Sister Sister

Yesterday I went on an afternoon photo shoot with some of my favorite girls! I hadn't gotten to spend time with my little sisters in quit some time. I needed some model's so I could get nice images for my Etsy shop of the handmade knit and crochet items I've been making. In addition to modeling those, we also had a fun sister session! I've known Kristen and Megan since they moved in next door 13 years ago. They were about 3 & 6 back then and oh so adorable and I have had the pleasure of watching them grow up into absolutely beautiful young women! Kristen is now in college at Virginia Tech and Megan is in high school and driving! Geez, do I feel old! Here are some of the shots we took with them modeling some of my Etsy items for sale!

I have to say it was FREEZING yesterday! Not only cold but also VERY windy. These girls were troopers! And don't they have such gorgeous blonde locks!

I love candids as much if not more so than awareness shots!

Like I said, I've known these girls a long time, I've done many a dance recital, homecoming and prom updo for these lovelies and its such a joy to see how they have grown and matured not just on the outside but on the inside too. They are such thoughtful and loving young women and it's been so fun having spiritual conversations with them. Kristen and I have become especially close in the last few years and had many a good chat about our faith, relationships and friends.

Needless to say, it was a fun afternoon despite the chilly weather! Thanks Megs and Kristen for being such wonderful little sisters and so cooperative in the cold!

If you like what you see and are interested in getting some professional photographs of yourself or family like my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SHEdesignswithgrace I will be posting very reasonable January sessions and prices in the next few days!!

Rosewood Pottery Studio

So the contract job I was working ended about a month ago. I was not worried at all when this happened. In fact I had a peace that it was just meant to be for some greater purpose, for God's purpose! And since than so many things have been happening.. and all for the good!

The biggest one for sure has been Rosewood Pottery Studio. I 1st heard about this place when I purchased my kick wheel back in the spring. The guy I bought it from told me about the studio but wasn't sure where it was or if it was still in business. But it was enough to peak my interest. So I went home and thanks to modern technology found their website on the internet within a few minutes. Turns out they were still in business, but were moving their location and so were temporarily not up and running. So I checked back every now and then over the period of about 5 months. Until September. When driving downtown with my mom one Saturday afternoon we passed the new location with its big mural on the wall outside. So we stopped and went in and I met Janet. The co-owner with her partner Kathleen. She was so friendly and enthusiastic about her new space and clay. She spent an hour just showing me around and telling me all about the business, the classes offered, everything. I signed up that day for a class and was so super excited because I hadn't had the opportunity to touch clay since I'd graduated from college 2 years earlier.

Well, long story short... after my other job ended I went to Janet and Kathleen to ask them what they thought about me possible becoming their studio intern. It turns out they liked me as much as I liked them and we quickly agreed on a loose plan and I am now the Studio Intern at Rosewood. Which means not only do I get to keep playing with clay and making my artwork.. but I also now get to learn all about running a business, fixing wheels and changing out kiln elements. Oh and I get to make glazes! Thank you Professor Lorene for having your husband Jo teach a glaze chemistry class while I was in college!

I just needed to share because I am so enjoying this new group of friends I have found at Rosewood Pottery. Its so nice to have a creative space to be in again since graduating from college and to be getting muddy making pots! Here are some pieces I've made since getting back into clay. They will all be for sale at the Holiday Open House at Rosewood Pottery Studio tomorrow, Sunday December 9th from 12-6pm!

If you live in Richmond, Va or nearby I hope you can stop in for a visit to meet the warm and welcoming owners as well as all the great people who make Rosewood what it is!

"Yet you, Lord, are our Father.We are the clay, you are the potter;we are all the work of your hand." Isaiah 64:8

"This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: 'Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message.' So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the LORD came to me: 'O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?' declares the LORD. 'Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.'" Jeremiah 18: 1-6

Shop is OPEN for Business!!

Wooo Hooo!!

I've been working away at getting everything in order, getting items made both for over at Ellie Nellie's and in the Esty shop and on Sunday I said... "This week, you are going to open your Etsy shop, no matter what!!" I am so excited because that is exactly what I've done!

