Happy 100th International Women's Day!!!

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.

Black Friday

Global H2O

I had a realization the other afternoon as I was watching my children run through the sprinklers; 1.1 billion people don't have adequate access to sanitary water and we live in a nation where we play in our clean water.  Wow, think about that for a moment.

In order to do our small part to help, Ija will be donating 100% of proceeds from our retail store as well as our website to Global H2O from August 8th through the 14th.  If there's something you've been eyeing, now's the time to shop.  Let's do our part to support our global community.

Flare Magazine

Canada's leading fashion publication, Flare chose Ija's Leather Tassel Earrings for a spread in July's issue.  These earrings are insane, and way too much fun.  I've found myself reaching for a pair every time I'm feeling blah as they're sure to boost your mood/sass and elicit a ton of complements from passerbys.  Especially men for some reason; they seem to be drawn to the tassels ;).

It's Official!

People Magazine's Most Beautiful People Issue 2010

Teenage cutie Selena Gomez was photographed in Ija's Small Gold Clasped Bangle for People Magazine's Most Beautiful People Issue! This piece is so clean and classic it's something you'll wear every day for years to come.

Whitney Port Showing Her Love of Ija!

So, imagine my surprise when I flipped on the tele the other night to watch the season premiere of The City and there was Whitney rocking Ija's Figure Eight Earrings! This isn't the first time Whitney has been photographed in our jewelry, she's been spotted in The Tinks as well as our bangles. I'm honored to have her as a fan of the line, as I admire her style as well as her tenacity and drive with her own line. Thanks for the love Whitney!

Ija's Swivel Hoops in Fitness Magazine

I spent my entire youth in a pool. Seriously, I think they let me out occasionally so I wouldn't shrivel to nothingness, but other than that I was swimming constantly. My whole family is pretty crazy when it comes to swimming, running and biking. Hence why I find it hilarious that my family freaked out over the fact that Fitness Magazine chose Ija's Fluid Hoops for their most recent issue. I swear even Vogue wouldn't have been as big a deal ;). These earrings are the perfect earring for everyday wear and would even be a fabulous accessory for an afternoon Spring run.

Who What Wear

Who What Wear is featuring Ija's Cuttlefish Ring as part of their Earth Day feature. I love it when the industry highlights how many fantastic companies are doing their part to keep us looking good and environmentally conscious at the same time. Ija is honored to be a part of that group. Happy Earth Day!!

Entertainment Tonight's Samantha Harris in Ija!

Entertainment Tonight's weekend host, Samantha Harris was wearing Ija's hand forged gold cuff on the show the other day! This piece is so phenomenal it's pretty much all the accessory you need. Whenever I put one on I feel like going out and fighting crime, or at least tackling a nasty Monday.

Huge News!!

Huge news!!! I've been so excited to share our exciting news, but had to wait to make sure it all went through. Ija is opening a studio/showroom in Bend! I've spent the last two years designing and fabricating everything from a tiny (I mean TINY) home studio so I am thrilled to finally have a place for Ija to call home. We'll be located at 17 SW Bond Street in the Old Mill Quarter, across the street from Strictly Organic Coffee.

This location is absolutely perfect for Ija. It was important for me that our beliefs and environmental concerns be reflected in the space we finally decided on and the Old Mill Quarter fits that idea beautifully. The building is a wonderful example of live/work space in the heart of town that allows for the expansion of local communities to have small boutiques, coffee shops and businesses that can be accessed via foot or bike. It's going to be fantastic to park my car this spring and not use it at all. I can bike to work in all of five minutes and drop my little one off at school along the way. The building itself is ahead of the game in it's design and materials and the builders won an award for Green Homebuilder of the Year the year the project was completed.

I look forward to early morning bike rides to work, organic coffee and the sun streaming in the 14 foot windows as I get to work designing and fabricating. Ah, life is good . . .

Vh1's Janell Snowden in Ija

Vh1 host Janell Snowden was looking stunning the other night and Ija's Figure Eight earrings were the perfect accessory. I love the fluidity and movement in these earrings, they are so light and multidimensional. A favorite of my daughter's kindergarden teacher :)

Distinction Magazine features Ija on the Spring Cover!

New York's Distinction Magazine featured Ija's Sarah earrings on the cover of it's Spring 2010 issue! These earrings were one of the first in the line and have held their own beautifully over time. My friends and family have multiple pairs in various metal/stone combinations, I'm really feeling the sterling and turquoise combination as we head into Spring. Ahhhh Spring . . .

Rachel Ray!

Ija has a brand new tribal inspired collection called "Coming Home". I've been really feeling the juxtaposition of textured metal with various natural elements (some natural in that they are recycled). One of my favorite pieces from the new line are the coconut earrings, and apparently they are one of Rachel Ray's favorites as well. She sported them on her show yesterday afternoon!

April's Issue of InStyle!!

I was so thrilled to hear that InStyle chose to feature Ija's Bone Earrings in April's issue! These have been my favorite stand by for the last couple of years. They are my go to gals every time something fun presents itself. My personal pair have been front and center at a Nick Cave show (on his birthday no less), partying in Vegas and out to numerous nights with the ladies. Love them!

Oh, be sure to check out what InStyle calls an "Amazing Tip": in order to keep track of all my personal earrings, I put some manzanita branches in a glass vase weighted down by river rocks. I then hang my earrings from the branches and it enables me to see all that I've got and it doubles as an art installation in my room.

Essence Magazine

April's issue of Essence Magazine features Ija's embellished leather tassel earrings as well as our brand new "Through the Looking Glass" Ring, which is insane! I love casting in cuttlefish bone as it allows me to recycle all of the sterling silver scrap in house and gives the most phenomenal texture and depth. This ring is entirely cast and the shape is one of a kind. Oh, and I'm getting those tights tomorrow, love them!

WNBC's Weekend Today Show Features Ija

"Eco Chic". Check it out,

WNBC's Weekend Today Show

Happy International Women's Day!!

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.

Ask Melissa Features Ija as an Eco Chic Pick!!

Melissa Meyers of www.askmelissa.com chose to feature Ija Designs as an "Eco Chic" product pick during a shooting of NBCs Weekend Today Show!! Our rockin' swallow necklace was also chosen as their giveaway piece. Be sure to check out the link and get your name in the hat!!

Win Ija's Swallow Necklace

Kristina Guerrero Decked Out in Ija!

Ok, so I should probably not admit to this, but I'm a sucker for the E! Network. After a long day of work, parenting and juggling life's madness it's nice to just zone out on some celebrity gossip. Which makes it all the more exciting when I heard that Kristina Guerrero of E! News was wearing Ija's Bone Earrings and Lariat Necklace on air. Always good to have some eye candy when you're getting your daily dose of gossip.