It's Time For the SD After Sunset Debut

Today is the day I officially debut my jewelry line, After Sunset, to the San Diego community! The RAW Artists event I was invited to be showcased in is tonight! I still have a couple last minute things to do and then off I go to set up and prepare for a big night.

I'm probably most nervous about the set up because it's a lot for me to do alone between all the unloading, heavy lifting, back and forthing, and parking in dark garages Downtown. Oh, the joys of being a single business owner.

But really what I'm most nervous about is the response I'll get from local art and entertainment lovers. Jewelry is very competitive and during this first year of After Sunset, I've promised myself to never stray from my own style and taste just to follow certain trends. But I've enjoyed the process of brainstorming and creating and working with customers.

I've put blood, sweat, and tears [many of them] into After Sunset, especially for this show in particular. There was a point last night where it was difficult to see any of the floor in my living room among all the beads, wire, and display items I had everywhere. My house has been a jewelry and headband factory since March. I have burns on my fingers from gluing myself one too many times. Pricks in my hand from sewing and a scar on my pointer finger from chopping into it with scissors on accident. Take that for handmade.

I've learned a lot about myself through this process of running my own jewelry business for its first year. And I'm still learning. I'm still seeing where this goes. But I sure have learned a lot thus far.

I have no idea what to expect tonight. I'm grateful for friends and co-workers who will be there to support me. I'm grateful for those of you reading this now who have reached out to me via text, Twitter, Facebook, and email to wish me good luck. It means the world. Really. I'm also grateful for my business partner and helper, Stella. She loooves working with tissue paper...

I'm proud of the jewelry that I've created and I'm nervous yet excited to finally share it with fellow San Diegans. And maybe, just maybe, I'll start to see more and more After Sunset pieces throughout America's Finest City :)

That's all for now. To follow along throughout the day tomorrow, be sure to follow @ShopAfterSunset on Instagram :) Hasta la vista!

After Sunset Jewels + A Huge Giveaway!

Boy, do I have some fun things in store for you today! First off, I am beyond excited to finally and officially share the launch of my new Spring designs for my Etsy shop, After Sunset! Making the big move to San Diego and being constantly surrounded by the beautiful sunsets, the gorgeous colors of the palms and the sea, and all the natural textures of the sand and the rocks along the coast - I have been super inspired to say the least.

My new designs use mainly stone and glass and seed beads along with funky gold touches [my favorite] to create colorful and fun jewelry to add to your outfits! I'm currently focusing mainly on bracelets because, let's be honest, you can never have enough arm candy, right?

Here are some of my designs using stone:

+ Multi-colored turquoise, mint, purple, and pink Wrap Bracelet

+ Turquoise and Mint Elastic Bracelet

+ Purple and Pink Elastic Bracelet

+ Circular Turquoise and Gold Geo Bead Elastic Bracelet

The bracelets with mint are limited addition so get them while they're hot!

+ Turquoise & Royal Blue Magnesite Stone with Gold Geo Bead Wrap Bracelet.

I'm obsessed with with the tribal/Aztec look right now so I pretty much wear that bracelet all the time :)

Now, let's talk about my love for Czech seed beads. They're so colorful and beachy!

Again, you can buy these seed bead + gold tube bracelets individually like this gorgeous Neon Yellow Luster Bracelet

OR

as an arm party combination like the Purple Ombre set below!

I'm also loving Czech glass beads and... chain. Obviously. I mean, I couldn't NOT have chain in some of my designs ;)

The Mint & Champagne Wrap Bracelet is an example of some of the Czech glass & chain wraps that are in the store! And yes, I wear multiples of these bracelets at the same time :)

And the Aqua, Mint and Matte Gold Elastic Bracelets are another one of our arm party sets you can buy!

Be sure to check out the shop for all of the bracelets & new ones will continue to be added!  As always, let me know if you want a custom order :) I am so excited, you guys. Creating jewelry has always been a passion of mine and it means the world to be able to share it with you all. I would LOVE it if you help me spread the word about my shop!

After Sunset

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And because I love my readers so much, I am offering you FREE SHIPPING for the next two weeks on all U.S. orders! Use coupon code BLOGGERLOVE at checkout through April 4th :)

Now, for the GIVEAWAY! 

I have teamed up with these amazing bloggers below to offer you not one... not two... but THREE $100 Visa gift cards that you can use for whatever your little heart desires. Amaze, right?! Enter using the Rafflecopter below and good luck to you all! 

