What is it about ukuleles? They’re adorable. They’re fun. Their sound is so very unique. Whatever their appeal is, we have fallen in love with them.

It started with the girls’ fascination with the ukulele catching and throwing that is so cleverly pulled off in this video. Before they knew it, they each had one to call their very own (along with a daddy-built rack on their bedroom wall).

But, as obsessions tend to go in our house, buying a couple of them wasn’t enough, and Alex got to work making one of his own. The process involved making several jigs, steam bending wood, and lots of research.  A few weeks later…voila!

Before they knew it, they girls were up on stage at the school’s student variety show singing and playing Little Boxes. For those of you who don’t know my girls, getting up on a stage and performing in front of an auditorium of people would be the very last thing my tall girl would choose to do. But she did it. They both did, and we were so proud of them. After the show the girls, who earlier in the day swore they wouldn’t ever be in the variety show again, proclaimed “next year, let’s do electric guitars!”

And so it will be. On daddy-built-with-their-help electric guitars, eventually.

In the mean time, they’ll practice on these.

Looks like they’re getting the hang of it.

I wonder if I really should have…

…taught the girls how to bet on horses

…or let them stay in the hot tub for what surely must be beyond the time limit recommended for children

…or fed them cookies for breakfast. And ice cream for dinner.

…and turned the house into a rollerblading rink yet again.

…or let them use the crutches as stilts and a walker as a jungle gym

Day-to-day protocol be damned, I say! Vacations (and post-surgery days?) are for breaking the rules, and oh, to delight the girls with a nod of the head and a knowing wink. I won’t be up for any parenting awards anytime soon, but sometimes saying yes is so much more fun than saying no.

A while back, a customer sent me this article about make-your-own-wedding-ring workshops, thinking I might be interested. I immediately connected with the concept and loved the idea of helping people make their own wedding bands. But just as I was deciding I would love to do it, I was simultaneously coming up with reasons why not to. I’m not “set up” for that, my workshop is in my home, I have never taught anyone metalsmithing before, and on and on. The idea was quickly set aside for my “someday when I have my own real studio” list, and that was that.

Fast forward to early March when I met with an engaged couple to discuss their rings. They mentioned in passing that they had read about these workshops, too, and asked if I would consider doing one with them. I expressed my hesitation, but I think my excitement was apparent. They enthusiastically agreed to be the “guinea pigs,” knowing it would be my first time doing this, and we set a date.

The soon-to-be bride and groom arrived at my home and we jumped right in, cutting the stock to the right size, learning to solder, getting the perfect fit, and putting the final finish on. Some steps took some getting used to, some came easy to them. They were patient, curious, and just about the sweetest people ever. As the day went on, we found our groove — them in jewelry making, me as their guide, and we came to see we had much in common (even a mutual friend). At one point we stopped for a break which ended in a ukulele/guitar accompanied sing-a-long with my girls. You just never know what’s going to conspire.

When the rings were to their liking, we packed them in special ring boxes to be kept safe until the big day. I was thrilled to send them off with the bands they will wear for the rest of their lives, knowing that they had even more meaning now. Congrats to the happy couple, on their successful foray into metalsmithing and on their upcoming marriage!

As you’ve probably guessed by now, wedding ring workshops are coming soon to AG Ambroult! If you’re in the greater Boston area, keep an eye out for more information.

I know that some of you are waiting to hear how the wholesale show went, and the short version is: It was a total bust.

The long version, for those who like to read about disasters, is below.

The Boston Gift Show was the wrong show for me and my product in every way. It turns out I just can’t compete with the manufactured jewelry that the souvenir shops that attended purchased in gobs. And, even though I was in the “handmade” section, I had buyers asking me who my manufacturer was. To answer that, (first I’d take I’d a deeeeeep breath, then) I’d explain that each piece is made by hand, by yours truly. When that wasn’t enough, I had to explain that hand crafting my pieces was actually a choice, and no, I wasn’t interested in learning more about having my pieces cast overseas (in China!) for a higher profit margin. (Insert blood-pressure-controlling breathing exercises here)

The good news is that now I know which kind of shows not to do, anyway. The smallish person inside me wants to say that it was a waste of time, money, and resources (read: babysitting favors), but it really wasn’t. In preparing for this show, I started to seriously think about the wholesale aspect of my business. For the first time, I clearly defined a few lines of jewelry and nailed down the pricing, as well as got the catalog done and onto the site. I can use the promotional posters at my regular retail shows, and I sent postcards out to most of the New England craft galleries. Having my brand out there can’t be doing me any harm. So, not a total loss, but I’ll admit is stung a bit to do so horribly. As a friend put it, doing this show was like I took a weekend-long business course. She’s so right. I went to school, and I’m pretty sure I just graduated magna cum laude.

