bracelet, or necklace? How about both.

I have been on a kick lately with this leather thing and I have been combining it more with chain and semiprecious, or gold beads. I really like wearing the bracelets, they add just the right amount of accessory to any outfit. Recently I discovered that my tripple wrap bracelets were just the right length to wear as a necklace too! And, because I love to layer, they look great paired with another necklace-I usually wear it with a *Chalkboard* necklace.

BRIDES magazine

I have my first jewelry debut in a magazine, or should I say my *chalkboard* necklace has its first debut! A few months ago I was contacted by BRIDES magazine asking if I would be interested in sending a few pieces to get photographed for the April 2011 issue. What?!?! So, I sent a couple of my *chalkboard* necklaces and the round locket with the gold chain made it! Since this is my first experience I have NO idea what to expect. I have been working on making more product...a lot more product just incase, right? Anywho, be on the look out for the April issue of BRIDES magazine and we'll see if the necklace made it!

lots of sanding...

then comes the priming and painting...

(did I mention I have a lot of these?)

testing, testing...

After several rounds of tests...'by George I think Ive got it!'

Near the end of 2010 I came up with a new design for Haden Designs, the *chalkboard necklace* was born. But, with any new design comes a period of trial and error. I introduced about a dozen necklaces at a show and I soon found out how popular they could be when I sold out of them within the first couple of hours. I went straight into production mode. I had never painted on metal before so I began to do some tests. I started off with different techniques of prepping the surface for paint, then came the importance of drying time, a different type of charcoal pencil and the sharpness of the tip...Ill spare you the rest of my experiments. Unfortunately, there were a few pieces that slipped through the cracks and didn't hold up. Torn paint was the problem. It would occur if the paint was still wet from wiping off the chalk and then writing on it immediately following, or the pencil tip was too sharp. Thankfully people contacted me and I was able to get them a new necklace. When making a new product that is what you hope for, that people will give you a second chance to make it right. So, if you havent contacted me and you had a problem, please do liz@hadendesigns.com. I would love to have the opportunity to replace it.

Over the holidays I delved deep into researching and experimenting painting on metal. I now have a new way of making the *chalkboard necklace*. So far, I have had no problems with this new technique...Hooray! (and I have put them through the ringer!) Now that that is fixed, I am going to expand some of the designs, so be on the look out.

inspiration...leather?

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

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

"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

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.