Amy Holton Designs

Trunk Show - 100 Congress

2011-12-02T07:00:00.000-06:00

On Friday, December 2nd, Amy Holton Designs will be showing in the lobby of the 100 Congress building from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Stop by, check out some new pieces and say hello!

Cyber Monday Sale!!

2011-11-28T09:20:00.001-06:00

Amy Holton Designs invites you to join us for a rare sale and take advantage of the opportunity to save 20% off exquisite limited-edition and one-of-a-kind hand crafted jewelry. Also, enjoy complimentary domestic ground shipping on all purchases. Please review the details here and use promo code AHDBLOG20 at checkout.

Sneak Peek - A Little Eye Candy

2011-11-07T18:14:00.000-06:00

Have a head full of new designs and have been working hard. Thought I'd share some new designs fresh off of my studio table. A major website update and lots of new pieces to come very soon! Would love to read your comments on the latest... Thanks for peeking!

If the apocalypse is tomorrow, you may as well be shopping with a cocktail in hand!

2011-05-20T17:43:00.003-05:00

FREE EVENT, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC SATURDAY, MAY 21ST, 12:00 - 6:00 p.m. GALLERY BLACK LAGOON (43RD and GUADALUPE ST) next to The Parlor Live music by Shotgun Party Sponsored by SAVVY Vodka Saturday fun...Austin style! Come see Amy Holton Designs and nine other local Austin designers at Gallery Black Lagoon's Accessories Trunk Show, Saturday May 21st ~ a fun and free event Sponsored by SAVVY Vodka

Where Were You When?

2011-05-03T09:00:00.030-05:00

I remember one day in school, as a small child...maybe eight or so, studying American history, particularly the assassination of John F. Kennedy. I remember my teacher saying that it was such a significant and life-changing event that anyone who was alive at that time would be able to tell you exactly where they were when they heard the President had been shot. So...of course when my mom picked

Tropical Hues of Coral and Turquiose

2011-02-16T15:25:00.001-06:00

OK, so I'm a complete mess right now. I've had a cold that's been hanging on for nearly a month and I just can't shake it. Last minute travel to England to see my husband's family and jet lag has exacerbated the problem, I'm sure. Not to mention a 24 hour delay on our return home (airline mechanical problems)! I rarely get sick, so it really knocks me down. I don't feel like doing anything.

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

2011-01-14T10:00:00.004-06:00

Another treasury? Really? This has been a good week! I'm so very flattered to be included in this absolutely delicious collection of artists in a treasury so beautiful I think it would look lovely hanging on a wall. Jessica and Susan of Inedible Jewelry are the curators of this fantastic collection in the most gorgeous, spicy shades. Glass Panic's gorgeous, iridescent amber, ca. 1970, Kings

Valentine's Day...Squared

2011-01-13T13:03:00.002-06:00

OK, so you know I love those convos on Etsy alerting me that someone has chosen one of my items for their treasury! Always so flattering to be included in someone's collection... Just yesterday evening, I received another from Murat &Yusuf (muratyusuf is their ID on Etsy). This one has a square theme, highlighting gift giving ideas for Valentine's Day. Having contemporary taste, the

Texas Treasures

2010-12-09T14:59:00.002-06:00

A tribute to my "Home Sweet Home" in the form of a Texas-themed treasury by new Etsy shop owner, Megan of Salvaged Space. Also a Texas girl, Megan has curated this fabulous collection of items from Etsy sellers across the Lone Star State entitled Texas Love. I am seriously disappointed that someone snatched up the vintage Salvatore Ferragamo riding boots in Lone Mountain Phoenix's shop! Yes...

Updated Website!

2010-08-16T09:00:00.001-05:00

I have been absolutely working my behind off here. One of my main goals to complete by Sunday afternoon was to finish my long-overdue website update. I have so many new pieces, but have struggled to find the time between trunk shows and wholesale orders to do take and edit photos, add new pages and code the shopping cart keys. I've been accused of being a bit of a control freak (guilty), so I

Wild Sand...Yummy Colors!

