SB Design

Feeling Lucky, Punk?

2011-07-20T22:08:00.001-05:00

I am the current giveaway artist for the HandmadeMN team. Feeling lucky? Then you should definitely register to win this fabulous chickadee necklace!

Chickadee design has been stamped in silver and slightly oxidized to bring out the detail. The pendant is made from art clay, which is 99.9% pure silver after firing. It has been tumbled and hand polished to a mirror shine. Pendant is approx. 9/16 of an inch round, and comes on an 18" organza ribbon necklace.

Art Clay is a made from recycled silver. No new silver is mined to make this product. This is an eco-friendly, green material.

Information about how to enter is on the HandmadeMN site. Contest ends Saturday, July 30th, at 12:00 noon Central. One winner will be chosen by Random.org.

Good luck!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2011-05-21T23:06:00.000-05:00

My absolute favorite time of the year is coming...no, not Christmas. It's the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee!!! (Just typing that gives me a thrill--I'm such a jewelry nerd.) For those of you who may not be familiar with this event, it's the largest bead show in the US. There are literally hundreds of classes offered, a MASSIVE show floor with tons of incredible vendors, and so many fabulous people. It's a truly remarkable experience.

This is my third year, and I have to say I love it more every time I go. The first year I was so unprepared for the sheer scale of the event. I remember how nervous I was. I had only been making jewelry for a few months and was worried that I wouldn't really be welcomed. Turns out my fears were unfounded - the people at the show could not have been warmer or more inviting. There are people of every skill level, and the instructors are out of this world. Can you tell I'm a little bit of a fan?

I love getting the class catalog. It comes out in December, and I pour through it like I did the Toys'R'Us Christmas catalog when I was a kid. My first time through I mark all the classes I want to take, not worrying about practical things like price or schedule. I usually end up with a Wish List of over $3,000 in classes. From there I whittle it down to the ones I eventually sign up for. Here are the ones that made the cut this year:

Riveting Acrylic with Silver Metal Clay with Sherri Haab

Sherri Haab is one of my absolute favorite jewelry artists, and so completely inspiring. I read her book The Art of Metal Clay when I took my first PMC class. The designs are gorgeous and the instructions are simple, concise, and easy to follow, exactly what you hope for in an instruction book. I took an image transfer class from her last year at Bead and Button, which was spectacular. I saw this pendant in her Mixed Media and Metal Clay book, and have coveted it ever since. I can't wait to learn how to make it!

Art Deco Cubes with Lynne Soto

Kumihimo Sparks with Jamie North

Surface Design with Enamel with Melissa Manley

Art of Photographing Jewelry with Doug Baldwin


From Broken to Beautiful: Silver Clay and Stoneware with Katie Baum


File Silver Embellished with UV Resin with Katie Baum

I will post after the classes and let you see what I end up with. Whatever happens, I know I will have a fabulous time. And remember, there's still time to register. If you're on the fence about it I would definitely recommend going. It's worth it just to be around so many creative people.

***Oh! One last thing! I just found out Sherri has released a revised (and expanded!) version of The Art of Metal Clay--and it comes with a DVD! Definitely something worth checking out if you're into metal clay.***

Want to learn something new...for free?

2011-04-14T12:42:00.001-05:00

Copper Stamping with Toni

Who doesn't love learning new things? Well, maybe not work related things, but new crafty things are always fun! Here is your opportunity to take part in two hands-on demos from members of the HandmadeMN etsy team.

Resin Bottlecaps with Sarah

We will be at the American Craft Council show in St. Paul this Friday night. I will be teaching people how to make resin bottlecap pendants or keychains. Toni will be showing people how to do copper stamping. You can make them absolutely free!

Here are the details:
Where: St. Paul RiverCentre
175 West Kellogg Blvd
Date: Friday, Apr. 15
Time: 6:30-7:30pm
For more information, check out the website. The ACC has a special $5 ticket offer for people who come after 5pm on Friday, which is a huge savings off the regular $12 price.

This is a really great show, filled with some of the finest artists from around the nation. If you have never been it is definitely worth a trip!

I need your vote!

2011-03-04T09:37:00.000-06:00

Vote for me! HandmadeMN (the MN etsy team that I'm part of) has a monthly challenge that I am participating in. This month's theme was friendship. I created a pair of silver sunflower earrings, because nothing says friendship like flowers! If you get a second, please check out the blog entry and vote for me. My earrings are the last picture on the page.
Thanks!

Tutorial: Etsy on Your Facebook Page

2011-02-17T15:54:00.002-06:00

So, you have a facebook page for your business. What now? Well, if you have an etsy account you can promote all of your items on your facebook page in a few easy steps. Here's how:
1. Log in to your etsy shop and click on "Your Account" at the top of the page.

2. Look for the "Promote" heading on the left side and click "Facebook."

3. This will lead you to a screen that looks like this:

4. Enter your facebook page info, and your My Etsy site on your facebook page is all set!

Want to make your My Etsy tab the default screen for your facebook page?
1. While in facebook, go to "Edit Page" on the top right of your screen.

2. Click on Manage Permissions and change the Default Landing Tab to My Etsy.

3. Now your site should have your etsy shop as the starting page, like mine:

A custom URL, you say?
Just started your facebook site for your business? You can get a custom facebook url. Just go to http://www.facebook.com/username, select your page and enter the name you want. Need more information? Check out this video that walks you through the steps: Create a custom URL in under 70 seconds. Just know that you need 25 fans before you can make a custom url.

Now that you know all that, be sure to visit my facebook site (facebook.com/sbdesign) and take a look!

New Items!

2011-02-15T09:22:00.001-06:00

I've finally listed some new items in my shop! I'm working on some more eco-friendly designs. All of the silver I use in my designs is recycled. I'm also upcycling a lot of materials in my new pieces, things like dominoes, scrabble tiles, and poker chips. I have a new line of earrings created using mini travel dominoes. They are adorable! And incredibly lightweight. In my opinion, the only thing better than jewelry is jewelry you can feel good about wearing! Take a look at all of the new designs when you get a chance!

The Holiday Season Starts Tomorrow!

2010-11-12T12:12:00.002-06:00

I always consider the start of the holiday season to be the first day of my winter shows, so the holiday season officially begins tomorrow! (for me, at least) I've been steadily getting ready, creating like crazy. I will have a bunch of new designs available, along with a slew of holiday and winter themed items. I would love to see you at one of these shows!

Nokomis Urban Craft Fair
Sat., Nov. 13
9:00am-2:00pm
Nokomis Community Center
2401 E. Minnehaha Parkway
Minneapolis, 55417
Featuring over 30 vendors with beautiful, fun, whimsical and unique items for sale. Find everything on your holiday shopping list from purses and bags to jewelry to baby clothing to hair accessories.

HandmadeMN Market
Sat., Nov. 20
10:00am - 6:00pm
Ballentine VFW
2916 S. Lyndale Ave.
Minneapolis, 55408
Come join 45+ local artists from the MN etsy team offering handmade jewelry, knitted goods, clothing, baby items, toys, purses, stationary, wallets, and more!

Women's Art Festival
Sat., Dec. 11
10:00am-5:00pm
Midtown YWCA
2121 E. Lake St.
Minneapolis, 55407
18th Annual Women's Art Festival, featuring over 90 women artists from the Twin Cities area. Along with the art show there will be musicians performing throughout the day and a coffee shop selling food, beverages and treats. Plan to come early, stay late, shop, listen, dance, eat, visit and enjoy!

Gifts in the Gallery
Dec. 8-Dec. 22
Bloomington Center for the Arts
1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd.
Bloomington, 55431
Featuring over 30 artists selling one of a kind gifts for the season.

These shows are the perfect place to get that "just right" gift for the important people in your life. It's great to know that all of the items at these shows are handmade by the artists, so you are getting a truly unique item. The shows are also a great place to shop for all those hard to buy for friends and family members. I hope to see you this holiday season!

A Little Jewelry Break

2010-11-04T10:26:00.000-05:00

I'm taking a slight jewelry break (at least online) to open up my brand NEW photography shop. I love taking pictures and over the years I have amassed quite a collection. I'm having so much fun, going back through my photos and picking the ones for my shop! Looking through them I realize I have traveled quite a bit! I already have pictures from Alaska, California, Denver and New York up on my site, and I've only listed five things so far. I think this means I need to travel more for business...right? I think my next goal will be to get some great Chicago shots, since that's where I'm originally from. Maybe I'll take one of those bus tours so I can get all the touristy sites. Sounds like fun!

Anyway....check out my new shop! I'll be adding new prints all month. Let me know what you think and what you would like to see.

Which Resin is Right?

2010-10-26T15:30:00.003-05:00

Resin Pendant from SB Design

People ask me all the time, "What resin do you use?" I've really tried hard to educate myself about the different products that are out there so I could find one I really liked. The truth is, there are lots of options available. Some resins are better for certain applications than others, so it's a good idea to know the difference between the types of resins on the market.

There are basically three resin products:

2 part epoxy
UV Resin
Dimensional Adhesive

1. 2 Part Epoxy

Just like the name says, this resin has 2 parts, a resin and a hardener. The resin and hardener need to be mixed together according to the directions before being applied. Many are 1-to-1 mixtures but not all, so be sure to check out the instructions!
Pros:

Waterproof
Permanent
Durable
Scratch Resistant
Can be used for almost any type of design, including molds, casting, embedding objects
Inexpensive

Cons:

More challenging to use
Can have a stronger odor than other products
Hard to make batches for single items, generally need to pour several items at once

Examples of 2 part epoxies: ICE Resin, Easy Cast, EnviroTex
I use a product called EX-74, which is a jeweler's grade resin. It comes in larger sizes (1/2 gallon is the smallest size), so it is probably not a good choice if you're just trying resin out. I have also used ICE Resin, Easy Cast and EnviroTex. ICE Resin is usually available at jewelry stores. Easy Cast and EnviroTex are available at Michael's or JoAnn Fabrics. Of the three, I would recommend ICE Resin. It's easy to use and has a very nice finish. When I have used Easy Cast in the past I noticed my pendants have gotten a yellowish tint as they were exposed to the sun. Other artist I know who have used Easy Cast have mentioned have problems with pieces not curing if their mixture is not exactly right. I haven't had this issue, but it's something to be aware of.

