Valentine's Day Extravaganza is next weekend at Armadillo Consignment on 125th and Greenwood Ave. Noon to 6. Come and check it out!

Resolutions

Happy New Year! I hope that you have set some resolutions this year, but remember keep them measurable and reasonable. If your resolution has been the same for the last 5 years, maybe it's time to bag that one and think of something else!

Good news: I started the private psychotherapy practice! (So my first resolution has a big check mark next to it! ) My office was officially open for new clients beginning last week. I scored a swanky downtown space in the historic medical dental building at 509 Olive Way, adjacent to Pacific Place and Nordstrom. It's a shared office with a couple of naturopaths. I'm soooo excited. Business cards are done and hopefully on a bulletin board at your nearest coffee shop... check out my website, and please, pass it on! http://www.emilywhitish.com.

Emily Design Jewelry will not be at any shows until Spring when I'll be back at either the Fremont or Ballard Sunday Market. I plan to get back out in March or April (depending on weather). You can continue to purchase from the website, and I'll be sure to get it updated very soon with latest creations. I've got a lot of really beautiful new stuff... and as requested, more necklaces, bracelets, and rings.

If you're an entrepreneurial woman and interested in networking with the like, make sure you show up Thurs. January 17th to Girl Power Hour, a totally hip and fun social networking event for women. RSVP here. This month's event will be at Solo in Queen Anne, 6:30-8:30 pm, $10. The gifts are awesome and swag bags delightful, plus you'll meet a ton of really amazing professional women.

I hope all your resolutions are easily attainable, and those that aren't don't curse you until 2009. Happy New Year... and as my old friend Mark used to tell me, "sit up straight, eat your vegetables, and get outside."

Much love, Emily

One Year Anniversary

It's been one year since I made my first pair of earrings, which seems like forever-ago, but at the same time, just yesterday. I'm proud of Emily Design and how much it's grown... not only the designs, but the exposure. I started, like many people, under a 10x10 tent at the Fremont Sunday Market. Then up went the website (further advertised by my "I'd-rather-be-shoping-at-emilydesign.com" license plate frame kindly gifted to me by my good friend Kathryn B.). Then the beautiful business cards, the blog, the myspace page, the networking events, trunk shows, and finally an appearance at UnZipped last weekend at the Seattle Center.

My one goal for UnZipped (besides making back the insane booth fee) was to get ONE buyer. I made the booth fee (and then some, yeah!) but no buyer. I was bummed. I was bummed about not getting a buyer and I was bummed because other artists at that event had stuff that was cooler than mine. When I say cooler, I mean waaaaay cooler. We're talkin' straight from art school, metalsmithing, enameling, soldering, you-name-it kick ass jewelry making. I was in aw. I was humbled, slapped in the face, skimmed over, and stomped on by those other artists. I left that event a little down, completely forgetting how much I've accomplished this year.

I realized that my need to be better in business, in jewelry making, in relationships, in my career - in life, is who I am and if I didn't always carry that need to be better, then something is wrong.

It's time I started my private practice.

Got word a few weeks ago that Emily Design was accepted into unZiPPED, a big fashion and accessory show at the Seattle Center 11.17.07 and 11.18.07. Don't miss it!!!

RSVP at www.unzippedevent.com show your support for emerging designers.

There will also be an UnZiPPED Relaxation Lounge featuring complimentary massages, hair styling, make-up and other services.

This is also your first opportunity to see the new line of Emily Design Jewelry. More earrings than ever, plus the addition of necklaces, bracelets, rings, and scarves.

break is over!

Hey there! It's been a long time since I've added some updates about emilydesign. But there's lots of good news to share!

First, emilydesign is in it's first store! Woo Hoo! Thanks to a family friend who passed my web address along, the owner of Essence Belledame in Kennewick, WA has placed a few dozen pairs of emilydesign earrings in her shop. For those of you who read my bio, I was born in Kennewick so it's great to have my earrings in my hometown.

I haven't produced a lot of earrings in the past few weeks - I've been learning some new techniques and thanks to an ordering mess up I was short on silver wire! But I got some good news this week - a new job! Starting mid-Sept I will be starting a new position with more flexible hours and less commute... so that means more time for making jewelry! Keep checking back to the site, I hope to be adding necklaces very soon :)

In other news, I will not be at the Fremont Market much longer. Look for me (and Brandy of Hookn Beads) at the Edmonds (Saturdays) and Fremont (Sundays) markets for the next few weekends... but I don't plan on setting up at any markets during Fall or Winter (unless of course we get a random sunny Sunday in Fremont). So come October, emilydesign will exclusively be sold in stores and online...

That's it for now! Thanks for checking in! Please contact me if you have any questions or comments. I love hearing from you.

More earrings and some announcements...

Several new earrings have been posted folks and although I don't want to toot my own horn here, they're beautiful! Please browse the site and let me know what you think.

I have other good news! I may be getting my jewelry into a shop soon! I'm not going to divulge where and when just yet, but as soon as I close the deal I'll let you know :) This is an exciting step for emilydesign.

I don't know why the rain gods are against me, but tomorrow is supposed to be another gray day at the Fremont Sunday Market. It seems that every Sunday has been gloomy this summer! I only plan to do the market consistently through the summer so if you haven't come by yet, make sure you stop by soon! I won't be there next weekend, it's time for a trip to the Tri-Cities to visit with family, but I'll be putting up with the drizzle tomorrow.

Also, I'll let you in on a little secret. The cost of quality materials and the time it takes to make more complicated designs means that I'm going to have to increase my prices a little. This is good news though (!) it means the business is growing, the materials are higher quality, and the designs are more distinct. But don't worry, my prices will still remain low. The change will probably go into effect within the next week or so.

Thanks to everyone who continues to support me, and especially to my friends who understand when I need to be a hermit now and then in order to make more jewelry. Thanks to everyone who's passing the word about emilydesign.com. I've made some wonderful connections because of all of you. :)

New Earrings posted!

Despite spending two weeks staying up past midnight to keep the website updated (I'm still new at this) and getting earrings shipped, I've managed to make a few more pairs of earrings. I just finished posting them on the site so check them out! I've added a few smaller pairs, great for everyday wear but just as unique and artfully done as the others.

A huge thank you to everyone that has checked out my website and for sending it on to your friends and family! I had my first order from the site last week, and it was SO exciting for me! In fact almost every order has come from friends of friends, so your referrals really count! Thank you!

Also, if you're an artist and you like the layout of my website, you can get one from otherpeoplespixels.com... yes "OPP" :) It's a wonderful service, designed for artists who want a simple and artful website that doesn't cost a lot. They automatically connect it to Paypal for you, provide plenty of space for all your images, give you a free OPP email address, and make it super easy to manage your own site. I've been very happy with it. Web designers can charge up to $5000 for a site, this one is only $15 a month. And if you tell them I referred you, I get a free month...

I will be down at the Fremont Market tomorrow so come on down and say hello! Ok, so the weather hasn't been so great the past few Sundays but if you're a true Seattleite you'll throw on your Northface rain gear and get out anyway! Who needs Seafair when you can shop at the cities coolest flea market, find vintage treasures, and support new talented local artists! All in one place. If you purchase my jewelry while at the market you save a few bucks because shipping and Paypal fees are not included. Our display is made up of picture frames hung throughout our tent which are backed with window screens to hang the jewelry on. You can buy these ingenious jewelry displays as well, we have mass quantities in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Plus, you need to check out my market partner's gorgeous jewelry. Brandy Lipsie of Hookn Beads crochets necklaces and bracelets, and makes beautiful, feminine earrings.
Hope to see you there!