EtsyMetal Blog Carnival: My Jewelry Box

This month's EtsyMetal Blog Carnival topic:

My Jewelry Box

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Well, here we are already at the start of three months into the new year. It's been a while since I blogged. A long while. Thought with this month's Blog Carnival topic I would jump back in and share some of my "heirlooms" if you will. None of them are worth millions (or more than hundreds...) of dollars. But all of them are near and dear to my heart. And to be completely honest, I don't wear any of them. Well, maybe except for the lab alexandrite ring my husband gave me. But even that just isn't really in my style so I don't wear it much. But I keep it close and enjoy the meaning behind it. So without any further ado:

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Carved Alaskan Native bracelet
Not sure what it is made from. Possibly walrus ivory. Possibly bone. Just not sure. It is marked with: Xa (or Ya?) Okpowruk, Shishmaref AK. My Mother-in-law gave it to me after her Mother had passed away. I love it. Never would wear it, for fear it would get ruined. But I love to look at the little carved huskies, musher and sled.

Next up is a tiny gold cross that was my Grandmother Theodore's. This one I keep purely for sentimental reasons. I am not Christian so the cross really has no meaning to me. However, it, along with the tiny porcelain box I keep it in, was my grandma's. I loved her so and still, occasionally, dream about her. In these dreams, I always say, "Where have you been? I haven't seen you in such a long time..." and then I wake up. She always looks young and stylish in the dreams. She was such a beautiful dresser. She loved shoes and would buy a new pair for any occasion. And if they were on sale, she might buy two pair and perhaps a blouse to match. I am guessing since I am writing about her now, I will dream about her soon. I hope I do.

The white gold ring with a lab created alexandrite was given to me by Paul, my partner in crime. I think it was for an anniversary (terrible I don't remember, no? It's okay, we have been married over 20 plus years, I can't keep everything straight ;) When photographing this today, in the light box the stone was a deep, teal green. When the camera snapped the picture the stone shows up purple. One of the reasons I love this ring is the chameleon nature of this stone. Pictures here do no justice. Just believe me, it is a pretty stone. Dirty as of this writing, but pretty. Matches my perpetually dirty fingernails. Comes with the job.

Last but the very farthest from least is my little relic antique greek key ring. My Mom bought this from a lady who would travel the world in search of treasures. Her name was Julia. Unfortunately her last name escapes me. She was a "personal shopper" and I have really no idea when or where my Mom met her. All I really remember is my Mom would call on her occasionally and bring home amazing little treasures. This is one of the things she bought for me when I was a very young girl (tomboy). I wore it non-stop, every day for years. I wore it so much it actually broke and I had to fix it carefully (nearly melted it so I gave up trying for a perfect fix) years down the line. I don't wear it anymore. I just keep it along with my other "treasures" and pull them all out on occasion and remember their stories.

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That about covers it for me. Want to keep reading? Check out some other EtsyMetal members' Jewelry Boxes:

Danielle Miller
2Roses
Amuckdesign
Rebecca Bogan
Anne Walker
LjBjewelry

EtsyMetal Blog Carnival: Finding my Self in 2014

The beginning of the New Year means a new EtsyMetal Blog Carnival post!

This month's EtsyMetal Blog Carnival topic:
New Year's Resolutions What New Year's Resolutions have you made for this year? Which ones did you make last year that were successful? Do you have any advice for keeping resolutions throughout the year?

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Happy 2014 to all!

I am moving into this new year with a renewed sense of "self." That may sound a bit… err, selfish. And to be honest, it is. And I am okay with that. I am in my 4th decade of life. I will turn 43 this May. It has finally occurred to me that it is perfectly okay to focus on ME. That is something that I have not done enough of in my 40 plus years. I may have moments that I have turned inward and done things for me and only me. But this resolution is a bit different. Not so much a selfish act but a self act.

