Mixin' Metals

Nah, I'm not talking about the ole' two tone silver and gold spiel. We've all made it, seen it, worn it, so why sit here and rehash it? I'm talking about a nice copper with plenty of patina mixed with an "aged" brass (some call it vintaged brass). It adds a warm touch to your autumn pieces.

In another project I mixed a brighter copper chain with sterling silver. Yes, copper will warm up any piece but the contrasting silver kept it fresh...crisp if you will. The two metals were a different style chain link but I think using the same would be just as interesting. Especially when more than one focal bead is incorporated into the design. That's when different links can get to be a little too much. With the spring piece below I was careful to add colors that went well with copper such as olive greens, cream instead of stark white, and caramel. Adding a giant silver focal kept the copper from overtaking the look.

I realize that this piece has rather small chains and that the "mix" is subtle. If you want to mix the larger chains, I would say keep the beads to a minimum. The piece below for example...I mixed a bright brass filigree with a vintage brass chain (around 1970) for a monochromatic contrast using the same metal. The chain is bold so I kept the beads to a minimum. Using only Jade, I made sure that the stones were complex with varying bronze matrix which complimented the brass nicely.

Also try to keep an open mind when mixing metal as at first it may look all wrong. Before you break it apart or start swapping out the chain, let it sit overnight. Come back the next morning and try it on...heck, go shopping with it on and see how people react to the piece. If you get odd looks....mmmm you might want to rethink the design. Compliments? Awesome!

~LeeAnn M.

imagine-create-enjoy!

Show me the beads!

I LOVE bead shopping!!! I HATE bead shopping!!!




If you are like me, you're like a kid in a candy store when you walk into a bead shop. Your eyes feast on all of those delectable beauties covering every inch of the walls. The table tops are adorned with buckets and trays spilling over with silver, copper and brass beads. You run over to the enclosed cases which feature the hard-to-find giant semi precious stones. Grab a basket and start filling it with beads! Beads! Beads! *THUD* Geesh, that was me hitting the brick wall. (indignantly rubbing bruised little nose)

Yep, that would be the brick wall we've all dubbed 'REALITY CHECK'. If you maintain inventory lists, then you are always watching what has been overstocked and what beads/stones seem to be scarce on your shelves. What are you going to do with the six bags of bronze freshwater pearls sitting on the bottom shelf? Sure they're beautiful, but people aren't flocking to your site to buy a piece made primarily from "brown" pearls. "Owie!". Yeah well, truth hurts. (I'll get to that story in a bit)

Inventory control. Too much of one stone in your shop will limit your creativity. "But it's my signature stone...everyone knows I favor it in my creations". Okay fair enough, but step outside of your safe zone and broaden that horizon a bit. You could design two hundred very different pieces, but if the same stone is used in all of them...they start to look alike. Also, you may love that particular stone but there are plenty of people out there that don't care for it all that much. These things are important to keep in mind when you notice a glaringly obvious abundance of one particular stone in your workshop. Different stones, metals, chains, etc., do indeed promote new design ideas.

Budget. Yeah that's right, I said it out loud. I can hear the collective *groan*. Nah, I don't care for budgets either. I can't stress enough, though, the importance of maintaining a strict budget with your bead spending. If you keep the books, then you will quickly see how overspending will hurt your business.

Quality control. Sounds incredibly simple...avoid buying crap, right? Mmmm, not really but close enough. For general stock, bulk bead orders, findings and clasps I would highly recommend the large online stores such as Rings ~n~ Things and Artbeads (to name a few). The downside? You will never find good deals on precious metal chain in these stores. Honestly, try to exclusively buy your chain at trade shows or in the city. Back to beads...I ALWAYS try to purchase handmade art beads directly from the artist (on Etsy of course). The best place to find gorgeous hand cut semi precious focal stones is in the store. Physically. Focal stones are SO important and should be handled/inspected carefully before you drop the cash for it. Questions you should be asking while holding the stone: Color matrix? Was it over sanded? Cut right? Cracks/faults? Shine/finish? Weight and size? Is it over priced??? AND will I use this in a design within the next two months?

