WOYWW: Three Turquoise Beauties & Time to Play

Remember that beautiful pile of turquoise stones I got in the mail last week?  Well, I have been inspired!  So inspired that I have stayed caught up on orders just to have time to play and design with them, the stones are so pretty.

As a mostly self taught metalsmith, my real interest is in creating these more complicated kinds of pieces, but I hardly find time it seems with my other jewelry keeping me so busy.  It has been so much fun working this way again.

You see the finished product as well as some of the processes involved at my bench.  One of the biggest challenges for me when building a ring is the finish work.  I get so excited about the result that I want to stick those stones in to see what it looks like finished!  But it is really difficult to file and sand away imperfections (there are always many of these before the piece looks finished) with stones in the way.  And then there is the patina and the hand polishing..all before the stone setting which is the very last thing to do!  I'm working on being more patient. :)

These rings are fresh off my work bench, I don't even have them all listed in my shop properly.  Two of them are getting a new photo shoot (I had to go back and rework some of my finish work because I wasn't happy with it, see I have issues).

So I hope you enjoy seeing my work as much as I enjoy sharing with you, and creating it!

Linking up with Julia for WOYWW.

WOYWW: In Numbers

Here it is folks, the bench this week.  While I was working, I thought about the past week, since last Wednesday.  All I can say is...A....LOT!

13-separate jewelry orders filled
21-total rings made
3-earrings made
102-temperature on Monday
8-feet of sterling silver wire purchased
803-views in shop
2-sleepless nights
4-assignments due
1-quiz due
2-plays read

I bring this all up because, isn't it funny how timing works out?  When I signed up for spring classes, I was getting maybe an order a week in the shop.  Now, as I am enrolled full time, my shop has completely taken off, and I am finding I get an average of 2 orders a day.  I love my shop!  I love making jewelry!  I want to be doing just that.  I have all of these great ideas to redesign my business cards, redesign parts of my packaging, change around some of my listings....But this whole school thing is really getting in the way, and I am paying for it (notice the fever of 102 I mentioned).

And then there are those weird unplanned for happenings that are out of your control, and eat up even more energy.

Monday night the wind abducted our puppy.  We forgot to lock the front door, and it was so windy and stormy that around 2 AM the wind threw the door open!  Out wandered the puppy, Bella into the night.  An hour later the doorbell and the big dog Reuben's barking (what a good boy for staying in the house!) woke us up to our neighbor, the policeman.  (I don't call our neighborhood "Pleasantville" for nothing.)  He was worried about our door being wide open.  Matt combed the neighborhood, I couldn't sleep.  Finally at 6AM we got a call from the people who had found her (thank you, nice people!).

Next week is Spring Break for me.  I cannot wait!

No more pencils, no more books....


Linking up with Julia, from Stamping ground.  See more wonderful work desks here!

WOYWW: Making Hoops

I never thought I was going to get around to working in the shop this week, with all this homework stuff I have to do these days.  But today, I just got out of bed and started working.  Forget the dishes.  Leave the homework till later.  And it's a good thing I did, because orders have been stacking up!  I still have a set of stacking rings (from a repeat customer!!) and a pair of little stud earrings to make.

You can see in the photos the earrings from start to finish.  It's neat to watch them transform from a boring piece of sheet metal into these pretty textured hoops.  I designed these one day, just messing around, and they have been super popular!  I kind of love making them because the process is all my creation.  Although, I should give some credit to a fellow WOYWW-er (hi Geri!).  She ordered my usual Isis Hoops but in a smaller size.  I thought that was so brilliant that they are now listed over in the shop.

I better get back to work!  Happy creating everyone!

New Work: Rings and Hoops

 I've got some really neat new rings finished, made of natural stone (Moss Opalite, Snakeskin Agate, and Chrysocolla).  It has been so inspiring designing these settings, I just can't work enough!  There are two new hoop designs now too, simple lightweight silver hoops.  I made myself a pair of the spiral hoops and want them in every day!

The weather has been cold, the frosty temperatures coming more frequently now, and I had to set up a few heaters out in the studio to keep warm.  I find that I am a lot more creative during the colder months without those carefree summer days to distract me.

It's about time to cozy up with some warm tea and get to creating!

From left to right, Snowing Mountains Ring, Persephone Ring, and Viking Ring.

Instagram In The Studio

It has been so exciting lately at the bench because I finally broke down and bought some cabachons to work with.  I made a few BIG sales last week in my shop and put the money right back into it!  :)

These pics are of the process that created my Persephone Ring in Snakeskin Agate and Sterling Silver.

Here's the final result:

Persephone Ring In Snakeskin Agate and Sterling Silver

Preparing For Etsy Holidays

Supposedly, Etsy shoppers start thinking about buying gifts for Christmas by the end of October.  I am too new to the scene to know for sure...but I figure there is no hurt in being prepared.

