Simply Mad About...Family & Celebrations!

Hello!  It has been a while, hasn't it?  Well, I have recently gotten back from a trip to see mine and Trey's family in the US.  I spent three happy weeks with them, celebrating birthdays, spending quality time with my parents and Trey's and showcasing the latest Simply Mad Jewelry designs.

I told you Fla. was relaxing!

After two relaxing days in Florida, I flew to Puerto Rico to see my crazy, loud and awesome family.  The main reason I chose these dates to visit, was to surprise my dad for his 70th birthday and surprise him I did!  I also surprised my mom.  My dad and my sister share the same birthday so I got to celebrate hers as well.  The day after my arrival, my brother and his family also arrive as a surprise and over the weekend we treated my dad to yet another surprise - a "sailor themed" birthday party with friends, family and lots of dancing music so the "dancing king" (i.e. my dad) indulge and show off his dance moves.

dad and my sister blowing b-day candles with mom

the "dancing king" and I

Going to Puerto Rico is hectic and busy...there is always something to do; we are always going to or coming from somewhere.  But it is always good...the goings and comings are usually to one of my sisters' house to sit around the dining table sharing stories, catching up, cracking jokes and drinking wine.  And if we are not going to one of my sisters' house then we are going to a local restaurant for a "much-missed-and-deliciously-heavy-meal-of-rice, beans and fried plantains".  It doesn't matter where we go to or where we come from, I cherish these moments and hold them dear to my heart.

After the my dad's birthday party, it was time to get to work.  I had a week to prepare for Simply Mad's 4th Annual Bazaar in Puerto Rico.  It is always a great opportunity to catch up with friends and to meet new ones and this particular year the event got covered by the lifestyle section of the major local newspaper - El Nuevo Dia.  I was a happy camper and the Bazaar was total success!

at the Bazaar

sparkly necklaces

choices!

After the Bazaar...I had two full days to spend with my parents who have recently retired.  It was, to my delight, a full 48 hours of uninterrupted, quality time with them.

On my way back to Tokyo, it was time to pay Trey's parents a second visit...especially his dad whose birthday was the day after I arrived.  Lucky me!  I get to spend birthdays with both our dads!!!  Those two extra days in Florida were relaxing, winding me down and getting me ready for the upcoming days which were filled with airports, hotels and a very loooonggg flight back home.

Birthday dinner for Jay in Fla.

birthday hug!

From Florida I flew to Boston on the same day the first "Boston Marathon Bomber" was killed...ay ay ay!  I made my flight with some fear but a lot of excitement because I was meeting my nephew Eric Andres who was scheduled to tour one of the colleges in town.  The day we arrived, we were holed up in the hotel room following the request from the police to stay indoors.  It looked safe outside but every store and business was closed.  It gave us a chance to nap, talk and bond over room service lunch complete with wine and beer - why not?  We had a nice dinner together and via You Tube he introduced me to Hannibal, a very funny comedian I had never heard of.  By the end of the night, the second suspect had been arrested and we were FREE and psyched to see a little bit of Boston the following morning.  And so we did, we got up early and strolled around downtown Boston - what a great city.  Beautiful brick architecture and small shops lining Newbury Street.  What a treat it was for me to have that time with him, to get to know him better and to help him with college selection process.

Eric & I in Boston Common

I have been back in Tokyo now for a week.  Between jet lag, a very good book I am reading and a general feel of "I-am-completely-out-of-my-routine-and-I-don't-know-how-to-fall-back-into-it", it always takes me a while...but here I am...I AM BACK!!!

Have lots of things to share with you...new jewelry and an exciting promotion I did with Macho Spouse for Mother's Day!  

Simply Mad About My Business

Simply Mad Jewelry

Happy Monday!  Welcome to another exciting week full of magic and the unexpected!  I wish you a happy one!

The mission to take my jewelry business flying high continues.  I have made lots of progress and it was time to take another step.  I needed to define a few things about my business and answer the "why do I make the kind of jewelry I make?" question.  Something that had been difficult to answer until I gained some clarity about my drive and intention earlier this year.  It was time to write my "About Page".

I like writing, but "writing" and writing about myself are two VERY different things and the task seemed daunting at first.  I decided, after much financial consideration, I decided to hire a copywriter.  They asked me for as much detail as I could give them about myself, my business, my dreams and my ideal client or in a more bussiness-y term, my target audience.

I sent all the required information and shortly after I got the first draft.  Now, I had never worked with a copywriter before so I didn't know what to expect but the first draft was disappointing - perhaps my fault.  I felt it was a little bit of "copy & paste" of the info I had provided.  { If any copywriters are reading this, please do not be offended }.  After telling my husband about my disappointment, he said, "I don't understand why are you paying someone to do this; you like writing and no one can write "about you" and tell "your story" better than yourself.  He was right!

image borrowed from www.theprofitguide.com

I sat down and looked at all the details I had sent to the copywriter and right there hidden in all those words was the reason I do what I do and the person I do it for...I was able to spell out my wish for my jewelry and I finally gave my ideal customer an identity.  It took several drafts, more than a few re-reads and enough strokes of the "delete" key to have my fingerprint show on it, but I did it!  I DID IT!  Yay for me!  I ended up with an "About Page" that gives me direction, keeps me focuses and best of all, it gives me great satisfaction to have done it myself!

