Culebra Getaway

I got to spend the last of the rainy month of April on the tiny island of Culebra, off the main island of Puerto Rico. I can not tell you in words just how gorgeous this place is. The ocean, the sun, the sand, the plants, the people, the food, it was just awesome. For the first half of the trip I was so good at ignoring my phone, we had a little internet and a tad of cell service so it wasn't hard. I actual did relax! I even read a book cover to cover, that never happens. I don't even have the time to pick up a book. It was so nice for my husband to talk me into this trip and my in laws to bring me along. I know some people may cringe when they think about spending a week on a island with their in laws, but I feel so blessed that mine are awesome, I love them and I'm pretty sure at this point they must not think I'm to terrible either!

This is the amazing house we stayed it. Its located high on a hill over looking the ocean and two more tiny islands. At any given time you could look out and see sail boats and wind surfers. But I have to tell you a funny story about this place...

When we first arrived and opened the place up (it had been some time since anyone had been there) and started to look around we notice a lot of dead bugs and poo everywhere, and I mean everywhere! Floor, walls, lamp shades, windows... it was tiny little poo, like a mouse, bird or a bat. Patti and I started to freak out a little and though the view was beautiful, we almost high tailed it into town to find a hotel. But instead, we found a bunch of rubber gloves and cleaning supplies, we all started to get to work on cleaning the house. We found out later it was Gecko poo, I guess the idea of Gecko poo scares me a little less then mouse or bat poo. But I still slept every night with a candle burning in my room like a night light just in case.

Above:  is the book that I finished cover to cover. It was a gift from a friend I made through Etsy. She sent it to be just before I left, it was such a beautiful surprise, and a beautiful book about love.
Below: all 'dressed up' for our first dinner in town! It was so nice to just throw on clothes after the beach and just hit the road. Salty hair and sun kissed skin.

I am kind of a fish taco connoisseur. If they are on the menu you can pretty much count on me ordering them. I'm always trying to beat my home town favorite (El Rio Grande in Stoughton). I have to admit I found them on this trip, along with the most amazing outdoor view (sunset photo) and super yummy Puerto Rican Rum, have to drink it straight! The food on the island was incredible. Every night after the beach Patti would say "Lets go get some f*cking seafood!"- shes the best!

We went to about 5 different beaches on all sides of the island. I have to say my two favorite beaches were the ones we had climb a half hour uphill to get to, but totally worth it. I realized on this vacation that I am also terribly out of shape.. I was so winded by the time we actually got to the ocean!
Of course it wouldn't a tropical vacation if someone didn't get sun burned. We all did, Patti on her feet- the only thing she didn't have covered, Chuck on the top of his head, Danny his lower back where he missed putting sunscreen, and me on my legs.. I never put sun screen on my legs in WI! But the thing is the UV is stronger + the reflection of the ocean = killer burn, OUCH!
Side note- Danny and I learned to harvest aloe while we were there to sooth our burns naturally, so that's a plus!

It rained pretty hard the first night we got to the Island, as well as the day we left. Driving along the roads you could see these huge crabs just handing out of their holes waiting for them to dry out. We named these areas "the crab lands".

The last half of the trip I found it a little harder to relax, after making the mistake of checking my E-mail and checking in on the Etsy shop.. I kept thinking about all the things I had to do when I got back and that was the end of vacation for me mentally. Next time I go on break I plan on just putting the shop on vacation along with me,  AND I'm also bringing my hubs. :D

Above: The crew, me, Chuck, Danny, Patti

Madison's Gallery Night + One-One Thousand

This Friday May 5th, is Gallery Night and it's also One-One Thousand's grand opening party! Come meet the makers of One- One Thousand and shop our handmade + vintage curated vignettes, shop the gallery and enjoy spiked punch & Humble pie!

78 N. Bryan St in Madison from 5-9pm. 

Lets Make a Fuss!

 Meet Cire Cross of C. Alexandria - a Stoughton-based designer, maker and stylist.
Vignette concept // The perfect nook for organizing your small treasures.

Meet Krizia Villanueva of Oak + Olive- a Madison-based designer and stylist.
Vignette concept // Modern sophisticated gender neutral nursery. A comfortable and calming sanctuary

 

Meet Melissa Jenkins of Melissa Jenkins Designs- a Madison-based maker specializing in all things fiber, from jewelry to home decor. Besides creating handmade goods, I also enjoy styling products, Instagram feeds, and interiors.
Vignette concept // Indoor Gathering in Imperfect Times: Dining Edition

+ Image collages by One-One Thousand 

 

taxes | they suck, my advice

When I first started making jewelry for a 'living' I had no clue what I was doing. I was in my mid 20's and had just moved back in with mom. I never really researched the business aspects of running a business... i.e. taxes, licenses, sales tax, etc. So the first year I filed my taxes as a business owner I was completely unprepared for the reality of owing any money. I thought, I made less then $10,000 I have zero money to my name, how could I possibly owe taxes? After all, I was so used to filing that W2 and getting money back.  Call me naive' and I was, I ended up owing thousands, I instantly broke down in tears.