2010-08-11T12:29:00.001-05:00

It's been SO BUSY here lately! I swear, sometimes I don't know if I'm coming or going, but that's a good thing, right? In the midst of whipping out new designs (photos to come!), taking photos (of course), updating my website, working on interviews and packing up for trunk shows, I received a lovely convo from BabyToGo from Etsy advising me that she'd used a pair of my earrings for her

Oh, Happy Day!!

2010-06-25T16:05:00.002-05:00

Happy fifth anniversary to my wonderful husband, Steve! You are everything to me and my life is richer for having you in it. Thanks, Sweetie...for everything you do and everything you are. For better or worse, I'm yours forever. Love, Amy

Fun With New Things

2010-06-25T10:00:00.000-05:00

I had such a great time at the June 14th trunk show at the luncheon held for the ladies of Barton Creek Country Club. What a fun afternoon! Ladies shopping with champagne in hand...can't beat it. I met so many lovely people and really enjoyed myself. Looks like I'll be back there for a trunk show on July 31st and tentatively on July 3rd. There will also soon be several pairs of my earrings

Hard at Work Again...FINALLY!

2010-06-01T17:28:00.005-05:00

We've had so much going on in the past couple of months, I've found it difficult to focus on Amy Holton Designs lately. Shortly after putting my sister-in-law on her return flight to England, our last in a long line of events, I found myself sick in bed for two weeks. Just what I needed! UGH. I'm sure it was my body's way of saying it's time to slow down and regroup. Nonetheless, while in

Spring!!

2010-04-02T08:09:00.001-05:00

Everything is in bloom or turning green. Some photos from around the house. So glad spring is finally here!!

Unconditional Love

2010-03-16T09:25:00.029-05:00

We find them, fall in love with them and bring them home. Often they only just fit in our hands when we do and seem so fragile. They become such a part of our lives that we can't imagine not having them around. They forgive us for our bad days, neglectful moments and times when we're just too busy, without expecting anything in return...they never hold a grudge. Yesterday morning, my

Free Day! - More Treasury Love

2010-03-10T12:59:00.000-06:00

I don't know how the weather is with you guys, but hopefully it's improved as it has here in Austin. The sun is shining and it's pleasantly warm! I think spring has definitely arrived and the colors of the lovely items in Tooli's Jewelry's new treasury entitled Free Day! certainly goes hand in hand with the fantastic weather. The Whales in love from JooJooLand are just the sweetest things ever

I Heart Indie Fixx

2010-03-09T16:26:00.004-06:00

What a pleasure to be included today in Indie Fixx's Designer's Sketchbook series! Go check it out! You can see some of my sketchbook drawings and a little bit of the process that goes into creating many of my pieces at Amy Holton Designs. It's a fairly new segment and I always think it's neat to peek into other artists' process. I love Indie Fixx...read it all of the time. It's a great

Soft, Beautiful and Feminine

2010-03-07T16:08:00.001-06:00

It's always so flattering to be chosen for a treasury on Etsy. Upon returning from lunch with friends today, I had a message in my inbox from Carmit of Baby To Go to say she had included my freshwater pearl and aqua chalcedony necklace in her amazing treasury, simply and aptly titled "Pretty." I'm in love with the cashmere and lace shawl from VantiDesign's shop and the understated elegance of

Sapphire Necklace Progress...With Serious Distraction!

2010-02-25T10:00:00.002-06:00

Well, I made definite progress on the sapphire necklace on Tuesday. I must admit, I've been procrastinating a bit while trying to visualize how I want it. As I've said before, it's one of those trial and error designs that will be added to the sketchbook with details after it's complete! I'm really pleased with my progress and I think I'm finally ready for the last step...adding the little

Serious Etsy Lust - Just the Sweetest Necklace Ever!!

