Etsy Craft Party @ Tempus

Wow what a fun time on Friday!

It was interesting coming all the way from the Four Corners area to Tampa. With rain threatening all day (and a down pour just before our arrival) I tucked my table in a far corner safely under a covered patio area of the printshop. I was so glad I remembered to bring lighting. Even though it was slightly dim I still had enough light to see my table from afar.

Well as I got set up I got to chat with the ladies at the tables around me and found some very loveable people! Alas once the people started to show up I had no time for photos, food or fun craftiness. I was kept going with a pitcher of chai tea. And for better or worse it helped me say alot in a little time to the people that were frequently in rows listening to the crazy pregnant woman with the sparkly things ;)

The cupcakes I hear were wonderful!!! I even had a client after buying one of my rings offer to bring me one, but sadly by the time I was able to get to the sunflower confection (11:30pm) it was .... melted and ant nibbled.

There were so many people and everyone was having a ton of fun! I so wish I could have taken a "spin" on the spinning wheel as one of my long lost dreams is to have a floor to ceiling loom and weave my own cloth... but that's another dream for later on ;)

Coryn and Adam did an amazing job putting together this event! It took a lot of time and energy but you could tell that they really put their heart into whatever they do! I had a wonderful time!

DIY Jewelry Displays part 2

again here the materials list from the first post:
For the Neck Forms:
Bookboard (or 3ply Chipboard)
Thin Headliner Foam
Fabric
Trim
Adhesive (one that can be used for adhering foam as well as paper and fabric)
Boxcutters or Heavy Duty Shears
a Cylindrical Form (for molding)
Steel for weighting the Form

For the Stand:
Steel Tubing 3/8"
All Thread Pipe (called a nipple in the hardware world)1/4"
Washers 5/16'
Nuts 3/8"
Finials that fit a 1/4" nipple
Antique/Vintage Metal Lamp Bases
Spray Paint

#6
Trace the template onto the fabric side of the foam, allow 1/4" for the curve of the form. Cut out.

#7
Use a sparing amount of glue I used "Fabri-Tac" brand, it has intense fumes (smells like nail polish remover due to it's high acetone content) so be outside or in a really well ventilated area.
It dries fast so I only apply a small amount, working from the bottom/front to the top/back. That way if there are any areas that are cut short it'll be in the back. Also you can go back and use snippets to cover areas in the front that are exposed.

#8
Trace the Template twice on the backside of the fabric you are using. Make a 1/2" (allowance) larger outline around the templates. This allows you to fold the fabric over the edge to glue on the backside. Cut out the shapes. One of the pieces will be for the front and one for the back.

#9
If you have a curvy shape like mine you'll want to start gluing in the back so you can stretch or pull the fabric tight as you go. On the inside curves I cut small incisions (like tabs but not all the way to the inside line) so that I could wrap it w/o buckling the fabric. Start by applying the glue to the chipboard on the backside then drape the fabric (right-side facing you) over the foam covered form and press the edge of the fabric into the glue. Continue working your way down the form a little at a time tugging tight each time so you have a smooth surface.

As you work your way down be careful not to get excess glue from your fingers on the front of the fabric. (you can step away and wash the glue from your fingers frequently - this also allows the sections you're working on to dry a bit)

#10
Flip over your form, now covered in fabric on the front. This time you might want to start gluing from the bottom up, due to the inside curve at the top. Take the second piece of fabric you cut and start gluing it on covering the fabric folded over from the front. If you cut the fabric without an allowance match up the edges of the form and the fabric. If you have an allowance apply the glue near the edge of the form but not all the way so you don't have glue dripping over to the front. Then you take the fabric an apply it not gluing the edge down if you have and allowance - it'll have a floppy edge that you'll trim with scissors later to get a clean edge.

#11
Take your chosen trim and measure around the edge of the covered form before you start gluing. Or you can leave it uncut (like I do) and cut off the piece when you get back to the starting point.


Voila!

At this point you can use the forms for flat display
or you can continue on to build the stand.



Sorry about missing some of the photos. I forgot to take advantage of some picture opportunities. Maybe when I make my next batch I'll get some more.

