festivities

I made this tart for my little one's birthday yesterday.

It's an apricot & pear tart recipe that I found in Real Simple.

It is delicious!

Look's a bit similar, huh?

We had a great day spent with Nana and Papa who have come to stay for a few weeks.

We first headed to a coffee shop for bagels and coffee and chocolate milk for the little ones.

After a quick stop in a thrift shop we headed to local children's museum for several hours.

The second half of the day was mainly spent cooking, baking and eating.

The process is always as much, if not more fun, as sitting down to actually eat.

We usually have music going, a drink poured, and in this case a glass of beer, for everyone over 5 feet.

 (my mom's not much taller than this ;)

 That stack of tortillas, by the way, was made by my mom. She makes the BEST tortillas...hands down!

She made a fresh dozen about 3 to 4 times a week when I was growing up.

Even now, she makes them every week because of all of her children and grandchildren who completely devour them.

After the festivities we topped off the day with a pajama party.

I can't believe my youngest is 3.

It goes by SO incredibly fast.....

yet when they are yelling at the top of their lungs and destroying things I often think to myself,

"exactly when does this phase end??" ;)

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fantastic update

Please head over to Cup of Jo to enter our giveaway for the chance to win one of two $100 gift certificates for use in our shop. She will be choosing a winner at random tomorrow so hop on over....quick!

Loving the love :)

SO many wonderful and sweet comments have been posted!

This ushers in the weekend on a high!

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winter touchdown

This is the view outside my kitchen window.

And on my front porch....

The view from above.

Checking out the rabbit tracks with my little midget.

Winter has touched down. Finally :)

Actually I've loved this fall season immensely. The snow has arrived at the perfect time.

No sooner.

No later.

For my taste anyway!

Today has been a day of remembrance.

On so many levels,

 for so many people.

I'm off to hug and be hugged by three pairs of hands that completely hold my heart.

goodnight :)

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The Fruits of my Labor

I'm starting out with the one that I love just that much more.

It is already gone.... :)

These are new favorites for sure.

They are so comfortable and eye-catching.

This is the bulk of my new work that just went up into our Etsy and website shops over the last few days.

I worked really, really hard to get all of this listed and when I finally finished yesterday I slipped away from the boys and laid my head down on the couch. And I was out.

It is so gratifying for me to get my work listed and then put out into the world.

I am sure this is a universal feeling for anyone who puts so much of themselves into something.

(It doesn't just pertain to art.)

So I've been breathing a bit deeper since and I'm feeling release.

I'll be working on filling orders for the next few days in between getting my house ready for visitors.

My parents are coming to stay with us for two weeks beginning on Friday and we are sooooo ready for them to get here. They are the absolute best at swooping in and taking care of us :)

Time to head out into the sunshine and play....

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few words

I have few words today.....

just a peek at the new pieces sitting quietly on my bed.

Listing will be ongoing throughout the long dark evening. I have candles lit and music playing.

I may just pour myself a glass of wine...

Care to join? :)

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Shop Update....

I need a few elves in my shop with me right now, but as it is just me, I'm working towards a shop update for over the weekend ;) I was hoping for tomorrow, but realistically I think it's looking like Saturday instead.

This is a hu-uge update though.....full of lots of color and stones! Please check back. I'm super excited to share them with you :)

back to work....

EDIT: A few unavoidable things have popped up so I'm pushing the listing out a few more days.

 I will see you then!!!!!!

 
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Call for Pictures

HEAR, HEAR!!

We are having a suh-weet holiday giveaway for all of my wonderful customers!!

(I'm thinking of making it an annual thing :)

So the giveaway entails YOU sending us a picture of yourself wearing a piece of jewelry you have purchased from us. We will randomly choose several people from that pool for $50 gift certificates. This giveaway is only for those who submit pictures!! I want very much to see you wearing my pieces. You all get to see me plenty, but I very much want to see you as well. This is fair, yes??! So what better way to entice you than to waive some freebies over your head. ;)

Okay, details:
- The pictures can roll in up until November 30th
- In the beginning of December we will announce the winners here, our newsletter and also our facebook page.
- You can crop part of your face if that makes you feel comfortable!
- It's important to note that your picture may get published here and in our newsletter so PLEASE make sure that this is okay!
- Sending me more than one image does not up your chances, but send me as many as you want! I would love to see whatever I get sent my way. Really :)

Sound good?

p.s. I created the necklace above last year and it resides in Australia with one of my sweetest customers. It happens to be one of my favorites....I have been unable to find a lavender/purple imperial jasper like it...

p.p.s. I forgot to leave my email!! Send the pictures to info@bluehourdesigns.com
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tradition

I took these photos a week or two ago when the fall colors erupted into shades of bright reds and yellows. 

