A GREAT THANKSGIVING

Enjoyed our Thanksgiving feast with lots of family. There's me gloating over my just out of the oven big bird; Jim, a son-in-law, doing carving honors, and Kirsten, a granddaughter, and others intent of filling their plates so they can then fill their tummies.

Catching up - Aagain

Every time I promise myself to keep up this blog, life kind of gets in the way.

But here I am. I've been busy making new designs and getting ready for the upcoming Chatty Crafty show in Chattanooga, Tn on Dec 10-11.

In early November, I did a show at the Museum Center at Five Points in Cleveland, Tennessee.
I had a great show and sold several pieces. It always warms my heart when people demonstrate their appreciation of my art by
purchasing it.

The photos is just one of the items I sold at Cleveland.

Get a pair of my earrings for free

These blue swirl earrings on sterling silver ear wires are being given away today only --
through at the Chatty Crafty facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/ChattyCrafty

Miss Chatty is giving away several items, one each day, to introduce people to the upcoming Chatty Crafty show in downtown Chattanooga, Tn on Dec 10-11.

I will be exhibiting there. Look for me at booth#46.

I will have lots of neat stuff.

Coordinating necklace and earrings

I posted the necklace the other day. Here are a pair of coordinating earrings made with similar components: copper, amber, dark jasper.
Both are available in my etsy shop.
http://www.clairecreations.etsy.com

earring backs

I usually only make earrings with wires that go through the ears, but at shows, there are always one or two women who do not have pierced ears, so I'm thinking of making a few pairs with clip on backs. I think the clips are better than the kind that screw to the back of your ear.

What do you think?

Years ago, before I had my ears pierced, I could never wear ear rings because I couldn't stand the pressure from either the screw type or the clip type, but I guess some women like them.

Of course, I can't wear earrings now because the holes in my ears have closed up and I keep putting off getting them redone. I know I should because that way I could show off some of my earrings by wearing them the way I wear my necklaces. I also can't wear most of my bracelets because my wrist is so much smaller than most people's.

new ring display

Got the cutest thing to display a few of my rings today. Got the fancy little shoe with ring slots in Hobby Lobby @ 50% off. I think it will make a nice addition to my table at my next show.
What do you think?

Tried a new (for me) idea the other day. Here's the results.
Left: triple band woven copper cuff with carnelian
right: triple band copper bangle cuff - ends are woven together with copper wire.

Both are listed in my zibbet shop.
http://www.zibbet.com/clairecreations

more studio

left: bead and stone storage (partial) right: photo station. I prop a white board up so I
get the tools, etc in the photo.

my studio

top left: soldering spot
top right: metal working bench
lower left: sit-down work station

my studio

Thought I'd share some photos of my studio. It's where I spend most of my time.
Of course, it's messy, but that goes with the territory.




This is what my husband built for me to keep my wire sorted and organized. As you can see, it's not very organized.
There's pegboard on all 4 sides and it's on casters so I can wheel it around.

zibbet.com selling site

Just listed these three bracelets on my zibbet shop.

I don't know about that site. I signed up as a premium member and paid for a year's subscription, but am wondering if it was worth doing. There seems to be very little activity there.

It's hard to know who is looking at your shop because the shop stats aren't very revealing.

Anyway, I'm there for a year, so I'll keep listing and hoping for a sale or two.

My 'babies'

Thought I'd post a photo of my two much loved, much spoiled kitties. Actually, they're far from kitties, Tig, the orange one is almost 15 and Gypsy, the one hiding behind Tig is around 8. But they're still my kitties.

They're in one of their favorite spots -- on Daddy's lap - you can't see the rest of Daddy, but he's got his eyes closed too. They're all relaxing on Daddy's lounge chair.

Range of prices on Etsy

Here's another comparison. The bracelet shown is mine, listed for $55.oo

There are 3,561 copper cuff bracelets listed today on Etsy.

Prices on these range from a high of $600. to $22.50

So how does a customer judge the value?
What do you think?

They say variety is the spice of life. Well, maybe.
I've just done an interesting experiment. I looked all listings on Etsy for 'Roman glass necklace.
The one pictured here is mind. It's listed for $85.00 and is strung on 14k gold filled triple strand chain.

I found that there are currently, as of today,
262 listings for Roman Glass Necklace. Of course there are many styles. But the price range is a bit astounding.
Highest price listed was a whopping $1500.00.
Lowest price was an incredible $15.00.
Now, that's quite a range for similar materials, don't you think?

















4

Is Anyone Here?

Just wondering if anyone is finding my blog. If you are, please post a comment so won't think I'm all alone out here.

another of my copper link bracelets

I've made several copper link bracelets, each one different - no two are alike. They seem to be popular with my customers. I seem to sell every one I make.

This is my latest. The copper squares are hand cut, textured, and shaped. Riveted to each square is a hand cut brass geometric shape. The clasp is a hammered bit of heavy 12 gauge copper.

Entire bracelet was flamed to get a fire patina and bracelet was finished with a protective coat of lacquer to preserve the patina colors.

It's available in either my zibbet or my etsy shops.

My Next Show

My next show will be at the Museum Center at Five Points in Cleveland, Tennessee.
The show will be on Friday and Saturday, November 4 & 5.

It's held inside the museum and is free and open to the public. There is a special showing on Friday evening reserved for museum members.

If you live anywhere near Cleveland, Tennessee, this is a great little museum and the show is always a good one with artists who show their work in the museum gift shop which features local artists' work.

Update on Prater's Mill show

The show was a good one. Perfect weather. Huge crowds. Friendly people. And good sales.
Most people who came into my booth had favorable reactions. Told me my stuff was very unusual and different from the other jewelry booths. Since I strive for 'different' and 'unique', I appreciated these comments.

Several people purchased more than one item. One woman purchased several for gifts for her family.

All in all, thought I was totally beat and exhausted at the end of the show, I was pleased.

This bracelet is just one of the many unique items I sold at the show.

A Little Boast

I was getting a bit discouraged since I hadn't had a single sale from my Etsy shop in several months. Then, all of a sudden, I made three sales in just a couple days. And even better than that two of those customers liked what they purchased so much, they ordered another similar piece.
Here's what sold:

Getting Ready for a Show

Whew, spent most this morning gathering up and packing stuff for this weekend's show -- then with hubby's help loaded it all into the truck and trucked on down to the show site where we set up the tent and tables. I wanted to set out all my stuff so I wouldn't have to do it in the morning, but was just too exhausted.

So, that means getting up at 0 dark thirty tomorrow morning so I can be set up by 8:00 which is when the show people want everyone ready. They say people start coming really early.

Guess I'll hit the hay early tonight.

Here's hoping all this work is worth it and I do well at the show.