Here's where to buy the goods - for the Holidays and Year-Round

First I would like to thank all of those that have supported me this year, either with purchasing my work or with your kind words - all of it is so appreciated and keeps me going day after day! It really means so much to me...

Anyway, here is the skinny on where to buy TQB Designs for the Holiday Season. Of course, if you are in Portland, OR - you can always get my work at my "flagship" store - Noun: A Persons Place for Things, on SE Belmont. This is a fantastic shop! The owner, Stephanie, has such a great eye for the gently and beautifully used, as well as the contemporary new for your person or home decor. If you haven't been by Noun, well... what's taking you so long?! Also on the East side, you can shop at PedX. Not only can you buy my work, but you can get a fabulous handbag and shoes to go with it - take care of all your accessory needs!

You can also purchase my work, if you live on the West Side of Portland, at a lovely little store on Liar Hill on SW Corbett, called Zeug. Shawn, the owner, also has a great mix of kitch and contemporary items for you and your home. She also has a great selection of cards. Lastly in Portland, you can shop at Silverado on NW 23rd.

If you live in Seattle, please stop by the Seattle Art Museum gift store. I will have quite a large selection there as well.

And of course, if you are lucky enough to live in or visit Hawaii, specifically Kauai, then please check out Julia Holman's charming shop called "Nest". Painted a beautiful, serene blue inside, you can find fantastic handmade things.

Finally, if you live in the Minneapolis - St. Paul area, Sherrie and Samantha have a great little "indie" shop in White Bear Lake, called Truly... shop indie goodness.

Friday Color Block - 11.09.2007

This is the month of harvest, abundance and giving thanks. I like to make it part of my morning, every day, to give thanks for my family and friends, a job that I absolutely love - what's better than making beautiful jewelry, and for really good 70% cocoa dark chocolate!

I believe that giving thanks, not only on that special day in November with your family, but everyday, will give you a much more positive outlook on life and bring you the things you most wish to happen. I give thanks for the good in people and some of the amazing things that people create in this world. Take a look around you and see the amazing things that others may do. Even if it's just buying lunch for someone who needs a little help; someone who is down on their luck. Though I don't have much, it makes me thankful that I'm not without a roof over my head!

This is definitely the seasons for giving - and I hope that you are giving handmade! The quality of a handmade gift isn't just in the item, but it's also in the anticipation. I absolutely love giving a handmade gift because I just know that the receiver will appreciate that a woman in Scotland, who makes beautiful felted flowers, made this gorgeous pin. I gave this one to my mother for her birthday, and she wears it on her coat everyday! People really care for handmade gifts so much more I've noticed. I've had customers say that they actually keep jewelry purchased from me in a separate jewelry box so that it doesn't get tangled or broken from the other jewelry they have. What a compliment!

So here are the color blocks for November - beautiful, rich shades of golden browns, in such versatile shade. Doesn't brown go with everything? I love paring it with unexpected colors like chartreuse or hot pink.

I hope that everyone enjoys the fall season while it's here and Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone ! Whether its a real gobbler or Tofurkey, enjoy everyones company and give thanks!

Peace...

Weather Wednesday - November 7, 2007

This November has been quite wonderful so far. We here in Portland have definitely been spoiled by the warm October weather, and the blue skies have seemed to continue into the early part of November. Because of this, flowers in my yard seem to be confused. I looked out my kitchen window to discover that pansies I planted in May have started to bloom - and quite aggressively too! I loved to see them reaching for the light under all the leaves from my very naked maple tree.

Truly beautiful. If you don't live in the Pacific Northwest, you don't know what you're missing. Yes we do get many grey days, but man, the blue ones so make up for it and for me I seem to get a form of weather amnesia with these beautiful blue skies. Never thinking about the seemingly endless days of grey in store for December - February...

A Little Change

As many of you may know by now, I sell my work in many fine stores and galleries across the country. Well, the time has come for me to match the prices of these stores with those pieces I carry in my Etsy Store. These fantastic retailers help to support me and my work by ordering large quantities and showcase my work in such beautiful style. I know that many of you will understand, with the rising cost of living expenses, not to mention the increased cost of making sterling silver jewelry, I must finally raise my prices starting November 12th on existing items in my Etsy Store.

Many of my retailers have looked the other way, for over a year now, at my slightly lower Etsy prices, but alas, I cannot continue this dis-service to them. My prices will go up slightly, anywhere from $3.00 to $10.00 on the pieces in my store.

In order to off-set this I can make it a little easier with shipping costs. Again, starting November 12th, all shipping within the the United States and Canada is free and "Everywhere Else" is reduced to $4.00. As anyone who has ordered from me knows I package my jewelry in a beautiful little gift box covered in a festive paper with a riveted wrap band, folded paper crane ornament and enclosure card. This addition to your purchase will never change. Even though you know what it is, I think it is always nice to get a "gift", even if it may be from yourself! Additionally, for the upcoming Holiday Season - please let me know in your "comments" after purchase if you will require a blank enclosure card for gift-giving purposes - I'm happy to include a blank one with your purchase.

So for all those loyal to my work, thank you so much for your understanding and I know that even with this little change, you all will continue to support me and my work, just as my retailers do. I thank you so much for that and for the personal contact I get from each an everyone of you - it really makes my work so much more personally fulfilling.

Have a Peaceful Holiday Season!
- Pink

First Friday Color Block - 2007.10.05

What do we think of when fall hits: back to school, Halloween, sweaters and sipping a hot chocolate (or hot buttered rum) with your loved-one. Anyway, I love this time of year. It conjures up images and colors of harvest moons, Firebirds across the evening sky, with pinks, reds, oranges and dark purples. Don't we all have memories of running through piles of leaves and the smell of wood burning in the fireplace?

