I already said goodnight, but access to my own laptop is ADDICTING. Etsy is my new favorite place to be, and it leads to so many other sites. Other selling portals, jewelry designers' blogs, jewelry supply shops, you name it. I've been scouring Etsy for small lockets. I should be sleeping.
My little sister Jasmine is somewhat of a vintage fiend. Well, she's almost eighteen and graduating soon, so not so little. Where does the time go?! She loves scoring clothes from thrift shops and our mom, along with our mom's jewelry. We sorted through her jewelry and Jasmine found several things, including a pendant with my mom's name on it and a heart-shaped locket that I had when I was younger. When I see it on her, I think I might just borrow it from her but it has a good home :)
Jasmine's fascination with lockets inspired me to make a new pair of earrings today. (Note: Will post picture soon.) A simple pair of hoops with Swarovski crystals and gemstones floating on a chain with a tiny locket anchoring the bottom. I try to make pieces that I would want to wear, turn the expected into the unexpected. The earrings are asymmetrical, unique, and colorful like my goofy sister. I just decided to name them after her as I type. She is my litmus test for my designs, if her eyes don't light up or she just says they're okay, more often than not, I go back to the drawing board. She is optimistic, creative, she loves to draw, and has her own sense of style. Jasmine may be younger than me, but she has taught me many things, she reminds me every now and then to look at the bright side of things. She is wise beyond her years, I like to think it's a result of living with me. She gives me awesome, hilarious, tear-jerking birthday cards every year and my birthdays don't feel complete without them. I'm going to miss her when she goes to college.
Don't go!
I'm as protective of her as any older sister would be and I want the very, very best for her, no matter what future she chooses for herself.
As with many designs I've made, these were intended as a gift, but now I have to make another pair because I want to keep them for myself.
UPDATE: The lockets are strung onto vermeil hoops with juicy labradorite and mystic black spinel briolettes. Love them and the jingling noises they make.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Like a splinter, only not
A downside of the art of jewelry design are the odds and ends that are part of the process of putting something together by hand. Since I do not have a workbench at this time, I work on the largest surface available to me which is my bed. I always have my jewelry tools and gemstones nearby so that if I feel inspired, I can open my small toolbox, pour out my sparkly "drug of choice" and start to create. As the wire cutters well ... cut, small pieces of wire or headpin sometimes escape my detection and land on my bed or my floor. I try to pick up those pieces but I am not always successful. Apparently, the vacuum doesn't even pick up everything.
Anyway, for what seems like months, I could be in my room, fiddling around and I step in the same spot on my carpet and something will jab my foot. It must be a headpin. I've tried to find that elusive thing, but whenever I try, the pin seems to disappear. I feel around and poke into the pile, and I get ... nothing. ARGH. I try to avoid that spot, yet I forget until that pin reminds me by poking me again.
Finally, last week, I had stepped on it once more after I got out of the shower. Annoyed, I bent down and felt around and actually found it! It was large enough to reuse but I was so relieved at finding it, that I tossed it. Good riddance!
Small, silly victory. You might even wonder is this worth a blog entry? It's like a thick splinter deep in the palm of your hand. You have to remove it.
I'm so happy that I found it that I'm still rejoicing four days later. Yes, it was that much of a pain.
I do have a desk in my room but I don't like it that much. There's no legroom and it's just not my style, it's just ugly to me. I just prefer my bed. From a design standpoint, it's like I don't like to look at it, so I don't want to use it. I'd rather take it out of my room and have a good table instead to work on my jewelry.
This accomplishment of sorts crystallizes two things; that I need a studio and I should get a small craft-type vacuum, can't remember where I saw it at the moment.
By realizing those two things, this could be a bigger triumph than I thought. Good riddance to that pesky headpin and goodnight.
Anyway, for what seems like months, I could be in my room, fiddling around and I step in the same spot on my carpet and something will jab my foot. It must be a headpin. I've tried to find that elusive thing, but whenever I try, the pin seems to disappear. I feel around and poke into the pile, and I get ... nothing. ARGH. I try to avoid that spot, yet I forget until that pin reminds me by poking me again.
