bLuGrn Updates

Little Bit of Braille

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:00:00 +0000

As you know one of my signature collections is the braille pendants and necklaces as well as braille keychains and now also rings. The other day I received a really great gift from a fellow jewelry designer, Leslie Ligon of braillestone.com who found me through Etsy and we talked about our designs and common interest in braille.

Leslie lives in Dallas and promotes Braille literacy within the sighted and blind communities through her braille jewelry like the bracelet she sent me. (to the left) It consists of the whole alphabet in braille with the letters on the inside.

A portion of her sales proceeds are donated to Braille Without Borders and BrailleInk.

On that note... A little bit about this type of writing. Braille can be found in almost every public space and often goes unnoticed by the sighted...but take a closer look next time you're in a public elevator or office. You'll find those clever embossed dots next to numbers and buttons and next to offices and restrooms.

Named after its inventor, Louis Braille, the braille system uses a basic “braille cell” which consists of six dots grouped in two vertical columns of three dots each. The dots in the first column are numbered one through three and the second, four through six. Organized groups of dots in the cells represent letters and numbers. For example, the letter “D” (in the chart below) can be expressed as “dots 1, 4, 5.”

The story of Louis Braille is actually quite interesting as well--
Louis as an 11 year old blind student revised secret military code and used it the basis for written communication for blind individuals. The original military code was called night writing and was used by soldiers to communicate after dark. The code used a twelve-dot cell two dots wide by six dots high.The problem with the military code was that the human fingertip could not feel all the dots with one touch.

Louis Braille's revised reading method is based on a cell of six dots. This improvement enabled the fingertip to encompass the entire cell unit with one impression and hence quickly move across cells.

Another interesting tidbit is that His published code,Procédé pour Ecrire les Paroles, la Musique et la Plain-Chant au Moyen de Points, also contained a braille music code based on the same six-dot cell. Cool, right?!

welcoming spring

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:55:00 +0000

March 8th was International Women's Day and I was walking around Georgetown with a friend enjoying the wonderful weather we are having. A nice man approached us and asked us if we'd each like to have a large bouquet of tulips.... just because. It made our day even more perfect.

It's a little grey out today but these flowers remind me that spring is very near. I'm still enjoying my sustainably grown flowers from Sun Valley and I just wanted to share the color and beauty with you today. ENJOY!

Tutorial Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:30:00 +0000

I've been "starring" all these DIY tutorials on my blog reader. There are so many really cool ones and I thought I would share a couple. I'm hoping if people like this then perhaps I can share a couple more every other Tuesday?
ENJOY!

Convert mirror frame to magnetic chalkboard.
(via design sponge)
I've actually made this one but I used magenetic paint under the chalk paint on plain ol'plywood. This made it a lot lighter. The drawback would be that the magnets are not super strong.

This was my version:
Jonathan Adler-Inspired Pottery (via Renest)

This looks pretty amazing. I can't wait to try this.

SHELVING UNIT (via the brick house)
Lastly... I rarely see great DIY shelves... that don't look...well DIY.
(Thinking about college dorms with plywood and furniture ;)

Definitely requires some commitment ;)

Countdown

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:15:00 +0000

One week until the movie release of Alice in Wonderland - 3D! (March 5th) I'm pre-ordering my tickets!

In the mean time I've added to my own Wonderland jewelry with little post earrings. These tiny silhouettes have been hand cut from 20 gauge sterling silver...and what a feat that was to try to get the tiny details! Yet well worth it... I think ;)

Lastly, I'm still having a good time with ring designs. These follow the slug design, where a cute little creature wraps itself around your finger. So....what do you think?

RINGS!

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 18:32:00 +0000

Some ideas I've finally come to realizing.

All sterling 2o guage silver bands:

+ Slug ring...inspired by a cute friend of mine that has a fascination with these critters... other critter bands are being conjured ;)

+ Braille embossed ring- this one says "love"

+"Treasured" heart lock ring. (lock actually opens!) hammered sterling.

The open band designs allow for size flexibility... so exact ring size is not critical.
Check them out!

