Girls Room MAKEOVER: The floor!!

Well, I did it.... finally.  After SIX looooooooonnnnnnnggg months, the bedroom is done (almost)....  hehehehe.

This is what it started out like:

 

First, I emptied the room and ripped out the carpet.   I let my nine year old decide on the colors (see the walls)  Then after some research on the web - I decided to paint the subflooring instead of putting more carpet in:

Lots of wood putty and sanding...

Primer & paint

More wood putty, primer & paint

Couple coats of poly floor varnish and......  TA DA!!!!!!

Girl's Room MAKEOVER: New Lights

I know I'm jumping ahead of myself, but I've been working on the girl's room - making it over from bottom to top.  Here's the top - I made a frame with wood, put in a piece of plexi-glass and covered it with canvas - It look pretty cool in their room.  It's pretty heavy, but the hooks seem to be doing it's job - boy was it a pain to hang!!  It's pretty good sized - about 2x3 feet.

I like the way there is a glow between the light and the ceiling.  Originally I thought I could just use some rice paper styled vinyl window decal, but too much showed through - so I added the canvas.

More chainmaille fun!

Some more fun with Chainmaille!! This is a bracelet with a copper ring in the middle joined by sterling silver rings and 14K Gold-filled. It took FOREVER for me to make (about 1 hour per "flower".) The more I worked the easier it became!

Posting on Etsy

Just posted some copper pieces on Etsy. It was really fun making them! Now, just figure out to to get more shoppers to come by..... hmmmmmm.....

My first chainmail pieces!

How exciting! I was finally able to make some pieces with the jump rings I made the other day. I really enjoyed doing this, and can't wait to start putting some more things together and seeing how people like them!

This is the bracelet I made for my Mom. It's 4mm copper jump rings and 4mm brass jump rings. Turned out better than I thought it would!!

A piece of copper with my son's name stamped on it. Yeah, stamping is another story for another day, but it is my first stab at stamping metal as well. I will have to work a little harder on it. It's very difficult to stamp evenly.

This is a copper chain I made with 4mm double copper jump rings and a "v" of jump rings that I added some tourmaline to. It turned out really good! I wish I had somewhere to wear it to!!

Foredom Flex Shaft Fun

I really want to start making chainmail. It looks so beautiful! My Mom wants a bracelet that honors my son, and plans to wear it until he returns from Afganistan. I thought chainmail would be the perfect thing to make her! So another purchase - another expensive purchase, but again, I hope to get my return someday :). When I got my pepe jump ring maker in the mail I was so excited. I got the one that came with the foredom flex shaft. The instructions said to take apart the flex shaft and re-assemble it, so I did. I set everything up and turned the drill on, but the saw wouldn't cut the rings. BUMMER! It took two days, and some wonderful people from Etsy (especially http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheSpeeceCollection). As it turns out, when I had reassembled the thing WRONG -- Well, after all was done, I had JUMP RINGS!!! WOO HOO!

This is the saw, ready to cut the jump rings.

The is the pepe jump ring maker. A coil is complete on the rod.

Some coils ready to be cut.

Copper and Brass jump rings complete and ready to use!

All in all, once I got it figured out, it only took about 10 minutes to make about 500 jump rings! Amazing, and a huge cost saver! I look forward to start the chain mail. Comments and hints/tips/suggestions are welcome!

Disc Cutter Fun!!

I finally got my Disc Cutter in!! I ordered copper sheets along with it, so I could practice using it (Sterling Silver sheets are SOOOO expensive!). The shavings on the cutter is called Bur-Lite, which is supposed to keep the punches ability to cut cleanly. Along with the disc cutter I ordered the center-positioning die set, the red pad in the picture, a hole punch (to punch a 1mm hole in the finished product so I can incorporate it into my jewelry), a pair of wire sheers (to cut the copper sheet), bur-lite and a brass 1lb hammer. I'm thinking I should have also ordered some files, but will try to use what I have. The cuts are clean and sharp. It took only a couple of hits with hammer to cut the disc! Quite easy to do, and I the ideas how I could use these are bombarding my brain!! It was a quite expensive order, so I hope it pays for itself in the long run.

Below are images of my first washers and circles (I'm sure there's another name for it). As you can see, one of the washers is WAY off center, so I will have to work on getting the hang of the positioning die. Hopefully soon, I will post some pictures of some jewelry using my awesome new tool!!