Buying beads/stones on Etsy is another option I use. I hunt for the best deals and look for vendors that stress excellent packaging with insurance options. Watch out out for half strand pricing! If you're willing to pay $5 for a half strand of beads, it better be special and/or a hard-to-find. More often that naught, you can find the SAME bead in a full strand in the larger online bead stores for $8 to $9. I am in no way trying to sway you from using Etsy as a bead source...just be sure to shop around first. I am well aware that cheaper isn't always better. Over time you will figure which vendors provide you with the best quality beads at good prices.

Happy bead shopping!

~LeeAnn M.

imagine-create-enjoy

What the heck is an Etsy???

Simple...it's a web market that's "Your place to buy & sell all things handmade". No no no it's not corny, I promise. First, it's pronounced "etsie" so please don't make the same mistake I had made at first by saying each letter E.T.S.Y. Second, not everything is handmade as there is a "Vintage" category to shop and sell. There's also a "Bead" section that allows machined beads to be sold. Mmm, yes I was disappointed as well but once I started to browse the shops I got over it real fast.

There are some amazing artists selling/showcasing their work on Etsy. My first purchase was a pen and watercolor print from Maeve Wright (store name: Purrpendiculous) who hails from England. Her use of color and patterns is amazing; I've never seen anything quite like it actually. Then I began to browse other artists' shops but quickly realized that I better keep my "clicking" in check as in no time my shopping cart was...er...becoming a little crowded.

I was also blown away by some of the jewelry designs. My jaw was swinging and it dawned on me that this was MUCH bigger than a couple of "weekenders" selling their ten dollar beaded necklaces for some extra shoe money. No. These are serious artists that, for the most part, have their own websites independent of Etsy. I noted that a number of these gals and guys had relevant educations as well. So was I sweatin' a bit? Uhm.....yes ma'am!

It took about three days for me to set up my shop on Etsy because, you know, everything had to be perfect before I hit the "go public" button. After a year on Etsy I've picked up a few tips you might like to know if you're planning to open a shop there:

~ Take some time to browse as many shops in as many categories as possible before opening your shop. This will help inspire you as well as give you more of an idea of what you want your store front to look like. It will also help you figure out what not to do.

~ Network! Network! Network! There is a feature where you can collect all of your favorite sellers....use it. A lot. Talk to your fellow artists as you never know what helpful tips you might pick up (that they are willing to offer). Ever hear "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours"? Mmmhmm, it's true. One of my bead vendors threw me a bone after her and I had several discussions about some custom bead orders. She passed on my shop address and before I knew it I had two necklaces in their boxes ready to be shipped. You can bet I placed that bead order!

~ When listing one of your pieces please don't rip yourself off. "Beating out" other jewelry prices on Etsy doesn't do any of us, including you, any favors. When calculating price you must consider Cost of Supplies + Expenses (rule of thumb is 10% of cost) + Your Time (yes, it didn't make itself inside of a second) = List Price. The more well known designer's are able to include Mark Up in the calculation because their loyal customers are more than willing to pay for their work. Underpricing your work will also send the wrong message to perspective buyers "why so cheap? Is it made from imitation materials?". A very helpful site I use for business tips such as pricing: http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com/index.html

~ Be aware that you are taking a huge risk whenever you ship a piece before you receive payment. If a customer pushes the issue, kindly and as professionally as possible, explain that your store policy is payment before shipping. When is the last time you walked out of a department store without paying for something?? Can you imagine if they stop you at the door and you casually shot off, "Oh, I want to wear it for a little while and plan to send a check next week". Right. Let me know how that works out for ya'.

~ Respect your fellow artists.

~ Feedback. I think this feature is wonderful, but I've witnessed some messy bouts when someone unfairly leaves negative feedback after a transaction. I have been extremely lucky thus far with 100% positive feedback. If you ever find yourself on the receiving end of negative feedback, just remember to keep your cool. You are a responsible shop owner...act like one. First thing to remember is that when you are selling an item, you never leave feedback first. Let the buyer submit the first comment. Adversely, when you purchase from a fellow artist make sure that you leave positive feedback when you receive your goods. Unless of course the transaction was a complete disaster...which, by the way, is VERY rare. Pahleeeez do not hold the artist responsible for the flaws of our postal system. If for any reason you have the knee jerk reaction to leave a PERMANENT stain on their shop records, send a courtesy email first. Give the artist a chance to explain themselves and/or the unfortunate situation. If you're still disgruntled, remember that they have a chance to respond to your negative feedback on your public record. Now you are starting to see what I mean about the potential messiness, eh?

