If You're Ever In Skaneateles

I'm happy to announce that Variya will now be available at Imagine in Skaneateles, NY.

 A little bit about this fine store:
"At Imagine we pride ourselves on our distinctive collection of fine and handcrafted jewelry, watches and timepieces, blown glass, stained glass, jewelry boxes, and kaleidoscopes, as well as a variety of other unique gifts. We carry work by artisans, both local and from around the world. Our collection ranges from cute beaded earrings to intricately designed precious gemstone rings; from simple glass marbles to one of a kind blown glass vases. Our goal is to provide a range of items appealing to a variety of visitors."
We're honored to be included among such incredible work.  Be sure to stop by if you're ever in the beautiful town of Skaneateles - it's definitely worth a visit!

CLASSY!

I found this sweet blog on Twitter, and they did a review on a pair of my Niobium earrings.  Check out Two Classy Chics and enter the giveaway for a chance to win a $15 gift certificate to Variya!

Multiplicity.. If Only..

Let me tell you something - right now I am doing about three other things while simultaneously writing this... I'm sure you can identify, right?!  I feel the need to update here while in the midst of so many other things, so I'm making it short and visual.  I have had an awesome month with good sales, great new prospects, and nice encouragement in the jewelry design arena.  I also have to mention on a personal note - my son started kindergarten in the past week as well!  Quite a milestone.  We've spent almost every day for the past 6 years together.  He prepared for school by deciding he was too grown up to call me 'Mama' and switched to "Mom".  It was funny to hear him practice, and he asked his Dad if it was okay first =)  He still slips a lot and I relish "Mama" when he does!  I didn't expect to be emotional when he left for the first day, but I sure was!  I am really excited for him despite my small sense of sadness for the end of a season in our lives.  He loves school, and everything that has come with it so far. And I am so proud of my little boy.

So here's a new piece for your viewing pleasure while I move on to concentrate on the other twelve things I have to get done before I make my son's lunch, hang out with my man and finally sleep.  This piece is not in my shop, or anywhere yet, and it's very limited, so contact me if you'd like one of you're own... one is already spoken for!

Let's See How Far We've Come

The Matchbox 20 song "How Far We've Come" has been a bit of a theme for my summer this year.  I started running (but I'm NOT a runner), and training with a goal to do a 5k at the end of August  This is a song on my ipod that gets me through when I'm ready to quit.  IF I run it, I will run the whole thing - no walking =) I haven't signed up yet though..

 I've been married eleven years to my high school sweetheart, we've embarked on a new adventure and we have a long beautiful history together.  Many times this summer we have looked backed to see how far we've come as we press into what is next for us...

My son turned SIX! and is going to kindergarten in the fall it's been an incredible journey so far..

.. no, we did not have a birthday pizza. it was the hot wheels birthday party he asked for all year with pumpkin spice cake and cream cheese frosting  =) ..

I've logged one year selling my designs on Etsy, and sales have been more than I ever expected when I began this little venture!  We have also been welcomed to sell in a few central New York shops, which is definitely something I never had imagined!

New Designs by Variya

I've been planning these lovelies for a little while, and I'm so excited to finally share them with you!  Gold and Silver Salacia earrings, with gold Niobium and silver Titanium options.  Pure bliss.  These were inspired by Poseidon the god of the sea from Greek mythology and named for his wife - Salacia (Amphitrite in the Greek).  A fair amount of my design inspiration comes from the glorious stories in Greek mythology.  I have always loved the adventure, tragedy, and romance this rich literature has to offer.  I began reading it in high school, and continue today, some stories are new to me, others I read again and again.  The gorgeous pearls began the sea motif for these pieces, and the draped chain reminds me of a goddess emerging from the sea.  The white pearls with gold and silver each compliment so beautifully, and are incredibly luxurious!

 

Gold Salacia - Niobium Pearl Earrings

 

Silver Salacia - Titanium Pearl Earrings

For you my dear blog following friends I'd like to offer a special discount* of 15% off until the end of July 2010.   To take advantage of this discount you must be a follower of this blog and note "variyablog" in the notes to seller at checkout.  Hurry and take advantage of this fabulous offer!

Now as an extra bonus in this post here is a sneak peek at another new set available soon at Variya.. stay tuned! 

 

* special discount: 15%  reimbursed via paypal at payment to blog followers with "variyablog" in notes to seller and applies only to Gold and Silver Salacia earrings until midnight July 31, 2010.  Not valid with any other offers or promotions or for any other products.

?Encantada?

I recently shared the experience of moving and leaving behind a home that I loved.  My family is staying with my in-laws for the summer while we wait for our house to sell, (another post entirely, it's a horrible time to sell!) and get a start on establishing ourselves in the new venture we have embarked upon.  Anyway, living with my in-laws has been really wonderful, actually, and I am so grateful that I can say that! They are absolutely fantastic people, incredibly generous and hospitable. This post however, is not about them, or our new home, but our newest neighbors:

Yep. Baby skunks! Startling to come upon, but they are damn CUTE!  And so tiny!  They are out at any time of day, so we have to be alert - for instance I went out for a run this morning and walked through the yard with my ipod on, completely oblivious, when I caught a little movement out of the corner of my eye.. I was 3 feet away from one of the little guys munching on the lilies!  We've heard they wander off to find a home of their own after they grow a little, so for now, we will have to pay attention and give them their space. And for me enjoy seeing them from afar!

Happy 4th of July!

I love to celebrate.. almost anything!  I have made it a point in my family to celebrate events and milestones. Most of my celebrating includes good food, which is probably why I love festivities.  

Give me a reason and I will create a feast.  While I can't feast with you, we can celebrate with a special discount in honor of my great home - the U.S.A.!  So whether you are celebrating the 4th of July or not, I'm offering 20% off these RED Titanium Glo Earrings until Monday July 5, 2010.  It's a hot deal.

 Since we've recently moved back to the area my husband and I grew up in, we've been invited to a BBQ with some of his old high school friends.  It should be an interesting reunion - I've never met any of them!  In any case, there will be fireworks on the water tonight, so however the BBQ goes, there will definitely be a good end to the evening =) So off I go to celebrate with some new people - Happy 4th of July!