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1649 San Pablo Ave
Berkeley, CA, 94702

415-362-6550

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Caramia's Blog

Shows!

California Gift Show, L.A. Convention Center January 23-26 Vintage #1154 (Trade only)

Tucson Gem Show, DoubleTree Hilton Reid, Grand Ballroom, February 1-9, "To Bead True Blue", G105 (Open to Trade and Public!) 

SF International Gift show, February 20-23, Moscone, Vintage 809 (Trade only) 

It's stress time!! I leave for my first show In 7 days! And because these are shows that the buyers take the jewelry with them, I need a lot of stuff!!!! So it's a daily push! Today I'm making big swallow brooches. Yesterday we made cicada necklaces. We are casting new stuff and I have to figure out how those are going to be strung! Yikes!! Somehow when the show comes around and people start shopping, I'm relieved I can take a break from the assembly and design! It's craziness! 

Heres the pieces I'm working on now: 

I'm casting ALL THESE CAMEOS! 

 

Plus casting black bird! I may do bone next! 

Plus casting black bird! I may do bone next! 

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Casting red cameo at top left, cherries and red bird. These will make the line seem spring and happy! 

Now to make them into beautiful pins and necklaces!  

Valentines and progress on the new pieces!

Today is January 8th, feels like there has been more 2015 days than just 8! I have been working daily on new things for the New Year, new images for Valentine's Day and new things for upcoming shows! 

Lets start with Valentine's Day, it's a made up holiday, but it's a great excuse to get girly, eat chocolates and drink champagne! I found a good pile of vintage images that I couldn't pass up! And here's what I've come up with so far!  

mended heart...

mended heart...

these new ones I just finished yesterday! They are going in the shop tomorrow!

these new ones I just finished yesterday! They are going in the shop tomorrow!

Bellhop Cupid! 

Bellhop Cupid! 

These just turned out great! Problem is sourcing more large red beads for cherries! I make the leaves.  So far I was able to make 8! 

These just turned out great! Problem is sourcing more large red beads for cherries! I make the leaves.  So far I was able to make 8! 

Charm bracelet! Very bakelite color theme! Very adjustable

Charm bracelet! Very bakelite color theme! Very adjustable

Just added a bit of color to this one! I like it so much better!

Just added a bit of color to this one! I like it so much better!

Progress on new projects? These 3-pieces were polished up yesterday and hopefully today the mold process will begin! 

 

All the nicks, scratches, changes in shape are made. Then they are polished. Next molding! What color for the bird though? 

All the nicks, scratches, changes in shape are made. Then they are polished. Next molding! What color for the bird though? 

There's still a cherry to work on, some acorn earrings and a bangle! That's a lot!! 

Lastly, shows! I'm going to LA first in 2-weeks! Then I'm going to Tucson, Arizona, yep that huge gem and jewelry show, then SF.  The only show that is open to the public is Tucson, so if that's close to you, please visit!!!  

Doubletree, To Bead True Blue, Grand Ballroom, Booth G105. February 1-9. 

Happy New Year!!!!

 

Happy New Year!!

I love the new year, no matter if the previous year has been great or terrible, there's something about the promise of starting new, starting over and starting fresh! 

This year I really want to design a ton of things! Especially now in the beginning of the year so I can work on them over months and get them where they need to be.  

Heres a few designs I'm trying to mold up:  

This little Cherry. As a necklace and a pin. In red of course! 

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This bird. It's big! 4-5 inches! I'm thinking as a necklace. And as a pin!

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These two cameos. Now the vertical one will be on silk ribbon or a cord of onyx, with a large drop of onyx hanging from the bottom. The horizontal one will also be a pin and necklace, on a thick black chain with onyx pieces wrapped into it. 

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Lastly, acorn earrings. This is a hat pin but they will hang the opposite way, in bone, green, black as earrings! 

 

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Some other ideas, if funds permit, are bangles. Carved and in lots of colors. And heart earrings. I have tons of hearts but I really like this one below. 