Shopping for Jewelry Supplies

Can't wait for my cutter to come in!!! I ordered it from Rio Grande, and am so excited to use it to start making more designs!! It's so fun shopping for jewelry supplies, just wish it was easy to sell the finished pieces. I know eventually I'll get the hang of it, but it is just so hard to do!! I could go for online and shop for hours and hours on supplies, beads, tools, gems, wires and more. It's so quick to buy up the stuff, then when it comes in, it takes forever to put away, and find a place for it. Then looking at everything it can be overwhelming to decide where to start. The ideas just float around in my head. Then taking the pictures of the finished piece of art.... not too bad. But then cropping pictures etc, it getting easier. Then posting online, and waiting for that person looking for the item you just posted, because when they see it, they just feel like it is them. That they have to have it. Well... that was a bit of a ramble. But good to get out.

We're all supposed to blog!

I've been reading and researching on how to bring people into my store. It is really hard out there! The online world seems even bigger than the real world!! One persons suggests to stay active on your blog. But since my blog is dedicated to my jewelry, just how much can you talk about jewelry? Wouldn't that get boring... I would think so.

So, I guess we're all supposed to blog to keep people interested, and hopefully that right person will find your site and spread the word.

No resolutions!

I didn't make any new years resolutions, because that would be just setting myself up for failure. Sure there are plenty of things I would like to change about myself, but I wouldn't even know where to start. I haven't quite gotten that special feeling that someone gets when they actually reach a turning point in their life, and know they are ready, or will soon, make a life change. Nah, I like my life for the most part. I love my kids. Love making my jewelry. Have become a Dexter addict (just what is it about that guy?). Work my regular job. I enjoy that for the most part too. So not too many complaints right this second... maybe in a few minutes I will have some complaints.

Where does time go.....

Wow, I'm really bad about keeping up with the blog... I just had to write something in here to keep it updated... Two days before Christmas, still haven't wrapped anything... made yummy lobster rolls for my party here at work.... the oven caught on fire this morning... it was like mission impossible... the flame going just along the heating element. Now I wonder if that means I won't be able to do any cooking tomorrow? I hope I can at least make cookies, otherwise I will have to go out to the store and buy cookies, but Santa won't mind.

Second Craft Fair: Part 2

Today marks the end of my second craft fair. Here's a picture of my tables - since the ladies the day before decided not to come back.

I didn't do well (again), but I believe I did better than some of the other jewelers. There was not a lot of traffic. It really stunk that I wasn't in the main area, although I hear some of those people didn't do well at all. I did get a lot of compliments, and some people took my card for to have custom pieces made. I don't know if it was the economy, or if it was just a bad weekend all together. I really don't know what more I learned today, except make sure you have things that are lower priced that the parents can buy for the kids. My big sellers were my lanyards and eyeglass necklaces along with the seed bead memory bracelets. Those were some of my cheapest items as well. I'm just going to try and stay positive and try again at my next craft fair in two weeks. Wish me luck!!

Second Craft Fair: Part 1

This was day one of a two day fair. It was a big difference from my first fair. First off, I was a bit more organized. Although I was more organized, and it was a HUGE fair (over 80 vendors), I sold 2/3 less than what I did at my first fair. From what I saw and heard a lot of people did poorly, and some people sold NOTHING! So I guess I did pretty good compared to others.

I bought myself two little dollies that have a plastic carton on the bottom. I found them in Wal-Mart for less than $20.00. This helped me limit my trips back and forth to the car. I also only used one jewelry case, instead of three. I packed my earrings in plastic bags, on homemade earring cards with the lips on the back so I could just take them out of the bag and hang them up. It save a lot of time.

I really have no special hints or tips, because I wasn't very busy, so I learned no real lessons. I did hear that a few vendors are not showing up tomorrow because they did so poorly, so hopefully tomorrow more people will show up, and enjoy my jewelry!

I met a great artist (her table was next to mine). She's another jeweler, and I learned a lot from her. It was really refreshing talking with someone in the same line.

First Craft Fair - some lessons learned.

I went to my first craft fair on Friday at my place of employment. There were about 15 tables there, five of which had jewelry. I got there a little after 7am to set-up to open at 9am. This being my first craft fair, I figured I would a little to be ready for my second fair. My first BIG mistake was having things packed poorly and with little or no organization. It took about six trips out to my car to get everything to the room. I'd like to make only one trip, and so hopefully next time I will be able to whittle that down a little. I had everything in boxes, which, I then had to take out of boxes to hang on the earring stand. That took a long time, since I first had to take it out of the box, then put the hanger on the earring card (I make my cards myself), then hang them up. First off, I am not going to store my things in the individual boxes anymore. I will store them in plastic baggies, with the hanger already attached. This will cut back on me having to bring three craft cases filled with the jewelry in the boxes, and maybe only have to bring one craft case, and a bag filled with boxes.

