Pamper Yourself Local: ladies' night

photo courtesy of: The Specific Chiropractic Center

I am so pumped to share this exciting event with you:
Koukla Mou Designs will be at Ladies Night of Indulgence on April 29 at the Portland Harbor Hotel. In addition to jewelry there will be many other vendors to pamper you and give you attention, including desserts by Mom Made It!, gourmet cheeses, Scentsy Candles, Arbonne, personal training, Karma Fair Trade, Tupperware, Pampered Chef, bra fittings from Macy's (WOOHOO!), photography and many more!

photo courtesy of: Mom Made It!

photo courtesy of: K. Horton Specialty Foods

Something else exciting:
For the first time, I will be accepting credit cards! (double "yay"!)

Detail recap:
April 29 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Portland Harbor Hotel
Register online and be sure to enter discount code "koukla" to receive $5.00 off. All ticket proceeds will benefit the American Heart Association.

Indulge yourself silly - you SO deserve it

April Snow Brings: Autism Awareness

'Tis the Month to Be Aware
I am SO excited about today. Not only is it a snow day, but it is also April. April is Autism Awareness month. As a special educator, I try to educate staff and students about how to be a good friend to someone with Autism. Of course, this is a daily goal, but this month gives us a great excuse to get into classrooms. Due to the busyness of the year, we are going to have to hustle and bustle to put something enriching together this year.


The Love
I have worked with children with Autism for the past 6 years. These children have brought such joy into my life. Each day,there is always SO MUCH laughter and an abundance of smiles. The perseveration, random words, conversations and hugs make my heart burst with love and overcome any frustrations I may be feeling. As a K-4 teacher, I have the pleasure to have some of these children for 5 years. It offers opportunity for close relationships and our classroom often feels like a big family. I wish I could share all the stories, but there is this little thing called "confidentiality".

*Pretend there is a picture of all my students here*

Local Events
There are many local events this month in which you can become involved actively or as a spectator, including a Portland Pirates game and a Sea Dogs game.

Necklace
This is the first piece of jewelry I've made in support of Autism Awareness. I'm so pumped about it. A cluster containing a freshwater coin pearl, turquoise, "lentil" glass, and Swarovski hangs from a 40" antique brass chain. My favorite part of the necklace is the handcrafted and hammered 14K gold filled autism ribbon, hanging a bit above the cluster. Unique.


For more information about Autism visit http://www.autism-society.org/

Inspired By My COACH: purse

In my birthday blog, I mentioned my new COACH purse, my first ever COACH purse. The color is brilliant and although a little darker than "coral" I like to call it coral.


Antique Brass Chain
I had ordered 50 feet of antique brass chain at Caravan Beads. I walked out of the store with the spool of chain and my purse. When I ordered it, I had high hopes for its use. When I picked it up, I thought, "What was I thinking? Why did I order SO MUCH?!" However, as I was walking to my car, purse under arm and spool in hand, the colors looked amazing together. Mission: find coral beads!


The Beadin' Path
What better place to look? and use my birthday gift cards? I spent over an hour looking at the same 4 strands of beads and trying to figure out what exactly I wanted to do with them. What exactly DID I do with them?

antique brass chain with lucite and antique brass beads necklace 42"

42" antique brass and lucite necklace

20" antique brass and lucite necklace

Some more things to come
So I clearly need to make earrings to match all of these necklaces, but here are some earrings that would also match perfectly with them. Oh and these would look great, too! Something I'm excited about...my owl. I have high hopes for this little guy!

Is he not SO cute and innocent?!

My Birthday in Mobile Uploads: spoiled

My girls who threw my party (note the red and silver balloons to match my outfit!)

Last year I brought to you "My Life in Mobile Uploads". My friend (see Jenika above with blonde hair) inspired me to write another.

I. Am. SPOILED!
I walked into school last week and laughed: from the office, out of the main building, into the portable, down the hall and to my classroom door. All throughout the school were pictures of me at various ages. The pictures were on the bathroom door, on the refrigerator...EVERYWHERE.
When I finally arrived at my classroom (still laughing), this is what I saw:

The kids LOVED going through this. Everytime, saying, "CARWASH!" (note all the pictures of me on either side).

Secret Admirer
I still have NO IDEA who these are from. It is a flower "birthday cake" and it is GORGEOUS. A week later and they still look beautiful. The card read, "Happy 30th Birthday, Friends". Who wants to fess up?

CUPCAKES!
Red and silver sprinkled cupcakes to match my birthday outfit (remember, match whenever possible). I really wanted to blow out ALL the candles at once and I really had to give myself a pep-talk (inside my mind), but I did it!


Not So Secret Admirer
I'm growing up. My first ever COACH purses. Enough said.



Spoiled? Yes. Loved? No Doubt. Deserve it all? Absolutely!

30% off: my gift to you

3rd bday - check out the blonde hair!

Happy Birthday to ME
Tomorrow is my birthday (WOOHOO!) Here's what YOU get... 30% everything in my etsy shop. One percent for each year I've been alive....what a deal!

