Trunk Show @ Little Things

I'm so pleased to announce that the lovely Andrea over at Little Things will be hosting an AMiRA jewelry Trunk Show! I will have quite a few new designs, and some oldies-but-goodies, too. Come hangout, drink some bubbly, and find your favorite new Spring/Summer accessories!

Little Things

1720 NW lovejoy #102

Portland OR, 97209

www.littlethingspdx.com

Trunk Show opening night Friday, April 20th 5 to 8pm

AMiRA jewelry in view Saturday & Sunday, too!

SPRING SALE

COUPON CODE: SUNNYDAYSALE

Use coupon code: SUNNYDAYSALE and receive 35% OFF everything in my Etsy Shop....EVERYTHING! Sales starts 4/2 and ends 4/9!

Simply enter coupon code when checking out on Etsy and you will receive 35% OFF of your purchase.

www.amirajewelry.etsy.com

fab.com SALE

and inspiration lives on....

I feel good writing at this very moment. It has been far too long since I last posted on this blog of mine. I cannot say that I regret not writing on the computer, here on this blog, for I have been swept away by other adventures, projects, goals, deadlines, recipes, relationships - it has been so good.

AMiRA jewelry had an incredibly successful year in 2011. There was growth, love, exploration, and rejuvenation. Craft shows and online sales were tremendous and then we spent a good two weeks living life in the mountains, on the ocean with feet in sand, strolling around cities, escaping to the desert and soaking in hot springs, to name a few! AND, I became engaged! A phenomenal year, to sum it up in one word.

After much relax and restoration, I am back creating new designs, exploring new materials and having loads of fun! With a number of new buyers interested in my lines, I have been busy creating a line sheet full of photos, information and pricing for the wholesale customer. AMiRA jewelry is truly growing. And, I feel so fortunate that I am able to do something that drives me so, something that keeps me feeling alive, in thought, in action, with heart, and with purpose. I often think and hope that other people feel this way about something dear to them. And, I hope I may offer some inspiration to be fearless, even though I, at times, fear. There is comfort in knowing that we all feel these incredible and varied emotions. The answer? There is never one. A solution? Be creative. This sets you free.

Well, upcoming news is that I will be featured yet again on fab.com in March for a great sale featuring new and old designs. I will also be attending and selling my work at The American Crafts Festival at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts June 16th & 17th. There will be many more shows to come this summer, fall and winter.....the line is going to be substantial and I am excited to travel!

Enjoy these new designs. Thanks!

Wedding Bling!

My good friends were married recently, and I was given the honor of making jewelry for the bridesmaids as a surprise gift from the bride. Creating this collection of hammered brass, sterling silver, stones, crystals and brass beads was a milestone for me and my jewelry. I am now totally in love with metalwork! Smooshing metal is so fun! So is sanding, drilling and forming! And I love combining metal with my woven macrame work. I feel like with each new tool and technique I learn, I am more able to create the specific images of creations that are in my mind.

Check it out!

Interesting Exhibit @ San Francisco Museum of Craft and Folk Art

Wrapping Traditions:
Korean Textiles Now
June 17 – October 22, 2011

This exhibition presents the work of 66 artists from Korea, the United States, England, Finland, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Iceland, and Japan. The work includes delicately pieced and hand stitched traditional Bojagi, wearable pieces, installations, and wall hangings, all of which echo the larger world of art. This uniquely Korean folk art of anonymous ancestors has evolved into a contemporary art form embraced worldwide.

Brass Jewelry

I have just about finished ten piece of new hammered brass, chain and stone jewelry for my friend's bridal party!

I will, of course, post some photographs, but only after the wedding - the jewelry is a surprise present for the bridesmaids! Shhhhhh.......

Brass is a new love of mine. It is soft, beautiful, similar to gold in look, but much more affordable!

And the history of brass is quite interesting, too!

Brass Jewelry is an ancient classical jewelry. People began wearing it thousands of years ago.

Throughout history, brass has been loved by many people and cultures due to its malleability. There are stunning examples of brass jewelry from Iran, Eastern Europe and Egypt. Brass was one of the first metals to be used by humans in its natural occurring state. Brass was used as a substitute for stone by Neolithic humans around 8000 B.C. brass castings first appeared around 4000 B.C. by the Egyptians, and 500 years later, around 3500 B.C., it was alloyed with tin to produce Bronze. One of brass first "commercial" uses was in the ancient production of mirrors due to its shimmering beauty and was associated in mythology and alchemy to the goddess Venues/Aphrodite. The name brass is derived from the Latin aes Cyprium, which means "metal of Cyprus," which was later shortened to cyprium, and later corrupted to cuprum.

The Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan has probably the world's largest concentration of native brass. Other localities include Bolivia, the Ural Mountains in Russia, England, Australia, Germany, and Arizona. The warm rich tones of brass jewelry not only make it a "must have" of any fashion conscious woman, it provides a similar look to Rose Gold at a fraction of the price.

Brass Jewelry is favored by many due to its beauty and versatility; it has similar color likes gold jewelry. Besides, good flexibility and scalability, and so many creative designs available because of its softness and malleability; jewelry designer can use it to create a unique style of jewelry design.