Open House This Sunday - Dec. 22nd

Since Mother Nature doesn't seem to be cooperating with my craft show plans this year (snowstorms have thwarted two events), I'm taking matters into my own hands and setting up shop in my living room this Sunday from noon until 3pm. 

I have lots of handmade jewelry ready for gift giving and stocking stuffing, so I hope you can stop by to do a little last-minute shopping. I'll even gift wrap for you!

It'll be a laid back afternoon with light refreshments and a beautiful view on Bullfrog Lane. Please feel free to bring a friend or two! You can preview a sampling of my work on Etsy. Much more will be available in person.

Sunday, December 22nd, 2013

Noon - 3pm

4 Bullfrog Lane (just off Scituate Road)

York, Maine

Map & Directions

Cash, checks and credit cards are all welcome. Please RSVP on Facebook if you think you can make it and help spread the word. Thanks and hope to see you! 

Gifts for Social Media Mavens, Graphic Designers and Web Developers

When I'm not making jewelry, I'm usually at my day job as an account manager at Vital, a creative digital agency in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. They specialize in kick-ass graphic design, web development and content marketing, and this means I work with some amazingly talented people.

As I've been doing some last minute online shopping, I keep coming across great gift ideas that made me think of my co-workers. I thought I'd share the wealth in case you also have some creative types on your list who still need holiday gifts.

Here they are...my top gift picks for social media mavens, graphic designers and web developers:

1. For the social media aficionado
These necklaces from Photojojo are the perfect gift for your friend who can't help but post every single meal he or she has ever eaten since they started an Instagram account. Available in "Like" style pictured here, and also in hashtags: #nofilter and #selfie – $25 each.

2. For the photo app obsessed
These pins will help your photo app obsessed pal show the world how much they love Photoshop, Pinterest or Instagram. Laser cut acrylic, exclusively available from Photojojo and made in San Francisco by Plastique – $12 each.

3. For the graphic designer
If you know someone who truly appreciates great graphic design, turn to Society6 for unique framed prints, canvas prints, iPhone and iPad cases, mugs, tote bags and more. Some of my favorite designs are by fellow Maine artists Morris & Essex and Jennifer Judd-McGee.

Thousands of artists from around the world contribute designs, so you can literally search for ANY topic and come up with gift ideas for anyone. Beagle pillows anyone? Prices vary by item.

Morris & Essex iPhone case

Jennifer Judd-McGee Throw Pillow

4. For the typography obsessed
Available as a t-shirt or hoodie, this kerning reference cracks me up. Kerning Hoodie – $35.

5. For the coffee connoisseur
Finally! Pantone makes their signature mugs with spill-proof lids. Remove spill risk and avoid coffee/computer disasters while drinking in style. Available in a variety of colors from Pantone Universe – $17 each.

6. For that guy who plays his music way too loud

There's at least one in every office. You know who he is. The Unrefinery makes the perfect shirt. Simple, affordable – $18 each.

7. For that awesome developer chick
Custom binary cuff bracelet by Karla Wheeler Design on Etsy. Have your own message etched in copper for $70.

8. For your nerdy other half
Shameless Lofted Designs plug. These sterling silver rings written in binary code are the perfect gift for your geeky sweetheart. They spell 'I love you" in a 1s and 0s. Great for guys and ladies.
Binary Code Rings by Lofted Designs – $35 each.

9. For the Apple obsessed

Delight your Apple-obsessed friends with this fantastic print. One of my favorite small companies Pop Chart Lab has created a comprehensive visual map of the history of Apple products. Unframed print – $36.

If you act fast, you can still order most of these and have them arrive before Christmas!

Buy Local Open House – Sunday, December 2nd

This coming Sunday, December 2nd from 12 - 5 pm, I am honored to be participating in an Open House Holiday Extravaganza event at Ocean Fire Pottery in York, Maine.

Each year, Amy Clark of Ocean Fire Pottery invites her favorite artisans to display their goods at her studio and this year Lofted Designs is invited! I'll be ready with a table full of necklaces, earrings, tie bars for men, sterling silver rings, pet tags and leather dog collars (made by my husband Patrick). There will also be refreshments, pottery mini-lessons, wool spinning demos, and kids art activities throughout the day!

A sampling of Lofted Designs jewelry

Other participants include:

Amy Clark – Ocean Fire Pottery (our gracious hostess)
One of my favorite local artists, Amy makes incredible handcrafted wheelthrown stoneware and combines elements of the earth to create functional art that evokes joy every day. I am the proud owner of several Ocean Fire Pottery pieces. You can preview her creations on her website or check out her Facebook page.

Laurie Wallace – Hand-Spun Knits by Laurie
Handspun items including hobo gloves, soft alpaca cowl neck scarves and hats, handwoven belts and dog leashes.

Erin Donovan – Twig Naturals
All-natural, hand poured soy candles scented with essential oils that smell amazing! Erin also makes beautiful lightboxes, collaged original art, coasters, and gorgeous pocket mirrors that would make perfect stocking stuffers. 

