Woven Chains Jewelry

Market and Swap-and- Shop

2008-06-10T19:10:00.000-07:00

Some days I feel like my life is spinning out of control. I want to come here and document all that is going on, but then I don't know where all of the time goes! The highlights of the last week have been:

Opening day of Kent Farmers' Market: This is my second full year selling jewelry, and it is such a different scene than last year. The Kent Lions, who are in charge of the Market, have done a fantastic job of organizing the Market this year and an even better job of communicating with the vendors about everything that is going on. It was a cold, yucky day, but some of our good friends from last year were there, and some amazing new vendors came. I had a good day, selling several pairs of earrings, and I am looking forward to next week.

The first EtsyRain Swap-and-Shop: This happened on the Sunday following Market, and was an absolute blast. I really appreciate the support I get from my EtsyRain buddies and I just absolutely enjoy spending time hanging out with all of them. Not to mention the fact that I scored some beautiful bookmarks for my dad and father-in-law from NORIK, some destash beads, and a great recycled t-shirt dress from Kayce at WorldofWhimm (from her OnaWhimm shop). Even better, I got to pay for the dress in fabric.

I'm going to try to post more regularly, hopefully my life will calm down. Until then, I'll keep reading everyone else's blogs and enjoying hearing about your lives.

Uh, Oh, Where'd She Go?

2008-05-28T11:04:00.000-07:00

It has been a very long time since I have been able to post here. Life has certainly gotten in the way. I had a great time at the show in Edmonds on May 10th. I sold lots of earrings and keychains, and even a bracelet – yeah! I saw so many of my great PSIA/EtsyRain friends, and lots of other people stopped by to see me as well, including my super-crafty mother-in-law, and my sister-in-law and her husband (who ended up putting my stuff away for me and taking it home when I ran away to Disneyland for Mother’s Day with my daughter, my mom, my sister and my niece).

That was actually the next big thing that I did in my blog hiatus, Disneyland and Southern California in two quick days. We had an absolute blast! I miss my sister and niece so much, and it was great to spend some time with them, plus this was a big chance for my mom and I to spend some much needed time together. Happy Mother’s Day to me!

I keep creating new, fun stuff for my Kent Farmer’s Market Booth (Opening Day is June 7th – Woo Hoo) and for my Etsy Store. I like creating. I just don’t like taking the pictures and posting quite so much. Hopefully, I ‘ll be able to get better at it really soon!

Finally, I have just been taking a little break from all things blog (at least the posting side). Family life has taken over, and that will continue to take priority as long as it needs to. I love to read blogs and comment, and I will post more when things calm down.

Take care,

Trina

New Stuff

2008-05-09T10:36:00.000-07:00

I don't have a ton of new stuff for the PSIA sh0w, but I seem to have more than I have ever had in one spot before. I also think I have done a better job of organizing and displaying my work than I ever have before, especially for taking the totality of my inventory (which normally fills a 10' by 10' booth) and scrunching it down onto a 6 foot by 2 foot table (which is a much larger table than I have used in the past, BTW). I have shutters to display the earrings, and risers to put under my table coverings to give my display some height. I'll try to get pictures, but they always seem to come out yucky when I take them at shows. We'll see.

So...the new stuff. Also posted as my "Sun Challenge" entry. The Sun and Moon Pendants. I really like these.

Getting Ready!

2008-05-03T22:07:00.000-07:00

My first big show of the season, the PSIA/EtsyRain Edmonds Show on May 10th (see my previous post for details) is coming up in exactly one week. I got the nicest write up in anticipation of the show from Kayce at World of Whimm on her blog (thanks Kayce). I am frantically getting ready. Creating, packing, redesigning my display, deciding on whether or not to scramble and order a banner, its enough to exaust even someone who doesn't have a full time job and a family!

To top it all off, those who know me well will tell you that to call me organizationally challenged would be extremely generous. My work is scattered hither and yon, and it has been a major undertaking to unearth all of the its and bits I need for a show that haven't seen the light of day since the pre-Christmas Season. All day long it was "have you seen the bracelet stands?" or "where in the heck did I put the marbles for the martini glasses?" Hopefully we have found most everything now, and all that is left is to finish the last bit of packing during the week.

I even tried to take some pictures of my work area with its glorious dissaray of earrings and bracelets before they all got bagged, tagged, carded and packed. Unfortunately none of them turned out.

On a better note I have gotten some great ideas from our EtsyRain group about displays and I just took a great class from Marlo M. of IMakeCuteStuff on selling at craft shows, so I feel better prepared than I ever have before.

I'm very excited about the show, just in case you haven't figured it out already. I just wish all the tedious, mundane details would be done with, and the fun part could begin!

