13 Year Old Girls and Pintrest!! What?!

So I've been hitting the books...HARD...for the first time since finishing my undergrad 14 years ago. I just started a fast paced graduate program in Social Work that meets every Saturday for the next 4 years.  It's been rough but I'm doing ok so far.  My first class is especially accelerated because it's only 8 weeks so in 5 weeks I've already written a paper and had a midterm yesterday which also corresponded with my only child's 13th birthday.  So, after a test and another 4 hours of class, I went home to clean the house, threw the child a skating party then had a house full of teens for a sleep over.

Ugh...I'm glad that's over.  So proud of my sweet baby girl who is becoming an amazing young woman though.

Needless to say, I have not at all been active in creating, promoting or selling any jewelry...what so ever.  I even missed promoting the RAW Artist of the Year voting which happened earlier this month.

I'm hoping to get some things going before the holidays though.  I've been using a mini-mall on Pintrest to post some of my items and do a little searching for my own shopping needs.  Never used Pintrest to shop before but I'm really liking this board.

http://www.pinterest.com/renaechristine/pinterest-mini-mall-viral-board/

Sweet Corn!!! & My So Called Life :)

It sure has been a LONG summer!  I think I over booked myself just a tad.  Full-time job has gotten too stressful for words and then I started a part-time job facilitating groups for men on probation and parole. It's something I've done before and REALLY enjoy it.  However, 12 hour days just aren't for me. 

Got some great news though, I got into graduate school so I'm actually going down to part-time at the one job and switching from working with women who are homeless to families who are homeless The families are not yet in the shelter because we have a long waiting list. I'm sure no one really thinks to get put on a waiting list before they become homeless!  So, it will be nice to go down to part-time but I'm not looking forward to seeing kids who are sleeping in cars or on the floors of other people's homes.  But working with single women gets difficult too because there is so much mental illness that makes everything so difficult.  NO ONE would deny a person housing solely because they have cancer or heart disease but a person with severe mental health issues really struggles to obtain and maintain housing sometimes.  It bothers me tremendously that people seem to think that mental illness is some sort of choice or a consequence for poor choices or something.  Mental illness is biological and develops by no fault of the person.  

Check out blogs from this insightful and amazing woman who was homeless if you want to learn more: http://www.squidoo.com/Homeless-Experiences

I really do have a passion for helping people with mental illness and I could probably go on all day about the injustices but I am BURNT OUT.  I very much plan to return to mental health related work but if I don't take a break I may end up quitting forever.  So, I'm going to work with families for awhile and see how it goes.

As far as AlyxAndrea Design goes you may have noticed that I've been a little absent.  I've been doing a few art fairs but my on-line presence has been nearly non-existent. Just too busy but as I switch to part-time soon I'm hoping I will be back in full force.  I also only have one more craft fair of the season which is the: 

Sweet Corn Festival 

Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18

Sun Prairie WI

http://www.sunprairiechamber.com/Sweet-Corn-Festival.68.0.html

This will be my first 2 day show and I'm a little nervous that my fibromyalgia body won't be able to handle it.  But, I am excited because it is a really large festival and I'm hoping for some good traffic.  Many of the other fairs I did this summer have been really slow.  But since this was my first year I'm treating it as a learning experience.  I rather expensive learning experience but I'm hoping I will do better to choose shows that will work for me next year.

Coming soon....I need to finally share my experience at the RAW Artists Showcase.  I need to tweek a few things and get that up because it has been 2 months.  I'm excited to share how it  went but just haven't had time to write it all down.

I wish had some new products to share today but I haven't made much time for creating.  The only thing I've been doing is getting products for a $10 and $5 table for craft fairs.  My daughter made a ton of kids jewelry to be sold at $5 and I made some really simple adult jewelry for $10.  I'm not planning to put any of the kids jewelry on Etsy but maybe whatever is left of the adult stuff after my last fair.

I've listed this one sad pair of earrings recently:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/158362036

VAMPIRE DIARIES!?!?

I have mentioned The Promotional Frenzie Team on Etsy a few times but want to give another GIANT shout out to this amazing team.  https://www.etsy.com/teams/7512/promotional-frenzy-team

I started creating and selling my jewelry in October 2012 and quickly realized that it is EXTREMELY difficult to sell jewelry on-line. Mostly because everyone and their mother is trying to do it.  I was lost and looking for direction and I came across this team.  I actually had to beg and plead to be let in because I didn't have enough "followers" to meet the criteria.  Mona aka Sewing Grannie https://www.etsy.com/people/sewinggranny allowed me to join and became my mentor.

