HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Helllooo! Obviously I never came through on my promises of posting frequently after we came back to the States. Thus, I am taking this great opportunity to start over with the coming of 2011. I've had eye opening creative, inspirational experiences while in Japan (yes that first photo is a Swarovski covered Christmas tree in Harajuku)  and I'm so ready to start this new year with a BANG! I will post about my trip, my new designs, and my new plans for the coming year! (which may or may not include some give aways!) Stay tuned ^^

Hope you all have a safe and most excellent New years and let's stay motivated on our goals and dreams for the coming days :)

Leaving in an hour!

Good evening, I'm going a little crazy right now because we're about to leave for Reagan for our early, early flight the next morning! We'll be catching a few hours of sleep at the airport when we arrive in JFK for a nice 5 hour lay over. From there we will be on our way to Narita in Japan! Looking forward to sleeping a nice 14 hours or so. Sorry there aren't any photos tonight because we just packed the camera away! Hopefully I'll be updating frequently :)

^^ -Amy

Ridgley Recap Plus Japan

Hi everyone! Sorry this recap is late, Just wanted to say what a pleasure it was to be able to show at Ridgley again this year! Everyone is so kind and the atmosphere is so warm :) Thank you to all my wonderful customers who stopped by to say hi! I so enjoy talking with all of you and I hope you found something pretty!

Wanted to share the photo of my new gift table, I thought it was rather nice. This is the first year I've had the time to actually make something like that. It's also the first year that we are actually doing some Holiday shows past December 1st! how exciting.  The show I'm really smiling about is the Symphony Homes for the Holidays on Dec. 11-12! I've never done their boutique but I'm very much looking forward to it. 

In other news... We are leaving for JAPAN tomorrow night!! (well actually Thursday at like 4am) Can you believe it is finally here? I truly can't! We'll be landing in Tokyo on Friday around 4:30 and then our adventures will begin for the next 10 days. 

I'm going to try very hard to document our travels here on this blog as often as I find time/ wifi. But inevitably I'm going to fall behind so, I decided I'm going to be writing things just as they come to me with date and time stamps then load them all when I get the chance. I hope you all will enjoy this little hiatus from my normal blogging!

I'll update here tonight/ tomorrow before we leave! 

xxoo -Amy

Holiday Pretties!

Can't believe I pulled another all nighter! But here are the fruits of my labor :) All of these lovely items will be available tomorrow at the Ridgley Middle School Craft Show and all are under $25! I've created a line of great holiday gifts from new keychains, and hair clips, to pretty pins and rings to help you find that perfect gift that's lovingly handcrafted and unique!

Come out and say hello and remember to sign up to win some more great gifts by clicking the link on the side of this blog!

Ridgley Middle School  Craft Show

121 Ridgley rd. 

Lutherville, MD 21093

10am - 3pm

Home Show Recap!

Thank you all for making this years home show so much fun! It was lovely talking with each and every one of you and I hope you got some pretty things for your loved ones and for yourselves :)

A BIG thank you goes to My Father for providing his beautiful photography that graced the walls,  my Mother for baking the delicious food (as always!) and to Artist Caitlin Johns for creating the best holiday cards I've ever seen! You all are so talented and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

We also were able to raise over $50 for Compassion Christmas gifts! That is equal to giving 5 children something special this year! Thank you everyone who purchased the Compassion Bracelets this weekend.

I'm so happy that we were able to put on the Home Show again  despite our tight schedule. I really think it's important that we try to buy locally because it helps build community, communication, and helps create a more sustainable environment. So thank you all for contributing to that ideal!

Here are a few photos from the weekend:

Come out to see us next at Ridgley Middle School Craft Fair this Saturday from 10am - 3pm!

121 Ridgley rd. 

Lutherville, MD 21093

Holiday Cards!

Here is a preview of some of the AMAZING Holiday cards artist Caitlin Johns has created for our upcoming shows! They will be making their debut first at the Home Show this weekend. Super excited! 

