Let's MARCH

myself, Jann and Carole at the Womens March on Washington 2017

 Just about this time a year ago we (all women) made history, it felt good to participate in democracy. If you didn’t march last year, you have another chance, if you are not happy with what is happening with your government it’s your right!
Get your friends together and make your voices louder, bring your signs, get your message out there and don’t worry, each city will have their own march - check with www.womensmarch.com for marching locations - this years march is about getting out the vote!
Womens March is January 20th - see locations in your city - larger Marches are expected in Washington DC and New York City.
Las Vegas March is January 21st
If you want a fistacon t-shirt we have some on the website, or just get a white t-shirt and write your own message on there!

Funny enough, it’s also the anniversary of making my necklaces... previous to the march I was making them for friends and family, then I brought them with me to the march. I made a few necklaces for everyone (we had a bus of 50 people) and found that it was all about the power - amplifying our power from within. This was when I realized that it wasn’t just me who needed this... we all do! Maybe it's because until I'm are comfortable with power I need a reminder of how powerful I am, of keeping my strength, and growing it. My crystals are not the answer but they help me to remember, every day!

use code: ‘power’ for 25% off my crystal necklaces

I’m making more, to bring with me, so adding new pieces every day! I hope you can place your order and get your piece in time for your march! Or just take this opportunity to get yourself a crystal that you have been looking at... I have a renewed stash of crystals, my favorite part is finding crystals to make the necklaces with - so if you are not seeing what you want please drop me an email and I will make anything you need!

I took my new stock of crystals down to the ocean at sunrise this morning and did a nice mediation and laid them out in the water to take in the clean ocean water. They are in the sun and will take in the moon in the clear sky tonight. It's my happy place. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to make these lovely pieces.

click here to see my current stock or email me if you want something in particular.

California Fire Help

My friend Jess Brown got together with some of her friends to create a website of artists and makers - 100% of all the proceeds go to help victims of the California Fires. Check out the website here: www.californiafirehelp.com

The donations keep flowing in and as long as they are coming in she will keep the website going. So far they have raised $19,000 with 100% of sales to Redwood Credit Union North Bay Fire Relief Fund.

(I even have a piece on there :)

flea market - vintage section

I'm a huge fan of anything made from wood, but animals - they have a special place in my heart!

I am a life-long collector of things, I started going to flea markets at the age of 20 - so that's over 30 years of experience and it takes experience, I can tell because my husband is a bit of a greenhorn at it. He picks up things that I know are out there - it takes experience to find the things that are NOT out there, I call them treasures and I share them with you so you can also get some vintage finds without searching... just click here to view my vintage items. I bring my kids with me now that they are older because I think it's a bit of an education, it gives them meaning to all the things that have fallen to the way-side. And from time to time they pick something up and treasure it more then their cell phones - now THAT's worth it!

funny muslin viking

So while I don't really want to brag - I am going to claim bragging rights to say that I know what I'm doing out there, the only problem is you have to have a similar aesthetic as me to like it too! That's why flea marketing, antiquing, estate sale-ing is so fascinating. It's amazing to see what people go for! In the case of estate sales it's a bit sad and I do break out a tear from time to time to see people rifling through other peoples things - it's like vultures - but you have to realize that these things would go into the big garbage dump if this wasn't so interesting to us folks who care about it. And guess what, it all becomes a treasure to me... I clean them up, shine and bright, I fix any holes, and they have a new life - maybe it's even a better life than the old one, because now it's a treasure! I use all my old things, yes you might have to be more delicate but hey that teaches your kids an appreciation for things that they would not normally have.

new (old) 1970's sofa

We just got a new sofa from, probably the 1970's, it's amazing! But my kids want to crawl all over like they did with our durable Ligne Roset TOGO sofa (indestructible what we did to that thing!).  It's a way for me to draw the line and they know it's drawn.... This wonderful sofa that you love so much is as OLD AS ME so treat it nicely. It's amazing really the arm rest's pop-up in this ingenious way, they just don't make them like this anymore. I wish I know who to attribute it to, I couldn't find anything but I love it all the same! TREASURE...

vintage sterling silver

Lately, I have been looking for some nice vintage silver jewelry, I'm looking forward to my road trip where I am sure I will find some treasures along the way and no matter how packed my car is I am sure I can fit some jewerly in there at the VERY least. If you want to drive with me - shoot me an email... departing Denver on August 8th.