Go visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/SHEdesignswithgrace to check out the items I have for sale. More are on they're way, I just couldn't wait to put out the ones I had any longer!


I also have made a facebook page to help advertise my shop opening so please go 'like" my page at https://www.facebook.com/SHEdesignswithgrace and help me get to 50 likes by December 1st!

Thanks for supporting your local business owners and artisans!!

Love-

Sarah

Here's a few images of what's available on at the Etsy shop!

New Items for Sale!!

Hope Everyone has had a great weekend!! Saturday was a bit rainy here in the RVA but oh my was today just beautiful!! I love it when you can start to feel the hint of autumn in the air! Its my favorite season!

Speaking of Autumn, these cute leather bracelets I've been making would be the Perfect accessory to your favorite outfit! Mine would definitely include a plaid flannel shirt and leather boots! They're also the PERFECT way to break the "No Wearing White After Labor Day" rule you're grandmother taught you!

I just whipped up a few of these white leathers bracelets and thought I would share! I'll be making more in a dark chocolate brown and some mid range tans!


Sorry for the quality of pictures, I was taking them at night with flash.

The leather is very soft and supple so they are very comfortable to wear!

Here is a detail:

Let me know if you'd like one! They're only $8.00!!!

There Was a Little Girl...

There was a little girl, 

Who had a little curl, 

Right in the middle of her forehead. 

And when she was good, 

She was very VERY good, 

But when she was bad she was horrid!

I love this rhyme, maybe because it pretty accurately described how I was a little girl. Well ok, I was very rarely horrid.. but I did have my mischievous and naughty moments. My dad's nick name for me when I was misbehaving was "Little Imp" the rest of the time it was "Sarah Bear".

And it seemed quite fitting for this short and sweet post. Check out some of my Hairlooms as modeled by my sweet little 2 1/2 year old niece N!

I brought a bunch with me for her to choose from and she selected the "pink" ones! Its her favorite color at present. 

When I started snapping some pictures she proceeded to do do slow twirls modeling, it was so adorable!

Stop over at Ellie Nellie's to buy some!

Stop Over At Ellie Nellie's!

Hey there!

Hope you all had a wonderful Labor Day weekend! Hopefully you got Monday off! And if you aren't in the U.S. well then I hope you had a great weekend and got to relax too!

I used mine to make some more Hairlooms and a special display for them at the shop!

Let me know if you would be interested in a display! I can also make it with chicken wire or lace so hang earrings on! They start at $15. And stop on over at Ellie Nellie's this week!

Hairlooms for sale!

So I've finally taken some pictures to post up on the page! If you are interested in any or would like a custom piece leave a comment! These will likely all be going to Ellie Nellie's so let me know ASAP if you want one or else you'll have to go to the store! I'm looking into which online store I want to open shop in and will post that once I decide!

Hairlooms is a play on words. Made from heirlooms- the fact that these are all made with authentically antique buttons that I inherited from my Nana, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. They are made from some of my little family heirlooms into these cute accessories for your hair! Hence...Hairlooms! You can also wear them as a brooch on a scarf or jacket!

Prices vary according to the fabric used and time/ effort needed to create each unique piece. No two are alike as they are made from a limited supply of fabric.

I call these the Shimmer Hairlooms because the fabric has a slight shimmer. 

The Shimmers are made from a limited supply of material so no two are exactly alike. Because of the time involved in creating these they cost $10. They are approximately 2" in diameter.

Here are a few individuals!

Next up are the Vintage Hairlooms- made from cotton fabric. If you like one of these and it has already sold, I can more than likely make it again for you but many of the buttons I use are only 1-3 in supply therefore they may require a different button! They are 2" in diameter.  $8

Next are the Felt Hairlooms. Made from felt, these have a much fuller thicker quality. They are the largest at about 3" in diameter and have brooch backings to be worn on a scarf or jacket! They are GREAT for Fall which is just around the corner! $10

Last, for now are the Mini Hairlooms. These are also made from cotton fabric and can be recreated if sold out. They are smaller- 1" - 1.5" and can be worn together or solo. They are also great for babies, toddlers.. and if you like to accessorize your poodle, them too.  $5 or two for $8