happy birthday + contest

In honor of my birthday (today!) and the one year anniversary of my blog (upcoming), I've decided to run a little contest.

I will be giving away not one, but TWO sets of fine silver on steel bracelets. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post that answers the following question - Who would you give a set of my fine silver on steel bracelets to and why? Maybe its your mom, your sister, your best friend, or anyone who deserves a nice treat!

The contest will run until Sunday, November 4. Next Monday, I'll choose one lucky winner and send both you and the person you've picked a set of three of my fine silver on steel bracelets!

Presents all around! Happy birthday!

buy handmade

I took the handmade pledge - did you?

close up

A few new close-up shots from my trip this weekend.

the object of my desire

While out antiquing with Adrienne, I saw this amazing Russell Woodard chair (similar to the one pictured above, but white and with curved legs that made it bounce). Sadly, it was a bit out of my price range (well, more than a bit) but now I'm on the hunt. I really want one for my house/office/studio/anywhere.

weekend in the hamptons

This weekend I went to the Hamptons to visit Adrienne, who moved there to work as an assistant to John Iversen. It was nice to get a away for the weekend, and to such a beautiful place. Everything from the houses to the scenery was super picturesque.

Adrienne took me to see John's studio, which was so nice. High ceilings, white walls, and a wonderful collection of natural and vintage objects. I'm jealous.

We also had a yard sale, and true to form, made over the top, dorky signs for it. It was fun and a wonderful motivator to get rid of lots of stuff.

Adrienne and I also had a chance to talk about what we're working on (or planning to work on), so between our conversations and the scenery, I'm feeling totally inspired. Back to work!


Above: our dorky yard sale signs
Below: some of John's work.

caught my eye

This necklace from Jenny Vorwaller's new shop (via Modish), which fits in nicely with my current chain obsession.

And this print by swallowfield. I adore Jennifer Judd-McGee's work, and already own several of her prints. Perhaps I'll have to consider one more...

mcmaster -carr

I have a slight confession to make - I may be addicted to McMaster-Carr. McMaster-Carr is an industrial supply company, and I firmly believe you can get anything you'll ever need (except food and clothes) from them. I place an order at least twice a week. (Luckily, for most orders, ground shipping arrives the next day.) Here are a few big tickets items I'm coveting...

A hydraulic press.

A bench shear (so I can cut steel sheet).

And even though its completely unnecessary, a punch that creates rounded corners on metal! A girl can dream...

new shop + new work

Its taken me a while to get there, but I'm happy to announce the opening of my new shop megan auman home! Soon you'll find all the non-wearable stuff I've been working on - wall panels, wire pillows, and just in time for the holidays and available now, my line of ornaments.

Happy shopping!

insanity

I was checking out the Storque on Etsy today, and clicked on an article titled "Etsy Holiday How-To #4: Photographing your items". It features a video by the Etsy labs on how to photograph your work and THEY MENTIONED ME. Imagine the surprise while watching a video and suddenly hearing your name. Insanity! Thanks to Etsy labs for the shout out!

graphics in nature

I am loving this collection of wallpaper from Ferm Living. via Poppytalk.

close up

Perhaps its the new camera, but lately I'm obsessed with taking close ups of things. And while I'm normally a flower girl, this weekend I found myself drawn to seeds, pods, and berries over and over again. Perhaps its just the change in seasons, but I think its that these simple forms lend themselves to the graphic quality I'm striving for in my work. Either way, I'm feeling inspired after my weekend upstate and can't wait to start designing. (And taking more close ups!)

copper bowls

As Joe and I were heading out the door on Friday, I got a wonderful surprise. A second Corey bowl to complete my pair. Corey Ackelmire and I went to grad school together, and she makes the most beautiful copper bowls. Jealous? You can get your own Corey bowl right here.

fall is here

Joe and I are back from the weekend. I took so many pictures - I feel like I've been uploading all day and I'm still not done. It was nice to get away and relax, but now that I'm back I'm feeling the stress even more. I've got a busy week ahead of me, so its back to work.

heading out

Joe and I are heading upstate this weekend for some much needed R & R. Have a great weekend everyone!

handmade holidays

I also bought a few things at Crafty Bastards last weekend, but I can't share them here because they're Christmas gifts. Normally, I'm a bit of a scrooge when it comes to the holidays, but this year I'm trying to embrace them. One of my big goals for this year is to have a handmade holiday. Meaning, I'll only be gifting handmade items from indie designers.

Also for the holidays this year I'll be bringing back my line of pressed metal ornaments, this time in steel. (I will be making a few copper and aluminum ones as well.) Ever since I started using props for my Etsy photos, I've been obsessed with spray painting things white and decided that would look great on steel ornaments. I'm still experimenting to get the surface the way I want, but expect to see them in the shop soon.

second storie} the goods

Speaking of Second Storie}, I realized that I have yet to share all the goodies I came home with. So here they are:
Some lovely stationary and other goodies from Pistachio Press.

A collection of notebooks from Freshly Blended.

North American endangered animal prints by Marlene Heuer.

A collection of paper goods from Paperoot.

Plus some lovely ceramics from Dulcie Miller and Marie Verlinde of Crocus Clay Works. And my little splurge, a lovely painting by Collette Watts Quaglia. (This isn't the exact painting I bought, but I wanted to include an image of Collette's lovely work. I'll share the painting I bought when I have a chance to hang it.)

trunk show

I'll be having my first ever trunk show at Craft Company No. 6 in Rochester from October 24 to 28! (I met many of the lovely ladies from the Craft Company at Second Storie, and I'm so excited to put work in the gallery.) If you're in the area, stop by and check it out.

wire + white

I'm a sucker for things made from wire (shocking, I know) and lately I've been loving things painted white (more on that later), so I'm totally loving this chandelier by Abigail Ahern.
via design*sponge. (I'm also loving the design*sponge re-design.)

more sale

Just a quick post to say that I'm still adding more sale items to the shop - including the very last of my sterling leaf line and some steel flower brooches. Get 'em before they're gone.

sale!

I'm clearing out some of my older items to make room for new work. All week long, I'll be adding items to the sale. This means 25% off a variety of designs, and your last chance to pick them up before they're gone. You can view sale items right here in my shop.

crafty bastards!

Crafty Bastards was awesome! Thanks to everyone who stopped by, said hello, and shopped! It was great to meet a few people I only know through blog-land, like Jen from IndieFixx and Margaux Lange. (Not only did I get to meet Margaux, but we traded. You can see the lovely necklace I got below.)

Thanks to the folks at Washington City Paper for putting on such a great event!

poppytalk handmade

Poppytalk Handmade is finally live. Jan's assembled a great collection of artists - including some of my personal favorites - Julie Lake, Diana Fayt, Ink and Wit, Pistachio Press, and Swallowfield. Its nice to be in such good company. (You can view my "table" right here.)