2010-02-22T13:48:00.001-06:00

OK, so I love my Etsy folks, but I have to say in recent weeks, I found myself absolutely obsessed with one particular item. Every day, as I checked my stats on CraftCult, one sidebar advert always distracted me. I, ever so subtly, sent my husband an e-mail which read, "Your wife NEEDS this for Valentine's Day," with a link to the posting on Etsy. I also felt compelled to convo Ashley Nizolek,

...And the Sapphire Journey Continues!

2010-02-17T11:00:00.007-06:00

Well, I've made progress over the weekend on the sapphire necklace. No sapphires yet, but we're getting there! Sometimes it's such a challenge to take the vision in your head and make it work in reality. This took a great deal of trial and error, but I'm very pleased with the way it looks so far. Thankfully, two of my stepkids were with us this weekend. If it weren't for my third-hand, that

Yum!!

2010-02-15T12:03:00.008-06:00

Hope everyone had a great day with their loved ones yesterday. Thought I'd share with you the top secret dinner that my husband and stepson prepared last night. It's no small task planning meals in this house. My stepdaughter is vegetarian and I'm gluten-intolerant, so there's a lot of thought that has to go in to it! My sweetie did a great job planning and they both did a great job preparing

Happy Valentine's Day, Sweethearts!!

2010-02-14T10:30:00.002-06:00

Wishing everyone a beautiful day today. No matter what your relationship status is, make it special!! My stepkids have a four day weekend and chose to spend it with us. Since we missed out on having them nearby for four years while they were at school in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, we're more than happy to celebrate together and have decided to do a family Valentine's Day in our house. My husband

2010-02-12T10:03:00.009-06:00

Back in December, I ordered about 52 carats worth of multi-colored sapphire briolettes. I've had a specific design in mind, but (as with much of my items) there's a lot of detail involved. I must admit, I've been procrastinating, being a bit intimidated by it. It's just not one of those things you can draw out, so trial and error it is! With my husband off braving -5˚ weather on a business

Front Page News!

2010-02-09T10:31:00.003-06:00

As if being chosen for a treasury wasn't flattering enough, yesterday we made Etsy's front page!! How exciting for all of us :). Thanks again, Noa!

A Little Love from Craftomania

2010-02-08T15:18:00.003-06:00

I was so happy to hear from fellow Etsian, Noa yesterday advising me she had included my freshwater pearl and blue topaz earrings in another one of her amazing treasuries on Etsy. She compiled the treasury from the shops of bloggers featured under the "blogs" button of the Craftomania Toolbar, which she created. I am absolutely IN LOVE with NuritDesign's Promise Amazing Ring! Seriously, this

How I Acquired my Superbowl Ring

2010-02-07T13:58:00.006-06:00

I couldn't care less about professional football. College football is an obsession. I went to the University of Texas and I bleed orange, but the NFL? No thanks... However, on February 1, 2004, the Superbowl was held in Houston, where Steve and I lived before we moved to Austin. As the big game was in our fair city, we decided that a party was in order. After all, never mind the football

Perks! MIA Earrings and a Necklace Made to Order.

2010-02-06T17:15:00.000-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, I received an e-mail from my very first Etsy customer explaining that she had lost one of the freshwater pearl and blue topaz earrings she'd purchased from my shop and asked if I could possibly replace it for her. Of course, I happily obliged and I thought to myself, "Now there's a benefit of buying handmade!" To replace any mass produced item, she would have had to buy

New Design - Prasiolite and Aquamarine Raindrop Earrings

2010-02-05T15:22:00.003-06:00

Yes! They are finished. It's been a busy couple of weeks, but I did complete my new earring design incorporating aquamarine and prasiolite faceted briolettes. I'm really pleased with the way they turned out. Once the sun comes out again and I have some decent light, I'll take better photos. It's been raining or at least cloudy here for a while now! Maybe it's a theme... I love the rain,

