cowgirl chile company

Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T10:45:00.004-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone. I love Valentine's Day, probably because I love telling the people I really love in my life how much I love and appreciate them. Today, I've managed to say "Happy Valentine's Day" to my darling husband, my sweet little dog (yes, of course he counts!), my wonderful daughter (albiet for three seconds as I accidently called her while she was in class) and my dear mom. But the other person that I think we sometimes forget to wish Happy Valentine's Day to is ourselves. This morning as I was getting dressed I put on a silver heart shaped necklace from my new Valentine's Collection and as I adjusted the clasp it occured to me that it's okay to show yourself some love on Valentine's Day. Now I need to resist rushing out and buying myself a huge red heart shaped box of chocolates.

Enjoy the day with your sweeties, or even with just yourself.

XXOO

Laura

"You Shouldn't Have Gotten Me Anything!"

2012-02-10T12:09:00.005-05:00

In my experience, it is always a good thing to hear "You shouldn't have gotten me anything!" on traditional gift giving days, rather than showing up empty handed. Leading up to Valentine's Day you may hear "You don't need to get me anything". That usually can be interpreted as "You should get me something, no matter how small or else you will be in trouble". All of these things can be hard to decipher but it's usually better to have something in hand on February 14th, just in case. Especially if she has managed to get you something as well, and then what are you going to do?

Of course, I'm not telling you anything that you don't know. I'm just trying to remind you, so that I can help make things a little easier. This year, Cowgirl Chile Co. has introduced lots of new items to our Valentine's Collection. The exciting part for you is that many pieces are priced from $25 to $100, making them easy to get and stow away, just in case. They're also really appropriate for someone you love, but may want to set a spending limit on, such as daughters, nieces, moms and favorite aunts. If you want to go a little overboard this year to show your honey how you really feel about her, I can help you with that as well.

So remember all the women in your life this year. Valentine's Day is not just for lovers, you know. Stop in the store and I can help you pick out something for each of the special gals in your life. Because you really do want to hear "You shouldn't have gotten me anything!" next Tuesday.

- Laura
Cowgirl Chile Co. Jewelry

Rocking The Valentine's Day Photo Shoot

2012-01-24T13:18:00.004-05:00

I love it when work and fun come together to produce something truly wonderful. This past weekend, we had a photo shoot of some new jewelry designs. We had been wanting to get together with a particular model for at least a couple of months, but during November and December, we just got much too busy with the holiday shopping season to make time for a shoot.

This was our first time working together with this model and it was a great experience. We got some really terrific shots.

Many times when customers come into the shop, they ask about the beautiful framed advertising posters on the walls. These posters are a collaborative effort and there's alot of work that goes into each one. Mark of MMR Digital Photography books the models and takes all the pictures. I help by styling the shoot, both jewelry and wardrobe, which I love doing. Sometimes I'll come up with a concept and then have to scout specific wardrobe items to pull it off. I'll often use pieces from my vintage clothing collection if I think they'll work, or I'll keep an eye out for something to purchase in the model's size. I also try to help during the shoot by making sure we have great music playing non stop. Plus I keep an eye on things to make sure the jewelry is hanging straight, the backdrop hasn't become crumpled or something like that.

During Saturday's shoot, everything came off perfectly. The jewelry looked great. Our model was gorgeous, photogenic, comfortable in front of the camera. She was everything you could ask for and then some. The shots came out beautifully and we're really excited about using them for some upcoming ads and on our website.

Pictured here is our favorite shot. Everything about it is just lovely and when it happened, it was one of those magic moments that gets caught when the shutter clicks. Her expression, that little wisp of hair to the side of her face and how it somehow echoes the heart shape of the necklace, the lighting, the color of her clothing, the way the pendant of the necklace is just nestled into the folds of the fabric of her shirt. All the elements add up to perfection. After Mark took this shot, he looked at it on the preview screen of the camera and summed it up with two words as he showed it to our model: "You Rock!"

