Enameling

I took an enameling class at the 92nd Street Y last week and LOVED it so much I signed up for the summer enameling couse lasting 6 weeks. I can't wait to make pendants for my jewelry in the class! This is a picture of my first shot at enameling and I love the way it turned out The color combination had a real summer feel to it, I just wish it was small enough to make into a pendant! I've already decided that I'm going to make a whole line around it!

The 92nd st Y is really great. They offer so many fun and interesting classing, I am finding it hard to choose between them all. I really want to take a precious metal clay class but all of the classes are held during the day and, unfortunately, I am working...only night classes for me. I'm hoping the fall with offer this class at night. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Have a great weekend!

My Show Schedule

I am very excited about the shows I have coming up in and around New York City this summer. The Crafts in Chelsea show went so well, I'm am lining up a few more to show my collection.

Bronxville Sidewalk Sale, Bronxville, NY- Saturday, June 5th
Hester Street Flea, NYC- Sunday, June 27th
Brooklyn Flea, NYC- Saturday, July 17th
Brooklyn Flea, NYC- Saturday, July 31st

I am still lining up some other days so keep checking back for a complete show update!

One of my new favorites

I love love love this necklace and the way it turned out! I handmade the pendant and the clasp and think they look awesome!

For the pendant, I took a piece of bronze, hand hammered it, forged it by turning up the edges, added patina, hand painted it, and added resin. Phewwwwww. It took a long time but I love the way it turned out.

I then strung a really whimsical bundle of beads including Czech glass, frosted agate, amber garnets, jasper and some other great things. I really need to submit this for some editorial, I think it looks great.

What do you think?

Happy Mothers Day!!!

Craft in Chelsea was a success! I am very happy with my set up and every member of the New New group was great! I have lots of ideas for my set up for next months show. It was rained early and got really windy in the afternoon which was a total drag! We spend the whole afternoon just holding down the tent and finally threw in the towal at about 3:45 when a huge gust came through and blew all of my stuff off one of the boards! Ugh!!! But overall it was a fun day.

I was really happy that my mom came down to help me with the show. She is a great salesperson and it was fun to spend the day with her. What a great way to spend the day befor mothers day.

Can't wait till the next show in June!!! Have a great day!!!

Crafts in Chelsea Give Away!

Crafts in Chelsea

Ok, so the New New Esty group is doing a huge street fair this weekend in Chelsea. Please come!! I just hope it's nice weather...no rain...please. Go to this link and check out the details. You can also enter to win some things from some the the awesome ETSY artists!
http://www.thenewnew.blogspot.com/

Packaging

I am loving these great hangtags I found on Etsy by cathymichaelsdesigns. I am trying to finalize all of my packaging and need to come up with some great hantags like these, but obviously for jewelry. I also want to make them myself in order to have a great handmade feeling along with personalizing them with some trims. Not sure what to do yet...will keep you posted! Here is the link to her Etsy page. Enjoy!
http://http//www.etsy.com/listing/14814369/gift-tags

Getting Ready for Chelsea

I have every intention of posting a blog every day..but somehow the days come and go...an no blog update. Today was so gorgeous and we had a full day of errands and play. I am only JUST sitting down to do some work. I was able to get my boards ready for the show next Saturday along with some other odds and ends that need to be wrapped up. I took a picture of one of the boards...trust me...it looks way better in person. I am really happy with they way they look, with the exception of the ground fabric. I am SOOOO disappointed with the color. I ordered a slate fabric, but it came in looking more brown than grey. Oh well, it will have to do for this show.

I am starting to get my schedule really for the summer fleas. I would like to do at least one show a month. This month is the Chelsea show. Next month I am doing TWO in one weekend...my towns sidewalk sale and the Hester Street Flea. I am really excited to see how I sell at both. There is also a new show starting at South Street Seaport which I am hoping will be great. I love the New New Etsy team, such a great network of people to work with and get feedback from. Can't wait for these shows!

Happy Earth Day!

What a beautiful day to celebrate earth day...or as my daughter said this morning...Happy World Day! I asked her what that meant and she told me that if she saw any garbage on the ground to pick it up, unless it's food because it could be sticky and yucky! I love it!

Here are a couple of new pieces I made. Not sure If I am going to upload them to Etsy or just hold them for the street fair I am doing May 8th. Anyway, they are both very "earthy" and I think great representatives of what earth day is.

Happy Earth Day!

THANKS, GAEA!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE her work!!!! http://gaeabeads.blogspot.com/2010/04/where-do-they-go.html

Stringing Magazine

I am being published in my first beading magazine in their fall issue. Although my designs have been featured in countless bridal magazines, this will be my first beading magazine so am very excited!

I really need to get more press and am trying to pull together a full press kit to submit to all of the fashion magazines. Any suggestions?

Ancient Roman Glass

Ok, so I went to Bead Fest yesterday at King of Prussia, PA. Spend 4 1/2 hours in the car...ugh.... It was not so great, except for the one supplier I was DYING to see and I was not disappointed! They had really great beads and pendants and I spent way too much money on them. I can't wait to start creating something with them.

One really great find was this ancient roman glass that dates over 2000 years and is found in the desert. I guess it's a lot like sea glass. Anyway, it is so pretty and I love the fact that it is so old and comes from ancient Rome! As you can imagine, it's really expensive but I couldn't help to buy a couple pieces. I am going to make a whole line around this glass and show it in Chelsea next month.

I'll post some pictures of these pieces as soon as I can!

BEAD FEST ON SUNDAY

Going to Bead Fest on Sunday at King of Prussia in Pennsylvania. Not sure what to expect. I think these kinds of shows are for the hobby beader and not the designer making and selling direct to customers and stores. Hmmm. Hope this won't be a total bust.

I am really looking forward to seeing one designer there: Greengirlstudios.com. They make really awesome pendants, beads and clasps that are really organic feeling. This is a picture of one of their pendants that I love.

Have a great weekend!

Love the Red Lanterns

I found this image on Etsy: irenesuchocki.etsy.com. It was showcased on the main showcase page. I really want to buy this and make a pendant with some really great beads to accent the colors. I am waiting to hear from the artist to see if she will let me...keep your fingers crossed!

Chelsea Street Fair- Saturday May 8th.

I will be showing at the New New Etsy street fair in May with a great group of artists from New York. Take a look at who will be showing. http://thenewnewny.com/CIC_sp10.html. Can't wait to see the turn out and looking forward to my first street fair.

Please come and support your local artists!

Bottle tops

I love these! I think I'm going to buy them and make something. Not sure what, though...but they are just too awesome to pass up! I love the fact they they are vintage and make me wonder where they came from, who has owned them, and why on earth would anyone keep all of these around so long.

What do you think???

All I can think about is the Ocean

Nature inspires me, especially anything and everything having to do with the beach and ocean. I made this bracelet a couple of weeks ago...at the ocean of course! The pictures really do not do it justice. The stones are such a clean and beautiful shade of blue and the Gaea ceramic pendant really accents the colors.

I'm taking this beauty with me to my jewelry show in may so snatch it up while you can!

MY FIRST POST!

Spring is in the air and I wanted to share a picture of these really great enamel flowers I just bought today. I can't wait to get these in the mail...I have all sorts of great ideas for them.

I made a lot of great pieces last month and will be doing a new post on Etsy this week. Check back!!!!