A Whirlwind Summer: Recap of travels to NYC for family fun & a trade show

What a whirlwind July and August have been! True to form, these months are my busiest, both personally and professionally. But amid the hustle, there's always room to soak in the beauty of summer. Washington is breathtaking this time of year, and as a family, we make it a priority to savor every moment. From celebrating Luka’s 16th birthday and our 18th wedding anniversary to road trips in Black Betty, our trusty camper van, and paddle boarding with Birdie, this summer has been filled with unforgettable memories.

Professionally, July kicked off with the West Seattle Summerfest, which is always an exhilarating experience. The energy, the community, and the sales—it’s like a mini holiday season wrapped into three days. This year was record-breaking in so many ways, and I found myself selling pieces I never imagined I would. It was a dream come true, reaffirming why I do what I do.

The last week of July was especially exciting as we decided to take Dan and Luka to NYC for the first time! Luka just turned 16, and we wanted to give her the gift of travel and the incredible learning experiences that come with it. She amazed us with how quickly she mastered the subway system and navigated the bustling city streets. We even braved the summer heat to ride bikes through the city—a sweaty but utterly joyful experience.

But my most cherished memory from the trip was visiting my metal caster’s workshop, where the magic of my jewelry begins. I create my collections using an ancient technique called Lost Wax Casting, carving each piece in wax before sending them to Sergio, who turns them into molds, and then ultimately into metal. Seeing the process unfold, step by meticulous step, was not only enlightening for my family but deeply moving for me. It’s incredible to witness the dedication and skill that goes into crafting each of my pieces by hand, and I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude as I shook hands with the artisans who bring my designs to life.

What makes this experience even more special is that Sergio's business is family-run, just like mine. His daughter Amy and son Michael work alongside him, and Michael even set the stones in my latest pieces. There's something profoundly beautiful about families supporting each other through their craft, keeping the lights on and bellies full with the work of their hands. The connection between our families adds another layer of meaning to the pieces we create together.

Standing there, looking at the drawer filled with the molds of every design I’ve ever sent to Sergio, I couldn’t help but tear up. It felt like looking at a timeline of my journey, each mold representing a piece of my heart and soul. We’ve been working together for over five years, and as I prepare to venture into the new and exciting territory of Fine Jewelry, knowing I have this trustworthy and reliable team by my side makes the road ahead a little less daunting.

At the end of the week, I shifted back into work mode for Shoppe Object, a tradeshow where buyers come from all over the world to stock their stores with beautiful goods! It was a delight to have the helping hands of Dan and Luka to set up. This was the first time I’ve done a full booth on my own. I’ve shared with friends and done small tables before, but having an entire booth to myself was both exciting and a bit nerve-wracking. It’s always a little scary to put yourself out there.

The three-day show was pretty solid! While I would have loved to cover all the expenses of my booth and travel, I’m thrilled that four new shops found my work, and two current shops placed reorders. 

I know I have my work cut out for me to follow up with the many businesses who admired my work but weren’t ready to place orders. I can only imagine how challenging it is to curate for a shop, and I understand that it often takes several interactions before a shop is ready to invest in something new.