Wedding Focus

I've been MIA for quite some time.  I've been working on a dream catcher for a good portion of that time.  I've seen pictures with large matting surfaces where guests can write wishes for the couple; but this was new to me.  A dream catcher with a basket where guests can place their "dreams" for the couple.

My niece to be (she is marrying my nephew) had the idea and when I finally understood what she was talking about (very different than my first mental image) I liked it a lot.  So with a double heart design in mind I started out.  First I had a couple short lengths of wire left over after cutting the main heart shapes.  I formed them into smaller hearts and set them aside thinking I would use them for something else.  Instead, I incorporated them into the center of each of the main hearts.  Before I could go much further I went to an Art show where there was a dream catcher display.  They were fabulous by the way.  During this coincidence (maybe not so coincidence) I saw a dream catcher with wire work, not just cord for the webbing.  Spark idea!

Now the design evolves again, enter wire and beads to the center of the small hearts.  Nice addition.

Now I need something to hold the index cards for the "dreams".  Looked for a small basket that would go with the design, or any small basket.  Found zero options (not that I looked for a long time) so I decided to make my own.  Wire framing with slats; some macrame, some beads on wire to support the structure.  Added some feathers and it is done.

Do I like it? Yes.  Did it take way too much time? Yes.  If I were making this to sell I would need to do some things that reduced the time; or price it higher than I want to.  This one was done for love, no charge.

What do you think?  By the way taking pictures of dream catchers is tricky.  I hope these represent the piece well.

A Reprieve Due to Weather

I've been looking forward to a Wedding Event that was scheduled for day after tomorrow.  While I am excited about the event, I've done what I tend to do; procrastinate.  Not a sit around and do nothing kind of procrastination; but more of a distracted with other projects, put this one on the back burner issue.  I have helped with materials needed for a truck rebuild project (also important), cleaned up my g-mail accounts (almost 800 messages in my inbox was unacceptable when trying to find something), and done other routine necessary tasks.  All of this left me with 2 days to get samples made, coordinate some display props, get pictures printed, and generally organize myself for the show.

Enter Mother Nature.....

I live in Virginia; we don't get much snow .... usually.  That said, we now have snow which is covered with ice and temperatures that aren't forecast to get to, let alone above, freezing for several days.  Schools and most businesses are closed today and schools won't be open until at least Thursday.  Side streets and parking lots are untreated and hazardous.  I was not feeling good about the turn out we could expect under these conditions.

Apparently I was not the only one with this thought, and thankfully, the venue where the event will be held is flexible.  The show is postponed until March.  YEA!!  I now have 30 days to get the above list done.  I plan to schedule show prep much better than I have thus far, so this "reprieve" does not go to waste.  So, for the next month I will make consistent progress toward the show.  I have new ideas that I'm anxious to try (thank you Teresa for the books) and now I have time to make a reasonable effort at several items.

If you have ideas for beaded and/or wire wedding related items I would love to hear about them, and perhaps expand my product line yet again.

Back with pictures in the next few days.

If you live in an area where the weather is bad please be careful on the roads; stay safe and warm.

Life Happens

I have thought about posting to this blog for several weeks; with no follow through.  By the time I sat down to post it was late evening and I had used up my focus quota for the day; so I put it off until "tomorrow".  Well while I wasn't posting, a friend's parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.  She had a couple ideas for the celebration and asked if I could help her with them.  So, enter that life thing; of course I could help her.  She wanted a wire tree for the cake she was making.  I made a tree of life pendant a while back, seemed like a reasonable transition to a stand up tree.  I looked at pictures, made some prototypes, expanded the to do list by adding a wire and bead "50" to go with the tree and again realized how much my friends are responsible for expanding my product line.  Never stop being thankful for girlfriends!!

I realized quickly that it is difficult to take pictures of wire trees; going to have to take some lessons from a friend who is a great photographer.  I have several, they know who they are.  In the mean time I hope you will forgive the lack of quality photography.  Here are pictures of the prototypes and one I made after the one that went to the anniversary party.  Hope you like them.

The three small prototypes

Larger and mounted on a mirror

For 50 years of marriage

Ahead of the Curve

Update on improving my self-discipline; identifying the time leaks and sealing them up.  I bought a day planner that has multiple lines for each hour between 8 AM and 8 PM.  Today is the 2nd day I'm keeping track and I'm already seeing improvement; just have to keep it going.