I think my favorite is the bunny and the turtle :) so cute!

Things are looking good around here, I'm getting in the holiday mood by decorating the walls with snowflakes and snow white pinwheels! It's going to be a fun weekend, hope to see you all there! 

Remember to sign up to win some free jewelry by clicking the link on the side of this Blog!

Ms. Charm's Chic Interview

Hello! I had the great pleasure of being interviewed recently by Ms Charm's Chic Blog and I wanted to share it with you all.  I hope you have some fun reading a little more about myself and my work    :)  You can read the inteview HERE.

"Ms. Charm’s Chic defines Baltimore’s fashion scene by providing fashionable ladies and gentlemen with the latest fashion news happening in Charm City.

Fashion designers, boutique owners, and other style makers have a platform to share their stories with the world.

Ms. Charm’s Chic is a fashion blog that brings together Baltimore’s young trendy fashionistas, chic career women and fabulous mothers in one place."  - Paulette, Writer for Ms Charm's Chic

_________________________________

REMINDER: HOME SHOW THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

11am - 4pm

e-mail me at info@sunahjewelry for an invite!

New Work

Here are a few preview photos of what I'm working on! I don't have much time today but just wanted to pop in and share :) 

Hope to see  you all this weekend at the Home Show!

It's not too late to get an E-vite! Email me here:

info@sunahjewelry.com

Less than One Week

Hope everyone had a great Halloween weekend! I'm currently photographing my new work for some promotional materials so I don't have any photos at this hour, but I'll be posting some more tonight. It's officially less than one week before the Home Show and I'm so busy! I'm setting up the new displays and doing some last minute cleaning in the studio today.

Like I've mentioned before, I work best under pressure, and this weekend has produced some very creative pieces. I'm hoping to have some new pieces in my Shop this week. If not they will be on display this weekend! I'll be sending out reminders tonight and later this week to everyone who is on our mailing list! Want to join the fun? Just e-mail me at info@sunahjewelry for a Home Show Invite!

Also, remember that you can win some great gifts by becoming a follower of our Blog by clicking the link on the side of this page, or by signing up at one of our Shows!

A Helping Stone

Earlier this year we gave a portion of money from my stone effect pendants to help Haiti. This time we are going to be giving a portion from our Stone effect bracelets to our favorite charity: Compassion International.  

We sponsor a child from India named Rubi and we just adore her. My husband (then boyfriend) and I became sponsors back when we were just highschoolers. We were at a concert and they gave a call out into the crowd to those who felt moved to help a less fortunate child, and we just felt moved to answer that call. These last seven  years have been a true blessing to us, being able to write to Rubi and get to know her as she has grown up into a passionate young lady.

So every year Compassion allows their sponsors to donate money into a pool that they use to buy all of the children Christmas gifts, and that is where we are donating this years money. You can visit Compassion's website if you are interested in sponsoring a child of your own:

Compassion International

Ornaments!

Happy to announce that we have Holiday Ornaments on sale in the shop now! They are part of my stone effect series and are perfect for hanging up around the house. 

You can purchase a single ornament,  or as a set of 3. These make such pretty hostess gifts!

Check them out at our Etsy Shop.

We will of course have these pretties at the Home Show and our other Shows into December. It's still not too late to get an e-vite to the Home Show! 

e-mail me at info@sunahjewelry.com if you would like to stop by.

Little Bird Falls in Love Collaboration

One of the most exciting things about being an artist is being able to meet other artists and share our ideas and talents. You just never know what will be created. I'm super excited to share a collaboration that amazingly talented artist, teacher, and friend, Caitlin Johns has created for Sun Ah Blair Jewelry.

 Caitlin has an  uncanny knack for making things just plain adorable, so it was only natural for her to collaborate with my little bird pendants which so many people label as "so cute!" Caitlin has her degree in Art Education from Towson University and teaches children of all ages the joy of creativity. She is amazing in just about every medium, but painting is her main love.

