So yeah... Berry's Arts and Crafts Festival was a bust. I made enough to cover the cost of the $15 table, but I'm pretty sure I didn't make enough to cover the cost of the gas I used to get all the way up to Rome. I only sold two things. Did you know that in the year I've been doing this, I've only made $1,200? And the cost of my expenses is waaay more than that. I'm down several hundred dollars. Yay me. As if my financial failure wasn't enough, I also completely destroyed my body at the festival, pulling muscles in my arms, getting a smiley face sunburn on the one part of my back that I couldn't reach with sunscreen, and dropping a table on my ankle to make what is now a very large, oddly shaped bruise. Gaaaah...
Anyway... I have a very short break until my next event which is TimeGate in Atlanta on May 27-29. For those of you who have no idea what TimeGate is, it's a Doctor Who/Stargate convention that my friend Heather pointed out to me. I'm actually kind of excited about this one, but I'm nervous too because if I fail here, I don't know where else I stand a chance. See, I'm kind of hoping that maybe I'll find my niche selling jewelry to my fellow geeks at conventions. Geeks spend a lot of money, especially on costumes for cons. So I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that I can make this work. In preparation, I've been researching jewelry and other items used on both shows to see if I can make reproductions or pieces inspired by various characters, places, and things. Now, I know absolutely nothing about Doctor Who, so I'm pretty much relying on Heather, my favorite Doctor Who fanatic, to point me in the right direction. I am, however, a fan of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis, so that part is kind of fun. Except for the part where I can't afford a Stargate costume because I have very little money coming in. That part sucks. Anywhooo, I've got several possible pieces running through my brain, including Replicator block pendants, Adipose charms, Eldrad's ring, Harmony's pendant, and necklaces worn by Teyla Emmagan, Ronon Dex, Osiris, Bynarr, and Amaunet, just to name a few. Knowing me and my lack of motivation, I'll be lucky if I make even half the stuff I have planned out, but still, if anyone has suggestions, let me know. I might just do a collection inspired by the most famous Goa'uld from SG-1... like Ba'al, Amaterasu, Kali, Apophis, Morrigan, Camulus, Cronus, Hathor, Nirrti, etc.
Opinions?
Showing posts with label collections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label collections. Show all posts
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Hell Has Frozen Over!
Oh wait. It's just Georgia. Never mind. Though if the Devil went down to Georgia, does that make Georgia hell? Hrm. In any case, my little corner of the world is covered in a sheet of ice and the bottom of my driveway resembles a hockey rink. Too bad I don't ice skate.
In other news, my trip down to Florida yielded some interesting materials for me to work with. My brother and I took a walk along the beach and I picked up some rather nice shells along the way. I'm going to attempt to drill some holes in the flatter ones and see if I can use them for focal pieces in my jewelry. Of course, that won't really work out with the shells that have a spiral shape, but I'll find some use for them I'm sure. They were just too pretty to leave behind. Anywho, my aunt and uncle gave me some sand dollars to work with as well, which I'm pretty excited about. I'm going to see if a lovely friend of mine would like to paint them and make a collection of sand dollar jewelry with me. I'd paint them myself, but Jess would do a far better job of it than I ever could, and it would give me an excuse to have art jams with her. It would be nice to get Amanda from Balagan Art in on the action as well, but that might be a little difficult considering the fact that she's still at Berry. Oh well. We'll see how it goes.
Anyway, I think I'm going to try to scan some of my jewelry. It seems to be a pretty effective method for other jewelry artists, and since my mother has a nice scanner that's pretty new, I suppose I'll give a whirl. It would probably make my father happy since I'm pretty sure he's tired of coming up to my room to photograph tons of jewelry every time I make a new batch. I wish I could scan some of my drawings as well, but we definitely don't have a scanner big enough for that. I think maybe I'll put up some of the photos I've taken of my portraits on the site, just to get rid of that empty art page. At least it will do until I can get images of a high enough quality to start selling prints. But yeah, that's all I have to say right now. Guess I'll try to get some work done. There's a novel idea, huh?
