Trash or Treasure

A wise man once said, one man's trash is another jewelry making woman's treasure - or something like that. The Downtown Baltimore Hallmark Store closing has been coming for some time now. I peeked in the other day to see what slim pickings were left in the stain carpeted, poorly lit, partial florist, part cigarette shop, part cubicle supply and card shop joint. To my very lucky delight I spotted a cluster of gift boxes in the bottom shelf of the rampaged gift wrapping section. I grabbed a picnic basket looking thing nearby and loaded up! The man of the trash/treasure, very sweet store owner who recognized me from several frantic visits for birthday tokens, retirement cards, last minute baby showers, etc., excitedly turned to the back of the store to bring back all the gift boxes - my hero! While I was at it he insisted I also buy his bubble wrap - $.50 a roll!!! A hero and a genius! I just couldn't resist. I walked away thrilled with my arms full of _FRAU_RAU_CO. gift wrapping supplies at a price I will most likely never see again. I wonder if it was the same wise man who said, when one Hallmark Store door closes, a _FRAU_RAU_CO. business opens!

All Gold. All Day. Everyday.

_FRAU_RAU_CO. is excited to share some new favorite pieces! Just received a stash of supplies from a great wholesale distributor and could not wait to put these beads to work. All pieces available on the _FRAU_RAU_CO. Etsy shop!

Branding: Bonus Edition

In addition to said exciting custom stamps (see post below), _frau_rau_co. has decided to take logo printing into her own hands. Jewelry tags are something I've had going ever since always, however, they've gone through several versions of loosey goosey on printer paper and shakey hand writing. Finally, as part of the greater effort to standardize _frau_rau_co. product and push the name, tags have been designed by yours truly, freshly printed on egg white card stock and sliced up on my handy dandy paper cutter. Not too shabby if I do say so myself. I started out with a dozen dozen tags. If all goes according to plan, I'll be back at it making tags in no time!

Branding

Good evening fraus! _frau_rau_co. headquarters has been experiencing quite the bustle taking orders and developing the _frau_rau_co. brand. The Etsy shop is making its way to the eyes of other crafters, new customers and... you!

Even more exciting is the latest and greatest in FRC goods. After a long process of back and forth with custom stamp design, "_FRAU_RAU_CO." stamps finally arrived! And yes these babies actually read "_FRAU_RAU_CO." with the quotation marks. *major sigh* Luckily, it was a quick fix with my handy dandy X-ACTO knife and ink stained hands.

Lastly, I've finally come to solidifying a signature for _frau_rau_co. packaging. I've gone through a couple renditions and have settled on something that will work for all products: necklaces, bracelets & earrings - Yes! _frau_rau_co. is now selling earrings! While the _frau_rau_co. shell may always be the same, every FRC piece is, of course, 100% unique as each piece is specially made for a special frau.

See details below!

Dazed & Not So Confused

Monday I came home after a long day of clouds, scattered showers, grayness and an acute sense of that unconcerned and vague vibe that tends to percolate on these days. I snapped out of it when it dawned on me that the lighting outside at that very moment was perfect. The sun was making moves for a breakthrough and I wasn't going to let this day get the best of me. No sir - or should I say, nein herr! Here comes the sun, da da dee da! There was just enough light left in the day and cumulonimbi lingering in the sky to soften up that blazing ring of fire. I grabbed my handy dandy camera gadget and shot some pieces I've recently added to the _frau_rau_co. collection. Here's a peek:

Fools Gold & Gold Pt. II

This bold yet simple pyrite and gold necklace is perfect for any look. Every frau needs some spunk and sparkle. 

Note, pyrite coins are accepted as payment by _frau_rau_co.