Frida

I was happy to see Frida on Google's page today!

Haiti be my Valentine

I have been amazed and inspired over the past few weeks by the outpouring of generosity and kindness shown towards Haiti from all over the world.

As I worked out on the elliptical at the gym, I was nearly in tears while watching the "Hope for Haiti" telethon. I was happy to see how many celebrities came together to motivate action in their fans.

However, the gesture that has inspired me the most did not come from the multi-millionaires I watched on TV. After learning about the destruction in Haiti, the teenagers I work with at the youth shelter collectively decided to forgo the few recreational activities they get to do each month and instead, donate the money to Haiti. I am so proud that those kids, who themselves have so little, found a way to go above and beyond to help those in need.

Because of their generosity, I have started my own fundraiser for Haiti. Between now and Valentine's Day, 50% of proceeds from items sold in my Etsy shop will be donated to Doctors Without Borders to benefit Haitian relief efforts.

Thank you to everyone who in their own way, has found a way to reach out to our neighbors in Haiti.

Be Merry and Bright

I reached a new milestone because my roommates and I decorated our first Christmas tree! We bought the tree at a stand two blocks away from my house, and decorated it with a grab bag of ornaments purchased at Goodwill.


I also picked up this funky vintage wreath. I was planning on hanging it on our front door but I kind of like how it looks perched on the chair!


It's amazing how much having the tree transforms our house and how I feel about Christmas. Portland has been my home for over four years, but Christmas never really seemed to start for me until I was home with my family in Washington. I love that this year I will have some Christmas in Portland and some in Bellevue!

Secret Sale on Sunday!

Pacific Earrings HERE

Mocha Quartz Earrings HERE

I've been loving adding new necklaces and earrings to the shop over the past few days, and have a secret to share! On Sunday, December 13th, I will be marking ALL of the earrings in my shop down to $25 a pair. If you've been wondering what to get your mom/sister/friend/aunt/coworker/daughter for Christmas, check my shop on Sunday!

Also: This is very last minute but I will be at the Hip Happening Craft Show in Sellwood tomorrow! If you are in the Portland area, I would love to see you! The show is Saturday, Dec 12th from 11-6PM. My roommates will be sitting at my table for me from 11-1, and then I'll take over after I get off work and will be there from 1:00 on!

Dolls and Model Planes

I first met Sarah Mitchell in my very first college art class (and the only 8AM class I ever endeavored!) The class was Sculpture, taught by Mike Rathbun. Though I was totally inspired by my professor, Sculpture itself was hard for me. I like making things that are teeny tiny (which explains why I have more itty bitty semiprecious stones and pearls than anyone needs), and Mike is famous for gigantic installations that fill entire galleries! One of the projects we undertook as a class involved taking a model airplane pattern, projecting it only the wall to trace a giant version, and building a lifesize plane! Then we "flew" it around the school, a happy distraction for bored students gazing out of their classroom windows.

Anyway, Sarah was my Sculpture buddy, and always impressed me with her clever approaches to our assignments. Sarah just graduated from Lewis and Clark with an art degree and has opened an Etsy shop! She makes dolls that are absolutely gorgeous, ethereal, and original. They are truly art, and reasonably priced! Please check out DollsImagined on Etsy, you will be glad you did!

Portland Charm

I'll be listing some new items this week on Etsy just in time for Christmas! Here's the link to one of the first new additions, the Portland Charm Necklace.

Hip Happened

Last weekend I was able to have a re-do and participate in the Hip Happening Craft Show that I had to cancel last month because I was sick. It was so much fun! I have absolutely loved being a part of Etsy over the past year because of the connections I have made with people all over the world, but this is the first time I've been able to actually meet people locally! I loved talking with the other vendors about makin' stuff, Portland, Etsy, and more! My only regret is that because I was manning my table alone, I was never able to get up and actually walk around the show myself! I know that I could've had someone watch my booth and it probably would've been FINE but I would have been so upset with myself if anything did happen. Next time I will make sure to have a friend come switch me out so that I can shop, eat, and go to the bathroom at some point in the 7 hours of the show!

I was really happy with how my table set-up turned out. I found some beautiful old books at Goodwill to help with the display, along with tableclothes in two of my favorite colors! The table was small enough so that I did not get overwhelmed trying to make enough jewelry before the show to have a good selection for buyers and admirers.

Another bonus of the day... all six of my roommates were graduating from Lewis and Clark last weekend, and we hosted a big meet and greet barbecue for everyone's families on Saturday night. With some coaxing from my roommates' parents, I was able to re-create my display from the show in our living room and make some additional sales! It was so much fun to see everyone sporting their new jewelry and looking BEAUTIFUL the next morning at graduation.

So Pretty

I Don't Know from ATO Records on Vimeo.

Hold that thought...

UPDATE: I am still not feeling well, so withdrew from the show tomorrow. So disappointing!

It seems as though I am coming down with some type of flu. Hopefully it'll pass through me by Saturday, but I wanted to go ahead and warn people that I am not feeling well in case it turns out that I have to stay home from the Hip Happening show. I really hope not, since I've been looking forward to it, but I also know that I can't afford to not take care of myself right now!

It's Happening!

I just wanted to let you know that I'll be participating in this craft show on Saturday, April 11th from 11AM until 6PM! There will be MANY talented local artists participating, and I am looking forward to meeting fellow Portlanders! If you are around, please stop by my table and say hello!

