Early Jewelry Valentine's Day Giveaway

You got to know Kylie of Early Jewelry a little bit the other day, and now you have a chance to win one of her pieces! Here are the two beautiful items up for grabs: a gold-filled hammered wire and oxidized sterling silver heart necklace (retail $70) and a pair of asymmetrical geode earrings (retail $56). Two winners will be picked!

To enter, leave a comment on this post. One comment per person, please. Open to international readers. Entries accepted until 11:00 p.m. Central Time on February 13th.  Winners will be randomly selected and announced on Valentine's Day. Good luck!

Also, if you want to get some cute earrings for a good cause, Early Jewelry is donating all of the profits from these $15 heart studs to the American Red Cross.

Snowball Fight!

Scarf: Urban Outfitters, gift // Shirt: Thrifted, $3 // Pants: Old Navy, $9 // Shoes: Payless

On Friday, we had the best little snowstorm. It wasn't cold outside, the huge flakes looked beautiful as they fell, and the snow was wet, so it packed perfectly for snowballs. I wish I had had more time to play! The day was busy but casual, so I went for easy comfort with laid-back trousers, a roomy top and simple ankle boots.

Local Designer Kylie Grater of Early Jewelry

I recently sat down with Kansas artist Kylie Grater of Early Jewelry at her studio. Much like Kansas Couture, Kylie expresses her design aesthetic from a Midwestern perspective. Her distinctive handmade pieces are loved by women all over the world. She sells her work through her website, Etsy and at boutiques throughout the country. Currently working with Free People for their May catalog, she has also sold her jewelry through Urban Outfitters and has been featured in Nylon, Teen Magazine, Rachel Ray and more.

Kansas Couture: Tell me about your inspiration.
Early Jewelry: I go for natural, simple, clean design. I'm inspired by open spaces and rural souvenirs like wood, leather and antler: things you might find on a walk. Design-wise, I draw on the cleanliness of the rural Kansas landscape... plots of field and horizon lines.

KC: How did you start making jewelry?
EJ: I grew up in a tiny town and always liked being creative as a kid. In high school, I had a great art teacher who gave me lots of allowances. I studied metalsmithing at KU and spent a year in England, which prepared me professionally. I launched Early Jewelry through LOLA in 2005 and have been doing it full time for three years.

"I like being from Kansas. It's part of the Early Jewelry identity." 

KC: Tell me about your process.
EJ: I'm very materials-based. I don't do a lot of sketching. I'll see a shape in nature and then think about the design in my mind. I'm always manufacturing, forming and producing using techniques that I know work. I keep my production simple.

KC: Why do you stay in Kansas?
EJ: The internet is the only reason I can run this business out of Lawrence. My website allows me to have my own store, my own brand, my own identity. I can market myself internationally. And I like being from Kansas. It's part of the Early Jewelry identity. Being from Kansas can be cool. People find it quaint. It's not necessarily a reality to people. It's an idea or concept.

"I have ... a moral desire to have my business reflect good."

KC: Why is it important to be involved in the local art community?
EJ: Growing up in a small community taught me the importance of volunteerism. Involvement in the community in general is ingrained in me. I have a business but also a moral desire to have my business reflect good. Through this activism, I always meet people, which leads to other things.

KC: Do you have any advice for people interested in starting their own business?
EJ: Knowing business is really important. To go from just being crafty to a full-time job, you have to understand marketing, if and how you're going to advertise, producing a quality product, managing interns, bookkeeping, staying extremely organized and more. You feel like you have to do everything, but I'm doing what I like, and it's totally my voice.

Stay tuned: On Monday, there will be an Early Jewelry Valentine's Day giveaway!

Hey, Local Folks!
Here are some upcoming Early Jewelry events:

"Have a Heart" Valentine Art Show -- Van Go Mobile Arts, non-profit

RECEPTION: Friday, February 5th, 5 - 8 pm
715 New Jersey St
Lawrence, KS

SHOW RUNS:
February 6th - 14th, 1 - 5 pm

Early Jewelry @ First Fridays each month in the Kansas City Crossroads District 7 - 10 pm
Speak Salon
327 1/2 Southwest Boulevard
Kansas City, MO 64108

Fashion Loves People and Early Jewelry Trunk Show
Saturday, February 6th, 10 am - 6 pm
Haught Style

