Besides my upcoming photo shoot that I've been obsessing over for days now, I decided to finish up a project that was long overdue to be finished. It came out so awesome that I listed it and I'm glad that it is done in time for next Sunday. I wanted to make a wide cuff and came across a very easy design in an old macrame book I have upstairs. The first one I did I kept the colors neutral to see what the color pattern would look like.
Since it turned out so well, I am doing one now in rasta colors, and then one in rainbow, and so on until I'm obsessed with another design.
So three of the models are due to come over today with the clothes they will be wearing so I can get an idea of what pieces to put with what model. This also allows me one whole week to make last minute additions. I have to meet the photographer today (although I haven't heard from her) to go over locations, wardrobe, etc. I'm assuming I will have to come up with a picture list; an order the pictures will be taken in. Oi...
In other news...my son loves Elmo Potty Time, and I love that he's interested in the potty :)
Dive deep into your senses and imagine the scent of fresh lemon; how refreshing a tall glass of lemonade is on a hot summer day or how uplifting it is in a cup of tea.
All business aside, my son’s third birthday is coming up and I’ve worked up a Kipper cake for his birthday BBQ celebration this Saturday. Be on the look out for Betty Rocker posts. And …drum roll please…I graduate on Saturday!!!! I will finally hold the golden ticket that may or may not help me gain employment when I decide doing what I want and being my own boss isn’t working out anymore ;)
On to business…
Ok where to begin. Lots going on in the shop at the moment. Trying to keep up with everything has been rough and a challenge at the very least. Wearing all the hats is tiring and often leads to dead ends and frustration. Calling on my friends and family to volunteer their expertise has been a lifesaver. Being an analog girl in a digital world can be bewildering. Add being a full time mom to the mix and you’ve got a recipe for stress but I’ve been fortunate enough to have strong support so …onward….tally ho..sally forth…and some suchness.
First bit of exciting news I’ll share is that I have recently opened an account with Ecolution. They have some of the best hemp available and I can’t wait to get my knotty little hands on it. Some of you may remember my post about the best hemp on the planet. I will be using it as well as having it available for other hemp jewelry artists to purchase. Compared to the cheap manila hemp coming in from some parts of the world, Ecolution hemp offers premium quality from cultivation to harvest. They are passionate about eco consciousness and I am proud to be using and soon to be carrying their products. So that’s one thing happening.
sneak peek - barefoot sandals
In June, I will be releasing my summer line including barefoot sandals and anklets. I still have so much more to go but have so much.. that I could easily start trickling them into my shop. I have made tons of under $5 stack bracelets for the upcoming festivals and hemp fests but have never thought of listing them. Would it be worth it to list something for $3? I still haven’t decided. Apparently it’s working for others so it’s worth consideration. And considering my recent business ventures, it couldn’t hurt to get an increase in sales and promotion. Considering…
And lastly, I started listing the fiber I spin. I can't knit, can't crochet (good), I can tat but I'm not going to sit there and tat all that I spin. So I am delving further into the fiber arts and offering up my hand spun wares. I've only listed bamboo and alpaca so far. I am currently spinning up some hemp to ply with olive green bamboo. Need dyed bamboo? Go to Fiber Lady, you can find her on Artfire. She loves bamboo and her colors turn out wonderful.
hand spun "stormy night" bamboo and chocolaty alpaca
Getting new neighbors is and always has been an awkward situation for me. It is true I am a bit challenged in the social meetings realm, but I try. So just like always, the new neighbors were out in their backyard and instead of saying hi through the fence I just didn't and went on picking up dog poo ( I think they were doing the same). And when I saw them outside moving their things I didn't dare go out and bother them; after all what would i say? I got "hi" down. "Welcome to the neighborhood"? I can't stand cliches and I feel like an idiot every time one escapes my lips. My neighbors across the street moved in last year and I still have not properly introduced myself...but neither have they..hmmm.
But then there comes a time with your new neighbors where if you don't say hi...it is considered rude and then you have to come back from that...which seems like a whole different post altogether. So my time had come to initiate; I'm pulling out of my driveway and their garage is open...aaand they are in the driveway. I might want to add that I know the new neighbors sister and through her set up a business deal. See, the new neighbors...they blow glass!!!