A Show, A Show

2008-04-30T19:38:00.001-07:00

On May 10th, I am going to be participating in a great show in Edmonds, WA. There will be 25 EtsyRain/PSIA (Puget Sound Indie Artists) participating, showcasing everything from jewelry to fine arts to dress-up clothes for kids to fabulous textiles. I'm getting very excited.

I think the best part is the Gift Bags that will be given away to the first 50 people to come to the show, and to one lucky show-goer every hour. Most of the vendors at the show and several other PSIA artists contributed. These are not your typical, filled with flyers, magnets and business cards gift bags, but will hand-made bags (some by yours truly) stuffed full of goodies lovingly created by true artisans. I made something totally new for me, and don't worry, there will be some for sale at my table for those who aren't lucky enough to get a gift bag.

I only hope that I have enough time to do everything I need to do in order to get ready for this show. Luckily I have a wonderful husband who will help me.

I hope to see a lot of you there!!!

Crafting with Friends

2008-04-26T18:14:00.000-07:00

Today I had a chance to get together with my really good friend Elli, and spent most of the day crafting. It was absolutely wonderful. We took pictures, bounced ideas off of one another, laughed so hard my tummy hurt, and worked so hard my hands are still sore. Elli makes the most fantastic semi-precious stone jewelry. It was wonderful. I'll post pictures of what I made as soon as I unpack everything from my outing. I can't wait to do this again!

Sushi, Sushi Everywhere, but not a Roll to Eat!

2008-04-18T20:15:00.001-07:00

My crafty mother-in-law, Kristine, struck gold again last weekend. When we went over on Sunday morning, there was a small pile of strips of felt, and I was intrigued. She gleefully informed me that the strips were to become felt sushi! Even better, she had stopped by Fusion beads and we had "roe" to add to the top of some of the rolls.

While I worked on the earrings I had to finish, Kristine and my daughter worked on cutting strips of felt, rolling them into tight rolls, and stitching the rolls closed. There was red for tuna, orange for salmon, yellow for yellowtail or radish, green for wasabi and avocado, white for rice, and black for nori. They stayed busy for hours.

The whipped cream and cherry on this whole project was the roe that Kristine sewed to the top of two of the sushi pieces. It was a wonderful project. The inspiration came from an article printed in The Seattle Times on Monday, April 7th.

Two Piles of Earrings to Be...

2008-04-11T21:39:00.000-07:00

I'm in full production mode for Summer. For me, that means making about a dozen different styles of earrings in about twenty different colors, give or take. I find it amusing that at one stage I have a pile of earring dangles that don't look anything like earrings. In these piles there are Fairy Wings (my latest), baby Byz (short for Byzantine), Peppermint Love Knots, Clovers, Flowers, and probably some I missed. I also inlcuded something new I'm trying -- gold accents instead of silver on some earrings.

Ick, Blech, Yuck

2008-03-28T20:10:00.000-07:00

I feel the need to whine and complain a bit. Maybe even more than a bit. I came back from a spledidly wonderful anniversary trip in San Francisco last weekend to one of the worst weeks I have had in a very long time. The first thing we noticed Sunday night and Monday morning was how cold our house was. We thought the thermostat has just gone wonky, but that was not the whole story...more on that later.

Then Monday, I started to feel awful. I couldn't keep my eyes open and my whole body ached. I wanted to go home, but with my commute I knwe I had better wait to carpool with my husband. I ended up going straight home and climbing into bed. I didn't really get up again until Thursday. It was one of the worst cases of the flu I have had in many, many years.

During this time, my hubby did determine that our furnace -- in our five year old house, no less-- was totally on the fritz. NO HEAT! And we are having one of the coldest Marches on record. In fact, when I went back to work on Thursday, there was 3 inches of snow to be scraped off of my car. This whole thing is more than crazy.

Well, things are starting to look up. We are going to get the furnace fixed, I'm feeling much better, there is no more snow in the forecast and there are really no lasting effects to my terrible week.

I'm sure next week will be better!

Swag Bag Sewing Fest

2008-03-17T20:17:00.000-07:00

Wow, EtsyRain (or whoever we are now) artists sure can work! On Saturday a whole bunch of us got together and sewed for hours and made almost 60 bags for our Swag Bag give away at our Edmonds show on May 10th. Whew, what a job. But wow, what fun. Marlo and Dawn were there, of course. Emma and Kayce had to be there as swag bag organizers. Sima was there, gamely learning how to cut and sew. Sherrie came by, and Jonah. Meghan brought the beautiful fabrics we ended up using as the There were many more people than that who came and worked really hard to make a ton of really cool bags.

When will Spring get here?

2008-03-13T19:34:00.000-07:00

I love Spring. And I love Spring Flowers.