I know that doing anything new is risky in some way or another, and shying away from risk is not something I am prone to do. So guess what? I’m applying to another wholesale show — the Buyers Market of American Craft — soon, and never looking back. 

Here’s to getting schooled, and learning lessons.

I have some other AG Ambroult news for you, too.  Stop by in a few days to hear about what I was up to this past weekend, and the new “product” I will be offering. In the meantime I’ll be finding my way back to the online spaces I have missed in the past month.

It’s been glorious here the past month, which is to say it’s been very un-winter like. For the first February school vacation I can remember, we went hiking instead of sledding. And when the rain put a damper on our outdoor fun, I rolled up the carpet, cranked the music, and turned my house into a roller rink. In-line skates are always fun, but have you ever heard of a wave board? It’s a 2-wheeled skateboard, and riding one is the closest sensation to surfing that you can get on land. Speaking from experience, I would highly recommend elbow pads when riding.

With all this springy weather, my garlic has been up since right after I planted it. The Forsythias have been chomping at the bit, budding early, just about to burst. I’m helping a few branches along, by forcing them on my kitchen windowsill. These will be part of my display at the Boston Gift Show (which is less than two weeks away now! ohmgodIhavesomuchtodo).

Forcing Forsythias was a suggestion from Ella, who so kindly shared all her show/graphic design/styling insight with me. She suggested the yellow flowers would compliment the  green in my signage and displays. She was right — they look great together.

She also suggested I make a pin of my logo. So I did. (It was one of those “why didn’t I think of that?” moments. Thank you, Ella!)

There has been so much preparation for this show. I made a wholesale catalog, which is now downloadable from my site (under “wholesale” the password is “elemental2012″ if you’re interested in taking a peek. I still have more pieces to add to it, but I wanted to make it available for now).

I gathered some fresh new moss for the display bowls I use, and I gave my painted displays a new coat of glossy moss green. I know you’re thinking that’s a lot of green, but don’t worry, it looks nice when it’s balanced out with all my natural wood displays, too.

I must admit, I might have crossed the glossy-green-paint line when I painted that stool. Alex built it about 8 years ago and it had this gorgeous rustic finish. Shiny green has nothing on that time-worn feel. Before I had even finished the first coat I was already thinking about how I would strip the paint off, post-show of course.

Okay, back to my list of pre-show tasks I go. Since I may not be posting again until it’s done (late March), I have a few links to leave you with:

Lisa recently linked to a clever gardening site that tells you when to plant your seeds. Just enter your zip code and get started.

Speaking of gardens, I have the perfect spot on the back of my garage to do this.

Rhythm of the Home Spring edition is out.

Ella has a sugar detox challenge going on. I think could benefit from that, but it means I couldn’t make these Nutella oatmeal bars

I made these super easy duct tape flowers for the girls for Valentine’s Day, and then we all made a whole bunch more together. They are adorable and colorful in a vase, and even cuter as pencil toppers. You can find a plethora (inside joke for any Three Amigos fans out there) of tutorials on YouTube.

I make tons of bread, and seem to gravitate towards the same (fantastic) recipes, so I thought I’d share them:

For our big-batch sandwich bread, I usually use this one. The only alteration I have made is that I divide the dough into five loaves, instead of six. Makes for bigger bread. I also like Mandy’s Daily Bread recipe.

For crusty soup bread this recipe is the yummiest and easiest.

This guy is recreating iconic art on his whiteboard. I love how temporary his masterpieces are, and that idea excites me.

Apparently, I have been living under a rock, because I had never seen this video (which has been viewed roughly 55 million times). I have Jane to thank for dragging me out from my dark underground hiding place. I am now obsessed with this band. OBSESSED, I tell you (and so is my whole family).

Imagine not having to wait on hold when you’re trying to reach a customer service rep? That’s what the Fast Customer app promises. I haven’t tried it yet but it’s going to make the next dreaded call I need to make a little less dreadful.

Dana is hosting her ART*FULL Sketchbook course, starting in April. I’m signing up. Anyone want to join me?

My Love for You recently did a twitter interview with Jenny Hart. Her embroidery art (especially the portraits) is out of this world. I must be feeling the thread love lately because just a few weeks ago I made a collection of thread art on Pinterest. Hmm.

Happy clicking! Happy weekend!

