Dreaming In Color

Upcoming Event: Refashion Yourself Inside and Out

2011-10-01T19:50:00.000-07:00

Fall Boutique Open HouseRefashion Yourself – Inside and OutSaturday, October 8th 2011 from 10-2
at 9628 S Castle Ridge Circle, Highlands Ranch
Featuring Vintage Assemblage Jewelry by Heather Alexander Designs, Shaklee Skin Care and Nutrition, and Clothing and Accessories by Sassy Stuff Boutique
10% OF ALL SALES WILL BE DONATED TO TRAILBLAZER ELEMENTARY’S T.E.A.
Join this one stop shopping event in your very own neighborhood.
Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will be provided.
There will be door prizes and freebie give-aways throughout the day.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
At 11:00 Jen Henninger will teach a free 30 minute workshop about organic and herbal based nutrition. Learn how to boost your energy, shed weight and feel and look a decade younger.
At noon Heather Alexander will teach a free 30 minute workshop about finding your personal style via vintage fashion. Learn about the new living green fashion movement and how to define yourself through authentic couture.
The Boutique is open all day between 10AM and 2PM.
This will be a fun and interactive day. Everyone will go home with freebie giveaways, new inspiration and a whole new style!
For More Info: Contact Heather Alexander at 603-781-4308 or heirloomappraisals@yahoo.com

http://heatheralexander.etsy.com, http://www.shopsassystuff.com/, http://www.greencleanhealthylife.com/

My Updated Bio

2011-10-01T19:46:00.000-07:00

Football was never on the TV in the home I was raised in. In fact, my first attendance at a super bowl party was not until college. I was raised by passionate antique collectors. My parents ran estate sales, were appraisers and owned an auction house. By the age of ten I had been inside of more people’s home than most people visit in a lifetime. As a child, I was given the task of sifting and sorting through the long lost treasures of people from generations gone by. It was early on in my life that I became a collector of odds and ends; old photos, fancy buttons and beautiful, glittering costume jewelry. There was just something about those that ignited in me a feeling of creative inspiration. I knew those treasures would serve a purpose for me one day.
My mother has always known how to work hard and play hard! In the summers we would retreat to a small island off the coast of Downeast Maine. Mom adored the beach and needed her ocean fix like most people crave coffee in the morning. The best part about visiting the beach was being taught the tradition that had been passed down through generations in my mother’s family. I come from a long line of sea glass collectors. By the age of four I was always up at dawn begging for someone to take me down to the beach so that I could see what the tide had washed in. And thus, the vast collection of sea glass began.
As I grew up I continued my love for vintage oddities and beach combing. My collection grew and in the midst of its compilation art was born. I began with simple design work using recycled beads from old pieces of jewelry. I experimented with different ways to create using sea glass, driftwood and sea urchins. Over time, I began creating wire wrapped sea glass jewelry that I paired with bead jewelry and vintage assemblage creations. It became clear to me that no random object was too small or insignificant to become part of something beautiful.
In addition to creating, I enjoy sharing my treasures in the assemblage art and jewelry courses I teach. It is fun to see how a small object that may seem meaningless to most will resonate with one person and from there become part of something greater and personal.
It is my hope that others enjoy what I create and each of my pieces find the person they belong with. I am always happy to do custom design work. I love feedback of all kinds too. In order to contact me, feel free to email me at heatheralexanderdesigns@gmail.com or call me at 603-781-4308. For class schedules, upcoming events and articles about the world of vintage couture and assemblage design you can visit heatheralexander.blogspot.com

20% Off Sale CONTEST

2011-03-18T05:39:00.001-07:00

I am having a 20% OFF SALE in my vintage shop on etsy. The sale will run from today, Friday, March 18th 2011 through Sunday. I have loads of antique rhinestones, cabochons, glass stones, cameos, vintage jewelry, vintage clothing, vintage decor and so much more.

The coupon code to enter at check out is: atticsale

If you are Blogger and you blog about my sale or share it on FB or Twitter, then please comment below and you will be entered into a free give away contest. There will be three winners and the prize will be the fantastic I promise!!!

