One of My Co-workers ...

Running into Jewelry Website Shipping Issues?

If you ordered multiple jewelry pieces on the website and it charged you double shipping, do not worry, this will be credited back to your credit card. Sorry about the confusion ... we are trying to get this fixed.

New New News: Window Event is Here!!! & Giveaway!!

The Cannon Lewis Jewelry Website Window Event has begun!

The event is from 9am Monday, September 28 to 9am Wednesday, September 30.

There are TWO Jewelry Giveaways going on - enter the 1st giveaway on the contact page of the website. To enter the 2nd giveaway, send a friend (or as many friends as you want to increase your chances) to the website, and have them fill out the form also, and make sure they put your name in the "Sent Here by a Friend?" section. Each mention of your name counts an additional entry. Giveaway 1 is a pair of Peacock Earrings, Giveaway 2 is a pair of Medium Willow Earrings.

Here are the featured items - you can click on them to be directed to the website to view the Window Event Prices

New New News: Leaf Cross, Tree Pose & Grow Necklaces

Here Are some great pendants that are some of my personal favorites. The Leaf Cross has a tiny diamond in the center and the carving is beautiful. I've given these as baby gifts and also wear one myself - its so simple but eye catching. The pendant is about 1/4 inch tall.

The Tree Pose Necklace is another one of my loves. One side depicts a carved tree with a tiny diamond and the other side is carved to say "tree pose." Inside the 1/2 tall pendant are faceted London blue topaz, sky blue topaz, and rhodolite garnet that rattle around. The colors will sparkle and catch your eye, and its so fun to wear.

The largest necklace is the Grow Necklace, with one side depicting a leaf vine and the other is carved to say Grow. There are two options for the stones that rattle inside: one version has green apetites and tourmalines, the other version has moonstone, pink pearl and pink tourmaline. This pendant is about 1 inch tall and hangs on a 36 inch chain which has a leaf with a phrase written on it.

Catch these items and the other ones I've blogged about tomorrow at the Cannon Lewis Website Window Event, Starting Monday at 9am eastern ... happy shopping.

New New News: Peacock Earrings

Peacocking, v. To strut around wearing a pair of Cannon Lewis 14k gold vermeil and London blue topaz peacock earrings.

Peacocked, v. (past participle) To receive compliments by others related to your sense of style for wearing the peacock earrings.

I have blogged before about how much I like peacocks. Here is another peacock inspired design. The earrings measure about 1 inch tall, with a beautiful London blue topaz sparkling from within. The peacock earrings will be featured in the Website Window Event on Monday, September 28th.

New New News: Large Willow Earrings

If you loved the Medium Willow Earrings, here is another option for you ... LARGE Willow Earrings. These earrings will take any outfit to a new level. These earrings have a tiny diamond set in them and measure about 1 3/4 inches tall by 3/4 inch wide and come in two options, sterling silver with 14k gold overlay, often called vermeil, which is then satin-finished for a smooth shine. If you want something to go with the leather jacket trend this fall, or are just drawn to silver in general, the satin finished silver might be your option of choice. Either way, they are amazing earrings, and you will be stopped and asked about them when you wear them.

There is a tiny saying engraved on the back - its something my grandmother always tells me - "Be a willow, not an oak. Willows bend, oaks break." These will be featured in the Website Window Event on Monday, September 28, 2009.

Define: Website Window Event

For those of you wondering exactly what a Cannon Lewis Website Window Event is, here is your answer. Every few months there are events on the website where certain pieces of jewelry are reduced in price for a short two day window. After the two days, the price goes back to the retail price. This is a way I can test the market with some of my newest designs, and offer you a really good price on the latest jewelry, so everyone wins. If you are not on the mailing list, you might want to get on it so you can start receiving these window event emails. To join the mailing list click here. The next Website Window Event is Monday, September 28, 2009, so standby for some of my favorite new designs.

