Where to even begin? Spring has brought all sorts of excitement at avindy! We moved from our beloved 150 year old loft studio with its dusty dirt road, wandering goats and chickens, wide plank hardwoods and an array of rusty old trucks and equipment to a fabulous "new" 150 year old loft studio up the road called King Plow. I, (the Cindy of avindy) got married at King Plow several years ago because I fell in love with the place and all its historic character, artsy tenants, fabulous restaurant and funky ballroom. I was a law student when I got married and never in a million trillion years would have believed I'd be an artist making jewelry with my mom in one of those hip studios 8 years later!
King Plow was an old farm equipment factory in the 1800's. Its a complex of rustic brick buildings with a roaring train that runs outside our big windows periodically throughout the day. Our studio has gorgeous exposed brick walls, concrete floors and big old sunny windows. There is even a koi pond right outside our door. We have nine wonderful talented women who make up the avindy family and we are surrounded by other artsy businesses, a top notch restaurant, a dance school and a small theatre for aspiring actors. What more can an artist wish for?
In other exciting news, I had another baby - Jonah Reid - so Avril (the A of avindy) is now the proud and nutty grandma of two boys! Jonah enjoyed his first day at work yesterday and cooed happily on a blanket on the concrete floor while mom and I worked with Cat, our fabuloso bench jeweler, to design our next collection. Last season, we were inspired by everything maternal. We designed necklaces with vintage letter stamps and diamonds that have become a huge hit for moms and grandmas wanting to sport their loved ones initials. We created a hammered little doggie bone with a diamond in honor of Emma, my first baby (a 125 lb St. Bernard) who we had to put to sleep a few months ago and to celebrate the life of mom's 3 dogs - Bogie, Whiskey and George. We even reinvented the vintage boy/girl charms your grandma used to wear, only ours are much cooler.
This season, we are celebrating the miracle and cycle of life. We found inspiration along the creekside at my parents' mountain cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains. We always incorporate our affinity for antique and ancient jewelry with worn engravings, ornate details, textured surfaces and unusual color combinations but this season we are adding a sprinkle of nature to the mix. Wait and see!
My brother, known to all as "Farmer D," is an organic farmer and entreprenuer who is painting the town green. His commitment to the earth and all things sustainable and organic inspired mom and I to donate a portion of our 'green' collection to an eco cause. We are in the process of finding a cause that we feel strongly about so please feel free to send suggestions our way. And be sure to check out Farmer D's website at http://www.farmerd.com.
Whew! I made it through my first blog entry. It has taken 5 years of prodding from all the wise ones around me to "Just Do It" so here it is. Enjoy and stay tuned for the next one. Thanks for visiting the new avindy.com!