Here is the link to my shop: http://www.theatticshop.etsy.com

2011-03-04T15:59:00.000-08:00

Trash To Treasures Valentines

2011-01-31T15:10:00.000-08:00

Do we have to make all of our valentines from heart shaped pieces of paper? Well, I agree that they are sentimental and cute. But, how about taking a jaunt to your local thrift shop and rescuing a few small tins or boxes? Take them home and turn them into amazing one of a kind valentines. Then gather together old buttons, rhinestones, stickers, old cards, broken jewelry and glitter. Next use an adhesive to assemble them onto the tin or box. Once you are finished you can fill this treasured container with candies, a poem, a piece of jewelry or concert tickets.....the possibilities are endless when you get creative. The pictures above are of some tins that I embellished. I found some old Lucky Strikes Cigarrettes tins and some old, vintage valentines....and voila!

Happy Valentines Day! To see more of my work please visit my etsy shop at http://www.heatheralexander.etsy.com/

Granny Chic

2011-01-29T15:35:00.000-08:00

There is nothing warmer and more comforting than the granny-chic style. Grany chic marries "something old" with "something new". It is wearing your brand new cocktail dress with the stunning rhinestone choker that your grandmother gave you. It is a modern kitchen counter decorated with 1950's tin canisters. It is moving into a fresh space and filling it with heritage. No two styles are alike for we each fashion our own.

Giving Vintage Jewels A New Life

2010-11-18T05:48:00.000-08:00

I love vintage jewelry. There is nothing better than a mint condition, 1940's, signed rhinestone choker necklace. However, all to often we find pieces of jewelry that have not survived the test of time in tact...missing stones, broken clasps, greening, etc. Instead of shaking our heads sadly with a pitying sigh, we can view these imperfect baubles as treasures of opportunity. There is so much fashion and unique style potential lieing within these jewels. The motto is: RECYCLE, REPURPOSE, REUSE!!!!! The "living green" movement promotes this effort in so many facets of society, but vintage jewelry offers an artistic spin on the concept.

So, here are my creative ideas for rescuing damaged jewels. I encourage my readers to add their ideas to the list.

- almost every pair of earrings can be turned into a charm...charms can dress up bracelets, key chains, bookmarks, zipper pulls, assemblage necklaces and probable a dozen other creations

-clip on earrings can be reborn in snap clip embellishment or on fun cocktail rings.....do up a dozen as party favors for New Years Eve

-Broken rhinestone necklaces or link bracelets can be adhered to barrettes to add a dash of unique bling to one's ensemble

- Jewels that are missing stones in their settings can be revived with the incorporation of new ones.....it does not have to match....it only has to compliment the look of the piece

Those are some of my thoughts on how to recue and cherish all vintage jewels.

2010-01-28T14:11:00.000-08:00

What is a Vintage Treasure?

If a person is nostalgic about an item, then it is collectible. Collectibles are treasures. Hence, YOUR treasures are what you collect. What do you collect?
For example, I love jewelry and décor from the 1940s and I think it is because the colors, styles and textures remind me of my grandparents and their warm home.

Jewelry
-Post World War I and II costume jewelry is very collectible. After the war the middle class was thriving, so most people could not afford expensive jewelry. As a result, there was an explosion in the costume jewelry market. Most people’s parents and grandparents have a drawer of costume jewelry in their home. This is not junk, in fact some of it is quite valuable. Look at the back of pieces and on the pins of brooches to see signatures and hallmarks. Look for names like Trifari or Monet. There are websites to help you research value. A new and successful vintage jewelry site is http://www.rubylane.com/

Toys and Dolls
-To qualify as vintage an item must be at least 20 years old. SO, our toys are collectible. Star Wars action figures and Smurfs are collectible. The astronaut Smurf in good condition has been valued at $50.00. Look on the backs of toys and dolls for dates and brand names to authenticate them. BEWARE because there are many faked look-alikes out there. A doll will have the designer name on the top of her back. A Smurf will usually have a date on the bottom of it’s foot. The older the more valuable. Condition affects value too. To find the value of dolls and toys you can log onto http://www.ebay.com/ and look under the completed listings section. You will need to be registered with EBay to use the site in this capacity and it is free.

