What Was I Thinking?

Getting ready for a craft show takes a lot of time.  I don’t know who I was kidding when I thought it would be easy.  

Of course, there is the inventory portion – I have that well under control (I think).  I have been working diligently on creating pieces for months now.  I hope I’ll have enough pieces and worry that I won’t, but at the end of the day, I think I’ll be fine.

Since this is my first craft show, I’ve also had to worry about additional items (i.e. my booth, my displays, my banner, tables and lighting) and then there are the little things like packaging, receipts and oh the pricing.  

What the hell was I thinking?  I obviously wasn’t.  

I’m a stickler for the finer details.  I want to make sure everything looks coordinated and well put-together.  I want my booth to draw onlookers and with that purchasers.   I’m trying to appeal to the widest demographic possible – young, mid and older.   Just because it’s a craft show, it shouldn’t look tacky.  Although tacky does sell.

Spirals...

Wow, it's been a while since I've posted.  Shame on me.

If there is an excuse, let it be this - I've been busy trying to get my inventory up before my craft show in November.

Here is one of my latest designs.  

Spirals

This grey metal art deco pendant features a circular pattern and blue chip beads.  The pendant has been accented by turquoise, agate and grey cat’s eye beads beads.  The overall length is approximately 28 inches.

Ocean Whitecaps...

I've always been inspired by water - oceans, lakes, rivers or streams.  It doesn't really matter.  Just being near water provides me clarity and brings me serenity.  Here is one of my ocean inspired pieces - made from genuine sea glass handpicked from the sunny, sandy beaches of Puerto Rico.

Ocean Whitecaps

Pearly Blues...

A newly finished piece...

Finding Inspiration...

I'm having a tough time getting inspired to create.  The pattern seems to be that I have great ideas when I'm at work, but when I get home in the evening, I don't have the first idea where to start or I start, but then look at what I've created and realize it looks like crap.  I'm feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by the NEED to create and the inability to do so.  I need to find a balance.

I was hoping to spend sometime this weekend and just work out some ideas, but instead "life" called and screwed up my plans.  I NEED to get inventory built up for November, but my "inspirational mojo" isn't co-operating.

I suppose, there's always tomorrow...

Supply Shopping Comes With Guilt...

So, I have just returned from Sedona, AZ and brought back over 4 pounds of beads with me!  

I was looking forward to purchasing some unique pieces while there, but I didn't ever think I would purchase quite so much "uniqueness".  I must admit I'm having buyer's remorse (even though I needed the supplies).  I'm sure once I see some profits coming back in, I'll feel better, but until then...

Making Some Sales...Wanting Some More....

I'm pretty excited that I've been making some sales lately, which have been coming from co-workers - thank goodness for them.  

Although my website has been up and running for about 2 months now, I still haven't received any sales from there or my Etsy shop yet.  It's a bit frustrating, but I also understand that I need to get my name out there and people need to see my products.  I just wish these things would happen sooner rather than later.

In the meantime, I've been busy compiling some inventory for a Christmas craft show I'm attending in November.  It will be my first craft show and will be a true test of my design style.  Here is one of latest designs - I'm kinda of biased, but I LOVE it.

A Featured Piece...

I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that one of my pendants had been selected as a "feature photo" by Sea Glass Artists & Sea Glass Collectors website.

Finding My Groove...

There is no doubt that I love to create things, but I sometimes struggle with what things I should create.  My biggest struggle is creating pieces that people will want to buy.  I know what I like, but will others like it too?  Will they like it enough to buy it?

There are times when I find myself staring at my bead collection waiting for inspiration to hit me.  When it doesn’t, I tend to move on to my seashell or sea glass collection and then back to the beads.  This circular indecisiveness might continue hours or I might start a few things, but not actually completing anything.  Finally, I become overwhelmed by choice – at which point, I pack everything away and go to bed.  Frustrated with myself for another day wasted…

I find myself having great ideas when I’m at work, in the car or at the grocery store – inconvenient times when I’m not able to create and by the time I get home, prepare supper, clean up the mess and finally get a chance to create – I don’t “feel” it. 

My designs change with my moods.  My moods change often.  I need to find consistency.  I need to feel it…

Knowing What I Like and Learning to Let Go...

I don't believe myself to be a naturally creative person by nature, but I have a good eye for color and think that what I create looks good...to me.  

I get that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder", but I struggle with knowing what other people might like.  

I'm discovering through my latest creative venture that it's obviously my preference is for symmetry - ying and yang.  

One of my biggest struggles is dealing with the reality that things don't necessarily have to be matchy, matchy to look good.  Apparently it's okay to have different materials, textures, sizes, etc. within one piece.  I ACTUALLY know this, but I can't let go so easily.  I'll get there...in time...my business is depending on it.

In the meantime, here is an example of my latest symmetrical creation.

Purple Passion

If My Husband Only Knew...

I had to laugh at the cashier at Michaels the other day.  I was in the process of "checking-out" when she noticed the piles of beads I was purchasing.  She mentioned that she was a fellow "beader" and commented on some of the beads I had purchased.  

She then mentioned that she was thankful for working at Michaels because she gets discounts and because her purchases come straight off her paycheck, she doesn't have to worry about her husband finding out about how much she actually spends.  

I then proceeded to ask if they were hiring, because if my husband clues in to my jewelry supply spending habits, he is going to kill me (joking)....

As I like to remind him - you need to spend money to make money AND now, I need to make money...

And So It Begins...

For the past few months, I've been working on a little project. 

Let’s call it a retirement back-up plan of sorts or as I often daydream - my chance to “stick it to the man” and quit my day job.  

While it's not 100% complete and will never be finalized because of its nature, the time has finally arrived to share it with the world.  So without further adieu...

I introduce you to Flamingo Tongue Designs (www.flamingotongue.com) - my very own line of handmade jewelry.

As part of this blog, I will attempt to share some of the creativity process, the finished pieces and some of the struggles of building what I hope will become a viable business. 

Should no one choose to read this blog – that’s okay.  It’s simply my way of sorting through some my daily thoughts and issues.