Hot Mama Designs Jewelry

Summertime! {Come visit us}

2013-06-05T18:11:00.002-07:00

It is summertime and we are getting out of the studio and headed to some amazing markets here in Colorado. We would love to see YOU so come on out and celebrate the sunshine with us! We are having such fun creating new one of kind pieces to share with you and your friends. It is always so much fun to meet our customers, visit with friends and see all the incredible beauty created in our area.

Here is the line up for June & July:
{check back or like us on facebook to see whats coming for the rest of the summer!}

June 15th 10am to dusk In the Denver Highlands! West 32nd Ave

*Look for us in front of Real Baby*

Music ~ A special kids fun zone! ~ 150 vendor ~ Beer & Cocktails

June 29th & 30th ~ 29th Street Mall, Boulder

*Look for us in front of Anthropologie*

Firefly Handmade Market is a seasonal series of curated, pop-up markets held in Boulder, CO, which bring together local artisans who offer their handmade, small-batch goods to customers seeking individuality, quality and a connection in what they own.

July 13th ~ 4345 West 46th Avenue

The Horseshoe Craft & Flea Market is a seasonal open-air market where emerging, undiscovered and experienced artists, crafters, and antique/vintage collectors in Denver can set up their own shop and meet their customers. It’s a rare and wonderful shopping destination where customers can engage with and buy directly from local makers, creators and collectors.

July 20th & 21st ~ Downtown Boulder

*look for us on 14th Street in front of the Boulder Theater*

Open Arts Fest will showcase art in every conceivable medium from oil painting to pastels, photography to jewelry, and sculpture to ceramics. Street performances by some of Boulder’s leading arts organizations will entertain the crowds. Clementine Studio, will host a dynamic children’s art activities tent where children can create their own masterpieces.

Hope to see you at the market!

xoxo

Sahra & Shannon

Growing Up

2013-05-20T15:26:00.006-07:00

This little studio of our is going to be 10 years old soon. What? How can it be? It's true Shannon began creating necklaces for friends after the birth of her first son to inspire and delight nearly ten years ago. Three years later my now husband and I moved in next door and the journey began of friendship and sisterhood to create a company that would celebrate life. We are so excited to be growing up, spreading our wings and enjoying the beautiful life that we have created.

What would you like to see us offer? What do you see that could be improved? How can we celebrate you? What options do you always wish we had? Send us a note and let us know. Leave a comment with your thoughts. We want to hear from you!

We have some other really fun new growing and changing in the works but you will have to check back later to see what we are up to...

xoxox

Sahra

Happy Birthday Elias Jackson

2013-04-11T09:56:00.002-07:00

Elias Jackson, Happy Fourth Birthday!

I am not quite sure how you have grown from this....

To this big boy.

You love butterfly kisses. Your favorite books are The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. You make up and sing your own songs with words like: "I am so glad it is Spring, with the warm sun on my body, hooray for Spring!" You like to eat chocolate croissants and meatballs. You think you are as big as your nine year old brother. You like to tell jokes and secrets. You laugh all the time. You only want kisses ON THE LIPS, no where else, dangit.

When I look at you, I still think of the song I listened to
over and over the day you were born,
Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) by John Lennon.

Close your eyes
Have no fear
The monster's gone
He's on the run and your daddy's here

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Before you go to sleep
Say a little prayer
Every day in every way
It's getting better and better

Out on the ocean sailing away
I can hardly wait
To see you come of age
But I guess we'll both just have to be patient
'Cause it's a long way to go
A hard row to hoe

Yes it's a long way to go
But in the meantime
Before you cross the street
Take my hand
Life is what happens to you
While you're busy making other plans

Before you go to sleep
Say a little prayer
Every day in every way
It's getting better and better
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Darling, darling, darling

Thank you Elias, for being such a blessing in my life.

I am so happy and proud to be your mama.

