I got featured!!

Hey, I am back already...but bearing good news...at least it is to me! I got featured on a website for indie stores! Wickedly Chic I am in the Daily Ditties Section for Oct. 31st...My Pop earrings were the featured piece.



I have been really good tonight, and listing lots of earrings...but I am still not done. I'll have to finish up tomorrow.

Yeah Me!!

I finished all the photographs...cropping and everything...and I have gotten some of them posted...and I'll probably get some more done tonight...but I don't think I'll be completely done with the Christmas stuff by the end of the day...but I'll have it all up by tomorrow for sure! I can't believe I did it!! My eyes are about to go cross from all the computer stuff...so I am keeping this short...just thought I'd share a few things...

These are pictures of the collar I made. I call it a collar, because I didn't know what else to call it...and it essentially acts as one...you decide.



This is a picture of it before I felted it

This is a picture of the button I made for it...its a big button...like the size of my thumb (no ruler handy...unusual for me)


This is the completed piece...cute huh?

And here is a group picture of all the Christmas themed earrings...at least all of the colors...not ALL of them...they won't all fit in the same container!! I just thought the picture was bright and cherry! Which seems to be the theme of my jewelry lately...hopefully in the next few days or so I can get those up. Anyway...the picture...



off to vacuum...fun!! :)

Slacker

I have been a slacker these past couple days...at least when it comes to the computer...dh got a newer computer all set up for me about a week and a half ago...have a backed up my other stuff so that I can just use the one computer? NO! To my defense I have been very busy with other stuff!

I finally got around to posting some Christmas themed stuff. I hope to have it all done by the first...that means getting it all done between tonight and tomorrow night...somehow I don't see that happening...just taking the photos takes a long time!! I am doubtful I will get them all taken and posted. I do have other things I have to do!

These earrings are quite cute...they are the perfect length and size.

I finished another crochet piece tonight...this one I am quite proud of!! Its wool, so I felted it. I made a large button for it...and I think its FABULOUS!!! Especially considering its only the second piece I have ever made! I was wondering why I didn't start crocheting sooner!! I may have to start making other things too...or more of these...I don't know what you call them...uh...collars? This one is more of a collar than a cowl...since it button closes instead of a circle piece.

I have lots to do...

Caramel apples

I just saw this picture and I had to share this yumminess I saw that on MSN a minute ago...and I knew I had to share it with someone! I haven't had a caramel apple in years, but those look very good! For the recipe, click on the picture. Guess I should try to get something done today...whether its making jewelry or taking pictures of it...I need to get to it!!

The Christmas Rush!!

DH made fun of me in his own subtle way last night, as I was sitting on the floor making my Christmas stuff...he said, "Getting ready for the Christmas rush?" I knew he was being a butt...but I just said yes and continued working. Maybe its just hopeful thinking...but I would like to get something sold before the end of the year...and these have got to work! They are cute, simple, and very inexpensive! And, hopefully I have colors for everyones taste... and outfit!!

I have a new goal for my store...I would like to get to a point where I am listing something new everyday. That is a tall order...so I will take it one day at a time - so to speak. If I could just get to a point where I am taking pictures once a week, then getting them ready the next day...I think I could do it. Its just heading down that path and establishing that habit...It take 21 days to form a habit you know...and I am only taking the pictures once a week...does that mean it will take 21 weeks to stick??

Shopping trip...

I recently got back from a Christmas shopping trip. The one and only one I'll do. I bought lots of stuff for holiday sales (thanks to a great tip from my brother)...but thats it once they run out...they run out and no more. I don't usually make multiples of one thing...mostly because I get bored with it...but also because its nice to know you have a one of a kind piece and no one will have one that is exactly the same. either tonight or tomorrow I will start making these limited edition pieces... Since they are not one of a kind pieces, they will be very reasonably priced.

I am still on an earring kick for some reason...yesterday afternoon I designed several pieces. I haven't made them yet...but over the next week or so I will finish them. They are all made out of vintage beads...and they are all red black and white. Or a combo of those colors.

Yesterday or the day before that, I listed a bracelet and earring set. I struggled with the thought of listing it. I really really love the bracelet. Problem is, its a bit snug on my wrist and hard for me to put on my self since it is so small for me. I know that I could add to the bracelet to make it longer, but I already put a patina on the piece, and although I could put a patina on the newly added part, it wouldn't have all been done at the same time...and it would somehow bother me...so, its going to be sold...or at least I hope its going to be sold! :)

The pinks are so lush and delicious they really pop against the patinated silver. Ok, nuff of my drooling and admiring!! Shouldn't do that over my own work!!

