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.

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.

I am going to dump my purse on the couch!

Remember The Breakfast Club, when the Ally Sheedy dumped her purse on the couch, and they said something about her dumping her life (or problems) out for everyone to see... I'm going to do it. I'm going to dump my disorganized space on you!! Well.... it's not just disorganized, it's a MESS! Hopefully I will soon show you the organized space it becomes!!

So, I will take some pictures of my work space, and you can see for yourself the very disorganized person I am. It doesn't make my creations any less.... aren't artists supposed to be a little weird? It seems like I will clean up my room and as soon as I get started working again, I just trash it.... as hard as I try to keep it clean, I guess it just isn't a priority with me. There are always more important things to do, like make just one more pair of earrings before I go to bed. It's a danger zone! And the 2 1/2 year old is banned from being in there!

So off to charge my camera batteries (I can't find my wide angle lens... hmmmm..... go figure - so I have to use the small camera). Will edit this post soon.

Today was a long day!

Wow, I had a long day today at work..... it was extremely busy!! Then, when I got home, took the six year old to swimming lessons, and just got home. She's reading now, and I'm anxiously awaiting the time to run into my back room and start making some jewelry! It's like an addiction! I'm getting ready for a big open house. My co-worker is having an Arbonne (spelling?) open house, and she asked if I would sell my jewelry there! So excited, but nervous too. Then in November we're having an employee craft fair. We'll see how that goes. Etsy is slow for me, but I haven't posted anything new for a while because I want to make sure I have enough for those two events. I haven't tried selling locally at boutiques or hair salons yet, too nervous to do the one on one. It's so easy being outgoing on the computer, but when you have to sell your stuff in person, it's scary!!

My first blog

Wow... I've come out of the dark ages and now have my little blog site to let the world know about the beautiful jewelry I make. Thanks for visiting.