Well THIS certainly does not help things...

The pendant (that is unfinished) that I mentioned in the previous post? The one I want to keep because I love the setting and the stone is wonderful?

I finally (re)discovered what kind of jasper it is. I remembered it was sort of rare and from somewhere out west (I thought Colorado). Turns out Idaho. Turns out they've tripled in value since I purchased them. Turns out they are getting harder to come by...

Bruneau Canyon Jasper.

I DO NOT WANT TO LET THESE GO!

and so it begins.

When I made jewelry in college, I made it for myself. Sure, a few items were created for my mom. I made a bracelet for my roommate, a pendant for another friend. My last year I even made some stuff I was commissioned for.

But most of it was for me.

Thus far I've been perfectly happy to see my pieces find new homes. I've had no emotional attachment to any of them...they were created to sell.

And then there are these 2. I have to sell them. I do. They are 2 of the best pieces I've made (well, the pendant needs to be re-soldered, but it's destined for greatness).

Really, I just realized how much I want to keep them. I went to list the ring on etsy. It's the last of my new items. I had the description perfected. I had the photos selected. And then I just could.not.do.it. I thought of my ring finding a home on someone else's hand and became quite sad.

I mean...no one will want to buy it anyway, right?

New items!

Yes, I am a week late (oops). I continue to underestimate how long the process of listing takes (and that you need pictures first...) It doesn't help that I have so much else going on!

Enough whining and excuses, check out the new stuff!

www.cholulajewelry.etsy.com

Really, you want to!

See?


I am trying very hard to list a wide range of prices in all of my items. Two more to list...that means it's time to get back to my bench (also known as the plastic table in the garage) and make some more stuff!

Wonderfully creepy

Sometimes I come across sellers on etsy that just blow my mind.

www.margauxlange.etsy.com

I don't know that the intentions of these pieces are macabre...but when you're cutting up pieces of barbie and putting them on display you have to admit it's a little creepy, right? It's slightly Norman Bates. A bit Silence of the Lambs. But at the same time it's colorful and it's...Barbie. (My critiquing talents have been dormant for a very long time, excuse my lack of eloquence).

This, of course, is not meant in a negative fashion at all. I'm just blown away. And creeped out. And I like it.

o o o o

I know, I promised new listings on etsy...over the weekend. And they aren't there.

I've been BUSY. Unfortunately, polishing didn't happen until Saturday evening and it was all a downward spiral from there. HOWEVER! I have since finished a few pieces and they will be posted very, very soon. As in hopefully tonight.

We'll see how my attempts at making more affordable jewelry go. I've entered the world of stacking rings (yum), and my pendants are finally making their debut.

Keep an eye out for tiny rings, thin beachy cuffs, jaded pendants and more!

Also, I do have to say I am quite grateful to my family for being my first customers. I've sold a total of 3 rings & a pair of earrings. My boyfriend's mom bought a bracelet and has requested a ring. I'm also being commissioned for another cast ring and a bracelet. Pretty good deal! It's been a great way to start out my first month...hopefully February will bring outside sales!

shiny things!

I had grand plans last night.

I was going to ride my mare for the first time in 2 weeks (put off due to have a tooth ripped out of my mouth). I was going to get on the treadmill for the first time in you don't even want to know how long to kick-start my new exercise routine.

Everything was carefully laid out. I would arrive home around 5:45 from work, have a bit of a snack, and be to the barn not long after 6. My ride wouldn't be too hard and I'd be on my way out of the barn by 7. 7:15-7:45 was reserved for my walk/jog/run/whatever me and my lungs can manage at this point. 8-10 was jewelry. See? I even schedule it like a job!

Unfortunately there's this saying about even the best laid plans...

I saw a box on the porch. And even though it was solid cardboard I knew that inside was full of shiny, lovely things. Pointy, heat resistant tools. Awful smelling yelllow stuff full of oxidizing goodness. And then even more shiny. In getting the box inside and opening it I couldn't even remember what a treadmill was.

And thus started 4 hours of jewelry instead of just 2. The results? Finishing a bunch of stuff, making a bunch of new stuff, playing with copper (which is just the most delicious color. Even though it turns your skin green and it's not as precious as silver I want to use it in everything), using my brand new solder pick and whispering sweet nothings to my drill bits that let me put holes in everything...it was wonderful.

All in all I now have 12 new pieces that are ready to go in the polisher and have stones set and pictures taken. The listing in etsy will begin over the weekend!