I have spent the majority of my adult life worrying about everyone else. Whether it be my friends, my family or others that I don't know but thought I needed to help. I don't regret the path, but I feel like it is time to divert off this well worn walkway and cut a new one.

I came to a revelation a few days ago about how I have always found a way (consciously or subconsciously) to prevent taking my business to the next level. Whether it was due to first needing to work full time for someone else, then to raising my son, then volunteering at his school, then volunteering for my community, I have always put what I truly want on the back burner. With the new year and my new sense of "self" I have made the conscious decision that 2014 will be about doing what I really want to do. And for me, that is pouring all of my creative energy into taking my art to the next level. I have taken some big steps in the last few days to clear my mental space as well free up my weekly calendar to allow me to take this new year head on! I can hardly wait!

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So without further delay…

Here is my short list of goals for 2014

1. Design and fabricate a weekly item using at least one thing from my current "stash" (Rx3 EtsyMetal Challenge)
2. Create one of a kind pieces for the gallery
3. Submit artwork for publication
4. Pursue additional retail outlets for my artwork
5. Be more invested with art-driven groups

This is the first year in a long time that I have really thought about yearly goals and set them. I am pretty excited to see that my year ahead will be filled with artistically driven endeavors. This, alone, should make these easy(and fun) goals to reach.

Here is to a WONDERFUL 2014!

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Want more inspiration? Keep reading about other EtsyMetal members' 2014 resolutions:

Lou
Konstanze
Laura Jane Bouton
Abella Blue
Evelyn Markasky

EtsyMetal Blog Carnival: New Year's Resolutions?

A new month brings a new EtsyMetal Blog Carnival post.

This month's EtsyMetal Blog Carnival topic:
New Year's Resolutions?

Eeek! It's that time of year again - A new year, a fresh outlook, new ideas... what are your plans? New goals? New disciplines? Old disciplines and goals you want to try again?!! Spill it! Make it a reality... tell us all! Recap this past year and what you've learned, where it's taken you, where you would like it to take you in 2013.

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I am not one to make New Year's Resolutions. Well, at least not out loud. To be honest, I spend most of my life contemplating what I can do that will bring changes for the better for myself and my family. It is nearly obsessive at times. And yes, at this time of the year I tend to contemplate more.

We have had several years in a row that have been difficult ones. Started out back in 2009 when Paul was involved in a motorcycle accident. He was injured and had to undergo several surgeries over the next few months. One month after his accident he lost his job. 2009 ended really bad and 2010 started out pretty crappy as well. Back then my thought processes focused on surviving. My resolution was to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table. We made it through the the really tough times but I came out of it with high anxiety and calloused fingers. It is funny how when your intentions are truly set on something, you can create what you need. I had some of my busiest months of 2009 and 2010 making jewelry for people. I helped bring in extra income for several months as the unemployment checks were quite lower than the income we were accustomed to.

2011 and 2012 had their hardships as well. However, to bring this into a more positive light, I will switch gears and move toward a more progressive thought process. We made a big move in 2012. After several years of long commutes and too much money poured into the gas tank, we decided to move to Olympia, WA. Paul's job was there and Port Orchard (our previous home) had become somewhere we didn't want to be anymore. We found a sweet little house in an older neighborhood that we are renting and I moved my business into a really neat studio space in downtown Olympia. And that brings us back around to this month's topic: 2013 New Year's Resolutions. Sometimes I take many turns to get to short destination ;)

One of my goals in getting a studio space set up away from the house was to be able to offer classes. As of January 2, 2013 I started on this new journey. My first class of a series of four started on the 2nd. First goal of 2013 is already underway! I am hoping that this is just the very beginning of this new direction for me. My plan is to offer many different varieties of classes from single day courses to multiple day series. I have SO much information and experience rolling around in my head and I am ready to offer it to anyone interested in learning.

