New Chain Developments...

I love accessories, but sometimes they don't quite love me back. I happen to have ridiculously sensitive skin, and the majority of chains out there (other than sterling silver) make me break out in an icky, itchy, not fun rash. I have a sterling silver chain that I love, but I don't always want to wear silver. I really love the look of brass, copper, and other sorts of antiqued chains, but I just can't wear them. I wanted to be able to wear anything in the Maybel line, so Shelby and I started brainstorming and researching hypo allergenic alternatives.

Well, it turns out that Shelby Bernstein is super awesome(duh!), and had the great idea to crochet the chains with embroidery thread. Given that our company is fiber driven...why not make fiber chains!?! By using only one thread from the strand of embroidery floss and a 1.5mm hook, the chains of Maybel have become soft, hypo-allergenic, and surprisingly strong. Plus, they look fabulous!
Now I can wear whatever color chain I want, and I don't have to worry about the rash I'm going to wake up with in the morning. Woot woot! :D

Ta Da! Fiber chains!

Want one? E-mail us at Maybelstudios@gmail.com

Both of these pieces are currently for sale!

Blue/5 circles: $35
Orange/4 circles: $30

Contact us maybelstudios@gmail.com for more details

...or just to say "Hi!"

Shake it up!

The day to day can be grueling.  I was having a really hard time with mine this week.  Everything seemed grey and neutral, numb, and mindless.  The walls felt as if they were closing in on me and I started to freeeaak out.  But then, after a good dinner and some beers with my sister, I realized that I needed to step back and turn my view around.  Shake it up and look at things from another perspective.  One of my favorite tricks to shake things up in the monotonous day to day(which I finally did today), is to look at your surroundings from another angle...literally.

If you must, you can wait until no one is looking, but I recommend not giving a damn if someone might think you are doing something "weird."  It can be very liberating!

Stand on a chair, lay on the floor, become a member of the Ministry of Silly Walks!  Anything that might trick your brain, even for a second, that something is, all of a sudden...completely different.

As a child I started shakin' up the dinner table with my elaborate mashed potato art and sugar/cream/condiment scenery.  When I was about 4, I decided that coleslaw would make the perfect medium for finger painting on windows...apparetly that wasn't very good "resaurant manners." Well, you know what?  I bet it was totally stunning! 

Let us never forget the innovation we had as children.  If you are finding the stale humm of the office lulling you to sleep, take a silly walk and/or MacGyver your own entertainment right at your desk!  Below is a "grown up" example of how I shook up my sad grey cubicle today.

Boring Before:

Same 'ol office supplies:

Wait a sec...

There's a person walking across a desert!!


And now I'm entertained.  :D

 What can you make from a few items that are just laying around?  How did you shake up your day today?  

Please share with us in the comments below! 

I Scream, You Scream...

We all scream for ICE CREAM!!  Summer is upon us, and the ice cream fairy (who doesn't seem to understand the calories involved) is dusting the city with her "you want ice cream all the time" magic powder. 

One day I'd love to have a super serious ice cream maker of my very own.  I could make ice cream, gelatto, Italian ice, and frozen yogurt galore!  If that fantasy ever became reality the first thing I would do is make the lavender lemon Italian ice I've been dreaming about for years.  Sounds refreshing, right?!  It will be made one day, you mark my words! :D

What's your dream ice cream?  What flavor makes your mouth water?  Please share with us in the comments below, and you could win a Baskin Robbins gift certificate! 

Life is too short to not eat ice cream. Personally, I can never get away with eating it, and not wearing it.  Now I can wear it anytime, without that heavy dairy feeling and laundry to do.  I simply slip into our new Neapolitans inspired pendant! (earrings coming soon)

Congratulations to the winner of this original ice cream pendant Helen Osipovich!

This pendant was created for The Neapolitans Theatre benefit. 

Want your very own?  What flavors?  Cone or cup?

 We will custom make ice cream jewelry just for you!

Contact us at maybelstudios@gmail.com.

Breathing Through the Rough...

Like the majority of the population, I have that stressed and anxious thing people are always talking about.  In my experience, it can be absolutely paralyzing.  Sometimes it can even build into a panic and/or anxiety “attack”.  Heart beating fast and hard, throat feeling tight, and occasionally extremities going numb.  It can be a terrifying experience and feels as if you have no control.  But you do. 

When going into hostile territory, you must arm yourself properly.  Stress and anxiety will always exist.  We cannot escape them, but we can protect ourselves and try to live in harmony.  I have found that my strongest shield by far, is deep breathing.  It can be used in the moment, or if practiced regularly can minimize the actual occurrence and severity of extreme stress, anxiety, panic, and depression.  Proper breath control can slow your heart beat, wake you up, and even give you courage! 

My favorite exercise is called 4-7-8.  It is very simple, and can be used absolutely anywhere, anytime. 

To practice 4-7-8 you want to:

1.)  Inhale gently through your nose for 4 seconds

2.)  Hold for 7 seconds

3.)  Exhale through your mouth for 8 seconds.

Be patient with yourself, and do not try to force anything.  You will find the rhythm that works for you.

Mary's tip: In the 7 seconds that you are holding your breath, wiggle around slightly, try and align your vertebrae one on top of the other.  Pay attention to what your body is trying to say, and note what areas feel tenser than others.  Now, try and visualize the tension in those areas dissolving as you exhale to the count of 8.

What do you do when you need to chill out? 
Share with us in the comment section below!

For more breathing exercises visit Dr. Weil at:

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART00521/three-breathing-exercises.html

For even more information and exercises visit The American Medical Student Association at:

http://www.amsa.org/healingthehealer/breathing.cfm

Maybel Studios Coming Soon!

Maybel Studios was created by Mary Patchell (myself) and Shelby Bernstein, long time friends and creative partners.  After years of aimlessly crafting, we looked up one night over the rims of our margarita glasses, and said, "Why not??"  In that moment, Maybel Studios was born, and set out to create one of a kind pieces of wearable and hangable art.  Pieces that are light as a feather, with an emphasis on color and texture. 

Our world has become one with very little air.   Hunched over keyboards, shoulders crunched up to the ears, bundled up tight, and unable to breathe.  The anxiety of needing to function in the chaos of a modern world can bring you to a screeching halt. 

Maybel Studios seeks to release that pressure, and to find breath. 

Our designs and material selections are focused on utilizing negative space (or "air"), color, and texture.  We seek balance in our work by bringing together the tangible(color&texture), and the intangible(air). Each creation is made by hand, with love and attention to detail, resulting in a piece that we hope will help the wearer/owner to feel the potential personal freedom that comes from "letting the air in." 

This blog, "Letting the Air In..." will be dedicated not only to the art of the Maybel team, but to ideas on how to look at the world from different perspectives.  On how one can find more air, more breath, more comfort, and more freedom to be yourself.  

Stay tuned for the launch of Maybel Studios, coming soon to Etsy! 

Want a tide me over?  Look at this piece that was recently donated to the Neapolitans Off-Chekhov Benefit!

Congratulations to the winner of this set, AJ Ware! 

Support the Neapolitans here on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/The-Neapolitans/101675229876277