Tucson Gem Show Time

  This year, I get to cross off one of my bucket list items and am going to the Tucson Gem Show!

The plan is descend upon the desert that is waaay warmer than it is here in Portland and just stand in the sun-only for a few minutes though, with my freckly skin...I probably have about 5 minutes before I burn.  

Then, I have a few days of shopping the motherlode. I am primarily looking for a solid source for turquoise. If you have a hankering for a certain gem for a custom piece, please let me know before February 11th. I'm happy to oblige. After that date, I am working on several wholesale orders for Mother's Day so it may be a while before I am able to work on custom pieces.

In the meantime, I am working on some rings! Lots and lots of rings. I am loving the bench, sore fingertips and all. I feel incredibly lucky that this is my job. Thank you for your support!

Beads for Days

Guess who just purchased a ton of new beads? This gal. 

I'll be updating the shop accordingly over the next couple of weeks as pieces become available. You should follow me on Instagram for behind the scenes photos, timely shop updates and heads up on sales!

Crafty Wonderland!

Ahhhhhhhhhh Yeeeeaaaahhhhhh! It's that time again! Mother's Day is around the corner and I just so happen to be part of Crafty Wonderland's super dooper spring sale! With friends graduating and all of those spring birthdays, you are sure to look like the world's best gift giver by getting those gifts at this show. 

Come on down and check out the kitties and the plant sale too! I'll be in booth #44, towards the plant sale side of the room. I look forward to seeing you there! I have oodles of new jewels to debut. 

P.S. Mention this blog post and you'll get 20% off of your Kenton Beadworks purchase at the sale.

Chasing Sun

Sorry for my absence lately. I'm happy to say it was for a good reason. My husband and I have been traveling a lot for fun. We both recently changed employers (I'm making jewelry for a local jeweler) and had a couple of weeks off in between. Rather than the usual staycation agenda, we decided to choose a couple of cities that have warm weather, were close enough and had nice folks who make good beer.

We visited sunny San Diego, CA and Austin, TX and had a great time. We're glad to be back in Portland though, our water and crisp, fresh air cannot be beat. I literally miss those things when I travel, but there is something to be said about the way the air smells when you get off of the plane in a sunny local. It seems so sweet and inviting.

As far as the beer goes, I have to say that Stone Brewing is like the Disneyland of beer. Their facility was amazing- well landscaped and they didn't spare any expense on making a solid brewery. In fact, it didn't feel like a brewery-more like a nice restaurant. Try the brussels sprouts if you go!

The ABGB in Austin won my heart for sure. I loved everything about their whole set up. Every beer that I had (we both had a flight of tasters) was well balanced and deelish! They also had a GREAT crew of people working there. We chatted with the owner/brewer there and he was just so nice!

Additionally, we went to Wright Bros. Brew & Brew in Austin, where they have both espresso and beer! Heaven!! They have a great selection of beers, knowledgeable staff who truly seem passionate about what they serve. We tried this Jester King Saison that blew my socks off.

I could totally see myself living in Austin, but Texas itself kind of scares me. I'll stick to the greenery of Portland...for now.

Time to refresh!

It's almost spring here in the NW. For me, that means it is time to refresh the ol' wardrobe. I've got the Spring Fashion Fever! After purchasing about what seems like 27 "Spring Fashion" magazines in the last week or so, I feel that it safe to put a label on it.

Since I have been working from home in the past year or so, I have been living out of jeans and comfy cardigans paired with hiking socks. I mean it when I say it is time for a little refresh.  It's been almost 6 months since I have purchased a pair of shoes and those shoes were for a halloween costume.

I like to dress pretty simple but really put my focus on bags, shoes and other accessories.

Enter "The Bag". Here are a handful of wonderful totes and bags that I think would be perfect!

Appetite

ByMART

Emmieshop

I am so torn on which one to pick. Which one is your favorite?

Have plans on Sunday?

I think you do now! Bring your cold self on down to the Left Bank Annex and say hello to some of the best artisans in town. If you are one of the first 100 people in the door, you get a free bag of goodies!

Mention you saw this post on my blog for a 20% discount off of your purchase. I'll have a bunch of goodies on sale as well as some bracelets and earrings that have yet to be listed online. See you there!

Back in full effect

Pickled Goodness

Guess what? I finally learned how to pickle cucumbers this summer! Late is better than never, as they say! This week I hope to try cauliflower for bloody marys this winter and maybe some strawberries for fun.

A friend gave me their recipe for a refrigerator method to pickling and I plan on giving that a whirl.
Do you have a favorite go-to recipe for pickling?

It's Official.

                                                                                    Photo credit: XCVI.com

Kenton Beadworks is now available at XCVI in Pioneer Place, Second Level- next to White House Black Market in Downtown Portland. You really must check out their gorgeous new summer line. You can do that here.

Their space in the mall is fantastic and they have the cutest fitting rooms-they're little canvas tents! I already own one of their skirts- it's few years old now and it's still soooo comfy!

I personally want one of their beautiful dresses.

Which piece from their collection is your favorite?

