The Laws of Jewelry

for sale on Etsy

Fore sale on easy

For sale on Etsy

From my previous post on storage idea's for my jewelry you can tell by the picture that I really like it :)  But I'm very, very picky about where I get it from.  

When the economy crashed people in the "Art" community really felt the pinch.   That's when I decided that the jewelry I buy would always help to support an artist, a good cause or an antique dealer.   My husband knows the designer that I like so it makes it easy for him to buy me a gift.  Meg even made our wedding bands.   

Lot 2545 sells handmade jewelry made with recycled paper.  The jewelry is made in Africa and helps to get young boys off the streets and back into school.   I have a few of these.

In this mass produced world, I would rather have something that is totally unique, a style that's all mine, and to help someone in the long run.  Living a simple life sometimes requires more thought.  It does more good all around when you make conscious choices.  The pieces will be in my possession long after other styles have come and gone, and they also have special memories associated with them.

Once you start the cycle of conscious buying you can apply it to everything.  Think small business', Mom and pop restaurants etc.  It's what America once was and hopefully will be again.

Char

PURE MICHIGAN

I have been cooped up way to long and had a big weekend planned in the windy city.  When that got cancelled I was in a deep sad state.   I thought I would turn it around by doing something nice for someone else and  invited some friends over for Thai food.  They were busy and every attempted plan after that failed as well.  

 After setting my head straight, and putting on my big girl pants, I loaded my car with water, dog treats, and dog and headed North.  We only live about 12 miles (if that) to the State line of Michigan, but it's kind of funny how I always stay on this side of the line. 

 I set out to find some new places to acquire items for UMT and ended up only 30 minutes away in Three Rivers, MI.  A town full of beautiful historic building, but unfortunately most are empty.  I did find a fun shop downtown called "Centsible Treasures" and around the corner a coffee cafe that was pretty remarkable.  Across the street from the coffee cafe is Scidmore park, it sits right on the river.  It was a perfect day for sitting outside with Pax and enjoy the wild life.

I love old abandon buildings.  I think this was
a school.  So much potential!

Side street.  So sorry I didn't get one from Main Street, so
many great buildings!

L.A. Cafe

A wonderful egg tamale pie with sliced potato crust and coffee latte.

If you have small children and live in No. IN you have to check out this park!  It's really big,
has a playground, petting zoo, popcorn stand and lots of picnic tables and shelters.

Pax trying to make friends with the ostrich and a Lama

  On the way home I meandered  though a few little Michigan towns and in the end I was really glad that the weekend ended up this way.  I realized that Chicago is celebrating Saint Pats day and the town is a zoo, a green one at that (not my cup of tea).  And all in all it made me get out of my comfort zone and do some exploring on my own (well, with Pax and Siri!)  

Antiques and smudgy dog window.

The little town of Constantine.  Not a whole lot there but they do have an
awesome Art Gallery and hardware store and a new Brewery!   Again lots of
empty historical buildings,  so sad.

I didn't come home with a whole lot because I'm being very particular about what
I buy for the shop, but was happy with the outcome none the less.  How about
the tiny silver shot glasses from Germany, and the aluminum leaf  ice tea spoons?

Storage Idea's for Accessories

It seems my newly decorated guest room has turned into my easy shop staging area for photo's, and some storage.  Like this lamp below.  This room has a whole wall of windows for great lighting for photographs.  After it lists on Etsy it goes here.

This is how I roll.  Everything has to be visible and easy to grab so I can play around when assembling an outfit, (then put it back where it belongs). As simple as nails in a board in a small closet (my husband labels Char's boutique).  It houses everything but my clothes.

Pins on a small frame covered in fabric,  turns the jewelry into art!

I keep bracelets in a basket on a dresser.

Pendants that I can add to a chain are kept on a tiered aluminum server.
 A jar for buttons that come with clothing so I can find it if needed.

These are usually found in work rooms to hold nails and screws but the
see through boxes make one great jewelry box.  (ewe I need to dust!)

I find these a necessity. ..

A silver cloth for polishing, 

pliers  because I'm always reinventing pieces I already own,

 and scissors for tags and strings.

Scarfs displayed on a vintage hanger my friends gave me,
and a vintage plastic one found at a thrift shop. 

Warm and Welcome Saturday

We are enjoying a spring like day at 34 degree's in Northern Indiana!  Seriously it feels so warm I had to take my coat off .  My Hawaiian is freezing at 64 degrees (Hawaii is having a cold spell) poor boy.  

I've been adding lots of handmade jewelry items to the Etsy shop daily.   Please check it out.  If there's ever anything special that you need please feel free to ask.  I do Love a challenge!

Nobody can experience our lives for us.   

Charlotte Lloyd Beck

Snow Love

Love has a way of making places sacred and moments meaningful.     Janet Hobson

We gave these two gift cards to ski at Arapaho Basin two years ago and they finally made it up last weekend (now they're hooked).  It's a place that I spent lots of hours at, the highest ski resort in the U.S.A.  and so incredibly beautiful.  So glad to be able to hand down the love to the next generation to to people that I love so much.

Mama C

Max it Out

Something to think about...

As you grow older you'll find that the only things you regret are the things you didn't do.  Zachary Scott

While visiting my son Jeramiah in Hawaii we talked our friends into a fun
day at the zip line with Jeramiah as our guide.

Jeramiah (far right)

Kohala Zipline-Big Island of Hawaii
A fun day with great people and lots of memories, but it's really nothing compared to what my daredevil son does for fun.
What are some of the things on your bucket list?

Jeramiah in Moab last November

LIfe Before UMT

Before this endeavor I started a business with some friends called junk Evolution.  We have a brick and mortar historical building in South Bend, Indian in the East Bank Village Arts district.   I've always had a passion for finding new life in things that others would have thought to be beyond repair.  

I've had this special project since July waiting until I had time.  That didn't happen until I left!  A mother with 5 kids (and a husband who spills coffee on everything) wanted their favorite desk chair done in oil cloth for durability.  The back of the chair used to be caned but as you can see it's gone, replaced with a comfortable foam cushion.   It takes a little imagination and some hard work but I do love the challenge of giving something a new life or purpose. 

My friends Linda and Bernie Sherck are still in the business but I left to pursue new dreams of working with my kids and on my own home.  If you get to South Bend please check them out.  There's a whole corner of fun shops and a great cafe in the Purple Porch.