On the Road: Murrell's Inlet

It's been a long time since I've written in this blog. To catch up, on fast forward, Hannah and I have both graduated. Hannah's applying to grad school school, but is temporarily in a holding pattern. I am officially done, but graduation isn't until August. Since student loads have paid mortgage and lot rent for three and a half years, and we didn't expect the lag time for Hannah's acceptance into grad school, we've been suddenly thrust into overdrive. 


So in addition to working full time and finishing grad school, I've been devoting every spare moment to jewelry making. I work 5 am to 1 pm, Monday through Friday with occasional three hour stints early Saturday mornings. So I would get off work after trying to work in homework where I could, and rush home to the studio. The result has been amazing. I've done great work, if I do say so myself, and have had a wonderful time at various venues showing off. I created wonderful puzzle piece necklaces, inspired by a dream, and thought they would be perfect for Murrell's Inlet. But since I'm so far behind blogging, I'll start with the Myrtle Beach trip several weeks ago.

Immediately following Hannah's extremely successful senior show (she sold a fabulous painting for $1,000!), we went to the Blessing of the Inlet at Murrell's Inlet in the Myrtle Beach area. We had a wonderful time there, learned a lot, and met terrific people. We had been very excited about this opportunity to vend. Last winter, Hannah found the ad in a local paper looking for artists/craftsmen. The first rule was that all items had to be hand crafted by the exhibitor. No reselling of items, representing someone else's work, no kits, etc. Since I not only design jewelry but create much of it from polymer clay, I was certain I would be successful. I submitted a portfolio and was accepted. When we arrived I was surprised by the number of jewelry vendors, since the application stated people would be turned down if too many representatives of any one type of item applied. Nevertheless, I liked the vendors surrounding us, especially Carol from Connecticut who vends gorgeous dichrolic glass. 

Shortly after the festival began, I sent Hannah out to case the competition. She came back rather alarmed at the breach of the clearly specified rules. Hannah stated that a group of four had ten tables and three tents in the center of entrance. As soon as patrons approached, they saw this booth of Murano style glass pendants. No decoration to the tents. Just poster board prices, ribbons, and glass. Hannah even walked up and asked which of them was the artist an the lady just kind of sputtered. Another woman overhead, and walked over bold as brass, proclaiming, "Both of us." Since I have a couple of identical pieces beaded into necklaces on my table, we all know she lied.

My neighbor Carol didn't sell a thing all day. She said she's vended for 22 years and never had that experience before. I sold three necklaces, only earning the cost of the festival (add camping for two days and gas money and I lost $200). Turns out, the pendant people had been in my very spot last year and were the only ones to have a successful day. (Carol and several others were new to the festival, like me). The hosts are aware, but tolerate the fiction in order to fill vending spaces. Carol told me that up until 5-10 years ago, vending was extremely lucrative. If you spent $30 for a spot, you averaged $300 in profit. As costs have increased, standards have decreased. Rules are ignored to fill spaces as older vendors stop vending. Newer folks making smaller profits and sometimes break the rules to be able to come out ahead.

Certainly, many festival do enforce their rules. But smaller ones, maybe not. The more I talk with other vendors, the more I hear about declining income, desperation, and necessity. I knew I to get a new plan...more on that in the next blog. Despite our bitter disappointment, we still had a lot of fun. The day was beautiful, the smell of salt water enticing. We had a steady breeze and later I used a napkin to wipe my face -- it came awake entirely blackened! Silt was everywhere. The music on stage was also off key all day. A comment form passed to the vendors became my opportunity to clearly explain why I wold not be back. But we stayed cheerful, had a wonderful fish dinner at the local eatery, and spent the next morning sitting on the beach.

The following day we headed to Brookgreen Gardens, a treat we have discussed for years. As an English Major with a minor in Art History, I discovered a little known sculptor by the name of Paul Manship. I wrote several papers on his work having seen it in the Dixon Art Gallery in Memphis, TN. Many years ago I told Hannah about him, and she was enchanted. I shared by museum book of Manship's work, and she was stunned. She had seen several of Manship's work, those marked location unknown, in Brookgreen! 

There are no words for the wonder of the experience of Brookgreen Gardens. We arrived at the height of the spring flowers. The walk around the gardens, the heady scent of spring blooms, and the wonder of the art soothed our much wounded souls. I hadn't sold a single puzzle piece necklace, although I must have head a hundred compliments on them, and was bitterly disappointed. As I stood beneath Manship's sundial, I cried in wonder. It had stood at the gates of the 1939 World's Fair and was considered to be the world's largest sundial. 

Then we found the piece from the cover of the gallery book I had shared with Hannah, and I gaped. Diana about to turn the pursuing man into a stag. The detail was staggering. The enameled eyes Manship was famous for still glisten at the viewer with hidden knowledge. Every moment of the trip suddenly was worth that moment of standing in the hot sun, gazing at the works of a man who had inspired by my love of art history. 

Go Team!

