Who is the Anja Woman?

Yesterday I completed my third photo shoot with the lovely Adrienne. The best side effect of doing these shoots is the chance to spend time with friends before leaving town. We start with a meal and mimosas and catch up on girl talk. Pretty soon the room fills up with make up, hair accessories, clothes, and of course... jewelry. The camera comes out and the first few shots are a little awkward and we giggle and move around to loosen up. There are frequent outbursts of, "you look AWESOME," "SO beautiful," or "OOOH, what if we shoot from THIS angle." It's an art project and everyone is involved. We run back on forth from the "set" to the "staging area," changing jewelry, applying redder lipstick, adding a colored cloth around the shoulders. "Let's try the GREY!- no wait, the blue would contrast better..." Time flies by: Adrienne and I spent 4 hours before we even looked at a clock. To finish, we flip through the pictures on the camera and laugh at the clothes eyes or awkward expressions. We coo over the best ones. Each girl leaves with a piece of jewelry, and I can't wait 30 seconds after the last good-bye to transfer the pictures to my computer and start editing.

Sifting through the pictures, I am amazed by how beautiful my friends are. These are all women I've met since finishing college. None of us grew up together, but we easily and eagerly slip into a state of vibrant, youthful, energy that reminds me very much of a high school sleep over or getting ready for prom. Giggles, and bounciness and creativity. The photo shoots turned out to be a form of play, that can become all too rare with jobs, and chores, and bills, and day to day responsibilities.

I started Anja Artisan Jewelry just a little over a year ago. Often I think about the message I want to send to the world with my products and company image. With the trade show on the horizon, it's a good time to clarify and define: what is Anja jewelry? What kind of women wears it? Anja Jewelry is about promoting strong, confident, self-respecting women. The "Anja woman" has the courage to know what she wants in life, to take risks, and to be her unique self. She is both strong and feminine. She honors herself and expresses her creativity (perhaps with jewelry...)

Photo Shoot

In preparation for my big NEW YORK jewelry trade show, I have been working on a series of jewelry photo shoots with friends to be used in marketing materials. Thank you to Natalie Littlefield, Ellie Childs and Sarah Salky!

Here are some favorites...

Why?

Why am I moving to New York?

The idea sprouted when I visited New York in February to attend the "Jewelry Association Trade Show, New York" (JA NY). I took a four-day solo trip with the intention of determining whether or not exhibiting at this particular trade show would be a good investment for my business. During my stay I felt an immediate and intense connection to New York. I have visited many cities that I like and enjoy, but have never felt such a reaction. I was inspired by the energy. I saw great art. I ate authentic Thai, French, Chinese and Italian food. I found the people friendly and welcoming. I aimlessly walked for hours and hours in awe of my surrounds. The architecture of the massive buildings, the intensity, the density, the wide open avenues. So much to explore in an unfamiliar realm. As for career opportunities in jewelry design and art: endless. I got on the plane home feeling that there was no other option than to move, and I could not wait to get back to New York.

This drawing was done the day after I got home, feeling such a strong pull I felt lifted off my feet. Who holds the cane?

Now it is really happening and I can barely sleep at night. (Lying awake I think of the Beastie Boys singing, "No- sleep- 'till BROOKLYN!")

Brooklyn Sublet

This week the move to New York has become concrete. Hooray! I have officially sublet a furnished apartment in Brooklyn! Move date: June 1st. I made only a three month commitment so that I will have a chance to arrive in the city, settle in, get my bearings, and then figure out where I belong before signing a long term lease. If this apartment proves to be as perfect as I imagine, there is an opportunity to stay.


Also this week, the physical move has commenced. I have packed up my art studio and set up a temporary work space at home. One of the best things about a long distance move is the opportunity, the requirement, to purge. When grounded in one place, we, as human animals, tend to collect stuff. Stuff, stuff, stuff. Stuff we like to look at, and stuff we may use... someday. Stuff that we hold valuable, and stuff that we are too lazy to discard. After living in Boulder for seven years- I have a lot of STUFF. The process of moving requires one to assess the value of each belonging. What is important enough to move 2000 miles? What do I really need? What can I accommodate in a 500 sq ft apartment? There is something so liberating about dropping a load of stuff at the Good Will and driving home that much lighter. ahhhhh. I highly recommend it, moving or not.