on The Indiego. This is an advertising network for creative professional. Needless to say I was thrilled and excited. What a nice way to start the day. Go check out the site it has lots of interesting information and many opportunities for indie artists to advertise and be seen. Don't forget about the Christmas in July sale in my etsy shop it ends at midnight tonite!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Featured on The Indiego
So I woke up to a convo on etsy this morning stating that I was the featured artist of the week
on The Indiego. This is an advertising network for creative professional. Needless to say I was thrilled and excited. What a nice way to start the day. Go check out the site it has lots of interesting information and many opportunities for indie artists to advertise and be seen. Don't forget about the Christmas in July sale in my etsy shop it ends at midnight tonite!
on The Indiego. This is an advertising network for creative professional. Needless to say I was thrilled and excited. What a nice way to start the day. Go check out the site it has lots of interesting information and many opportunities for indie artists to advertise and be seen. Don't forget about the Christmas in July sale in my etsy shop it ends at midnight tonite!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Christmas in July Sale
Just wanted to remind everyone that I am having a Christmas in July sale until the 31st! Just
click on the link Silver River Jewelry . Put Christmas in July in your notes to seller and I will refund you through pay pal. Also there are at 400+ other sellers on Etsy that are also doing their own Christmas in July sale. Just type in Christmas in July and you should pull up lots of shops that are participating. Now is a great time to get started on your Christmas shopping! Not only will you save some money but you will be much less stressed the rest of the year. I have 3 birthdays in August that I have to buy for before I can start my Christmas shopping but you can bet that I am checking out the sales on etsy for those birthday gifts.
click on the link Silver River Jewelry . Put Christmas in July in your notes to seller and I will refund you through pay pal. Also there are at 400+ other sellers on Etsy that are also doing their own Christmas in July sale. Just type in Christmas in July and you should pull up lots of shops that are participating. Now is a great time to get started on your Christmas shopping! Not only will you save some money but you will be much less stressed the rest of the year. I have 3 birthdays in August that I have to buy for before I can start my Christmas shopping but you can bet that I am checking out the sales on etsy for those birthday gifts.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Treasury!
I can never tell lol! None of my treasuries have ever hit the front page. Maybe I just don't have an eye for them or something. Anyway they are a ton of fun to do and a lot of fun to look through also. I am constantly discovering new shops this way. Go check them out! Feel free to click on the treasury here and leave a comment on the treasury there.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Christmas in July Sale
Just a head's up for everyone there are a group of people on etsy 
that will be doing a Christmas in July sale. Starting July 20th to July 31st everyone on the list will be
doing some kind of a special for the sale. I will include the link to the forum post that has everyone that will be participating. You can also type in Christmas in July in the tags and that will also pull up everyone who is participating. I have about 15 items tagged at the moment but everything in my store will be 10% off for those dates. Make sure that you mention Christmas in July in the comments to seller section to get your discount. The shipping price is not included in the discount. Happy shopping everyone and I hope you all get a good head start on your Christmas shopping.
Here is the link
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5653719
that will be doing a Christmas in July sale. Starting July 20th to July 31st everyone on the list will be
doing some kind of a special for the sale. I will include the link to the forum post that has everyone that will be participating. You can also type in Christmas in July in the tags and that will also pull up everyone who is participating. I have about 15 items tagged at the moment but everything in my store will be 10% off for those dates. Make sure that you mention Christmas in July in the comments to seller section to get your discount. The shipping price is not included in the discount. Happy shopping everyone and I hope you all get a good head start on your Christmas shopping.Here is the link
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5653719
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The Things That People Say Part 2
So I am back with more interesting things that people say to vendors at craft fairs/shows. It is always amazing to me that people do not understand the time and effort it takes to make
things. Not just the amount of time physically spent making items but the time we spend online and in person hunting down reputable, affordable dealers for supplies, and the amount of time that we spend perfecting what we do. I also know from personal experience and know this to be true of 
many other artists as well, we never stop learning new things, and trying to perfect the techniques that we already know. For most of us it is never good enough and this drives us to continue pushing our personal envelope. This is one of the reasons that many of us are unwilling to divulge the source of our materials and many of the techniques that we use just for the asking. We want you to learn by doing just like we did. It tends to make you a better artist than if someone just hands you all of the information. Most of us are more than willing to point you in the right direction to get you started but please, don't expect us to give up all of our secrets we worked so hard to acquire.
Examples
A friend said to me (chatting online): "Maybe you can show me how to make jewelry. I will never have to buy jewelry again!"
My comeback: Logged off.
LOL
I had one of these too!
But then I got really evasive, saying that I buy my wire from the States (via internet), thinking that she might understand my subtleness.. and then she asked me if I could buy the wire for her!
wow, I should think about this a bit more but I did have someone grab my button machine and ask me how it works without asking to touch it. Never touch an artists tools without asking! Don't touch musical instruments, tools that seem like they could be in a tool box like pliers or those fancy artists pens, just don't do it.
Also, every couple of months I get an e-mail from some local person I don't even know who wants to borrow my button machine. They tell me that they want to make buttons and not have to pay my prices!? I usually answers by saying "My button machine is my tool of my trade. I don't think you would ask a random carpenter you didn't know if you could borrow their table saw."
Customer: "where do you get all your supplies?"
Me: *thinking to myself "that is the rudest question to EVER ask a designer"....i said to her w/flat-pan grin "...i get all of it from planet earth." ~ which is a true statement.