Made With Love

2012-01-20T13:02:00.004-05:00

Although we are a couple of weeks into the year, I don't think it's too late for me to take a few moments and give thanks to all of my wonderful customers over the past year. I do appreciate the support and love that has been given to Cowgirl Chile Co. and the work that I create. Without you, I wouldn't be here.

I am busy designing my first collection of 2012. With Valentine's Day approaching, I've taken inspiration from one of my favorite iconic symbols, the heart. Several new styles have been created and several more are taking shape in the creative parts of my brain. If you are in the area of Doylestown, stop by and visit the works in progress on my workbench.

Pictured above is one of the first pieces from my new collection, a gorgeous silver pyrite sculpted heart with sterling silver and hung on a strand of pyrite nuggets. It is a showstopper and it is made with love. Approximately 18-20" long, $138.

Antiques Roadshow 2065

2011-12-12T10:23:00.011-05:00

Fast forward for a moment to the year 2065. Picture, if you will, your yet-to-be-born great great granddaughter featured on the future version of the Antiques Roadshow. Television as we know it won't exist and instead the masses will be watching with anticipation on their digital viewing bionic pad/phone/wrist screens, implanted in the backs of their left hands. It's 8 PM and there is an elevated sky metro jet train full of commuters returning from the city, all poised in what has become the now familiar viewing gesture: left arm raised, elbow bent at a right angle, left hand held within a few inches of the face, palm out. All eyes up and down the train car are trained to the broadcast which appears on the screens.

On the program, your great great granddaughter looks lovely in her fashionable retro 2040 style outfit and she smiles as she tells the appraiser about the treasure that she has lovingly placed before them.

"It belonged to my great great grandmother and it was her favorite piece of jewelry" she explains. "My great great grandfather bought it for her from the artist, for a Christmas present".

"Do you know what he paid for it?" the appraiser asks.

"I was told it was a little over $500 and this was back around 2011," your great granddaughter replies. "It's been handed down in the family ever since and it came to me last year."

After showing the details of the piece to the viewers, the appraiser begins to evaluate the piece.

"What you have here is a necklace made by Cowgirl Chile Co., which was a small artist's workshop operating out of what used to be known as the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the early part of this century. It's in remarkable condition and quite a rare piece. This is the Bison Blue Skies Necklace, which is considered to be the most iconic piece made by Cowgirl Chile Co. What we do know about this workshop was that all the jewelry was designed handcrafted by artist Laura Rutkowski and that she was an artist at the forefront of what's now known as the Turn Of The Century Handmade Movement. Now, I've got to tell you that there are only three others of these known to exist. One is in the Earth Museum on Mars Colony and two are in private collections. I've consulted with my colleagues and we all feel unanimously that this is the very best one we've ever seen. It's in perfect condition and the hand sculpted bison is very well defined. At auction, this piece would bring $5,000,000,000.00 Ameri-Euros."

"Wow", your great great granddaughter says as she begins to choke up with emotion. "I mean, that's like the price of a small condo!"

"It really is a beautiful piece and thank you for bringing it in today so that we could share it with our viewers," the appraiser tells her.

"Thank you," your great great granddaugher replies, "We're going to keep it in the family."

----------------------

Make history in 2065 by giving Cowgirl Chile Co. Jewelry in 2011.

The Bison Blue Skies Necklace. Wearable art for today. A treasured heirloom for tomorrow. Available exclusively at Cowgirl Chile Co. Jewelry in Doylestown, PA. Bison Blue Skies costs $525.00 in 2011 US Dollars.

You Are Cordially Invited To Our Open House

2011-12-08T11:49:00.005-05:00

It's time for a little bit of shopping fun!

Our Annual Holiday Open House Weekend is nearly here and you are invited. We always enjoy hosting this event, and this year will be no exception. We are anticipating clear and crisp weather, perfect for setting the mood for holiday shopping. Bring your Christmas list and your appetite, as we will have lots of goodies and refreshments on hand, including fresh apple cider, a variety of hot sauces and salsas to sample, grilled hot dogs and more.