Paul and I spent several days of the holiday break getting the studio classroom ready. A great new workbench was constructed, new tools were purchased and a big dream started to become a reality. Here is what we end up with (pictures are of the classroom right before the beginning of my first class):

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I hope that this year is a good one for all. I know we all have some battles to fight but try to focus on the good things. They are really what is the most important. And they are out there. Sometimes all you need to do is just start looking...

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Click on the links below to keep reading about other EtsyMetal members resolutions and goals:

Lou Hunter
Laura Jane Bouton
2Roses
deborahleetaylor
Mary Anne Karren
Theresa Kwong
Danielle Miller
Nodeform

EtsyMetal Blog Carnival: Samson the Great!

A new month brings a new EtsyMetal Blog Carnival post.

This month's EtsyMetal Blog Carnival topic:
"Pets"
Please share your pets with us! Pictures, stories, new pets, old pets, dogs, cats, ants, anything that has ever lived in your house that wasn't human, be they friend or foe!

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If I was to blog about all of the pets that have been a part of my life we would be here until next year, November. I don't think any of us want to spend THAT much time reading about my pets, do we?

Much to my Mother's (and husband's) chagrin I am a animal lover through and through. I think I got it from my Dad. We are both a bit animal crazy.

So I am going to narrow it down to the here and now. For the most part anyway...

I can't write this post without showcasing history's number one dog. Ever.

That pup there is Wrangler. That dorky girl. Yup, you guessed it. Me. That was the day we brought Wrangler home.
My Dad and I adopted him from the pound when I was in 6th grade. He was the first dog that was MINE. And he was the BEST dog IN THE WORLD. My Mom put up with him, due to how awesome he was. Wrangler was a part of my life until I was 18. Putting him to sleep is still on the top of my "hardest days of my life" list.

Okay, moving ahead to present day and the love of my dog life: Samson.

Samson is a Boston Terror. I mean, Boston Terrier. After a life of having BIG dogs, Paul and I decided that maybe, just maybe we would try a small dog this go 'round. After spending some time with a Boston Terrier one day at Paul's office picnic, we decided THAT would be the next breed we would welcome into our home. When my brother caught wind of the fact we were considering a BT he said to me... "a terrier? Are you sure you want a terrier?" Pashaw! Of COURSE! What does HE know? Boston Terriers are the GREATEST DOG IN THE WORLD, don't you know?? We spent a WHOLE day with one. We KNOW what we are talking about...

Obviously he KNEW what he was talking about. Terriers are just another word for Terrors. But we LOVE this Terror:

I don't have many good pictures of Samson in action. He is really hard to photograph except when he is sleeping. Because he moves around too much to get shots that aren't blurry. So I have a lot of good pictures of him sleeping...

But we do have an overload of videos of him. Here are two of my faves:

The beginning of this one is a little stomach churning due to the Blair Witch style camera handling ... but the under-the-cabinet dive near the end makes it worth it (well, at least I think so).

Paul is trying to get Samson's leash on so he can take him outside. Sammy wants NOTHING to do with it...

He does NOT like going to bed:

He is quite a handful. His personality is larger than life. He isn't your typical Boston Terrier. He weighs in at nearly 30 pounds. That is about 10 pounds over a typical BT. His ears insist on bending over at the tips. They should stand straight up. But. Samson has NEVER been one to play by the rules. EVER.

We here at the Clark household are pretty smitten with him. Even Paul, who has forever and always put up with my love affair of animals. He knew going into it how I was (that is what I tell him whenever we see a "free kitten" sign...). Gotta love him. He has put up with a lot of animals in our 20 plus years.

We will wrap this up today with a few gratuitous puppy shots:

(notice a particular cat's laser eyes trying to scorch a certain puppy right out of existence?)

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Keep reading to learn more about the pets of EtsyMetal!

Beth Cyr
2Roses
Evelyn Markasky
Erin Austin
Rebecca Bogan
Victoria Takahashi/Experimetal
Lou Hunter
Cynthia Del Giudice

EtsyMetal Blog Carnival: What In The World Are You You Doing?