In other news, my trip down to Florida yielded some interesting materials for me to work with. My brother and I took a walk along the beach and I picked up some rather nice shells along the way. I'm going to attempt to drill some holes in the flatter ones and see if I can use them for focal pieces in my jewelry. Of course, that won't really work out with the shells that have a spiral shape, but I'll find some use for them I'm sure. They were just too pretty to leave behind. Anywho, my aunt and uncle gave me some sand dollars to work with as well, which I'm pretty excited about. I'm going to see if a lovely friend of mine would like to paint them and make a collection of sand dollar jewelry with me. I'd paint them myself, but Jess would do a far better job of it than I ever could, and it would give me an excuse to have art jams with her. It would be nice to get Amanda from Balagan Art in on the action as well, but that might be a little difficult considering the fact that she's still at Berry. Oh well. We'll see how it goes.
Anyway, I think I'm going to try to scan some of my jewelry. It seems to be a pretty effective method for other jewelry artists, and since my mother has a nice scanner that's pretty new, I suppose I'll give a whirl. It would probably make my father happy since I'm pretty sure he's tired of coming up to my room to photograph tons of jewelry every time I make a new batch. I wish I could scan some of my drawings as well, but we definitely don't have a scanner big enough for that. I think maybe I'll put up some of the photos I've taken of my portraits on the site, just to get rid of that empty art page. At least it will do until I can get images of a high enough quality to start selling prints. But yeah, that's all I have to say right now. Guess I'll try to get some work done. There's a novel idea, huh?
Saturday, December 11, 2010
A Weekend of Ow...
"Oh Lord, you give us everything at the price of fatigue!" ~ Leonardo da Vinci
Ok so... long week... longer weekend. I'm exhausted and still have more stuff to do. In two days I've driven over 300 miles by myself. I feel like someone took a sledgehammer to my body when I wasn't looking. Just now got home from Berry College. My roommate from last year graduated today, and I'm so proud of her. Just wish Berry wasn't so far away. So I made the three hour drive up there, did the graduation thing, and made the three hour drive back home. And can I just say that tights are manufactured in hell? I mean, jeez. Those things are evil. Always falling down or rolling up or getting those stupid lines in them. Evil evil evil. Ok. Yeah.
So anyway... Spent a hundred dollars at Hobby Lobby yesterday buying graduation presents and birthday presents and Christmas presents... not to mention supplies for my jewelry. Found some really cool pieces for steampunk jewelry so I can expand on my "Pistols and Pearls" collection. Keys, locks, gears, etc. We'll see how that goes.
Been doing some clay stuff in what little spare time I've had. Finished round two of a commissioned piece which I accidentally broke immediately after completing it a week ago. That's kind of how my life goes. Also carried out my first experiment with the flower inclusions. I'm pleased with the texture but not so much with the color. Continuing my experiments now. I'll try to post pictures sometime soon.
And for those of you waiting to see new portraits, I'm sorry to say that I can't complete anything until I get some new drawing supplies for Christmas. Hopefully I'll get something churned out before 2011.
That's all for now. Congrats to Jess and Emma for graduating, glad I got to see you for five minutes Amanda, had fun eating lunch with the lovely Smith sisters, sorry I missed you Fakhria, and love to all you random people reading this. I'm going to go crash into the couch now.
Ok so... long week... longer weekend. I'm exhausted and still have more stuff to do. In two days I've driven over 300 miles by myself. I feel like someone took a sledgehammer to my body when I wasn't looking. Just now got home from Berry College. My roommate from last year graduated today, and I'm so proud of her. Just wish Berry wasn't so far away. So I made the three hour drive up there, did the graduation thing, and made the three hour drive back home. And can I just say that tights are manufactured in hell? I mean, jeez. Those things are evil. Always falling down or rolling up or getting those stupid lines in them. Evil evil evil. Ok. Yeah.
So anyway... Spent a hundred dollars at Hobby Lobby yesterday buying graduation presents and birthday presents and Christmas presents... not to mention supplies for my jewelry. Found some really cool pieces for steampunk jewelry so I can expand on my "Pistols and Pearls" collection. Keys, locks, gears, etc. We'll see how that goes.
