Our last show of the year is this weekend at Studio Be in Nashville!

To say I was ambitious this year would be an understatement. I moved to a bigger studio at the tail end of last year and then hired two additional people this year, doubling my little staff of helpers! With more space and more hands, I decided to jump into more holiday shows than I've done in years and all I can say is, this girl is TIRED. (Good thing my studio holiday spa party is coming up soon!)

But this is it! This is the finish line! My last show of the year! Yayyyy!!!

This is a very cool show to end the year with I must say. The gals putting it on are so talented, and I'm excited to just be in the room with them for a few hours over the weekend, let alone sell alongside them!

So come out and support some local artisans and wrap up your holiday shopping, Nashville! It's right in town on Charlotte Avenue in Cindy Wunch's Studio Be. There is going to be a host of creative ladies with their fine wares, including Simon & Ruby jewelry, Marge Luttrell encaustics, Maggie Russell art and Christina Cohn ceramics.

Click here for more details. Hope to see you there!

Come visit us during our Studio Open House

There's nothing quite like seeing handmade gifts in person, is there? Sure, there are scores of them on Etsy and you can find a fine selection in stores, but there is just something about getting to meet the face (and hands) of the person who made it! Come for a rare studio open house during the WeHo Holiday Market and see the space (and shop the goods) where the Freshie & Zero magic happens!

Track One is hosting the inaugural Nashville event for the WeHo Holiday Market & Art Crawl, which will be held Dec. 5-6. (WeHo is the nickname of our Wedgewood Houston neighborhood.) The event is a neighborhood celebration with crafts, music, and art. 

This event just happens to be in the building housing my studio, so we will be opening our doors for the occasion! Be sure to walk around the entire Track One building while you're shopping the market and see what the other tenants have to offer (ranging from haircuts to workouts to growler fills!).

We would love to have you visit us! You can get more information about the market here.

Our Handmade Holiday Gift Guide

I don't know about you, but gifts are my love language. I love giving them, I love receiving them, I love wrapping them with cute handmade wrapping paper... I will also never stop being grateful that people buy my jewelry to give as a gift! I could insert a "#blessed" tag here but I'll spare you. #yourewelcome But seriously, making a living off of my craft is still amazing even after 9 years.

In the spirit of the ultimate gifting season, I pulled together a little list of handmade goods for your giving inspiration. These are all items created by makers I personally know, so trust me that you're supporting amazingly awesome people when you purchase any of them.

1. 1Canoe2. I'm friends with this bunch, and I can never get enough of their hand painted designs and fun paper products. This Berry Basket Recipe Box is perfect for people who are starting to discover their cooking potential! Co-founder Beth Snyder used to live in Nashville - she and I actually met at the American Artisan Festival!

2. Little Things Studio. My gal Kate is amazing at transforming words into a work of art. It's hard to choose, but we happen to really like this one. Kate and her husband just bought their first house in East Nashville and their renovations have been epic!

3. Hello Soap. You could always keep the gift-giving clean and go with some handmade soap! My production assistant Britt has all the smell-good soaps and lip balms you need. In fact, we couldn't pick a favorite scent, so we're betting this set of four citrus soaps would be a crowd pleaser.

4. Freshie & Zero. Of course I'll be giving some of my jewelry as Christmas presents! The Little Facet Necklace (center) is one of our newer pieces most often hinted at by my relatives... 

5. Pine Street Makery. Who can resist a lovely hand printed tea towel? And aren't tea towels with hand illustrated succulents on them even better? My production assistant Jessica has a knack for quirky illustrations which she prints on totes, tea towels, and more.

6. Corbé Company. I discovered this modern ceramics duo at Renegade this fall. I'm smitten with their pinch dishes and have already given several as gifts!

7. Clawson's Pub & Deli. If the men in your life are anything like the men we know, they love craft beer. And Clawson's serves up a rotating selection of them which you can give in the form of a gift card or inside a growler! Ann & Jens Clawson moved here from California to pursue their dream of opening up a restaurant, and I'm so glad they landed in my studio building, because they're awesome and you know, beer down the hall.

8. Rinse.  My friends at Rinse have everything from beer soap (another guy gift!) to wine soap (mom gift!) to pet wash (dog gift!), but we picked this little Bouquet of Skin Sticks from their personal care arsenal. Heather started Rinse after finding that she had a knack for soap making, and she now operates an entire Rinse Store in Monroe, Georgia with her husband, son, and now a newborn baby!