Every October I am reminded of the beautiful drives we would take, in Bellingham, Washington, down Chuckanut Drive this time of year with the leaves turning to autumn vibrancy. We would also have fantastic visits with my Grandfather, Keith A. Murray. I love the fact that his birthday was on Halloween. I miss him...

So, with this months color block I decided to give you all the "Harvest" colors in my collection: oranges, yellows, golds, much like those beautiful October evenings and memories sitting on the stoop, watching that harvest moonrise.

Colors here clockwise starting with strands: marigold, sunflower, tangerine, daffodil, honey, lemonade, duckling.

- Pink

Art in the Burbs - October 26, 27, & 28

I know that I told a few of you that I wasn't going to do any more shows until the Holiday Season. Well, the women running "Art in the Burbs" asked that I participate in their show this October and I couldn't refuse. I am a sucker for the arts, art education and especially anything that would benefit public school art programs.

So, you will see me, if you can make it out to the show: The Alberta Rider Elementary School, 14850 SW 132nd Terrace in Tigard , or you can call for directions at 503.431.4900. 20% of my sales will benefit the 14 Tigard-Tualatin Schools (elementary through high school), specifically distributed to their arts programs.

Event Hours:

Friday, October 26 7pm - 9pm (Friends & Family night)
Saturday, October 27 10am - 5pm
Sunday, October 28 11am - 3pm

Along with me, they will also have at the show:
Original artwork featuring over 100 juried Northwest artists.

Garden Art, Pottery, Painted Furniture, Jewelry, Fused Glass, Fiber Arts, Watercolors, Calligraphy, Pastels and Oils, and much more!

I also understand that the food at the even is provided by Rick Anderson of Typhoon Catering.

It sounds like you won't want to miss this event. And besides, you can help out a great cause and the kids as well. Art education and participation is so important for a well-rounded education.

You'll also want to see my set up - they are providing a 10x10 space and I don't often get that, so I will have quite a nice set-up and selection with all the added space and extra table.

Thank you to all my loyal customer - and I hope to see you there!

Extended Color Coverage - A Color Junkie Run Amuck

Hello, my name is Lisa and I am a color-aholic. I say screw the 10 steps and embrace your addiction. This is what I do: I make color samples, over and over, until I come up with exactly what I want. I love the process of naming my color themes. What can I say, my gimmick has to be theme centered! So, over the course of the Summer I came up with a number of new color combinations for the Fall/Winter Seasons:

First off, check out "500 Miles". For me it is reminiscent of driving I-5 through southern Oregon into California during the late Summer/early Fall. All the grass has turned blonde, and the fall wild flowers are blooming in muted shades, while the leaves start to change form green to shades of yellow, orange and red. (The colors here from top to bottom: crimson, tangerine, dijon, sangria, sweet pea, bone)

Also, the farthest southern destination you can drive in a day and still make it to a hotel at a descent hour: Ukiah, California (571 miles from Portland, OR). For those of you unfamiliar with this lovely little town - it really is quite centrally located to San Francisco, the Mendocino Coast and California wine country, and not too expensive.

The next combination I created is called "City Centre". I just loved the new colors I bought and had to use them again in another combo... to me it's a reminder of the sidewalks we stroll down (or run down because as city folk we seem to be in a hurry), and the softness of the periphery: the color of the autumn sky with its pinks, caramels and reds. Or, maybe its the leaf letting oxygenators, with the softness of their turning leaves and the hardness of the bark. At any rate, its a reminder that living in the city is beautiful in the fall... (The colors here from top to bottom: nude, pewter, mushroom, cinnamon, poppy, rootbeer)

Additionally, I had to create a combination with blue... I can't make a new combo with out some blue so "Water's Edge" is what a came up with. It includes a new green called "pine" that has a smooth, matte finish... quite lustrous, also included is another new color "bark". I love how the dark, dark brown sets off the rich mulberry. It really is the only purple bead I love, and use regularly. Lately, I have found it difficult to love purple beads. Most of the shades are hard to work with and want to fight with other colors - but not mulberry... sweet mulberry! (The colors here from top to bottom: faded denim, ocean, peacock, pine, bark, mulberry)

This combo so reminds me of when I lived in Seattle and when I would bike around Lake Washington. Such a gorgeous spot. And every now and then I would spot a grey heron taking a break in the grass on the shore. Really, if you haven't been to Seattle - PLEASE... make a stop. You won't be disappointed.

Lastly, I created "Betty's Apron" (colors include from top to bottom: duckling, tangerine, cinnamon mushroom, cilantro, chartreuse). Now, my mother came of age in the 50's & 60's, so Betty Crocker was very much a part of her young life. She still has my grandmother's old Betty Crocker Cookbook from the 40's! If you've never read though one of these old cookbooks, well... it hilarious! It has all kinds of advise on how to "look" for your husband... you get the idea - hilarious! At any rate... my mother loves aprons, and though her name isn't Betty, she was very much like Betty when I was growing up. She was always baking goodies and making home-cooked dishes with love. My absolute favorite were my mother's home made cinnamon rolls. That's the inspiration behind this color combination: I remember the cheerful greens and oranges in my mother's 70's kitchen, along with the warmth of the oven and the gorgeous smell of the cinnamon, butter and frosting filled dough... yummm...

So, I hope that color allows you to relive a beautiful or happy memory - it does for me every day, and please feel free to comment on your favorite color combinations I have created this fall. And, if you have any favorite colors - I'd love to see them..

- Pink