Cdel designs will be here, too!

If you know anything about me, you know I just about LIVE in my sticky bands! These bands truly don't move! I have just about every color out there, I am embarrassed to admit--and am often lured by another pretty print. I wear them to teach group exercise classes, to make jewelry (keeps the hair out of the face), to the pool (they can get wet along with your suit), and any other day I just don't have the time to do my hair (which is all too often of late)! They would also be the perfect answer for anyone trying to grow out their bangs ;). They are machine wash and dry-able, too! I know because they often find their way into my dryer.... Anyway, Lori will be bringing her original cotton sticky bands (with the velour backing) along with some new items she is selling.


Introducing, the new Wickyband. This is a wider headband made of moisture wicking sport spandex. How cool is that?! I have been known to soak a stickyband in spin class--maybe this is the new answer for me!!

As a door prize, Lori is providing your choice of any two headbands. Rock on! Again, you do not need to be present at the time of the drawing to win.

Lori is also selling I-Pad pockets . Click I-Pad pocket to be directed to her facebook page with a picture of these cute covers.

Woot! Everything is shaping up for an amazing open house--see you on Sunday!

Caroline is in the house....

The Caroline line will be back at the open house (Sunday, 1-4pm). Nancy will have her super cute skirts that she premiered at the last open house, including some new spring designs.

She has added the scrappy skirt to the line. These are one of a kind skirts with multiple panels. Each one has a cute button and ribbon on one of the panels. This beautiful brown, orange and turquoise skirt is one that will be available (size 4).




She has also added some cute ruffle skirts in t-shirt material. Each of these is one of a kind, as well. They are super soft and flouncy. She sent me a picture of the sweetest little size 3--what do you think?! I say, PERFECT for spring!

Another new item Nancy is adding to her line is a fabric purse. These are very Bohemian--again, each is a one of a kind. The details on these purses are so fun. The straps are men's ties and the cute little wood buttons are hand-made by Nancy's talented husband, Bud. I am trying to get him to make some of his fabulous bird-houses for the next open house!

Nancy will be selling her hair flowers again at the open house, as well as some flower pins. You will definitely want to get your name in the hat for the door prizes, as Nancy is donating a women's flower broach (add this bit of flair to a purse, hat or jacket) AND a coupon for 30% off of one of her items. See you on Sunday!

Open house line-up and craft to give back....

This coming Sunday (18th) from 1-4PM, I am hosting an open house at 1418 Blue Ridge Trail in Waunakee, WI. Along with N's Whims items (including new, unposted inventory), you will get to see items by Poplin, The Caroline line, Cdel and a one-time showing by Nicole Mihalas. There will even be a few items that Nicole and I have worked together on, under the name of N², and a few items made by our daughters, Zoe and Bella (they are trying to earn some fun money for Spring Break :).

This will be Poplin's third time at an N's Whims open house. She sets up such a cute display full of fun items geared toward adorable tots and their cool moms. She has added a few new items to her inventory, including fabric journal covers with the journal and chirpy birds. The birds are little stuffed animals with a pocket and can be used for lost tooth pillows, to hold a gift card, candy, note, a cute Easter gift, etc. Journals are $12 and birds are $14. Once again, there will be door prizes donated by each vendor at the open house, and you need not be present at the time of the drawing to win. Poplin's door prize is a cute little coffee cozy and a Starbuck's gift card. Woot! I know what drink I would get if I won!

Here is a picture of the door prize from Poplin:

And, last but not least, a picture of her cute little journals--I could see my daughter, Bella, using one for a diary!

Also, trying to squeeze a little craft to give back in before Spring Break--crazy times around here, I tell ya! Anyway, the next craft to give back night is going to be next Tuesday, the 20th at 7:15 PM. We will be working more on the pinterest baskets for the drawing at Arboretum School. We need to finish up the paper wreath, and we are going to do freezer paper projects for the child pinterest basket. This is a picture of one of the freezer paper shirts I made for my daughter, Bella. So, if you have been wanting to learn this technique, you will want to come this night for sure! We will have one more pinterest night in April to finish up our donations to the Arboretum PTO. As usual, all craft supplies will be provided, just let me know you are coming, arrive and learn a new skill--all while giving back to our community--PERFECT!

