END OF AN ERA - FLASH SALE TONIGHT!

With so little time to work on my jewelry these days. I'm discontinuing many of my gem designs... (for now).  Once they're gone, they're gone! :(

SO...

I'm having a FLASH SALE tonight ! 
UP TO 50% off!  

SALE ENDS Sunday night!

GEM EARRINGS and GEM NECKLACES and many of my FOUND AND VINTAGE pieces will be marked down up to 50% off!

Custom Holiday Silhouettes

Custom Silhouette Ornament

Sorry for my long lapse in Updates.  Baby #2 is now 6 months old and smiling all the time while not sleeping! :/

Needless to say my time for jewelry has been limited.

With the holidays approaching I still wanted to offer you something that would make the gift giving unique and fun.

I'm offering 3-d printed ornaments of silhouettes (Just like the silhouette charm necklaces I pierce from Silver and 14k Goldfill).

They are roughly 2x3 inches depending on the shape of your silhouette and can be printed in a variety of Strong and Flexible plastic colors. They take 2 weeks to ship from the time of the order .

COST-
$20 if I've created a silhouette for you in the past and
$30 if you need a silhouette and an ornament.
Discounts for multiple orders

TIMELINE-
I can take orders this week Nov 17-20th and December 1-8th. (if you want them in time for Christmas)

TO ORDER-
Contact me for a quote and to order.

If you would like just the silhouette graphic to print out on your own to DIY a special gift , send me a photo and I will create a jpeg or pdf file for you to use.  (usually takes 1-2 days)  and can be purchased HERE in my ETSY shop ( $12 )

Tips for Photos-
+ Take the photo eye level with the subject
+ use a plain or back lit background (i.e. solid contrasting color wall , lit window , sun or light in background)

Feel free to send me a couple of pics if you feel you would like certain traits captured better.

Hello Again!

Life with a baby- Amazing. Exausting. Happiness. Blessed. Stressed... A Love that grows more and more every day.  All to say that I have my hands and heart full. ;)

My little girl was born almost 4 months ago, and while I struggle to maintain orders and create new designs, my days are mostly filled by a little lady that is always smiling when she wakes from her nap.

So here's a quick little hello on the blog to update you on little Vivienne, some new designs and a new project I've taken on.

New Designs- Amethyst Geode slice necklaces now available in my Etsy shop:

New project- The DC MEETMarket - A new monthly community market I'm organizing together with my husband. Featuring local artisans, food, music, businesses and YOU! Our next market is August 18th.  Applications to be a vendor for the 2012 Season is available on line.

Flash Sale- FRIDAY ONLY

T- 6 days until my latest and greatest craftiness - Baby Vivienne - is here. :)

So what about one last Hurrah?!

Friday, March 30th, all day and one day only I will be having a 25% off "FLASH SALE" in both my bLuGrn design ETSY shop and my Website.

For my ETSY shop - enter coupon code FLASHBABY12

For my website in the notes to seller enter FLASHBABY12 and you will be refunded 25% off same day. If you forget to enter it in the notes... no worries, just email me with the code and I will promptly refund you 25% of purchase price.

After tomorrow any custom orders will not be filled until end of April. :(

CHEERS!

lv ~Lu

P.S. Can't wait to start posting all the cool Etsy baby things I will probably be splurging on for the next couple of months.

All the new designs

I'm officially 4 weeks away from motherhood! I think the worry of not having time when the baby comes has inspired me to create as much as I can now while I can.

So far i've been playing with mixed metals- new silhouettes in gold tones with oxidized sterling chains. I'm liking the edgy modern look of this and the versatility of wear.

Lastly, I'm most excited by my new diamond silhouettes. Probably the last thing I'll make will be the diamond silhouette earrings which I think will make some pretty cool stud earrings. So keep an eye out for those coming before the end of March.

Hope you enjoy all these new designs as much as I did making them!

HAPPY 2012!

CHEERS!
Hope everyone had a fabulous 2011 and looking forward to an exciting New Year!

I know I have so much to plan for this year. For one I'm having a little baby girl this April! - the diamond month ;)
So my new years resolution is to try to streamline my offerings as much as possible with a new little person on the way that will be taking most of my time. A huge undertaking for me because I'm so easily distracted/inspired by everytihng I see! EEEK!

