Getting Ready for Summer 2015

Summer is just three weeks away and after surviving a long, brutally cold winter, it can't come soon enough. Bring on the spring showers, summer sun, lush gardens, backyard BBQs and bonfires. When I'm not busy creating new pieces, you can usually find me out gardening for a few hours each day. My gardens are my sanctuary...it's just so refreshing to be outside digging in the dirt, clearing out the weeds and watching everything come to life.

I find gardening another way to be creative and love decorating my garden with all sorts of things from old garden chairs, broken crockery, birdbaths, arbours, birdcages, fountains and rustic iron sculpture. I love creating little points of interest hidden between the plants. One of my favourite pieces is a broken mirror frame surrounded by a group of not so scary gargoyles.

Summer is also outdoor show and festival season and for all of us artists, time to pack up the tent and hit the road.  Snowy, cold days provided me lots of time to create and I can't wait to get out there and share my newest creations with you. Be sure to check my facebook page for a complete list of events that I'll be attending. 

This past weekend I went to the Christie Antique Show at the Christie Lake Conservation in Dundas, Ontario. It took us a while to make our way in, but well worth the wait. Bus shuttles take you to and from the show field and we only waited a few minutes. With 300 vendors there is something for everyone, vintage and antiques. Found some fantastic deals on deco and vintage pins and pearls-amazing bargains!! I couldn't wait to get home and start making new pieces with my great  finds.

 I'm also thrilled to announce that I've returned to the Stratford Festival Theatre Stores for another fantastic season and if you're planning to attend one of the Festival's outstanding productions be sure to stop in and check out their lovely shops. 

Take care.....Marian  xo    

Colour Trends Spring 2015

I always look forward to the introduction of the spring and fall fashion trends. I love getting the huge editions of  Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Elle in March and September and pouring over them for inspiration. Hand in hand with the fashion trends are the colour choices for each season. Pantone Inc. is a U.S. colour authority and they released their spring colours several months ago. The Fall 2015 colours were released a few weeks ago just prior to NY Fall Fashion Week. Pantone's colour of the year is called Marsala and we'll see this colour transition from spring/summer into fall/winter.

Pantone offers lots of great information on their website:  http://www.pantone.com/pages/fcr/?season=spring&year=2015&pid=11 including a video explaining the influences that determine their colour pallette and how to pair up some of these colours.

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This season there is a move toward the cooler and softer side of the color spectrum. An eclectic, ethereal mix of understated brights, pale pastels and nature-like neutrals take center stage as designers draw from daydreams of simpler times. Remembrances of retro delights, folkloric and floral art, and the magical worlds of tropical landscapes restore a sense of well-being as we head into warmer months.

“Many feel compelled to be connected around the clock because we are afraid we’ll miss something important. There is a growing movement to step out and create ‘quiet zones’ to disconnect from technology and unwind, giving ourselves time to stop and be still. Color choices follow the same minimalistic, ‘en plein air’ theme, taking a cue from nature rather than being reinvented or mechanically manipulated. Soft, cool hues blend with subtle warm tones to create a soothing escape from the everyday hustle and bustle.”

Leatrice Eiseman Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute^®

Even though there is nearly a shade from every colour group included in their spring selection, you won't likely rush out to replace your entire wardrobe. But accessories are a great way to introduce some of the newest colours. And for me, jewellery is my favourite accessory and I will definitely be looking to incorporate some of these trendy colours into my designs. Check out these lovely pieces using the 2015 spring colours.

  Absolutely gorgeous....my favourite colours for 2015 are the Classic Blue, Glacier Gray, Tangerine, Custard and Marsala. Can't wait to see all of the lovely colours in stores this spring!

Take care.....Marian  xo     

Thanksgiving....A Time for Gratitude

..and the grand dames of the forest, the statuesque maples, donned their gowns of scarlet, crimson, and gold in preparations for the Great Autumn Ball....

It's my favourite time of year again! Fresh apples, squash and pears; and the gorgeously coloured leaves looking like they've been painted by the Old Masters. This weekend we celebrate Thanksgiving and it's a perfect time for me to look back over the past few months and give thanks for the wonderful experiences, opportunities and successes that have come my way.