2. UV Resin

UV Resin is a one-part liquid or gel that cures under ultraviolet light.
Pros:

Just like 2-part epoxy, it is waterproof, durable, and scratch resistant.
Great for making single items or small batches.
Cures quickly

Cons:

Not good for embedded items
More expensive than other resins

Examples of UV Resins: Magic Glos, Gel du Soleil
UV Resins are great for making small batches of items that need to be done quickly. In order for the resin to cure it has to be exposed to UV light, either from the sun or a UV light. Because every part of the resin has to be exposed it should not be used when embedding objects - the resin under the object(s) will not cure.

3. Dimensional Adhesive
This is a one-part solution that is not technically a resin. For this product, you simply pour the adhesive over your design in shallow layers and allow to air dry.

Pros:

Very easy to use
No mixing required
Low odor
Fast drying
Non toxic

Cons:

Water resistant, not waterproof
Less durable than resin
Not scratch resistant
May yellow over time or in sunlight

Examples: Diamond Glaze, Crystal Lacquer
I don't particularly like this type of "resin," because it is not permanent. If I am going to take the time to create something I want it to last without worrying about exposing it to water or sunlight. That said, it is great for kid's projects or for quick designs that don't need to last forever.

Clearly not all resins are the same. It's important before you use a product that you know some key information such as:

what kind is it?
is it waterproof?
how does it cure/dry?
how long does it take to cure?

If you are going to work with 2 part epoxies I recommend purchasing your items on this great website called FEW Products. They sell only resin and resin-related products. Their prices are great and they offer wonderful advice!

Ready to work with resin? Here's a resin tutorial I wrote last year that offers lots of tips and advice for getting started. Good luck! I hope this has helped answer some questions.

Speaking of Websites...

2010-10-22T13:00:00.001-05:00

I mentioned in the previous post that I had opened an Artfire shop. I have to say, I'm really impressed with how easy it is to create an account and list items. Plus, everything you list is automatically uploaded to google shopping. How cool is that?
I heard about a discount offer they were having on their Pro accounts, but I wasn't quite ready to invest in yet another online store. Then I discovered you can list items for FREE on their site!!! How could I pass that up? In my opinion, the more online exposure the better. So I created my account and started listing. Here's a sneak peek of what it looks like:
I was able to use the same banner and avatar as my etsy shop, which helped speed up the account process. Click here if you want to check out my full site.
The only thing I'm not crazy about are the ads on the page, but I'm not paying anything so I guess I really can't complain. The ads are pretty clearly identified, so people looking at my shop will know what designs are mine and which belong to other artists.
I'm curious what the traffic will be like from google. I'm monitoring the stats closely, so I'll keep you posted on what I find out.

Website Overload!

2010-10-19T15:35:00.002-05:00

Is anyone else feeling overwhelmed by the number of websites they have to maintain?
(Quick break for one of my favorite movie quotes: I know you can be overwhelmed, and you can be underwhelmed, but can you ever just be whelmed?) I feel like my head is stuck in a murky website stew. Between my etsy shop, facebook page, blog, and now my artfire shop, I just don't know where to begin. Then there's the issue of how to answer the question: "What's your website?"

I had been thinking about getting my own website for a long time. But I was worried about maintenance for that, as well as wondering how in the world you actually make one. I'm pretty tech savvy but I've never done any sort of website creation. After months of debating should I or shouldn't I, I finally decided to take the plunge. I am now the proud owner of SarahBober.com. (Look at me! I'm a website!)
I can tell you right now, I most likely would not have done it without SoopSee. What's SoopSee, you ask? It's a (FREE!) program that creates a website by combining information from your other sites. After creating an account I typed in my etsy site and blog address, and in just seconds SoopSee had created a website that pulled everything together. I had the free version for awhile, but I recently upgraded to the paid version so I could include items from both of my etsy shops.

I have to say I'm pretty happy. There are a few things I wish SoopSee would offer, such as more themes and a format for advertising art shows rather than just stores where your work can be purchased, but for a basic website it's not too bad. SoopSee automatically updates all of my accounts, so anytime I post a new blog entry or list a new item for sale it appears on my website. Best of all I don't have to give people looooong website addresses to direct them to my stuff.

And to be honest, it's pretty cool to be your own website. =)

Everything has a repurpose

2010-10-14T13:00:00.002-05:00

I'm really getting into the whole recycling thing. Call it what you will: repurposing, reincarnating, upcycling...it all amounts to the same thing - a really fun way to make jewelry. I've become a total Goodwill and thrift store junkie. It all started with dominoes. I guess they're sort of like my gateway drug for upcycled designs.

I never realized how many different types of dominoes were out there! Once I started looking I was amazed. I found these awesome black, oversized ones that I used for vintage Halloween magnets.

Then I spotted these bamboo dominoes, which I turned into necklaces. I've made this style with both pin-up girls and butterfly images.

My next find was a set of mini travel dominoes. Those I turned into earrings. I think they are my favorite thing to make so far. They are just the right size!

After the dominoes came the scrabble tiles. I've made them with a ton of different designs: vintage ads, Japanese pictures (cats & hamsters!), flowers, and Nancy Drew, just to name a few. The thing I really like about the scrabble tiles is they are reversible. The first art fair I had these available a woman named Nancy found a Nancy Drew image on an "N" tile. She was so excited! I love to see people so happy about their jewelry, especially when I'm the one who made it.

Last but certainly not least are poker chips. I found a great set of Las Vegas poker chips at Goodwill, and I knew I had to do SOMETHING with them. Who knew they would make such great magnets?

I hope to get these all listed in my shop in the next few weeks, so be sure to check back for more designs. You can get the cupcake monster magnet here, just in time for Halloween.

Now every time I go shopping at a thrift or antique store it becomes a scavenger hunt. I'm constantly on the lookout for new (old) things to use in my creations. I would love to hear your ideas! Leave a comment below with your suggestions.

Want to learn something new?

2010-10-13T23:16:00.000-05:00

I'm officially a jewelry teacher! Last month I taught a class at the Bead Monkey on making origami cranes out of Precious Metal Clay and paper. It was so much fun! But the fun is not over yet. I will be teaching this class twice more this year. Check out the Bead Monkey website to sign up. Upcoming dates are:
Sat., Oct. 16
11:00am-1:30pm
Bead Monkey St. Paul Location

Sun., Nov. 14
12:30-3:00pm
Bead Monkey Minneapolis Location

These cranes are not difficult to make and they make excellent (and very impressive) gifts. And dare I say it...It's never too early to start thinking about the holidays!

I'm looking for suggestions for other classes to teach. Is there a jewelry technique you've always wanted to learn? Let me know in the comment section!

Treasuries!

2010-08-20T00:32:00.000-05:00

I love treasuries! They are a great way to show off diverse collections of artwork from around the globe. If you're not familiar with them, they are groups of 16 items created by sellers on Etsy. Every time I'm in a treasury it's like a little thrill. It makes me feel all Sally Fields ("They like me! They really like me!") to know that out of the hundreds of thousands of things on etsy, someone chose my jewelry to include in their favorites. Here are the treasuries I'm currently featured in:

Dangles and Sparklies
Created by

egreteffects

Featuring items from some of the HandmadeMN Street Team members.

Sunshine Through the Rainbow
Created by
uricrafts
A celebration of all things rainbow!

Queer Etsy Street Team Orange Challenge
Created by
ellesbeads
Showcasing all of the orange challenge entries from the Queer Team.

Queer Team Gays It Forward
Created by
Queen of Queens
Includes a collection of items available for sale in the Queer Team shop - proceeds from all sales are donated to charity.

Check them out if you get a chance. Find your favorite treasury today on the etsy website!

One Ringy-Dingy

2010-08-03T23:42:00.001-05:00

I've started making my new favorite things - rings! At a recent craft show someone asked if I could make a custom ring using the Chinese character for wisdom. Of course I said, "Sure!" I've made a couple rings before...2 using PMC, which for some reason I can never get to come out the right size. All metal clay shrinks, but the PMC rings I made never quite shrank as much as they were supposed to, so I kind of decided maybe rings weren't for me.

When I took my Art Clay certification course, I had to make another ring. This one turned out perfectly! The exact right size. So I revised my decision and thought I could make rings...but I never did. So I'm so glad that this customer requested a ring, because I had the best time working on it. And I think they turned out pretty nicely, if I do say so myself.

So...if you're looking for a ring let me know! I've got ring fever, and I'm ready for some more ideas.

I'm really into the Asian themed jewelry right now. After I created these rings I made these metal clay bamboo earrings, which are gorgeous! They are accented with faceted sea green chalcedony, which makes me think of a beautiful beach. I'm definitely going to do more with these stones - soon!

Holy Magazine, Batman!

2010-07-07T23:57:00.001-05:00

I'm in a national magazine! Curve Magazine did an article about the etsy Queer Team and I'm included! A photo of my rainbow pendants is included along with two quotes. Check it out here!

Counting the Days...

2010-05-25T13:58:00.001-05:00

As a teacher, this time of year is always challenging. There's a lot going on (graduations, award ceremonies, rushing to get everything done before the last day arrives) but motivation is always a little difficult. It's nice outside and the kids know there's only a few weeks/days until...FREEDOM!

I have to admit I am just as guilty as the kids in this respect. This year was particularly bad. The first thing I did after coming back from Spring Break was to count the days until summer vacation (46, just in case you were wondering). We are now at T-minus 10 and counting, and I am so ready to be done. I'm a librarian, so before I can truly be on break I have to collect the 3,000+ books that are currently checked out as well as organize 2 library spaces consisting of 20,000+ items. It's a tad daunting. No wonder I'm eager to be finished!

There are a few other events coming up that I can hardly wait for...

