Erin Jane Designs

Studio Song

Erin Jane — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:06:49 +0000

I LOVE this song. You will first have to get past the vulgarity in this song, then you will get it stuck in your head and want to hear it again and again. It’s simply called Fuck You, by Cee Lo.

Custom Rings and Weekend Review

Erin Jane — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:09:03 +0000

Saturday, I spent the day with my sister shopping and eating. What a JOY! We had so much fun! Even though we both live in Seattle, we hadn’t seen each other in a couple months. So, needless to say, some serious sister time was in order for both of us. For those of you with sisters, you know what it’s like – there just isn’t anything like them. The best.

And, oh, did I shop. When fall comes, I start shopping. It’s just what happens every year. I feel all geared up for fall now. Here’s a few fun things I got:

jeans: Anthropologie
boots: J. Crew
top: Anthropologie

I just finished up a few custom rings and I thought I’d share. The last one (a Rose Cut Crystal Quartz set in a 14K gold bezel and sterling silver) I am going to list in my Etsy shop tomorrow since I love how it turned out. But it was custom made…for me! I’m wearing it right now! So cute…

Basil and Mint Pesto

Erin Jane — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:10:32 +0000

OK, last recipe for a while. I promise to get back to jewelry postings soon! Yesterday, I mentioned the Basil Mint Pesto I made the other day and thought I’d share the recipe. The mint really adds a freshness to standard pesto. I add a big squirt of lemon juice to and that brightens it up even more.

Basil Mint Pesto

INGREDIENTS

1 cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves
1.5 cups lightly packed fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
1 garlic clove
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Freshly squeezed lemon juice -to taste

Add everything but the olive oil and lemon juice to a food processor and blend until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and add the lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.

I simply tossed the pesto with pasta and served with the BEST Roasted Tomato recipe I have ever had. My friend Melissa, of Tigerlily Tinkering shared it and it’s absolutely wonderful. You must try…

Enjoy your weekend!

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Tarragon Yogurt

Erin Jane — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:26:38 +0000

As I mentioned in my previous post, I’ve been trying to be better about using the food I have available both in my garden and my pantry this last week. Herbs are one of the things that always do well and I totally take advantage of their abundant existence. I was reminded by my favorite gardener, Amy Pennington, that now is a great time to cut back your herbs. Once they’ve flowered, cut them back by half or even two thirds and they should grow back. I pretty much do whatever she says, so I cut my herbs way back and holy cow… My fridge is stuffed with Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Lemon Thyme, Oregano, Tarragon, Basil and Mint. I’ve been making basil and mint pesto (I’ll post that soon too) and loading lots of herbs into couscous, polenta, bulgar, etc. And that’s just the last couple days! They have just transformed my seemingly boring pantry items into yummy lunches and dinners. Thank you, Amy! I also just got her new cookbook which has also been a HUGE inspiration!

So, on to my fingerling potatoes. I harvested some absolutely adorable little fingerlings a while back and decided to roast them up and make a yummy yogurt sauce – I love potatoes with yogurt! Such a tangy and light alternative to sour cream.

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Tarragon Yogurt

INGREDIENTS

2 lbs of fingerling potatoes (or something like that)
several fresh Tarragon sprigs
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper

Tarragon Yogurt Sauce:

1 cup lowfat plain yogurt
2 heaping Tbsp dijon mustard
1 Tbsp Mayonaise (don’t judge me : ))
2 Tbsp fresh, chopped tarragon leaves
Salt and Pepper

Preheat oven to 450. Cut your potatoes in half, lengthwise. Toss them in a bowl or right on a sheet pan with the olive oil, tarragon sprigs and salt and pepper. Roast for about 30 minutes or until fork tender. Remove the tarragon sprigs when you’re done.

For the sauce – just mix everything up and pour or dip your potatoes in it. Delicious.

Roasted Beet and Beet Green Salad

Erin Jane — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:49:57 +0000

I have been having an awful lot of fun in the kitchen the last week. I’ve been trying to use the vegies from my garden as much as possible and items in my pantry as much as I can so I don’t have to go to market as often. It’s been a fun challenge and I still have some tricks up my sleeve for this week.

I have lots of absolutely beautiful beets and my favorite way to eat them is roasted with goat cheese in some way, shape or form. Here’s a recipe for the Roasted Beet and Beet Green Salad I made the other day:

INGREDIENTS

1 bunch of beets
2 Tbsp fresh oregano (any herb would work)
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper

Greens from the beets
Olive Oil
Lemon Juice
Arugula
1/2 log of chevre goat cheese
2 Tbsp toasted pine nuts

Preheat your oven to 425. Use a vegetable peeler to peel the beets and then cut them into about 1″ pieces. I find it much easier to peel them before roasting them – and a lot less messy! Toss those beets in a bowl or right on your sheet pan with the olive oil, oregano and some salt and pepper. Roast for about 45 minutes or until fork tender.

