I'm going to the Emmys...

Well, my jewelry is anyway!

The other day an awesome artisan and new friend, Tina of Tina Dean Designs, sent me an email suggesting that I might be interested in joining a group called The Artisan Group.

Well, Yay Tina... this group turned out to be a professional art promotions group that represents talented artisans by giving them the opportunity to have their products exposed to celebrities and the press at major award show gift lounges. The group is run by two talented ladies, Valerie and Nikki, who combined have tons of experience in this kind of thing and provide loads of advice and inspiration.

Before actually joining, I have to admit, I was skeptical. I mean it's just not everyday that you run into an opportunity this cool. So, as I usually do with such things, I googled the heck out of everyone involved. :) Everything checked out and was 100% legit so I joined the group.

Now, being a member of the group, although it is juried and you must be approved for inclusion, was fairly easy. Once signed up I joined in on the conversations on FB with some very talented artisans and I was happy to be a part of the group's friendly and supportive atmosphere.

But actually having your items be included in the celebrity gift bags is a whole different story and not all group members decide to take the plunge. It involves committing to producing 100 items and packaging them well, coming up with a cool display piece for the group's exhibit table, and paying a fee to cover the costs of participating in the event. I couldn't decide. It was a LOT of work and expense. On one hand, I thought, it was an amazing opportunity that I shouldn't pass up because of a bit of extra work... on the other hand, I was swamped with summer shows and such. I was also very worried that little old me would be lost in all the iPads, cruises, Rolexes and such that are given to the celebs by big name labels.

hmmm... what to do!

Two things helped me make my decision:

--the first came when The Artisan Group was invited to participate in GBK's Primetime Emmy Awards Gift Lounge -- GBK is *the* celebrity gifting organization; they sponsor nearly all of Hollywood's hottest gift lounges which means much BIGGER exposure by celebs and press. HUGE advantage.

--the second was a matter of taking risk. I've been struggling with direction lately, not know which direction to take my business. I don't want to be doing art and craft shows in 5 or 10 years. There are very happy jewelry artists who do this, but it's not where I want to be. So I started thinking, what's the difference? How do you make a change? How do you get to be where you really want to be? I decided it's by taking a risk, putting yourself out there for possible failure, but also for extreme opportunity and success. By deciding to put aside the fears, the cost issues, the thoughts of sleepless nights, and just jump in head first. Seeing it from that perspective I felt better instantly; I like the thought of being a risk taker. I read something recently about making a personal statement that said think about what you'd like people to be able to say about you at your funeral and strive to be that person. Besides being a great Mom and wife, I want to be known as a great artist, a world traveler, and a risk taker, it has a good ring to it!

Anyway, I did it! I committed to a journey that I'm hoping will lead to huge success ...or at least one great photo of a celeb wearing my earrings!

:D

Spring: The Beginning of Show Season

Show season is starting, and unfortunately, so is the rainy and windy season! Spring is exciting because everyone is going outside, ready to cruise handmade shows and markets and bask in the sun... when the sun is out that is! Lol.

Shows are a challenge in the rain (obviously) but even more so in the wind. It requires some creative thinking to ensure that all displays, and more importantly, items for sale stay put when it's windy. I use a lot of river rocks to weigh things down, tape to secure displays and signs, and my display tends to stay closer to the table surface rather than up high on shelves. Securing the display is definitely tricky but securing the tent is detremental, no one wants their tent flying off into the horizon (or into someone else's display)! Really heavy tent leg weights are the key, enough to hold the tent down in mega wind is important. I've seen people literally hanging from the roof beams of their tent to keep it in place! Not good... it's kinda hard to chat with customers, answer questions, and sell your goods while hanging from your tent!

The worst thing about rain and wind at a show, though, is that fewer people come out to shop. So, please, remember us die-hard vendors out there, hanging onto our tents in the rain and wind, and come out and say hi and maybe pick up a handmade item for yourself of a friend.

I have a couple of shows lined up already and am waiting to hear back from a couple more. I hope to see you at one this summer.

Check my website for current show info: AWEjewelry
and LIKE me on Facebook: AWEjewelry

Finding Inspiration

Every room should have exposed brick!