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, as I try to grow my business which inherently includes taking risks and stepping out of the comfort zone. When I dream big AG Ambroult dreams that voice always starts in with all kinds of doubt and mockery. But honestly? I don’t really care. Truth is, that voice is usually right.

 above image from gotopublicschool.com

Yes, It’s true, I have no idea how to do that. I have no clue what steps need to be taken to get there. I haven’t the foggiest notion where I need to go for those those. I don’t even know that technique yet. I need a what for that? I overpaid my taxes by how much?

I’m clueless, and I’m not even gonna try to hide it.

In an interview with artist Lisa Congdon (via Dana) this statement really struck me: “This all happened so fast, I don’t know what I’m doing, and I have no legitimacy…I had a lot of self-doubt about who I was and how I could identify myself as part of the art world.” And yet, there’s Lisa, making a very fine living off her illustrations.

Adam Baker, of Man vs. Debt, recently wrote a post about his “lack” of qualifications, which ends with this: “Stop putting off your life until you’re more qualified.” I really believe in that. I always have.

Here’s the great part, though: every day I am more and more qualified, if I just keep moving forward with this endeavor, right? And with the help of all the kind, insightful, and giving people I have met and have yet to meet, I’m going to keep going, and  learning. I am completely willing to make a fool of myself here and there if it means I get to where I want to be.

I’m streaking, folks, and it’s not always gonna be pretty. Anybody wanna join me?

Start with outgrown pajama pants…

…and end up with these cute jersey knit bracelets, tutorial here.

Start with a flannel nightgown…

…and end up with a monkey vest and a cat kerchief

…and a few eye pillows, stuffed with rice and lavender buds.

Simple, free, and fun.

1. My Copper Ring was featured in Boston Magazine in April, 2011. I got a huge response from this and sold no less than 20 copper rings as a direct result.

2. An assortment of pieces were featured in Yankee Magazine in Nov/Dec. It was fun, going through the process, and having my work in such a big magazine for their holiday issue.

3. Uncommon Goods contacted me,  interested in carrying my custom Silhouette Charm Necklace. I’m happy to report it’s now up on their site. This was a nail biter, as they kept me hanging while my piece was up on their “voting tool.”

4. I made the decision to participate in the Boston Gift Show, a wholesale trade show, in hopes of bolstering the wholesale side of my business. The cost of doing wholesale shows is significant. I have always known that I would work my way up to these shows, but the opportunity to share a booth with a friend this year made it a no brainer. The image above is the postcard I’ll be sending out to prospective galleries and shops, pre show. The show is in March 2012, so technically this shouldn’t be on the 2011 list, but the big decision to go for it was made last year. The rest is just gettin’ it done.

5. I took the advice of my friend Liza (who happens to be the same friend I am doing the BGS with ) and started bringing gobs more jewelry to shows, resulting in a huge jump in sales. I know it seems obvious– that more product would mean more sales– but given the cost of silver, I always hesitated to bring so many pieces. I was afraid I wouldn’t make that money back fast enough. Turns out I was very wrong. So here’s a huge THANK YOU to Liza-lou for that very useful tidbit of business advice. Sometimes I can’t see the forest for the trees.

So it’s onward and upward to AG Ambroult. I wonder what this wrap up will say next year? If all goes according to my little world-domination plan?  Big things.

Super Horsey has some friends called the Fruities. The Fruities are multi-talented athletes and all around happy folks (look at those smiles!). Skiing and weight lifting are among their favorite pastimes, but sometimes…

…life gets the best of even the Fruities, and they’ve been known turn to robbing banks.

My girls write about these characters a ton, and we have volumes of Super Horsey adventures and Fruitie tales.  We were all so smitten with them that I decided they needed to be “taken to the next level,” as the girls say. Yes, it was high time to have Super Horsey and a Fruitie brought to life. I knew just who to ask.

Jen from Zooguu is an amazing artist and crafter, and she makes the most fabulous plushies. I have had the pleasure of getting to know her at the local art markets and I was sure she’d do Super Horsey and the Fruitie justice.

Of course she made them better than I had ever imagined they could be. Exact replicas of my girls’ drawings but even better, with bendable arms and legs and a perfectly huggable size. She even drew (sewed) the mouths in a sketchy style, a nod to their paper-and-pencil beginnings.

We’re all so happy that the adventures of Super Horsey and the Fruities are no longer limited to the written page. I think you folks living in the NYC area can sleep soundly now, knowing the hero horse is at the ready. As for the Fruities, well, we can only hope that the physical world doesn’t drive them to a life of crime.

Check out the Zooguu website for games, tons of freebies, adorable plush toys, and even a PDF pattern to make your own stuffed narwhal.