Last Show 2014

***Let me say this is my new song of my soul and Ed Sheeran is a new friend of mine. This particular song tears through my soul and will not let me go.   It doesn't go with my post, but it goes great with me.*****




My last show of the season is the best show of the season. I am a little late with this post.    Every year I vend at Mt. Caramel's  Women's Conference.  The conference is headed by the phenomenal Sister Loretta Murphy.  I attend for the fellowship, the word of God delivered by women who excel at elegance, dignity and excellence and oh, to sell my handmade jewelry.  Plus I always get to set by my good friend, the wonderful Authoress Tracie Loveless Hill.  Please check her out.  You will not be disappointed.

See you next year.  2015

Good Deeds

This is EnVogue.  One of the baddest girl groups that ever was.  Considering that every man wanted them, women really couldn't get mad because the girls can blow.  Plus they had one of the sexiest brothers in their video, Djimon Hounsou.  This is fine to the 10th degree.  Is it getting hot in here?





Today was one of my first shows of 2014.   I was back at Maucker Union at UNI College.    Ive been making jewelry since being off from my job, trying to stay ahead of the game.  I have always been down to the wire, preparations.   A  full time job will do that for you.  I had my game tight and ready.  I set up, paid my money and waited for the crowds to appear.  It was homecoming week and I was sure that money was to be had(I like to thank all of the customers who stopped my table).  A few students who have brought from me in the past stopped by.  Glad to see old familiar faces, but the sales were not there.   My new earring cards worked perfectly.  I just couldn't stand up(another post).  I was by the door(which I like) and the wind coming in kept knocking thing down.   I did manage to sell some earring, a couple of bracelets , two necklace sets and pass out some cards.  One young man wants me to help with a fun raising project for his group.

It just was not clicking.   The vibe was all wrong.   Since the booth rental has gone up, I had to adjust my prices accordingly.  Nothing too drastic. 50 cents here, 2 dollars there.   It just wasn't my day. Especially when I did not make my booth rental back.  For a small business like mine(small as in only - me),every penny counts.

Now I have had setbacks before.   I can remember a show where I only made 75 cents.   I cried like a baby that day and the next.  Would have continued to cry and give up, but something my mother told me stopped my pity party.   She asked me a question. " Do you think McDonald s makes the same amount every day?.   Bless her heart.  My mother comparing my teeny, tiny business to a corporate giant as McDonald s. I kissed her on her forehead and said thanks mom,   She always has my back.     But her theory was right.   Some days are up and some days are down.  If I am going to be honest with myself, the down days, make the up days.  Whether it was you, your items or whatever, you go back to the drawing board and come up with other means at your next show.  Maybe more of this and less of that.   The down days keep you in fighting spirit.   You come out leaner and meaner, ready to take on the world.

And no, I didn't cry this time.  I just listened to the voice inside my head.   Thanks Mom.  Today McDonald s, next the world.

Just a little bit deeper

Another cut from the past or least my past.  Enjoy

Here is my About Me page.

I have two distinct passions(well 3 if you count Denzel Washington). I love making jewelry or just being creative and I love working with computers. At times both interest mix, which is joy for me. I started making jewelry over 20 years ago. I was visiting a garden center and it turns on the inside was bead shop. One of the ladies who worked there showed me how to make a pair of earring. It only took about 15 minutes. I have making creating ever since. I love making jewelry. My favorite medium is wood. I started incorporating my jewelry and beads into other areas. I would decorate wooden trays, pictures, pillows, lampshades, clothing, shoes, window coverings, what ever I could get my hands on. I started working with computers after the birth of my son. It seem to come natural for me, user end that is. I think the computers are the marvel of the world. I don't know everything, but I have the capacity to find out, with understanding. I am always learning something new about this wonderful technology and about my self.

