Instagram Baby

It's about time.  I always seem to be late to the party.  Good thing the party is still going on.  I have finally decided to use Instagram as a source to showcase my creations and as another avenue to sell my goods.  There are all kinds of You Tube tutorials on how to use Instagram (take a look and let me know if you like what you see) to promote my Etsy shop, which houses my handmade jewelry.  Her are some of new pieces.  Also don't forget to check out my Instagram.  It will house some of my merchandise that will not be at my Etsy store.

Etsy

Etsy

Etsy and Instagram

Etsy and Instagram

Etsy

Etsy

Etsy

This piece has been sold, but I want to show it anyway.

Etsy

Etsy

The Drawing Board

Recently my husband and I decided to try our luck an outdoor venue.  Considering the price and the location, we felt it would be an excellent opportunity. This was not the case.  You would think I would know better, but I have been out of the game for a while, especially an outdoor event, I have forgotten a lot.   I made some critical mistakes.  Ones I will not repeat again.  Rookie mistakes.  And I am no rookie.

Number one - I let the price/length of the event cloud my judgement.  I was certain I could make my money back.  I didn't do my homework, ask enough or the right questions.

Number two- I did not check the weather forecast for the weekend.  It rained for better part of the first day.   I also broke my tent(another bad idea.  Never buy a tent on sale at Kmart). EZ Up are the way to go.   You do what you have to do.

Number three - I did not have the necessary outdoor equipment.  Chairs, weights(the wind did not die down until 3 pm), cover sheets, extra tarp, shower hooks, alternate setup.  I use to keep a bag with safety pins, small hammer, clips, rope, rubber bands, bricks, plastic.  This might seem a lot, but when you are outside anything can happen.

Number four - I did not do recon on the surrounding area.  Most advertising is done weeks in advance with poster, mailings, signs in strategic places. 

 
The next time I will not be caught off guard.  Never again.

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. 

It's On Sale

******** A great stepper's cut********

I love looking at new beads and findings to add to my collection.   I will usually finger each and every strand. I love the texture and can imagine how I would incorporate the beads into a wearable item.  While my eye get big, my wallet stays close.   

I am always on the hunt for a bargain. My middle name is sale, clearance, closeout, you get the idea.   My first stop is always the clearance aisle and what is on sale.   My two favorite spots for crafting are Hancock and Jo-Ann Fabrics.  Just recently I stopped by Hancock Fabrics and came away with nice deals.  Let me show you.

26 gauge wire in all colors.  Great for crocheting.  
The added bonus is each packs was only 50 cents.
I picked up all 6 packs

My next find was packs of beads.  Each pack was 25 cents.   Can you believe it.  I can see the bracelets already.  I grabbed them all and each color.  As you can see they had been marked down several times.   Thank God for clearance.

My next purchase was tools.

This tool helps you make the perfect knot.    25 cents.   Regular price 12.99

Snap tool.  Need I say more.  Yes, 25 cents.

I love this tool.  It is a split ring pliers.
I can open jump rings, key chains and coils.
  50 cents.  What a deal.

Now my final purchases

String and cord.

You guessed it 25 cents.
They only had four main colors.
  And I cleaned them out.

The black  and silver cord is elastic.
 Need I say what the price was.
3 of each color.

Last, but not least.
  Velvet cord.
  Only one color, but I picked up all they had.  

My total was $11.50 (I had a coupon for 15% off the total).

$9.75 

 Being at the right place at the right time.  

   

Pinky in the House

The teacher that I work with asked me to make a pink necklace for her.  I told her that I could have the necklace ready by that Friday.  She informed that she needed the necklace for that Thursday.  This was a Tuesday.   I said no problem.   I knew I had some pink beads and asked her if she wanted one continuous necklace that she could wrap around to her desired length.  No problem.  One more thing.  The necklace had to have different shades of pink.  No problem.   My only problem was I was in a time crunch.  I had several projects to get out and needed to finish by Friday.   What is a super woman to do?   Make the necklace for a good teacher and friend.

