I Can't Predict...

...what will sell at a show...

Last Sunday I participated in the Cypress Point Circle Holiday Bazaar for CHKD. The 6th Annual show. My 1st time. Fabulous publicity. Some of my pieces made their television debuts!

I had THREE full tables to work with and I FILLED the tables up with jewelry. As I was unpacking my jewelry and feverishly trying to design an alluring display, I thought about my Smithsonian ELITE Series. I left it unpacked. Undecided. Would people really be interested? Sometimes they are; sometimes they're not. I walked around the show and checked out the other jewelry vendors. Their pieces were a lot less expensive than mine. And this particular collection consists of more high end pieces...

I arrived THREE hours early for the show as I couldn't sleep and at the last minute I decided to display the collection since I had so much room anyway and you never know...

Well, guess which collection received a LOT of attention??? If you guessed the Smithsonian ELITE Series, you guessed correctly! People were enchanted with the history of the beads. And they PURCHASED pieces!

I am always happy to sell pieces, but I am most happy when someone feels excited about a purchase!

"Mint Julip" - Pre WWII Czech Glass, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver!

You Can Have It Your Way...

... and I don't mean Burger King! I love custom orders! The pocket rosary in the pic above was created for my friend Lori's grandmother. She told me a few facts about her and then I went to work...

The thing about my work process is that it is 99% thinking and 1% working. And believe me, if you've ever seen ALL of the jewelry I have made, you know I have been doing a LOT of thinking! LOL

Anyway, when I began to focus my thoughts on Lori's grandmother, one bead came to mind immediately: the carved turquoise round beads you see in the pic above. So when I finally decided to create the piece, I went looking for the beads. You need 11 to create a pocket rosary; I only had 6. So I decided to make something else on my list. Wouldn't you know it? No matter what I looked for, I could not find! Now granted, my studio is NOT the most organized room in my house, but to not be able to find anything I am looking for is unusual. I finally gave up and looked in places I never look for things and I found 11 carved turquoise beads!!!!!!!! And suddenly, everything - literally everything I had been looking for suddenly began appearing.

Lori LOVED the pocket rosary. She said the beads were perfect! When something is meant to be, it is meant to be. That's how I look at it!

("Turquoise" Pocket Rosary Custom Order - Carved Turquoise, Glass, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver!)

yellowishious

Today was sponsored by the color yellow! It seems like (almost) everything I created was yellow or had yellow in it!

I was thinking today about the competitiveness between jewelry artists. I don't concern myself much with it. But I notice it. Here is my advice: create what you love; create what makes you happy!

("Fae Jaune" Bracelet - Lustrous Cat's Eye, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver! Earrings to match!)

Meet Adriana...

"Adriana" (from Comedy of Errors) is one of the newest sets in The Elizabethan Collection!

("Adriana" - Handmade Lampwork Glass, Vintage Glass, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver!)

has it been a month? OMG!

WOW! Time really does fly! I stopped designing for a bit while I unpacked and settled into my new place. But I am back to work now! I have titled this photo "A Drop In The Bucket" because this is just a small taste of my newest creations!

Featured in this photo of all bracelets: From The Elizabethan Collection - "Helena," "Adriana," and "Calpurnia." From The Natural Stone Collection: "Purple Haze." From The Fresh & Fun Collection: "Orange Chakra 2" and "Fiesta 2."

one rainy sunday

(Olivine Rosary Necklace - Swarovski Glass Pearls, Swarovski Crystal, Glass, Sterling Silver, & Pewter!)

now i am somewhere

i moved!

i lived in my own house for 10 years. in 2005, i became ill and have not yet recovered. as i was unable to work, i exhausted my financial resources and was ultimately unable to keep my home. i was sad for a while. i was angry for a while. now i am okay. a little nervous but okay.

i found a nice house to rent. i am busy unpacking and hanging pictures and chimes and organizing drawers and moving furniture. soon i will return to creating jewelry. and my writing.

i moved! and though i left some things behind, i believe i took the best with me...

thank you to all who helped me with the move and with this difficult transition. i love you all.