First is the Edina Art Fair. This will be my first year as a vendor in this event. It's HUGE. There are over 350 artists from across the US. They expect about 90,000 visitors in the 3 days of the fair. I'll be sure to take some pictures and post them after the show.

Second is the Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee. It's the largest bead show in the nation. Every January when the class catalog comes out it's like Christmas...I pour over the pages, figuring out exactly what I want to take. I'm such a nerd that way. Here's my list of classes and links in case you want to check them out:

Fused Photo Pendant

Introduction to GlasClay

From Sugarcoat to Fusion: Copper Opaque Enameling

Easy Torch-Fired Enamel Necklace and Earrings

Image Transfer on Metal Clay
I'm so excited for this class. It's taught by one of my favorite authors & artists, Sherri Haab. She has a great book on PMC/Metal Clay and another on resin jewelry. Check them out if you're looking for inspiration! (By the way, the links above take you to my favorite book shopping website of all time, allbookstores.com. It comparison shops over 2 dozen book sites and gives you the prices, including shipping, on new and used books. I found an art technique book I was looking for on that site for $0.99 with free shipping!)

Not only are the classes a blast, but the show floor is amazing and overwhelming. It's going to be an incredible time.
Now if I can only make it 10 more days...

Display Tips and Tricks

2010-05-14T15:45:00.003-05:00

I started doing art shows about 1 1/2 years ago. I really enjoy them - it's so refreshing to interact with people, talk about the creative process, and, of course, get some positive feedback. I have always been lucky in that regard. People have been very complimentary about what I make. What I wasn't prepared for were the amount of comments I would get about my display. I figured people would ask about resin and PMC at shows, but wheat berries? That I didn't expect. (You'll see what I mean in a minute.)
Before I started doing shows I did a LOT of research, especially when it came to displays. I looked at tons of pictures and blogs from other artists for ideas. I had several criteria in mind. My display had to:

be easy to set up so I could do it on my own if necessary
travel well
not take up a lot of space when storing
be relatively inexpensive
Be fast to put up and take down

I know myself. I'm not a morning person. I want to get to a show as late as I possibly can. To accomplish that I really wanted to find a display method that could also serve as storage, so I would not have to set up each piece every time.

Enter: IKEA! I'm an Ikea junkie. I actually worked there for awhile. (side note: Ikea is a GREAT company to work for. They have incredible benefits, even for part-time employees.) Anyway, I found these wooden drawer inserts with dividers that had glass covers. I switched out the glass for plexiglass, put in some wheat berries to hold the jewelry cards and to add a little visual interest and Voila! Instant display. For earrings I added hooks to the dividers so the earring cards could hang.
When I get to a show, I pull off the plexiglass covers, put the earring displays on an easel and I'm 75% done. I bought the easels at Michael's using my 40% off coupon. They are only $3 to start with, so it's not a very big expense.
These displays allow me to display a large amount of items at once without being too cluttered. Each piece of jewelry has its own home, so it looks pretty streamlined. Plus I can tell at a glance if a piece is missing, which is great for preventing theft.

On the end of the table I have busts to display a few focal pieces. I wanted to find things that were unique and attractive without being overpowering. I purchased my blue & white ceramic figures and the tall newspaper-covered figure at my favorite antique/thrift store, Sophie Joe's Emporium. If you're in the Twin Cities area and have a few hours I highly recommend visiting the store. You never know what you are going to find. The ceramic figures have sort of an Asian feel, so I display my Chinese Character pendants on them.
I've recently started making resin magnets (one of my new favorite things to make!) and I wanted to find a convenient way to show them off. I went to visit another one of my favorite stores, Accent Store Fixtures in Minneapolis. I found a wooden sign holder that had an opening in the top. I then went to Menards and bought a piece of sheetmetal which I cut to the size of the opening. For $15 I made this fabulous magnet display.

Another Accent Store find was this spinning display, which I use for my Chinese Character necklaces. I have multiple styles of each word, so I put a label on the window and the pendants behind the labels. It's a great way to keep them organized and to show them to customers who are interested in specific words or symbols.
I picked the fabric for my tablecloths at Joann Fabrics and bought it with my 40% off coupon. I combined the patterned fabric with navy sheets and had 2 6' tablecloths made which fit the table exactly. (Thanks, mom!) The side panels close with snaps, so I can unsnap them to get things out from under the tables easily.

Here's the cost breakdown of my display:
IKEA displays $12 each - total $72
Spinner $10
Magnet Holder $15
Busts $30
(ceramic - $12 each, newspaper $6)
Wheat Berries $8
Easels $5.40
Joann fabric $8
Sheets $12
Total Display Cost: $160.40

The best advice I can give for creating displays -

Think outside the box. There are lots of creative ways to display things using unconventional items.
Know yourself! How much time do you want to spend unpacking and setting up? You will need to do that at every show.
Don't forget about transportation and storage.
Displays are a work in progress. As you do more shows you will find out what works and what doesn't. The more shows you attend the more display ideas you will get. Don't worry if your display isn't perfect right away.

Hopefully that will give you some ideas as you create your displays for your art shows. If you have any ideas or resources, please share them here!

Fish Tutorial: Mosiac Birdfeeder

2010-05-06T12:54:00.015-05:00

Spring is here! What better time to make a birdfeeder? Kay from Kayz Kreations show you how! Be sure to check out her shop and her blog!

When I first applied for the set of fish beads from sbsupply on Etsy, she wanted some ideas about how you might use them to make her choice as to who received them. I knew immediately that I wanted to do a mosaic birdfeeder. After all, fish and birds just go together, right? So now the problem was, what did I want my birdfeeder to look like. While waiting to see whether I was chosen to receive a set of beads, I mulled it over and started making some rough drawings of what I wanted. I can’t draw, but at least I got an idea of how I wanted it to look. Finally I got the news I was chosen and got to pick which set/color of fish beads I wanted. When I got them, they are adorable. Now to get to work, getting my final picture drawn out, although it may change as I start applying the glass, but it’s basically what I want. Here’s a picture of how I want it to look, more or less.

Next, I needed to decide what size clay saucer to use as the base for my birdfeeder. I decided for everything I wanted and to look right, it needed to be a 10” clay saucer. So here’s a photo of all the supplies you would need to make a mosaic birdfeeder out of a clay saucer. There’s:

1. Clay Saucer

2. Fish Beads (from sbsupply at Etsy)

3. Miscellaneous glass to use to fill in. (These are all scraps from my stained glass projects.) Plus on this project, I will be using Glass Globs to glue around the sides of the saucer, to decorate.

4. Glass cutter for the more precise pieces, like the bird and clouds. Breaking pliers to break off the pieces of glass you’ve cut.

5. Glue to glue everything. I use E-6000.

6. Grout to fill in when all the glass is attached. And masking tape to tape off the top edges to keep from getting grout on them. I will also use it to tape off the half I’m not grouting, if I decide to use 2 colors of grout. Something to mix the grout in, a rubber spatula to mix with and scoop out on the feeder and a sponge to wipe off excess. Also a soft cloth to polish off the haze of the grout.

7. And finally some sealer to seal the grout and protect everything with once it’s good and dry. I use a general all-purpose sealer from Wal-Mart or Lowe’s.

So, I’ve got my drawing, the saucer and I start gluing the fish beads down. I want to place them first, so I know where to start my water pieces. I then draw off my pattern for the bird and the clouds onto my glass and take my glass cutter and cut them out.

Cutting glass takes a little bit of practice. You need to make sure it scores (cuts) well. You can usually tell by the sound. With pieces that have lots of curves, I only cut a little at a time. I break those pieces off and then make another cut and break it. Since I want the bird and the clouds to be more precise, when I’m done cutting them I use my glass grinder to smooth out all the edges, so there’s no sharp edges on them and they have a clean look.

Once they’re done to my satisfaction, I glue them in place.

Now I know where to put the water pieces and sand pieces. I take my mosaic cutters, my scraps of glass and start placing the pieces for the water. If the scraps are too big or won’t quite fit where I want them, I can nip off pieces or edges of the glass with the mosaic cutters to get them to fit. This part is basically like a jigsaw puzzle. I just take a piece and put it where it seems to fit or follow the curves/edges of the other glass that’s down. When I’m satisfied with the look, I glue it down. Also, I’ve already glued the little pieces for the bird legs, since I want it to look like the bird is standing in the water and I can glue water pieces around the legs.

Next I glue the pieces in for the sand. I also glue the beak and the final fish down so I can start on the sky pieces. I decided to go ahead and put the branch and leaves in, so they’re next. That way I have them specifically where I want them. And the final part of this process is to start gluing the blue pieces for the sky. I have a few little pieces of a blueish-gray, that I mix in to make it a little more realistic. I also used a little bit of green and blue-green in the water to make it more realistic. Keep in mind while you’re gluing all your pieces down, it will look really bad. You’ll see all the extra glue that squeezes out as you push your pieces down to make sure they’re attached well. (You want them completely glued down so no grout or anything can get under them and lift them later.) Plus it just doesn’t look like much until it’s all filled in with grout. Next I glue the glass nuggets to the sides of the saucer. I use some blue around the water edge and white around the rest of the saucer. This is the tricky part. Since they’re on the sides, they want to slide down. So you have to press them in really hard and then keep going back for about 10 minutes moving them back up into position until they finally start drying enough to hold them in place. Viola! All the glass is in.

Next we tape and grout. Although it’s a lot more work, I’ve decided to go ahead and use 2 colors grout. I’ll use black on the water area and then white on the rest of the birdfeeder. I like my grout to kind of match my glass and blend in (most of the time) so it doesn’t distract from the scene. To tape off the edges, just tear little pieces of your masking tape off and fit it around the edges. Next I’ll tape off the top part of the feeder that will have the white grout so I don’t get any of the black grout in those areas.