And you my dear - my ideal customer, my muse, my constant companion.  You are fashionable but not trendy...you like a good dose of classic style with just a tiny twist that quietly sets you apart from the rest!  I can now picture you every time I am designing a new piece and take you with me when I am out shopping for my "raw"materials.  You are amazing!

This is the end result...

About Page

Hello! I am the Mad(eline) in Simply Mad and I am glad you are here!

I love creating with my hands and traveling and I have been blessed with the opportunity to do both in the last 3 years.  My husband travels often for work and my jewelry and I tag along every chance we get.  

Up until recently my inspiration had come from a very personal place making it difficult to give each piece its own story, its own voice.  The new collections will be inspired by an experience, a souvenir, a picture, a local flea market or any other treasure found during my travels.

There are few things more satisfying than seeing something take shape from inspiration, to sketch, to final product and know that once completed it will go out into the world to make someone happy and live out its story while creating unforgettable moments along the way.

♥ { My wish } ♥
I wish that my travel-inspired jewelry will transport you to a place you have been to which holds great memories for you or to new lands you want to explore where happy memories are waiting to be made.  I want you to connect with your Simply Mad pieces and share the story behind them with your friends and family.  Tell them how your piece came to be, where in the world it was “born”,  and what inspired it.  When I sit down at my design table I have you in mind…the future wear-er and I always wonder what kind of adventures are in store for my newly created pieces and its new owner.  What great moments will my jewelry bear witness to?  I want my jewelry to be more than just an accessory, I want each piece to be an experience every time you wear it.

I hope you will come along on my journey and will embark on your own adventures with your travel-inspired Simply Mad Jewelry.


What do think?  I love hearing from you so comment away or email me :o)

Simply Mad about "Haru Matusri"

Hi there!  I am finally ready, excited (and proud) to share the first pieces of Simply Mad's newest collection with you.  Every collection needs a fitting name and I have named this one "Haru Matsuri" (Spring Festival in Japanese) - what do you think? 

If you have been following this blog, then you have an idea of what I am talking about.  But for the benefit of those who might be joining us just now, here is a re-cap...You can also visit these links for more detail...
Simply Mad's Plan for 2013
Simply Mad About De-Cluttering & De-signing

Inspiration piece - Japanese silk

Up until now I had designed my jewelry from a very personal place making it hard to give each piece its own voice and story.  I am adjusting Simply Mad Jewelry and my design process a bit to incorporate my travels - and the interesting items I have collected along the way - into my jewelry creations. This will give the jewelry a "birth place" and great meaning.  The new collections will be inspired by a picture, a souvenir, a flea market find or any other treasure I have found in my journeys.  Each Simply Mad creation will now have a story to be told and when it goes out into the world it will have the power to transport its happy owner to a place that brings back memories  or to new lands waiting to be explored and where new memories are waiting to be made.  Let's go on a journey together!

Colorful Cluster Pendant

Pink Silk Ribbon Pendant

Since we (my husband, two pups and I) are living in Tokyo at the moment, it felt natural to draw inspiration from the many sources of inspiration Japan offers - ancient temples, iconic snow-capped mountains, cherry blossoms, avant-garde fashion and exquisite kimonos.
I found what I was looking for at a local flea market - a treasure; a small piece of Japanese silk featuring a bright and cheery floral pattern.  It was buried in a wicker basket under one gigantic pile of wrinkled scraps of fabrics, lace and ribbon.  "My silk" was neatly folded and protected by a plastic bag quietly waiting to be rescued from its unruly basket-mates.  And rescued it I did!

What followed was a wave of creativity that has resulted in an entire collection.  It made much sense to  me to have a Japanese element inspire this collection so close to the beginning of the spring season.  Endless spring festivals pop up everywhere in the country come March melting away the winter blues and giving way to joyful celebrations with lively dances and colorful costumes.  And who can forget the awe-inpiring cherry blossoms which color the entire landscape pink during that time of the year?!

Silk Ribbon Wrapped Bangle

I hope you will enjoy browsing through the collection - I have started listing the pieces in my Etsy Shop and more will follow in the upcoming days and weeks.  Most of the pieces are one of a kind as many of the stones (and of course the silk) used are limited in quantity due to the fact I have collected them from my travels.  There are also many styles and material I like to play with so I am happier creating new designs all the time than re-selling multiples of any one design.

Rose Quartz Pendant

All the necklaces can be adjusted in length and most metal components can be replaced with silver if gold is not your "cup of tea".  Alternatively, if you like the color scheme and the general style of the collection, but none of the pieces is exactly what you were looking for, let me know and I will be happy to design something just for you!

To see the collection and all Simply Mad's designs, visit my online shop

I love hearing from you, so do comment and/or email your thoughts and impression!

There you have it...Simply Mad's "Haru Matsuri" Collection 2013!  I hope you like it ♥
Rose Quartz Pendant