I 

I would like to go a little deeper.   As it states in my About Me page, I discovered this garden shop where I received my first lesson in jewelry making.  I had lost my job and had two small mouths to feed.  A single mother trying to make it.   I had tried to find work that was comparable to what I had before.   The best I could manage was home health care aid once a week.  I also did cold calling, selling tickets for a  non-for-profit agency.  That was a bust, since I was only able to work a few days a week.   Nothing was coming in and everything was going out.   It was a blessing, on that day,  that my sister asked me to drive her to a garden shop. My sister did not like to drive in the city(thank you, sister).  She wanted to pick up some flowers for her garden.  My mother came along for the ride.  You never know where your blessings are coming from.  My sister did not like the selection of flowers outside and decided to leave.  The sales associate steered us to the inside of the shop.  All three of us was jewelry fanatics and love big earrings.  We  couldn't believe our eyes.  Beads in all shapes and sizes.   Beads everywhere.  On the front wall was a some of the most beautiful creations(earring, necklaces, bracelets) that I had ever seen.   Necklaces hanging from the ceiling.  It was fantastic.  All made by the owner and the associate.  The owner and her mother ran a bead shop out of this garden center.  She must have taken pity on me( my mouth looked like a big O).  She said she could give me a lesson right now.  All I could manage was a nod of my head.    My first lesson was a pair of earrings.   It took only 15 minutes.  Those 15 minutes turned into a life time of joy, laughter, frustration and a lot of work,  but it was worth it.  I had finally found myself, my voice.  I would visit that shop often.  Buying beads, making product, selling and buying more beads.   I wish I could say, I kept up with those ladies. I had found other bead shops and was using their services as well.   Four months later,  the shop had closed and I was never able to find a forwarding address or their new location. I owe a debt of gratitude to those women.  They started me on my path.  They help me with my course in life.   Thank you, ladies. 

School's Out

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It has been a while since my last post.   Lets see, my computer was not working, and running back and forth to library is a pain.  Plus I  lost some of my zeal for making jewelry.  My passion went out of my passion.    But now, school is out; and my computer is fixed(thanks Al).  The summer is starting to heat up(or so I have been led to believe).   The weather is not playing nice.  

Now that I am back online, I can take care of my Etsy Store. Sadly, I have been so busy, it has been neglected. It was time to get my  Etsy shop back into some respectable shape.  Here are some pieces that never made its way to my store, but I happy to say, they found a new home.

Simple glass seed/wood beads with a simple white shell center.   

This is actually two necklace joining forces to save the world.
 Or maybe just to look pretty.  

 Since I had some orange beads left over, why not. 

 Waste not, want not.

I call this piece "Orange you glad to see me", LOL.     It is  mixture of shells, wood and glass beads.  Sometimes, I crack myself up. 

The beads in this piece are ceramic.  I added a green shell center and some silver embellishments.   Truth be told, they were part of  a set of napkin ring holders(I believe at Target) I found.  Never know where inspiration will hit you.  I decided to make it lopsided.  I think it adds character to a piece.

I will be showcasing pieces from time to time.    Check back with me.   You can also follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

You can also check out my other blog, Digging In the Box.  I love to up cycle, recycle and restyle existing pieces from thrift shops, garage, consignments and donations. 


Remember, I Just Living for the Weekend

Showing

This past Friday, I did a jewelry show at the UNI(University of Northern Iowa) Maucker Union.  Despite the table being small(6ft) and the price of the table, I enjoy this arena.  I meet a lot of people, some old customers, some new. I sit in an area where people have to pass me to get to other areas of the union.  The Maucker is a hang out for the college kids.  They meet, greet, and eat.   They also have on site bank and meeting rooms.  Perfect setup.   I did well.  I even have some orders I have to fill for new clients. Turned out to be a nice day.

Prior to this I had an uneasy feeling.  Maybe I was not prepared, or maybe I did not have enough merchandise.  I just wasn't feeling it.   Days before the show, I could not find my fliers, I lost my pliers and my thoughts was not on jewelry.  Nothing was coming to mind about what to make.  I had a block.  Adding insult to injury, my work schedule had changed and I would have to work until 8:00 the night before the show.    I had talked with one of my friends who changed her schedule,  she suggested I do the same.   It took me a while to go and talk with my lead teacher, but she gave me the OK to work another day.  

 My mind started churning and I felt that old familiar tingle.  Ideas was popping in my head and I started to think about jewelry again.  This was Tuesday afternoon.   Once I arrived home, I started getting things prepared, prepackaging.  I had planned to make jewelry all day Thursday.  Wednesday night, I packed my bags with bags, receipt books, jewelry stands and all my other "stuff".  I also had a fail safe.  I can cancel the show with one days notice without being charged. 

OK,  things did not go as planned.  I did not get started until 12:00 and I was up until 2:30 that morning, still making jewelry.  Some doubts started creeping up.  Do I have enough merchandise to cover the table,  my time and materials.  At this point I had no choice but to go ahead with the show. I couldn't cancel.   I finished making making jewelry and started to pack my jewelry for transport.   My merchandise looked pretty low.   You do what you gotta do.

If you don't know, there is a GOD.   While unpacking, some how I had packed a bag of earring necklaces and bracelets that I had made some time ago.  Thank you GOD.   My outlook felt better and better.   What started as apprehension, turned out to be a pretty good day.  As with all my shows, I take pictures.   


