Fall in the NW.....

This was taken last fall. The last few days I have been marveling at how beautiful the light is this time of year. Better grab my camera and get out to the Japanese garden for the fall colors and maybe Gasworks to get Queen Anne Hill in all its fall glory. Hope you are having a nice fall.

This and that.....

A few photos from the beautiful Pacific Northwest! Enjoy!

2011.....Here I come!

Happy New Year!! I can't even tell you how much I appreciate all the support for KAV designs this year! It has been a very exciting year in jewelry design for me...

What do you do with 6 years of architectural education and 5 years of experience in architectural firms in 2010???? ....... You get creative because architecture is so slow...Time to explore design at a lot of scales.....

A few highlights for KAV designs in 2010...........(things I never would have experienced if I was sitting using AutoCad all day everyday!)


1. Being the Featured Artist at the FriendShop in May and December!! I absolutely love the Seattle Public Library FriendShop and the wonderful people that work and volunteer in the shop....Such lovely people- it has been a pleasure and honor to have my designs in your store! You guys give customer service a new meaning- you're the best!

2. West Seattle Summerfest....beer garden+booths= very interesting shoppers! And who can beat West Seattle (although I may be a little biased)

3. All the wonderful vendors I have met doing art fairs! There are some very lovely people creating things, get out there and meet them!

4. Seattle Square Market--- occidental park+art booths+club music+hula hooping for college tuition= amazing people watching!!!

5. The support of my lovely mother (by far the #1 earring broker and salesperson) and my friends...all your support and encouragement overwhelms me!

6. Fusion Beads---you guys rock!

7. The Holiday Craft season...thanks to all the wonderful customers!

8. Surprise sales on Etsy!! love waking up to a sale in my inbox!! Please keep a comin'!

9. Walking into my favorite store, The Base Camp, in my hometown- Billings, Montana and seeing my earrings in the display case...never would have guessed this would happen in a million years!

10. All the smiling faces wearing my earrings!

Here is hoping the 2011 brings more wonderful things for KAV designs and for all of you!

Thanks for all the support!!

December Featured Artist at the Seattle Central Public LIbrary FriendShop

Japanese Garden at the Seattle Arboretum

St Ignatius Chapel by Steven Holl at Seattle University--Now That's Architecture

Holiday Anxiety!!!

I am excited to announce a joint venture etsy shop with my mom and I called Holiday Anxiety. When I was little I took holiday enthusiasm to a new level. I was the kid that woke up at 5 on Christmas morning, or my birthday, or a family member's birthday, or maybe even Thanksgiving.... I have always loved the special days of the year. I thought it was so wonderful to have designated days for celebrating and spending quality time with family. My family on the other hand had to put up with my over exuberant holiday energy and coined the phrase Holiday Anxiety. My mom is very patient and has always put up with the holiday excitement!!!! I think most people experience some type of holiday anxiety- whether it be positive or negative- everyone has a heightened sense of stress and joy around the holidays! Let Holiday Anxiety help you celebrate instead of stress! We will provide printable items- so even if you have procrastinated, you don't need to be anxious!

My mom and I will be providing printable and hard copy paper goods for all types of Holidays and even the special everyday events you need! We have a few items up- but please stay tuned for more great designs from Holiday Anxiety!!!!!!

Space Needle at Night

Fall at the Beach!

Black Eyed Pea Salad and My Cooking Assistant Mr. Murphy

This Black Eyed Pea salad was very yummy! A combination of barley, black eyed peas, red kidney beans, green pepper....Cumin and Red Pepper flakes made it relatively spicy as well. Very tasty!

Fun with Paper!!

Alki Beach on a Beautiful Fall Morning

Fall in Seattle!

Hard to beat Kerry Park at sunset! Downtown Seattle so pretty!

KAV designs at Trinket & Fern!!!!!!

So excited I just shipped off a box full of goodies this week to Trinket&Fern in Portland Maine this weekend! A fun gallery that I hope I will get to visit one of these days!

Trinket and Fern Website

Treasury on Front Page of Etsy!!!!!!!!!

Oh so excited! My "You say tomato" treasury made it to the Front Page of Etsy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A little handmade gift for a friend...

One of my close friend's baby shower is this weekend! I knit her little one a purple sweater and hat with little sheep buttons. Their nursery is going to have sheep all over it and I thought the baby needed a matching outfit! I hope that she likes the little set. Mums the word until Saturday...when she opens it up!

This was a fun little cardigan that took no time! Knit in one piece from the top down with worsted yarn! Really fun and a great kick start to fall knitting!