Also the Year of the Water Dragon starts on 1/23/2012!
So I've already made my first new design of the year! - pat on back for the head start ;)

Here's my "water dragon necklace" soon to be on line in both sterling and 14k GF. Thoughts?

Hope to be able to expand on this design.. we'll see.

A little bit of info on people born under the sign of the dragon: Water has a calming effect on the Dragon's fearless temperament. Water allows the Dragon to re-direct its enthusiasm, and makes him more perceptive of others. These Dragons are better equipped to take a step back to re-evaluate a situation because they understand the art of patience and do not desire the spotlight like other Dragons. Therefore, they make smart decisions and are able to see eye-to-eye with other people. However, their actions can go wrong if they do not research or if they do not finish one project before starting another.

So here's to good luck with everyone's plans for 2012 and hoping I get my butt in gear before this little water dragon shows up in April.

Monster Craft Mash - Saturday

Something Crafty this way comes!!!! This Saturday from 11-5 pm in Logan Circle the DC Craft Mafia will have its first ever Monster Craft Mash featuring over 40 local artistans and crafters ranging from leather belts from Jon Wye, to Yoda door mats, A hoola hoop zombie and smell good body products.

Of course I'll be there in disguise with the rest of the crafty ghouls ( If can figure out my monster make up!) selling my wares.

Below is a sneak peak of some of my newest items. I will also be taking custom orders at the show (FREE SHIPPING) for puppy silhouettes and rings which can be custom stamped with your pets' name/s.

So cross your fingers and toes for some excellent fall weather, dress up and join us for some local fun!

WHEN: 11-5 pm, Saturday, October 29th, 2011

WHERE: Corner of 15th and P St. NW, (St Luke's Episcopal parking lot) 1/2 block from WholeFoods.

METROS: Dupont Circle (red) or McPhereson Sq (blue/orange)

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

OK sorry it's taken me so long to pick! So many great jokes. Loved this giveaway but it was tough to pick!!! I had a joke everyday that kept me chuckling. I anxiously shared many with my friends and family. So thank you everyone for participating!

And now for the winnerS! Yes I have 2! I had a hard time picking just one so there's a winner and runner up! DRUMROLL......

#1 Cindy -Congrats your (thumbs) joke made me laugh the most! The joke was:
It takes 7 secs for food to go from mouth to stomach. A human hair can hold 3kg. The penis is 3X the length of a man's thumb. A femur is hard as concrete. A woman's heart beats faster than a man's. Women blink twice as much as men. Humans use 300 muscles just to balance while standing. Women will read this entire post. Men are staring at their thumbs. ;)

Runner up: Andrea and her "bug joke"!

The talking millipede- I don't know why but i just could see this little guy in my mind putting on his shoes... ready to go out! ridiculous i know but my humor is a little 1st grade ;)

CINDY-Email me your choice of necklace from the photo below.
ANDREA- Send me your first and second choice of necklaces from the photo below

If i don't hear from you guys by Friday of next week i'll have to pick my next favorites. ;)

Hope everyone is having a great summer!
CHEERS!

D.I.Y. Deconstructing the Vintage Clip On Bow Tie

So as everyone anxiously awaits to hear who the winner is of the Joke Contest Giveaway (deadline is July 14th - Bastille day - so you still have time to submit your wit and win!) I thought I would share my my recent Vintage finds from Vermont this past 4th of July and what I made!

I found a few vintage clip-on bow ties at my favorite little shop in Woodstock, Vermont - "Who is Sylvia". Of course my husband scored a sharp gingham one! The other two I decided to deconstruct and "rehab" them into something I could wear.

First I unstitched the middle band to remove the clip and wash them.

After you have washed and dried (I used woolite and layed flat to dry) I sewed the bow to cinch in the middle. This keeps the shape of the bow and also makes it easier to assemble.

Then I hot glued the middle of cinched bow to a headband... sewed the band over the center of the bow and headband....AND...

TA DA! I love them. A fancy pants retro headband!

Stay tuned for July 14th when I'll announce the "funny" winner of a Sharp Shark Necklace of their choosing!

Summer Adventure Giveaway

In celebration of the recent summer solstice... I'm doing a fun give-away! YAY!

As you may have (or may not have) noticed I tend re-purpose findings and techniques in new and sometimes unconventional ways... From optical lenses to braille to shark teeth. The design process is a little adventure to me.