Party like it's 1981

Enter coupon code "BIRTHDAY30" at checkout on March 11 only.

Happy shopping!nice hair

It's my birthday week: what to wear

I love my birthday. Who doesn't remember my 11 days of giveaways last year? Well, I have been much too busy to plan a giveaway, but I do have something in store for March 11, so be looking. March 11 is Friday. My birthday. And I'm turning THIRTY.

Trying to find the perfect dress
I went shopping on Saturday morning to find my birthday dress. Afterall, you only turn 30 once. I was FREAKING OUT trying to find a dress. And I HATE shopping. I am busy every night this week, so really it was my only time to find something. I couldn't find ANYTHING.

Surprise!
After all the freaking out, my family threw me a surprise party on Saturday night. What an emotional day. I was in shock for a good 4 hours. Everyone needs to be surprised at least once in their life. And only once...
The outfit
So on Sunday, two of my best girlfriends decided that I really shouldn't freak out anymore and they went shopping with me. I found the dress (birthday dress) at Forever 21. It is perfect. It's red. It's comfortable. The shoes (DSW) were more expensive than the dress, but they are also perfect and comfortable. Red dress. Gray shoes. Score. Full-length pics? You'll have to wait for those.

Jewelry
Swarovski earrings, oh so long.

A matching bracelet? Yes, please.


Putting it all together
I will post pics after my birthday bash. Did you know I have a birthday on Friday?

Permission to Rest: freedom to be

garnet chips and copper

The other night, I was so frustrated with myself, because I had been feeling like I had so much to accomplish during vacation. Instead of tackling any of these "things", I did absolutely nothing. In reality, none of these "things" even need to get done this week. I put so much pressure on myself all the time. I was talking to a friend who said, "Rachel! Do I need to look up "vacation" in the Merriam-Webster for you? You don't have to work. Give yourself a break." That just about did it for me. It was completely freeing. I don't have to make jewelry, post new items, blog and tweet during vacation this week. A hobby was becoming an obligation and I was the only one who had expectations for myself. That night, I gave myself permission to rest and do nothing.

smoky quartz and copper

The funny thing is...
The next day I wanted to make jewelry. So I sat on the floor (I love sitting on the floor...I don't know why, I just do), caught up on all my favorite shows: Glee, One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl (how old am I?), Gray's, and Private Practice, and made some new items. They have not been added to my Etsy shop yet, but they are all for sale.

sterling silver and turquoise chips

gold filled hammered hoops with green freshwater pearls

peridot chips and copper

Theme Songs: a time to catch up

Modeling how I wanted my student to sit in a box (right before I fell over) so I could make preposition pictures. "Sit in the box like Ms. Roberts."

As a teacher, I have several vacations a year. People often say, "must be nice." Let me tell you. It is!

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven. -Ecclesiastes 3:1

My Theme Song
To everything, rest rest rest
There is a season, rest rest rest
And a time to every purpose under heaven.

a time to catch up
a time to slow down
a time to drink coffee
a time to drink wine
a time to work out
a time to sleep in
a time to laugh with friends
a time to weep from exhaustion

A time to make jewels
This of course gives me more time to do what I love. So be looking for some new designs. I may try to challenge myself to work with the supplies I already have and see what happens. Anything you are looking for me to make?

Weapons of Fashion: copperhead strikes

What is my obsession with weapons this week?! Brass knuckles, guns and now copperhead snakes? I am not a violent person. These are just the things I thought about as I was designing in different metals. I am loving the new long necklaces. They are so simple, affordable, trendy, and beautiful.

Garnet Theme Songs
I made this necklace for a friend's birthday this week. My friend already had the Stefania Mou earrings (purchased for her birthday) and I figured she needed something to match. The next day I made one for myself. It also matches well with the tri-color stacked hoops. The 36 inch length is perfect. And has a nice jingle. So people know when you're coming. It's like your own special theme song as you walk into a room. Don't even get me going on theme songs. Everyone should have a theme song. Every. One.


Peridot Boots
I would like some lime green boots. Some tall boots. Some tall, lime green boots. Just because. They'd be cool. In the meantime, I'll settle for a necklace with lime green in it. This peridot and copper necklace is the perfect balance of color. It is lightweight and again, very jingly. Press play and strut your stuff.

Theme song? Anyone?

Show Me Your Guns: right to bear arms

Whether you are for or against the right to bear arms, this is one gun you will absolutely support wearing.

Turquoise and Gunmetal
The combination of these two colors is perfect for the warm weather seasons we hope are just around the corner, well paired with a white tank and a tan. You don't have a tan? Not warm enough for a tank? No problem! Show off your pasty white skin and throw on an open front cardigan.

Coral and Gunmetal
Another beautiful color combination: coral and gunmetal. This necklace is light-weight and comfortable. Just think: beaches, sunshine, and...sand stuck in all crevices of your body. I can not wait to dig my toes into the beach and yell at seagulls at Pine Point.

What about Valentine's Day?
What about it? Anything will do. From hearts, to red, to anything in between. Women love jewelry. Observe. Take notice. And find something stunning. Need some help?
What are YOU doing for the day that is both adored and despised all around the world?

