Visit the new SToNZ Jewelry Website!

It only took eleven years, but SToNZ Jewelry finally has a website. Come and visit, won't you!?

Also, the SToNZBlog is migrating over there...

Click here.

Coupon Code for Free Shipping!

1000!! Yipee!
SO excited to reach the amazing milestone of 1000 SToNZ Facebook fans this week. 

Thank you, thank you!! 
In appreciation, a little celebration is in order. From now through the weekend, get FREE SHIPPING on any order from the SToNZ Etsy store when you use coupon code:
1000FBFREESHIP

Code must be pasted into the coupon code box when placing order.

Expires 1/10/16

You're just the BEST. 
Thank you, friends.
xoxo

Lake Erie Living Magaine

I am so excited to find my riveted Lake Erie beach stone charm bracelet featured in the November/December 2014 issue of Lake Erie Living Magazine! On stands now. (At least in the stores where I didn't buy them out.)

;)

SToNZ Jewelry Now Avalable at Los Angeles' Craft & Folk Art Museum

I am thrilled to tell you that SToNZ is going to be in a museum! (Well, a museum gift shop, which is still pretty cool, right?!)

I just sent a box of sterling silver seaglass earrings to the awesome Craft & Folk Art Museum (CAFAM) in Los Angeles. 

If you are in the neighborhood, do drop in and check them out! Admission to the museum is free on Sundays.  And I think we can all agree that free is good!

Etsy Front Page!

Well, that was fun!
:)
Thank you to Filagree Creations for taking us to the front page of Etsy on 2/17/14!

Spring!

At last!

What's happening in my garden this week...

wild geranium

Lily of the Valley

sweet woodruff

jack-in-the-pulpit

muguet bouquet

sweet woodruff

trillium

violets

violets

A productive morning

I made two zucchini breads and a silver bracelet this morning. 

I wish every day was this productive! Below is the recipe for the bread.

I always make two loaves because I figure if I am making a mess in my kitchen I might as well make twice the recipe! (They freeze well, but allow bread to fully cool first, then wrap well before freezing.)

Recipe for the silver bracelet? That will have to be for another day.

If you like this bracelet I will be donating it to the Celebration of Hope, the dinner to raise funds for the Cleveland Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, Thursday, May 2, 2013.

Each year I donate a piece of SToNZ jewelry to the silent auction in memory of my mother-in-law Hope (yes, for me it's a celebration of her) who, among other things, happened to be an amazing baker.

It seemed appropriate to bake something while I created this bracelet for the auction.

I HOPE it's up to your standards, Hope!

Zucchini Bread Recipe  (adapted from Jane Brody)

1 1/2  cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2  cups all purpose unbleached flour
1 cup sugar
3 medium eggs
6 TBS safflower oil  
1 stick melted unsalted butter
4 small grated or shredded zucchini 
1 cup chopped walnuts
2/3 cup yellow raisins  
8 chopped dates
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
2 tsp vanilla extract

Combine the flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves in a large bowl.

In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, oil, butter, zucchini and vanilla. Add to the flour mixture and stir to combine well. Stir in the nuts, raisins and dates. Pour batter into two greased 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pans.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 60 minutes or until a pick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. Cool on baking racks. Makes 2 loaves.  

Appreciating Vignelli

I discovered the work of the iconic designer of all things perfect, Massimo Vignelli while attending art school in the 1980's. Instantly I became a Vignelli Groupie.

You know his work. It's become a part of our national consciousness. His Wiki page is here.

I know I have reached the end of another year when I have come to the last page on my Vignelli designed Stendig calendar and it's time to hang a new one.

"If you can design one thing, you can design everything." - Massimo Vignelli

I have had one on my wall ever since 1980. Each year I try to wean myself, but I am hooked.

1987 painting silk scarves in my attic studio  photo: Michael Nalley

Almost time for a new one.

Yes, I met him in 1983. Did I mention, I am a groupie?!

I am ready!

2010 interview

"Vision, courage and determination will bring you where you want to go. Without them, it would be a miserable life." - MV

Cyber Monday Sale!

Announcing a SToNZ CYBER MONDAY special in the SToNZ store on Etsy! Now through Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 at midnight. Use coupon code CYBER15STONZ when checking out for 15% off your entire purchase! 
Happy Holidays from SToNZ!

SToNZ Mini Moo Cards!

My first order back in 2009

And my newest batch. Like them more with each new order!

Get 10% off your first order by clicking here.
And use promo code
ZJB6M22 

Many The Miles

A little story about my Many The Miles seaglass and beach stone necklace.

One day our 21 year old daughter asked us if we were familiar with singer/songwriter Sara Bareilles. Yeah, she knows what we like. We were instantly hooked on Sara's music. (She's a three time Grammy nominee, by the way) Have you seen her on the a capella competition show The Sing-Off? She's one of the judges. Adorable, smart, and oh so very talented.
So my husband is a bit of a musician himself, and one evening while I was working on a new necklace in my studio, he was playing one of our favorite Sara tunes on the piano upstairs.

The necklace turned out to measure more than 60" long and somehow the name "Many The Miles" just seemed to fit. So the necklace was named for Sara's tune. As you can see, there are tiny little silver tags scattered all around the necklace which I can stamp for customers if they ask me to.

A short time later the necklace was purchased through my Etsy shop by a lovely customer in Roumens, France. We'll call her Diane. (Because her name is Diane)  After much back and forth via email with Diane over how to ship the piece to her safely, she asked me where the inspiration for the name of the necklace came from. It seemed so appropriate as it would be traveling MANY the miles to get to her! I told her about the Sara Bareilles tune that gave the necklace it's name and sent her a link so she could listen. She loved it, and said it was the first she'd heard of this performer. What would she like stamped on the 12 little tags on her necklace? Yep. "Many the miles."
Perfect. Done.
Oh, and Sara, if you start to see a spike in your popularity in Roumens, France over the next few months, I think I should get a little of the credit for spreading the word.

SToNZ Trunk Show was a blast!

The Once In A Blue Moon SToNZ Trunk Show at three.home in Chagrin Falls was a huge success last weekend. I am so grateful to the many friends, new and old who stopped by and said hello. (And bought so much!) I love you all~

A super huge thank you to Rory who is the creative genius behind three.home, and to Dan and Ashley Derecsky of 26 briks who I have to thank for this awesome new SToNZ sign made from a steel drum lid. I know...SO cool, right!?

Sneak peek at the new three.home

The new location of the fabulous Chagrin Falls store three.home is shaping up and just about ready for their grand re-opening / Once In A Blue Moon SToNZ Trunk show this coming Friday and Saturday. (Though Rory is still working her magic and adding more great stuff every hour until Friday!) Here's a sneak peek at what's "in store" so far, in addition to SToNZ Jewelry. 

These pics will make you say, "I want to go to there!"