A New Adventure

Well, it's been a long long time since I've had time to sit down and write; thanks for sticking by me anyhow!  There's a lot that's new, and I'm so excited to share.

There's a new boutique carrying my line, and they're just about to open shop.  They're called Circa. and they're located in Jackson, Mississippi.  If you're near there, check them out; they plan to be open late in October.  The address is 2771 Old Canton Road.  They have a unique and fun layout, and are planning to offer a "Scent Bar" where one can go to design one's own fragrance.  How cool! 

Here are some of the wallets that I sent them:

  

And also, I am starting another business with a close girlfriend, Suzanne Wenner, who is an excellent seamstress of clothing.  We're going to be making clothes out of organic wool and cotton knits, as well as with some nice linens and other natural fibers.  We're in the process of getting our patterns drafted and our fabrics stocked.  Last week, our first shipment of 100% organic merino wool knits arrived and it is beautiful!  We are getting together in the evening to dye the fabric into lucious colors; a process that is interesting and fun!  Here's what the wool looked like before and after dyeing:

I will definitely keep you posted with each color that we add!  So fun!     

Sweet Friends

I have been hard at work getting Bronwyn all ready for school, and I have also been sewing a lot because BCharmer recently got picked up by another boutique; HOORAY!  I will share more details about that soon.

Yesterday, in the mail, I got a little package all the way from Budapest, Hungary.  My good friend Judit of Vadjutka sent me this stunning necklace and also the sweetest little hair clips for Bronwyn (which she wore to her first day of school).  This necklace is made from a lovely combination of fabrics and is hung on twisted silk cord.  I feel ever so fancy wearing it and have received many compliments already!  If you haven't checked out Judit's blog, you should; she's ever so talented in everything she endevours. 

 

It's the Journey

Happy Anniversary, my darling. 16 years strong. I look forward to many more years on the trail. I love you.

Friday's Finds

I know it's been a while since I've shown you anything from my studio, but my garden has been taking up a lot of time lately.  We're in the thick of cucumbers, raspberries, squash, beans, tomatoes and basil.  A heavenly chore, if you ask me!  So in honor of other people who have been steadily working on their handmade lovelies, I curated a collection of linen wares that I covet on Artfire.com.  Check it out!

Linen Lovelies

Curated By: BCharmerDesigns

ArtFire.com

Handmade Goodness and Supplies

I Believe in You

Good morning.  I had a lot of ideas for topics of discussion today.  Some pithy, some ethereal, all fairly lengthy.  Then I saw this.  I think I'll wait to talk for another day and just let Sadie tell you her important message.

A Lucky Number Seven

Every year, in the few days leading up to my daughter's birthday, she wakes up in the dark morning, just a few moments before her birth time, and calls to me.  I don't know why, or what triggers her to do this, but each year for seven years she's done it.  I wake up, go into her room, and lay down with her. 

I remember all of the little details about her labor and birth. 

I whisper to her about how hot it was that summer and how, on the day that I went into labor, the air suddenly cooled and the light shifted so that it felt like fall. 

I tell her about how, six days after she was born, the geese flew over our house, honking wildly towards the south. 

I remember that after Bronwyn was born, I had intense and vivid dreams about birds talking to her, and to me.

I think about how much my life has been enriched by Bronwyn's presence in my life, and how sometimes love can hurt so much, and that's okay too.

Happy Birthday, my sweet and lovely girl.  I love you and wish you many more quiet and magical mornings to come.

**UPDATE**  I've uploaded photos of Bronwyn's party on my Flickr page here.

Whip it Up

I want to show you this amazing piece of useable art that my husband made for me.  It's a stock whip, which is a traditional tool used by cattlemen and women in Australia.

I've been practicing with it and it has a lovely and very satisfying *crack* when you get the rhythm right.  I'm so proud of my whip, and the fact that the whole thing was cut and hand braided by my husband.  Thanks, honey!