This is a welcome change from last year when we had a snowstorm move in at the first of October. It stunted the fall season, ushering in winter far too early for my taste. This year however, I am enjoying a true fall season with warm, color-filled days, and cold, brisk nights.

This year, I also had my parents bring me a pair of ristras to hang on my front porch. Back in Albuquerque we always had ristras hanging at the front of our home. It's tradition and a welcome reminder of the commencement of fall. As soon as you smell the green chile wafting in the air from the multitude of roasters (and when I say multitude, I mean multitude! There are literally hundreds of them throughout the city) you know it's September.

My parents generally buy a couple of sacks (garbage bag size) of freshly roasted green chile in the fall and then we peel and package it into quart sized baggies for the freezer. This amount will be enough for all of our families; the Melnikovs, my parents and my sister's family, for the year. You have to understand: chile is at the core of New Mexican food. We are practically weaned on it!

I hadn't had ristras since we left NM over two years ago.....it's a good reminder of home. I love looking out my front windows and seeing them there. Tradition is important. No matter where we end up in the world I hope to have some ristras with me :)

Time for breakfast, then work. I am a bit slow moving this morning....must've been the weekend festivities ;)



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ducks in a row

A peek:

pre-buffing & finishing

butterflies ready....

...in rows.

Beads anxiously awaiting to be paired with a pendant...(or at least I am anxious to pair them)

Why hello there ;)

Have a FANTASTIC and safe holiday weekend....

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THE season

I freaking love fall.

I really, really do.

I love the clothes: the sweaters, boots, cords, scarves.....it's all so cozy.

I drink tons of teas throughout the year (and some coffee....still have to limit the stuff), but I definitely bump it up even more around now.

Pumpkin patch season.....

Look at that scary looking thing in the background!

The boys were so excited to pick a pumpkin each to put on our porch.

And they lasted a whole 4 days until:

We have a rather large squirrel and rabbit population that lives around our house.

I tried spraying them with hairspray, which I heard keeps the critters at bay, but that did NOTHING to keep the sneaky little things from burrowing in and completely devouring the inside. Last year the little thieves even took off with one of my mini pumpkins! Just completely swiped it.

So I need to head into my studio now to finish up some orders. I recently purchased some GORGEOUS stones and I can't wait to get those puppies set. I will have a shop update next week instead so that I can have extra time to add this new work in.

Have a great day :)

I'm off.........

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Resuscitation

Here is a glimpse of what I have been doing the past few months. Although much time is spent creating these days, I do head outdoors as often as possible to fulfill that necessary connection.....

This is the start of a much needed resuscitation to this page. I have abandoned it a bit for some obvious (but not very good) reasons: busy-ness. To be honest, I was feeling a bit awkward here. Let me explain.....I am not shy. But, I am also very private. I have struggled with what to share here.....with what my intention is to create this space.

Please allow me to speak in all honesty:  It all started because I was starting a business and that's what everybody who starts a business does: create a blog. So I did. And I danced all around and in it. But one of the largest hurdles I have had to overcome is this idea of self-promotion. I am not a salesman. I am SO far from it that it is funny. I am even often accused of being too humble. But (there have been lots of buts in this post!) I have needed to come to terms with fulfilling two very necessary roles in my creative endeavor:  artist and businesswoman. Because I am. Both.
I am proud of my work.
I am proud of our business (integrity, ethics, growth).
I am incredibly proud of my own personal growth from the start of this journey.
And I am learning that there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

And so my intention here is to be comfortable with sharing my work and my artistic life and all that inspires me. I am incredibly visual, and also happen to have another love affair with photography, so I want to share more of what I see that infuses my life with creativity, inspiration and happiness. And also, some honest thoughts on growing a small business.

My desire is to allow others to see more of the faces (because this is 100% Norbert and I) behind blue hour designs. Because ultimately it is not only my designs that sets me apart from others, but also who we are, that gives meaning to the pieces we create.

I am back :)

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