I have a brilliant friend who has been a fan of our Songs of the Moments (at the bottom of every blog post) since day one. She has good ideas about everything, but this one sort of blew my mind: to create a line somehow related to the songs. In a time when I needed some motivation for new designs, this idea picked me up and flung me around like a cowgirl’s lasso. I’m in the process of grabbing the target, tightening the rope and pulling it towards me. Usually I wait to announce this sort of thing, but I just couldn’t hold it in any longer.
The Music. is the name of my new line, currently being designed.
Music has always been a major part of my life. At some point in most days, in my early childhood, you could find me dancing around the room in my favorite purple tiger bathing suit (with a hole cut out of the middle) or makeshift costume (e.g. sequined hairband, oversized too-too, shiny leggings, neon shirts, jelly bracelets…yeah, I grew up in the 80s). My parents were awesome champions of music’s presence in our lives. There didn’t seem to be a limit to the level at which we played. The Beatles were around a lot, Led Zeppelin, Marvin Gaye, Jackson Browne, Pink Floyd, James Taylor, White Snake, The Temptations, Foreigner, Billy Joel, Michael & Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Paula Abdul, Phil Collins, Annie Lennox, Thomas Dolby…man those were good times.
Music blasting, nothing else around…not even me. I remember losing myself in those moments. The kind of losing where nothing else matters. This happens to me, still, today. I can be in an important moment and if the right song comes on, my mind goes elsewhere. All other noise shuts off, and it always feels right.
Every piece in this line is inspired by a Song of the Moment. I’ll explain the process when I present my first piece. I just wanted to get you excited. Because I am so so so very excited.
This line is my homage to music and what it has meant to me: the companionship it has shown me through the years, the color, the love.
Is it possible that music allows one to love harder? I think so.
It has done so for me.
xo~betsy
***Song of the Moment: Oh! Darling, by The Beatles*** (this is the first song + album I ever remember loving).
Tags: betsy and iya, color pop, design project, jewelry line
yes yes YES! I’m excited, very excited. Great inspiration and I can’t wait to see your first pieces!
Yes…it does! Waiting anxiously to see your new line! I know it will be spectacular…as usual! :)
As a frequently reader of your blog and purchaser of your jewelery (every year as a christmas present to myself), I have to say I am VERY excited about this. Your songs of the day reflect my music taste and I can only imagine this line will be right up my alley. Can’t wait for the stories that inspire the pieces. Keep rocking.
Thank you so much, everyone! We really can’t wait to show you this project. It’s been equal parts exciting, terrifying, and inspiring. Stay tuned!
[...] Betsy & Iya Jewelry Handmade jewelry from Portland, Oregon designer Betsy Cross. Big pieces, mixed metals, confident entrances. Clunky or intricate. Earthy or Army. But always, always, 100% handmade. About Blog Shop Wholesale Contact « Design Project: The Music. [...]
[...] addition to the new design project, The Music, we are busy editing (slash: killing) old designs and making room for new ones, like these hot new [...]
Perfect. So many times I come to your blog to a) look at all the jewels I need for summer and b) to listen to the hit song that you’re playing in that beautiful shop of yours. :)
Magical musical jewelry hits the stage. Great idea.
xo
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