I support other artisans!

Check out this adorable and well made felt necklace that I received in the mail yesterday from an artisan in New York. Its so fun and bold -- right up my style alley!

What people are saying about my line....

2010 I turned my hobby into a business and this is what people are saying:

Patrice...your stuff is so cool and colorful...right up my alley! - @coolerstuff (Twitter)

I absolutely LOVE the earrings I have in my collection from “Handmade by Patrice” I have received wonderful compliments on the earrings and definitely plan on purchasing more pieces. I love your style and creativity.” Keep up the good work! – A.Belton

I love these!! You have some really nice pieces, can't wait to purchase! – Blogger Comment

Beautiful jewelry sis - AfuaKumasi (Via Twitter)

Ladies, she has fly jewelry! Nuff said -Napnat (Via Twitter)

Comments from customers during my trunk show:

-         “Your pieces are so organic and beautiful”

-         “I love the originality in your designs; I’ve never seen anything like it.”

-         “The ball and chain earings are so adorable – the colors are so bold!”

Everyone likes a giveaway

Great news! One lucky fan will have an opportunity to win a pair of earrings designed by me.

If you don't already know about Notorious Spinks, then you'd better ask somebody. Notorious Spinks is a well known blogger who dishes on books, brands, cultures and events. In the coming weeks, she will be providing a review and hosting a giveaway of a piece from my line, Handmade by Patrice. I'm very excited about the upcoming review and for a lucky fan to receive a pair.

If you want to be included on the fun, please be sure to add Notorious Spinks and this page (Jewelry by Patrice) to your blogroll and RSS feeds.

Trust me, you DON'T want to miss this!
Lastly, stay up to date by following me on Twitter at @flygirljewelry and on Facebook via my fan page at www.facebook.com/handmadebypatrice

My Christmas gift to me!

Yesterday evening, I was in the creative spirit and decided to make myself a Christmas gift. The last few weeks, I've been shopping for others and thought it would be nice to do something for myself. I wanted to create a piece that I could wear year round and with everything, so I decided upon a bib necklace with flower and button embellishments.

Hello Twitter!

So, this evening, I decided to create a Twitter page exclusively for my handmade jewelry. If you're out there in Twitterville, follow me at @flygirljewelry. Please be sure to say,"Hello" and introduce yourself. I love connecting with others who have a love for beautiful, artistic, bold jewerly!

Hoops!

There is something about these earrings that I just love. I'm a huge fan of hoops, but this pair in particular speaks to me...... hmm, will have to "hold" them for myself :).

6 more days .....

It's hard to believe that in just 6 more days I will be hosting my first trunk show for my line, Handmade by Patrice. In preparation for the event, I've been in the "lab" preparing beautiful new pieces. This show will feature chic one of a kind earrings and necklaces <----YES, necklaces (post and images coming soon).

With the Christmas holiday right around the corner, this is a great time to shop for the fabulous woman(en) in your life!


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Trunk Show information: 

When: Saturday, December 11, 2010
Where: Cascade Resale Store
              6772 Race Track Road
              Bowie, MD 20715
Time: 11-3p.m.
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Are you daring?

My signature ball and chain earrings are not for the shy. These earrings command attention and are perfect for the woman who is daring and loves to be seen. Sold in a variety of colors with metalic hand paints.

For the woman who is daring!

Flower power!

On Saturday, December 11th, where will you be? Oh, at my trunk show, right :). Get there early and be the first to purchase the flower bib necklace featured in the attached photo. Below are the trunk show details:

When: Saturday, December 11, 2010
Where: Cascade Resale Store
              6772 Race Track Road
              Bowie, MD 20715
Time: 11-3p.m.

Make a statement with buttons!

This bib necklace is fun, playful!

This season its all about the bib necklace. Bib necklaces are fun, expressive and definitely make a statement. Command attention when you walk in the room with this adorable button bib necklace. It will be featured and sold at my trunk show for my line, Handmade by Patrice on Saturday, December 11th. 