I Love PURPLE!!!

2008-03-08T20:39:00.000-08:00

I finally got my second entry up in the latest EtsyRain challenge "Purple Rain". I had planned on doing several pieces, and due to life getting in the way, I only made two. I still have lots of ideas, though, and maybe I'll make some of them later on. I love this bracelet, and it may have to go home with me.

These Little Guys Need a Name

2008-03-05T21:12:00.000-08:00

At my Farmer's Market booth, I sell earrings that I call "Martini Glass" Earrings (so called because I display them hanging from martini glasses). Each type of earrings is made out of 15-20 different colors of enameled copper, and they all have fun names. This earring is my latest, and I like it, but the weave is called Trek and, with all due respect to the Trekkies out there, I don't think that is the best name for an earring -- there might even be trademark issues. I'm stuck. Does anyone have any ideas? I'd even be willing to send a pair in the color of your choice to the person whose name I choose.

Thanks in advance!

Some Weaves have the Darndest Names

2008-03-03T19:56:00.000-08:00

Just like quilt blocks, many chainmaille weaves have several different weaves. This particular weave was originally given the name Rhinos Snorting Drano. I wonder what the weave inventor was snorting to come up with that? It is also known as Barrel Weave and Stairway to Heaven. If you double the circling rings, the weave becomes Double Visions. I like the openness of the weave, it looks good on a wrist.

More Copper!

2008-03-01T17:28:00.003-08:00

I just can't seem to get enough of this metal. I have made so much copper jewelry lately, it's getting almost ridiculous. Now I just need to get earwires attached, pieces tumbled and cleaned, Etsy worthy pictures taken, descriptions written and pieces listed. Where to find the time

In this post there is a Romanov bracelet with Amazonite beads, Celtic Star earrings, Dragonscale earrings and my personal favorite -- Love Knots. Pretty, pretty

Tiny Little Earrings

2008-02-27T19:54:00.000-08:00

Just a couple of little pretties. The round ones are the Romanov weave with aquamarine swarovski crystals in gold-fill and the diamond shaped ones are sterling silver and gold-fill. Both are about 1" or so from the top of the ear wire. Tiny, but impressive.

Crazy for Copper

2008-02-26T19:48:00.000-08:00

Lately, my favorite material to work in has been copper. (It doesn't hurt that silver and gold-fill keep getting more and more expensive). So, last night I lined up a whole bunch of my copper bracelets and snapped a pic. Wow, that's a lot of copper.

Etsy Really does Listen

2008-02-15T21:28:00.000-08:00

So, lately on the forum, there has been this itermittenent outcry from many of the chainmaillers about the number of items in the "chain maille" sub-categories that are mislabeled. Usually they are jewelry made from pre-made chain that gets called chainmaille for some strange reason. Several chainmaille artists got together and decided to do something about the problem. The decision was made to petition admin to change the sub-categories from "chain maille" (two words) to "chainmaille" (one word) in the hope that would stop some people from choosing the wrong tag. Amazingly, admin said yes, if we could get an overwhelming number of chainmaille artists to agree. We convo'd and posted in the forums, and we got about 75% of the chainmaillers on Etsy to post that they would agree to a change, and admin not only agreed, they changed it (YEAH!!). The collective power we held was pretty amazing.

Purple Rain Challenge: Take One

2008-02-09T19:19:00.000-08:00

Here is my first entry for the Purple Rain challenge. I love purple so much that I will probably submit several. I love the challenges because it forces me to expand my thinking and try to be more creative.

Recap: First Thursday

2008-02-08T22:12:00.000-08:00

Well, First Thursday at Stir didn't end up to be the marketing boom I had hoped, but I had a great time. I got to hang out with some great sellers from EtsyRain and talk to the few people who stopped by to shop. It was unfortunate that Hilary Clinton was campaigning just a few blocks away during much of the Art Walk, which both seriously impacted traffic and drew in many of the same people who would have normally visited the gallery.

The reactions that I did get were very positive, however. Everyone who looked at my work was very impessed with the amount of work that went into each piece, and many commented on the great variety in the work that I had out on the table. I enjoy doing shows, mostly because of the interaction with people, and I certainly got that last night.

I'm excited to stop by next month and see the different artists hanging out at Stir.

First Thursday at Stir

2008-02-06T19:27:00.000-08:00

So...I actually got one of the coveted spots at First Thursday Art Walk at Stir Boutique tomorrow night from 5 to 10 p.m. at 216 Alaskan Way in Seattle. I will be selling with Rosalie from Ugly Baby, Marlo from IMakeCuteStuff, Kayce from World of Whimm, and of Course KimberlyatStir. The mix of art should be absolutely fantastic. I had a blast last time I went to First Thursay back in November, and I expect tomorrow to be even better. I would love for any of you to come visit us.