The team has helped my shop in so many ways and I have also had the opportunity to develop on-line friendships with people from around the world.

One of the many opportunities that have arisen because of this team is the opportunity to join
The Artisan Group

 http://www.theartisangroup.org/ 

Janet Galla of Trinkets N Whatnots www.TrinketsNWhatnots.etsy.com is a member and let PFT know that they were excepting applications so I applied and was accepted.

I had to have one of Janet's rings!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/89059280/swarovski-red-magma-button-ring-baguette

So, The Artisan Group (TAG) is basically a small group of artisans who provides hand made gifts to celebrities, members of the press and other entertainment industry leaders.  Major award gift events include The Emmy's, The Oscars and The Golden Globes.

These large events involve sending in 100 pieces of art to be given out at the "Celebrity Gift Lounge" before the event.  TAG representatives at the event then make sure to get at least one picture of a celebrity with each participant's piece of art.

Making 100 pieces to be gifted is a little bit above what I am capable of right now. Janet Galla of Trinkets N Whatnots gifted her rings to the last Acadamy Awards. I decided to start out small and 100 of my business cards are being included in the celebrity gift bags at the 2013 Prime
Time Emmy's.  My husband is working on adding some pictures of my products to my business cards for this event.

TAG is also occasionally contacted by stylists for different TV shows and movies.  I watch very little TV but a guilty pleasure of mine is The Vampire Diaries.  The stylist for The Vampire Diaries has asked TAG to provide 25 samples of jewelry to possibly be used on next season's episodes.  They did the same thing last year and chose 13 of the 25 pieces that were worn on the show.

Every time I watch The Vampire Diaries I watch the jewelry and dream about how exciting it would be if someone was wearing a beaded ribbon necklace.  I am sure that my designs would grow in popularity if it could just be seen on this show which seems to fit perfectly with my style.  I never could have imagined that it may actually be one of MY necklaces on the show!

So, needless to say I was extremely excited when TAG announced this opportunity.  I was in the middle of meeting with a client at work when registration began so I was sure that I wouldn't get a spot but I did.  I was so incredibly excited.  I really hope the stylist is open to trying something new and different.

I'm still contemplating exactly what I am going to send but it has to be something I can easily reproduce. I'm thinking I may do paper beads so that I can continually sell the same design in my shop but I can still say that they are one-of-a-kind because no two beads will be identical.  I may do a necklace similar to one of these but probably with red paper and black ribbon.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/127652987/paper-bead-necklace-black-and-purple

I have two big events this week so I will hopefully be able to start working on something next week. I will make sure to share a picture when I am done.  Any suggestions are welcome of course :)

Watch out for my next blog which will be the follow up to The RAW Artists Showcase which takes place this Thursday, June 20th.  I had promised that I was going to share pictures of the dress I found and the jewelry I made.  

AlyxAndrea Design will be at the 2013 Fresh Air Craft Fair 
 

Date: May 11th 2013, 10am – 3pm Rain or Shine

Location: Elver Park, 1250 McKenna Boulevard, Madison, WI 53719

 

 

What is the Madison Parks Fresh Air Craft Fair?

Madison Parks is pleased to host the Fresh Air Craft Fair on May 11th, from 10am-3pm. Local artists and craft vendors will be showcasing and selling their original works including jewelry, pottery, paper goods, glass works, and other handmade items.

 

Activities

Kids: There will be plenty of activities for kids including spring themed kid’s crafts. The Wisconsin Kiter’s Club will be flying kites for demonstration, as well as hosting a kite making workshop, so kids can bring home their own kite creation. Also, Madison Parks hayrides will be available for $2 per person around Elver Park.

Food: Attendees will be able to purchase snacks from Curt’s Gourmet Popcorn and Jim’s Kettle Corn. The Santa Fe Food Cart will be serving burritos, tacos, and other southwest classics.
Music: Local folk/pop musician Adam Rostad will be performing from 12pm-3pm. This versatile artist creates original songs and unique covers in many different styles and genres. Don’t miss this up-and-coming artist!