6951 Tomahawk Road
Prairie Village, KS

Lola Valentine's Show

Saturday, February 13th, noon - 6 pm
500 Locust

Lawrence, KS 

Thrifting is My Drug of Choice

I used to thrift at least once a week. The selection in my town is pretty abysmal, but the nearby town where I work is a treasure trove. The stores are not picked over, and they're way cheaper. Once I got my little bundle of joy, however, I started rushing home after work, which means (you guessed it) no more thrifting. Oh, the sacrifices one makes for doggie parenthood. Yesterday, after a months-long hiatus, I made a quick trip to the thrift store. It felt amazing. I think I had been going through withdrawal. For how little time I spent there, the trip was pretty successful.

THE GOODS:

-Vintage oxfords
-Clark's flats
-Kimchi & Blue lace blouse
-Vintage batwing sweater
-Polka dot blouse
-Ann Taylor blazer
-Oversize sheer blouse
-Vintage high-waist shorts

THE DAMAGE: $24

Not everything fits (I hardly ever try stuff on at thrift stores), but I was definitely happy with what I came away with. I'm sure I'll kick myself for saying this next time I covet something totally unattainable, but I daresay it's better to NOT have a lot of money for buying clothes. Honestly, if I had an unlimited clothing budget or even just a considerable one, I wouldn't know what to buy. When you can choose from anything, how would you decide? And would it hold the same value and meaning to you? I would probably end up buying way too much and appreciating it less. 

When your budget limits you to thrift stores or sale racks, you have to really hunt for the good stuff. It isn't just presented to you on a carefully composed display. And you have to make the most of what you get. That may mean altering items or getting creative with the way you incorporate them into your wardrobe. The feeling I get after a fruitful thrifting trip is way different (and way better) than the remorse or uncertainty that comes with regular retail shopping. I feel accomplished, invigorated and responsible because I didn't spend much and I'm putting old clothes to good use. 

Anyway, Maybe this is just an unhealthy obsession of mine or my way of making myself feel better for not having a lot of money. I realize thrifting isn't fun for everyone, and I also don't want to downplay the importance of sometimes spending more for good quality. How do you guys feel about thriting, shopping on a budget and the prospect of having an unlimited budget?   

Shady Lady

Shirt: Gap, $10 // Skirt: Vintage, thrifted, hemmed, $1 // Necklace: Urban Outfitters, $10 // Boots: Courtesy of BC Footwear

My apologies for the shadowy indoor picture. I look like I should be telling a campfire ghost story. One of these days I'll figure out how to take a decent indoor picture. Anyway, this is what I wore to work yesterday. I finally got around to hemming this skirt. Since I haven't worn it in so long, it feels like a new piece. I love it when that happens.

Spring Fever

Shirt: Urban Outfitters, $10 // Shorts: Insight, courtesy of 80spurple.com // Tights: Gift // Shoes: Forever 21, gift // Bow tie: American Apparel sash, $16

Here's what I wore on Sunday to a benefit. I swear, lately I've just been dressing like it's spring and then throwing on a winter coat. Speaking of spring, I can't wait to style these new shorts in lots of different ways once the weather warms up. Way back in September, Weardrobe Conference sponsor 80s Purple gave us all gift cards. I'm so glad I waited to spend mine. I have a really hard time finding shorts I like, and these are great. That's all for today, folks. I'm beat. Good night!

"Such Beautiful Shirts"

Sweater: GAP (altered by me), $30 // Leggings: Courtesy of We Love Colors // Head wrap: American Apparel Sash // Necklace: Forever 21, $9 // Boots: Urban Outfitters, $25

Remember this sweater? I kept finding myself wanting to wear a big cozy sweater but passing on this one because the neck cuff was just too bothersome. So, as I often impetuously do, snip snip! And I'm so happy with the result. I think I'll wear it much more often now. Paired with soft, comfy leggings from We Love Colors, this was the perfect laidback Saturday look.

As for the head wrap, Erin of calivintage was definitely the inspiration here. I knew the American Apparel sash would be great for big bows around my waist and neck, but Erin's tutorial inspired me to try it as a turban. I definitely need to work on my technique. She does it like a pro!

In combination with red lipstick for an evening out, the turban elicited a lot of comments including references to Daisy Buchanan. Speaking of which... have you heard? Baz Luhrmann is making a Great Gatsby adaptation. I'm beyond thrilled!