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Sunday, May 15, 2011

The Joy of Metal Clay - Inspirations from nature

This weekend I went on a getaway to a girlfriend's cottage. It was a chance to escape the day to day life and take in nature, friends, a good book and peaceful atmosphere.

I had intended to write a blog on the technique of painting leaves with silver clay...something most of us can now do since there are many small and beautiful leaves popping up everywhere. This did not happen as I wanted to include pictures of the process and I did not have any pictures in my archives(this post will come later this month or next).

Instead, I am going to share the inspiration I found this weekend at the cottage and my latest challenge. I took many pictures of the texture and beauty of the plants around the cottage. Here are a few of the photos I snapped; I hope that they may inspire you too:
























The trilliums above (the three petaled white flowers above) became my inspiration for the week. These flowers are the provincial flower of Ontario. When looking at them closely they are both simple and elegant and I realized that they would be a great challenge to make in metal clay. I am not sure how successful I will be as the ruffles along the petals may pose a challenge to create in silver clay but I have a few ideas to try. I may need more time than a week but I will keep you posted on the results.





Take time to look around you as sometimes inspiration is right in front of your eyes, you just have to look.


Have a great week!!!


Saturday, May 14, 2011

The Business Chat - Business is like sailing

Whew, I’m back in the land of internet access. For the past while I’ve been living my other side of my split personality, Sailorgirl Jewelry has been just plain Sailorgirl as I floated around Florida and the Bahamas on my wee white sailboat. A thought occurred to me one day as I stared off into the blue horizon, running a business is quite like sailing.

When we go sailing we make a plan. We have a starting point and we have a destination. We study charts and we listen to weather forecasts. We plan a route.

When we begin a business we have a starting point. (Gee, I think I should sell some of my work to cover my costs.) We have a destination. (Goal, I would like to cover the costs of all the work I’ve been making so that I can take more classes and learn more skills. Or, I would like to quit my job and make jewelry full-time.) We do market research, we check out other people and we learn about the different ways of selling work. We create a “business plan”.

Once we have our sailing plan, we point the boat and raise the sails. A plan is fine and good and is a great beginning. However Mother Nature sometimes has some other ideas about where you should go. Just because we have a plan doesn’t mean that we can put on the autopilot, go below and take a nap. Sometimes the wind will change and you will have to tack (change direction) a few times to get to your destination. Sometimes big waves and gusts of wind that weren’t in the forecast will mean that you have to change your destination.

The first few years of sailing this would drive me crazy! When I had a destination, dammit, I was going there! I have ranted and raved and tacked into giant waves against the tide because I had a plan. Until one day I figured out that in the big scheme of things this wasn’t getting me anywhere. Much as I have a plan, ultimately there are forces bigger than my wee boat and that sometimes you just have to yield.

Business is the same. We can plan all that we want, and plans are definitely very very very important. After all, you need to know where you are starting from and where you are going. No matter how much you plan, sometimes things will come out of the blue, things you didn’t expect because maybe you didn’t even know they existed when you created your plan. Rather than fight against them because they weren’t in your plan, maybe you need to adjust your plan to incorporate them. The key word here is adjust, it’s important not to lose sight of the key goals and steps in your plan, you just need to take new wind direction and gusts into account.

In the past 4 years we’ve been faced with an economy that’s on a roller coaster. I don’t think that was in anyone’s plan yet if as a business you are to survive you have to roll with it. If you stubbornly insist on doing exactly what you had planned on and don’t adjust to the new environment you won’t be in business long. Today we have a more stable economy yet now we have skyrocketing metal prices. Once these stabilize I’m sure something else will happen. The online world changes every few days, who knows what that will bring in a year or two?

The most important thing you can do is to keep your eye on the destination and to keep your hand on the rudder (wheel, whatever you use to steer your boat/business). Think about what you can do to adjust to whatever new conditions the world throws your way.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Flux

Not bead related - but absolutely amazing!


F L U X from candas sisman on Vimeo.

by the courtesy of Plato Art Space (Plato College of higher education)

ilhan koman hulda festival, a journey into art and science exhibition
Ayvansaray Caddesi No:33 Balat - İstanbul
22 September - 31 october


video and sound design by Candas Sisman


commissioned by Plato Art Space (Plato collage of higher education)

thanks to :İlhan Koman, Bager Akbay, Gorkem Sen, Burcu Beslioglu, Plato Art Space (Plato collage of higher education), Koman foundation, Deniz kader

csismn.com
PlatoSanat.com
huldafestival.org
koman.org/​

New This Week!