So I get out of the car, introduce myself to both of them and they are some really cool people! I wasted a whole week being an introvert...gosh I hope I don't say that at the end of my life.."I wasted my whole life being an introvert"..yikes. Anyway, they made up 5 or 6 glass pendants for me and I've already started using them. He's also a graphic designer so he is going to help design a website for me (which I need desperately). I promised some jewelry in exchange. Which is cool because I've been wanting to try my hand at designing masculine pieces. Well, I have this one which is for men or women.
At the end of the day (err week) I once again proved to myself that I need to talk to people more and stop being a turtle. The older I get the easier it is to do this but it's still awkward. I'll leave it at that.
I have also fallen in love with the Shamballa (Shambhala) style. I love the look of the rhinestones surrounded by beautiful and lustrous beads and framed with macrame. I constructed one of black Preciosa pearls and Preciosa poly beads with paves crystal rhinestones. It's available in my shop and it's gorgeous! Really a must have trend for the spring/summer. These poly rhinestone beads can be ex-pen-sive so I only have a handful to play with. With the others, I want to design my own bracelet using "shamballa" beads.
It has recently come to my attention that some consumers may be turned off by my jewelry because it is made of hemp, which has a certain stigma to it. I did a quick blog post in my shop hopefully clearing the air for some of those who have no idea what hemp is and that it can save our country...I'd love to do a blog rant on this one day, but not today. In the post, I covered what hemp is and that it is not the same thing as buying a dime bag from your local bodega. It amazes me the amount of people who think they can smoke hemp and get high. Hemp is versatile...but not that versatile.
bo-de-ga
I was doing a show one time oh about 6 years ago and this family was acting very peculiar around my table; laughing and giggling and what not. They finally approached my table, picked up a bracelet and smelled it! After I realized what was going on they were already two tables down. Funny experience; eye opening scenario.
Read the entire blog post here
http://www.artfire.com/users/hempcraft/blog/is-hemp-the-same-as-marijuana
Ok. Now that I'm not completely buzzing from the show, I can write about it with some kind of literary value; free from blabbering about would have could haves and nonsense like "omg omg omg". For this post I'll cover the jewelry inspired portion first, followed by the show experience.
She Wants Revenge is by far one of my all time favorite bands. Their music inspires me beyond words in many aspects of my life. The beats, the words, the personalities, it all fits with me. They are not for everybody...and I like love that. They just released a couple of videos "Take the World" and "Must Be the One". I designed this necklace inspired by the song, lyrics, and video to "Take the World" I wore it the night of the show so the original is mine! I'm considering a reproduction to list in my studio but I really don't like replicating one of a kind pieces. Keeping with my shop theme, the flower's base is made out of black hemp and uses a technique called tatting which is basically handmade lace. The flower was tatted and assembled by my hand. It's adorned with Preciosa crystals.
I also designed this bracelet, which is my impression of the video "Must Be the One". The hematite rondelles represent wheel bearings and the rest of the bracelet pulls colors and image impressions from the video. In an attempt not to bore you here with the details, you can go here where I elaborate on both pieces.
I went to their show at the Soho (Seattle) last June when they toured with the Psychedelic Furs but I was way in the back unable to really see them and I'm not into muscling my way to the stage. The show still rocked and I vowed at that point to always try to be a bit early to get a spot up front. I got Adam's autograph but couldn't stick around for the rest of the show...so no Justin ink that night for me. Fek! Here I go rambling about the could haves...
Adam on bass
So back to the show of topic. I clang dearly to front stage center so I would not miss a beat, word, nor riff. It was amazing to see Adam play his bass so much that night. Semi studying his finger work I noticed he sometimes gets on his toes at the top of a beat...keke..it was cute. My friend snapped this shot for me. At other times I would be lost in the song with my eyes closed only to open them with Justin right there in front of me singing it too...surreal. I listen to these songs on an embarrassing regular basis so to have them in front of me was quite an experience. I'm pretty close to "omg omg omg". Fucking bravo dudes, you rocked my face.
Meeting them was the cherry on top. I managed to navigate this social encounter without saying anything stupid like 'bduhhh' or 'I love you'. I had so much to say and ask but I'm pretty sure I said something cliche like 'you guys are awesome'...cliche or not, it's true. I got their autograph and left completely satisfied. Not only are they great artists but they are very personable as well. May 24. Can't wait! I want to say a public thank you to the girl who gave me her spare ticket to have autographed. All I had was a big piece of paper with an e-tix on it...laaame. I never caught her name but I'm betting she'll be at the next show.
My friend snapped this shot for me. Thank you to whoever used a flash!