"Will you teach me to do that?" (Subtext: "...because I don't want to pay you for something you can teach me for free to make myself...")
"I wonder where she got her supplies"
It's usually "How did you make those?"
To which I usually answer "One at a time."
(One young man of about 13 replied to that, in his best Robert DiNero "So, you ain't gonna tell me?")
I had one guy ask me if I had gold items so he could melt them down. Then he asked me where I got all my stuff.
Ummm... :/
Most often overheard at my booth: a all too common scene:
Nice Lady: "Oh my daughter makes jewelry"
Me: "Yes, I think about 20% of the population does it for a hobby or proffession, it is the sewing of yesterday"
Nice Lady: "My daughter needs to come over here! (calls on cell- "OH daughter- come check this stuff out! You should totally come make this designs and charge so much more!" While looking directly at me)
Me: Is she coming over?
Nice LAdy: Yes, she is, she was just over by the handmade candies
Me: Oh, good, I love to talk with other bead lovers..
Nice lady's daughter : OMG! I love this! Mom, I should totally copy and sell for more! You are so right!!! Hey- you- bead artist, where do you get your beads so I can buy them? I like totally want to make this myself
ME: I have them custom cut and made just for me. Takes 9 months and thousands of dollars (Truth)
Nice LAdy; OH! Daughter! I am so sad for you! You can make so much more money than her if you could do that!
Me: Why dont I give you my bead suppliers name and contact info
Nice Lady 's daughter: That is like so totally unfair! That would take forever!I hate you! I want your beads now! You make it really difficult for others to earn a living at this business!!!
ME: Well, I spent 5 years working for others while doing my jewelry line so I would not spend a dime on credit for supplies and very slowly built up my purchasing abilities. This has taken 11 years for me to get here. No easy road for me.
Nice Lady's daughter: Mom, buy me that necklace so I can resell for 3 times that amount
Me: happy to sell that to you..
Nice ladys daughter: Why dont you just sell me the necklace for what the beads cost you, I think you should because I am a beader too and buy from Fire Mt.
Me: ( It takes me to hear this before I think: WTF????) I am so sorry, but I need to sell at what it is priced at. My babys need food you know!
Nice Lady: Why dont I make it up to you by buying you that nice handbag you want
Nice ladys daughter: Pout....
I love art and craft fairs. I was at the Christmas craft fair last year. There were 2 ladies stop by my booth. They examined everything inside and out the say: "Would you show me how to make this. I don't want to buy, I can make it if you'll show me how" Wow, I said: "Why would I want to do that? How much do you want to pay for the lesson?"
They left without saying a word.
"Where do you get your stuff from? I was thinking of doing the same thing, but I don't know where to get the stuff" !
As you can see most artists and crafters find this type of thing rude and belittling. We really don't mind giving tips about techniques and supplies if you are a serious crafter but don't expect us to give away the farm just so you don't have to pay for something you think you can make yourself.
Usually, if the person is serious about starting a "craft" and making jewelry I might point that person in the right direction. After all, if they go online they will find the information regardless. I don't really have time to teach. I barely have time to create! And if I was to teach anyone I would definitely charge for my time and supplies.
I have had people ask me oh how do you make that? Basically just to see what information they can get out of me... I laugh and tell them "I can't." or "Sure I can tell you, but I charge $30 an hour for my time." Short, plain, simple, straight to the point.
I still do not understand why people think it is just a hobby. Yes I do have a full time job, but I also work on my jewelry practically full time as well. The fact that we sell our work online, on craft shows/fairs, makes it more than just a hobby, but some people take that for granted.
brynnalex
LoellaMedina
nanouke
brainscan
pattymara
sexygeekwithattitude
TheSilkRoad
GivingGrace
Asianexpressions
things. Not just the amount of time physically spent making items but the time we spend online and in person hunting down reputable, affordable dealers for supplies, and the amount of time that we spend perfecting what we do. I also know from personal experience and know this to be true of 
many other artists as well, we never stop learning new things, and trying to perfect the techniques that we already know. For most of us it is never good enough and this drives us to continue pushing our personal envelope. This is one of the reasons that many of us are unwilling to divulge the source of our materials and many of the techniques that we use just for the asking. We want you to learn by doing just like we did. It tends to make you a better artist than if someone just hands you all of the information. Most of us are more than willing to point you in the right direction to get you started but please, don't expect us to give up all of our secrets we worked so hard to acquire.Examples
A friend said to me (chatting online): "Maybe you can show me how to make jewelry. I will never have to buy jewelry again!"
My comeback: Logged off.
LOL
I had one of these too!
But then I got really evasive, saying that I buy my wire from the States (via internet), thinking that she might understand my subtleness.. and then she asked me if I could buy the wire for her!
wow, I should think about this a bit more but I did have someone grab my button machine and ask me how it works without asking to touch it. Never touch an artists tools without asking! Don't touch musical instruments, tools that seem like they could be in a tool box like pliers or those fancy artists pens, just don't do it.
Also, every couple of months I get an e-mail from some local person I don't even know who wants to borrow my button machine. They tell me that they want to make buttons and not have to pay my prices!? I usually answers by saying "My button machine is my tool of my trade. I don't think you would ask a random carpenter you didn't know if you could borrow their table saw."
Customer: "where do you get all your supplies?"
