Spring has Arrived!

Not a Sell Out. Not a Handout. Just Handmade. . . in the USA.

www.caughtREDhanded.etsy.com

I may, perhaps, be one of those people that "likes to be different. . . like everybody else" lol. But honestly, there is this part of me that craves to be unique, to own things and wear things that create conversation or that have meaning, or that challenge the go-with-the-flow train of thought.  I think that part of myself is what ultimately led me to become an artist and, in a round-about way, describes this movement, this phenomenon "Handmade in the USA".

I have never been the cookie-cutter type, or the follower and over time that has gotten me into a few binds. . . hence the name of our brand "CaughtREDhanded." In fact, CaughtREDhanded was started on that very premise: Don't be afraid to be unique. Don't be afraid to take a chance or to stand for what you believe in. . . and don't be afraid when you are "CAUGHT" making that stand.

Every studio needs a good luck charm! My little artist in the making:)

When you buy handmade, you are buying a piece of art and a piece of American culture. You are supporting a local company that stimulates our local economy and, often times, allows mommies like me to work from home and raise their children without losing their personal identity along the way. Without a handout or selling out, I get to be mommy and CEO. I get to live the ultimate dream, and you are part of it. . . YOU are part of MY dream.

Because of CaughtREDhanded, and you, and maybe my slightly flawed desire for the unique, we also buy handmade every way we possibly can. I want to be a part of another mom's, wife's, best friend's, made-by-hand, handout-free, handmade dream. . .

I want to inspire you to dream while supporting someone else's. Our blog is often going to highlight some other amazing and talented artists here in Cleveland, or across the US. Hopefully CaughtREDhanded, my story, and the stories I will be featuring here of handmade artists to come, will inspire you to add a little American culture back into your life and to support a handout-free, handmade dream of your own or that of a another.

One of my favorite artists once said:

"Do not quench your inspiration and your imagination, do not become the slave of your model." 

And I have a feeling if Van Gogh was around today, he might finish that statement with "support handmade". . . right before he cut off his other ear in protest;)

Valentine's Day Giveaway!

Spread the news about CaughtREDhanded and win free fabulous jewelry in the process!

 Here's how to enter:

1. Pin one of your favorite from www.caughtredhanded.etsy.com on Pinterest or on FB

2. Share the link on our FB WALL or here on our blog

3. You're entered! Happy Valentine's Day!

Full Circle

Handmade Leather Cuffs

Time is such a funny thing. There have been whole periods of my life that I can remember wishing time would just move faster. Then there are moments that I wish I could live in forever.. .

Sometimes I catch a glimpse of my once little baby boy and almost gasp, realizing that it has been two whole amazing years of being his mama. . . .


Some days I find myself laughing so hard, with my college sweetheart, when I realize--I married him. Six years ago. . .

And every once in a while I have a day like today.

The full circle days. . . .

Handmade Beaded Art and Glass Necklace

I was working on creating a new line and I got those butterflies, the ones I get when I realize I finally figured out how to actually create what was in my mind. The butterflies I get when it actually works and right before I present those ideas to my biggest critic (and my biggest fan): the hubs.

Those butterflies are what started CaughtREDhanded

And those butterflies are what brought me full circle today. . .

Handmade Peacock Hoop Earring

I started CaughtREDhanded 5 years ago as a dream and I still feel the same way today about creating wearable art as I did in the beginning of it all.

Butterflies.

Full Circle.


I remember being a child and wishing I could just go to school (that was a short lived wish;), or a teenager and wishing to just drive, or a college grad and looking forward to moving out on my own. . . but today I find myself just wishing for time to stand still for a moment.

And since I last wrote, a year ago, we have moved back to our hometown Cleveland, Ohio. . .

Full Circle

It's those full circle days that make you thankful for all the days in between.
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I know I have been a very absent blogger lately but I hope to fix that. . . I am planning on being around at least once a week (fingers crossed). I have a lot up my sleeve this year so stay tuned!

Nightmare in New York: 177 Ludlow Street Review

A Review of 177 Ludlow Street NY, NY: A Vacation from the Twilight Zone.

I preface this blog article by saying "please learn from my mistake, and don't let this happen to you"!

