Will I jinx myself if I say the "S" word???

It's the first weekend of March - oh glorious sunshine!!! This has been such a weird Winter - it really has been more like Spring. Can this mean that Summer will be coming early? I really don't like to talk much about that because Mother Nature has been known to send us a cold shoulder every now and then. But today, I was outside trimming the rose bushes, turning over the flower beds in preparation for the "good soil", and just enjoying the gorgeous day. So many things are in bloom already including our flowering cherry tree and my beloved Camelia. Even the lilacs are starting to burst open. But my most favorite of all is the bleeding heart. This was my grandmother Julia's favorite flower. And I have to say, it's mine too. I am fortunate to have a few different varieties in my yard; these are from the beautiful lipstick fushia plant.

When we moved to our home 20 years ago, the yard was filled with rhododendrens. I like them, I don't LOVE them, but I have to say when they first bloom, they are gorgeous.

Chloe let me take a few pictures of her as she ran around the yard. The squirrels have been tormenting her - it took everything I had including a few treats to keep her near me so I could snap away. She's a mini Australian Shepard - the blue merle variety with eyes so blue!

I think at this point, she was sick of the cookies and just wanted to high tail it out of there to go chase the bane of her existence.

My Studio. Can I say how absolutely blessed I am to have this little haven!

This lovely day was capped off by a Surprise Birthday Party! This is my good friend and crafting co-hort Cindy at her 29th Birthday Party!!! She'll love me for that. Cindy and I will be heading to St. Louis at the end of April to take part in the Mary Engelbreit Workshop. Wahoo - what a fun trip! Can't wait.

And, these are the "Housewives of Snohomish County". Front row, L to R - Cindy, Teresa, Moi, Tammy - Back row, L to R - Mary and Lisa.

Oh what a glorious day!

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.

The Tippy Stockton Studio is OPEN

Hip, hip Hooray!!! The adventure started in early July and in less than 2 months, I have my new Studio. I am writing this blog post tonight right from 948 1/2 Cedar Street. Yes, my new residence address. I couldn't be more thrilled even though I still have much to do. I haven't even started to go through all of my fabric and floral supplies. But my beading workstation is up and running and the first designs have been made and are now posted under "Autumn 2009" on my website. I was even able to get great photographs too! The extra large window that we put over my beading bench is perfect. It is truly everything I could ever need or want and it's pretty darn cute. As soon as the exterior is done (John is putting the rest of the siding on this weekend), I will get some outdoor shots up on the blog.

Pearl has the perfect spot - right next to my bead bench so she can sport some of the new necklaces that are being designed each day.

All of my bead boxes with all their goodies are in perfect reach.

My collection of books are finally within reach for me to grab when I need them. I have discovered that I (at some point in my life) had a love for all things "Martha". Funny how you forget!

For me, there is only one thing that I wish - that my folks could have seen all of this. I'm following my dream because of them - I know that they are watching! I feel truly blessed to have this new home for Tippy Stockton! God is Good!!!

For those of you who live close by, feel free to stop by. The Studio is open most days - I would love to give you a tour. Back to beading - I have three big shows coming up.

French Flea Market - September 12 - 10:00am - 8:00pm Mill Creek Town Center

Bountiful Home - Fall Garden Market - September 19 - 10:00am - 4:00pm 122 - 4th Ave. S., Edmonds.

Funky Junk Sisters Fall Antique and Flea Market - October 23 - 24, Puyallup, WA (more info to follow on this great show)

Be back again soon - have a good night!

Progress

My Studio is really starting to take shape. We were gone for 10 days on a little vacation to Florida (more on that later) so my Studio was locked up tight. Jerry did some finishing work on the outside while we were gone. The interior was almost completely done - I was only left to dream about what color I would paint. Obviously living in Seattle where we have many dark, dreary days, I wanted something cheery and happy. I think I have found my happy zone - it's really just Tippy aqua. I love this color - I think it rates really high on the HAPPY scale.

So, what's left . . . I'm off today to get my flooring and moulding for around the windows and doors. That should go in the next couple of days. I'm getting really itchy now for this to be done so I can get going on Fall & Holiday jewels. Check back soon for the official unveiling!!!

Studio Update

My new Studio odyssey began on July 4th weekend. I can't believe how quickly my new space is coming together. The Weekend Warriors have been working away and with each passing day, I'm beginning to see what will be my new digs. John has become quite the little construction dude. I really think I need to get him a tool belt.

I will have great height inside - plenty of room for a small loft space for storage.

Chloe is constantly giving me updates on what the "boys" are up to.

I outfitted the new Studio with reclaimed windows from "Restore" in Ballard, WA. It was great to save a few really great old windows and it certainly adds to the charm of the structure.

Jerry was so kind when I kept adding more electrical outlets. I have power tools, and lots of them!!!

We used glass blocks for the windows on the back side of the Studio. This side backs up to a unsightly chain link fence and some over grown shrubbery in the neighbors yard, so now I can benefit from the light, but I don't have to look at the mess.

Two of the larger windows are on swing out hinges - just like Grandma's old house.

I snagged a beautiful "new" French door from Frank's Door in Shoreline. Hey, hot tip!!! If you live in the Seattle area, always, always check out their scratch and dent section. This door was a steal!!!

It's hard to get a great angle on the whole Studio because it's tucked just perfectly at the back of our property.

And I love the fact that it's just steps from the house. No more flashlight at night trying to get back inside during the dead of Winter. I have been known to do my best work at night!

Here's a kind of overhead shot from our roof top perch. As you can see, it's really tucked in. I'm hoping that all the mudding/sanding will be done by the end of the week so we can paint on the weekend, put the floor down, install the overhead lighting and fan and then it's MOVE-IN Day!!! I'm truly excited to get going, get organized, and start diving into Fall and Holiday. Holiday . . . OMG, it's going to be 97 here today. Good grief!!!

My New Home . . . update!!!

It's the end of the 2nd day of construction on my new Studio. I can't tell you how excited I am about getting situated in my new space. Here's a few pictures of the progress . . .

John (husband, helper, lumber fetcher, hammering man & bottle opener) and Jerry (the can do, build anything guy) get going on the floor and walls. The space isn't going to be huge - 100 s.f. is all, but a perfect size to get me organized. I went to Restore in Ballard last week and found my windows, and then came across a steal of a deal on a wonderful French door. I'll have tons of great light - perfect for taking my photographs of my jewels and other stuff.

John, trying to decide where a window should be placed.

Jerry, making all the cuts . . .

By the end of day 2, I had three walls and a floor. Should have the remaining side, doors and perhaps a roof by early next week.

Even, my best girl, Chloe got in on the action. She was trying to tell me that the boys wanted their "union break". Hmmmmm

Okay, so make it quick you guys.

I'll keep you all posted as we get further.