Rose McKay Designs: December 2010

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

New Creations

As the new year draws near, I am busy thinking of new pieces to make. I am constantly inspired by new beads and colors and am eagerly researching bead sites and trying to find something that stands out.

I think these just might be my all time favorites! They are blue matrix jasper. I love that they are nugget shaped, medium in size, and the color is almost perfect!

I have to place a new order for these beads. I am thinking of designing an entire line around them. These beads were used in my favorite pair of earrings as below. Don't you just love them?

Friday, December 17, 2010

Bead Trends

I have been lucky enough to become a monthly contribute to Bead Trend magazine. If you haven't seen it before, it's worth the the money to pick on up and flip through it...you can even get an online version! It is a monthly magazine that features really great artists and fun and inspiring designs.

I just sent the above bracelet in along with the matching necklace and earrings for a future publication. My favorite thing about this piece are the really beautiful jasper nuggets that are such a crisp green. I am a total fan of natural stones because I love the inconsistencies that appear in them. These green nuggets are a perfect example of that! They are all different in color, texture, pattern, but they are all similar at the same time.

This is a really great summer piece and will definitely be on my spring line list I will be sending to my stores in January!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Organizing My Office Space

I am looking for a better office space. Since our home is so small and space is at a premium, I think a great desk with storage space would be perfect. I saw this really great desk with hutch over top of it that I thought was really great from restoration hardware. But it's almost $3000!!! WAY TOO MUCH! But it's the kind of think I am looking for.

I need space for my computer, some desk space to work, and some really great storage space for all of my beads, tools, paperwork, etc. Love this but think I will be loving from afar for a really long time!

Any suggestions?

Thursday, December 9, 2010

BRRRRRRRR.......

As I sit here in the cold cold cold NYC weather, my mind is always thinking about summer. I love everything about it! I would much rather be hot and sweating my tush off than have to wear 4 layers of clothing just to go outside.

Most of my designs also reflect that of the summer months... just to show you where my mind is most of the time!

See my below ETSY faves that feel like summer to me!

One can never, ever have too many bags!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/54023922/handmade-clutch-purse-sea-green

http://www.etsy.com/listing/56584949/flutterby-delicate-butterfly-on-red

http://www.etsy.com/listing/59390049/chiyogami-wood-bangle-bracelet-sakura

http://www.etsy.com/listing/53674451/hot-pants-succulent-terrarium

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

EXHAUSTED!

Exhausted from the weekend and the awesome Handmade Cavalcade on Sunday. LOVE my etsy team! Everyone is great and the show was a great success!

Just when I thought I could start winding down and concentrating on the holidays to come, I have to now work on my wholesale line list and press kit. My goal for next year is to do maybe a couple shows in the spring, 3 or so in the summer, one in the fall and one holiday show. I did a lot this year and can now narrow down the shows I really want to do.

However, my main goal is to start selling in stores in a big way next year. So, I have to get all the paperwork together to start the mailings in January! A very daunting task but needs to be done!