.Hobby vs. Career.

I purchased this book the other day. I began making jewelry when my aunt gave me my first jewelry making kit around the age of ten. I was a frequent shopper at Dava Bead. My designer creations were sold (yes, sold, but only really to my family members- most became presents) under the name JaVO. My brother even made business cards for me for Christmas one year. I have always been in love with jewelry, both wearing and creating, but ever since my fashion show last spring I have been having actual dreams of being a jewelry designer. I looked into doing a term in jewelry design in Italy even. It's not really feasible at the moment seeing as how I just moved to New York two weeks ago (did I tell you that?) but maybe one day in the future.

I don't want to get too into the book because if you're interested you should check it out but this was one of the first designers in the book and I am already deeply in love. Arielle De Pinto. It reminds me of the jewelry I created for the Spring fashion show- on a much higher level, of course. This is the kind of stuff I aspire to create one day. This and found object jewelry, that is.

I need a way to cast metal. It's frustrating that jewelry making is limited to the supplies you have on hand. You can do whatever you want with chains and beads and doodads but if you want to cast a silver or gold something-or-other you are S.O.L. Unless you have cast abilities in which case I envy you.

When I was looking for a picture of the book to show you I stumbled upon this gem. At first I skimmed over it but then I noticed the face. So I went to the website that hosted this picture and found another amazing jewelry designer: Jeremy May. He makes jewelry out of books! That's what this ring is made out of. So incredible. Go to the website to check out more.

This is another piece that I made about a year ago. I made matching ones for all my girls. I purchased a sheet of copper, cut it into smaller tags and then stamped 'love' in braille on them. I then found various chains around my house (part of this is from a chimney pull) and at a bead store and created uniquely different chains for each of the tags. I love the way the copper ages.

...

One day.

The Color of Unemployment

There I was, staring at my cell phone willing it to ring... it didn't and I got restless. Inactivity doesn't suit me.

Then my picture frame broke.

So I sat in my window...

... And got out my jewelry making supplies...

... And made this creature:

Then I photographed it:

Then I made food:

Then, obviously, I ate it and now I am writing this.

My cell phone has yet to ring. Well, I guess that isn't quite true. My dad did call me.

Have to.

Click. Watch.

Me thinks this might make a few people a tad upset...

Red, Right, Returning

This post hasn't taken forever for me to put together or anything...

Just thought I would share some pictures form my senior fashion design collection. I designed around a nautical theme, as I am sure will be vastly apparent. I started designing this collection years ago- I always knew I wanted to make my final collection based on the sea. Sailing has a special place in my heart; it reminds me of my childhood and brings back fond memories of times spent surrounded by the most important people in my life. Most of the photos were taken by a wonderful photographer who was at the show (thank you!).

Thank you again to my WONDERFUL volunteer models!

Fashion show pictures from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brockameele/sets/72157624063629408/

Does your chain hang low?

Hey Dad, good news: I think I want to be a jewelry/ accessories designer now. Don't you love me? As an apparel design student I participated in my school's fashion show just a few weeks ago. I created a collection of 6 looks (3 men, 3 women) all of nautical inspiration. I then created accessories to go with my looks and I think I may have accidently fallen madly in love. Here's a little peek at a few of them:

This little bag actually landed me the award for best accessories. It's made of leather, whip stitched by hand around the edges, silk lined with a sailboat accent in the middle. I made the sailboat by connecting small circle and diamond shaped rings together.

Necklace #1 front... I love the aesthetic of the full body necklaces- so much more intriguing than your boring, regular necklace.

Necklace #1 close-up...

Necklace #1 back

Necklace #2 Front

Necklace #3 Front

Necklace #2 Close up

Necklace #3 Back

Ketchup & Mustard

We have much catching up to do.

I went to Spain! Here's a few the beauteous finds I stumbled upon throughout my travels: (Including my pretties I'm so lucky to call my friends. Ok, soulmates really. How many people can say they are still close with people they went to elementary school with 14 years ago?)

