I Need Sheet Metal

I've been playing again in my craft room and normally when I play I'm painting or doing one of my other hobbies but yesterday and today was actually playing with sheet metal and wire. I wanted to make some copper bangles but didn't have any sheet copper but did have some sheet metal the color of copper and silver in 24 gauge. It is a little thin for bracelets but thought I would work up some ideas anyway. I really like how the copper colored one came out and I think in a heavier gauge metal it would work really well.

Funny thing that while I was at the craft store buying fake flowers (see last paragraph) I just had to go over to the jewelry and beads section and I found some sheet metal with patterns embossed. So, I got to play a bit more. Here is the set I created with the antiqued gold tone metal pieces.

I think for the other metal pieces I'll get out the big guns (the Dremel) to help with the filing and polishing as doing this with a little jewelry file was time consuming. The bracelet is my favorite piece but they all work well together but I do have to change up the necklace a bit as I just don't like the chain dangles from the top.

Since I was playing and there was no pressure to create something fantastic, at the home improvement store hubby bought me a copper tube cutting tool. This is too cool. I already had the copper tubing but had no way to cut it and never even thought about cutting it up into little pieces for beads but this was so much fun.

It's just this heavy chunky chain and I love it. I may have to make more. I think I'm obsessed.

To take a break from jewelry making, I decided to redo my front porch... ha ha, those of you that know me know that I can not grow flowers at all. In fact, plants and I don't get along and they seem to just wither and die a slow death. Well, last Fall I got the bright idea to put fake (silk) flowers in my flower pots out front. So, I planted sunflowers and mums. It looked so much better than the dead flowers and lasted all Winter. Well, it has been past time for me to update the porch for Spring/Summer. So, off to the craft store I went and found all kinds of silk flowers for my pots. My front porch is now ready for warm weather and I don't even have to water them.

On that note, I'll wish everyone a happy Memorial Day and let us all remember the Veterans who have given their life so that we may have freedom. Thank a Veteran today.

New Jewelry .... Yea

Finally for the past couple of days I have made some new jewelry pieces. Most of these will be listed for sale soon on my ArtFire studio but a couple of the earrings are for a special order. I've been playing with my hobbies for so long that I decided it was time to do a re-do in my studio of the jewelry that's for sale.

These first two necklaces are already for sale. Lots of chain and crystals what could be better.

These pieces are made of either sterling silver or fine silver. I really hate to use my supply of silver on pieces that people may or may not like since it is so expensive. I guess the important thing is that I like them. The Bubble pendant necklaces are my favorite. I was just playing around with some extra links and decided to solder them together in a random pattern. They look really cool on.

I'll be making a few more new pieces tomorrow so we shall see what special things I come up with.

Jewelry or Make Up?

Today I had to get up and around to take hubby to the eye doctor. He needed to get his eyes dilated and didn't want to drive home afterward. So at 7 something I am rolling out of bed, fixing coffee, feeding the dogs and letting them out and then decided it was still too early and went back to bed. An hour later, I finally drag my butt up. Hubby was already up and thanked me for starting coffee LOL. So as I am drinking my coffee on the sofa I figure I have an hour before we have to leave...wrong, hubby informs me I have 45 minutes. Okay, that is doable, so I sit and check e-mail and get engrossed in reading and surfing. Next thing I know I have 15 minutes left. I throw some clothes on, fix my hair and put on all my jewelry. Now tell me why did I have to put on necklaces, earrings and bracelets on to run to the doctors office? (Notice those were plural) I didn't put any make up on, it was just to the doctor's office. I do find though that anytime I leave the house I have to have my jewelry on....most times no make up.

So how about you, do you leave the house without make up or jewelry on?

Up in the Air

It's Tuesday and I missed my Monday tutorial day, so I'll find something today to post that's jewelry related that you can make. The weekend just flew by as it always does when you don't want it to end although the husband and my cold's are much better. The coughing and nose blowing is just so tiring.

I played around a little more with my twig/branch earring design only using labradorite and pearls on one and garnets and tourmaline on the other. I'm not sure I like the garnets...seems a little gaudy to me as I like more simplistic earrings, but who knows, it might just be the ticket for someone else, so I'll go ahead and make the other one to match so there is a pair. They are both made with 28 gauge sterling silver wire.