A new month brings a new EtsyMetal Blog Carnival post.

This month's EtsyMetal Blog Carnival topic:
What In The World Are You You Doing?

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Now THAT is a question I am asking myself...

You know how change always sounds like such a GREAT idea at the time? And then when it comes down to implementing that change you realize how much work it really involves? That is right where I am, right NOW.

The long and the short of it is this... commuting sucks. And my husband Paul has been doing a long one for many years. And we all got really sick of it. Not only due to the time it took out of each day but also because of the $$$ that is was costing us. Add to that I was driving our son 15 miles one way to and from a better school in a different district. We were spending way too much of each paycheck to get from point A to point B and to point C.

Cue in the BIG CHANGE.

I like change. So much so that I usually don't like to stay in one place much longer than 5 or so years. Back when the housing market was booming, this was an easy lifestyle. Get sick of the house we own? Sell that sucker and move to something new. Fast forward to THIS housing market and the brakes screech us to a halt. No chance of selling the house we own... time to rent it out and head south. That is just what we did. Or are in the middle of doing.

It is EXHAUSTING.

I am too old for this. And I collect WAY too much stuff when I stay put for 5 years. Note to self: you don't need all of this crap. I promise, you don't. Moving was WAY easier when I was in my 20's. Maybe it was easier back then because I just didn't have that much stuff? Hmmm, I think I am onto something here.

Just a peek into our BIG move.

I had a 5 bedroom house to pack. Why the Hell we thought buying a 5 bedroom house was a good idea when we only have 3 people in our family... it is a question we have asked ourselves for some time now. Don't even get me started on the equity we have lost with the housing market tanking. But I digress. With Paul already living down in Olympia during the week I had the HUGE responsibility of getting the household ready to move.

I offer you but a PEEK into my madness, err, I mean one thing on moving checklist. On the agenda one day last week, my studio.

Before:

During:

After:

That took over 6 hours to complete. 6 hours of precious time. And these pictures only show a glimpse of that room. Madness, I tell you, pure and utter madness.

Mind you that once we have finally moved everything down to Olympia, get the "other" house successfully rented out and I get my studio set back up so I can get back to work (I can HARDLY wait... I miss it. BAD) things will settle down. One can only hope, right?

So THAT is what I have been up to.

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Want to see what some other EtsyMetal members are up to? Keep reading:

Evelyn
victoria takahashi
Miranda
Beth Cyr
Rebecca Bogan
Ann Walker
Erin Austin
Danielle Miller
Nodeform

A Picture Tells A Thousand Words - EtsyMetal Blog Carnival

A new month brings a new EtsyMetal Blog Carnival post.

The topic for the month of June is:

A Picture Tells A Thousand Words

June's Blog Carnival article is all about showing, not telling.

For more pictures stories, please visit these EtsyMetal members' blogs:
Cynthia Del Giudice
kate jones
Inbar Bareket
Rebecca Bogan

The Unconventional Tool - EtsyMetal Blog Carnival

A new month brings a new EtsyMetal Blog Carnival post.

The topic for the month of May is:

The Unconventional Tool

Do you use tools that you have made yourself? How about items that were not intended to be used by a metalsmith?
Tell us all about it and describe/show the results your special tools give in your creative process!

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My very first metals instructor handed out several handmade tools he made for us the first night of our first class. That was nearly 20 years ago. I still have several of those tools but I really only use one regularly. It is my burnisher. The wooden handle has years of grub and metal dust embedded in it. But it is a workhorse. And every time I use it, I think of that instructor and how that first class changed the course of my life.