Many Strings Attached



s28919 Stringing -  Silk Strings - Deep Rose (1)Many, many strings attached to this week's update - and knots are an option!

Oh, the look of silk - the intensity of the colours - the fine lustreous sheen. And the feel! The smooth, soft, caressable touch of it! Don't you just love silk!

Silk strings - in a rainbow of wonderful colours - You can knot with them, or just grab a bunch and twist together and hang a pendant! I'm so excited by these! (Doesn't take much to make me happy!)

s28915 Stringing -  Fairy Ribbon - Chocolate (1)And, if you want something a little earthier - for contrast - check out the fairy ribbon. Also silk, but more like a crepe - this ribbon looks earthy and elegant at the same time.

s28940 Cloisonne -  Meadow Queen Butterfly - Flash of Lime (1)

It is really starting to feel like spring s28942 Cloisonne -  Meadow Queen Butterfly - Night Ramble (1)here - well - parts of the country, anyway. How about some new cloisonne butterflies to flutterby, or glitterby?


s28956 Decoupage Picture Beads - 20 mm Square - Itteh Bitteh Kitteh Committeh (1)

Picture beads! For some reason - we have a ridiculously s28958 Decoupage Picture Beads - 20 mm Square - Assorted Goggies (1)small quantities of this kitteh and goggie beads - only a few of each design - so if you want to pick your faves - you'll have to come into the store. Otherwise - it's potluck for you!

s28961 Wood Beads - 10 x 20 mm Rectangle - Dragonfly (1)

34767541010721 Swarovski Elements Pendant - 18 mm Faceted Butterfly (6754) - Amethyst Blend (1)s28964 Wood Beads - 26 mm Square - Celtic Knot (1)Other odds and ends - such as wood dragonflies, and Celtic Knots, and more of the Swarovski Amethyst Blend. (It must be spring - Butterflies everywhere! s28963 Wood Beads - 10 x 20 mm Rectangle - Butterfly (1)


34767211081001 Swarovski Elements Pendant - 28 mm Starfish - Crystal Bronze Shade (1)(OH - and let's not forget - Swarovski Bronze Shade Starfish. Shoooo cute.)



So click on a link or a picture above, or start with the Main Page, if you are intrepid (there is a LOT of stuff there), or chunk it down into bite-size portions by checking out the categories: Click on a link and go crazy! Firepolish, Pressed Glass, Swarovski Crystal, Seedbeads, Stone and Pearls, Preciosa Crystal, Metal Beads, Other Cool Beads, Findings, Metal Clay & Supplies or Books, Kits, Tools. Look for the "new" tags!

Or maybe check out all our free, yes, free projects. A new one every week.


Wednesday, May 11, 2011

New This Week!

Many Strings Attached



s28919 Stringing -  Silk Strings - Deep Rose (1)Many, many strings attached to this week's update - and knots are an option!


Oh, the look of silk - the intensity of the colours - the fine lustrous sheen. And the feel! The smooth, soft, caressable touch of it! Don't you just love silk!


Silk strings - in a rainbow of wonderful colours - You can knot with them, or just grab a bunch and twist together and hang a pendant! I'm so excited by these! (Doesn't take much to make me happy!)


s28915 Stringing -  Fairy Ribbon - Chocolate (1)And, if you want something a little earthier - for contrast - check out the fairy ribbon. Also silk, but more like a crepe - this ribbon looks earthy and elegant at the same time.


s28940 Cloisonne -  Meadow Queen Butterfly - Flash of Lime (1)


It is really starting to feel like spring s28942 Cloisonne -  Meadow Queen Butterfly - Night Ramble (1)here - well - parts of the country, anyway. How about some new cloisonne butterflies to flutterby, or glitterby?



s28956 Decoupage Picture Beads - 20 mm Square - Itteh Bitteh Kitteh Committeh (1)


Picture beads! For some reason - we have a ridiculously s28958 Decoupage Picture Beads - 20 mm Square - Assorted Goggies (1)small quantities of this kitteh and goggie beads - only a few of each design - so if you want to pick your faves - you'll have to come into the store. Otherwise - it's potluck for you!