Crazy for Pendants

2008-02-02T20:08:00.000-08:00

I find myself making more and more pendants these days. And what's more, I want to make lots more of all different types. It was never a type of jewelry I thought I would get into. Until recently, I wouldn't wear necklaces, and pendants were certainly out of the question. Now, I'm sporting different pendants almost every day -- I just rotate through my collection according to my mood.

One difficulty with being a chainmaille artist and making pendants is that chainmaille lends itself to long chains rather than discrete units. I'm struggling to find different motifs that are small and discrete and pendant-like. Every time I stumble upon a good idea, I quick-quick make up a proto-type, and I find myself constantly searching the internet for more ideas. I just hope that pendants are just as popular with my customers and they are with me.

Creating Newness

2008-02-01T21:05:00.000-08:00

I have a hard time coming up with new and orignal ideas. In chainmaille, most of what is done is pretty formulaic, just recreating or rehashing (for lack of a better term) what has already been done. There are some tremendously creative chainmaille artists out there, but overall, the art of chainmaille lends itself to recreation and re-expression rather than originallity.

That is why I am always very pleased when I come up with something new for me. I love these earrings, which are my latest "Love Knot" design, which is as creative as I have been lately -- even though this is just a variation on a theme.

Maybe this is the challenge I need to set for myself, to come up with some truly original designs and then execute them.

Wish me luck!

Wizard of Oz Chalenge: Take #1

2008-01-30T19:15:00.000-08:00

I absolutly love the challenges that Kayce comes up for us to do. I like that we get the chance to stretch our creative juices and try some things that are new and different. I also love that I get a chance to branch out from my "stock" pieces and work on something challenging and exciting.

This is my first attempt to represent the Wizard of Oz in chainmaille. The rings represent the yellow brick road, and the green crystals represent the beauty of the Emerald City at the center. I think they turned out very pretty.

I'm hoping to get one more piece done, but due to a mix-up with some rings (two sizes got mixed together, so I thought I had more than I really did) I came up a little short. We'll see what happens with Wizard of Oz Challenge: Take #2.

I can hardly wait to see what Kayce has in store for us next!!!

Treasury Fever

2008-01-26T09:50:00.000-08:00

For many months after I started on Etsy, I couldn't figure out the hype about the Treasury. It jsut seemed to be a bunch of lists that only occasionally appealed to me that everyone seemed to get overly excited about. I didn't ever seem to be able to figure out the secret of "snagging" one to be able to make my own list, and it just seemed like a big waste of time. Then along came Treasury West for a few weeks, and I was able to try out my hand at curating my own Treasuries, and I decided I kind of liked this. Added to this, I have been wanting to help promote EtsyRain, and Treasuries feel like a great way for me to support my Street Team buddies. So, now I activly try to snag treasuries.

I also have been trying to make more of an effort to check and see if I am featured in any lists. Usually is just an exercise of clicking through and hoping to see a gold star, and being mildly disappointed when none pop up. I always make a point of stopping and commenting in the treasuries that do feature me, and clicking on all of the items.

Today was a banner day. Not only was I able to snag a Treasury for myself, but I am actually featured in FOUR others. I could not believe my eyes. And one of those I have two items in the Treasury. Just in case anyone wants to go check it out, here are the links:

I COULD DRINK A CASE OF YOU -- I'm featured (Expires 1/27)

It's in the MAILLE -- I'm featured (Expires 1/28)

All I Want for VDay! -- I'm featured (Expires 1/28)

Dungeons and Dragons Fantasies -- I'm featured (Expires 1/28)

Purple Rain, EtsyRain Style -- I Curated (Expires 1/29)

I have really come to love and appreciate the fun and the power of the Treasury. I will keep curating, and keep having fun.

So Many Rings...

2008-01-24T20:15:00.000-08:00

and so many ideas!!!

I just got a huge order from the vendor who supplies the rings for my chainmaille, http://www.theringlord.com/. Sixteen pounds of sterling silver, gold-fill, copper and aluminum were waiting for me on my doorstep when I got home today. You can not believe my excitement. My husband just laughs at me when he sees me pointing and quivering at the beat up, tape-covered, not-very big, but very expensive box.

I really like the actual act of receiving supply boxes. The opening, the sorting, the checking in each line item on the packing slip. All of these acts are a pleasure to me in themselves. I also love the possibilities. Right now there is nothing more than tangles of rings, waiting for me to figure out what to make. Some of my options:

Copper Byzantine Bracelets
Bobble Pendants
Wobblebobs *Galore* in every color imaginable
Gold-Fill Graduated Persian Earrings
Stering Double Spiral Earrings

I can't wait to get started, my hands are itching to get a hold of my pliers and start bending metal.