Finally, last week, I had stepped on it once more after I got out of the shower. Annoyed, I bent down and felt around and actually found it! It was large enough to reuse but I was so relieved at finding it, that I tossed it. Good riddance!
Small, silly victory. You might even wonder is this worth a blog entry? It's like a thick splinter deep in the palm of your hand. You have to remove it.
I'm so happy that I found it that I'm still rejoicing four days later. Yes, it was that much of a pain.
I do have a desk in my room but I don't like it that much. There's no legroom and it's just not my style, it's just ugly to me. I just prefer my bed. From a design standpoint, it's like I don't like to look at it, so I don't want to use it. I'd rather take it out of my room and have a good table instead to work on my jewelry.
This accomplishment of sorts crystallizes two things; that I need a studio and I should get a small craft-type vacuum, can't remember where I saw it at the moment.
By realizing those two things, this could be a bigger triumph than I thought. Good riddance to that pesky headpin and goodnight.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Presents!
Although I truly love my own jewelry, I can't help but purchase jewelry from other artists such as MimosaStudioSF and girlinworld (both fellow Etsy sellers). Can you blame me? I sort of have a weak spot for pretty, sparkly things.
The first time I saw MimosaStudioSF was at Feria Urbana a couple of years ago. The cutest little pair of white star freshwater pearl earrings on her uber-inventive (dish) jewelry rack caught my eye and they were only $13.00. It didn't take long before I picked them up and Regina was really nice and professional and has a bright smile. She has fantastic, delicate, colorful, detailed pieces in her collection. I have seen her at a couple of other shopping events since then and I always buy something from her. She gives the same outstanding level of customer service each time and remembers every single piece of jewelry she sells. How many people can say that? I don't think I can. Overall, I have bought four very different, awesome pairs of earrings and a cool beetle pendant from her. At first glance, I thought the beetle was just black, but when I heard it was iridescent, I couldn't resist anymore. Iridescence ... another weakness. The latest pair of earrings are a pair of trapeze earrings with blue topaz briolettes (above). I looooove them, there is nothing better than getting something in the mail. (Thanks to Etsy, I get something at least once a week. I have to stop.) Anyway, Regina is always fun to talk to and has such a great laugh and is the mother of an adorable little boy. I'm going to see her at PopNShop on the 28th and I have to try my hardest NOT to buy anything from her table. My budget is limited. *sigh*
I convinced my boyfriend to just let me buy at least one thing, more than likely it will be from Regina :)
One of my favorite presents from my boyfriend are the Bright Skinnies bangles from girlinworld. I was bored, surfing on the net late one night, and saw an article about 'quitting your day job' on Etsy. I was still an Etsy newbie at the time, didn't know about the Storque feature, so I read her inspiring article, (I want to quit my day job!) looked at her shop and found these bright sterling silver bangles. They were just what I wanted. My only dilemma was do I want 12 or 20 bangles? My boyfriend got them for me as an anniversary gift. They catch the light so well, every time I wear them, I play with them, polish them, I CANNOT leave them alone. They are comfortable and they slide up and down my arm, cheering me with the music they make. It's at the point where I love to wear them but I don't because I get so freaked out about just losing ONE bangle, that I only wear them on special occassions compared to all the time like I did before. I have small hands, so they tend to slip off and I lose jewelry often which is why I need to become MORE organized!I can't wait until her store opens up, so I can look, drool, and FAIL to resist clicking 'Add to Cart' on said items.
Girlinworld also has another Etsy store called paintedmetal. This store has many more awesome pieces. It will take every ounce of my willpower to not buy anything from either designer, actually it will take all that to just stay off of Etsy altogether.
Hmmm on a side note ... I think I overuse 'awesome', (sorry!) blame the series 'How I Met Your Mother' :) They brought it back, made it a thing.