Me: *thinking to myself "that is the rudest question to EVER ask a designer"....i said to her w/flat-pan grin "...i get all of it from planet earth." ~ which is a true statement.
"Will you teach me to do that?" (Subtext: "...because I don't want to pay you for something you can teach me for free to make myself...")
"I wonder where she got her supplies"
It's usually "How did you make those?"
To which I usually answer "One at a time."
(One young man of about 13 replied to that, in his best Robert DiNero "So, you ain't gonna tell me?")
I had one guy ask me if I had gold items so he could melt them down. Then he asked me where I got all my stuff.
Ummm... :/
Most often overheard at my booth: a all too common scene:
Nice Lady: "Oh my daughter makes jewelry"
Me: "Yes, I think about 20% of the population does it for a hobby or proffession, it is the sewing of yesterday"
Nice Lady: "My daughter needs to come over here! (calls on cell- "OH daughter- come check this stuff out! You should totally come make this designs and charge so much more!" While looking directly at me)
Me: Is she coming over?
Nice LAdy: Yes, she is, she was just over by the handmade candies
Me: Oh, good, I love to talk with other bead lovers..
Nice lady's daughter : OMG! I love this! Mom, I should totally copy and sell for more! You are so right!!! Hey- you- bead artist, where do you get your beads so I can buy them? I like totally want to make this myself
ME: I have them custom cut and made just for me. Takes 9 months and thousands of dollars (Truth)
Nice LAdy; OH! Daughter! I am so sad for you! You can make so much more money than her if you could do that!
Me: Why dont I give you my bead suppliers name and contact info
Nice Lady 's daughter: That is like so totally unfair! That would take forever!I hate you! I want your beads now! You make it really difficult for others to earn a living at this business!!!
ME: Well, I spent 5 years working for others while doing my jewelry line so I would not spend a dime on credit for supplies and very slowly built up my purchasing abilities. This has taken 11 years for me to get here. No easy road for me.
Nice Lady's daughter: Mom, buy me that necklace so I can resell for 3 times that amount
Me: happy to sell that to you..
Nice ladys daughter: Why dont you just sell me the necklace for what the beads cost you, I think you should because I am a beader too and buy from Fire Mt.
Me: ( It takes me to hear this before I think: WTF????) I am so sorry, but I need to sell at what it is priced at. My babys need food you know!
Nice Lady: Why dont I make it up to you by buying you that nice handbag you want
Nice ladys daughter: Pout....
I love art and craft fairs. I was at the Christmas craft fair last year. There were 2 ladies stop by my booth. They examined everything inside and out the say: "Would you show me how to make this. I don't want to buy, I can make it if you'll show me how" Wow, I said: "Why would I want to do that? How much do you want to pay for the lesson?"
They left without saying a word.
"Where do you get your stuff from? I was thinking of doing the same thing, but I don't know where to get the stuff" !
As you can see most artists and crafters find this type of thing rude and belittling. We really don't mind giving tips about techniques and supplies if you are a serious crafter but don't expect us to give away the farm just so you don't have to pay for something you think you can make yourself.
Usually, if the person is serious about starting a "craft" and making jewelry I might point that person in the right direction. After all, if they go online they will find the information regardless. I don't really have time to teach. I barely have time to create! And if I was to teach anyone I would definitely charge for my time and supplies.
I have had people ask me oh how do you make that? Basically just to see what information they can get out of me... I laugh and tell them "I can't." or "Sure I can tell you, but I charge $30 an hour for my time." Short, plain, simple, straight to the point.
I still do not understand why people think it is just a hobby. Yes I do have a full time job, but I also work on my jewelry practically full time as well. The fact that we sell our work online, on craft shows/fairs, makes it more than just a hobby, but some people take that for granted.
brynnalex
LoellaMedina
nanouke
brainscan
pattymara
sexygeekwithattitude
TheSilkRoad
GivingGrace
Asianexpressions
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Major Milestone
Well I have to say it crept up on me. One day I had a baby boy. The years flew by as they always do with baseball, soccer, basketball, school, friends, going to the
park, tennis, best friends, girlfriends, learning to drive. Then it happened. My oldest son GRADUATED from high school! There aren't enough words to convey how very proud I am of my son and the man that he has become. He has faced some serious adversity in the past 18 years and has handled himself in manner far beyond his years. He has developed a wonderful sense of humor, a strong work ethic, and is fun to spend time with. This past year as a
senior he has gone to college in the morning (post secondary) gone to high school in the afternoon and held down a job. I am so grateful that despite the many mistakes that my husband and I have made in parenting our kids he has still developed into a this great person who I enjoy spending time with. Great job Brandon!(I just had to brag a little bit lol!)
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
The Things That People Say
Part 1
I am going to be doing a series of posts about the crazy and sometimes rude things that people say or do while at a craft fair/show. Please keep in mind
that for those of us who do craft shows 99.9% of the people who come through our tent or booth are very nice people who we all appreciate. The other .1% can make a crafter's life, I don't know, shall we say stressful?! The great craftspeople on Etys have been kind enough to share some of their stories with me to share with you. Hopefully some of you will get a laugh and maybe some of you will re think what you say in front of the people who have worked so hard to bring their hand crafted, beautifully made items to the general public.
And just so you don't think that I am being too one sided I
will also be sharing some stories about other vendors who can be just as rude and obnoxious to their fellow vendors as anyone else.