New New News: Medium Willow Earrings

These Earrings are Fabulous! I've been wearing mine almost every day, and they are a great size (drop is about 1 1/4 inch tall) which means you can wear them with just about anything. They are sterling silver with 14k gold overlay, often called vermeil, which is then satin-finished for a smooth shine. There is a tiny diamond set in each earring, which adds a nice sparkle, and the earrings have a tiny line texture, which makes them just sparkle. And the best part? There is a tiny saying engraved on the back - its something my grandmother always tells me - "Be a willow, not an oak. Willows bend, oaks break." These will be featured in the Website Window Event on Monday.

New New News: Cannon Lewis Short Film

There are so many exciting updates for Cannon Lewis, culminating with a Website Window Event this coming Monday, September 28, 2009. Each day leading up to the event there will be a new blog post about a featured item in the Window Event which you will NOT want to miss. Amazing statement earrings to accent you fall wardrobe that you will live in ... but I'm not telling anymore now... you will just have to wait and see.

I will begin this update-a-thon by revealing this new short film exploring my inspiration and jewelry craftsmanship, and you can see just how much time, detail, and thought goes into each Cannon Lewis piece.

Film by Chris Wiegand to learn more about him, click here.

My TV Interview with Roni Proter

Last Tuesday my interview with Roni Proter aired on The CW, channel 33. I have never been on TV, so I guess now I can check this off my list of firsts. It was my intention to blog about this before the segment aired live, but as timing would have it I was at the beach on vacation where I did not invite my laptop and gave my blackberry the silent treatment.

Click here to read the story or watch the segment embedded below:

Frozen Foodie

Meet my sister-in-law, Courtlan Budman. She makes turkey meatballs. Don't stop reading here...

If you like my jewelry you will like her food. She just launched her line of all natural, healthy, gourmet frozen turkey meatballs. Currently her frozen meatballs are on the shelf in the frozen section of Gelson's, Vicente Foods in Brentwood and Erewhon Natural Market near the Grove (all in Los Angeles) and the list is expanding to other US areas quickly. Why? Because she has come up with a product line that for the first time in frozen food's history looks cool from the box, tastes even better, and is actually really good for you. Visit her site http://www.cazzafoods.com/, follow her foodie musings on twitter, and try these meatballs out - you will be converted. This is the kind of frozen food you can serve at a party and no one will ever suspect you are stashing your finest in your freezer.

TV Debute TBA

Last week I was interviewed by Roni Proter for the CW, channel 33. The segment should air this week - I will post when I find out the exact date and time. The segment will be available online also. I've never been on TV before. Lets hope it works out well. Sophie, my dog also was present for the interview and decided to play with all her loudest toys.

Meet the Press: Preston Hollow People Newspaper

Here is a new article that just came out this week in Preston Hollow People Newspaper. I'm having trouble connecting the link for it, but here is how to get there for now: go to www.peoplenewspapers.com and click on Preston Hollow Newspaper, and in the search box type Cannon Lewis to read the full article.

The Economics of Jewelry: as Seen at Age 5

I've been spending time today with my 5 & 8 year old cousins who want to know how everything works. They asked me if I use real stones for my jewelry. I said yes, that I use diamonds and sapphires. Then the 5 year old's eyes got really big and she said "you must be very, very rich to buy those." I wish life was that simple.

#

Meet the Press: D Magazine

Cannon Lewis' bio is featured in the June issue of D Beauty. You can also view the article here.

Meet the Press: Dallas Morning News

Cannon Lewis Now or Never earring jackets were featured in the style guide of the Dallas Morning New on Friday, June 5 2009.

The Now or Never earring jackets are a part of the Life Collection and have tiny diamonds and at first glance look like an abstract cut out in gold, but then look closely, and the word "Now" and "Never" are in full view. The leaf hoops earrings that the Now or Never jackets come on can be purchase separatly in gold or silver for a two-toned effect.

Meet the Press: Best of Texas Blog

An article on Cannon Lewis is featured in the Best of Texas Blog. To view, click here.

