Armies and Chilly Weather

I just posted a few new pieces to my Etsy and 1000 Markets on-line stores. http://www.annaperronedesigns.etsy.com/ http://www.annaperronedesigns.1000markets.com/

One of the newbies is my favorite knit piece yet. The Amethyst Armies were co-designed by my partner and have proven to be best sellers at the local outdoor market.

Speaking of Armies, you might be wondering just what I mean. Armies are my own creation. They are a glove alternative that I originally created for myself. I was having trouble keeping my hands and fingers warm as I crafted and typed. (No one told me it snowed in Seattle...) The long winter here in the Northwest has forced, rather, inspired me to create a whole new line of function knitwear. The current Armies pattern is my own (not altered or copied from another artist).

The style is sometimes referred to as gauntlets, arm warmers, fingerless gloves, wrist warmers or figerless mittens. A snuggly knit tube features a finished opening at both ends ensuring that shape and yarn ends remain intact, a hole for your thumb to poke through, and a contrast stitch around the palm to increase your grip. An additional feature can be added upon special request: a reinforced wrist. And men love them too!!

Armies can be worn for all sorts of different activites or just for style. I use mine while knitting, making jewelry, shopping, driving, typing and while working at my booth at the Fremont Sunday Market. Many other market vendors wear them too. They are great for keeping hands and fingers warm while still allowing you to handle money safely. They can also be worn while jogging, biking, playing an instrument, yoga, walking, etc.

Armies can also help maintain warmth and blood flow through your wrists. Many people, especially crafters and others who work with their hands (massage therapists, grocery checkers, receptionists) are susceptible to repetetive stress injuries (tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc.). By increasing blood flow to the afflicted area one can better manage the pain of such injuries. Upon request, Armies can be made with warmer and/or thicker yarn along the wrist area. This helps maintain heat but the added support also helps hold the wrist similar to the way an Ace bandage does.

Armies can be made in any color combination, or in solid colors, and in a wide variety of fibers. Below is a list of yarns I have in my current stock and what that particular fiber offers.

Merino wool: warm, very soft, low allergy, natural fiber

Cashmere: very warm, very soft, natural fiber

Silk: warm, smooth, animal friendly, natural fiber

Bamboo: eco-friendly, natural fiber, renewable resource, feels like silk, incredibly durable

Corn: eco-friendly, natural fiber, renewable resource, feels like cotton

Banana plant rayon: looks like silk, nubby texture, natural fiber, eco-friendly

Cotton & Organic Cotton: eco-friendly, natural fiber, machine washable, allergy free

Alpaca: warmer than wool, lanolin-free, very low allergy, natural fiber

Acrylic: very durable, allergy free, synthetic - allergy free, machine washable

Angora: warm, very soft, natural fiber

So, if your'e looking for a great, functional, snuggly accessory, give them a try. These are the softest Armies you'll ever come in contact with. Don't forget, men love them too.

Cheers, Anna
Anna Perrone Designs

Biggest Sale of the Year

Check out the Armies to the left. Merino wool is amazing!

This is it - the biggest sale I have all year long!!! EVERY SINGLE PIECE OF JEWELRY IS ON SALE! Here's how it works:

$2 off every piece
50% off entire purchase if you buy three or more pieces

That means single pairs of earrings start as low as $10 and you could get three pairs for as little as $18. Wow!

This sale will run until Feb 7 (that's three more Sundays at Fremont) so now's the time to snatch up all the jewelry you wanted for the holidays but didn't get, AND the best time to get some nice gifts for V-day.

Cheers,
Anna

Anna Perrone Designs
website under re-construction: http://www.annaperronedesigns.com/
knitwear for sale online (jewelry soon to follow): http://www.annaperronedesigns.etsy.com/
quick photos of knitwear: http://annaperronedesigns.photoshop.com/
rarely updated blog :( http://www.annaperronedesigns.blogspot.com/

So, sorry I haven't updated in quite a while. I wanted to add this picture though. I had a Sterling cuff commissioned for a friend. The artist, Zesty Betsy, had an Etsy listing for a plain cuff that could be customized. I want to thank her again for making one of the most stunning yet simple cuffs I've ever seen.

I'm still working to get the new website up and running. I'm very excited about it and I want it to be perfect.

