Looking forward to the first big market of the season.

I've often thought that crafters and artisans are a bit of a rare breed. We show up at markets, all of us hauling boxes, lighting and display stuff - it's kind of like the circus came to town. And we're the carnies.

A lot of us "do the circuit". We see each other sometimes every weekend during the busy holiday season, then we go for months not seeing each other at all. January and February and most of March are the down times. So it's a real build up to the first big market of the season. That market in Vancouver is the Portobello West market on the last weekend of March.

The excitement is palpable. All the sellers who haven't seen each other for months are yelling hellos and hugging and smiling. And the people who show up at the market feel the excitement too. New spring and summer goods are on display, bright clothing, colourful artwork, must-have accessories. It's a lot of fun, that first market.

So why not come down and make an afternoon of it? There's specialty coffees and good food available outside. And a whole market full of amazing, hand made, locally designed fabulous finds inside!

I'll be running a contest/draw as well. As you may have heard, I'm running a 1/2 marathon in May and raising money towards cancer research. There will be a donation jar on my table. Anyone who donates $2.00 will be entered in a draw to win a $20.00 BuenoStyle gift certificate. Anyone who donates $5.00 will entered in a draw to win a $20.00 BuenoStyle gift certificate! All you have to do is donate, and fill out the form provided with your name and phone number. It's that easy!

Anyone who donates $10.00 or more will be eligible for a tax receipt as well. Here's the link to my personal fund raising page, if you are so inclined.

I look forward to seeing your smiling faces!

Running a Half Marathon (gulp) . . . and . . . PRIZES!

In a move very much unlike me, I have signed up for training to run a half marathon this May 2, 2010! Along with it comes the commitment to raise at least $2,000.00 towards blood cancer research.

Those of you who know me understand that I'm not exactly a fitness buff, so this came out of left field. Why, you may be asking? Well, I'm training with an organization called Team In Training, which provides certified coaches, plus volunteer running mentors to all those who sign up for the program. I was really drawn to the supportive group environment. Plus, I knew if I committed to it, it would be impossible for me to drop out before reaching the goal!

I joined in order to personally work toward becoming more fit. But after our first 8:30 am run last Sunday (Yay! no rain!), I went for breakfast with 4 other team members and got a chance to get to know them better. Two of the people running are both survivors of Hodgkins and non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. One guy just got his remission news only 2 months ago! Someone commented that, 10 years ago, his diagnosis would have been a death sentence. That really hit home with me and made me realize how important it is to raise money since research really is progressing that fast.

So, to get the ball rolling on donations, I'm offering up some big incentive prizes! There will be other contests to follow, but the prizes won't be this big, so go ahead and donate NOW!

Anyone who donates $25.00 before February 14th will be entered in a draw to win $50.00 credit towards any BuenoStyle or OAK jewelry!

Anyone who donates $50.00 before February 14th will be entered in a draw to win $100.00 credit towards any BuenoStyle or OAK jewelry!

There's a very very good chance of winning this contest, as I have *just* barely started my fundraising campaign and not that many people even know about it yet!

All donations are tax deductible too!

You can donate on-line here. A tax receipt will be automatically emailed to you. Or, if you'd rather send a cheque, please just shoot me an email and I'll send you my mailing address, and a tax receipt will mailed out to you.

And since I don't have any photos of me running yet, please enjoy this photo of me feeding a squirrel.

The Big One . . .

I do a lot of markets and events around the "holidays", but the huge 2-day Portobello West Fashion and Art Market is one of the best!

This year I will have all of my best pieces displayed in a booth right at the entrance, including a preview of my Spring 2010 line which uses a new technique of collage images inside the lockets (as shown above). But hey, never mind me, come out to meet over 110 local artists and designers and shop for one-of-a-kind fashion and art in one of Vancouver's most impressive indoor venues.

And don't forget my first ever contest! You might need to pick up a new piece of BuenoStyle or OAK jewelry so you can take a snapshot over the party season and win this!

Two Day November Market, Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th, from 12pm to 6pm.

at the Rocky Mountaineer Station,
with $2 admission for the public (children 12 and under get in free!),

For directions on how to get to the Rocky Mountaineer Station, plus free shuttle information, check here.

BuenoStyle and OAK first ever CONTEST!

I'm excited to announce the first ever BuenoStyle contest!

Put on your BuenoStyle and Smile!

The holiday season is upon us and I know many of you are getting dolled up for gatherings, office parties, holiday soirées, and don't forget new year eve!

Some of you will be wearing your favorite BuenoStyle and OAK pieces with your outfits. So I want to see your fabulous photos!

Simply snap a photo of your fabulous self wearing your snappy holiday ensemble with your favorite BuenoStyle or OAK jewelry and send it to me. It doesn't matter if it's a group shot, couples shot, or just your fine self. The only rule is that the jewelry must be clearly visible in the shot.

My favorite shot will win this amazing OAK, One-of-A-Kind necklace and earring set worth $125.00!!!

The necklace was made using a vintage escutcheon (keyhole plate), and nickel free raw brass chain with faux pearl accents. The earrings go together with the necklace without being too "matchy matchy", and are hung from high quality gold filled ear wires.

This contest will run from now until January 15, 2010, so you'll have plenty of time to send me your christmas and new years shots.

*** Please note that by sending in your photos, you are allowing me to post them onto my blog, and I may also post it to my Facebook group.

email your shots to: info@buenostyle.com

I'm looking forward to checking out your holiday shots!

Fashion High Membership Contest!

I've been a member of Vancouver-based Fashion High for a few years now. It's basically a not-for-profit network of B.C. based, fashion industry professionals working towards educating the public about our thriving Vancouver fashion scene. It's also all about encouraging shopping locally and becoming aware of sustainable design. If you are a local designer and not a Fashion High member you could be missing out on some great networking opportunities.

Through Fashion High, BuenoStyle has had the direct benefit of getting extra press through being listed on their web site. They also put on fun networking events and have a really good speaker series that covers topics that independent design entrepreneurs need to know about; marketing, accounting, importing/exporting, etc.

They are having a membership contest for the month of February; anyone who joins Fashion High during this month is entered to win: their following year’s membership, a free pass to all the speaker series, your profile on the Fashion High website, a hotbiz press release and a THREADS Gazette profile! Peruse their web site and see if Fashion High is a good fit for you.