First Sale of 2008

2008-01-14T20:19:00.001-08:00

After the rush of the Christmas season, I was certainly ready for a little break. I needed to relax and to restock all of the things I had run out of.

Well, I had a couple of weeks of resting and relaxing, and now I'm ready to get back into the swing of things on Etsy. Good thing I had my first sale of 2008 today!

Yeah, me!!

Photo Shoot!

2008-01-12T21:24:00.001-08:00

Recently I got some new photo equipment (a light tent, some really good lights and a few other goodies) and today I had a chance to try them out with Elli, a friend I sold with at Market this summer. We had such a good time! I love my new toys.

The lights and light tent made taking good clear photos so much easier, and Elli was able to take photos that she was satisfied with for the firs time ever. I can't wait to take more pictures and experiment more.

This was fun!

Crafty Kids Rock!

2008-01-07T19:59:00.000-08:00

My daughter has been doing pretty sophisticated crafting for several years now. My intrepid mother-in-law (check out the Handmade Holiday posts below for some of her accomplishments), has had my little one sewing on buttons, painting, snipping threads into tiny piles of fluff (not crafting per-se, but great for small motor skills) and so many other things I can't remember off hand. Lately I have begun to walk into the sewing room to see my little one crouched under the sewing table running the presser foot while Ma guides the fabric. What a hoot.

This weekend, my daughter designed and made a fused applique pillow with only minimal help from the grownups (except for the ironing and the sewing). I think it turned out great! Watch out Etsy, in a few years, she is going to take you by storm.

201 Hearts

2008-01-03T21:04:00.000-08:00

I know it is a bit silly to be so excited about something not directly related to sales, but I finally made over 200 hearts. For those of you not in the Etsy-know, that means over 200 people have marked my shop as a favorite. I've been deathly ill since right after Christmas (that's why no posts for so long, sorry), and I haven't been checking my hearts like I usually do. It came as a complete surprise to see that the number had grown so high. And this also came on a night when I got two wonderful feedbacks left for me as well. What a great set of pick-me-ups after feeling so cruddy for so long.

I promise to post some pictures this weekend of some of the handmade gifts that were shared at Christmas time.

Merry Christmas, Handmade Style

2007-12-24T21:52:00.000-08:00

Its Christmas Eve, and as I sit here contemplating just how lucky I am, I just want to wish everyone else a happy holiday, too. I can't wait for tomorrow, when I will go to my in-laws house. There, the spirit of Handmade Holidays lives on, and has for many years. We went over there yesterday (as we do every Sunday for dinner) and my mother-in-law was still finishing up the last few gifts. I can't wait to see what was made for me and for everyone else. It is always so exciting to open up the gifts from Ma and find the treasures inside.

Here are just a few of the gifts that I made this year:

Wobblebob Keychains
Wobblebob Ornaments
The Pink Flower bracelet in the photo above
Wobblebob pendants for the girls in my family (I promise to take pictures on Wednesday when we exchange gifts, I forgot before I wrapped them)
Jens Pind necklaces
Lego magnets
Celtic Star Earrings
Double Spiral Bracelet

I could have made more, and that is my goal for next year. I also bought quite a few handmade gifts, including ones from boulderglassmonkey, hairbowdepot, jengee, ThePrincessBowtique and SeeJayneKnitYarns

May you and yours be blessed with all the best this holiday season, and may the New Year bring only the challenges you are able to meet.

I snagged a Treasury!

2007-12-22T22:35:00.000-08:00

Hey, everyone, I got a Treasury. I chose to feature EtsyRain artists that I know personally. It was a blast to put together, and I'd love it if you would check it out!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=19987

Color Trends Challenge

2007-12-22T21:35:00.000-08:00

About once a month Kayce from EtsyRain issues a challenge to all of us to create something centered around a theme. So far, we have had Calendar related themes -- "Halloween", "Autumn", and "Winter. This time, the theme was different. We were given this link to the projected Color Trends for Spring 2008, and the task of making something that was inspired by that palette of colors. I am not a color person, so it was hard for me to even begin thinking about this task.

Finally I was able to find beads in the fucshia, turquoise-y blue, and bright yellow, and I made one of my favorite bracelets. I had intended to add Swarovski crystals for added sparkle, but after I finished with the beads, I decided it was sparkly enough.

What do you think?

It Pays to Have Friends...

2007-12-20T20:52:00.000-08:00

...At the Post Office.

