Lori Magno

Final Orders of 2011

2011-12-31T12:42:00.000-08:00

The final orders of 2011: Two pairs of India Paisley Drop earrings and two pairs of Spring Flower earrings. They went to a friend which makes a fitting end to a good year.

Best wishes for a creative and energized 2012. I'll write about a creative challenge that I've signed up for soon. Do everything you can to stay healthy and happy and infused with art and music.

Special orders for special people

2011-12-26T10:23:00.000-08:00

A few custom goodies made over the last month. Thank you to my beautiful customers and collectors for believing in handmade and supporting artists and local communities.

Thank you Martha! I hope he loved it.

Barbara, thank you - Lisa is the Golden Goddess, so this was a perfect pick.

For MarketingProfs - thank you Ann Handley. Tweet!

Thank you Donna - these are some special tweeps!

Josh, thanks for sending such a beautiful shot of your special bird.

Holly & Josh & Ayla, my special California family. The Nelsons - connected once through work and then through social media and now a place on their family tree. I am so fortunate.

Melody & Tori - hope they were a great surprise!

This little bird flew to Texas!

Thank you Sally, I am so happy to know these went to your friends in the Peace Corps in Africa.

Happy Merry to All!

2011-12-25T22:29:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a joyous and peaceful 2012

Copper Bird Ornaments

2011-11-11T20:28:00.000-08:00

I am super pleased to be shipping custom ornaments already! Here is the debut of the new package!

Order yours here!

2011 Moda di Magno ornament!

2011-11-05T14:05:00.000-07:00

The very first Moda di Magno ornament is now available in my Etsy shop. Yours can be customized with the name of your choice and arrives gift packaged and hanging on a festive ribbon.

OMG Panic Lori's Fixing Her Car Sale!!

2011-10-26T13:56:00.000-07:00

A new clutch! And hydraulic thingies. And I'm guessing things that I don't want named. These are things that are being done on my beloved 10 year-old wagon.

These are one of a kind - the 'Buy It Now' button is below the item. If you miss out on something, console yourself with a coupon for my Etsy shop. Use "MDMOMG" at checkout for a 25% discount and free shipping on any item in the shop. This offer is good through Halloween 10/31/11.

HOW TO USE THE COUPON - in your cart, click the "Apply Coupon Code" link:

And away we go!

Lakshmi 1 - Fine silver Om, bronze Lakshmi, copper design and Garnet drop on an 18" sterling chain.

$90 (Regularly $135) - free shipping.

SOLD-SOLD-SOLD

Lakshmi 1

Lakshmi 4 - Fine silver flower, copper Lakshmi, bronze design and faceted Gar drop on an 18" sterling chain.

$90 (Regularly $135) - free shipping.

SOLD-SOLD-SOLD

Lakshmi 4

Lakshmi 5 - Round Garnet beads in 6mm and 3mm with a bronze Lakshmi, sterling silver Bali daisies and a sterling silver lobster clasp. The necklace is 23" long.

$70 (Regularly $100) - free shipping.

SOLD-SOLD-SOLD

Experiment - October 2011

2011-10-25T11:29:00.000-07:00

Fiddling around at the bench. I'm kind of digging these. Happened upon great light to photograph these (that always helps.)

Charming

2011-07-18T12:48:00.000-07:00

A couple of sets of custom wine charms for a customer who order a bunch of sets of custom charms that I can't show (but they are along these lines with different words.)

Winchester Town Day: Saturday, June 4th

2011-06-03T15:55:00.000-07:00

Winchester Town Day TOMORROW, Saturday, June 4th. SUNNY and BEAUTIFUL are predicted. 9am - 4pm, come to Winchester Center for art, craft, music, food and all things local.

The Moda di Magno tent will be in front of the Northmark Bank on Mount Vernon Street (next to the Winchester Fire Station!) Click the link for a map!

Bring the kids, bring the dogs, bring a happy face - it is sure to be a great time!

Charming

2011-05-26T07:05:00.000-07:00

International wine charms back in stock at Pairings in Winchester! Lori & Ray have an amazing gem of a store - terrific wines, extensive cheese case (and all the things you need to make a last minute supper for people you like!) They also have a display of Moda di Magno jewelry. If you are in the neighborhood, stop by on Saturday nights from 4-7 for one of the most fun and informative wine tastings you'll ever attend. They are also hosting a fantastic Italian wine dinner on June 14th with Steven Chevalier of Ideal wines (my favorite wine guide!)