Been doing some clay stuff in what little spare time I've had. Finished round two of a commissioned piece which I accidentally broke immediately after completing it a week ago. That's kind of how my life goes. Also carried out my first experiment with the flower inclusions. I'm pleased with the texture but not so much with the color. Continuing my experiments now. I'll try to post pictures sometime soon.
And for those of you waiting to see new portraits, I'm sorry to say that I can't complete anything until I get some new drawing supplies for Christmas. Hopefully I'll get something churned out before 2011.
That's all for now. Congrats to Jess and Emma for graduating, glad I got to see you for five minutes Amanda, had fun eating lunch with the lovely Smith sisters, sorry I missed you Fakhria, and love to all you random people reading this. I'm going to go crash into the couch now.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Gemstones Galore
No wonderful quote this time. Also no giant rant. You can exhale now. Haven't posted for a bit, so I just figured I'd give you all an update.
I recently received an order of gemstone materials, so I'm really excited to be working with such beautiful, high-quality items. I bought carnelian, sponge coral, yellow jade, new jade, peridot, garnet, freshwater pearls, opalite, and white quartz, so I've got plenty to keep me inspired. Unfortunately, I haven't had much time to work lately because I just started a new job and my mother has been having a rough time since her knee surgery last week, so I've been less focused on my artwork than I would like to be. Still, I'm working on a new collection called "Gardens of Stone" that will feature a bunch of floral gemstone jewelry so keep an eye out for that to pop up on the site in the near future.
Still working on some commissioned stuff, including a polymer clay elephant tusk (long story) and three portraits (about to add a fourth one onto that). After making all the preparations to start drawing the actual portraits (enhancing photos, gridding, taking out my drawing pad, etc) I realized that I have somehow lost all of my drawing materials. So far I've managed to find only one of my woodless graphite pencils, and it doesn't really help me much since it's the 2B and most of the work is done with the 4B and 6B pencils. Bah humbug. Thank God I don't have a deadline, or I'd be sunk. I'll be cleaning my room out since we have company visiting this weekend, so hopefully my stuff will turn up under some pile of jewelry magazines or clothing. If not, I'll have to go out and buy some more supplies. Yippee. More money spending.
Anyway, aside from that there isn't much to report. I don't think I'll be able to get myself into any craft festivals before the holidays, which is extremely disappointing since I imagine this is the best time to be selling. I haven't sold anything since November 6th, so I'm getting pretty discouraged at the moment. I am, however, making up some brochures for jewelry parties. I think that might be a fun, profitable way for me to get my name out there and acquire some clients. So, if anyone in my neck of the woods (no more than a 75 mile drive from Pike County, Georgia) is interested in hosting a party where I bring my jewelry to your house so you and your friends can shop in comfort, let me know. Hosting a party gets you a discount. Woot.
That's all for now, folks. I'll try to add pretty pictures next time I post. In the meantime, send positive, creative energy my way... and if you really love me, throw in a little cyber traffic. I need a little holiday cheer, preferably the green kind. Don't make me dress like Tiny Tim for sympathy. I'll do it.
I recently received an order of gemstone materials, so I'm really excited to be working with such beautiful, high-quality items. I bought carnelian, sponge coral, yellow jade, new jade, peridot, garnet, freshwater pearls, opalite, and white quartz, so I've got plenty to keep me inspired. Unfortunately, I haven't had much time to work lately because I just started a new job and my mother has been having a rough time since her knee surgery last week, so I've been less focused on my artwork than I would like to be. Still, I'm working on a new collection called "Gardens of Stone" that will feature a bunch of floral gemstone jewelry so keep an eye out for that to pop up on the site in the near future.
Still working on some commissioned stuff, including a polymer clay elephant tusk (long story) and three portraits (about to add a fourth one onto that). After making all the preparations to start drawing the actual portraits (enhancing photos, gridding, taking out my drawing pad, etc) I realized that I have somehow lost all of my drawing materials. So far I've managed to find only one of my woodless graphite pencils, and it doesn't really help me much since it's the 2B and most of the work is done with the 4B and 6B pencils. Bah humbug. Thank God I don't have a deadline, or I'd be sunk. I'll be cleaning my room out since we have company visiting this weekend, so hopefully my stuff will turn up under some pile of jewelry magazines or clothing. If not, I'll have to go out and buy some more supplies. Yippee. More money spending.