P.S. The latest Alice in Wonderland design: "Doormouse on Teapot" sterling necklace.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:46:00 +0000

I'm super excited about Tim Burton's upcoming movie "Alice in Wonderland". It looks fantastical and I can't imagine who better to play the mad hatter than Johnny Depp.

Inspired by its magic, I've been planning my own trip down the rabbit hole with a set of new designs inspired by Lewis Carroll's Classic.

I've hand cut various silhouettes depicting some famous favorite characters such as the White Rabbit, the Caterpillar, the Cheshire cat and of course Alice.

I'm still working on the Mad Hatter ;) Maybe I'll be inspired after the movie.

In the mean time check out a couple of my new silhouette necklaces and an old favorite:

Through the Looking Glass - Vintage Rehab

OH NO! SNOW! :(

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:47:00 +0000

Soooooo.... due to the imminent snowstorm to hit D.C. this Friday and Saturday I'm cancelling the Hearts for Haiti fundriaser. :(

In appreciation for good intentions and the upcoming sweetheart holiday (Feb 14) I'm offering a 20% discount on all purchases until February 7th.

Enter the word HAITI in the check out notes and you will be refunded 20% of your total purchase. (not including shipping) A percentage of the proceeds will also be donated to Partners in Health's StandWithHaiti.org.

* New Designs *

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:41:00 +0000

Quick little sneak peak on some things i've been working on.
Onyx teared necklace, 14k GF braille necklace, Heart Hoops, Mini luchador valentines, XOXO pearl necklace, xoxo linked braille necklace

Hearts for Haiti

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:46:00 +0000

If your in d.c. superbowl weekend stop by to do some valentines shopping for charity.
My little Hearts for Haiti trunk show will benefit Partners in Healths (PIH) efforts : StandwithHaiti.org

PIH has been working on the ground in Haiti for over 20 years and urgently need your support to help those affected by the recent earthquake.

So stop by and do some feel good shopping for some V-day treats.... and of course some yummy sweets!

CHEERS TO THE NEW YEAR

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:39:00 +0000

Happy NEW DECADE!
Now that the eating has slowed and new years resolutions struggles with inspiration... I'm going to start by offering a little bit of cheer to the new year with a sale on selected earrings and necklaces.

Treat your self or a loved one with a little cheer or sweet reminder to keep your spirits fresh and snappy with a little bit of style. ;)

Last Minute...

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:27:00 +0000

Just wanted to wish everyone Happy Holidays! As well as thank everyone that has shopped with me this season! Looking forward to 2010 with extra holiday "bling"!

F.Y.I.- Holiday Orders-
the last day i can ship and hope it gets to its destination by or before the 24th is December 17th.

I ship via usps.com with delivery confirmation. shipping time takes anywhere from 2-5 days.

If you need your order shipped faster please contact me to do priority shipping which is a little more but is supposed to be faster ;)

Stocking Stuffers

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:24:00 +0000

Hope everyones holiday shopping experiences are going well. I have a long way to go....I was just going through my "list" and thinking about what i had that would make good stocking stuffers. Here's what i came up with in case you were curious ;)
1) braille necklace- can be customized with any name or word- $42
2)harmonica necklace- bring some music into the party - $34
3) silhouette necklaces- duckies, monkeys, puppies, birds... have a good idea... let me know i do custom orders - $40-72
4) cufflinks- silk brocade, carved bone roses...$18-$26
5) braille keychains - customize with a name or any word-$8
6) sterling birdie studs- $48
8) mini notes- puppy silhouettes, "merde" birdies, luchadores, fiesta- $6
9) compass necklace-" love leads the way" find your way any where you go- $24
10)black rose ring- carved bone on an adjustable ring - $8

SNEAK PEAK at Holiday Bling!

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:52:00 +0000

Remember this Friday and Saturday (December 4th and 5th) is
BLING ON THE HOLIDAYS!
@ SHENY designs boutique
benefiting

ENJOY: Gingerbread muffins, eggnog and wine while you do some holiday shopping.

