Local Artist Market @ Whole Foods

I can't believe one month has come and gone and it's already time for another Whole Foods sale this Saturday! See my "Upcoming Events" column on the right side of the page for more details about where and when I'll be there. A comfortable 72 degrees is forecasted (:

On a side note, my adorable parents have been picking sea glass for me!

So unexpected! They're so sweet. I can't wait to browse through these pieces in person. I think I spy some pretty good ones!

Catalina Crossing

:: Catalina Channel Crossing ::

2011 US Outrigger Championship Race

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Newport Beach, CA to Catalina Island

:: 26 miles ::

My last 6 months of training have been building up to this race. We were up before the sun, struggling to down food that we knew we needed to sustain us for the arduous journey ahead. This particular Saturday morning greeted us with thunderstorms and lightning, and the scheduled start time was pushed back an hour. 8:45am rolled around and 60 outrigger canoes lined up in two rows facing the edge of the earth, waiting patiently in the grey, tumultuous water for the start flags. Shivering incessantly from my quick dip in the ice-cold ocean and the breeze against my drenched jersey, I attempted to take cover within the canoe. It's too late - flash of red, flash of green - the flags go down - GO GO GO!

Newport Beach, CA

September 10, 2011

PC: C. Silvester

40 minutes later I'm sitting in the Andale - soaking up the adrenaline high of the start, guzzling down more water, ripping open my pouch of beef jerky. Another 40 minutes pass and it's time to get back in - I'm dreading the leap off the support boat into the frigid open ocean that relentlessly attempts to flip our canoe over. "Ready.... GO!" Splash - splash - splash! Three paddlers are in. I wanted to scream; the icy water pierced through my bones. "SEAT 1! SEAT 1!", I yelled, trying to concentrate on the canoe charging at my head. I grabbed on and swung myself in. "One, two, three, four, five", I counted to myself trying to make sure I set the pace at a high enough rate.

40 minutes later, and I'm back on the support boat again to recuperate. I hear over the radio - 2 paddlers have succumbed to hypothermia... no, 3 paddlers now have hypothermia. And it's only just the beginning...

PC: H. Cole

5 hours, 41 minutes, and 35 seconds later we cross the finish line at the mouth of Avalon Harbor at Catalina Island. Little did we know our canoe had just placed 10th in our open co-ed division. Six months ago when I joined the club I intended on being a recreational paddler. And here I was on the racing team, exhausted and pleased after 26 miles of paddling, finishing in the top half of our division even if our crew was comprised mainly of novice paddlers. What a way to end the season.

PC: C. Silvester

What's next, you may ask? More jewelry time? Perhaps... if I didn't suddenly decide to train for my first ever half marathon in less than 8 weeks!

Green Dog Jewelry

I participated in a Jewelry Boutique at Reds a few months ago and happened to set up next to Green Dog Jewelry. At one point we started chatting next to her rings so I decided to try some on for fun - nothing struck me in particular, at least not in the display tray - but I have been interested in finding another ring to wear everyday. As I tried a few on, I came across a dainty sterling silver ring with a light green translucent gemstone. The faceted prehenite glowed in the sunlight when I picked it up and looked radiant against my skin tone. The delicate band had etching detail and overlapped at one side - very unique. I was sold.

Unfortunately, the band was too large for my fingers! While I was wearing the ring, another seller wandered over and took an interest in it as well. It fit her perfectly, so I reluctantly let it go. Green Dog Jewelry told me that she could make another ring at some point if I didn't mind waiting a few months. I don't think I've ever fall in love with a piece of jewelry so quickly and unexpectedly - so I told her that if she ever had the chance, I would love to purchase a 4.5-5.5 size ring.

Four months go by and I receive the email I've been waiting for. Green Dog Jewelry stopped by the September Whole Foods Local Arts Market event to drop off my ring. The 5.5 fit perfectly on my index finger and looked wonderful with the other two rings that I like to wear. I was ecstatic. I've been wearing this little beauty every day since.

Within/Without Chalcedony Sterling Band Ring (similar)
SHOP
Within/Without Carnelian Sterling Band Ring (LOVE!!)
SHOP
Within/Without Sterling Band Ring (simple band only, very pretty)
SHOP

Green Dog Jewelry is talented, isn't she? I hope she makes it out to a Whole Foods event soon!