So there you have it....now go take the handmade pledge and create!

~LeeAnn M.

p.s. - you can check out my shop on Etsy via the link on the upper left hand side of this blogspot!! Happy shopping ;)

I found my old smile....

Call it "designer's block" I guess, but yesterday was my first day back in the workshop since last spring. Phewff it felt so good! I walked in and saw all of my new beads still sitting patiently on the side bench waiting to be sorted and cataloged. A distant smile reached my face when I realized that most of them were purchased on my last trip to Puerto Rico back in April. What a great time my hubby and I had. He loves to walk around the bead stores down there with me, and he even picks some stuff out!

So there I was standing in the middle of my lonely workshop slowly looking around. Carefully checking each shelf, bead caddy and table top. I think my new anvil for wire work winked at me! The crystals were chattering and the stones were staring long and hard at my face. Where to start? I absentmindedly reached for the turquoise first, of course, and slid it onto sterling wire...what goes nicely with turquoise....ooooooh the red coral....better put a pretty silver bead in there....let's add a white pearl too....now for some wire work...a twist here....let's loop it and put a crystal inside of the loop. VOILA! A funky new pendant!




"Meow?", came the question from kitty who popped her sleepy head over the top stair. She was taking her afternoon cat nap and heard me up in the shop...she must have been surprised to hear me up there since it had been so long. I greeted her and told her to join me so she let out a friendly "prrrrrtt" and trotted over to her favorite spot where there always seems to be a cheery sun beam.

The creative juices were flowing and I didn't have time to dilly dally! I jumped up over to the brass section and pulled out all of my vintage chain and a pretty little butterfly pendant. Those crystals were still chattering so I grabbed the Olivine bicones (pretty olive green color with AB finish) to quiet them down and then reached for the brass findings tray. What stone would look good here? Hmm.......I know.....Jade!

Before I knew it I was looking down at a finished Jade and brass necklace. I smiled. Wait...I had been smiling the entire time. It felt good. Real good.





If there's something that brings you joy but you haven't had the chance in a while to get to it.....drop what you're doing and go for it. You WILL feel better and that smile is sure to stretch across your face again. Or wiggle your whiskers!

~LeeAnn M.

p.s. - Oh and...it's good to be back. ;)

Coll - thanks for the [in]spiration to get my butt back on this blog. (winking uncontrollably!) Let me know when that link is ready as I will post it here.

Gee...that looks familiar

A mentor once told me, “Whenever you come up with a great idea, just remember that someone else has already thought of it. There are no original ideas.”

Ouch, what?!? I’ll always be a step behind? No you silly bean. I knew what she meant; your ideas are sparked from inspiration. Think outside the box and take it to another level. After that, someone will see what you have done and take it a step further. It’s constantly being twisted and stamped. It will evolve and perhaps branch out morphing into something radically different. Even when it gets to that point, nothing can change the fact that it was inspired by what came before it. One just has to be sure that they jump in there again and again keep their stamp on it. Own it.

People will copy your jewelry. It’s a fact and you better get used to it. If you see your designs copied stone for stone and wire for wire…take comfort in that the “artist” in question has no imagination. What you’ll see more often than that, hopefully, is your idea with a twist that you didn’t think of. “Hmm, I didn’t think of that.” Well, here’s your chance to be inspired by a fellow artist!!! Take the design a step further. Right? Yes. And let’s face it, our original and awesome ideas were sparked from inspiration in the first place. Honestly, how many times have we created a piece that looks NOTHING like anything created before? It’s rare….and….belongs in a museum.

Remember that a little competition keeps the designs flowing. Besides, none of us want to get stuck in a designer’s rut and hear a loyal customer look at “new” pieces and exclaim something about ‘soooo last season’. Yeeesh, no thank you. Keep it fresh, keep it moving.