The challenge: Capture the team spirit that my daughter embodies. Please create a tiger paw necklace using orange, purple and white. My sixteen-year-old daughter loves the design and wear anything thematic.

The answer: rich purple glass beads and seed beads compliment this custom polymer clay pendant and matching purple, orange and white beads. Finished with an extension chain and a tiny star.

My Friend's Son

Because every necklace has a story...

I adore commission work. It didn't take long for friends, family and coworkers to begin buying necklaces for their loved ones, for secret Santa, or for themselves. But this story probably touches me the deepest.

I have a friend who made hard but wise decisions many years ago. Despite the pain in her heart, she has been separated from her son for a great many years. Now an adult, they recently established contact. Viewing his picture on Facebook, she saw that he wears "guy jewelry" and commissioned this piece. She envision black and silver, giving me creative license to interpret it my way.

This is the result.

Stained Glass Murano Heart

Because every necklace has a story…

Many years ago, I minored in Art History. I loved studying the Gothic period with its marvelous cathedrals and stained glass windows. When I happened upon this heart, echoes of that rich glass letting in the light of heaven compelled me to obtain it. Now I invite you to share that rich spiritual light that fills the heart.


Swirls of gold and silver foil compliment the swirls of red and purple in this stunning necklace. I have added Swarovski crystals and lampwork beads, as well as other elegant glass beads to compliment this heart. The silver seed beads create an illusion of a silver chain without the weight and will never tarnish.


Necklace is 20 inches long and the heart with bale is approximately 1 5/8 inches.

Featured at Designs by Dreamweaver

Because Every Necklace Has a Story...

It's also great to here the stories of what compels people to buy my art. Mel from MI tells me that she has a sister in Easley, SC. When she saw my abalone shell post to Etsy, she purchased in within five minutes of posting. Living near Greenville, the location caught her attention. She says she loves her purchase.

Getting folks to look may be one the greatest challenges I face. People constantly tell me that they love my work, requesting a necklace for themselves or a loved one. Most come back asking for several more. A friend even asked if I would create a dog necklace for her beloved pet. What a delightful challenge!

A work friend, Criss, bought a T-Shirt necklace for her daughter's birthday this weekend after she admired Criss' necklace over the holidays. Criss recounted the phone call word for word this morning. How delightful to hear something so small brought so much joy!

My "adopted" daughter, the daughter of my sister-of-my-heart, got her income tax refund this weekend and promptly bought four necklaces she's been keeping an eye on. Then she requested another, "more mannish" creation, for a friend jealous of her new Celtic Cross necklace.

And yes, every necklace is unique. I never made exactly the same thing twice. What's the fun in that?

And yes, the gorgeous necklaces featured here were listed on Etsy this weekend!

Serendipity

I've sold hundreds of necklaces to friends or patrons, at festivals and flea markets. Yet I never cease to be delighted when someone purchases my work. Last night I was listing necklaces to Etsy, which is a new venue for me.

I finished loading this necklace and went on to the next, a lovely pink and green heart. This shell piece was found in an inexpensive jewelry shop just before the holiday. It was strung on hideous black and white size eight seed beads and the zebra pattern overwhelmed this lovely shell. Enchanted by the shell, I restrung the necklace. I didn't like the dull beads I had chosen and restrung it again with these wonderful luster finished black seed beads and two tone crackle glass. While the necklace is strikingly different from the rest of my stock, I was pleased with the results. Pricing it at a reasonable rate, I posted it and moved on.

Five minutes later, I finished posting the pink and green heart. Wait. That can't be right. I know I just posted the shell--where is it? Cameron, on the other side of the room, said to check the sold tab. Nonsense. It just posted. Nothing has sold yet. I don't have enough items. On a whim, I checked. SOLD!

Blessings to the wonderful woman from Michigan who has proven to me that perseverance pays off.  She is a blessing today.

Ever Wondered What a Hundred Pounds of Beads Looks Like?

A hundred pounds of beads, purchased from Firemountain Gems, arrived yesterday. I ordered more than 200 items, which earned me a huge discount.Cost? $507.81 including $5 for shipping and $2.50 for handling. I've shopped all around the internet as well as local stores, spending about the last six weeks planning this order. I only ordered things I could get cheapest at this source and placed the largest order I've ever done. It was worth it. I probably got items at about 20% of retail cost. I only bought beads because I have found that the findings (clasps and other metal parts) are cheaper when I bid at Ebay.

When the boxes arrived at my UPS store, where all of my mail is delivered for security reasons, they were a little nonplussed. They asked Cameron to wait until after 5 to pick it up when the strapping teenager would arrive with dolly. With a winter storm rolling in, I didn't have that long. So I headed over, assuming that I could break the boxes down at the store into the smaller boxes in my back seat, and carry the beads out that way. 

The order was packed in two boxes, sized 15x10x7. Each box weighed approximately 50 pounds. I'm very proud to say that I was able to lug them to my backseat without a problem. Of course, I couldn't stand to wait any longer and opened them to peak at my order. Oh my, I was impressed.

