Holiday Traditions

It may be a bit early yet to be talking about the holidays, but if you read my post the other day, then you that SoulMakes is already preparing. And perhaps thats what has me so inspired and ready for this holiday season. Plus, I thought this would be a good opportunity to let you all get to know me a bit more, since I don't do that often.

I didn't always love the holidays, actually most of my life I didn't like them at all. Especially when I was a kid. I grew up in one of those dysfunctional type families and the holidays seemed to put all this pressure on us to not be dysfunctional, which actually seemed to have the exact opposite effect..and not in a cute way .. Anyways, as an adult, I've had the opportunity to re-create the holidays and make some new and wonderful traditions with my amazing partner by my side.

Every winter since Trev and I started dating we've gone to Denver, Colorado to visit his family.

I love Colorado! First of all, I love Trevor's family. They are always so welcoming and kind. His Mom and step dad always let us stay with them in their lovely home and they are such down to earth people. It makes for a really enjoyable vacation. I love spending time getting to know them (I'm pretty shy), I absolutely adore the shopping in Denver and Boulder too, well I'm sure you've noticed the western influence in the shop. And of course, I love the view..

Our vacation this year is TEN DAYS long!! And it's just 5 weeks away, I can not wait!

I guess I should also mention one of my most important personal traditions. Lighting the candles!!

(of course two photogs would have a picture of themselves lighting the Menorah! And wow, this pic is old..)

We didn't go to temple growing up, but we usually celebrated high holy days, Passover and always Chanukkah. As an adult, I choose to go to Temple, although I wouldn't consider myself religious, more  so spiritual. I believe in G-d and going to temple is one of the ways that I choose to seek Him and grow my relationship with my Creator. I'm all about learning.

Also, it may be becoming a tradition for us to see the trans siberian orchestra..

Last year we caught them in Philly and we liked them so much that we got tickets for Trev's parents to go see them in Colorado. The other day Trev and I were wishing we could go see them this year and guess what?! His mom called with an early Christmas present! So we're seeing them in DC this year! Very excited. If you havent seen them, you should. Pictures and videos and all the written/verbal descriptions in the world don't do these guys justice.

SoulMakes is starting it's own traditions this year! We'll be at our first holiday show this weekend..

Look out for new holiday items coming to the Shop soon! Starting this week we're sending out a little extra surprise with every order! And since we know you're not the only person on your shopping list, we're shipping each additional item for free! And of course, we've got plenty of deals coming up for the Holidays! 

What are your holiday traditions?

<3,

MacK

Happy Storm Day

So here comes hurricane Sandy, are you prepared? So far it's just a whole lot of rain, but we'll see what happens. Just in case, we've made a short storm prep guide...

Number 1..

In case of flooding, if you live in low lying ground, like us, elevate your valuables. 

Save the Fryes!

Number 2...

In case the power goes out and you're unable to brew coffee/tea, make sure you have an ample supply of caffeine sources..

Number 3...

Make sure you have something to do, since driving to work is out of the question in this dangerous weather..

I'm stocked up on Chewy Bars, listening to Fleetwood Mac and making all kinds of new jewelry for the Shop and in preparation of upcoming events.

Number 4...

Have a handsome boyfriend to keep you company <3

So there you have it. 

In all seriousness, who knows when this weather will turn, we've got plenty of bottled water, non perishables, gas in both cars, and because half of our apartment is basically underground, we did elevate all our valuables. 

Everyone out there on the East Coast; Stay safe, stay dry! And don't forget to head to the Shop for a coupon code lasting through the 31st.

<3,

MacK

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

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

A few more from my iPhone

So, I just got this iPhone..My first ever smart phone. You could say I'm currently a little bit obsessed with instagram and pic collaging(also checking traffic and weather). Although, I am some what of a photographer in real life. A hobbyist anyway, I love to shoot 35 mm and 120 film. Yes FILM, as in analog :) I've given myself the task of a photo a day with my old trusty film camera, but in the meantime here's a few more from memorial day celebrations..

My pretty friend <3

These dancers were so awesome! I think they must've been burning up and very tired by the end, but they did such a great job!

And of course the White Turquoise Falls Necklace

Hope you all had an awesome Memorial day!

<3,

MacK

Weekend Recap - According to my iPhone

I know that most people are off today, but I'm not and it's Monday..So here's a little weekend recap according to iPhone :)

We went to one of the local Memorial day celebrations. It was pretty neat, lotsa cool little booths set up with all different kinds of art. My favorite of which was the tie dye tent and lovely rock collection pictured above. Maybe one day soon I will have my own little booth! 

Also, I listened to this song about 600 times over the weekend! Nothing like a little Janis Joplin to kick off the summer.

<3,

MacK

Weekend Recap

We had sucha  fun weekend! The international Gem and Jewelry show came to town. It comes every few months and it is like bead heaven! Bead shows are such a great source for buying bulk supplies, you can imagine I was pretty excited!!

Mostly there's tons and tons of beads at the show, but there's also lots of vendors selling finished products. I'm a sucker for all the western items, tons of squash buckles and concho belts! There's always a few seemingly random vendors too. One gentlemen was grilling chiken and veggies on a small stove stop.

I guess Trev is a sucker for grilling, because he bought one of the grills almost instantly. Aside from being super handsome, he's also a really amazing cook! 

So the bead show was a success for both of us! I am loaded up on all kinds of beautiful gems and stones and ready to start making some new things..and Trev can't wait to start grilling in our apartment! Hope you all had a great weekend too!

<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