I've also been knitting quite a lot. I absolutely love it, although still not as much as I love making jewelry. I've had tons of success with my fingerless gloves/gauntlets. They are comfortable, affordable, and practical for everyday use in Seattle. Even on the warmest days, your fingers are chilled on the steering wheel during the morning commute. I've also been making socks and just started a vest. Stop by Fremont Market to see the latest progress.

Cheers for now. Enjoy the summer and remember to wear sunscreen.
~Anna

Just a quick note!

Hi all -
Just a quick note today: I'm incredibly excited about the upcoming months!

The EXPOSED event, benefiting Seattle's LGBT Center, went fantastically well. I made a bunch of contacts and plans for future events, and the show was a huge success for the Center.

I just accepted a new position at my day job - a part time assistant in the Fire Department. This new job will allow me to put full-time efforts into the business and still keep all my benefits.

I'm working on an all-new top-secret crafts-and-more show. That's all I can say about it - top secret, you know - but I know you'll all LOVE it!

Cheers,
Anna

News, events and discounts! Yay!

Hi everybody! Happy National Craft Month (March)! Greetings from Anna Perrone Designs.

I have some exciting news about the business, how you can get involved, and how to get yourself some great discounts. Yay!

First, I want to say "thank you" to everyone who has continued to support me by braving the weather at Fremont Market. You can find me there every Sunday next to Jim and his yummy candles. There are also some fantastic returning vendors: Jenna, from Bella Sisters (awesome hooded jackets); Janet, from Alphabet Soup Children's Books (kids books, framed prints, stickers); Karl, from Partybots (amazing earth-friendly hand-drawn shirts); and Jamie and Lisa, from KneLow (great lotions, lip balms, and scrubs).

Also making an appearance at Fremont is my new line of knit wear, including scarves, fingerless gloves/wrist warmers, leg warmers, socks, etc. I recently learned to knit and absolutely love it. Everything is hand-crafted, just like the jewelry. And as always, I am happy to take custom orders. The knits are the beginning of my new business venture, Clever Devil Productions. Stay tuned for more from CDP.

I know it's early but I wanted to let everyone know about the University District Street Fair. If you're as ready for warm weather as I am, you won't mind the early notice. This year the fair will be May 17-18. I will have all the jewelry, including some exclusive pieces, and knitwear at the fair. I have booth #28, located just south of 50th, on the north end of the fair.

Here's some news you really want: I'm working on a new website with my friend, Brad, that will include on-line shopping. Check back over the next few months to see the new construction and updates. www.annaperronedesigns.com I'm very excited about being able to offer jewelry 24 hours a day, rather than just on Sundays. If anyone has suggestions on how to design the website, or what information you want to see, I welcome your input. Just drop me a line at anna@annaperronedesigns.com. I'm also looking for a letterpress artist to help me with some cards and promotional items. If know anyone, please have them contact me.

I have some ideas for your involvement in the business, too. I invite everyone to host a trunk show. Basically, a trunk show is a "Tupperware party" for specific products, in this case, mine. You just need to gather a group of friends at your place and provide room for me to set up. I will bring a large selection of jewelry, including some exclusive pieces, and offer special discounts to you and your friends. You can even taylor the jewelry selection to your preference, be it color, price, style, etc. I can also put together basic jewelry making classes or parties. The best part is that all you out-of-towners can host trunk shows, too. I will put together a package, including jewelry and displays, and mail everything to you. If you are interested in hosting a party, just let me know what days you have in mind, and I'll work with you to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Upcoming art show: I will be one of the featured artists at EXPOSED. This is your official invitation to join the event on Friday, April 4 and 7pm at HaLo Studio on Capitol Hill. This is a great fundraiser for Verbena, Seattle's own lesbian, bisexual, and transgender health organization. My favorite program at Verbena is the mobile mammogram van. Women's health is incredibly important and having the clinic come to you makes it so much easier to get screened for all sorts of medical stuff. I love Verbena's mission so much, I've decided to donate to them $2 of every pink and rainbow purchase made all year long. If you want to donate or volunteer, contact Wendy Sloneker. (She ROCKS!!!) wendy@verbenahealth.org

Finally, here is your reward for reading my entire message. Mention "March Craft Month" between now and the end of May when you see me at Fremont Market for 20% off your purchase that day.