RESIN UPDATE:
I managed to add some more of the mold layers to the molds I've been working on...and then finally they were good enough to check out. They are now ready for testing! They turned out fantastic...but I won't really know until after I make some resin beads with it. I thought I would start out simple and just put some color in the resin and pour...none of this pouring in with other beads business...I'll just wait to see how that turns out then get creative. Hopefully the new casting will work out better. The last casting only one piece ended up not being sticky...that was the ugliest one with the plastic turquoise beads in it. (see pics below) I'll put some pictures up later of my the molds I made...got to take the pictures first. Hopefully I'll get to do some casting tonight...

Don't you hate it when...

Don't you hate it when you find something on the internet...and then you can't find it again? I don't even remember how I found it...but a few days ago, I was looking up tips or something on jewelry made with ribbon...I found this great tutorial on how to thread a bead on ribbon...I wanted to share it with everyone, because it was so wonderful...and now I can't find the feakin' site!! I don't know who it was, what they were selling or anything!! I usually try to bookmark things like that...but I guess because of the simplicity, I didn't think I needed to! Pooh! I guess...if I find the time, I can make up one. It was pretty simple...but mine wouldn't be as well done as hers. We'll see...I'll have to be pretty motivated to do it...I'll continue to try to find it...but it may be next to impossible!

Sharing...

I wanted to share some of the tips I found for non-crocheters to use while attempting to crochet...I found two that helped a lot!

Red Shoe Ramblings: How To Crochet A Scarf-Like Object While Amazing and Mystifying Your Friends: The DebR Method

Single Crochet on You Tube

These helped a lot...and surprisingly (or maybe not) "The DebR Method" helped a lot!! :)

As Promised...although, late!

I finished my crochet project, and its not too bad! Aside from the horrible yarn I used, I didn't do that bad of a job...for my first time. Its not perfect...or even close to it. It works, though!
Here's a cute pic of my cat wearing it...

Doesn't she look thrilled? Well, the cats like laying on it anyway...but I don't think you'll catch them wearing it too often.

The resin beads didn't turn out too well...they mostly dried...but they are just a tad bit sticky...maybe they'll dry better in a few days!

]
They have to dry before I can clean them, and make them look better...but this may be as good as it gets...but not bad for a first try. Next time I'll try to be more precise!

Speaking of next time...I started making molds for the next batch of resin beads...

Looks pretty gross right now. They are latex molds. First I made some polymer clay pieces shaped in the way I would like some resin pieces...then baked that...then started the mold building process...you paint on this stuff called mold builder, and you have to wait for each layer to try before you can put another layer on. Looks like I need about 10 layers...and I am about 1/2 way done. I hope the molds work out...as long as it is taking!

Here are some etsyians that sell resin beads...



These are very cool! by princessvivi



by LeeLoo Studio

These are just your average beads...


I would most like to do stuff like princessvivi...but that will probably take time to get to that point...but its cool stuff. I probably won't even do the resin bead thing for very long....just a month or two...then I'll be so over it. Especially as long as this whole process takes!!

I think thats it for tonight!

Making Messes...

Or at least that is what DH calls everything creative I do. I have several projects going on right now. Last night I was working on making resin beads, which I have never done before, and probably won't no if they turned out for a couple days...they have to set. This was my first batch, so they probably won't turn out...but hey you never know!

I am also crocheting right now...there are several reasons for this. First, I saw this piece in Etsy I wanted it....but since I can't really buy anything new right now...I thought why not just crochet something. Keep in mind that I haven't crocheted anything since my grandmother taught me when I was around 8 years old. So I don't remember much. I can chain, and I can single crochet...and that is pretty much what I am doing. I am not following a pattern and it certainly isn't going to be pretty! I somehow managed to find the ugliest yarn I could find! I wanted something thick, and soft...but it also has that eyelash stuff on it...which is good because it does cover up all my bloopers. I am just hoping that by the time I am done it will be kind of shaped like that. I'll take a picture of the ugly beast when I am done! The yarn is hideous! I swear!

Oh, my other reason for crocheting is, I have been experimenting in ribbon lately on jewelry. I bought a skein of ribbon yarn for the experiment and it had a pattern for a scarf or something with it. I threw the pattern away...but it did make me think about crocheting.

I don't think that crocheting is something I will stick with. I am doing it just to prove to myself that I can. Plus every fall I pick up a hobby for the fall and maybe into the winter...and do that for awhile. Jewelry has been the only thing I ever picked up and didn't let go over when the winter was over. There are several other things I would like to experiment with this season...I have had this jar of plaster of paris for many years, I'd say at least 10...and I only ever made one thing out of it. I'd like to use that so I can get rid of it. If I make anything, I'll post it, no matter how horrible it is. I'll even post the resin beads that probably won't turn out.

Earring OD

OMG!! One would think that all I ever make is earrings...but that is not the case at all...in fact I rarely ever make earrings, I was just on a kick last week! As you can see, I listed two pairs last night, and then three more today! I am so proud! I promise the next couple things I list will not be earrings! Although, that is not to say there won't be a set mixed in there somewhere!

