Thank you to my dream weavers...

Had a fun fun fun mix of friends over today to collage and "model" for photos for my website. I am getting so excited about starting in October. So many great ideas and helpful suggestions were harvested...both for the creative and the "nitty gritty" sides of business ownership. Thank you wonderful women! My cup is overflowing. xo

Mindy Carney : : jewelry

Welcome to the studio of Mindy Carney, jewelry designer. Mindy has a beautiful, sun-lit studio space in her home that she shares with her two daughters, her dog Mei Mei and her cats, Abby and Ziva.

Her space is warm, welcoming, and impeccably organized. And as often as possible, you'll find her right here in her favorite chair designing her beautiful wire creations.

Mindy's company is Curled, named after one of her favorite jewelry techniques - working with wire to create circles, coils, and swirls. Recycled goodness? Yes, Mindy often incorporates vintage buttons, old keys and sea glass into her work. She has just started upcycling vintage jewelry components.

When more space is required, Mindy heads to her dining room table (you can see her dreamy chair in the background). She painted this table herself and it provides plenty of space for designing, flattening and coiling wire and sorting beads.

Mindy's work is constantly changing and very unique. She's now experimenting with chain mail and creating with guitar strings. 

Mindy's etsy shop

You can also find her work at Charm, a boutique in downtown St. Louis.

Thanks Mindy! xo

[from the art room] Journal Making

Had a great day in my art room today. I'm working on upcycling some old books for my etsy shoppe. I've been in business for two whole days and already I need to complain to the management about the lack of a sink up here. Modge Podge is just no fun without proper plumbing support.

Also need to work on my mess....sheesh! xo

Determined Monday!

cantaloupe growing through my fence and bowing it out - a melon can destroy a fence...who knew?

my first day home with kids in school all day, five days...time to get to work!

many many many photography skills to work on...here's something I'm practicing with...

My business officially opened today. It will launch on October 4th. I'm drowning in lists, but one thing I established today is that every Tuesday all day I'll be making art. And I'm going to stick to it...can't wait. Hope you'll check in tomorrow. xo!

Happy Friday from the House O' Crazy!

Yesterday at noon? No plan for dog number 2.... Today at noon? Puppy adoption underway. Her name is Luna, she's a rescue and she's just as dear as can be.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend! xo

Starting fresh...

(new paints...sigh...)

We have officially taken our house off the market. The weekend was dreamy because even though it will filled with chores and caretaking, all said tasks were done in a different spirit. We weren't cleaning to impress the next stranger who might come in, we were cleaning to re-claim the house as ours and this was a huge blessing.

We're not even talking about what we're going to do next - we still want to downsize and this house is not getting smaller. But the next step will show itself to us I believe - we're not going to force it this time. And I also believe that this house may be our perfect place - we just need to give it some time and see where life leads...

So here is my list of things I would like to do to officially re-claim the house as our own (warning - many of these goals are wayyyyyy too lofty for reality):

1. Repaint youngest's room in several 6-year-old-delighting colors rather than in "please the client taupe"

2. Repaint family room in a bold sea green

3. Buy a bonzai tree (more on this later)

4. Get a second dog (?!?!?!)

5. Take out big, ugly tree that shades our vege garden ($$$)

6. Buy new towels and rug for kids' bathroom and donate the ones used for staging (too conservative)

7. Mess up (ahem...reorganize) garage so kids can find everything by themselves

8. Have a party!!!!!

Wishing you a week of gratitude! xo