#ringstories

There's a lot to be thankful for in this crazy adventure called life and I love being reminded of one person in particular (and a few places 1, 2, 3), every time I look at my left hand and see my rings.

Ring Cozy helps protect the rings you love while doing the things you love. And in many cases, those rings hold special memories of cherished people and moments in your life.

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to celebrate those special people and moments and we're doing so at Ring Cozy by sharing #RingStories on Instagram all week long. To join us on memory lane, take snaps of your ring, your favorite person, or that special spot in the park where you said "Yes!" - I'd love to hear what your rings mean to you!

Click here for more details and to see the special code to receive 25% OFF all orders today through Sunday, December 1. This will be the only sale for the year so get in on it quick if you have a few ring wearers on your holiday gift list! Ring Cozy makes an excellent stocking stuffer...just sayin'.

making it in LA

It's been good to be back in LA to get things done - what a difference it makes to be here! Instead of relying on phone calls and emails in different timezones, I can be somewhere at a moments notice and give comments and samples as they're needed (take that, two weeks snail mail). Not to mention the face time that I'm getting with suppliers and manufacturers. Can't even begin to tell you how invaluable the personal interaction has been.

Aside from getting my own work done, I've been re-inspired by all of the production that exists in the area. Name a tangible good and chances are that there's a place in LA that makes it. In the warehouse and industrial zones, every building you see is busy with people making clothes, accessories, toys, furniture, printing fabric, printing paper, bottling food & bev, packing and shipping - it's truly is amazing how much still happens here.

So where am I at with Ring Cozy? We've got our launch colors all set and so far everything is on track to ship pre-orders at the end of the month (woo hoo, fingers crossed!!!). Making it happen ladies and gents, making it happen.

ready, set, #putaringcozyonit

Today is an exciting day. A day when I take a big leap of faith and launch Ring Cozy on one of my favorite websites, Kickstarter!

It's been months and months (okay, nearly one year) in the making and I feel nervous, anxious, scared but most of all, excited. Beyond announcing my new venture here on the the blog I haven't really made a big public push. I've been working on manufacturing and fulfillment details and now that those things are set, I'm ready to really put Ring Cozy out there!

In case you're new to the blog, or missed this post, Ring Cozy is an activewear accessory that I designed after realizing that I was damaging my engagement ring's band while working out at the gym. I love my ring and since I never wanted to be without it I had to find a way to keep it on while comfortably protecting it during my activities.

If you're not familiar with Kickstarter, it's a crowdfunding website that helps creative projects get funded by supporters in exchange for rewards (ie. being the first to receive the actual product they're helping to fund).  In my case, the Project is getting multiple sizes and colors for Ring Cozy's first-run production.  I chose to launch via Kickstarter for obvious reasons (manufacturing ain't cheap!) but mainly because as a supporter of past projects, I believe that the entrepreneurial and creative spirit of the website is amazing.

Since Kickstarter operates on an all-or-nothing system for raising funds from supporters - and the project's duration is only 22 days - I need help in getting the word out early to make this launch a success!

This is where and how you, my awesome readers and internet pals, can help: share the heck out of the project via your social media accounts and personal emails to your personal and professional contacts who might be interested in getting a Ring Cozy of their own. Any shares, likes, follows, and emails will be forever appreciated!

You can find Ring Cozy on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and use the campaign hashtag #putaringcozyonit

I really believe in Ring Cozy and the potential that it has to become an everyday activewear accessory for ring wearers who want to keep their rings on while enjoying their active lifestyles. Thanks for the support so far and many many many thanks for being with me for the journey ahead!

Cheers to making things happen!

PS  - a huge THANK YOU is due to Michelle Mizner of Field Work Media for the awesome video! She is one talented lady.

in tune with spring

It's been a bit quiet on the blog front regarding Ring Cozy but I promise that it's been the complete opposite behind the scenes. I'm putting the final touches on a really exciting next step and can't wait to share it with you real soon. Just like the flowers in this lily pad pond, Ring Cozy is ready to bloom!

photo by Ana Maria Munoz, taken in Con Dao, Vietnam

over and out

Hi guys! I'm all packed and ready to fly back home today. This month was a total whirlwind but I'm leaving feeling a little wiser than I arrived. Met a lot of great people, saw a lot of encouraging things on the production end, and made it through driving around in traffic unscathed (cars are just not my thing anymore). Work stuff aside, spending time with my sister and nieces was the best. They are such beautiful people. As is our friend Jeanne who let me crash at her beach pad these last two weeks. I never got to live on the coast while in LA but I'm sold on the tranquility and community charm of Hermosa and Manhattan. You simply can't hate waking up and walking down to the strand for a run with an ocean breeze! I got very spoiled.

I'll gladly leave the beach though if it means that I get to be back home with Joe. I miss my favorite person too too much. Loads of hugs and kisses await.

And I know it's a bit late but thank you thank you thank you for your awesome support and response to my Ring Cozy announcement last week! I've got my work cut out for me but I'm definitely ready for it.

Chat you from KL!

P.S. a special thank you to Jan over at Poppytalk for this rad post!

announcing: RING COZY

I never imagined that an engagement ring would do anything other than sit and look pretty on my finger but in fact, it has inspired me to create a brand new product. Introducing: Ring Cozy, a jewelry ring protector designed for people who want to keep their ring on while enjoying an active lifestyle.

The idea to protect my ring came after constantly worrying about damaging it while working out at the gym and fretting about taking it off for "safe keeping" elsewhere. I wanted a comfortable and easy way to cover my ring without interfering with whatever I was doing. It also needed it to be versatile enough to use in the water while swimming (you know how those fingers can shrink). Several prototypes and neoprene sheets later and here you have it, the Ring Cozy! I've designed two different styles for rings with or without raised stone settings and will have sizes for men and women. Because yes, men wear rings, too.

I came to LA with 350 samples that I sewed at home and have been giving them to friends and strangers to try out in exchange for their feedback. Since I can't  reach through the computer screen and offer the same to you (really wish I could!), I invite you to take a quick survey. It's painless, I promise, and it will help me see whether or not people share my concern for protecting that special ring on their finger! Make sure you provide an email address at the end and check off "blog" + write "Anamu" so that I can send you something special if you make a purchase within a month after sales launch online. I wanna show you, my awesome readers, some extra love!

So, now you know what's been keeping me busy these days and hopefully for many more to come. This trip has been so insightful and encouraging that it makes finally sharing Ring Cozy with you that much more exciting. There is still much to do but the important thing is that it's happening! I'm going for it. Thank you for being a part of it via this blog!