Jessie

2013-04-01T13:47:00.000-07:00

A year ago this wonderful lady walked into an interview at Ozo Coffee. She graduated from Yale, loved to craft and wanted to work with her hands. She had spent some time working in LA with the stars and made her way to Boulder and into the studio with us. We feel so lucky that Jessie found us {or did we find her?} and has become part of our family.

To give you a little taste of how awesome Jessie is we did a little interview. We are grateful from the bottom of our hearts for all that you do Miss Berggren and are so happy to work with you everyday.

S&S: Who has been the biggest influence in your life?

J: My parents because they did everything right.

S&S: What’s your favorite place in the entire world?

J: In the sun

S&S: Who is your best friend? What do you like about him/her?

J: My girlfriend Kaitie because she is hilarious, kind-hearted and my favorite person to be around all the time, even when I beat her at something and she gets mad.

S&S: What is your favorite way to spend a Saturday?

J:Going for a run/hike, making breakfast, playing basketball, wandering down to pearl street and having beers in the sunshine

S&S: What was your family like growing up?

J: very active...weekly sports, camping, hikes, adventures with fellow families in our church, the 7th Day Recreationists (literally...that's what we called ourselves)

S&S: Favorite Quote?

J: "work hard, play hard"

Happy Anniversary Jessie, we adore you.

xoxox

Sahra & Shannon

Glide

2013-03-26T05:24:00.000-07:00

I recently felt honored to make commission piece for my friend. I think it is one of my very favorite things that I get to do as an artist. To hear someone's story and then create a one of a kind piece that speaks to someone's heart is always my favorite gift to give. My friend Kristin asked me to make a piece for her Dad, and I just adore the way it turned out.

We started with this cool ring that her Dad always wore. We studied it's attributes. What would be the best way to have it go through a metamorphisis? She knew she wanted it to become a necklace so we talked about the metal type, preserving the stone, and how to turn it into two "charms" that would echo the original way the ring looked in some respects.

She also knew she wanted one word, "glide," stamped on it. I love this story because it is such a beautiful reminder of how to live life. I feel lucky that she shared the story about her Dad with me. Here is Kristin in her own words, below:

"Dad was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, so the stories were pretty good. That day he told me the story of his first real jump—the first one you do after jump school—known in that wonderful army slang as your cherry blast.

Jump school is all about building up your confidence. You gradually tackle more difficult jumps with greater independence managing through more and more variables. According to my dad, you are so psyched up by the end of jump school you’d be willing to jump through a wall… And then you finish jump school… And you have time to think about what you’re doing… And you become a nervous wreck.

So now it is several weeks after the end of jump school and my dad’s suited up for his cherry blast. He’s on a plane with a company of strangers who are only too happy to give him no end of grief about his impending doom. The door of the plane is open and there are a few jokes about cutting Taylor’s static line just moments before he takes a deep breath…and jumps. And while it should have been smooth sailing from there on in, it wasn’t.

When you jump out of a plane, it’s essential to avoid the other troopers around you. If one open chute slides in beneath another, the lower chute steals the upstairs neighbor’s air, causing their chute to close and the trooper to free-fall. Pretty scary…and that’s exactly what happened to my dad.

Shortly after his chute opened, someone from beneath stole his air and he dropped like a rock through the indigo nighttime sky. After a few very long seconds, he found some air and his chute opened back up to slow his fall…for a bit. Unknowingly, my dad had turned the tables and was now stealing his thief’s air. They continued with this dance for a while—drop, pop, glide, drop, pop, glide—until my dad was finally able to maneuver far away from this trooper and land a successful, and memorable, first jump.

Even after that harrowing first jump, my dad went on to do many more and loved it. A great example—he always faced a tough challenge head on, never complained and pulled himself through it. Even better, he was great at distilling his life experiences into clear and compassionate advice my brother and I will always carry with us."

At the studio we had a review of how to melt down metal in the crucible, which I hadn't done since art school. I loved watching the chopped up metal from the ring change form into a little nugget that we could drill, stamp, and make into a charm.