Now it’s ready to grout. I just mix my grout basically according to the instructions on the box or bag. You want it to be about the consistency of peanut butter. I do only add a little water at a time and mix to make sure I don’t get it too wet. I scrape the grout on with my rubber spatula and spread/push it down into all the areas between and around the glass. When I’ve got enough spread on, I start scraping off the excess. (It’s good to use rubber gloves if you have them, so the grout won’t stain and dry out your hands.) Once I’ve gotten most of the excess off, I take a damp sponge (damp-because you don’t want to put more water into your grout) and start gently wiping off the excess grout that’s still on your glass. I define the edges of the little fish beads, by wiping a little harder around them so they’ll stand out.

Once I feel I’ve gotten most of the grout off, I let it stand about 10 minutes to start drying out. Then I take an old sock or other soft rag, and start wiping gently and polishing the glass to get the rest of the grout off and shine everything up. (If you knock a little piece of grout off, just take some of the excess you scraped off earlier and refill the spot. This is why you don’t throw your excess grout away until you’re completely done.) You will have to go over it at least 3-4 times to get it polished up and the grout haze off. Now I’ll let it stand for about 24 hours before I retape the bottom part and do the white grout.

It’s the same with the white grout as the black. After about 10 minutes or so, carefully pull all the tape off the edges and bottom. When I’m all done, it will set another 24 hours or more and then apply the sealer with a small brush or sponge. Once it’s dry (about 24 hours) you can polish your glass back up with a soft cloth.

Viola! You have a mosaic birdfeeder. Now all you need is a hanger. I make macramé hangers for mine.

This birdfeeder will be available in my shop KayzKreationz as soon as I figure out shipping.

Catching Up and Looking Ahead

2010-04-28T13:41:00.001-05:00

A lot has happened in the last few weeks! First, I did my silver crane demo at both the Bead Monkey and the American Craft Council show, and I am happy to report that both went extremely well. I will most likely be teaching a PMC crane class at the Bead Monkey this fall, so if you're in the Twin Cities area and want to learn how to make these incredible items be sure to become a follower or check back here in August.

I also participated in the St. Paul Art Crawl for the first time ever. It's a really cool event. For 3 days artists throughout St. Paul open their studios and sell their wares. I was in the Old Hamm Brewery Building, which is essentially a gignormous warehouse with huge rooms. I shared a space with 3 other artists, Becky Amble (and her sons Pasha & Alex), Meredith Dillman (I love her Alice in Wonderland picture so much I had to buy it!) and Kati Roberts. It was fun but a LOT of work.

Coming up next week is the HandmadeMN art show at the VFW. I realized at the Art Crawl that I'm running out of inventory, so am in the process of making a bunch of new things. The post earrings have been really popular, so I'll be coming out with some new designs. Come check it out!
Saturday, May 8
10:00am-5:00pm
Ballentine VFW
2916 Lyndale Ave., Minneapolis

Oh...more about Alex Amble...

He is an amazing kid. At 14 years old he is already an artist, photographer, musician and composer. He has written a song to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. His goal is to raise $1 million in downloads of the song on iTunes. He has a mild form of the disease, which is part of his motivation for this endeavor. Please check out his website and help him reach his goal! His CD, Sunrise, is on sale for $12.99. Check his website for information about how to order. There's also a great video from Fox9 News that tells more about Alex and his amazing mission.

P.S. You can take a listen to the song, called "When the Sun Goes Down," on youtube. Enjoy!

Fold-Up Studio Tutorial

2010-04-11T01:32:00.000-05:00

Okay, I know I've been going kind of tutorial crazy lately, but I just can't help it! I wish some of these were mine...but once summer vacation rolls around I'm sure I'll be working on some more projects.

I was poking around the Shrimp Salad Circus site and saw this wonderful tutorial about making a fold-up studio. It's cheap, it's easy, and it fast. What's not to love? Check it out. It's a great thing to use for photographing tutorials or items for your website. I can't wait to make one of my own!

Fish Ring Tutorial

2010-04-10T22:09:00.000-05:00

It's time for fish Tutorial #3, this one from the fabulous Elle of Elle's Beads. Be sure to check out her blog and her etsy store!
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I recently received some really fabulous beads with which to experiment and come up with a tutorial for a beaded ring. You can purchase the striped fish beads I'm using for yourself from SB Supply at sbsupply.etsy.com.

I ended up making two tutorials since the shop owner was generous enough to ship me six beads. The first one is for a floating ring.

Here's what you'll need:

1. A fish bead from SB Supply

2. Small blue glass beads (around 2 mm)

3. Looped ring

4. Thin beading wire (around 34 gauge)

5. Jewelry pliers

6. Wire cutters

Okay, now for the tutorial. The first step is to attach the wire to the ring. Tie a knot around one of the loops and then repeatedly loop the wire around that metal loop and the one next to it.

Slide the fish bead onto the wire. Then take the open end of the wire and attach it to the metal loops on the opposite side of the ring. You'll probably need the pliers to pull the wire through tightly.

As you secure the wire, try to center the bead over the loops.

Take another piece of wire, about 8 inches long, and string your blue glass beads on it. Make sure one of the ends is knotted (use the pliers) so that the beads don't slide off the end.

Take the string of beads and wrap it around the outside of the loops on the ring. Use the extra wire on the end and keep wrapping around tightly to secure the strand.

You'll end up with a ring that looks like a fish floating through water. Cute right?

That ring is a little bit difficult to make without snapping the wire, so experiment with a thicker gauge if you need to. Alternatively, try this wire-free tutorial below. This one uses both beads and buttons.

Here's what you'll need:

1. A fish bead from SB Supply
2. A "two hole" button (button that's flat on the back)
3. A flat round ring (I'm using one with a 12 mm pad)
4. E6000 or your favorite adhesive

Now for the instructions. First, attach the button to the ring with adhesive. Allow it to dry completely. I'd leave it for 24 hours.

Then put a SMALL amount of adhesive on the top of the button. I emphasize small because you're going to take the fish bead and press it into the adhesive, attaching it to the top of the button. If you put too much adhesive on, it's going to squish out the sides of the bead making your ring a little less polished in appearance.

Once you've attached the bead let it dry - again, I recommend waiting 24 hours to make sure it's completely dry. Then you've got a really cool beaded button ring!

Mix and match colors, add another button layer before putting on the bead, add extra beads around the edges, do some decorative wire wrapping from the inside of the bead down the sides of the ring - just get creative! This is a really versatile project that you can adjust to flow with your own creative juices.

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial! If you'd like to purchase a fish beaded ring instead of making your own, be sure to visit my shop at ellesbeads.etsy.com. I'm keeping the yellow ring for myself, but I'm putting the other rings up for sale soon!

Until next time,

Elle

Fish Bracelet Tutorial

2010-04-05T15:35:00.000-05:00

And now it is time for the second fabulous tutorial, this one from Sabra of Sew a Straight Line. Be sure to check out her blog!

A few weeks ago I received a package in the mail.

Inside was a handwritten note and a handful of beautifully packaged, beautifully crafted glass fish beads from SB Supply on Etsy.

So fun. As I played with them for far longer than a 31 year old woman probably should, my mind went wild with ideas on what to make with them. See, they’re just fun!

They screamed summer to me. Sun and beach and freedom.

My husband and I are going on a cruise for out 10th Anniversary in a couple of months (66 days, not that I have a countdown going or anything…) and I decided I wanted to make an accessory for our Mexican vacation.

I love how my fish bracelet turned out and am wearing it already.

With all the snow still coming down around here, I figured it might also help as my shout out to the universe that I’m ready for sun, dangit! Please?

The bracelet is super easy to make. If you can run your sewing machine at all, and have 20 minutes to spare, you’re set.

So start with

-a spool of thin width ribbon
-a strip of fabric, 3 inches wide and twice as long as your wrist is around
-a needle with a HUGE eye
-6 fish beads from SB Supply
-Fray Check (not pictured)

Take your strip and fold it in half, right sides together (my strip was made with pieced fabric, so there’s a seam in the middle. pay no attention to it. you know, other than just now when I drew your attention to it). Stitch up along the raw edge, 1/4 inch in

Turn your newly sewn tube right side out

Press with the seam down the center of one side

Set your machine to a basting stitch, the longest stitch length

Using the center seam as a guide, sew a basting stitch the length of the strip. DO NOT BACKSTITCH. Leave a length of thread at either end, about 4 inches long or so

Now you’re going to gather the fabric. Simply pull the lower thread at either end and bunch the fabric up

At either end, fold the raw edge over twice and [regular] stitch in place

Take your huge-eyed needle and thread one end of ribbon through it. You don’t need to cut off the ribbon from the spool. You can work off the spool as you go here.

Begin threading the fish beads on the ribbon in the order you’ll want them on your bracelet.

With about a 4 inch overhang, bar tack (a very close zig-zag stitch, thickly sewn) your ribbon in place at one end

Grab your zipper foot and slap it on your machine

Slide a fish up to the bar tack

Sew another bar tack next to the fish bead.

Continue this process for all beads: sliding one up, bar tack, side one up, bar tack, etc until you’ve reached the end of the strip/last of the beads

Finish with a bar tack at the end of the fabric strip to the side of the last bead

Cut the ribbon from the spool, leaving a four inch overhang

I didn’t get a picture, but apply Fray Check to the ends of the ribbon

And that’s it!

Now go dig through your closet for last season’s flip flops, grab an Otter Pop, sit at your back window and shake your sweet little fish bracelet adorned fist at the falling April snow!

SB Supply is a great resource for all kinds of amazing, beautiful beads and related accessories. So if fish aren't your thing, she's got plenty of other choices to go with for your bracelet and other beady needs. Go check it out!

Paper Lantern Tutorial

2010-03-24T17:43:00.002-05:00

As you may know, I did a Tutorial Exchange through Totally Tutorials. Five talented artists were selected to create a tutorial using my lampwork fish beads. Here is the first SPECTACULAR tutorial. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Lindsay's blog using the link below.