s28961 Wood Beads - 10 x 20 mm Rectangle - Dragonfly (1)


34767541010721 Swarovski Elements Pendant - 18 mm Faceted Butterfly (6754) - Amethyst Blend (1)s28964 Wood Beads - 26 mm Square - Celtic Knot (1)Other odds and ends - such as wood dragonflies, and Celtic Knots, and more of the Swarovski Amethyst Blend. (It must be spring - Butterflies everywhere! s28963 Wood Beads - 10 x 20 mm Rectangle - Butterfly (1)



34767211081001 Swarovski Elements Pendant - 28 mm Starfish - Crystal Bronze Shade (1)(OH - and let's not forget - Swarovski Bronze Shade Starfish. Shoooo cute.)




So click on a link or a picture above, or start with the Main Page, if you are intrepid (there is a LOT of stuff there), or chunk it down into bite-size portions by checking out the categories: Click on a link and go crazy! Firepolish, Pressed Glass, Swarovski Crystal, Seedbeads, Stone and Pearls, Preciosa Crystal, Metal Beads, Other Cool Beads, Findings, Metal Clay & Supplies or Books, Kits, Tools. Look for the "new" tags!


Or maybe check out all our free, yes, free projects. A new one every week.



Lampworkers Trunk Show

One more little reminder ;-) As if you all haven't heard enough about it already!  We're all so looking forward to Saturday. Of course come for an awesome selection of handmade beads from:

Lezlie Winemaker
Susan Stortini
Amy Waldman-Engle
Carol Cooper
Deborah Read
Laurie Wright
Tanja Ostwald
Natali
Elly Peters
Becky Greensall
Alicia Niles
Nortel Manufacting (Glass and Tools)

Dwyn and I will also have a small selection there as well.  Dwyn is sending along her dragon eyes!

We also have demo's happening ALL DAY! If you've ever been curious about the process, thought about possibly taking a class, or just want to see beads being made - this is most certainly the day to come out.

Join us in store Saturday May 14th from 10am-5pm for beady goodness :-)

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Chainmaille & Fibre Arts Classes AT beadFX

Chainmailling at beadFX
Since blogging about the Scott David Plumlee classes, we've gotten very positive responses. The event promises to be a truly exciting one. Scott will also be lecturing at the Toronto Bead Society while he's in town. So visit the Toronto Bead Society website for more information on this lecture.

There are 7 workshops to choose from. Are you a beginner? Try the Tripoli Earrings class.



Are you looking for something more challenging? Try the Romanov Bracelet class.


BeadFX will also be stocking these kits, so if you would like to take home a few extra kits with you, they will be available for purchase. See a full list of Scott's workshops here.


Fibre Arts (Cord Making) at beadFX
Angela Peace has developed a new course: Kumihimo Basics coming up May 15th 11 - 2pm. In this class, students will learn how to use the kumihimo disc to make cords.

braidednecklace

Students will also get a chance to test drive the maru dai. The maru dai is a wooden loom on which braids have traditionally been made. Promises to be fun!



Adios Amigas!

Monday, May 09, 2011

Survey Says: What is your favourite type of jewelry?

Each month, we have a little contest where we give away a prize or gift certificate, and while you are entering, we sneak in a question - just a little something to help us understand you and what you really want. (This month's survey is here.)


Last month, we asked:


What is your favourite type of jewelry? Necklaces? Bracelets? Earrings? Sets?
Something else ... ?


The responses surprised me - bracelets are the clear winner! Bracelets came in as the most popular, and earrings came in a little ahead of necklaces. Sets are also extremely popular, and rings have a die-hard following of crazed enthusiasts. You didn't just mention rings - you talked about how you LOVED rings.

You didn't let us forget about the other options either - more than a few of you opted for


  • Watches
  • Brooches
  • Anklets
  • Toe Rings
  • Hair Accessories

And there was a strong subset voting for "All of the above!" Here are some of your comments:

  • Anything that sparkles and shines!! (Hear! Hear!)
  • Earrings!! Long Dangly shiney sparkly earrings!!
  • necklaces-making them; bracelets-wearing them! (Good point! Your favourite to wear may not be what your favourite is to make! )



  • I love bracelets..they not only look fabulous but I can look @ my wrist & see my handi-work @ all times (That's how I feel - bracelets are for me, necklaces and earrings are for others looking at me.)



