The Story of Orange Avocado Jewelry... » My Story

• Staying Good; Staying True

  Published Jan 04 2015 in My Story, New Collections

  

  I just spent the last 10 days over the Christmas holidays regenerating my soul & taking a break from jewelry requests. My jewelry business has grown over the last couple of years to working full time most days.  Breaks are long overdue as each jewelry piece is handcrafted and metal worked; every line and curve made with intention and artisanal love.   Renewal and regeneration means to me biking, swimming & running with my family; then exploring the many eateries in Edmonton (my 2nd passion). My jewelry room gets a long overdue cleanup which helps me clear my mind for the next season's jewelry designs. I can't wait to show you what I have in store...some romance, some edginess. Let's just say that my kiln has been working over the holidays!  Here's a sneak peek...hope to reveal in the next couple of weeks.  Staying good; staying true. xo

  
  

• Farmer's Market Season: Meeting You

  Published Jun 11 2014 in Events, My Story

  

  I would have to say that one of the most rewarding parts of my job is meeting the people that make it possible for me to make jewelry everyday.  Although I do this through various ways, one of my favourites is at the local farmer's markets in Edmonton.  Ever since its induction the Southwest Edmonton Farmer's Market in the Terwillegar Rec Centre lot I have been an occasional vendor.  This market was small at first, but since it was in my neighbourhood in south Edmonton I wanted to support something truly local; truly in my backyard.  I have been back every year and I've seen the market grow and establish itself in the neighbourhood.  My customers have become familiar faces whom I not only sell jewelry to, but whom I talk to about family, kids, work; something that we all share.  Life is so much more interesting when you can share it with someone else.  And of course I purchase my veggies from Riverbend Gardens, beef jerky from Jerky Jerky, kettle corn for the kids and always something new from a new vendor.  Supporting local is where it's at!

  I have also been fortunate to be a vendor for a third year at the St. Albert Farmer's Market.  This market is so worth the drive to Perron St. in St. Albert.  I'm always excited to set up my table quickly so that I can do my own shopping at the amazing variety of food vendors at this market.  When the market opens to the public, though, there is no time for shopping.  I am always amazed at the number of new customers I get every time I attend this market.  They have never seen my jewelry, but feel connected to it once they see it.  I am grateful.

  I always bring something new to these markets; many one of kind pieces of jewelry for many beautiful & unique women.  So the next time you see me at one of these markets, stop and chat. Because...

  Life is so much more interesting when you can share it with someone else.

  
  

• Rose Velvet Collection: FW 2013

  Published Aug 31 2013 in My Story, New Collections

  

   

  I’m a romantic at heart.  My most romantic gift from my husband was a poem that he wrote while I was attending school out of the country.  He had to send down my winter boots and tucked away in the box was a little piece of paper with a, well, unforgettable poem written on it.  It read our lives at that time.  Quite a few years later I framed that poem and re-gifted it to my husband as a wedding anniversary gift.  He was...speechless.  

   The feeling I get from my rose bronze and rose gold swarovski crystal pieces is romance and tradition (just like that poem). I’ve taken my rose bronze and rose gold to another level...a level of casual modern with a hint of elegance. Subtle touches of rose gold are found in my Rose Velvet Collection just to show how special it is.  I’m letting the rose bronze and rose gold swarovski crystals speak for themselves, because it does it so well. 
  

  Nothing but the best for my rose hued pieces; nothing but the best for you.  I want to make you speechless.

  Enjoy

  
  

• That Which Inspires Me...

  Published Jul 08 2013 in My Story

   

  

   

   

   

  People often ask me where I get my inspiration for my jewelry from.  I like to take my bike in the trails of Edmonton’s river valley system and go for it.  It is my little treat to myself.  It is also where I find my mind will travel and become the inspiration for many of my jewelry designs.

   

  This year I was so lucky to spend a week long road bike trip discovering the endless roads of southern France with my family.  I engrossed myself in everything that I saw, felt and smelled.  It was love at first sight.

   

  I feasted my eyes on the vibrant orange poppies in Mirepoix, the unexpected mixes of colors of hand painted shutters & doors in the little villages like Limoux, and the curved archways in every building. The grandness of riding the Pyrenes, fighting the winds in the gorges and gazing upon castles was humbling.  But even the littlest things like the everyday walk up and down a circle of 22 cement stairs to our room, and the french road signs inspired me each day.  We covered 450 km in 5 days; a lot to see in so little time!  A work of observation will become little works of art. 

   

  Thank you to Chris Georgas, Fabien, Isabel, Heather, & Nicolette from Le Monastere for making my family & I want to pack our bags and live in a little French town called Limoux. For now I will make little pieces of precious metal jewelry with a hint of France in them.

  
  

• My Starfish Story

  Published Jun 02 2013 in My Story

  

   

  I am sure that every child has a teacher that touches their lives so much for the better. We were so blessed as a family to have benefitted from such a teacher. For me, Mrs. Shuster is the one teacher that made a difference in my childrens’ lives.  As a family, we were so lucky for both of our kids to have had the gift of her teaching and insight when my kids were in grade 2.  The details are personal how she touched our lives, but let’s just say that she was the one that looked down upon each of my little starfishes and threw them back into the ocean.  My kids are now in grades 8 and 10; oh how time flies.    But the memories will always remain and the effects will last a lifetime. 

  Thank you Mrs. Shuster, we love you.

   

  The Starfish Story

  An old man was walking down the beach just before dawn. In the distance he saw a young man picking up stranded starfish and throwing them back into the sea. As the old man approached the young man, he asked; "Why do you spend so much energy doing what seems to be a waste of time?" The young man explained that the stranded starfish would die if left in the morning sun. "But there must be thousands of beaches and millions of starfish, exclaimed the old man. "How can your efforts make any difference?" The young man looked down at the small starfish in his hand and as he threw it to safety in the sea, he said;

  "It makes a difference to this one."