If I could, when I make more money from my NEW job, I want to buy MORE jewelry from each of these talented artists.
Just wanted to take the time to shine the spotlight on just TWO of my favorite designers. I have many, many more favorite people just like them who inspire me to make creative, beautiful pieces just as they have. Perhaps, one day, they would want to wear my designs just as much as I want to wear theirs.
That would be ... well, awesome.
UPDATE: I bought one more pair of earrings from Regina at Noise Pop and she gave me another pair for FREE, for my birthday, she says. AWESOME. Nothing better than free jewelry.
Monday, February 9, 2009
OBSTACLES
In my quest to do what I love, I am realizing that I will have to face many things that I tried to avoid more or less, things that I have to work on:
1. I have to be more computer savvy. I can't even upload a picture without getting help from someone; my cousin, my boyfriend, even my little sister. I know the basics but in order to be more independent and survive this technology-driven world, I'd better step up. I can type and shrink a picture but there is still much to learn.
2. Be more outgoing. I am shy by nature. My shyness is almost sporadic, there are some people I've known for a few years now and I still have trouble talking to them. If I want to sell my pieces in stores and at events like Feria Urbana, then I will have to break out of my shell.
3. Be a master of organization. I have been in business for a year now, but there are still things that I need to pull together. I need to organize my receipts and such on Quickbooks, having said that, I have to GET the program. I need to make stock and put my pieces up for sale on Etsy. I have to take some small business courses so I don't crash and burn once my business is finally up and running. I have the talent but I am wondering if I have the business sense. If I want this to be my career, I have to get going. I have to change things. Otherwise, Jenalyn Lorenzo Jewelry will not go too far. That would be a tragedy. I have the image of getting thrown back into a cursed cubicle to motivate me.
4. Get out of my own way. With all these things in mind, I am anxious about finally displaying my pieces on Etsy and in stores. What if no one wants to buy them? What if people just try to copy my ideas? What if I tank? These are all things that I have to consider when I put so much of myself on display. These pieces are my children and I would never make anything I wouldn't wear or wouldn't be proud to sell. I just have to bite the bullet and sell, sell, sell!
I also need to stock up/research the following:
*logo
*earring tags
*packaging - case, gift wrap, bubble wrap, etc
*necklace cards
*shipping costs
*further photography, need more angles and detail shots.
*I'm sure there's more I need to take care of *whew*
I have come a long way in the past nine years since reawakening my love of jewelry. I have seen pieces that I made when I was just a young 22 year old and compare them to the things I have made now and am proud of the progress and the growth I have made, despite all the things that I still need to work on.
Here's to looking up and forward.
1. I have to be more computer savvy. I can't even upload a picture without getting help from someone; my cousin, my boyfriend, even my little sister. I know the basics but in order to be more independent and survive this technology-driven world, I'd better step up. I can type and shrink a picture but there is still much to learn.
2. Be more outgoing. I am shy by nature. My shyness is almost sporadic, there are some people I've known for a few years now and I still have trouble talking to them. If I want to sell my pieces in stores and at events like Feria Urbana, then I will have to break out of my shell.
3. Be a master of organization. I have been in business for a year now, but there are still things that I need to pull together. I need to organize my receipts and such on Quickbooks, having said that, I have to GET the program. I need to make stock and put my pieces up for sale on Etsy. I have to take some small business courses so I don't crash and burn once my business is finally up and running. I have the talent but I am wondering if I have the business sense. If I want this to be my career, I have to get going. I have to change things. Otherwise, Jenalyn Lorenzo Jewelry will not go too far. That would be a tragedy. I have the image of getting thrown back into a cursed cubicle to motivate me.
4. Get out of my own way. With all these things in mind, I am anxious about finally displaying my pieces on Etsy and in stores. What if no one wants to buy them? What if people just try to copy my ideas? What if I tank? These are all things that I have to consider when I put so much of myself on display. These pieces are my children and I would never make anything I wouldn't wear or wouldn't be proud to sell. I just have to bite the bullet and sell, sell, sell!
