2009: Off to a solid start!

With the expected flurry of activity surrounding the holidays, today is my 1st post of 2009 (now that the dust has settled).

I've got a few different things in the works. I'm most excited about a collaboration I have going withMarni of Nella Bella Beads. I have an incredible strand of lampwork glass beads that Marni has created, and I'm making them into jewelry. The first piece I made was this gorgeous bangle bracelet:

I have a necklace I'm working on as well, that will be STUNNING when it's finished.

I've made a necklace for myself with a gorgeous cobalt blue lampworked bead also created by Marni.

While I'm aching to create more jewelry, I'm also trying to balance this with expanding my internet presence. I am now selling my jewelry on Handmade Fusion and Art Fire, as well as iCraft, etsy and DaWanda. More on these to come in the near future.

I've also started a Twitter page, I have my own business page on Facebook, I have a MySpace profile, I'm on Ning, and I'm trying to figure out Squidoo. Then there are the blogs at WordPress and Blogger. It's a lot to keep track of!

my 36th birthday/love Swarovski crystals!

Today is my 36th birthday, and I've never been happier. On the creative business front, I'm investing more money into Swarovski crystals and have been creating some more upscale designs, that I absolutely love. I call them the cluster series, because each necklace has a cascading cluster of individually wrapped loop beads for a focal piece. The earrings are also a cascading cluster. I've made two Swarovski sets, one in various shades of blue, and another in black, icy gray, and crystal AB finish. I absolutely adore them, and they turned out fabulous!

I also have other sets without Swarovskis in them. These are generally a flower-theme with the beads, as I've bought a few strands of pretty little bellflower beads which work great in this design. Sometimes I accent the chain with beads, sometimes I don't and leave the chain shorter. I like them both. Yesterday I made a set in shades of blue with the bellflower beads, and also beaded a simple bracelet to go along with it. I'm working on the photographs right now in Photoshop so I can list them for sale at etsy and iCraft, as well as DaWanda.

the Square Effects support system

My grandmother has had a lifelong fascination with turquoise and Swarovski, and with jewelry in general. She's also a very generous woman who gives away as much as she keeps. She and my mother have nutured my passion for creating jewelry, and are two of my biggest supporters as well as customers.

Grandma was never one to shy away from spending money on quality jewelry, and I try to model my own pieces after this. I could cut corners, and on some things I opt for less expensive materials (silver-plated wire and findings instead of sterling), but I would rather charge more and put in the extra labor to ensure my pieces will last than rush something through and have it fall apart after 6 months.

New Technique: working with Resin

I've been working with new materials for the past few weeks now, and it's time to share what I've achieved. The pendant at the left is a one-of-a-kind, which means I couldn't replicate it if I tried. I've tried to come up with similar looks but haven't yet. I'm using Easy Cast Casting Epoxy, and I absolutely love it. It allows me a certain creative freedom I don't get with beads. I adore the swirled look. With the purple colored back this pendant reminds me of clouds. Anyone looking to try their hand at resin should check out http://www.resinobsession.com/. The woman who owns the site has a terrific assortment of supplies, and everything I've ordered from her has been top quality. Now, this pendant is not for sale (it's for ME!!), but I do have one currently listed at Etsy:------------------------------------------>
It reminds me of creamsicles or orange sherbert (sherbet?). Maybe I'm anxious for summer to get here....clouds, creamsicles.....
That's it for now...I will try to post more regularly.

My Etsy mini

I want to showcase some items from my own Esty shop, so here's a glance. There are several more items available for sale.

going where the urge takes me

I work with many different genres. I tend to go off and investigate something new when I see something that interests me. I've taken photographs for years now, and consider this to be one of my best talents. The jewelry making is something I took to right away, and has also been very successful, although I'm actively working to turn it into a full time job instead of a parttime one. I actually got into the jewelry obsession after buying a few things to make a beaded bookmark for my boyfriend!

I've knitted for a few years, crocheted for longer. I recently knitted and felted a piece that's waiting to be turned into a purse. I've wanted to try quilling but haven't yet (it's on the t0-do) list. What I really need to work on is getting some of my photography submitted to the New York State Fair for this fall. I have some that I'm sure will do VERY well, and what a boost that would be to both my ego and my sales if I can say "judge's choice" or "blue ribbon winner" to go along with the photograph.

I've not sewn anything in quite a while, but this has more to do with doing other things than anything else. Currently, the sewing machine is at my feet under my desk. I have sewn some quilts though, with my mom.

Besides focusing on improving my website and marketing that and the etsy and cafepress sites, I'm working a lot with resin these days. My goal is to use the medium to create pendants from my photographs. I also am fascinated with seeing what I can embed in resin, and one trip through the grocery store will have me throwing a large handful of items in the cart thinking they'll look cool as jewelry. It's an interesting way of looking at things.

I had a patient at work ask me what my 'business' is. As I was trying to come up with a consice answer, a coworker told her "it's a hodge podge of creativity". I like that. I think that fits. :^)

Slideshow of photography, jewelry

I thought I'd take a quick minute and link a slideshow I put together with various screenshots of some of the items available through cafepress, as well as some of the jewelry available for sale. I do know the gunmetal beaded chainmaille bracelet has been sold, I think everything else is still available.