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These pieces above I will definitely take pictures of them as they turn out and become jewelry! Lots of color, beads, and so on!

Until then, I'm working on these hearts and arrows! Love the bakelite color theme! 

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Charm bracelet, heart and arrow pin and the arrow necklace! Loads of fun! And cheerful! 

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Happy New Year! Wish me luck! My fundraiser for molding starts tomorrow! All the money spent with Hotcakes until January 8th goes towards our molding, masters and creations! It may not seem like it, but it's expensive get the ball rolling! Yikes! 

Fall At Favor!

Our store looks like a Halloween candy box! Lots of colorful skulls! Pumpkins and black cats!! 

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Fall colors in gemstones too! These amongst others will be brought to the shop tomorrow! 

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Skull rings below are some my favorite skull pieces. $48. These we don't make. They are handmade in L.A.  Pretty fabulous. 

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We've come across some pretty cool vintage pieces! These are in the shop now! I think a poodle sold yesterday! But the owls and cats and dogs are so cute! Haven't picked out one for myself to keep! 

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Our window is definitely screaming: Happy Halloween!

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Halloween bonanza!! It really looks amazing!! 

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We all know what's after Halloween... The holidays! And we definitely need to start stocking up the goodies on that front!! 

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Favor

500 Sutter @ Powell, SF, 94102

415-362-6550 call is for a skull! Or a vintage brooch! All the things we make are on our website!!  

Halloween! Petaluma!

I have been having the best time doing these Halloween shows. September 6th was the American Folk Art Festival (my favorite!) which is held in a big tent on the property of the Madonna Winery. It's so busy and loads of people rush to their favorite artist to buy up their goodies! 

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Pictures of my table at the show! 

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Hallowballoo and my Hotcakes Design Trunk show in Seattle was a smash! Loads of talent (again!) and my trunkshow was a huge hit! (Picture below) 

 

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This next Saturday is Halloween and Vine! Petaluma, September 27, 9-3. Let's hope it's fun! (My first time!) I'm looking forward to it and really have been working on my decorations for my table, as well as loads of jewels! 

As soon as I'm back from this weekend it's a Halloween party at the store!! So stay tuned! Favor will be transformed into a wonderland of skulls and black cats!  

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Halloween Shows!

Sept.6: Falloween, Madonna Winery, Napa 10-3 www.americanfolkartfestival.com

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September 20. Hallowbaloo 9-3 www.hallowbaloo.com

New address! 813 238th st. sE at Country Village in Bothell. 

New address! 813 238th st. sE at Country Village in Bothell. 

September 27, Saturday Halloween and Vine! 9-3 Petaluma, Ca www.halloweenandvine.com

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HALLOWEEN SHOWS!

Saturday, September 6, American Folk Art Festival, "Falloween", Maddonna Winery, www.americanfolkartfestival.com10am! 

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Saturday, September 20th, Hallowbaloo!! In Seattle, Washington! Www.hallowbaloo.com 

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Saturday, September 27, Halloween and Vine! Petaluma, CA. Www.halloweenandvine.com

 

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Halloween art and fun!!! Come out and have some fun!!

Trade show Summer

Trade shows! This summer is busy! We left L.A.  just a week ago!  And Atlanta was the week before! New York is next!! 

 

These are shows for the trade only, which means wholesale, shops that buy our stuff and sell it!  

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It's great to travel but it gets to you. Being away from my son is hard! (He's safe at Grandma's!) Hotel rooms are not home! 

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New York is the last one! Accessories The Show! I hope it's busy and a sensational hit! But I always want that! Ha ha! 

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shopatfavor.com

hotcakesdesign.com

 

Hotcakes Design may be near you?! Come see us this month!

it's June, start of summer! And we are hitting the road!! First to Pasadena, June 20-23rd! Then June 28-29 we will be at the Santa Clara Convention center! 