Second big mistake, I forgot a pen. ooooppppsss!

Third mistake, I had no way to hang my banner up. I thought I could hang it with ribbon on the table, but the ribbon kept pulling the banner, and the banner kept trying to keep rolling back up. I will have to figure something out with that.

I only had about four busts to hang necklaces on, so I had to keep a lot of necklaces in the boxes on the table. I thought it looked crappy like that. I have ordered a few necklace boards, so next time it will all look a little neater.

On a positive note, I did have small bills, my cards, everything priced and a mirror available for people to try on necklaces.

It was a good day. A bit stressful, but I am looking forward to another fair.

Mystery Artist Revealed!!

The contest is over! And I guess I did make it too easy ;) We have two winners! Aestraea will win two pairs of Earrings (her choice), and the last pair will go to Kristen Hardy! Thanks everyone so much for playing and taking the time exploring Etsy and finding new and exciting shops from talented artisians!

Here is the interview with CozInk, it's wonderful learning about new people and their passions for their art!

1. What made you get into your craft? Was it always something you've been interested in doing?

I was always into art, but I never really knew anything about printmaking until high school. In junior year, my art teacher asked if I would like to go to Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, up in Deer Isle. Several schools sent one student, and we stayed there for a long weekend learning a new craft. I took the printmaking workshop that weekend, and that's where I learned printmaking with a gelatin plate. It was totally random- I didn't know about Haystack until my teacher asked me if I wanted to go, and I had never heard of gel printing until I read it in the class schedule and signed up. And I almost didn't sign up. I almost took metalwork instead, but I decided printmaking would be easier to continue doing at home. I love the versatility of printing on gelatin. I love the detail it allows me to pick up in the plants I use, and how many different effects I can get.

2. What inspires you?

Definitely nature, which is pretty easy to tell when you look at my stuff, I guess. Everything in it is plant life. The printmaking process inspires me- just having time in my studio to stand at the work table and zone out printing for a couple hours. I'm inspired by color, and trying new projects.

3. Tell us a little about your average day.

Ha! My average day is pretty boring. I'm a stay-at-home mom, so it's exactly what you'd expect that to entail: I cook, I clean, I take care of my daughter and the dog and the cat. I definitely do not make it up to the studio every day. Studio work is more like once or twice a week. In January that will all change, because I'm returning to college to get a teaching degree. So my days will be VASTLY different... my daughter will be in day care, I'll be in class. I'm looking forward to it but am also pretty scared of going back to school and also of the shock of not being with my daughter as much. I know that's going to be tougher on me than her.

4. How did you first get introduced to Etsy, and what made you decide to sell there?

A friend told me about it- she makes crocheted goods that she sells at adornMeant.etsy.com. So I saw what she was doing, and I had all these prints I made but just saved, so I started cutting them up to make things. I did a gallery show this summer, and while I was going over which prints to hang with the owner, he asked how many full sized prints I had at my house. He was shocked when I said "Not many- a lot get cut up." He couldn't believe I was cutting up original prints to make cards and bookmarks, but I love it! I love that it constantly makes me create more. I love that people get totally one-of-a-kind cards, that really are special enough for important occasions. And they're elegant- they aren't filled with goofy cartoons or sappy poetry or soft-focused pictures of roses. They're unique, and I joined Etsy hoping to find people who appreciate that.

5. What advice would you give to new artists, or people interested in your field of art?

To people interested in printmaking- jump in. There aren't a ton of people out there printing with gelatin, so it's sometimes tough to get started, because you have to teach yourself as you go, but it's worth it. It's fun, and messy, and really process-oriented so it relaxes you once you realize you really have to stop worrying about the final product. Don't get into this kind of printing thinking you can plan exact results. Go in with an open mind and a fluid idea of what you want to end up with, because a lot of times your prints come out very different than you expect.

6. Do you sell your work locally?

I try to. I have cards up in consignment in several local stores, and actually one store way out in Minnapolis, too. My goal for the coming year is to get more wholesale orders. Eventually I will break into craft shows, but I'm not ready to take that on, yet.

7. Tell us a little about yourself.

Married my high-school sweetheart when I was 19, and we're coming up on nine years together/five and a half years married. I lived in Wyoming for awhile and REALLY miss it sometimes. I come from a very talented family, artistically and musically, with cousins who are more like siblings and siblings who I feel lucky to know, let alone call my brother and sister. I like to write, like to create, have a bad temper, curse way too much, and have a really embarrassing laugh that I still refuse to stifle.

