Showing posts with label Menagerie Studio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Menagerie Studio. Show all posts

Sunday, April 13, 2014

And my adventure into wholesale begins...

I'll begin with a little back story... about this time last year I decided to do my first wholesale trade show. It was a last minute decision but by the end of the experience I had gained a wonderful mentor, lots of potential leads and a wealth of experience...I even made enough cash and carry sales to cover my show expenses and make a small profit. All in all, it was a success in my book. Of course, it's been a long year since that show...but I always believe everything happens when it's supposed to and how it's meant to be...

So now here we are in February, just after losing my day job, I received a call inviting me back to that wholesale trade show. This time I had even less time to prepare (just 2 weeks) but so much more knowledge and over the last year, I had made some changes, done some things to move toward this goal. Turns out this time was even better! While the show was a bit slow this time, I did manage to put my networking skills to use and came away with tons of connections, a lead for another trade show done bi-annually and my first wholesale order!


My jewelry is now available in Skamania Lodge gift shop...below is an excerpt from their website...

"Welcome to Skamania Lodge...
Skamania Lodge, a magnificent Washington State 
mountain resort nestled on 175 wooded acres, is located in the 
spectacular Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. 
The rustic yet elegant, grand mountain Lodge is located 
just 45 miles east of Portland, Oregon, on the Washington side of the Columbia River."


I love the variety of items selected for the first order...a selection of Petite Tulip Earrings in spring colors, several pairs of earrings from our Mini Gypsy Collection, Ephemera Pendant necklaces and a beautiful variety of one of a kind Earrings.


A gorgeous selection of one of a kind necklaces...including my design published in the April, 2013 Bead Trends...and the special request to create coordinating earrings and a bracelet so these could be sold as sets.


and last, but certainly not least, a specially created selection of ribbon wrap bracelets! I love the way these turn out...a few were selected from my stock on hand but the majority were created just for this order and I think they turned out beautifully. 

Now onto a few design challenges, blog hops, shop updates and putting together my marketing plan...busy, busy, busy!

Friday, December 7, 2012

New Creations...


I've been working on lots of new projects the last few days...hoping to have a shop update this weekend. During my show I wrapped alot of beads to prepare them for designs in the works. I've always found it's a great way to get things done and grab the attention of passers by and shoppers, excellent way to start a conversation!



This is one of my favorites...I am really starting to get the hang of working with sari silk. It adds a really beautiful element to my designs.


This is one of my favorites...I am really starting to get the hand of working with sari silk. It adds a really beautiful element to my designs.


 

And earrings... now I just have to get some listings done...and I have so many more designs planned out and in the works...  So I'm off for now to work on my growing to do list. I hope you enjoyed a little sneak peak of things to come!

Monday, October 29, 2012

MisMatch Monday...Halloween Style!

Many of you know Diana of Suburban Girl Studio (Beads, Jewelry) and of her love of mismatch earrings. In fact she guest posts on Art Jewelry Elements about her mismatch love.

After participating in the mismatch swap and blog hop last week I also am hooked! Then I find that in her last Monday MisMatch post Diana threw out a new challenge to include Halloween...I LOVE Halloween! To see Diana's orignal post click on the link above...she posted some really beautiful fall inspired earrings using some of her awesome stone wear designs.

But enough about all that! Let's have some reveal you say!



I am completely in love with my earrings! I decided I wanted to use one of the tiles I made from the latest Halloween images from Ella of Calico Collage. Similar tiles are available in my supply shop, Asbury Avenue Designs. Then I discovered the little pink skull bead from Gaea and the skeleton key image was perfect! The same day I saw Diana's post and started putting ideas together, my polymer rounds came in the mail from Martha of Menagerie Studio. I'm linking you to her webshop because these are a special order item and she provides detail on her wesite how to contact and order. She has lots of yummy colors! I had of course ordered purple...along with several other colors! They were perfect with the coloring in the tile and a wonderful shade of what I call witch purple...my favorite! I brought the designs together with darkened brass wire, chain and a filigree hoop from Fallen Angel Brass. The earwires are handmade by me from darkened brass wire.


I hope you enjoyed today's mismatch post...Stop by again soon!

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

It's Reveal Time!

Mismatched earrings anyone?

I must admit when I first saw Diana's invitation to participate in a mismatch earring swap I almost passed it by...I love all the designs I see (especially the ones she posts). I just wasn't sure it was for me...but then of course lately I have difficulty passing up any opportunity, especially one that challenges me.

Of course once I decided to sign up a million ideas began but I had to wait for partners to be assigned so I could narrow down my design...then Diana teased me with "you'll be really happy with your partner, but I'm not telling until later"...MEANIE!

In the end I was delighted with my pairing and when the opportunity came to take on a second partner for the swap...I said of course! Did I mention I have this problem with taking on too much sometimes...anyway...it all worked out great and my partners were fantastic!

Now don't you wish I'd quit all the blah, blah, blah and get to the pictures already...

My first partner was Lisa Liddy of Metal Me This ...very happy indeed! Here is what I received from Lisa...


Green beads are from Second Surf ...her beads always look so beautiful and vibrant it was wonderful to see them in person. Purple disks and copper ear wires are from Lisa's shop Metal Me This ...and she sent me extra disks so I could try them out in a design of my own! Check back soon to see what I designed with some of them...I'm hoarding the others for future design goodness!

My second partner was Karin Slaton ...looks like she is in process of starting a shop but it's not up yet so I linked you to her lovely blog...be sure to stop by and check out all the beautiful designs she has posted through out her blog. Here is what I received from Karin...

 
So many wonderful things...where do I begin...elongated oval woven by Karin (from Diane Fitzgerald's Shaped Beadwork). I am always in aww of bead weaving...I've tried it only to my frustration! Enamel leaves and lampwork bead (inside weaving) from Sue Kennedy of Sue Beads. A raku ceramic bead, pressed glass oval and sterling silver posts...love the shape of the posts it really accents the earring designs beautifully! Karin also included an extra goodie..enameled pink gears also from Sue Kennedy. I already have a design for them so look for a post soon to see what I did!

I hope you enjoyed your stop here today and that I gave proper credit to all the wonderful artists who participated, whether it was through their beads or designs.

Thank you to my to wonderful partners! It was great getting to know you both and having this opportunity to challenge myself in the mismatch earring world...I think I'll be creating a few pairs for an upcoming show...wish me luck with that!

Please be sure to follow the links below to visit the other participants in this swap and enjoy more mismatch fun!

Lisa Liddy http://www.lisaliddy.wordpress.com
Kari Asbury http://www.hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com (you are here)
Mary Harding http://www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com


















Thursday, March 1, 2012

Sharing Other Artists and Blogs

Martha Eason of Menagerie Studios included me in her blog post today 'New Artist Designs'. I am so pleased that she liked my designs with her beautiful pendant and charms. I am humbled that she enjoyed them enough to include on her blog. Here are the Daisy Heart Earrings and the Heart and Butterfly Necklace Martha was so kind to share, available for purchase in my Etsy shop.

You can also check out Martha's blog post to see the other beautiful designs  she shared today!

Check out Martha's Etsy shop if you would like to add her beautiful pendants and charms to your creations!