Stay tuned to see more pictures of items the other vendors will be bringing on Sunday. Can't wait to see you there!

Ta-Da! The bead soup reveal

Just to refresh your memory, my lovely bead partner, Patti Vanderbloemen generously sent me this bead soup to create with. These were the two porcelain pendants that scared me the most. First of all, I don't gravitate toward blue. Secondly, the bottom dragonfly who speaks to me is larger than I would typically use. And then, there is always the worry, what if I don't do it justice?!

She also sent me sterling silver to work with. Scary! I don't tend to work with sterling because it is expensive and more dainty than the metals I tend to use. The clasps were handmade by , and beautiful! I actually ended up taking apart 2 necklaces that I made a while ago to use their chain. The chain she sent was so pretty, I didn't want to mess it up ;).


Last, but not least, Patti also sent some beautiful glass and enameled metal beads to use as accents. I am especially thankful for the inspiration that came from the yellow enameled beads! That would not have been my first choice for an accent color, and boy did I love the colors together!


Without further ado, this is the necklace I created: My first inclination was to put the pendant in the center and dangle some dangly bits from the bottom hole--sounds like just something I would do, huh?! And, while that would have worked, I really wanted to try something NEW. So, I put the pendant off-center and added some other focals. Continuing with the asymmetrical feel, I used two different sterling silver chains--doubling the smaller simpler chain to even the weight. I chose the smaller of the two clasps that Patti made, since the necklace already felt big to me.
I added a blue enamel flower from C-Koop beads with a tiny yellow turquoise center to the dragonfly pendant. I then used Patti's yellow enamel bead, a purple and blue agate slice pendant and a yellow agate rondelle that matched the enamel bead to complete the design.

Yesterday, I had a few quiet moments and decided to make some earrings. I wanted to use a bit of the beautiful chain Patti sent me. I was going to add a glass rondelle to them, but it felt to pretty and sophisticated for the whimsy of the necklace. Instead, I found these fun little clay beads with blue, purple and yellow. Perfect. Until working with this bead soup, I had not come up with any way to use these funky little beads. So, what do you think?

I have another design brewing in my head for a fun silver and bead bracelet. While it will have to wait for another day, I plan to incorporate the other yellow enamel bead, some of the lovely glass rondelles and maybe another one or two of these fun clay beads.

Don't let the fun end here! There is a party going on that you won't want to miss. Click on the names below to see the other designers' before and after shots. I am off to do the same! Ta-ta for now....

Life is a balancing act....

I used to think, if I could spend 20 hours a week or more in my studio, I would be one happy lady! Well, it turns out that last year, when I was able to do that, I accomplished a lot. I sold a LOT of jewelry, got some pieces published, took some really cool classes and grew N's Whims. I really felt accomplished and successful, like I was able to prove I had some right to be doing what I was doing--no longer one who dabbles and plays--an artist, even! That part was cool. But, when I came up for air, I noticed that I was missing my husband, neglecting my friendships and too many extra pounds had joined me on my path!

This year, our twins experienced a turbulent transition into kindergarten. One has been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, inattentive type. The other is just beginning her evaluation process for attention deficit disorder, hyperactive type. It has taken 6 months to get the first evaluated and help in place. She is just now starting to find her groove. Along the way, I have attended countless appointments, meetings and spent much time helping her learn and get her confidence back. This has been exhausting, but extremely rewarding. You see, before this crazy jewelry expedition, I was in the field of psychology. To see the improvement and the excitement return for my little peanut makes all the time and work worthwhile. She will continue to need more attention than our oldest to succeed, but we are finding her formula. Next, we will do the same for her twin.