Ta da! The final charm in gold. So pretty!

Here is the nugget paired with the stone, also made into a charm so she can wear them together or separately depending upon whatever strikes her fancy.

Thank you to Kristin for the honor of creating this piece in celebration of your Dad.

I hope you will love it always!

Do You Believe In Magic

2013-03-17T16:39:00.001-07:00

Photo by Eredel

Do you believe in magic?

I do. I have been going round and round about telling you all this because I think it is a little silly and you might think me childish. But the truth is I believe with my whole heart that magic is real. I was thinking about the feeling of watching children on Christmas morning when Santa has left them presents, isn't that magic? The excitement of seeing a ring box pulled from a pocket when you have been hoping for a proposal. Looking into your babies eyes. An unexpected act of kindness. Yep, magic happens all around us, can you see it? feel it? taste it?

Magic is a lot like my idea of faith, you can't see what causes it or touch it but you know it is there because you feel it. My connection to the Divine courses through my veins and infuses my life. As I sat to sketch the beginnings of what has become our Spring Collection I pondered on what I believe and how a girl that does not go to Church or Synagogue or Mosque could create a piece of jewelry that celebrates the Divine love that I know so well.

I started with a few words that spring and faith evoke for me: Grace, Truth, Renewal, Joy, Birth, God, Worship, Bloom, Bunny, Chicks... the list was long and I am {and was} INSPIRED! As the designs began to flow and the collection started to take shape I could not help but get excited about sharing it; day dreaming about who would fall in love with the itty bitty bunny or what Easter table would be set with little jewelry boxes from us. And the sheer joy or bringing a smile to peoples' faces.

I know some of you will fall in love with the pieces and hope that you will share your stories with us, we LOVE to hear them!

Happy Spring! I hope you have a magical day

xoxox

Sahra

A Little Getaway

2013-02-27T18:44:00.000-08:00

Every year Shannon and I "run away" for a weekend of what we lovingly call a retreat. We started calling it a retreat in jest and maybe one day it will turn into a real retreat. We had a blast being in the snowy mountains in our cozy cabin but we did work a LOT and I mean a lot!

We are dreamers, both of us, and it is incredible to take a moment and explore our dreams, plan the hows and remember the whys. We have such BIG plans for this beautiful company and want to share our journey with you as we grow.

As I stood at the top of Loveland Pass I realized that you can't see the road all the way to the neighboring peek in Breckenridge but anyone who has driven between Loveland and Breckenridge knows it will take you there. That is how the path is unfolding in front of us a few steps at time but we know the road stretches between the here and there.

We got giddy about our new line of jewelry {yes a sneak peek is waiting for you below!} Delicious food was made, cherries jubilee bourbon was enjoyed and dreams were explored. Take a look at our new spring collection and make sure that you on our email list to be notified when it comes out.

The Makerie Summer Series {You're Invited!}

2013-02-20T23:11:00.001-08:00

The Makerie Summer Series presented by Whole Foods is a series of creative day retreats designed for anyone, and I am so excited to tell you about it and invite you!

By gathering our local creative and food communities, The Makerie will be providing three unique, soul-filled days at the Lyons Farmette. Each event, centered around a theme, offers a variety of modern, creative classes in sewing, photography, letterpress, flower arranging, collage, canning, and jewelry making, to name a few. I am especially honored to be among the artists who will be teaching at the Summer Series!

The Makerie explains the event further here:

"Delicious and healthy meals, provided by eat PRIVATE CHEF & CATERING co., Crust and Whole Foods, incorporate local, farm fresh and organic food into each event through a charming styled boxed lunch and a fabulous farm dinner. Add to that marvelous mix, a creative cocktail hour complete with a special 'cocktail crafting' class by Whole Foods. If that didn't sound like a day dream, well we even have a few surprises planned on top of all that to be sprinkled into every event! We can't wait to combine two of our very favorite things ~ creative workshops and farm dinners ~ which naturally go hand and hand for this Summer Series celebration. So pencil us in and join us! We'd absolutely love to have you."