Well, those are some of my go-to presents! Do you have any favorite things you'll be wrapping up for your loved ones with this season?

We're headed east for the Retropolitan Craft Fair

Just in time for the holidays, we are excited to head down the road to Knoxville to participate in the Retropolitan Craft Fair. 

Retro-what, you ask? Well, RETROPOLITAN! The fair promises to feature:

"the Southeast’s finest talents in contemporary craft and design while also incorporating upcycled goods with a funky, vintage inspired, and fabulously quirky vibe."

Sounds like our kind of place!

If you're going to be in the Knoxville area on November 21, swing by to see us and get a jumpstart on your Christmas shopping!

time:
Saturday, November 21, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
place:

The Southern Railway Station (In Old City)
306 West Depot Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917

Click here to visit Retropolitan's website!

We're going to the Atlanta Apparel Market!

This fall has been a whirlwind! I can't believe next week will be our return to the Atlanta Apparel Market after almost three years! We were originally going to be in a showroom but due to unfortunate circumstances beyond our control, the showroom will not be open. Luckily, we were able to snag a last minute opening in the Premiere Accessories section, almost in the same spot we were in last time! It's been quite a while since we have exhibited there, so we're excited to go back. And I will definitely be visiting Ikea in my free time...

If you are planning on coming to the show this October, please stop in our booth to say hello! We will have show specials. . .  and probably some candy. I love candy.

Here I am at our last Atlanta Apparel Market in 2013, ready to set up!

We Welcome Refugees

image by Little Things Studio

I have been so heartbroken by the images of the Syrian refugee crisis. I feel helpless, but I know there are small ways in which I can help. Coincidentally, my friend and fellow Nashvillian Kate Whitley of Little Things Studio designed the above graphic and reached out to her network of makers like myself to encourage us to donate a portion of our sales to one of the organizations actively helping the refugees. The quote below is from Kate's response:

I’ve often thought what would I have done if I had lived during WWII and known about the concentration camps in Germany. Would I have sent money? Would I have spoken out and talked to my friends, local church, my city, and my government? Especially when some of the persecuted practiced a faith I did not. Because that’s what I would want to do. I wouldn’t want to live in regret. I don’t want to live in regret now over the refugee crisis. What if this moment is in our history books? What if it gets worse? And what if I did nothing?

I love Kate. So to help, we decided we would donate 10% of our booth sales and our online retail sales during the Renegade Craft Fair held on September 19+20, 2015 to World Relief. We officially donated the money we raised today and it feels so good to help, even if it just a drop in the bucket of what is truly needed to help these people. If you would also like to donate to World Relief, click here to learn more.

I also donated to the Migrant Offshore Aid Station - click to read about it if you haven't heard of the amazing rescue ship in the Mediterranean.

To read more about the crisis and what you can do to help, read "5 Ways To Stand Up" and visit We Welcome Refugees. You can read Kate's entire blog post that really resonated with me about why we should take action in this crisis.

Thank YOU friends and customers, for supporting Freshie & Zero (for 9 years!) and allowing me to not only support my family, but also to donate to causes where my heart is called. Something my pastor said to us in church a few weeks ago really struck me. I'm paraphrasing, but he said something like "You may not be called to help in this crisis in Syria. But if you are a Christian, you are called to help the poor." I would also like to believe that if you are just a human, you are called to help the poor. 

On a mostly unrelated note, if you haven't heard the Death Sex & Money podcasts about Hurricane Katrina, go listen now. SO eye opening to what people in New Orleans actually went through - I had no idea. My favorites were Big Freedia and Terri Coleman.

Want to Be a Campus Rep?

Thank you for everyone's interest in the program! Applications are now closed.

Freshie & Zero is excited to announce our brand-new Campus Rep Brand Ambassador Program! We are looking for outgoing, fun-loving college students to build brand awareness of Freshie & Zero at college campuses. We are starting at a limited number of schools in the Southeast. Our rep program is a fantastic way to get some marketing and sales experience for your resume and earn spending money, too! 

As a campus rep, you will: 
• Get to wear [FREE!] handmade Freshie & Zero jewelry and share your love for the line with friends and other students across campus. 
• Utilize your own social media sites to post about Freshie & Zero’s awesomeness and what it means to you to wear the jewelry! 
• Talk to anyone and everyone about Freshie & Zero. 
• Encourage friends and classmates to visit www.freshieandzero.com to shop our expansive selection of necklaces, earrings and bracelets. You’ll also get an exclusive coupon code to share with your friends. 
• Have other fun opportunities to work with Freshie & Zero to represent the brand including but not limited to trunk shows and craft shows. 

