Gearing up.....

At long last, this weekend marks the beginning of my outdoor show season! I hope to see you out at the Elmhurst Art in the Park, this Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3. Hours are 10am-5pm both days. ALSO, I will be setting up my jewelry Friday night (May 1st) at Camden Boutique in Elmhurst for the first annual Art Off the Park from 5-8pm. I am looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new people as well!

Also, recently I got to see my highly anticipated press appearance in this month's issue of Chicago Magazine....although you can't even see my necklace. Maybe if you look really really really close. Oh well, any press is good press, and it still makes me proud. Nice to be listed with Michael Kors and Chanel, yes? This necklace (it's there on her neck, really) is sold at Florodora on S. Dearborn in Chicago. I am sending them a new shipment of jewelry this week, so it should be in stock by next week.

For fun, I just found the second Craig Ferguson opener where he lip-synches with the puppets and those other 2 dudes. Cracks me up beyond belief. Hope he does another one tonight - I'll be looking for it.....check it out.

Until next time,
Melissa

The Spring Show!

Thanks to everyone who made it out to the Spring Show at Architectural Artifacts this past Sunday! The weather was chilly and rainy, but we got a good crowd. It was great seeing my artist friends again, and some familiar customers too!


(View as you enter the show space at Architectural Artifacts)


(Adjusting displays)



(Putting price tags on new rings)



(My good friends, Jean and Barbara of Weenerware)


(...and the best trooper ever - my boyfriend, Mike)

In other news, here is what I am currently listening to:

First Aid Kit - two cutie-pie chickadees from Sweden

And I have become obsessed with Craig Ferguson. This has clinched it. Enjoy.

Go BIGGER or go home, I say.

I thought that the new x-large rectangle ring was not quite making enough of a statement. So I would like to now present the XXL rectangle ring :) I am in love with it! And it's still ultra comfortable. In other good news - I survived tax day. Just barely....

Don't forget the Spring Show at Architectural Artifacts this Sunday from 10am-5pm!!! 4325 W. Ravenswood, Chicago

Hope to see you there, Melissa

Go big or go home!

The shows are quickly approaching, and I realized I've been promising new designs, and so I've been working hard at following through with this promise ;) And I thought - hey, I need some new ring designs! It seems that my latest trend is "go big or go home." Big rings, big bracelets, big necklaces......here's a quick shot of my new rings. The diamond with the cutout I made last night, the x-large rectangle, I finished a couple minutes ago. Enjoy!

P.S. Notice lack of manicure and write off as "hard-working craftsperson." (I never get manicures, shhhhhh.)

4, 3, 2, 1.....blast off!

Welcome to the first blog post for Rapt in Maille! This is my first time blogging for anything, so it's kind of exciting! I'm getting a little geeked out over it....

My friend Audrey Keller, who does all the photography for my website, recently decided to organize a Women's Entrepreneur Forum at her studio. I attended the second one last week, and there was much discussion about the relevance of blogging, so here I am! I hope to bring you my experiences designing jewelry, running a business, traveling to art fairs and trade shows to sell my product, and all the exciting ups and downs that go with it. And also maybe some interesting/weird/amazing things I happen to run across just for fun. My big art fair season starts soon, so it's a good time to start a blog - I'm looking forward to documenting my travels, the cool people I always meet, and the funny (and not so funny) things that inevitably happen on the road.

As far as what is going on right now, it's Saturday and I'm about to tag and inventory a bunch of jewelry for City Soles on North Ave, and hopefully also deliver it today - visit the store soon to see some new designs! I'm posting a picture of one of them. I took 3 of the Glam Rosette bracelets, attached the sides, and WA-LA! An exciting new design for lovers of large, tough pieces, which is what I am personally drawn to the most. It really kicks ass on the wrist.

Until next time....