By ahill on Monday, August 25, 2008

This site should self-redirect to my blogger site within the next few days, but until then, please click on the link below to see new posts.  Thanks!

Truly Madly Deeply (Blogger)

By ahill on Sunday, August 24, 2008

BEFORE YOU READ THIS, PLEASE NOTE that these housekeeping changes will not affect my blog's web address!!!

So, I started blogging on the using my own web server, but have run into some hiccups (e.g. it often prevents me from posting more than about three sentences of text and more than one picture at a time).  Due to these hiccups, I often spend a ridiculous amount of time posting blog entries!  What a labor of love :) ! 

Now that my business has picked up, I need a more efficient process. So, from now on I will be using Blogger to post my blog entries.  I will be transferring over my entire blog today - ugh... but it will be worth it in the long run.  My blog will look a little different, but don't worry, it will still be recognizable! 

By ahill on Saturday, August 23, 2008

Now that I am designing and making jewelry, my obsession with handmade wares is through the roof.  I have such tremendous respect for artists and artisans, and try to support them when I can.  Here are a few of the handmade items I picked up on our trip to Kauai - Hawaii's "Garden Island."

Handpainted Sarong:

Handmade soap:

Handcarved Christmas Ornament:

 

By ahill on Saturday, August 23, 2008

There is nothing like a week in Hawaii to remind you that life is not all about the hustle and bustle of the mainland.  Nothing encapsulates this concept any better than Kauai's "Tahiti Nui" restaurant and bar, where patrons include locals and vacationers alike.  Local color is what makes this bar the best scene in Kauai, attracting the Island's most talented musicians... some of whom were scheduled to play, others of whom are discovered as the mai tais (the best I've ever had - a secret family recipe, apparently) flow.  We were graced with hula performances by at least 4 unscheduled local patrons, and music by a local singer-songwriter (also unscheduled) who has an album for sale, and, per him, is available at both Borders and Safeway (by the pineapples...)!  Anyway, in the next post I have posted a few pictures from our various excursions there....

 

By ahill on Saturday, August 23, 2008

By ahill on Thursday, August 21, 2008

I think this picture speaks for itself... what an adventure!  Moral of the story?  Life is short - live a little!

By ahill on Wednesday, August 20, 2008

This week has got me thinking about Sarongs.  I bought a beautiful Kauai-designed, handpainted sarong at a Kapa'a craft fair for only $35.  Richard was skeptical at first - when I put it on he told me that it looked like I had a towel wrapped around my body.  But after I experimented with a few more tying styles, he was on board.  The first time I wore it, a woman I did not know stopped me at dinner and demanded to know where I had purchased it!  Here is a picture of an elegantly tyed sarong from the Altered Cloth blog (you can also find instructions here on how to make your own!):

 

By ahill on Tuesday, August 19, 2008

By ahill on Thursday, August 14, 2008

I have received lots of positive feedback from my photo shoot with Chaney last Sunday, and if you'd like to see more of this cute little guy and his beautiful mother, you can see album highlights here. 

By ahill on Thursday, August 14, 2008

Speaking of Chaney's mom, Caroline, is one of my dearest friends, and she has recently started a blog - Behind Decorated Doors - where she shares about her transition from being a corporate gal, to being a creative consultant with her own decorating business.  Her blog has already introduced me to Layla Grace (below is a Layla Grace rug, as first blogged about on Behind Decorated Doors)... a shabby/cottage-style home, clothing and accessories store online!  You go girl!!

By ahill on Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Last week I found out that Just theThing will feature me as its new local jewelry designer for the falI! I dropped off some of my newest and most innovative new jewelry pieces there today, and it should be out by the first of next week.  Please go by and take a look (oh yeah, and buy some of it too!)!  Cheers!

By ahill on Monday, August 11, 2008

Okay, now that Chaney's mom has seen all of the pics, I will share one more.... 

By ahill on Monday, August 11, 2008

So yesterday I got the best cardio workout I have had in months.  No, I did not join a new gym... I did my first ever toddler photo shoot!  Chaney, the son of one of my very best friends, is such a beautiful and good natured child... I just ran with it (literally!). I couldn't be happier with the photos... but then again, I did have beautiful subjects (mommy included!).  Here is one of my favorite photos of the little man.  Who knows, I may just get inspired and post a few more photos from this shoot today, so stay tuned!  For more info about my photography services, email me here.

By ahill on Sunday, August 10, 2008

... was a very good day.  Tiana opened her house to Kaleo Designs and Brevelle Linens, and Courtney and I reminisced with old friends, networked and made sales for over 6 straight hours.  In fact, the show was supposed to end at 4:00, but at 3:30, a whole new round of guests arrived... and we were so glad! Thanks to all who attended!

By ahill on Wednesday, August 06, 2008

So... I was telling my friend Ashley (who, sadly, lives very far away from me) about a vintage (circa 1970s) lamp I bought at Twentieth Century Antiques in Virginia Highlands.  Anyway, she insisted that I blog about it today, so here goes!  And yes, it is as tall as it looks - probably about 4.5 feet!

By ahill on Tuesday, August 05, 2008

At least 20 hours of blood, sweat and tears went into my bracelet that I made in my metalsmithing class at Callanwolde.  I began by designing my piece, then puncturing the copper and cutting (well, sawing, if you want to get technical) out the design.  After I cut out the design, I filed and beveled the cut-outs to ensure fluidity of the lines and a more finished look.  Then I soldered the copper sheet containing my design onto another piece of copper, and filed away the extra solder.  Finally, I sanded the entire piece, blackened the holes and edges using two chemical blackeners, and hammered my piece into a bracelet.  Whew!  Worth it?  Absoulutely.  For sale?  Absolutely not.  :)

By ahill on Monday, August 04, 2008

My Dad's side of the family congregated in Ellijay, GA this weekend for a long overdue family reunion.  This was no small affair, since my Dad has 4 brothers and sisters, each of whom has 2 children, most of whom have married and have their own families (though I never counted, the rumor was that there were 40 in attendance).  I took the opportunity to practice my portrait photography since I had such a wide age range of subjects.  Check out this picture of my 2nd cousins having a blast at the pool!

By ahill on Friday, August 01, 2008

Click graphis for a larger view (click on new graphic if larger image does not immediatedly appear).

By ahill on Thursday, July 31, 2008

I love this store.  Here are some of my favorite of their "apartment" furnishings online now:

 

By ahill on Wednesday, July 30, 2008

So, in my fervent Kauai research I have discovered several hidden gems, one of which is North Country Farms.  The Roversi family lives on and tends to this beautiful organic farm land, and they grow everything from mangos, to avocados, to tomatos, to different types of lettuces, to herbs - you name it.  They rent out several private cottages on their property, and their guests are welcome to help themselves to the fruit of the land during their stay!  The only drawback for a vacationer like me is that this is not a beachfront property, but I could almost get over that for the sake of organic guacamole!