The Pebble Collection

Front Page Love!

2010-03-01T08:40:00.004-05:00

I remember the very early days of Etsy when a treasury list made it to the front page and stayed there for a day, sometimes a little longer. Now it is a constantly changing feature and I rarely get to see my own items when they make it there. Thankfully there are now wonderful little programs that let me know. So, even though I didn't see it at the time, it was lovely to visit my Facebook fan page and discover that one of my pieces had a moment of fame.

Finally!!

2009-07-29T09:04:00.003-05:00

A few weeks ago, as I was making inventory for this Summer's markets, I realized I couldn't remember the last time I made anything new. Sure I have made some designs in different stones or metals. But it has been ages since I designed anything. So I took a few days to do what I enjoy most about all this, creating.
I'm very pleased with the results. I have been working in a smaller and smaller scale. It is amazing how much my collection has changed since that first year of chunky beaded neckaces. I also finally got around to photographing the plethora of items I have made but never posted to my Etsy shop. Right now I have 75 items to be added to the store, YAY!! Here is just a taste of what I have been working on.

Michelle Necklace - Rose Gold & Sterling Silver - Small $28

This design is available in three sizes. Currently I have it in Sterling Silver, Gold Filled and Rose Gold with Sterling. I'm ordering some White Gold as well and will be pairing that with oxidized Sterling, which I am very, VERY excited about.

Willa Necklace - Sterling Silver & Peridot - Small $39

The Willa Necklace has been a part of the shop for a year now but this version is my favorite. It is just ONE INCH across, slightly smaller than a US Quarter. What I love about this size is I am able to use gemstone chips. I have had them in stock for a while but they were too small for the original design. So far, I have made this version with Peridot, Emerald, Aquamarine, Tanzanite, Andaulisite, Tourmaline, Spinel and some genuine Sleeping Beauty Turquoise.

Olivia Earrings - Sterling Silver $32

This design was first inspired by a tree I used to walk past all the time in Australia. I originally designed the Olivia Necklace which was a larger scale with several stones added. I had several requests for earrings in the design but I just couldn't make it work. Now my skills have evolved and I can produce smaller, more consistent results. I'm really pleased with the design and I'm extra pleased that the photos do them justice. I'm considering offering them with a stone between the top of the stem and the earring hook. But for now, they are available like this is Sterling Silver, Gold Filled, Rose Gold & White Gold.

In addition to these new items, I will be adding more Berry Pendants, Berry Rings, Ursula Rings and Natalia Earrings to the shop. I also have the Lynn and Lynnette Earrings in a smaller size. I will be adding these items over the next week. A secret sale is coming up in August when I return from a computer/cell phone/responsibility free week on the Maine coast from August 10th - 15th.

And last, but not least. I have caught up on my Gift Certificate drawings. I have drawn 20 names from a hat to win a $25 Gift Certificate to my shop. I am notifying the winners today. Check your email to see if you have won!

sigh

2009-04-15T09:30:00.005-05:00

I'm so bad at keeping on top of updating this blog. Perhaps it is because it is not humanly possible to complete all the things I must do in a day. However, there is hope! My lovely mother, Catherine, is arriving in a few hours to spend five days with me. In just a few short weeks the outdoor show season begins and she is here to help me get prepared and organized. With this new found organization, I hope to be on top of updating my store and blog more often.
This week I have added several new items to the shop for the first time in way too long. I also have hundreds of more items to photograph and post. My current goal is to have 250 items in the shop by the end of April.
In addition to adding many new items to the shop, I am also running a Secret Sale from today until April 30th. The sale is open to all mailing list members.
Join the list to be included!
I have also created a FaceBook group and fan page for The Pebble Collection. Check out both of those. From the members of the group and fan page I will holding a monthly drawing for a $25 gift certificate to the shop!
Join the Group!
Visit the Fan Page!
And finally on a personal note, there is a new addition to The Pebble Collection family. On March 15th I adopted a three month old puppy. His name is Otto and he is half Australian Cattle Dog, half Pekingnese. And yes, the combination is as strange as it sounds. He has brought great joy to my life and is excellent company in my studio.

Happy New Year!!

2009-01-01T20:54:00.003-05:00

From the window of my studio, I watched the sun rise on the first day of 2009. From this cozy little room I reflected on the passing of 2008. This time last year I was in Australia. That seems like a distant memory now. Many things have changed and people have come and go from my life this year. My journey saw January in Australia, February to June in California, June to November in Vermont and finally November to now back at home in Boston. Through it all I was very fortunate to be able to take my little business in my suitcase with me. It has been a great adventure these last few years. And now, back in the place I intend to grow old, I'm ready to thrive.
Here's to positive change for my life, my business, my country and my world in 2009.
Happy New Year!!

