Sorry it’s been so long since I wrote. Things have been very hectic over here. Shortly after my last blog post, I was approached by a store owner to place my jewelry in a retail environment. I was over the moon happy!

So, I spent about a week getting everything ready to take into her shop. As part of the agreement, I work there 3 days a month. I haven’t worked retail in years, so it’s taken some getting used to again. Overall, I have enjoyed working in the store. It allows me to get some direct feedback from customers about what they like and don’t like.

Some more about the shop. It’s located in Lanesboro, Minnesota. Lanesboro is a small town with lots going on. It is located right on the Root River and there’s a huge bike trail. It is also very close to some Amish farms, which you can go tour if you wish to. For more information about Lanesboro, check out www.lanesboro.com

The store I am in is located in the Historic Feed Mill. Everything in the store is made in the United States, with the large majority being provided by local artists. I think it’s a great concept and I was amazed at the talent I’ve seen in store. The items are varied and include some very neat metal signs, stained glass work, felted items, hair bows, spoon rings, and of course… my jewelry.

It’s a learning curve for me and I am loving the new opportunity!

So, it’s my birthday today and I wanted to do something special on my web page. Things have been crazy lately and it seems like a good time to kick back and have some fun.

So, head on over to www.razaoazul.com to find something you love, then use the coupon code Birthday at check-out.

Mother's bracelet for May and November

I was chatting with a friend who also makes jewelry and she mentioned a great idea. What if I made the wrap bracelets like I have been lately, but added birthstone crystals to make it a Mother’s Bracelet? Brilliant!!! So, I made one and then another and then another, and so on. I love the idea because it’s not so “in your face” about the mother part. Some moms aren’t into the blatant Mother’s Bracelets, so this is right up their alley.

I will also be adding the option of having the big crystals for children and smaller crystals for grandchildren. Love this idea!

While I love the leather wrap bracelets I have been making lately, I really wanted to do something to make them a little different. So, I decided to make a pattern using some smaller silver beads. I think it gives the bracelet a wave feel. What do you think?

I just wanted to post a big thank you to everyone who participated in the give-away. It was great fun! I appreciate all the comments and feedback. I am taking everything you said into consideration moving forward.

On another note, the weather here has been unseasonably warm and I am loving it! The warm weather makes me even happier about the new hot colors for Spring/Summer 2012. I wanted to take a minute to show you how you could pair two of the hot colors together to make one super chic outfit. Hope you enjoy!

To enter, please leave a comment on this blog telling me what else you would like to see offered in my shop. You can get additional entry points by Tweeting about this contest. You can do this daily for the entire two weeks of the contest! Winner will be selected and announced on March 15, 2011.

Please make sure to expand this post and click Enter in the Rafflecopter box below. I am using that app to select the winner for this give-away.

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Cabaret is a super lush, vibrant shade of pink. It makes me smile. I just can’t help myself. Why pink? I don’t know. I read somewhere once that wearing pink is a sign of positive things. It’s supposed to make you happier, as well as those around you.

Pink is thought to have a calming effect.  One shade known as “drunk-tank pink” is sometimes used in prisons to calm inmates.  Sports teams sometimes paint the opposing teams locker room pink to keep the players passive and less energetic.

THAT does not apply to Cabaret. I think it’s a bright, happy color.

I think almost all the colors this spring are bright and give hope. Maybe that’s what the designers were thinking when they picked them, to give hope to everyone. That’s a nice thought, isn’t it?

Spring is in the air and on the shelves at all your local stores!

I live in Minnesota, so maybe Spring isn’t really IN the air yet. But I am waiting for it very excitedly. One of my favorite things about Spring is all the beautiful colors. And this year, Pantone is forecasting some amazing colors for the Spring.

This spring will be a virtual riot of colors in yellow, orange, blue, purple, pink, and green! The yellow is a beautiful, bold color called “Solar Power”. “Tangerine Tango” is queen of the oranges, while hot pink “Cabaret” holds its own special court.

These super bright colors are mixed with the slightly more muted “Margarita” green and “Sweet Lilac” lavender. Dark “Sodalite” blue and bright “Cockatoo” represent the blues this Spring.

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be looking at each color more in depth.