Etsy Surfing

Sometimes I like to dig through Etsy the old-fashioned way, and sometimes I like to use Pounce, and sometimes I like to put in a specific set of keywords to see how many people are blatantly thieving based on a theme. Last night's theme was Harry Potter. Obviously, it's been fresh in my mind lately, so I thought I would type in the words and see what came up. So many people are stealing the copyrighted images to use for their own work. Not altered art, mind you, but really just using the image and sticking it to something and calling their own. Every once in a while, I will come across someone who is using the images correctly, and it surprises me that more people don't try to come up with something original. One such Etsy Shop is Poppys Wicked Garden. This woman takes t-shirts (even your own), and makes these cute, flattering cuts for average-size ladies (and gentlemen I suppose). She also makes tutu skirts from themed fabric such as Hogwarts Crests or Batman, and she has a whole section dedicated to Harry Potter. And do you know what? Everything in there is cute and copyright-infringement free. Yay! So if you're in the market for a fun t-shirt with thumb-holes, check her out!

It's all finally here!

Today, I received by the grace of the UPS Gods, the last element for my Bindi Box Sets! I spent a few moments figuring out what is the best way to fill little tiny glass bottles with spirit gum. I had some success, and some failure. In the end, I was happy with the outcome, and was able to list a Fred and Ginger Bindi Box Set on my Etsy website. At least I got something done today right? I will likely offer the boxes alone, and I may eventually make bigger boxes with pasties in them. What do you think? I did list a couple bottles of the Spirit Gum Bindi Adhesive, as they are the perfect size to go into a little baggie (or a bindi box!) with your favorite Bindis in your travel show kit.

I managed to to send out both orders I had received, and am now working on the Zombie earrings! Go Zombies! Hopefully I'll be able to get some of this done before Thursday so that I can go to the Empire 3-day larp event and not feel guilty. Who am I kidding? I'm more than likely going to have to take something with me to work on either way.

Harry Potter, and other 'Important' things :)

I would like to say that I spent the whole day working on illustrations and pictures for the Bead&Button Show instructions, but I didn't. Today I got up, got dressed, and went to see Harry Potter. I even managed to dig out my Quidditch t-shirt from before the movies came out. Yay me :) I am a dork of the worst reich, not only digging out my t-shirt, but going to see the movie alone. It was good, I thought. Sort of ended abruptly, but so did the book. I can't wait to see the next one!

There was a New Moon trailer. It was the same one that I've been seeing on the internet for a few months now. I was hoping that the CGI on the 'werewolf' would look better on the big screen. It didn't. In fact, it sort of looked like a frizzy dog. Disappointing. They need to get ahold of the person, or persons who are responsible for Asland in the Chronicles of Narnia series. Yes, you can tell that he is not a 'real' lion, but I found him believeable as such.

The rest of the day was spent cleaning up some of my mess from the last 2 months (Hey look! I have a floor!), and working on the pendant pics for my Crystal Drop Necklace. With only a little over a week to work on these instructions, I have to get on the ball. Hopefully, I'll have a very productive couple of days this week, and that will be it. Wish me luck!

The light at the end of the tunnel...

For the last month and a half I have been writing instructions for several of my bead projects so that I can apply to teach at the Bead&Button Show next year. The deadline is July 31st for the postmark, so I've been dashing about like made trying to get the illustrations done for my new projects. Essentially, my time has not been my own as I have grown accustomed to, and I feel as if I'm wilting creatively. I need to break out of it, and get something done, but it's hard when the amount that I have left to do is overwhelming. I'm praying for a miracle at this point, and hope that my prayers are answered somehow.

Today, I made a new pair of earrings for my friend Jessica's birthday. She has a sort of Rockabettie vibe going on, so I made her earrings that look like cherries. I might actually make some more of them to list in Gypsybeads. I don't think that they're very original, but they're cute! Let me know what you think!

Naima's Wedding Jewelry

A friend of mine from Charlotte,NC is getting married at the beginning of August. I was honored that she chose me to create her bridal jewelry. I used 4 Sizes of Pearls and Crystal. I wrapped over 150 beads to give the necklace and bracelet volume, and went with a simple earring. I have to say that I love the way they turned out, and am having a hard time giving them away!

I've always loved pearls. From the cheap plastic ones I wore as a child, to the classy hand-knotted ones I inherited from my Great Grandmother, I've never stopped wearing them. They go with everything from jeans to THE Little Black Dress, so how can one resist?

Several years ago when Swarovski came out with their Crystal Pearls, I was a bit skeptical. Until I saw them in person that is! They are really fabulous in person. They have such a beautiful depth, and they're super strong to boot. No more 'babying' your pearls, just put these ones in with your usualy jewelry cleaner, and you're set! And the colors! Did I mention the colors? Want a tahitian look? Done! Need a white? They've got it! Want a Cream? They have more than one choice! From pinks to yellows to blues and even black, Swarovski has you covered. They come in a variety of sizes (all the way up to 14mm), and are perfectly round without the cost of a natural pearl. So how do I feel about Swarovski Crystal Pearls? I love them, and you should too :)

Zombie Attack!

I'm creating some jewelry and accessories for my friend Karl at Hair Klaudt in Charlotte,NC using his I love Zombies logo. I'll be making earrings, bobbypins, and anything else that comes to mind.

In addition to the zombies, I'll be making fairies. What fun!

This is a great opportunity for me to make more of my feather fascinators and headbands, and get them straight to the people who want them. I'll keep you updated on how it's going.