Anyway, aside from that there isn't much to report. I don't think I'll be able to get myself into any craft festivals before the holidays, which is extremely disappointing since I imagine this is the best time to be selling. I haven't sold anything since November 6th, so I'm getting pretty discouraged at the moment. I am, however, making up some brochures for jewelry parties. I think that might be a fun, profitable way for me to get my name out there and acquire some clients. So, if anyone in my neck of the woods (no more than a 75 mile drive from Pike County, Georgia) is interested in hosting a party where I bring my jewelry to your house so you and your friends can shop in comfort, let me know. Hosting a party gets you a discount. Woot.
That's all for now, folks. I'll try to add pretty pictures next time I post. In the meantime, send positive, creative energy my way... and if you really love me, throw in a little cyber traffic. I need a little holiday cheer, preferably the green kind. Don't make me dress like Tiny Tim for sympathy. I'll do it.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
An Update for the Daily Prophet
Now that Hatch Market and Berry's Arts and Crafts Festival are over, I'm focusing on updating the site a bit. I know that many people seemed interested in purchasing my creations online in time for the holidays, so I'm working hard to get the majority of my stock online and shopping cart ready. The hardest part of getting pieces ready for online purchase lies in naming them. It takes a long time for me to find names suitable for both the individual pieces and the collections they belong to, so I'm rather proud to reveal that the name of my latest collection is Diagon Alley. Yes, the jewelry in this particular collection will be named after places, people, and objects from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels. Since Rowling's work has been an incredibly strong influence in nearly every aspect of my life, I think it's only fitting to name some of my work in honor of her brilliant creations.
So, that's really all for now. Working on a commissioned project, updating the site, and looking for more festivals to participate in before Christmas. If anyone has suggestions for events I could be a part of, please e-mail me and let me know.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Fleeting Motivation
"Cutting out the clutter in your mind is as simple as letting it out, and that means expressing some pretty useless ideas." ~ Jean-Pierre Beeks
Immediately after I ranted about being stuck in a rut, unable to make anything worthwhile, I made two necklaces. Go figure. Life likes to turn me into a liar. Oh well, at least I got something done. I've been a bit more inspired/motivated since then, so I've been updating my records, getting ready to start work on three portraits, and doing some research for my Down the Rabbit Hole collection. I've also started to add descriptions to the jewelry pages on my website. It's a slow-going process, but I'm working on it.
It's October! And I still have no plans for Halloween! I'm starting to freak out a little here. I have no costume, no party, no one to hang out with, nothing. I can't do nothing for Halloween. It's like... blasphemy or heresy or something. Help me! I need someone to point me toward some non-scary but incredibly awesome thing to do for Halloween!
Bah. In other news, I'll be going to the Cotton Pickin' Fair in Gay tomorrow. All you Georgia people, go there! Support the arts! And the crafts! I won't be selling anything there, but maybe I'll find some good buys. I just have to make sure I don't spend too much. I have no money coming in at the moment, so I can't really be spending much. Oh the joys of money. Someone needs to buy stuff from me. Now.
Immediately after I ranted about being stuck in a rut, unable to make anything worthwhile, I made two necklaces. Go figure. Life likes to turn me into a liar. Oh well, at least I got something done. I've been a bit more inspired/motivated since then, so I've been updating my records, getting ready to start work on three portraits, and doing some research for my Down the Rabbit Hole collection. I've also started to add descriptions to the jewelry pages on my website. It's a slow-going process, but I'm working on it.
It's October! And I still have no plans for Halloween! I'm starting to freak out a little here. I have no costume, no party, no one to hang out with, nothing. I can't do nothing for Halloween. It's like... blasphemy or heresy or something. Help me! I need someone to point me toward some non-scary but incredibly awesome thing to do for Halloween!
Bah. In other news, I'll be going to the Cotton Pickin' Fair in Gay tomorrow. All you Georgia people, go there! Support the arts! And the crafts! I won't be selling anything there, but maybe I'll find some good buys. I just have to make sure I don't spend too much. I have no money coming in at the moment, so I can't really be spending much. Oh the joys of money. Someone needs to buy stuff from me. Now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)