Everybody likes to see their gems

2011-05-16T06:10:00.001-07:00

At the request of more than one beloved customer I went into bead mode and everyone likes their gems on the blog - so here are four beaded necklaces of Amazonite and other delicious gems. One more is in the works for a customer in Italy! As I prepare for summer shows there will be additional beaded goodies - I'd forgotten how zen (and satisfying) it can be to arrange stones on a design board.

Heading to Original Souls!

2011-04-03T19:33:00.000-07:00

Two special Lakshmi necklaces are headed to delightful gallery, Original Souls, in Ellicott City, Maryland. Good luck to Sheila Morrison & Company on their grand re-opening!

The Lakshmi-Jeni with vintage rosary beads, red aventurine, turquoise with sterling bali beads, Lakshmi - the goddess of beauty and prosperity in fine silver, red coral and white coral from Florida.

Lakshmi Bow

Garnet, amazonite, carnelian, Lakshmi with vintage carved wooden bead, red coral, citrine and turquoise.

The Wave Bezel Ring

2011-03-29T07:23:00.000-07:00

The wave bezel ring with giant Turquoise cab that I thought would be easy to make. It was not, this was my fourth attempt - but I am really pleased with the final piece and I learned a lot. (Also I drank a lot of wine...) I'm going to work on a wave bezel pendant next.

Another view.

Custom Work

2011-02-08T11:27:00.000-08:00

Am super pleased with this special mother's bracelet and coordinating earrings (we do not do matchy-match.) More photos of another custom order tomorrow.

Serendipity

2011-02-04T11:34:00.000-08:00

Serendipity is a propensity for making fortunate discoveries while looking for something unrelated. It's also what I'm wearing today. I'm gonna road test it and decide if it will be added to the line-up. Thoughts?

Lakshmi Clutch

2011-01-30T20:01:00.000-08:00

Fine silver, bronze, Garnet, antique rosary bead & sterling silver. India Elephant, Om, Lakshmi with a side of Lakshmi.

The List

2010-12-20T07:58:00.000-08:00

The list of things I should accomplish while on vacation from lovely advertising job:

#1 Redesign business cards, earring cards, postcards, ~~blog banners~~ to reflect new font on www.LoriMagno.com

#2 Enable shopping cart technology on website. (Genius.)

~~#3 Bounce www.ModadiMagno.com to www.LoriMagno.com~~ DONE!!!

#4 Scan all 2010 design sketches into computer

#5 Accounting. (Ugh, but made easier thanks to Neat Receipts.)

#6 ~~Clean and 'reset' the studio. I'll probably need way more than 8 days for that.~~ SURPRISED myself and got way more done there than I thought possible.

#7 Sleep for 24 hours straight. FAILED, but did get some good sleep in between family events and a blizzard.

Progress reports shall be forthcoming.

Black Friday Special #10 | Silver Mandala Earrings

2010-11-26T14:03:00.000-08:00

Little sister to the India Earrings, the Mandala earrings are fine silver on hand formed sterling silver wires. Regularly $36 - today only $27 with free shipping and gift box.

SOLD OUT!

Black Friday Special #8 | Domino Earrings (Bogo!)

2010-11-26T13:39:00.000-08:00

Fine silver Domino Earrings. Two for the price of one - Just $24 for both pairs with free shipping and a gift box! BOGO me baby!

SOLD OUT!

Black Friday Special #5 | Swingle Earrings

2010-11-26T11:07:00.000-08:00

~~ONE PAIR ONLY! $28~~ with free shipping and gift box! Copper Swingle earrings are an inch and a quarter wide and half and inch long, they swingle from hand-formed sterling silver wires that are one inch in length. SOLD OUT!

Black Friday Special #4 | Little Heart Necklaces

2010-11-26T10:24:00.000-08:00

Regularly $35 - today only $24 each plus free shipping and gift box! On the left is Raspberry Quarts with a handcarved fine silver heart. On the right is faceted Opalite with a hand carved fine silver heart. Both close with a sterling silver lobster clasp and are 17" in length.

SOLD OUT!