Almost Finished!

I apologize for not getting back to you sooner, but the whole house has been sick, and crafting wasn't really an option.

Here are the 'almost' finished bindi boxes! I have added phrases to the back, and several coats of varnish to the front. They still need several more coats on both the front and back.

I learned the hard way that using my heat embosser as a blow dryer is a bad idea when working with varnish! It literally bubbles up and forms a clear balloon on top of the picture, which you then have to pick off and try again. I started fresh on the one featuring Nayna (bottom center), and the second one looks better I think.

After all of the coats of varnish are dry, I will add little mirrors to the top of the inside of the box, and I'm experimenting with adding a piece of pretty paper to the bottom inside. Michelle would be so proud that I was able to use some of the paper I bought so that she can talk me into buying more when I visit in September ;)

I'll keep you posted on any developments with the boxes.

It looks now as if I may be making hair ornaments for Hair Klaudt in Charlotte, so keep an eye out for Zombie jewelry and accessories!

Update on THE Evening Bag

I just wanted to share an updated picture of THE Evening Bag since many of you have been asking for it! I have been so busy lately that I haven't gotten much of anything done except bridal jewelry for a few of my friends. I'll post pictures of that as soon as possible. Thanks for hanging in there everyone!

Bindi Boxes

So, I got my little tins. Tonight, I decided to start them with some different pictures; one a vintage 'Showgirl', one a lovely Lotus Woman, and one of the frontpage of Nayna's website. I am working with them to see if I should just seal them with a varnish, or add a Diamond Glaze, or some such sealant to them. The Lotus Woman is intended to be for Nayna's half-birthday (she was born on Christmas, so she's entitled ;), so I covered it with a glaze product, and embedded some Swarovski Crystals into it. I'll let you know how it goes.

Tonight I plan on adding all of the coats of varnish necessary so that tomorrow I may begin adding the word images to the back. Wish me luck!

P.S. An update on my Facebook Page: I have 153 fans so far! Only 847 to go to secure my page! Please add me, and ask your friends to add me :)

My unexpected visitor...

Here at my studio, we get visitors from time to time. I have the fattest squirrel that sits outside in the tree and tells me when I've invaded 'his' territory. I have a robin that twitters and dive-bombs the squirrels to let them know that they have invaded 'his' territory. My latest visitor is neither haughty, nor mean, he was simply there. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something out my sliding glass doors, and I look up and nothing is there. It happens 2 or 3 more times and, just when I begin to think that I've completely lost it, I see him: a Ginger and White cat who was apparently the quickest cat ever! Our eyes met, and he bolted. He visited me several times last evening, running every time I 'caught' him. I did manage to get a picture, just to prove that he was really there. And here's a picture of the fat squirrel too...might as well be thorough ;)

Feathers!

Today I went on a search for Fuschia crystal rhinestones, and managed not to find any that weren't acrylic, but I did find all of these fabulous feathers to make Feather Fascinators out of! Should I be sad that I didn't find the rinestones? Yes, but I can always order them. I was merely looking for instant gratification.

The rest of the beads for Naima's and Cassies wedding jewelry came today, along with all of my little tins! Yay! What shall I do with them? Tune in at a later date to find out ;)

Best Intentions

Today, I intended to clean my bead room, and get some Kuchi Pendants ready for copper leafing, but I got exactly none of it done. Instead, I worked on Cassie's wedding jewelry, listed some items on Etsy, watched bad movies, and listened to the rain most of the day. I have to admit, that I'm tired now, and I think I'll lay on the couch and watch more bad t.v.. So much for good intentions....

Facebook Page

I've added a new Facebook Page for my business, Gypsybeads. It would seem that I have to have 1,000 fans to secure my name, so I would really appreciate any help you can give me. Add me, ask your friends to add me...we have to all know 1,000 people together right? I'm at 67 now, so I only have 933 to go! Wish me luck!

Marketing Ideas

I'm constantly in search of ways to market myself. My jewelry, my dance; it seems never-ending. Some things work sometimes, and then they don't work as well the next. Some things seem not to work at all, and then a sale comes and makes you think twice. I've tried blogging, posting photos on flickr, and tribe, and facebook. I've tweeted, and personally handed out cards. What's my new thing? A Facebook page for my business Gypsybeads. Apparently I need 1,000 fans to secure my Gypsybeads name, so please add me, and ask your friends to add me. Altogether we've got to know 1,000 people right? I appreciate the help!

Productive half day

Today, I went to bed at dawn, and got up at the crack of 2:30pm. I spent most of the day writing instructions in preparation to apply to teach at the Bead&Button Show next year. I took some pictures of jewelry I've gotten back from one of the galleries, and listed a thing or two in my shop. Chris left around 9pm to see a friend, and I spent several hours watching The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. What an interesting movie. It makes you think about time, and how you spend it. It's just after 1am as I write this, and I'm tired, but not ready to turn in just yet. May I spend my time wisely...

Tiny Containers

If you didn't know it, I'm a bellydancer. I also make fabulous jewelry and accessories for myself and other bellydancers and , recently, I've been making Bindis using Swarovski Crystal and metals. The big deal about this is that Bindis are usually little plastic things that you wear once and throw away. My Bindis are both beautiful, and re-useable. Recently, I've been looking at different things to decopage with fun things. This morning,I came across this website with little tins the size of small Altoids tins. When I saw them, I had this great idea to decopage them with vintage photos, and make them into Bindi containers. I've got some other ideas too, but I don't want to get ahead of myself.