The number one thing that people say that tends to irritate artisans is this:
"I can make this myself"
"I can make this myself for less"
"If I had time to take classes I could make it myself"
Lady turns to friend and says "I bet you could make this yourself".
Some true life examples:
"No man alive could make that!"
...to which I (a nice, middle-aged lady, replied, "Well, a woman can!"
My husband once said "I could make that" at a modern art museum. I responded, "But you didn't".
A few years ago a lady was admiring some of my scarves, then she told me she would buy a loom and learn to weave before she bought anything from me cause she could to that herself. Hmm - buy loom, pay for lessons, spend years getting to the level of competence to create what you are holding in your hands before you would pay $60?? I was speechless.
this time i didn't have to have a quick come back...the customer did it for me....bless her little heart!
i owned a B&M shop in MI in the early 90's....i had over 40 artisans in my shop (including my own work). i used to do design work for BH&G magazine (Better Homes & Gardens), one idea i sold them was my button heart design, which started a HUGE trend of hearts covered in buttons that lasted for years....anywaaaaaay....i also sold them in my shop.
...one day a lady picked one up (not knowing i made them) and said "whaaaa?! $18.95 for THAT thing???! i can DO that!" i, of coarse, didn't admit to making them and replied "well, there are over 70-80 buttons & are exceptional vintage mother of pearl....each one is carefully sewn on by hand, plus it is a perfectly shaped stuffed heart their attached too. i don't think it's as easy as the artist makes it look." She snidely said back "oh yea? i got buttons...i'm gonna make one...it'll prob' look even BETTER than those, i'll bring it back & show ya'! $18.95, ya' got to be kidding me!!" off she went.
the next week, sure enough....she showes up, walks right to my counter and plops down a mash of buttons. i said "what's this?" because i couldn't really tell what the devil it was. "well, i REALLY tried to make one of those expensive button hearts...but, DANG, it's REALLY REALLY hard!! how does she get it to look like a HEART? and how does she manage to get 70 buttons to lay right? AND where on earth did find all those mother pearl button?! mine just doesn't look like HER."
i looked her right in the eye and said "well I spent several yrs collecting antique buttons, and it took many tries to develop the right pattern,...blahblahblah.." during MY explanation she turned bright RED realizing all the things that she had said the week before about ME & my work. when i finished my story she walked over to the bowl picked up the last four button hearts that were left and proceeded to buy ALL four....saying "deary, i owe you a HUGE apology....i just realizd what a BIG mouth i have and i won't ever say "oh i can do that!" AGAIN!!!"
before she left, i shared the REAL story of my button heart...."my neighbor lady died on Mother Day's while i was living in CA, and it was that experience that inspired my button heart design....i created a heart for each of her girls to remember their Mother by. they were to attach a different memory to each button, because a button's job is to keep things together." the nasty customer buying the 4 hearts began to weep, walked around the counter and gave me a HUGE hug...."can you make me 10 more hearts, please? that is the loveliest story....i want to share that story AND what a dope i've been w/my daughters and all my best friends i love. the next time i hear one of them say 'oh, i can do that'...i'll say to 'em...."you only THINK you can!"
"my three year old could do that"
I had a brief stint in art school and one year we made this into the school t-shirt!
I was doing shows every weekend and I make tables out of old windows..one of my biggest sellers at the time. Woman and her son came up and she said to son.."I have one of those windows in the basement" Sonsays "I can make one of those for you" Hubby was standing behind me when the son turned to me and said "how do you make that?" Hubby spoke up before I could say anything and said" for $225 you can take it home and take it apart and find out how she made it" With that.. off they went in a huff without my table..
At my last festival/fair, I had a front table with all my jewelry for sale on it, and then off to the side towards the back of the tent, I had a small table in the shade that my husband and I were taking turns working at. A fairly young lady came up to the table and picked up one of my Romanov weave necklaces (not listed on Etsy yet, but will be soon). Now this necklace took me almost three days to complete because it was made with really tiny rings (they blow away easily they are so small) and it's a complicated weave. But she was looking at it, flipped the price tag over, smirked and said she could make it for far less. Husband picked up my bag of rings and my pliers and told her to hop to it. She scoffed and walked off.
We realize that with the right supplies, the time to spend to learn to make something well (sometimes years) and the patience to do "it" you probably could make "it" yourself. However you are standing in front of the table and the vendor is standing behind the table. Please don't be rude and belittle the time and effort it takes for an artist to make the things they do. Chances are good that even if you could make it you won't. Or you would be behind the table not in front of it.
Many thanks to
MrsGotRocks
karenlorrain
TheEclecticDiva
waywarddreams
NORIK
adornedbyrobin
jessicacjewelry
ingeniouslycreative
thebuddhabuilder
warpedandwonderful
I am going to be doing a series of posts about the crazy and sometimes rude things that people say or do while at a craft fair/show. Please keep in mind
that for those of us who do craft shows 99.9% of the people who come through our tent or booth are very nice people who we all appreciate. The other .1% can make a crafter's life, I don't know, shall we say stressful?! The great craftspeople on Etys have been kind enough to share some of their stories with me to share with you. Hopefully some of you will get a laugh and maybe some of you will re think what you say in front of the people who have worked so hard to bring their hand crafted, beautifully made items to the general public.And just so you don't think that I am being too one sided I
will also be sharing some stories about other vendors who can be just as rude and obnoxious to their fellow vendors as anyone else.The number one thing that people say that tends to irritate artisans is this:
"I can make this myself"
"I can make this myself for less"
"If I had time to take classes I could make it myself"
Lady turns to friend and says "I bet you could make this yourself".