Black Friday! First Up : The Queen

2010-11-25T23:20:00.000-08:00

Regularly $50 - I have two available for just $39 each with free shipping & gift box. Indicate 16" or 18" sterling chain in notes during check out.

Small Business Saturday (< Black Friday!)

2010-11-23T21:19:00.000-08:00

Thanks to American Express for sponsoring my writing today about small businesses. American Express is presenting Small Business Saturday, a way to honor the local merchants who are the backbone of the economy, this Saturday, November 27. They're offering statement credits to people who shop at small businesses, advertising for small-business owners, and donations to Girls Inc. for "Likes" of the Small Business Saturday page on Facebook. Join the celebration by clicking the "Like" button and then visiting the Facebook page to learn more about the program and read the terms and conditions that apply.

Thanksgiving is upon us people - and you know what that means. Food, family and an unending stream of television, radio and web ads reminding you that to camp out in a parking lot at your regional superstore to snatch up a marked down Wii, bargain Prada or the Justin Bieber pillowcases.

This is my plea to friends and family near and wide - keep it real and keep it local. Some of you are in towns where finding genuine locally-owned shops can be a struggle. But make the effort - you and your town will be better for it. I'm so fortunate here in the Boston area because so many of the places I shop are locally owned.

I have a divine hardware store in the town center. The Fells Hardware store is where real hardware store guys will cut you a piece of screen, talk to you (at length) about which kind of paint you should use on the metal patio furniture you are 'thinking' about painting next spring, or just shoot the breeze about the high school football team. They never judge when I have an impulse buy of 72 woolen chair foot pads, or ask for 2 feet of bead ball chain (for jewelry) or even the occasional interesting bolt. They just help and smile and stifle the laugh when I ask for the wrong thing. And they have an amazing collection of historic photos of my town.

One street over is a locally owned bookstore, Bookends. They stock the books for the 'town read' and if your book group registers with them they'll discount your club read by 20%. How many businesses (that aren't pizza) in your town will deliver? Bookends delivers - to your house. (What?) They've also saved my bacon when I've called within minutes of their closing time and asked them to pull and wrap a book because 'I'm on my way to a birthday party I completely forgot about!' Awesome - that's what that is.

Newly opened across from my well-known name brand coffee chain (actually both the Pink chain and the Green coffee chains) is the Piantedosi Bread Shoppe. It's fantastic to have a local baker in town, starting with a small menu of bread and baked goodies and good coffee. My fondness for the bread here goes back to my childhood when I remember visiting the Everett factory location and get rolls right off the bakery line for big family parties. The smell of bread baking is something that I associate with my Grampy - and that has not changed in 40 years. So this is a double treat, good bread and happy thoughts of family gatherings past.

I choose to spend my money in these places whenever I can. I like these stores, I like these people, I love knowing that my money is being extra well spent because it is being spent locally.

The 3/50 Project is a great idea in shopping local. (Though I can disagree about the Internet shopping bit - as yours truly does a lot of my jewelry business online, but I digress, as usual.) Pick three local businesses, spend $50 a month and help your local economy not just survive, but thrive. No one likes to see SPACE FOR RENT signs in their town center - you can prevent that, even if it means speaking to your shopkeeper and asking them to stock things that you want to buy from them.

Think about what you want your town to look like - then act, and shop accordingly. Shop local, eat local and keep your community strong.

I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

Special for Marco

2010-11-23T07:07:00.001-08:00

See Moda di Magno at the Harvest Market!

2010-11-19T05:49:00.000-08:00

New Work

2010-11-03T22:21:00.000-07:00

Adventures in Copper Clay

2010-06-13T17:12:00.000-07:00

I've been playing with Art Clay Copper and have been fortunate with the results. With multiple forms of copper clay and a myriad of firing schedules I decided to try the one with the shortest firing time (even though I was a little freaked out at firing at 1778 degrees.) I am really pleased with the results so fare and I have decided that I love working with copper clay. I'm sketching some more dimensional pieces and am looking for a few days off to get cracking! Below are three projects using the copper clay. Let me know what you think!

The Mezzaluna Earrings are created in copper clay and dangle from sterling silver wires. The colors are achieved by lightly hitting the copper with a torch. I love all of the pinks and golds!