Fine Art
- The value of fine art follows the stock market….art follows wealth. French Impressionist Art, historically, has been the art that sells best, (Van Gogh and Renoir). Yet, recently, modern art is what is at the selling high, (Picasso to Warhol). This is subject to change over time. Determining art value is tricky and ever changing. Similar to the toys, there are many fakes. If the piece has been inherited from your grandparents and you know it was in their home then you are probably safe. Otherwise, look for a signature in a bottom corner of the piece and then get an appraiser to verify that it is authentic. Peruse http://www.artfact.com/ to research more about art and art value; (this is not a free site). Before going to artfact.com you may want to google the artist first.

Silver and Precious Metals (From Flatware to Jewelry)
-Understand Hallmarks:
EPNS- electroplate on nickel silver (silver plate)
925- American sterling silver
800- European sterling silver
PLAT or PT -Platinum
10K, 12K, 14K, 22K - gold (whetehr it is silver colored or gold colored)
-Most recent sterling silver pieces are stamped “STERLING”
-Some sterling is not stamped at all, such as mid 20th century Native American turquoise and silver jewelry.
-Like Gold and Platinum, Silver is fluctuating in value. You can determine current value at the following site: http://www.dendritics.com/scales/metal-calc.asp You will need a special scale to use this site. A jeweler or appraiser can help you with this. I advise avoiding Gold Parties because there is a middle man getting a cut in the value. It is best to go directly to the middle man’s buyer, which is either a jeweler or a collector. There are many jewelers that will give you a current market value because they are using the raw material to create with and not brokering it to someone else.

China
-China is signed on the bottom: turn over the plate or cup. Anything signed “JAPAN” is now very collectible. If it is signed “OCUPPIED JAPAN” then it is even more collectible. These items are from the 1940’s and 50’s. We do not commission Japan for assistance in production as much as we do China, so these items have gone up in value. To see some of the “kitschy” things that are signed JAPAN and selling quite well, peruse http://www.etsy.com/ You will see anything from bisque puppy dog planters to lusterware salt and pepper shakers being collected and the collectors are mainly our generation

Books and Ephemera
-Books are often very popular because of their illustrations. If a book does not have a copyright date then it is, most likely, a first edition publication of the book. This makes it valuable. Also, many first edition books will print, “First Edition” in the copyright section.
-Old cards and postcards are very collectible. Again, the illustrations are the big draw. Among the most collectible types of books are vintage and antique children’s books. Older versions of Alice In Wonderland, Raggedy Ann or The Oz series from the 1940s and 1930s are popular.
-Older magazines are very collectible too. A 1940 issue of Vogue can sell for up to $30.00.

Glass
-Depression Glass has a similar story as the costume jewelry. During the depression people could not afford crystal and expensive décor, so colorful and interesting glassware was created and sold at reasonable prices. There are many collectors of depression glass today.
-Cut Glass Crystal verses Pressed Glass (crystal vs. glass) – Cut Crystal is sharp and heavier. Also, crystal has a longer ring to it if you tap it lightly with a spoon.
-Waterford is a popular glass designer. Older Waterford is more valuable because the company was based in America and the quality of the manufacturing has been determined as better. Waterford has since sold their company to a buyer in China, therefor the Waterford glass vase you buy at Macy’s today is not the same quality as what you see in your mom or grandmother’s dining room.

It is my hope that this post has been a helpful resource for collectors, sellers and wonderers in general. I invite you to comment on this post and add to the knowledge. Thank you for viewing.

Assemblage Jewelry For Valentines Day

2010-01-19T18:19:00.000-08:00

Top Five Reasons to Wear Assemblage Statement Necklaces:

1. Every design is unique....no two are alike.

2. Living Green.....the necklaces are made from the recycled components of cast off and forgotten jewelry.

3. Most of the components used are vintage...truelly timeless.

4. It is more than jewelry...it is art. You are wearing a miniature gallery complete with a theme and poetry.....how about that for a conversation starter?

5. Customize your personal style...much like the charm bracelet of the 1960's....these assembled statement necklaces are often custom made to match you and what you cherish.

Visit http://www.heatheralexander.etsy.com/ to see more designs

Find Your Vintage Style

2009-02-05T10:38:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been curious about vintage stuff, but have no idea where to begin? Do you want to know your vintage style?

I can help. Having grown up in a family run auction and estate sale business, I have been surrounded by things of the past my entire life.

The first thing you need to do is decide what era or time period from the past resonates with you. Personally, I love the 1940's, but feel a bit overwhelmed and turned off by leftovers from the 1980's. You may feel the exact opposite.

