Monday, June 28, 2010

We Had a Great Time

The owners of Twist started out as artists themselves before they opened their first store in Eugene in 1980. A weaver and a potter, they come from a place of nurturing and support of the artists represent. Not only world class retailers, Paul and Lauren are also tireless in their search for inspired, cool things. Kazu and I stayed in their beautiful home while doing a personal appearance in the store over the weekend (look for pictures of their home in the October issue of Architectural Digest) which was a treat in itself. Thank you Paul and Lauren and your impeccable team for having us for such a fun weekend.






The renowned retail architect, Richard Altuna, designed Twist in his dynamic and theatrical style. And in our own six degrees of separation, Richard was one of my first 'bosses' back in the day at the visionary concept store, Aerial, in SF in the late 80's, early 90's
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the main entrance of (the enormous) Twist

this little three year old girl has one of our bracelets on--so sweet.

'I choose all' is what this young woman carefully selected on her new necklace of a saint's hand.

perfection

more perfection....we had dinner at the super chic butcher shop, Olympic Provisions...

Monday, June 14, 2010

Summer hair, Summer earrings by Melissa


Fabienne earrings


Giselle, Marigold and Spring earrings


It's been feeling like Summer here in San Francisco and I decided to cut my hair (which was down to my back) into a shoulder-length bob. I've been wearing it long for over 6 years and it was time for a change!
Summer is a great time to show off your earrings. Everyone either sports a shorter 'do or wears it up in a ponytail. Jeanine has designed some gorgeous pieces - from the decadently-sized Fabienne hoops to the delicately petite Spring earrings. There's something here for everyone (and their hairdo's).

Friday, June 11, 2010

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. --Goethe

Twist Trunkshow June 26th





I am so looking forward to my visit to Twist, one of my longest standing retail relationships in the history of JP. The owners, Paul and Lauren Schneider, tracked me down 17 years ago in my studio when I was a three person operation. I remember my horror as they came in and there was nowhere to sit that wasn't covered....in dust!!! I am embarrassed to say that I didn't have proper ventilation back then besides the working windows. They were troopers and have supported me ever since. It has been several years since I have visited so it should be really fun.

Friday, June 4, 2010

New Life in the Studio


I took a trip to the Flora Grubb Gardens last week.


They helped me pick the perfect mix for my flower boxes in my design studio...


It is amazing what new life can do for a room.


I got some other plants as well for the rest of the studio. Here is the wholesale room where we meet


I like C. Jere metal wall sculptures because they loosely relate to what we do but in a large scale.


This cheerful bright green guy is for the shipping/customer service/websale room.


I came in to find the Jeanine Payer boxes were just splayed out in front like a cornucopia.


Janine B. told me about the amazing Flora Grubb Gardens a while back when she first went there to find our succulents for the retail store flower box. Because our building is a historic landmark we are not allowed to have an awning. And our sign is tiny. The flower box is the only reason I think people are able to find us! So the succulent has become our version of a sandwich board, and quite the conversation piece. People stop to take pictures of it all the time which is really surprising to me. It must be due to the Little Shop of Horrors size it has grown into.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

A Handful of Salt



I want to thank Regina Connell and Emily Eisenhart for writing such a wonderful post today on their inspired design blog A Handful of Salt. I am extremely flattered to be in such great company and it was really a fun interview. I am included in their list of DesignCraft Heroines --which I love--and I am thrilled to be the first jewelry designer they have profiled. I recently found out about this gem of a blog when they featured my fellow DesignCraft Heroines, Rae Dunn and Josie Jurczenia, and their hand made ceramics. Thank you again, Regina and Emily!