Many times this design process requires a bit of humor or wit to get a new perspective on things.

For this give away all you have to do is tell me a joke in the comments.
I will pick my favorite joke and you will get a fun sterling silver "Shark Bites" summer necklace of your choice. (see image below)

Made from mioncene era shark teeth fossils from the Chesapeake bay little accent beads from turquoise, onyx or coral , and a bit of wit stamped on a sterling silver tag that says:

"LOOKIN SHARP", "SHARP", MAN EATER","I BITE" OR "BITER"

P.S. Make sure you're signed up to receive email updates because this is where I will announce the winner after July 14th 2011

bLuGrn design in the Temporium

I'm excited to announce that I will be participating in my first Pop Up Shop! The Mt. Pleasant Temporium opens at 3068 Mt. Pleasant St. NW on Friday, January 28.

The Temporium will feature handmade goods for sale from 30 local, independent crafters and artists, one of which will be bLuGrn design.

There will also be events that include autobiographical and theatrical storytelling, crafting, trunk shows, educational panels, and live music.

The Temporium is a temporary, pop-up retail space and will close on Saturday, Feb. 26.

Holiday Greetings

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!


P.S.
Anything ordered after Dec. 21, 2010 will ship after January 4th, 2011.

AUGUST SHOWS starts SUNDAY!

Come help us kick off the new season and meet us this Sunday (August 1) in Annapolis, MD.

Members of the DC Craft Mafia will be selling our crafty goods on West St.

First Sunday Arts Festival is a Free Annapolis arts and craft show. Plus be entertained with live music, dance, street performers and food

http://www.firstsundayarts.com/
First Sunday Arts Festival
noon to 5pm

FUTURE SHOWS:

AUGUST 7&8- Arts on N -10am-4pm

DCCAH has teamed up with the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to host Arts On N, a two-week arts festival along N Street between 7th & 9th Streets, NW. The Festival features art by local artists, music, fashion and local businesses.

Sign up for updates on the Facebook Event Page


AUGUST 14 - Ballston Arts and Crafts show

A monthly juried outdoor market for the exhibition and sale of original handmade art-and-craft items.

Held May-October every Second Saturdays from 10am-4pm, this season's Market Dates are:

May 8, June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11 & October 9

Hello Again.

Image: Ottaqueche River in Woodstock, VT
It's been a little while since I last posted with bLuGrn updates... I've been enjoying my summer near sunny beaches and cool water... and am looking forward to continuing this lucky habit. ;)

I've also had a chance this week to play with some new material- Leather.

Check out my new leather necklaces, cuffs and braille wrist wraps... hope you like. ;)

Father's Day- June 20th

Along with free shipping the month of JUNE... don't forget about Father's day!
check out these fun ideas available on my website.


Custom Money Clip $27:
Put man's best friend on there. Name your dog's silhouette and even personalize it by having a name stamped on there for FREE!

OR.....Custom Key Chains $12: Also with man's best friend (your pick of dog silhouette) and free name stamping.

Cufflinks:$18-$32

Don't forget the fun Card:$6-$12

HAPPY SUMMER! FREE SHIPPING- JUNE

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and is enjoying their summer!

I just got back from a beautiful and relaxing vacation in Tulum, Mexico...and wanted to keep up the happy momentum by adding my little bit of sunshine to the pot- FREE SHIPPING
THE MONTH OF JUNE!

That includes worldwide shipping ;)

The only catch is that it has to be purchased from my website: bLuGrndesign.com/shop

That said I just want to share some new designs with you. ENJOY!

Last Show this Spring

Last week was Ballston Arts and Crafts Market in Arlington. Winds were mighty at 45 mph so everyone had to make due without their canopies... but it was a beautiful sunny cool day with plenty of visitors.
All in all a successful and fun day!

This Sunday's show is Taste of Arlington!

This fun street festival will have local entertainment, lively sponsors, children's activities, and over 40 restaurants participate in this spectacular community event.

The Ballston Arts & Crafts Market will be one street down from the festival. I'll be setting up shop in the regular spot, Welburn Square, joining the festive spirit. So come join in on the food and fun!

I'm taking requests...so let me know if there's anything you'd like to see this Sunday. ;)

Hope to see you soon!
~lucia