A Look Back..

I've been SO busy, working my hands off, making things for all of our upcoming events! I haven't been able to post as much as I'd like, so I thought now would be a good time for an update and a little reflection.

"And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."

-Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

SoulMakes(and by the way, SoulMakes is one word) has been at it for only 6 short months, if that and it's already grown so far beyond anything I had imagined. To be completely honest, I think in the beginning I just thought I'd sell a few things a year. I also had no idea SoulMakes was going to be a two person team or that we would be recognized by a magazine(Thank You Disfunkshion Mag!!) or various blogs. I had no idea I'd be making friends with other designers and artists or that SoulMakes would travel to festivals and fairs to showcase our goods or that a store would be carrying our stuff. Actually, if we're being really honest, I had no idea that this was something I wanted to do with my life. If you know our story then you already know that that I seemed to stumble upon this dream almost accidentally. 

I've been making jewelry my entire life. My mom was a jewelry maker, I learned from her. She had a small operation going for a while, but at the time there was no Etsy and online stores operated by one man companies weren't that big yet. She peddled her jewelry door to door in small retail districts and craft shows. It's amazing to think how far the hand made world has come! Anyways, I was making jewelry for a few friends and they encouraged me to start an online shop. I was definitely scared, but  eventually I went for it. And once Trevy hopped on board SoulMakes was in full flight. I thought he would just take a few pictures for me and that's it, but it turned into much more than that. At first I was hesitant to run a business with my significant other, but we've learned so much. We've learned to use our difference as our strengths in a partnership, in and out of business. SoulMakes is a creative bond we share, without him it wouldn't be here.

Here's a quick recap of our journey...

First ever skull bracelets, from years ago, way before SoulMakes was even a twinkle in my eye

Besides an improved technique, they haven't changed much..

 

First ever drawing of the logo (by me)

First packaging I ever did, I used old film boxes a lot in the beginning..

SoulMakes recently hit our first 100 sales

We've been featured by Disfunkshion Mag a few times!!

We're booking events every other weekend in the DC area, we're shipping all over the world..

This fan photo came all the way from Malaysia!

We are living the dream. Since the very beginning of SoulMakes, everything has always seemed to fall right into to place. I'm so insanely grateful for all the fans, customers and followers that have carried us this far! I'm overwhelmingly appreciative to Trevy and to all our friends who have helped out along the way, especially my friends & coworkers at Free People and of course, the God of my understanding! I'm so blown away by this journey we're on, it is the adventure of a lifetime for sure and I couldn't be happier to share it with you people!

Head to Shop now to use this coupon code for 10% off your entire purchase, good through Sunday: THANKYOU100

Thanks all! I hope you're having a wonderful week!

Thanks,

MacK @ SoulMakes

My Nails

That's right, a post about my nails. Although I haven't had much time for it lately, I'm pretty into nail art. I'm not so bad at it either :) Take a look...

After 4 weeks of unpainted nails, a record for me, I finally found some time to sit down and paint them this week. Sometimes, it's the little things. I love putting my creative energy to use and being able to pamper myself simultaneously is a big plus :)

Hope you're all having a great week!!

<3,

MacK

Details - Around the house

Aside from jewelry making, I like to consider myself and artist of all trades. I also really love to paint, although it's been too long since I've done that. So here's a few snap shots of some of my paitnings etc, oh and a signed Fleetwood Mac record…no big deal :) I love our little home! Since we're both artist there's lots of really cool little details

Happy Friday everyone!! Hope you all have the most beautiful weekend!

<3,

MacK

Weekend Update

So when I was able to pull myself away from my lovely new work space we went to the Israeli Street Festival that happened to be just down the road from us. In celebration of Israel's 64th there was food, activities, crafts, and of course..really amazing music!

I also really enjoyed the little petting zoo <3

So fuzzy! :) Anyway, even though we're Jewish, I didn't grow up going to temple. We celebrated Chanukkah and Passover, we went to our cousins Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, and sometimes my mother and I even lit candles on Shabbat. But I never knew much about Judaism until now. As an adult I've been exploring my roots a little more, so it was very cool to go to this little celebration!

Hope you all had an amazing weekend!!

<3,

MacK

My New Space

This weekend Trevor set up a little desk for me in our apartment. He's so great :) Before now I have kept all my supplies in one huge bag, filled with many other smaller bags, that weighs 800 pounds, because I'm a mobile beader. But now I have this awesome little work space! I am super excited, I didn't really leave my new space all weekend. 

Why so serious?

I started on a few new ideas this weekend. First, chokers. Lots of people have been asking me about chokers. I am always wearing one, but right now the only one in the shop is the Crystal Choker. There is definitely more coming soon!

And I've been playing around with anklets..

So hopefully we'll have some items posted soon!

 I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

<3,

MacK

Introductions!

Well here goes.. I'm MacKenzie, with a capital K, but I really preffer to go by MacK

And this is my lovely mom..She's my biggest inspiration. She is such a great artist! When I was kid she hand painted every wall in our house. We had flower covered walls lining the stair case and there was a beautiful sun over looking the kitchen table. She also turned the gazebo in our back yard into her cozy little studio, where she worked with dichoric glass, making necklaces and earings. I even fired a few pieces in the kiln myself. She taught me that I could use my hands to make whatever I wanted..and that it was ok to spill paint on the floor :)

We used to take trips out to WVA, where my grandparents lived, along the way there was this big teepee on the side of the road we always stopped at. The inside was filled with rocks, minerals, crystals, turquoise, and all kinds of southwestern beads. I instantly fell in love with the style and began making my own things.

You can see I'm still heavily influenced by the native culture and I have a serious thing for turquosie! Oh and skulls!

And then there was Trevor…

Isn't he super handsome? Great jawline..I know. He took those lovely photos above of my jewelry. He's an amzing photographer and my biggest supporter! Man, I sure do love this guy. He is constantly encouraging me..usually to do things I'm way too afraid to do on my own, like start my own jewelry line or make a blog. SoulMakes would not be possible without him! And we make a great team, if I do say so myself. I make the jewelry and he does..pretty much everything else <3

Anyways, I'll be using this space to post lots of fun pictures of my latest designs and inspriation. You can visit the shop at www.soulmakes.etsy.com and give us a like on facebook..stay tuned!!

-MacK