The first set of sessions is "On The Farm," which celebrates the beginning of summer and our local growing season. Surrounded by blooming flowers, prancing chickens and fresh produce ready to pick from the garden, we invite you to take a wonderful variety of crafting and farm-related workshops.

For a Gathering is the second set of sessions and it highlights the time honored tradition of celebration. We gather together for so many reasons so why not make each occasion special, unique and yours? Whether you’re searching for a dazzling piece of jewelry or need the perfect summer clutch, be the talk of the town by making it yourself in the daisy chain class or modern leather purse-making workshop.

The third set of sessions is titled "In The Home, " which speaks to all of us. It’s where we make our nests, care for our families and create spaces that feel cozy, peaceful and inviting. This set of workshops touches upon making things for our home, as well as how we feel in our surroundings.

And here is the information about my class:

Do you remember your first longing to make a daisy chain? As a child it was easy and fun to string daisy flowers together into a garland that could be worn as a bracelet, a necklace or a lovely wreath for your hair.

Daisy chains, which are such a revered symbol for connectedness, represent the simple but also the most heartfelt adornment. We will invoke these childhood feelings of wonder and simple delights as we work together to make your own one-of a-kind daisy chain inspired jewelry.

After a short sketching and design discussion, Shannon will provide various choices of metal sheet including copper, sterling and nickel silver, multiple stylized daisy template shapes, and jewelers saws with which we will cut our daisies.

We will have a short lesson with the saw and you will have your choice of pre-cut pieces or you may cut your own. Our daisy shapes will then be hammered, filed, and stamped and polished into your choice of earrings or necklaces.

You will leave class with a new daisy chain inspired piece that will always bring you delight. Students will be provided with daisy templates but if you have flower or daisy shapes of your own that you would like to use please bring them to class.

Gentlemens Night Out ~ One Stop Valentine's Day Shopping

2013-02-11T11:39:00.002-08:00

Gentlemen's Night Out Party

One Stop Valentine's Day Shopping

Ladies please share this event with your sweeties!

With Hot Mama/Sugar Soul Jewelry, Brighter Day Floral,
Sweet Letter Press & Design & Suerte Tequila

4593 North Broadway
Suite C-119

Boulder, CO 80304

Gorgeous Jewelry by Hot Mama & Sugar Soul
Tequila sampling by Suerte Tequila
Amazing Valentines by Sweet Letter Press & Design
To Die For Bouquets by Brighter Day Floral
Appetizers will be served!

*** Share this with all your friends who want to swing by the studio with you. ***

We can't wait to see you!
xxxxoooo
Sahra & Shannon

Firefly Handmade 2012 --- See you there!

2012-12-10T21:26:00.001-08:00

Thanks so much to everyone who entered our Snowflake Collection Giveaway! Our winner for this go round is Rhonda who said :

"I would gift this to my sister, Micki...I would hope that this angel kiss around her neck could be a reminder that her son is always with her." We are so happy to send you 2 Snowflake Collection necklaces for you and your sister. We love having you all participate. Thanks so much and congratulations Rhonda!

And we are excited to remind you about our last holiday show for the season, the incomparable Firefly Holiday Market. This year we will once again be at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art in all our beauty and splendor of the holiday season with many beautiful new jewelry designs that you won't see anywhere else. Read more about the show at the link below. We will see you there, lovelies!

Firefly Handmade 2012

Baby its cold Outside ~ Holiday Giveaway!

2012-12-04T11:00:00.002-08:00

Snowflake Collection

Well it is not so cold here in Colorado the snow has come and passed a few times but all in all it has been steadily 60 degrees outside and for this California girl I am loving it. When winter time does arrive and the snow covers the earth with a blanket it is the most beautiful sight. This wintery beauty is the inspiration for our new snowflake necklaces!