DIY Jewelry Displays Part 1

Well thanks to the pioneering spirit of my maternal grandparents I knew I could make some pretty amazing jewelry displays from scratch. After all they are all hand assembled in Korea, Hong Kong or China anyway. No offense meant, I appreciate the value of craftmanship is still present in the world .... Anyway I stayed up nights thinking about how they construct the neckforms available to retailers here in the US. I decided that a form on a metal stand was by far the most versatile and impressive I'd seen. So I came up with a materials list:


For the Neck Forms:
Bookboard (or 3ply Chipboard)
Thin Headliner Foam
Fabric
Trim
Adhesive (one that can be used for adhering foam as well as paper and fabric)
Boxcutters or Heavy Duty Shears
a Cylindrical Form (for molding)
Steel for weighting the Form

For the Stand:
Steel Tubing 3/8"
All Thread Pipe (called a nipple in the hardware world)1/4"
Washers 5/16'
Nuts 3/8"
Finials that fit a 1/4" nipple
Antique/Vintage Metal Lamp Bases
Spray Paint


#1
I started with drawing a template on one of my boys old game boxes (it's essentially 1ply chipboard) and drew the ouline onto the 3ply chipboard I bought at the art supply store.

#2
I cut it with my jewelers saw. I cut like butter but ... broke a few blades. I have only 0/8 sz blades (very fine tooth). So the next ones I tried a boxcutter & shears. The boxcutter didn't work (dull). The shears worked but my fingers were sore the next day.

#3
I took the cutout's over to the sink and ran them very quickly under a small stream of water from the faucet. Just enough to dampen but not soak. This is the trial and error part. If the board gets too wet the layers start to separate. If this happens just tape the edge together with masking tape.

#4
I gently bent the board around the cylindrical form which I thought would be the perfect thickness with out being too big of a radius. I tried a few different cans and bottles but - as you can see the arisol container is what I stayed with. To keep the form from curling I used one of my huge old files to keep the angle I wanted.

* for future displays I'll probably have the rest

of the form curve outward, so that it projects
out a little rather than going straight down.

#5
After drying for 30 min I removed the chipboard form and set it out side to cure in the sun for a few minutes (that's all it takes in the FL summer sun). I did have minor layer separations on each of the pieces at this point so you can probably ommitt this step and let it dry at a slower rate - I'm just impatient ;)

next post Finishing the Neckforms ......

wow it's been a while!

Hi!

sorry to have been distracted - I found out in March that baby #4 will be with us sometime in October, so life has finally calmed down a bit. Now that we're adjusting.

I've been realizing that part of my sales not going anywhere is because I really didn't have any "mainstream" pieces. Well I've made a few new pieces that I've put in my shop >

I hope they are as well received by the public as they are by my family and friends ;)

Esty's Florida Easy Street Team (F.E.S.T.) interviewed me!

Wow I just found out my interview is upon the F.E.S.T. blog.!

This was really fun to do! FEST is a really wonderful group on Etsy and there are so many artists that are supportive and amazing that it's been a blessing to be in this group!

Go check it out and leave comments!

Mrs Dissapearing Act

sorry for my absence!

well let's just say I thought I had severe food poisoning ---- until it wouldn't go away ;)

I am happily expecting my 4th baby sometime in November. But unfortunately, blogging for right now isn't so fun. It would be if I had proper seating, but I'm afraid the stooped position make the "morning" sickness practically unbearable for longer than a few moments.

