Thanks: we heart it

Great news…Turquoise is the color of 2010.  When I found this out last night, I decided to take a walk around my house and photograph a few of my favorite turquoise treasures.  Of course, I had to start with my wooden bowl full of turquoise semi-precious stones.  In my closet, I  found some wrapping paper I recently purchased  from one of my favorite stores in Charlotte, Paper Skyscraper & a small turqoise table I have in my jewelry studio.  A few years ago, I recovered 2 chairs with turqoise-based fabric & I’m in love with the turquoise bowls and plates I currently have on my wedding registry (we already have 2 sets)!  I had to end the turquoise tour with a covered book full of Julia Child’s recipes…perhaps this evening i’ll master he Coq au vin!

“Pantone is pleased to announce PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise, an inviting, luminous hue, as the Color of the Year for 2010. Combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise inspires thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a comforting escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of wellbeing.”

Random thoughts from f_letter on flickr.

There is something about the leather in this ballet clutch that just feel like butter.   I love the way it naturally folds over and it’s perfect to pair with skinny jeans in ballet flats.  You can find it on etsy here

image via still dottie blog.

Every little bit helps.  I just bought one of these t-shirts and 100% of the proceeds go to Partners in Help  - a non governmental organization with several locations within Haiti. Their mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. They have started treating the injured and continue to be a strong force to help save lives.  You can order one here.

Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little.  ~Edmund Burke

photo from *the indigo bunting*

Looking for the perfect excuse to get together with some of your friends AND go shopping at the same time?  Looking for a way to get FREE Erin McDermott jewelry?  Looking to see what’s new and to see the jewelry first hand? I’ve got the perfect answer …host an Erin McDermott Jewelry trunk show.  My jewelry trunk shows have been set up at homes,  offices, clubhouses,  restaurants,  schools, and outdoor parties.  I will provide the flyer, the online e-vite and the set-up and all you have to do is provide the people.  It’s so easy and a great way to finally get those pair of earrings you’ve had your eye on…for free!  Please feel free to call me (757) 570-9500 or send me an e-mail: erin@erinmcdermott.com OR ebmcde@gmail.com if you are interested in hosting a show.

I don’t know what else to say…these colors just make me happy.

Meg Runion (a.k.a. Martha Stewart) is one of my closest friends & she continues to amaze me everyday.   Hands down, Meg is one of the most creative people i’ve ever met. I tend to ask myself …Is. There. Anything. This. Girl. Can’t. Do?  That question quickly follows up with the answer = Impossible, give her a challenge & she’ll find a way to figure it out.  If you need a rug for your house…she’ll hand-weave it. Need an art studio built in the back of your house….she’ll build it.  Need a baby outfit sewn …she’ll sew it.  Need a 5 course + 5 star dinner made from scratch…she’ll cook it.  Need a phenomonal photographer…she’ll shoot it.  Recently, Meg went out on her own and launched her website and business, Meg Runion Studios.  Note:  Get her while she’s hot all you “Mrs.-to-be” out there, she’s quickly filling up for 2010.

I’ve photographed a few of my favorite treasures Meg has surprised me with in the past.  A organically shaped Raku bowl she shaped, glazed, and fired,  A hand-sewn letter to me, a framed image of a hand-carved linoleum print, and (quite possibly) my favorite bag ever.  Yes, she designed and stiched it up for me last Christmas.  I’ll leave you with a link to her blog: The Journal of an Inspired Mind.

Every Child Should Know a Hill

(Edna Casler Joll)

Every child should know a hill,

And the clean joy of running down its long slope,

With the wind in his hair.

He should know a tree…

The comfort of its cool lap of shade,

And the supple strength of its arms

Balancing him between earth and sky

So he is a creature of both.

He should know bits of singing water…

The strange mysteries of its depths,

And the long sweet grasses that border it.

Every child should know some scrap
 of uninterrupted sky, to shout against;

And have one star, dependable and bright,

For wishing on.

Freya reminds us…

I know it’s the holidays in NYC when I see  the red and white booths pop up in Union square.  In each booth, you’ll find friendly artists, layered in warm clothing, and selling hand-made goods.  You can find everything from handmade holiday chocolates, hot ham & cheese crepes, antique prints, screen-printed shirts, bags & wallets made from candy wrappers, salts from around the world, baked goods, handcrafted jewelry and leather, candles, bath oils, cashmere, French linens, and the best hot cider around.  I love going to the market each year and filling up with jewelry ideas and inspirations & finding some great holiday gifts.  This year I fell in love with the stationery and home-goods from bailey doesn’t bite. I love the whimsical simplicity of each piece (especially the ant stationery,  postcard mug, and teaspoon & bag cup and saucer).

It’s almost 2010 and  I’m finally diving into my “Procrastinators’ Projects” i’ve been meaning to get done around the house in 2009.  I love the Design Sponge Blog and have a list of inspirational do it yourself projects.  I love the texture and weathered look of the of the driftwood shelf & think that several pieces of driftwood would look awesome on a living room wall.   I also love the way these stamped burlap feed bags look on these chairs – maybe something for the kitchen table chairs?  This dog feeder also caught my eye because I feel like i’m constantly tripping over Sukie’s dog bowls on the kitchen floor.  This will be the perfect way to finally stop her bowls from sliding across the floor (and I must say, her bowls will look pretty cool positioned in a vintage wooden wine case). Lastly, this clock will look perfect in my jewelry studio.  I love the cross-section of the tree & the bright red hands.

