Badge Blabber . . .

So, when I decided to go the Mary Engelbreit Workshop, one of the fun things that was asked of all of us was to design and create a name badge for the "meet and greet" evening on Thursday night. Of course, I procrastinated. Cindy and I met for a few hours one morning in my Studio to craft our badge. The glitter was flying, the tinsel was everywhere. I had an idea of what I wanted my badge to look like, but getting it put together was another story. I even had John in on all the fun. Obviously since I make jewelry, it had to have some bling, and I really wanted it to be a necklace rather than a pin-on badge. I knew that this thing was going to heavy after I got through with it. That's an understatement!!! Let me just say that I was quite pleased with myself after I finished it. Getting it to St. Louis in one piece . . . gads!!!

Since only the big "P" was on the front of the badge, I made a pendant that had my full name that dangled underneath along with a crown charm and a bird charm that I made out of resin.

I recycled a pair of clip-on earrings, snapped the back off and used it as the bejeweled crown, and fashioned a paper crown for the little bird.

The Thursday night event was very fun. We got to meet all of our idols including Mary herself. Barbara Martin, who is Mary's right hand gal is a scream. My personal favorite, Matthew Mead was also there with his lovely wife Jenny. Did I tell you, I'm going to be advertising in their HOLIDAY STYLE Magazine due out in October. So we chatted a little about that. Then I shopped the French General table of goodies. I purchased Kaari Meeng's new book - oh so pretty with some amazing projects. Keep your eyes open for some goodies from that! And then the moment came . . . the announcement of the BADGE Winners. Names were called, clapping ensued. Then Barbara Martin says, "Katie Mackey". WHO!!! WHAT??? Yes, got the name wrong, it was me, Patricia Mackey. So there you go - who knew!!!

Can you say HaPpY!!!

What happens when you gather a group of spirited, highly creative, and happy women??? Why the Mary Engelbreit Workshop in St. Louis, MO. That's right! I have waited a few days to post about my most excellent adventure for a few reasons. First, I was completely wiped out from such a creative brain overload, and secondly, I just got my photos downloaded. I will be putting up a few more posts. I have tons of pictures, and some photos to actually shoot of my finished projects that I wanted to share with you.

Let me just say, OH MY GOSH! 130 Women descended on St. Louis last Thursday for the first ever ME Workshop. As we (I traveled to St. Louis with my BFF Cindy - she is the ultimate Mary fan, has been forever) arrived at the beautiful Chase Park Hotel in the heart of the West End of St. Louis, we were overwhelmed by the swarm of women who were milling around the lobby area with their cameras hung around their necks. They were off to the famous studio of our hostess for the weekend, Miss Mary Engelbreit and so were we. As we headed north from the Hotel, we were blown away by the beauty of this part of our Heartland. Old architecture combined with the eclectic vibe of a little villiage - chic little bistros, a darling cupcake store, a scrumptious chocolatier, and of course a unique Starbucks which coincidentally sat at the base of Mary's Studio. As we entered the Hill Building, we knew right away that we had arrived. Standing in the lobby was a living doll . . . Ann Estelle (one of the many characters in Mary's life). How cute is she???

As we toured Mary's Studio, the giddiness I felt never subsided. As an artist myself, just to be in this most creative place where all the ideas are generated made me quiver! Mary's office was undoubtedly my favorite. You could see that it was absolutely filled with all of her favorite things.

The Studio tour was fabulous; nothing that I had ever imagined, but oh so wonderful! Thursday night was the "Meet and Greet" event. I will write more about that later. I really need to go get some photos taken, but I promise, I will be back with more BLAB and lots more photos! Here's a sneak peek at one of my projects . . . how tweet!!!

3 - 2 - 1 here I go!!!

Way back in September, I signed up for a Workshop given by none other than the talented Miss Mary Engelbreit. Well, the time has arrived and I will be jetting off to St. Louis, MO with my friend Cindy to attend this most amazing Workshop. I can't wait to get there - the anticipation is building . . . Barbara from Mary's Staff has been sending out "teaser" e-mails for awhile now, and the goodie bags alone should be enough to get me there. Wowee!!! My camera battery is charged up, my bags are almost packed, and I've gathered all of my class materials.

I'll be taking classes from Matthew Mead (who is coming out with a new Holiday Magazine), and Kari Meeng from French General. I'll be making a bracelet . . . hmmmm! I know, I know but I just love French General!!! I can't wait to share all my photos and experiences from this amazing show. Cindy and I are off to the party of the year!!! Watch out St. Louis, here we come!

I'm so HAPPY!!!

