Happy Holidays!

I just wanted to take a moment in the insanity and amazement that is Christmas Eve with two little ones to say happy holidays from my family here at Ija. I'm not sure if you know, but at this point Ija is a one woman show with a supporting cast of one remarkable husband, two phenomenal children and two dopey dogs. We truly appreciate all of your support and it's because of you that this incredible journey has made it this far. Here's to you and yours and looking forward to a fabulous New Year!

O Magazine Features Our Clasped Bangle

Normally I would have posted this the second it came across my desk, but unfortunately Oprah had to wait until I knew my mom was going to be alright. Now that she's happy and home resting in her own bed I can celebrate that our Curved Clasped Bangle was featured in O Magazine!! I'm thrilled at the response these bangles have been getting, as they are an instant classic. Simple, easy to wear and brilliant; I can't seem to make them fast enough.

Perspective . . .

I started this week in a complete panic, scrambling to get holiday orders filled, children to holiday talent shows, packages purchased and wrapped, cookies baked, etc. Then Tuesday morning I received a phone call that stopped my entire world. My mom had suffered a stroke . . .

My mom is a single mother who fought adversity to raise three children. She is the most amazing woman I know and my closest friend. I spent the last few days in a blur of cat scans, MRIs and echocardiograms and as I lay there next to her bed at night listening to the hum of her I.V. I realized something; what a phenomenal day it had been. I left the house not knowing if my last conversation with my mother was going to be a hurried conversation about nothing and I was laying there next to her watching her sleep. It was the greatest gift I could have ever received.

So, to everyone please be sure in this crazy holiday season to take time and tell your loved ones how much they mean to you. I am thrilled to say that my mom is going to be fine and that I have a new perspective on what is truly important. Now, off to bake those cookies :)

Jezebel Magazine

One of my favorite pieces in the line, our hand forged Gold Cuff was featured in this month's issue of Jezebel Magazine. This bracelet is such a fabulous statement piece and the perfect accessory for a fun holiday frock. Sometimes all you need to get into the holiday spirit is a healthy dose of bling . . .

Art Hop @ Hot Box Betty

Last night my girlfriend and I walked downtown through the park for drinks and I was blown away by how beautiful Bend is this time of year. The christmas lights were reflecting in the river and the brisk air felt fantastic. If you'd like to experience that moment of bliss for yourself you should head downtown for the first Friday Art Hop tonight. I'll be hanging out with my lovely ladies at Hot Box Betty and showing some fabulous pieces that would make great gifts or a wonderful treat to get yourself in the holiday mood. Come on down and experience the magic of Bend during the holidays and feast your eyes on some delicious jewels.

Glamour Magazine

Be sure to pick up the December issue of Glamour, and you'll find Ija's tassel earrings featured in one of the fashion spreads. I love these earrings in the mediterranean blue, they are a fabulous pop of color and pizzazz. Just in case however, we offer them in ten different colors. Did I mention the neon? Now there's a pair for whatever your mood.

Ija Designs at the Broken Top Holiday Trunk Show

Ok, so I know it's a little last minute, but if you're around the Bend area tomorrow evening you should swing by the Broken Top Clubhouse for their Holiday Trunk Show. Ija will be there with all our goods and I'm whipping up some new bangles as we speak. If you're anything like me and procrastinate on holiday shopping, this will be the perfect opportunity to knock out some gifts before you even have to worry about what you're stuffing the bird with. See you tomorrow from 4 to 8pm!

I'm Down

Ok, so this isn't really about Ija, except that Ija is a one woman show and me, myself and I are the employees; so I guess it kind of is. Anyhoo . . . I just finished the most amazing book, I'm Down by Mishna Wolff. What makes this book amazing, besides the fact that it's heartfelt and hilarious, is that it is basically my life story. I grew up in the same neighborhoods, had the same upbringing (except that my family is totally honky, and I was the one who wished they weren't) and swam competitively my whole childhood. I even went to high school with Mishna's little sister Anora. Such a small world. So, if you're looking for a fantastic read and want to know what it was like to grow up a scrawny white girl in the inner city, you have to check it out.

People Style Watch!!