Hey Peacock

I love this ring. I love that it lays flat. I love that it has black diamonds & white diamonds. I love that I'm actually wearing it right now as I type.

I love peacocks. My grandparents had peacocks as pets when I was growing up. I used to feed them out of my hand (see picture above of me at age 2). I could look out my window and see the male peacocks with their rattling feathers spread trying to woo the ladies. We used peacock feathers as cat toys - my grandfather named them cat fishing poles.

I love symbols. The peacock feather was used in Dutch Vanitas Paintings as a symbol of vanity. Look next time you go to a museum.

This is why I love the peacock ring.

A Little On Edge

This pendant is one of my favorites. I look and feel the edge increase when I wear it. The stone is rutilated quartz from Brazil, and I bought it but didn't know what I wanted to do with it, so I put it in my stone box and would look at it time to time, but no idea had come to me. The cut is so cool, and it looks like there is a black cross inside, and it is a big stone - about 3 inches tall.

About a year later, I woke up and had this design in my head. On the back it is engraved: "The outside is only a movement of" and then there is engraving that you can see from the front of the pendant, looking behind the stone, "The symphony within." I put some orange sapphires on it to bring out the orange in the stone, and a few black and white diamonds. I like how the silver grasps the stone and looks like claws on the front.

I don't really want to part with it, because I'm never going to be able to make another one like this. But if you promise it will go to a good home, and when you get really old you will give it to someone who will appreciate the detail of the piece and the effort and hours I put into making this exactly right with the colors and balance, I will consider your offer.

Spotted: Sand Dollar Dove Necklace

Yesterday I went to lunch with a friend who invited a friend of her's that I didn't know to come also. To my surprise - she was wearing the gold sand dollar dove necklace. It had been given to her as a birthday present. In all my years of designing, I have never run into someone I didn't know who was wearing my jewelry. The girl wore it so well - with a tiny gold bead chain about 14inches, sand dollar dove necklace, 16inches, and a long gold pendant on a leather cord, about 36inches. Today's run-in makes me wonder where all my other sand dollar doves are residing, and how others have personalized them with their own look.

Target Letterpress Invitations

I am extremely picky about paper. I notice textures. I like how paper looks, how it feels, and how it presents the written word. I prefer engraving. Paper is a prelude, and people will loose interest if it is jarring.

With that being said, I was at Target the other day and fell in love with these Cherry Blossom Invitations and I was shocked and impressed. The picture on the Target website does these invitations no justice (I almost thought of not linking it because it is such a terrible representation) so you will have to go see it for yourself - the paper is a nice thick cream cardstock with tasteful letterpress. There were about 3 styles that I thought were nice - but I especially loved the Cherry Blossom ones - and the price was amazing: 50 invitations, 50 reply cards, 100 envelopes all together for $34.

New Look & New Logo

There will be quite a few changes coming soon to Cannon Lewis ... one being a new logo. Robert Milam will be doing it and I cannot wait to see what he comes up with. Also, the website is still undergoing changes - sorry its a little disorganized at the moment, it will become nice and organized again soon, but with periodic changes in the next few months as the new logo and new look are integrated.

The Physics of Dressing

I'm wearing my sweater inside out so that when I take it off it will be right side in when I wear it next time. Its all about being productive and saving time. Work = Power x Time

Why my dog only drinks from a stemmed glass

Sophie is my 3 year old cavalier king charles spaniel. Her ears are rather long and I came up with the idea of a stemmed glass to keep her ears from getting wet when she drinks. I found some plastic ones that look like crystal that won't break if knocked over. Solution found: no more wet ears and they are the perfect height so she doesn't have to bend over to drink. My creative approach never fails to draw attention and comments from guests regarding my dog's sense of style when it comes to drinking and dining, but I swear it is the most sensible alternative, and I love it when function and pleasing aesthetics combine.