Last night I went through papers, came away with a large bag of trash, YEA!  Also, went through some books and have at least one box to donate; maybe more after I get my husband's pass on the rest.  Baby steps, will take a few more this afternoon.

On to a jewelry project:

I have struggled since starting the jewelry business to get ahead of the holidays so to speak.  By the time I'm ready for Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's day is around the corner and so on.  Well, this time I'm so far ahead there are about 4 holidays between now and the one I'm ready for.  :)  I found a cute corset pendant and it made me think of Breast Cancer Awareness.  So here is a set ready for October.  I have a couple more pendants and will make up other necklaces with different looks; same occasion.  What do you think of this one?

 Stayed with pink for this set and gave it extra length.  Two connection points, 20 and 26 inches.













Here's a little closer look:

Accountability

OK, I am going to put some "good intentions" into action; and I hope posting this commitment will add accountability to my intentions and turn them into actions and checks on my to do list.  I hope you don't mind being my sounding board, and beyond that any tips and encouragement will be greatly appreciated.

First I'm going to start a daily journal to track what I really do; vs. what I think I do.  The goal is to find wasted time and figure out how to stop the waste; increase productive time and accomplish more.  This "more" will include more jewelry so I will be keeping with the theme of the blog and hopefully sharing what I learn about my own bad habits will help you improve yours (assuming you have any bad habits).

I am also going to start going through the house one room at a time and do the "keep", "toss", and "donate" thing.  What I keep will be put on shelves into containers so it stops being clutter.  More productive time should help a lot with that.

So now I've put the self challenge out there; more to come about how this works out.

In the mean time I would like to share a Christmas gift I made for a friend.  She was very pleased, which makes me very happy!

Just for Fun

I joined a group at our local library that meets the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of every month.  I think it started as a stitching group but has expanded to pretty much any craft.  It is still predominately stitching, knitting, and crocheting; but there is a man who crafts everything from instruments to boats, some ladies that make home décor items, and me with jewelry.  Have to admit I feel a little out classed by what I see around the table (some are just pictures as a boat wouldn't fit through the door) but the group views each project and skill as special.  A great group.

Last Thursday I was rushing to get ready to go and didn't have time for much planning (yes I know I could have prepared the day before but that didn't happen,  hummmm) so I just grabbed some supplies that were left over from the wedding project and headed out.  I tried to string some pearls (glass of course) and call it done but just couldn't.  So I cut a length of wire and added some pearls and started wrapping.  Decided the gray needed some accent so I added a white pearl to the focal link.  I was pleased with that and moved on to the earrings.  Finished the first earring and started the second.  About half way through the 2nd earring I realized one of the pearls in the first one was pale pink, opps.  I am not in to tear down and redo, so I made a second wire wrap link for the necklace and used a pink pearl so it would appear intentional if anyone noticed.  Added a joining link and the wire wrap part of the necklace was done; strung pearls for the rest of it and the necklace was complete.  Someone I know calls things like this "happy accidents" and I'm going with that.  I like the finished project and it is not likely there will be another one exactly (or even close) like it.  I am pleased when a set comes together not exactly as planned, it is usually a little better than the original picture I had in my head.


I am happy with the path my jewelry making skills are taking; next I need to take some photography lessons.  I have a friend who takes great pictures (in fact I have several) and I think I'm going to beg or barter for some lessons.  She (one of them) will be moving to Hawaii in a few months so I need to get good fast.  Better pictures should go a long way toward helping me market what I "create"; isn't that a good word, sounds so much better than "make".  So what do you think of these pieces, plain pictures and all?

 



 

Wedding Set

This is the Bride's Necklace

 I think we have the Bride's necklace/earring set done, will get confirmation on that when the box arrives in MI.  Along with her set I made a couple "prototypes" for the Bridesmaids.  The dresses are going to be charcoal (at least so far, it isn't set in stone yet) so we have pale pink and 2 shades of gray 4 styles.  This set is for my "niece to be".  I am, however, looking to take this experience and expand my jewelry line.  Custom jewelry for Brides on a budget.  Color, style, and scale made to order.  Just need to figure out the best way to get the word out.  If you know a bride who might be interested please share the link.

The pics aren't the best but by the time I realized it, the pieces were boxed up to ship North. 



Dark Gray 8mm pearls and Crystal.



Pink Pearls 8mm with Wire Weave focal and earrings

Medium gray pearls, 6mm, with wire wrap focal and earrings



Pale Pink Pearls 8mm with coiled wire focal and earrings