Thanks, and happy crafting!!!
~Anna

Happy New Year SALE!!!

Hi all -

I hope everyone had a great holiday season and the new year is off to a good start. I haven't posted in a while but I have BIG news now. As a big Thank You to all those who have supported me and my business over the past three years, my ENTIRE INVENTORY IS ON SALE starting Jan 20th at Fremont Market. It took me over a week to go through every piece of jewelry I have but it was worth it. Half my inventory will be 50% off and the other half will be minimum $2.00 off. Absolutey everything is discounted. There is a catch, however... The sale will only last Jan 20th and 27th at the market. That means you'll need to bundle and brave the weather to reap the savings. The good news is you can buy yummy candles to warm up with once you get home. Jim the Candle Man is already out in full force for the new year.

There are a couple other things on my to-do list for '08. Here are some highlights:

I hoping to expand my in-home parties, so if you, or someone you know, would like to host an evening of friends, food and fabulous jewelry, send me an email. The host gets a discount and there will be exclusive pieces for home parties only.

I'm also hoping to get more wholesale orders. If you know of a boutique (anywhere in the country) that you think would be interested in my jewelry, I'd love to know about it. Also, If you would like to be a rep for my regular jewelry lines, I'd love to talk. I'm especially looking for someone local. Since I still work a regualr 9-to-5 it's hard for me to hit the pavement and meet with shop owners during business hours. Reps would be paid on a commission-based scale. This also includes online reps. If you are tech-savvy and digital-picture-handy and would like to help set up an online shop, let me know.

For a few months in 2007, and for all of 2008, $2.00 of every pink and rainbow purchase will be donated to Verbena. Verbena is a wonderful local organization specializing in women's health, specifically lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, etc. They put on wonderful programs and need all the support they can get. My two favorite things about Verbena are my friend Wendy and the mobile mammogram van. They both ROCK! Check out more info at www.verbenahealth.org

That's all for now. I'll try to be more timely with my posts this year, and get more pictures posted, too.

Happy crafting,
~Anna

Holiday show list

Hi all you out there in jewelry-loving land. Anna here.

I wanted to let everyone know about all the upcoming shows I'm participating in. They are all the perfect opportunity for holiday shopping, both by supporting local businesses and artists, and by avoiding traffic and the mall. Along with all these wonderful shows, the booth will be set up at Fremont Market every Sunday. Stop by to say hi to me, Rachel, Jamie, and our neighbors, Jim (handmade candles) and Janet (children's books).

This weekend: Unzipped Event
www.unzippedevent.com
Unzipped showcases the best Northwest emerging designers and brands. Meet the artists and get to know the latest fashion trends. Seattle Center Pavilion, Sunday, Nov 18, 12-6.
(There is also a buyer/press preview on Sunday 10-12, and a preview party and fashion show on Saturday, Nov 17. Check the website for details.)

Urban Craft Uprising www.urbancraftuprising.com
Saturday and Sunday, Dec 1-2 at Seattle Center
This is the largest independent crafter/artist show this season. Last year was a huge success for me, and I thank everyone that came to the booth. This year I'm sharing the booth with two of my favorite gals. KneLow Cosmetics - Jamie and Lisa - make the most scrumptious lotions, scrubs, and lip balms. Also, the first 50 people in the door each day get a swag bag.

Swank www.seattleswankshow.com
Seattle: Saturday, Dec 8th 10-4 at Magnusson Park
Bellevue: Saturday, Dec 15th 10-4 at Highland Community Center
These shows showcase an elite selection of Seattle area artists. This is the place to find the gift for the person who has everything or for the mother-in-law with impeccable taste.

Along with all those shows, I'm also available for in-home parties (think Tupperware but much more interesting). I've teamed up with Jim of Kaleidoscope Candles (my neighbor at the Market) and Jamie and Lisa of KneLow Cosmetics. We will bring an exclusive collection from all our products to you. All you need to do is provide the place and the customers. The host of the party will receive special discounts on all products.

As always, I hope to see all of you sometime before the holidays. If not, I hope yours are happy and safe.

Happy crafting,
Anna

Anna Perrone Designs
www.annaperronedesigns.com
www.annaperronedesigns.blogspot.com

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