Etsy Stalker

I've been STALKED!!

.... by Etsy Stalker ^.^

My newest Rave in the Cave Luxe necklace was featured in Beatrice and Violet's blog, Etsy Stalker! The post was titled "Roughing it: Geodes, Druzies, & Unpolished Gems." I was delighted to find my sparkling blue-grey pendant among other beautiful druzy creations. What a great way to start off my morning.

"Rave in the Cave Luxe Necklace"

SHOP

Also, did you know that Etsy is a Google product search marketplace partner? Items from qualified Etsy shops are automatically submitted to Google product search. I did a druzy necklace search on Google last night and my Rave in the Cave Luxe necklace showed up in the shopping tab! How exciting. I didn't realize until yesterday that my shop had finally been syndicated!

New jewelry designs and blog posts are in the works as the SCORA (Southern California Outrigger Racing Association) racing season has officially ended and my weekends are finally free!

My Biggest (& Best) Critic

It was the week after getting back to Santa Barbara from a wonderful Christmas vacation in Hawaii - I had found beautiful pieces of sea glass during my frequent visit to the beach (I had to enjoy Hawaii's warm water while I could!). I found one frosted white piece that was incredibly smooth and pebble-like, perfect for my signature beach glass necklace. I figured that a simple picture of the pendant would be best, and I thought I had gotten some great shots. Nothing too creative but worthwhile posting on my blog (at the time I did not have an Etsy shop). 

My parents have always been so supportive of everything that I do, so I was very eager to show them my newest photos. I sent them an email as soon as I had finished editing the photos.

 

[Me]

Hi Mom and Dad, I made all these new pieces last week! It was sunny for just a couple hours this morning and I was able to finally take pictures. Let me know what you think :)

...

[Mom, 1 day later]

Hi Jen, The photos of the jewelry pieces seemed too white. I missed all the color, texture, and shaded light from the past. Although, I liked the pearl earrings. :)

...

[Me, thinking to myself]

:(

When I sent those pictures over, I knew they weren't representative of my best work but I thought they would suffice. I knew in the back of my mind that they were a little too white and that it washed out the details. (At the time I was still struggling with light, white balance, and clarity - making my pictures bright enough but not too light). I knew that the picture did not do this lovely pendant justice, but I guess I was hoping that no one else would notice. Wrong. And who was I kidding, I had an inkling that my mom was going to say something about it. (She had said something of a few previous photos I sent over the month before).

At first, the responses to my "let me know what you think :)" emails caught me off guard - I sent off photos to my mom thinking they were pretty nice, only to receive some "criticism" in return. (I put the word criticism in quotes because at the time it felt more negative than what I expected - or hoped - to hear, but in reality, I would call it advice). I let those pictures sit on my blog for a while because I really didn't know how to make them any better. However, it kept nagging at me that I was showcasing work that really just wasn't up to par... and my mom could tell. I really do value what my parents have to say, so it was a shock to hear at first - I don't think she's ever come off so honest before.

I came to terms that these pictures really weren't up to my standards, and that I should do something about it. I was capable of producing work of a higher quality so why just let my mediocre work sit? Inspiration struck, and I decided to re-take these photos (which I never do).

"Starfish Beach Glass Necklace"
SHOP

Needless to say, I was absolutely thrilled with the outcome.  The detail, the colors, the creativity... it was all there. Finally... I was truly satisfied.

"Seashell Beach Glass Necklace"
SHOP

And I have to say, thank you, Mom. Who else could I have counted on to be so straightforward and honest with me? Who else could have given me that little nudge of motivation to remind me that I should always be striving for the highest and never just settling, especially when I know (and they know) that I am capable of more. My mom's feedback is one really big reason why I think my photos continue to improve over time. She lets me know when they're not as aesthetically pleasing as they should be, and I am so so so grateful for her advice. I know I can always count on her to help me improve not only my photography and jewelry, but to remind me to always do my best in everything I pursue.

"Mini Sand Dollar Beach Glass Necklace"

 [Me, thinking to myself]

(: