Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Isabella meets Project Runway's Christopher Straub

Sarah, Christopher, Natalie

Just a typical Sunday afternoon, chatting with this season's Project Runway fan favorite about fashion, Heidi Klum's quirks, Burberry, Minneapolis, and Tim Gunn's great uncle-vibe.

Showing his new line at The Hanger in Victoria, we were able to hear about his next steps as a designer, where he hopes to settle down (Minnesota, duh. He loves it here) and of course snap a few photos with him.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

EXTRA EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT US!!


Check out Isabella Jewelry in the St Paul Pioneer Press business section TODAY!!

Click here to read the online article

but head to a newsstand, gas station, or coffee shop and grab an actual copy to see the lovely pictures included, too :)

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Decking those halls

Here at HQ we are in full out production-mode in preparation for this Saturday's Holiday party. We are working our little fingers as fast as we can to ensure you won't leave our party empty handed.

Isabella has come up with some fantastic gift ideas that include:
  • unique and quirky stem gems (for the sister, crazy neighbor, secret santa)
  • meant-to-be earring/necklace sets (for the mom, mother-in-law, aunt, teacher)
  • wine bottle stoppers (for the vino connoisseur)
  • one-of-a-kind vintage pieces (for the people you really, really love)
Powered by holiday music, fueled by coffee and pain meds (kidding!), inspired by the blank canvas of your LBD and the colorful gems around us, we hope to see EVERYONE this Saturday afternoon (1-4 pm to be exact) for a holiday get together in the name of Isabella.

Monday, December 7, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHIEF!

The lovely Sarah turns 23 today!
Best wishes to you, dear friend, on your birthday

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

beware of the newest household-hazard..


the swivel office chair.

It may take a certain person to find danger in the likes of an everyday mesh office chair, but somehow that certain person might just sit with her right leg under her body, swivel the chair with the floor-touching left leg, and manage to tear the outside cartilage of her right knee... resulting in a 90 degree angle locked knee and surgery 72 hours later.

Stifled laughs and prescription Vicodin aside, this special person now has the gift of time on her hands. Luckily the full length leg brace doesn't get in the way of jewelry making, blogging, prepping for this week's Isabella party, on-line holiday gift guide browsing, and perfecting our website.

So my tip of the day- stay grounded with both feet touching the ground when you slide into your comfortable office chair. You never know when you might tear precious cartilage in your delicate and under-rated body.

Monday, November 23, 2009

make yourself at home, 'cause i'm going out...

as a test run for our new YouTube account (http://www.youtube.com/user/IsabellaJewelry), i uploaded a clip from last night's AMAZING Mason Jennings show at 1st Ave in Minneapolis- enjoy!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Deephaven Beach circa 1988



Twenty Years Later...do we look any different?
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Isabella Photo Shoot!



We thought we'd go to our Deephaven roots and shoot some down by Deephaven Beach. A landmark to any native.



Natalie is wearing a new Isabella Vintage piece* and Izzy big gold hoop earrings ($42.00 www.jewelryisabella.etsy.com)

*starting at $50.00 there will be much more where that came from at our
Holiday Party Sat. Dec. 13th 1pm-3pm open house/market at the Judd's

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Friday, November 20, 2009

a comparison for comparing

Shopping is like eating. 
You plan on it.  You make reservations, create an ical event...or not.
Shopping is like snacking.
You sneak off.  You open the cookie jar quietly, someone might try to stop you. 
Shopping is like dining.
You eat with fun people, you laugh and you talk and you almost forget you're eating. You eat a lot, you eat way too much, you eat more than you would if you were sneaking.
Shopping is like eating well.
All your favorite foods are being served, you eat them.  All your favorite people are talking, you listen to them.  You smile.

Eat and Shop and Live Well People.
a wellness note from your friendly jewelers:)




Thursday, November 19, 2009

Introducing 'Vintage Isabella'




After finding the greatest vintage chains at a local antique store and unloading grandma's old broaches and clip on earrings, I decided it was time to create new statement necklaces. With help from classic pearls and bright amethyst beads I think this could be the beginning of a beautiful line of 'Vintage Isabella' pieces..

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Welcome to Crazytown, USA

It has been a crazy past few weeks for Isabella.
4 parties in 2 weeks = insane
!

Our fingers might be aching and bleeding by the time production is done, but we're happy to announce they are tears of joy sliding down our face.

Aside from production we are busy prepping for two photo shoots with a quick deadline. On December 13th Isabella will be featured in St Paul's Pioneer Press Business section in the column "Open for Business"-a weekly spotlight on local business less than 1 year old. So before it goes to print we are hoping to update our Etsy photos of our jewelry and get a couple good head shots of us for the article!

So amidst the party planning, production, and photo shoots we're squeezing in local boutique research, other publications to possibly feature Isabella, holiday party?, more designs, and the haunting fact that little brother will be home in 2 weeks for T-giving to reclaim his 'bedroom' aka 'Isabella HQ'.

With a stack of new holiday-inspired mags by our side (hello, SJP on the latest Elle?! gorgeous) we are experimenting with art direction, repeating our new motto "TIME IS MONEY" whenever a family member walks by HQ, and staying in good spirits thanks to Pandora Radio (and Sunday's Mason Jennings concert!)

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

A horse with no name

good song. 

I want to say hello and thank you, Erica for throwing an Isabella part-ay tonight in the SLP and to everyone who made it out to see the wonderful abode of E&P Nickstad and their new addition Mo the cat!  I hope you all had an enjoyable evening and found a lovely Isabella creation to take home with you.  

I sincerely apologize I could not attend the evening's gathering due to a previous obligation.  However, I reamin a little star-struck from this evening... I met author and proud son of MN, Vince Flynn and saw MN local celeb, Don Shelby as MC for a wonderful organization and their event, the MMAF.

It was an inspiring night and I only wish to have the kind of passion these men and women have for their work and service.

Thank you.

'Minnesota Nice'


They say we tend to show some 'Minnesota Nice' up here in the northern midwest, and Isabella witnessed it firsthand this weekend in Fergus Falls.

Sarah and I took our show on the road and spent the weekend in Fergus Falls where Sarah's aunt Emily (Auntie Em) threw our 5th Isabella party. After a lovely late afternoon show with the widest age range we've seen yet (7th grade to Grandmas) we were able to relax with the family and get some good feedback about Isabella.

Our last stop on the way out of town was a locally owned cafe/store called 'The Market' in downtown Fergus. The owner, Amy, generously agreed to show a nice range of Isabella pieces in her store! After sealing the deal she *nicely* eyed the bag we were carrying our supplies in, went and took 4 bags off the shelf of her store, and insisted that we use them for hauling our stuff from show to show. Not only are they fantastic bags (who knew recycled material could look so cute in bag form?!) but the sincere generosity floored us.

Thank you, Amy, for your kind heart. And thank you, Minnesota, for your down-to-earth kindness.

Friday, November 6, 2009

A match made in heaven


We all know that in order to create the perfect outfit one must consider every detail- the hair, the clothes, and the accessories. It makes sense that we try on so many different pieces before deciding what is 'just right'. With that being said, it is understood that some things will always go well together- a fantastic cocktail ring with a clutch purse, simple hoop earrings with a bold necklace, and pearl earrings with.. well, everything.

So when we were invited to bring our Isabella jewelry to a 'purse party' last night we thought, 'Well, yes, I think that would be a fabulous idea.'

And it was.

Not only was the idea of combining the powerful forces of gorgeous jewelry with bold bags enticing, but the opportunity to meet with more women and talk about their everyday idea of fashion was reason enough. All in all, we had a wonderful time showing our jewelry alongside some fantastic purses thanks to our lovely host, Amy.

And did I mention the best part of the evening?! Amongst the Louis Vuitton, D&G, Coach, and Prada emerged my dream bag reincarnate- the classic Chanel black quilted flap bag. Naturally I decided I couldn't live another day without this by my side, so at the end of the night the party turned out to be a huge success for both Isabella Jewelry and my soul.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Fall in MN


Fall in MN means a couple things:
one, it's time to take the boat in; and
two, it could snow at any moment.

However, despite the uncertainties of the season it is quite predictable it will create the most beautiful, warm and vibrant pallet of colors nature is capable of producing.

ENJOY!


Thursday, October 22, 2009

Good People, Good Conversation, Great Jewelry, Awesome Evening!

THANKS TO THE LADIES OF EDINA, MN!

WE HAD A GREAT PARTY LAST NIGHT AND MET SOME HIP, FUN AND WONDERFUL LADIES! THANKS FOR ALL YOUR ENCOURAGING WORDS AND FOR SUPPORTING LOCAL, SMALL BUSINESS!



I read this release this morning and thought I'd share the good news.

PRWEEK

Study: Recession didn't slow consumers' appetite for cause-fueled products

NEW YORK: Edelman's third annual Goodpurpose study found 61% of consumers worldwide have purchased a brand that supports a good cause even if it wasn't the cheapest brand.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

The "B"

and voila! thanks, beyonce, for your on-going inspiration!! :)

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

The Monday Night Necklace

What says Monday Night Football like your favorite flannel shirt, a six pack of Spotted Cow and a brand new Beyonce inspired piece of neck art?  Prepare to odorn your neck with the biggest chain/pearl statement piece since... probably sometime in the eighties.  Natalie and I worked hard on a new addition to the "one of a kind" Isabella collection last night.  It took four hands, four pair of pliars, two feet to keep the cats from eating the jump rings AND a refigerator to keep the beer cool. 

I also thought I would share some new additions to the Inspiration boards:


I know there is a lot to soak in here, the shoes the purse, the hat, Jay's butt...but you just can't miss that rockin necklace.



Doesn't Penn Badgley inspire you?

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

picture boards say it all

We created these picture boards to go along with our jewelry displays at our parties so that women can see not only some of our inspiration but also how to wear today's styles. We took clips from our favorite blogs (WhoWhatWear and Beacause I'm Addicted), magazines (InSyle and Vogue), and Fashion Week runways, added our own comments and voila- a visual interpretation of our thought process!

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

"back-to-work" shopping

Heyoh!

Yesterday while "back-to-work" shopping my Mom and I had some profound shopping thoughts.  I know you can't wait to hear them...

1)  Having great clerks makes/breaks your experience and it is more interesting when you have two celebrity look-alike clerks in one day, Sarah Jessica Parker and a young Marie Osborne helped me prepare for the fashionable work-force. Props to Nordstrom in all departments as well as the surprise performance of White House Black Market who put on a very good show. (Not to mention I didn't know they had shoes...cute shoes, cute and comfy shoes, cute and comfy and stylish shoes)

2)  Nordstrom is really the last department store.

3)  Isabella-like jewelry...is everywhere!  I nudged my Mother until...she said I had to stop doing that yesterday when I saw something in a case or a store window or on a person walking by, because Isabella has something just like it, and 10 xs out of 10 it's a better price and handmade...along with customizing options! Doesn't that make you excited to see what we have?  I thought so.  :)

Click here to visit us on Etsy: Shop Isabella Jewelry, LLC

Friday, September 25, 2009

the morning after...

*insert deep breath, long exhale*
we made it.

Sarah and I, thanks to numerous helpers, successfully pulled off our very first Isabella show last night. With over 60 people invited, we were (especially me) nervous/excited/stressed/anxious. We worked until the very last second on producing as much inventory as possible, making sure displays were just right and bedazzling our 'hired help' with the appropriate Isabella piece for their chosen outfit. When the first guest walked in we took a deep breath and let it happen.

With the ideal first party crowd we welcomed old and new neighbors alike, church friends, dear friends, friends of friends, and everyone in between. The next thing i knew it was 10:30 and the last guest was out the door with her Isabella gift bag in hand.

Due to the fantastic home of Mary B. we were able to display all of our pieces perfectly with plenty of room for the ladies to try on, flaunt, and pick which Isabella piece HAD to be theirs. A big, big thank you goes to the Bos. family for their hospitality and support, as well to the fantastic women who attended our party and were so very encouraging and gracious to Sarah and I.