Henning Love // Heart of Aloha // Love, The Skinnys

Home Sweet Auburn // Alisha & Brandon // Perfectly Imperfect

Life is a Sunset // and here's to you, Mrs. Robinson // Classic & Bubbly

Big Mario Life // Sparkles and Shoes // The Egg

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Blue Bird Bride Giveaway

I have an awesome treat for you today! If you know me, you know that I am a sucker for Etsy. I could spend all day perusing the shops on there, whether it be for home decor, eclectic vintage clothing, or jewelry... ohhh, jewelry. Etsy makes my day.

Then, I "met" Diane and was introduced to her shop, Blue Bird Bride. Take my love for jewelry and love for weddings and combine them and you get one happy Chelsea! Blue Bird Bride has all the cute, trendy, couture jewelry you and I both love! You can wear it yourself, buy it as a gift, or... give it to your bridesmaids if you're a bride-to-be. [Okay, or even if you're like me and plan your wedding in advance. Far in advance!]

Here's a peak at what Blue Bird Bride has to offer:

And today, Life is a Sunset readers can win a $20 shop credit to Blue Bird Bride! Which means your options are unlimited! You can use that shop credit to shop for your bridal party, buy a gift for your mom for the holidays, or, hey... treat yourself to something nice! ;)

If you can't wait and want to buy something now, Diane has been sweet enough to offer my readers a 15% off discount by entering FALL2012 at checkout!

She has a couple great deals going on right now - like the Buy Three Get One Free deal as well as  a Buy Two Get One Free deal and several clearance items!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RoseRags Poncho Giveaway!

I have a special little treat in store for you today! A few months ago, I "met" a sweet girl living in San Diego. We pretty much instantly became friends and chatted via Twitter/email. I loved her right away not only because she was living in my dream city and was sweet as can be, but because she was extremely [and I mean extremely] good at what she does.

Her name is Jessica and she owns her own little fashion line known as RoseRags! RoseRags started off as an eco-friendly line of hand-stamped scarves and has recently expanded into other amazing items of clothing, like the gorgeous poncho I ended up buying!

Jessica describes RoseRags as "chic, sophisticated, and distinctive." And here's the best part: all fabric scraps are recycled and placed directly into children’s art programs. So, not only are you buying a beautiful, carefully handmade item but you're giving back to the community as well.

As a handmade business owner myself, I strongly support small businesses who take the time, effort, and heart to create meaningful, unique items and I assure you RoseRags is not one you will want to miss out on.

Jessica has been kind and gracious enough to offer my lovely readers the Leopard Poncho - [my personal favorite that I bought from her as soon as she announced it!] The giveaway ends next Wednesday, October 10th! So, good luck and feel free to stop by the RoseRags Facebook page or send Jessica a tweet and let her know I sent ya! :)

Just another note: The Leopard Poncho is one-size fits all! The sides are open so you can wear it normal or belted! Either way looks great :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Que Pasa, Ombre?

I know, I know... I am using the wrong form of "ombre" above. I am very excited for this announcement today! It's been a fun, sometimes exhausting, but mainly just FUN experience seeing my visions of jewelry come to life. Many of you know how much I love color! I've started working with some new material that gives me nearly endless color possibilities and design options. 

I love jewelry!!

Sorry, just had to get that out of my system.

Today, I am going to show you the Ombre Sunset Necklace line from my shop After Sunset which currently comes in four color schemes:

Green. Purple. Ocean Blue. Sunburst Orange.

Which is your favorite? :) I'm so bad at deciding which I like the most that I just wear multiple necklaces at a time...

I individually shape each of the beads by hand and connect them to thin, double stranded-gold chain and complete the look with a lobster clasp closure. 

There are several more designs that are just right around the corner with even more colors and lengths! For some "behind-the-scenes" pictures, updates, and fun "like" After Sunset on Facebook!

Thanks for all your support and encouragement with the start of my handmade business! This is something I have been dreaming of doing for years and I love having the opportunity to create jewelry and make new friends around the world in the process :)

Now say it with me, "Ombre!"

After Sunset on Etsy

2012 Fall Wish List | One

Are you ready for the crisp leaves, the pumpkin spice lattes or apple ciders, the boots, the sweaters?

Today, on this last day of August, I am so ready. I've been so excited as I scoop up some fresh, new clothes for the cooler days that are on their way. Today, I wanted to share a few of the little Fall accessories and beauty items that I most look forward to!

