Courage taking the leap...

Here is one of the first pic's I used at etsy, its blurry!

This morning I am in a blog circle with my friends from Flying Lessons with Kelly Rae Robberts. This is my first one. Happy Reading :)

I have to say that I made my etsy account many years ago. I got the courage up to put my jewelry in a shop. I named it the name I would have given my son if he was born a girl. Juniper and I put Goods at after because I was not sure if I only wanted to do jewelry. Sad to say I only made one sale and it was to my Mom. So, I tried taking better pictures and adding more descriptive words so it could be found on a router.

The second style of pic's I tried, blurry as well.

But to no avail I still had not sold from etsy. I had my Dad come and take pic's with his nice camera, posted and still nothing. My courage was slipping away. I joined groups and tried to put more items in the shop. Let me tell you all of this extra work makes for a big bundle of courage to dwindle fast. Maybe my jewelry is no good? Maybe it's over priced, or under priced? I have no idea. What doI do? So I gave up on etsy.

 Now I am taking a class on promoting your biz with Kelly Rae Robberts and there is a lesson on etsy and how to make it work for you. I have taken a peek at it and glanced at the links to etsy for help. I still need the courage to go for it and promote my work, although maybe at the back of my mind I think it could be a better product. More this or that. So I am taking the leap.... I am going to take new pic's of my rings,

The current, older pic of my rings

earrings and bracelets post them on etsy and try all the promotional suggestions from Kelly and the etsy teams. I am going for it. So look for new jewelry posting soon on my etsy account.

The new pic's of my rings

What type of ring picture do you like? I will research pictures for jewelry on etsy to see what works best for most sellers. I am going to try to get the courage to add more pendants, earrings, necklaces and bracelets on etsy.

Courageously, Chandra

I am linking with Suzanne McRae check out her take on courage here

Wordless Wednesday in Monterey

Wire Wrap Bracelet Tutorial

Make your very own wire wrap bracelet with this easy tutorial.

Supplies you will need:

Beautiful Beads

Wire 16 gage (I used aluminum in gold)

Wire 24 gage ( I use BeadSmith gold)

Round nose pliers

Flat nose pliers

WIre cutters

A file (I use an old metal file because it is easy to hold)

1st Step

Cut your 16 gage wire into two pieces for the frame. Depending on the size of the wrist anywhere from 7 to 12 inches. Remembering to measure extra for the swirls and waves.
Cut another two pieces for the clasp. 12 inches for the swirls.

2nd Step 

File down all the edges of the wire so they are smooth.

3rd Step

Making the clasp.

Take the wire you cut for the clasp and bend into a circle. Then using your round nose pliers, curl up the ends into a spiral. Start at the very end pinch the wire and roll in toward the circle. Do this on both sides. 

Then do the same as above for the other side of the clasp. Fold over this clasp's circle to make the hook. I didn't take enough pic's but here is a link to a tutorial of The Garden Gate Clasp, from Art Bead Scene Blog.

4th Step

Bend your frame into waves or spirals. This is where you can get creative. I just waved mine.

Then you wrap 24 gage wire on the end of the two frames. Starting on one side and going along to the other side. Place beads on the 24 gage wire and wrap around the frame wherever you like. 

5th Step

Put the two frame wires into the swirls of your clasp and bend over the top with your round nose pliers.

Connect the clasps on each end this way.

Your done!

Clasp to your wrist.

Enjoy!

Have a happy wire wrapping day!

Chandra

Interview with Barbara Lentz

I met Barbara Lentz affectionately known as Babs or BabbieLynn through Flying Lessons with Kelly Rae Roberts. I asked if she would mind giving me an interview since I am just starting out in the same business and she said yes!  So, here is my first interview for the The Soaring Artist's in Flying Lessons.

 BabbieLynn  has a very successful Botique Gallery in Florida. She started her jewelry making career in 1995. She received a gift of a name bracelet with her children's three names on it and decided she could make it herself. She soon started her own jewelry line and home jewelry parties. In 2003 she opened her own store Art-Sea Living.

Recently her life has changed dramatically since her sister passed away a couple of years ago. She was her best friend. She says, "I have learned to enjoy the little things, the happy things and I have figured out that stressing over anything in not worth it. Everything is temporary in life, including life itself.

BabbieLynn

Q: What kind of Art or Jewelry do you make?

A: I design jewelry and remix vintage jewelry. Lately I have not been making jewelry much. I've been painting more and mixed media. I am a fun Artist...not fine Artist. I like Art-ing and Craft-ing. I am just getting back into my Art since this class with Kelly Rae Roberts. I let business take over my creative side and I am coming back around.