Snowflake Disc Necklace {customizable}

We have created 3 lovely new designs for you to enjoy only available through January 31st. I love receiving mail, any mail really, letters, postcards, or packages. We want to share that happy-getting-mail feeling with you and someone you love. We couldn't let the season pass without a giveaway! So we are giving away 2 very special snowflake family necklaces one for you and one for a person of your choice.

Snowflake Family Necklace

In my family we always said that snowflakes are angel kisses which gives them an even more special meaning to me this year. I would give my necklace to my Grandma with all the grandchildren and great-grandchild's names on it. I love you Grandma!

How to Win:

Leave a comment and tell us who you would gift the snowflake necklace to and why.

Get Additional Entries:

- Like us on Facebook
- Subscribe to our newsletter
- Share this giveaway with your friends on Facebook/Twitter/Email

***For each item leave a separate comment and tell us you did it to get an additional entry***

Contest runs through Sunday, 12/9/12. Please leave your email in the comment field. Check back here on 12/10/12 we will announce the winner on the blog that day.

Good Luck! xoxox Sahra & Shannon

Holiday Gift Guide Part 2

2012-12-01T13:35:00.004-08:00

Holiday Gift Guide Part 2

Do you have a husband that has it all and is impossible to buy for? Check out the gift guide for Papa.

{Customized Guitar Pick, CounterCouture Fixie Tee, Cuff Links, Leopold Bros, Cuff Bracelet}

Holiday Gift Guide

2012-11-29T10:16:00.000-08:00

We are so excited for the snow to start falling here in Colorado. The holidays are here and joy is in the air. We put together a little gift guide just for you with some of our favorite products with something for everyone. And ohhhhh, this is exciting, you can visit our NEW website to shop!

Check back tomorrow for part 2 and to enter our giveaway!

Hot Mama & Sugar Soul Gift Guide Part 1

Ladies First {well little ladies that is}

{Little Bird Necklace, Kidecals Swirl Name Label, Sweet Initial Necklace, All Things Bean Solar Tee, Little Girls Name Necklace}

For the Mama's:

{Golden Layers of Love, Flow Earrings, Sweet Letterpress Butterfly Print, Ring of Sunshine, Kiwi & Co Chunky Cowl, Abstract Life Circle}

Don't forget to check back tomorrow for the Part 2...

Make it a Handmade Holiday

2012-10-25T15:07:00.004-07:00

This morning we have our first real snow on the ground which always is the signal that the holidays are right around the corner and here at the studio that starts with Halloween! Halloween is one of those wonderful holidays that is just simply fun. I mean who doesn't like to dress up and be someone else for a night and parade around getting praise and CHOCOLATE! Yep it is just one of the best. Halloween is also the beginning of my favorite 2 months where we are out of the studio as much as we are in it.

Please join us at one of these fabulous markets this season and don't forget to say hello!

November 5-10th There With Care Diaper Drive & Holiday Show {4593 N. Broadway Unit C-119 Boulder CO 80304}

Saturday, November 10^th * holidayHOLIDAY * Our Studio * 5 - 9 PM

{4593 N. Broadway Unit C-119 Boulder CO 80304}

The artisans of 4593 Broadway in Boulder open their studios to holiday shoppers. Buy local, buy handmade, buy 4593. Just look for the twinkle lights! View the invite here and for more details visit the holidayHoliday website

Thursday, November 15^th *Girls Night Out* Rembrandt Yard *5:30-9 PM * Benefiting the Parenting Place

Purchase tickets at Parenting Place

Saturday & Sunday, December 1^st & 2^nd * Lyons Holiday Bazaar * Lyons Elementary School *

Sat. 10-5, Sun. 11-4 * Benefiting the Lyons Library

Saturday & Sunday, December 1^st & 2^nd * 6985 Lodgepole Ct. Boulder CO 80301 *

Sat. 8-4, Sun. 10-2

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, December 14^th-16^th* Firefly Handmade * Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art

Firefly is a curated collective of indie-craft artisans who eat, sleep and breathe handmade. Read more here

We are looking forward to debuting a number of new designs over these next few months as we make our way to market.

