The Weekend Jewelry Designer?

I might have to change my blog title to "The Occasional Jewelry Designer." I've been away from my design studio for several weeks now, and I'm starting to feel the pangs of withdrawal. But I assure you that there is nothing that can keep me away for long!

We had a lovely trip to North Carolina, but didn't manage to dodge the heat. It was beastly hot during the day. However, in the evening after dusk, it was breezy and comfortable sitting on the wrap-around deck of our friend's house perched high in the mountains overlooking Asheville. Our conversation turned to the black bears which our friend says have been more frequent visitors this year, wandering closer and closer to residential areas. Just a few months ago, one bold and brazen character lumbered up the steep steps to our friend's upper deck, and was caught trying to take a swipe at the bird feeder filled with seed. The pictures below were snapped several years ago while driving up a winding mountain road not too far outside of Asheville. These two cubs seemed oblivious to our presence as they foraged through the leaves looking for berries. We never did see the mom (maybe that's just as well!)

Had I planned better, I would have taken some beading projects along on our trip. Time got away from me, however, and my beads and tools were left behind.

But.....I did find a bead store! Beads and Beyond is located on Wall Street in Asheville, a narrow little street chock full of interesting shops and restaurants. We went early enough to be able to nab a parking spot right on Wall Street, and walked a short distance to the bead store. I purchased some interesting Czech picasso beads, and some sparkly chinese crystals. This surely must be an addiction. It is impossible for me to visit a bead store without buying something. I also purchased a Kumihimo braiding disk, which is a modification of a traditional Chinese method of weaving cords, ribbons, or other fibers into braided cords. A basic 8-strand weave is incredibly easy and very fast. I completed a 24-inch braid in the car trip home in a few hours. There are other techniques that incorporate beads into a braid - something I'm eager to learn.

We had lunch at the Laughing Seed Cafe, an interesting vegetarian restaurant also on Wall Street. The black bean and tofu burrito was excellent, and the Reuben, made with tempeh and purple sauerkraut and onions was tantalizing. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Asheville and looking for a tasy alternative to burgers and fries.

Our 11-hour drive home was uneventful. Traffic was moderate and we experienced no incliment weather. The stretch of highway 40 connecting Asheville to Knoxville, Tennesee is particularly scenic as it winds through the lush peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains. I certainly hope to go back soon.

Off on a road trip...

My husband and I are leaving on a road trip to Asheville, NC today. There's something very liberating about getting out on the highway and just driving. Not a concern in the world, just wide open road. The friend we are visiting lives just a short distance from the Blue Ridge Parkway, his house perched high on a mountain top. Black bears live in the woods, and sometimes meander a bit too close to residential areas. On our last visit, we spotted two bear cubs not more than a half mile outside of town, rummaging through dried leaves looking for berries.

I'll be taking some of my beading projects with me, and have even thought of how I can do some bead work in the car along the way. I'll let you know how that works out!

Chalk it up to experience.....

Although I sold only three items at the Craft & Vendor show yesterday (the show was not very well attended, and traffic was minimal,) I'm glad that I participated in the event. I considered this to be my "maiden voyage," and as such, an opportunity to try out my display, see the displays of others, talk to vendors, and make note of things I could improve or change with my presentation. I fully intended to bring my camera, and of course forgot it! But my son snapped this picture of my display with his phone. Many thanks to my son Scott and his girlfriend Brandy, who helped me transport my items, assisted with setup, and kept me company for the duration of the event.

I thought the finished display looked very nice. I purchased a table skirt that adjusts to fit both 6-ft and 8-ft tables. Since I don't have my own table, I anticipate this drape would work well to accommodate tables of various sizes (this was a 6-foot table.) I created the riser by placing heavy plastic wine bottle crates underneath each end of a 4-foot shelving board. I draped that with a black satin drapery panel from Bed Bath & Beyond. I could have purchased yardage of black satin fabric and sewed my own, but I really didn't have a lot of extra time. I've purchased the various jewelry busts and trays over time, and find I really like the deeper black of the velvet props more than the bust made of smooth "leatherette". I placed an oval mirror at one end on the upper level, and inexpensive LED lights bought at IKEA to bring out the sparkle of my crystal pieces. On the far end of the table, I placed what I think is a pretty ingenious solution for displaying many earrings. I can't take full credit for the idea of making earring display card out of business cards, but I did dream up using a wire DVD tower to hold the cards.