I am a very theme oriented person...I love themes...theme parties, holidays with themes...I even celebrate flag day, whereas most people don't even know when flag day is! Its June 14th by the way. One would think that because I am theme oriented that I would make theme jewelry, you know like santa clauses or easter eggs or something of that nature. I don't really...although last year I did use some small tree ornaments to make into earrings...so I guess that is a theme...but other than that I just don't do theme jewelry.

Well, I am trying to step out and do new things. This year I made this stunning and unique pair of earrings. They are spiderweb and spider earring. IMHO these are very cool. The spider is kind of creepy, and the webs are different, just like snowflakes.

Last post I tried to give some props for a couple three people, but there were some technical issues, and most of my props didn't make the post, so I just deleted the whole freakin' props portion to save it for later. Its later now...so here we go...

In the order I received them...

I got a sublime bead set from fellow Bead Hiver Melissa Vess this past week these are some pretty freakin' cool beads, and very well priced. This is the first time I bought from her, but it certainly won't be the last!

On the organizing front...I got these wonderful little boxes from JudyTacynDesigns on a PIF plus shipping. These are great little boxes. She is running a PIF for these now, and it looks like she runs them often....you get over 20 of these and postage is a small price to pay for these wonderfully delicious boxes.

Another bead...but not just another bead!! The most awesome bead ever!! Well, ever in my collection! I have always wanted a Sarah Moran of Z-Beads bead. Her style is all her own. I have seen nothing like hers before. She has a gift and an eye for this. When I got my bead, I had to keep peeking at it, even after I stored it away! Isn't cool? Just nod your head like I can see you...you don't want people to think you are crazy by actually talking to the monitor!

Thats it for props this week. I say this week...but I don't know how often I am going to do props. Originally I was thinking every week. But that would mean that I would have to buy and receive new beads every week. Although that would be nice, the money would have to come from somewhere...and it sure as heckfire ain't comin' from me! I'll just dole out props as often as I deem necessary.

Organizing...uh

I wouldn't be called the most organized person in the world...or on the block. This is what I have been trying to do this past weekend. When I am on Etsy or ebay or whatever and looking at other people's jewelry, I realized an important thing. I should give credit to the lampwork artist. I hate it when I am looking at a piece, and I love the lampwork in it, but they don't tell me who the artist is. I went through all my lampwork, and labeled it with who made it, and all that jazz...I also discovered that I have WAY too many beads!! I need to start posting some stuff on Etsy soon, or I am going to run out of room to live, and DH wouldn't be too thrilled about that!

A few weeks ago I was at a lampwork bead show, it was wonderful...I was buying beads from someone, and they asked me what I was going to do with such and such beads...I said, "I don't know, I am a bead hoarder" She smiled and said we make the best customers! I admit it! I am a hoarder and I am not ashamed! Although, I do have to stop...at least for a bit...I do need room.

I have almost come to the decision to stop with polymer clay, I don't work with it that often and its taking up space where more beads could go. I'll probably be getting rid of my stuff soon. I have been thinking about it on and off for almost a year now, and its about time I do something about it! I mean, come on...a YEAR??? Thats a bit long, don't you think? Its not like I can't change my mind and buy new a couple years from now! Ok, I just convinced myself! That will be a project for tomorrow...that and I need to list at least two things tomorrow!

New Earrings

My second day, and already posting, aren't you so proud? Actually I thought that since I just started this blog, I should go ahead and add some pics and stuff now...then I can go to more of a weekly thing. I finished up three earrings yesterday and posted them to my store yesterday and today. Below are the pics...

www.steffiegray.etsy.com

Baby Back

Red Dwarf

Triangulation

Introduction

Hi! I thought maybe I would tell a bit about myself... I have been crafting and creating for years. As long as I can remember I have been making something. I first started making jewelry about 21 years ago, I made friendship bracelets all the time. I stopped making them for a few years and finally when I was around 18 I started making necklaces with my best friend...I still have those pieces...they aren't of the highest quality...but they are a great memory. About a year or so later someone told me about polymer clay and I started working with that some....and although I didn 't start making beads with it until years later...I did discover a lot about the medium. In 2003 I got into making purses for myself and for friends and I embellished them with beads...this really got me into beads, and from there my passion grew. I love beads and I love making jewelry. Its a wonderful creative process for me, and learning and creating new techniques every time I sit down. I enjoy making beads, designing jewelry and wire working.

I will try my best to keep up with this blog...I am not very good at keeping up with ongoing stuff...the only thing I have been really good with keeping up with is jewelry making. I am always making and creating, and reinventing my creative style. Hopefully I will at least be able to post once a week...lets keep our fingers crossed!!