Vendor List

• Jenny Blasen Pottery: Handmade stoneware pottery, coffee mugs, yarn bowls, ceramic plates, and soap dishes.
• Copper Heart Designs: Handmade jewelry created using a variety of metalsmithing techniques including etching, enameling, soldering and wirework.
• Makers Guild: Paper and Fiber Arts with a focus on eco crafts - felted crowns, whimsical up-cycled fiber critters, felted wool balls and blocks, pin cushions, journals and stationary
• Meredith Dillman: Watercolor fantasy art
• Danidorem: Handmade Eco-Friendly Jewelry
• JS Designs Studio: Custom children and infant clothing and accessories with comfort in mind
• Three Fates Design: Beaded art work
• Twisted Planet: Upcycled jewelry and crocheted stuffed animals
• Hazy Daze Glass: Unique handmade glass items
• One Thirty Jewelry: Handmade jewelry: Rough cut stones. Wood. Metalwork. Vintage chain. Organic. Asymmetrical. One of a kind.
• One Thirty Jewelry: Jewelry that combines metal techniques with traditional materials, including wood, semi-precious stones and vintage beads
• Shari Wittman: Paper creations including envelopes and note cards, as well as origami items
• Deirdre Adele Thompson: Beaded jewelry
• The Gourd Lady: Painted bird house gourds, butterfly houses, wood bird houses, and suet feeders, as well as solar garden art
• Mrs. Bow Wowz: Handmade dog treats
• Akarim African Enterprise: Hand woven baskets
• reVINYLized: Repurposed records created into fashionable jewelry, clocks, and other items.
• Randee’s Rock Gardens: Container gardens
• Aych: T-Shirt Design, Screen Printing, and Drawing
• N*Studio: Functional pottery/ceramics with a touch of color and whimsy. Textile goods, including handbags, quilts, and home accessories.
• ECE’s Candle’s: All-natural 100% Soy Candles
• Valora Vintage: Vintage rings and earrings, as well as hand blown glass ware
• Ashley Schultz: Handmade polymer clay sculpture and hand beaded glass/stone jewelry
• Selina De Haan: Beaded jewelry – Bracelets, earrings, and necklaces
• Bibi’s Arts: Handmade sterling silver, copper and brass jewelry
• AlyxAndrea Design: Beaded ribbon jewelry and accessories

Admission

Free

 

Parking

Parking will be available at Elver Park in parking lot adjacent to the Craft Fair as well as in the additional lot at Elver Park.

Gift and Plant Fair

Please join me!

Saturday, April 27, 2013
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
St Ann’s Gym
324 N Harrison St
Stoughton, WI

Over 30 vendors will be available with gift items    

perfect for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day,
Graduations, Weddings,
Spring & Summer Birthdays, etc.
Perennials & Baskets of Annuals will be available.
Other annual flowers can be ordered.
Proceeds benefit Journey of the Heart
Mission Trip to Indianapolis in July 2013

Paper bead class and tutorial

You guessed it...another first is my jewelry making adventure.  The owner of the store that displays some of my jewelry (Art Market in Edgerton WI) asked me if I wanted to teach a class on any craft I wish.  I thought for several weeks and came up with paper beads.

I was a little anxious the day before but not too bad.  Growing up I was soooo painfully shy.  I would have panic attacks when called on in elementary school.  I got a little bit better as I got older but even in college I put off speech class until my very last semester and shook like a leaf in front of the class.  Since then I have done a lot of group counseling sessions, most recently a cognitive intervention group for men on probation and parole for the WI Department of Corrections.  I also teach a class on renting for my clients who are staying at the women's homeless shelter.  So I've come a very long way in my ability to speak in front of others.  I would still consider myself a introvert but I no longer have anxiety attacks when I am expected to speak with people I don't know.  I'm still not terribly comfortable giving actual speeches at a podium in front of others.  I prefer to be interactive with people who are participating in a class or group.  

This was the first time I've taught a crafting class though so I had to be a little nervous.  I over purchased supplies and checked and re-checked that I had everything I needed.  I had difficulty sleeping but I didn't have dreams about arriving at the class with no clothes on which was good.

11 people showed up which was 3 more than had registered.  This was a perfect size, any larger and there would not have been room to move.

I feel it went incredibly well.  The only real problem was that the fumes from the nail polish got to be a little overwhelming.  Everyone seemed to really enjoy the class and everyone was able to create some really pretty beads.