Front side of the card. I put my shop name right up at the top, and my website at the bottom. I created a custom design to my specifications, and had them printed up at Vista Print.



I probably tried to add too much information on the back of the cards, and next time might revise this. I purchased the adhesive back hangers online -- I wasn't able to find them anywhere locally.

 I made the earring rack itself out of a wire DVD rack purchased at Office Max. I stretched 12-gauge black aluminum floral wire from side to side, and at intervals down the length of the rack. I was able to fit three earring cards on each level. Because of the way the rack was positioned on the table, I could only use one side for additional pieces. To really draw attention to the display, I used one of the flexible-neck LED lights as an "uplight," hidden behind an upright necklace display.

I found it very important to add little plastic earring "nuts" on the ear wires sticking out on the backside of the cards!

For easy setup and take-down, I circled the entire earring tower, with earring cards already in place, with plastic wrap. It worked like a charm! I took care to cover the bottom side as well, just in case an earring card might slip off the wire during transport.



Getting ready for the show...

Wow, there's a lot to do to get ready for a jewelry show. I spent a lot of time this past weekend running around to various stores picking up things I'll need. I really want to "do things right" and put together a display that's going to be attractive and functional. It seems like I've got an awful lot of stuff. I'm glad I'm not selling books or something else heavy or bulky. I would need a fork lift to get everything where it needs to go! It takes me back to the days when I worked as a Recruiter for a nurse staffing agency. I worked a lot of job fairs, to which I dragged boxes and boxes of promotional items. I was always pretty tired after these events.

Here's a fun piece that I really like. The beads are lampworked beads in bright colors. I love the vibrant cobalt blue of the beads used in the chain.

I didn't realize that I had so many earrings. I picked up a hint somewhere online to use business cards as earring display cards. With the little sticky back hangers that I ordered online, they hang on a jewelry rack just like in a store. Pretty cool. I'm actually using a wire DVD rack that sits on the table and provides vertical interest to my display. I'll be sure to get some good pictures of my setup.

My first jewelry show!

I'm so excited! I have been selling online at Etsy for awhile, but am preparing to do my very first craft fair Saturday, July 16th. There's so much to think about and to prepare. Luckily, I was directed to a great resource by Rita Klingenberg (google her) that's been very helpful in thinking through the planning phase. I know that doing craft/art fairs is something that evolves over time. I'm being realistic in thinking that this first attempt is not going to be perfect. Whatever experiences I have, I will build from.

If you're in the Chicago area on July 16th, think about visiting the Signature Event Designs Craft & Vendor Show -- 11 AM to 3 PM at the Hinsdale Community House, 415 W. 8th Street, Hinsdale, IL 60521. I'll be there with my fabulous jewelry pieces....and you will adore them!

What a difference a day makes...

It was 90 degrees here in the Midwest today. By 9 AM it was clear that the humidity was going to be oppressive. So, despite our preference for wide open windows and fresh breezes, we buttoned up and cranked on the air. As I dozed on the couch this afternoon feeling cool and comfortable after having braved the oven outside to run errands, I contemplated on what it's like to live in Chicago.

Just 5 months ago, we awoke to this scene outside our back patio door. The biggest snowstorm in years had dumped 20-some inches of snow onto the city of Chicago and surrounding suburbs. It was a biggie, comparable to the January storm of 1999, which delivered 21.6 inches, and rivaling even the big, BIG snowstorm of 1967, which blessed us with 23 inches (I barely remember this one.) The National Weather Service states that storms dropping as much as 15 inches or more of snow only happen once every 19 years. So 2011 was our lucky year! The fiasco on Lake Shore Drive made national news as dozens of motorists found themselves stranded for hours in the middle of giant drifts. Luckily, we were all home

The view outside our front bay window. This looks like a black and white photo, but the photo was shot in full color. Truly a lovely sight. A blanket of unblemished white covered everything. Pure, unmarred, pristine. Great to look at. Horrible if you have to go anywhere.

So, when I complain about the heat and fuss about how my hair falls flat in the humidity, I should remember that winter's coming.