Mara Blue: A custom necklace for my friend Mara to wear while she's in Italy this July. I'm working on a super fabulous ring to coordinate!

The Axis earrings : BIG mezzaluna shape with a little India influenced center dangle. It gives the earrings a really nice sound when worn. I love them.

Celebrating 1000 posts on the other blog (and thanking a friend!)

2010-06-08T21:53:00.000-07:00

The original Moda di Magno blog is 1000 posts old - and I celebrated with this post:

My friend and fellow jewelry designer Joanna has graciously consented to model a few pieces for me. It definitely helps people understand the length of certain pieces, but for me it provides design inspiration and a whole lot of laughs when we shoot. I'm so grateful to celebrate 1000 posts by saying THANK YOU to Jo!

The Lakshmi Bow

2010-05-31T10:33:00.000-07:00

The Lakshmi Bow - now on Etsy!

Lakshmi-Jeni

2010-05-29T18:58:00.000-07:00

The Lakshmi-Jeni necklace - new now and on Etsy!

Found: An object of awesome

2010-05-18T10:07:00.000-07:00

So I was walking to the Post Office on Saturday to mail a pair of these to my Etsy Metal Clay teammate Judy when I noticed this piece of something in the gutter. My inside "declutter" voice said walk away, you don't need it. "OhmyGoditcouldbecool" voice said take a second look. And I did. And I slipped it into my pocket and completed my task. I think it was an architectural detail from a dresser or other piece of furniture, it still has a nail in it as well as several nail holes. I knew in an instant I would use it to make a piece of jewelry. Below is the Gilda necklace. The first of its kind. I'm digging it.

Sterling chain and fine silver designs: The Gilda necklace (pron. Jill-dah not Gill-dah.)

Super talented friend Joanna modeling the Gilda necklace for me. Must remember to clean off Blackberry camera lens before taking pix!

I'm writing as fast as I can

2010-03-25T09:19:00.000-07:00

Man - this life/work/family stuff is getting in the way of writing about jewelry or making it! Here's a snap of the 'best person' bracelet from my friend Sarah's wedding. I am halfway to a looonnnggg post about about all of the handmade elements from her gorgeous-yet-simple wedding. Stay tuned!

Of, and if you landed here because you too are hooked on FUG MADNESS - then congrats! If you are int he mood to look at accessories, here's a coupon for 30% off at my ArtFire shop - use FUGMADNESS at checkout.

A Handmade Wedding

2010-03-23T21:54:00.000-07:00

Working on a long piece about handmade for weddings - inspired by my friend Sarah's lovely, elegant wedding events. All made with love. The gorgeous brunch table as laid by the Fairy Godmother Brigade.

More soon!

Another Awesome Customer Note!

2010-03-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

It's always thrilling to get notes from customers telling you that they love their item, it's mind-blowing when they make a photo montage and put it on your Facebook page! My other favorite thank you photo is here. Thank you to all of my lovely and amazing and talented customers - you make this a joyful art and for that I am so grateful!

Marina purchased the Right Round Neckpiece from my brand new shop on Makers Market.

About Makers Market: Introducing Makers Market. A collaboration between the creators of MAKE and Boing Boing, Makers Market is an online marketplace bringing together our favorite entrepreneurial makers selling products and services directly to DIY enthusiasts – people with a thirst for life — enriching exploration through hands-on science and tech projects, risk-taking, art, sustainability, self-reliance, and hands-on learning. Not to mention a pinch of mischief-making tossed in for good measure.

The Buyers Market Experience

2010-02-24T22:31:00.001-08:00

February - in a nutshell: prepped for the Buyers Market of American Craft wholesale show in Philadelphia. That's pretty much it. Worked on creating a shared space with artist-friend-supertalent Christine Street of Chocolate and Steel. Designing a space based on our common banner colors and personal styles took some time - parallel, as it were, with creating new Moda di Magno designs.

I am very pleased with the way the booth turned out. Will we make a few changes before we bring the show to the August Buyers Market in Baltimore? Yes, a few minor things. We were gifted with a consultation from a long-time exhibitor at the BMAC who shared some tips and tricks to make our booth even better.

