New Year ... New Blog!

Hi Everyone,

It has been a very long time since my last post here on Blue Orchid Studo's blog, but I wanted to write and inform all of you of a new blog I have started called A Bit More Green! With this new blog I am excited to share with all of you easy ways to incorporate more healthy, conscientious and green living ideas into your everyday life. As many of you may remember, when I had the shop, I tried to carry "green" products, from soy candles to eco-friendly kid toys, because it is important to me to promote more earth friendly living. So if you are interested in following me, check out the new blog and sign up for the newsletter. All the best!

Leslie
p.s. This is probably the last post I will make for this blog!

Alley Art Festival Saturday Aug. 27th, 12-5!

Sorry it has been a month since my last post! If you have been receiving my Blue Orchid Studio emails over the last few years, you recently had an email updating you about the Alley Art Festival I am going to be participating in this coming Saturday from 12-5 in downtown Aurora at Water Street Mall, Aurora, IL 60505. This is the first time I am going to be showing at this festival and I am super excited! I guarantee you there will be new pieces I have been busily working on just for this show. Here is a sneak peak at some of the new crocheted cowls I've made, perfect for Fall weather just around the corner...

Hope to see a lot of familiar faces out at the show on Saturday, and it looks like the weather is going to be great! Also, if you have been receiving Blue Orchid Studio emails in the past, I am going to be closing my current email service through express email marketing come October! So, if you would like to stay in the loop with all things Blue Orchid Studio, sign up for my blog newsletter in the upper right hand corner of the blog. This way you can get an email update each and every time I post something to this blog :) 

Thanks for following me,

 Leslie

My Jewelry at Nanette's Boutique in Yorkville!

As many of you know when I left the shop storefront in Yorkville, I myself didn't even know yet what kind of a shop would move into the space. Well it didn't take long for a beautiful boutique to call 101 E. Center Street its new home! If you haven't heard yet a cute shop, Nanette's The Giving Boutique is now there. The owner Nanette opened at the end of June and has brought a fun, chic, and glamorous style to the space. Although our shop styles are very different, she asked me if I would be interested in having my jewelry sold in her shop. I was thrilled to have her check out all my new items and now you can once again shop in person for a select amount of my items in Yorkville. Over the last couple of months I have started making these unique and fun cuff bracelets and pendant necklaces, using crochet pieces, vintage jewelry, fabric and beads. She is now carrying these, earrings, and pendant necklaces... oh yeah, I almost forgot, crochet baby hats! Even though I won't be at the counter :) definitely go check out her super chic new location. P.S. More new items going up on Etsy very soon!!!

3 French Hens Outdoor Market Tomorrow!

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to make a quick post... I am going to be at the 3 French Hens Outdoor Market, again, tomorrow from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.! Also, this market was just featured in Romantic Homes Magazine as one of the best french markets in the country, it was actually #5! Definitely come check it out, stop by and say hi :)

Blue Orchid Studio Now On Etsy!!!

After many months I finally have jewelry and accessories up on  My Etsy.com.

I will continue updating and listing new items on a regular basis. Also, remember

that most of the items I make are truly one of a kind pieces, so if you love something

make sure to grab it before someone else does :) The cuff bracelets are my newest

jewelry pieces which incorporate both vintage and new materials, like old clip-on

earrings taken apart, buttons, beads, fabric, ribbon, etc. They are adjustable and fit most

wrist sizes... perfect with any summer outfit!

P.S. Don't forget to sign up for my email newsletter to get the latest information (just click here)!

If you received the email sent out today then you already received the PROMO CODE

to save 10% off your purchases now until July 31st, 2011, but since you are such a great

follower of Blue Orchid Studio the code is : ORCHID! Happy Shopping!

3 French Hens Outdoor Market!

Hello Everyone... 