Also this year, we were able to cut my husband's hours at work a bit more. This has been our plan all along, get to a spot financially where he can work less and spend more time with us and his other interests. I am finding, that when he is home, I crave spending my time with him--as it should be! But, the more I say yes to N's Whims, the less I am available when he is.

Starting in January, I decided that I could no longer let my health go. Gaining a few pounds here and there is disturbing for most of us, but I have a secondary reason that it is not good. I have polycystic ovarian syndrome. We have found that for me, as long as I keep my weight under a certain number and take my meds, all is well. When I let the pounds sneak on, it wreaks havoc on my body, taking away my ability to feel good physically and emotionally, which keeps me from being a good mom, wife and friend. So, I went back to teaching exercise classes consistently. I am now teaching 3 spin and 3 trx classes each week. I have also made a much better effort to plan and make healthy meals at home. I am thrilled to report that I have shed 8 of those extra pounds and am back in the safety zone.

As you can see, life is telling me to find some balance. I have been finding less and less time to spend in my studio--other things just seem too important right now! Maybe there will be another phase in life where 20 hours a week in the studio is more realistic, and that would be fun. But, for now, I need to find a different way to view my business. I have come up with a new model--I think I will host 3-4 open houses a year, set appointments when contacted for shopping or special orders, and create what moves me when I find the time! The open houses are always a fun way to highlight other super talented people who make their own creations. It is also a fun, social happening event! Setting appointments when you want to shop allows me to give you one on one attention and work it into the schedule. As for special orders, I am going to ask that you give me 4 weeks to complete them. If you need them sooner AND I can fit that in my schedule without throwing off the balance, I would be happy to do that for an extra charge of $10. If I can get to your order in less than 4 weeks, bonus, we are all happy!

Once again, I thank all of you for rolling with me as I define and redefine N's Whims--it appears that I have chosen the right name for this venture ;)

Hope to see you at the next open house, Sunday March 18th from 1-4pm.

Finding new whims....

Last night was the annual Waunakee father-daughter dance. Being that I have three daughters and no sons, that leaves me solo for the evening. So, after I got my three little ladies off to the ball with my prince, I got my craft on with my partner in crime, Nicole Mihalas. We poured our glass of wine, played some chill tunes and got to work. Oh, is that ever good for the soul! I had so much fun making cute freezer paper painted shirts, I thought I would share with you! Hope you enjoy my little bit of happy as much as I do!

Here is one of the shirts we made for Bella:

Here is Alli's shirt--she LOVES elephants:

And, here is Milana's shirt--hippo's are her fav!

I love that I can make similar shirts for the twins and yet highlight their individuality at the same time. They still love to "match" but do not want to be exactly the same. They call it "matchy, matchy butterfly" as opposed to "matchy, matchy, do, do." Whatever that means :). They all make me giggle every day!

Next Thursday, February 23rd

It is official, the date for February's craft to give back is set: Thursday the 23rd. This craft to give back is going to be different, and I am thinking super fun! Who doesn't love pinterest?! WELL, this month and next month, instead of donating to the WNC, we are going to be making projects found on Pinterest. We will be donating them to the Arboretum Art Show and Basket Raffle in April. This is an event put on by the PTO to raise money for extras the school would like to purchase. There are going to be 2 pinterest baskets--one for the woman (accessories and things for the home) and one for kids. SOOOOO, the first night, I will be leading a wreath project and Tanya Quint has graciously agreed to lead a scarf project. I would love to have another volunteer to lead a third project if we have time for it (depends on how many hands we have that night). It could be a project for several to work on or something for just a few. It should be something that you have pinned that you would love to have for yourself!

I think this will be super fun and maybe help some of us get over that fear of jumping off and making some of those things you have been pinning!

It will be really helpful to know if you are planning to attend, and if you would like to lead a project. Thanks! I want to make sure we have enough to keep everyone's hands busy creating!!!
Also, if you have a glue gun, that will come in handy for this month's crafts. Please feel free to comment here on the blog or at N's Whims on facebook. Can't wait to hang and get crafty!