Some true life examples:
"No man alive could make that!"
...to which I (a nice, middle-aged lady, replied, "Well, a woman can!"
My husband once said "I could make that" at a modern art museum. I responded, "But you didn't".
A few years ago a lady was admiring some of my scarves, then she told me she would buy a loom and learn to weave before she bought anything from me cause she could to that herself. Hmm - buy loom, pay for lessons, spend years getting to the level of competence to create what you are holding in your hands before you would pay $60?? I was speechless.
this time i didn't have to have a quick come back...the customer did it for me....bless her little heart!
i owned a B&M shop in MI in the early 90's....i had over 40 artisans in my shop (including my own work). i used to do design work for BH&G magazine (Better Homes & Gardens), one idea i sold them was my button heart design, which started a HUGE trend of hearts covered in buttons that lasted for years....anywaaaaaay....i also sold them in my shop.
...one day a lady picked one up (not knowing i made them) and said "whaaaa?! $18.95 for THAT thing???! i can DO that!" i, of coarse, didn't admit to making them and replied "well, there are over 70-80 buttons & are exceptional vintage mother of pearl....each one is carefully sewn on by hand, plus it is a perfectly shaped stuffed heart their attached too. i don't think it's as easy as the artist makes it look." She snidely said back "oh yea? i got buttons...i'm gonna make one...it'll prob' look even BETTER than those, i'll bring it back & show ya'! $18.95, ya' got to be kidding me!!" off she went.
the next week, sure enough....she showes up, walks right to my counter and plops down a mash of buttons. i said "what's this?" because i couldn't really tell what the devil it was. "well, i REALLY tried to make one of those expensive button hearts...but, DANG, it's REALLY REALLY hard!! how does she get it to look like a HEART? and how does she manage to get 70 buttons to lay right? AND where on earth did find all those mother pearl button?! mine just doesn't look like HER."
i looked her right in the eye and said "well I spent several yrs collecting antique buttons, and it took many tries to develop the right pattern,...blahblahblah.." during MY explanation she turned bright RED realizing all the things that she had said the week before about ME & my work. when i finished my story she walked over to the bowl picked up the last four button hearts that were left and proceeded to buy ALL four....saying "deary, i owe you a HUGE apology....i just realizd what a BIG mouth i have and i won't ever say "oh i can do that!" AGAIN!!!"
before she left, i shared the REAL story of my button heart...."my neighbor lady died on Mother Day's while i was living in CA, and it was that experience that inspired my button heart design....i created a heart for each of her girls to remember their Mother by. they were to attach a different memory to each button, because a button's job is to keep things together." the nasty customer buying the 4 hearts began to weep, walked around the counter and gave me a HUGE hug...."can you make me 10 more hearts, please? that is the loveliest story....i want to share that story AND what a dope i've been w/my daughters and all my best friends i love. the next time i hear one of them say 'oh, i can do that'...i'll say to 'em...."you only THINK you can!"
"my three year old could do that"
I had a brief stint in art school and one year we made this into the school t-shirt!
I was doing shows every weekend and I make tables out of old windows..one of my biggest sellers at the time. Woman and her son came up and she said to son.."I have one of those windows in the basement" Sonsays "I can make one of those for you" Hubby was standing behind me when the son turned to me and said "how do you make that?" Hubby spoke up before I could say anything and said" for $225 you can take it home and take it apart and find out how she made it" With that.. off they went in a huff without my table..
At my last festival/fair, I had a front table with all my jewelry for sale on it, and then off to the side towards the back of the tent, I had a small table in the shade that my husband and I were taking turns working at. A fairly young lady came up to the table and picked up one of my Romanov weave necklaces (not listed on Etsy yet, but will be soon). Now this necklace took me almost three days to complete because it was made with really tiny rings (they blow away easily they are so small) and it's a complicated weave. But she was looking at it, flipped the price tag over, smirked and said she could make it for far less. Husband picked up my bag of rings and my pliers and told her to hop to it. She scoffed and walked off.
We realize that with the right supplies, the time to spend to learn to make something well (sometimes years) and the patience to do "it" you probably could make "it" yourself. However you are standing in front of the table and the vendor is standing behind the table. Please don't be rude and belittle the time and effort it takes for an artist to make the things they do. Chances are good that even if you could make it you won't. Or you would be behind the table not in front of it.
Many thanks to
MrsGotRocks
karenlorrain
TheEclecticDiva
waywarddreams
NORIK
adornedbyrobin
jessicacjewelry
ingeniouslycreative
thebuddhabuilder
warpedandwonderful
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Check this out,!
This is really cool. (for me anyway lol). Susan, who does Friday Findings over at Posh Mama, used my textured copper earrings in last Friday's article. I also did the give away for that week. That was pretty exciting in and of itself but when I checked out my updates from Posh Mama, Susan's article has been published in Reuters. Woohoo! I am just so excited. I have been working my you know what off trying to promote everywhere I can think off. More exposure is always good lol! So anyhow here is the article she wrote. Check out the other cool copper items she also featured. The earrings for the give away are at the bottom. Sorry but the winner has already been chosen.
Thanks Susan!
Friday Findings: Cool Copper Jewelry
Thanks Susan!
