it's a new day . . .

There comes a time when you just have to throw caution to the wind.  Today would be that day.  I've been living my dream for almost 6 years now . . . I know, can you believe it?  I've let this blog go fallow for far too long.  In the coming weeks and months, you're going to witness a new evolution of Tippy Stockton Jewelry.  I've teamed up with a friend who is a master marketer, an eloquent writer, and one of the most fashionable people I know.  I'm excited to go along with her on a journey.  You'll have to wait and see, but you'll want to be on board.  Today is a great day . . . 

I know, it's a burning question

So, yesterday I shared with you how Tippy Stockton Jewelry came to be.  Today I'm going to share with you how I came up with the name.  I know, it's something you've all been waiting to hear.  I'm sure you've spent hours wondering, right?  It's a simple answer, but you'll have to read on.

Back in the early 2000's, a few friends and I decided to start a book club.  Our kiddos were still pretty young, we all loved to read, and it just seemed like the right thing to do . . . Oprah had her book club, so why not.  I have a terrible memory for "real" details, and I can honestly say I don't remember the name of the book.  It could have been an Elizabeth Berg book - she was one of our favorite writers.  Anywho, we read a book about a young lady who was venturing out to write her very first book.  It was a smaltzy book, one in which she really wanted to write about real life things that were going on in her circle of friends.  BUT, she didn't want them to know it was she who was dishing on them.  So she came up with a way to have a pen name . . . okay, are you ready for it???  This is the big reveal . . . do you want to give me a hint on how she came up with her pen name?  Okay, sorry - like you can just jump in here and answer that stupid question.  She came up with her name by . . .

Oh, that's me sitting on the lawn of the first house I lived in, and then that's my Nanny pushing me in the blue carriage around our yard on 9 Stockton Street, Brentwood, NY.  Ah, that's one part of my name.  The first street I lived on.  Well what about Tippy?  Well, if you must know, Tippy was the name given our very first dog - he was a black lab mix with with white socks, and a white tip on his tail.  Get it, Tippy??? 

So there you go.  While at this one particular book club night, we went around the room and my pen name would have been Tippy  Stockton.   I have to say, I thought it was pretty cute.  Tuck that one in the memory bank.  

Fast forward to 2009 - I have selected the name of my little company, had the business cards printed, started telling everyone I knew what I was doing.  I was so proud, so excited and thought I had a pretty cute thing going on with my cute company name until . . . a young girl (and I wish I knew who and where this said girl was) says to me, "is that your STRIPPER name".  WHAT???  Stripper name???  What do you mean?  First dog, first street???  OMGosh, now I'm completely embarrassed - I had no clue.  So let me set the record straight.  NO, I'm not a stripper - seriously :) - I still go by my original story of how I came up with the name - I have witnesses who can attest to that, ahemmmmm . . . Kimberly :)

So now that you know, how are you feeling?  I feel good that I was finally able to put this to bed.  The burning question has been answered, I'm still here to talk about it, and you all are up to speed. 

Okay, I gotta get cracking.  I have lots to do before the REALLY BIG ANNIVERSARY SALE BEGINS TOMORROW.  Over and out . . . xo

and the WINNER is . . .

 

The time has come to announce the winner of my GIVEAWAY! My non-scientific selection yielded something very fun. I put the name of Debra Lang into the mix because she had so graciously commented about how much she loved her Miriam Necklace (the giveaway prize). So guess whose name came out first??? YUP, Debra Lang. So Debra, you're going to get a matching bracelet to the Miriam Necklace. So naturally, I needed to draw another name, and that lucky person is Brenda Bedard. Brenda, please send me your mailing information to tippystockton@aol.com so I can get your necklace to you. CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH DEBRA AND BRENDA.

 

And thank you all for participating. Here's a little thank you for playing along.

 

Take 15% off your order with coupon code TIPPY15 . . . good until the end of the day on Monday, May 27 - Memorial Day.

