HANDMADE FELTED BOWL SHOP is live!

One month ago today, I opened my second shop on Etsy called deboraBstudio.

My jewelry shop BeadinByTheSea has been open for 3.5 years and now with over 1200 sales, I am feeling inspired to expand my horizons. Oh, my jewelry shop is still my first love, but I love knitting too! 


While making silver jewelry involves loud hammering, toxic chemicals, messy hands due to polishing, hot torches and trying to see tiny details with my 40-plus eyes, knitting can be a welcome break as I relax in the chair, knitting needles in hand with soft, vibrant colored yarn. The most stressful part of knitting is trying to keep my cat Ace from running off with my project!

My mother taught me how to knit when I was a little girl, and I've been knitting projects on and off my entire life. Recently I have become fascinated with the process of felting. Something magical happens when a knitted piece of fabric that resembles a hat comes out of the washing machine looking like a sturdy bowl! 

You can check out my shop by clicking here. I absolutely love these little bowls and think that everyone could find a use for one. They are the perfect solution for any odds and ends that you need to put away around the house. I have one on my bedside table to store hair clips and my husband has one for his loose change. They are great for rubber bands, paper clips, you name it... and they won't scratch your furniture.

I was encouraged to have my first sale within a couple of weeks and I have been included in so many lovely treasuries. I've also had the privilege of being on Etsy's home page twice. I think my bowls are popular for treasuries because of their vivid colors and they are just so darn cute!

So please check out deboraBstudio. To celebrate my opening, I am offering a 10% discount on all purchases.

Just type in NEWSHOP10OFF in the coupon code when checking out. This offer is valid until November 20th, 2011. Just in time to get a jump start on your Christmas shopping.

Thanks so much for reading and I hope you check out my shop!

WORKIN' AWAY...

and obviously not blogging. I can't believe I haven't written for over a month!

I do have a good excuse though and that is that my Etsy shop has been quite busy! I've been coming up with new designs and keeping up with orders. I've had a lull for the last few days (which feels sort of strange) so I thought I'd take the time to drop in and say "hello" and show you some new items I've added to my shop. I've also had a few crafty projects going; like sewing a formal gown for a dinner we attended and making curtains for our downstairs media room, as well as the usual everyday stuff associated with having a teenager!

In the above photo, you'll see some new pieces that are created with metal clay. What I love about this medium is being able to impress patterns and designs directly into the silver clay in it's "wet stage". I just ordered a few more decorative stamps and can't wait to see how they come out. My familiar "organic hoop earrings" are included in there too, because I have made so many of these in the past few months! They are what I call my "bread and butter"; the tried and true favorites of every woman's jewelry box! They seem to do very well in my shop and allow me the funds to expand and buy more tools and supplies.

I also can't believe that I will be having my 2 year " Etsyversary" this Sunday, March 28th. It has been such a treat to be able to do something I love and send my jewelry to different parts of the globe. I'm not sure what I'm going to do to celebrate but I'll think of something and get it posted soon.

Meanwhile, enjoy the beginnings of Spring, longer days and so much more color around us to brighten our spirits!

GO FOR SILVER... an Artbeads Product Review

Recently, I was asked by Artbeads.com to review some of their silver products from their website store. Again, I was delighted, as I already purchase many of my silver findings, beads, and chain there to create designs for my jewelry shop Beadin By The Sea.

With the opening ceremonies beginning this evening for the 2010 Winter Olympics, in my hometown Vancouver BC, I know that everyone is focusing on gold, but clearly it is silver that seems to be the metal of choice right now for jewelry wearers.

Here are some of the jewelry pieces that I created using sterling silver from their website:

The following 3 photos show earrings using an 8mm round link sterling silver chain found on Artbeads.com. This is a rather light gauge chain that I felt was a little too delicate for necklaces, but just right to make lightweight earrings. I used ball headpins and wire wrapped silver mirror beads (pic.1), amethyst rondelles (pic.2) and more twist silver beads (pic.3.) in between the links. I was able to make 3 pairs from 1 foot of the silver chain. You can find a large variety of sterling silver beads on Artbeads from plain to very fancy.

The earrings below are made with my own metal clay component and accented with ribbed barrel beads from Artbeads. Another example of the wide variety of silver beads that they carry.


Another chain I received was a foot of oval link sterling silver chain. This one is much heavier and more robust, just perfect to complete a new bracelet with a decorative oval toggle clasp made from metal clay.

Okay are you inspired now? For further inspiration and ideas check out Artbeads.com yourself. And... it looks like they are having a sale this weekend for President's Day! If you are interested in finished jewelry please check out my shops on either Etsy or ArtFire.

FTC disclaimer: I have received these products free of charge from Artbeads.com . I am honestly reviewing the products and have not been paid for this endorsement as it pertains to the products received.

JUST A THOUGHT...

I know Christmas has been over for a week already and the tree is coming down today, but I wanted to share this thought I had on Christmas day with you. I woke up on Dec. 25th and I was giddy with excitement, not because of the presents that were under the tree for me; instead I was imagining all the people who were going to be opening little boxes like these on the right and receiving my jewelry as Christmas gifts. How cool is that?

