Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Fun Gemstone Bracelets!



I met the neatest lady at Farmer's Market in Mountain Home. She bought 5 gemstone bracelets from me today and that was awesome! Thanks Cindy! She said something to me that really confirmed what I have always thought. My gemstone bracelets are priced ridiculously cheap and for market, I only use base metal findings (mostly!) along with some of my own fabricated copper and gunmetal clasps. I save the more expensive sterling and gold pieces for custom orders or my etsy shop and I sell alot more bracelets that way. It's nice to have a variety in price to choose from. I've also been making Book-It's! book marks. They are not an original idea I'm sure but they are made from my handmade polymer beads so each one is truly one of a kind. My next great adventure is finding an anvil. I've been sorta looking but I'm going to get serious about it now. I want to learn to solder my jump rings and do some hammering. It's gonna be fun!

Monday, September 1, 2008

busy as a bee

Wow, have I ever made some jewelry! I'm getting ready for the hillbilly chili cookoff in Bull Shoals this coming weekend. This is a new show for me and I have no idea if there will be a big turnout or not but I want to have loads of stuff on hand, just in case! I've been making all kinds of wineglass charms, cell phone charms, earrings, and some super cute book marks. I'm marketing them under the name Book-its. Now if I could only find some time to take pics! I am using ( of course!) mostly polyclay, handmade beads and added sterling and pewter charm dangles.
I've also made tons of earrings and gemstone nugget bracelets. These are pretty popular. It seems like the gemstone nuggets never go "out of style", and they mix really well with the polyclay beads. They can be dressy or casual, which is good for me because I don't change my jewelry very often. And I never co-ordinate my jewelry to my clothes. Please! lol that would require way to much thinking. I just like what I like and that's what I wear!
I will be sharing a booth with my friend Cindy at the cookoff. She makes the most awesome herbal dip mixes, vinegars, and healthy herbal tinctures. So neat! I think our booth will look fantastic with the herbal soaps, handmade jewelry, soy candles....we should have a nice variety. I think it's going to be a really good day! Hope to see you there...