Shop our Vintage items here

crystal meanings... there's an app for that!

So is there a fantastical app for those of us design freaks who also love crystals. You know what I mean, well designed, simple, gorgeous graphics - you're all set with STONE. With this app you can look up your favorite crystal and find it's the crystal app to bring a little light to your modern life (just like my netted crystal necklaces!). See, it's not only me who thinks everyone should be wearing a crystal these days, it's these guys at STONE too (designed by Jack Flintermann)

It carries this lovely description
STONE has:
- Elegant design and intuitive functionality
- Beautifully captured crystal specimens
- Short-and-sweet descriptions of crystals and their super powers—written just for you

An always-on, easy-to-access manual of minerals for your back pocket or the bottom of your Birkin bag, STONE is the perfect companion for the uninitiated and crystal cognoscenti alike.

Please enjoy with an open mind.

Follow us on IG: @stoneproject
And on the web: stoneproject.co

Disclaimer: This mobile app is intended for informational, educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not, and is not intended, for use in the diagnosis of any mental health conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of depression, anxiety, or disease.

So in case I forget to include the description of your stone when I send it to you (it can happen to the best of us) you can check your app. A lot of people want to buy a crystal for a friend, this would be a good place to do a little research and see what you want to get them - then I can net you a crystal of your choice!

Good vibes all around... am I right!? (thanks Laura Forst for turning me onto this one!)

It wasn't easy for me to find the app (maybe it's just me...) so here's the link!
find STONE here

What the future looks like for Nonchalantmom - hint: it's sunny and bright!

I think some people think that being a shop owner is one of those jobs that doesn't really count, maybe it's a job that is just a bunch of fun or maybe there isn't a lot of talent involved.... you know what I mean. I've always been a bit "shy" when I'm at a party and everyone is talking about what they do for a living and I do my best to keep my name out of the conversation. But really these days I feel like it takes so darn much talent that I'm proud of myself that I am still in the game, when so many have fallen by the wayside, I'm still here. It is not easy to navigate the retail landscape, and these days, well... it's just not what it used to be - there was a formula, buy wholesale bring it into your shop and get as many people in to see said wholesale item and sell it, wait 90 days and put whatever is left on sale, it was followed and we were all fine. But not anymore!

I should take some credit here as I was one of the first to internet-tise the local shop, but the absolute upside down of retail these days is so very hard to understand, much less try to make a living at it! For a couple of years now, I have been in - "what the heck is going on" and "what are we going to do?" mode and I must say that we tried it all - but I do know this... it's not about the S A L E, that's the beginning of the end, it might be hard for you the consumer to hear that because the consumer has been reaping the benefits of all the retailers not knowing what else to do so just go on sale and then maybe you will be able to pay your rent. I watch, I listen and I hear what's going on - with my closest friends also shop owners we are all having the conversation about what and where do we go next.

I am still not sure where it is we will go, but I do know this - it's changing. And these are the things that I am thinking about:

- I know where I want to spend my money, I know WHO I want to give my hard-earned money to and I know what their face looks like - I want to know the person who made it, designed it, had the idea, sewed it, polished it, found it, pieced it together - yes, that person who MADE it.

- I want to go to my local grocery store and find things on the shelves that are well-designed, have less ingredients (and I can READ them), and I now will be good for me - I don't have to question that very basic thing that makes it a FOOD. And the only place I can do this is the Farmers market, my local co-op or Whole Foods (lucky you if you have other options in your area).

- If a company is making something somewhere else, they are being socially responsible about it. They are spending time in that place and helping the people realize that what they are making are appreciated by consumers and sharing that benefit. But, I am always checking to make sure there is sincerity in this outreach and it's good to do your research here and know the people you are dealing with on food, clothing and home items.

And most of all there is no place for greed in this bright new world, that's the world that I want to help create with my business and it's what I want to foster and grow. It's the people I want to be with, these are the people that I want to walk into my shop and I want to spend time with them. Because otherwise this project is just not so much fun or meaningful.