We have learned the tremendous amount of detail that goes into throwing a party, and are anxious to do it all over again. But first, we must put our pieces on etsy.com (i promise that will be done this weekend! search: 'JewelryIsabella') and start making everything from our orders last night!

Pictures will be coming soon from the party thanks to the wonderful Allie B!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Party Preparations

2 days until our first show.

Schieze. (that's german)

We are working overtime on everything from party logistics (sign-in sheets and order forms) to extra eye-candy (photo boards of inspiration and fashion how-to) to mass production of pieces (literally making as many pieces as possible). And this is all happening when either of us are not at our other 'real' jobs...

We have all the parts to make this party a success, and i hope you enjoy the updated photos of our work (thanks to a lovely late summer evening and the help of our first 'intern' Sonoma!) Soon they will be up on etsy.com so we can start selling to our beloved fans worldwide!! Well, at least throughout Edina and maybe some out of town relatives :)

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Sisters, sanity, and the bead cap.

Fall is in the air- leaves are turning red, the lake appears darker blue, and hair color is back to brunette. I'd like to say that the air is crisper, but this week's warm spell has turned Isabella HQ into a working sweatshop. As the temp hits 85, Sarah and I work with fans on high speed with a deadline quickly approaching.

We are 10 days out from our first show and have a 'to-do' list as long as NY Fashion Week's runway. Amid the chaos we have found some things to keep us sane; Our sister Caitlyn (well technically Sarah's sister, but we're pretty much blood relatives..) came into town from Boston for a quick visit! Along with Erica, our other sister, we made time for catch-up over a bottle of vinho verde and a delicious pesto torte while enjoying this freakishly warm weather.

Another aspect of Isabella that has maintained my sanity might be God's greatest gift to jewelers-- the bead cap. Many of you may not be familiar with bead caps; Sarah and I were just introduced to them at the beginning of our Isabella adventure. The beauty of the bead cap is that they can turn any ordinary bead into an exquisite masterpiece. Look forward to seeing many bead caps in our line of necklaces and earrings- they'll be the little pieces of magic adorning our beads that resemble little hats.

We are rejuvenated with positive feedback from the pieces we've made so far, the ongoing support from family and friends, and the fantastic colors and styles we're playing with!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

ISABELLA'S FAVORITE FALL COLORS


FROM FASHION WEEK TO RED CARPET APPEARANCES THE JEWEL TONES ARE GORGEOUS THIS FALL AND ISABELLA HAS CHOSEN A RICH PALETTE OF
AMETHYST,
BRONZE,
MIDNIGHT BLUE AND
MUSTARD YELLOW...
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Friday, September 11, 2009

"Craft Stores" used to make me wince

  When someone says "craft" what do you think of? white crew-neck sweatshirts with appliqué winter wonderland scenes, ornaments made of felt and a glue gun, googly eyes, colored cotton balls, doll clothes with horrid floral prints, quilts made from t-shirts, cross-stitch wall hangings...trinkets...things that make you tilt your head and say, "If I'm mad at you in December, this is what I am buying you for Christmas, Sister."



About six months ago I had a similar painful thought pattern upon hearing "craft stores," where the people are walking examples of their craftiness...and then one gross Wisconsin spring day I was complaining at the breakfast table to my roommate about the price of beads and she suggested...MICHAELS, whose tagline is THE ARTS AND CRAFTS STORE. She insisted she take me.



I had one of those epiphanies, like when you realize your parents are people too, not just your parents.


Anyway, it turned out to be a great resource and still is today, for Isabella.



In fact, the first draft of this post was:


Found much sought after Mustard Raffia yesterday at Michaels. Thank you Michaels, you complete me some days.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Creativity from Crisis and the '80s Revival

For the current unemployed twenty-somethings, drawing creativity from a crisis is survival. Yes, I could live at home with my parents where the food and wine flow "freely," and apply to every opportunity on Monster.com, but it will be creativity that will eventually move me out. Kate Betts, Editor of TIME Style&Design, writes in her note, Drawing Creativity from Crisis (Fall 09), "For Michael Kors, fashion's current 80s revival is all about confidence." It IS what we all need right now, and if MK says it you better believe Isabella is listening.


