Colorful & Overdue

Its been (way) over two week(s) since the Spring Indie Garage Sale so I figure I've had more than enough time to recuperate and share how it went. I always look forward to the IGS but working a show all weekend (especially alone) really takes it out of you. The layout was a little different compared to the Holiday event in December and helped keep it less congested for the shoppers. I got a chance to walk around a little and I thought it had a decent flow.

I played around with my table layout, but of course it's always a work in progress. Here's how my setup looked if you didn't make it to see in person -

I've been trying to work on having a good mix of items on the table without overcrowding it. One of these days the solution will come to be, but until then I'm having fun with different display ideas.

I tried to keep extra shopping to a minimum, since sales are a little slower outside of the holiday season, but I did leave the show with some new goodies. Of course no Indie Garage Sale experience is complete (for me) without a stop at JCookies table for a cream cheese brownie or (ok, and- I got both) a blueberries & cream cookie. I so look forward to those treats and I generally let myself indulge a little on IGS weekends.

I also picked up some jams from Red Fox Farms. I got a Carrot Cake jam (yum!) and a Pepper Jelly which is A-mazing on eggs.

My favorite score though? Well just see for yourself - 

My neighbor this time around was Denise from Whirled Peas Beads. I am a sucker for glass and she make some amazing beadss. I had a hard time choosing, and in my head I am always replaying that one scene in Cinderella when Gus Gus and Jacques are trying to find supplies for her dress when he notices the string of pearls - OOOOH BEADS. I am looking forward to working with the sets I did get. The lime green pair I just may keep for myself - I've been so drawn to that color this spring.

Not only does she make fantastic beads, she also creates beautiful jewelry. Check out her site for more goodies 

Here

Next time I'll share some of the pieces I've been working on - it has been so fun incorporating new accents into my chainmaille. In the meantime, I'm getting ready to participate in THIS fun event tomorrow. I'm not usually the type of person who likes to get messy, but I can make an exception if I get to wear a rainbow.

Happy Friday!

Spring Things

Hello again and welcome back to my little corner. Here in CNY the weather is finally making a turn for the warmer and I could not be happier. Spring comes with the promise of sunshine, daffodils, and the return of one of my favorite events - The Indie Garage Sale! Once again I will be joining a plethora of other fabulous local artists at the Jewish Community Center in Utica. Check out the list of vendors HERE.

(source)

I have been busy getting things ready- making more items I've sold out of, tweaking old items, and building up stock of some of my popular pieces. I went through my inventory and re-listed quite a few things in the SHOP. Check out some of these pretties - 

  

I've been on a kick this year of learning new techniques, and have taken to borrowing up to 20 books at a time from the library! Mostly about wire wrapping but also on the history of different jewelry styles as well as books on making things from recycled materials. Just last night I was practicing some wrapping to learn how to make my own clasps and findings for my chainmaille pieces:

(sorry for the dark photo - my house is perpetually dim and my phone takes bad pictures)

One of the other things I hope to improve this year is my shop presence - between photos and listing writing, to finally getting around to making a website. It's been on the backburner for far too long. I am starting tonight on the photo work though, by pricing out a new camera. I'm far from a pro but not quite a beginner, so any tips on equipment would be well appreciated.

I'll try to keep up with the blogging too - I have so many pieces I'd love to share. In the mean time, Happy Spring!

Mr. Clean Please Don't Hurt Me

I wish I could say the reason I've been quiet on the blog is that I'm super busy working on orders an making things, and while I have been a little bit, thats not the entire reason. The truth of the matter is that I've let myself get pretty disorganized and the state of my work table leaves much to be desired. I know a lot of artists thrive amidst chaos but I crave order and, well, just look what I'm putting myself through:

Yea. Someone come slap me with a swiffer, because this is nuts.

To be fair, I have made some progress on this mountain, but if anyone wants to come help with a spring cleaning, I'd happily compensate with yummy food and sparkly jewelry.

Anybody? 

Missing Links

Nothing more frustrating than when I'm working along happily on an order and then this happens -

"D'oh" about sums it up.