Our Next Chapter

Big news! Dave and I just closed on what will be our brick and mortar storefront, Helium Studio. In what was formerly a used bookstore in the Main Street historic district of Wayne, Michigan, we plan to offer our own handmade jewelry, as well as jewelry and other handcrafted items by local artists. But before we can plan a grand opening, there are about 10,000 used books to inventory and liquidate. Then rehab and remodel the space, which hasn't been updated in years. And in the meantime, get the word out to the community and invite artists who would be perfect for our collection of fab goods. Stay tuned for book sale news and other updates!

How do you keep your lists?

I find that I can be more productive when I keep a list of to-dos. I know, not shocking. Everybody's doing it. 

As of yesterday, I'm using a sharpie and a note pad that I plan to keep available so that when things come to me, blah blah. I'm even numbering the to-dos. Great, huh? 

Well, you would think that with so much to do I would have awakened at the crack of dawn and started with item one. Well, I slept in a little later than the crack of dawn. Then I went to an estate sale (not on my list) and to shop for a padded envelope to mail a book (on my list, but Dollar Store didn't have one large enough). Then I made myself some tomato soup, clickety-clacked through Facebook and now I'm blogging. Still can't cross anything off. Back to the list. 

But I did get a nice piece of pottery at that estate sale.

 

How do you keep your lists?

After: my red piano

Ta-daaaah! Completed my first painted furniture adventure. 

Jumping on the painted furniture bus

A few years ago, my church offered this piano to anyone who would rescue it. I promised to take good care of it, which included re-painting it. It used to be a player piano. Not sure I will restore it to that state any time soon, but repaint it, I shall - finally! Here's a "before" shot. Updates as soon as I have progress to share. Stay tuned. 

New year, new jewelry elements

My dear husband gifted me with a neat gadget for Christmas - a Sizzix BigKick for embossing metal. I'm going to have a blast creating new jewelry elements, like the patina-ed disc below. Check it out in our etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/174298452/aviary-1

Blog Girl necklace giveaway on Danielle's blog ... check it out!

See more at Helium Studio and Post on etsy

Like to blog, or to follow blogs? Show your colors! 12-year-old Danielle of "Danielle's Fun Blog" is giving away one of our hand-stamped Blog Girl necklaces. There are a few rules (following our blogs, liking pages, etc.), but it's all worth it! Check out Danielle's blog post here and get your chance to win. I'm so jazzed to help this young blogger. You go, Danielle Muniz!

Bravo, Holly Laginess!

 Today I'm saluting a fantastic woman who has taken a risk on behalf of so many artists. She's invested in developing a brick and mortar store, Poesy, that features so many talented artists from Michigan and the US. Holly Laginess, who is also a superbly talented artist - By Golly By Holly - expertly (it seems to me, at least!) juggles the challenges of running a small business, including balancing the interests of artists with her own drive for success. You've gotta stop by her shop, which is in Royal Oak, Michigan, on Rochester Road between 11 and 12 Mile Roads, nestled in a little neighborhood. Holly, I hope this paragraph is a small encouragement to you today. You go, talented lady!!