Creating new designs - well... that alternated between flashes of creativity that I could barely keep up with; ideas on scraps of paper, post-its, edges of newspapers, OMG I HAVE TO GET TO THE BENCH RIGHT NOW - and moments of staring at a notebook, starting a piece and then (thank you metal clay) rolling it up and putting it back in the package. Yech, blech, blah. With no pressure except the pressure from within - creating work that you want to share with the world (let alone the wholesale buyers of some pretty fancy places) can be a painful experience.

Artist, judge, warrior for your craft, it can be difficult to remember that order. Staying free in your mind when designing, in your hands when trying to execute that design and being prepared to stand up and explain what it is you've created (and why it is right for someone's customer) can knock you for a loop. Trying to do all of this while maintaining a normal life - tougher still. Trying to balance family, work, fulfilling orders and all the other things we do can make you feel like a trainwreck, but with a lot of help from beloved husband I pulled it together.

Communicating (sometimes in-artfully) with beloved husband about what I needed help with, what I needed opinions on (and thank God for talent in the family) what I needed photographed (everything. And for both of us.) Tom not only helped review the master plan for the trip to Philly, as a neutral party, he made recommendations about lighting the booth, he converted light fixtures for us, he drove me to not-near-our-house IKEA (twice) and he prepped the Magnomobile to depart day early to beat SNOWPOCALYPSE, part deux (the second blizzard to hit Philly in a week.) Oh yeah - and he drove me to Philly and helped us set up the booth. That's a good man.

While we were in Philly we rolled with the craziness. The fact that we were only one of two artists in row 400 to get to our booth on set up day was pretty scary. The lovely and talented Paul Dannecker managed to get in early and was quite kind to Christine and me, giving us a 'BMAC pep talk' and tips to survive the show. We worked a little MacGyver action in the evenings - generally building things out of foamcore and gluestick and reviewing what was working and what we could optimize.

We were blessed with really delightful people in our row - Donnabeth Mitchell, Eric Nelson, Ricky Bernstein and Deirdre Olson (and Jeff) were our nearest and dearest for the show. I am grateful for their humor and help. I got to meet some of my Internets peeps, Twitter friends and a blog crush. I got to meet Danielle Miller (a show veteran whose work I admire) I met Meghan Riley and Rose Braunstein and Kendra Roberts and Lauren Henry and Jill Italiano and Annette Martinsen Kapfer and gloriously tall Kristen Stein and so many other lovely, talented and fabulous peeps.

I became part of the C.R.A.F.T. organization by virtue of winning the 2010 Craft Design Challenge at the BMAC. I also won $250 to spend on the show floor, so I sought out a Massachusetts artisan and selected Beehive Kitchenware. This Fall River, MA company is a gem and one of my favorite kitchen items (ever) is my coffee scoop that I use every day. With several weddings this year - everybody's getting goodies from my score at Beehive!

I'll write more soon - but this is a good start. H9FE85AAWSXH

Buyers Market of American Craft - the wrap up! (PT. 1)

2010-02-19T20:23:00.000-08:00

Wowza - what a week in Philly! It's taken me a couple of days to catch up, compose my thoughts and find the time to sit and write it down! I have more photos to post in a set, but I shot them in camera raw and need to process them (I'll try to get to it this weekend.)

For the Etsy Metal Clay team - here is the 10 x 15 booth that Christine Street and I created. Not bad given she's in Los Angeles and I'm here in Boston and we are using Google video chat and email to make our plans! Thanks IKEA for all kinds of ways to create a nice space on a budget.

Diane and Maddis Sulg of Maddi's Gallery in Charlotte, North Carolina visited us and we are very happy to send new work to their fabulous gallery! Our conversation aboard the Moshulu last year (coupled with our entire team wishing them good luck at the Niche Awards) was still in their minds as they walked our aisle and spoke to other artists. (More on our aisle-mates tomorrow!)

Wendy Rosen, Arts Advocate (and all around swell lady) giving a pep talk to several artist-friends/exhibitors and giving all of us a big push on FindAmericanMade.com - she forced us to empty our wallets and stamp Find American Made on all our money. I'm guessing it's probably defacing government property - but what Wendy asks SHALL BE DONE!

Tired, feeling goofy and giddy and happy that we survived SNOWPOCALYPSE - here we are as Charlie's Angels? Crafty Angels? Overtired Crazies?