Design in Progress at AHD - Aquamarine and Prasiolite Raindrop Earrings, Day 3

2010-01-20T13:20:00.009-06:00

I spent a good portion of yesterday attaching the briolettes to the earrings. It's time consuming, but I enjoy it. I do get frustrated when I chip a stone with the wire or do something foolish like wrap the loop without attaching it to the chain (it happened...chalk it up to distraction). Nonetheless, they are going well and I'm pleased with the way they're turning out. I find it greatly

Design in Progress at AHD - Prasiolite and Aquamarine Raindrop Earrings, Days 1 and 2

2010-01-19T08:15:00.021-06:00

I'm so glad that things are back to normal after the holidays and I can start to apply my focus to new designs. My Etsy shop is empty and it seems every item on my website is marked "Sold," not that I'm complaining! I've had some beautiful new gemstones come in over the past month and have been dying to work with them. I've missed having the time to sit down and produce new pieces. I'm not

Ringing in 2010

2010-01-05T15:07:00.008-06:00

Is it really already 2010?! December was a complete blur and despite the fact I stretched myself way too thin with projects and responsibilities, it was a wonderful time spent with family and friends. I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays as much as we did. Once Christmas was over and the new year begun, I promptly began working through putting things back in order and reorganizing what I've

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T07:00:00.004-06:00

It's hard to believe 2009 is almost gone. As we prepare our Thanksgiving feasts, eat way too much and begin to decorate for Christmas, Hanukkah and a myriad of other year end celebrations, it's a nice time to reflect on the things that truly make our life rich. I have so many things and people to be thankful for, as I'm sure you do to. I truly am a lucky individual and grateful for my very

Eye Candy Everywhere!

2009-11-24T12:27:00.005-06:00

I've really loved checking my e-mail in the morning these past few days! This morning's surprise was a message from Olivia of S and O Productions today alerting me that a treasury I was included in was highlighted on her gorgeous blog (of which I am now a follower!). Olivia and her sister, Sarah (the S in S and O) have put together an amazing list of their "Elite Eight" treasuries. Needless to

It's All About Getting What You Want

2009-11-23T19:12:00.001-06:00

"If you greatly desire something, have the guts to stake everything on obtaining it." So says the quote by Brendan Francis which was cleverly used as the title to Noa Brumberg's new treasury on Etsy and there are many objects of desire in her treasury! For one, I'm slightly obsessed over Nurit Design's Flower Ring... It made me so happy today to find that she'd also featured my Hammered Hoop

A Treasure of a Treasury

2009-11-20T16:38:00.007-06:00

As I was at my work table today, rushing to get to a trunk show, a little window popped up on my computer screen letting me know I had a new e-mail. Hmmmm...."Etsy Conversations." I'd better go check it... To my delight and surprise, I had a lovely message from another fellow Etsian, Nurit of Nurit Design letting me know she had chosen my Emerald Hammered Hoop Earrings for her beautiful

A Little Etsy Love - Cool New Etsy Tools!

2009-11-16T15:18:00.001-06:00

A fellow (brilliantly clever) Etsian, Shannon Kish, has created a great Etsy shop statistics site for those of us who sell on Etsy and are addicted to checking our statistics. Etsy Goth provides similar features as Heart-o-Matic (which is another favorite tool), but Shannon has taken it a couple of steps further, having also given the user the ability to sort by the returned information as well

A Musing on Personal Connections Through Art

2009-10-01T15:35:00.004-05:00

I have a problem...an addiction, if you will, that I must learn to temper. Just lately, I spend way too much time in the Etsy forums. After many months of insisting to myself that I should be using this valuable resource, I now find I indulge too much of my time reading the posts. However, there's so much knowledge to be gained! I'm a sponge who constantly wants to learn more. There are so

Thanks for the Mention!