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June 20-23 (Friday-Sunday 10-6) we will be at the Contemporary Crafts Market at the Pasadena Convention Center. The show is amazing, every artist is hand picked because of their unique ability to make and craft something beautiful and unique. This show is $6 at the door, if you'd like free passes for yourself or to invite friends, please email me your address! Caramia@hotcakesdesign.com

Www.contemporarycraftsmarket.org  

June 28-29 I will be in Silicone Valley! What show? "Remnants of the Past"! This is a very unique weekend, it is $12 at the door, I have only 5 passes so please email me I'll gladly send you one!! This show is vintage! Vintage collectors, vintage inspired, vintage home, vintage fashion. Plus full bar, food trucks... Each person hand picked and juried in to the show to create an interesting collection if treasures! Santa Clara Convention Center. Www.remnantsofthepast.com

 

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Here is a list of vendors! Quite a group! You can check them out and I'm sure you'll be excited to go!! 

Our shop, Favor, will be open showing off lots of color this summer so be sure to pop in when in SF!! Or of course, our website! 

Www.shopatfavor.com

Falloween crazy

It all started last year when I did a show called Falloween, (also called the American Folk Art Festival) at the Madonna Winery in Sonoma. It was September, hot day, to exhibit was by invitation only by the owner of the winery. Many cool artists were at this show, all the work had to have a Halloween or Fall theme.  Setting up was early and groggy, 7am. I had two 8 foot tables, and packed them full, with not an inch to spare. The show opened at 10a.m. with a flurry of customers rushing in. People's work was snatched up so quickly! One artist was sold out in less than an hour!  I barely had time to chat people up, things were being grabbed and bought up so quickly it was like a flash of retail frenzy! But it was so much fun!! I don't think I stopped til 2:00pm.

When I was invited back for this year (Sept.6) I decided I'd get a bit more geeky about Halloween and Fall and really show some spirit!!! I guess you might say I got super excited!!

vintage halloween images! In brooches! 

vintage halloween images! In brooches! 

First I started collecting a few vintage postcards. They are really expensive. I found the top hat pumpkin man below for $30! For an old postcard??  I got the woman down to $20. I made so many brooches of him! I was hooked. 

This was an old card, looked like from a game? 

This was an old card, looked like from a game? 

Well I bought some bulk collections from the UK, Malayasia, and all around the US. I especially loved the simple graphic ones too! 

Vintage postcards collected from all over the place! 

Vintage postcards collected from all over the place! 

By the time I found the piggy back pumpkin men I had signed up for Hallowbaloo, a Halloween show in Seattle on September 20. AND a big Halloween show in Petaluma on September 27th. I had over 35 Halloween different designs. 

This one is one of my favorites! It's silly and so cool. 

This one is one of my favorites! It's silly and so cool. 

I was making Halloween stuff on Easter. Really felt like I was sinking too much time into this crazy far off distant halloween holiday, but I couldn't stop! 

Ominous owl! Just made him into a ring and necklace! 

Ominous owl! Just made him into a ring and necklace! 

I've really had so much fun! After my enthusiastic postings on Facebook, a store in Canada, Zydeco, ordered a few brooches!  I felt better there was like minded Halloween lovers so early in the year! 

Party over the caldron! 

Party over the caldron! 

I put a few into our tiny shop on Sutter Street (FAVOR!!) and yesterday a couple bought three of them!! Again this is May! Feeling better and better about my Halloween addiction!  

Love this one! So vintage! 

Love this one! So vintage! 

So there's still a ton of images I'm not showing you. Here just some of my favorites on this blog.  I am working on photographing them and getting them up on the website in the next ten days! I'm no longer ashamed of my early bird holiday enthusiasm. 

Made earrings of this guy, flipped them, they are tiny, 12mm with lever backs in sterling. Fabulous! I'll out them on site too! 

Made earrings of this guy, flipped them, they are tiny, 12mm with lever backs in sterling. Fabulous! I'll out them on site too! 

