New features!

This weekend I was fortunate enough to be considered for a feature in a wonderful blog as well as in a new, upcoming craft website!!!

Every week, Jess from Epheriell Designs chooses five Etsy sellers to feature for her "Superb Sunday" writeup. She showcases one item from each shop to help artists gain more exposure for their work. One of my favorite Ruby clutches made the cut this week! The clutch was made with an oriental inspired print by Alexander Henry and a classic Fleur de lis print from Heidi Grace. You can see Jess's other picks from this week here:

http://www.epherielldesigns.com/superb-sunday-28-dec-08 (link is also posted under 'Press' in left column)

I also will be featured this week by a new craft website, House of Phalanges. They love all things handmade and strive to help artists promote their shops. I will be the main artist this week (wow, wow, wow!!) and am impatiently awaiting to see the feature posted! Today I sent in my responses to interview questions, images of my work as well as my banner which will be added to their directory. You can check out there site here: http://www.houseofp.com/

Words can't describe how excited I am! With this past semester being so hectic, this is the first time since summer that I've been able to spend some time promoting my shop and connecting with other artists. I've put many hours in during this Christmas break and I still have several weeks left! I'll be using every minute I can to continue adding to my shop as well as spreading the word about Austin Nicole.

Please remember to stop by Epheriell Designs as well as House of Phalanges this week to see my work!

This Week's New Items

This week I posted new items everyday! I posted SEVEN new Ruby clutches and a brand spankin' new version of the Carly Carry All! I made the bag slightly taller and used heavy duty canvas as interfacing. The new Carly Carry All is perfect for carrying laptops, books, notepads, and everyday essentials. It could even be used as a diaper bag or overnight bag!

Be sure to visit my Etsy shop this week where you can pick up a new clutch or tote!

www.austinnicole.etsy.com

Happy Holidays

Without a doubt, this holiday season is my favorite time of the year.

I adore the decorations, the smells, the music, the warmth of a fire ( or space heater in my house ) and the presence of a heavily lit Christmas tree. My family is just as head over heels for this season as I am and celebrates Christmas nearly year round.

Really, what's better than scarves, pea coats, tights, boots and gloves? I'm a Texan girl with a winter heart and look forward to the days where the temperature drops and I can get dolled up in my favorite winter attire.

In addition to wintry threads, the holiday season always promises to bring a highly anticipated event - Christmas break. As a student, the countdown to Christmas break begins in August and starts up again in January. Its always a time to catch up with friends, relax, SLEEP, and run around free from responsibility for a short time.

During my break this year I'm particularly looking forward to two things - sewing and reading. This week I will be posting two new items on my Etsy website every day. Yeah!! :) I plan to get tons of work done and play a bit of catch up at the sewing machine. I also am dying to dive into a stack of books that have been collecting dust since the beginning of the semester.

Since the break began I completed The Color of Water and just began Love in the Time of Cholera I fell in love love love with The Color of Water and can't put Love down. Everyone must put both of these books on their reading list!

Have any must reads in mind? Let me know! I always love finding new books to keep me company in the evenings, in a coffee shop or on a long car ride.

'the journey is the reward'

Today I look back and wonder how another semester vanished as quickly as it appeared. As my undergraduate graduation nears I feel as though time is flying faster than ever and I know a new journey is waiting for me around the corner. .

My experience in college has been life altering. The people I’ve encountered, the ideas I’ve been exposed to, the literature I’ve had the pleasure of discovering, and the daily routine of absorbing every twist and turn in the road have become a part of me. When I walk the stage this coming May, I will meet this juncture with fluttering butterflies in my stomach, a head full of new visions and ideas, and a heart filled with the hope that I can somehow leave a beautiful mark on this world.

Where ever my path leads me next, I want to continue sharing my passions with others. My love for handmade has connected me with talented, creative people and I hope to keep meeting more of them every day. I hope to keep growing in this experience and I hope to keep pushing my own creative boundaries as much as possible.

As the new year approaches, I can't wait to see what wonderful changes lie ahead of me.