Devine Designs Jewelry

I thought today I would post a few very helpful resources;not only helpful to the jewelry artist/designer, but for anyone who has a handmade/home business. The first 2 articles are from FEST members (Florida Etsy Street Team). The first article was presented by Sarah of "Simply Sarah's" shop on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5581651 Her article titled: "Be your own public relations rep" can be found here on her blog:http://innovativemoma.blogspot.com/2009/01/be-your-own-public-relations-rep.html The second article is by Joani of "Inspirations in Clay" http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6146078 who wrote this article titled: "Shameless plug for us little guys in a tough economy": http://inspirationsinclay.blogspot.com/2009/01/shamelss-plug-for-us-little-guys-in.html And don't forget Rena Klingenberg's "Jewelry Business Blog",who has 30 years experience in the business world; http://jewelry-business-blog.com/ for...

Well, I tried to put off blogging today until tomorrow, but I got on a roll with my blog, you know, doing updates, adding some new things, gadgets, updating sites that might not be blogging any more; just things like that. You'll have to stop back to check out "Shelfari" that I added to the bottom of my blog because I haven't worked out the kinks to start my book list. It seems I've had an account and deleted it and now cannot retrieve information to log back in. BTW: I hate my computer sometimes. It feels like I haven't made any jewelry this week, although I have. I've made a few hoop earrings to add to my wire series that I'm working on right now. Actually, I started this week on a sort of southwestern necklace combining rustic copper and brass components, gemstone beads and polymer clay beads. It was coming along rather well, since I am making all the links individually and the clasp by hand too. I put a few hours into this piece, anyway, I ran out ...

For our Etsy Blogger's Team's blog carnival this month, the choices were, "New Year's Goals for your shop" or "How you organize your taxes". It seems that so far I'm the only one who has decided to tackle the tough subject. Although I'm big on goal setting, I'm not on New Year's "type" of goals/resolutions, and that's what the title made me think of, so taxes it is! A scary subject to some, but if you're registered as a legal business, it's something we all must deal with. We have an accountant do our taxes every year, so it makes it kind of easy for us. Last year, when I knew that I would be starting a jewelry design business, I asked the accountant what we should do concerning record keeping, what was allowed as deductions and the lot. He suggested that we get a monthly bookkeeping record book. Which we did. And I keep it up to date every month. I'm good about details. A good record book will have columns and p...

This is a "glass tree". My Mom took this photo. She is a member of a photography club here. This took some prize. I thought it was really pretty. I may have to get some tips from her! Just a short post today... I've entered another jewelry contest. If you would like to support my design, please go to this site: http://vintaj.com/wpblog/?p=939 and vote for bracelet #13, which is my Queen's Ransom bracelet. And thanks for your support!

Our featured shop for January is Rose Works Jewelry. I really do enjoy exploring other's shops. I find it very interesting, the variety of styles and talent that is out there. Ruthie, at Rose Works prides herself on her seed beading techniques, and working with crystals. Seed beading can be very detailed, and you must have a good eye too! Here's a couple of my favorites from her shop. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18653285 What a beautiful and colorful necklace! I can't imagine the amount of time that goes into a piece such as this. I also picked this one as a favorite. This is a "brick weave" technique. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12034946 There are lots more to be found in her Etsy shop. Go take a look around!

Does this help at all? I didn't think last week's picture was that difficult to figure out, but that's probably because I'm so used to seeing these. HIDDEN MICKEYS What are hidden mickeys? http://www.hiddenmickeys.org/WhatIs.html You can check out this site if you have the desire. Some of you know how much we are Disney freaks. Yes, we are here in Florida, and tend to go many times through the year. Everywhere, all over Disney World there are faces or profiles of Mickey Mouse hidden. They can be found in the attractions, wall paintings, architecure, the ground, just everywhere! So we got obscessed about finding them. Ie: scavenger hunt. So we bought this book. And took it on own next trip to see how many we could find. I think I'm a master now, we have found some that were not even in the book. Here's one of my favorites; it's really more of a "decorative" Mickey than a hidden one. Still, one of my favs. This is a drain grate in a pond th...

Now wait just a minute here and let me back up a bit. Don't you like the suspense anyway? So I must say that I did get off the couch yesterday and completed everything that I was procrastinating. Except for the cats. But I did that this morning,; trimming their nails and brushing Rex. He needs to be brushed. He is a long haired cat, and most of the time looks like he just crawled out of the garbage dumpster! Sorry Rex, we love you! And he hates to be brushed! He just growls the whole time. That would figure, wouldn't it? THE RIPPLE EFFECT I just got back from having coffee with a few lady friends of mine and wanted to share this analogy that we were talking about. THE RIPPLE EFFECT: Someone was saying how you have to just pick up that rock and throw it in the pond if you want to see "the ripple effect". Do you want to see change? Help someone out or make a difference in some one's life or community? It won't happen if you do nothing. If you do nothing, you wil...