I won't be working on new jewelry designs today as I'm off to my MIL's house to clean and continue the organization to get ready for an Estate sale. I guess I just never realized how much work there was... or maybe I knew and was blocking it out until it really had to be done. Since we are also going to have some remodeling done over there, I'll take some before and after pics. The bathroom when finished should look amazing. In the kitchen we are still agonizing over a solid surface countertop or granite.

Thanks for reading and if you have some great jewerly ideas or remodeling ideas, I would love to hear both. Dana

Dress Form Jewelry Stand

I know in my last post I said I would do a jewelry tutorial for my leather fringe necklace, but as I was trolling some of my favorite crafting sites I found this tutorial for a jewelry stand. Lots of ideas streaming through my head on how to customize it and make it to match your jewelry displays or bedroom to set on a dresser.

Check out Craft Chi's blog for this great idea.

How to Make - Leather Chain Necklace

This is a great idea for not only leather, but imitation leather or nice felt....where ever your imagination takes you. I for one love the look of the white leather and can see this as a bracelet also. All you need to make the necklace is leather and scrap will do, an x-acto knife, cutting mat, scissors, needle and thread..oh and the template of course.

Tutorial is curtsey of Britt McMaster over at Cumbersome. Check out her web site for complete instructions and the template. Enjoy.

Featured Artist - Bedazzled of Oregon

In roaming through the products on 1000 Markets, I came across this wonderful bead artist. I can appreciate beadwork as I don't have the patience for it. These are truly works of art. Here is Dini's story about how she got started.

I have been a multi-media artist forever. Specializing in years gone by in weaving, quilting, macrame (from monumental size to macro-mini), painting, card making, but it wasn't until I found those little beads that I really became an addict. I took my first and only few classes at the Navajo Center in Arizona about 8 years ago now ~ and the rest is history. I never could follow a pattern or a kit; part way through I would take off on a tangent and end up doing my own thing.

Year after year I'd put my bead woven jewelry in a plastic box under my bed and go on to the next piece; creations came tumbling out of my head faster than I could bring them to life. As we traveled across the country, and Canada and Mexico year after year, I would get inspired by the scenery, the people, the cultures, the colors and textures and life.

From a hobby into a business.... Early last summer ('08) it became apparent that I was going to have to have hand reconstruction if I was to continue to be able to use my hands at all. Now, 3 hand reconstructions later and 6 months in casts, in order to remain productive, I have taken this "down time" to establish my electronic world existence; my shops, Facebook exposure, gallery and group memberships, etc. Everything happens for a reason!

So, the big plastic bin has been reduced to carefully numbered zip locks with a beaded jewelry item in each one. The photography tent is set up on the pool table (perfect height and I rarely played pool anyway!) and signs of a small business pop up throughout the house; so this is retirement?!

...onward.... The last cast comes off and pins come out within the next month; this time the doctor left enough fingers exposed that I was able to figure out how to bead again so I have not been completely dead in the water since surgery #3! Looking forward to hearing from other 1000 Markets members and I hope you enjoy meandering through Beadazzled of Oregon. Each piece is a unique, one-of-a-kind creation and made with the zest of spirit and heart.

Enjoy! Dini

I find that in Dini's struggles with the reconstruction of her hands, we have all benefited in her art and are grateful to have at least been able to see what beauty can be made of beads. Take a look in her SHOP on 1000 Markets and be completely amazed.

Make a Hemp Knotted Necklace

I haven't tried to do macrame in such a long time. I remember when my mother used to make the hanging planter holders and all that was popular in the 70's. This style of choker or bracelet has been popular again for quite awhile again with the younger generation, yes, teens, twenty something, so I thought I would post this link here for all to enjoy and remember the old days..ha. and maybe make one for their grand-daughter, daughter or even themself.

Here is the link to Azerael's Squidoo Lens. http://www.squidoo.com/Hemp-Choker

If you make one of these, send me a picture and I'll post it for all to enjoy. I may have to go on the lookout for a simple tutorial design that can be made for men/boys.

Look for new songs tomorrow on my post (yes, I have watched Sleepless in Seattle again) and an update on Wednesday with a new recipe and status on how the diet is going. I did make a few new jewelry items this past week and weekend, but unfortunately was busy Saturday and Sunday and didn't get anything posted, so don't be surprised if you find an extra post here and there this week so I can get it all out of my system.

If you really like how to's, be sure to check out my crafty news blog where I feature lots of tutorials on everything from paper crafts to crochet. http://crafthowtos.blogspot.com.

Until then, have a great Monday!