I'm also very excited to announce that she has graciously decided to create a line of holiday cards for my upcoming shows! You will be able to purchase them at the Holiday home Show and all of my shows through December. I will share preview photos when they are ready.


Some of Caitlin's paintings:

Giveaway Photos!

Here they are! Photos of the giveaway pairs! Remember you can win two ways: sign up to be a follower of our blog by clicking the link on the side of this page, or visiting us at the Home Show or any other show in November to sign up! 

 * Cherry and Crane Bracelet & Crane pin

 Little Bird Necklace & Large pair of earrings

 Look book necklace & charm bracelet

Little Squares Necklace &  Dogwood Charm bracelet

I caught a cold at my last show so I'm going to get some much needed rest. Hope to  shake this thing so I can get back to working on all the fun that is the Holiday Home Show!

Need an invite? simply e-mail me at info@sunahjewelry.com and I'll send one your way!

Details

Hello! It's getting late and I have a show tomorrow early, early, early, so I won't post photos tonight but I have the details of the giveaway:

We're giving away sets of jewelry that can be worn together or can stand alone. This way you can keep one and give one as a gift for the holidays! (or just keep both, you decide) Here is what you can win:

* Look book necklace & charm bracelet
* Cherry and Crane Bracelet & Crane pin
* Little Squares Necklace &  Dogwood Charm bracelet
* Little Bird Necklace & Large pair of earrings

I'll have photos up tomorrow after the show of all of these! We have 2 ways to get entered to win these:

1) become a follower of our blog by clicking on the side of this page
2) visit us at the home show or any of our shows in November and sign up

We'll do a random drawing of names at the end of November and winners will be notified via e-mail or phone. Packages will be sent the first week in December just in time for gift giving season!

What's better than Jewelry?

Free Jewelry! As you might have guessed, we're going to be giving away some lovely pieces this year. I'll post more details later tonight.  If you Haven't become a follower of our blog, simply follow the link on the side of this page! ( it will help you later for the give away! ) or e-mail me for a paperless home show invite ( it will help you later for the give away as well! )

Insight into my Process

So I never got to officially unveil this design, and it's a good thing I took some last minute photos of them before my show this last weekend because they have since found new homes. This was a necklace that I had wanted to make for a while now, ever since a customer told me I should translate a similar pin into a necklace. 

I originally wanted to make two smaller flowers and one larger one, but at the last minute switched to keeping it uniform and I'm glad I did. It's a very statement piece and it uses a whole bunch of fun patterns from my Fall/Winter collection. It was received very well at my last show and I regret that I had only made two. Lesson learned, I will have more of these at my Holiday Home Show and the rest of my shows into December.

Now I'm about to create just a single flower pendant from this design. I guess I'm working backwards!

*** I now only have a handful of paper invitations to The Holiday Home Show so please let me know if you want a physical invite before they are all gone! Shoot me an e-mail for a paperless version: info@sunahjewelry.com ***

Cozy Things

For some reason I was so cold today! Bundled in far too many layers for an October Tuesday, my mind of course started thinking about knitting. Since getting back with my new yarns from Philly, I've been carefully thinking of what to make from their expensive greatness. I decided it has to be something intricate because I just don't feel right using a $20 hand-dyed skein for a scarf. I'm thinking these lovely leg warmers might fit the bill.

Then I saw a photo of a hot water bottle and thought: now that's something I don't think of very much! (actually ever) but now I am. Ever since I found this crazy beautiful cabled hot water bottle cozy I can't stop thinking about them! I must make one this winter.

Lastly, the coziest thing I can think of when I'm cold, is of course the Kotatsu. The Japanese really have something good going on. To all who are unfamiliar, Kotatsu is basically a heater beneath a table covered in a futon that traps all that glorious warmth. I make a similar style in the winter and it is the greatest thing to just relax and watch tv while drinking hot tea or chocolate with your friends!