I wore this necklace while I was teaching and it is now available for purchase at www.etsy.com/listing/127652987

Below are the pieces of jewelry I made using my paper beads and they are now being displayed at Art Market. www.facebook.com/pages/Art-Market-Edgerton

These beads are made from magazine pages and are sealed with clear nail polish.

These beads are made from book pages and are sealed with pink glitter nail polish.

This matching necklace and earring set are both new designs for me and I used book pages to make the beads and they are sealed with pink sparkly nail polish.

Make Your Own Paper Beads!!!

Paper beads are super easy to make and you probably already have all of the necessary materials.

You need:

Paper, magazine pages or book pages etc
Glue sticks
Exacto knife or scissors
Cutting mat or cardboard to protect your table
Round tooth picks
Nail Polish
Styrofoam

Step One:  Cut your paper into strips.  You can cut straight across or make triangles using cuts similar to a backgammon board. Or just experiment in different designs.

Step Two: Fold the first 1 cm or so of paper over toothpick.

Step Three:  Start rolling the paper onto the toothpick making sure that the paper is very tight against the toothpick and also straight

Step Four:  Add about an inch of glue onto the paper and roll until there is about an inch left then add more glue.

At this point the bead should be rolled tight and glued well enough so that it does not unravel.  The bead should feel hard.  If it can be squished that means the paper was not rolled tight enough.

Step Five:  Push the bead up towards the tip of the toothpick.  This ensures that any glue that got between the paper an bead does not have a chance to set your bead in place forever.  The bead is also then less likely to get stuck to the toothpick after applying nail polish.

Step Six:  Use nail polish to seal the bead.  Paint a thin layer onto the bead by brushing with the grain.  One coat is good enough but you can add more coats for more shine.  The nail polish will make the beads water resistant but not water proof.

Step Seven:  Stick the toothpick into the Styrofoam so the bead can dry.

Easy peasy.  Experiment and have fun.

Yikes!

Tomorrow is the big day...My first every craft fair.
Art from the Heart at Memorial South in Madison WI


I'm so nervous!  What if no one likes it?  What if no one buys anything?  What if my fibro pain is too much to bare?

I took 2 days off of work so I can make sure I am ready to go first thing in the morning.  My amazing hubby also created new business cards for me and a banner to hang.

I should just title every blog "Another First" because I keep delving into new adventures.  Yesterday I met with a group of people who are interested in doing a farm market in my little town of Edgerton WI.  Some people tried last year but it flopped.  This year we are hoping to be a little more organized.  My hubby wants to do social media and other marketing and I'm going to have a stand for my jewelry.  I can't think of anything more lovely than sitting outside on Saturday mornings, talking to my neighbors and possibly selling a few items.  I can also bring my supplies and create while I'm out there.

I am also working on some new designs which have become really popular.  Some really loopy necklaces and headbands which I don't have any pictures for yet.

This first one sold within a few hours of listing it at www.AlyxAndreaDesign.etsy.com

https://www.etsy.com/listing/122575866/pale-green-beads-dark-brown-ribbon

https://www.etsy.com/listing/122544390/large-loops-pink-and-grey-ribbon-and

Rollin'

Maybe the sales aren't exactly "rollin" in but I'm getting a couple.  I got my very first sale on Etsy today.  I screamed so loud I nearly gave my husband a heart attack.  A woman actually purchased 2 already made pieces and requested a custom made necklace in order to have 3 necklaces with heart pendants to give to her 3 grandchildren.  I also sold 2 necklaces at Edge Comics and Games/Art Market in Edgerton WI.  Combine that with the few items I've sold to friends and I may be breaking even :-p

Another bit of excitement was coming in first place in an Etsy contest this week.  It was kind of funny because the first contest I was in I places at nearly 200 out of probably 200, who knows.  Each time a piece was featured I went up a little by little and I was happy to rank under 100 in the last one.  The most recent pick was actually a necklace my 12 year old daughter made (the Alyx in AlyxAndrea Design).

It's been a really tough week at work so it was good to have some good news.  I client of mine died of an overdose after 2 years of sobriety.  She had suffered a lot of loss over the last year and I guess it got to be too much.  What is really tragic is that she was was using her experience with addiction to help others.  She was returning to school for Human Services, volunteering and sharing her story at speaking engagements whenever possible.  My husband had interviewed her awhile back for a documentary he is doing on homelessness in the city I work in.  I'm thinking it will be very painful to watch when it is finished.  If possible I hope that her legacy will live on as evidence of the devastating affects of addiction.  You can work so hard, go to treatment, by motivated to your core and it can sneak back up on you just like that.

