I’m so excited to announce that the 2009 Summer issue of Somerset Studio’s Artful Blogging is here! It is such an inspiring magazine and only comes at 4 times a year. It is full of luscious eye candy and helpful tips on blogging by the artist’s that actually do it every day! As you can tell, I really enjoy it. I get mine at Barnes & Noble. It costs $14.99, but I use my discount card to get 10% off. It’s worth it!  click on the pic to get more info

I was thrilled when my brother asked me to make a gift for his wife Shaun for Mother’s Day. She does not wear much jewelry, but her favorite piece was a choker she used to wear quite frequently. My brother Karl sent me some photos of her wearing the necklace, but it was hard to see the details. I tried to make her something simple using semi-precious stones. Amazonite and Amethyst look really stunning together and is said to negate negative energy (Amazonite) and promotes spiritual wisdom (Amethyst)-something you could use living with my brother! Hee-hee!

Everybody has something they think they are really good at. When they find out they are not so great at it, it comes a as a little shock to the ego. That happened to me today. It started with an innocent question about my shop on Etsy. I posted a sad little tale about how anemic my sales have been. I asked, no pleaded, for advice from my fellow Etsians on the Community Forum and got loads of advice; some were really nice, but most were things that I could improve upon or change. (Whoa, that was a major run-on sentence!) Boy, do I have a lot of changing’ to do! 

This was my post:

 

  I got 46 posts, the most I’ve ever gotten with a post on Etsy. Most people had to say:

  1. My banner kind of sucks.

  2.  My photos are too dark, too busy and pretty much suck.

  3. My announcement is too long and again sucks.

  4. Stop whining and be patient! Example-“hi..if you thought you'd open a shop here and folks would be flocking to you to buy then it's a sad realization to face....any business is tough and takes time to get yourself out there and seen, let alone sell. to have sold as many as you have in the short time you've been here is a good thing...whether that's good enough for you or not is another thing” – JuJutoo  Wow. She tells it like it is!

 

I guess because I graduated with an Associates degree in Photography and Graphic Arts, this criticism hurts a little more  than usual. I thought I was really good at it. But come to think of it, that was like over 10 years ago and I did not have much commercial photography training. So, I’m going to give myself a break on this one and just take their suggestions to heart and work really hard to improve my shop! Rome wasn’t built in a day, neither is a small web-based jewelry business!

I do want to thank all of my “virtual” friends for the encouraging words and constructive criticism. There are so many creative, wonderful people out there that are truly inspiring!

Words are too distracting in background. Picture is “shrunk to fit”, making it too small.

 

I actually like this one, but again, background is distracting.

 

Too dark perhaps, uninteresting angle? Again shrunk to fit, making it too small

 

“Your banner isn't the best. Maybe find an etsian to help you out on that”

How Insulting!

I am working on a new necklace that I need a little help with. All you artistic people (and not so artistic people) please give me your opinion!

Which side of the necklace do you like better?

the right side with the black beads and red crystals or

the left side with the gold chain and black and red crystals as hanging accents?

Please post your comment so I can finish this necklace and list it on Etsy for all you Alice fans!

This is quite embarrassing of me, but for a good cause! Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mom’s out there! And remember: your never too old to get your butt wet!

How much do I love this necklace? Let me just count the ways.

1. Vintage black beads from the 1960’s.

2. Yellow and black color combo (a hot trend right now)

3. New fresh, design

4. It sparkles and shines

5. It has a lovely Swarovski crystal in the middle of the rose.

6.It makes any outfit look SPECTACULAR!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s on sale at my Etsy store right now with Free Shipping!!! It’s perfect for Mother’s Day so don’t delay!

Today we went to the Austin Art Alliance Fine Art Fair in beautiful downtown Austin. It was such a lovely day, not too hot, a little windy and no rain! Mia and Josie and my husband came, making it a fun family outing. Thom even got involved in the crafting fun!

 

 

I went exploring while the “kids” played!

This place was colorful!

 

 

I met many wonderful artists at the show, including jewelry artists, fine artists, and pottery makers. My absolute favorite fine artist was Mary Alayne Thomas. She does these wonderful mixed media pieces in which she uses a technique called encaustic. (It is certainly a great deal of work- click on the word to see a slideshow of how to do it!) I also saw a great deal of art nouveau influence in her work which I am drawn to also.

 

click on pic to go to her web site

My favorite jewelry artist was a man who worked with polymer clay in his designs. I do not usually like clay jewelry but his pieces were incredibly unique and beautiful! His prices were very reasonable for the amount of work that looked like went into each piece. I especially liked his “lantern” drop necklaces. It is on my Mother’s Day gift wish list!   His name is pretty crazy, but he really is an amazing artist-Wiwat Kamolpornwijit Oh, No! It’s looks like he does not have an on-line shop. If I want that necklace, I better go back tomorrow!     YIKES!                                       

 

Some other artists I enjoyed:

www.fineartoncanvas.com   Tanya Doskova

www.rachaeladamiak.com    jewelry design, Austin, Tx

www.fourfootedart.com      Yvonne Miller: fine art with an animal twist

www.SilvieGoldmark.com     beautiful & unique salt and pepper shakers

www.avanzare.com              Kristian Rangel:  amazing dream-like etchings

 

 

Here are more pictures of our outing to explore!