Just wanted to say thank you to my fellow bloggers and artisans who have been kind enough to mention my work in their blog!
Recently, my work was featured in Regina's Writings
http://reginaswritings.blogspot.com/2009/11/original-wire-components-for-my-jewelry.html#comment-form
(www.reginaswritings.blogspot.com)
She reminded me of another blog I was in earlier this year, The Beading Gem's Journal
http://www.beadinggem.com/2009/03/handmade-earring-supplies.html
Then there was this, from last year, on craftstylish.com
http://www.craftstylish.com/item/8264/beautiful-handmade-findings-for-sale-on-etsy
I love it!
About my business
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Photography Presentation for the Manifest Beading Buddies
This afternoon I did a demo/presentation for the Manifest Beading Buddies, a bead club based at Manifest Beads, of which I am a member. Kristen LaViola, owner of the store, first presented how she uses a professional light box and manual settings on her camera to take pictures of jewelry. Very different from how I take MY pictures!
Now, I am in no way a professional photographer. But I have learned some tips and tricks along the way, and have seen my photography improve greatly since last year! I shared my tips and tricks and techniques with my fellow club members, and it went really well!
I set up my amateur jewelry photography "set" and club members took turns taking pictures of their jewelry with different backgrounds, and props, and from diffferent angles etc. One of the main things is figuring out how to adjust a couple simple settings on your camera!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Valerie Johnson joins me on BeadworkArtists.etsy.com
I am very excited to have Valerie Johnson joining my cooperative etsy store! Her work is absolutely gorgeous. Valerie loves to work with seed beads, and stitches up the most amazing intricate pieces. Find her work on http://www.beadworkartists.etsy.com/ soon (hopefully next week???). In the meantime, here are some pictures of what is coming:
Monday, October 12, 2009
Introducing WillOWispWire.etsy.com
Months ago, I snagged up the etsy account, "WillOWispWire.etsy.com". Now, I already have two etsy stores. I have my handmade wire findings store, which continues to do well, with repeat customers. I also have my cooperative store that I started, featuring jewelry by ladies that I know that have wanted to sell online.
I currently have so much inventory, that I have decided to open my new etsy store! This shop will feature my one of kind, Will-O-Wisp Wire designs. I have dozens, if not a hundred plus items to list. Will be filling the shop throughout the next couple weeks. I had a great photo shoot today, the light cond
itions were perfect! Here is a hint of what's to come...
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Santa Fe
I just spent a week in Santa Fe. I'm pretty exhausted right now. I was looking forward to seeing some jewelry and making some connections out there, but barely succeeded.
The jewelry I saw was all the typical turquoise and silver work. Unfortunately, very little of that interested me. I was looking for new/inspired/ingenious designs that might be found in a very artistic and creative community. Almost everything I saw was homogenous. The same thing over and over again. I was a little depressed at the sight of the Native American market in the Santa Fe plaza. I did get one smile from a Native woman whom I complemented on her wire work with her earrings. I attempted to share with her that I do wire work as well, but didn't really get a response.
At the ancient Pueblo, in Taos, we did find one friendly jewelry artisan who talked a little bit about his work. It was only after we left that I thought of a dozen questions I would have liked to ask him. "How long have your people been working with silver and turquoise?" would have been one of them.
I manged to make almost a connection with a Santa Fean. She does glass bead making, and combines her glass pendants with tiny little porcelain bottles for display/storage. We were going to try to network with a sharing of beads/jewelry/porcelain bottles, but on my last day in town, she was not around. Sadness. Perhaps I'll be able to get in touch her.
The jewelry I saw was all the typical turquoise and silver work. Unfortunately, very little of that interested me. I was looking for new/inspired/ingenious designs that might be found in a very artistic and creative community. Almost everything I saw was homogenous. The same thing over and over again. I was a little depressed at the sight of the Native American market in the Santa Fe plaza. I did get one smile from a Native woman whom I complemented on her wire work with her earrings. I attempted to share with her that I do wire work as well, but didn't really get a response.
At the ancient Pueblo, in Taos, we did find one friendly jewelry artisan who talked a little bit about his work. It was only after we left that I thought of a dozen questions I would have liked to ask him. "How long have your people been working with silver and turquoise?" would have been one of them.
