inspiration from pieces you already own...

Remembered the other day how this all started... I had something in mind and I couldn't find it anywhere!  So I thought of making it myself :)

It's 1991, we're in a movie theatre watching "City Slickers" and I fell in love with this blue beaded necklace that Patricia Wettig was wearing... I ended up making one for myself... Oh boy!  The power that I realized I had... I was able to make myself anything I wanted!   So liberating! :)

I will try to locate a picture of that necklace and post it for y'all...

So with that in mind, I wanted to show you these earrings we designed to match two rings I purchased at ABC Carpet and Home in NYC many years ago.  I kept looking for the perfect earrings to compliment them but even in this large city, I never came across the right match! 

Take a peek at what I had in mind... they have now come to fruition!




picking the stones...

hand selected and ready to create...





the perfect match...

 

the ring is happy now...

 

If you have a piece that needs a mate-  we can create the perfect match just for you.

Handmade... because you're worth it!

charisma by mendlbarr...

We've started creating in "collections" and have enjoyed the process. There is a feel, an inspiration that will flow throughout the series but each piece will have a design all it's own... some exotic, others a bit more conservative and still more variations that will allow each of you to find your perfect match!

musical influences...

There are times when a certain song or melody takes you back in time... you experience those same sights and sounds while being transferred to a different place and time!

Musical influences are magical...

perks to buying handmade...

 

 

i just found this quote and had to share... how true it is :)

 

 

new inspiration... new creations

 

... there is nothing that compares to a soul blessed with time to express itself thru art... may each one of you experience this bliss... be careful it's addicting :)

Merry Christmas from NYC... hope you visit one day soon :)

Ahhhh!  Nothing quite like NYC during the holidays!

Sending blessings and graces to all of you during this magical season...

and in case you still need a present for someone special in your life...

50% off

our entire ArtFire shop

12 yrs later... jewelry design inspired by NYC...

David and I moved to NYC in April 1999... we didn't know anyone here and were just going by instinct and our heart's desire.  The city has embraced us although teaching so much more than I had ever imagined!  First of all, my acting was immediately put on hold as I relied on my retail management experience to live the life we both were comfortable with... the thought of not having the security of a steady income and health insurance scared me way too much.  David was able to find work in the hospitality and architechtural glass industries. 

We had our "day jobs" and our creative souls were soaking in all of the energy of New York City!  Our jewelry design started in Texas with our desire to create what we just couldn't find in the small city of Corpus Christi.  If we imagined it... in a short time it was created!  We have friends who compliment us on our earlier works and say that those pieces still bring them much joy!  Thank you... that makes our souls smile!  :)

Moving to NYC was more than I could have hoped.  We are surrounded by the absolute best artists in many creative fields and their enthusiasm is contageous!  Our designs are constantly evolving because of the varied influences surrounding us.  We never know where our journey takes us... creating, I'm sure, will always be a part of it! 

May one of our creations become that "art piece" you can't live without and may you feel the energy of New York City each and every time you wear it!  

For a limited time... 30% OFF our entire store!

found this, again, today...

Inspired to create handmade Valentine's Day cards this year!

In my hunt for the perfect ingredients I came across a favorite quote :)

I met the author in New York City on 4/10/06... he had many to choose from but this one drew me like a magnet!  It connected to my soul!   Harry Capeus Bigby also wrote a message on the back of my framed piece... "May this quote continue to inspire you to the good you never dreamed possible." 

It was packed away for 2 years and reading it today moved me just as much as the first time I discovered it.  May you also find words that resonate to the core of your being and may you take the time to listen to what they are trying to tell you...

 

First SALE at mendlbarr... "celebrating the best month ever"... my birthday month!
************BUY 1 GET 1 HALF OFF**************
(difference will be immediately refunded thru PayPal or I can make a special listing for you)
Now is the time to buy yourself that special present :)

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a new "day" job...

I started a new job in beautiful Tribeca! After my years of retail management... I am finally able to experience a normal Monday thru Friday work week! Praise God! After fighting the idea of outside sales for way too long, I am finally where I am supposed to be! It's only been four days but I am so excited!

And... it doesn't hurt that I get to work with my husband again! We work for an architectural glass company and use our creative gifts to help design glass projects. Brainstorming with architects to bring their vision to fruition, our "day jobs" inspire our jewelry designs. It's also nice to be able to enjoy eachother's company as we commute to and from work!

We plan to shop many of the NYC wholesale jewelry supply stores this weekend... ahhh... the fun we'll have! Can't wait to see what catches our eyes... the hunt for stones is as much fun as designing with them! Check out our Etsy shop early next week for a peek! :)

traveling abroad...

Hello Argentina and Indonesia! I'm still excited about the foreign visitors to our blog. One day we will travel abroad... get stamps on the passports we have yet to own. I wonder if many of you travel for fun or is it business? Do many of you want to visit the United States as much as we want to visit other countries?

Our aspirations in business include designing items that would be handmade for us in other countries... thus allowing us to help families that might otherwise not have an adequate income to live. At the Union Square Holiday Festival, in New York City, we met a woman who did just that... all of the items in her booth were made abroad and she seemed so fulfilled to be able to create and also help others. I hope to seek her out this year and get more details about her endeavors. Who knows... we might just be traveling abroad, for business, as well?

greenmarket... a true pleasure!

Greenmarket, the largest and most successful open-air farmers markets program in the country connects local farmers with city residents by delivering fresh healthy produce to all five boroughs. Greenmarkets 44 market locations allow New Yorkers to purchase fresh fruit, vegetables, and other locally produced products straight from regional farmers. By directly connecting farmers and producers to New Yorkers, Greenmarket supports family farms, preserves farm land, delivers fresh healthy produce to those who need it most, and reduces the environmental effects that result from food traveling across the country or world. Greenmarket has set the standard for farmers markets for 30 years, and continues to grow and serve new communities.

We spent part of today at the Union Square Greenmarket... a true pleasure! This will be something we'll miss when we move from the Big Apple! You buy as much as you can carry because most of us are walking or ride the subway home. The selection is fantastic! Fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants, etc... all so fresh and irresistible!

Another day goes by and our jewelry pieces silently await their day to be photographed. Maybe tomorrow? :)