Love this hand-engraved gold cuff from Jeanine Payer…

Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the question now. Perhaps then, some day far in the future, you will gradually without even noticing it, live your way into the answer.
-Rainer Maria Rilke

I’m thrilled to write that 2009 his has been the most successful holiday season for Erin McDermott Jewelry.  Not only have I been able to participate in over fifteen craft/art/trunk shows in the past 3 months, but I have met some incredible people & made some amazing connections.  I have been reminded of why I love doing what I do and my passion and drive in jewelry design couldn’t be more stronger than what it is right now.  One of my most popular designs this season has been the disc necklace.  Essentially, the disc necklace gives a person the ability to capture a motto, a belief, a phrase, or a moment & boil it down to it’s essence.  The person is able to transfer this to a hand-cut, hand-textured, and hand-engraved disc and wear it everyday.  In addition, the customer is able to add charms, stones, and pearls to the necklace to make it even more personalized.  Everyday, I am able to design these necklaces for family members, artists, cancer survivors, students, grandmothers, and many other people who have something to share and want to keep it close to their heart by wearing a delicate disc necklace around their neck.

I had a great time designing five different disc necklaces for a set of parents that wanted to give their five (yes, five) daughters something special for Christmas.  The parents asked all five of their girls to give them 2-3 words that were important to them.  One of the girls is in fashion design school and chose the words: color and texture.  I paired these words with piece of venetian glass.  Another daughter has just graduated with her masters in Marriage and Family counseling and she chose the words: live, love, and moment.  I paired these word with a turquoise and freshwater pearl.   Another daughter works at Augusta hospital and the words that she chose were: patience & compassion.  The fourth daughter is applying to law school and she chose the words: faith and truth.  The last daughter is the “baby” & is a freshman at Wakeforest.  She is quite a gifted writer and she chose the words: express, create, and peace.

I love what I do because I am able to learn more about people & these people inspire me.   I have been able to design disc necklaces for individuals who have beat the odds & I have been able to design necklaces in hopes that they will bring couples and families together.  Most importantly, I have been able to take my jewelry design above and beyond sterling silver and gold & transport that to something that is meaningful and has made a difference to someone.  Let me tell you, that feels good.

Congratulations to Maria Kosut and Ryan Gall.  They are getting married New Year’s Eve & I was so excited to design Marias’ bridesmaids jewelry.  Maria wanted something
substantial,  but a piece of jewelry  that would also maintain a delicate look.  Maria and Ryan are planning on using  lot of golds, creams, blushes, and champagnes (and candlelight!) to create a very warm feeling.  Here are a few samples of jewelry that I designed for Marias’ girls.  I’m looking forward to see what necklace she chooses for her five bridesmaids.

Happy Thanksgiving!  I’ve had an amazing vacation in the mountains of North Carolina.  For the past few days, I’ve been catching up on some well-needed rest and relaxation.  Today, we visited a small town called Weaverville, and fell upon a gorgeous pottery studio: Mangum Pottery.  I had a great time exploring the gallery and learning more about the process of making pottery and the life of a potter.   I took a few photos of the bowls and mugs in the studio waiting to be fired and a few photos of the finished product.  The last photo is a coffee mug I purchased to drink my coffee in tomorrow morning.

Bryan and I had a great day at Anne Springs Close Greenway last week, where photographers, Anne and Bill Holland captured a few precious moments of the day.  We are so excited to have Anne and Bill (Holland Photo Arts) shoot our wedding in the Spring.  I remember the first time I met Anne and Bill…Honestly, they have a love most people only dream of AND they work together!  They are such a kind and optimistic couple and radiate sunshine everywhere they go…the kind of people you just want to be around.  The kind of couple who make lemons into lemonade.  Not to mention, their photography speaks for itself…amazing.   I just wanted to share a few photos of my fiance, Bryan, our dog, Sukie, and me hanging out at the Dairy Farm.

What an amazing weekend for Erin McDermott jewelry. We kicked off the weekend Thursday evening in Charlottesville at the Studio Show. One of my best friends and very talented artist & photographer, Meg Runion, built an unbelievable studio in the back of her house and over a hundred people came out for some holiday shopping.   Artists included: frames by Meg Runion, handbags by Dickie Morris,  Charlottesville T-shirts by Kate Barton, gorgeous paper designs by Cary Olivia, and jewelry by Erin McDermott. On Saturday morning, I woke up bright and early to sell at the Charlottesville City Farmer’s Market & we had an awesome day Sunday at the Mistletoe Market in the Omni Hotel. Thanks for everyone who came out to these events!

Kate Barton & Erin McDermott

Dickie Morris handbags, Cary Oliva stationery, Meg Runion Frames, Kate Barton Tshirts, Erin McDermott Jewelry

Need a jolt of inspiration to carry with you throughout the day?  Check out the latest of the disc series right here…

One day at a time

Be Brave & Have Courage

Life is a Journey

Love & Compassion