The Dwelling in the Woods

A few weeks ago, I booked a reservation at The Dwelling in the Woods in McGrath, MN to get away. I wasn’t exactly sure what I was getting myself into…all I knew was that I would be in the middle of no where, someone would cook my meals for me and I would stay in what is called a “hermitage” with no tv, no phone, and no internet access. Last weekend, I traveled to The Dwelling to “recharge my batteries” and it was a wonderful experience.

Upon arrival we were greeted by Patricia, the organizational director, who is the most welcoming and kind person you could ever meet (even though we showed up later than planned). She gave us a tour of the property and led us to our hermitage called the Birches. I assume this is beacause the cabin is surrounded by Birch trees! 

The Birches

The hermitage was big enough for two people, contained all of the essentials including a bathroom with a shower, a wood burning stove, a kitchenette stocked with breakfast food, an old couch, a comfy recliner, a table and chairs, a spiral staircase that leads to a sleeping loft and large windows to sit and watch the beauty of nature that surrounds you. The space was filled with charm and you have no choice but to smile everywhere you turn. 

You can refill the bird feeder outside whenever you want and watch the northwoods critters feast to their hearts content. We saw Blue Jays, Chickadees, Pileated Woodpeckers and a naughty squirrel that would storm the feeder from time to time. No deer came out while we were there, however I am sure they were around.

Northwoods

Located on roughly 100 acres of land, there are trails in which you can snowshoe, ski, or walk depending on the season. Being that the land is shared with many critters and animals (and the occasional black bear) you are given jingle bells to take with you on your excursions. The bells are intended to alert the animals of your presence and makes it so that you do not startle them. 

Emphasis is placed on spending your time at The Dwelling on whatever it is you came there for. You can participate in daily morning meditation, but only if you want to. The peace and quiet of nature influences you to simplify your life, if only for a short while…an experience that many people forget to schedule into their busy lives. I returned to civilization with an increased sense of clarity, a stomach full of home cookin’, and an abundance of loving energy.

Thank you to The Dwelling in the Woods!

Check out their website at http://www.thedwellinginthewoods.org.

Happy New Year everybody! It’s that time again…to reflect on the last year and establish resolutions for the coming year. My 2008 was a year full of ups and downs, here are a few highlights for you:

I began working full time as owner/designer of Natural Beauty Jewelry and have finally established a name in the handmade jewelry industry for myself. The business is growing every month and I continue to grow along with it…whether I like it or not!

I have never been much of a runner, but for some reason I decided to run a half marathon and it ended up being a life changing experience! Running has taught me to be diligent, self motivated and to acheive the personal goals that I set for myself.  I feel that if I can run 13 miles, I can do anything. I will continue 2009 with a new found appreciation for health and fitness and keep up with running as a hobby.

I traveled to Virginia to tour the historic triangle (Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown) and learned an incredible amount about American History that I am convinced the public school system failed to share with me…in 2009 I will increase my knowledge of different places, people and history through travel.

As of the last month or so, I have discovered a new found love for graphic design. I am attempting to teach myself new techniques in hopes of applying them to a redesign of www.naturalbeautyjewelry.com. I hope to develop my “skills” to a point where I can practice both graphic design and jewelry design simultaneously.

One of my resolutions for 2009 is to become a morning person…argh! I stay up way too late and have a hard time when it comes to rising early. I am trying to manage my sleeping patterns so that I can wake up in a mood that says, “good morning sunshine, the earth says hello!”.

What is your New Year’s resolution for 2009?

This Friday is what some people call “Black Friday” because of the extreme after Thanksgiving sales that take place for early birds. Well…skip the crowds, the lines and the early wake up call and instead browse www.naturalbeautyjewelry.com’s Black Friday Sale. Select items will be up to 50% off plus free shipping on all purchases until 12/25/08.

So stay in your pajamas, eat left over turkey and shop for beautiful handmade jewelry from the comfort of your home.

Happy Thanksgiving!

At a recent show, a customer asked me whether my jewelry (mainly earrings) is hypo-allergenic. She mentioned that she breaks out when she wears jewelry that isn’t 14k gold, surgical steel or nickel free. I briefly explained the types of metals that are used in my jewelry to help her determine whether or not she could wear them. To my dismay, she could not wear any of my jewelry due to her allergy. After the show I found myself wondering, “Why can some people with jewelry allergies wear metals such as sterling silver without irritation, while others can’t?”

In an effort to better understand jewelry allergies, I did some additional research. In a nutshell, people who suffer from contact dermatitis (an allergic reaction when in contact with certain metals) are most commonly allergic to nickel. Depending on the severity of a person’s allergy, they may be able to wear certain levels of nickel without irritation…or they may not. 

The terminology used in regards to precious metals can be confusing. So, here is a list of terms you may run into, and then you can decide what metal is right for you:

Yellow gold – Generally speaking, 14k or higher solid gold will not cause allergic reactions and is virtually nickel free. For extremely sensitive allergy sufferers, this may be the only option.

White gold – The alloys used in white gold and the chemicals used to make it white can contain nickel and can therefore cause allergic reactions more often than yellow gold.