Check out some pieces from my Captivate Collection:

A few pieces from my Life Collection:

Here are a few pictures of my pieces in the Trouvé collection:

Here are a few pictures of my pieces in the Trouvé collection:

Website Work

I just wanted to let everyone know that recently I've been updating my website so if it looks a little disorganized or if pieces seem to move or disappear please don't think much of it. The website is undergoing a major renovation so that my three collections (Captivate, Life, and Trouvé) will be more visible and accessible.

Thanks for visiting and keep watching to see the updated version!

Korshak Event Photographs

the selby

I love this site. http://www.theselby.com/

Stanley Korshak Accessories Event

This year, Stanley Korshak has decided to feature my jewelry during their Accessories Week (March 23rd - March 28th). Come see my newest designs and pieces at Stanley Korshak tomorrow, Wednesday, March 25th. Pieces from all three of my collections (Captivate, Life, and Trouvé) will be featured alongside the most current Valentino bags and shoes. Please join us for cocktails from 4pm-6pm at the Stanley Korshak store (Cedar Springs and Maple).

Denim Leggings = New Fav

I've had this idea in mind for about a month. I wear legging and I wear jeans. I decided the perfect combination for a uber skinny look would be a denim legging that I could wear with boots or flats. I've been searching stores and yesterday I found a recession-friendly $38 winner. Urban Outfitters carries them. They are a thicker cotton legging, (thinner than a jean but thicker than a legging) that is a dark black/gray wash, and has the texture of a jean. The best thing about these is the waist though - it is a flat waist that comes up to the waist, so these are a guarenteed NO love handles look. I think I am going to wear them every day. They run small so order a size larger than you would normally. Click Here to view.

Project Ethos Fashion Show, Los Angeles

On September 26, 2008, the Caring Hands jewelry was selected to be a part of Project ETHOS, http://www.projectethos.com/ a biannual red carpet event that merges fashion, music, and art. The event was held at Avalon in Los Angeles. It was exciting to see the models walk down the runway covered in Caring Hands jewelry. That evening, the jewelry designed by the Ugandan women made its runway debut with other emerging designers, defining itself within the industry as a fashion-forward eco-accessories line. I am finally getting some pictures together, and will post more later.

Click Here to watch a video of the Caring Hands runway segment.

Here is an additional link to press on the event

http://www.buzzine.com/2008/09/pop-goes-the-avalon/
http://media.www.pcccourier.com/media/storage/paper1346/news/2008/10/02/Arts/Stars.Align.At.Pop.Universe-3465651.shtml

Window Shopping Event & Give-Away

WINDOW SHOPPING : WEBSITE EVENT

Beautiful, Detailed Cannon Lewis JewelryFabulous Jewelry Give-Aways

* Significantly Discounted Prices *

Don't miss your window of opportunity ... Each email presents you with a few featured Cannon Lewis jewelry pieces. You have a two day window to buy these pieces online at a significantly discounted price. After two days, the price goes back to the original retail price. There is no need to cut back on quality this Christmas - You can give interesting, exceptional quality jewelry to friends and family. And don't miss the jewelry give-aways (no purchase neccessary) listed in the emails as well. Shop smart and take advantage of this window of opportunity while feeding your value-shopper ego.

http://www.cannonlewis.com/

WINDOW NO. 1

Begins Tuesday Nov. 25 at 9am CST & Ends Thursday Nov. 27 at 9am CST

Featuring Selections from the Captivate Collection, Sand Dollar Doves, Caring Hands Jewelry

If you are not receiving event notifications like our Window Shopping Event & Give-Away, go to the contact page on the website or click here and sign up to join those who are already in the know.

Women's Wear Daily Press

Jordin Sparks in Caring Hands Bracelet

Jordin Sparks wore the Caring Hands bundle bracelets to the 2008 Teen Choice Awards on August 4, 2008. Click here to view her picture wearing the bracelets.

