Category Archive for ‘my life’

If you’re packing for an overnight getaway, a month long vacation, or a weekend excursion…either you like it our you don’t.  I fall under this category: stuff everything in your closet into one gigantic suitcase and hope that some sort of cute outfit will come from it (not to mention…on my way out the door I’m grabbing every random scarf, granola bar, bottle of water, key, and magazine that just happens to be lying anywhere within 10 feet of the door.)  My husband has learned not to say a word.   I envy the way my sister packs. She enjoys laying everything out on the bed weeks before a vacay and pairing each outfit with the perfect shoes, undergarments, shade of lipstick, jewelry and clutch. I’m lucky if I can remember shoes.  I found this great packing chart that I think that I will use to be my guide.

Hello sweet gems! I woke up at an ungodly hour this morning and had a craving to have a “create as you wish” kind of day. These days are my favorite and they are few and far between this month with traveling for shows and filling orders. “Create as you wish” kind of days are essential however, because it’s during those days that I come up with new designs, explore color relationships, take risks, sketch, and put together shapes and stones that might (or might not) work. The nice part about these days is that there is no pressure to make a piece perfectly…if new designs evolve…they evolve and if they don’t…well, at least I kept my creative juices flowing by trying.

It all starts with a cup of coffee and a vision. Early this morning (and yes, ummm, we’re talking around 4:15ish) I tried to get the mandatory “bookkeeping” out of the way, so the rest of the day would be mine to design. I took a quick peep at pinterest and one pin led me to the wonderfully fantastic blog, The Southern Eclectic. As I was reading the blog, I stumbled upon a post on how to make this necklace. So…I headed straight to my studio to get to work.  Of course, as soon as the sun came up, I had to call on sweet Sukie to model the creation.

Good morning! I’m back in Charlotte after a whirlwind of traveling for 2 weeks for jewelry shows & let me tell you… it feels good to be home. There is nothing like pulling into your driveway and to be greeted with a loving husband, a sweet dog and a glass of wine. I feel a huge relief knowing that I won’t be traveling for the next month because I crave routine, home-cooked meals, my hubby and my dog….it’s pretty clear that i’m a homebody. Don’t get me wrong, I love traveling and am so appreciate to have the opportunity to do the work that i’m passionate about and live my dream, but it’s always bittersweet leaving. Looking forward to playing catch-up today… e-mails, filling orders, meetings, and a long snuggle session with Sukie. Just look at this face…

Hi Charlottesville Folks! If you are around Charlottesville, VA tomorrow morning, please stop by Kenridge to check out Etcetera’s new summer clothing line and accessorize with Erin McDermott Jewelry. I’ll be there from 10-1. E-mail me: erin@erinmcdermott.com for other information.

Let’s be honest, I’m pretty much head over heels in love with our sweet bulldog, Sukie.  We are together 24/7 and she loves to lay on my feet as I create new designs in my studio. She even has her own little chair next to mine, so she can be at my level and watch what I’m creating.  Around 3 o’clock everyday, she gives me that look that says, “Come on mom, enough of this…let’s go outside and play.” All I need to do is take a look at that little face, and we’re off for a walk.   I’ve been working on some new necklaces and before we headed out today, I just had to have her model.

This morning I woke up with the urge to take a road trip. There’s nothing like driving with the windows down, listening to your favorite tunes, and allowing yourself to surrender to the road.  I loved taking road trips with friends when I was in college. We’d hop in the car on an afternoon where our classes would end around noon and stop at the nearest gas station to fill up and grab our favorite “on the road” snacks: chex mix and twizzlers.  We’d always have some destination in mind a the end of the day, but it was all about the journey.  It wasn’t important if we arrived or not, we just wanted to be together and feel free.

Hello Hello! I sent this e-mail out to most of you, but wanted to post it on my blog, too! Because you’ll bring me so many smiles, I’m having a S-A-L-E for the first time, ever! Your entire order is 20% off! How exciting. The sale ends on Valentine’s Day!! Get to shopping ladies and gents. 

**Also, if you did not receive this e-mail and would like to be added to the e-mail list, please let me know! You and sign up on the bottom front page of my website where it says, “Click here to receive our free newsletter.” Email me with any questions: 704.724.6145.

Love is in the air…. Wow.  Are we already one full month into 2012?!  I have a sneaking suspicion that this year is going to fly by just as quickly as the last — and we’re ready for it!  We’ve been whittling away on lots of new pieces over here in the studio as we gear up for more traveling, more shows, more weddings, and more stores and boutiques set to carry our line in 2012.  We’re looking forward to the coming year and will keep you posted on our progress as things unfold. In case you’re not aware (it snuck up on us!), Valentines Day is only two weeks away.  “And?,” you might say.  Well, that means it’s time to do something nice for yourself, or, for your wonderful wife, girlfriend, daughter, mother, aunt, sister, fiancée, grandmother, old college roommate, or friend. As a small way of saying “Thanks” for all for your support during the past year, I’m offering 20% off of your entire order from erinmcdermott.com.  Just type in the promo code “20off ” at checkout.  Better yet, if you get your order in by the weekend, we’ll make sure it gets to you by Valentine’s Day so that you can score some major brownie points with your sweetie pie.Thanks for a great 2011, and here’s to an even better 2012.  Happy shopping! xoxo,erin … so here’s an early Happy Valentine’s Day to all! A little Valentine to thank all of you for being so lovely and supportive.  You make my heart smile and I thank you! 20% off this week and next: simply enter “20off” at checkout. If you’d like to design a special piece of jewelry that fits your style, order a gift certificate & work with me to create a unique piece just for you. xoxo, erin  Follow on Twitter   |   Like on Facebook E r i n   M c D e r m o t t   J e w e l r yw w w . e r i n m c d e r m o t t . c o m7 0 4 . 7 2 4 . 6 1 4 5 Happiness is a journey, not a destination. ~ Souza

