Sometimes....

Sometimes you just want instant gratification.  I was up early this morning and thought I would just whip up these.  Made with some swarovski drops I purchased recently and chandelier earring findings I bought, oh I don't know, maybe 5 years ago!

Hmmmmmmm....

I am going to step into unchartered waters here.  I have decided I really need to use some of the bits and pieces I have collected over time.  I bought some great stones to use as cabochons and they were still sitting in the bag I bought them in.  Always seems a bit more daunting than picking up those little seed beads to make something.  Out came my book "Beading With Cabochons" by Jamie Cloud Eakin
I bought it ages ago thinking I would give it a go but so far nothing has eventuated.
Well I am fired up now.  I hunted out some backing material and tipped out the stones to drool over once more.  I selected a couple of buttons I had purchased when last in Melbourne and proceeded to trace around them on a piece of paper.  I was too scared to cut a shape out of the material and thought if I did it on paper I could get a bit of an idea on the actual design.  Being brave I traced onto the backing and then stuck the stones and buttons on.
Here is a pic so far.  Stay tuned for the next stage.  Knowing me it could be weeks before I get up the nerve to actually start beading around them!!!

And Here Is The Bracelet

  

"Floral Elegance Bracelet"

http://bead-tutorial.livejournal.com/36030.html#cutid1

I think she has done such a beautiful job.  Definitely going to give this one a try.


If you don't have any roses these ones at Over The Rainbow would be fine to use.  I think you could probably use lucite flowers as well.
http://www.polymerclay.com.au/advanced_search_result.php?search_in_description=1&keywords=FB-4158++&x=15&y=6

Isn't This Pretty...

I think this is really cute.  It is by a Japanese designer but look what BeeJang has done with it.  She has a gorgeous bracelet using the motifs.   Very pretty.  I've often wondered what to do with those wee roses.

http://bead-tutorial.livejournal.com/35660.html

Part Two : Being Brave

Part Two :  Being Brave…..

I decided to get out of the market scene.  No more struggling to set up that canopy and, even though my husband had helped me,  it had been a chore each week.  No more sitting there alone all day long through rain or humid summer days.  It was over and time to look for new possibilities on my horizon.

I noticed a new shop had opened in the main street – The Collective Store.  At first, I was unsure if they took items in from artists or simply sold their own stock.  The sign did say it was for Australian artists but they could have sourced the goods themselves.

I passed the shop a number of times on my morning walks, peered in the window, admired the beautiful things inside and eventually decided I would come back and ask.

I put together a display and bravely approached the shop.   This took a lot of courage on my part as I am basically a shy person and find it difficult to promote myself to anyone.

The owner, Leanne, explained that they did indeed take pieces  but they had to be handmade by Australian artists.  Perfect!!   That was me, an Australian artist and I had handmade pretties to show.

 I was absolutely thrilled to be accepted and have not looked back since.  So much easier to have someone else sell for me.  I maintain my stock in the allocated area and at the end of each month my sales are credited to my account. Sales go up and down but  they are fairly consistant. 

The Collective Store is true to its word and only sells work by Australian artists, no chance of mass made overseas goods being sold there.  It is a delight to wander through and marvel at the creativity and beauty of each item. 

I suppose the thing I really want to get across is – take a chance.  Perhaps the market scene is the place for you but don’t be afraid to test the waters.  Look for shops that might be a good prospect to show off your art or perhaps, if your work is high end, try the galleries.  Never ever under estimate yourself.  GO FOR IT!!!!           

Part One : What Do You Do ...

when your pile of jewellery suddenly turns into Mount Vesuvius and starts erupting quietly in the corner?

Well, there are a couple of things you could do. Race out and buy lots of new clothes to match the gorgeous pieces you have made, give them away as gifts or, you could be brave, and approach an outlet to sell your pretties in.

I’ve never really considered going out to buy new outfits as that is just not me  but I have given quite a few pieces away as gifts.  Even then, there comes a time when you run out of people to give them to.  There is a long time between birthdays and Christmas in our family.

I decided a few years ago to sell my creations at the local market.  Now this is a great idea if you are prepared to slog it out through wind, rain and heat.  I began by setting up a trestle table but had no cover when the rain came down.  I wish you could have seen me madly scrambling for plastic sheeting to throw over the stock and then standing under the umbrella watching the water gather in pools on top of it.  I’ll have you know, I did put on a brave face whilst I watched fellow stallholders peeking out from under their nice dry canopies. 

Having stood in a number of torrential downpours it was time to take the step and buy a canopy.  I had joined the sacred society of  market sellers but never let it be said that taking a stall on a regular basis is easy.  It’s an early start to make sure you get a good spot allocated by the person that holds all the power - The Market Manager.  There can be 50 pairs of eyes imploring him to give them the perfect location today. You try to act like your okay with everything but deep inside the begging voice is saying “Pick me, pick me.  Surely I am next in line.  I was good last week, I didn’t leave any rubbish, I didn’t park my car in the wrong area, I set up in the allotted spot and I didn’t go over my boundary.  PICK MEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!”

Eventually, having shown I was turning up consistently, I was given a permanent spot.  Oh the glory of it all.  So much easier to arrive and start setting up without having to line up with the throngs.  Up goes the canopy (not quite as easy as I write),  unfold the trestle tables, on with the cloths, out with the display stands and then rummage through the wares to find the best and most sparkly pieces to sell today.  Collapse in the chair with a cup of coffee and wait. 

Be prepared to spend a whole day of your weekend for your art.  Believe me it can be a long day.  The market I chose closed at 3pm and you couldn’t leave before that time.  It is so much faster to break the stall down and once you have done it a hundred times it becomes a well oiled machine.  The only hard thing is trying to negotiate your car through everyone else intent on the same thing.

 I tried the markets for nearly 4 years.  In the beginning I sold quite a bit each time but as more stalls began to set up selling commercial goods it became harder to sell handmade.  I felt I just could not sell my work for what it was worth anymore.

It is a hard decision to make.  Do you drop your prices, do you make cheaper things or do you get out!!!