Seven years ago I found a book about a hike on Mount Tamalpais and this event finally got me there.
A Circumambulation. In a few parts.
We begin (at the end) with the Store Event & the Work, then will end at the beginning with the imprints, the Book & the Walk.
In early June I went to Mill Valley in Marin County, north of SF to do an in-store event at the store Esqueleto.
I rented a car, drove through SF at rush hour, over the Golden Gate Bridge, through the Rainbow Tunnel, drove past Mill Valley and all the way out to San Geronimo to stay with a friend and her family.
Somehow it all felt very adventurous. Like I put on my big girl pants and got out there.
This year I have committed to not doing trade shows — my main way of selling wholesale — to make space for new ways to grow. I am finally admitting that what worked pre-pandemic just isn't working anymore. So this year I decided to go where the love is and set up some in-store events.
The year began with a visit to Super Simple in Palm Springs for Modernism week where I launched the Sequin Collection. The trip turned into an insanely inspiring Art Tour- You can read and see pics of all that here!
And this most recent visit was to Esqueleto, a beautiful & spacious store in Mill Valley founded by the jeweler Lauren Wolf that began as a single shop in Oakland and has grown to 4 shops. They support the work of many independent jewelers and makers. The shop has carried my work for years and I truly love doing business with them!
I brought a new hammered disc wall hanging based on a custom piece made a few years ago and lots of the new Vases to fill with flowers. I am in love with the narrow opening (I am a terrible flower arranger) and it is perfect to hold a small flower bunch. And for that huge wall, a long B&W Garland and 3 Portals - which filled the space nicely.
The store event, Ceremony, was loosely based on these stoneware 'pucks' I made for myself to hold 15 minute beeswax candles. A way to measure time sans digital devices. Just sit your ass down and stop looking at your phone for 15 minutes. When trying to carve out a new habit, I set the bar low, hoping to set myself up for success. And you know what?? I still oftentimes don't do it.
*Ada Limon- Instructions On Not Giving Up. A poem I keep returning to
WHOA. And if you made it this far, thank you.
Stay tuned for the first part of the Circumambulation- The imprints, The Book & The Walk.