Karen's Trunk Show

It feels like a warm and welcome tradition to drive to Ellicott City, MD for a Zippity Doodads trunk show hosted by  Karen Good.  I crank up the Christmas music, make a stop at Starbucks, and drive south.  It is always an incredibly joyful event with lots of beautiful women, lively conversation and gourmet eats.  It is a real blessing to be included in Karen's circle!  With this in mind I decided to make some special pieces for this trip and really focused on rubies, emeralds and pearls.  Certainly pieces I think that would pair well with my new obsession: red tartan capris from J Crew!

I also have some great "less girly" pieces that I envision with something like the Bun warmer skirt from www.titlenine.com!  Oh, that skirt would pair nicely with some Sporto boots like the ones I wore across the college campus back in the 80's....Time flies, but styles come around again and again.

Now if it would just snow!

Peace to you all and I'll see you Marylanders very soon!

Saturday's Trunk Show is all about the statement pieces!

I have been very busy in the studio...Oddly enough I haven't noticed if it was sunny or cloudy, cold or warm.  Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite is on repeat.  I have visions of my Sugar Plum Fairy(s) dancing in my head and I have read the Classy Girls Wear Pearls blog about the Boston Ballet's Nutcracker 10 times.  Thinking about what I will wear to the ballet, I re-focus on the stones and metals on the bench.  I have a renewed interest in the three precious stones: rubies, emeralds and sapphires.  It must be about the extra indulgence the holidays allow...If you have it, now is the time to wear it!  And faceted cabochons??  YES, please!  Don't worry, I have also been stringing 36" ropes of pearls and preparing a really sweet door prize for Saturday's trunk show. 

 

 

 

 

Inside the Zippity Doodads signature tote is: A Lenox holly candy dish to be filled with the delectable Lindt truffles; a minty seasonal votive and snowflake candle holder, A Starbucks hot chocolate kit and chocolate covered grahams, a box of fresh from the oven biscotti from Marlene's Baked Goods and a pair of "perfect for the season" ruby and druzy quartz earrings. (Total value over $100) Just enough sweet and sparkle!  Come and enter on Saturday, no purchase necessary and need not be present to win.  And yes, Marlene will be here with her pastries if you feel the need for a festive little treat!

Lastly, If there is something you see here on this post and you must have it, please email me and let me know, I'll be happy to reserve it!  Most of these pieces are one-of-a-kind and I won't have the time or materials to make duplicates before Christmas.

And after the all the jewelry has been made and Karen Good's trunk show is over, I hope to finish the decorating with a little inspiration from  Pottery Barn and the concept of "lodge meets Prepster"  Should be interesting...

Kicking off the holidays...

Save the date...

 

 

What a roller coaster ride this fall weather has been! One day it is warm and sunny and I pull out the browns and turquoise.  The next I am head to toe in sweaters and strands of pearls!  It is nice to be able to design a piece of jewelry to go with whatever you pull from the closet! 

It has been a very busy season...I have been working with The Westmoreland's Museum Shop to create a collection that tells more of a story and is more cohesive and consistently thematic.  I am grateful to Abby and Pat for their direction and I think we have landed on just the right mix for this time of year.  Here is a sneak peak at what will be premiering on Nov. 7, 2012 at the Holiday Marketplace Preview:

Gorgeous lustrous cultured pearls in 36" strands that can be looped, wrapped or boldly worn at full length.  They are so rich but so affordable!

 

Here are some of the colors the shop is carrying...

 

And of course what holiday would be complete without the Ice Cubes for your cocktail party or festive frolicking?

 

I am also busy in the studio preparing for my next two big events: My Holiday Trunk Show Nov 17th and a trunk show in Ellicott City, MD sponsored by the most gracious hostess, Karen Good.  As my  bench clears and the designs come to life I will post pictures...
Thank you for your patronage and support!!
Best to you,

Feeling Fall...

So what comes to mind when you think of fall?  I go to images of curled up hunting dogs, wrapping up in a cozy sweater, a plaid throw, sipping a cappuccino, the smell of wood smoke and anticipation of that first fire in the fireplace.

This morning was the quintessential first day of fall for me.  It was 42 degrees, Empire apples are being harvested at my local orchard, my daughter is loving Roanoke College, and there was "the outfit" on J. Crew's website.  Make your way over through the link and see if words like "ginger" and "caramel" don't come to mind!!  So now, my work bench is littered with bits of classic elements.  Pearls!!  Long strands of warm beige pearls.  A double strand bracelet was made with the idea that it could be layered with bangles, perhaps warmed up with gold??  I liked the look so much that I made dinner reservations for later in the weekend just so I could wear them!! 

Another great place for inspiration is the blog: Classy Girls Wear Pearls.  Who doesn't think that New England is the perfect term to help congure pictures of  fall fashion??

This Saturday is our 3rd ANNUAL ARTFUL AFFAIR and we will have many talented artists with many lovely treasures for you to browse and sample.  I will have pearls, I promise!!  There will be greenery and delectables, paintings and wearables....I can't wait to open my house to the artists and you!

Check the sidebar for Artful Affair details...