Perks! 
• Your own Freshie & Zero mini-stash 
• Commission! Whenever anyone uses your discount code, you will earn a commission. Plus, the more your code is used, the more incentives you will earn! 
• Discounts on Freshie & Zero jewelry 
• Marketing, sales, social media and brand ambassadorship experience 

Goal: 
To spread good vibes and love for Freshie & Zero handmade jewelry across college campuses. 

Are you excited about engaging with your campus community over fun handmade jewelry? Fill out the form here to apply. Applications must be received by Sept. 15. Once we select our campus reps we will contact you with more information on how to get started.

Questions about the program? Email us at julie[at]freshieandzero.com and we'll be happy to answer!

Thank you for everyone's interest in the program! Applications are now closed.

We're hiring!

*UPDATE We filled this position and are no longer actively looking for applicants. THANK YOU!*

We are seeking a Sales, Marketing, and All-Around Assistant for our small handmade jewelry studio in Nashville, TN! This is a fun and creative position that will keep you on your toes! Our 9-year old company is both retail + wholesale and is vested in the indie craft and professional trade show industries.

* please read instructions to apply - do NOT just submit your resume! *

DESCRIPTION:
We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to help us grow our brand, keep all of our sales channels organized, and help assist the owner in the daily running of our business. We are seeking an entrepreneurial-spirited person who can write well, speak confidently, and sell and market our products both in person and online. This is a part Operations Assistant part Sales Support position.

If you are someone who...

• Is highly motivated and organized with a strong work ethic
• Is passionate about the entrepreneurial, creative, indie, and handmade communities both in Nashville and beyond
• Enjoys learning new skills and strategies for marketing and generating sales
• Has a strong knowledge of magazines, blogs, shops, and the professional handmade community 
• Likes to have fun at work with a creative crew
• Enjoys interacting with people in sales situations, including our trade show booths and craft show booths
• Is a self-starter, a go-getter, and a task completer with a can-do, positive attitude
• Has a "no task is too small or too big" attitude
• Is very adaptable and eager to help out wherever there is a need
• Has their own transportation and is able to drive to Atlanta at least twice a year for the Atlanta Gift Market

...Then you are the someone for this position! 

DUTIES:

• Use strong verbal and written communication skills to assist with customer service both on the phone and via email. Yes, we have a land line you will have to use! :)
• Help manage and provide assistance to our growing base of sales representatives & retailers
• TRAVEL occasionally with the company to trade shows including Atlanta and New York, including set up, tear down, and selling our line to potential clients. Our upcoming travel dates are July 9-13, so it is imperative you are available those dates.
• Update our content on various online platforms including Etsy and Shopify 
• Network with other small creative businesses for possible collaborations
• Create social media content and reach out to influencers in the press 
• Be ready to anticipate and jump in to help in whatever is needed (filling orders, filing, sending/answering emails, etc)
• Run errands to bank, FedEx, etc (in your own vehicle)

It is part time to start (15-20 hours/week) but hours will vary based on our company schedule. Hours are flexible but will be between M-F 9:30 - 5:30. We are willing to work out a set schedule that fits your needs! Weekends are only required when traveling to trade shows a few times a year. Compensation is based on experience ($12-$15/hr) with regular raises and perks based on performance! (Christmas Spa Party, anyone?)

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Some college and relevant experience is required 
• Must be computer savvy (we are Mac people and use Excel, Quickbooks, Google Apps, Blogger, & Shopify)
• Must be a legal citizen and sign a non-disclosure agreement. Qualified applicants must be willing to work a test day to see if you are a good fit with our team.

TO APPLY:
Please send your resume in pdf format AND include a cover letter* introducing yourself - remember writing well is a large part of this job! Tell us why you are perfect for this position, including sales and office experience, and any other relevant experience in the handmade/creative realm you would like to tell us about. Have fun with it! { email it to beth[at]freshieandzero.com }

*if you do not attach this cover letter, you will not be considered for this position

*UPDATE We filled this position and are no longer actively looking for applicants. THANK YOU!*

Freshie & Zero Returns to the National Stationery Show!

