Dramatic Saradonyx Agate & Links Necklace – New!

This is my newest design hot off the design board and making a bold and mystic debut at 24.5” long! I really love how this one came out; I might even say it is my ‘newest’ favorite for a while. This one took some time, about 4 hours to complete.

Each spiral link is handcrafted using non-tarnish brass and black wires and then ‘charmed’ together. I was going for a dramatic look by adding Saradonyx Agate gemstones in beautiful tones of black, brown and white in a suspended dangle from each link, adding three as a center pendant. Full of fall colors for an elegant evening out or just casual wear.

Festival & Craft Show Check List

You made it into the local Craft Show or Festival and now you’re wondering “What do I take?” You’re first show will always be the ‘testing ground’ for the next and where you learn ‘what works and what doesn’t’. No matter how many shows I do, I always learn something new or how to do it differently. I’m always ‘testing the waters’ for new ideas, displays and setups. But first, getting to the show is the most important part of the whole experience. Below I’ve put together a Basic Show List of what I take (and I’m always adding to it).

Show Check List
1.Dolly – I found that this makes moving from car to booth much easier and quicker.
2.Cash Box & Cash; suggest getting to the bank a day or two before the show for your cash. Make sure to have a good mix of bills and plenty of coins.
3.Invoice/Receipt Book (suggest double copy and carbonless)
4.Credit Card machine, slips, clipboard & CC Signage
5.Business Signage (If you have one), Business Cards & card holder
6.Camera – I always try to take several pictures of my booth, from different angles, showing the different displays and then a couple of the over-all booth. This gives me pictures of what it looks like, what worked and what didn’t. I also use them to send in for juried shows.
7.Extra writing tablets (Taking notes, ideas from customers or for taking custom orders)
8.5-6 pens (no matter how many you have, you’ll always come home with less)
9.Show Kit:
oTape
oMarkers
oScissors
oCalculator (try to have 2 on hand if more than one person is working the booth)
oColored dot stickers (for mark-downs or special pricing)
10.Sales Tax sheet & copy of State Sales Tax Certificate
11.Bags (small, medium, large),
12.Tissues (cut several squares so you have plenty on hand to wrap your items)
13.Boxes (Jewelry boxes because that is what I sell)
14.4-6 mini customer browsing baskets (I give these to customers for them to ‘hold’ their selections)
15.1-2 Mirrors (If you are selling jewelry)
16.Tables & Chairs (If you are not renting from the show promoter)
17.Displays
oFloor & table display racks
oWire racks & risers
oJewelry busts & Earring holders
oBaskets, or anything else you use as a prop
18.Table cloths, scarves & drapes
19.Lighting or lamps you use for lighting
20.Several heavy duty 200’ extension cord, tri plugs, & electrical tape
21.Kleenex, alcohol wipes, extra paper towels
22.Jewelry Tool Kit
oPliers: round & flat nose
oCutters & snipers
oCrimp bead pliers
oExtra findings in both gold & silver: ear posts & wires, crimp beads, hoops, jumprings, headpins, & clasps
oBeading wire
oArtistic & Sterling wire
23.Your Product
24. Several hammers, drills, screwdrivers, & pliers
25.Water, snacks and lunch if you’re not going to leave your booth
26. Your cell phone


And always pack your car/truck the night before and go through everything to make sure you have it all. Murphy’s Law applies…no matter how much you anticipate and plan, you’re always going to forget something!

Published in Handbook to Handmade Vol. 7

Handbook to Handmade Vol. 7 is a coffee table book featuring 35 Etsy artists from around the world. Each artist chosen has a different flair for the arts; jewelry, paintings, clothing, yarns, totes and much more.

My 2 page layout includes 3 designs and details about Timeless Designs and a spot on the front cover. Only 12 artists are chosen for the front cover and I was honored to have my Turquoise & Silver Links necklace grace the left bottom corner. The book is produced several times a year with each new edition featuring the best 35 Etsy artists.

Come on by our booth at some of the shows this Fall to see the book and 3 featured jewelry designs!

Coils, Spirals, & Links Oh MY!

I took a wire class last March and found that my jewelry making passion was in wire. It has become almost as addicting as my passion for silver jewelry! My instructor told the class that if you can push a string into any type of a position, then you can ‘push and pull’ wire into any design as well. There are the more traditional forms of wire work done by wire wrapping a cabochon gemstone pendant…several can be seen in my Etsy shop. I do enjoy wire wrapping, however I’ve found that wire sculpture is more my style and passion.
I call it wire sculpture because you are literally sculpting the wire into any design. Working with the wire to create any design in any direction is much more ‘free form’ for me. It lets me mold the wire into anything my imagination can create. Whenever possible, I try to incorporate wire into my designs, whether via a simple link or a more in-depth spiral design. And I don’t limit it to just necklaces; I also use the wire sculpture in earrings and pendants.

You can learn to work with wire by taking a class at your local craft/hobby store, buying a book or by visiting one of these sites: Wire WigJig or Wire Sculpture. As for me, I’ll be back in class as soon as I can learning much more advanced techniques from my favorite instructor!


For jewelry designs in wire, visit my Etsy shop!
Note: Etsy prices are shown in USD.

Tourmaline & Garnet

Tourmaline is a great gemstone because the colors are that of the rainbow; pink, black, yellow, and green just to name a few. Tourmaline’s traditional properties are for energizing, soul-searching, and release.

In this new piece available in my Etsy shop, I’ve matched Tourmaline gemstone chips with red Garnet and pewter spacer beads. The traditional properties of Garnet are for health, removing negativity, awareness, commitment, regeneration, order and insight.

So that leads to the question, what do they mean when mixed together? Maybe a lot of good luck in one’s life……