For so many years I subscribed to a little magazine called Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion. It was such a lovely magazine filled with home decorating ideas, great stories about up and coming artists, and of course it was filled with the artwork of none other than Mary Engelbreit herself. The magazine is no longer published :( but having saved all of my issues, they are just a stack away. So when my dear friend Cindy asked me if I wanted to go with her to a workshop in St. Louis being put on by Mary, I jumped at the opportunity. And I jumped for so many reasons. To be around people who started their businesses like I have from the ground up would be such an inspiration to me. Way back in October I signed up for this workshop and finally in just a few short weeks, Cindy and I will be winging our way back to St. Louis to attend this phenominal event.


It will four days of fun, fun, fun! It starts with a tour of Mary's very own Studio. Oh my! Will that be a treat. Then the workshop begins on Friday. When we get a little closer, I will tell you what workshop classes that I will be taking. Let me just say, WOW! I signed up to take classes from some of the best in the industry including, Kaari Meeng of French General, Wendy Addison, Charlotte Lyons, and Matthew Mead.

I couldn't be more thrilled and happy to make this trip. You know I'll be bringing my camera to capture all of the fun moments of this most amazing trip. It will be a Spring to Remember!

It's my 1st ETSYversary . . .

A year ago, my life was a mess. I was, as one might say, at a crossroads. I didn't have a "real" job, my only son was away at college, and my beloved Mom had just passed away. I had stepped away from my job at a small shop in town after my Dad had passed away just months before. I felt very alone - probably one of the darkest times in my life. This is not me - I'm generally a very happy go lucky person; big smile and hearty laugh. I came home and sort of wandered around for weeks not sure what I should be doing.

So what was this girl to do? I had been creating jewelry for many years, selling at a couple of local shops and to sweet girlfriends who wanted to support my little venture. I did have an ETSY account. I had bought a few things from other artists, actually had listed a couple of pairs of earrings that were featured with really bad photographs. Really, what was I thinking. So I woke up one day and decided that life was going to pass me by if I didn't get it figured out. So I literally spent hours upon hours scouring ETSY about how to take good photographs and set up shop in Kellan's room. I purchased some new beads and just went to town. In a few short days I had a little collection that I thought I would list. I took the photographs, they were just okay. Nothing great, but each time I took a photo, they got better. I figured out that lighting was crucial. So I had to wait many a day for a sunny spot here in Seattle. I listed my first grouping and waited . . . and waited . . . and waited. I had a few sales here and there, but nothing to write home about and certainly not enough to pay the bills if this was to be my "new job". John and I took off on a trip to Florida in August and while I was gone, I spent the days scouring magazines for inspiration. When we returned, I jumped back in and got going on new designs - I found a fellow ETSYian (thank you Phaedra) who had amazing filigree findings, and that's how Tippy Stockton took off. My Caliente earrings went bonkers. Okay, so this was fun. People were liking my jewelry - YES!!! Oh, and how could I forget, John and my neighbor Jerry built me a new Studio in our backyard. What a place - great light, everything in its place, and such a wonderful spot to go to each day for WORK!!! I had made a a lofty goal for myself; 100 SALES by Christmas!!! Boy was I being overzealous!!! As the days ticked by and the sales kept coming, I thought for a minute that 100 sales could happen. And happen it did!!! By Christmas, I had surpassed 100 sales. Way past 100 sales and looking at 150. YAY! So I could do this.

So, now I'm committed. I have a handful of Wholesale Accounts (yes I love my Wholesale Accounts), I'm about to be represented in the Midwest by a lovely young lady, and I'm dedicated to finding even more wonderful shops and boutiques across the country to have a spot for Tippy Stockton.

I'm also excited to share some news with you! In April, I will be flying off to St. Louis with my sweet friend Cindy to attend the Mary Engelbreit Workshop. I'll be meeting with many wonderful designers who started their careers like me. Kaari from French General is of particular interest to me as she has a lovely jewelry line. There are others too who I have my sights set on for tips of the trade. Can't wait.

Stay tuned . . . Tippy Stockton isn't going anywhere!!! I'll have more "breaking" news to share with you soon. I'm in Studio every day designing and loving life. I've just listed many new items to the shop, so I hope that you'll head over and check them out. http://www.tippystockton.etsy.com/. As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, or just want to chat, FIRE AWAY!!!

Oh, and one more thing . . . to celebrate my anniversary, here's my gift to you.

20% off anything RED in February

20% off anything GREEN in March

Make sure you type "anniversary" in notes to seller. I will issue you a purchase credit through PayPal upon completion of the transaction.

I couldn't have done this without all of you!!!

Thank you fans of

Tippy Stockton and ME!

You're all awesome and I can't wait for 2010.