Next Saturday, June 11th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. I am going to be set up with a booth at the 3 French Hens Outdoor Market in Morris, IL! This will be my first show of the summer and I hope to see a lot of familiar faces :) I am going to be bringing my handmade jewelry, crocheted brooches, baby hats, bibs, as well as, Papaya cards, napkins, notepads, and more. I have been gearing up for this show for the last month... so for all my loyal customers that were regulars in the shop, I think you will enjoy seeing all the new creations. Here is a schedule of the shows, I will also be participating in the show on July 9th! 

 

New Workspace and Jewelry!

It is hard to believe that the shop has already been closed for almost two months, time has

sure gone by fast! Since closing on April 1st, I have been so busy trying to organize all

of my crafting supplies that came home from my workspace, as well as regularly sprucing

up our home. I definitely inherited the gene from my parents for antiquing and constantly

moving furniture around. No joke, I have re-arranged the furniture in my house 3 times 

in the last month, haha. Below is the workspace I have settled on for now :)

So, aside from moving stuff around, I have also been busy making new jewelry for Etsy (I promise to have some things up on here soon) and a few outdoor shows I am participating in this summer. On June 11th, from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. I will be set up at the 3 French Hens French Market in Morris, IL. You can check out the link for more information of the exact location. A newsletter will be going out soon 

to all my friends, family, and customers with more information. If you do not already receive newsletters from Blue Orchid Studio and want to sign up, just visit my official website and click on the icon at the bottom of the page.  Here are some sneek peek photos below of new jewelry I have been

busily working on, necklaces and cuffs!

Bebel Gilberto and Tunics!

Recently my mom and I watched the movie "Eat, Pray, Love" and although I had

heard mixed reviews, I hoped it would be better than it was. Months ago I even attempted

to read the book, but after she apparently lay crying on the bathroom floor forever...I just couldn't seem to get into it. Maybe it is just me, considering it is a New York Times Bestseller, but it just seemed a little hard to connect with the author. Ok, so I totally get that she was going through a bad divorce and at a point in her life where she just couldn't find herself in the life she had created, but come on. If you are like me, you have probably experienced something difficult in life and didn't just go traveling across the globe, paid to write about your experiences!  That said, after almost two + hours of watching and not exactly being super impressed, there were two things that did like. 1.) The music when she is bike riding in Bali. If you have never heard of Bebel Gilberto, I recommend checking her out. She is from Brazil, and the daughter of the "father of bossa nova." Her music evokes a feeling of laying on a beach and drinking a mojito. I love her! And the second thing... 2.) Making a tunic! So I don't sew too much, but I couldn't help running to the fabric store this past week and searching for a pattern and fabric. I found both and can't wait to get started on a fun top for summer coming up. Moral of the story, movies don't always have to be academy award winners to inspire :)

Thank you to all my wonderful friends and customers!

I just wanted to take this time to thank all of my wonderful friends and customers for all the support you showed me over the years at Blue Orchid Studio. From the time I was little, I always knew I wanted to own a shop. It was my goal to bring something unique to Yorkville... and create a place that I would want to shop at; I think I can say that I accomplished that! I met so many talented local crafters and artists, that contributed to the overall success of the shop as well. 

So, even though Blue Orchid Studio in Yorkville is officially CLOSED, I will continue to create jewelry, accessories for adults and children and much more... for Etsy, local art shows, etc. so stay tuned into blog, emails, and Facebook page for more information! My hope is to post something new each week, whether it's about food, crafting, travel, moving up to Vancouver, gardening, etc. 


When I started the shop almost 5 years ago, I never would have thought that the most rewarding part about owning my own business would have been the people I met, but it was. It was truly a pleasure getting to know each of you through the shop and I will definitely miss seeing you in!

50% off all merchandise... FINAL DAYS!!!

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to remind you that Blue Orchid Studio is in its final week of clearance! 50% off all the merchandise starts today through April 1st. Hurry in to get great deals on all items throughout the shop. Thanks again for all the support!

Leslie