 

Arriving home at the same time the winter storm rolled in, I quickly carried my treasure to our studio and began unpacking. And unpacking. And unpacking. Did I mention the discount was based on number of items ordered? And the biggest discount requires 200 items? Or that I spent all my money on beads and haven't yet purchased sufficient organizers?

Eight hour later, Cameron teased me that I couldn't sleep on top of the beads like a dragon does its hoard, given that I'm a princess and the pea kind of girl, and I went off to bed. But I had sorted the majority of the beads!

Which also introduced a new problem. I still have a dozen or so necklaces to post at Etsy. Originally created for the flea market audience, they were scaled down in bead types and priced low. Now I look at these simple necklaces and balked. I can't put the pitiful things on Etsy! They aren't up to my new standards. Not elaborate enough. Not rich and interesting. Sigh. Now I have more beading to redo!

Barefoot Arts and Designs by Dreamweaver at Work

Our home is small, but we've managed to dedicate a studio to the two industries. Cameron is currently at work on a commission piece (just in time to pay the electric bill, thank goodness). So paint and beads jostle for space until we can drop the wall between the studio and the library. With her south facing window, Cameron's studio was perfect to take photos of jewelry this week. 

I typically take one weekend a month to make polymer clay beads. I had to work at the treatment center last weekend, which really cut into the process. Nevertheless, I made dozens.

Yesterday was wonderful for another reason, as well. An acquaintance came over to get some tutoring in Art Appreciation. I had a new butterfly necklace I was about to post to Etsy. The acquaintance took one look and asked how much, buying it on the spot!

I've also posted new items to Etsy.Be sure to check them out!

Murano Glass: Green and Blue Swirl at Etsy

Amid the mad beading frenzy last night, I managed to post a new necklace. I glossed about three dozen beads, and I still have another two dozen to finish. I'm also working on a commission piece due Friday.

Available at Etsy!

Glass Dreams is now Designs by Dreamweaver

And has a new look! Business cards are on their way. A HUGE bead order will arrive later this week along with shipping material. Moreover, I've opened the Etsy site.

Goddess bless them, lots of friends want to help by giving me ideas about light boxes. However, floating cat dander (think 19 cats) makes it impossible to keep a light box clear of debris. Consequently, I'm currently relying on tiles and daylight. So far, I like the results!

Cards for Display

Finally found the recommended site someone mentioned to me for packaging. I want to put necklaces and earrings on cards for easy display without hanging my clasps on the hook. Fetpak has exactly what I have in mind: http://www.fetpak.com/whstore/main.pl/more_info?NB175

Jewelry Display Tips

Flea markets are a tough venue to vend. We put a tarp behind us Saturday to block the wind, but it also cut light. That stopped sales cold (as did the crazy woman on the other side of the aisle who glared at me for an hour then marked down everything on her table by 50%). When the crazy woman left and pulled the tarp, I sold four necklaces!

This weekend we will have new necklace display racks that will be much easier to keep upright. We also intend to bring our own lighting.

I've been searching for display tips and found this excellent website: http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com/index.html

Photography: Setting Up Inexpensive Studio

For studio results of jewelry: http://desiredcreations.com/howTo_TLPhotoBlkIce.htm

Learning from Mistakes

Finger prints and finish that will eventually become sticky are only a few of the  mistakes I've made in experimenting with polymer clay. Of course, there are also warnings out there about using Scuply III, which is what I have.

Some things I'm trying: longer baking times. Many blogs write of getting much harder beads by doubling the baking time. http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/baking-beads-break-the-rules/59/

Finger print prevention: got gloves and corn starch yesterday.

Deciding on a finish: http://glassattic.com/polymer/finishes.htm.

Info on creating a buffing wheel: http://www.desiredcreations.com/howTo_TLDremelPolish.htm

On a happier note, here's a wonderful cane technique I don't want to forget. Rather than using translucent clay, this lets you use water soluble clay to create a cane that you make, reduce then peel away the excess:

Butterfly Beads

These resemble butterfly wings: http://desiredcreations.com/howTo_CAButterflyBead.htm

Also found bead rollers at: http://www.poly-tools.com/

Transfering Photos to Polymer Clay

 Instructions can be found at: https://www.cottagefever.com/transfertechnique.html

Another process uses baking parchment: These are on Premo Pearl. Very hard to photograph. Very good transfers. That second one is again a second transfer from a print.


This last one is on SculpeyIII the whitest of all clays and it shows!
Just like the laser transfers all I did was to make a copy onto BAKING PARCHMENT (brand of choice BAK-O-MATIC by Dixie).
Place print onto sheet of raw clay (no water, no medium, no liquid clay).
Burnish (no need to burnish vigorously, seems to transfer rather quickly)
Lift paper off.
Cure.
And that is it.
I leave to to play….
Valerie

Ideas: Flower Beads

Ideas: Pendant

Ideas: Butterflies

Wire Wrap Jewelry