I got started as soon as I finished dinner.  Picking all the shades of pink I could find in my stash box.  Problem number 2.  Not enough pink beads to make the necklace the desired length.  On to plan B.   I cut up one of my old necklaces (I made the necklace, but never wore it).    Problem 3.  Still not enough beads.   Sometimes the beads will tell you the way to go.   I started rearranging, cutting, moving, and pin beads together.  By the time I finished, it was 1 hour and 1/2 later.   But I think it turned out pretty nice.  Ms. Burke liked the results and she got some compliments.    You be the judge.

The Last Show of the Season

This is my last show for the year 2012.   Oh,  I miss Chicago.  I would have shows back to back.   There would be no breaks for me.  Creating buying and selling.   What I didn't sell would go for Christmas presents.  Plus my inventory would be more vast.  Scarfs, belts, hair accessories, jewelry made and handmade, and whatever would catch my eye to sell.   Here, I rely on what I make only.  It is hard to get back and forth to Chicago every weekend to stock up.  2nd time - I miss Chicago.   Let me stop whining.   3rd time, I miss Chicago.

My last show is the best show.   The Women's Conference at Mt. Carmel's Church.   Headed by Ms. Loretta Murphy.   See her picture below.   I have done this show for the past 6 years.  I would never miss it.  To tell the truth,  I was not feeling well the night before, but as they say, the show must go on, I went.  Some of the other vendors was there, Mrs. Tracie Loveless, Authoress.  and some new vendors.   We were all there to make money, network and support the Women's Conference.   I had a good time.   We were fed a delicious meal, as always.  I was not able to attend the conference and had to leave early, but a wonderful time was had.      I would like to introduce you to some of the people there.

 Here is the lovely Ms. Murphy.  She is the coordinator of the Women's Conference.  She puts on a great show each and every year.   If you want to learn how to put on a show, she is the women to ask.   Plus, she is a just good person.  Wonderful combination.

 Authoress Tracie Loveless Hill.    A very talented author, and a all around good person with a kind heart.   She is a treasure.   Her latest book is Escape from the Garden of Eden.  You can contact  Tracie on Face book - Tracie-Loveless-Hill-Authoress  concerning her book,up coming interviews and future books.  You can also find her books at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble..   The women is going places, straight to the top.

This is a new comer to the vendor game.  Her name is Diane Sexton. 

She sells skin care and cosmetics.  A lovely lady who invited me to sit down share a table for our lunch.   

The name of the company is Aularale Skin Care and Cosmetics.   She can be reached at Diane.Sexton@yahoo.com. 

This young lady is Adele S. Vanarsdale.  She like myself is a jewelry designer. 

She has some awesome pieces.  Her creative touch is miles in the stratosphere. 


Her unique and wonderful pieces can be found @ Asv-Artisticvisions.Here are some pics of what she displayed at the show.




Here are some pics of what she displayed at the show.

Last but not least is my very own table.    If you are follower of my blog, you will begin to notice a patten with my displays this year.   Everything has been flat on one dimensional.   I have started collecting displays(of course diy) to make my table more attractive.  Its not like I have not tried different styles to decorate my table.  I think I just got lazy.  My customer did not seem to mind.  Well there is going to a new me and new look to my jewelry business.  Stay tune.

Red, Red, Red, Part II

As in my previous post, I made a necklace set for a customer who wanted to give a present to her sister.  I felt good that she wanted to give one my pieces.  I delivered the necklace set and she loved it.  I was very happy.  I informed her that I had some beads left over and I could make her a bracelet.  My pictures did not turn out the way I wanted(I need a new camera).  I took pictures at different angles.  The bracelet was made with memory wire(my favorite way to make bracelet these days).  It wraps around the wrist at least 5 times to give that cuff effect.   Here goes.

One view



You can see the spirals and each bead that was used.



I think it turned out alright