First up is an accessory I can't believe I don't already own from last year. I was all about scarves last year [and the year before that, and the year before that...] but I never ended up getting an infinity scarf! I LOVE them! Whether you wear them as part of an outfit or under your Fall jacket, they add the perfect pop!

Each of these scarves was found while perusing Etsy and they are all $25 or less! :)

1. This $16 scarf by anils is labeled as "Summer" but I think it's perfect for Fall!

2. I love the warm Fall colors in the orange/brown color block scarf from ohzie!

3. This scarf by DreamingDays is my favorite color. Enough said :)

4. This fun-patterned burgundy and white scarf by fairstore is also perfect for Fall!

I might just have to buy them all!

Now, if you're like me, you're obsessed with nail polish. While I don't have numerous Tupperware boxes full of nail polish, I've had fun growing my collection. As soon as I heard about OPI's Germany Collection, I practically jumped for joy. I took German in high school and fell in love with Austria and Switzerland so I knew I had to buy a couple of these bad boys:

OPI has the best names, don't they? My favorite names have to be, "Suzi and the 7 Dusseldorfs" and "Don't Talk Bach to Me." Genius. "Schnapps Out of It" and "Nein! Nein! Nein! OK Fine!" are hilarious as well and those two will definitely be added to my collection!

Does anyone have any of these new colors yet?

I'd continue on with more of my Fall wish list but... we'd be here all day! I'll save those for later because there are few things I love more than BOOTS!

What is on your Fall Wish List?

I'm linking up these favorites of mine with Lindsey, and you should join in too :) Happy Labor Day Weekend, everyone!!

After Sunset Necklaces and a SALE

It's time for an After Sunset shop update!

The four current color options for the Double Twisted Statement Necklace have been listed on Etsy! Head on over and take your pick!

This Yellow & Magenta Golden Twist Necklace was just added today! I love this color combination.

But, hey... I can't deny my love for all things blue with this Golden Twist Necklace in Sky Blue :)

Or, if you're still loving the color combos, you can still grab this fun Orange/Magenta Necklace!

I seriously cannot get enough of royal blue with lighter shades of blue such as sky blue, turquoise, and aqua so this look below with the Golden Twist Necklace in Royal Blue is one of my favorites!

Now, for the best part - it's time for a SALE! 

Since it's now August, you know what that means... out with the old and in with the new! I'd love to make room for some newer bracelet designs for the Fall so some of our bracelets are 20% off! 

1. Golden Twist Bracelet in Orange/Magenta

2. Golden Twist Bracelet in Sunset Orange

3. Double Stranded Bracelet in Hot Purple

4. Double Stranded Bracelet in Royal Blue

20% off any of those bracelets!

Wear them alone or match them with your statement necklace!

Go check out After Sunset and, as always, let me know if you have any questions :)

Happy Shopping!

Christmas in July

It's time for CHRISTMAS IN JULY!

I don't know about you, but I LOVE free shipping! I mentioned on here last week that starting TODAY, you can use coupon code FREESHIPJULY to get free shipping on your After Sunset orders through the end of July!

AND, it gets better!

All Double Stranded Bracelets in the shop are now 20% off!

Take your pick!

Head on over to After Sunset to scoop up your bracelets before they're gone and remember to enter code FREESHIPJULY for free shipping!

Be on the lookout later this week for the first After Sunset necklace launch! I am SO excited :)

I hope your weekends were fantastic. Mine was one of the best in a long time and I can't wait to tell you more about it tomorrow!

After Sunset July Update

I hope everyone had a Happy White Collar Day yesterday :) If you don't watch White Collar, two words: Matt. Bomer.

Moving on. It's been a while since I've done an update on my Etsy shop, After Sunset. I know I've gotten quite a few new readers in the last little bit. Some of you may know about my shop, some of you may not. 

 Right now, my shop is full of brightly colored bracelets.

If you're not a golden girl, I have also starting adding silver bracelets as well!

AND, I have bracelets with larger links! Because, c'mon - the bigger the jewelry, the better! :)

Now, here's some exciting news - in the not-so-distant future, After Sunset will also adding a NECKLACE line! I'm thinking that before that happens though, we ought to have a little sale or special coupon code to make room for the new pieces! I'm sure you wouldn't be opposed to a little bargain now, would you? :)

So, stay tuned for more information!

Thanks, everyone for all your support!

I have absolutely adored every step of launching this jewelry business and can't wait for what's next!

Check out the full Etsy shop here! Happy Shopping ;)
Oh, and if you haven't already, go enter the giveaway Neely is hosting to snag your chance at winning any bracelet! Only two days left!!