Friday Findings: Cool Copper Jewelry 
POSTED: Friday, May 23, 2008
FROM BLOG: Posh Mama Online Magazine and Social Network - Posh Mama Online Magazine and Social Network is a positive community exclusively for women who share information on a variety of topics.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Is it real or not?
There is a huge amount of information and also a huge amount of
mis-information about what a stone is or isn't. Is it man made, is it quartz, is it jade, is it serpentine, is it gl
ass? I am fairly new to stone identification so most of the time I can't answer that question without some help and relying on the dealer or store that sells it to me. I do know that it takes time to learn the differences and trust me, I am going to learn, not only because I don't want to get ripped off myself but I also don't want to steer my customers wrong. Today's learning tidbit is this: 
If it has bubbles in it, it is almost certainly glass. Yes I know that quartz is considered "glass" but the gemstones with rampant bubbles in them are man made glass not the good stuff so to speak. So if someone tells you it is genuine blue aquamarine and you see bubbles run the other direction. So can you tell? Are these "real" or are they "glass"?
mis-information about what a stone is or isn't. Is it man made, is it quartz, is it jade, is it serpentine, is it glass? I am fairly new to stone identification so most of the time I can't answer that question without some help and relying on the dealer or store that sells it to me. I do know that it takes time to learn the differences and trust me, I am going to learn, not only because I don't want to get ripped off myself but I also don't want to steer my customers wrong. Today's learning tidbit is this: 
If it has bubbles in it, it is almost certainly glass. Yes I know that quartz is considered "glass" but the gemstones with rampant bubbles in them are man made glass not the good stuff so to speak. So if someone tells you it is genuine blue aquamarine and you see bubbles run the other direction. So can you tell? Are these "real" or are they "glass"?
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Beading Challenge 2 "The Results"
Okay I am done waiting for everyone to get me their pictures to post this. Those of you who
participated and got your earrings done on time THANK YOU! and I am sorry it took so long to post this. Here is a picture of the beads everyone had to work with that DesignedbyLucinda sent out.
AmityD
TexasTesla
tassiewashie
pipsjewellery
reddhynnes
Once again it just goes to prove that it IS possible to have similar looking designs with no prior knowledge of someone else's designs.
I am normally a very even tempered person but I do have to say how terribly disappointed I am in the remaining people who agreed to participate and then did not. DesignedbyLucinda went to a lot of trouble and expense to send those beads out to the participants. Saying you just didn't like the beads or you didn't like the way your design turned out and then choosing not to do the challenge is extremely unprofessional. The exception to this statement is SantiamDesigns who was too ill to participate. I don't know if we will continue to do this or not.
participated and got your earrings done on time THANK YOU! and I am sorry it took so long to post this. Here is a picture of the beads everyone had to work with that DesignedbyLucinda sent out.AmityD
TexasTesla
tassiewashie
pipsjewellery
reddhynnes
Once again it just goes to prove that it IS possible to have similar looking designs with no prior knowledge of someone else's designs.
I am normally a very even tempered person but I do have to say how terribly disappointed I am in the remaining people who agreed to participate and then did not. DesignedbyLucinda went to a lot of trouble and expense to send those beads out to the participants. Saying you just didn't like the beads or you didn't like the way your design turned out and then choosing not to do the challenge is extremely unprofessional. The exception to this statement is SantiamDesigns who was too ill to participate. I don't know if we will continue to do this or not.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
10 % Off Everyday
So I have promoted the heck out of lots of artists mostly on etsy, a couple not. So today I am going to do a very short promotion on
me. I have added a lot of new stuff to my shop (I am up to 256 items as of today and have at least 15 more to list. In my shop announcement you will see a small line that says 10% off multiple purchases. I don't have it in big bold letters or anything (not really my style but maybe I should think about changing that lol). This has always been there but I don't know how many people actually READ the shop announcement. So I am just letting everyone know that if you buy more than one thing in my shop you will receive 10% off the total order (not including the shipping).
I will hopefully soon be getting together with another etsy artist to work on a logo/branding
thing which will include the logo, business cards, earring cards, and things like that soon. I am also currently working with another etsy artist on a press release to be sent out to some magazines and online places. It should be an interesting experience and hopefully will bring an increase in business. I am also going to be doing a local farmers market from July to Sept. It is located in our downtown area and I am looking forward to sales there. I am working on putting together a display (its been a while since I did the craft fair circuit lol) and once I have it together I will post a couple of pictures and you can let me know what you think.
me. I have added a lot of new stuff to my shop (I am up to 256 items as of today and have at least 15 more to list. In my shop announcement you will see a small line that says 10% off multiple purchases. I don't have it in big bold letters or anything (not really my style but maybe I should think about changing that lol). This has always been there but I don't know how many people actually READ the shop announcement. So I am just letting everyone know that if you buy more than one thing in my shop you will receive 10% off the total order (not including the shipping).I will hopefully soon be getting together with another etsy artist to work on a logo/branding
thing which will include the logo, business cards, earring cards, and things like that soon. I am also currently working with another etsy artist on a press release to be sent out to some magazines and online places. It should be an interesting experience and hopefully will bring an increase in business. I am also going to be doing a local farmers market from July to Sept. It is located in our downtown area and I am looking forward to sales there. I am working on putting together a display (its been a while since I did the craft fair circuit lol) and once I have it together I will post a couple of pictures and you can let me know what you think.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Artist Review - Imagine Studio
Imagine Studio
Marion has some stunning art. The first time I saw her avatar I knew I had to see more. This is another wonderful find through my forays into the forums on etsy. Canadian native LyseI am going to lift a paragraph out of her profile since she describes her techniques much better than I ever could.