  • Earrings - quick to make and easy wearing (rings and bracelets annoy me when I'm typing; necklaces take longer to make). (I like the speed of making bracelets too. I can finish them before I get bored!)



  • I like making earrings. Quick and easy on the pocketbook.



  • Definitely Bracelets! Oh and Rings, definitely Rings! Oh wait! - Earrings, yes earrings are my favourite - but wait.... oh why did you have to ask such a hard question?!?



And finally -



  • I love necklaces most. That's not quite true... I would love to wear jewelry in my hair, something on the line of what might have been worn during the Renaissance, that hangs down on the forehead... but I haven't got the nerve. :D (I hear ya - I've always wanted to try that too!)


Anyone remember Marilyn Monroe's character in, I think, "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" where she is shown her first tiara - and she is enthralled with it? She says, with open mouthed awe - "Look, a whole new way to wear diamonds!"


Maybe we need a new type of jewelry? Then there would be even more to love!

Sunday, May 08, 2011

The Joy of Metal Clay - Alternatives to a steel pan

Many of the base metal clays require that one fires them in activated carbon. This requires some form of vessel to contain the carbon. One of the most common methods is to use a stainless steel firing pan such as the ones that BeadFX sell (photographed below).


The problem with this method is that the steel will darken and flake into your kilns creating a black soot messing up the kiln. Of course you can vacuum out your kiln but overall this is a messy option.



Hadar Jacobson, creator of a wide variety of metal clays instructs individuals to make your own firing box out of fiber boards and blanket. LINK


The downside to this is that cutting and "playing" with fiber blankets and release fibers into the air that aren't necessarily wise to breath in (that being said breathing in the carbon is a bad idea too, so remember to wear your mask!!!). Still her ideas are very creative!!!


There are a few new items on the market that may be an improvement over the above. The first is the below ceramic firing vessel (photo courtesy of Art Clay World USA) and the following link describes how to use it ArtClayWorldUSA - ceramic firing container.




I have not tried this as the size does not fit in my kiln (before ordering take into consideration the interior measurements of you kiln!. But before these came on the market I have occasionally used a crucible for small items.


The other new item that there is a lot of discussion about on the metal clay forums is a no flake foil that one can create your own box with. It claims to not flake or soil your kiln. I am ordering some and going to try it out. I will keep you posted!


Happy Mother's day to all you mothers!!!







Saturday, May 07, 2011

The Business Chat - Guest Poster - Tackling the Hard Stuff

Catherine is sans-interwebs this week - so I said I would fill in.

Course - what I know about business you can put in a thimble and rattle. Well - no longer true, but I will say - 80% of what I learned about business and marketing, I learned from Catherine.

One of the more important things I learned was to shed the "but I'm an artist and artists don't need money" attitude. When you come to crafting-for-a-living from an art background, you might have a tendency to think in terms of "the purity of art" or it's timelessness or that trying to earn a living is a shallow, money-grubbing approach, and that you are better than that.

Well - you are better than that, but it has probably occurred to you by now - you need to eat. And live indoors. And - feed your cats and pay phone bills and wear clothes and other necessities of life. Nearly all of us have responsibilities to others that we need to fulfill - so if it helps - think of the ideal of the responsibilities outweighing the ideal of not being profitable.

Marketing, organizing, record-keeping, selling - you may see some or all of these as tremendous chores - truly loathsome tasks that you go out of your way to avoid - but they are an important and integral part of making a living - even making a living doing something you love.

You can tell that a task falls into this category when you find yourself doing almost anything else instead - such as cleaning the stove, emptying the cat-box and mowing the lawn instead of, say, going through your receipts for the year. (These are called "avoidance behaviours" by the way. Just realized you scrubbed the bathroom for no particular reason? What were you avoiding doing?) You'll probably find that these business chores fall into one of two categories - stuff you don't like doing, and stuff you are truly bad at doing.

For instance - taxes. You may find this a particularly heinous part of running a business. I know I do. You can divide it into two portions. The getting-organized-first section, and the actual doing-of section. Sorting through those receipts and adding up the numbers is no fun. Actually sitting down to fill out the forms makes your head hurt.