Here's the four images that started it all! These are so cool and amazing! 

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If you love Halloween, come out and see me! If you live no where near the shows, I ship!! Thanks for looking! 

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Sept. 6 Falloween at Maddonna Winery. It is their 7th year. Www.americanfolkartfestival.com

Sept 20, Seattle, WA WWW.hallowbaloo.com

Sept 27 Petaluma, CA www.halloweenandvine.com

www.shopatfavor.com

 

 

Tourist weekend

Being a tourist this weekend was a lot of fun. I had nieces in town, and they wanted to do the SF tourists stops! 

We started on Grant and Sutter at Chinatown's Gate.  Had a great time, found treasures and Asian candy! 

We started on Grant and Sutter at Chinatown's Gate.  Had a great time, found treasures and Asian candy! 

It was a Friday, so we headed to Fort Mason to the food trucks for snacks and cupcakes.  

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Saturday: Dim Sum (which they had never done!), Haight Ashbury, Japantown. 

 

 

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Last day we did the Mechanical museum (1900 penny arcade). So fun! Pier 39, of course! We had to see the seals! 

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and we bought a lot of fudge to eat before going out for burritos! 

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Airport on Monday. Great fun! Tourist fun! Felt like a mini vacation! Now back to the Hotcakes Factory!!! Back to Favor!!! Back to work!! 

Lombard. I know it's ridiculous but it is a cool street! Swarming with tourists! 

Lombard. I know it's ridiculous but it is a cool street! Swarming with tourists! 

We're working on new pieces!!

We are working on some new pieces!! First, these victorian earrings in two-tone butterscotch and black! These are ready now! We made 24 pairs! 

butterscotch and black victorian earrings! With an onyx drop! 

butterscotch and black victorian earrings! With an onyx drop! 

Secondly, we are working on these small dog brooches! They come in three colors: black, butterscotch and red! They measure 1.5". And are amazingly cute!! These are our first sample, they will be ready mid-June!! 

Dog brooches! Coming mid-June!! 

Dog brooches! Coming mid-June!! 

Happy Mother's Day! (And gallery)

Happy Mother's Day Weekend! It's really beautiful in SF today, I hope our tiny shop on Sutter Street is busy!

Our SFMADE promotion of 10% off has been a nice way to introduce people to our website! (Code:sfmade14 discount until tomorrow!)

GALLERY TOUR! Thought I'd show you some of my favorite combos and pieces.  

Apple juice hearts with vintage red beads. Single hearts in red plasma. Lots of pink jade, coral and amber strands. 

Apple juice hearts with vintage red beads. Single hearts in red plasma. Lots of pink jade, coral and amber strands. 

 

Resin rose brooches in bone. 

Resin rose brooches in bone. 


Green leaf necklace and earrings in seaweed! 

Green leaf necklace and earrings in seaweed! 

 

5 scarlet red hearts and onyx baubles.  Single scarlet heart with a love bird pin! Kind of flaming heart?!

5 scarlet red hearts and onyx baubles.  Single scarlet heart with a love bird pin! Kind of flaming heart?!


large butterscotch swallow with butterscotch victorian earrings 

large butterscotch swallow with butterscotch victorian earrings 

Butterflies in red and apple juice. The apple juice is paired with amber, the red butterfly is paired with carnelian. 

Butterflies in red and apple juice. The apple juice is paired with amber, the red butterfly is paired with carnelian. 

Cicada on chain with vintage beads. And tri-color flower necklace. 

Cicada on chain with vintage beads. And tri-color flower necklace. 

I really love these! Georgia brown vintage lady with victorian blk/red earrings!!! 

I really love these! Georgia brown vintage lady with victorian blk/red earrings!!! 

 

Roses! Big roses!  Paired with black onyx and amber.  Really nice! 

Roses! Big roses!  Paired with black onyx and amber.  Really nice! 

Saint's hand on antique silver chain. Bone rose, beaded. Very vintage. 

