Thoughts & Reflections

This time of year has different meanings and feelings for everyone…this I know. For anyone out there also hustlin’ this December, remember to take a moment and savor some of the magic. For anyone out there who also feels down or lonely this time of year, remember that you are loved and to be really good to yourself. 

This is a very special week, as my beloved grandma turns 100 years old on July 29! Does she look incredible or what!? I feel so grateful that my life has been surrounded by strong, inspiring women, and my grandma is a huge part of that unshakeable foundation.

CMD runs on woman power, and we’re all the stronger for it. We were delighted to spend the last few days at our New York Production Studio, all the way across the country from our San Francisco HQ. While we may span time zones, our common passions, worth ethics and respect for one another keep us closely tied together. 

As the year winds down and we look forward to 2017, we want to take a moment to thank each of you for supporting small business this year. We’re appreciative of each of one of you! Our very favorite part of the holiday season (next to spending it with friends and family) is the Christmas tree itself. 

One of the best things about the Bay Area is its proximity to nature—drive a couple miles any direction and you’ll find something beautiful. Recently, I unplugged for four days, and I admit - living “off the grid” was fantastic. Just north of Sacramento, on the Feather River, we joined a group of friends and embraced a nature-filled time. 

This past week, I was so fortunate to travel back to Virginia Tech and spend time with my 13 (yes, 13!) closest college friends in honor of our 15-year graduation anniversary. Being back at VT after all these years was refreshing, exciting, nostalgic, and made me incredibly thankful for such wonderful lifelong friendships. 

If you’re a frequent reader of our blog, you know that creating fine, handmade jewelry right here in San Francisco is the beating heart of CMD. We’re so proud (and grateful!) for it all: watching our designs come alive; a rockstar staff; an amazing neighborhood filled to the brim with other local creatives—the list goes on. 

As I reflect on these 10 years of glory, pain, joy, tears, laughter, friendships, and oh-so much more, I must express both my gratitude and my nostalgia. I am overflown with happiness and pride, and though I am just a speck in the universe of creators, I live for this passion (truly, creativity keeps me sane).

Certain adventures strike a special cord in our hearts, and my recent trip with my mom throughout Washington State was an experience we will both cherish for the rest of our lives. Though we’re already so close, our epic adventure blew our minds and strengthened our bond even more. 

Every step of the CMD journey has been immensely rewarding, but there are certain milestones that make our heart sing oh-so proudly. Beyond being one of the most renowned places of modern design in Northern California, SFMOMA was an inaugural part in the creation of Colleen Mauer Designs.

This past weekend was the absolutely magical Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Fest in Golden Gate Park, and I feel so rejuvenated that I simply have to sing its praises. However, one cannot mention the glory of Hardly Strictly without giving due recognition to the late Warren Hellman.

As I close my eyes and think of the word “home,” I have a vivid image of the beach.  Growing up on the Jersey Shore meant sand was between my toes on a regular basis.  Salty air, crashing waves, screeching seagulls…these memories instantly conjure feelings of happiness, peacefulness and family.

Creating jewelry is my greatest passion, and I absolutely love doing it every day. The CMD studio is bursting with inspiration, productivity and laughter. But at the end of the workday I’m oftentimes thinking dreamily of my favorite creative outlet – cooking in my kitchen.

I am thrilled for the changes and growth 2013 will bring, and I’m so proud to reflect on my sweetest moments of the last year. We’ve built an amazing, solid team of talented ladies who are all excited to be part of CMD. I’m restructuring the foundation of the business and am so excited for the direction we are heading.

I remember my first experience seeing someone wear CMD jewelry in public. While at Rainbow Grocery in line to checkout, I looked up from my cart of deliciousness to see a woman in front of me wearing my hammered oval hoops. Unbeknownst to her I stood feet away, my heart swelled with pride.