Right now, everyone knows the Post Office is a crazy place. Everyone is trying to get their Holiday packages delivered on time and, as is human nature, many have waited until too late. When I walked into the Post Office this afternoon, one of the tellers actually told the woman in front of me, "I don't want to help you, I want to help that lady (pointing at me), she is really nice." It felt really good to be acknowledged for being nice while doing something that is always a chore, and I usually do begrudgingly, as well as several times a week. I guess I'll keep on smiling, and chatting and making friends in the most unlikely places.

Ornaments, reprise

2007-12-19T20:51:00.001-08:00

I finally got a chance to take some pictures of the ornaments that I made for the EtsyRain Christmas Party and Ornament Exchange (what a mouthful) and I wanted to show them off...So, here they are!

2007-12-17T20:28:00.000-08:00

I got this set of questions from the Sew, Mama, Sew! Blog, where I indulge one of my other loves (fabric and sewing) in a very vicarious way, because I unfortunately don’t sew anymore. I thought it would be just as meaningful here, though.

1. Do you have a favorite gift that you love to give?
I love giving gifts that I have spent time and effort either making or planning for someone special. I absolutely hate giving generic gifts. I actually start collecting gifts early in the year and hide them away. (And I hope that the temptation to give them away early doesn’t get too strong)

2. If you’re making gifts this year, what are you making?
I am making lots of stuff. I’m making necklaces and pendants for my sister, my niece, and my step-mom; I’m making wobblebob keychains for tons of different people, I’m making a really cool pink bracelet for my sister-in-law, and I’m making lego magnets for my brother-in-law. (I hope none of them read my blog!)

3. Do you have any good stories about handcrafted gifts you’ve given or received?
I have received some of my best hand-made gifts from my mother-in-law, who is one of the most special people in my whole life. One of the first and most important handcrafted gifts that she ever gave me was my Christmas stocking. I remember that morning (I must have been about 17 years old) and I had felt very left out the year before when I didn’t have a stocking to open on Christmas morning, as that is a huge tradition at my Husbands house (yes, I have been with him FOREVER). When she handed me my beautiful, hand-knit stocking, filled with all the treats, it brought tears to my eyes.

Another gift that meant the world to me from my mother-in-law was my “grown-up” purse, which she made for me specifically to take on interviews when I was looking for a new job.

I can’t believe I almost forgot about the Advent Calendar, made by…you guessed it… my mother-in-law. She made 4 calendars, one for each of us girls (myself and my husbands two sisters – they are twins) and one for herself. The calendar itself is about 3 feet by 4 feet and it is a log cabin pattern quilt wall hanging. Mine is made of all batik fabrics (I love batiks), and then there are 25 little tiny ornaments that get tied on each day in December. It is so much fun.

4. Do you have any great gift compilation ideas?
Not really… This isn’t my forte!

5. Name one thing on your personal wish list.
A happy 2008

6. Do you make and sell things that would make fantastic gifts?
Absolutely! Not only do I make and sell chainmaille jewelry, I make fabric origami boxes, and I make and teach classes in hand-made lotions.

7. What is your favorite family holiday tradition?
Christmas morning, definitely! First, we have to get to mom and dad’s house (his, not mine) and open presents – so many presents – and then there is the wonderful eggs benedict breakfast with our Aunt and Uncle and cousins. It is such a wonderful time.

8. Have you started any new traditions with your family that you didn’t practice growing up?
We used to try to cram all of our holiday visits into Christmas day, but the year I was pregnant, I put my foot down and said, no more. So we have made a tradition of spending Boxing Day (December 26th) with my Dad, my step-mom and my step-brother.

I would like to start some new traditions with my family moving forward. It is something that is becoming more important to me. I just don’t know exactly what yet. I’ll get there.

9. What do you love most about the holiday season?
I love the sense of family. I love that my sister comes home from California with my niece and I get to see them. I like knowing that I have people around me to love and who love me back. And for the last several years, I have loved watching my little girl get into the holiday spirit, all full of Santa and Rudolph and the magic of the season.

10. What do you like least about the holiday season?
Too much Christmas Music, shopping at the mall, and no parking anywhere!!!

11. Anyone close to your heart that you’ll be missing this year?
I miss My Grammy. Last Christmas was hard because she got sick right at Thanksgiving, and was in the last stages of dying right around Christmas. This Christmas, she just won’t be here at all. I love her so much.

I’m also going to miss my mom. We have had a falling out, and aren’t talking right now, and it is hard to know that for the first time ever, I won’t get to spend Christmas with my mom.

12. What is your favorite holiday food?
I’m not sure it is really a holiday food, but I always look forward to eggs benedict on Christmas morning. The Stalin (German Christmas bread) is pretty good too!

13. Do you have a great recipe to share?
I’ll look and get back to you soon!

Thanks for reading along with me, and here's wishing you a Happy Handmade Holiday.