It's been a busy spring! We've been filling more orders than ever before, but I have found time to design 26 new styles! I'm so excited to debut them this Sunday, but I'm also extra thrilled to just  be in New York for the gorgeous and inspiring National Stationery Show! If you are a retailer planning to come to the show, please come see us! We'll be in the #fresh section in booth #1459. 

Mother's Day is coming!

I have two exciting bits to share for this upcoming Mother's Day!

First, do you have a new mom in your life who is anticipating their very first Mother's Day?

Or perhaps your very own mother has received some grocery store hand-picked flowers from you too many years in a row?

Allow me to suggest what I think is the perfect Mother's Day gift: the Freshie & Zero Love Necklace - a delicate handmade piece with just enough sentimental value, it represents the transition into motherhood. In fact, I designed it when I was pregnant with my first child almost 6 years ago! I've had another child since, but there's nothing like the first time you become a mother: the jig is up - no more sleeping in or carefree schedules once that baby enters your life!

As a bonus, each Necklace (or bracelet) comes with the card shown above (when ordered from our website). We also offer gift wrap for a small fee! Be warned: this gift may bring tears of joy to her eyes and years of enjoyment! (order by May 4th for delivery by May 10th)

• • •

Our second bit of news is the Mom of the Year contest sponsored by Laughing Moms, Parenting Magazine, and us! Prizes include the above Love Necklace, a $250 Visa gift card, beauty products, and more! To read all about it and nominate your favorite mom on their website, click here.

Highlights from Atlanta Gift January 2015

I can hardly believe we participated in our thirteenth (!) Atlanta Gift Show in January. This was our first time, however, in a showroom - the very established and fabulous Simblist Group. It's kind of a crazy life-comes-full-circle kind of thing. Would you believe that the very first showroom I ever stepped foot in, way back in 2001 working as a gift market temp, would be the very same showroom that would come to represent my line 14 years later? Crazy.

Our space inside the Simblist Showroom - very sophisticated!

To say I am excited about this would be an understatement, but seriously. I am SO excited! We still had our temporary booth for this market, though, so we actually exhibited in two locations… which meant two sets of samples… which about killed me. We still make everything to order and we have a LOT of styles! Did I mention I had to do all of this right after Christmas, right after we moved our studio? I'm still not sure how I survived.

Being in two locations also meant that my assistant Melanie had to work the booth without me (with help from my husband Greg) while I was in the showroom. This lead to some confusion because some of my customers seem to think that Melanie and I are twins.  Market is one of those weird places where your brain gets very tired and you start assuming things, such as because people work together they must be related. I had never even considered that Melanie and I looked remotely alike until we stood side by side in the Freshie & Zero booth for a few days and people kept asking if we were sisters. Melanie is cute so it's certainly not an insult, but we do find it funny! :) 

Look-a-likes? 

Splitting our line in two places meant that neither of our locations had fabulous sales, but combined we had our best show yet! 

Now for the hard business decision - will I have my temporary booth again next show or rely solely on the showroom and risk losing the booth sales? The verdict is out but I am really hoping not to have to make two sets of samples again (among other thing$)! The showroom is also a lovely place to spend a trade show - the other exhibitors and the reps are all so nice and the showroom is beautifully put together. They also have catered food every day which is quite an upgrade from the PB&J sandwiches we eat for lunch in our booth. Greg & Melanie were jealous. I promise I didn't rub it in their faces...

Oh - you're having BBQ? That's… cool.

Below are just a few photos of our booth in the Boutique section. Melanie wrote a great blog post about prepping for a wholesale show with regards to display - you can read it here. 

Our redesigned Wear Your Story wall - I love the watercolor ombre!

I like to add pops of color - especially pink and minty aqua.  

Detail of our new earrings display

Press Highlights from 2014

We love seeing our work in print, and 2014 was a great year for press for Freshie & Zero! Here are some of the press mentions we've had lately, including a feature article on the Etsy Wholesale blog!

Our Chevron necklaces were featured in the Winter issue of Stationery Trends.

An exciting feature on the Etsy Wholesale Blog!

Our Rose Cluster necklace in the Fall issue of Stationery Trends.

This one is actually older than 2014, but I forgot to share this awesome feature article!

Winter Weather Update

Nashville has had one of its trademark ice storms! We've been out of the studio for the past two days and are getting behind in our production schedule. 

While I'm house-bound, I am going to try and upload new product to our website, starting with that pretty shimmer necklace in the photo above!