As I reflect on my business last year, I have to admit that the most fulfilling thing about sending my jewelry around the globe is knowing the enjoyment that it gives to those wearing it. Adorning yourself, I know, isn't the most important thing, but it gives me satisfaction to know that it puts a little smile in someone's day.

Many thanks to all of you who have supported me as customers, blog readers, my family and my cheerleaders.

Wishing you all much happiness, good health and success in 2010!

ETSY YART SALE

"So what does that mean?" you may ask. Yes, I know it's a strange title that probably needs a little explanation for Non-Etsians.

YART means ~ YARD SALE + ART = YART

So there you have it. I've decided to participate this year in this Etsy wide sale. There are many shops offering special deals between June 10th and 14th, 2009. I realize I'm a little late starting and letting you know, but what else is new!

Go to etsy.com and you can type in the word YART in your search. This will bring up many shops having a sale.

Of course, I'd prefer if you visit my shop Beadin By The Sea first (I know I'm shamelessly self promoting) by clicking here. I have a YART sale section with 10% off selected items. And if you leave BLOGFREESHIP in the notes to seller upon checkout, I'll even throw in free domestic shipping on all items. (that's within the USA). But just until midnight June 14, 2009!

See you there!

EASY WIRE EARRING DISPLAY

I wasn't going to blog today, but I made these little earring displays using instructions from the Etsymetalclay blog and I had to share. I came across the post last month and knew right away I wanted to try it, but I could never find the 14 gauge wire recommended. I found this 16 gauge wire at JoAnn's yesterday for $3.00 which made 2 stands. Remember the lower the number on the wire gauge the thicker it is. Inexpensive and cute!

Click on the link below for the instructions on the Etsy Metal Clay Blog written by Catherine Witherall of HappyDayArt:

http://etsymetalclay.blogspot.com/2008/12/holiday-sale-preparations.html

Thanks Catherine for a great idea! I'm ready to try it with 14 gauge wire in different colors when I find it!

COMPARISON OF RING SIZING CHARTS

Do you know what your ring size is? I hadn't given it much thought since picking out my wedding ring years ago. I don't wear a lot of rings, but lately I've become very interested in making them for my online shops using PMC (precious metal clay) and fine silver. In my effort to make choosing a size as easy as possible for customers, I thought I would come up with a simple chart that I could reference to custom fit their rings.

I had no idea this was going to be such a confusing task. I've looked all over the internet for information and found that many of the charts out there are all over the map! To investigate this further, I also visited a professional jeweller at our local fine jewelry shop to compare the sizes on my rings and see if it matched the ring mandrel I just purchased.

Here is a chart I came up with that represents the most consistent numbers:

Here are the most common methods to determine ring size:

CIRCUMFERENCE METHOD (If you don't have a ring to reference)
1. Cut a narrow strip of paper 1/4" wide by 5" long.
2. Wrap it snugly around your finger. Use a pencil to draw a line where the ends overlap.
3. Find the closest measurement (in MM) on the sizing chart. This is the circumference of your finger.

EXISTING RING DIAMETER METHOD (More accurate)
1. Find a ring that fits your finger comfortably.
2. Take an accurate metal ruler and measure the inside diameter in MM.
3. Compare to the chart above.

SOME POINTS TO KEEP IN MIND:

1. If your knuckle is a lot larger than the base of the finger, measure both sizes and select a size in between.
2. If you're buying a wide band, you will probably need a size larger for a comfortable fit.
3. Your fingers are usually larger on your dominant hand, up to a full size.
4. The average woman's finger is size 6. The average man's finger is size 10.
5. Your fingers change size during the day, depending on your diet and may even be larger in summer when temps are higher or if you live in a humid climate.
6. If you can, get help with measuring for better accuracy.
7. Visit your local jeweller and they will be happy to help you try on ring sizers to get the most accurate reading.

Hopefully this will help you feel more comfortable buying rings online. Make sure to check the chart on each website you may be purchasing from because the numbers do vary. It certainly was a good exercise for me to make sense of all the charts out there and to try to come up with one for my shop.

I have to give credit to these sites for my research: Amazon.com, Bluenile.com and Zales.com.

Each of these sites have a page dedicated to determining your ring size.

CELEBRATING MY 50TH SALE ON ETSY!

Oh, I know it may not seem like much to some but after being on Etsy for about 8 months, I just had my 50th sale today! I knew I was getting close a couple of weeks ago, but with the economy being the way it is I wasn't holding my breath to get there, but I was still hopeful. I had free shipping sales, sent out a holiday email to previous buyers, handed out my business cards, promoted in the forums and it looks like it paid off!

She doesn't know it yet, but my customer will be receiving an extra pair of earrings with her order as a way to say thanks.

In fact, I am going to celebrate some more by having a special promotion. Everything in my shop ships for just $.50 until Dec. 15th, 2008! I figure that most items can get anywhere in the USA by Christmas even by that date.

Here are a few of my latest listings:

Very Merry...Gorgeous AA Quality Garnet Marquis Briolette Gold Fill Earrings $40

Green Garland... Organic Hoops with Emerald Green Faceted Aventurine Rondelles $18

Foliage...Fine Silver Handcrafted Leaf Pendant and Jasper Necklace $48

And...I'll let you know when I hit 100!