Fall Giveaway!

Hi everyone! It's Fall and I'm enjoying the beautiful weather. I know I should be outside right now, but instead I'm sitting in my 'studio,' listening to tons of episodes of This American Life and playing with some new gemstones. Ahhh... perfect! _______________________________________________ I have decided to have a giveaway, since I haven't done that in awhile. I'm giving away a beautiful pair of rose quartz and aquamarine earrings in sterling silver. To be entered, please post a link to my shop somewhere- like on your facebook or twitter account, then reply here with a link to your post. Easy. I'm just trying to get more exposure for my shop- Etsy is absolutely saturated with jewelry, and it's so hard to be seen. _______________________________________________ Thanks for helping me! Be well and enjoy the season! Caroline

Well. I guess this is my first post of the year, and it's already April! What a slacker. It's going to be a quick one, too. In honor of Earth Day tomorrow, I'm having a 15% off sale in my Etsy shop. All you have to do is use the coupon code "Earthday" when you check out. There are some new items in the shop, too.

Gray Cat Designs is now featured locally at a quirky little gift/art/vintage shop called A Cool Chick Place. It's in old Avon village, off route 44 in Avon, CT. Check out their facebook page at www.facebook.com/acoolchickplace. It's definitely worth visiting if you are in the area! (And not just to see my jewelry, haha)

That's all for now. Happy Spring to everyone! Do something green for Earth Day :)

New Year, New Jewels!

Happy New Year!

You probably thought I fell off the planet, but I'm here to dispel that notion, and to announce the arrival of some new items in my shop. Also, everything will be 20% off until the second week of the new year. Just apply the coupon code "NewYear2012" at checkout.

In other news: Gray is still alive, and 2012 will be her 19th year (I think. Who's counting?) Anyway, she's been alive since I was approximately 9 years old, and I'm getting up there myself now.

I haven't had time or spare money to further my metalsmithing knowledge, but I'm hoping to start amassing supplies for my own small studio shortly. I did purchase an old printer's drawer on Ebay (see photo!) and it's been very helpful in organizing my supplies and inventory.

After a freak snowstorm in October that caused widespread damage in Connecticut, we've been having some really nice weather. I think the cold is finally setting in, though. I'm excited for wintertime activities, and for a little snow, too.

I wish everyone a happy, healthy, and productive 2012!!!

Summer Sale on Etsy...

Hi everyone!

Quick update- some new items are listed for sale in my Etsy shop- I've finally had time to create a few things. Please check it out, and if you see something you like, use the coupon code "summertime" to get a 15 % discount at checkout.

It's been a busy summer and I can't wait until I have more time for my creative life... sigh. Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more jewelry soon!

Easter Sale! 15% off on Etsy

Hello!

Once again, my blog is embarrassingly silent and empty these days. I have been very busy working and schooling and haven't even had time to make much jewelry. However, I have a small break and big plans for what I will do. Those plans include designing and creating! I have some pretty new beads... garnet, iolite, and labradorite- that I can't wait to use.

I'm offering a sale in my shop until the end of April. Just in time for Mother's Day- Get 15% off your order by using coupon code "spring15" at checkout. Happy Springtime!!!

I am planning to do some hiking soon; stay tuned for photos!

Springtime

Hello everyone!

Once again, it has been quite a while since I've posted. Lots of things have been going on. For one thing, the entire state of Connecticut has been buried in snow since January, and I think we are all a little restless and on edge at this point. I know I can't wait for Spring! I have not had any time for metalsmithing classes, but have been making some gemstone jewelry. My Etsy shop is nearing 100 sales (98!) and I would like to do something special to commemorate the milestone. (Any ideas?)

I'm halfway through my full-time program to become a massage therapist, and I am finally starting to feel excited about it... I have had moments where I wished I'd gone to grad school for something more academic, but ultimately what I want is to be a working artist. My hope is that massage therapy will allow me the freedom to do that; and actually, massage itself is a form of art. So I think I'm on the right path. Sometimes it's so hard to trust in myself that my decisions are the correct ones. In the past, I've done a lot of second-guessing and playing what my dad calls the 'What If' game. It's a frustrating way of thinking, and at its worst, you feel paralyzed by indecision and worry. I wouldn't say I've recovered from this entirely; but I have accepted that it's part of my personality. I just try to realize when it's starting to take over my life.

One of my favorite musical groups is the Wailin' Jennys. They have a song that captures the way I'm trying to view life these days. It's called, "Heaven When We're Home." Here are some of the lyrics:

'There's no such thing as perfect,
and if there is we'll find it when we're good and dead
Trust me I've been looking
but tonight I think I'll go and take a bath instead
And then maybe I'll walk a while
and feel the earth beneath me
They say if you stop looking
it doesn't matter if you find it
And who's to say that even if I did
it's what I'm really looking for

It's a long and rugged road
and we don't now where it's headed
But we know it's going to get us where we're going
And when we find what we're looking for
we'll drop these bags and search no more
'Cuz it's going to feel like heaven when we're home.'

If you want to hear the song, here's a link to it on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcrazTJJtnw. (copy & paste the link into your browser). I've seen them in concert, and they are so inspiring, talented, genuine, and full of life.

I hope for a happy and productive start to the Spring for all of you. Thanks for reading! :)

Happy New Year... {sale on etsy}

Hello! I'm back. And it's been less than three months (not bad, right?) I'm signing in here to wish everyone a happy new year. What are your resolutions? I have a few; most of my promises this year are centered around taking better care of myself- body, mind, and spirit. I made a real List in hopes of actually reaching my goals.

We had a beautiful snowfall a couple days ago- it was the light, fluffy kind of snow where you can see the individual snowflakes. It stuck to the trees, creating a pretty winter wonderland effect.

I created a sale in my Etsy shop in honor of the snow and the hope for a happy and productive new year. To take advantage of the sale, type in "snowstorm" in the coupon code box at checkout, and Etsy will automatically take 15% off your entire order. I'm only advertising it here and on Facebook. This will be in effect until Jan. 14th.

Happy New Year!