{Madrid, Spain: restaurant} All of the tile work is absolutely gorgeous. You agree. How could you not? This wasn't my favorite but it seems to be the only picture I have on my computer... I swear my computer swallows random tid-bits in pursuit of driving me bonkers. I will find it in a few months I am sure. By that time I won't remember why I was looking for it...

{Madrid, Spain: street} Oh graffiti. You make people so angry and yet I love you so much. (Check the 'beer bong')

{Granada, Spain: church} Gold paint. You heard me.

{Granada, Spain: old streets} I think I'd like to live here. Yeah, I would.

{Madrid, Spain: organic food market} My mouth is watering.

{Granada, Spain: train station} It was a tad chilly in March. Bundled to keep warm.

{Granada, Spain: hostel} Beds are for standing on. My favorite 3 year old.

{Granada, Spain: hostel} New pants and shoesssss.

{Granada, Spain: hostel} Turquoise ring from my Papa, coral ring from Spain. My cousin has valiantly attempted to thieve this from me. No such luck.

{Granada, Spain: Arabic market} Best find of the trip: handmade leather bag from the Arabic market. Must and will protect from the NW weather unpredictability in whatever way deemed necessary. Isn't she a beauty?

{Granada, Spain: cafe} Best meal of the trip: Cumball Cafe coffee and butter and jam toast...

(Varm. I don't know which is worse.)

Good thing the view was gorgeous. The pallela was buenissima. I want some.

{Granada, Spain: train station} Rockin' the high tops like a true Spaniard. Holler. Any one know what the Spanish equivalent of holler is? I must find out...

Preposterous

In thinking about life, my future and the like I keep coming up with the same conclusion: fuck. I am 21 years old and in a mere 4 months I will be let loose into the real world. Real world. Real world. What does that really mean? Has it been fake up until now? It has been anything but a breeze… does real mean that shit is going to hit the fan, serious business? Why on earth am I supposed to know what I want to do for the REST of my life at 21? Yeah, I can drive, I can drink but really I am a kid at heart. I am no adult! OK, I will just come out with it: I am scared.

I am a planner. I have known, up until now, exactly what I was going to do next within the following few year period. There was middle school, high school, college, internships, study abroad, graduation… they all led to this crux. Graduation. Then what? I guess I should be saying now what? To be honest, I never really believed I would get to this point. No, I didn’t think I would die or anything; graduation just always seemed like a distant star that would take forever and a day to reach. I always thought I would join the work force after graduation, just as a good college graduate should. Only, here’s the thing: I am going to go batshit insane if I do that.

Allow me to give a quick run down: I graduated Valedictorian from High school where I was heavily involved with theater, sports, had a part-time/ full-time job, participated in a multitude of community service, etc. I then ventured to College where I immersed myself in my academics 10 fold taking anywhere from 18-22 credits a term (16 is the average). I joined numerous programs and clubs that swallowed much of my free time and each break from school I worked full-time to over-time. Four years will result in a Bachelor of Science in Apparel Design, a Bachelor of Science in Merchandising Management, a minor in Business & Entrepreneurship, a Certificate of Entrepreneurship, a term spent studying fashion design abroad in London, an internship in technical design at Nike and an internship in merchandising at Nordstrom. Nonetheless, I feel a little bedraggled. Exhausted. On the verge of blowing up.

So. Following the traditional path of college to career sounds like torture right now. Alas, what’s a poor student to do? The ultimate dream would be to travel but if you haven’t noticed I will let you in on a little secret: people don’t just give you money. At least, not anymore. In order to halt my imminent explosion I have decided on this: come September (after a summer of making what little money I can at what will most likely be a minimum wage job) I will head off to Thailand to teach English. Yep, you read that correctly: Thailand and teaching. Fabulous utilization of my degrees, right?

I realize this blog is now ostensibly lacking direction. In all actuality, however, it could not be more perfect. Its existence will be one of explosion prevention, memory logging, and, most of all, a way to keep anyone listening up to date with my swiftly moving life. This will truely become a site of prattle and blather. For now I will leave you with one question:

Will someone tell me where the pause button is so I can take a deep breath?

…OK two questions…

Who the hell put my life on fast forward?