I'm still working - just in shorter bursts;)

Fortuny Silk Lamps

I have to say this would be one of the most wonderful thins I could ever hope to purchase (aside from an original Fortuny Delphos Gown and Overdress ;)

http://www.venetiastudium.com/fortunylamps_silk_lamps.html

Someday I will have one of these!! The warmth of the light and the sensual movement of the frame ans=d the silk pulled tight over the frame ~~~~ ah pair that with simple frescoes on the wall and a wall of french doors which illuminate my elaborate yet masculine roman inspired bed ...... fragrant flowers and bowls of fresh apricots, pomegranates and figs .... hmmmmmmm my type of setting (or House & Garden circa Sept. 1998)

Seriously! That issue came out 7 months after my whirlwind marriage to the love of my life (5wks after our first date!) and let me tell you I will never be able to get that house out of my head! Ultimate luxury and at the same time not too feminine (important when you have a house full of boys ~ soon to be men)

Ok I just had to post about it promise I'll get back to jewelry, ecological responsibility later ;)

Ahhhh a refreshing take on Storybook Dreams

I wanted to start offerning more to brides than the traditional white/cream/ivory color scheme. But I've realized that I've rulled out the majority of my potential client doing so.

So a Mea Culpa ~~~~~ To all of you that have the dream of being the Princess, Damsel, Fair Maid, if I have failed in offering you a key to the door to your dreams, let me extend my new collections ~~~~~

New Yar!!!!!

cannons, made by artisan metalsmiths truly

the Castillo, St.Augustine one of my favorite places in FL

My family (I'm perpetually behind the camera)

Every year the holiday season creeps up on us as we saunter around in 80 degree sunny Florida days. Then we wake up one morning and the pirate in us awakes!

it's "Arrrr!" when you open the door to check on the mail

it's "Argg!" when when the water heater fails to kick in on time, and it's cold water

it's "young matey" when your children fail your heed a warning
or perhapse even "you'll walk the plank"

and not least of all,

when you wish your family and friends well it comes out "Happy New Yar!"

Finally pics from the Orladno Wedding Professionals Grand Soiree

It was a fun night and my first networking party! Here's a shot of the stage and the lit trees that gave the room such a fun vibe.

If ignorance is bliss than I'm radiating it ^ I had no idea I was being photographed ;)

The red, black and gold theme was beautiful. I truly loved the red "leather" walls and sectionals Swanky >>>>

I'm so looking forward to the next event.

Wrapped, Tied & Ready

I was curious to see if anyone could get an Etsy Treasury in the Treasury West pages ... well I got one! come see ....

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=77406

And having been inspired by all the fun beauties I could choose from I'm putting spats on my Christmas list ;)

Like these,

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35195871&ref=sr_list_16&&ga_search_query=spats&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=5&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

or these

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25478103

I love lace and ribbons, history and feminine allure!
Now to go make some of my own ...... ;)

Magnificent Miami

Well I've always known Miami and I would be a good fit .... I just didn't know how well.

I recently changed my marketing area to South Florida with the Knot.com.
With the change came an invitation to the vendor appreciation party. I had 6 days to decide on all of the preparation to make if I were to go ... kids, clothes, jewelry! Well after few days of debating on hiring a sitter unknown to us, or having my husband watch the kids and I attend the party alone {so glad we didn't go with that one!}, my sister-in-law offered to watch our three crazy boys!!!

So we were set! We packed the bags and off we went! The drive was long and easy. We arrived "fashionably" late {by 1.5hrs thanks to several accidents} . The party was being thrown at the Epic Hotel in downtown Miami. It is a luxe modern hotel, complete with breathtaking views of Miami and the water.

Jackie Ohh! Events did a tremendous job!!! It was fun and happy, bright and lavish! Who could ever pass up the fresh mini donuts?! If anyone did they were more than likely full of the mouth-watering desserts! And the mimes of CircX! Jackie really pulled a fun event together!

Thankfully the event wasn't just for fun. Tom and Gina of the Knot were the reason making a 5hr drive more than worth it!!! Of all the bridal magazines there is a reason it's fastest growing among the brides and Vendors!!! They listen and talk with you about how to make your dreams real! I could never find a better company to work with!

The party was fun but the after party was WOW!!!! ..... {continued tomorrow}

If I could make anything right now .....

I would love to make a woven 22k necklace with a baroque pearl dove/ angel pendant set with untreated spinels and sapphires ~ or ~ a 22k ring with a Huge colorless/white Sapphire! with a vining band attached to the bezel plate with amphora elements

alas gold is ..... only something I can do commissions in right now. If you want it I'll make it! I love working in 18k & 22k gold! For some reason I find it easier than silver {even Argentium .970} to work with. Gold has such flow! *sigh*

I dream in gold and silver, pearls and sparkly gems!