Here is a run down of vintage style:

Victorian, fancy, bakelite plastic, marcasite and silver, ornate, cut glass crystal, gold gilded and hand painted china, cameos on velvet chokers, this was a time when people dined every meal with about 7 different eating utensils in front of them; and a person could not eat a type of food without a special type of plate. I think people were starting to get bored and, without realizing it, yearned for an industrial revolution. Search for Charlotte Bronte in Wikipedia and you will see and learn of a wonderful Victorian woman.
30's (prohibition, flapper, the great depression):
Think of long cigarette holders, bobbed hair, Edwardian flapper hats, crystal chandeliers, top hats, platinum wedding rings and depression glass. A time for rebellion. Think of Greta Garbo.

1940's and 1950's (won the wars, American golden years):
Romantic Bling! Women loved costume jewelry with rhinestones and faux pearls...especially brooches and cardigan pins. Look for names like TRIFARI on pieces of costume jewelry to find a mid century treasure. The 1940s were full of color. Homes were wall papered and ladies of leisure decorated with beautiful linen tablecloths for the Friday night Bridge game. Kitchens welcomed cherry red linoleum. Think of Lucille Ball and June Cleaver.

Love your mini skirts, lucite bangle bracelets, big and gaudy choker necklaces, enameled butterfly pins, psychedelic flowers. Do you remember Gidget? This was such a funny decade. People went from peace - loving, long haired hippies to appearance obsessed disco - dancing - queens. I was born in the early 1970s and still remember my dad's goatee, my mom's thick - rimmed glasses and everyones strange obsession with cheese fondue and the color rust. Honestly, brides would actually dress their bridesmaids in high necked, rust - orange colored gowns, ( which were polyester none the less). And don't forget the bell bottoms...I believe we call them "flare pants" nowadays. When you are thinking of 1970s vintage style, just picture Charlies Angels and Miss Farah Fawcett herself.

1980's (the ugly era): Sorry...it is just my opinion. I mean Molly Ringwald was as cute as a button, but what was her character thinking when she made over that cute 1960's prom dress in the movie Pretty In Pink? Oh, and the 1980s loved PINK! Pink bridesmaids, pink leg warmers, pink and gray sweater dresses with a belt of course. But Molly and her pink was the "good girl" side to the 80's. Let's not leave out our naughty girls. How about Madonna with her jelly bracelets and mini dresses. Or Cindy Lauper with her florescent, mod-punk look. The 1980s rebelled against bell bottoms and went the tapered leg route: not a great look for the curvy ladies. In fact, I think all my friends that are fans of the 80's are,(coincidentally), my skinny friends. And let us not forget shoulder pads! AH, the 80's.

So, now that you have a little view of style through the different vintage eras, think about what your personal style already entails. Do you love pop art, skinny jeans and lots of bangle bracelets? If so, you may need to be on the hunt for 1980's vintage items. Do you love Audrey Hepburn? Well, then maybe you are a 1960's gal.

Once you know which era or eras are your favorite you can begin collecting. Start with a collection of jewelry or create a theme decorated dinner party from a certain era. Have fun!

If you want to start shopping check out my vintage shop at

http://www.blogger.com/www.theatticshop.etsy.com

In Honor of Fairies

2008-10-19T19:03:00.000-07:00

I am a believer of the fairy realm and love to build fairy houses with my kids. Whenever my son and I go on hikes we look for fairy houses in the tangled roots of tree stumps or in the velvet moss growing on the forest floor. Making a fairy house is an easy and fun nature activity to do with your own children during any season and in any location: be it at the sea shore, deep in the woods during a camping trip or in your own backyard. You can get instruction and creative ideas at the following website: http://www.fairyhouses.com/home.html

Here is a link to my favorite fairy promoting etsy shop: http://www.fairydreams67124.etsy.com

SEA GLASS MANIA

2008-04-26T17:03:00.000-07:00

Sea Glass Earrings for sale at www.heatheralexander.etsy.com

Sea Glass Barrette for sale at www.heatheralexander.etsy.com

Sea Glass Mixed Media Treasure Tin for sale at www.heatheralexander.etsy.com

Seaside Lady Sea Glass Pendant for sale at www.heatheralexander.etsy.com

WIN A SEA GLASS PENDANT

2008-03-30T08:46:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Aimee Dars! She has won a sea glass pendant.
Thanks everyone for your advice!

