Thursday, November 29, 2012

A little story...who do you want to be when you grow up?

So, do you ever have that feeling that the universe is helping you out?  The correct path seems very clear and things just keep happening to support it?  I have been having that feeling a lot lately.  I could go on forever about it, but for today, just a little story about a lady I met.

I met Carlyn at the Incarnation Fair.  She bought the caged amethyst that is highlighted on my FB page. (Love it.)  She also bought some earrings.  I had put out a sign that if anyone bought $35 or more, they got free earrings.  Well, it became clear early on that most people were not going to spend that much, and I forgot about it.  I realized when I got home on Sunday that Carlyn had paid $50 and she had not received any free earrings.  By luck (or something else?) she paid  by check and I had her name and phone number.  I called her up and told her I owed her some earrings.  She requested something in a sapphire color. I got to work and make a couple pairs for her to choose from.  She also mentioned that she had some jewelry that needed fixing.  I said I would give it a try.

I met her today at Starbucks.  I could not really remember her from the fair, as there were a lot of people.  She is an older gal, in her 70's I would guess.  She was extremely well put together and had on a flattering purple sweater with lovely matching necklaces that were very fashionable.  She had sparkly purple earrings.  Her hair was nicely done and she had a cute purse.  She did not walk like many older people I see.  She walked very confidently, with a straight back and ease in her step.  She was friendly and warm and we had a nice time chatting and discussing her jewelry to fix.  Carlyn is someone who is very sure of herself and a pleasure to be around.  She exudes class, intelligence and positive energy.  I thought, I want to be this lady when I am in my 70's. 

I think in a way the universe was rewarding me for taking that step to make sure that Carlyn got the earrings that I promised.  I got to meet a wonderful lady, enjoy working on her jewelry and possibly have further positive connections from my interaction with her. 

That's what I call Karma.  Think of someone who just impresses the heck out of you.  Be like that person today! 

Sarah

The earrings I made for Carlyn-






Monday, November 26, 2012

Going international?

One final thought for this evening...

When I was at Knottsberry Farm on Friday, I noticed that "Handmade Wire" had liked my FB page.  HMM--that sounds like another designer!  Indeed it was.  The gal and I obviously had some common interests in the world of wire.  The funny thing was, besides the title, the entire page was in, Italian?  So, I guess my work has been seen internationally!  Ha ha!  I messaged her to find out the scoop.

Cool, so cool.

Sarah

Gallery dated 11-10-12

Monday, Monday, Monday.  A fresh start to a new week!  I can't stop thinking about how much stuff I want to accomplish before Saturday!!  I am excited though. 

I wanted to catch up the photos on my blog to my Facebook page. There are those that do not have/want to have Facebook, so I do not want to alienate them. Facebook need not take over the world!

I don't know if I can input Paypal stuff into the blog and have people pay directly through it, so I guess I will have to find out!  Anyone an expert on PP?  Let me know!

Besides the photos below, I have been working super hard on a bunch of new stuff.  I have really cute Christmas earrings, little girls' earrings and some cool, chunky chain maille bracelets and necklaces.  As well as assorted other things... I am excited to see what people like at the events this coming weekend.  Yesterday, I had an awesome time camped out in the back of the new Panera at North County Fair.  (I was lucky to find a parking spot!)  In my little booth with great light, I spent 3 hours working away.  It might as well been 30 minutes.  I seem to enter a "no time zone" when I was working.  I got to enjoy my tasty hazelnut coffee and my pumpkin bagel.  That's Nirvana in Sarah's world! (hmmmmm) 

When I hit a bead store, I am always checking out new and interesting techniques.  On Saturday, I saw a book about "torch soldering" and I think that may be my next big leap.  You can solder your own rings, etc. to make gorgeous chains.  There is always so much more to learn.  Oh, if I could only do it all!!

 































Saturday, November 17, 2012

1st Craft Fair, parties, learning curve


Happy Saturday night!