Hi guys, Lindsay of Shrimp Salad Circus here, and Sarah just sent me a set of six rainbow fish beads from SB Supply as part of the Totally Tutorials Exchange Program. The shipping was super fast and came with a cute little pouch and card, so I can't recommend this Etsyian enough!!! I pondered for awhile over what to do with them and then looked up at this sad little paper lantern that's been hanging naked and lonely over my kitchen island for awhile now. Inspiration struck, so here's a great little ocean lantern that would be perfect for a child's room or a nursery!

Oh, and heads up - you are going to end up with tiny splatters of paint all over your nose, cheeks, and wherever you're working!

Materials:

six glass fish beads (available from SB Supply)
paper lantern, any size (got mine for $1 from Michael's)
dish soap
a bit of water
a straw
two shades of blue paint
a whisk
a large shallow bowl
fishing line
scissors

1. Begin by squirting a generous amount of one shade of blue paint and a lot of soap into the dish.

2. Slowly add water and whisk the mixture together until it's thick and foamy. You want to have at least 1/4" of liquid in the bowl.

3. Dip the straw into the bottom of the bowl and blow until you have a big pile of bubbles.

4. Gently roll one side of the lantern across the pile of bubbles. If any bubbles stick to the lantern, just blow on them or lightly poke them until they pop. When the bubbles pop, they'll leave an outline of paint. The bubbles will vary in size and density of paint, so you'll end up with some darker, thicker spots on the lantern. This variegation is what gives the paint the 'ocean' look.

5. Once you've fully covered all the white parts of the lantern, squirt your darker blue shade into the original soap/paint mixture. Add enough to thoroughly darken the mixture, and repeat the whole process over again. Using two shades of paint contributes to the depth and textured look of the project. You could also do a greenish or aqua shade. Set it aside to dry.

6. Cut six pieces of fishing line about 4" each.

7. Tie a triple-knot at one end of each piece of fishing line. This is tedious and a bit tricky because the line is very thick. You'll just have to be patient and tough it out through this part. Test each knot by threading it through a fish bead to make sure that it is larger than the hole in the bead. After you've tied the knot, pass it very briefly through an open flame to fuse it.

8. Poke six holes at equal intervals around the hole in the bottom of the lantern. I flipped mine upside down because the top hole is slightly bigger than the bottom.

9. Thread the opposite end of a fish string through the first hole, and tie it very tightly two or three times. Repeat for each fish. You can hang them all at the same level, or if you want some variety, hang them at slightly different heights, like I did.

10. Snip the loose ends of the fishing line, and hang up your lantern!

I'm Going to be at the American Craft Council Show!

2010-03-15T15:29:00.005-05:00

It's true! HandmadeMN, the MN Etsy Street Team, has been invited to present demos at the show on Saturday, April 17. Below is the article from the HandmadeMN Blog, with all the info about the team demos. (Note: The pictures included below are from the artist's shops, but may not represent what they will be doing at the show.) My Silver Crane demonstration will be at 11:00 am, so be sure to put it on your calendar!

***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****

HandmadeMN has been invited to present craft demonstrations at this year's 24th Annual American Craft Council Show in St. Paul, MN at the St. Paul River Center. The event, which runs Friday, April 16 through Sunday, April 18, will feature over 240 established artists presenting handcrafted jewelry, clothing, furniture, home decor, and more.

Several of our team members will be presenting demonstrations on Saturday, April 17 between 11:00 noon and 4:00 pm. Here's the list:

Cheri Meyer of FromOutoftheCracks

Free-form Peyote Stitch Bracelet

Peyote stitch is an off-loom bead weaving technique, using a beading needle and thread. The free-form variation results in a one-of-kind item, created as you go.

Sarah Bober of SBDesign

PMC Silver Origami Cranes

Love the look of origami but want something more durable than paper? Learn how to create origami cranes from fine silver using Precious Metal Clay paper.

Corrin Kaluza of Athena'sLittleOwl

Custom Flag Banner

Have something to announce? Learn how to create a unique, handmade flag banner using new or re-purposed items found around the house. These banners are perfect for parties, holiday decorating, weddings, kids rooms, etc.

Julie Meyer of JuileMeyer

Recycled Plastic Fabric

Creatively reuse plastic grocery bags instead of throwing them away! Learn how to fuse plastic bags into a fabric you can sew into totes, lunch bags and more.

Renae Redenius of Trigo

Shibori Felting

Shibori Felting is an exciting way to add surface interest to knitted wool fabric. This demo will not only guide you through the process, but it will also give you some wonderful project ideas!

Monique Parent of GlassGardenDesigns and Toni Kuffel of WildDogStudio

Fused Glass Pendant and Trinket Dish

See how a fused glass pendant is created! This demo will be an overview of glass fusing basics, and may even inspire you to take a glass class for more hands-on learning.

From the American Craft Council (ACC) website:

The show will also celebrate the American Craft Council's move to Minneapolis from New York in July, which spotlights the vibrancy of the regional and local craft community!

The HandmadeMN team is very excited about this move, and looks forward to collaborating with this renowned nationally recognized organization. We welcome the ACC to their new home!

For tickets and more information, visit: http://public.craftcouncil.org/stpaul

So Long, BeadBabe!

2010-03-08T15:17:00.000-06:00

I'm so sad...I just learned that one of my favorite jewelry supply websites is closing. If you haven't been, I would highly recommend stopping by BeadBabe.com. They've been in business over 20 years and have amassed quite an eclectic collection of beading supplies. I especially love their purple handled tools (pliers, crimpers, cutters). They are great! The perfect size for people with slightly smaller hands, and just the right amount of padding. The price is great, too. I'm going to buy several sets for teaching classes.

If you need any supplies, now is the time to get them. Items are on clearance up to 75% off the regular price. At these rates they won't last long.

FREE FISH Exchange Program!

2010-02-28T15:23:00.006-06:00

You heard right, get your FREE FISH here! I'm doing an exchange with Totally Tutorials.
I will give you a set of 6 fish beads in exchange for a tutorial showing what you decided to do with them.

What you will get:

A school of 6 fish in the color(s) and style(s) of your choice
Color choices: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, or any combination
Style: Striped or Solid
Check my store for photos of each design

How can you participate?

Convo me on etsy or write a comment here, describing what you plan on making and a link to your store/blog so I can see some examples of your work. Be sure to include a way for me to contact you! I will choose 3-5 people at random (depending on how many apply).

Who can participate?

This is open to any artists/crafters in the US and Canada.

How do you get the beads?
The beads will be shipped to you at no cost. They will be sent out Monday, March 15.

What do you do?

Create a fun, fantastic design and provide a tutorial on how you made it. Need advice on how to make a tutorial? Check out this blog from Artmind.
You will have until April 22 to create a tutorial and post it on your blog/website. Tutorials will also be posted on my blog and Totally Tutorials. Don't have your own blog? No problem! You can post it on Craftser, Instructables, or CutoutandKeep.

What can you make?

Anything! Everything! The sky's the limit!

I will accept applications until Friday, March 12. The lucky winners will be contacted via email.

Crafters who paricipate in this program agree to the following:
~ I can use the photos of your complete design in my shop listings and blog.
~ You will provide a link to my store in your tutorial.
~ Anyone can use your tutorial to make items to sell.

Learn more about the Totally Tutorials Exchange Program here. Please contact me if you have any questions.

That's it! I look forward to hearing all your creative ideas!

Vote for Me!

2010-02-05T01:28:00.001-06:00

One of the best things about Etsy is the ability to connect with people, near and far. By far one of the most helpful things I've encountered in etsy is the Minnesota Street Team, HandmadeMN. The team is composed of MN artists and sellers on etsy, and it has been an invaluable resources for so many things. I'm constantly amazed by the creativity and variety of the team members. If you're ever looking for anything in particular, I know HandmadeMN can help you out!

Every month the team has a challenge, and this month I finally got off my butt and decided to create something for it. The theme this month was "fiery." I designed a PMC and resin pendant with red, gold and copper glitter to create a fiery feel. Please check it out and vote for my pendant! My necklace is the second from the bottom. I'm really impressed with the entries this month. And I have to say it was a blast creating the piece. I'm definitely going to have to make that part of my monthly jewelry goal. The theme for next month is "Going Green." Hmmm...my mind is already buzzing!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-23T00:40:00.001-06:00

Hello! Welcome to 2010! (a bit belatedly, I must admit.)

I plan on ringing in the New Year with some new jewelry and new posts, but that will come a little later on this month. Right now I would like to tell you about a wonderful opportunity to help others AND get some pretty cool stuff for yourself. By now you have heard about the terrible earthquakes in Haiti. Unless, of course, you live under a rock, in which case I'm impressed that you are able to get internet access there. =) Anyway...the Etsy Queer Street Team, which I am a member of, has started a donation store. 100% of sales from this shop go to benefit charities. This month we are donating to Madre.org, which is helping in the Haiti relief effort. So get on down to the store and check it out! We've got a great mixture of items and prices, including soaps, jewelry, ceramic tile and stuffed animals. Now you can feel good about spending money, because it's all going to a good cause!

I have donated a new necklace I made, featuring one of my favorite Harry Potter quotations: "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." Does that describe someone you know? The pendant is made from Precious Metal Clay (99.9% pure silver) and has 3 ruby red cubic zirconias to add a touch of sparkle. It's part of my new "Custom Quotables" collection, where you can create your own custom pendant featuring the quote of your choice. Check them out here. I have some sample pendants shown here. This makes a great gift for all those hard to shop for people in your life!

Another great gift is the name necklace, shown here. I made these for Christmas gifts this year and I can't tell you how much they were appreciated. I know one mom who has not taken her necklace off for almost a month! I will be listing these in my shop shortly, as soon as I get some more pictures. If you would like one in the meantime, just email me and let me know! The crystals can be whatever you like...I've been doing birthstones but some people like pink and blue.

I hope you are enjoying your 2010 so far! Good luck with those resolutions!

New Items

2009-12-18T10:16:00.007-06:00

It's been awhile since I've posted, both here and on Etsy. So I decided to combine the two and show off some of my new designs. I have two new collections in my shop: The Tiny Earrings Collection and Care Bear Pendants.