So as many of you know, we had been planning a vacation to NYC this year with the hubby, little monster, and the Grandma until our plans were abruptly, let's say, altered. All of you who know us, or follow us on Facebook, know this has been a very long year for our little family and we were so desperately looking forward to this getaway before Christmas jewelry season started. We spent a year saving up and weeks trying to find the right 2 bedroom apartment to rent on vrbo.com. (We love VRBO, use them all the time and this was the only time we have ever had an issue.)

A couple weeks before we were supposed to leave, Grandma had heard on the news that NYC was having an outbreak of bed bugs. If you know Grandma, you know she is always up on her news:) She had asked me to check with the apartment rental to make sure they were not having any issues. So I, a little reluctantly, contacted Chris Fogwell, the real estate agent for the property, about the bed bug issue along with a few other questions I had.

Several days went by with no response and then I received this email:

No. There are garages, but they are very expensive in New York.

Hmmmm. No response about the bed bugs or anything else for that matter so I wrote again and asked if he could answer the other questions I sent as well. His reply was:

I have not heard of any problems.

That, to me, was not a direct answer nor was it going to satisfy the Grandma so I sent one more email asking:

"So to confirm--you have not had bed bugs in the apartment? Nor do you currently have bed bugs?"

No response. Several days went by and still no response. To tell you the truth I had forgotten I had even asked. I was busy arranging airport pickups, packing, purchasing baby items that meet flight regulations, buying show tickets and the list goes on. Then, yesterday, I get an email that was clearly intended for the owner. It read:

Did you respond to this person? What should I tell her?

Now I was getting sick in my stomach. This was really starting to sound fishy. I replied to his email:

Yes Chris--what should you tell me?

I was not prepared for the answer. A few minutes later I received this reply:

I should tell you that the reservation is cancelled. You sound like a very demanding person. I think you would be better served at a hotel that provides 24/7 housekeeping.

Thank you,

Chris

I almost fell over. I was in shock--who cancels a families vacation 3 days before you are supposed to arrive while insulting the customer in the same paragraph? I guess I was demanding. Demanding that we slept in a bed bug free apartment. Demanding that we get a straight answer. Demanding that our sublet would be clean. Yes, I guess I can give him that.

But now what?! We bought plane tickets, booked transportation, and the list goes on. My mind was reeling. And, how was I going to tell Grandma and the hubby we would not be going on vacation, the vacation we had all worked so hard for, planned so long for, and anticipated so greatly for. . . .

So here we are, one day later with no NYC vacation . Hours and hours lost cancelling reservations and trying to get refunds on purchases. More hours lost trying to plan somewhere for our little family to go and relax for a week. We lost the money for our plane tickets (close to $400) and most of all we lost out on experiencing New York.

At the end of the day all my husband and I could do was laugh. It was 12:30 am and we were still packing up jewelry since the day was spend canceling and making vacation plans. At 12:30 in the morning there is nothing to do but laugh. . .it was like an episode from the twilight zone.

I write all this to say--learn from my mistakes. There are people out there that care little about others. And most of all, be demanding. . . and listen to your Grandmother!

Here is the link to their sublets to avoid with all gusto. . .

http://www.177ludlow.com/

xoxo

Amy

Stardust Earrings. . .They're here!

For a long time you all have been requesting earrings from us and we have finally delivered. We launched them a few weeks ago though I have yet to write about them here. Sorry to all my blog readers! We do, however, have daily updates on our Facebook fan page so "like" us to stay in the loop. I have added a link below for easy access.

We have added a matching pendant to all of our earrings and we are soon to be introducing a bracelet line. To see all of our earrings check them out here!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/caughtredhanded?section_id=7111176

Here is our Facebook Fan page for giveaways, new designs, secret sales, and much much more!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1439381028#!/pages/CaughtREDhanded/105454106152792?ref=ts

xoxo

Amy

Let's Wrap Up Mother's Day with a Giveaway!

Well Mother's day has come and gone but I wanted to wrap up the festivities with a giveaway!

Entering is simple:

• Become a fan (or like us) on Facebook
• Post how you spent your Mother's Day on our wall

You do not need to be a mom to participate--you just need to share a quick story:) Contest will end on Sunday, May 16th.

To find our fan site just look on the left side bar. Happy Tuesday everyone!