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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Thanks!

Total Bummer

Well, for all the hype and hard work I put into I Heart Indie Holidays, I will no longer be participating in the shows or the planning. Cassandra and I have different ideas on how the shows should be promoted and how business should be operated. As the business was originally hers, she has asked me to terminate my affiliation with IHIC. If anyone has any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

The good news is that I am still participating in many other holiday season shows. Swank Show www.seattleswankshow.com is putting on two shows: Seattle on Dec 8 and Bellevue on Dec 15. The organizers, Kim, Kristin and Julia, have put together two more exciting shows. The vendors are all fantastic and the crowds truly appreciate hand crafted functional art. Urban Craft Uprising, www.urbancraftuprising.com, is on Dec 1-2 this year. I will be sharing a prime location with Knelow Cosmetics www.knelow.com. Jamie and Lisa hand craft the most luxurious lotions, scrubs, perfumes, and lip balms. I've been wearing Jezebelle all week.

As always, I'll be at the Fremont Sunday Market every week, rain or shine. This is, by far, the best place to see me and all my jewelry. Every piece I have is out on display, and it's amazing. I have 40 square feet of pure earring overload. Fremont is a great place to spend a few hours on a Sunday, even in the rain. It is the mecca of independent business in Seattle. And the food at the Market is amazing. The crepes are my favorite.

Even though the holiday season preparation has to start now - for me at least - the fun continues to grow. I'm putting together some home parties. They're not your grandma's Tupperware parties, but similar. The idea is the same, get a bunch of friends together and shop at home - but now you can shop AND drink. So, if you, or anyone you know, want to do all your holiday shopping from the comfort of your home, and have access to wonderful hand-crafted items, just drop me a line. The party will be tailored to your specific likes - what products, how many people, blended or mixed drinks... We can also put together a similar party for fundraising. With your support, we can bring crafty goodness to the masses!

Happy crafting,
Anna

Punk Rock Flea Market, Sept 15

In case you were wondering, I'm still alive, just VERY busy, hence the delay in writing. I'd like to invite everyone to two events this Saturday. The Punk Rock Flea Market is taking place in Belltown, all day long, at the Underground Events Center. Also, Atlas Clothing on Capitol Hill is having a grand re-opening Saturday evening. Yours truly has a whole case full of jewelry, many of which are exclusive designs for the store. A fashion show starts at 9. See you there!

A.

IHIH Needs Sponsors, and junk...

There's not too much new here. I'm still busy with planning for the triple-threat holiday shows. Remember, there's still room for vendors but the app deadline is the end of the month. Check out the new site www.iheartindiecrafts.com for details and an application. And as always, feel free to ask questions if you're not sure about us, the shows, or vending in general. I'm always happy to help.

We're also looking for sponsors. If you, anyone you know, or any of your suppliers are interested in a great advertizing opportunity, let me know. We have incredibly affordable advertising packages that will be on the website all year and in print for all the shows. Just because we are crafters and artists, doesn't mean that our advertisers have to be. For instance, my chiropractor is a sponsor. He believes in well-being through natural avenues, and is a true "hand-crafter" in his own right. He keeps me sitting up straight which results in very happy crafting!

You should also check out the Fremont Market. The summer vendors are all out and the market is fantastic. Be sure to check out the delicious candles (in the booth next to me), the delicious crepes, and the delicious T-shirts and original art at Partybots. The market runs every Sunday from 10am-5pm.

OH!!! I almost forgot. It's SUMMER SALE for me. I'm clearing out some pieces from last fall. Get them while they last, at amazing prices. I'm gearing up for having jewelry in three new stores, so there will be huge turnover in stock over the next few weeks. If you saw something at the market you liked, come back and get it before it's shipped of to the East Coast or Los Angeles.

Happy crafting!
~A.