The Details:

Sunday, 12/2/12

12:00 - 5:00 pm

23 Woodbridge Road, York, Maine

Click here for directions

Click here to RSVP

* Plenty of parking is available at Kennebunk Savings Bank, diagonally across the street from the studio

Bazaar Bizarre Boston Features Lofted Designs

What an honor! What an exciting time! The Bazaar Bizarre Boston has featured Lofted Designs on their blog!! (And yes, I am blogging about a blog.)

I haven’t even announced my participation in this event yet because I am still pinching myself, but I am very pleased to tell you that I’ll be a vendor at Bazaar Bizarre Boston this December 16th! Read the full interview here and learn everything you need to know about shopping at this fantastic event on their Shopper Info page.

This show will be HUGE and I can't even believe I will be there with all these other amazing vendors. Until then, I'm signing off because I've got a LOT of things to make. :)

Close Buy Catalog 2012 – My Largest Order EVER

Lofted Designs was lucky enough to be selected once again to participate in Close Buy Catalog, a fundraising initiative to benefit schools and non-profits in Maine and beyond. The list of benefiting non-profits and schools grows each year, and I'm so honored to play a role in supporting these organizations. 

This year's fall fundraiser catalog was chock full of incredible products handcrafted in New England, and Lofted Designs pet tags were available in two styles:

I sold almost 100 tags (my largest and most production-intensive order to date), and tackled the project in small batches. Each tag was cut by hand from a large sheet of aluminum. I then filed the corners to round them, stamped the lettering and cut out the tiny hearts by hand with a small saw.

Once the hearts were cut out, I soldered silver rings to the top of each tag. 

After soldering, the lettering was darkened and each tag was carefully polished. And here they are: 

Each tag was placed into its own special pouch and they are finally ready for mailing! 

The final step – shipping to the fulfillment house in Lewiston, Maine, from which they (and many other great Close Buy Catalog products) will be distributed to schools and non-profits in early December. What a tremendous sense of accomplishment! A whole lot of pets in New England are about to get way more stylish. 

If you'd like to outfit your pets with some snazzy new tags in time for the holidays (they make perfect stocking stuffers), visit the pet accessories section of my Etsy shop to place an order today!

Etsy Maine Team Online Cash Mob In One Week

The Maine Team Cash Mob on Etsy is just one week away! Show your support for the truly talented members of the Etsy Maine Team.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Nearly 700 shops represented!

Now with over 13,000 unique handcrafted and vintage items!

Here's how it works:
1. Visit Etsy.com (or use the Etsy app on your tablet or smartphone)
2. Type "maineteam" into the search bar (one word)
3. GO SHOPPING!

For more specific results, you can also search for "maineteam jewelry" or "maineteam pet tags" (for example) to narrow your search.

You do not need to live in Maine to participate in our cash mob. This event is open to the world. Many shops will also be offering coupon codes and discounts valid on this day only (check individual shop announcements on Etsy for details).

Come join the fun, get a jump on your holiday shopping and show your support for Maine's online small businesses. Here's an easy link to take you directly to "Maineteam" items on Etsy: click here and start marking your favorite items now!

First Annual Open House

Hi friends,
I'm trying something utterly new and different this year – a holiday open house! You see, I have bunches of beautiful handmade jewelry left over from the festival and fair circuit. Why should I keep it all for myself when it could be brightening someone's holiday or stuffing someone's stocking?

Saturday, December 17, 2011
Noon - 5:00 pm
The address can be found here.

Find great last-minute gifts and stocking stuffers at the first annual Lofted Designs Open House!
Visitors can enter a drawing to win a free pair of sterling silver earrings. And I have a feeling not that many people will show up, so your chances of winning would be pretty amazing!

Bring a friend or two. There’s no pressure to buy like those other jewelry parties...just come browse and enjoy light refreshments (cookies and cider, anyone?) and good holiday cheer.

Preview a sampling of my work at www.LoftedDesigns.com. Much more will be available in person.
 
RSVP for the event on Facebook.

Cash, checks and credit cards are all welcome.
Hope to see you!

Craft Fix - Kittery, Maine - This Sunday!

Buoy Gallery — 2 Government St., Kittery, Maine

Sunday, November 27th, 2011

11 AM - 6 PM

Craft Fix is back for another year! So happy to be participating in this creative event. 

After you support Buy Nothing Day on Friday and Small Business Saturday, come over to Buoy in Kittery for CRAFT FIX, where you'll find locally handcrafted gifts for everyone on your list! Some of the seacoast's most talented artists and craftspeople will be there, so skip the outlets and malls and head downtown.

Sneak Peek at some Lofted Designs goodies for Sunday!

All types of handmade crafts will be represented including handcrafted jewelry, tote bags and purses, greeting cards, sculptures, pottery, photography and more. RSVP here or just show up! I'd love to see your face supporting handmade businesses this season!

***Note: If we are very, very lucky, the brand new Black Birch restaurant may be open in time for this event. It is right next door and looks very promising. Like them on Facebook to learn when they open.