And if things go well at the Artful Affair I will hit "checkout" on my Garnet Hill shopping cart.  Naturally the Eileen Fisher sweater dress that is waiting in there will look smashing with pearls ;)

Best to all,

Last Ligonier Country Market of the Summer

Tomorrow is my last market of the summer.  It is my chance to enjoy the fall produce, buy the bushel of tomatoes, the Chinese lanterns and introduce some new pieces I've been working on.  I'm excited by the change of season and the hustle and bustle of fall.  There are high school football games, parent's weekend at college, and of course my favorite: the grey cashmere sweaters and new jewelry. For my idea of stylish and comfy check out Garnet Hill and their Easy Cashmere Wrap (the dark gray heather and wild berry are gorgeous).  Pair that with a cup of Mighty Leaf Tea and curl up in an Adirondack chair with a good book.  I've got "The Long Road to Antietam" by Robert Slotkin on the arm of my chair.  I was compelled to pick it up after I heard Terry Gross interview him on NPR...

 Back to the real topic: Although I've been working in a number of color schemes I did promise the very trendy pink.  Here is a peek at something a little ruffly to go with that tailored gray comme de garçon look....

 

 

 

 

Don't forget the 3rd Annual Artful Affair on Sept 22...If you haven't received a postcard or email, don't fret, all are welcome!!  And I must say, the talent is exceptional.  Plan to do a little Christmas shopping...

Happy Fall,

Fall Color Trend...
So Nordstrom announced that their hot colors for fall are Bordeaux, Merlot, and Burgundy.  Now that is a palette I can get behind! Time to get creative and I know where the inspiration will come from: NVWE, best shop in the country!

Stop by the Ligonier Country Market on Sept 8th or An Artful Affair on Sept 22 and see how I've incorporated the new trend. 

Blueberries and Cream

It is difficult not to be bathed in patriotic enthusiasm when you do the following 3 things on a summer afternoon:

1. Watch the USA Olympic teams compete in volleyball and water polo...

2. Go to the local berry farm and sample blueberry and raspberry pies, with ice cream, of course.  Stop by Sand Hill Berries in Mt. Pleasant, PA and taste for yourself!

3. Peruse the Kiel James Patrick website and drool over all the nautical and New England style rope bracelets!
The result of this inspiration includes sapphires, pearls, and coral:

I will be at the Ligonier Country Market on Saturday, August 4th and I know Sand Hill Berries will be too.  Maybe I'll see you!!

Sultry Summer Sunsets...

For the past week I have been working on that classic summer mix of colors: turquoise, glowing orange, sand, and firey red.  I thought these colors complimented my fresh beach tan and just the combination makes me smile and think of warm breezes and a cool drink in my hand.  Imagine my delight when I was shopping and saw that Ralph Lauren and I are thinking along the same lines!!  So, once again, I bought clothing to match my newest jewelry creations...My new pieces are simple, warm and welcoming.  They are magical on a tanned wrist or dangling from an earlobe exposed by a braid or ponytail.  Stop by the Ligonier Country Market on Saturday, June 30 and see for yourself!  I'll be wearing my new purchase...

Congratulations to Melinda Willard, winner of the Zippity Doodads Trunk Show door prize! Once again, it was so great to see all of you after a long winter...Now onto the Ligonier Country Market!  Check the sidebar for dates.   Hope to see you soon...

Stop in at my Trunk Show on Saturday April 28 and enter to win a summer treat!

(No purchase necessary)
Because I am still dreaming of the beach,  I have put together a Zippity Doodads Tote filled with some of my favorite things:

• Bobbi Brown's Beach Body Oil (You have to smell it to believe it!)
• A plush Martha Stewart Beach towel
• 2 ocean blue seashell mugs
• A box of the very best tea: Mighty Leaf, Earl Grey
• A Zippity Doodads sterling bead bracelet with charms of coral and aquamarine
• A pair of exclusive earrings made of Bald Head Island shells, coral and aquamarine
• And that very handy Zippity Doodads Tote bag!

 ........Value Over $150......

  

Celebrating 10 Years!!

I can't believe it has been 10 years since I created Zippity Doodads!  This is going to be such an exciting year with pieces available online at Spoonwoodgallery.com, 5 Saturdays this summer at the Ligonier Country Market, The Westmoreland's Juried Artist Market on April 21, My Trunk Show April 28, a return to an old venue in Ellicott City, MD in December, and the third Annual Artful Affair.  Through Zippity Doodads not only have I been able to develop a fun and satisfying business but I have been blessed to meet and connect with so many wonderful customers.  Children, husbands, brides, women of all ages....How lucky am I?!?

So in celebration I wanted to do something fun.  If you come to my Trunk Show on Saturday, April 28, make sure you enter to win (no purchase necessary :) a Zippity Doodads Tote filled with Bobbi Brown Beach Products, a plush nautical beach towel and, of course, some beachy Zippity Doodads :).  The value is over $250.  So stop by, say "hi" and enter to win!  Always the more the "Merri"-er!!!

Thank you so very much!!!!

Mother's Day? Birthday? Anyday...

A shout out to a delightful customer, Stephanie, who requested this piece....

Dreaming of the Shore...

I have spent this morning musing about Bald Head Island, NC and browsing the new Pottery Barn summer collection... http://www.potterybarn.com/shop/bedding/bedding-summer-preview/?cm_src=b2_1&cm_re=SD1P12-_-Bucket2_1-_-SummerPreview

The result?  A surf and sand palette!

Interesting note:  The beige stones are actually natural coral that was collected in Saipan by soldiers during the Pacific Campaign in WWII...The blue?  Aquamarine, of course!

Where do you find your inspiration?

Sometimes a new purchase brings more than retail therapy...But inspiration as well!