Angel Ornament from the Ornament Exchange

2007-12-15T16:07:00.000-08:00

As promised, here is the ornament from Meghan at Baubles by hand. We love it around here! We are really getting in the holiday spirit with help from our friends at EtsyRain.

EtsyRain Ornament Exchange

2007-12-13T19:41:00.000-08:00

I got to party with a hugely talented bunch of ladies last Sunday at the EtsyRain (the Seattle Etsy Street Team) Christmas Party. We had a great time, with fabulous company, excellent food, and much laughing and joking around. But the highlight of the evening was definately the Ornament Exchange. All of the ornaments were hand-made by the represented artists, and the actual exchange was run as a White Elephant Gift Exchange, complete with stealing of gifts. The only catch was that all of the choosing and stealing was done soley on the wrapping of the ornament. We had no idea what was inside.

Not that it would have mattered. All of the ornaments were spectacular! I got a crown from KC at World of Whimm, two different cacti from Marlo at imakecutestuff, and a beautiful angel from Meghan at Baubles by Hand (check back tomorrow for a picture). I was so happy! (But truth be told, I would have gladly gone home with any of the great ornaments from the party).

Happy Holidays

The ways others touch our lives...

2007-12-08T18:06:00.000-08:00

I was really touched by a comment that a returning customer made the other day. She had bought a bracelet from me this summer at Kent Saturday Market, and she made an order for a couple more for some friends. As a part of the conversation that we had over e-mail, she made the comment that the bracelet that I had made this summer had a lot of meaning for her, and that she couldn't wait to share with this with her friends. It was amazing to me that something that I had made with my hands and my heart could have that kind of an affect on someone.

I also had the chance to work with the mother of a business acquaintance of mine just recently, and it was so nice to get to know her a bit better by meeting her family and finding out a little more about her than I would have otherwise known.

I like what I do for many reasons, but one of the main ones is because of the ways that I am touched by and that I have a chance to touch others' lives. I hope that continues.

Wobblebob Keychains

2007-12-05T21:09:00.000-08:00

These are too much fun! The mystery of the wobblebob, transformed into a practical keychain. I love them because you can keep it close at hand and manipulate the rings. They act as a perfect stress ball. I hope they sell well as stocking stuffers this Christmas!

Cyber Monday?

2007-11-27T20:39:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, Cyber Monday wasn't the big rush of orders I was hoping for. Maybe by this time next year, I will have gotten the hang of promoting and I will hve a much larger customer base to pull from and I will have a monster Cyber Monday 2008. This year, I will just have to content myself with all of the shopping that I managed to do!

Some orders you have to love to hate...

2007-11-23T20:56:00.000-08:00

Around Seattle, one of our favorite pastimes is the old University of Washington Husky vs. Washington State Cougar debates. Alums delight in sporting team colors and team gear and arguing over who has the better team for whatever sport hapens to be in season. Around Thanksgiving, the debate always rages around the Apple Cup. My husband says that you can have a great 1 and 11 season, as long as you win the Apple Cup.

I am a died in the wool Husky. Two degrees and 6 years later, I had better be. One of my work-mates is just as big of a Cougar nut. That work mate just commissioned me to make one of my favorite pieces, a Jelly Bean bracelet, in Cougar colors. ACK! Luckily, it turned out absolutely beautiful. Now the Huskies have to win tomorrow so that I can rub it in just a little with my friend!

Go Huskies!

EtsyRain Sampler Bags

2007-11-20T20:12:00.001-08:00

I had a great opportunity this weekend. I was a part of 10 great artists who all contributed items for a sampler bag that we are all posting in our Etsy shops. You get a chance to get 5 items from 5 different, extremely talented, Seattle-area artists. The shops include:

Each shop gets to break up the 10 items however they want, so each Sampler Bag has the potential to be different. Also, we all decided to post them as Mystery Samplers, so I'm not going to post any pictures and spoil the surprise.

Enjoy!

Whatever you do...

2007-11-17T21:50:00.000-08:00

Don't pack up early at a craft show!

It is really tempting sometimes, but I don't think it is ever a good idea. My hubby and I went to a craft show today, and it was extremely slow all day long. The show opened at 9 a.m., and by 3:30, we had sold $10 worth of goods. Many vendors, including the show coordinator, were starting to pack up. Travis, my husband, gave me this look, with his eyebrows raised, that I knew meant, "You want to throw in the towel, too?".

That was when I said, "I don't ever like to pack up early. I have made too many of my best sales in the last 10 minutes of a show." Those words came back to haunt us in a very good way. Right before the end of the show, a lady came by and ended up buying two of the most expensive bracelets on my table. It is my best single sale to date! What a great end to the day.

So...the moral to the story is, the early bird may get the worm, but it is the patient bird who makes the sales.

