I’ve kept more or less quite about the roller coaster ride that was April-June in my career. I can’t even find the words, but check out this great video from tonight’s evening news of my new boss summing it all up. Those are my awesome coworkers you see, and that logo and media kit? That’s all me. See more on the BRAVA website, in the know blog, twitter and facebook. OK, enough shameless self-promotion for one day!
I just got my latest Harper’s Bazaar (thank you, address forwarding). The pages were filled with fantastic metallic pieces that are heavier for fall. Then I came back to my computer and logged on to etsy to see — what else? — fashion-forward gold necklaces!
Gold & Citrus is the online storefront for Sara Rossbach from San Francisco. I love the way “Mandarin” (above) has a shape similar to the ever-present bib necklaces but is lighter and full of movement.
Of her work, Sara says, “If I had to pick one word that my jewelry is about, or inspired by, I would say versatility. For some of the pieces this means that it can be worn with anything from jeans and a t-shirt to a cocktail dress, while others take the concept of versatility even a step further and can be worn in multiple positions. My “scarf necklaces” [above], can be worn at least 4 different ways. You can drape them, toss one end over your shoulder, tie them, knot them… whatever! It’s all about options, and being creative.”
As some of you were aware, until mid-April I worked full time at a local women’s magazine called brava (website is now a little outdated). It ceased operations and left about a dozen wonderfully creative people without jobs. Half of that group stuck together to try to figure out a way to work together to get brava back into production. I finally have good, no, great news to report: brava is back! Here’s the official press release:
BRAVA MAGAZINE AND MADISON WOMEN’S EXPO ANNOUNCE RELAUNCH
Brava magazine confirms release date of August 1, 2009Madison, Wis. — June 4, 2009 — Brava magazine, the monthly lifestyle publication dedicated to celebrating the lives of women in south central Wisconsin, announces it will re-launch the popular magazine on August 1, 2009.
Erickson Publishing, LLC, former publisher of brava magazine, its sister publication the annual encore edition and producer of the Madison Women’s Expo suspended operations in April. The fate of the products was unknown. Kristin Erickson, owner of Erickson Publishing, LLC, is happy to have sold the business to a core group of former employees. “I am so proud of the impact brava made to our readers, our advertisers and the community as a whole,” Erickson says. “It was extremely hard to suspend publication, and I am absolutely thrilled that this team of talented professionals will continue to take the products to new exciting levels. I am delighted to pass the baton to Laura Houlihan.” Erickson will also remain working with the team as a consultant.
“The team is assembled and has been working behind the scenes for weeks in the hopes the purchase would go through,” says Houlihan, the newly named publisher of the magazine. Houlihan brings to the table her past experience running Skirt Magazine in Jacksonville, Fla., as well as her sales experience at brava. “The outpouring of support from our readership and advertisers has been amazing. We couldn’t let it die,” says Houlihan. “It’s like having our family back together.”
The Madison Women’s Expo, a yearly event produced by brava and held the weekend before Thanksgiving will also return for its 11th year. Marketing and Events Director, Michelle Page-Alswager, will remain at the helm. “What can I say? Women look forward to this event and exhibitors love the results they get from the thousands of attendees visiting them. It’s the perfect tie in — the premier women’s magazine in south central Wisconsin, and the best Women’s Expo, I’m lucky to be part of both,” states Page-Alswager.
More information to follow.
For more information, contact Michelle Page-Alswager at (608) 235-3857 or Laura Houlihan at 608-609-9149 or holdthathought@gmail.com.
As always, you can follow our progress at our interim blog, hold that thought, although I can’t make any promises for regular updates since we’ll be working so hard to get this magazine launched. Feel free to leave any comments here or there as to what you’d like to see in brava as it moves forward.
Just wanted to say ‘hi!’ to all the new visitors to the blog courtesy of the Daily Page and other recent press. When it rains it pours: 622 press is currently featured on The Isthmus Daily Page’s Madison etsy explorations as well as brava Magazine’s annual holiday Wish List. Woo hoo!
622 press | LETTERPRESS GOODS MADE BY HAND 