I also need to stock up/research the following:
*logo
*earring tags
*packaging - case, gift wrap, bubble wrap, etc
*necklace cards
*shipping costs
*further photography, need more angles and detail shots.
*I'm sure there's more I need to take care of *whew*
I have come a long way in the past nine years since reawakening my love of jewelry. I have seen pieces that I made when I was just a young 22 year old and compare them to the things I have made now and am proud of the progress and the growth I have made, despite all the things that I still need to work on.
Here's to looking up and forward.
TRISHA EARRINGS
Trisha EarringsThis pair of earrings is one of my favorite designs. A little bit random, elegant, and very unique plus it has some of my favorite colors. I am still unsure of what name to give to this design. I want to be consistent with the names I give to my pieces, so I want to use the names of my (female) family and friends, because without them, I wouldn't know where I would be today. I was thinking of naming these earrings after my lovely friend, Trisha because she is awesome. Contagious laugh, so thoughtful, stylish, vibrant, and is a true 'ride or die' chick haha ... she is loyal to the very end. I have fun whenever I hang out with her. She has this energy about her that makes you want to pour out your life story to her just seconds after meeting her, believe me, I've seen it happen. I have also fallen under that spell. She loves to travel, loves babies, firefighters (hahaha) and to be creative. She also loves every single piece of jewelry I give her. Always a plus.
I met her in our English class about a year after I started at Cal State Hayward, around 2002. We studied together, went to the mall, even cut class together to go to the mall together, (sorry, professors!) and I haven't seen her in awhile but I know that whenever we do hang out, it's as if nothing has changed. After everything I've endured in the past couple of years, I appreciate her friendship all the more because it is based on us having so many things in common compared to just loving to go out clubbing. It is a deeper relationship than some friendships I have had that lasted since high school. This girl is a true example of quality over quality.
I don't know how I would have lasted at CSUH (I'm gonna call it Hayward no matter what) without her.
I miss you, woman! Let's go watch Twilight again. Hahahah :)
MY GOALS
I have to keep these somewhere or I'll lose track. Must stay focused.
1. To marry my squishy bf and have 2-3 children. Not sure of the number. We'll fly by ear.
2. To be able to do what I love for the rest of my life.
3. To be able to support myself by doing what I love for the rest of my life.
4. To be able to support myself, said bf (husband), and our offspring by doing what I love for the rest of my life.
5. To be well-known and loved for doing what I love for the rest of my life.
6. To be able to quit my day job.
7. To have an awesome studio with lots of modern, clean storage and shelves that I love to keep ORGANIZED and a fantastic workbench for doing what I love for the rest of my life.
8. To be able to have that studio in a nice house in a great neighborhood with lots of rooms, one for each child and still have my studio.
9. To be constantly motivated, creative, and inspired.
Lately, I've been staying up late and reading other jewelry designers' blogs, I love to read about what inspires them and their thought processes. I should update this blog more often. Maybe one day, someone will be inspired by MY thoughts...
1. To marry my squishy bf and have 2-3 children. Not sure of the number. We'll fly by ear.
2. To be able to do what I love for the rest of my life.
3. To be able to support myself by doing what I love for the rest of my life.
4. To be able to support myself, said bf (husband), and our offspring by doing what I love for the rest of my life.
5. To be well-known and loved for doing what I love for the rest of my life.
6. To be able to quit my day job.
7. To have an awesome studio with lots of modern, clean storage and shelves that I love to keep ORGANIZED and a fantastic workbench for doing what I love for the rest of my life.
8. To be able to have that studio in a nice house in a great neighborhood with lots of rooms, one for each child and still have my studio.
9. To be constantly motivated, creative, and inspired.
Lately, I've been staying up late and reading other jewelry designers' blogs, I love to read about what inspires them and their thought processes. I should update this blog more often. Maybe one day, someone will be inspired by MY thoughts...
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