It was a gorgeous day in Marin last Saturday and the deals were pretty fantastic at The Marin Store Sample Sale. An empty retail space in the former Larkspur Landing shopping area (now Marin Country Mart) was  full of The Marin Store’s select designers, artists and producers.

Some of my favorite products were by:

• Be Sweet — gorgeous knit scarves and bags (I’m coveting the Stinson Oval Weekender)
• Circadian Studios — a local SF jewelry designer!
• Klub Nico — a footwear company based in Santa Cruz with shoes made in Brazil — I bought a pair of lovely sandals to celebrate Spring!

Everything was on sale (everything!), including my pieces which ranged from 10-20% off.  The show was such a success it looks like it’s going to happen again in a few months — keep May 1st in mind and I will post the details here when I know more.

Aiko Designs and 20+ other local Northern California designers will be participating in the Marin Store Sample Sale on Saturday, March 6 — hope you can join us in the fun!

Date/Time: Saturday, March 6, 9 AM-4 PM

Location: Marin Country Mart (formerly Larkspur Landing)

Exact Address: 2405 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur, CA 94939 (map)

Additional Perks: Parking is free and plentiful. Shoppers coming from San Francisco can take the ferry to Larkspur – Marin Country Mart is located directly across from the ferry terminal, with a convenient walking bridge between the two.

Facebook event page

This year’s February (versus August) Buyers Market of American Craft in Philadelphia was full of crazy travel stories and talk about the weather.  The artists near my booth at the show were from places such as Dallas, Portland, Baltimore and Santa Fe.  Other artists came from as far away as Alaska and Hawaii.

The market wrapped up this past Monday and after several days of hard work I splurged on some jewelry for myself!  Take a look at what I’m coveting now:

Caviar Ring by Stubborn Jewelry

Stubborn is by Melissa Stiles, a former architect who currently lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, two daughters and her admittedly scary looking dog!

I particularly liked this ring as it’s something that I would never make myself, it looks great on and adds a great pop of color to whatever I’m wearing.

I was weak and got two pieces from Cynthia Jones Jewelry.  Cynthia lives in Santa Fe and creates lovely metal pieces in sterling silver, gold fill and copper.  I love the brushed oxidized sterling silver pieces in her collection as well as these powder-coated copper rings (had to get one for myself!).

Take a look at the brushed, oxidized sterling silver “feather” earrings (love!)

Aiko Designs will be participating in the San Francisco Wedding Fair at the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco on Sunday, January 10th from 11am-4pm.

During the event, brides will enjoy hors d’oeuvres created by world class chefs, California’s premeire champagnes served in chilled flutes, luscious cakes and desserts prepared by master pastry chefs and over 75 exhibits showcasing the elite of Bay Area wedding professionals.

There will be live music with fashions showcased throughout the event that include bridal gowns, mother of the bride gowns and bridesmaid’s gowns. The event features florists, photographers, videographers, stationers, jewelers, calligraphers, wedding planners, gown designers, bakers, caterers, favor designers, musicians and more.

Tickets are $22 with advanced registration (buy online by Jan 5 and save!) OR $25 at the door.  For more information and to register online, go to the website: http://www.sfweddingfair.com/

Sunday, Dec. 13 12-7pm

Haute Holidays is a multi-faceted shopping and sensory holiday experience, and will include over 60 local vendors, a runway & performance, specialty vending areas (such as kids and eco areas), food, adult beverages, live DJs, an art gallery and live art creation, interactive holiday activities, gift bags, and more!

FEATURING:

• Artists & Designers that produce in the Bay Area

• Local artist gallery

• Fashion performance with Christmas Sweater Reconstruction Show & auction

• Eco gift bags to the first 100 shoppers

• Kid vending & activity area with DJ Ding Dong

• A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit Sunset Youth Services & Creativity Explored

$5 Entrance Fee • All Ages Welcome

At the Prestigious Bently Reserve

301 Battery Street, in the heart of downtown San Francisco

Please join Aiko Designs on December 3rd at Feria Urbana for a fun night out of shopping, music, drinks & a bite to eat.  This December, Feria Urbana will be held at the newest premiere live music venue in Oakland — The New Parish.  Hibiscus will be serving up delicious Caribbean Creole cuisine just on the other side of the courtyard.  Hope to see you there!

Feria Urbana @ The New Parish
579 18th Street (at San Pablo)
Oakland, CA

Thursday, December 3rd, 6-10pm

Free Admission!

There’s a promotion of the HKJMA show I’m doing in Hong Kong on the popular Mainland Chinese website PCLady.com.cn.  They selected an image of my jewelry to represent the International Arena of the show.  I can’t tell you any more as it’s all in Chinese!

Check out the HKJMA promotion here and see my image here.

Aiko Designs is going back to Asia!  I was invited and accepted to participate in the Hong Kong JMA show.  I’m super excited to get back to Asia this year and am thrilled to be included in the International Arena of this large jewelry show.

The HKJMA show is in its 17th year and I will be participating in the “International Arena” which is showcasing smaller, independent jewelry designers from France, India, the US, Canada, Japan, Korea and many other countries.  The event takes place Nov. 26-29th and is open to the public and the trade.

If you happen to be in Hong Kong or know someone there who would be interested, please stop by!  More details here.

It’s that time of year again!  San Francisco Open Studios 2009 begins in a few weeks and I’ll be participating at my studio in the Mission.  Info and hours are as follows:

October 9-11 (Mission District weekend)

The Art Explosion | 744 Alabama St. btwn 19th & 20th streets (map)

Support local artists and buy art at the source!

SF Gallery 143 | June 5-21 | designers, benefits, parties (sangria!)

– a biannual pop-up shop in the Lower Haight — don’t miss it

143 Fillmore