Wings of a Fairy - Part 2

Here are the photos I promised yesterday of the new jewelry fantasy category "Wings of a Fairy". I may come up with a better name, but that is the one I'm sticking with for now. I haven't posted any of these items for sale yet, but will soon as these are prototypes of the designs. I'm still trying to perfect the bangle bracelet...bottom right corner as I don't have the clasp just right yet. The rings are all good to go as well as the pendants. Most of the designs will feature the glass leaves in a variety of colors as well as crystals and pearls. As I mentioned before, I will try to keep the cost of this line down. The rings will retail for $10 as well as the pendants. The necklace will be $20 and the bracelet will be $20. Pretty easy pricing and probably a good price point for most anyone or for those needing a little gift.

The second category of jewelry I mentioned will be a healing, power, energy, chakra line....haven't come up with a name for it yet, but have already created a few pieces for it including rings and pendants. It will be less fuss and more minimalistic. The pendants could be worn by either a man or woman (my step son agrees and indicates he would wear them). Most of the items will be made of copper, brass and a few in sterling. Some will feature gemstones and some will be plain wire sculptures. Here are a few of the pendants.

So you can see I have been busy this week making an designing new items. A few of the Fairy line and Power Energy line will be put out at one of the local shops for consignment this week to see how the public likes them and their price point. Please let me a comment if you would like to offer suggestions or other ideas. Thanks and have a great weekend.

Featured Artist - Jan Finnell

I'm fascinated with the art of altering items and images into something different than what they were originally intended. I’ve made a few pieces of jewelry using the technique of creating a collage of sorts between glass in a pendant, but haven’t tried all the other various ways and objects to alter.

There would be almost an unlimited number of items you could alter. Some of the items that I have found recently besides my little pendants are keys, watches or timepieces, photos, altoids tins or any other candy tin, boxes, cigar boxes, shadow boxes, eggs (usually referred to as egg artistry), bottle caps, photos/paint + images on canvas and books.

One of these art forms is called Steampunk, yes they have their own art name. They use watch parts, brass and anything else metal, Victorian and eclectic, but all items seem to have a common theme of gears or watch parts. I’m fascinated by all the different items that can be found and some of them so simple. Jan Finnell is one such artist that makes it all look somewhat poetic and most wearable…okay, not too sure about the bottlecap necklace, but everything else I would wear. Her items don't seem to be quite as masculine as other steampunk artists...maybe that's why I like her jewelry items. Visit her over at her 1000 Markets site to see her collection of items for sale or check out her blog.

Sunday Inspiration

Today was my inspiration day to work in my craft room creating a few more necklaces. A two of these will be posted to my 1000 Markets site and the other two will be taking to the Salon consignment.

Three of the necklaces are extra long so that they can be doubled, the other is 17" on sterling silver with stones and chain that match a bracelet already posted in my 1000 Markets shop and earrings in the same champagne quartz. The blue necklace and earring set also matches a bracelet in my shop. Click on either of the word bracelet to see the items. Yes, the earrings are one of my new designs that I mentioned in a previous post.

Hope you had an inspiring day and I'll be back tomorrow with another fantastic craft how to.

Jewelry Items for the Week

This week was all about earring wires. I now make my own and am always trying new styles. The curly cue styles are for removeable charms.
Here are a couple made into earrings.

If you are interested in any handmade ear wires made into earrings, I have them listed on my 1000 Markets site. My favorites are the charm earrings...I have a couple of styles that I use along with some purchased thin hoop earrings. The charms are just crystals, gemstones and pearls that can be taken on and off the earrings.

Jewelry Item for the Week

I have been so lax in my jewelry designing this week. We went to the beach last weekend and then on Mother's Day I came down sick with the dreaded cold that just wants to hang on. I do have a special order set to show that was created in just the past few weeks.

These are blue sapphire briolettes on 14 kt white gold. The sapphires I found at one of the gem shows in Tucson. Two necklaces are pictured, one on a small white gold chain with a single large briolette and the other is the majority of the other sapphires suspended on a thicker white gold chain. The earrings were also in white gold with more briolettes. After this set was finished the friend, who will remain nameless, wanted a couple more single sapphires for earrings that would go with the single briolette necklace. The other photo, not very good, and taken with my phone's camera, is of a hand made fine silver tear drop on a white gold chain.

I'll get back to it this week and have some fun Spring things to show off next Saturday.