Below are details about the trunk show:

When: Saturday, December 11, 2010
Where: Cascade Resale Store
              6772 Race Track Road
              Bowie, MD 20715
Time: 11-3p.m.

“There is no such thing as a self-made man. You will reach your goals only with the help of others.”- George Shinn

This afternoon, I had a great planning meeting for 2011 events with an amazingly talented local jewelry vendor. While only in the beginning stages of brainstorming, I'm so excited about what the New Year has in store. I personally believe that there will be people (or angels, if you will) who will be placed in your life to help you reach your goals; it's up to us to recognize them. George Shinn said it best when he stated, "There is no such thing as a self-made man. You will reach your goals only with the help of others.”  As we prepare to close 2010, I'm thankful for the angels that have entered my life.

What to expect at my trunk show on Dec. 11th

Lately, I've been spending time here and there preparing pieces for my trunk show on December 11th and I'm finding that I'm in love with creating hoop earrings.

In the picture to your left, you will see a few of my newest "hoop creations".

My collection, Handmade by Patrice is filled with bold colors and unique styles.

I've also created more of my signature "ball and chain" earrings in a variety of colors (see earrings in the image above the sale sign).

If you're in the Maryland area on Dec. 11th and love bold, funky, unique and stylish jewelry, then you don't want to miss this show.

You pick it and I'll pair it!

Lately, I've been receiving a ton of compliments on my jewelry, but a lack of sells. If I had a dollar for every time I heard, "I really like your jewelry, but wish I knew how to wear it?" I would be rich :). Well, I've developed a solution for those who want to buy items but need help in the pairing department. With my trunk show coming up in a few weeks, I've developed the concept of a 60 second consultation with potential buyers. The gist is you pick it and I'll tell you how to wear it. Not only will this be a fun way to learn more about the likes and dislikes of my clients, but it'll be fun teaching women how to rock such unique jewelry.

Trunk Show

If you're in the Maryland, DC and/or Virginia area, I invite you to attend a trunk show featuring exclusive pieces from my collection.

Below are the details:

When: Saturday, December 11, 2010
Where: Cascade Resale Store
              6772 Race Track Road
              Bowie, MD 20715
Time: 11-3p.m.

See the attached flyer. Hope to see you there!!

Creatively Yours,

Patrice

12 words that I reflect on

By trade, I'm a column writer, business consultant to solopreneurs, ABA certified paralegal and a public policy lover with specific interest in grass root projects. Now, in the middle of all of that, who would have ever thought to add, "Jewelry designer"?!?!?!?!

I often reflect on a quote from Oprah Winfrey that consists of twelve words which are, "What God intended for you goes far beyond anything you can imagine." For my life and planned career path this statement couldn’t be more fitting. When I received my graduate degree I had goals of running for office and changing the world – which are still in the plans, but I believe I’ll be doing it now in a bad piece of jewelry and pushing my line J

As a child, I've always been creative and loved to be around creative people. I’d often watch my very talented mother who enjoyed sewing, create masterpieces over night with her sewing machine and marvel at the beauty of the finished pieces. For me,
I truly believe that the seed of creativity was sowed very early in life and blossomed in my adulthood.

It is my personal believe that we all posses talents and abilities within us that we probably could have never imagined. It's up to us to dust them off and let them shine for the world to see. My goal in life is to leave no talent hidden.

My signature earrings (ball and chain) and the epiphany

The earrings in this photo are my signature earrings, the ball and chain. I will never forget the day I wore them to an event and there were about five ladies who gave me their contact information requesting that I make them a pair. When I went home and began designing the earrings to fulfill their requests, I had an epiphany. I thought, “Why not showcase all of your jewelry?” I figured if I could earn close to $100 bucks by chance, then this could be a great way to earn residual income. It was at that moment, that my hobby turned into a profitable passion that birthed my jewelry line, Handmade by Patrice.