Look What I Got!

I's my new handforged bronze ivy leaf from knitsteel over on Etsy! It's the coolest thing! I can't stop touching it to feel its surface texture. It's quite smooth and wonderfully crafted to say the least. The color is beautiful. I don't know what I was expecting but it is beyond my expectations.

This piece is very warm and rich, with a lustrous shine and beautiful contrasting dark patina. I have no idea what I'm going to use it for. It could be a pendant, keychain, talisman, etc., as Kirsten states in the description of these little beauties. Right now I just can't seem to put it down. I keep reaching for it and holding it, rubbing it with my thumb to feel it over and over again. It's just really, really great.

Kirsten makes truly unique and stunning works of art. You should visit her shop, her photos on Flickr, as well as her blog to find out more about her and how she makes these and all of her gorgeous pieces. (She is also a member of Etsymoms as am I.)

I feel lucky to have obtained this little work of art for myself, and I'm thinking about getting more for Christmas presents, they are so unique and wonderful.

Thank you Kirsten! I love it!

P.S. Kevin has now taken to calling this piece his 'lucky charm' and wants to keep for himself! I may just have to get another one so we can both have our own! :D

New Avatar Help

As stated in an earlier post, I'm thinking about changing my avatar. Here is what I have come up with. I put together a collage of thoughts and it includes my present avatar. Should it be something that is in my shop or would it be all right to use something that has sold already? Can I enlist your help in choosing a possible new one?

50th Sale!

Yay! I'm going to toot my own horn for a moment here. I finally reached my 50th sale in my Etsy shop! One of my oldest remaining sets (but sold separately) finally left my possession and went to Michigan. I waited to post about it until I received feedback from the customer. Not only did I receive glowing feedback, I got a quick email note from my customer and had to pass along what she said:

"Hi Ginger!

Thank you so much for the quick turnaround. I love the new set, it is gorgeous! I'm attending a late college graduation ceremony next weekend, and I look forward to wearing my beautiful new jewelry. I left positive feedback for you on Etsy.

I appreciate the beauty and creativity you put into your art work.

Take care,
(customer name)"

I was thrilled to get this note from her and very proud she thought enough of my jewelry to wear it to such an important function. I'll be right there with her in spirit! To this customer, thank you very much! You have made me smile and filled my heart with joy!

***

I also learned that my avatar set will in fact be worn for a wedding. The customer is getting married on the beach in Jamaica! Wow! How cool is that? She is going to send me photos (I hope) so I can see it on the bride. I'm looking so forward to those pictures.

To my customer, congratulations!!! I hope you have a long and happy life together with your new husband. (You're sure getting off to a great start in Jamaica!)

***

So many beads and so little inspiration. I have to confess that I have recently bought quite a few new beads but just can't seem to find the inspiration now to create anything. It's been raining cats and dogs here at mom's and being inside has put a damper on my creativity. Anybody else get that way? I have only created four new things and photographed them, but I'm not at all satisfied with the pics. Not that they're bad, they are just kind of lifeless. I've always struggled with my photos and this time I'm struggling even more for some reason. I can't get the lighting to suit me or the pieces; they just seem blah or something. They don't jump out at me and I'm just getting very frustrated.

Now that the sun has come out today perhaps I will become inspired again and get something done. I'm going to re-photograph the pieces, somehow. I may get really wild with them this time, who knows?! It just seems like I can't do them justice, but maybe the sunshine being out will help. I do like using the light tent in daylight. I like the look using daylight. But if anyone has any suggestions on product photography for pretty, shiny things please let me know! I'll try anything.

Take care everyone! I hope you are not all being flooded or in a drought either. May your day be well and happy!

Until next time....

Goodbye To My Avatar Set!

Of all the sales I have had, the sale I made today on Etsy is one of the most meaningful I have had yet. Today a customer bought the set I use as my avatars for both Etsy and Flickr.

I have loved this set since the minute I made it. It's so dainty and feminine, and in my opinion quite elegant and lovely. I made it over a year ago and I have always just loved it. It was my first pearl piece. It was my first briolette wrapped piece. It was my first set. Today I got to say goodbye to it and sent it to live in Texas. I am understandably excited and happy about it moving.

When I made this I had "bridal" in mind. I don't know if it will be for a bride or not, but it doesn't matter. Whatever occasion it is worn for, they will be wearing a little piece of me each time they put it on, and that's how I feel about all the other jewelry I have made and sold. Knowing that always makes me smile, but this one was a little bit special.

I don't know about anyone else out there who sells on Etsy or elsewhere, but when I make a sale I feel so proud yet humbled at the same time. It's a very special feeling knowing that someone likes what you have made. And getting the package ready for when the buyer pulls it out is always fun for me. Whether inside a bubble mailer or a Priority box, I want the customer to feel special when they receive their jewelry. I haven't yet gotten my packaging exactly the way I want it. I have in mind what I want but haven't quite found where to get it. I'm going to be working on that in the near future. When I get what I want I'll post a picture.

So I finally say goodbye to my avatar set. I truly hope my customer wears it in good health and treasures it for a very long time to come. It meant a lot to me while it lived here in North Carolina. I hope it means a lot to them in Texas. Thank you.

My First Customer Appreciation Photo!

earrings, originally uploaded by wagsdot911.

This week a customer photographed herself wearing the kyanite briolette earrings she bought from me last week. Then she did the sweetest thing...she posted the photo on her Flickr! I was thrilled! My first customer appreciation photo!

What an absolutely wonderful customer and person she was to do this. I can't thank her enough. Wagsdot, you made me smile inside and out, and I felt so very proud you chose my earrings as your first Etsy purchase. Thank you again, so very much! They look really good on you!

I Was Featured on the EtsyMom Blog!

Yippee! My 'Lemon Ice' earrings were picked to be featured on the EtsyMom blog! Check it out!

Thank you Madeline! I appreciate it! Go EtsyMoms!

And if anyone is interested, I have more lemon quartz beads and seed pearls. I can make more than one pair of those earrings!! ;)