"Through more than 30 years, my one constant expression in art
has been Collage, and for the past five years I have been working on transferring this art form into the digital world. Layers upon layers of thoughts, emotions and research have been turned into transparencies, textures, colours, depth, emotions, portraitures, etc. This virtual digital world of seemingly 
endless possibilities has given me a new take on my artwork, allowing me to pursue even further my undying need to produce lyrical, evocative and sometimes provocative images."
I love the fact that she is using the advances in technology to further explore and create her art. Which is awesome! I am very drawn to the images in her artwork and she is on my list of people I want to buy from lol! Many pieces of her art make me feel as if the person in the artwork is wearing their imagination in all of its glorious color and texture on their skin. On the outside instead of the inside so to speak. I am looking forward to seeing more from this artist and highly recommend a look at her shop.
Marion has some stunning art. The first time I saw her avatar I knew I had to see more. This is another wonderful find through my forays into the forums on etsy. Canadian native LyseI am going to lift a paragraph out of her profile since she describes her techniques much better than I ever could.
"Through more than 30 years, my one constant expression in art
has been Collage, and for the past five years I have been working on transferring this art form into the digital world. Layers upon layers of thoughts, emotions and research have been turned into transparencies, textures, colours, depth, emotions, portraitures, etc. This virtual digital world of seemingly 
endless possibilities has given me a new take on my artwork, allowing me to pursue even further my undying need to produce lyrical, evocative and sometimes provocative images."I love the fact that she is using the advances in technology to further explore and create her art. Which is awesome! I am very drawn to the images in her artwork and she is on my list of people I want to buy from lol! Many pieces of her art make me feel as if the person in the artwork is wearing their imagination in all of its glorious color and texture on their skin. On the outside instead of the inside so to speak. I am looking forward to seeing more from this artist and highly recommend a look at her shop.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Spring is Finally Here!
Yay! spring is finally here in Northeastern Ohio. I really feel like April has just arrived and keep writing the wrong dates on everything lol! I am so glad that the warmer weather has arrived. I am not a winter person (and
WHY do I live in Ohio ha ha!). So yesterday I get up and I am really happy that the sun is out and we can open the windows. Then I got a good look at what the gloom of winter has been hiding in my house. Eeek! So instead of running off to play I decided that I had better do something about the house. Mind you I have been working really hard at getting my jewelry business off the ground and I spend a good 30 hours a week on top of my "real" job online either promoting or posting new items or just general shop and website maintenance. 
This does not count the time I spend making things. Not complaining just stating the facts. Now my kids have normal chores so all this time that I have been neglecting the house the basics have been getting done (as well as teenagers ever do things, I think I should have been paying closer attention lol). So I did get quite a bit accomplished but realized that I really need to take 1 day a week to just work on stuff around the house and maybe just check e-mails so I don't miss anything that has been sold. I would love some comments on how everyone manages to get everything done in their lives and still stay sane lol! I am off to check out the garden and see what is beginning to bloom.
Hopefully we will have all of the pictures in from our 12 designers for the 2nd beading challenge very soon. I will also be doing another featured etsy artist soon.
WHY do I live in Ohio ha ha!). So yesterday I get up and I am really happy that the sun is out and we can open the windows. Then I got a good look at what the gloom of winter has been hiding in my house. Eeek! So instead of running off to play I decided that I had better do something about the house. Mind you I have been working really hard at getting my jewelry business off the ground and I spend a good 30 hours a week on top of my "real" job online either promoting or posting new items or just general shop and website maintenance. 
This does not count the time I spend making things. Not complaining just stating the facts. Now my kids have normal chores so all this time that I have been neglecting the house the basics have been getting done (as well as teenagers ever do things, I think I should have been paying closer attention lol). So I did get quite a bit accomplished but realized that I really need to take 1 day a week to just work on stuff around the house and maybe just check e-mails so I don't miss anything that has been sold. I would love some comments on how everyone manages to get everything done in their lives and still stay sane lol! I am off to check out the garden and see what is beginning to bloom.Hopefully we will have all of the pictures in from our 12 designers for the 2nd beading challenge very soon. I will also be doing another featured etsy artist soon.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Etsy Artist Review - Designer Dog Collars
MADDIE'S CLOSET DESIGNER COLLARS
So I was browsing around etsy and chatting in the forums and
came across this shop. Now if you have read my previous posts you know that I have three lovely Australian Shepherds. So naturally this particular shop caught my eye. She has beautiful colors and patterns that I have not seen anywhere else. Excerpt from listing "Collar is made with 1 inch heavy duty nylon with a jacquard ribbon overlay, a 1 inch
contoured side release buckle, and a 1 inch welded d-ring.Collar can be custom made to fit along with a 5 ft. matching leash." What caught my interest (besides the lovely designs and excellant material and workmanship) was the phrase "custom made to fit".. I love those words lol! I have the worst time finding colors to fit my dogs. They are either too small or too big and no matter how I adjust it is just off. So as soon as I get around to measuring necks and have a bit of extra cash I will be rummaging through Maddie's closet for three designed to fit colors for the wonderful canine companions in my life.P.S. Isn't Maddie cute!