I manged to make almost a connection with a Santa Fean. She does glass bead making, and combines her glass pendants with tiny little porcelain bottles for display/storage. We were going to try to network with a sharing of beads/jewelry/porcelain bottles, but on my last day in town, she was not around. Sadness. Perhaps I'll be able to get in touch her.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sterling Silver Dust
My lap is covered with sterling silver dust. Currently taking a break from working on an almost record number of ear wire orders that came in this weekend. Enough orders to pay for 1/2 of my plane ticket for my upcoming vacation! Woopie! A lot of work though. I've blogged before on just how much work ear wires are, for the little money that I charge. And it's been a while since I've had so many bulk orders.
I have to work on these orders in batches, otherwise I'll do damage to my hands which will last for a few days. It's the filing of the ends that creates all the silver dust! I wonder if it's harmful, and if I'm actually inhaling any of it. It certainly doesn't brush off of the clothes very well, tends to stick. I had a pair of pants that actually started to get a tarnished silver colored section, from all the filing that I was doing while wearing them.
I probably shouldn't be working over my lap anyway. I've temporarily moved my "studio" into the kitchen yet again. Better air flow when it's hot (my "studio" is a tiny spare bedroom that has the climate of an attic in the heat). AND the kitchen is closer to my computer and online pandora.com radio station that I am addicted to.
Can already feel my hands stiffening up. Time to package up two of the completed orders so that I can get them to the post office after work tomorrow!
I have to work on these orders in batches, otherwise I'll do damage to my hands which will last for a few days. It's the filing of the ends that creates all the silver dust! I wonder if it's harmful, and if I'm actually inhaling any of it. It certainly doesn't brush off of the clothes very well, tends to stick. I had a pair of pants that actually started to get a tarnished silver colored section, from all the filing that I was doing while wearing them.
I probably shouldn't be working over my lap anyway. I've temporarily moved my "studio" into the kitchen yet again. Better air flow when it's hot (my "studio" is a tiny spare bedroom that has the climate of an attic in the heat). AND the kitchen is closer to my computer and online pandora.com radio station that I am addicted to.
Can already feel my hands stiffening up. Time to package up two of the completed orders so that I can get them to the post office after work tomorrow!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Another Financial Set Back
So, a few hours after posting my last blog about spending lots of money on things to make jewelry with...I suffered a major financial setback.
My cat and I had...a misunderstanding. Monday night I walked onto the screened in porch in time to see the neighborhood bully cat engaging my sweety through the screen window. Snarling and lounging ensued. Afraid of one of them breaking through the window I clapped and yelled to break them apart. My cat freaked out at the loud noises I was making and whipped around to defend himself from the threat he couldn't identify through his frenzy. I put my hand out to fend him off, I got bitten. Really bad. Right down to the bone. Had to throw pillows from the porch chairs at him to break him off, as he couldn't see anything but a threat.
Three deep punctures from his teeth into my finger. One right into my knuckle. One puncture from his claw into one of those veins in my forearm. Bled under my skin breifly creating a huge egg sized bubble, which dissappated into a low, bruise-like mound.
$95 doctor visit, $75 tetanus shot, $70 antibiotics. I am doing better today. Can bend my finger. It is only still slightly swollen and looks less sausage-like and less inflamed with infection. Glad I am able to work with it. Very upset with my cat. I had saved up some money for finally purchasing some health insurance...ironic.
My cat and I had...a misunderstanding. Monday night I walked onto the screened in porch in time to see the neighborhood bully cat engaging my sweety through the screen window. Snarling and lounging ensued. Afraid of one of them breaking through the window I clapped and yelled to break them apart. My cat freaked out at the loud noises I was making and whipped around to defend himself from the threat he couldn't identify through his frenzy. I put my hand out to fend him off, I got bitten. Really bad. Right down to the bone. Had to throw pillows from the porch chairs at him to break him off, as he couldn't see anything but a threat.
Three deep punctures from his teeth into my finger. One right into my knuckle. One puncture from his claw into one of those veins in my forearm. Bled under my skin breifly creating a huge egg sized bubble, which dissappated into a low, bruise-like mound.
$95 doctor visit, $75 tetanus shot, $70 antibiotics. I am doing better today. Can bend my finger. It is only still slightly swollen and looks less sausage-like and less inflamed with infection. Glad I am able to work with it. Very upset with my cat. I had saved up some money for finally purchasing some health insurance...ironic.
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