Featured Artists from 1000 Markets

Sorry about missing yesterday's Wicked Recipe, but never fear it will be back next week. The cold that has been going around has gotten me down. I am on the mend and my head isn't in a cloud any more...okay not as much as it was. I created a special spotlight on some of the artists/crafters on 1000 Markets. Click on any of the photos to go directly to that product on the artists shop.




Some of these are fanciful and others are useful, but I was immediately drawn to them when I saw them.

Artists are: Flyleaf Books, Elenamary, Delightworthyn Art/wares, Isette, Emily Balivet, Carolina Cottage, Thyme2dream, Bella Beadjeweled, Mary Ellen Golden

At a Stand Still

What do you do when you have so many ideas for things that you can't seem to get to them all? I think this is where I am at now.

I entered a jury competition for RAGS this year and was turned down because my jewelry looked the same as everyone elses. Hmm, I guess when you think about it everyone's jewelry that is being designed today looks like everyone elses. I'm not put off by this, but will definately look at what I'm designing and what is selling. During the holidays, I sold a lot of wire wrapped pendants and gemstone wire trees. I tried selling them about 3 years ago and no one wanted them, go figure that I'm a few years ahead of everyone else. In doing some research on the web, I found that there really isn't a lot of tutorials about how to wire wrap a pendant. There are some simple designs, and that seems to be what everyone is making. I may have to give this some thought, but I could put a couple of designs out here for reference that I have developed. Since I have so much going on right now, this will have to be a goal for later in the year.

If you have read my blog on gem trees, you will now know that I am writing a book on how to make a gem tree. This is taking up a huge amount of my at home time reserved for relaxing. If I'm not writing then I'm making a tree or trying out a new design or material. I found some freshwater pearls at a local large bead shop that are flat and leaf like that I'm working with now. It should prove to be a wonderful looking little tree and one that I hope I have picture for the book as another option to gemstones.

On another note, anyone that knows me knows that I have jewelry on consignment at a salon. In 2006, the Salon did about a 1/3 of my overall jewelry sales and again in 2007 they did about 1/3. I did revamp the jewelry available at the salon this year to items under $50.00. Earrings are always $10.00, bracelets run up to $35.00 and necklaces to $50.00. This does create a challange for me as I have to find affordable gemstones that are still good quality. International Gem and Jewelry shows are my favorite place to look for affordable stones. Unfortunately to get them cheap, you have to buy in bulk. I may have to take a couple of friends along this year and share the wealth so that I don't end up with 6 or more strands of the same type and style of stone.

Well, I'll keep plugging along, but if you find you are stuck or have too much to do, be aware you are not alone.

Thanks for reading, Dana

What to do Now?

I've started implementing the ideas that have been floating around in my head for months. I have added two categories on my web site, one is Jewelry for Charities and the other is Chakra Jewelry.

My husband and I decided that we needed to start giving more to charities and I thought what a better way than to give a percent of my profit of sold jewelry items. I'm letting the buyer decide what charity the funds should go to and leaving it open as long as they are a 501(c)3 non-profit. Obviously I'm not doing this for all my jewelry, just those that I have labeled for charity. If you are curious, check out my web site.

My other idea was to create a line of Chakra inspired jewelry. All the jewelry in this category is made with gemstones. I have added the healing qualities of those gems and the Chakra that they support. I'm hoping to attract customers interested in the metaphysical properties of gemstones. I came up with another idea today to combine genuine copper with gemstones as copper has it's own healing qualities that people have been aware of for years. Look for some of those pieces early next year.

One of the other things I have been working on is getting my Etsy shop generated with hits so that I may get some buys off of it. I've read in several places that they way to generate sales is to have a lot of items for folks to choose from and to post something everyday. The fees for Etsy is relatively inexpensive, so if it brings sales, then I will give it a try. I'll let you know if it works next month.

Since this is the holiday season, I have three shows here in the next month and a half to get ready for along with updating the stock in the salon where I have commission items. I may do an open house after the holidays to catch folks with Christmas money to spend as I don't have time before. And if that isn't enough to do, I'm entering a juried competition for a local non profit show that is due mid December for a March showing.

Just recanting all this is making me stressed. I think the vacation that I have scheduled for Christmas time I will move up to get all this stuff completed. Sometimes the job does get in the way of the things we really want to be doing.