So back to my shop, because things ARE changing. You are not going to see my shop full of Fall 2017 collections, my vision is that you are probably going to get a few new things for yourself in the next season and I hope to have those things for you. I am going to focus on more seasonless clothing, wear-now clothing, less is more and special pieces are yes... special! I will have just a few, I am in it to sell through it and move on. Since I am not going deep into clothing I will have other special items that I think you will like and peek your interest. Slowly introducing incense to make your room more enveloping and luxurious. Oils and scents that will help you move through your day in a calm and awakened state. Jewelry that will make you feel like you are your own person, a unique individual even if you are wearing a white t-shirt and jeans. Things for your whole family so that they can be proud of what they wear. I hope to teach you to mend your things that are broken, make your current clothing more YOU and maybe even make some of your own jewelry. And if that all works out we will add lots of exciting things that will bring a smile to your face and make your body heal itself.

I do feel that second had has a place in this landscape, I have always been a huge fan of second hand - - one persons trash is another persons treasure! It's so terrific to give life to what might otherwise be thrown away and since I have a lifetime of experience at this I am pretty choosy and I think I am pretty fair about how to price things. I hope you find treasures for yourself in the flea market section of my shop.

I am going to continue to deepen and make more jewelry, pottery and some other projects that I can't wait to get my hands into, I want half of my shop to be things that I have made myself (that's a long term goal!) and surround that with vintage, talented makers and designers, and things I find along life's journey. Because we are all in this together and I can't wait for the next chapter to unfold. Now that I have created my own website I am so much more flexible to move and change on a whim. I am sure that some of you have ideas for me and I am always happy to hear from you, it's been so special to meet so many of you in my shop, many people that I have known by name for 14 years and now getting to know with your once a year visit to beautiful Rhode Island.

now THAT'S the future!

SUMMER SALE

check the website for lot's of good deals - prices as marked!

POP-UP in NYC

Yes, we are packing up all the goodies in the shop and bringing to NYC for a giant

POP-UP

FRIDAY - SUNDAY (3/31 - 4/2)
116 E 7TH STREET
(between Avenue A and 1st Ave)
11am - 8pm

new stock, deals, choose one of my beautiful necklaces
Jann is making a tee pee and bringing loads of T's and new projects!

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU THERE.....
don't miss this!

working hard or hardly working

from top to bottom: smoky quartz and tourmalated quartz (explained this below), quartz crystal (small), Labradorite, quartz crystal (large), Lemurian Seed Crystal (very large!), Smoky Citrine, Amethyst - these are all off to Japan ;)

Yes, I would say it's the former. In fact there is some much going on here that I'm getting pulled in fifteen directions - but I love it! The best direction is my new jewelry collection (still no name yet - HELP!) and if we are lucky enough to get a snow day I plop myself down and make necklaces all day long! There are so many aspects to this new adventure that really speak to my passions - the crystals themselves, I've been a lifelong crystal hoarder and if a class or anything comes up on the subject I am THERE - when I was in my 20's I used to work with a woman who was akin to a Shaman, she enlightened my life - and crystals were her thing, she taught me so much. And you know how it goes, once your heart is opened to something you can't help but move toward it.

I search out crystals that are clean and clear - healing crystals. They are not treated with heat or anything - I clean them in the ocean to open and clear any energy. Then I put them out to bathe in the New Moonlight - for new beginnings, I also think they take in that mystical moon energy and finally I lay them out in the bright sunlight of the beach - so that they can charge their energy. Crystals will come to you - they make their way to the person they need to be with, and even if you are buying them from me online I carefully choose a peace (ha play on words - piece) that comes to me chosen for YOU. Because let's face it I know most of you over these last 12 years we have gotten to know a bit about each other (well you probably know way more than you wanted to know about me - but I have a story about each of you as well). Even if you "think" I don't know you I have a story about you, it comes through your name, or maybe where you live or maybe it's what you buy... but I have a story built around you! But I promise not to tell anyone... sshhhhh...

smoky citrine top is more brown in color, the smoky citrine I found was polished - I usually like them raw but you can see all the beautiful inclusions this way and I trust the fella who did the polishing, he stuck with the natural shape and just polished to softness