Orlando Wedding Professionals Grand Soiree

I had a Blast this past Wednesday! I'm new to the business much less to the wedding circuit - so networking was more about quality not quantity!

It was a beautifully designed event! Quest Drape had the space decked out in red and black. There were red leather panels behind the bars and red black and white leather square lounges along the perimeter. The room had red up lights along the wall and wire trees covered in red flower lights. I should have brought a camera!

I was able to talk with and enjoy the evening with some amazing women who stand out in the crowd! Thank you Jane, Vangie, Mashyda, Allison, Deborah. It was really wonderful meeting such graceful and intelligent women!

Thankfully I had my husband there to guide me through the night! Having experience in the banquet industry for over 15 years gave him a stunning presence!

Here are a few websites I think you would like to check out from the ladies I mentioned above~
http://www.blossomsfl.com/
http://www.questdrape.com/
http://www.prissyevents.com/
http://www.mynewfloridahomeinfo.com/
http://www.onlineweddingprofessionals.com/

The mark up on silver products!

You can buy this piece through ethosjewel for $661
Bracelets: 18k Gld and Sterling Silver Stiff Cable Bracelet - CabChBr28, Gerochristo at www.ethosjewel.com

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~ or ~ You could buy a Trichinopoly {Viking Weave} from me for $175! I know the ends are cool on the Greichristo piece! I know, I know - mine need work - so i charge less also because there is no middle man and I don't have a name as well known as "Greichristo".

Help me make a name for myself!
I'll be listing some of my chains tonight! Fun!

To show or not to show that is the question at hand...

So two weeks ago was a flurry of work to get my first show up and running. We fashioned three sided showcases out of plexiglass. Well the epoxy wasn't working, so we had to be careful with them. And the plexiglass cutter wore down as we tried to assemble the last of three boxes.

But here is the display at the show ....

They don't look terrible. Most people were looking in them not at them anyway;)

But alas, no sales. My price was not what they were looking for; my stuff was "under glass" not easily handled -and jewelry and textiles are such tactile things you must truly feel it to see if it's something you'd wear next to your skin .... ; this was my first show there - I was not established enough to have people willing to buy.

The main drawback for me was not the time or effort involved. I understand art is always subject to theft/reproduction - I was guilty of plagiarising as a teen {not realizing the folly nor the severity/stupidity of such an act} - but as adults we can choose our exposure and limit the propensity to be copied.

At art fairs/street fairs/festivals/craft shows you'll have someone copying your stuff much more quickly than if you are in a gallery or boutique. I was surprised at how true this was at Alive After Five. To be stealing/copying my designs right in front of me was a little stupefying!

The creative flurry storm

Well I've got one day before the show! I've been worried in the past that all I had was a limited range of products {essentially earrings} so I've been investing in wire for making chains. After realizing that chains are so simple and nothing to fret over, I've knocked out a 5 foot lariat, 22 in necklace and a few other viking weave necklaces and bracelets.

my draw plate, compression paddle

Close up of the 4 loop weave

Close up of the 4 loop compressed

Here are the 3 styles I have so far {left to right}
7 loop 20ga
5 loop 22ga
4 loop 24ga

The pictures of the lariat and other neckalces will be coming. The thing that has struck me as peculiar is this - every where I go when I tell people I've made a chain or necklace that I'm wearing they look at it like they look at the cheep junk at target --- they pick it up turn it this way then that and go "oh that's nice (in a I've seen better at target way)". People are so used to having mass produced plated base metal hawked at them that they have forgotten that true silver and true gold are valuable! They also have lost the sense of value in workmanship!

So I go now to prepare myself to accept the market as it is {saturated in goods that are being sold at inflated prices to line the pockets of corporate ceo's and shareholders} and help people to see the value in the real McCoy!

I love you all .... especially my brothers!

I've got 4 days to go before the show!

My brother and his wife are giving me an old laptop {it doesn't work with the battery pack any more - only plug in} WOW! My brothers have been the best support I could have hoped for! Instead of trying to quell my endeavors in the arts they have always accepted that it's a true calling for me to be creative!

