Affaires, Affirmations & Red Velvet

There's a time to write ... and I feel like it right now.

I'm sure by now you've noticed the cover of my newest baby on the side of my blog. A labor of intense love like a magazine launch is as close as I want to get to having children. I've launched a magazine before (apronology) but this experience was completely different. This time around a number of unforeseen circumstances made the follow through and production of this publication more dependent on my particular vision. And at times I felt like if the magazine failed to live up to the standards I set, it would be my fault alone. But I am part of an amazing team and the lesson learned is that when you trust your instincts (as every fashion fanatic knows) you usually come out on top and smiling. This book is exactly what I had in my head, down to the cover (and what a story that is). I have never been prouder of putting together a magazine, and I dont even know if I can top it. It's perfect to me. I will read and look at it over and over again. I will hold it tight when it comes in. And I will show (and tell) everyone that this is mine, that this is me spread out over 144 pages and broken down into bits, baubles, and sentences. This work embodies the art of so many, yet for such personal narratives and pieces I am happiest to note that the tone of the magazine is celebratory. It's light, fun, and full of glamour that is not pretentious, but acheivable, real, attainable, and of course ELEGANT and EXTRAORDINARY. My editor's letter is the best summation of what I want to say when it comes to jewelry, but I think this editor's picture makes a great statement as well.

Little known fact: I detest pictures of me. You will notice there are very little on this blog, and that is because I think I look silly in pictures. Unfortunately, part of this job is being photographed and it's rare that I get to explain the philosophy behind my editor's pictures. The one I've included here is not the exact one in the book, but it's close. I like that the blouse is a celebratory, happy color, is made of a luxurious silk, and has drapey details (which is after all what makes any piece luxe). I picked it up from T.J. Maxx for $20 and it's by one of my favorite labels, Alice + Olivia. I piled on the jewelry because I wanted to show an array of artists off, as well as the many ways you can stack and layer jewelry to make it work for you. Think of it as accessorizing your accessories. Jewelry here is by:

Eninaj (http://www.etsy.com/shop/eninaj)

Dyanna Cooley (http://broke-jewels.blogspot.com/)

JoAnn Doxakis (http://zoweeart.blogspot.com/)

MDKM Artz(http://www.etsy.com/shop/mdkmartz)

Make Pie Not War (http://www.makepienotwar.net/)

Stephani Gorman (http://stephanigorman.blogspot.com/)

Marie French (http://mariefrench.blogspot.com/)

When it comes to pictures I don't mind of me, they usually involve other people. I love this picture with my friends and I at La Maison Rustique. The wonderful Sandra Finn (http://sandralfinn.blogspot.com/), sweet Joy Gabler (http://thevintagerabbit.typepad.com/the_vintage_rabbit/) and darling Sherry Mattia-Welch (http://glamarellajunk.blogspot.com/) dropped by yesterday for a visit and to unload untold treasures for upcoming magazines including HOME and Haute Handbags. And while they were here I realized many important things.

Firstly, the strain of producing the jewelry magazine was well worth it. Sandra asked me if jewelry was my passion and my first reaction was no ... but the more I thought about it, I learned that it might be. Any person or persons who helps you realize something siginificant about who you are, what you believe, and what you are passionate about is worth knowing and knowing for a long time. I'm so glad Sandra asked me that question, because sometimes it's easier to answer those soul-searching things when someone else poses them at you than if you had asked yourself.

Secondly, certain negatives come with the territory of sharing art and ideas, like copying and stealing techniques etc. But the important thing to keep in mind is that when this happens it cant stop you or slow you down. You will always be you, and as long as people like YOUR vision, YOUR ideas, YOUR style, you have something to market, something to bring to the table; you will always be a step ahead. No one can corner you unless you let them. YOU can always change it up.

Lastly, I learned something very telling from these remarkable artists: why people don't submit to our magazines. Something I've heard more and more from artists is that they never submitted because they were intimidated, because they second guessed themselves etc. I couldnt believe that people who are insanely talented could feel this way. And it made me realize how important encouragement is, enthusiasm is, friendship is, positive energy is. Believe me, I know what it's like to feel intimidated, as I've submitted lots of writing to be published that wasn't. And I've scared myself out of many a leap. But in the end it's worth it to take that plunge of faith. I know. I have the magazine to prove it.

So, a big thanks is in order to everyone who was involved with Jewelry Affaire, and in particular to Sandra, Joy, and Sherry who brought me some much needed encouragement and wisdom yesterday. To celebrate good times, good art, and good conversation we even splurged a little bit and had a slice of red velvet cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory. Success never tasted so sweet.