New Ideas and Such

So I got this new idea last night. Well...new to me anyway. I made this pendant and added a Vintaj Brass Knot toggle to the end of it. Almost immediately I realized I put the toggle on the wrong end, having suppose to be attached to the chain instead of the pendant. But right away I saw the benefit to this 'mistake'.

I thought how easy it would be to have the chain assembled with a toggle ring on one end and then just switch up the pendants when wanting to wear something different.


I found it extremely easy to remove one pendant and replace it with another. Much easier than switching necklaces. Now I know this isn't a new idea, I'm sure I've seen this done before, but still it's something different to offer customers who like my stuff, but have limited funds. I can sell one chain with pendant and then other pendant options at a lower price. Below are a couple of the pendants I made to go with this idea...


I wonder if there is actually a market for this in the handcrafted world. Either way I sure enjoyed making them.









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Aside from that it has been a very productive day. Here are some of the new pieces I made this weekend. Not yet listed in any of my shops.




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Lastly I want to say that I am very excited to be part of the upcoming show at the old Screw Factory in Lakewood Dec 19th. The 'Last Minute Market and Open Studio' will take over this big beautiful warehouse space and represent some of the best of local artists, artisans and crafters. It will be loads of fun!


Presented by ClevelandHandmade, IMadeIt! Market, and the Screw Factory Artists
December 19, 2009
The Lake Erie Buiding at Templar Industrial Park
13000 Athens
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

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Friday the 13th is Actually a Good Day!

Just a brief note to say today I FINALLY got new tires on my car which takes a tremendous weight off my shoulders. This is good.

Tonight I have no plans. I get to be home and in my jammies, sipping wine, listening to tunes and just create! This is good.

This week I sold a total of 5 pieces of jewelry from my online shops! This is good.

And speaking of online shops...JBird's Garden was featured on the Handmade Craft show's website.
This is a good.

http://handmadecraftshow.blogspot.com/2009/11/slice-of-vintage-splash-of-sparkle-from.html

Yeah....this is good.

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Am I The Only One...

....that feels a sense of loss when certain pieces get sold? I know it's silly because it's always great when someone admires the work you've put into something enough to actually part with their money for it. I mean it is why we do it right? Ok...maybe not the ONLY reason.

Anyway I had that great show at Oddmall and sold several pieces, and just recently I sold some of my absolute favorites from my online shops. Hooray! Fantastic! Allllright! Right? Then why am I reluctant to let go?

Of course there is the painstakingly detailed work that went into them. The hours and sore eyes (and back), the worry that no one will appreciate all that work. And then the insecurity when it's put on display to be scrutinized and compared and judged. Yikes! Oh...craziness I tell ya.

Anyway here are some of the lovelies I am saying goodbye to:






Farewell...

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Next!

Well Oddmall #2 is now behind me. I simply love this event! Great energy, lots of encouragement and support from other vendors and constant traffic. The event is just enough outside the box to make these particular artists and crafters quirky, and colorful and fun to be around. I'm looking forward Oddmall #3 in May!

The new table set-up was so much better. I received lots of compliments on my new banner (thank you o' talented daughter), the display boxes and general layout. Having the cream colored fabric over the black, and adding subtle classic colors really helped to bring the best of all the work I put into each piece. Oh...and thank you to the shoppers who found something special in the pieces you purchased. There were so many talented jewelry artists at Oddmall, I am tickled pink that you decided to take one of my little lovelies home.

So once I straighten out the mess I made before heading off to the show...it's back to my art room and back to the business of creating new pieces. There isn't enough time to turn all the ideas and visions in my head into wearable jewelry. I also need to prepare for the next show:

December 19, 2009

Cleveland Handmade Last Minute Market

10am - 6pm

Lake Erie Building at the Templar Industrial Park

13000 Athens, Lakewood, Ohio 44107

I'm also hoping to fit in a House Party between now and then. Better get busy!

If you aren't already a fan, please visit my Fan Page. Be sure to say hello!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/JBirds-Garden/303644300593?ref=nfFacebook


A couple photos of my new booth layout and a couple of the items sold:

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Something New...Something Old

So I'm getting ready for Oddmall http://www.oddmall.info/ and aside from creating quite a few new pieces I have been also focusing on creating a booth/table that 'fits' my jewelry. I already know that the black necklace displays do not compliment brass jewelry. The beautiful earthy vintage finish becomes dull and lost against the black velvet. I have also discovered that without dimension, depth and layers on your table, everything kind of lines up like good little soldiers. Not what I want! So changes needed to be made. I can't replace what I have all at once, so I decided to get creative.

To start off with I went to an estate sale a block from my house and found some wonderful treasures. One of my findings was this amazing vintage wooden jewelry box that I added a ring display to. I also found an old tin pail that someone decoupaged cutouts of old postcards. Perfect for my business cards!





I ordered couple of mannequin style jewelry stand displays which I love and added some beautiful cream colored fabric to drape over the black tablecloth. So I think I have what I need....for now.




Now back to making more little lovelies!

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