but I also don't want to waste this great chunk of time off from my day job. Anyone else out there just grinning and bearing the heat?

Experiments with Shellac, part 2

2008-06-18T19:35:00.000-07:00

So, what do all the little leaves and flowers and fuzzy whatnot look like after 24 hours? Actually, I'm really impressed. I was afraid the fuzzy seed pod things would wind up with that "wet dog" look (sticky and matted down), but they still look rather interesting, and I think that I could incorporate them into just the right piece. The bark looks much better (shinier, more vibrant colors) after applying the shellac. And the cream-colored wild grass that I brought back from Paso Robles managed to maintain its delicate look and feel. I have my whole weekend set aside to disappear into my studio, so I'm really excited to see what comes out of there.

Sleepy? Let the Shellac wake you up...

2008-06-17T20:46:00.000-07:00

Lately, I've been feeling rather sleepy and unable to focus. With all that's coming up, it's a little disconcerting. But, you can't force genius, so I've been letting myself play for the past few days - which, for me, means riding my bike a lot and re-reading my favorite book.

Now, lest you interpret this as me slacking off (don't worry, I'm still going to kick butt at Fall Festival and be an awesome new etsy metal member), I've also been busy collecting all sorts of Mother Nature's odds and ends.

And since most of what I've been gathering are things that I've never worked with before (and since all good periods of sitting on your butt must end), I thought tonight would be as good a time as any to do a bit of experimenting.

Just what will all these little guys look like after they've been soaked with a healthy dose of shellac?

A clean studio... and a new pair of earrings

2008-06-10T10:48:00.000-07:00

As I’m starting to pull together all the pieces for Fall Festival and think about everything that I’ll need to think about, I’m realizing that I’m going to have to start thinking bigger. I’ve done my share of craft fairs over the past few years. Standing for hours, hawking myself and my work, finding the humor in it all. But, even with all of this experience, I haven’t ever had to fully inhabit a 10’ x 10’ booth space. So, I’m delving into this whole new world and learning as I go.

My first step? Clean my studio. I tend to work on several projects at once and get out all of my tools and leave metal scraps and sketches and other whatnot strewn around as I go. Somehow, it just works for me to do it this way. But, when I need to start thinking about new designs and where to go next, I have to clear out all of the clutter. And, lo and behold, I discovered little piles of dried flowers in various corners of my studio. I put them all together, and now, not only do I know what I have to work with, but I have a really pretty bouquet to look at in the meantime.

And a new pair of earrings! I made these earrings for the Handmade Revolution show last weekend. I really like the simple spiral shape. And they’re really lightweight. As soon as I get a better photo taken, they’re going up in my Etsy shop.

Happy Tuesday!

My Craft Fair Rig

2008-06-02T10:20:00.001-07:00

I'm getting pretty good at taking my craft fair booth on the bike. It's a little like being part of a traveling circus. But, I love that I can haul everything I need without ever getting in my car. Of course it helps that I wasn't setting up a huge space, but I'd say it's a pretty good testament for just how much a person can do without a car. :)

The Handmade Revolution show was great. Thanks to everyone who came out. It was a beautiful day and I had some really great conversations with folks that dropped by. It's always interesting to me to see which pieces people are drawn to. Oftentimes, it's not exactly what I would expect. I got some pretty good interest in the head badges, too, which is exciting. And it's always good to have the opportunity to go through my little spiel about myself and my work. So, in all, I'm quite happy with the experience.

Now to start focusing on the Fall Festival...