Some things I have done so far to get ready for the holidays on Etsy:

>>>>>Tweak photos to look their best.  Sometimes a piece of my jewelry just needs a facelift in front of the camera!  This gives old viewers a new view of an older item, but also gives me the opportunity to make my shop look and feel cohesive.  Photos that feel like they work together are a beautiful thing.  I made a huge leap in that direction today, I think.

>>>>>Change tagging.  One thing that I am sure has gotten me more views and more sales recently is the simple addition of a price range in my tags.  I have been going through each listing and tagging them appropriately as 'under 20 dollars' or 'under 100 dollars', whichever price point is appropriate.  This way shoppers can search for things in their price range.

>>>>>Add gift focused items to the shop.  Gift giving is usually personal, so I have been adding items with personalization options to my shop.  I have also gone through each of my listing to make sure I have a picture of my packaging represented on each listing.  This lets buyers know their gift is ready for giving.  I also want to make some copper tree ornaments...if I get around to it.  :)

Here are some of the results of the preparedness work I have been doing:

Lucky Seven: Personalized Sterling Silver Stacking Rings

Love Token Stacking Bands: Hand Stamped

Declaration Stacking Bands: Hand Stamped

Copper Charm Necklace

What do you look for in your shop or in shopping for the holidays?

Happy sales and shopping to all of us!!

Rain and Samosas

Right now I am wearing a sweater.  It is sort of raining out and I am indulging myself with a lunch of samosas from the frozen section of the fancy food store.  This afternoon is mine to enjoy the quiet house while the kids are away at school, to enjoy the calmness of the rainish weather, to just be.

I have some ideas, new jewelry designs, that I have been saving up for just such a day.  After my decadent lunch which I will enjoy all to myself, I plan to sieze the few hours before the kids return to take to the bench and hammer out some new work.

Here is the most recent design from my bench:

Brazen Hoops

At the Bench Lately

Dream Weaver Turquoise Earring

Bitty Studs: pet Goldfish

Bitty Studs: Buzzy Bee

Bitty Studs: Menkaura Pyramid

I just LOVE making these little tiny earrings!  I keep coming up with new designs and they are so cute and fun to make!  They have also been selling in my shop, yay!

I am currently infatuated with locket making, and have begun work on a large brass locket.  I had to take a break because there is so much metal involved in this design that I was needing a larger flame than the torch I use provides...but guess what I got for my Birthday??  A bigger torch!  Soon I will post the finished piece.  I am also excited about a tiny silver locket that I started.  Aren't little secret hiding spots neat, especially in jewelry?

Hammer, Hammer

I have been so busy with hiking and working in the studio, I have hardly been keeping up with blogs at all!  Well here is a peek at some new things in the shop, and soon I will post about the second lovely hike in Forest Park.

I am happy to report that I have made my first sales in the shop (three, yes, three!!!).  Having purchases from the shop is such a positive thing, I feel very blessed!  It is always fulfilling to create something, but when someone buys it, they are telling you your work is good, even worth paying money for.  Such a good feeling.  I will have to share the love soon and make a few handmade purchases off of Etsy myself!

Fabricated Copper Crystal Ring

Desert Jasper Pendant

Copper and Turquoise Raindrop Earrings

Bitty Studs: Halley's Comet

Bitty Studs: Little Bird

Bitty Studs: Hoot Owl

Stacking Bands and Rambunctiousness

With all the productivity going on around here,  I have a large enough inventory to feel like a real shop on Etsy...you may be wondering how I get any work done with the kids and all.  Well, I just let them do whatever they want and we're all happy.  Here they are during another long bout of posting listings to Etsy that went on this morning.  Yes, it is past noon and they are still in PJs.  But look how happy:

This is the favorite sport of "fluffy stair jumping" where the kids take every pillow in the house and fill the stair landing to create the perfect landing zone for jumping down a flight of stairs.  I still think the risk of this misadventure is worth the free time I get out of letting them do it...knock on wood!

New Handmade Jewelry

Bali Hoops

Everyday Turquoise Chain

Here's a sneak peek at the newest jewelry I've made for my shop on Etsy, Tarnished & True.  Things are really coming together for me now that I have my own studio to work in.  I just can't get enough time in there! 

I have decided that my jewelry will be completely handmade...every link is soldered closed individually, each clasp and ear hook are hand formed.  I think this makes for a more artisan feel and allows me to really stand behind my work as genuinely handmade.  I only use fine silver and precious stones.  I so enjoy hammering, polishing, and forming every piece by hand.  This work truly makes me feel accomplished and fulfilled.  I can't wait to get even more pieces ready for the shop!