A European Adventure…Right in Gig Harbor!

I could not be more pleased to announce my jewelry is now being sold at a boutique in Gig Harbor…one I could’ve practically ridden my bike to when I was a young girl growing up on Danforth Street!

How I was not aware of this place, Chalet in the Woods, is sort of a surprise (since I grew up nearby!)and yet obvious at the same time. Why?  Well, the Chalet is situated on 12 lovely acres of gardens, woodlands, and pasture for a flock of Oxford sheep and lambs. What?!  Yes, it is hidden behind Sehmel Homestead Park (wow, what an amazing gift to the community!) and you really need to be purposeful to find it.  It isn’t one of those fancy boutiques on the waterfront of downtown Gig Harbor near one of my favorite places, the Tides Tavern.

But, they are still fancy! And, they sell the amazing products from Europe (95% of their products are European imports) including a full line of Norwegian-made Oleana clothing, sweaters, accessories, blankets. coats and silk. They also sell Saint James, made in Normandy, France and they have wonderful clothing for men, women and children. Their gift selection includes Iittala of Finland, Kosta Boda of Sweden and other new and interesting artists.

It was really the Oleana sweater selection that sealed the deal for my jewelry. Oleana uses only natural fibers like wool, silk, alpaca and cashmere. They believe they should produce fewer, yet more beautiful clothes. Seychelles . Oleana is one of the last knitters in Norway to knit and sew all their products at their own factory just outside Bergen. The sweaters are gorgeous!

Lots of people ask me why I don’t hire others to help make my jewelry or do more (mass) production.  Like the Oleana philosophy, I like making custom and limited-edition jewelry and to design and create it all myself.  I was drawn to the buttons on the Oleana sweaters (which I learned their button source is proprietary information!) and I make earrings with (Austrian) Swarovksi crystals that I felt really would complement the sweaters…and a partnership was born.

Stay tuned because later this year I’ll be doing some classes and possibly a trunk show at the Chalet.  They have many special events at the Chalet throughout the year  and I hope many of you will go out for a visit someday.  Meantime, check out their new video.