Introducing the "Creative Collection"

Whitney and I are so excited to share our first jewelry collaboration with you today! 

"You are always coming up with something new?!" I hear this often, especially from my mom ;)

First and foremost, coming up with new ideas is a necessity of  life as an entrepreneur. Second, I absolutely love this part of being an entrepreneur. In fact I live for it, can’t help it. There’s a saying in business that some people like to plant the seeds and others like to mow and maintain the grass. The seed planter, that would be me. Although I have to say, I’ve done a pretty good job of mowing and maintaining Creative Thursday’s grass, keeping the garden 'together', over the last six years. A self-employed business owner, shop of one, does have to do both ~ and you get used to doing it all. 

So imagine this scenario. Someone else approaches you with a brand new idea! one that they are super excited about, that incorporates what you both love. That is what this jewelry line is about, two independent artists joining our talents to create something special, that is also handmade.

Collaborations with fellow artists have been on the horizon for a little while now. And aside from the opportunity to teach at Squam with Christine, which was also a brand new venture for me, this is the first time I am combining efforts with someone to create a product. Fiercely independent, somewhat of an "I like to be in control" kind of a business owner, it’s been scary for me to join forces with someone. But I have to say Whitney has made it feel incredibly easy. And I want to thank her for that. 

I knew in an instant when she introduced herself and her work to me via an email, that this was the right fit. If you’ve taken the e-course with me before then you might remember how I talk about knowing when it’s time to move forward; when you feel that sure and that excited. There’s this way that you know, and while it still holds some fear of the unknown, there’s a certainty you can’t shake. So here I am, exploring a brand new territory as a business owner and an artist.

I will say that this is a tiny glimpse of what it will be like to let Creative Thursday expand, to let others help me and to let our combined efforts inspire us forward. I think it’s going to be fun to see where this new step will lead... 

It’s a little like  "Lila and Lola", which happens to be one of my all time favorite necklaces by the way. Something about that blue with a tiny spot of red and white looks so pretty on. {And guess what? Whitney has created an option where you can buy two, practically for the price of one! and give one to your friend, sister, mom, daughter, aunt, niece}

With all of that said, I hope you will love these as much I do.  Ever since Whitney sent me the first batch to photograph, I have not been able to take them off. Everyday I wear a different necklace, sometimes even more than one. As an artist, there’s nothing quite like being able to wear something I created, to take a little piece of my art with me wherever I go. 

Since Whitney makes each one of these by hand, we are starting with a limited edition of each of the six designs. Did I mention one of them can even be monogrammed?  You can get them over at my Etsy shop, as well as Whitney’s online shop, Bel-Kai Designs. Which speaking of, if you love these, then you’re also going to love Whitney’s other creations. You might just need to wear more than one, like I do.