So perhaps it's time to divide and conquer. How about picking some nice self-indulgent reward for the stuff you hate, and delegate the stuff you are actually bad at to someone else. Your approach might be to pick a couple of movies you really want to see, sit down at the desk with your paper work - thinking about how much you are going to enjoy your mini-moviefest, plow through the paperwork, and then watch the movies. Then take the pile of sorted, organized and tidy paperwork to a tax prep person or accountant, and let them do the actual return. (Reminding yourself that if you just take them the shoe-boxes of receipts - it's going to cost waaaay more.)

Personally - I reward my self with a few hours of video games. I find some so all-absorbing that I come out of them hardly remembering that I was doing something I really didn't enjoy just before-hand. And studies have demonstrated that playing video games (i.e. Tetris) can reduce post-traumatic stress - so surely they can ease the stress of tackling a big pile of receipts?

But I should point out - this doesn't work if you give yourself the reward first, and never get around to doing the chores. ;-) But you knew that.

Cheers!

Friday, May 06, 2011

Inspiration Friday

Happy Friday everyone! I have a special Inspiration Friday for you today. (I've always got a special theme up my sleeve during weeks I haven't had time to make anything).  I've recently been spending far too much time on Pinterest, which could account for why I haven't got any jewelry for you this week. ;-)

Pinterest is one of the newest social media sites out there. The idea is that you share your favourite images/interests with others. It's different enough from Flickr/Webshots that it really doesn't take their place.

I've come across a ton of decorating ideas, and I thought I'd run a search to see what I could find in the way of jewelry display/organization. I certainly wasn't disappointed! Here are a few of my favourites.


                                                                                       Source: brassrazooboutique.com via Jennifer on Pinterest



                                                                                  Source: justlivesimply.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest



                                                                                             Source: bhg.com via Beth "Freshie" on Pinterest



                                                                       Source: paisleywallpaper.blogspot.com via Lara on Pinterest



                                                                                     Source: countryliving.com via Rebecca on Pinterest


We would love to have you show off your stuff! Were you inspired this past week by anything? Send us pics of your creation to info@beadfx.com with the subject line "Inspiration Friday" 

Thursday, May 05, 2011

500 Beaded Jewelry - Call for Entries



500 Beaded Jewelry

Lark Jewelry & Beading seeks excellent photographs of excellent, original beaded jewelry pieces to publish in a new collection, 500 Beaded Jewelry, that will be juried by Ray Hemachandra. All jewelry forms, such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, pendants, rings, etc., will be considered, and we hope to capture a diversity of forms. The book will publish in Fall 2012 or Spring 2013. Download the PDF entry form here.

(From Ray: I want to emphasize using professional photography with excellent focus, background, contrast, and color. Beaded work is notoriously difficult to photograph well, and because this is a book of photographs, the image quality is just as important in jurying as the excellence and originality of the beaded jewelry the photographs capture and celebrate—I’ll select good work in a great photograph over great work in a poor photograph. I often advise artists that it can be worth having professional photography done even if your pieces end up not being juried into the book, because then you have professional images available for various marketing uses—for website, business cards, brochures, submissions in competitions, etc.)

We prefer images of pieces that have not been published previously, and please do NOT submit images of pieces that have been published in any Lark book. Recent work is strongly preferred.
For this book, we will be accepting digital images only. There is no entry fee. Artists will receive full acknowledgment within the book, one complimentary copy, and discounts on the purchase of additional books. Artists retain copyright of their work.
Entries must be postmarked by July 15, 2011. We encourage early entries!

Mail materials to: Dawn Dillingham/Lark, 500 Beaded Jewelry, 67 Broadway, Asheville NC  28801
We hope this collection will feature a wide range of contributors from around the world: Please support our efforts by sharing this listing with your local or national bead group, society, or store; emailing and Facebook messaging your contacts with the listing; and by receiving updates about the book by joining the brand new Lark Jewelry & Beading Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LarkJewelryBeading. Thank you!

New this week: Tiny Seedbeaders Rejoice!