So like I said, it was good to get some good news.  After typing this I feel a little guilty about being so excited about something so trivial in comparison but part of working in social services it separation.  Separating yourself, your life and you feeling from you job.  Sometimes I feel like my heart is turning to stone because I can hear the most unimaginably tragic stories of trauma in the lives of people without safe homes and it barely fazes me sometimes.  As a whole it takes a great toll on my mind, body and spirit but I have to put up a little bit of a wall to protect myself.  Everyone in this field experiences a little bit of secondary trauma meaning that we are actually traumatized by hearing and empathizing with the traumatic stories of others.

One of the things I really enjoy about making jewelry is that it helps me take my mind off work and having other people like what I make is an very exciting added bonus.

Custom piece

A friend of mine asked me to make a custom necklace for a good friend of hers.  Her friend who is 39 just found out that she has a 7cm tumor in her brain.  My friend wanted me to use her favorite color green and find a pendant that portrayed a sense of peace.  She expressed that there are few other sentiments for her friend from childhood who will soon be leaving her 2 young children.

I was worried that I would have a hard time but me friend was happy with it.  I wasn't able to take a quality picture of it but here it is.

I went to the craft store with no clue what I would get. I ended up going with a phoenix because it represents   rebirth or transformation.  I also feel all birds portray freedom and insight.

I've been in social services for over 10 years and it's a new concept for me to help people in this creative way.  Just like counseling someone in my office doesn't solve a problem creating a piece of jewelry doesn't either.  All we can ask for is that our words or actions may offer a little bit of comfort when life hands you a lousy hand.

I'd love to hear thoughts about this.  Thank you!!!


www.alyxandreadesign.webs.com

Ho Ho Ho

I took the last hideous necklace apart and made a new one. https://www.etsy.com/listing/117989629/steam-punk-watch-gears-pendant-bead-and  I'm calling it "Steam Punk" because of the watch gears but I'm not entirely sure if this will appeal to the steam punk crowd.  I'm still working on getting my titles and tags perfected to draw in the right customers.  Suggestions welcome (wink wink).

I'm also gearing up for the holidays by creating gifts for friends and family.  I'm working on a custom piece for a co-worker would like a gift for a friend who just found out she has a brain tumor.  I making necklaces for my nieces and ornaments for all the relatives,  

Just for fun I put an ornament up on Listia.  http://www.listia.com/auction/7296156-ribbon-and-bead-ornament  I'm giving this away for free so I can get Listia points to get free stuff for myself.  Genius idea!!  So if your not in the mood to purchase something bid on a free something :)

As for my last rant...I'm feeling a little better about work.  Homelessness still sucks and I don't know if I'll be able to listen to these terrible stories forever but I do feel like I'm making a difference.  Many of the ladies I work with are truly appreciative of my help and I'm glad I am able to do what little I can for them.  Even if the only thing I have to offer most days is a sympathetic ear.  I guess I'm not quite ready to move on yet.  If you too would like to help all you have to do is ring bells for The Salvation Army :)

Hello all...Below is a pic of my newest creation.  I really love this piece because of crazy cool glass filled seashell pendant.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/117295377/seashell-necklace-with-beads-and-ribbon


So that's that happy bit, now I need to grumble a little.  Having an Etsy shop is HARD WORK.  I'm barely getting any traffic and not a single sale yet. ( I hope the items have have at Edge Collectibles are doing better.)

I'm staying up way to late but instead of making jewelry I'm browsing through tutorials and forums on how to improve my shop.  I just spent 5 hours updating my listings and titles and I only have 25 items for sale.  At this rate, by the time I actually sell something I'll have made about 2 cents per hour.  Not that one sale will get me out of the hole.  I'm starting to think I just have a really expensive hobby.  You don't even want to see my accounting which of course took me several hours to set up too.  I'm in social services which roughly translates to no business sense and terrible at math.  All I really know how to do is help people.

Even just the process of taking the stinking pics is way too time consuming because I always have to edit them.  I can't take a good pic to save my life and the #1 advice all the forums give is have good pics.  Arg!!

OK, I'm done ranting....I feel better now.  Maybe I should get to sleep so I'm not completely exhausted...again :(