Busy, busy, busy....

After a year selling exclusively online and in boutiques, I am going back to my roots. I began my career as an independent designer at The South End Open Market in Boston. I signed up for a whole season's worth of Sunday before I had even made my first piece of jewelry. Though it was frightening and stressful, that first season formed the foundation for what my business is today. Now that I am back in New England, I'm ready to load up my Saab wagon and head to the shows. I am very lucky to be participating in TWO new markets this holiday season.
Nearly every Saturday from November 1st until Christmas, you will find me at:
Design Hive

Maria Baldwin School (formerly the Agassiz School)

28 Sacramento St. (off Mass Ave. @ corner of Oxford St.)

Cambridge, MA 02138

Then on Sundays you can find me at:
The Prudential Center Artisan Market
800 Boylston St
Boston, MA 02199

As if that wasn't enough of The Pebble Collection, you will also find me at:
SOWA Holiday Market
December 13 & 14
74 Union Park Street
Boston, MA

*sigh*
Just looking at the list of dates exhausts me! But I am really excited and hope that anyone in the area will come out and see me and my collection in person.

A Whole New Look....

If you have been a regular customer, you might have noticed that my packaging has gone through several evolutions. While in the US, I have always used Oatmeal colored recycled paper boxes. When I was shipping from Australia, the postal regulations there required a different style of packaging. I spend countless hour cutting and folding little matchbook boxes and individually wrapping each one. The result was quite lovely but took a lot of time away from other important things like designing new jewelry.
Now that I am back in the US for good and finally have a respectable studio established, it is time to realize the vision I have had for my brand. I absolutely fell in love with this particular Damask pattern and have been incorporating it into my packaging and web design ever since. The former version was sweet and lavender. It was nice, but didn't quite communicate what I wanted. Well, I have finally had the chance to work on the evolution of this theme. The result, I think, is spectacular. I had custom stamps made by another Etsy seller. I have used the stamps to hand print the top and bottom of all my boxes, a tedious task I assure you! But it was well worth it. Along with a new shop banner and website, the packaging really pulls together the collection. I'm very excited about the new look and hope to see the reaction of my customers showing up in their feedback.

Gremlins....

So, I have been intending to write a daily blog post and include lovely photos of works in progress, studio shots and the things that inspire me. However, it seems that Gremlins have made off with the battery charger for my brand new digital camera. Literally, it has been used twice and then mysteriously disappeared. Refusing to believe that it is gone, I have searched the house about 27 times to no avail. On Friday I broke down and ordered a new one, an action that will likely cause the original to magically appear. So apologies for the lack of new posts. There are lots of new and exciting things going on behind the scenes and I can't wait to share with you.

Adventures in the Real World...

...As much as I love my little virtual universe on the internet, it is great to be a part of the Real World too. The Pebble Collection can be found at about a dozen stores across the country. I have been fortunate enough to have many great boutiques find me on Etsy. Now, another Etsy seller is realizing a dream that I hope to have come true for myself someday. Anna Cote, of Modern Printed Matter, is opening a retail storefront in Rhode Island. She has asked to include my work in her new shop. It didn't take me more than a second in her Etsy shop to decide I would love to have my work alongside hers. Not to mention the fact that Rhode Island is home to about half of my family who will probably visit her shop often enough to become annoying!
So, thank you, Anna for the opportunity and I can't wait to work with you!

It's good to be on the List!

Last month I offered a Secret Sale to all my mailing list members. It was a huge success! Nearly 4oo people joined the list and almost 100 orders were placed. The response was amazing, flattering and a little overwhelming. Since I can't run a sale all the time, I have decided to offer another promotion. I will be holding a weekly drawing for a $25 Gift Certificate from now until October 1st. All mailing list members are automatically entered. The drawing will be every Sunday and you will be notified via email. With their permission, I will also post the winner's first name here along with what items they have decided to get.
I'm super excited about the coming holiday season and have lots of ideas for specials, promotions and new jewelry. Since returning to Vermont, I have no distractions, except for an occasional moose! So, get ready to see some new and amazing things coming your way from The Pebble Collection.
Thanks again for all of your support!

Coming Full Circle.

After lots of travel and being uncertain about where I should call home, I think I've found that place. I can't name a town or even a state, but the region is certain: New England. I was born and raised here and after seeing more of the world, I am sure that this is where I belong. Most of the people that I love are here. All the places that I love most are here. And my heart is here. I don't know much more about where exactly I will settle but for now the view above is fine with me.

At Long Last . . . .

. . . It has been more than a minute since my last post. Life can be funny in the way it works out sometimes. At the time of my last post I was on my way to Australia to begin a new life with my fiance. Ten months later, I am back in the United States alone. I am proud of the chance I took for love. I'm also proud I had the strength to walk away when it didn't work out. Now slightly older, a little wiser and with a whole new perspective, I return my focus to myself and my business.
The Pebble Collection now resides on the beautiful coast of Northern California. After six years living in major cities, I am enjoying some peace and quiet nestled away in the Redwoods. After experiencing many trials as a young woman and a young business, both are now thriving. Though I sometimes miss the stimulation of the city, waking up each day to the sound of the ocean to the West, the mighty Redwoods towering nearby and snow-capped mountains to the East reminds me what is truly important.