8. What do you see in your future?

Lots of W-O-R-K! All I can see in my future right now is the looming start date of college, and how tired I'm going to be for the next 3 or 4 years as I become a full time student and mom.

9. What is the favorite item you have made?

The favorite material you work with? I make such a large volume of stuff, it's hard to pick a favorite. The print that is on my business card was always a favorite. It was a note card originally- I scanned the image to use as my business card, and I sold the card itself later. There aren't many pieces that I hang on to- I like sort of forcing myself to let go of my favorite pieces, because it inspires me to make more like it, or try to make something even better! My favorite thing in my Etsy shop right now is probably the 2010 Calendar of printmaking that I put together, just because it's a project that's been on my mind for so long. I love that it's out on paper now, and I'm really happy with how it came out.

10. Where can we find you? Twitter? Facebook? Blog?

Oy, all three.

Twitter:http://twitter.com/CozInkCollectiv

Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Mount-Vernon-ME/CozInk-Paper-Goods/118410256474

Blog: http://cozink.blogspot.com/

Although the blog is a blog about the entire art collective called CozInk Collective. It's made up my a lot of family members- we all have different mediums, and try to cross-promote so we formed a collective and I run the blog. We have musicians, songwriters, photographers, artists, a guitar-maker... all from the same family. I love my family- never a dull moment!

11. Your favorite saying or quote?

This, I don't know if I can pick. I'm a history nerd, so there are a LOT of old quotes rattling around in my head. "The more you have to do, the more you can get done" is one my grandfather told me a lot, and one I try to remind myself of when I feel overwhelmed. It's a very New England little saying, I think, and it's really true.

Thanks so much CozInk for participating! It was great getting to know you better, and hope others enjoy the interview as much as I did. Good luck with your sales! Hope many come your way!

Can you figure out the Mystery Featured Artist?

I thought it would be fun to have a contest! I love a good mystery, and puzzle, and although I may not be a great creator of them, I thought it would be fun to send people out on a hunt!! I will give five clues to who my mystery featured artist is. It won't be easy (at least I hope not!), and there may be many answers, although only one is right!! You can win one or ALL of the following:

Crystal Quartz and Sapphire Earrings

Amethyst and Rose Quartz Earrings

Swarkovski Crystal and Glass Heart Earrings

To play the game:

Follow the clues, figure out who the artist is... post their Etsy username, or store name on the comments of this post. Only one guess per person. For those not familiar with Etsy, it is an online handcraft and vintage website allowing artists to sell their items. Just go to etsy.com, make an account (it's free) and look around. There is some AMAZING stuff there!! To win the prize(s):

Win 1 prize: Guess the correct artist

Win 2 prizes: Guess the correct artist and be a follower of my blog

Win all 3 prizes: Guess the correct artist, be a follower of my blog, and have made a purchase from my Etsy shop. (geesh, talk about bribery!)

I will announce the prize after I post the interview. At this time, the winner can contact me so I can send their prize! If someone does guess the correct artist, and only wins one prize, then the next person who guessed the correct artist will get a pick of the remaining prizes. All prizes will come in a nice gift box with my logo name. Great for Christmas gift!

The interview will be posted on or around Halloween. Have fun! Thanks for playing!

Now....

Clue #1: This Artist uses leaves in some of his/hers work.

Clue #2: This Artist joined Etsy in 2008.

Clue #3: This Artist used a stamp from another Etsy seller to make one of his/her pieces of work.

Clue #4: This Artist uses special printmaking with some of his/her work.

Clue #5: At the time of this writing, this Artist has over 65 shop hearts.

Let the hunt begin!!

My Reads: The Pact

I finished reading The Pact today, and really don't know how to explain how I feel about it. I think the author portrayed Emily and Chris too much like adults in their relationship. I know it was supposed to be them being soul mates and kindred spirits etc, but it just seemed they were way too mature for my liking. It was a good story, but felt something was lacking in giving the family any type of closure for Emily's death, although I guess in real life it is that way, it was a book of fiction, so I would have liked them to have some sort of closure. I got the feeling the author kinda left Chris in the dust, with me wondering what became of his life, but maybe that was her intent as well. I'm not sure if it was a happy ending or sad ending. I just can't get my grip on it.

Just listed on Etsy!

Watching Snow White

I'm watching Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, I never realized just how scary that movie is for a kid..... The singing, while it may have been popular for back when it was created, just isn't making my kids sing along.

My Reads: The Last Child

I really enjoyed The Last Child, it was a very good suspense, and again, a pretty easy read. The story flowed together very well. I think I will try another book by this author.