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.
I broke the seal!! Okay, so I didn’t workout at the gym. But I did do a super intense Jillian Michaels video at home.
These women are my heroes. I mean, moonwalk machines in the middle of a park? I'm so jelly.
Even though I felt like I was going to pass out several times throughout the workout, I made it through. And I feel SO energized today. I feel so happy + healthy! What’s more…W took Gingy on a run. So the whole family is getting behind it. Just knowing that we’ve started is enough motivation to keep on going.
I straight up love this woman.
You all were so awesome with your encouraging thoughts and words. Thank you. I can’t even express how much it means to me. I hope you have glorious weekends, full of sunshine and love.
xo, always ~ betsy
***Song of the Moment: Imitosis, by Andrew Bird***
Hello, my name is Betsy and I am an excessive worrier.
I worry about things. And then I worry about worrying about them. I worry about silly things. I worry about important things. If I’m not worrying, I worry why.
With all of the amazingly exciting things that became my 2011—the building of the betsy & iya shop, creating Little Boxes, planning my sweetheart’s milestone 30th birthday party, Iya’s wedding across the country, new designs, so many amazing new friends and events, life in general, the MASSIVE amount of jewelry we made, the balancing of it all, etc.–the worrying got a little out of hand.
(there is no mirror in this picture.)
At some point in the middle of it all, when I was dramatically crying on the studio floor and being consoled by Gingham (our little dogter), I knew something had to be done. You see, there is just no time for as futile an act as worrying when there is scarcely enough time for sleeping, eating, and breathing. At this low point, when our sweet pup was pushing my limp arm up over her head and snuggling herself into me (yes, this really happened)…that’s when I came up with this: THE WORRY PROJECT.
The thing is, I can’t change overnight. But I caaaaaaannn put on some old school Lauryn Hill and do a little dancy in my work seat…
Oh, MAN, that felt good. And in a nutshell, you have THE WORRY PROJECT. It starts with a problem and ends with a worry-eliminating solution.
CASE #1: I’m worried that it’s taking me too long to write this blog post.
SOLUTION: stop thinking about it and do a quick dance.
The solution helps me get out of my head. Afterwards, I’m fresh and ready for action. I’m also immediately aware that the worry was not helping my case whatsoever. The solution can be anything you want it to be. The end goal is that you actually give yourself a break and then confront your stupid worry in its ugly face. In my case, the end goal is that I’m happy with my writing and roll with the momentum.
I hope you’ll join me towards a worry-free world! There will be weekly worry reveals. Just wait, it gets super juicy!
Also, check back on MONDAY when we announce a special winter GIVEAWAY and instructions on how to enter.
Happy Friday, lovelies! ~betsy
***Song of the Moment: Ex-Factor, by Lauryn Hill***
On November 2nd, I was sick. So sick, that I was forced to stay away from the shop. I stayed at home alone–no Will, no Gingham–and I attempted to (*gasp*) relax. I ate soup, watched antenna TV, and let the couch embrace me. I flipped between several stations, not finding any major satisfaction until… I saw a Black Friday Macy’s commercial. With a bunch of loud voices and lots of red, it pronounced that for the first time EVER, Macy’s is opening at 12 am on Black Friday. WHAAAAA????? What the!? Who the!? How the!? …why the??
Will sorts the 8,500 maps we had printed into piles for delivery to stores.
I turned off the TV and with a silent house, my brain wheels started moving…like, kinda fast. The commercial made me think about all those awesome shops we love so much in Portland. Shops, like Radish Underground, Mabel & Zora and Tender Loving Empire, that have supported my efforts as a designer, from the very beginning. Shops that help designers, like me, believe that our work is worth something. Shops that search high and low for products that mean something to them, with you in mind. Shops that can tell you a story about the designer behind the product. Shops that helped build a community with character (and most likely, used their own hands to do so). I started thinking—why can’t we do something together that makes people want to shop a different way on Black Friday.
Will came home that night and I sort of hesitantly brought up my idea–I knew it was pretty much INSANE for us to take anything else on this season, much less organize a whole new event. BUT I felt so excitedly passionate about it, that I went for it. It was Will’s response and enthusiasm that really made this thing move forward. We geeked out in a swift 30 minute brainstorm session, and the rest is kind of history.
We're a happy duo. And we LOVE working crazy hours together...really, we do. Photo Credit: Motoya Makamura, The Oregonian
I am so amazed by the community’s response to this. In 3 weeks, the support and enthusiasm that our amazing design team, the unbelievably awesome shop owners, press, and general public has shown towards this event brings tears to my eyes. Yep, I’m a sap (er, didn’t you already know that by now??). But seriously, isn’t Portland awesome!??
It's the link you've all been waiting for, and the Little Boxes 2011 Logo, courtesy of Keel Creative.
Now, all you gotta do is shop the event and meet your favorite local shop owners! Let’s let this event be the kickoff to an amazing, local, sparkly-lighted, mulled wined, ginger-snapped cookies holiday season. Who knows, you might even win an iPad or tickets to OVO by Cirque du Soleil. We’re all open from 10am – 8pm and we can’t wait to see you. Click for more details about Little Boxes.
Everything in this blog is mine all mine...MWAHHHAHAHAHA. Seriously though, it is.
Unless otherwise noted, all images and ideas and writings come from me, Betsy Cross, by way of betsy & iya jewelry. If you want to copy me, great!, that's the highest from of flattery, after all. BUT please ask me first and I'll let you know if I'm cool with that. Cool?