Keeping in mind a total 80s revival is not what every woman is thinking when purchasing her fall accessories, Isabella is refining some 80s inspired hoops and dangles to complete a fashionable, wearable and confident collection. As for those of you who were scarred by the age of peplums and blue-eye shadow, Isabella has something for you too.


I agree with Kate Betts, “The most creative people find opportunity in crisis." Fortunately for Natalie and I Isabella Jewelry is an opportunity combining our passion and our creativity into a company which before now, had only been talked/dreamed about around dinner tables at one of the homes where the food and wine flow freely...

Visit NYTimes for more on the '80s revival:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/20/fashion/20EIGHTIES.html

Monday, August 31, 2009

Officially official

This just in-- Isabella Jewelry, LLC is officially Deephaven's newest business! Well, at least as of Friday at 5 pm...

Now we are able to get production rolling and start prepping for our first house party at the end of September!

Sunday, August 30, 2009

from the home office

Unable to sustain the costs of broadcasting from "the great Minnesota get together" like the much cooler local news and radio stations,
today I blog from the home* office on Lake Minnetonka.



Isabella, LLC is moving along and we are waiting patiently for our reply from the office of Mark Ritchie. We've been focusing on R&D, which coincides nicely with helping our brothers find back-to-school clothes...and maybe a gold-studded wood bangle and some black ankle booties for ourselves...just maybe.

We've noticed the trends this year include a few major things everyone should know:
-chain (mixed metal, layers, chain and bead mixes, chain hanging form earrings, tank tops and necks)
-Hanging beads and clusters (See Anthropology.com for some nice examples of statement pieces as well as simple and trendy)
-From Vogue to former Project Runway winners, the talk surrounding current fashion trends flirting with an 80s throw-back means BIG, A LOT and A LOT of BIG. Although at first it sounds frightening, I am pleased to see it is not in the form of a T-shirt ring tie and crimped bangs, instead it can be seen in feminine, embellished tank neck-lines and statement jewelry.


Thinking of all of you
in the jewelry we're creating,

Sarah



*To clarify "home," I mean the home of Chuck and Julie Welle. At the moment Isabella is unable to sustain the costs of a livable salary for its executives. However, like the Target execs profiled in today's Star Tribune we look toward the future with hope.
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Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Isabella Jewelry, LLC




Its official! Well...almost official. We met with a lawyer, known to some of us as UT, on Monday and discussed our options. We've decided Isabella is best suited as a Limited Liability Company and we are excited to get the ball rolling. The papers are signed and probably sitting at the bottom of the Wayzata mailing bin at the moment...as we used the old fashioned POST, but Isabella is one step closer to being an official small business of Deephaven, MN.

Woopwoop!


~S

p.s. This process has been a learning experience in a variety of ways, and one of those experiences has been having the pleasure to gaze upon our Secretary of State's web page for hours on-end. Due to my ignorance of the face behind the MN Sec. of State, Mark Ritchie, this may only be interesting to me. However, I suppose it is someone we should all know and recognize, so if you see him on the street...out to eat...or sitting at his desk in the Capitol? You can say, "Hey Mark!" I thought the picture needed an explanation anyway...

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Bronzified

Our displays are almost complete- after painting them all with our beloved bronze spraypaint we are ready to find the perfect fabric for the background of our displays. The search is on for the right color to bring out the jewel-tone hues of our upcoming jewelry line...

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Treasure Hunting




Another day of project "Isabella" began at the Wayzata Community Church huge rainy muddy rummage sale. It was complete with laminated directional signs, where we were pointed to the "Marketplace." We scoured for beautiful hidden treasures...while someone else scoured for a different kind of beautiful treasure. Yes, Natalie!...there was a man "looking for mirrors"...and he was "looking for frames" too. Natalie deflected the distraction politely, only to be confronted by a middle-aged woman pointing at the frames under Natalie's arm saying "oh, look at those. I grew up with these on the wall and we had four girls in our family and we would all argue to be like 'I'm her, No! I'm her! and"...It was touching. Despite the cash-only sign at the check-out, we soon made it over to the Home Depot for the perfect bronze metallic paint to unify our frame-treasures.