I adore the colors and texture of exposed brick. Just the feeling alone of exposed brick is inspirational; it has the feeling of a past, stories to tell, memories and events. It makes you feel comfortable and welcome and is just gorgeous to look at.

Mixed with solid bold colors it's to die for...
Throw in some luscious fabrics and stacks of books and I'd never leave...
Wood floors are a given...
Put it all together in a city apartment with a view and you have my version of heaven.

 

Love the dark wood! (and that ceiling feature!)

 

So many interesting things; travel mementos???

 

Bright and cheery.

 

Look at all those books! :D

 

Blue looks good with the brick (and I kinda like the modern feel)

 

A kitchen to die for...

  

Even bathrooms feel cozy with brick.

 

Love everything about this room!

 

What an awesome studio space!

aaahhhhh...

photo sources (top to bottom): alexandervanberge.nl, apartmenttherapy.com, apartmenttherapy.com, apartmenttherapy.com, hulyakolabasphotography.com, designspongeonline.com, designspongeonline.com, ihouse-designs.com, style-files.com

Artscape 2010 - An AWEsome festival!

Artscape Festival in Baltimore was fantastic!

Even though it was a million degrees and as humid as a sauna!

I was part of the DIY section, which had heavy traffic, and means I got to "booth" with two other fantastic artisans! Illegible Ink and Metropolis Bath and Body. Kathy of Illegible Ink makes super unique linocut art prints that she individually hand colorizes and Megan of Metropolis Bath and Body makes the most amazing smelling soaps (that are wonderful to use, I bought 3!) Check out their sites!!

I didn't get a chance to walk around the whole fest myself, but what I did see was really great. Tons of great artisans and artists, food and music!

Here are a few pics that I snapped while I was searching out some dinner:

My booth... I'm back there, really :)

There I am, although it's a little dark...

My dinner! Yummy :)

Some unscheduled music!

A Hookah Lounge... how cool is that!

 Crowds... (shot just outside my booth)

...and more crowds!

 
The art cars were also fantastic, but I spaced out and didn't take any photos of them :(

I'll definitely be back next year (despite the heat :)

Deciphering a Woman's Words...

I found this while surfing today and thought I'd share! :D

NINE WORDS WOMEN USE
(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don’t Do It!
(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)
(6) That’s Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That’s okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you’re welcome. (I want to add in a clause here – This is true, unless she says ‘Thanks a lot’ – that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say ‘you’re welcome’ . that will bring on a ‘whatever’).
(8) Whatever: Is a woman’s way of saying GO TO HELL
(9) Don’t worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking ‘What’s wrong?’ For the woman’s response refer to # 3.

When Your Hardwork as a Parent Starts to Pay Off...

Being a parent is hard! Sometimes you're totally in love with your child and other times you want the ring their cute little necks!

My son is 9 and definitely has his share of 9 year old moments (like wearing his jeans and t-shirt under his martial arts uniform for practice yesterday!?), but lately he's been showing a side I'm loving. Responsibility!

The example that sparked this post is what he did this morning. --He woke up early (as usual, he's always been an early riser) and got himself dressed, made and ate his breakfast, made his lunch for school and packed his backpack, and then came to wake me and his Dad up!

After thanking him and telling him how mature and responsible that was, I went downstairs with him and literally walked in circles... I had nothing to do! Crazy. So I actually made coffee and sat down for a leisurely breakfast (unheard of :) before he went off to school.

This isn't the first time he's done something constructive when he's gotten up (while we're still sleeping). He's unloaded the dishwasher on a couple of occasions and he has made his own breakfast several times, but these occurances are becoming more frequent and functional and it's so cool it gives me goosebumps!

But, I'm seriously torn between being the proud Mom, who realizes she's done something right, and the terrified, no longer needed, empty nester... I've 9 more years to enjoy, I hope I remember that the next time he has a 9 year old (or worse, teenager) moment!

:D

New! Wire Gauge Calculator

I found an awesome widget that calculates wire gauge to inches and millimeters! How cool is that?

I actually put in in the right column of my blog (about mid-way down) so you can use that one at anytime, or you can get your very own widget from the one shown below, or by going here: wire-to-jewelry.com