Rekindled My Romance with Casting

So casting was one of my favorite things to do in college and I cast everything I could get my greedy hands on. I miss getting to do everything by myself, from making the piece, sprueing it, investing it, the burnout, the casting and the cleanup. Unfortunately I can't have a foundry in my apartment so I have to hand the casting over to others. So I get lots of funny looks and have decided that vulcanized molds just aren't for me. I like to use toys, potpourri, buttons, and more in my designs so I wanted to find a cheaper option than silicon molds made by someone else. So anyway I am using instamold and model magic. I melt the wax on a hot plate, clean up the wax and send it off to the caster. Every time I bring the wax the nice secretary asks me you want it cast like this and I reply yes, because apparently they are used to casting the beautifully boring engagement ring settings and don't love my rustic flare. Anyway look for new designs up soon, doves, bees, cameras, tires, and buddhas in necklaces and rings!

Gift Guides on Etsy

Check it out on Etsy there are gift guides to give you some ideas for people on your list, you can shop by what you want to spend, who you are shopping for and more. My rings are featured in the jewelry addicts section!! I got some great ideas for my sisters baby boys, now I just have to decide. Check it out

Handmade for the Holidays Fair

So Friday and Saturday I was at Handmade for the Holidays at Fairfax High for some more fair fun. This was my first time with a tent not just tables so I brought some paintings along as well. I didn't have quite enough fabric but each time I will be better. Thanks to everyone who came out to the fair. I don't have another one till December 15th and 16th in Oakland, CA at the Crucible. So I will be busy making lots of new necklaces because they were the most popular in my booth!

Anyway I saw a few of my favorites from other shows and met lots of new wonderful people. Michelle Caplan and Hannahmade were there with lots of beautiful gifts, I never made it back to get the art I wanted and I still want a Hannahmade chakra necklace. Rebe and RandomNicole were there. I am wearing my purchase from Rebe so comfortable. Bug House and Lost Goat were my neighbors and they both had wonderful art! Bughouse has a showroom in Eagle Rock that you should definitely check out! And if you want Photograhpy with amazingly beautiful details check out Serendipity Images, I am getting some prints for my family for the Holidays. Two Hand Designs was there with TiasTreasures. I bought a beautiful notebook from Two Hand, and Tia makes really fun jewelry. There were so many wonderful people there I could go on forever but it will get very boring and I have to get to making some ring orders I have!! Back to the bench, thanks again everyone!

So Much to Do so Little Time

So I managed to find a tent at the last minute, saved on shipping too because I went to pick it up super early in the morning today! Not I just need to make it to the fabric store in the morning before work, because I have to change my booth set-up now that I have a tent. I got some casting done and they didn't clean it up like they usually do so I have to do that tonight but I think they look nice! Some doves and bees! Oh and I got my haircut finally, the benefit of selling your jewelry at a salon is you can trade! I finished some more rings and restocked my plastic dove necklaces. Then I have more orders to fill that just came in and so many ideas for the shows. Oh and Thanksgiving dinner Thursday night with friends since my family is so far away. Hopefully I can relax and not think of the show the day after and everything I didn't finish in time. Of course whatever I finish is never enough. Still need to make a trip to Big Lots for some storage containers and last minute things. If only I didn't work full time on top of this. But my bosses are wonderful and are the reason I can pursue any of this in the first place, they gave me a push into the fairs that I kept putting off applying for. Anyway lots of new things and I'm excited for handmade for the holidays!

Oo La La Rings Galore!

I shot some photos this morning with the help of Luis of some new chunky rings as well as some earrings and necklaces. But of course the rings are my favorite. I really wish there were more hours in my day because there are so many more beautiful things lying in pieces on my bench and desk!!

Working on...

So I will post some pics from my bench and such very soon, I'm just a little busy right now. But I wanted to say although Craft Republic in Pomona left something to be desired in my experience of craft shows I met some great people, had time to make a few pairs of earrings and came up with some fun display ideas.

I am also embracing more jute in my display, and coming up with good ways to display rings since I concentrate so much time and energy on my ring collections I need a good way to display them and I may have found one. So look for a more rustic display with woods and jute at my next show!!

Oh and so exciting I ordered some new items from Contenti last night I have been debating where to spend the makings from my jewelry lately, I have to restock silver, buttons, beads and more but I ordered a tiny tumbler and a 925 stamp along with more to make all my work jut that much better!!

Anyway I must get to my fulltime real life job so that I can return tonight to my bench to finish some more in progress rings and necklaces!!

Something other than Jewelry!!

So Mammoth opened today and a few of my friends made the trip up for the fun and a little but of snow! I went last year with my sister and did the crazy drive because I had to work but this year I am being spoiled and waiting till there is a little more snow. I am getting old and my ankle still does not fully love me so I want some snow to have fun in. But I can't wait my snowboards have just been staring at me and my winter gear keeps falling on my head in my closet. I love snowboarding as much as I love making jewelry. I have even made a belt buckle and charm featuring snowboarding. Anyway I wanted to write about something other than snowboarding and when I make my first trip of the season you will see more of my love. I may not look athletic but I love the snow. I am from Maine you know!

First Craft Show!

So I had my first craft show today in Santa Ana. I've done only art shows and retail before so it was great to get out and have my first craft show. I met lots of wonderful crafters and artists! Definitely check out Made with Luv she makes wonderful photo albums, bibs, pillows and more with fabric that is just so cool!! Michelle Caplan makes beautiful mixed media collage and will be at a lots of shows all over so stop and check her out along with Hannahmade for some more beautiful jewelry. Random Nicole organized this wonderful event and she has fantastic clothes and art! Everyone was so nice and the shop that hosted it was wonderful. If you are ever in the area check out the Road Less Traveled Store for lots of eco-friendly products!

They had button making on site and I got to make a few buttons with my work on it!! Harvey's was sewing bags right in front of you and money went to benefit Keep a Breast too.

Anyway I got to talk to lots of wonderful people and have some great ideas for new work! I have to make some new stuff this week because I have a show in Pomona next weekend.

Luckily I asked my boyfriend for a little help so he hung out all day and helped me. Also my beautiful sign was painted by my friend Rain. When I get a tent it will hang so that it doesn't get bumped all day.

Getting Ready

I will post pictures of the finished booth and work next week but my house is being taken over by my preparations so I thought I would take a picture. My boyfriend is helping me out making my packaging! He has been working diligently adding all the details I like! Now I just hope some of these fairs are successful!

Giftwrap for the Holidays!!

So I thought I would change my packaging a little for the holidays and add a ribbon. I have red of course but I also have purple, pink, blue, black, white and more. My packaging has a photo taken by yours truly and little star gromets because I like the little details. Since I am going crazy getting ready for craft shows I am taking the photos and thought I would share.

San Francisco

I went to San Francisco a little while ago for the first time and was super inspired. First of all public transportation was wonderful I did get some bad directions a few times and walked I don't know how many miles but I visited museums and galleries and this wonderful tea garden in the park. I want to go back soon there was so much more I wanted to see. I didn't make it to Velvet Da Vinci but next time I will.

Bust's Girl Wide Web

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