Devine Designs Jewelry

I started out my day today going to local shops that I think might be interested in caring some of my jewelry. Got a couple of business cards from 2 shops that might be interested. The best shops I found were closed on Mondays (figures) One is a artsy-type gallery shop, the other a upscale designer clothing boutique. As I peered through the shops windows, drooling somewhat; I guess I'll have to make a trip on another day to these! There are also 2 metaphysical shops locally that I think might work out. My next step is organizing my portfolio that I've started. It has color photos of everything I've made. I have to write up my bio page to add to it and a copy of my SRAJD logo with my number. I figure it's a good idea to add anything professional ie: organizations, or awards, or shows that I participate in. My next step will be to call back the shops I liked and ask to set up an appointment with the shop owner. I'll take my portfolio and live products with me to those...

Lot's of new stuff to talk about today. First off I'd thought I'd let everyone see some of my (messy) area where I create my jewelry. You can see some of my bagged up projects that I started then, put aside, probably due to the fact that I ran out of something I need to finish it! Speaking of that, I promised Kristen that I would post the disc bracelet that I was working on. Finished the bracelet, decided to make a matching necklace for a set, but ran out of wire (of course). Also with the set I'm going to make matching earrings; I'm thinking of doing interchangable discs, so you could change the color of earrings you're wearing on different days. These are not Carey's beads (sorry Carey), but I do need some more of her discs for another bracelet I want to make with a center focal bead of hers. So I finished a couple of orders that I had pending. The first is more earthy, natural with tiger's eye and red jasper stones. The focal was made by Moon St...

Here's what I've been up to lately. I've been working on improving my photography and my Etsy store's appearance. As you can see here, new banner, new and improved pictures of my items in my store too. Please check out my "new" Etsy store: http://www.devinedesignsjewelry.etsy.com/. I want to give credit to Deannna of The Promo Queen for my new banners, avatars, and new earring cards with my logo (real cute!) She's great, willing to work with you, find her at: thepromoqueen.com or thepromoqueen.etsy.com. I'm waiting for my new light tent and kit to arrive, so I can have fun creating even better pictures! Also, ordered a tumbler for my jewelry pieces to polish them to a nice high shine. I have to put the Texas Style necklace aside for a while, as I ran out a certain bead that I wanted to use, so just placed another supply order. I'm so picky, it has to be the right bead, crystal, color, or finding that I envision; I find it hard to substitute...

Well today won't be a patriotic post by any means. Politics --not my forte. So I'll tell you about my morning walk today. Me and my husband live off a nature preserve here and I've been seeing this deer around lately, just out in the open during day hours just grazing. Seemed weird to me to see her not afraid of cars and all. So this morning I went out real early (on my deer search). Plus I need to walk more. 1. Need more exercise in my life. 2. Need more nature in my life. We have 2 ponds and lots of walking paths in our condo community here. First I spotted a rather large possum. And then I saw a really large hawk, which almost looked like a falcon to me. We have lots of birds around here. I love to listen to them sing. Then around the corner of the second pond I found my deer! She stopped grazing, looked at me, me at her and she wiggled her cute striped tail. Moved a few steps away, I moved a few steps closer; finally she went into the woods. What's...

Today, I was thinking how friends and co-workers who have seen my Etsy on-line store, are always telling me how pretty my jewelry is in person and that the on-line pictures don't do my jewelry justice. So I decided to revise my photography, using new props, hoping to improve the look of my designs. I just finished! Hours, and hours of retaking pictures and downloading. I think I like it! If you feel so inspired yourself, go to my shop: http://www.devinedesignsjewelry.etsy.com/ and have a look. I'd love to hear what you think! Also, I've decreased my shipping fees (for an added bonus!) Enjoy! These are 2 of my favorite retakes.

As I pondered over this "Texas Style" bracelet, it seemed to have something missing. Oh, what could that be? I have every kind of bead and silver in there! Around the focal bead seemed bare to me so I went back to figure out what could fill in the spots nicely. Sooo, I hammered away at some silver again and came up with some S shaped links that I think fit nicely. See for yourself. BTW new items are now listed in my Etsy shop. http://www.devinedesignsjewelry.etsy.com/

Well, the Ebay experiment is over. I listed a number of items for 2 weeks. 7 days, no luck, then relisted and sold 2 items! Yeah! O.k. so I only broke even, but at least I got exposure and 2 customers, who hopefully will be repeat customers! I have to mention tonight is SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL at my Etsy shop: http://devinedesignsjewelry.etsy.com/ . 20 % OFF EVERY ITEM IN SHOP! See details at my home page. Well, I finally finished the necklace and bracelet that I mentioned before. Nice sterling silver wire wrapped bracelet in earth tones with Kazuri beads and a focal bead made by Moon Stumpp. And the necklace (also made with Moon Stumpp's beads) with the copper that I had missing findings I was looking for. Well, I never did find the copper jump rings that I was looking for, so I created a coiled, sort of eye pin myself that completed the necklace. I wanted something sturdy that would not open and hold the double chain and the weight of the beads. I used green kyanite gems...