A Little Sisterhood In Chicago

2012-08-17T14:18:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I said bye-bye to the studio and headed to Chicago. It was a great little vacation and an opportunity to be part of one of my favorite events, Venus de Miles at their inaugural Illinois ride. It felt indulgent to have a few days to read a book and wandering around the beautiful city of Chicago. I even took a river boat tour, ate at the most delicious lunch at the Purple Pig and strolled through Millennium Park.

Venus de Miles is an all women's bike race that was started right here at home in Colorado. Shannon and I have been creating commemorative pieces for these lovely ladies for 3 years now. We are honored to be a part of this sisterhood and to sponsor the non-profit behind the ride, Greenhouse Scholars.

Venus Goddess Necklace Exclusively from Hot Mama Designs

Greenhouse Scholars provides support to high achieving, under-resourced college students. They offer not only financial support to these students but also intellectual, academic, and professional. The scholars they select are incredible and work hard to meet the standards of being a greenhouse scholar.

Do you ride? Do you want to join the Venus sisterhood? Sign up now for the Colorado Ride happening August 26th. Just click here

We hope that you will join in the fun, come see Shannon & I after the ride to get yourself a little sparkle.

2012 Commemorative Venus de Miles Pendant.

The Continental Divide Custom Necklace

2012-08-06T15:16:00.000-07:00

I recently made a custom "best friends" necklace for

my dear friend Sage and her girlfriend Candy.

The project started with these simple maps that Sage made.

Her design concept was to make a necklace that would signify two best friends who live in Aspen and Denver – separated by the Continental Divide.

Regardless of geography, they are always together in the heart.

Referencing the maps, we cut a piece of sterling silver

and pierced it with hearts to represent Denver and Aspen.

Then we cut the line signifying the Continental Divide.

It turned out beautifully with the thick sterling and detailed piercing.

We are so honored to be able to make such personal and unique pieces.

Cheers to best girlfriends!

Classes at the Boulder Studio!

2012-07-10T11:06:00.000-07:00

We had an excellent metalsmithing class with Natha Perkins of Luscious Studios!

We provided all students with a slice of sterling silver, heaps of beautiful semi-precious stone beads, and chain style choices.

Natha brought many beautiful examples of her past and current work.

She guided us through everything we needed to know about stamping words and shapes, texturing, patina application and wire wrapping. She was such a good teacher and so inspiring!

We loved seeing her jewelry and hearing how her intention with her work focuses on making pieces that can become treasures, amulets, and reminders of life milestones.

After a bit of practice on scrap metal, everyone got to make necklaces infused with their own personal meaning. It was so cool to see everyone's designs and the finished necklaces.

We will schedule more classes throughout the year so watch our facebook and website for details on future classes.

Up next on the schedule is ETCHING! Check it out on our website here:
Etching Class at the Hot Mama Designs/Sugar Soul Studio. http://www.sandsdesigns.net/default.asp
We hope to see you at a class soon!

Fathers Day is June 17th!

2012-06-04T12:05:00.000-07:00

We have a fun line up of bracelets, cufflinks and key chains for the dads, grandfathers, brothers, uncles and all the great men in your life this year for Father's Day.

*** Please remember to place your orders by JUNE 8th to receive your gifts on time! ***

Click here to browse the HOT PAPA SHOP! http://www.sandsdesigns.net/category_s/1816.htm

Pendant Etching Class -- June 2nd!

2012-05-22T22:52:00.000-07:00

In anticipation of hosting classes at the studio this year, we took some

fun photos with Erin Cox of ELC photography.

The first class is about etching, one of our favorite techniques!