I want to know what you are most likely to buy in general. I featured three pieces of my work below. They are for sale in my shop, but I am using them as examples of the different types of work.

Once you have considered the three options , then vote on the poll to the right. When you are done, leave a comment at the bottom of this post and include your email. I will be choosing one commenter to receive a free sea glass pendant.

WWW.HEATHERALEXANDER.ETSY.COM

$20.00 Pendant (SOLD)

$32.00 Pendant on Sterling Silver Chain (above)
and
$34.00 Sea Glass Pendant and Beaded Necklace (below)

Allie cat and Bobby cat

2008-03-25T19:16:00.000-07:00

My daughter Alice just got a very cute sock kitty in her Easter basket and she is so thrilled. it was made by an etsian and you can peruse her shop at:

www.uppitywomandesigns.etsy.com

Easter Items Half Off in My Etsy Shop

2008-03-23T17:06:00.001-07:00

www.heatheralexander.etsy.com

So, this is one of many mixed media easter themed treasure tins that I am willing to sell at $5.00 a piece. Email or convo me if you see one you want in my shop.

Etsy Easter Basket Contest Winner

2008-03-23T16:54:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to clearpink. She won unefemme's print titled "Hoos There".
Happy Easter and Happy Spring everyone!

An Etsy Easter Basket

2008-03-17T05:22:00.000-07:00

OK, here is my wish list for what I want to find in my easter basket!

AND HERE IS THE DEAL...IF YOU POST A COMMENT SAYING WHAT YOU WANT THEN I JUST MIGHT BUY IT FOR YOU! YOU MUST LEAVE YOUR EMAIL IN YOUR POST, OR I CAN NOT FIND YOU WHEN YOU WIN.

ON FRIDAY MARCH 21ST I WILL HOLD A DRAWING THAT WILL INCLUDE THE NAMES OF ALL MY COMMENTERS AND ONE PERSON WILL GET THEIR WISH GRANTED.

THAT IS RIGHT...I WILL BUY YOU WHAT YOU WANT...SO GET BROWSING IN THIS POST!

The mixed media treasure tin above is called "Robin's Garden Party"
by Heather Alexander Designs at heatheralexanderdesigns.etsy.com

This is a pair of fun and funky cobalt blue glass earrings on sterling ear wires.
They are called "Cobalt Swirls", by Heather Alexander Designs
at heatheralexanderdesigns.etsy.com

WWW.HEATHERALEXANDER.ETSY.COM

The above is called "Ambroise Boho Chic Tiffany Blue Glass Flower Earrings"
By Voleur de Bijoux at voleurdebijoux.etsy.com
WWW.VOLEURDEBIJOUX.ETSY.COM

The easter themed charm bracelet above is called "Hippity Hoppity Vintage Easter Bracelet"
by Mootsie at mootsie.etsy.com
WWW.MOOTSIE.ETSY.COM

This delicious body butter is called "Patchouli Woods" and I love using it! I want more!
It is made by Holly Rose Aromatherapy at hollyrosearomatherapy.etsy.com
WWW.HOLLYROSEAROMATHERAPY.ETSY.COM

This is the cutest little springtime zipper pouch I have ever seen...I want this!
It is called "Darling Forest Zipper Pouch" by sewserious.etsy.com
WWW.SEWSERIOUS.ETSY.COM

This glitzy and glamorous charm bracelet is called "Chunky Heart Star Faux pearl bracelet"
by thepurplehouse at thepurplehouse.etsy.com
WWW.THEPURPLEHOUSE.ETSY.COM

This is such a stylish hat and it is called "Spring Is Here Cotton Newsboy Hat"
By Woolmountain at woolmountain.etsy.com
WWW.WOOLMOUNTAIN.ETSY.COM

There is something so magical and mysterious about this Cherub photograph.
The photo is titled "Cherub" and it is by Aperture at aperture.etsy.com
WWW.APERTURE.ETSY.COM

This is called "Juicy orange Pouch" and is perfect for turning heads when you are out on the town for warm spring and summer evenings. It is made by dawn of creation at dawnofcreation.etsy.com
WWW.DAWNOFCREATION.ETSY.COM