 

 

 

 

I feel LUCKY to be ME :)

"And like flowers in the fields, that make wonderful views, when we stand side-by-side in our

wonderful hues . . .

We all make a beauty so wonderfully true.

We are special and different, and just the same, too!

So whenever you look at your beautiful skin, from your wiggling toes to your giggling grin . . .

Think how lucky you are that the skin you live in, so beautifully holds the "You" who's within."

 

I love this quote, and it perfectly describes my life in the past week.  I have so much love that has reigned down on me . . . quite apropo since this week is Valentines Day.

My new blog friend Sus over at the Funky Monkey has given me some post time and is sponsoring a lovely giveaway for my new Sparrow Earrings.  Feel free to be part of the giveaway.  It's open to anyone residing in the USA or Canada.  The drawing takes place a week from today.

In case you haven't seen them, here they are.

 

 

If you click on the photo, it will take you to the listing on my website which will give you all the details.

And here's the details on how to be part of this fabulous giveaway. 

http://www.thefunky-monkey.com/2013/02/tippy-stockton-sparrow-earrings.html#

Have a wonderful week old friends and NEW!

Where did January go?

First, you are all probably thinking that I fell off the face of the earth.  I didn't.  Can I explain?

The month/year didn't start off quite like I had hoped.  After sleeping through most of the Holiday Season with a kidney stone, surgery, and a raging infection, I was kind of ready for January to get here.  But alas, what we thought was food poisoning, turned out to be the dreaded stomach flu that was going around.  Oh happy day!  Not only had I not felt like eating during this whole kidney deal because of all the medications I was on, you throw in the stomach flu on top of it . . . blech!  Happy to say that has cleared out of our house. 

I never really like January - yes, it's full of good intentions for goals and resolutions, but it's also one of the rainiest and cloud covered months of the year.  And then there's January 17.  The day my dear Mom passed away.  No matter how long it's been (this year was the 4th anniversary of her death), I dread the day.  As I have voiced many times before, for those of you who say it gets easier, you're big liars.  I will NEVER get over it - it will always be a day that I dread because it puts me further away from the last time I held her hand, kissed her cheek, laughed with her, and hugged her.  She was my EVERYTHING!  She was the girl who I could tell anything to, knowing that I wouldn't be judged or made fun of.  She was the girl that I ran to when my best friend in the world betrayed my friendship (the first time - I went back again, only to be stepped upon and spit out like old gum again).  She was the girl who knew that I was going to marry my best friend, and later carry his child.  Yup, she was everything. 

And today, the last day of the month I find myself procrastinating.  It's tax day for WA State.  Time to pay up.  So I woke up this morning to get that return completed and paid for.  Nothing like waiting until the last minute.  Thankfully, it's easy enough (I say that after I struggled through 2 hours of wondering why my calculations said I had to pay triple what I paid last year).  Yes, I had a great year, but in no way did it make for triple what I paid last  year.  After a minor adjustment, the return was filed.  DONE for another year. 

So tomorrow, it's February.  Time to get out of this funk, get on with life.  I'm even hearing that there's sun in the forecast.  Perfect!  So, I'm going to leave you with a few Valentine's Day pieces.  Yes, that is our next holiday, and technically, if you procrastinate,  you only have about 10 days in order to have it in your hands. 

Enjoy your day - thank you for letting me rant a bit and bearing with me as I blanked out in January.  I promise you'll see more of me.  www.tippystockton.com 

The 25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS march on . . .

 

For the entire weekend, I'll pick up your shipping for you.  Use coupon code FREESHIP at checkout!  Happy Shopping . . . only 16 shopping days until Christmas!

 

What are you up to this weekend??? 

Mr. Mackey and I  are going to start our shopping and then we're headed

off to our first Holiday Party.  Oh, happy day! 