On my last trip to find new crystals I came upon a batch of fantastic Smoky Citrine - this is a very special batch and some even have 'phantoms' in them (crystal speak for incredibly special crystals!) I did some research and found that Smoky Citrine has the properties of both Smoky Quartz and Citrine, and they work perfectly in harmony. While the smoky quartz can bring grounding energy, the citrine which is sometimes called the stone of prosperity - attracting wealth and success, it also brings happiness and generosity. It balances yin and yang and dissipates negative energy. The beauty of the way I make these netted crystals is that you can wear your crystal on the outside for people to see, but it can also be nice to wear inside close to your body lying next to your skin. You get the full benefits of all their healing properties of the crystal. Unfortunately I have just a limited batch of these guys... I hope to find some again in my crystal hunting.

from left to right: quartz crystal (large), smoky quartz, tangerine quartz, small Lemurian Seed crystal, large Lemurian, polished smoky citrine, rose quartz (tumbled), small quartz crystal, medium quartz crystal, amethyst

You can do additional research (and I encourage you to do so) because some are good to wear on your heart, or solar plexus - I have even heard that it is beneficial to wear Labradorite on your third eye because it can provide clarity and insight into your destiny (it's also nice to keep next to your bed at night!). There is so much to learn folks. When I send you your crystal you will receive information on your piece to help you use it, but go out and find more!

I have started to play around and combine crystals (top photo - top necklace), personally I wanted the energy of Smokey Quartz and Tourmalated Quartz (for luck!) so I made one for me with both... just test driving at the moment but I will make these available online soon. If you have a special crystal that you want me to net just email me and let's work it out! Or if you want me to find you a particular stone - email me! I'm happy to search it out, or who knows I might have what you need! But don't worry this line will continue to evolve and change and GROW (I love that word!).

namaste :)

International Womens Day

Actually I like the way they say it in Europe - International Day of the Woman!

a homepage image from 2010 (one of my favorites)

We are a business that prides itself for the last 12 years on supporting women in business, it’s been our mission since I started Nonchalantmom in 2004. I wanted everything I had in the shop to be the result of a creative, steadfast woman making something - having a great idea and most of the time she is supporting a family while she is doing it (I know because that’s what I’m doing too). Yes, that’s right we have always supported women, we support women who design, women who sew, women who make jewelry, pottery and apothecary. Because I feel what’s the use of using my platform if but to inform customers everywhere that you can buy something that is made by another woman, another mom maybe and you don’t have to buy from big business. You CAN buy from someone very creative who is making something because she loves to make it!

BECAUSE THAT DOESN’T FEEL BAD, IT FEELS GOOD!

Just ask me and I will bend your ear with stories of all the women I work with to make this a beautiful store - I love them all and each and every one of them is a dear friend, I care about her sucess as much as I care about my own. In the coming days I am going to do my best to introduce you to the women of the shop one by one, we used to do this here on my blog but I have gotten out of the habit, I promise to get back into it - because let me tell you there are some good stories here! People that will inspire you and sometimes even make you cry! Oh the stories we can tell...

My Lovely Pieces

top: small quartz crystal, medium smokey quartz and large tangerine quartz

No one can blame me for jumping into this with an whole and open heart - making jewelry with crystals is a dream of mine! Back in the 80's when I was in school I was such a huge fan of ME Stewart... anyone remember he 100% natural pieces - think a piece of wood on a knotted leather - she was my hero! I took many jewelry classes in school and explored different techniques but it wasn't until I saw a netted stone that I knew this epitomized it for me. I sold them in the shop over the holidays and no matter how fast I made them before I could have a photo shoot they would be GONE. They make terrific gifts, because what better thing to share with your friend of loved one than a beautiful crystal.

large herkimer diamond, quartz crystal, tangerine crystal

How to actually make these lovely pieces has been something that has eluded me for some time. I have kept that netted rock next to my bed for years (and years...) never finding the time to try things out and figure out how to do it... but then one day a few months ago I did it! I sat down and made my first netted crystal. It's evolved and taken on a few different forms, as I am sure it will over time. I am totally in love with these pieces - making them AND wearing them - I take the time to clear the crystal for you, because I know how busy we all are and if I do it for you it's ready to GO. I have the added benefit of living next to the ocean so heck, gives me a chance to jump in and clear the crystals in the open ocean. I say open ocean because it's not a bay (the Narragansett Bay is nearby) but I like to clean them in front of our home in Matunuck, where we look straight out onto Block Island in the distance. Then I take the crystals and leave them out to clear in the New Moon (for new beginnings) and finally I take a moment and bring the crystals with me to the beach on a sunny day and lay them out in the sun - it's a chance for me to do a meditation in the sunlight and with the power of all the crystals nearby it feels like a strong vibrational bath.

