Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends, family, clients, and supporters. You make it possible for me to follow my dream, and I couldn't be doing this without your love and support. May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with those you love, with lots of yummy food, and tons of love and happiness.

To thank you, I'm having a BLACK FRIDAY sale in my workshop in Pacific Grove. Everything in stock will be marked down!

Please join me!

Erica Freestone
handmade artisan jewelry
157 Grand Ave. #109
Pacific Grove, CA 93950

Hours: 10:00 - 6:00

Model Manzanita Reed modeling my jewelry on Carmel Beach, CA.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Party Re-Cap and Updates

Me and guests at the Open Studio + 1st Friday
Friday, September 7th was my first night participating in Pacific Grove's First Friday event. The weekend was a fun and busy one for our small, sweet little town: in addition to First Friday, it was also the Art and Wine Walk, and the weekend of the Pacific Grove Triathlon. I had a great turn out, and cannot thank everyone enough for coming out to support me and my fellow artists here in town. What a treat it was to have yummy cookies fresh from the oven from Carolyn's Cookie Company, as well as the delicious party-hit sweet potato and date tea biscuits (yum!) from my dear neighbor, Lydia.

There have been lots of lovely people wandering around town and poking their heads in to the studio the past few weeks. The weather has been warmer (for our 'summer' standards) and I have seen tale-tale signs of the sun for longer and longer hours of the day. As the days advance, I keep looking forward to the great indian summers we have here on the coast.

Things in the studio and in my life outside of jewelry-making have been very busy lately. I have been easily caught in the 'daily grind' as it were, so I've had to remind myself that there is so much beauty and peace all around me--if I'd just hold still a moment, I could see it! I don't know about you, but if I find myself doing nothing, I begin to feel guilty or lazy, so I rarely give myself a break. Perhaps it is the peril of owning and running your own business. There is so much to do, and so many things that could be better than they currently are. Not to mention so many new ideas and things to try out for the first time, which are always exciting and tend to take precedence over the rest, pushing the other stuff onto a longer and longer list of to-do's.

To 'take a moment' I forced myself to a few trips to the shore, wiggling my toes in the freezing cold water, taking in the breeze and the sweet ocean smell, and admiring the tide pools. I'd like to share that with you if only in the hopes that you might find some beauty and marvel, too.


Sea Anemone Rings with sea glass and shells
© Erica Freestone
From these various adventures to the ocean, I couldn't help but be inspired by the fantastic creatures and textures found on the shore. I knew the 'moments' wouldn't last forever so of course I had to make some sea anemones for finger-wearin'. This collection was a joy to create because it helped me see the wonder of the world as it is, and appreciate each difference and idiosyncrasy as perfect as its imperfection is...



I hope this update finds you all well, loved, healthy, and creative.

Sincerely,

Erica




Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Open Studio 9/7/12 5:00-9:00 Join Me!



Join me for Pacific Grove's double-header 1st Friday and Art Walk 
on Friday, September 7th from 5:00 - 9:00 PM.

Complimentary treats and drinks will be provided for your snacking pleasure. Make your way through P.G.'s fine art establishments and support your local community of creative folk as we pursue our artistic dreams!

Come down and see my newest collection of
completely handcrafted and one of a kind
pretties for those digits,
adornments for that stellar neck of yours,
flashy finery for your sweet little 'lobes,
and perfect treasures for your amazing wrists.

See ya there!

*'*'*'*'* JOIN MY EMAIL LIST *'*'*'*'*
and receive exclusive offers and news of upcoming sales and events!



Thursday, July 19, 2012

History

"Saturn" of the Planet Series
a filigree project for a metalsmithing class I took in 2006.
© Erica Freestone
I never thought that taking a metalsmithing class out of pure curiosity at my local community college would take me to where I am today. I never expected to love this art as much as I do, and yet, here I am 6 years later, finding myself more and more in love with it than ever.

This was the first piece I ever made out of sterling silver, a filigree project. I remember my professor, Theresa Lovering-Brown, commenting on how 'professional' my first ever bezel looked. What a great moment of encouragement that I'll certainly remember forever!

Today, as I prepare to go into work (work! My Dream Job working for myself in my own studio!), to continue working on a custom order with a piece of the Berlin Wall, I am reminded of just how much history we have in ourselves and the things with which we adorn ourselves. I just thought I'd share this little piece of my own history with you, my friends, family, and followers, because a little nostalgia is always good for our souls to remind us of where we've been and hopefully encourage us to continue to strive to get where we want to go. Anything is possible!

