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

Simply Mad's Plan 2013

I hope you are settling in nicely into the new year.  Trey was on vacation last week so for me the new year kinda starts today.  Last week was spent relaxing, recharging and reflecting.

I love the sense of endless possibilities a new year brings and the cleansing power of leaving an old year behind.  This year I didn't make any official resolutions; I think any day is good to start over or make self -improvements, don't you think?  Plus my track record with new year's resolutions is less than stellar - hahaha!  How about you?  Did you make any resolutions for 2013?

borrowed this pict from Treat A Day 

There is something I am focusing my attention on this year though - my business.  Over the holidays I had my Simply Mad Jewelry shop critiqued by a pro - Jessika Hepburn from Oh My! Handmade Goodness.  The critique was kind (thank God and thank YOU Jessika) and full of great ideas and helpful suggestions.  Aside from the concrete support Jessika provided, the renew came with a much needed dose of encouragement and a new perspective about all that it takes to build and grow a small creative business.   So I start this week and this new year armed with tools and inspiration to take my jewelry business flying and flying high in 2013 and beyond!  You will see more of my travels reflected in my designs.  I have been "mind busy" picturing what the new pieces will look like, which of the places I have visited will I look to for inspiration and it is all really exciting. I have been revisiting some of my favorites spots through my pictures, reminiscing and reliving memorable moments Trey and I have shared while traveling.  While browsing around a flea market in Tokyo yesterday I found - what feels like a perfect inspiration piece for a Japan/Spring collection.  The colors are so cheery and the silk so soft and delicate - I am in love with it!!!  I can't wait to share the first pieces with you.

 Japanese silk found in a local free market in Tokyo

After two years of making and selling jewelry with moderate success, it is time to make and sell jewelry with a LOT of success.  This is the year when jewelry making will go from hobby to healthy obsession and then to absolute success.  And I will take you along with me in my journey...I need someone to cheerlead me along the way.

Aside from a new designing process and sources of inspiration, Simply Mad Jewelry has a new logo from Moxie Pear.  Up until now I had designed my own logos but it was time to go pro with the logo as well.  Thanks Lisa!  I love handmade but somethings need to be left to the pro's.  It still has what I call "my happy color" - that tone of blue - the old logo had combined with a salmon pink and soft blush color for the "wear it and be happy" tag line.  I think it is A W E S O M E...what do you think?

new and awesome logo!

I will continue to share my Japanese (and any other travel) experiences with you and somewhere in between there will give you updates about Simply Mad's new pieces, collections, inspiration and progress.

May 2013 be a year full of magic, love, health happiness and success for all of us!  May this new year be the year when all our dreams come true!

Cheers to a SIMPLY great 2013!
Mad