Getting some R&R

Some random outtakes from my last week. I've been going at 200mph lately and needed to reign it in these last few days. . . I really need/want to take some time off, but I'm having a difficult time figuring out how I'm gonna make that happen before the end of July. So, in the meantime, I'm simply trying to re-evaluate how I'm working. Trying to work smarter not harder (ugh, I hate that saying, but it's such a necessary truth of running one's own handmade business) and take breaks when I see that I need them. And drink lots and lots of herbal tea!

From top to bottom:

1. a snapshot of Flowerland in Albany. I am obsessed with that place. It's definitely a happy and peaceful place for me.
2. snuggling up in bed with tea in my new (thrifted) Aries mug.
3. peppermint and lemon balm tea next to my night's reads. (I read about 2 pages before I fell asleep. A testimony to how tired I was, not the book!)
4. owl tattoo, owl candle holder, fresh outta the shower
5. look who waits for me while I shower. . . 
6. the best little statue garden I stumbled by somewhere in North Berkeley

I hope everyone is enjoying their week so far! I'm about to go make some more tea and some (gluten free) mac and cheese. Yum.

Month of May Giveaway Winner

Drumroll please! The winner of three Drape style necklaces is. . . . Angel H! Angel, please email me directly at tangleweedsjewelry@gmail.com and let me know what three colorways you would like and their corresponding lengths (any length between 15 and 28 inches is available.) Thanks to everyone who participated! Check back next month for my June giveaway. It's gonna be something a little different next time. . . 

Full Week - Stinky Cat - Letting Go - Oakland Zoo

Yeah, long rambly title, I know. Some reason those are the titles I like to go with when I look back on my last week for these Weekly Recap posts. What a week it's been too! I'll get right to the stinky cat part - Arlo (below) got sprayed by a skunk, right in the face, Friday evening. Oh, goodness was it terrible! We had to wash him in a mix of hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, and baking soda. And we had to flush out his eyes about 12 times over. He was miserable, but I'm happy to say he's doing much much better now (altho his head is still a little stinky.)

Also, last Tuesday my folks and I, as a sort-of belated Mother's Day day, went antiquing in Turlock. I picked up tons of great stuff for my new studio space. I'm going to set up a "show space" of sorts (in a couple of months, probably by mid-summer). That white coffee table will be sort of the center piece, around which I'll have possibly a couch, and chairs. I'm hoping to hire a friend of mine to build me a sofa out of wood pallets. More on that as it all becomes a reality! Below is a record-room at one of the spots in Turlock that I'm hoping to go back to with Jeff (he's quite the record collector.)

Then, this past weekend I vended at the Treasure Island flea on Saturday, and Sunday I had my good friend and sometimes Tangleweeds employee, Alice, work the event. She did everything, from set up to pack up and haul out at the end of the day and she really did a fabulous job! I had her work on Sunday so I could go to the Oakland Zoo with my sister and her two sons. It was such a fun day.

Having Alice work for me on Sunday really was a lesson in letting go of control a bit. While Tangleweeds is for all intents and purposes my baby, there comes a point when and where you simply need help for the business to grow. And so I can take care of myself, both physically and emotionally. The fact that it went as well as it did is giving me the confidence to plan on weekends where I double book myself at fairs. I can work one event and Alice (or another wonderful person) can work the other one. Of course, for those of you wondering, it definitely is a bit of a financial risk too, of course, but I figure so long as it all balances out I'm happy!

Well, this post took longer than I thought it would, so I better jump to the workbench now. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend (even if you did have to work some or all of it as so many of us had to.) 

Dancing in My Living Room

Yup, so things get busy around here and the blog falls apart. K, just being a bit dramatic, but seriously, things are busy around here. I wanted to drop in with a Listening-Wearing-Making edition tho, 'cause, well, I have something to share! Good reason, right? =)

I like to let off steam before craft fairs by having one-person dance parties in my living room. Beyonce is pretty awesome for this. . . 

Wearing. . . well, it's another feet shot! I've been half-living in my torn-up "boyfriend" jeans ever since I unearthed them from the bottom of my dirty hamper (and washed them first.) Also, barefeet, when at home at least, because I love barefeet once the weather warms up.