There are some out-of-this-world jewelry designers out there that won’t open a webshop gallery or post pictures of their work in blogs out of fear that they will be copied. I think their jewelry should be everywhere for customers, consignment shops, retail stores, and/or specialty boutiques to see and admire. And…perhaps, purchase? I dunno, call me crazy. I read an article recently where many designers were actually thinking of pulling out of shows because other designers would see and copy their work. Surely they aren’t making the same pieces over and over and over. If someone copies it, fine. That’s yesterday’s news dude…copy all you want as I’ve already made it better for tomorrow.

Imagine, create, and most of all…enjoy! Listen, at the end of the day I believe that every designer should stand on mountain tops showcasing their work. It’s what you love to do and, really, it should make you proud that another admired it enough to get inspired!!!

The White Buffalo has Left the Building

Let me get straight to the point on this one and tell you that Buffalo Turquoise (a.k.a. White Turquoise, Albino Turquoise, White Jasper) does not exist. Nope, sorry. Mmmm, I know I know...people get sucked into the whole trap of "Buffalo Turquoise is mystical and very important in the Native American culture". Simply not so. *kappow-pop-blip* I hear bubbles bursting but please note that there’s nothing to be upset about!!! Really. Ohhh trust me, I was not a happy camper when I discovered that all of my rare White Buffalo stones were not the priceless little treasures that I had been led to believe. I felt like a major "Hee-haw-hee-haw".

We’re talking about Howlite. A calcium silicoborate that is indeed considered a semi-precious stone, just like Turquoise, and has a spider-web matrix that will range from light grey to black. It’s a very beautiful and popular stone that’s native to North America. Howlite is named after mineralogist Henry How, who first discovered the gemstone in Nova Scotia during the 19th century. It is known as the stone of memory, knowledge and progress, and is said to encourage reasoning, observation, discernment, patience and tact. Uhhh, do I particularly believe all of that? *cough* I personally think that it looks beautiful in jewelry and hope that it would simply encourage compliments and nods for said pieces. My stress, on the other hand, is handled at the gym with my dear friend… Mr. Punching Bag.

Howlite takes very well to being dyed as it is soft and porous; it is often dyed with rich hues to imitate the more expensive stones. In my opinion, when it is dyed to look like Turquoise it looks too blue and….well…cheap. Then you have the instances where it is dyed a brighter blue to imitate Lapis. Those are pretty convincing and are just as pretty as the real deal. Bottom line? It’s at its best and most beautiful in natural form. Again, this is just my take. “I’m just sayin”….*emphatically waving to Chris*

Natural Howlite


You can see what I mean about it looking so cheap when it's dyed to look like Turquoise...



In jewelry I would definitely pair it up with crystals that are anywhere from clear to silver shade (to match the grey matrix). It looks terrible with copper and brass metals so I stick with silver only. If you have stones with a darker matrix they look great with black onyx or black agate.

So there you have it friends, the skinny on Buffalo Turquoise …er…Howlite. And no, they don’t have wings!

Pic below of a baby white buffalo. Ain't he cute!!!!

A Workshop with Gargoyles

When we moved into our house just under two years ago I took the opportunity to set up my workshop while we were in the “fresh start” mode. The house is a big old colonial with one of those spacious attics that has windows, its own staircase, and hardwood floors. Sounds perfect, eh? Well there’s the original 123 year old slate roof, no insulation, a temperamental chimney, and no screens on the windows. Enter slate dust clouds, 95 degree summer days which mean 120 degree attic days, lovely waterfalls on the sides of the chimney, and me dodging angry bees. And you know what? It is perfect!

By last April the attic was cleaned and ready for the shop furniture. Of course I had a little fun and was sure to put up apple green shelving units. I had the windows propped open with those metal screen inserts creating a nice cross breeze. Ahhhh, so there I was in all of my glory putting together my workbench and humming along with the radio while Justin was trying to bring sexy back *cough*. Actually, I think I was blaring Metallica. You know, always trying to please the neighbors. Sweet kitty was sitting on the top step of the staircase watching quietly over the ‘construction site’ when I suddenly noticed that she was very interested in what was going on above my head. Hmmmm. My eyes shifted upwards and I caught a shadow move quickly over my head. A hot wave of panic grabbed my stomach as I realized what evil winged creature was casting the shadow down onto my innocent little head. For it was the king of the hornets himself!

