August....

Hrmm..it's amazing how our lives can quickly go from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows and not even know how you got there.  The last several weeks have been SUCH a roller coaster for me.  I've had my first pieces of jewelry published, I was interviewed by our local newspaper, I boarded a plane to DC, couldn't fix my cars a/c, couldn't get access to cash, had a pretty rough meeting and left feeling defeated.  I know it will get better...but tonight...I just want to cry.  I think that's allowed.

It's that feeling of not being able to 'catch a break'.  I'm tired of being bullied by people who think that it's a-ok to bully others.  I'm tired of grown adults - bold face lying.  I'm tired of poor choices and just not know what to do between the worse or worser choice.  Most important I'm tired of not being able to deal with basic things in life.  I feel so lost and alone.

It's been 1 year since moving back to Minnesota.  I have exactly 1 more friend than I did before I moved.  When will things finally look up?  All my things are STILL sitting in storage, in VIRGINIA....1000+ miles away.  I desperately want to get my things home - how do you raise money when you have none?

Just.so.sad.tonight.  Will be ok - just alot on my mind and really sad.

On the other hand....this is the 2nd piece that made it in to the September issue of Bead Style

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/157217096/multi-color-shell-necklace

http://www.etsy.com/listing/157976476/bright-cheery-custom-bib-style-necklace

I SOLD It!

Yep - that's right - I sold one of the pieces (the one below) I made for the No-Show!  SO excited that despite the stinko situation, I was true to myself and true to the beautiful pieces that I make. 

I went to a show this weekend, it was pretty d-e-d...however a very sweet woman came to my table (I was tucked away from the main rooms) and she fell in LOVE with this necklace!  I felt like a SuperStar!  It just reminded me that regardless of how discouraged I feel, God has given me this talent.

The other thing I'm reminded of is that OTHER PEOPLE LIKE MY STUFF! Ok, some of you are like 'Duh!  That's why you're selling, right?' - well kinda - but the truth is - I sell so I can feed my beading habit.  =)  The whole process just reminded how important it is to remember that this woman (No-Show) liked my jewelry that I had made just for fun - not because I was trying to make something specifically for a wedding.  It also reminded me of how fragile my feelings toward my work can be so easily be broken. 

I  realized that I pour so much of ME into each piece I make.  Every time I make something - a piece of me goes with it.  That's either really COOL to think or really CREEPY. =)

You are an Obsession....Your my obsession...

Pearls.  It's true.  I can admit it.  Pearls are my obsession.  Why?  They're beautiful.  They're classic. They NEVER go out of style.  Did I mention they are beautiful?

I've got a show tomorrow and this last week I took out all my pieces to decide where to put what (after removing Christmas-y pieces) and it was like a sea of pearls!  (HAHA!  A SEA of Pearls!)  I didn't realize how many pieces I had made with them in it...matte pearls, big pearls, little pearls, colored pearls, white pearls... Pearls! Pearls! Pearls!  Could be worse I guess...could be poo!

Sneeky Peeky!

Another piece that I made for the no-show bride.  STUNNING purple pearls, white pearls and gorgeous crystal cubes.  I think it's hot.  =)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/122000276/custom-bridal-pearl-and-swarovski

Hrmph. No Show

So, one thing I've struggled with is how to deal with appointments who set an appointment, then cancel.  Yep the MOB did it.  We were to meet at 5, she called at 3 to say it wasn't going to work and could we reschedule for the end of February.... I said yes and hung up the phone.  So, here I am with 4 necklaces and options, ready to go and no where to take them.  Anyone need some bridal jewelry? =)

Truth of the matter.... if she wants me to go forward, I will be asking for a deposit.  I don't think that's wrong - you pay a deposit on a dress - you pay a deposit on flowers - why should I be any different?  I shouldn't.  It's hard to say that, though.  My time and the money I invested in this little adventure DO matter.  I can't do this all the time....ordering crystals, stones, pearls, not knowing the colors or any other details really.... so why not?  Because it's hard to say to someone that YOU value your time.  I'd think this is a struggle for most early business owners.  I'd love to hear any recommendations y'all have for how to deal with this in the future.

For now - I wore one of the necklaces to the doctor and WalMart.  It was hot.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/121690359/custom-brides-pearl-and-swarovski

Brides! Bridesmaids! and Maids of Honor! Oh my!

SO.... I'm excited to share with y'all that I will have my first official wedding consultation tomorrow!  I met the Mother of the Bride (MOB) at a show a few weeks ago, who fell in LOVE with a piece but wanted it in a different color.

She was *so cute* to watch with this necklace.... she came over, talked to me about it and tried it on.  She noted the clasp (one of my favorite things about making jewelry), the little details and called her daughter (Bride) to get over and see it.  Daughter couldn't come, so a photo was sent... next thing I know...I'm showing MOB some pearls I have in the color they wanted and how I could change this and that to make it work for them.  As the day went on...I spy MOB coming back to the booth to look at it again....and with a friend....and Mother of the Groom (MOG)....reaching AROUND other customers to take it off the bust and show this one and that.... I felt like a rockstar!

Tomorrow - show time!  I've worked on a necklace redux with the correct colors and a little kick.  I've also made 1 other option and hope to do another.  I don't want to overwhelm them with choices, but DO want to offer something different since I've never seen the dress, the bride, the colors, or really *any other details*.  Do you know how HARD that is?!  Tonight, I came to the realization that the MOB fell in love with a piece that I made because I needed something new, not because I was trying to impress someone or find a Bride and that's the approach I needed to take with the other pieces....so.... keep your eyes peeled for the new version!

Here's something similar to the piece MOB fell in love with (the REAL one I need to pillage from) =)