One of the new goodies

2010-02-17T06:52:00.000-08:00

Entitled 'Along Came Mary' - please know that I call this piece Hairy Tyler Moore to drive my husband nuts. She'll be available soon on LoriMagno.com. I'm just back from the Buyers Market of American Craft, entering orders (yay!) and updating the website with new retail locations (yay!) and playing catch up on a week away, but have no fear stylish people - fabulousness shall be upon you soon!

Who can turn the world on with her smile?

Buyers Market of American Craft - Day 3

2010-02-14T21:47:00.000-08:00

Super tired, but super awesome few days in Philadelphia! I'll write more when I get back to Boston - including a list of stores where you can go in and ask for Moda di Magno!

Short version of Philly - blizzard, arrive a day early (before a flake flew,) have a lot of great food, meet super talented artists, build booth in a row of really nice people, have more great food, make plans for world domination on the last day of the show tomorrow, pack up and get out of dodge before the snow flies!

BTW - started today with a great kick in the pants - won the C.R.A.F.T. Design Challenge by creating a small space display with 5 stunning artisan pieces and some display props. Many thanks to CRAFT for a year's membership and $250 toward the purchase of artisan work at the BMAC. I'll be talking about CRAFT more in upcoming days as they are one of the sponsors of American Craft Week (October 1 - 10, 2010) a week-long celebration of handmade art from the US.

Some snaps:

Diane and Maddis Sulg of Maddi's Gallery in Charlotte, North Carolina stopped by the booth to place a re-order with me and Christine Street! So awesome to see and visit with the 2009 Niche Retailers of the Year. I'm sending a whole lot of gorgeous rings to your way NC!

Christine Street of Chocolate and Steel with Diane Sulg of Maddi's Gallery.

Wendy Rosen, Art Advocate imparting words of wisdom and advice to Rose Braunstein of My Friend Roze, Kendra Roberts of Kendra Studio Jewelry, Lauren Henry of Lauren Henry, Christine Street of Chocolate and Steel, and Jill Italiano of Jill Italiano (holla tweet lady!)

The India Collection

2010-02-04T10:02:00.000-08:00

In preparation for the Buyers Market of American Craft - all of the jewelry is being shot by Thomas Magno - this is a test for the India Collection. Mama likey!

Buyers Market of American Craft - Booth #422 Moda di Magno

2010-02-02T23:59:00.000-08:00

I am seven days away from the Buyers Market of American Craft in Philadelphia. New gems made, currently being photographed by the amazing (and patient and awesomely awesome) Thomas Magno. Show furniture ready, line list nearly there, comfy shoes at the ready. Freaking out? Yup, a little. But I'm really looking forward to sharing the new stuff before I go. Now off to sleep (before 2am!) In other news - the new website launched - take a peek at www.LoriMagno.com

How do I find the time?

2010-02-02T06:34:00.000-08:00

The new LoriMagno.com website launches today! (BTW - I don't find the time - I'm just not sleeping right now as I make final preparations for the Buyers Market show in Philly.) As Flounder says "This is going to be awesome."

Carry on.

Buyers Market of American Craft: February 12 - 15, 2010

2010-01-28T06:05:00.000-08:00

The Buyers Market is THE source for products made in the U.S. and Canada

No imports. No reps. No manufactured items. Every product at the Buyers Market of American Craft is handcrafted with care by the artist representing their work at the show. Consumers are increasingly eager to spend their money locally – you can give them additional incentive by offering gifts and accessories with meaning and value made domestically. Every dollar – those spent by the artist, the store owner and the customer – stays in the United States and Canada.

**Moda di Magno has been selected for the Buyers Market! I'll be in booth #422 with Los Angeles Artist Christine Street of Chocolate and Steel (and a fellow Etsy Metal Clay team member!) We have been furiously (but with joy) creating new collections and dreaming up a show space that will delight our wholesale friends. Shout out via Twitter @ModaMags and let us know if you are visiting Philadelphia!

Ringing In

2010-01-28T06:00:00.001-08:00

Ringing in the new year with new rings! Every ring is created by recycling my 'mistakes' - pieces that for one reason or another were not up to snuff. Snips and bits of metal clay, sterling silver and occasionally highlighted by other goodies in the studio. Take a look, let me know what you think!

2010-01-28T05:49:00.000-08:00

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
modadimagno.etsy.com