Making. . . Lots of my Drape style necklaces. (Which are also part of this month's giveaway contest if you haven't already entered.) These sell like hotcakes at my craft fairs and I have a TON of craft fairs this summer, so necessity shall dictate the maker's day. At least every now and then. . . (also, whim, spontaneity and inspiration!)

This weekend I'll be vending at the Treasure Island Flea. Maybe I'll see you there?! If not, have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!

Fairs, a studio move, cats and more

Well, well, well. I feel like I'm all grown up now, in my own real-life size studio =). My last studio really was tiny. Now that I'm in the new space I'm really not sure how I managed in the last one for so long! Below, some snapshots from the past week of fairs, moving, and lounging at home and around Oakland. . . 

There really are many changes a-foot at Tangleweeds. I'm going to try to stay active with the blog this week, but if things are a bit quiet around here this week, it's only because the groundwork is being laid for some healthy changes!

Handmade Love - Shades of Spring

Pretty spring colors are on my mind this week. When I stumbled upon the quilted wall hanging below, I knew that this week's theme for Handmade Love was going to be color based: fun, spring colors like pink, purple, pastels. 

Pastel Quilted Wall Hanging by Twiggy and Opal

I'd love to hang this quilt right above my bed's headboard. Would look perfect in my room!

Pastel Raindrop Garland by PeleMele

This garland would look pretty in the window of my new studio space. (Which is eagerly awaiting arrangement, decor and some new/old furniture!)

Mint Peach Geometric Necklace by Alina and T

When I first saw this necklace I thought it was made from wood, then I read the description and saw that they're actually handmade polymer beads. Rad! (I'm curious about exploring polymer myself.)

How's that for a good dose of spring = ) ? 

Tunes to Pack By

Today I am a busy busy bee, packing my studio, de-cluttering, setting aside piles of items to either donate, recycle or giveaway. I move my studio (with the help of my wonderful boyfriend) tomorrow and I'm hoping it goes smoothly. Tunes are of course an essential part of any packing process. This week, I've been listening to a lot of Nanci Griffith. . . 

Wearing - My dependable dansko sandals. I pretty much live in these in the summer. They're so comfortable and still cute (not frumpy looking - which is my main complaint about many comfortable shoes.) I'm gonna try to have an actual outfit post next week again!

Making. . . This past week I've had a surge of special orders/custom work keeping me busy. While I don't have photos to share from that work, I've been making a lot of my rustic blue necklaces and earrings too. They've been popular at fairs, and on Etsy. Such an unusual thing for me. Many times the pieces that are most popular at fairs don't sell as well on Etsy and the pieces that sell well on Etsy don't sell as well at the fairs. A curious conundrum!

K, it's back to packing and sorting for me. Wish me luck on my move tomorrow! (And don't forget, if you're local, or live in San Francisco, I'll be at the Academy of Sciences Nightlife Event tonight from 6 to 10pm.)

Month of May Giveaway

It has been so warm here in Oakland (and the rest of the bay area) this week. When the weather gets like this all I want to wear is sundresses, sandals and lightweight, delicate jewelry. Which makes this month's giveaway apropos! 

Yup, this time around I'm giving away a set of three of my popular Drape style necklaces. That's right three, not just one! If you are selected as the winner you get to choose the lengths and colors for all three of your necklaces. Above (from top to bottom) are the black, turquoise, and soft peach colorways, below you can see the violet and cream. 

After tossing the idea around in my head for a bit, I decided this time around to ask you "what would you wear with your Drape necklaces?" Simply leave an answer to this style question in the comments for this post and you'll be entered to win. You have until May 27th to enter. I'll announce the winner here on the blog on the 28th. Good luck and feel free to share this with one and all!

Moving the Studio this Week

I'm moving my studio this week! I'm moving my studio this week! That just keeps ringing through my head. Along with the thought: uh, how the heck I'm I gonna get everything done AND move? I know it's gonna work out. Sometimes it's just enough to get it done, even if it's not done perfectly. 

Annnnd, a few snaps from the pat week. . . 

I'm back to planning out goals for the next two months, in large part preparation for Renegade Craft Fair (I still can't believe I got in!). Tomorrow tho, I'll be back with my giveaway for the month of May!