Alright Monday…here you are again and we’re ready this time! Gotta say, last Monday I was still in a little bit of a holiday coma & couldn’t believe 2012 had snuck up on me. But, after a great weekend of friends, date night, good cooking, a baby shower, cleaning the garage, baking, yoga and taking Sukie to the park, I’m ready to dive into the week! I’ve been busy spending time lining up trunk shows for the spring, contacting stores for wholesale orders, and working with newly engaged brides (congrats all you little new lovers) on bridal jewelry.  I’ll be doing lots of traveling again this year, so let me know if you’d be interest in hosting a jewelry trunk show! E-mail me: erin@erinmcdermott.com or call: 704.724.6145.

Oh my golly…where did the time go? I hope that everyone has had a wonderful holiday season. I feel like these past few weeks have been a complete whirlwind with Thanksgiving in Knoxville, a holiday weekend in NYC, and Christmas in Williamsburg! It’s been great being around loved ones and finally being able to sit down with the fam, tell stories from the past year, laugh, drink eggnog, stuff our faces, and as they say…be merry.  It was an amazing Christmas and I’m so grateful for this past year and all we have to look forward to in 2012!  I’m taking these next few days to organize, re-organize, and [did I mention, organize]…getting ready for another exciting and prosperous year for Erin McDermott Jewelry!

Here are a few photos from Christmas in Williamsburg!

*photo 1: lauren (my older sis). photo 2: bryan and  lazy ms.sukie, photo 3: my sweet mama. photos 4: my awesome pops.

Ohhhh joy! The holidays are here! They have finally arrived. We’ve been waiting all year, and they’ve  just snuck up on us. I wanted to let you’ll know that I’m having shopping hours this weekend at my house in Charlotte…I’ll also be having lots of holiday specials with most everything between 15-30% off.  Come by on Saturday from 11-2 or Sunday from 3-6. Feel free to call 704.724.6145 or e-mail erin@erincdermott.com for directions!

Good evening all you wonderful lovelies!  Oh, how much joy it brings me to finally sit down the night before Thanksgiving and thank you all for your support these past two weeks while I’ve been traveling for a whirlwind of holiday jewelry shows.  I feel so grateful for each of you and appreciate (so so very much…oh so much)  your love and support with my jewelry. A special thanks to Anna Moore, Kate Fitzgerald, Amy Schaaf, Liz Schoening, and Katheryn Cella Woodruff for hosting jewelry shows. Thank you also to Hampton Stationery, The Jr. League Mistletoe Market, and the awesome girls for the Holiday Craft show. Round 2 starts up again after Thanksgiving, but I’m so excited to relax this week, spend lots of time with friends and family, and eats lots of pumpkin pie!

Thanks again to Dickie Morris, Meg Runion, and Cary Oliva who participated in the Holiday Craft Show last week!

One of my most memorable experiences last year was participating in an event Runway for Recovery in Concord, MA.  This organization honors women who have battled, survived and have passed from breast cancer. Olivia Achtmeyer started the event in 2007 after losing her mother to breast cancer.  Tonight, survivors will “walk” the runway and be honored for their strength and attitude.  I’m so excited that they will be wearing Erin McDermott jewelry and I will also be having a trunk show with a portion of the proceeds helping children who have lost their mothers and providing opportunities for health care providers who care for such patients.  Here are a few photos from last year!

Woah…what a whirlwind of a weekend.  The trunk show season has officially started and I just returned from Martha’s Market in Charlottesville, VA. Martha’s Market is put on by the Women’s Committee of Martha Jefferson Hospital and over the past 18 years, Martha’s Market has raised over 3 million dollars towards women’s healthcare. I was one of 65 vendors across the US who had the opportunity to participate in this 4 day event.  Incredible event with a wonderful team of supporters.

Thankfully, my mom was able to help me with the show and simply put, she was a rock star. She helped with my entire display, bringing curly willow branches, vintage scales and glass bottles, French linens, lamps, burlap, scarves, and other unique display items.  I posted a pic. below. We had an amazing time and can’t wait until next year.  I’m off to Boston tomorrow morning to participate in Runway for Recovery...can’t wait to tell you all about it when I return!

I took this photo of my little (well…not so little anymore) bulldog right after she had just gotten up from a nap.  She’s so sweet, it’s really amazing that I can get anything done during the day.

This past week, I gathered all my jewelry making materials from my studio at home and transported them to a “temporary” studio…The Beach. I could definitely get used to this!

My husband and I are spending the week in St. Simons, GA with friends and (of course) Sukie. Bryan and took Sukie on the beach early this morning to test out her new life jacket!

We’re having a great time in Aruba and I can’t believe we only have one day left! We’ve been climbing on coral rock, eating fresh local seafood, swimming in the ocean, and of course soaking up the sun.  On our hike yesterday, we climbed up Crystal Rock and I found lots of cool pieces of crystal that I’m going to try to use in some jewelry!

I’m back in action, folks! Sorry for the absence of blog posts these past few days, but i’ve been on a little vacay visiting my family in San Diego.  After a few days in the sun, I’m refreshed and ready to get back to work!