I have yet to come up with a name after figuring out that someone else had "enlightened pieces" *darn!* but something will come to me (email me with ANY and ALL ideas!) but in the meantime I wanted to offer them to you and all my friends! They are now on the website and I hope that you enjoy them as much as I do - you can wear them out, but I also love to wear them next to my skin, they get warm and feel wonderful inside your shirt! Cut them and tie a not to the length you like (careful to not make it too short - there's no going back!). Next I am going to learn to make a clasp... more exciting things to learn!

I can also do various colors of cord: gray, brown, white, natural, dark natural

our GIFT to you!

We want to thank all of our terrific customers with this special offer (for a short time only), I really think we have the best customers of all! We have gotten to know each other over the years and aside from sending all of you a loaf of my cardamom bread - I thought this was a more effective way to say THANK YOU! and we LOVE you!

*not included: black crane, Le Feu de Leau candles, Black Sheep Goods (weaving kits), new Lucky Fish + any Makers Market items are not included in this discount. This offer cannot be applied to past orders.

SEe you in January at the Million Woman March!

love - carina

Holiday Makers Market in the shop!

FIRST ANNUAL MAKERS MARKET!
Now that we have a shop space the first thing I wanted to do was bring together all of our talented Rhode Island ARTisans for a shop-bop. We have some talented people showing their wares for you to peruse and shop this HOliday season.

Join us on FRIDAY + SATURDAY (12/9 AND 12/10) from 10am to 6pm
it's a part party, part shop, part art show!

Laura Kramer - glass blower in Pawtucket Rhode Island
Corwin Butterworth - woodworker making beautiful objects in wood including cutting boards, trays and candle lights
Maura - Potter by day and activist all the other time... She makes crazy things with clay, crazy BEAUTIFUL things!
Dennis Melucci - creating gorgeous pieces of jewelry by hand every inch of the way. His metal-smith work is divine in it's simplicity and grace. Bracelets, rings and more!
Karen - making delightful animals with clay that will amaze you. She has made literally thousands of animals, never the same one twice and they are OH so nice
Lucky Fish - Jann Cheifitz our favorite screen printer is here with goodies galore - pillows, ornaments, clutches, coasters -- you name it she's printed it!
Carina Schott - Jewelry with crystals that will bring you back to 'center' - her simple netted gemstones and smooth tumbled quartz crystals and cleared in the ocean and left out in the moonlight to charge and bring you peace and love (and a bit of luck too!).
Robin Mollicone - her fine art beaded pieces are the center of gravity in this crazy world we live in - she has sent some of her most unique pieces (including her sought after 'safety pins'!)

And lot's more....

Join us on FRIDAY + SATURDAY (12/9 AND 12/10) from 10am to 6pm
it's a part party, part shop, part art show!

crystals, herkimer, quartz... are more!

Crystals have been a part of my life since my 20's when I worked with one of the most interesting and inspired woman of my life, well besides my mom. She was in her 70's and I was 20 but we became not only work mates but very close friends. She was the first person to actually listen to me, hear what I said and we would discuss so many different topics, for hours on end. I learned through her how to meditate, she taught me all about crystals and how to weave baskets - among tons of other things about life in general that she taught me. It was a key change in my life and came at a time when I had just started to work at Esprit (in the late 1980's) so my personal and professional growth was happening at the same time. My love for crystals still goes on and is always growing, but Emily will always be at the heart of that growth.

With the opening of my shop I have started to include lot's of crystals - making necklaces for customers who pick a crystal from my bowl of various sizes and different kids of crystals to large tabletop crystals to keep near your bed or at work to bring harmonizing energy.

If your birthday is in November you are also lucky enough to have Topaz or Citrine as your gemstone, it is said that wearing your gemstone will give you energy. I believe that each person has a stone that strengthens their spirit, or heightens an aspect to your life that you would like to work on or give energy to. Crystals are very personal and that's why I like to have people choose a stone from a bowl, the stone will call to you and you can carry it around for awhile to see if it's something you want to wear to give you energy.

