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"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." by William E. Henley

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Slow start

A few new items that will hopefully land in my nova of Sweden shop tomorrow. Plus a number of ceramic studs and hoops!

Working away on preparing the listings so keep your fingers crossed I can get it all done on time. I had forgotten how time consuming it is!

Have a great Sunday
~ tess

Friday, September 14, 2012





The last day at the ocean is long gone.
The days are getting darker. 
They have lost that warm touch that August held.

You can tell fall is almost here
and the winds are increasing in strength.
This morning I felt like I was biking in slow motion 
on the way to work. What is usually a pretty 
swift affair felt like an eternity...

It's turmoil in my life right now.
Getting my business started again. 
Helping David getting his business started.
It is super hard when he doesn't know the language
so I do my best playing accountant and whatever 
else he might need. 
Adjusting to a different way of life.
Learning to live with very small means.
Going from two incomes to one makes a huge 
difference in ones diet as well as social life!
But it is all worth it.

Just you wait...


At 4 pm I jump on my bike and pedal as fast as my 
little legs can take me. The little bike path leads me
straight to the new studio.

I plunk down my bag and roll up my sleeves. 
It takes forever to count everything you've 
accumulated in the past 7 years. 
Turns out I am quite gifted with exceland formulas. 
Phew.

I feel quite silly but this place means so much to me.


It's my past, my present and my future all in once.





I will dust off the shelves and open up the etsy shops again.
October 1st is the deadline I gave myself.


Someone's got to hold me accountable.


Or I would probably just stay there and stare at 
my stone collection for another month or so...
Just kidding! I am so itching to get back to creating.
I feel like my head is going to burst with ideas!
Have a wonderful weekend my friends
love ~tess

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Water for the soul

I feel an incredible calm fill my soul as I explore sweden with David by my side. I am rediscovering the countryside. Amazed by the openness and it's beauty. It's a different landscape than what I'm used to, ( me coming from up north). Its much flatter here but still amazing. I'm so blessed to be able to share this with someone so wonderful as my husband. And grateful I can share it with you too!



Love // tess

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Settling in...

Boxes to be unpack, lost items to be found. Surprised to see what's inside and frustrated with what can't be located! The joy of relocating!

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Basking in the sun

Yesterday we spent the afternoon at the beach. Soaking up some much needed sun. My hands are tanned golden from biking to work everyday but my legs are pale as ghosts... Luckily I found some new shorts today so I'm hoping that will do the trick!

Tomorrow I'll be spending in the good company of one of my oldest friends and her husband. They are visiting for the weekend and I can't wait too see them!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Love, tess

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Slow summer

It's been breezy and cold for a while but I think summer finally has arrived.
The days are warm and the sun doesn't set until late at night. We ride our bikes everywhere and I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not just dreaming.
Love,
tess

Sunday, July 15, 2012

It's a magical place.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

a new creative haven

I struggle to put the words together that will describe how it feels to have found my way home again.
I think I lack the right ones.

I am so happy here. I feel complete again. Hopeful and excited about the future.


And we found a new studio space!

love ~tess

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Getting settled

The kitties did amazingly well during the 17 hour long travel day. David and I are slowly getting settled in our new temporary apartment. Feels strange to live out of a suitcase and in a one room apartment!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

last call for nova of sweden


Last chance to snag something up before I move!
Nova of Sweden will officially go on vacation this Friday.

Use coupon code MOVINGSALE2012 when 
checking out and get 40% off your order!

I can't believe we are almost there..

I hope you'll stick with me for this crazy journey!

love ~tess

Friday, March 23, 2012

pinwheel giveaway winner!

drum roll please!


After adding all the entries to the giveaway to the 
random generator I am happy to say that we have a winner.


And that winner is a very special lady
named tinkerSue!



Congratulations tinkerSue!!

Send me a message to let me know what 
you would like to claim for price: 
earrings or tiny necklace!


Have Friday everyone!

love ~tess

Thursday, March 8, 2012

pinwheel jewelry giveaway





It's time for a proper giveaway!
Here's your chance to win your very own pair 
of either pinwheel earrings or a tiny pinwheel 
necklace in your choice of color.






So what do you need to do?



1.
Go to my shop and pick your one favorite piece 
of jewelry and pin it to pinterest.

Please include "nova designs" and a link to the 
giveaway on the description of the photo.

2.
Become a fan on Facebook
AND post a link to this blogpost on your Facebook page.

3.
Follow me on twitter 
AND tweet about the giveaway with a link to this blogpost.

4.
Post on your blog with a link to this giveaway.




Each post counts as one entry. 
Please leave ONE comment listing which 
ones you are entering with
(please include a link to any blog posts 
you do so I can check them out!)
and don't forget to let me know if 
you would like to win a tiny pinwheel necklace 
OR earrings and which color you want to win!



Giveaway ends March 22nd
and winner will be randomly drawn 
and announced Friday March 23rd.



Thank you for playing!

love~tess




To check out my MOVING TO SWEDEN SALE
Use coupon code SWEDEN2012 to receive 15% off your order.


Tuesday, February 28, 2012

spring bling






Gosh has it been that long ago since I blogged?
Things have been hectic around here. Mid February we went on our look and see trip to Sweden (click for pics) and after that it's just been crazy with vet appointments, visa applications and other fun stuff that a large move like this means.

Yep, we're moving. Back to Sweden. Well back for me. For David it's probably new and slightly terrifying. He's been a trooper with his Rosetta stone and is expanding his Swedish vocabulary weekly.

The move will probably happen at the end of April so that doesn't leave us with much time to figure everything out, sell two cars and do a complete inventory of our home. Geez why did I have to buys o many stones...

I've bought a swedish flexshaft and replacement cable kit for my kiln. Got to take care of the important stuff you know :) I will be selling some of my other tools like drill press and vibro engraver. I'll probably do a blog post with images to show you. Hopefully my old tools can find a new home and we can get some extra cash for the move.

I got two wholesale orders for pinwheels that I have been working on lately. It's great. I have to admit I kind of like production work sometimes. Clears my head. I finally added a bunch of different colors to the collection. I think I am partial to the seafoam and orange.  Which is your favorite color?



love ~tess


Wednesday, February 8, 2012

second chances




















I am filled with hope for the future.
I can finally see where my story is going.
Where I think it was always meant to go.

For a moment I almost forgot who I was.
What I was supposed to do.
How everything was supposed to feel.

Like a thrift store chandelier I've been brushed off
and brought back to life. Given a second chance.

I will find those tears of laughter
and I will let my heart overflow with love.

I am going to see the light again.
Be embraced by familiar surroundings.
Feel that special breeze gently touch my face.
Take deep breaths of the clean crisp air.

I am finally going home.

~tess