2009-09-30T21:57:00.006-05:00

What a nice surprise yesterday! I found out about this cool tool on the internet that searches Etsy treasuries to see if someone's featured you. It's called Etsy Treasure Hunt. How flattered was I to learn that another local designer chose my Turquoise and Carnelian Circle Necklace to include in her beautiful treasury of local Austin artists' work? You should really take a look at her

Thanks for a Lovely Review!

2009-09-27T14:34:00.005-05:00

Today a review of my work was published by the Feminist Review on my Freshwater Pearl and Blue Topaz Earrings. I was really flattered when they found my site and contacted me with an interest in doing the review and happily packaged up and sent samples. The Feminist Review is a collection of 20 editors and 200 writers around the world. Their daily reviews include books, movies, music,

Seed Planting Success!!

2009-09-24T15:03:00.005-05:00

Ah...what luck! It stopped raining almost long enough to get my little seeds in the ground. Right as I was finishing up, it began to sprinkle, but I persevered. I tried to keep my seed packets as dry as possible, covering them in their little plastic bucket while outside but they did get a little damp (so did I!) so I've laid them out to dry. I'm sure they'll be fine. So now I have several

Wouldn't You Know It...

2009-09-23T16:18:00.015-05:00

Aside from making jewelry, I love to make things grow. When we lived in Houston, my husband and I built the most lovely potager garden...and then were relocated a couple of months later. Sadly, I never was able to enjoy or take care of it once it was planted. Now two years in Austin, I've been working on my new garden this year. We live in the side of a hill, which provides some challenges,

Now, About Those Emerald Earrings...

2009-09-18T16:37:00.010-05:00

Ok, ok...I should have posted this months ago... Back in May, I mentioned a pair of emerald earrings I was working on. Well, I finished them ages ago and thought it was high time I shared them! I have a couple of strands of beautiful faceted emerald rondelles and I'm so happy to have finally put them to use. I first shaped the hoop section of the earrings and hammered them to give them a bit

New Website!

2009-08-23T16:08:00.004-05:00

No, I haven't fallen completely off of the earth. After a wonderful vacation, we've had many visitors in Austin including a close family friend home from Russia with her son. They came from snow to 104 degree weather and nearly melted! We also had a great week with my eight year old niece. She's quite the little jewelry designer herself! I'm flattered that she wants to be like Aunt Amy and

I'm Not Quite Dead Yet!

2009-06-20T11:43:00.011-05:00

OK, so I've been terrible about updating my posts lately. It's been a whirlwind these past several weeks! Thankfully, I'm finally sleeping normally again. My teenage stepchildren had their final school events, performances, etc. and they've kept us very busy. Not to mention, my husband Steve and I are looking forward to our upcoming vacation at The Tides Riviera Maya. We've been to this

Where in the Hell is Mr. Sandman When You Need Him?

2009-05-14T16:10:00.010-05:00

UGH... It happens to me every spring. For 2-3 weeks I find myself completely unable to sleep at night, no matter how tired I am. Sleep aids just don't do any good, either. Getting 2-3 hours a night doesn't work for me at all. What's even more frustrating is it leaves me completely void of energy. I lie awake at night thinking of all of the things I want to accomplish the next day, but when

Looking Forward to Sand and Surf in the Tropics

2009-05-05T15:28:00.009-05:00

Well, my emerald project is going to have to take a brief backseat. I decided to do something different and needed to order a few supplies, so I'm waiting for them to arrive. However, I was going through my beads the other day with the intent of destashing some items I've had for a while, this coral included. Maybe it's because of the warmer weather, or maybe it's because I'm looking forward

Go Green…Emerald Green, That Is!

2009-04-30T16:21:00.004-05:00

We may celebrate Earth Day and all things green in April, but May is the month for glittering green emeralds. I bought these emeralds some time ago, just because I thought they were beautiful and I couldn't leave them behind. At the time, I had no idea what I was going to do with them. However, they’re about to become the main component of my latest jewelry design. Emeralds have always been

Snow White Enters the Era of Internet Blogging…

2009-04-23T14:42:00.028-05:00