inspiration...leather?

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Wow! It has been nothing short of crazy around these parts the past couple of months. The year is coming to a close and it feels like it went by in a blink. Just recently I have gone off on a design tangent and I cant get enough of it...leather. Anyone who knows me would think that they just read that wrong seeing as I was a vegetarian for almost 20 yrs. I have never worked with leather, or ever thought I would be working with it, but I really enjoy what can be done. Its so versatile-You can cut it into shapes like working with a sheet of metal or you can use it like strands of chain, oh the possibilities! I love combining textures in my pieces so this was one more to throw into the mix.
Sometimes inspiration is hard to come by. Luckily, this new design inspiration came at the perfect time. I have my very talented friend Oami to thank for it! She is the creator of a clothing and accessories line, Judah Ross. I have been a huge fan of hers from the moment we met and we decided to trade our wares. My first Judah Ross piece was a mono print market bag (this was just the beginning of my collection). Recently we were both at a show where she brought me a bag of leather scraps-the same leather which she had used for some of her market bags. When she asked if I wanted it, I accepted not having any clue at the time what I could use it for. As soon as I started working with it, my mind blew up and I couldn't stop coming up with designs. As a creator you love coming across this kind of inspiration. So, thank you Oami, and I hope everyone likes the direction Haden Designs is headed!

its finally time

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Thanksgiving is over and now its finally appropriate for me to listen to my Christmas music. I could probably listen to it year round. Its also time for holiday shopping and decorating. I am busy getting ready for one of my favorite shows The Rock&Shop Market. This year it looks like it is shaping up to be a pretty amazing event! It has grown so much since I started participating in it a couple of years ago. This year they have turned it into a block party!!! Heres the skinny... and Ill leave it up to them to explain...

"Shop local this Holiday season. Mark your calendars for the 11th Rock & Shop Market/Block Party this Saturday December 4th from 12-6pm at two venues in Durham: Motorco Music Hall & Fullsteam Brewery across the street. The venues are located at 723 & 726 Rigsbee Ave. Durham, NC 27701.

There will be food trucks (Only Burger, Klausies Pizza, DaisyCakes, Slippin Slidders), 60 designers selling their wares, a fashion show and the bands The Ox Magnolia and Onward, Soldiers! Admission is $5. First 50 attendees receive a free shopping tote. For directions and a list of all the designers visit www.rockandshopmarket.com. Plenty of free parking is available. More details on our facebook invitation."

So, make sure you plan for the event! I have lots of new chalkboard necklaces, holiday earrings for those party frocks and some new necklace designs-I hope to see you there!

troika craft show

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"Now in its second year, the 2010 CraftShow is happening Saturday, Nov. 6 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Trotter Building, located at 410 W. Geer Street in Durham (just a block north of the Scrap Exchange and a block east of Fullsteam Brewery and MotorCo). The family-friendly CraftShow is a unique marketplace for handmade goods and art from some the Triangle’s most talented designers"

Haden Designs will be there and I have a ton of new stuff to show...even some sterling for you die hard silver wearers. So come on out on Saturday from 1-5--say hello, listen to some great music-Local bands Phil Cook + His Feat and the Oreganos, and peruse the CraftShow.

the first day of autumn

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Its on my calendar today, but here in Raleigh NC it is anything but. That doesn't mean I haven't already geared up for it though. I have started to get that cozy feeling, wanting to pull out the sweaters and boots, listening to fall favorites and wondering what type of accessory will go with this years fall frock. Ive recently gotten into using red brass and pairing it with its yellow counterpart and some oxidized chain. It just looks like fall. Im also using some of the larger stones that I got while I was in NYC in the Spring. Thought Id share some that Ive come up with lately.

bazaarSPARK and of course chalk

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SPARKcon is here again and this time I am a part of it! Ill be hanging out at bazaarSPARK Saturday (10-5) and Sunday (11-3) selling Haden designs. This year is going to be a great one for SPARKcon, lots of new events and some pretty amazing talent.
Because SPARKcon is all about creativity, I wanted to add something new and different to Haden Designs for bazaarSPARK so...I came up with chalkboard necklaces. It sounds crazy and this is something very different for me, but they are a lot of fun! The necklace is a brass pendant that I have turned into a mini chalkboard that you can write on with a white charcoal pencil. Draw a picture, write your honey's name or just your initial--then, erase it and do something different!

LoPop Shop

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Thats right, its FRIDAY night, and First Friday to boot!!! Ill be at the LoPop Shop located in Artspace selling my jewels tonight. I have a lot of new fun fall looks so you should come check them out...

trunk show at ESCAZU

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If you are looking for something to do tomorrow evening, I have the perfect thing! Escazu located at 936 N. Blount st. will be hosting a trunk show from 5-9pm where I will be selling my jewelry among three other talented local designers. So, I highly recommend coming to check out the show, grab some fancy delicious chocolates, (I went today and picked up a few, one of which was a chocolate, rosemary, bacon, sea salt combo...mmmmmmmm), then head next door to Market. I tried their crack fries and they are addictive! Sounds like a pretty good evening to me! Hope to see you tomorrow night!

celebrate!

