Transformation

I love watching beads transform into jewelry! I like to lay out the supplies first for orders so it's easy to just go down the line and make them one by one. Here is a life of a bead at harlow.

First, a tray of beads...

Then, they start to transform into necklaces...
And then chains are added....and here it is!
and more....

Off they go to the store to sit pretty and wait for someone to love them:)

September

Oh my goodness, can it really be September already?? Can it really have been a month since I've posted?? OK, back to business then. I spent most of August getting ready for harlow's first trade show booth at the Seattle Gift Show. We had a GREAT show! I'm so happy to report that we picked up 18 new stores, bringing harlow to a total of 32 retailers! This is so exciting, but maybe you can see why it's been a little busy around here. Above are some photos of all of the hard work resulting in the booth. Almost detail is handmade and I think it all turned out pretty good!

Now, there are tons of things to look forward to this month. I have a day trip to a gem show in Salt Lake City coming up, 6 (yes, you are reading it right) birthday parties for Olivia's friends, MY birthday, and a girls trip to the beach! It's going to be busy, but busy is great! My little Olive also started playschool this month and that is a *huge* blessing for our household. Danny and I can work freely and she gets to get out and play with other kids all day and learn new things for 3 days a week. It's perfect:)

Anthropologie Look Alike Bargain!

This adorable Anthropologie top is currently available for $48

This adorable top from Target is $12!! I bought 2:)

Summer Projects!

Here are some of the things I've been doing lately when I take breaks from jewelry making.. First, check out my new jewelry case I got from Presents of Mind (also the newest store to pick up harlow:) I just LOVE it! I'm making jewelry trays and jewelry display boards to fit perfectly in the bag to take to stores and shows. It even has a handle that expands and wheels so you aren't lugging it everywhere. Plus, it's harlow orange so how could I possibly resist?!

I've been turning these great multi-functional (great for so many things!) cork placemats into jewelry display boards by covering them with fabric and putting in a thin layer of cushion so that I can hold the jewelry down with pins...

...and turning this

into this! These trays have inserts with compartments that I can tote jewelry in. They don't have lids or anything so I needed to make some kind of strap to hold everything in.

I used velcro on the ribbon so that it can be secured tightly :)

Adorable DIY Totes!

So, I just recently discovered that I heart fabric paint...well, not in general I guess, but in this situation, I do. I happen to use tote bags - a lot! Especially with the baby and all the gear that you have to take around with you , it's a nice quick way to grab things and go. Plus, you don't have to match your outfit or anything..anyway, I wanted to make some gifts and what a perfect thing to try from my list of projects- DIY totes! I went to Michael's hoping to find some really cool stencils, and guess what??! Michael's does not have cool stencils - but the do have blank ones. I knew I wanted a lotus flower and a bike, so I googled images of both and picked my favorites. Then I just traced them, cut with my craft knife and voila! a cool stencil! I'm sure you know how to use a stencil, so the rest is history. I also found some letters at the store and monogramed each one with a first initial. Easy peasy totes!

click to enlarge

LOVE - found on Etsy

Love these, found on Etsy today.  How neat, they are made from a French novel. I feel like this would be so pretty thoughtfully hung in a workspace or studio...

New Beauties!

This is what I've been working on....and here are some of the new jewels I got in Sacramento last weekend! Can you imagine how heavy my bag was coming home??