Day 7 & 8 of the 25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

I'm a little behind today, so I'm just going to have today's Special carry through tomorrow.  So, for DAY 7  & 8 of the 25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS . . . ALL LaMer Jewels are 25% off. http://tippystockton.com/item_325/tippy-stockton-.-la-mer-.-verace-.-silver-.-earrings.htm

A la French Flea Market

The day began when the alarm clock blared at 4:30am. Way too early - but I was up and at em! Today was the French Flea Market in Mill Creek. This sweet little event was hosted by Cindy at Haley's Cottage. What a fun show she put on. The weather was absolutely gorgeous - I feel guilty saying this, but it was a little too warm. I know, in a few short weeks, I will be longing for a day like this. The Show brought out a lot of familiar faces - vendors and friends as well!!! My good friend, Colleen was kind enough to let me borrow some of her painted furniture for my booth. It certainly turned things Frenchy!!! I tried to inspire my customers with a few fall things - grapevine pumpkins with a little fall fluff, candles in the shape of pears, and fall wreaths were evidence that the season is about to turn.

A Vintage birdcage was the perfect setting to show off a glittering Eiffel Tower and some lovely Robin eggs.

I had lots of help from these little cuties - Jazzie and Grace bounced in and out all day serving up yummy cupcakes from Jazzies' Mom. Her business is called Pinkalicious Cupcakes - they are delish!!!

I made up some of my wonderful little French apothecary bottle vases. They were sure a hit. And of course, I had a great collection of my new Fall Jewels.

My partner in craft and crime was such a huge help. He had his radio so he didn't miss any of the college games, and he even escaped for a cold one late in the afternoon. He is the master tent builder - thank God. I wasn't sure what end was up when we started with a box full of metal.

It was a great show indeed. I was able to chat and visit a little bit with Deb and Bob Kennedy from Retreat, Tiffany from Shabby Scraps (and yes I definitely want that laundry cart Miss Tiffany), Linda from Lulu's, and Mary Beth and Julie from Poppy Seeds. Thanks for a great show girls. See you in Puyallup next month for the Funky Junk Antique Show and Flea Market. Au revoir, Mon ami!

Falling in love with Autumn

As the calendar turns to September, I'm not sure what it is, but so turns the weather. We have enjoyed a gorgeous and let me say again, GORGEOUS Summer here in Washington. While others around the country were not so lucky, all the great days came our way. I think we kind of deserved it after last Winter. For those of you who know me, you already know this fact about moi!!! I LOVE FALL . . . When I was a child I associated Fall with going back to school, having a birthday in November and not being able to have a fun pool party or picnic for my day. And then one day, I woke up and decided that AUTUMN was my most favorite time of year. The chill in the air, the turning leaves, the down comforter on the bed, the fire blazing. Ahhh, can't you just feel it. Okay, sorry!!!

So I wanted to preview a few of my pieces in my Fall line. I've just sent off a huge order to a new customer in Spring, Texas. I will give you more of the skinny on B-Persnickety in awhile, as the store is about to OPEN.

My new line is full of gorgeous, rich colors - some great metal findings and the most amazing clasps that I found on a recent buying trip (I mean vacation!). I think that you will fall in love with the colors and I hope you find a need to embellish your wardrobe this season.

First Frost Bracelet

Merlot Earrings

Harvest Moon Earrings

Matador Earrings

Hallows Eve Bracelet

Carolina Bracelet

So, jump on over to http://www.tippystockton.etsy.com/ and check all of the new pieces. Look for my Free Shipping All Labor Day Weekend Deal coming up on Friday. Happy Fall, Happy Autumn, one and all!!!

French Flea Market

Tippy Stockton will take it on the road again - this time I'm much closer to home. I will join a few of my friends at a "French Flea Market" in Mill Creek, WA on Saturday, September 12. Get a sneak preview of some of my new and exciting designs for Fall & Holiday. I have been on a buying trip and have come across some amazing new things - I can't wait to get home to start beading. Of course, I will also have my cute little apothecary bottles, frames, scarves, and lots of found Vintage lovelies!!! I hope you'll join me at this fun event.

15021 Main Street - Mill Creek, WA

10:00am - 8:00pm - Saturday, September 12