I am still preparing items for the show. Some of the pieces I have prepared so far are unique vintage lace pendants hung on silver chain, tons of styles of basketweave earrings, and some one-of-a-kind necklaces! Prices will be slightly lower than in my Etsy shop because I do not have to account for Paypal, Etsy, or shipping fees.


I've been feeling a little off this week. My work schedule is different due to a week-long training and I am also in the second week of an Anatomy & Physiology class that I am taking as a pre-requisite for graduate school. I think that the change in schedule/introduction of tons of new material has me feeling overwhelmed and off-kilter. I am really looking forward to this weekend as a way to instill some balance between my day job/academic endeavours and my creative impulses!

New STUFF!

Latin Quarter Earrings
Chalcedony, freshwater pearls, sterling silver
Available here

Lantern Earrings
Citrine and sterling silver wire
Available here

True Peacock Hoops
Freshwater pearls and sterling silver wire
Available here

Beachcomber Bracelet
Chyrsoprase, freshwater pearls, mother of pearl, and sterling silver
Available here

Forbidden City Necklace
Freshwater pearls and sterling silver
Available here

I am a Violet

I am a Violet What Flower Are You?

"You have a shy personality. You tend to hesitate before trying new things or meeting new people. But once people get to know you, you open up and show the world what you are really all about."

I thought this was cute, and not too far off! What flower are you?

Coming Soon, I Promise!

It's about time! Two new necklaces to debut in the shop later this week...

Alaina Necklace
Fluorite semiprecious stone with tiny freshwater pearl accents
Available here!


Athens Necklace
Kyanite with apatite, firestone, citrine, and freshwater pearls
Available here!

I will update this post with links to the necklaces once they are posted. I am just waiting to have time during the day to photograph these necklaces being worn on an actual person, since I think that helps people to understand their wear-ability and general size.

Happy Monday!

Wanderlusting

My urge to be traveling right now is so strong that the feeling is simultaneously painful and exhilarating.

I am hatching a plan to go somewhere in the distant future (think early 2010) but in the meantime, I have been trying to quench my thirst by looking over some of my favorite pictures from past adventures, and thought I'd share some here.

Costa Rica 2007

China 2007

Peru 2006

Next stop... India? Argentina? Thailand?

Everyone needs one of these...

Whereas the ladies recieved earrings for Valentine's day, I bought these wonderful chocolate mustaches for the gentlemen of the Smith side of my family. (As modeled by 16 year old cousin Ben and 15 year old sister Haley)

They are made by Neapolitan Printing & Co, located here in Portland. Also available through their Etsy shop, pinkwhitebrown!

Thanks Earrings Love Earrings Thanks

I just wanted to take a minute to say thank you to everyone who has involved me in their holiday gift giving process this winter. I am so tickled and honored and grateful to all of the friends, family, and Etsy community members who have decided to give loved ones WanderLustre jewelry for Christmas.


There is an incredible tie that is created when handmade gifts are given -- a thread that is woven from artist to giver to reciever. You have all made me so happy this winter to be a part of that. Thank you!

Quilt-away

Eventually I hope to do a giveaway of my own from my blog, but for now check out Liz' gorgeous quilts on her blog. If you hurry you can enter to win the quilt in the link above!

I have had a lovely lazy day, and I'll admit that most of it has been spent snoozing in bed. It was a long hard week at work (I work 10 hour shifts Sunday-Weds) so I am giving my body a full recovery.

I hope you enjoy your weekends too, whenever they come for your schedule.

New Work

It's been a long time coming but I'll be posting some new pieces in my shop throughout the week.

Here's a sneak peek at one of my favorites:


Click here to see the first new addition...

I made a treasury!

Click here to see the real thing.

"Art is not a Luxury"

As a little reminder to the universe, the phrase "Art is not a luxury" is taped onto the mailbox of a very inspirational woman I know. I met this woman the summer before last when I spent a week volunteering at the Maya Angelou art camp. This woman created the free camp four years ago for the neighborhood children who live in a low income housing development in North Portland. Every summer the same kids enthusiastically look forward to returning to camp, this year bringing new neighbors, cousins, and friends with them. The woman I know welcomes them all, giving them a free week full of art projects, poetry, and songs. Working at the camp was the highlight of my summer in 2007 and it was equally delightful to return to help out this summer.

"Art is not a Luxury" carries several meanings for me. On one level, I think of my own need to create art. It is not something to be saved for a free moment, but something that is essential to my own wellbeing and that therefore needs to be given a similar priority to keeping my house clean or my cat fed. On another level, I think it also speaks to how sharing and owning art can enrich a person's life, and that one should allow themselves to spend money on artwork that they really love.

I recently came across the artist Geninne, whose art and life have also inspired me immensely recently. Here is some of her artwork which I am enamored with:


9/20 Limited Edition Print

Geninne created a series of twenty small bird prints which she is selling in her Etsy shop. I absolutely love how she illustrated old postcards with birds and plants inspired by botanical prints to create twenty mini pieces of art.

8/20 Limited Edition Print

Geninne also has an amazing blog. The past few nights when I have gotten home from work at 11:30 after working ten hour shifts with no breaks I have curled up in bed and unwound by clicking through some of her old blog posts.

6/20 Limited Edition Print

Geninne lives in Mexico with her family where she has created a life for herself that I fantasize about. Her house is art filled and very personal and she encourages her children to think creatively and openly.


10/20 Limited Edition Print

Thank you,
Laura