That hornet looked like one of the gargoyles watching over Cathedral Notre Dame with his snarling face and six foot wing span. Only a slight exaggeration, trust me. You must understand as you read this that I am terrified of winged critters that sting and/or bite. Terrified. I’ll sit in a room with rabid wolf or a twelve foot snake before I get in there with a bee or wasp. You think I’m kidding.

I let out a screech and made for the stairs. Tools and screws flying in every direction as my foot hit the first step. Sweet kitty was long gone and I had a clear path down the wooden stairs. As I rounded the turn at the bottom I grabbed the door handle and swung on its hinges as it slammed shut. I leaned my back against the door panting and looking around wildly making sure the hungry gargoyle didn’t follow me down to gobble me up. Phew, I was safe.

After I regained my composure I made a move to go downstairs and get the bee spray from the pantry, but after two steps I ran right into my husband’s chest. *Phwooomph* His face morphed from concerned to mildly amused as he started to catch on to what had happened, “everything…..alright up here?”

Holding my arms as wide as they would go, “it was huge…er…massive…and very, very angry!”

He turned to head back downstairs, “uhmm-hmmm, I thought you had taken the roof with ya’ there for a second…my brave one. Oh and, the Raid is on the second shelf to the left.”

The shop was completed by May and came fully equipped with every bee spray available on the market. They even have their own shelf, over to the right of course as I am indeed a rightie. Let the battles begin...

Fuzzy Bead Herder

June 2006

It was a quiet weekday evening and I was sitting alone at our dining room table beading a necklace. The only sounds echoing through the house were moral speeches and slapstick wise cracks from the characters in ‘Law & Order’. My husband was planted comfortably on the couch and the cat was, for once, relaxing contentedly in front of her prized scratching post. All was right in our world, until we were reminded of how easily the scales of peace and tranquility can be tipped over into chaos and…feline pandemonium.

I saw it happen in slow motion and can still see the episode happening over and over again as if it was being projected on to a giant movie screen inside of my skull. I had reached for a crimping tool when my elbow suddenly clipped the seed bead tray sitting right at the edge of the table. Well, because that was the most intelligent place to put it. The tray flipped violently throwing hundreds of itty-bitty-teeny-weenie beads soaring through the air and then back down towards the hardwood floors. You’re starting to understand now…hardwood floors…hundreds of tiny beads. Uh-huh. The sound of them rolling across the floors was like a rising summer squall that whooshed out of the room and blew across the living room within seconds.

Those few short seconds felt like long drawn out minutes as those colorful little beads caused quite the chain reaction. I popped open one eye as I was coming out of a full body cringe and witnessed a twelve pound ball of fur streak out of the room and after the wave of beads. I think the cat thought she had died and gone to cat toy heaven! She hopped and pranced through the rolling glass herd like a seasoned border collie would with a flock of sheep. I swear I thought I saw her smiling, but her new found joy was short lived.

When the beads finally reached the other side of the living room they pelted the wall and sprayed back in the direction they had come from…right into poor kitty’s sweet little face. Uhg! She let out a series of short spits and growls while managing to puff her tail up to expand three times the size of her body (or so it seemed anyway). She made a move for the staircase to escape the onslaught but it was too late. Between her panicked dash and the beads under her little paws, all she accomplished was to run in place and continued to get pelted. Then……..deafening silence.

I sat motionless in my chair staring out into the living room where sweet kitty had just been assaulted. There were beads still slowly rolling about aimlessly and several tufts of fur hanging in the air. I looked over at the couch and saw the look of complete and utter disbelief on my husband’s face. Neither of us had moved and neither of us were about to move. I looked down and saw my little seed bead tray laying right side up on the floor. Inside of it was one lone bead gently rolling back and forth as if it were cheering for a show well done. Then I carefully surveyed the table. It was covered in bead caddies, tools, wire, bead boards, etc., and I knew something had to give. I looked at my husband and casually said, “I think it’s time I set up a workshop.”