There are several other things that I employ on a regular basis that were probably never intended to be used by a metal artist. One of those is my beloved masking tape. And it can't be just any old masking tape. I have high standards and expect a lot from my tape!! I like the Scotch #2060 green painter's tape. It is just the right color of light green that allows my Sharpie marker drawings to show up crisp yet the tape won't leave a sticky residue when removed. I put it on my metal then draw a rough sketch with a sharp pencil of what I want to pierce then I trace over the pencil marks with a fine Sharpie. This gives me the best pattern to saw. And the tape protects the surface of the metal while doing the initial stages of finishing (i.e., filing edges, marking and drilling holes for bails, rivets, etc). I use that same tape to create a cushion when using my dapping blocks to create concave forms in the middle of my dogwood pendants. If there is no cushioning the edges of the block will mar the metal. And we can't have that!

For several years after my son was born I put my metal working tools away to spend time being a Mom. There just wasn't a workable way for me to be in the studio outside of my home and I wasn't comfortable bringing the chemicals, torches and such into a home studio when I had a young soul living in my house. However, I have never been real good at just sitting around so I started an online business selling scrapbooking supplies. This made it possible for me to work from home, raise my son and keep my hands in a creative realm. To make a long story short, I did this for about 5 or maybe 6 years and during that time I amassed a whole BUNCH of crafting supplies. And many of those crafting supplies work real well when creating art jewelry! One of my favorite uses for these alternative supplies is using rubber stamps and embossing or pigment inks when working with torch fired enamels. The ink works as a great binder for enamels and the stamps give endless design possibilities.

Sometimes just stepping out of the box frees my creative mind to new ideas and opportunities! Plus it gives me more reason to horde supplies ;)

Read more about unconventional tools and their uses from other EtsyMetal members:
Beth Cyr
Inbar Bareket
2Roses
Theresa Kwong

Nobody's Perfcet... oops, I mean Perfect.

EtsyMetal Blog Carnival April 2, 2012


This month's topic:

Nobody's Perfect!



This month's EtsyMetal Blog Carnival is all about the lack of perfection. Blog about a piece you screwed up on... a piece? How about pieces... 100's of them. Try and try again. Practice makes perfect... NOT. But it does help to teach the student, that is for sure!

Most of what I have learned in working with metal has come from trial and error. I would read about a technique in a book or see a design that gave me inspiration to try something new and I would get to my bench and dive in. And waste a WHOLE lot of metal. Luckily back when I was really learning the basics, sterling was a mere $7 and change per ounce. Screw ups were not nearly as costly as they are today.

But that doesn't mean that I don't have them. I can spend hours hammering out a new design to only have the stone not fit perfect or the edges not align just right. Or I put too much heat on a delicate fancy bezel (see photo above). But the way I see it , it is all part of the process. Each day teaches me something new, even now, 20 years after that first night I sat in my beginning jewelry making class.

And honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Keep reading! Find out who else isn't perfect by visiting these EtsyMetal members blogs:
2Roses
Michele Grady Designs
TK Metal Arts
Anne Walker Jewelry
Evelyn Markasky
Gracebourne
Inbar Bareket
Beth Cyr
wildflowerdesigns

Pros & Cons of Selling Online

I decided March was the month I was going to jump on board and participate in the monthly EtsyMetal Blog Carnival. Each month a topic is proposed to EtsyMetal members and those who sign up write a blog post pertaining to the chosen topic.

This month's topic is:

What are the Pros and Cons of selling your jewelry online?

I feel this topic could find itself the contents of an entire novel, not just a daily blog entry. I will do my best to not drone on too long on the subject. I have sold my artwork face to face, direct to customers as well as selling my artwork using online venues such as Etsy, Artfire etc. I am pretty sure I have a good majority of the pros and cons figured out.

I always like to get the negative out of the way first so I am going to start of with my top 3 on the Cons list. Always good to get the bad out there and then move on to the good, don't you think?