In April I began a retail partnership with the Stratford Festival and have had great success selling my jewellery in their  Theatre Store. Krista Swetman and her staff are amazing and do an absolutely lovely job of displaying my pieces. I've been invited to continue selling my jewellery at their downtown Theatre Store, located next to the Avon Theatre on Downie Street, this upcoming Christmas season. I'm so excited to be able to extend my stay in Stratford and looking forward to creating many new pieces for gift giving or to treat yourself.

To celebrate my mother's birthday, I joined my sisters and Mom for a weekend trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake. This was a first for the four of us and we had a great time. Lots of shopping, laughter and great food--oh yeah, and a delicious bottle of Three Olives S'Mores Vodka (great with chocolate milk!) Here's hoping we have the opportunity to do it again....and again, and again!

Turning lemons into lemonade--unfortunately our truck broke down and started on fire while on our way to a huge outdoor show in Windsor in early June. Thankful that we weren't hurt and now have a new (to us) Hyundai Sante Fe....and a CAA membership!

The Home County Music and Art Festival took place in July, and this was one of my lifelong dreams accomplished. This turned out to be my first outdoor show and despite the "all day" showers on Saturday, I had a great weekend. I met so many fantastic people and had a chance to connect with old friends. The highlight of my weekend was being awarded with the 2014 Best Booth Design. Not bad for my first outdoor show!

I've also had the opportunity to spend the summer selling my romance&ruin creations at The Village Collective. It's a delightful shop in Sparta, ON set up as an artist's cooperative where we shared space, expenses and working in the shop. Thanks to Shelley McVittie and the other lovely artists. It was truly an opportunity to grow and expand my horizons!

This past weekend my husband and I travelled to the Bobcaygeon/Peterborough area (the foliage was spectacular) to attend the wedding of a dear friend. I was honoured to be asked to create the bride's birdcage veil and hand ornament, and it was a thrill to see her wearing my pieces-so lovely!! Congratulations Rebekah and Eric!

And last, but not least, we came home to find out that my daughter and her boyfriend got engaged over the weekend-congratulations and much love to you both, Jessica and Brent!

 Wishing you all a lovely Thanksgiving weekend, and hope that you all have many blessings to be thankful for. Surround yourself with loved ones and enjoy what promises to be a gorgeous weekend!

Take care.....Marian  xo     

Successes and Challenges

Last year was my first full year in business and I am over the moon with the results. The wonderful response and feedback has been overwhelming to say the least, and I am so excited about the next 11 months. Thanks so much to everyone who purchased my jewellery and accessories. It's a thrill knowing that one of my vintage style cloches is on it's way to Paris this May with a lovely young lady who has planned this trip for several years and can't wait to see the Eiffel Tower. Or the gorgeous young bride-to-be who couldn't decide between two pairs of earrings for her wedding day, so bought them both. You have all been so amazing and I can't wait to see what the year brings--I am truly blessed!

Now, that's not to say that I didn't have some disappointments along the way. But, I'm trying to use each less than stellar experience as a lesson. And if I keep my business hat on when making decisions, and not making them from an emotional level, I think I'll be moving in the right direction. It's tough declining a show organizer's invitation to come back next year even though she and her team were fantastic and the venue was lovely. I remind myself that it's a business and I have to continue growing, gaining exposure and seeking new opportunities if I want to continue. 

Over the past twelve months I've worked hard at developing my own unique style of repurposed jewellery and accessories, and creating a brand that customers will remember and recognize. When I started applying to craft shows I had some very definite ideas about how I wanted to display my jewellery and accessories. Some of those ideas were great in theory, but didn't always work out, particularly at outdoor venues...so back to the drawing board. For the most part, I think I have my major displays and booth design worked out. The last few things that still need some tweaking are some outdoor venue displays and a display for my vintage style hats....lots of great ideas on Pinterest that I may be able to put into use. The great news is that customers are starting to recognize my jewellery and displays from previous shows they've attended, and are stopping by to see what's new and shop.

Getting to know who my customer is has been another huge lesson for me. Making business plans around marketing methods and sales venues that will reach them is key for me.  This will mean making changes to some of the venues I've been using, and working on some consignment and wholesale opportunities in local shops.