And please don't forget to bring an unwrapped toy as we are an official Toys For Tots collection point.

This is a great time to shop Cowgirl Chile Co., as I've been busy with some great new designs, working with some gorgeous agates, quartz, druzies and several other stones. If you are looking for something really special that will become a treasured heirloom gift, be sure to stop in because you are sure to find it here. Because I make all the jewelry which we sell in our shop, restocking during our busy holiday season can sometimes take quite awhile, so it is always best to come in early for the widest choice and best selection of our beautiful handmade jewelry.

Cowgirl Chile Co. Jewelry Holiday Open House Weekend
December 9 through 11, 2011
Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 7 PM
Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM

52 E. State Street, Doylestown PA 18901
215-348-4646 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 215-348-4646 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cranberry Pomander Sauce

2011-11-21T11:13:00.008-05:00

I've been making this homemade cranberry sauce for years and it is unlike any I have tasted, before or since. My inspiration was the pomander balls that we used to make as children at Christmas time. I thought that the wonderful smelling spices used in pomander balls would be perfect married with tart cranberries, and they are. In addition, it's a festive mix of flavors perfect for ushering in the holiday season and makes a wonderful compliment to turkey.

This cranberry sauce is so delicious that certain family members rely on me bringing it to the Thanksgiving table. If I'm not sharing the holiday with them that year, I always have to send over a container of sauce anyway, because after having had it once, they can't imagine Thanksgiving without it again.

If you do make this sauce, bear in mind that you may want to amp up the seasonings -- a little sweeter, a little heavier on the spices -- to suit your own taste. I consider all recipes an approximation guide anyway, so bear that in mind and have fun making this great sauce for your Thanksgiving meal.

Cranberry Pomander Sauce

1 bag of fresh cranberries
2 oranges
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup raisins
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Empty the cranberries into a colander. Wash them and pick out any stems and wrinkled berries (discard those). Put the sorted cranberries into a heavy pot on the stove. Using a grater, zest just the outer orange part of the peel into the pot, taking care not to use the bitter white part that lies underneath. Juice the two oranges and add the juice to the berries. The liquid should almost cover the berries. If you need more liquid, you can always add some ready made orange juice, apple cider or even water. Add sugar, spices, raisins and stir. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the sauce has begun to get thick. Stir in the walnuts and remove from the heat.

I often make two different versions for the Thanksgiving table, the one above and a second one in which I add about a teaspoon or so of chipotle powder and some cumin, to give it a real nice kick. Both are delicious and will make a memorable cranberry sauce for your holiday meal.

Cornsticks: A Thanksgiving Tradition

2011-11-17T16:09:00.009-05:00

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and my mind somehow turns to cornsticks, which are really like a corn muffin (yet better) baked in the shape of an adorable little ear of corn. I'm not sure why I associate these yummy treats with the Thanksgiving meal, as we never had them when I was growing up. But the first time that I ever undertook cooking Thanksgiving dinner for the entire family, I was inspired to go out and get myself a cast iron cornstick pan (just like the one pictured above) and whip up a couple of batches, so that by now cornsticks have become a Thanksgiving tradition for me. There's something really nice about passing a bread basket around the table, filled with a warm assortment of soft rolls and crispy cornsticks.

When I moved to Pennsylvania several years ago, one of the things I enjoyed was the difference in the local foods. For one thing, stuffing is called filling around here. I loved finding regional ingredients that I had never tried before. My favorite discovery was Brinser's Best Yellow Cornmeal. The brown paper bag with the pencil sketch of founder Solomon C. Brinser didn't look like anything I'd ever seen in the baking aisle before. In fact, it has a vintage appeal, reminiscent of the 1930's, and that was one of the reasons it attracted me. And then there were the words "It's Roasted" emblazoned across the top. I couldn't resist buying a bag, bringing it home and whipping up a batch of cornbread. Wow, this stuff is incredible. It has a fuller, nuttier flavor than any other corn meal I've ever tried, and makes up into the most wonderfully delicious cornbread I've ever tasted.