Hoping tomorrow is not quite so chilly!

(but if it is I can always make kotatsu)

*** Getting lots of replies for home show invites and I'm beginning to run low! Please let me know soon if you would like a physical mailed version of the invitation soon! Paperless versions are infinite, so if you'd like one of those, contact me anytime. Visit the Fall Home show page for more details.

Fall is in Swing

Finished putting together all of the Fall Home Show Invites this afternoon! I decided to make them this year instead of having them printed as postcards like I've done in the past. They are a bit more whimsical but I think it goes along well with my new work. If you would enjoy receiving a mailed version, just shoot me an e-mail with your mailing address and I'll gladly send one over to you!

Also, I created a page on the website devoted to the Home Show this year. So if you haven't seen it yet, you can take a peak here!

In other news, I'm doing some redecorating in my studio. Ever since I came back from Omoi in Philly, I just can't get the image of their side wall out of my head. It was covered in Black and white Japanese Manga drawings and it just looked so cool! I'm trying to figure out how to recreate a similar look. Also, I decided to try my hand at apple sauce tonight. It came out tasty but had a way smoother texture than store bought apple sauce. It was a good first try at least! 

What kinds of Fall food do you like to cook?

Fall Home and Garden Show Recap/ More fun!

Back from my crazy 3 day show weekend! I love the atmosphere of multi-day shows. It's like a little community pops up overnight in a place where there was once just bare floors and walls. You get to know your neighbors and other vendors more personally, and it's a close knit feeling shared between artists. Coming back to my booth in the early mornings is a bit  like returning to a second home. 

I was so glad to have such wonderful vendors around me and it made the whole weekend just fly by! I met some amazing customers and was happy as always to see some familiar faces. I also had the pleasure of receiving some amazing offers to participate in other events. Overall, it was a pretty good show (especially since it was indoors!) 

I'll be at the Cockeysville Fall Festival this Sat for a few hours and then it's onto the most exciting show on my schedule : THE ANNUAL FALL HOME SHOW! 

 November 6-7 

11am-4pm

this year it will be at my very own house so everyone can take a peak at my little studio and say hello to my two Japanese cats.

***Reminder to all of you who want a paperless invite, please contact me at info@sunahjewelry.com 

Weekend in Photos

 I'm working late to get ready for MD Home and Garden this weekend, but I promised to share  my photos from Philadelphia so here are a few plus some others:

Labels to make my supplies easier to find.

Photos going out with recent show applications.

My day in Philly began at 9am and I found myself wandering down some lovely neighborhoods. I was ultimately searching for an awesome store that I had heard of online called Omoi.

After 3 hours of getting lost and walking about 5 miles, I found it! Omoi means interesting in Japanese and it was just that. Filled with the cutest Japanese stationary, jewelry, and so much more! I had to restrain from buying everything.

A piece of the mosaic maze wall. I especially loved the quote embedded on the blocks.

My spoils from the day: Gorgeous yarns from Rosie's Yarn Cellar, deco tape, Kaolin clay soap, kawaii pig pencil sharpener, and Japanese bunny paper punch from Omoi.

The first photo doesn't do this Manos del Uruguay yarn justice. It's hand dyed, gorgeous merino wool/silk blend. Plus it's made by an organization that helps to bring economic and social opportunities to rural women. Beautiful.

Yum! It's really Fall! Made some pumpkin bread and bought that tasty pumpkin butter from TJ's!

In addition to this, I have so many exciting new patterns for winter  that are gracing my newest pieces. Plus a I had an explosion of new designs. This weekend is going to be so much fun! Make sure to come out to the MD Home and Garden Show to say hello and browse for some early Holiday goodies, or contact me for an invite to the Annual Fall Home Show on November 6-7!

xxoo -Amy