Tortilla Chips and Brass Knuckles: my newfound love for all things metal

Mmmm...chips
I love potato chips and tortilla chips (mmm...corn). I also love amethyst chips. And antique brass. And copper.


Metal Mixology
The past few months, I have really enjoyed mixing metals. Now I'm mixing colors with metals. My new found love of brass began as I started realizing how much money I was spending on sterling silver. The prices keep rising. But since I started making jewelry when the price of silver was high, I didn't really have a reference point when I started. Thus began my mixed metal journey.


Tri-Dagger Necklace
This light purple amethyst looks beautiful with the antique brass chain. And the pointy "daggers" add a unique edge to the purple beauty. The necklace is long enough to slip around the neck and can be worn alone or stacked with other necklaces of mixed metals (of which will be made shortly).


Amethyst Chip Earrings
The earrings are a perfect match to the necklace for those who are the matchy-matchy type (I never used to be like this, but my friend, Jenika, told me to match whenever possible, even if you're only matching to your underwear). I didn't take her advice lightly. And to this day, I try to match my underwear to SOMETHING, but the hot pink is always difficult to match. And I like to match my jewelry.


Brass Knuckles
If you have brass knuckles, I suppose you can pair those with the daggers. If you're the brass-knuckle type.

A T-Shirt Success Story: Interview with Johnny Vegas Originals

As I try to peel my eyes away from t-shirt scarves (I actually just bought the one pictured above that will pair perfectly with some silver hoops!), I reflect on the past couple weeks of my obsession and my favorite t-shirt shredding artist. To wrap up our t-shirt scarf session, Johnny from Johnny Vegas Originals shares his cotton jersey slashing journey. Who wants a chance to win a scarf from Johnny?!

Tell us a little bit about how, when and where Johnny Vegas Originals began.
i would have to say that it all began in the mid 80's. i loved tie dyeing t-shirts, and "slashing" them up. and my 80's concert t-shirts as well. then later in the 90's i lived in san francisco, and worked on haight street for many years. that's when i started fine tuning my skill in making the t-shirts actually fit better, and really flatter a woman's figure. it wasn't until 2 or 3 years ago that i added scarves to my line. that started here in utah.

From where do you draw your inspiration?
i get inspired by the jersey fabric i use, and all the different things you can do with it. it holds brilliant color, and is remarkably strong. but of course, soft! no scratchy wool!

Which product do you most enjoy making?
i go through phases. i'll make scarves for a week, until i run out of ideas, then i'll go through a shirt phase. then i'll get some new scarf ideas, and switch back to that for a while.

Which product do you receive the most feedback about?
i would say that the most popular item on my etsy shop would be the "shredded eternity scarves".


What is the best piece of clothing or jewelry to pair with a Johnny Vegas scarf?
you can wear the scarves with ANYTHING! from tank tops and jeans, to dresses and jackets. and since they're cotton jersey, you can even wear them in summer. they're really versatile. in the winter i wear mine wrapped 2 or 3 times, to keep me warm. in the summer, i wear them looser, like a necklace almost. very chic.

What are your greatest hopes for Johnny Vegas Originals?
my hope for johnny vegas originals, is to be recognized as a unique, boho chic brand, and sell enough pieces to quit my day job! i love creating the endless colors and textures the fabric allows.

Enter for a chance to win THIS scarf:
1. "Like" Johnny Vegas Originals on Facebook if you don't already!
2. AND, leave a comment below.
*Accepting entries through midnight EST, Thursday, February 3*

Shredded Eternity Scarf

Another Trashy Success: t-shirt finds home

Last week, after quickly becoming obsessed with Johnny Vegas Originals scarves, I DID in fact decide to cut up my beloved t-shirt and make a scarf...it was SIMPLE!

How'd you do it, Rachel?
I found a DIY video. I wasn't a HUGE fan of it, but it worked for what I needed. I skipped over a lot of it. If you want to make your very own t-shirt scarf, now's the time to learn.

The Journey


My beloved shirt

The rip :(

The Slice

Finished Product

My favorite detail

Double it up

T-Shirt's new home
My t-shirt found a new home. Around my neck. I showed it to my brother and said, "I made a t-shirt scarf! Isn't it cool?!" His response, "It looks like a t-shirt."

Trashy Successes: T-Shirt scarf necklaces

As I fold my two week overdue laundry, I fumble with my hole-in-the-armpit long-sleeved t-shirt that I don't think I will EVER throw away. It is from a camp I worked at for 8 summers and I LOVE it. Each time I wear it, the hole grows bigger. It doesn't keep me warm. It doesn't really do much for me. But I just like wearing it to bed.

A couple weeks ago I saw a scarf on a friend that I thought was so cool. It was made from t-shirts. We've all seen t-shirt quilts, but have you ever seen a t-shirt scarf? Or a t-shirt scarf necklace?

A few designs I like:

True Rebel Clothing

Johnny Vegas Originals

So now, I ask myself the question...what should I do with MY t-shirt? What do you think?