AJE Component of the Month Reveal Time...Crimson Huntress

So once again I was lucky enough to be selected as a guest participant in the Art Jewelry Elements Component of the Month Giveaway. If you are not familiar with the giveaway click here for information. It's extra special to me to participate this month because it's my birthday month! Our hostess for this month's component is Kristi Bowman. She makes many lovely components in copper, white copper and polymer clay...you can find her amazing work here.

Kristi made something new for this...she calls them Goddess Vessels. Mine immediately started talking to me...unfortunately I had a trade show going on when it arrived so it had to wait for a few days before I could answer it's call. I also must say as soon as I started putting my design together the name Crimson Huntress came to mind...did I mention this one practically made itself?

I have to say I love it when all my art bead friends play so well together...it makes for wonderful designs and finished pieces! The spiral headpins and clasp are handmade by me. The rest of the line up includes an awesome lampwork headpin by Genea Beads, lampwork beads by Bubby and McGurk and of course the beautiful goddess vessel by Kristi. Sari ribbon, Irish waxed linen, crystals, copper chain and red coral complete the design.

I will say when I bought this stunning headpin I had no clue how I would ever use it! I don't use a lot of red in my designs but it was just too stunning to pass up. So I bought it and figured it would be part of my ever growing "collection". This was the first element I chose when I received the goddess vessel...I knew it would be perfect!

Here's a closer shot of the lampwork beads and the crystal/coral fringe. The lampwork beads have red, cream, brownish red colors...a perfect compliment to bright red in the headpin and the rich brown/red of the copper.

I found a piece of sari ribbon in my "collection" that was a perfect dark chocolatey red with a bit of a sheen to it. I love using ribbon at the back of necklaces, very soft on the neck and adds a beautiful element instead of hiding beautiful beads back there. Plus I love the gypsy, bohemian feel it gives my designs.

One more close up so you can have a better look at those gorgeous lampwork beads :)

In case I didn't mention it...I'm keeping this one for myself! I've worn it once already and I LOVE IT! Happy birthday to me! Thank you Kristi for the opportunity to join in the fun! I always enjoy working with your components and this time was no exception!



This is a blog hop so I hope you will visit the links below to see everyone's beautiful creations!~Kari

Monthly Winners

SJ Designs Jewelry

Kari Asbury

Shirley Moore

AJE Team Members

Caroline Dewison

Diana Ptaszynski

Lesley Watt

Melissa Meman

Linda Landig

Kristen Stevens

Jenny Davies-Reazor
Sue Kennedy

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!

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!

Pay It Forward...Design 2

I've been busy, sick, preparing for shows and as always continuing to sign up for blog hops, challenges, etc, etc, etc...

Needless to say I'm a bit late getting this post up but wanted to do a quick reveal on the second design I did for the Pay It Forward post from September. I am currently working on my third and final 'gift' which I hope to have on it's way by Thanksgiving...in the meantime here is my second design in the series which went to Zoe Marcin.

I read a blog post by Zoe a while back and she was talking steampunk designs. She was wishing there was more color to them. So when I received these colorful gears as an "extra" in one of my Mismatch Earring Swap packages...they seemed perfect...now what to do with them? In my email query she also mentioned liking mint green...enter Bubby & McGurk polka dots!

Thanks to Karin Slaton for gifting me these wonderful gears! Check back after Thanksgiving for the 3 and final reveal.

Show Us Your Hooters! Artisan Whimsy Challenge

I am part of an awesome group called Artisan Whimsy and I have decided to enter this necklace in the Show Us Your Hooters Owl Challenge.

My necklace features a woodland owl ephemera tile made by me. Similar tiles are available in my supply shop Asbury Avenue Designs. Beautiful ceramic beads in shades of green, chocolate and cream from Gaea. And a beautiful lampwork bead from Bubby & McGurk.

I hope you will stop by Artisan Whimsy, take a look around and join our fantastic group! Also, don't forget to cast your vote for your favorite Hooters!

This lovely OOAK Woodland Owls Necklace is available in my finished jewelry shop, along with many other wonderful designs! Stop by and have a look around, Hippie Chick Jewelry & Design.

IT'S REVEAL TIME! Finally today we get to reveal our wonderful goodies from the Art Bead Earring Swap...Big thanks to Diana for putting it all together! Now on to the good stuff...

From Dee Elgie all the way from the UK came gorgeous, long, black and silver earrings...featuring beautiful frosted lampwork beads from Alchemy Lampwork, Dee made the black spacers and earwires, added silver hearts and Swarovski crystals...sparkly gorgeous!

Next up are the earrings I received from Linda Landig from right here in my lovely Pacific Northwest! These earrings feature adorable ladybug ceramic beads from Golem Studio and handmade earwires from Fresh String Beads. Did I mention...so cute, perfect for summer!

Thanks Dee and Linda, you each managed to catch bits of my favorite things (without even knowing it!) and create fantastic earrings that I will enjoy wearing and will compliment my wardrobe and personality!

Lastly, the earrings I sent to Dee and Linda...along with a shameless plug or two for the artists who made the beads and components I used...

On the left, the earrings I sent Linda feature copper dragonfly charms from Kristi Bowman Design. I have only had a chance to order a couple of things (so far) from Kristi but they have been fabulous and I will be shopping with her again...hopefully soon! The lampwork beads are from Pink Beach Studios, a favorite of mine...lots of selection and Stacy is always great with special requests.
On the right, the earrings I sent Dee...she said she likes bright and colorful! Enameled filigree from Sue Beads, another favorite for lampwork beads and enameled goodies. Lampwork headpins from Havana Beads, lots of wonderful goodies. And last but certainly not least lampwork beads from Bubby & McGurk, be sure to check them out on facebook where they run some fantastic sale events!

That's it for me but be sure to check out all the other fantastic creations from these lovely ladies...

Diana Ptaszynski     http://www.suburbangirlstudio.com

Jan Onipenco    http://moltenmayhem.typepad.com/

Patti Vanderbloemen        http://myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.com/

Mary Harding   http://www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com

Diane Hawkey    http://dianehawkey.blogspot.com/

Lesley Watt        http://www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com

Jenny Davies Reazor      http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog

Melinda Orr      http://www.orrtec.blogspot.com

Cilla Watkins      http://www.tellyourgirlfriends.com

Stephanie Haussler       http://www.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com

Sally Russick     http://www.thestudiosublime.com

Susan Kennedy       http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com

Amy Freeland  http://www.copperdiem.blogspot.com/

Marla James     http://marlasmudmoments.blogspot.com/

Pam Sears http://crazycreativecorner.blogspot.com/

Tania Spivey http://www.moobiegracedesigns.blogspot.com/

Kathleen Lange Klik http://www.modernnaturestudio.blogspot.com/

Lori Bowring Michaud  http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com/

Erin Prais-Hintz  http://www.treasures-found.blogspot.com/

Gail Barnett http://www.atlastanewyearsresolution.blogspot.com/

Linda Landig  http://www.lindasbeadblog.com/

Sharleen Newland http://www.shaterraclaystudio.blogspot.com/

Dee Elgie  http://cherryobsidia.blogspot.co.uk/

Mary Shannon Hicks  http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/

Lisa Johnson  http://whimsyswonders.blogspot.com/

Shelby Foxwell  http://sundownbeaddesigns.blogspot.com/

Keri Lee Sereika  http://www.pinklemonade.typepad.com/

Cheryl Brown    www.dragonflybeads.ca

Linda Younkman http://www.lindysdesigns.blogspot.com/

Kari Asbury http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com/

Fay Wolfenden http://www.torchfairy.blogspot.com/