(click on invite for more info)

In the meantime I thought I'd share another sneak peak at some new designs I'm pretty excited about.

BLING IT ON!

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:37:00 +0000

Ready for this weekend's first holiday shopping event?!!! I have some new designs I plan to debut that I'm really excited about.

Holiday Heist is this Saturday
November 21
From 12pm - 6pm
The Soundry
316 Dominion Road Vienna, VA 22180

The next show will be in HOUSTON at the Sheny design boutique.
WHERE: 1740 Sunset Blvd, 77030
WHEN: Friday Dec 4, 4-8 pm
Saturday Dec. 5, 11-5pm

Featuring jewelry designs from local artists Amaria, and Sheny

10% of sales will benefit
Recipe for Success foundation.

Recipe for Success Foundation (RfS) is a non-profit 501C3 charity dedicated to combating childhood obesity by changing the way children understand, appreciate and eat their food.

Click and print out the invite and get 10% off your purchase!

Holiday Heist- Nov 21

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:00:00 +0000

Holdays are practically here! Where did the year go???!!!

I've started planning some holiday trunk shows in VA, TX, NYC, and of course D.C. in next 2 months. Also, a brand new 2010 line which I'm very excited about. Check out my facebook page for a sneak peek!

My next show will be with D.C. Craft Mafia at the Holiday Heist.
CHECK OUT THE VENDOR GALLERY

November 21, 12pm - 6pm

The Soundry
316 Dominion Road
Vienna, VA 22180

View Larger Map

"love IS blind" -sterling braille necklace

Houston- Pink Ribbon Event

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:58:00 +0000

Grand Opening!

WHY: Come out and support a great cause.- Pink Ribbons Project- breast cancer awareness
WHERE: Sheny Designs Boutique @ 1740 Sunset Blvd- Hou, TX
WHEN: Friday - October 23 4-8pm & Saturday - October 25 -11-5 pm
DISCOUNT: bring this invite and get 10% off your purchase of $50 or more on any blugrn design or sheny design purchase.

Follow/ R.S.V.P. - FACEBOOK

Ballston Market - This Saturday!

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:07:00 +0000

I'll be there! Booth # 16
Everything has been so busy i haven't had a chance to even post about Crafty Bastards (it was AMAZING)... and now i'm posting about my last show in October... and for a while, really... until end of November!

Quick note about Crafty Bastards... I was so happy to see everyone come out. It was so amazing... so packed... and sold so many of my favorite pieces...not to mention most of my Vintage rehab peices.

So if you're coming out this Saturday and are looking for a particular piece... please CONTACT ME to make sure i have it... otherwise i can try to make it for you for this show.

So come out to visit for the last ballston craft show of the season. Right outside of the Ballston st. metro!

Hope to see you there!

VENDOR MAP

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:10:00 +0000

OOPS! This might be helpful for locating me and others at crafty bastards. I'm LUCKY 13!

check out the vendor map which you can also download and print.

2 more days...

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:35:00 +0000

...Until Crafty Bastards!
I've been designing and making like mad for the last 2 weeks. Completely new designs.... and some oldies but goodies. If you have any special requests let me know by Friday and I'll have it ready for you at the show.

Quick Sneak Peak:
I've had some fossil shark teeth custom designed and gold dipped to make these edgy neat necklaces on A row of fossil shark teeth on an elegant 14k G.F. chain or a single fossil shark tooth on a mix of oxidized sterling silver with 14k G.F. chain mingled with larger links.

SIGNATURE PIECES - birds , monkeys... and the "fox and the crow"- i haven't made this one since my first crafty bastards 3 years ago and I don't know why. I love Aesop's Fables.

A LITTLE SECRET-
Most of my items at shows are discounted up to 20% from my online prices . So if you want to get a deal try to come out to these fun events.

CROSS YOUR FINGERS - that it will not rain Saturday!

That's it... make sure you come out and enjoy the break dancing, all the cool hand made swag (possible ;) christmas gifts), food and craft making activities.

