And the prize is amazing!

Oh wow! I can't believe it! I'm overwhelmed with gratitude to win! I'd like to thank everyone who voted for me! 

It's been quite a ride this past 2 years hasn't it? Being a small business owner has been ... challenging ... I have pivoted, I have revamped, I have learnt online strategies only to have the mysterious algorithm change overnight, I have taken classes, I have Zoom'd, I have done all the things. And like most of us I'm tired. You know what I haven't done? I haven't gone sailing. Which was one of the main reasons I began Sailorgirl Jewelry. 

My mission with Sailorgirl Jewelry is to explore and adventure. To turn my visions into wearable works of art. To bring colour and happiness to others. There hasn't been enough adventuring in the past 2 years. 

Like many others the new year brings many resolutions and much thinking. The board of directors at Sailorgirl Jewelry gave me a fantastic award and an AMAZING prize! 

And the prize is...

The CSO (Chief Sailing Officer) has decided that I need to go back to the roots of this company. I have been awarded a winter away on my sailboat, the Flying Saucer! 

It's short notice, I'm leaving at the end of next week, yikes! That gives me just one week to clean up my website, and pack up my house. 

What does this mean for the company? Fingers crossed the summer of 2022 will bring a return of craft shows in Ontario. If they happen I'll be there. In the meantime my website remains open and my lovely assistant Becky will be shipping orders for me. I will be in contact by email as it's unlikely we will leave the waters of the USA.

Take note: I will not be able to do any custom requests until I return. 

OH BOY!

Announcing, In-person shopping for Sailorgirl Jewelry this holiday season!

My holiday showroom is open in the Case Goods Building in the Distillery District in Toronto.

When I posted this photo of my leftovers at the end of a torch session, many people asked, “Why not just melt those bits down?”

I don’t melt these down because this day I was using two different types of glass, Effetre and Bullseye and they have different COEs.

COE - Coefficient of Expansion. It's....

Shipping costs are increasing. 

"Wait a minute!", you say. "The banner on your website says Free Shipping!"

It does. It is. For standard shipping.

And what is up with the penguins? 

Every day when I wake up the sun is just a bit brighter. In the garden the shoots in the ground are just a bit higher. The buds are a bit bigger. The sky is a bit bluer. From one day to the next the changes are so small they're almost unnoticeable. Yet when I think back to a month ago, what's outside right now is a miracle. 

“More? More shells? You’re collecting more shells? What are you going to do with those ones?”

He had a point. I had a LOT of shells. Put me anywhere near a seashore and I will bend down, rummage around and find treasure. Then I will bring my treasure home with me.

We were sailing merrily along, when out of the corner of my eye I see something. Something rather peculiar. Uh oh. 

Introducing.... Afterpay

Shop now, pay later, no interest. Ever. 

The Sundowner is possibly the most civilized ritual of all.

Ditch the stress, I’ll deliver your gift for you!

Oh no, did you leave something until the last minute? No problem, I have you covered. I can gift wrap a special something, write a nice festive card with your message and ship it to your person. Done! It’s all part of the elf work I do at this time of year. Especially this year because really, we all deserve a special something right now.

     It’s the last free weekend of the rest of the year, that’s what this weekend has been for the past 16 years. It’s the weekend before the Toronto One of a Kind show, an 11 day marathon of a craft show. With 2 days to set up it’s a 13 day blitz that requires months and months of preparation. By the end of it you feel like you’ve been run over by a truck.

You know how it is, you're feeling a bit scraggy, rough around the edges, tired. Nothing is terribly wrong you just aren't feeling as perky as you'd like to be.

Time to hit the refresh button.