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Saturday

Hello lovelies,

My website is still down. It makes me very nervous, but I'm trying to remain zen about it! I have a lot on my plate currently, so the website will have to wait just a bit until all the other things have passed. I hope that those of you looking for my portfolio aren't too disappointed and that you have found adequate substitutes on my flickr and facebook pages.

Things in the studio have been busy, which is wonderful. I have been working on three more pairs of earrings based off of this original design:
Grey and orange crazy lace agate earrings with carnelian
I just finished two different freshwater pearl necklaces, one for the store and one especially made for one of my best friends, Kate:
Freshwater pearl necklace. Find the etsy link here.
And, the piece I'm most excited about is a custom necklace for a client that features a piece of the Berlin Wall. It has been slow in the making but I think I will be able to finish it on time. John, if you are reading this, I hope to finish it by Tuesday! Much of that will be determined by any pick-up rehearsals for the show I'm doing for the Santa Cruz Fringe Festival with Atelier 5. That reminds me, if any of you are interested in seeing my other half of life (the dancing half of me!), please come see me dance at Motion at the Mill on Front St. in Santa Cruz. You can find more info on the show, tickets, and other performances here.

Just wanted to give a quick little update! Hope you are all happy, healthy, and full of love.

Erica

Erica Freestone Open Studio
157 Grand Ave. #109 Pacific Grove, CA 93950






Monday, July 2, 2012

Under Construction... !

Hello dear friends,

My full website is under construction at this time. 

If you are looking for my portfolio, please take a peek at my Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericafreestone/

or go to my Facebook page:
(don't forget to 'like' my page!)

I currently list a small selection of made-to-order items as well as one of a kind pieces on Etsy at:

If you see something on any of these pages and you are wondering if it is currently available 
or if it can be made again, please don't hesitate to contact me! 
You can message me through any of the sites listed above, or email me directly at ericafreestone2011(at)gmail(dot)com 
*note punctuation spelled out to avoid spam; please use appropriate punctuation accordingly.

If you are located in or visiting the Monterey Peninsula/Central Coast area, 
you can always come in to my studio/showroom in downtown Pacific Grove, California and see my work in person!

My current Open Studio Hours for summer 2012 are:
Mondays 10 - 6
Thursdays 10 - 6
and by appointment

Erica Freestone 
Handmade Artisan Jewelry
157 Grand Ave. Suite #109
Pacific Grove, CA 93950

Thank you for your patience, and please check back soon for a new and improved website!


Many wishes of well being, happiness, health, and creativity,

Erica Freestone

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Open Studio


Please join me this Friday night for a little nibbles, drinks, good music, and to see my newest collection as well as my new space if you haven't stopped in already.

Mother's Day is May 13--buy Mom a gift that's as one of a kind as she is! 
I have marked down many of my pieces to make room for new ones.

OPEN STUDIO
Friday, April 13, 2012
5:00-9:00 PM
157 Grand Ave. Suite 109
Pacific Grove, CA 93950

It is also the PG Art Walk on Friday, 
so many other art studios in town will have their doors open and lots of goodies! 

Come support your local artists!

Buy Local. Buy Handmade. Support the Arts.

Much love,
Erica


Friday, March 30, 2012

Luck Be A Lady

I recently had the honor of creating four custom pieces for a client who cut his own stones in a lapidary class he took at the local community college over the winter. I consider this the best kind of collaboration, and I really love the way they all turned out. They are all gifts for his wife--what a lucky lady (pun intended)! Here are the results.








Saturday, February 25, 2012

GIVEAWAY!

(Otherwise known as shameless self-promotion!)  ;-)

Hello friends, family, and soon-to-be-friends!

In an effort to increase my facebook fan numbers, 
I am having a 

GIVEAWAY!

Like and share my facebook page www.facebook.com/ericafreestonejewelry
and all my new fans (as of 2/23/12) will be entered to win a FREE initial or number ring custom made in their size! 

Hand-fabricated from scratch from sterling silver sheet and wire, this little rustic ring goes with anything!
Giveaway will end on March 9, 2012 at 11:59 PST.

Help me get more Facebook fans and reward your friends 
with the chance to win a gift made by little ol' me. 

Much love to you all,
E

Friday, February 17, 2012

Video Time!

Many of you have asked for a video of me working in my studio...
so, without further ado--here it is! I hope you enjoy it! :)


Much love on this cold yet beautiful February day,
Erica