Happy First Friday of 2013

Our building’s boiler is broken and we have no heat. Fortunately we have a fireplace to keep the apartment warm enough. I’m getting somewhat used to at-home camping – five days without power during Hurricane Sandy, and now no heat. Ezra and Bodhi don’t seem to mind a bit!

I love the amazingly creative ways that stores find to decorate their spaces. Here are some recent faves:

The Doughnut Plant on 23rd St. has giant quilted doughnuts on the walls…

and Chelsea Market has a tunnel of lights!

As for me, I’ve been working on some mini-vignette styled displays for Aroc Urtu at Lost Wax Studio!

Happy New Year!

Thank you, everyone, for your kindnesses and support this past year.  I wish you joy and all good thing in 2013!

Trunk Show

       Come finish up your holiday shopping on Saturday! I will be there all afternoon!

                                                  Lost Wax Studio

Workshops at Lost Wax Studio

I am so excited to be partnering with a store that is just the kind of place I would love to create if they hadn’t already done it. Lost Wax Studio is very special in that it not only has beautiful things to buy, it also fuels and feeds that burning desire to MAKE. Tam Tran is the creative director behind the space; extremely talented jeweler and designer, I am in awe of her endless stream of outside-the-box brilliant ideas. If we were in high school, she’d be the girl everyone wants to hang out with – the coolest girl in the room. Tam teaches a variety of workshops at the store where people actually make a piece of jewelry. Now, I’ve been making jewelry for a long (loooong) time, so you wouldn’t think this would interest me very much. But I went to one this past Thursday evening where we learned to make wrap bracelets (you know, the Chan Luu style that is really popular, but oh so pretty), and you know what? I had a great time. No, I had a FANTASTIC time, and I love my bracelet so much I haven’t taken it off!

Tam’s workshops are becoming so popular that corporations are having her come in to teach workshops to executives - a very creative way of fostering communication and teamwork. I do think the world would be a better place if the leaders of nations would sit down together and make a wrap bracelet.

Aroc Urtu’s Gift Guide for those Very Special Someones

Who’s on your special list this year?

Aroc Urtu – handcrafted, one-of-a-kind pieces for those most special in your life.

Ice is Nice

Things I love about Winter:

boots, sweaters, knit hats, down quilts, the X-mas tree forests that have sprung up on many city corners, hot cider, fires in fireplaces, wool socks, baking cookies, holiday gatherings and the party dressing-up that goes along with it. I like to dress simply and wear a few things that are sparkly. Like these two Waterfall Necklaces that remind me of icicles and frozen waterfalls. Festive, indeed!

This is a very special holiday season for Aroc Urtu, as we have moved into the fabulous store Lost Wax Studio in a very big way. I hope you get a chance to stop by!

 

The Empire State Building was among about 80 iconic landmarks in a dozen countries turning red at night to mark World AIDS Day on December 1. I wish they would leave it like this for the month of December.

Two News Flashes!

I’m so excited I’m jumping up and down as I type this. Can you say STOREFRONT? Yes! Aroc Urtu is expanding and moving in with Lost Wax Studio, where you can come in, see the collection and visit me. I’d LOVE to see you! Located on Elizabeth St. in Nolita, this is one of the very coolest stores in the city and I am over the moon to be there.

I will be telling you all about my upcoming trunk show on Sat, Dec 1st very soon. For all of you who live elsewhere (and even those of you in the city who prefer to shop online), here’s the second big announcement:

AROC URTU WILL BE HAVING A THANKSGIVING SALE!!! Yes, on Friday I will be announcing the code that will allow you to take 30% off most items in the online store all weekend long. 30% - what a great way to indulge yourself  get a head start on your Holiday shopping!!