Made in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania since 1880, Haldeman Mills has been making Brinser's Best Yellow cornmeal exactly the same way for all these years. And they mean what they say, because the corn that Haldeman Mills uses is not, and never has been, genetically modified. Which is nice to know, plus it tastes great as well.This is my recipe for cornsticks, and I also use it for cornbread. The only difference is the pan which I use to bake it in.

3/4 cup Brinser's Best Yellow Corn Meal
3/4 cup white flour
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1-1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 stick butter, melted
3/4 cup milk
1 egg, beaten

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine dry ingredients well and then blend in the rest of the ingredients. Stir in butter and blend well, then combine the egg and milk. If you are using a cast iron pan (such as a cornstick pan), get it good and hot in the oven so that the mixture sizzles as you pour it in. This will give you a nice crispy crust. (Note: This recipe is enough to make one pan of cornsticks and one sheet pan of cornbread that you can bake in the oven at the same time. Unless your kitchen is blessed with multiple cornstick pans, making more than a few at a time can be a time consuming process.) Bake for about 15 - 20 minutes, or until lightly brown and cooked through. Be careful, as cornsticks cook more quickly, so watch your oven to make sure they don't get too overdone.

Omit the sugar and you can use this recipe for stuffing a turkey that really rocks (the stuffing comes out too sweet if you add the sugar). The rich flavor of the cornmeal marries well with turkey. Make up a large sheet pan full (just double the recipe) a day or two ahead of time and let the cornbread get a little stale before using. I always make a little extra because we can't resist eating some, slathered with butter, when it's just out of the oven. Then simply use in your favorite cornbread stuffing recipe. I like to add onions, garlic, sausage and mushrooms to mine.

If you don't live in an area where Brinser's Best Yellow Cornmeal is sold, you can always contact the mill, as they are happy to mail order their products to you. They also have a program which enables you to request your local grocer to carry Brinser's Best, and they will send you free samples if you follow up with them. Details can be found on their website at http://www.haldemanmills.com/

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and be sure to include some cornsticks, corn bread or stuffing made with Brinser's Best.

Veteran's Day 2011

2011-11-11T10:23:00.008-05:00

Veteran's Day is a solemn occasion to give thanks and honor the men and women who have served our great country. Buck's County, Pennsylvania's Office of Military Affairs has just established a Veteran's Discount Program and Cowgirl Chile Co. is one of the first establishments in Doylestown to sign up. Present your official Buck's County Veteran's Discount Card and receive 15 percent off on all jewelry purchases in our store. This will be an ongoing way to honor our service people, not just an offer for Veteran's Day. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your service.

A time of reflection, Veteran's Day brings gratitude for the troops who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice. It also brings to mind many memories of the relatives I've had who have served our country. My father quit high school to join the Army Air Corps when World War II broke out. His father, my beloved grandpa, was a civilian who was a talented machinist for the Army and was honored by a top general for his work. Several uncles served during the Korean War. My mother was considering joining the WACs after graduating high school in the 1940s, but as the oldest of five children, she instead went to work to support her family when her father suddenly died. My mother's dream as a girl was to become a fashion designer and when I asked why she wanted to join the WACs (Women's Army Corps) instead of the WAVES (the women's branch of the US Navy) , she told me that the WACs had a better looking uniform, which amuses me to no end.

Shop Small

2011-11-04T15:49:00.015-04:00

Don't you love it when a new holiday is created and there is ample reason to celebrate it? I know I do. November 26, 2011 will be the second ever Small Business Saturday celebration. It was created last year. We already had Cyber Monday and Black Friday, which are events that don't always help the little guy (or gal!) who tends to be the backbone of American retail: the owner - operator of a single location, small business brick and mortar store. Okay, so these might not be 'holiday' holidays, but they sure are traditions.