Tiny Seedbeaders, Rejoice.



tb15r221 Japanese Seedbeads - 15/0 Toho Charlottes - Bronze (5 grams)


Calling all tiny seedbeaders! Which is not to say seedbeaders of slight stature, but rather, all those who rejoice in the minuscule, tiny perfection of seedbeads so small - they resemble grains of sand. This week, we have, just for you, size 15/0 Toho Charlottes (that db15-0853 Delicas - 15/0 Japanese Cylinders - Dark Topaz Transparent AB Matteis, beads with a single facet cut into them) and, if you prefer the tube shape of the Miyuki Delica beads - we have them too, in size 15/0. Either way - with 80 new colours - you'll be in tiny bead heaven!


65442024 Czech Seedbeads - 6/0 Seedbead - Wine and Sun Mix (20 grams)If seedbeads that small leave you squinting and flailing for your glasses, we have some mixes of sixes to make you happy!



s28864 Stone Beads - 16 mm Round - Green Crazy Lace Agate (Dyed) (strand)And if you aren't crazy about that either, maybe you'll be crazy about this month's stone of the month! This month is Green Crazy Lace Agate. This is a coloured stone, with cheerful bands of colour that can remind you of malachite - although, overall - it's lighter and without the intense dark green to black of malachite.


s28968 Bookmark with Loop - 5 inch Scaly Dragon - Antiqued Silver (1)On Monday - I blogged about Mother's day - coming up this Sunday. I suggested you might want to make up some bookmarks - especially if your mother is older (Mine is 90 this year) and gives you a hard time about getting any gifts that she has to store or dust.


If your Mom is younger, why not bring her down to the store and treat her to some beady shopping? Let her pick out the beads - then make them up into a necklace or earrings or whatever. Perhaps something like this week's stylish inspiration - which is long enough to drop over your head without fiddling with a clasp - which is good if your mom is a little arthritic. And if she's not, you might even get her hooked on your favourite pastime. Beading is your favourite pastime, right? ;-)


Failing that, you can get your family to take YOU on a beady shopping spree! For all the stuff you do for them, it's the least they can do for you!


So click on a link or a picture above, or start with the Main Page, if you are intrepid (there is a LOT of stuff there), or chunk it down into bite-size portions by checking out the categories: Click on a link and go crazy! Firepolish, Pressed Glass, Swarovski Crystal, Seedbeads, Stone and Pearls, Preciosa Crystal, Metal Beads, Other Cool Beads, Findings, Metal Clay & Supplies or Books, Kits, Tools. Look for the "new" tags!


Or maybe check out all our free, yes, free projects. A new one every week.



Wednesday, May 04, 2011

Offbeat Bride

Wedding season is coming up, and with it a bunch of stressed out brides trying to please everyone except themselves.  Before you plan too much - take a look at Offbead Bride. I'll admit, I got completely distracted with this site. It's fascinating - be sure to pour a cup of something before you sit down.  Dwyn sent me the link last week, but I just recently got a chance to poke around - there are a lot of really cool DIY projects on how to make a fairy veil, blinging your wedding numbers and such, but truly it's the stories! A couple headlines catching my interest are:

*Casey & Aarons cajun bollywood wedding
*Should I tell my Christian grandmother about my pagan wedding?
    "I have a very close relationship with my Grandmother, however, in all my years of being so close  with her, I, uh, 'forgot' to mention that I am not Christian, but in fact Pagan."   heh...oops

And lots more! We all know weddings are ridiculously stressful. My own wedding was relaxed, fun, and very casual.  The only stressful part was losing the boats in the fog, and almost not having our family watch...although the seals were keeping us company :-)

(hubby and I got married on a shoal off the coast of Lunenburg, NS, and  the guests were brought to the wedding by various friends with boats.  The fog rolled in, and we lost everyone. Fortunately, we had a piper - everyone just followed the music) 

Did you know that in Lunenburg you can get a 4 tiered wedding cake covered in sugar daisy's for $75!  Hair and makeup set me back $35 at the local salon.
I suppose it may have changed somewhat since then - it was over 10 years ago now...but still.  Our bill for the Inn (4 rooms included), incredible gourmet dinner, with drinks for everyone was less than $2000. If you're willing to be a little creative, and roll with it - you can have the best wedding in the world for a reasonable price, and fairly stress free. :-)

Tuesday, May 03, 2011

Lampwork Trunk Show & Classes

The Lampwork Trunk Show is next weekend (May 14 10 - 5pm) at beadFX. The Trunk Show is a show for lampwork artists to display their fabulous handmade beads with beadmaking demos throughout the day. Tasty refreshments too! Come by and you'll find one-of-a-kind glass beads and wonderful people.