When I get a new stone I like to wash them in the ocean water, then I let them soak by the window in the sun for a few days. This will clarify and clean your stone and it will have optimal energy for you. You can also bury them in the dirt if you need more grounding energy. Lately, with all of the super moons I have been leaving them in the moonlight outside. I do this with all of the crystals in my shop so that you can be sure they are ready and charged.

I have a few Margaret Solow crystals that are ready and waiting for you. Her stones are never heated or tampered with and left in their natural state. The raw sapphires I had from her were so alive with color it was hard to believe their natural beauty. The Herkimer is perfect for this time it is a perfect conduit of the universal life force, they are exceptional healing crystals and are used in meditations, dream and vision work (great to have by your bed at night, but might keep you awake with their strong energy) The Herkimer diamonds are the most powerful of all quartz crystals.

I also love this tourmalated quartz it is a super lucky stone has the luck of both the quartz and tourmaline, it also protects against unhealthy energies by actually deflecting negative energy. It brings balance to yin and yang energies. Yes, this is a great stone for just about anyone.

I am going to review more stones, crystals and gemstones to look at their properties and how you can use them to enhance your life and your mind and spirit.

Nonchalantmom Makers Market - December 9-10

We are hosting a Makers Market here at the shop over the holidays on Friday and Saturday December 9-10. The idea of a Holiday Market was so exciting when we opened our new store and quickly morphed into a Makers Market due to all of the Makers talent we have here in the shop. But for the Makers Market we are adding to our current mix with local Rhode Island talent and more... We are combining a good amount of some of our old favorites, like Lucky Fish and adding some incredible local makers that I am very excited to introduce to you. So in the coming days I am going to give you a small introduction to each of the makers we will partner up with in the shop. I will do my best to include the online folk, but the best way for this to happen is going to be via Instagram, so if you are not yet following 'nonchalantmom' on instagram ... get on there!

You all don't need an introduction to Lucky Fish so I am just going to give you a teaser and say that we will have an additional good amount of her one of a kind pillows, clutches, masks, coaster and tabletop items along with a healthy dose of her fantastic T's!

If you are becoming a Lucky Fish fan you might want to take one of her classes in her studio in Brooklyn - where you will learn how to create a print, make a screen, she also helps you develop your idea so it's a chance to share some time with an interesting group of women and be CREATIVE. Email me and I will get you in touch with her.

We will also have another CRAFTERNOON in the Springtime in the shop. The last one was so successful and we had such a good time that we are doing it again! (we just have to wait for the weather to get better so we can be outside again - we kind of make a big mess while printing).

Tomorrow, we will introduce you to more MAKERS!

FLASH SALE!

Flash Sale! 20% off orders $200+
use code: 'flash2016'
for a short time...

(cannot be applied to past orders)
may the force be with you....

Robin Mollicone Trunk Show!

I am so excited about this trunk show! One of my closest friends and most talented is Robin Mollicone, Robin has evolved her jewelry into unique pieces that use healing stones and energetic potency that comes across in each piece. Apart from their beauty these pieces feel good on your skin, and become more meaningful when you wear them.

Robin uses traditional artistry and modern insight in each piece, which include leather which she hand stitches, beadwork along with healing stones. It all sounds calming doesn't it!

Come in and see her new work, we will have it in the shop until August 18th - and we will find a way to get it online for you as well. Hope to see you soon!

Grad Gifts

I think the jewelry we offer makes incredible graduation gifts! My favorite, the Margaret Solow necklaces - they are perfect for girls AND boys... skeptical, look at boys today they are wearing necklaces and these pieces on a string with a stone are great for both! Choose a stone with a special message: the blue chalcedony in this photo promotes inner knowledge and encourages the mind to become more centered - which helps in making decisions (isn't that just the most difficult for kids of this age!).

use code: 'grad16' for 15% off all jewelry (until June 20)

some additional great ideas are:

margaret solow :: green tourmaline

I have a couple of tourmaline pieces and they are great for detoxing the mind and body, it's a great stone to balance chakras and emits negative ions.

mexican fire opal

This mexican fire opal is a great piece for a boy.. it invokes dynamic energy and intensity!

Check all of Margaret Solow's pieces out in my shop here