The Tiny Earrings are all made from Precious Metal Clay (PMC), a clay form of silver that becomes fine silver once fired. Fine silver is 99.9% pure silver. It does not have the tarnishing problem that sterling silver has because it is not an alloy. Sterling silver is 92.5% silver. I absolutely adore working with metal clay. I come from a ceramics background, so working with clay feels very comfortable to me. One thing I was not prepared for was the amount of clay you get for the price. When you're working with clay or porcelain you can get a 20 pound block for less than $20. The first PMC class I took I was excited because we were going to get $70 worth of clay. I was picturing something about the size of a brick. Instead I received a little bag about the size of a quarter. It was a little bit of a shock.

Anyway...there earrings are all very small posts (hence the name "Tiny Earring Collection"). I have done several designs including a holiday series. My current favorites are the little pink flowers pictured here. They are darling! (If I do say so myself.) Other designs are available in my shop, so be sure to check them out.

The Care Bears line started when I found a sticker set while shopping a few months ago. I grew up with the Care Bears. I watched the movies, had the stuffed animals and the little plastic posable figures. I was a sucker for rainbows, so Cheer Bear was always my favorite. For some reason I never really liked Tender Heart Bear. Actually, I actively disliked him. As I think about it now it seems such a strange thing to have a really strong opinion about. But that's what being a kid is all about - worrying about trivial things! This line is a chance for me to relive my childhood memories and have a little fun.

Care Bear Fans....can you remember the names of the bears pictured here? You can quiz yourself on even more Bears in my shop. Yearning for more Care Bear stuff? Check out this site, with lots of pictures and links.

FYI: Bears pictured from top to bottom are Funshine Bear, Goodnight Bear, and, of course, Cheer Bear.

Another Giveaway!

2009-12-01T11:14:00.000-06:00

Yes, you read that right. I am part of another giveaway. This one is sponsored by
Starry Eyed Surprise. Check out the site for information about how to enter. You can win a resin pendant of your choice from my store. Here are just a few options...

The giveaway ends Dec. 10 so get your entries in now!

Calling all traders!

2009-11-20T21:07:00.008-06:00

One of my favorite things about being an artist is trading. I love being able to share my work with other artists I admire and both of us being able to get something we enjoy. With Christmas getting closer (I hate to say it but it's true) I've been missing Chicago, which is where I grew up. One of my most vivid Christmas memories is driving home from my Grandmother's house on Christmas Eve and looking at all the Chicago Christmas lights. When I was looking for some Chicago-themed images for an etsy treasury I came across two photographers whose work I really admire. They were nice enough to agree to a trade, so now I will have some Chicago pictures to decorate my home. Hooray! Check out their stores if you get a chance and see their wonderful photos. Here are a few of my favorites...
Art Under CJ
The Lion Sleeps Tonight
The first time I went to the Art Institute was with my mother when I was in 8th grade. It was a huge deal because I actually got to (*gasp*) skip school. I remember being absolutely entranced by "Sunday in the Park" by Georges Seurat. I didn't discover until years later that my mother hates Seurat and this piece, which I'm not sure is allowed if you live in Chicago.

Picasso
I remember spending HOURS drawing this sculpture for a contest I was determined to enter. I have no idea whatever happened...I think I actually forgot to mail in my entry, but I still had tons of fun drawing this from every angle imaginable.

Projects of Passion

Chicago Tribune Tower in December
One of my absolute favorites! I have always loved these lights.

Chicago Skyline

I love Minneapolis/St. Paul dearly, but their skyline puts ours to shame. It's like a little baby skyline! There's nothing quite like the view of Chicago.

If anyone is interested in trading, let me know! I'm always up for a good exchange.

Tutorial: Resin 3 Ways

2009-11-16T20:40:00.010-06:00

I started working with resin about two years ago, after realizing that a lot of the jewelry I was drawn to used one resin technique or another. I am now officially hooked. I love the versatility resin presents, and how easy it is to make personal, meaningful items. Resin photo pendants make a great gift for anyone. Check out this site for some ideas.You can also check the out resin pieces I've created in my shop.

A word about resin: this tutorial uses resin, which is durable, permanent and waterproof. There are lots of resin-type products on the market that aren't actually resin, such as Diamond Glaze or Crystal Lacquer. Be very careful when purchasing something that does not specifically say resin. These products are often water resistant but not waterproof. Either product will work, just be sure you know what you want for your design.

This tutorial will teach you how to make three different items using resin: Pendants, Flat Magnets and Round Magnets.

Materials List
Images
Mod Podge
Paintbrush
Scissors
1" Circle Paper Punch (optional)
Magnet Sheet
Magnet Buttons
Pendant Frames
Resin
Mixing Cups
Stir Stick
Resin Dye
Plastic Paint Palette
E6000 Glue

A few notes about materials:
The pendant frames I use are from Becky Nunn at Nunn Designs, part of her Patera Jewelry line. They are the large pendant squares available in antique silver, copper or gold. Check out her website to find where to buy them.

The resin I use is Envirotex Lite, which can be purchased at Michael's or Joann Fabrics. They also sell the resin dye, if you choose to color the resin. Don't forget to bring your 40% off coupon!

1. Prepare your workspace.

Resin is sticky...very, very sticky. The best way to deal with resin spills is to avoid spilling on anything you care about, like your dining room table. Put down a layer of newspaper to protect your work surface. Your resin pieces will take about 24 hours to cure completely. Find a flat, portable surface, like a tray or a book, that you can move to an out of the way place to dry. I use a wooden tray that I cover in wax paper.

2. Prepare your images.
There are so many incredible images out there. The beauty of resin is you can use anything, from magazine pictures to cards to photos, which allows you to create items that are very personal. The images I used are from etsy seller Petite Paperie, who has tons of incredible, high quality image sheets. The best part about working with these sheets is you can save them to use again and again. The sheets I chose were 1" x 1" Square Fruit Crate Labels, 1" x 2" Halloween Postcards and .75" square Bright Flowers. Check out her shop for more options.

Pick the specific images you want to use and cut them to size. Use a paintbrush to coat the images in Mod Podge. Be sure to coat all surfaces, front, back and sides, at least twice and allow to dry completely. You want the image to be completely covered so no resin will seep in and damage your image.

3. Prepare magnets & pendants.

Flat Magnets: Cut the magnet sheet to the size of the image. I keep a very small border of magnet around my image to make sure the resin completely covers the design and adheres to the magnet. Peel away the film to expose the adhesive and apply the image. Trim any excess magnet with scissors.

Pendants: Trim the images to fit inside the pendant frames. Apply a small amount of Mod Podge inside the pendant to glue your images in place. Be sure the outside and corners of the image are firmly stuck to the pendant. This will keep air bubbles from forming.

Round Mangets: Trim the images to fit into the paint palette using scissors or a 1" circle cutter.

4. Prepare the resin.

These directions are specifically for Envirotex Lite Resin. If you are using a different resin, be sure to follow the directions that come with the product.

Warm the resin. This will prevent air bubbles from forming and make the resin easier to mix. Put a bowl of water in the microwave and heat. Put resin and hardener bottles in warm water for several minutes.

Measure the resin into 2 mixing cups. Envirotex Lite resin is a 1 to 1 mixture, meaning equal parts resin and hardener are used. Be sure you measure each part carefully. If the resin mixture is off, your pieces may not cure correctly or may be sticky.

Pour the resin into the hardener. Stir with your stir stick slowly to prevent adding air bubbles to the mixture. When you begin to stir, the mixture will become slightly cloudy. Stir for about 2 minutes, or until the mixture becomes clear again.

5. Apply resin to the pieces.

Flat Magnets: Use your stir stick to slowly drizzle the resin over the magnet sheets. If you apply enough resin it should flow to the outside of the magnet without spilling over. You may need to guide the resin into the corners with the stir stick. If you spill the resin just slide the magnet over a few inches away from the puddle and allow to dry.

Pendants: You can pour the resin into the pendant frames, or drizzle with the stir stick. Fill the resin to the top or allow to dome over slightly, whichever you prefer. Some people like to fill to the top on the first pour and dome with a second layer of resin once the first has dried. Since the pendant frames are not that deep you can dome in the first pour if you choose to, depending on the look you want.

Round Magnets: Pour the resin into the paint palette openings and fill about half way. Let resin sit for a few minutes so you can get rid of any bubbles that form. Once the bubbles are gone, place images face down in the resin and coat with a thin layer of resin. Be sure to leave enough room in the palette opening (at least 1/8") to add your second layer of colored resin.

6. Get rid of bubbles.

Bubbles...they happen. Sometimes they happen after a piece has set and you can't do anything about it. Learn to like them. If not like, at least learn to appreciate them. That said, there are a few ways to get rid of bubbles while the resin is still soft.

- "Huff" on the piece, with short bursts of air. Bubbles are popped by carbon dioxide. Your breathe will bring the bubbles to the surface and pop them. You can also blow gently through a straw.

- Pass some sort of flame over the piece. You have to be very careful with this - do not get too close or you can mar the surface of the resin or create ripples. It also makes the resin smell horrible. But, it does the job, at least most of the time.

- Use a needle or toothpick to get the bubbles to the surface, then either pop or remove them.

For more suggestions on getting rid of bubbles, check out Craft Zombie's blog. You have about a 10-15 minute window for removing bubbles. After that point the resin will start the set and you run the risk of ruining your piece.
Bubbles are MUCH easier to remove when the resin is fresh. If you allow the resin to sit for awhile and then try to remove the bubbles it may be too late. Even after following all these suggestions, you may still get bubbles. And to that I say, that's the beauty of handmade! It's not a mistake, it's artistic. Chances are, you will be your worst critic. Most people won't even notice that bubble that you agonized over. So...do what you can but don't worry too much about it.

7. Add the second resin layer.

This step is only for the round magnets. Anytime after 12 hours the second layer of resin can be applied. Mix another batch of resin and add resin dye. You do not need a lot of dye...a little goes a long way! Start with a few drops and add more as needed. Mix thoroughly. Pour colored resin over the first layer and fill to the top of the paint palette opening. This layer should be level with or slightly below the surface of the palette rather than domed. Watch for 15-20 minutes to remove any bubbles that form.

