Red, Red, Red

I stated in my previous post that I had some red beads in which to make a necklace for a customer I had met at my show.  She requested a red necklace for her sister.  I had a few beads at home and I brought the rest.   For a history lesson this is what I started with.   You can see all the beads in my new catchall. with
  



A mixture of different shades of red.  Oh, la, la

Here is the end results.   A single strand leading to 3 strands, in a mixture of reds. 
I also made matching earrings.  I hope her sister likes it. 
  I will be attaching the fish hooks upon delivery. As you can see I photographed the piece in different angles for a complete look.


 



Completed necklace and matching earrings. 



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.














i Forgot

Saturday is usually reserved for jeans, tee shirts and more casual dress.  My job requires a certain dress code.  So for the weekends, I feel like I am entitled to a more laid back fashion choice.  My work attire consist of skirts, pants, shirts, blouses, jackets, comfortable shoes(I stand on my feet for at least 2 hours of day) appropriate jewelry, purse to match.  Applying vary sparse makeup(years ago, I gave up the ghost) but now, I am returning to partial body armour.    You will never see out and about with pajama pants, looking raggedly, hair standing on end.  It just won't happen.  I might not have on the full war paint, but I will at least have on some lipstick and maybe so blush.    The two things I will not leave the house is lipstick and earrings.   Those are a must.  I feel naked without them.  

Today being Saturday, I dress with care in mind.  I put on my jeans, white shirt, lipstick and a little blush and white kicks.  In my mind, I knew what earrings I was going to wear.  Since it has turned cold, I had my scarf to match my jacket and with a fashion twist, I was out the door.   I ran my errands, and just happen to look at myself in a mirror, and I saw I had not earrings on.  Nothing, no hook, no dangle, sparkle, nothing.  Instantly, I felt vulnerable, small wanting to hide myself from the world, but my business in the street was not complete.  I did what any grown women would do in this situation.  I cursed, yelled, screamed, and threw a fit.  The fact that this was going on inside my head, made no difference.  How could I leave my house naked and exposed..  My ears uncovered for all the world to see.  I make jewelry for god sake.  I have endless choices.   What was I thinking.   All I do know that I was talking with my husband prior to leaving the house. It was him.  He did this to me.   I  wish I could blame all this on him, but he had his own forgetting issues.   This one I have to suck up alone.  I expect the fashion police at my door any minute now.  Pointing a finger and saying shame on you.

After my last stop for the day I rushed home. trying not to show my naked ears to the world.  Once in the safety of my home, I immediately put on some earrings.   The world was right again.  The one accessory I cannot live without is earrings.  I might miss the boat with other pieces of jewelry, but for me earring set the tone for the rest of grouping( In another post I will discuss my choice forgrouping).  For now, I think I will have keep spare earrings in the car, purse, on the job,in the mailbox, at friends houses, certain stores, just in case of an emergency,  You never know.