This work of art is sooooo cute and would be perfect in a nursery! It is called "The Mixed tape" by Medianaranja at medianaranja.etsy.com
WWW.MEDIANARANJA.ETSY.COM

I find this charm bracelet to be so alluring and perfect for the romantic in me. How about you? It is called "Dancer In The Moonlight Bracelet" by Distressing Delilah at distressingdelilah.etsy.com
WWW.DISTRESSINGDELILAH.ETSY.COM

This blue charm necklace is so pretty. It matches almost everything I own!
It is called "Blue Charm necklace" by Pretty Sweet Designs at prettysweetdesigns.etsy.com
WWW.PRETTYSWEETDESIGNS.ETSY.COM

This is a very sweet symbol for what we love about the Spring.
It is called "Blissful Afternoon Pendant" by Unique Charm at uniquecharm.etsy.com
WWW.UNIQUECHARM.ETSY.COM

It feels so nice to rest yours eyes on the picture in this greeting card doesn't it?
It is called "Forest At Dawn".
It is just perfect. It is byMarywibis at marywibis.etsy.com.
WWW.MARYWIBIS.ETSY.COM

This print just pulls me in. It tells such a story.
It is called "Hoos There" by Une Femme at unefemme.etsy.com
WWW.UNEFEMME.ETSY.COM

This is the most adorable ipod cover you will have find. It is cozy and perfect for Spring. It is called "Acid Green Ipod Cozy" by Carlas Indie Designs at carlasindiedesigns.etsy.com
WWW.CARLASINDIEDESIGNS.ETSY.COM

Voleur de Bijoux

2008-03-03T09:56:00.000-08:00

The romantic Voleur de Bijoux, (meaning “Jewel Thief”), is a one of a kind shop. If you are looking to adorn a bridal party or desire adding a classy and vintage flare to your wardrobe, then this is the cyber boutique you should be perusing.

You can find Voleur de Bijoux on etsy.com by clicking the following link:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5388195

The owner/designer is named Tran and she features an eclectic group of collections to house her designs: such as Boho Chic, Parisian and Aristocrat. The first photograph above shows the "Pauline London Glam Antique Key Filigree Necklace". The second photograph above is of the "Willow Boho Chic Vintage Marbled Amber Lucite Earrings". Voleur collections are inspired by eras gone by and “lifestyles filled with glamour and beauty”.

“I wanted to add a little backdrop and stage to each piece and tell a story about that era or theme”, said Tran.

Some of her greatest inspirations stem from her love for the Parisian culture.
Voleur de Bijoux provides wearable art that allows one a sense of style that resonates with their soul.

Featured Artist of the Day: Jasper

2008-02-22T06:37:00.001-08:00

Children are Artists: it is in their nature

2008-02-22T06:14:00.000-08:00

My son, Jasper, loves to set up his storytelling scenes with his dragons and dinosaurs. He put his castle in a pile of snow and went to work. He is almost three years old and I think he is trying to communicate some sort of snowy battle outside the castle. It appears as though one of the dinosaurs, (in the background), may be wounded. The artistic and creative mind of a child always fills me with inspiration. I had to take pictures of this scene, because it tells such an adventurous story.

Hello and Welcome to Dream

2008-02-05T12:16:00.000-08:00

I am trying out the blogging thing. I have some friends that are pretty good at it and I would love to give it a try.

So, I guess I will start by saying that I dream big and bold, which is why I chose "dreaming in color" to be my site name. Actually, I do dream in color. I know it has been a debate as to whether some can only dream in black and white or whether anyone actually dreams in color at all and that our brains merely lead us to believe we have dreamt in color. I will choose to believe the claimed impossible on this one.

I am at home full time these days with two small children. My son, Jasper, and my daughter, Alice. We live in Barrington, New Hampshire and enjoy the quiet privacy of living in the woods. My husband is a scientist and does loads of traveling around the world. So, I stay home and raise the children and create jewelry and art.

My favorite mediums of inspiration are sea glass, beach stones, sea urchins, vintage buttons, costume jewelry, stickers and glitter. I absolutely love creating wearable art from recycled objects, vintage treasures and things from nature. If anyone out there is reading this and has a collection of something really unique and unsuspecting, I would love to hear about it.