Etching is the process of using acid to make a design onto the surface of metal.

We will be making pendants on sterling silver discs with designs chosen by you!

Here are some that we recently made: A butterfly, a heart, and the word "love."

It's such a cool way to make a piece of jewelry that is one of a kind!

We will walk you through the process, so there is no experience necessary.

***Sign up here and read more about the Pendant Etching Class***

Our favorite red jeweler's saw

Sahra with some of our favorite weathered old hammers.

Watch for more class announcements as our schedule unfolds!
We will be teaching many of the classes ourselves to share our passion for metalsmithing. But we also look forward to connecting with community
and collaborating with other local artists who will teach their own art in our space.

We so excited for you to see our new studio.
It is a fun place to create, connect with kindred souls, and renew your creativity!

Mother's Day Deadline Dates

2012-05-01T08:17:00.001-07:00

We are so honored to help you celebrate all the women in your family this Mother's Day. Please keep the following deadline dates in mind when placing your orders to ensure on time delivery!

Until May 1st:
Orders accepted with no additional shipping cost
May 2nd -- May 5th:
Orders accepted with an additional $35.00 express fee
After May 5th:
Orders will be shipped after Mother's Day

Gift certificates are also available via email or mail. Just call the studio or email to service (at) hotmamadesigns.com and we will be happy to answer any questions that you might have!

Life Circle Necklace

2012-04-19T14:51:00.000-07:00

We love our new Life Circle Necklaces with birthstones and are excited to unveil them to you! Thick sterling wire is soldered together and hammered by hand. We add faceted birthstones to represent your children or other stories in your life. Or just pick colors that are symbolic to you: your anniversary, your birthday or your favorite color.

Striking in it's simplicity and minimalism, our life circle celebrates both the perfect and imperfect things in life. The circle centerpiece is hammered and finished with a brushed polish. A double cable chain allows the circle to spin and the design to change as it is worn.

All the life circles are one of kind to represent each person's unique life. We believe that the path where life leads you may not be what you expect. But it is your life, and it is yours to cherish. Shop for the Life Circle Necklace here.

The Burning Bowl

2012-04-04T13:02:00.000-07:00

2011 was a rough year. I had been living under the false pretense that in life only one bad thing happens at a time. It's a comforting idea, but also completely untrue.

Last year, Sahra and I both experienced the death of a loved one in our families. My younger brother who was 38 years old died in a car accident. Then shortly afterwards, Sahra and her husband Ted experienced the passing of their newborn baby girl Lily.

I find myself still trying to make sense of so much loss in such a short amount of time. I haven't been able to figure out how to tell our stories until now. It all just felt too shocking and sad.

"When the Japanese mend broken objects, they aggrandize the damage by filling the cracks with gold. They believe that when something's suffered damage and has a history it becomes more beautiful." -- Barbara Bloom

I like this quote because this is how I would like to feel.
I am not quite there yet, but I am trying.

Lately with a lot of help from my husband, I have been starting to feel resilient. After so much sadness I am finally starting to feel like I can stand up to life. I don't like just feeling like I am surviving. I want to thrive.

To that end, I decided that I wanted to do a burning bowl ceremony. Sahra agreed that it was just the right ritual for us to do together.

So we wrote words on paper in order to leave behind that which no longer serves us. Words like lack, anxiety, imbalance, guilt, feeling behind. We burned them all and I cried a little.

The burning bowl was a chance to remind ourselves that we're grateful for the opportunity to begin fresh and to make room for new beginnings. We gave thanks for each other, for our business partnership, and for making it through the year.

I am happy to say that Sahra will join me in writing here on the blog. We look forward to sharing our life, work, and adventures with you.

We are excited for the future. We are moving forward.

* all photos by the fabulous Erin Cox of ELC Photography

Cuff Bracelet {An Inside Look} & Giveaway Winners!