I Love Custom Orders

2007-11-13T20:40:00.000-08:00

I just finished making and packaging up an order for another Etsy sller, and I have a bracelet in the tumbler for one of my colleagues. I wish that I could get enough custom orders going that I could do that exclusively, and give up the production work!

I like all of the parts of a custom order, but I think my favorite part is working with the customer to figure out exactly what they want, to make something that is going to suit the recipient to a "T." Then I get to bring that vision to life. What a rush. I like working that way better than making something for some person out there who may or may not like what I have made. I guess I will have to work harder at imagining the perfect person for the jewelery that I make every day.

Here's to many more custom orders!

Photography Class

2007-11-11T21:15:00.000-08:00

I had another good day, professionally speaking. Marlo M has been giving Photography Workshops at her studio to fellow ETSYRain members, and I was finally able to make one of the classes today. Cheryl was also in the class with me.

We learned all about great things like depth of focus, F-stops, white balance, the "macro" setting, reflected light, and so much more that I'm sure I'm forgetting all about right now. I can't wait to set up my little tiny light box and use what I learned today to take photos that show off my jewelry in a much better light.

My pictures certainly need more work at this point, and I have a lot to learn with GIMP, but I'm sure excited about the progress I have made.

Woot, I'm official!

2007-11-10T17:31:00.000-08:00

I made my first wholesale sale (boy, that sounds funny) to a brick and mortar shop in my hometown. I got a tip from a customer who stopped by my booth at a holiday show last weekend and when we stopped into this cute little store, she snapped up three pairs of earrings, I have an order for several more, and she wants to meet with me to look at all of my work to pick out lots more. I am so excited. It is the first real interest I have had from someone here locally. It makes me feel very good about everything I have been doing and extremely optomistic for the future.

Wish me luck!

Flowers are Blooming

2007-11-08T20:34:00.001-08:00

I have just finished making these earrings, and I really like them. They are really out of character for me, much larger and more dramatic than I am used to making. The people who saw them at my last show (where they "debuted") really seemed to like them. Maybe I will have to start working on a whole line of bigger, more dramatic, over the top earrings to go along with my itty-bitty, teeny-tiny earrings that I like so much.

Oh, well, I guess it takes all kinds to make the world go 'round.

ETSYRain -- Buy Handmade, Buy Seattle-Made

2007-11-05T19:44:00.000-08:00

Fairly Recently, I went to the Etsy Teams home page, actually looking for a Jewelry Street Team of some sort to join, and I noticed that there was a Seattle Street Team -- ETSYRain. I immediately joined, and haven't looked back since.

The opportunities have been many, varied, and wonderful. I have been to an Art Show at Stir, a gallery in Pioneer Square in Downtown Seattle as part of First Thursday Art Walk; I am going to participate in a gift bag exchange (two of the gift bags will be available for sale on my Etsy site with 5 different talented artists work inside at a discounted price); I am going to be donating some earrings to "The Sampler" (I'm not quite sure how that works, but I hear it is great); and today was the deadline for the 2nd ETSYRain Challenge, with a theme of "Autumn." I made a pair of great earrings, inspired by my favorite part of fall, the changing leaves. Enjoy!

Oh, No, Christmas is Coming

2007-11-03T17:51:00.000-07:00

I sold at my first Holiday Craft Fair of the season today, and it went better than I was expecting. I had a good day for sales, and so many people took cards and wanted to talk later about custom work. Hopefully some of those will pan out into orders. Several things really made the day special, though. First, I got to see Ken and Karen (who make beautiful beaded jewelery) and Ellie and Ellen (who make fantastic necklaces and bracelets from semi-precious stones). They were my selling buddies all summer at Farmer's Market in Kent, and I have missed them a lot since we closed up shop for the summer. Second, I got the offer to be in two more holiday shows, right there at the Craft Fair. And Third, Kimberly, another ETSYRain team member showed up, totally out of the blue to visit the Craft Fair.

I find I enjoy selling to real people who I can visit with much more than I enjoy on-line selling. I hope these opportunities continue to be plentiful and profitable for me.

Addicted to Love...Knots, that is

2007-11-02T19:24:00.000-07:00

I'm not quite sure what the attraction is for me, if it is the simplicity of the shape, or the size, or the fact that I can put them together quickly, but my favorite earrings to make are most definitely my "Love Knots." Currently I have 7 different styles: one in bright, vibrant colors; two different sizes of sterling silver; one in gold-fill; one in copper; one in sterling and gold-fill ; one in sterling, gold-fill and copper; and I am working on a special version for the holidays that is sterling mixed with color.

Not only are they my favorite to make, they are also my best sellers -- which is a good thing for me. I just hope I get to keep sharing the Love...Knots, that is.