So I was browsing around etsy and chatting in the forums and
came across this shop. Now if you have read my previous posts you know that I have three lovely Australian Shepherds. So naturally this particular shop caught my eye. She has beautiful colors and patterns that I have not seen anywhere else. Excerpt from listing "Collar is made with 1 inch heavy duty nylon with a jacquard ribbon overlay, a 1 inch
contoured side release buckle, and a 1 inch welded d-ring.Collar can be custom made to fit along with a 5 ft. matching leash." What caught my interest (besides the lovely designs and excellant material and workmanship) was the phrase "custom made to fit".. I love those words lol! I have the worst time finding colors to fit my dogs. They are either too small or too big and no matter how I adjust it is just off. So as soon as I get around to measuring necks and have a bit of extra cash I will be rummaging through Maddie's closet for three designed to fit colors for the wonderful canine companions in my life.P.S. Isn't Maddie cute!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Nesting Blue Herons at Cuyahoga Valley National Parks
Okay this is totally unrelated to jewelry but your are going to get that sometimes. Believe it or 
not I do have a life outside of the jewelry and the internet. Kind of. Anyway we live about 15 minutes away from the Cuyahoga Valley National Parks system in Ohio. Beautiful place and we spend a lot of time there over the summer, hiking, barbecuing etc. Lots of hills and valleys, a beautiful river that kind of thing. 
My husband and I decided to go check out the blue herons that nest along the park. They only nest in one particular spot for about a month. Blink and you have missed it. Well it was kind of a dreary day today, gray and damp about 60 degrees but we went anyway. It was an amazing site to see all of these beautiful birds building nests and feeding babies. Unfortunately most of my 
pictures look black and white and mostly look like silhouettes due to the gray nature of the day. But I am going to post them anyway lol. Also saw a beautiful magnolia tree just beginning to bloom at the ecological society. Maybe, just maybe spring is coming! I sure hope so!
not I do have a life outside of the jewelry and the internet. Kind of. Anyway we live about 15 minutes away from the Cuyahoga Valley National Parks system in Ohio. Beautiful place and we spend a lot of time there over the summer, hiking, barbecuing etc. Lots of hills and valleys, a beautiful river that kind of thing. 
My husband and I decided to go check out the blue herons that nest along the park. They only nest in one particular spot for about a month. Blink and you have missed it. Well it was kind of a dreary day today, gray and damp about 60 degrees but we went anyway. It was an amazing site to see all of these beautiful birds building nests and feeding babies. Unfortunately most of my 
pictures look black and white and mostly look like silhouettes due to the gray nature of the day. But I am going to post them anyway lol. Also saw a beautiful magnolia tree just beginning to bloom at the ecological society. Maybe, just maybe spring is coming! I sure hope so!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
So You Think You Are Unique Beading Challenge 2
Well we are well into our second contest in the So You Think You Are Unique Beading
Challenge/Contest. We have broadened our horizons and opened the challenge to the international community also. DesignedbyLucinda provided the beads for this contest (Thanks Cindy!) and they look challenging! Here is the list of people participating this time around. And remember that SantiamDesign provided the beads the last time so she is making an entry this time.
pipsjewellery
Bath, United Kingdom
amityd
New Haven, Conneticut USA
reddhynes
Ottawa, Canada
foreverstartshere
Miami, Florida USA
TexasTesla
Banks, Oregon USA
SantiamDesigns
Mehama, Oregon USA
TwoObsessed
Seattle, Washington USA
CLKcreative
West Bloomfield, Michigan USA
PrettyChic
Richmond, Virginia USA
ravenworks
Portland, ME USA
eighty8words
Dayton, Washington USA
tassiewashie
Salem, Oregon USA
So these are our twelve and below are the two alternates in case someone doesn't get done in time. Also listed below is one of our judges, and we are looking for at least two more. If you want to volunteer to judge convo designedbyLucinda and let her know.
milburnjewelry ALTERNATE
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5156334
xueoriginals ALTERNATE
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5547109
I have three of the contestants that are already finished and I can tell already it is going to be another interesting challenge. How much alike or different do you think they will be?
One Judge so far:
crewelwhorled
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5641313
Challenge/Contest. We have broadened our horizons and opened the challenge to the international community also. DesignedbyLucinda provided the beads for this contest (Thanks Cindy!) and they look challenging! Here is the list of people participating this time around. And remember that SantiamDesign provided the beads the last time so she is making an entry this time.pipsjewellery
Bath, United Kingdom
amityd
New Haven, Conneticut USA
reddhynes
Ottawa, Canada
foreverstartshere
Miami, Florida USA
TexasTesla
Banks, Oregon USA
SantiamDesigns
Mehama, Oregon USA
TwoObsessed
Seattle, Washington USA
CLKcreative
West Bloomfield, Michigan USA
PrettyChic
Richmond, Virginia USA
ravenworks
Portland, ME USA
eighty8words
Dayton, Washington USA
tassiewashie
Salem, Oregon USA
So these are our twelve and below are the two alternates in case someone doesn't get done in time. Also listed below is one of our judges, and we are looking for at least two more. If you want to volunteer to judge convo designedbyLucinda and let her know.
milburnjewelry ALTERNATE
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5156334
xueoriginals ALTERNATE
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5547109
I have three of the contestants that are already finished and I can tell already it is going to be another interesting challenge. How much alike or different do you think they will be?
One Judge so far:
crewelwhorled
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5641313
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