This Saturday, October 3, in Adams Morgan- 10am - 5pm.

Clarendon Day

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:36:00 +0000

WHEN: September 26th - 11 am - 7 pm (NEXT WEEKEND)

bLuGrn design will be a part of Arlington's Biggest Street Party! Come join the fun!

Clarendon Day features the cuisine of local restaurants,the music of local bands, and the art of area craft makers and artists.

+ Live Music on 2 Stages
+Food BoothsArt Vendors
+Belly Dance Performances
+Skateboarding Demos
+Electric Cars
+Clarendon Kid's Carnival
+Kinderhaus Kid's Stage

WHERE: Located at the Clarendon Metro Station in Arlington, VA

Wilson Blvd. from N. Highland St. to N. Irving St., Clarendon Blvd. from N. Garfield St. to Washington Blvd., plus N. Highland St. between N. 11^th St. and Wilson Blvd.; as well as portions of N. Herndon St., N. Hudson St. & N. Hartford St.

Etsy Fave's of Late

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 16:15:00 +0000

Haven't posted Etsy fave's in quite some time... which is sad because I'm constantly "window shopping" on etsy...and i love sharing the shopping experience! Not to mention that there are so many great designers out there that everyone should know about. right?!

If you can't see the etsy gallery below in your email...click on the post to view online. these lovelies are worth it ;)

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade

Craftiest Bastard 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:12:00 +0000

VOTE FOR ME!!! As Craftiest Bastard 2009 CLICK HERE!

Please share the link with your friends:
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/craftybastards/2009/craftiestbastard/?vendor_id=1538

ABOUT The Craftiest Bastard of 2009 Contest

Our friends at Urban Outfitters are excited to bring back the Craftiest Bastard contest. All Crafty Bastards craft vendors are eligible for the contest. The winner will be decided based on the number of votes cast online through Sunday October 4th and physical ballots received at the festival on Saturday, October 3rd.

The three vendors with the most votes cast in their favor will be awarded one of the following prizes:

Grand Prize: $500 gift certificate to Urban Outfitters + Winner Promotion in one City Paper 1/4 page print ad + 1 Crafty Bastards eblast

2nd Place: Washington City Paper advertising ($500 value)

3rd Place: Crafty Bastards prize pack filled with City Paper goodies

HAMPDENFEST THIS WEEKEND

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:21:00 +0000

Just wanted to remind everyone to come out to the cute little area of Baltimore- Hampden for...

SEPTEMBER 12th, 11 AM-7 PM , W. 36th St, Baltimore, MD
I'll have a small space there with jewelry, onsies and paper goods. Most of my items at shows are normally 10% to 20% less than my online prices... so shows are a good place for scoring some deals on gifts. Not to mention getting to visit a new area of town and meeting and seeing new people and vendors.

Hampdenfest promises to be a fun time with live music, games for kids, food and shopping!
Learn more by clicking on the links below.

WHO WILL BE THERE...
DIRECTIONS
MORE ABOUT Hampdenfest

Hope to see you there!

Crafty Bastards Vendor Gallery

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 01:57:00 +0000

It's up and i'm in it. ;)
There are so many cool vendors this year. Even though it's a month away i'm already starting to plan my set up and stock up on new designs..

Check out the gallery and some of the vendors. Click on the pics and you'll get to see more of what they will have to offer
at the 2009 Crafty Bastards fair October 3!

NEW in 2009:
1) B-boy battle goes all day from 10am-4pm! Hope to be able to catch some of these break dance battles... they are so amazing.
2) Food court and
3) ATM truck on the premises
NICE.
4) Make something Awesome area: visitors can come into this area and be crafty. Special projects will be ready for you to try out and take home. FUN!

So....SAVE THE DATE!
OCTOBER 3, 2009
Adams Morgan- Washington, D.C.

Save the DateS!

noreply@blogger.com (Lu) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:06:00 +0000

UPCOMING SHOWS - Hope to see you there!!!

September 12- Hampdenfest '09 in Baltimore, MD

October 3- Crafty Bastards - Washington, D.C.