Here are the classes coming up next week:

pinkdragon


Adios Amigas!

Monday, May 02, 2011

A Little Something for Mother's Day

Mother's Day this coming weekend - second Sunday in May - and while some of you - most of you probably - still have your mom active and mobile and living "in the world" - some of us have mothers that have downsized just about everything, have moved into a retirement home, and have declared a ban on gifts that take up any space at all. All well and good, but it really limits the gift options!

You find you need to stick to consumables like food (ha - with her restricted diet - no choices there) or soaps, or perishables - like flowers. Flowers are good - and I've learned that you can specify a bouquet without a vase when ordering for delivery - and you get a way bigger bouquet. (I got a lot of flack about the vases collecting in the house - she started having to give them away to the cleaning lady.)

She still can see and likes to read, so books are acceptable (I've convinced her it's okay to give them away after reading them) and this year, I'll be sending her a couple of book marks, for something a little more personal.

They are an easy and quick project - customize them with a crystal in her favourite colour, (headpin and a wrapped loop and a jumpring) or make it a family project - have each of the kids make one and use their birthstone colour. They are inexpensive enough to give several! You could also find a charm or a found object that has a special significance.

Oh, and I can recommend the book pictured above too - "Jewels," by Victoria Finlay. It's a history of the various gemstones - where they come from, the circumstances around their discovery and use. Actually - I recommend anything by her - her stuff is great!

Happy Mother's Day!

Sunday, May 01, 2011

The Joy of Metal Clay - Bronze Dragonfly

Here is the fired dragonfly that I discussed making last week. I am disappointed with it for many reasons. For one I think that the chaos in my life recently had made it difficult to focus on any one thing. When this happens it is a good reminder to slow down and take a moment to focus. I think this little guy is a beginning but not what I had hoped. Anyway, I don' t mind sharing my disappointments along with the victories.


.


Of note, I noticed the cz's turned out a little hazy. This is the second time I have fired gemstones in metal clay. I think that the reason they became hazy is that although I allowed the piece to cool in the kiln overnight, carbon was still hot when I removed to piece and when I dunked the piece in cold water it probably caused the cz to cloud over (I didn't think the piece was hot enough to cause this to happen...lesson learned).







Saturday, April 30, 2011

The Business Chat - It's a holiday!

At my last show (the One of a Kind spring show April 2011) several people came in looking for “teacher gifts” for June. This is a phenomena that I’m not that familiar with as I don’t have little kids and my school days are way behind me. It was one of those “Aha!” moments for me. Marketing is easy when it’s Christmas, or Valentines Day or Mother's Day.

It’s all those in-between times that can lead to a sales drought. Now I’m going to find something interesting, I’m going to give my customers a reason to shop, I’m going to make every month a holiday somehow. More importantly I’m going to let my customers know about this.

You should too.
First find something to celebrate and shop for. There’s St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Halloween, all sorts of holidays. A big seller for many is wedding season. Just because you don’t make anything white or pearl-based doesn’t exclude you from this. You’d be amazed what you can call bridal, so long as you can make a set of something it can be used in a wedding. If it’s appropriate, stock up on products that fit the holiday.

Can you offer products that are appropriate for men and women? Father's Day is a tough one for jewelry designers - how about key chains or money clips? You may not have to make new items, just put signs on your existing ones, like “makes a great Dad gift.”


Next, let your customers know about your upcoming holiday event. Facebook, Twitter, and of course, your newsletter, work well. If you have a craft show, make a sign. You can bet I’ll have signs about “Great Teacher Gifts” this June.

People love convenience, if you can remind them that they’ll need to shop for a gift soon and then present an option, you’re doing the work for them.
Remember that in addition to seasonal gift giving, people have to get gifts for birthdays, bar mitzvahs, new babies, housewarmings, thank-yous, get-well-soon, congratulations, and just because they want to say "I love you" to some one in their lives. Maintaining a product line that serves all of these different occasions and using signs that help shoppers is essential to making your shop the go-to place all year long.