* the show is not open to the public - trade only; contact us for an appointment at info@joannamorgandesigns.com
Monday, July 23, 2012
Show Time!
We'd love to show you our latest - we will have our entire collection at the Seattle Gift Show* in August - stop by our booth!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Minutes, Moments
Recently I've been preoccupied. A new collection unfolding, preparations to a trade show, but somewhere in the busy schedule there must be room for personal time. Even if it's minutes - living in the moment, so refreshing, and delicious.
BOOKS -
My husband surprised me with this one - "Yes, Chef" by Marcus Samuelsson. I love reading about people who have a creative passion in life, and their path to what they cherish and love most in life. This one is written in a very straightforward way, such a great tread.
FLOWERS -
Always have to have some of those - even if it is the tiniest bloom. Nasturtiums always cheer me up with their color and an interesting shape.
RAIN -
Yes, rain. An occasional rainy day in the summer feels like a gift of time to refocus and recharge. I always get most things done on a rainy day.
BOOKS -
My husband surprised me with this one - "Yes, Chef" by Marcus Samuelsson. I love reading about people who have a creative passion in life, and their path to what they cherish and love most in life. This one is written in a very straightforward way, such a great tread.
FLOWERS -
Always have to have some of those - even if it is the tiniest bloom. Nasturtiums always cheer me up with their color and an interesting shape.
RAIN -
Yes, rain. An occasional rainy day in the summer feels like a gift of time to refocus and recharge. I always get most things done on a rainy day.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
What We've Been Up To...
Meet Alana, Drea, Krystallos, Oona, Bridget, and Justine. We've designed these sculptural rings to fill a void in our collection, and in our jewelry box. As with every item we introduce at Joanna Morgan Designs these rings were necessary for our everyday fashion life!
The rings were hand carved in wax and then cast in metal (brass or sterling silver). Afterwards, each one got a nice polish to gleam and shine on your hand.
You can wear one ring as a statement, or stack them up to create different looks. They can be found at www.JoannaMorganDesigns.com*. Look out for more statement pieces from us soon!
The rings were hand carved in wax and then cast in metal (brass or sterling silver). Afterwards, each one got a nice polish to gleam and shine on your hand.
You can wear one ring as a statement, or stack them up to create different looks. They can be found at www.JoannaMorganDesigns.com*. Look out for more statement pieces from us soon!
*available in brass; will be available in sterling silver soon; wholesale inquiries please email info@joannamorgandesigns.com
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
What I Want for Summer
It was fun to see my White and Blue Teardrops necklace included in this "I Want" collection by an online fashion magazine FashionRooftop.com. Yes, it looks perfect with a Missoni beach cover-up and DVF platform sandals!!!
Check out the latest fashion and style features at www.FashionRooftop.com
Monday, May 21, 2012
"Gilt" Was Not Built in a Day
When I moved to Seattle five years ago, Gilt.com saved my life. Oh, I'm sure I would have been just fine, but really, after sample sales of New York, it felt like being on a starvation diet. Thank goodness for the internet, and flash sales sites like Gilt. Don't want to offend anybody, but...
Today I got to meet Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, who together with a college friend Alexis Maybank, founded Gilt in 2007. As a part of their book launch - "By Invitaton Only - How We Built Gilt and Changed the Way Millions Shop" (a story of how their uber-successful site was started) - she is visiting our corner of the world. The room at MAKERS in downtown Seattle was packed with stylish female entrepreneurs; we were invited by CRAVE, all curious to listen to Alexandra's success story. Hearing it confirmed what I already knew, made me feel stronger about some decisions I had to make, and I also learned a thing or two.
Success doesn't happen overnight. It is hard, hard work, and only few succeed so fabulously like the founders of Gilt. There is no recipe for it, but a handful of truths that may make it easier. Like having a (good and like-minded) partner - you can go it alone, but it's more fun to have a shoulder to cry on, and share your dreams with. Ideally they will provide another point of view, another perspective, fill in the gaps.
There is a long way from a concept, an idea, to making it work, living through the first years of implementing it, creating a working entity, and then the stage of running a mature business. There will be scary times - but understanding your fears will make it easier to move past them. Also, when you're in business for yourself, you never stop. Weekends, holidays, there's no 9 to 5. Finding a balance early on is what will keep you from burning out!
As your business grows it's your decision to judge what's relevant, how quickly you can expand without feeling like you jumped off the cliff, and how to rebalance and refocus quickly.
Kudos to the gutsy ladies who had the chutzpah to make their dream a reality, even if it seemed an outrageous idea. I wonder how many naysayers they had to listen to (I should have asked that question!). Fast forward five years, they have a billion dollar business, three kids between them, a book, and - I am certain - more ideas to build on. Way to go!
Today I got to meet Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, who together with a college friend Alexis Maybank, founded Gilt in 2007. As a part of their book launch - "By Invitaton Only - How We Built Gilt and Changed the Way Millions Shop" (a story of how their uber-successful site was started) - she is visiting our corner of the world. The room at MAKERS in downtown Seattle was packed with stylish female entrepreneurs; we were invited by CRAVE, all curious to listen to Alexandra's success story. Hearing it confirmed what I already knew, made me feel stronger about some decisions I had to make, and I also learned a thing or two.
Success doesn't happen overnight. It is hard, hard work, and only few succeed so fabulously like the founders of Gilt. There is no recipe for it, but a handful of truths that may make it easier. Like having a (good and like-minded) partner - you can go it alone, but it's more fun to have a shoulder to cry on, and share your dreams with. Ideally they will provide another point of view, another perspective, fill in the gaps.
There is a long way from a concept, an idea, to making it work, living through the first years of implementing it, creating a working entity, and then the stage of running a mature business. There will be scary times - but understanding your fears will make it easier to move past them. Also, when you're in business for yourself, you never stop. Weekends, holidays, there's no 9 to 5. Finding a balance early on is what will keep you from burning out!
Kudos to the gutsy ladies who had the chutzpah to make their dream a reality, even if it seemed an outrageous idea. I wonder how many naysayers they had to listen to (I should have asked that question!). Fast forward five years, they have a billion dollar business, three kids between them, a book, and - I am certain - more ideas to build on. Way to go!
Monday, May 14, 2012
Urban Inspiration - Walk #2
More snapshots from my walks - unexpected color and texture in familiar places. I manipulated some images just for fun. Some of it is not changed at all - your guess...
Monday, May 7, 2012
Urban Inspiration - Walk #1
Where does inspiration come from? Sometimes going for a walk with my dog and looking around my neighborhood is enough to start new ideas. I especially liked the textures of very utilitarian objects - rainstorm covers, metal plates on the street, a rusted hydrant... Things that are usually overlooked. They are rarely translated directly into something new for a collection, but they can trigger an idea...
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