Thanks for reading and hopefully understanding. Dana :-0

A New Adventure

I decided that it was time for some drastic measures in my web site set up....okay, maybe not so much the set up but what I offer for sale and how I go about marketing it. My design style will never change unless I get a special request from a client to make something specific. So, what am I talking about. Well, I have started to get more involved with Energy and not the kind you get from caffine, but energy in the form of gemstones their healing capabilities. I've started designing and creating a line of Chakra jewelry...okay I have a few pieces made already, but I kind of figure that a lot of the stuff I have in my current inventory actually will work also. I just need to do more research on their benefits and clear the stones of any negative energy.

How do you clear stones of negative energy you ask? Well, there are several books out there that will be happy to tell you to put them under running water for several minutes, place them in a pan of salt (who would do this?), but I'm going to use Reiki to cleanse and energize the stones or jewelry pieces. I took a Reiki Level 1 class a couple of weekends ago and feel that this is a much safer method and one less damaging to the stones/jewelry themselves. It should also provide a more beneficial energy source.

Things to look for in September is a new link on my web site for Chakra Jewelry and a document under the Learning Center that describes the Chakra's and stones that are beneficial to use to boost your Chakra's.

My next show is in Castle Rock, WA so I'll start working on my labels and cards to hand out to folks that come by. I've been demonstating at the Castle Rock show for the past 3 years and some years I sell a lot and others not much at all, but since it doesn't cost my husband and I for the table space (we are supposed to be demonstrating) our expense is just the gas down there and back.

Obviously, I would love to hear from you about your thoughts on this and the benefits you might find in wearing a piece of natural jewelry that has potential healing benefits.

As always, be healthy, be happy, be beading......Dana

What to Work on Next

Well we just got back from IGEM in Seattle and boy did we find some wonderful gemstones. Okay, not only did I find them, I bought them. Definately look for some new designs on my web site using Champagne Quartz, Blue Labradorite and Pink Tourmoline. It is now just deciding what to start with first. Obviously, these are new gems for me, but not new to the gem world. I really didn’t see any new and exciting gemstones this time. Last year, it was the Fire Agate that I found most exciting and I have created and used some of my supply, but I bought more :-) .

If you have never been to the International Gem and Jewelry show (IGEM) and you are into jewelry and beads, you are in for a treat. Be prepared to be overwhelmed. There is so much to see and so many different vendors. My biggest hint to getting good deals is not to go to the wholesale section, but find a vendor in the retail area that has a supply of lots of things you would like to have (gemstone, crystal, pendants, bracelets, etc.) and make a deal. Buy more from that one vendor and they will most likely give you a big discount. Usually, a bigger discount than in wholesale. I found one vendor that had pendants, bracelets and gemstone strands. Because I was purchasing several items, I received 50% off of the pendants then another 25% off that. He also reduced the gemstone strands by 50% or more. This made it more than worth my while to purchase the bulk of my supply from him.

You should also keep track of what you purchase. My hint is to keep all the receipts in the bag with the gems so they don’t get mixed up with other purchases. Upon returning home sort through your items one vendor at a time and price each strand or item while it is still fresh in your mind. This way you can file away the receipts for your inventory purposes and not worry about losing them. If you wait too long you may get confused and forget the discount you received and not be able to tie back to what you were charged.

A couple of weeks ago I started selling some of my notecards and jewelry items on Etsy. We will see how that goes vs. my web site. I really just needed some additional marketing ideas and someone suggested that I give it a try. So far I can't tell that my web site has any more traffic, but the items that I do have posted on Etsy are getting some attention, but so far no sales.

Stay tuned for more of my Dilemmas. Thanks for taking the time to read. Dana

New Year - New Marketing

I do have to admit that this was my best year for holiday sales. The salon has taken root and I now have those customers calling for special orders. Now I just have to get the web site creating those same sales figures for this year.

Marketing and design will be my goal this year. I have already created custom tags for each jewelry piece that identifies me, the web site, the materials that went into the item and the price. I've already received compliments on the design and idea, so I have a start. Another idea that I'm tossing around is the presentation and packaging. For the past couple of years, I've used mesh drawstring bags to package a sold item (necklace or bracelet). I did find a jewelry supply company that sells satin drawstring pouches for the same price if ordered in quantity, so I'll be trying these out. I'm hoping for strong sales in return customers due to an easily identifiable product and a packaging idea that goes beyond any of the other custom jewelry designers out there. It's almost like an added bonus when you purchase an item to get this wonderful drawstring bag that is perfect for storing the piece when not worn or for gift giving.



I've attached a picture of the whole packaging concept. Let me know your feedback and ideas and come visit my site as I have added some new items already this year.