Q: What inspires you to do Art and Jewelry?

A: I am around Artists and Art all day long. I love to look at beading magazines and go to Antique shows and look at old pieces of jewelry.

Q: How did your business come about?

A: I started my home parties. Started selling a lot of jewelry. I was asked by a store owner to sell my jewelry  and I was actually in the end of a long divorce and a bit lost. I decided to sell my own jewelry in my own shop. I opened it the same year I got my divorce! 2003

Art-Sea Living Shop

Q: Have you taught your Art and Jewelry to others? What classes do you offer or have you offered in the past in your shop?

A: Yes, I teach basic and advanced beading here and there, Wine Glass Painting, and kids Art/ Craft classes. I have lots of Artists teaching jewelry and all kinds of classes in the shop. Watercolor, Acrylics, Mosaics, Fused Glass, Beading, Sewing, Art Quilting, Knitting, Sculpting, Mixed Media, Pottery...

Q: When did your Business start to earn profit? Business always changes how has yours evolved over the years?

A: When I moved my shop to a different location. After about six years. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! I started as just a gallery selling handmade items. There was not enough money in that. I added a studio and started teaching. Added more merchandise from different Merchandise Marts. I have another great idea brewing. Keep all your ideas in a folder! Never throw them out.

Q: What advice would you give someone just starting out?

A: Dream big. Get on Social Media, Blogging, Etsy, Ebay. Help others in business and don't be afraid to do that. Don't worry about competition, be the absolute best YOU can be. There is not another YOU. No one can compare. Give your customer the best experience of their life with You.

Q: Are you a mentor to anyone? Are you active in your community?

A: Yes, I am a mentor. Yes, I was on the Art's Commission for many many years in Boynton Beach. Recently I've decided to work on my own shop. I also have fundraisers for different charities and donate to local schools Auctions and Fund raisers. This October I am having a Solo Exhibit for Breast Cancer Awareness and proceeds will be donated.

Q: Do you encourage other Artists in any way?

A: I consign Art and love working with new Artists just coming on the scene. I like to encourage them and help them figure out prices and where they should promote themselves. I represent 65 Artists today. I LOVE THE BUSINESS OF ART AND THE ART OF BUSINESS!

Thank you so much for a wonderful interview Babs! 

BabbieLynn's Parties:

http://babbielynn.com/parties/

BabbieLynn's website: 

http://babbielynn.com/

Bab's on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/ArtSeaLivingStudio

 I am exited to share these interviews with Alisa Steady. She has interviewed Tara Catalano another fellow flyer!

Wordless Wednesday! River Ride

Pendants and Stones

Green Agate

This green pendant is the original way I learned wire wrapping pendants. It is clean around the edges and swirly at the top. has a small bail.
 I have recently been doing this new wire wrapping style. A friend of mine had an earring that was made similar to these and so I tried it. It is a bit too much for me. But it is fun to make! I like swirling the wire around the edges and adding beads. What style do you like? I love using real stones. I found this green and purple stone and fell in love with it. The red jasper is so earthy, grounding. Can you guess what stone the green and purple one is?

Bostwana Agate

Red Jasper

Bostwana Agate

Can you guess what stone this is?

Inspirational Words

For some reason I can't add photos lately. I really wanted to post something with photos all week...after trying many times on various computers I gave into the fact that it cant be done. Bummed about that!  Only inspiring words today.  I have a book I've been reading

Make Your Creative Dreams Real by Sark.

This morning I decided to just open the book wherever and look what I found!

"Inspiring people are all around us, just waiting to be engaged."

"The fact is, we are all capable of being inspired and inspiring."

"Creative dream making involves movement."

"Willingness has the ability to move without words."

"What are you willing to do or be for your creative dreams?"

Very helpful quotes from Sark today! Thanks to her openness in sharing her way of growing creative. Tonight I am taking a free writers call with her to see if I want to take her course WINS.  I have always wanted to write children's books. My son and I have talked about him doing the illustrations and me writing the story. So hopefully with willingness and movement I will get some courage and step up to the book writing for children. I received an email newsletter from Kate Richbourg today with her signature and a link to her blog. We can make that at home I was so excited to see she was local and that I could find inspiring people around me. I also found a workshop already past but very inspiring locally as well. Then I found some other local jewelry artists from that. How cool! Some movement in creativity. Willingness and inspiration. What are your dreams?

One last quote- "You don't have to be tall to see the moon." African Proverb



We can make that at home