Cover paint palette and allow resin to cure.

8. Add finishing touches.
Pendants: Add necklace cord to pendants.

Flat Magnets: These should be finished! Put on your fridge and enjoy!

Round Magnets: Once the resin pieces are cured, remove them from the paint palette. Put the tray into the freezer for 30-60 seconds to help release the pieces from the mold. Use E6000 to glue magnet buttons to back of the resin design. Allow to dry completely.

That's it! You can now make three different resin creations. Resin is not scary and it is far from rocket science, so don't be afraid to try it out. Have fun and be creative!

★★★★★This tutorial was designed as part of Tutorial Exchange Program from Totally Tutorials. Special thanks to Petite Paperie for the fabulous images! Be sure to check out the Totally Tutorials blog for inspiration for your next project.★★★★★

Etsy Finds: Hedgehogs and Pocupines

2009-11-04T14:44:00.000-06:00

Hedgehogs and porcupines have always fascinated me. I know I would never want one for a pet, but there's something incredibly cute and cuddly about them...even with the porcupine's quills. My dog seems to share my appreciation for hedgehogs. All her other toys with squeakers are dismembered within a week, but not Hedgie. She has survived for years.
If you enjoy hedgehogs and porcupines half as much as I do, you'll love these etsy finds.

Mister Hedgehog Pendant
from Noisy Bird Studio

Pendants, Mirrors, Magnets, Unique and Fun Gifts

Henry the Hedgie T-shirt
from Oh Bananas

Custom made Applique Children's Clothing and Toys

Hedgehog Earrings
from Mark Poulin

Enamel Jewelry

The Two Rascals

Polymer Clay Hedgehog Sculpture

from Big Helmet Head

Porcupines to Cuddle...Maybe

from Janie Liu Design Studio

Jewels, Gems & Whimsical Delights

Hedgehog Family: Mama is Mad

from Deborah Frances

Designer/Fine Artist/Photographer

Hedgehog Polymer Stamp

from Blossom Stamps

Handmade Photopolymer Rubber Stamps

Hedgehog T-shirt

from ScreamPrinting

Original Apparel, Posters, and More

Etsy Finds: Dandelion Delights

2009-10-23T21:17:00.003-05:00

I have loved dandelions since I was little. I remember how horrified I was the day someone told me they were actually weeds. I figured it had to be a lie...how could such a joyful yellow flower be nothing but a weed? Eventually I decided I didn't care what they were, to me they were still beautiful. These designs from etsy sellers remind me how gorgeous dandelions can be.

Dandelion

6" x 6" Fine Art Photo

From Marc Loret Photography
Inspiration From The Natural World...Marc Loret's Works

Dandelion
Laser etched acrylic pendant

From DandelionBlu

Dandelion
8" x 10" Photograph

From Stephanie Grutzmacher Photography

Dandelion
Photo notecard

From Craft Yourself

Dandelion Sake/Shot Cup

Set of Four

From Urban Soule
Ultra Modern Livingwares for You and Your Home

Dandy Dandelion
6" x 6" signed Fine Art Print

From Photo Teresa
Fine Art Photography by PhotoTeresa from Sweden

Dandelion Ring
Adjustable Silver Ring

From Paisley Chick
Debby's Jewelry and Accessories Shop

Sunset / Dandelion
8" x 10" Original Fine Art Photograph

From Jared in Kansas
Fine Art Nature Photography

Dandelion Circle Necklace
Bezel set amber in Sterling beaded wire

From Hub Girl
Personalized bookmarks and handforged jewelry

Dandelion Wish
Necklace

From DownAbove

I hope you enjoy these dandelion delights as much as I do. Of course...now I just have to wait for spring to be able to enjoy the real thing. In Minnesota that's only about 8 months and 20 feet of snow away...

Jewelry Giveaway!

2009-10-18T23:22:00.002-05:00

I'm a member of HandmadeMN, the incredible etsy team for artists from Minnesota, and every 2 weeks they sponsor a giveaway on their blog. Guess whose turn it is this week? You can win my adorable fine silver Zuni bear. Here's what to do...

How to Enter:
Visit My Shop on Etsy, pick your favorite item and leave a comment on the HandmadeMN blog post about it. There are lots of ways to get bonus entries, too. Check out the site for all the rules. Contest ends Saturday, October 31, at 12:00 noon Central. One winner will be chosen by Random.org.

Best of luck to everyone!

Etsy Finds: Quit Messin' Around!

2009-10-09T12:04:00.045-05:00

Before I get to the etsy finds, I have to share my horoscope for today. On my iGoogle page I have a horoscope app that updates daily. Normally I don't pay much attention but this one caught my eye:

A well-kept secret could suddenly be revealed today and as surprising as it may be, you are able to take it in stride. Your immediate reaction may be one of fear, for you don't like having to confront the unknown. Even if you are caught off guard, it's better to know the truth. Don't react unconsciously and push the new information away; instead, integrate it into your new perspective and move on.

So...now I'm curious. Anyone have a secret out there they want me to know about? Okay, on to the Etsy fun...

These finds were inspired by my work area. Remember, that thing I've been organizing for the last 2 months? My deadline was Sep. 30 and I'm sorry to report I'm still working on it. I was feeling quite dismayed that I wasn't finished, so I went onto etsy for some inspiration. Here are some fantastic mess inspired pieces.

Oops Coasters from Studio Wonjun

Industrial felt coasters
A fun addition to any party!

Pride by Nick Hermann

8" x 10" photo

I think this is a must have photo for any studio!

Don't Cry Over Spilled Wine by Weber Photography

8" x 8" Fine Art TTV Print
I love the romantic feel of these TTV (Through the Viewfinder) prints. Check out the store for more.

Creativity is Messy from Empressive Designs

18" x 24" Vinyl decal

This is my new mantra!

Scattered Raspberries by Art by Rodriguez

9" x 12" Original Watercolor from the "Slightly Messy" Art Series

MESSY Barrette by Numpty

The perfect barrette for those bad hair days.

What Cake from Tummy Mountain

5 1/2" x 3 1/2" print from an original painting

After finding all these wonderful treasures I want to go create something of my own...now where's my work table? {sigh} Guess it's back to organizing after all.

Have a wonderful weekend!

The Wait is OVER!

2009-10-01T23:15:00.009-05:00

...and the result is "No." Bummer. I was so psyched for this show. Oh well. I've applied for a couple other events that weekend, including the Renegade Holiday Show in Chicago. I'm still not sure if that's a wise decision but I guess it doesn't matter unless I actually get in!

On the plus side, I have been accepted to participate in 2 boutiques going on over the holidays. Here's the info so you can check them out for yourself!

Chickadee Boutique

207 St. Marie

Shoreview, 55126

(651) 483-2416

Click here for website

October 1-December 5

Open Thur.-Sun. 9am-8pm

Sun. 10am-5pm

Candleberry on the Lake

Centennial Lakes Park Centrum

7499 France Ave.

Edina, MN

October 14-25, 2009

Mon.-Fri. 9 am - 8:30 pm
Sat. 9 am - 6 pm

Sun. 9 am - 5 pm
(I'll be working Wed. 10/21 from 3:30-9pm. Come say hello!)

Stop by if you get a chance and check out my jewelry as well as the other talented artists' wares. They should be a lot of fun!

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

2009-09-30T15:07:00.005-05:00

I hate waiting to find out if I've gotten into a show! Right now I'm desperate to discover if I've been selected for the No Coast Craft show taking place on Dec. 4-5. It's a wonderful show...even if I don't make it as a vendor I think I'll still want to participate in some way. If you're in Minnesota during that time I would highly recommend it. It's a great place to score some unique gifts for the holiday season. Check out their website for more information.

Looking for some other great shows? Check out the HandmadeMN website! They have a list of all the shows where HandmadeMN artists are going to be participating. More shows will be added so check back often!

On to something more fun than waiting...Trading! I love trading. It's such a great way to make connections with other artists. This past summer I was fortunate enough to find an incredible store on etsy featuring lots of rainbow goodies. The store is run by Claire who lives in the UK. (I especially love trading internationally--it is so exciting!) I saw one of her rainbow cards and had to have one, so we swapped. Here are a couple pictures. Is this not the most adorable card?

Click here to check out Claire's site for yourself. She's on etsy as TheRainbowRoom.

We traded for one of my rainbow pendants. Here's the link to Claire's blog so you can see a photo of her with the necklace.

So...if there are any other artists who enjoy trading, let me know! I'm always up for finding something new!

Check it out!

2009-09-27T13:16:00.006-05:00

Hey, check it out! I've been featured in an interview for the Etsy Queer Street Team. Click here to take a look!

Etsy Finds: More Spirals

2009-09-25T12:24:00.004-05:00

I'm not sure what it is about spirals but I have always loved them. Such a simple design that can manipulated and complexified (hey! new word!) in so many ways. Here are my newest favorite spirals from etsy.

Poseidon's Booty - Clean, simple and organic designs created using their own beads and findings

Pictured here: Amazon Jewel

Gorgeous colors and such a beautiful design aesthetic. I love their pieces!

Click here for etsy shop.

Anna Clifton Jewellery - handmade in the UK using gold, silver and recycled materials. Not only is the jewelry gorgeous, you can also feel good about wearing it! How can you not love jewelry that helps the planet?

Pictured here: Sterling Silver Twist Ring

Click here for etsy shop.

Flora Art Studio: Funky Ceramic Sculpture

Pictured here: Still Life Relic with Flower and Bird
These still life relics are one of kind art pieces that resemble archaeological artifacts.

Click here for etsy shop.

Bohemia Design
Handcrafted jewelry from Jacksonville, FL.
Pictured here: Earrings SPIRAL
Limited edition earrings created using glass and metal. Take a look at the shop - the designs are stunning!

Click here for etsy shop.