Caring Hands News

The Caring Hands jewelry premiered in May at the Jewels in the Jungle event, a fundraiser benefiting the Caring Hands organization. Since then I have been working to create a line of jewelry that is composed of the necklaces they make and leather bracelets that I have designed using the beads they make by hand. All jewelry comes with a tribal leaf charm and informational tag and jewelry bag. The Fall 2008 Caring Hands line is complete, and Stanley Korshak placed the first order.

The jewelry was worn by Jordin Sparks on the Today Show a few weeks ago (I will try to get a link up soon) and it was selected to be a part of Project Ethos where the jewelry will make its runway debute on September 26, 2008 in Los Angeles http://www.projectethos.com/ The momentum continues to increase and I anticipate having the jewelry in quite a few stores in the next few months.

These last few months have been crazy and a little chaotic for me as I have taken on this new line in addition to my own, and have been coordinating African ship dates with the American suppliers and production, and all the fine details and paperwork that go with starting a new venture. I am not sure I could have ever done this without my Blackberry, although I think I am getting premature arthritis or something in my thumb from using the scrolling ball way too much. I don't know if I have ever been a part of something so rewarding, where I can really take my core competencies and what I naturally love doing to help other women by giving them a chance and an equal opportunity to showcase their designs in the US marketplace. I am being used in a good way, and I have never felt more proud to be a part of the fashion industry as a jewelry designer.

The Sand Dollar Dove

When I was a child I used to break open the sand dollars I would gather on the beach to see the five "little birds" that are found inside each sand dollar. You can see in the picture above to the right and left of the necklace are the little "doves." It took multiple attempts to get a really good casting of the dove, because the shell's wings were so fragile. But the texture (which is hard to capture in a photograph) is beautiful - it looks like an angel's wing or tiny, distinct feathers. The little diamond dangling below the dove adds a subtle sparkle and pairs well with the faceted texture of the wings.

The sand dollar dove necklace is a signature piece in my line. I designed this necklace to be worn with everything and to compliment all other pieces I design. I wear my necklace short - just below my collar bone and I never take it off. Worn by itself, the detailed fragility of the shell captured in the metal is a beautiful and striking but simplistic statement. Paired with other jewelry, the delicate pendant is a subtle addition to whatever else is near it.

The dove necklace is available in 14k yellow gold, 14k rose gold, and sterling silver, with length options of 16 or 18 inches. If you are going to get one piece of jewelry that embodies the entire essence of the Cannon Lewis line and design aesthetic, this little dove, a symbol of peace and goodwill, is what I suggest.

What I Give to and Why

Caring Hands, Uganda.
http://www.caringhandsuganda.org/
Caring Hands is an organization where women in Kampala, Uganda make beads out of recycled paper (the beads are really cool looking and are coated with some sort of varnish so they look almost like glass). There is a micro-finance component to this organization, so the women who make the jewelry are actually able to make a living for themselves and become the providers for their families. On their website you can read the stories of the women who make the jewelry.

I have designed a special African leaf charm that will be on all the Caring Hands jewelry. I also have designed a few new styles using the Recycled Paper beads, in a way to create an entire jewelry line for Caring Hands that can be carried in retail stores.

I am excited to partner with this group and to work on getting the jewelry into retail stores across the US. As a jewelry designer myself, I like that I am able to help other women designers in Uganda, and promote an Eco-friendly, cool looking product that with each sale can create such a monumental difference in the lives of these women.

A special thanks to Garland Hopkins http://www.garlandcoonline.com/ who designed the new informative tags that go on the jewelry.


Amani ya Juu, Kenya.
http://www.amaniafrica.org/
My friend Hannah works with this organization in Kenya. The women design and sew clothing, handbags, quilts, etc. and are able to provide for their families. A group of women from this organization will be coming to the USA this fall to get some exposure through a series of fashion shows.

As a woman designer, this organization appeals to me because it allows me to help other women designers. I have partnered with this organization, and they make the jewelry bags that all the Caring Hands jewelry comes in.