Well, it's been a really busy, fun, exciting couple of weeks for me and my W.H. adventure.  Last weekend, I rolled out my first "official" display at the craft fair at Incarnation Lutheran Church.  Our lovely sitter and neighbor, "Miss Dawn" is a great seamstress and sells her stuff at the fair.  She encouraged me to do it and I thought, "great!"  Then I was thinking for a while, no way, I won't be ready.  I don't have enough stuff made. I don't have a display.  This, that, this, that.  Then, it just so happened that I was over at the church to vote and saw the signs again.  I thought, I gotta do this!!  Too many signs are jumping out at me!  So I did a last-minute entry.

My necklaces ready to go!

 
Stuff, stuff, more stuff to bring.



I ransacked my house looking for fun objects to hang things off of.  My favorite find was a "growler" that Craig had bought from Stone Brewery. It looked really cool and worked great.  If only I had been able to drink some Stone beers while I hung out...ha!

It was all day Sat, Nov. 10 and Sunday morning.  Saturday was a VERY windy day and alternated between hot sun and freezing my butt off in the parking lot.  (No canopy, of course!)

My display!


Between buying some stuff from Michael's, using pots and bottles from my house and an awesome loan from Jen Cottrell, the stuff was out. Things started slow, but picked up as the day went on.  I had visits from a bunch of friends, which made me so happy!  It was awesome seeing their cheery faces and having them check out my stuff.  Miss Dawn and I hung out, and I made friends with the other vendors, so it turned out to be lots of fun.  Some sweet ladies nearby selling knitted items bought a bunch of earrings!  When I wasn't chatting with friends, customers or vendors, I was working hard on more jewelry.  By Sunday's end, I had made a tidy sum of cash!  It was an amazing feeling having people look at, compliment, and purchase pieces that I had made.

So, I learned a ton from this first experience.  Everything is a bit overwhelming, but also very invigorating.  Selling is definitely NOT my thing.  I have always hated it.  I still feel a bit awkward about it, but I LOVE making jewelry and LOVE talking about it!  One thing that was cool was that I met another jewelry vendor who make stuff similar to mine.  Turns out we both took classes at South Sun, both love wire jewelry, and both used to make stained glass!!  A long lost twin??

So, what is the next adventure? I think that having an open house is the best way to introduce my friends and larger circle to W.H.  It is going to be December 2, Sunday, from 2-6 pm.  I am hoping people bring their kids and just hang, eat some goodies, check out the stuff, and enjoy themselves.  I really hope that my friends are too burned out on this yet...it is such a thin line and I really don't want to cross it.  But, I guess I gotta start somewhere, right?

Also, my dear friend, Natascha Devries, is hosting a party at her place in Mira Mesa on Saturday, Dec. 1st. in the evening.  Yes, it's going to be a busy couple of days!!  (Ladies night out, noshing, having some tasty drinks, possibly buying some handmade jewelry ;)

At the suggestion of an old friend from El Cajon, Denise Pietrizack, I signed up for a craft fair at the Jungle Gym, a new kid's indoor play place in Santee, on  Friday, Dec. 7th.  I will be there from about 1 pm to 6 pm.  My super great hubby, Craig is taking half a day off so I can go.  I have NO idea how big a crowd or what on earth it is going to be like, but what the hey.  Since it is a kids place, I am going to try to bust out some cute girls pieces.  The little heart earrings were really a hit at Incarnation and they are perfect.  Plus maybe some little necklaces with the charms.  I will be working on it!  I have had visions of tiaras and hair clips, but I tend to get ahead of myself and bite off more than I can chew.  I guess I will see how much I can actually accomplish before then.

Those are the events coming up!  I am really excited and have been going crazy trying to find more display stuff.  I went to the Queen Bee Market last night with Kaylynne.  It was awesome.  The displays were amazing!  I would LOVE to be accepted into that market!! But I would need to really step up my display.  To that end, I bought 3 tables last night off Craig's list and some super cool display stuff at the annual sample sale at Annalease by Devries.  Thanks again, Nat!!

I am going to update my photos on this blog ASAP!  In addition to the items I put on my Facebook page, I am working on some really cute holiday items.  I designed some Christmas tree earrings that are super cute, which I am doing in various colors.  I am also working on some new chain maille bracelets and I did a pretty midnight blue necklace tonight.  Pictures to come!

Everyone who has given my tips or input, I thank you.  It has been so helpful. You never know where the next piece of great info is going to come from.  I am having a blast!

All the best,
Sarah

Wire Harmony