When you are going from a hobbyist to a legit business owner, you have to pay a lot more in taxes. You are now in charge of paying both sides of your social security and medicade (or is is medicare.. I can never remember)- when before your employer paid half, and the other half was taken from your check before you could even miss it. You also now are hit with SELF EMPLOYMENT tax. Yea, you get a tax on top of your income tax just for being your own boss. Its a cruel world. But I'm not done..
Then there is sales tax. Yep, one more tax you have to pay on the goods sold.

Net vs Gross- you pay taxes on your NET income. This is your Gross (the big number) minus all your expenses, (supplies, postage, travel, web hosting, millage, etc). You want to get that Net number as low as you can. And now I understand why people have company cars, offer to pay for large business meetings meals, or buy a new computer every year- because its a write off. And believe me, you WANT them. 

Its been over 6 years since I have been running my own business and with each tax season I feel a little more prepared, but only a little, I mean taxes just suck, but its a part of life and its the same time every year. So be prepared!

MY ADVICE:
Every year you want your business to grow so you must adjust your tax strategy accordingly. Really look at your numbers each year. Now decide how much you think or want to grow, is it 20, 30, 40%?!
Take that number and pay your taxes QUARTERLY based upon that number.
Paying (1) Federal, (2) State and (3) Sales taxes all quarterly will ease the burden of having to pay in a huge lump sum at the end of the year. No one wants to take all the money they have saved and pay taxes- or worse, not have the money to pay them at all. Estimate quarterlies HIGH. If you make less then what you thought, you may just get a refund for over payment; and in which case the IRS became a savings account you couldn't touch for a year.

My favorite accounting software is Intuit Small Business quickbooks -it keeps everything organized and so I can see my spending charted, the estimated tax I owe, categorize my deductions and just have a really clear view of how my business is doing. You can link your checking accounts, Paypal and even your Etsy account. Its one touch updating. I swear by this app, get it on your phone and its liked to your desktop version as well. If you are an Etsy seller you even get a discounted rate of $5 a month. Not to bad right, plus guess what, its a TAX WRITE OFF!
Here is the Etsy Version of Intuit Small business quickbooks.

** Disclaimer-please talk to your accountant, I am NOT a tax person, this is my personal experience.

Bridesmaid Dinner for Sis

I love entertaining, so when my sister Chan who is getting married in the fall asked me to host a little get together for all her bridesmaids I was like, Heck Yes!! I have so much fur decorating the table and (though I had zero flower choices at out local grocery store.. but it worked I think) menu planning.  I really wanted to used her colors when I decorated the table, I think I nailed it. :)

It was a great evening of chatting and planning her bachelorette party, bridal shower and picking out our dresses! I just love her romantic and moody direction she is going with her nuptials. Check out her gorgeous Pinterest board!

Costa Rica '17

Well this took me long enough to put together! It took me a long time to go through all the photos, so many photos! In January we went to Costa Rica for a family vacation! I got to go along with my husbands family, it was a blast! I think Costa Rica is one of those places you can keep going back to and discover new things every time!

We started out the trip with The Toucan Rescue Ranch. It stated as a bird sanctuary and eventually turned into a complete wildlife rescue. We had breakfast with sloths and took a tour. It was great to see that all the animals that can be rehabilitated are released back into the wild. Oh and of course, I am totally in love with the Sloths, so cute!!

After the animal rescue we drove for a few hours and ended up at out first hotel just outside the city of La Fortuna its located by the Arenal volcano and rain forest. The air was so warm and misty, everything was always damp. But I loved all the giant plants and vegetation! I am a big plant lover and wanted to take all these Jurassic looking plants home with me! Also, fun fact, the first Jurassic Park was filmed in Costa Rica!

We of course went on a hanging bridge tour.. I am not afraid of heights, but for some reason I did not enjoy the feeling of a swinging bridge high up in the tree tops. By the 8th bridge I was trying to channel my Indian Jones but I just couldn't. I got on and off those bridges as fast as I could. Also only 15 persons were allowed on them at a time.. some people can't read. EEEP!