Where some members of my extended family who don't know me well enough question the risks involved ... they don't know that I see life as fraught with risk and therefore not something to fear but to jump into with the faith that something will be gained from the experience {mind you I do my research - because that's what I do best!}

I love to read. I love to learn. So learning and reading about my interest serves as incentive to study on all aspects of the subject. Not just the fun stuff but the business stuff too!

Thankfully my childhood prepared me a great deal for my first show. I know what I need. However that doesn't mean that this starving artist has the funds to have the perfect booth! But I have the plans and outlines {my English 1 prof. would be so proud!} I have my future in mind.

But something to let you know about my plans ~ I don't think about profit as being the measure of my success. Success will be measured by this for me:

1. I am able to share my passion and joy with my customers to the point where they will feel happy after coming to my shop.
2. I will be able to set up a fair trade organization to source gemstones ethically from South America
3. At least one of my children will see my philanthropy and go on to be of the same mind.

My success is not measured in money but in kind words!

Fish tanks are fun ... Even if you don't have fish

I've been accepted into the show! Alive After 5 in Sanford, FL! Sept 10th - that's 5 days away! oh man! that's quick - weeeellllllll let's just say I'm scouring every corner of the house, our neighbors and relatives for materials to build a show worth set up.

i dream about what I could re-purpose/up-cycle/recycle ~ I've got no time so I need to think in my sleep. LOL! Well one of my sleepy thoughts was what can I do to keep the expensive pieces safe and still show them. I looked on line and found table top aluminum and tempered glass case for 109.00 not including shipping - not an option. I thought I could make one! with plate glass, wood molding, silicon glue, paint, etc ~

I called White's Ace Hardware in Haines City {they are an old fashioned awesome fix everything shop!} they had 1/8" glass, but not what I needed. I called a few window glass places $4.50 a sq ft again too much - So off to the garage, I was sad and nervous if I would be able to pull my vision off - Then I saw it! Our old fish tank!!! What a beautiful golden light and dancing song played in my mind as I brought the weathered old thing into the house!!!

I knew I could get it apart but how? I tried scoring the silicone first, but the frame wouldn't budge. Then I said out loud we have a chisel! As the pieces started to chisel away I knew this was going to be hard earned but worth it! And then Success! My husband had jumped in half way through because I had to make a yummy green bean soup for the hungry mob of boys!

But this is the end of that evenings work!

1/8" tempered glass ready to be cleaned and re-purposed!

Today the boys and I tromped over to Lowe's to see their scrap section - nothing but broken doors and laminate sheet - so to fresh stock of molding. While my husband and I grumbled over design issues, the youngest of our troupe merrily ran the length of the lumber yard!

I know what I want now I just have to wait for the money to be in the bank ---I only have 5 days - I would prefer not to do this last minute but somethings just must wait.

Alive After 5 in Sanford, FL

Well I've decided to try my hand at a show --- I did enough of them in my childhood.

My grandparents and mother are all crafters/artists. I started helping out when I was 6. set up and breakdown mostly. But then when I was 7 I was able to start helping my mom sell things too. Then when I was a teen we moved to my mother's home town of Dubuque, IA {http://www.cityofdubuque.org/}. This is where my grandparents, and mother still live. I used to help every Saturday at the Farmers Market. My grandmother made thousands of baby blankets hand stitched with her delicate, arthritic hands. I would wander off every once and a while to go find the stones and jewelry vendors. Even then I couldn't stop my fascination with all things metal or crystaline!

So while I'm not sure if I will be picked for the event this time (it's an event presided by a committee), at least I think I'm in the runing for a spot. And it will get us motivated to create displays and custom order forms, brochures/a catalog of my previous work, etc.

I'm very happy to say that I finished the ends of the 7 loop viking weave and made it into a handsome bracelet for my husband! I've also completed a nacklace out of the 22 ga wire. Now I just need to order some more silver for more bracelets, necklaces ,etc ....

They are so fast to make it's just a matter of buying more metal.