2012-03-24T21:48:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all who entered to win the Baby Carriage Necklace and the Due Date Necklace two of our new designs made to celebrate mamas. We are always so grateful to have everyone's participation!

The winner chosen at random is Emily who said: "I'm expecting in Nov. would love the necklace for myself." Congratulations Emily and we hope you enjoy your new jewelry!

We have some in-the-studio shots of the process involved with our cuff bracelets. As a artist this is one of my favorite things: process. I love to see how art is made.

Here are the cuffs laid out flat after they have been etched in acid with their sunflower and dandelion designs.

There is usually a lot of annealing, or making he metal soft by heating it with the torch for these cuffs. The last step is forming them on a bracelet mandrel with a rawhide hammer.

I love the colors on the bracelets after they have been heated. I suppose they might look just dirty to some people but I find a lot of natural beauty in them. They remind me of sunset colors.

Here is how the sterling looks when it's all polished up to the matte finish. These bracelets always remind me a little bit of the bracelets that Wonder Woman wore. They are bold and always fetch compliments when I wear them. We make them in small batches and post them in the shop as soon as they are finished. If you love them like we do, be sure to snatch them up from the Sugar Soul Studio shop because we can always count on sending them to their new homes almost as soon as we can make them!

New Mamas & Mamas To Be ~~ A Giveaway!

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We have been in the studio again making new designs

to celebrate and cherish new mamas and mamas-to-be.

Our Due Date Necklace tells all your friends and family when the new bundle is coming, and a is very pretty way to answer the age old question: "When are you due?" This is a keepsake you will hold on to for years past your due date.

"First comes love..then comes marriage...then comes a baby in the..." well, you know the rest! We had such a fun time making this Vintage Baby Carriage Necklace. It started as a a hand made wax seal stamping, we cast it in sterling and finished it with a antiqued patina finish. Choose a pink, blue or white pearl to make it your own. Such fun!

Let's give one away!

You will have your choice of one of the above designs.

Here’s how you enter to win:
(Leave a separate comment for EACH entry you complete)

1. “Like” Hot Mama & Sugar Soul Studio Jewelry on facebook and leave a comment on our wall.

2. Leave us a comment here & tell us who will be the recipient if you win the giveaway. (Psst....yes, it can be YOU!)
3. Share this fabulous giveaway on Facebook and leave a comment here.
4. Be sure to leave your email in one of your comments so we can contact you if you win.

We will announce the winner next week. Good luck!

Visit Our Studio February 7th & 14th!

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Thank you so much to everyone who entered the giveaway. We are always so thankful to have your entries. The winner chosen at random is Misty Adamson who said:

"The 'piece of my heart' collection is absolutely amazing!! It touched me so much tears came to my eyes..." Congratulations Misty. We hope you will love your new jewelry.

And now we are so excited to share our big February announcements with you:

1) Visit our studio!

Local friends are invited to visit & shop at our new studio in Boulder for Valentine's Day! Our studio is most often a production space and not a retail shop. But we have been eager to show off our studio so we are opening our doors for SHOPPING, woo hoo! We have created a special Valentines Day Shop with jewelry by Shannon & Sahra.

PLUS we have partnered with our cool studio neighbors Sweet Letter Press and Brighter Day Floral to create one stop valentine shopping to make your life easier.

Jewelry + valentines + gorgeous flowers all from local artists. So be sure to stop by to celebrate yourself, your girlfriends, your teachers, or any other loved one in your life that you want to honor this year for Valentines Day.

Or send your sweetie over to choose something special. We'll take good care of him if he needs help finding the perfect gift.

We can't wait to see you!

Where:

Hot Mama Designs & Sugar Soul Jewelry Studio

4593 North Broadway Suite 119-C. Directly across the street from Amante Coffee. West side of Broadway and facing the foothills.

Date:
Tuesday February 7th and Tuesday February 14th
Time:
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Why:
Valentine's heaven! One stop shopping for hand made local jewelry, valentines, and flowers.