He never said a word, but from upstairs came a mournful wail, “Meeeeeaaaawww”

You Forgot the "B"

Nope, this little LAM has no "b" as its an acronym and simply represents my initials. It all began way back when I was in elementary school. To my dismay, at the time, one of my...er...observant young classmates pointed out the fact that my initials sounded out the word 'lamb'. From that moment on I endured months of having our favorite little number "Mary Had a Little Lamb" belted out every day at noon on the play ground directly into my poor little ears. All per her direction I assure you. Nothing more than Satan's little drum major disguised with cute little blond curls complete with ribbons and dimples. Boy do I miss her. *cough*

As with most everything, the Idol worthy mob grew tired of serenading the quiet kid and my theme was forgotten and unceremoniously dropped as quickly as it had began. I remember the overwhelming feelings of relief the first day out on that kickball field when I didn't have to cover my ears and repeatedly scream, "Shut up - shut up - shut up!"

Aren't memories wonderful? So began years of peace...until.

Fast forward to my late teen years when I had the fortune to meet an...er...observant young man that noticed what our favorite little drum major had so many years before. Well I must have shot him quite the look as he recoiled in alarm at my reaction, but he was quite the prince charming and convinced me that it was "sorta cute". Ya old smoothie. Anyhow, he was quick history but had helped me recover from that terrible, awful, tragic time in my childhood . *half lidded smirk* Hey, what's life without a little drama?

So there you have it. The story behind little LAM and a better understanding of my aversion to kickball fields.




~LeeAnn M.

A blog about jewelry design??

Why yes of course. Trust me, I'll spare you the "yawn-stretch" details of what colors and styles are in as well as what the hot designers are putting out. This blog is about what goes on in the workshop, my bead hunting adventures (as well as misadventures), pieces that made it to my online shop, those that...er...didn't quite make it, and all the gory business growing pains that no one likes to talk about.

Some background first to catch you up. I'm a thirty-something professional that has a passion for bold and/or unique handcrafted jewelry regardless of whether or not it is of my creation. I'm a Reinsurance Accountant by day and jewelry designer by night. No, I don't wear a beaded cape and ride around on a pink motorcycle chasing down jewelry fashion crimes. I realize that some of you would like to see such a position filled, but some of those pieces are wonderfully wild and interesting. That being said, my creations are nowhere near that level of "outrageous" but I'm not one for following the ever so predictable migratory patterns of the flock either.

I've been making jewelry for about four years now and finally started my biz in May of '07. I look back at some of the pieces I had made years ago and think to myself, "Oh good grief! And people were actually telling me to run with this new found talent??"

Not that I'm ready for the cover of "Beader's Mag" but it has been fun watching my designs and skills improve with each piece I've created over the years. Learning new techniques has been key. I've made one of my short term goals for '08 to learn at least three new techniques. One of which is photographing jewelry. Trust me, one measly little picture can make or break a piece listed in your online shop. Do your homework and learn how to use your digital camera and most definitely invest in Photoshop. My pics will do for now, but I will need to improve greatly in order to begin publishing my own marketing materials such as brochures and mini catalogs.

A tid-bit: I attempted a wire wrap without any instruction last year. The tangled mess is now a giant and expensive cat toy! The lesson? Reading is fundamental (remember those crazy commercials from the 80's??). What it kinda looked like:



Read about your craft/trade! I promise that it can only help your technique and raise your skill level.

I've met some great/helpful people and also reconnected with some old high school friends with this biz. I must admit that I've been very lucky thus far in that I have not run into any con artists nor have I experienced extreme bad luck with vendors. Oh don't get me wrong, I've tasted the bitter and have been snubbed and snickered at by plenty of folks. I just shrug it off as best I can and remind myself that rejection and ridicule come with the package. I'm sure there's plenty more to come and we all know the old saying "better grow some thicker skin". Don't be sensitive and take constructive criticism seriously as it can and will help improve your designs and/or business practices. As for the obnoxious comments and jibes, consider the source and then learn to laugh it off. More than that would be a waste of your time. So fo'geddit! ;)

Enough about me and on to the moments behind the curtain! I will end the intro post here and invite you to come back and check out my stories.


Enjoy!

~LeeAnn