Gold filled – Gold filled metal is created by covering a base metal (such as copper) with layers of actual gold using heat and pressure. Gold filled findings usually have many layers of gold, creating a virtually hypoallergenic material.

Gold Plated – This is the same thing as gold filled, only the layer of gold is much thinner. Allergic reactions may occur more often to this type of metal versus gold filled.

Silver Plated – A base metal is covered with a thin layer of silver. Again, allergic reactions may occur more often with this type of metal.

Sterling silver – 92.5% pure silver (.925) mixed with copper to achieve a hardness and stability level that will hold its shape and resist wear and tear. Generally, sterling silver is a great metal choice for people who are allergic to nickel.

Copper - Pure copper is not mixed with nickel or nickel alloys making it a hypoallergenic material.

Stainless/surgical steel – Steel alloys do contain a certain amount of nickel, however some people with nickel allergies can wear jewelry made from stainless/surgical steel without any problems.

In conclusion, all Natural Beauty Jewelry earrings are made using either sterling silver or gold filled ear wires. The majority of the findings found in my bracelets and necklaces are sterling silver and/or gold filled as well. As of the date of this post, a select few designs contain silver plated or base metal components. Please be sure to read the product information for each piece.

In case you didn’t already know, all of our jewelry comes packaged in recycled paper gift boxes…and it’s free of charge!

Each recycled paper gift box contains a paper insert bearing the NBJ logo and website. Many of our earrings also come with a free pair of rubber earring backs, so don’t miss them taped inside the box cover.

*If you would prefer not to receive a gift box, please make special note when placing your order.

Why Buy Handmade?

Buying Handmade makes for better gift-giving.

The giver of a handmade gift has avoided the parking lots and long lines of the big chain stores in favor of something more meaningful. If the giver has purchased the gift, s/he feels the satisfaction of supporting an artist or crafter directly. The recipient of the handmade gift receives something that is one-of-a-kind, and made with care and attention that can be seen and touched. It is the result of skill and craftsmanship that is absent in the world of large-scale manufacturing.

Buying handmade is better for people.

The ascendancy of chain store culture and global manufacturing has left us dressing, furnishing, and decorating alike. We are encouraged to be consumers, not producers, of our own culture. Our ties to the local and human sources of our goods have been lost. Buying handmade helps us reconnect.

Buying handmade is better for the environment.

The accumulating environmental effects of mass production are a major cause of global warming and the poisoning of our air, water and soil. Every item you make or purchase from a small-scale independent artist or crafter strikes a small blow to the forces of mass production.

“I pledge to buy handmade this holiday season and request that others do the same for me.” 

If you want to support anything and everything handmade, go to www.buyhandmade.org to make your pledge. Then reply to this blog posting to let me know…it would be really cool if you did!

*Information courtesy of http://www.buyhandmade.org/why-buy-handmade

I thought many of you would like to see where Natural Beauty Jewelry was born, so here are a few pictures of my work space.

All of my designs originate here at my desk in my loft. But don’t let the size of my work space fool you…there are many, many tiny things stuffed away in their own individual places. I keep an assortment of magazines, books and resources at hand in my bookshelf for inspiration and reference. 

 I have to admit that my desk is not always this clean. I never know when a wave of inspiration will take over, at which point tidiness is thrown out the window to make way for the completion of a new design.

 And of course, there is the home office where I often work as well. I work in here when I am doing a lot of web work, administrative tasks, and printing, etc. 

We’ll see how much longer I can be contained inside my current space. I hope to someday have a studio in which to display my work and welcome customers to stop by and say hello.

Do you have trouble getting your fingers to maneuver that tiny lobster clasp? Sick of asking another person to put on your necklace or bracelet for you? A magnetic clasp is just what you need!

 If you would like to order your Natural Beauty Jewelry with a magnetic clasp instead of a lobster clasp please contact us before ordering and we will assist you in placing your order. Magnetic clasps are silver plated or gold plated only, additional charges may apply.

Pictured jewelry: Peach Moonstone, Coin Pearls and Turquoise Bracelet

Last weekend, I spent a mini-vacation in Duluth, MN for Grandma’s Marathon & Half Marathon. I ran my first half marathon and finished in approximately 2:16:00, just under my goal time of 2:30:00! For those of you who are unfamiliar with Duluth, it is located along the shore of Lake Superior lending a beautiful view for runners this time of year. The half marathon starts 13 miles north of Duluth and finishes in Canal Park which is packed with cheering spectators. It was an amazing experience, and although I can’t say whether I will do it again, it was a true test of endurance, comittment and determination.

In addition to running the race, I was able to spend some time along the shoreline searching for Lake Superior agates (the official MN state gemstone). Lake Superior agates vary in red, orange and yellow coloration often with banding caused by the oxidization of iron. It is amazing to think that a glacier deposited these agates and the many other stones found along the shore over a billion years ago! I wasn’t lucky enough to find an agate, so I purchased a few at a local shop to take home with me. Below is a picture of the shoreline and a picture of my Lake Superior agates.