Preparing for a new season - Part II

Finally my college semester has officialy ended! After many busy nights and weekends, public presentations and other college madness, it is time to embrace Wilwarin Designs and my milllion plans for it. Yesterday was my first day of winter academic vacation, thus my first day of crafting in a very long time... Misha has also been castrated yesterday morning and spent the day at the vet, which means I was able to "garnish" my crafting table at will, without having to deal with a four-legged crazy one constantly messing around. :D

I've decided to focus on two, perhaps three, main concepts/collections for this Spring/Summer season. I cannot tell any details about them even if I wanted to because they're still in a very initial phase of sketching and planning. Of course, that means I am open to any suggestions or requests from all of you, so if there is anything you would like to see at Wilwarin's shop this Summer, be it a trend or color palette, feel free to contact me or leave a comment in this post!

I'll bring more news really soon, maybe today, even! Stay tuned in this lovely wednesday. ;)

Loving Wilwarin's packaging

This is how I package orders and gifts. Until a few months ago I used to ship every item in a cute organza bag (like the one in the picture), but nowadays I'll only leave that option for those clients who prefer it. I like the simplicity and daintiness of organza bags, but on the other hand, I am truly in love with these natural kraft pillow gift boxes! For each order, they are decorated with paper graphics I created myself on Photoshop from scratch, combining light, grungy beige with a beautiful and rare periwinkle tone. This color is so tender and pretty, even though it gives me headaches everytime it's time to print new cards and papers, because most printers seem not to be able to recognize it... and I usually get dark purple instead! Sure it is a real love-hate relationship between me and periwikle. ;)

From the various parts of running a small business such as mine, I sure like the packaging one above most. I love encaising a little bit of me along with my pieces. That is why I always package orders with most tenderness and care.

Have a lovely weekend everyone! It's another bee-busy one for me although. *sad face*

End of semester!

Again, it's been so long since last I wrote! I wish I could take less time between posts. That's definitely another 2013 resolution for me. ;)

The last three weeks have been truly hardcore, bustling and too stressful for my own good. My Master's first semester is finally bidding goodbye, but the damages left behind by it in my daily life are many. Lots and loads of sleepless nights (I've spent two entire days with no sleep at all, and more than 30 hours straight working on the computer on my final project...), poor diet, the absence of ANY exercise and the lack of time for any other activities such as jewelry making... I know it will take a while to rectify everything - perhaps too long, considering that my next semester starts in less than a month away. But one should start today, right? And so I did, sleeping about 14h straight. :))

Speaking of damage left behind, the weather has been really bad and quite dangerous here in Portugal. The strong winds have knocked many trees down and caused some accidents on the road, which makes this a perfect day to stay home resting after such a hardcore season. Poor little Misha has been panicking the entire day, running and meowing around the house and staring from the windows with eyes wide open. I can even see street lamps waggle from my bedroom window. But however Mother Nature rages outside, I feel good and free because I've finally accomplished many tiring tasks and projects. That aside, I know everything will be alright.

I got to craft a tiny little bit during the last few weeks, but the weather doesn't let me take any good pictures. It doesn't let me go outside to hunt for supplies either. And sadly today I still feel too tired, thus my inspiration is not afoot. I decided I'd then start by gathering some inspiration for my next collection, and I ended up with creating a treasury list on Etsy. The ideas are now starting to flow and I intend to bring more news really soon. :)

Clicky-clicky on the picture to see the whole collection on Etsy!

2013 Resolutions?

Lovely and inspirational art print by Parada Creations.

So the Christmas season is finally over and here we are, looking forward to this brand new year. And, as most say, a new year brings a new life. Have you ever asked yourself why is that so? And how do you feel about that concept?

We all know there isn't a straight relationship between calendar seasons and changes in our personal lives, but most of the time I find myself believing that a new year is equivalent to a new cycle and many new oportunities.

Like many, I also like to look over my last 12 months, appraising all the recent events in my life. Then, I decide what things (be it daily customs or aspects of my personality) are good for me to keep and what aspects are bad and tend to wither my life and inner self. And then some lots of resolutions arise. I have many, many goals for this year, such as

• Try new jewelry making styles and techniques
• Develop Wilwarin Designs' international website
• Take more pictures
• Visit new places
• Learn to properly cook
• Learn to make my own candles and soaps
• Meditate everyday
• Start practising yoga
• Read more
• Blog more!
• Find happiness in what I do (obviously I don't mean jewelry making).

What about your goals/resolutions? ;)

So long 2012!!

I know it's been two entire months since my last post! Last time I came here, I presented my cat Misha, who is now almost five months old and turned out to be a very beautiful feline child. A home with a cat is, indeed, a joyful home... well, except for when it comes to cleaning Misha's mess. ;)

I hope you've had a wonderful winter holiday along with your family and most loved ones. Now, 2012 is coming to an end... but before we step into a brand new year (and a brand new chapter), there is still a small surprise. If you haven't been to my Etsy shop the last couple of days and/or if you're not following me on Twitter yet, perhaps you would like to know that ALL my items are 13% off until the end of February. This is the perfect time to get that piece you have enjoyed so much for a lesser cost.

Last but not least, I'd like to say thank you, to all of you my lovelies, who have supported and cherished me and my work during the last twelve months. 2012 has been a great year for Wilwarin Designs, with many conquered blessings, starting from winning Beadaholique's "Jewels of January" contest to the opening of my Etsy shop and international sales. And all of this wouldn't have been possible without you all. So thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! ♥

May 2013 bring you good fortune and perseverance in all of your life areas!

Happy New Year!!!