For some reason, I love making memory wire bracelets.

  My customers love it too

 





This piece I created after 12:00am.  

  I love orange for fall or summer.

I made the set with glass seed beads.




I had enough beads left over to make some very
 long, light weight and chic earrings. 
 You can see other merchandise on my table.

 Aren't the cute? 



Here is the complete set. 

 I love it.  I won't tell you if I sold it or not.  Next time.


I promise to make a set for one of the ladies who works there.   She wants a red necklace for her sister. 

These are all the red beads Ihave left.
  She wants different shades of red and silver.




The finished project on the next post.   See ya.














Oh, I hate to admit it but, ...............

There are times, when the creative process becomes stuck.  I really hate to admit that sometimes, it's just not there.  I have ideas in my head, but getting down to work is well, just about, almost, semi impossible to do.  I lost my work space sometime ago and most of my craft supplies and beads are in the garage.   I hate having to lug my beads in and out.  I use the dining room table as my work space.   Plus, we are in the process of trying to cut down on clutter and move(I am guilty of most of the clutter, but it is good clutter)  Most crafters know, that when you pick up an item, you might not use it then, but it will serve a purpose sometime later, right?  Right!

To make matters worse, I have a show coming up very soon,  and I need to make product.   I see earrings, bracelets and necklaces in my head, swirling around.  I think maybe my get up and go, got up and went(if you happen to see it, send it back home, I miss it).  I work a full time job.  I am at work, itching to get home and start creating.  As soon as I hit the door, all the fight leaves my body.  I cannot hide out on the Internet the whole day.  I cannot go shopping any more.  I've got beads strings that need to be taken apart. I need to sorted and put things into containers.  I need to organize, shuffle and rearrange my stuff, and try to stay focused. 

 OK, I think I am ready to tackle some jewelry now.  I can feel it.  The tidal wave of creative juices flowing.  Oh, just as soon as I finish watching the end of this movie.   It's a start.

New Jo-Ann's

There is a new store in town.  It is called Jo-Ann Fabrics.    Well I guess it is not new, but it does have a new location.  They sent out flyer's for the grand opening this pass weekend. I was unable to attend the 2 day event(I know, I am still crying too), but I did make it this pass Sunday.   The store looks impressive, compared to its other location. It is bigger, brighter and full of all the fun things we jewelry, crafts, artist, seamstress, decorators need to complete a project.   I made a bee line to the beads section.  I was in awe.  The inventory has taken on a life of its own.  Beads galore.  And not just any beads, but new beads(and some better prices I might add), findings, glue, books.  I found earring kits in Pink, Blue, Black, Orange, Red,.  Beading kits to embellish your clothes, purse, head bands, shoes.  New clasps,claws, hooks and wires.   The beading wire was plentiful.  I finally found some large kidney hooks(shout out the buyer).  The  sales were fantastic.   I was in beading heaven.  My mind was racing.  Everywhere I turned it was something new. Instead of the one sheet instructions, they have little booklets with instruction on how to use the findings in several different ways.  I liked that, I really liked that. I would love to meet the buyer.  She, He or them did an excellent job. I commend them.  If this is the trend that beading is going into, then, let me ride till the cows home(I never have understood that expression.  I did not know cows ran away.  What is worse is that I am using the expression).  I felt like I kid in a candy store.  I admit, I do not go out and buy the new craze, but I think I am going to start very soon.

Now my one little hiccup with the new Jo-Ann's is that the style is similar to Micheal's craft store.  The look and fill of the store reminded me of being in a Michael's store. Down to the layout. HMMMMMMMMMM.  Other than that, it has what I need to satisfy my craving for beads, and paper crafts and any other creating I want to do. 

Once I stopped drooling; and going Oh, Ah, I picked out two things(they were on sale for a $1.20 each) and hurried to the cashier before the temptation to buy some more reared its ugly head.  Plus, all I had was $5.00. My in tended,  big spending spree would have been halted due to the lack of funds.   Before leaving the store, I took one more walk around the bead section.  As my hands sailed across the strands of beads, my mind begin to wonder and I was lost in my own little beading world.  In that moment I saw, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, and other beads to use to accessorize and made by of course me.   If the funds would have cooperated, I would have brought almost every bead and finding in the store.  I don't know how long I stood there,in my haze.  Good thing someone else came into the aisle and I came to myself.   No matter what, I am always going to find a new bead or finding that will excited me.  We will be always improving and restyling.  

I will probably go back to Jo-Ann's and check out some of the other wonderful creations that they have.  Jo-Ann, thanks for reawakening my creativity spirit once again, if only for an hour or so.