 Our next adventure was a bumpy drive to the city of Monteverde. This was my favorite city, hotel and climate. Here is was much drier then the previous city, there was blue sky and lots of amazing wildlife to see! We had an open patio in our room with a sign that read: "Please lock up belongings your don't want the monkey's to steal". Well, we never saw any monkeys, but we saw amazing birds and butterflies. This city was also one of my favorites for food. Costa Rica 'typical' (that's what they call it) food consists of rice, beans, plantains and either meat or fish. Its my kind of food. Also my new favorite drink, a Guaro Sour. It's a traditional sugar cane liquor with fresh lime and splash of club soda. Try it HERE.  

Above a shot of out Monteverde Hotel, it was straight out of the 60's and I loved it! 

Below a shot of one of the hanging bridges in the Cloud Forest in Monteverde. 

Our hike through the cloud forest, that's Chuck + Patti, aren't they cute?!
Below was our rafting trip, nope no white water for this girl, Im a total wuss, I know. This rafting tour was a nature spotting one only!

 

Some randomness, Costa Rica really made me break out the only color in my wardrobe. 

I was inspired by the color of all the buildings, tile and flowers.

Last stop, the beach. We landed in Tamarindo a beach side town on the Pacific ocean. Man it was HOT. We had gone from the mid 60's-70's to what felt like the dry heat of mid 90's. But it was so nice to bust out all the beach wear I brought! This last leg of our journey was mostly about relaxing and eating. My two favorite things! The beach was gorgeous and I loved being able to watch all the surfers while eating my breakfast. The food at our hotel and all around the beach was awesome. We ate most nights with our toes in the sand.

It was a remarkable trip. Everyone we met, our guide, our driver were amazing! I even learned a bit of Spanish! The Costa Rica motto is "PURA VIDA"  pronounced like "puda bida' meaning Pure Life. They say it as a hello, good bye, how are you, what's up! I can't wait to go back.

Pura Vida! xo

Holiday Break

Saying Good Bye to this place for the rest of the week. We officially put the shop on vacation so we can rest a little and enjoy the holidays. This season was insane in the greatest way possible. We are incredibly thankful + humbled to each of you who purchased gifts from us this year, seriously, THANK YOU 🙏! We are looking forward to starting the new year with a new collection + other items besides jewelry... Yup got some things up our sleeve that we can't wait to share!

Penland School of Craft | part two

Working everyday for 6 days straight, starting early, working into the morning was something I had never really done until Penland. I love sleep, boy to I love going to bed early, and waking up late. You think I would have been tired.. but the exact opposite was true when I was there. I was full of energy,  I barely needed sleep. I was just so excited to be learning new things and playing, no pressure to finish things, or make them perfect for clients, is was just FUN.

Ok, also the food... three square meals, good meals, so good. It was like eating at the Willie Street Co-Op everyday. Fresh greens and salad bar with homemade everything. Penland has its own garden where a lot of the food comes from too. There is kitchen staff but also the core students (living and learning for 2 years) cook and clean. Not having to worry about what and when you are going to eat while working is an awesome treat, I got real used to it! YUMMMMMM!

Our class was a blast, I cant really put the whole experience into words.. it was life changing. I cant wait to go back and take more classes. The spring schedule is full of awesome metalworking classes. But also wouldn't it be fun to take a class in a medium Ive never worked with? That is the great thing about Penland.. you need no experience, everyone at every skill level is welcome. I LOVE THIS PLACE!

Penland School Of Craft | part one

A week ago my studio mates and I set out on an adventure to the Penland School of Craft in the mountains of North Carolina. We left sunny Wisconsin in the Saab and headed towards the mountains. We drove until we couldn't, made it better then half way on Friday. A lot of podcasts, mix tapes and roadside yoga later we made it to Ashville on Saturday. We had to check out the local music scene, saw a great live show & had equally yummy dinner.
Sunday morning we headed up the mountains to Penland. We took the scenic route which was the most beautiful, the colors, the sky, the fresh air... the smoky Mountains, it was breath taking.

Mid Sunday we arrived at Penland with enough time to walk through the welcome center + gallery then take our time walking around the campus before orientation. That's Erin on the left, Missy on the right, and my crazy excited ass in the middle!

The sun was setting as we made our way to orientation, got our dorm numbers and started class that evening at 8pm sharp. Above- our dorms, below the view from my work bench... amazing right?!

I have so many photos of this adventure that I have to break them up into parts or you would be scrolling forever. Above are photos of the incredible metals studio we got to play in for the week. We were allowed full access to the studios and all the equipment as long as we had a buddy. We all worked until at least midnight, one or two AM everyday!