Tasty Tuesday...Thursday Edition

                                                                   Sauteed Spinach

1 tsp evoo
3 cups spinach
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Dash or two of garlic salt

Warm up the olive oil in a large skillet or a pan with higher sides to hold all of the spinach.
Add the spinach and stir until it is all wilted. You don't have to stir continuously or cook until it is 100% wilted.  I usually remove from the heat and stop stirring until the spinach is 90% wilted.

Optional: 2-3 garlic stuffed green olives-coarsely chopped, or sliced if you'd like. 
I get all OCD and quarter my olives. Sometimes I only add some Parmesan or nutritional yeast. Depends.That is just how crazy I can be. Who in the heck knows what I might put on my sauteed spinach next!

When it's not hot outside, I like my salad warm. Sauteed spinach is a great way to get a bunch of good fuel and be satisfied afterwards.  Do you have a food that you only eat when it is cold/rainy?

Speaking of, it's sunny outside. See ya!

And so it begins...wedding season!

                                            Here's a little snapshot of what is on the workbench this week. 

This week's theme at Kenton Beadworks has been: Custom Orders! I've been happily working on a handful of custom orders for weddings. The pretty ballet pink Chalcedony briolettes will become substantial chandelier earrings (photos later) for my Cousin who is getting married this summer. The other stones are bridesmaid necklaces for another two weddings.

Some color themes for wedding party jewels this year have been: ombre, pastels and rich jewel tones. I love them all, really. I promise to be better at taking photos of them an posting them here prior to sending them out. Sometimes I just get so excited about getting them to the bride!

Have a terrific day!

Get them whilst you can

Hey there!
We have our highly coveted gold and silver dipped pendants back in stock. We first listed them in late February and they almost sold out in less than two weeks.

I do love a good raw stone. There is so much for character and each one is unique!

Which dipped stone is your favorite?

Music Monday

Hello there!
It's been awhile since I have made a Music Monday post, so here goes nothing! Well. I actually have something...

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, it's cold as heck out right now and the sun is rarely seen. Okay, I live in Oregon, so maybe it's just here, but you know what I am saying.

The point is, I may have found an artificial beach of sorts: the Surf Rock station on Pandora! If you use Pandora, just search for "Surf Rock" and it will plop you into the deep end of the pool. We found it by accident a few weeks ago and it was just what I needed to get out of my winter funk. Now it is my go to station when I lose motivation and need to clean house or finish up that giant wholesale order. Speaking of...I'm off to do just that.

Have a great day!
Stacy

It's On Like Chaka Khan!

Hey there. I hope you all are well fed and well rested after Turkey Day. I know I am. Now, it is down to business, sussing out the holiday schedule; who gets what and who is going where to get it all done. This year I'm lucky enough to have been able to focus on the Etsy Shop and playing with some different designs. My goal is to list something new every week. For this week, I'm focusing on Turquoise!

I am using up all of the turquoise that I have squirreled away and have enjoyed applying new designs. The above necklace is a more modern approach to one of our best sellers, The Frida. This new silver oxidized chain is pretty awesome; substantial yet light. My favorite thing about Turquoise is that each stone has a story to tell. Each is unique and accents the stone next to it.

Huge Honkin' Sale!

Kenton Beadworks is having a big ol' sale! 30% off this whole weekend! Just in time to receive your pretties for the holidays-for gifting or keeping. Simply enter code: 30OFF2011 to score the discount upon checkout in the Etsy Store.

Thank you all SO MUCH for your support and making 2011 a successful year!

Mimosa Anniversary

Happy August!
It's that time of year when the weather is warm and weekends are filled with weddings and out of town trips. last weekend, my longtime friend, Itzel was married to her longtime partner, Brian. Those two lovebird had quite the shin-dig on a farm and we whooped it up into the wee hours of the morning. It was almost like a mini-Burning Man, minus the nakedness.

This weekend, my Spouse and I are going to be celebrating our 7th wedding anniversary! We're going to brunch at Davis Street Tavern- complete with M I M O S A S!!! I can not WAIT!

Portland Trunk Show

Where can you casually shop and support local artists, indulge with a mimosa and brunch appetizers, mingle with new and old friends AND support a great cause? At Bernie's!


This is Bernie's 4th Annual Trunk Show and its back by popular demand! Bring at least 2 cans of food, which will be donated to the Northeast Emergency Food Bank. Stop by and say hello, bring at least two non-perishable food items, grab a bite to eat for yourself, buy something locally handmade, feel great & accomplished the rest of the day! I look forward to seeing you Sunday the 21st!!!
From 11am-2pm at Bernie’s Southern Bistro:
2904 Northeast Alberta Street Portland, OR 97211-7034

Variety is the Spice of Life

Sorry I've been neglecting my blog...but have you seen the sun out there? Man, it has had me destracted with a capital D. The Mister and me have been whooping it up and enjoying the last month of summer, my best friend had a baby 2 weeks ago and I have finally gotten my act together and started working on some new designs. Stuff I haven't seen any where else! What have you guys been up to this summer?

Here are a few of the new "Droplets"

My new fringe piece; I'll be creating variations on this theme.