Saint's hand on antique silver chain. Bone rose, beaded. Very vintage. 

Crosses! These were inspired from a cross dated in the  1880's! We really love the little bow and lillies on them. 

Crosses! These were inspired from a cross dated in the  1880's! We really love the little bow and lillies on them. 

The Mexican Flower in verdegris (or mint) this is very fresh looking! Very popular as a brooch.  

The Mexican Flower in verdegris (or mint) this is very fresh looking! Very popular as a brooch.  

Brooches!! We make lots!!! Right now the swallow is my favorite in butterscotch, looks great on black or red. The amber butterfly I like to pin to a bracelet... An elastic bracelet -it looks amazing

Brooches!! We make lots!!! Right now the swallow is my favorite in butterscotch, looks great on black or red. The amber butterfly I like to pin to a bracelet... An elastic bracelet -it looks amazing

 

Change

Here's our lovely little shop at 500 Sutter street. We said good bye to Beth, one of our best shop girls, last night.  We do feel like family so it is really hard to say good bye. She is heading back to the East Coast, where she lived before coming to SF. We wish her all the best, but we are going to miss her!! 

FAVOR SHOP GIRLS: Marie is in the orange dress, Beth is in the stripes, that's me in the white lace and black jacket, Silvana is in the black tank top. 

FAVOR SHOP GIRLS: Marie is in the orange dress, Beth is in the stripes, that's me in the white lace and black jacket, Silvana is in the black tank top. 

I have been so lucky with the great people I've worked with. Beth being one if them! Starting May 2, we will start to train Charlotte. I hope to be just as lucky with her! She seems wonderful!!! 

Favor, 500 Sutter, San Francisco. 

 

Ornament Magazine

Ornament Magazine, page 12, this month, volume 37, no.2 

Hotcakes design leaf necklace! 

Hotcakes design leaf necklace! 

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Newest edition! Our leaf necklace pops off the page! Yay! Check it out if you see one of these on newsstands OR buy one    On shopatfavor.com 10% off code: sfmade14 

Or pop into our store! Get 10% off our jewelry plus all the other local designers from the Bay Area!!! 

500 Sutter St (at Powell)  

415-362-6550

Studio day!

Today was a great studio day! Packed and shipped my first FAVOR website orders (yay!) and thank you! 

The best part of the day was that the  Gumps catalog samples went out without a flaw! They asked for rose brooches, a big swallow pin, a cool owl image in a pin, some birds and some onyx necklaces. Then they gave me some fabric swatches and asked me to match them in gemstones! I only had 2-weeks! So on short notice I found some lapis, green onyx and amethyst, then mixed them in with strands of black onyx. 

onyx long strands with gem accents! And clip leaf earrings for Gumps to sample for their Style Holiday catalog.

onyx long strands with gem accents! And clip leaf earrings for Gumps to sample for their Style Holiday catalog.

It was a good studio day. Delivered samples on time. And it was fun! I hope they ask me to more swatch matching! 

Welcome!

Welcome to my first retail website and blog! Exciting! I hope to share the inside scoops on our small SF handmade studio and shop! Let me know your opinions and comments on everything and anything! 

Hotcakes design SF bridges

Hotcakes design SF bridges

May 5-11 is SFMADE week in SF. Celebrating all the different businesses that make or manufacture their products in SF.  Really a ton of things are made here: chocolates, clothing, ceramics, handbags and our jewelry! SFMADE has a nice website outlining the events this week too! Tours, sales and events! 

In the shop, we are offering 10% off on all our SFMADE lines, plus including our Bay Area lines as well! AND we are giving away a gift with purchase! Here's a picture of our gift, handmade red Howelite earrings.

Code for website is: sfmade14 This will get you the 10% discount until Mothers Day! Plus a gift! 

red Howelite earring, Favor's gift with purchase!

red Howelite earring, Favor's gift with purchase!

Favor 500 Sutter, SF www.shopatfavor.com

415-362-6550