Be Mine Valentine - Heart Felt Jewelery

Good day all! I've been in the studio creating from the Heart! After the dizziness of Christmas has for the most part passed, it's winter nesting time which brings the heart home and announces Valentine's Day. I've created several pieces with hearts, some new designs and others a heart-take on some popular MetalRocks designs such as my Silver Hammered Hearts with a Tail!

Enjoy a browse thru my shop and please comment as I dearly love to receive feedback.

Until next time, when our topic will be To Stamp or Not to Stamp - What Does the 925 or SS stamp Declare?

All the Best

Thank You for a Wonderful 2009 and Introducing New Designs for 2010!

2009 was quite the year for my Etsy Shop and I have all of you to thank. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU - from the bottom of my heart! My sales increased every month in 2009 even during the summer when I closed my shop and went on holidays. Absolutely amazing!! Without the support of family members, friends, everyone at Etsy, my Twitter-mates, my blog followers and all my customers this would not be possible. I am so grateful for everyone and everything I have been blessed with in 2009!!

For the 2010 Season I have introduced 18 new designs and I hope you love them as much as I did making them. I'm really proud of the Well Healed Collection and all the other new designs plus I have a sketchbook of ideas ready to be made. I'm going to upgrade some of the 2009 designs but I will leave the Goddess Tear Falling Behind series http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37764580 and the Maria's Goddess Tear Studs http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37739894 listed due to the tremendous interest these 2 styles afforded last year.

Along with new designs, logo and business cards you can expect more blogging regarding the jewellery industry from the prospective of the artist. Jewellery has almost over-taken the Christmas fairs, outdoor markets and both Etsy and Ebay have strong jewellery sellers - not to forget chain stores that can sell at a fraction of the price it often cost me to make an item. How does an artist stay in business and compete with the countless competition? As well, I hope to provide some discussion on shopping for jewellery and some simple but insightful questions and answers that I know people would appreciate.

Thanks again everyone for a fabulous 2009 and here's hoping that 2010 is the best year yet for one and all!!!

Tis the Season

Good day all! Well it's upon us, the Christmas season, and my shop is buzzing. Sales have increased substantially and my family is getting meals prepared on the weekend and frozen. I'm happy, but the family, not so much! :-)

I've done a few new things including joining the EtsyCanada team and advertising at IndieNorth a wonderful site dedicated to promoting Canadian artists. http://www.indienorth.com/

I like to buy local so my thinking floated to, why not try to sell locally. My Etsy store was already established and doing nicely, but my Canadian sales were a small trickle. I found my answer on Twitter, where I met Beth, the wonderfully creative and industrious lady who is the force behind IndieNorth. Beth is a delightful Tweeter and gave me the wonderful hint to add the word 'Canadian' as a tag in my Etsy shop, plus a placed a very reasonably priced ad on the IndieNorth site and my Canadian sales have easily tripled! Thank you IndieNorth and Beth! I recommend all Canadian artists check this site out.

This week, I was contacted by Christina of Akane Designs http://www.akane.etsy.com who has kindly accomplished all the necessary administrative work to set up a new Etsy Team, called EtsyCanada of which I am happy to say, I am now a proud member. I'm looking forward to getting to know more Canadian artists from across the country and promoting our creations together. I'm super excited!!

That said, with sales soaring, I must get back to the studio! 'Tis the Season' and artists around the world are in high production and high promotion mode. Did I mention how much I LOVE IT!!! :-)

Have a great day and remember: Today is the tomorrow you've been waiting for! ENJOY!

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Back in the Studio

Good day! First full day of classes today and my first full day in the studio since September 1! I'm full of design ideas and have already added a few new pieces to my shop!

I thought I'd share with you a wonderful "Wish for You" that my friend @CharmsOfLight posted on her blog! I thought it beautiful and inspiring, which is the type of day I hold in my intention!

Enjoy all!!!

Hello September!

Good day all! I'm back from vacation and having several visitors including our annual Corn Roast! All went well and we had a fabulous time hosting and vacationing. This is my first day back in the studio!

It's hard to believe how much I missed creating! I'd find myself sketching or browsing Etsy just to keep ideas flowing. It took about 2 weeks to stop that behaviour and really start enjoying my vacation. It was nice to leave the computer behind finally. I thoroughly enjoyed playing golf, hanging with my daughter, Kat, and enjoying family and friends. We made many happy memories together!

I've been busy sketching and today is my first full day back in the studio. I've posted a few new things I was able to make this past week late at night. I realized I totally missed blasting music (headphones), creating and burning that midnight oil. I'm getting ready for the Christmas season and have several new lines planned.

The Silver Drop Collection is one, however I couldn't keep myself from posting the pieces because I just adore them!! I love melting metal so much and this collection gives me the opportunity to do so often! As well, and as mentioned previously, there are more reticulated pieces to choose from. I'll be listing a new pair later today, but I'll give you a sneak peek right now! I'm calling them Dripping Reticulated Silver Earrings. I appreciate any feedback - so please don't hesitate to contact.

I'd like to thank everyone for their continuing support! I would like my family, friends and customers to know how much I appreciate your ongoing kindness, understanding and support - it truly moves my heart!

Now, back to the studio - and LOVING it!!

On Vacation

Hello all from the beautiful St. Eugene Resort in Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada! First, I'd like to apologize for not posting before I left that my shop was closed until August 8th, 2009. I was busy filling orders until the last minute, plus trying to get the house, the family and the cats ready for our departure on July 21.

I've tried to stay away from the computer as this IS my vacation and my business is on-line so I needed the 'screen' break. We've been so busy filling our days with events or driving that it hasn't really been an issue.

I'll give you a little overview of our trip thus far. We drove through BC on the #1 Highway stopping at 3 Valley Gap Hotel where we enjoyed a lovely stay exploring the Ghost Town and surrounding areas. Then we spent a couple of days in Calgary visiting with friends, watching football and gearing up for the big shop! We drove up to Edmonton and spent 2 whole days exploring West Edmonton Mall! Kat was in heaven!! It was the best mother/daughter fun including many giggle fits and late night chats. Then we spent some time with old friends and I played golf at the Highlands Golf Club - a lovely course. Then back down to Calgary to explore the Drumheller Badlands, a trail ride in the foothills at the Anchor D Ranch and then the Calgary Zoo. We left Calgary yesterday to head for the resort, where I played golf while Kat caught up with friends on-line. A challenging course with stunning views and good rates. This morning we're off to Grand Forks and a room on the river so we can hike a little, stretch our legs and continue the mother/daughter sharing.

I'm so grateful for this opportunity to spend time with my daughter. It's been more fulfilling than any other vacation I can remember. I can only encourage everyone to make the time to spend with those we love. Life is so precious and these are some memories I, and I hope she, will draw upon for years to come.

Back to my vacation! Cheers!!