I'm tugging my business hat down over my ears (of course, it's a velvet cloche business hat) and getting down to work. I'm notorious for always wanting to accomplish far more than any one person ever could, so my goal this year is to scale down my to-do list (personal and business) to a realistic length....focusing on quality not quantity....celebrating the accomplishments and not constantly being discouraged by all of the things I have left to do. This will definitely be my biggest challenge this year!

Take care.....Marian  xo     

Fall and Winter Collection

We're enjoying a glorious Fall and I took advantage of the weather to get out and do some gardening today. I'd like to think if I can get some more weeding done now it might make my spring clean up a little easier. Besides, it's a great excuse to get outside for a few hours. Not that I need an excuse, but with four weeks until my first show, I'm feeling a little guilty for taking time away from business these days.

I've been busy making lots of new jewellery and fashion accessories that I'll be adding to my Etsy shop and selling at my four upcoming Christmas shows. For a full list of shows check out my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/RomanceRuin. I'll be adding discount coupons for admission over the next few weeks and if you're in the area, be sure to stop by and say hello.

I've been scoping out some new fabric stores and found some delicious new fabrics, along with some fantastic deals. I love the rich colours and textures of cool weather fabrics, and as usual, purchased far more than I'll ever have time to use. I'm like a kid in a candy store when it comes to fabric shops, and could spend hours wandering around touching all of the gorgeous fabrics and getting all sorts of ideas. I'm always so inspired after a shopping trip and can hardly wait to get behind the sewing machine. Lots of hats, scarves and bags are waiting to be made and I promise to share my newest creations with you when they're done.

Right now I've been focusing on jewellery and here are a few pics of my newest creations:

 

 

With the introduction of my new Fall and Winter collection and Halloween around the corner, I thought it would be a perfect time to have a sale. My "Bewitching Sale" offers 10% off everything in my shop until October 21, 2013. Just use Coupon Code BEWITCH 2013 at checkout to get your discount. Lots of vintage and antique styles if you're dressing up in a period costume--or if you just feel like treating yourself or someone you love! Click on the link to take you there: www.etsy.com/shop/RomanceandRuin.



 

 

Thanks for stopping by today!

 

Take care.....Marian  xo    



Last Minute Details

Three days left before the big show and I'm starting to feel more relaxed as I continue to stroke things off my to-do list. Other than packing, which I'll take care of on Thursday night, most tasks that are left are quick and easy. The plan is to sit down and sew all day tomorrow and most of the day Thursday. Hopefully I can make a few new ties, hats and carpet bags....and necklaces, bracelets, earrings....and rings, scarves, belts, and headpieces.

I never seem to make as many items as I think I should. That's one of my worst fears--that I won't have enough to fill my booth. And fear # 2 is that I won't sell anything....oh yeah-and fear # 3 is the weather. This will be  my first outdoor show and the heat wave that we're currently experiencing is supposed to break on Friday, along with the severe thunderstorms that normally accompany a big change in the weather. Yes, Friday is Day One of the show. So as the British say, "Keep Calm and Carry On". I know in the end that these are normal pre-show jitters and I just try to keep them at bay. Things always seem to work out fine in the end.

I'm still working on new displays and had a last minute thought on a unique way to display my bracelets and Gatsby hand ornaments.

                  I purchased a collection of vintage gloves on Ebay, and with a little batting...voila!

Bracelet displays!



 

 

 

 

This is a Gatsby inspired headpiece that I made for the show in black and silver.....

 

 

.....and stacks of business cards are printed and ready to go!

 

So, I'm nearly set and can't wait to get started. To meet lots of new folks, see some familiar faces, enjoy the music

and fingers crossed, have a very successful show!



Take care.....Marian  xo    

The Countdown is On Again!!

Well, the countdown is on and I officially have 21 days left to prepare for my first outdoor craft show-and it's a big one! Three days filled with music, food and art in a gorgeous park held in downton London, ON from July 19-21, 2013 . It will be the 40'th anniversary of the Home County Music & Art Festival and it promises to be a fun-filled weekend with entertainment for the entire family. Attendance is expected to be 150,000 so I have my work cut out for me!