Be sure to check out the November issue of People Style Watch to see Ija's bangles listed on their "Easy Eco" page. I am so thrilled to be featured in such a fun publication, as I've been known to cozy up on the couch on a lazy Sunday and peruse through the pages to see what pieces are fancied by Hollywood's finest.

I was also stoked to see that they had mentioned how our studio is run on 100% renewable energy and that we always use recycled metals. I think we may finally be reaching a point in our society (and hopefully our world) where being green isn't a choice we make but simply a way we all live our lives.

Ija's Mirrored Disc Earrings in Good Housekeeping

Good Housekeeping chose to feature our mirrored disc earrings in their November issue. I absolutely love these little earrings as they are clean and classic and go with just about everything. The perfect accessory for us busy moms on the go!

Janell Snowden Steps Out in Ija

I was so honored when I found out that Vh1's Janell Snowden chose to wear Ija's white leather tassel earrings to the Vh1 Hip Hop Honors. I grew up in inner city Seattle and hip-hop was a way of life for me and is still my favorite thing to listen to. If you visit the studio on any given day you're sure to hear Tribe, De la, Black Star, Mos Def, Guru, all the way to the Fu-Schnickens. Thank you Janell for bringing Ija that close to the greats!

944 Magazine Features the Cuttlefish Ring

October's issue of 944 Magazine chose to feature Ija's Cuttlefish Ring on their "Mild Obsessions" page, right alongside Louis Vuitton's new book. Not too shabby company . . .

I was honored to have the ring featured in their design issue as I strive to create unique pieces that are a bit out in left field, yet still classic and easy to wear.

Fall Fest becomes Winter Fest

What an amazing weekend . . . I spent Saturday huddled next to my portable heater getting to chat with all my fabulous local clients and sling some bling. That night my daughter kept dancing around the house singing "It's going to snow, it's going to snow" and I thought, there's no way. Cut to Sunday morning when I roll over and look out the window to a brilliant winter wonderland; did I mention it's only October 4th?. My children were ecstatic and I was a bit less than.

I was so stoked to see that the tent was still standing and a little bummed when the final day of the show was canceled, (for obvious reasons). However, I got to spend the rest of the afternoon watching the kids play in the snow as my husband I drank some tasty vanilla hazelnut hot chocolates. There are worse things in life . . .

Thank you to all who braved the weather!!

Bend's Fall Festival

If you're around Bend this weekend, be sure to swing down and check out Ija at the Fall Festival. It sounds like the weather might be crummy, but what better excuse to pull out those fabulous boots and luxurious scarves? Even though the weather's cooler, Fall is my favorite time of year and I relish in afternoons spent drinking Chai and wandering around checking out all the art and fabulous kids activities. If you're looking for my children you'll be sure to find them at the Jumpers :). So it's decided then, come down in your finest fall digs with choice hot beverage in hand and enjoy 20% off all of Ija's amazing designs. I'll see you there. . .

Ija Designs Hand Forged Cuff in San Francisco Magazine

This month's issue of San Francisco Magazine features our stunning Hand Forged Cuff in 14k gold fill. I love how this cuff instills a sense of Wonder Woman in me every time I wear it. I mean really, with a bracelet like that what can't a woman do?

Ija on the COVER of Audrey Magazine!

Wow, the newest issue of Audrey Magazine is definitely showing their love of Ija. My favorite piece in the entire line is on the cover, our phenomenal Arrow Ring. This piece is absolutely a labor of love as each ring is handcrafted of numerous angles of fine silver (.999) to create a one of a kind hollow ring.

Further inside the issue you'll find our rockin' Leather Tassel Earrings and more shots of the Arrow Ring. Two pieces that are sure to get you stopped on the street.

The Fabulous New Cuttlefish Ring in Life & Style

So excited to see the gorgeous new Cuttlefish Ring on the new 90201's Jessica Lowndes in this week's issue of Life & Style. This ring is one of my favorite pieces and is created by recasting sterling scraps from the studio into an actual cuttlefish bone. The end result is a stunning ring with phenomenal, organic texture.

I was also thrilled to see that the stylist chose to follow the rule of "less is more" when it comes to accessorizing. Especially when the "less" is a mind blowing ring . . .