MAG Art Glass - Glass designs created in Ottowa, Canada.

Pictured here: Swirl Aqua Dichroic Pendant
I have a soft spot for dichroics. The colors are so vibrant and they look amazing in sunlight!

Click here for etsy shop.

Nora Catherine - One of a kind and limited editon hand crafted fine art jewelry

Pictured here: Sweet Little Swirl Necklace
Proof that delicate, simple designs can really pack a punch. I love the freeform feel of this pendant.

Click here for etsy shop.

Enjoy the spirals and the weekend!

Look at me!

2009-09-24T15:33:00.006-05:00

I just found out that some of my jewelry was included in not one but TWO blogs. Check them out!

The first one features my Zuni bear pendant along with a ton of other bear finds on etsy. So much fun!

Found Handmade Website

The category is Sweet Little Bear from Sep. 24.

Click here to see this item in my shop.

The other blog is The Compendium of Cute...an incredible listing of some amazing finds from etsy. Browsing through her blog is so much fun but oh so dangerous for the wallet. Click here to see the blog listing, which has a wonderful message of love and pride. I was honored to have my rainbow pendant included.

Tonight I am off to one of my favorite places to take classes, the Studio at Rush Creek. I received a flex shaft for my birthday, and now I'm finally going to figure out how to use it! I love jewelry that involves power tools! Monday night I attended a soldering class. I'll post pictures of my new creations from these classes soon.

Etsy Finds: Spirals

2009-09-21T15:03:00.018-05:00

I love looking for new sellers on etsy. One of my favorite things to do is create treasuries featuring artists who have sold less than 50 items. My current treasury is spiral themed and showcases some wonderful work. Here are a few of my favorites, in no particular order:

Anita Farrah - Works of Heart
Handmade Glass Beads and Jewelry

Pictured here: Orange Spiral Lampwork bead
I just adore the vibrant color. All of her beads are handmade in Arizona.

Click Here for Ets y Shop

Idle Type Photography
Images by Troy McCullough

Pictured here: Smoke in Blue 8" x 10" print
This photo captures curls of smoke from burning incense. Mesmerizing!

Click Here for Etsy Shop

Betsy Resnick Jewelry
Hand Crafted Silver Jewelry created in the Pacific Northwest

Pictured here: Byzantine Spiral Single Strand Necklace
I am so impressed by people who make chainmaille pieces. So time intensive, but the result is amazing!

Click Here for Etsy Shop

Advance to Go Art Glass
Gorgeous glass designs by Geri Omohundro, artist in Idaho

Pictured here: Spiral Sterling Ring
The best part about this ring is not just the stunning design, but the fact that you can get it in virtually any color!

Click Here for Etsy Shop

Faerie Glass
Stained Glass Jewelry by Maria Burd in Portland, Maine

Pictured here: Violet Caress - Glass Pendant
I have to admit, I'm a sucker for a purple pendant. The color and the delicate silver detailing on this piece have me swooning!

Click Here for Etsy Shop

I hope you enjoy these sellers as much as I do! Check out their shops when you get a chance!

So Long, Summer!

2009-09-20T23:42:00.008-05:00

Whew! Where did the summer go! Last time I wrote, the summer was just beginning. Three months full of promise and plenty of time to spend working on my jewelry. Boy, did that fly by!

Now it's back to school and back to fitting in the jewelry thing any time I can manage. Of course, before I can actually create anything I need to organize my space. I've become a bit of a pack rat when it comes to jewelry items. The thing is, beads and findings are so small, it always seems like there is room for them! Well...right now that room seems to be on the floor of my basement. Not so conducive to creating. So I've taken a little break from designing jewelry to try and design an organized workspace. Here are some before pictures of what my area looked like:

As you can see it was sort of a nightmare. I had gotten into the bad habit of not unpacking ANYTHING I bought. I just took the bags down and dumped them under the tables or wherever there was a modicum of room. When I needed something I would root around in the bags until I found it or, in the event I couldn't find it (which is what happened more often than not), I gave up and moved on to something else. I am also extremely bad at putting things away once I am done with them, hence the items covering the table. If I am in the middle of a project I don't like to clear everything away even if I'm done working on it for the night. So, the next time I come to the table, I have all the materials spread out everywhere. If I decide to work on something different I push those things aside and get out my new materials. Not a good plan.

Time for cleaning...Where to begin? Well, I decided that in order to organize the space I had to pack everything up and start from scratch. I got some boxes and packed everything up. Having 2 large tables seemed to be counter productive for me. Rather than having a large work surface I ended up having more places to pile junk. So, I got rid of one of the tables and reduced my work space to increase my storage space. One trip to IKEA later (how in the world did I manage before IKEA came to Minnesota?) I found a unit with rolling shelves that would (hopefully!) house all of my stuff. Here's what the area looked like with the table removed and the stuff all boxed up.

I'm still in the process of getting the place organized, but I am well on my way to make my Sep. 30 deadline. I will update as things take shape!

Crafted Together

2009-05-29T14:12:00.006-05:00

Well, time for another show! This time it's Crafted Together in White Bear Lake. I'm really looking forward to this event. I've heard really good things about past shows, and it's run by a craft consignment shop called Truly that has great artists, so I think there are going to be some great vendors at this show. The only potential obstacle is the number of jewelry designers who are going to be there. I think they said they have 40 vendors total and 16 are jewelry. Personally that would be my idea of heaven but I know not everyone is the jewelry junkie I am. =)

Here are the details if you're in the area and want to stop by! I would love to see you there!
Date: Saturday May 30
Time: 9:00am-3:00pm
Location: Avalon Mall
2179 4th St.
White Bear Lake

Bipolar Weekend

2009-05-19T14:51:00.010-05:00

Got to love that crazy, unpredictable Minnesota weather. Saturday morning I woke up bright and early (6am) to discover it was cloudy, windy and 38 degrees outside. Not what you want to see when you're getting ready for an outdoor show. Setting up the tent was a nightmare. The wind was insane and there were a few moments I thought I might lose my tent. We were across the street from a (very large) lake, so that could have been disastrous! Thank goodness for my wonderful partner! She went to the hardware and came back with 4 40 lb. bags of water softener and some pulleys to secure the tent. It worked, but there were still a few scary moments.

The wind didn't mess with just the tent...I had to modify half of my display. I normally have easels with jewelry cases but the easels couldn't handle the wind, so I had to prop them up on the table. The cold and wind kept a lot of people away, so it was not a great turn out. Sunday, on the other hand, could not have been any more beautiful. Sunny, warm, no wind, just perfect conditions. We had about 3x the amount of people on Sunday at the show. Surprisingly I made more sales on Saturday than I did on Sunday.

On the plus side I got a lot of positive comments about my designs. People genuinely seemed to like my jewelry. I also talked with a member of the Etsy team I'm part of and got some really good feedback about my display. I definitely need something to create sort of a "wow" factor and pull people in to look. I love my current display because
1. all the jewelry can stay in it in between shows.
2. set up time is minimal. I just take off the plexiglass covers and the cases are ready to go.
3. it's easy to pack and transport.
4. it allows me to display a lot of items (over 250) in a small space without looking cluttered or messy.
So...I need to find something to create a focal point for my display that is easy to transport and set up. I would like something unique, not just the typical necklace display busts. That's my current goal.

Show Time!

2009-05-15T14:02:00.009-05:00

I'm going to be participating in the Wayzata Art Experience art show tomorrow. I'm a little nervous. I've been in a few shows before but nothing on this scale. I've been making new designs to get ready and I was feeling pretty good until I actually started putting the pieces in my displays. I have these great cases with plexiglass covers that I can set up ahead of time. Each one holds 24 pieces. I wanted to use all 10 of my cases and I figured I would have no problem filling them. Unfortunately I didn't realize a lot of my pieces were Christmas/Winter themed until I started going through them. Whoops! So now I have enough for 8 cases. I should be able to fill all 10 after frantically trying to finish a bunch of pieces last night. (FYI: It's no fun to go to work on 3 hours sleep!)
Weather is going to be a little cooler than they predicted earlier this week. There's no rain in the forecast so that's good! Hopefully it will be a decent turnout. If you're in the area stop by! I'll be at booth #52.
Show hours:
Saturday, May 16 10:00-5:00
Sunday, May 17 11:00-4:00
Directions:
Wayzata is located 11 miles west of Minneapolis on I-394/Hwy 12. Proceed west on I-394/Hwy 12 to Wayzata Exit 101 South. Turn right on Wayzata Blvd. At the second stoplight (fork in the road), veer left onto Superior Blvd. At yield sign, take right onto Lake Street. Click here for a map.

Greetings & Salutations!

2009-05-13T14:51:00.010-05:00

Hi! I'm new to this whole blogging thing, so maybe I should start by introducing myself.

My name is Sarah Bober. I’m a Jewelry designer in St. Paul, MN by way of Chicago, IL. Unfortunately jewelry is not my full time job, but fortunately I have a job that I love. I’m a children’s librarian in a school. How fun is that? I get to be around kids all day and I have the perfect excuse to read children’s books all the time. If you don’t get a chance to read children’s literature at all there is some GREAT stuff out there. I love giving book recommendations too, so if you are looking for something for you, your kids, nieces/nephews, etc. to read let me know and I’ll be happy to help think of something.

Why the heck am I doing this? Good question. I love creating my art but I rarely get a chance to talk about it with other people. I thought this would be a great way to connect with other people and artists. I hope it will be a motivator for me, too, to post new pieces and try new things.

I specialize in resin and fine silver (PMC) jewelry. PMC – Precious Metal Clay – is my absolute love! In college I fell in love with ceramics and wheel throwing, and PMC combines my love of clay with my love of jewelry. It’s a totally addictive medium for me. If it wasn’t so expensive I would work with it all the time. I kind of stumbled into creating resin pieces. Recently while looking at jewelry pieces I realized most of the designs I found interesting were resin, so I decided to try and figure out how to make them on my own. I love that you can use resin to capture virtually any small-ish item. Talk about endless possibilities!