I think Small Business Saturday is a great idea, and a great way for families to spend the day together as the Thanksgiving holiday starts to wind down. By Saturday, everyone will have had enough turkey and pie and it'll be time to get out of the house and get some fresh air and exercise. Come to Doylestown. Walk around our picturesque small town, wander in and out of shops (nearly all of them are small businesses here), stop into a restaurant for lunch, wander into some more shops, stop and get a hot chocolate or coffee and then shop some more. Be sure to stop into my shop, Cowgirl Chile Co. We'll have delicious refreshments and free gift wrapping. And I'll greet you with a warm smile, because I am truly thankful for my wonderful customers. Because great customers are what keeps great small businesses like mine alive.

Cowgirl Chile Co. is located at 52 E. State Street, Doylestown PA 18901

215-348-4646

Floppy Hat Love

2011-09-28T16:29:00.010-04:00

That fall weather I'd been looking forward to came and went, but it looks like it is coming back again real soon. I've been wearing my floppy hat a few times a week in anticipation of the new season and have found that it is perfect for looking cool and keeping the early autumn drizzle off.

This style of hat is one that I've always loved and over the years I've had several. In fact, a favorite (and particularly beautiful) black one somehow went AWOL years ago and I've found that I've been missing it a great deal lately. Back in July I happened to see the anniversary special of An American Family on PBS. Included was some wonderful footage of Lance Loud deplaning onto the tarmac as he returns home to California wearing rockstar scarves and a floppy hat and just being so generally fabulous. It reminded me of my beautiful missing hat and after watching it, I found couldn't stop thinking of it.

So, I'm really excited that after a year of looking, I've finally found a source for wool felt floppy hats for the store. This is a quality, well made hat, decorated with the simplest of details -- just a matching felt cord that ties in a soft bow around the crown. I love this style, because it's universally flattering, looks great whether you are young or old, it's practical and pulls together any outfit whether an elegant dress, casual jeans or boho skirt and boots. Chunky, layered necklaces in natural stones are a perfectly accompany the floppy hat. I also adore it with a bathing suit at the beach. In the top photo, above, I'm wearing my favorite black leather jacket and one of my new faceted agate slab and bronze necklaces in a gorgeous blue color. I feel just like a '70's rockstar.

Need to get your boho on? Wear this hat.

Hat by D&Y - $28. Wool felt. Floppy. Brown or black. The hottest hat around right now.

Agate & Bronze Necklace by Cowgirl Chile Co. Jewelry - $158. (The stones in this piece are absolutely amazing and I've also made it in a deep pink / purple version)

Cowgirl Chile Co. is located at 52 E. State Street, Doylestown PA 18901. (215)348-4646. Love the hat and necklace and live to far to stop in? Give us a call; we would be happy to ship your purchases.

Autumn's Coming

2011-09-14T16:01:00.003-04:00

The weather forecast says that it's going to get cooler tomorrow and that there will be an autumn chill in the air over the next few days. This morning on the way in to my jewelry studio / shop, I passed a big farm truck packed full with overflowing crates of pumpkins. It made me smile because I really love this time of year. It was kind of like the feeling you get when you have the first sighting of a Christmas tree tied to a car roof that you pass on the road, right after Thanksgiving. That first bit of excitement that Christmas is coming? Well, this was my bit of excitement that autumn's coming. When I got to the shop, one of the first things that I did was clear away the summer decor and bring out the autumn decor. The jewelry cases now look bright and cheerful filled with autumn leaves and pretty little colorful gourds. There's a pumpkin and autumn leaves in the front window, too.

Summer, go away. I'm longing to wear warm sweaters, dark red lipstick, wool felt floppy hats, tall boots with dresses and my favorite tweed suit. I want to make a big pot of chili or beef stew. I'm looking forward to snuggling under warm comforters at night and in the morning, pulling a sweater on over my nightgown as I warm up with the day's first cup of hot coffee.

C'mon autumn. I miss you.