Gypsy Earrings in Life & Style

Be sure to check out our Gypsy Earrings in this week's issue of Life & Style. These earrings are a fabulous addition to spice up any outfit and are fun with a little summer dress or carried into fall with a turtleneck and scarf.

Whitney Port Rockin' The Tink Earrings

Our new biggest fan, Whitney Port was spotted wearing the Tink earrings in SoHo this week. The Tinks are one of my favorite earrings and you'll often find me wearing them as I run errands with the kids. Clean, classic and whimsical . . . what more could you want?

Happy Hour Mom Giveaway

Interested in winning an Ija Designs original piece? Be sure to check out our feature on HappyHourMom.com for a chance to win one of our fabulous skull bracelets. All you have to do is let them know which piece is your favorite. Seems easy, but once you start checking them out it's impossible to choose just one! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you . . .

Whitney Port Steppin' Out in Ija

Needless to say, I was thrilled when this photo came across my desk of Whitney Port wearing her Ija Designs bangles. There are countless ways to intermix our many styles and Whitney chose to wear two thin simple bangles with a large clasped bangle. I'd have to say that it's a brilliant combination.

SummerFest '09

I just wanted to extend a thank you to all my fabulous customers who came out to support Ija at this year's Bend SummerFest. This was my second year at SummerFest and what a success! It's always fun for me to get to meet people face to face and see what pieces they are attracted to and hear how much they love the pieces they already own. I was especially thrilled to see that the Swallow Cuff purchased last year for a Hawaiian vacation is still a favorite and sparkling as brilliantly as always, even after hours spent snorkeling :).

It means so much to me that people recognize the love that I put into all of my pieces. Each design is uniquely mine from conception to brilliant completion, and I'm thrilled that others recognize the quality and unique character of each Ija Designs piece. Thank you again for choosing to support a small, local business. I truly appreciate it.

Where did "Ija" come from?

I often get asked, "Why Ija?" People want to know what it stands for and how that relates to me. When I was thinking of a name for my business, I really struggled. I didn't want something too obvious and naming the business after myself wasn't really an option, (my last name is Hasler :) ). So I started going through things about myself that I would like to carry through with my business.

I was raised by a diehard feminist. My mom was a single mother who raised three children while going to grad school and maintaining a perfect 4.0. She is amazing. During my childhood, we were often reminded of the phenomenal opportunities women have today that they did not always have, and that those opportunities were won by the women who came before us.

I went on to study Women's Studies in college and try to be as politically involved as possible. Right around the time I started the business I had seen an HBO film about a group of suffragists referred to as the Iron Jawed Angels. These women fought severe adversity to protest for American women's right to vote. Through their tenacity and bold antics, they were able to witness the Susan B. Anthony Amendment become law on August 26th, 1920.

There is no way that a tattooed mother would be able to run her own business in our society if it wasn't for the women who fought so endlessly for women's rights. I think we've come quite a long way since the 20's, however I think we still have quite a ways to go. I try to make a conscious effort to support businesses that are women owned and run and feel that if others follow suit our daughters will look back in awe at the progress made in our lifetime.

Hello Kelli Interview

Be sure to check out my interview with a local Portland blogger, Hello Kelli.  It's a fun insight into a few of my favorite things and my philosophy behind Ija.

Welcome to Ija Designs

Welcome to Ija Designs! I will do my best to keep everyone up to date on what's happening with the company, exciting news, new designs and anything else you might want to know.  This is an extremely exciting time for me as we've been working endlessly to get the new website up and running and start moving forward in a fabulous new direction.  

I'd like to take a moment to thank some incredible people for their efforts, without which I wouldn't have made it to this point with a strand of hair left.  First off, my amazing husband for his unending support and encouragement, and also a few cold PBRs in the middle of chaos.  My children for allowing mommy to hide in her hole for hours on end and still smothering me with kisses when I emerge.  Ross Wordhouse of Wordhouse Creative who designed and built my entire new website, shot all my product photos, built my new linesheet and all in the timeframe of a millisecond; you ROCK! Red Door Studios for being such fabulous photographers and even better friends. Nash and Erica at Succarra for the push I needed to jump into the deep end. THANK YOU!!!!

Alright, here's to exciting things to come . . .