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I just found out that I am a featured vendor at Heather Garrett HOME! And what a great time to be featured! They are having a sale in celebration of their feature in ELLE DECOR press, new inventory, and their newly renovated, additional floorspace! Plus they will have drinks and catering by Toast (a favorite of mine) on Saturday, and lots of floor samples on sale.

*Plus, enter a raffle to win accessories, design services, and gift certificates!*

The sale will run Saturday, August 21 from 11-5 and Sunday, August 22 from 12-4.

So make sure to check out her beautiful store and take a look at some Haden Designs jewelry!

new picts...

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Took lots of new pictures over the weekend. Working now to get them listed on to my Etsy shop. Stay tuned and keep checking back. If there was something that you may have seen at a recent show and its not listed yet, let me know and I'll get it up for you pronto!

some upcoming events...

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The next couple months will be busy for Haden Designs. Here is where you can find me...

August 6th: IndieNC First Friday Event The indieNC First Friday Market is held every First Friday of the month indoors at 131 S. Wilmington Street in downtown Raleigh (two doors down from Gravy restaurant). The event is from 6-10pm.

August 12th: Duke Art Show and Silent Auction The Duke Center for Eating Disorders is hosting a silent auction and art show from 5-9pm at the West End Wine Bar. Tickets are $15 at the door (cash only).

August 28th: Trunk show @ Escazu Escazu Artisan Chocolates is a Bean to Bar chocolate maker. Retail shop and factory is located at 936 North Blount St. Trunk show will be from 5-9pm.

September 18th: Bazaar Spark bazaarSPARK is a collection of artisans, food, fashion, friends and surprise joining together along with their wares as an outdoor shopping event. More info to come...



what an event

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Yesterday I participated in Raleigh Wide Open 5! Its an amazing event that really brings in quite the crowd. Despite a few sprinkles here and there, it was a success. Since it was outside under a tent I thought Id try a new set up. We hung a large piece of wood with tacks so I could hang product--it ended up working well to showcase the long asymmetrical necklaces. I also decided to introduce my newly acquired mannequin--got her for a steal when a local store went out of business. She did a great job displaying (and selling!) the larger necklaces.


first time

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This weekend is my first experience with being a vendor at Raleigh Wide Open. It is an ALL day event with fire works to finish it off! Ill be there selling some new wears from Haden Designs. Hope to see you there...if you should happen to stop by one of the many artisan food vendors and would like to pick something up to share-Lets just say I wouldn't be opposed to it! Cant wait to see what Saturdays festivities will be like.

a little love on Etsy

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Just found out I was part of a treasury on Etsy! They chose one of my favorite pieces 'mon petite pois'. Well, this has given me the inspiration I need to start listing more on Etsy-be on the look out for new designs!

serenity now

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Took a trip to Durham this weekend and while I was there I stopped into Heather Garrett Designs. Heather has the most beautiful and serene design store you have ever seen. She is so fantastic that her store is being featured in the 'What's Hot/Shops' section of the July/August issue of Elle Decor! As soon as you walk through the door you are drawn in by the calm colors and cozy interior collections she has placed. Creatively displayed amongst all of this is a line of Haden Designs. That's right, my jewelry is a small piece of this magnificent store. So, when in Durham, make sure you stop in and experience her creativity and all the local designers and artists she has featured!

RebusFest 4

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Getting ready for my first RebusFest 4 event! Looking forward to some oppressively hot NC summer weather, great music and yummie food (I will be spending all of my profits on Locopops).

I have some new things in the works for this show-along with some summer asymmetrical necklaces. Recently I've been working with some thicker chain-I fell in love with the way it feels when you wear it--its such a smooth polished chain that's bold and substantial, but light enough to be comfortable...Not to mention it makes a great statement with those summer frocks!

could this be a new shtick?

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I have recently had several people ask me to do bridal jewelry for them. This could be interesting--An opportunity to experiment with different materials and new designs. I picked up some sterling silver chain and some fantastic clear glass beads. I'm forcing myself to keep it simple. My first instinct is to try to use everything all at once. (I have a tendency to get over excited when I have a new project and new materials-who wouldn't right?) I think Ive gone to the extreme and they are too simplistic. So, I'll keep working to find the perfect balance. I'm loving the look of the rough brass with the vintage Japanese glass drops. Now I just need to work in that sterling silver some how.

Spring has arrived...

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Actually, it came a few weeks ago, but I wasn't ready quite yet with new designs for the season. There is nothing more motivating than Spring-except for a trip to NYC! I just got back from a visit with friends and while I was there I had the opportunity to hit up a few favorite shops of mine to get some new supplies---lots of inspiration! I was really drawn to the larger stones, each one is its own piece of jewelry. Really going to have to pace myself and not use them all up at once.
 
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