Once your beets are done, heat a large saute pan over medium heat with 1 Tbsp or so of olive oil. Add your greens and saute until wilted. Add a bit of salt and pepper and a squirt of lemon juice.

Lay down your arugula in bowls or plates and add just a squirt of lemon, a dash of olive oil and salt and pepper to season your greens. Top the arugula with a scoop of the wilted greens, a scoop of those gorgeous beets, crumble on some goat cheese and top with pine nuts. Super yummy. Should serve 2.

See those beautiful potatoes in the background?! Next up is my Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Tarragon Yogurt…YUM!

Shop Update

Erin Jane — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 18:42:33 +0000

I finally just finished my shop update. I started on it yesterday and it was just taking way longer that I thought it would! So, I finished up today. I’m really happy with all my new goodies. I added 10 new items and I also marked down a bunch of items. You will find those in the SALE section of my shop. Here are a few of the new items, but you can see them ALL in my Etsy shop! Have a great weekend!

Aquamarine and Smoky Quartz Ring

Basket Earrings

Super 7 Necklace

Rainbow Moonstone Ring

Rugged Teardrop Earrings

New Jewelry Sneak Peak

Erin Jane — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:23:40 +0000

I’m updating my shop tomorrow! I’m so excited to share my new jewels with you! I was going to try to do it today, but there’s just too much to do! But, tomorrow, for sure! Just another reminder, I will be adding some items to my SALE section as well. So stay tuned tomorrow afternoon. In the meantime, here’s a sneak peak at what you’ll see…

August Harvest

Erin Jane — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:31:25 +0000

My lovely little vegetable garden sure is looking different these days. Fall is coming. This weekend, I pulled out some bolted lettuces, broccoli and harvested the rest of my fingerling potatoes. That made room for more lettuce, more broccoli and mustard greens for fall and winter. I can’t wait to make mustard green pesto pasta – oh, so good. I still have plans for some more arugula and spinach once it cools a bit and I hope to fit some chard in somewhere. The trick is finding room in my tiny garden space!

I can’t believe I have beets, potatoes, and apples already! Long gone are the days of snap peas…That’s the magic of growing all these wonderful vegetables. Things look different every time I harvest. It’s so much fun…I’m like a proud mama when I go out there to check on how everyone is doing. Even though it’s mid August I still have so much summer goodness to look forward to. MORE zucchini, peppers, tomatoes…oh, all sorts of goodies. What are you growing?

The beginnings of a shop update

Erin Jane — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:52:52 +0000

Well, haven’t I been quiet?! I’ve been keeping up with orders and working on some custom designs. And, feeling pretty yucky physically, so my energy has been low and blogging sounded too hard. Plus, when you hurt, it’s hard to sound happy and upbeat. Not to worry – I have a Dr’s appointment on Monday and hope to get started on the path to recovery.

Yesterday I felt particularly good and decided to work on some new designs that have been waiting patiently for me in my sketchbook. Next week I will be doing a big shop update and putting some things ON SALE! I think if you have a SALE, it should be in all caps. I think it’s actually a law. Anyway, here are some items that are ready for the tumbler for some polishing before I set their lovely stones. Lots more than just these guy coming too!

We will be having an absolutely gorgeous weekend here in Seattle and I plan on enjoying it as the summer dies down and it’s time to start thinking about fall. Yikes! But, in the meantime, lots of sun, swimming, gardening and enjoying summer.

Tiny Shop Update

Erin Jane — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 23:29:56 +0000

Well, I’m really trying to get back in the swing of things after our vacation! It’s been hard! Do you ever need a vacation after your vacation?! I think I do!! This weekend (I know it’s only Tuesday!) I’m definitely going to get caught up on my rest.

I really want to tell you about my super exciting weekend! I wish I had taken a couple photos, but we were just too busy! Anyway, last weekend I took a really great class at Danaca Design called Skill Advancement for Jewelers and it was taught by Nanz Aalund. If you are a jeweler and reading this, you probably know who she is. She’s an incredible artist, a fabulous teacher and you just couldn’t meet anyone nicer. I learned so many tricks and tips over the weekend and not just from our instructor, but from all the amazing students in our class. Good stuff! I haven’t taken a class for so long and it was just what I needed to push me and get me excited. I really believe that learning new skills that can add to your craft is the key to building your business. For me personally, I need that challenge – if things get too stagnant I lose all motivation!

I’m about all caught up with my custom and made to order items and am going to have some time for a lot new goodies soon. I did manage to get a couple little items done today that I thought I would share.

Lemon Quartz Studs

Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Ring with 14K gold and sterling – soooo pretty!

Until next time!