You don't like my jewelry?

That's okay, you won't hurt my feelings.  It took me a while to 'get' it but someone explained it to me in a really nice way:  there's a reason that so many sodas (or pop if you will) exist on the market.  Some people like Coke.  Some like Pepsi.  Are you a Sunkist?  Fanta?  Or Sprite fan?  Maybe 7-up.  Club soda.  Ginger ale.  Root beer.  Grape Crush.  Dr. Pepper.  Orangina.  Coke Zero....

You get the picture, right?  There's something for everyone-- because we are all unique individuals therefore we have unique tastes.  And not everyone is going to love everything.  As a marketer, I have to find out who my customer REALLY is, what motivates them to buy from me and what keeps them coming back.  It's a marketing game but I think it's so psychological.  And it's really hard to figure out, I'm still working on it-- so Metalicious will always evolve to please my customers.

Now, if you're not a Metalicious modern jewelry lover I've got plenty of other jewelry-making friends with such diverse and high-quality styles that I know you'll find someone to love!  I'm a proud member of the JET (Jewelry on Etsy) team, you can find us here.  We are a group of fun-loving jewelers from all over the world!  I love every single person on the team, and their work is as diverse as each pocket of the world we come from.

We're having a trunk show on Etsy on Sunday, November 21st at 8pm EST.  We'll be featuring, virtually, the unique work of our members.  Ready to get some shopping done??  Now is the time!  On Sunday just click HERE to get to the lab-- you need to be a member of Etsy but it's really easy to sign up.  Click HERE to sign up for an Etsy account, you will not be spammed, I promise!

Here's a li'l preview of what kind of jewelry will be featured:

Customized baby handprint earrings are $39 from LittleBrownBird.  

Um, notice the names???!!!  Yes, I own a pair of these thanks to Barbara from CapitalCityCrafts.  

Love ya Barbara!

A sterling silver hand-carved acorn pendant-- so sweet!  Just $75 at CapitalCityCrafts.

Gorgeous handmade lampwork beads and sterling silver, this bracelet is $139 from CoolJewelryDesign.

Lovely earth-toned necklace torsade, $48 from AbacusBeadCreations.

Perfect for gifting!  Teal pearl double strand necklace is $60 from BeadzNBling.

Almost good enough to eat!  These rock candy dangle earrings are $18 from SatinDollCo.

Well I don't want to spoil everything!!  So join us for some fun and festive shopping, I know you'll find something you LOVE!  See you Sunday.

The perfect "I do"

I remember getting engaged (800 years ago).  I had 3 rules for my (poor) sweet boyfriend-soon-to-be-fiance in what he should NOT do for the proposal:

1)  Do NOT propose in public.  Contrary to popular belief I am very shy and don't like too much attention.  So no jumbotron proposals or announcements by maitre d's in front of entire restaurants for me thank you.

2)  Do NOT propose near a body of water.  I am extremely spastic and a giant dork.  I was sure that if he proposed near the water I would start waving my hands around, jumping around and would accidentally send the ring flying into the water never to be seen again.  Major bummer.  And did you ever read about this guy?

3)  Do NOT put the ring into food.  Especially dessert.  We all know how much I love my desserts and I imagined swallowing an entire ring without batting an eye in my haste to finish my chocolate mousse.  Dessert + Ring + Me = Stomach Pump.

Needless to say, he did a wonderfully sweet proposal (although he did put the ring on a cupcake from Magnolia Bakery.  And of course... I didn't see it because I was so intent on picking which one I wanted to EAT). 

Five years later I started making alternative engagement rings.  My Modern Rock rings are eco-friendly, conflict free and kinda cheeky.  And I love my customers, I am humbled that they choose my rings for such a momentous occasion.  There are so many great ideas for the newly engaged couple.  From some of my favorite shops on Etsy, here are some more sweet ways to say, "I do."

This ring holding dish is $10 at SayYourPiece.

A unique ring bearer pillow for $39.99 at BraggingBags.

Cool cufflinks for him are $45 at TheCufflinkMaker.

Adorable save-the-date magnet. 25 for $42 at TerrillsTiles.

Lovely wedding card is $3 at LemonTreeLaneAus.

His and hers sterling silver wedding rings.  $75 for the matching set, handmade by me.

What's your engagement story?

I still love you, I promise

It's not you, it's me.  There's just not enough time in the day to be a mom, a jeweler, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a cook, an organizer, a friend, a writer, an entrepreneur, an accountant, an errand gal, a saleswoman, a marketeer (yes, marketeer), a website designer, a photographer, a life giver, a cow (yes I said cow), a sick person, a well person with an 80-year-old back, and on, and on, and on.  *sigh*

We're all busy.  I get it.  But I don't have to like it.  And it's not like I'm deciding if I have time to get a pedicure, that's not what I'm talking about here.  You know that.

I love being busy and feeling necessary.  And I do lots of things to make sure I'm both of those things.  But some days I feel like this...

So on those days when I feel overwhelmed by all the leaves, I need to do this...

and just jump right in!

Happy weekend.