I've decided to take a working vacation next week and have high hopes to make lots of new things to sell. I've been busy working on some new displays-some suitcases to display my jewellery, an upholstered screen that will serve double duty as a privacy screen for rest breaks and a chance to eat, as well as a display for my fashion accessories. I've also touched up my business banner with some period details. Just a few more things to tweak and then I'll be making lots of jewellery, scarves, hats, and carpet bags to fill my booth. I never seem to make as much as I would like to, and always worry that I won't have enough. That is, until I set up shop and quickly run out of room to display everything! I always manage to figure it out and I'm sure I will again.

 

Just a quick thanks to my absolutely amazing husband Pat and daughter Jessica. I'd be lost without them, and during the next few weeks they'll basically take over the household chores to allow me to dedicate myself full-time to getting ready. It's truly a family affair and my eldest daughter Patricia will be by my side for the three long hectic days setting up and helping take care of all of my lovely customers. My son-in-law Greg will be helping us transport everything to the city and helping us get our tent set up along with my hubby. Love to you all-I'm so lucky to have you all in my life!! Oh and I can't forget the pups, who wander down to my studio and demand a quick cuddle giving me a chance to take much needed breaks. Never too busy for a snuggle and a belly rub.

We're heading into a long weekend here to celebrate Canada Day on July 1'st. I'll be joining my family for a BBQ and fireworks before getting down to business. To all of my Canadian friends and neighbours, hope you have a great day!

 

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!

 

Take care.....Marian  xo    

 

 

 

 

The Countdown is ON!

Seven days until showtime...that's right, exactly a week from now I'll be busy setting up my booth for my first craft show. I've been working hard making lots of new items and getting everything I'll need for my booth prepped. Everyone here has been pitching in to keep things in order while I work away in my studio. I'm blessed to have their constant support and encouragement. I'd be lost without them...

The 32'nd Annual London Arts & Crafts Spring Show & Sale will be held on Good Friday, March 29, 2013 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and it promises to be an excellent show. Here's a link to their site: http://www.londoncraftshows.com/  As well as the directions, the site has a link to a $1 off admission coupon and a link to their facebook page with a preview of some of the exhibitors.

If you're planning to attend, I hope you'll stop by my booth to say hello. I look forward to meeting everyone.

Take care.....Marian  xo    

Sweet Painted Ladies

Great news! I am thrilled to announce that I will be participating in the London Arts and Crafts Spring Show and Sale in London, ON on Friday March 29, 2013. Yes, that's right...it's only six weeks away. I received confirmation this past week and have gone into hyper creative mode. Excited and terrified at the same time....there should be a word for that. Joyverwhelmed, how's that.

This will be my first show so I've got a booth to put together as well as make product. I spent this weekend planning, making lists, going through long forgotten materials and dreaming of fixtures and booth designs. A few weeks ago I started collecting some items that I knew I would need for my business, regardless of whether or not I would be participating in craft shows. As a creator of hats, having a mannequin is a must. I had a wishlist in a mannequin:  plastic, vintage look, minimal or no facial paint ( so that I could paint it myself), with a portion of upper torso and shoulder, as well as a full neck & head.

I looked long and hard, but could only find some options in the U.S. Unfortunately shipping charges were more than the mannequin so I continued shopping around. Two weeks ago I found a supplier in Toronto who had the cheapest price I had found yet, and only $10.00 to ship it. Here's a "BEFORE" shot followed by a group of "AFTER" shots. Have a look.... I'm very pleased with the results and think they'll do a great job modelling my hats and jewellery.

 

 

Before...

 

......and After-Meet the dark-haired beauty  Maggie....

 



 

....and the lovely brunette Madeleine.

 

By choosing to keep their clothing simple, it will make it easier to alter their appearance to suit a variety of displays.

 

Hats, scarves and jewellery....

 

...or some bridal pieces.

By wrapping different fabrics around the base, you can create any number of looks.

 

With one project crossed off my list, I'm feeling a little more joyous and a little less overwhelmed. On to my next project....thanks so much for stopping by!

 

Take care.....Marian  xo