Busy, busy, busy....

2008-10-22T09:12:00.002-05:00

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....

2008-08-21T08:29:00.004-05:00

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....

2008-08-17T07:40:00.003-05:00

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...

2008-08-12T16:23:00.003-05:00

...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!

2008-08-08T15:41:00.004-05:00

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.

2008-08-06T17:17:00.002-05:00

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 . . . .

2008-03-29T10:51:00.003-05:00

. . . 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.

The Pebble Collection Goes Under . . .

2007-05-29T15:43:00.000-05:00

. . . Down under, that is! After seven long months of separation, I am on my way to Australia to join my fiance in Melbourne. I opted to leave most of my clothes behind to be shipped later and filled my suitcases instead with my tools and supplies.
Though the Summer is just arriving in New England, I will be entering Winter in Oz. Thankfully there is no snow and ice to contend with, just a chilly wind and some cloudy days. The good news is that instead of lying on the beach, I will be hard at work to make The Pebble Collection bigger and better. Here's hoping for new materials and inspiration in my new home.
I hope that I will have the continued support of my wonderful Etsy customers. Though I am putting 15,000 miles between myself and US customers, I hope to make the transition as smooth as possible. I will NOT be raising my shipping costs for US customers. The only difference is that instead of 2-5 business days for shipping, it will now be 7-10. If anyone needs an item sooner, I will gladly split the cost of upgraded shipping.
Thank you for your continued support!

It's A Pleasure To Meet You . . .

2007-05-20T13:05:00.000-05:00

. . . Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Ella Salomea, the creative vision and dexterous hands behind The Pebble Collection. I have debated whether to start this page at the beginning of this business or at my own beginning. I think that in order to understand what I design, you should understand who I am and where I came from. That's part of the lure of handmade goods, knowing that there is a specific person and story behind the creations. I'll do my best to blend current news and ideas with personal vignettes.
Perhaps this all started on that very day at the beach when a very intense, often scowling, 15 month old gravitated towards a polished ocean stone or a colorful shell. As the only child of two artisan parents, creative opportunities abounded. I remember very few toys I had as a child but have many found memories of a metal lunchbox full of crayons and colored pencils. I distinctly remember sitting at my father's drawing table making tiny food out of clay with him. I was only three.
I grew up in the beautiful Northwest corner of Connecticut, nestled between New York and Massachusetts in the foothills of the Berkshires. I had my faithful dog and 60 acres to explore. I often picked and dried flowers or painted rocks I found in the stream. I remember collecting the most perfect fall leaves and pressing them in books and later laminating them for Christmas decorations. I later joined my mother at tag sales and flea markets where I collected vintage toys and miniature sculptures. By the time I was a teenager, I had carefully arranged these hundreds of childhood treasures on a floor to ceiling bookshelf. This very display was the inspiration for The Pebble Collection.

Conceived on Walden Pond

2007-05-20T12:58:00.000-05:00

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler. " -Henry David Thoreau

In 2004, I left NYC to assist my mother on a Decorative Painting project in Concord, MA. I went reluctantly but my opinion of the project soon changed. In November, I started the job as my mother's assistant, by March I was running the project. This type of project is few and far between and I am so lucky that I got the chance to participate. The clients, being of astonishing wealth, had purchased a house in Virginia, had it taken down and brought back to Concord. The building was reconstructed as an addition to their existing 18th century mansion that had also been taken apart and moved from its original location. Our job was to restore the interior so that it appeared that this house had not been taken apart, stick by stick. We created custom, homemade paints and used techniques common in that era such as marbelizing and grain painting. The project took two full years.
During this time, I had housing provided for me in the form of a tiny brick cottage on their 197 acre estate bordering Minuteman State Park. Though this location was not Walden Pond specifically, I came to understand many of Thoreau's sentiments while living there alone. It was in that cabin, sitting on authentic(albeit uncomfortable) 18th furniture that The Pebble Collection was conceived.
I was quite pleased with my new found career as a Restorative Decorative Painter, however I could seem the limitations of the field. Clients obsessed with the 18th century with bottomless pockets are not particularly common. With the savings I had accrued while on the project, I began looking for my next path. I wanted three things. First, I wanted do something creative that I could teach myself and start with only a small investment. Second, I wanted it to be something that I could do from home so that when the time came to have children, I could be there for them. Finally, I wanted it to be something that I could do from anywhere in the world. After much research, jewelry making rose to the top of the list.
Over the next six months, I poured over supply catalogs and "How To" books. During the dark evenings of that Winter, The Pebble Collection began to grow.