The Cons

1. Your buyer can't "feel" the item.
When selling my work this past December at the Urban Craft Uprising holiday show in Seattle, nearly every single person who walked into my booth, picked up a piece of my jewelry. Most often when a ring was picked up, it was tried on. Modeled to a friend and ogled over. Pendants were touched, earrings were held up to earlobes. You get the picture. I sold out of 3/4 of my entire inventory in just a two day period.
When selling artwork online, the buyer has only photographs to go by. Pictures must express the "feel" of the piece of jewelry. If the photos are not good, you can pretty much guess that the piece will not sell. Along with good photos, a great description is a MUST. You must tell the story of the piece with words to basically sell the customer the artwork. When face to face with a customer, they can ask questions and get answers right away. When shopping online, the customer has only photographs and a description to answer their immediate questions. If a question arises that a description or a photo doesn't answer, that customer will most likely go elsewhere and buy from someone else who has offered a product that was better described and showcased. If you have complete and descriptive descriptions paired with multiple photos that show different angles of your work you have a better chance of making that sale.

2. Instant gratification doesn't happen when shopping online
Unless you are selling something that can be downloaded when shopping online, your buyer has to sit tight and wait for their beloved purchase to ship. Luckily, for most, this is part of the thrill of the chase, so to speak. But it can still hinder even a seasoned online shopper. Some people just don't like to wait. And if you are selling something that is made to order i.e., your customer makes the purchase then you create the artwork, this can be even a longer wait to get that purchase into your customer's hands. And this can determine whether or not your customer will stay and make the purchase or get in their car and go to the mall to shop for purchases that they can take home immediately.

3. The Dreaded Feedback AKA the piano hanging over your head
Ebay made the buyer/seller feedback system a household term. Etsy made it the handmade artist's nemesis.
100% positive feedback is what most sellers strive for and bend over backwards to maintain. Good customer service is always a must in my book regardless of any feedback system. I strive to make sure my customers are 120% happy. And I hope this will translate into positive feedback.
In theory the feedback system is a good idea because it can give the buyer peace of mind when shopping and purchasing from someone who they may not have done business with. Unfortunately it can also easily abused. And in the end, the seller is the one who can be most hurt by it. A vindictive buyer can hold a seller hostage with the mere threat of leaving negative feedback. An online seller is really at the mercy of the online buyer. And the impossible to please customers can leave you and your positive feedback flapping in the breeze and it can wreak havoc on one's mental status. I speak from experience. Luckily the honest buyers far outweigh the impossible to please ones.

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Alright! Enough of that negative stuff. Let's get to the positive!

The Pros

1. The Internet is open 24/7
Come on in and shop anytime! With the invention of this wonderful thing we call the Internet, shoppers are out there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. My online storefront has its doors open to worldwide customers anytime of the day (or night). Not many brick and mortar stores have the benefit of reaching the International market. My online store is open to all!

2. More studio time
Having an online presence gives me the freedom to spend more time in my studio creating new work. Running a brick and mortar location would take a lot of time and energy (not to mention money) to maintain. That is time that I could be spending making new jewelry for my customers.
With just a few clicks of a mouse I can have my products listed online and then get right back to my bench and get to work.

3. I write much better than I speak
While I do love talking my customers in person from time to time at the occasional art festival, overall I am much better at communicating through my keyboard. I like to spend my time pouring my heart and soul into the jewelry pieces I make in silence. I am pretty shy and feel like I can come across as either far too aloof at times or too talkative at other times when I am in front of my customers. I can speak much more eloquently when given the time to think about what I want to say to someone or talk about my artwork in my online listings. This, for me, is best done by putting words down using my keyboard not stuttering out run on sentences then wishing for a do over.

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Funny how I wrote more content regarding the cons than I did the pros. Especially because the pros, to me, far outweigh the cons when it comes to selling my artwork online. I think it is because we can learn so much for the cons and use that knowledge to benefit the pros. I think that makes sense. It does, at least, to me.

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Please visit these other EtsyMetal members blogs to see their thoughts on the pros and cons of selling online:

Inbar Bareket: http://www.inbarbareket.info/blog

Evelyn Markasky: http://markasky.blogspot.com/

2Roses: http://www.jewelrytutorial.blogspot.com

Nodeform: http://nodeform.blogspot.com/