Monday Again??? :) LOL

I can't believe it is Monday again! Well, actually Tuesday now! :) I can't believe how fast the last week passed!


I listed some new pieces today...on Etsy and my website. I have been working on quite a few pieces...and still have a bunch I haven't listed!


I have to say, I think this one is one of my all-time favorites! (LOL - I know, I always say that!)It didn't turn out at all like what I had planned for it to be, but I think it turned out to be one of those happy mishaps! :) LOL So, it started out as a pair of earrings...then a flower...then a necklace, and then somehow, to me it looked like an angel. So, I named it "Oh Angel of Mine!" I finally used one of the pink topaz briolettes I bought...I really love them! They are just so sparkly and pretty! I went a little bit crazy in the briolette department...I ordered a little of everything! I just couldn't resist! LOL








It's sooo funny, actually a lot of my pieces turn out they way...happy mishaps! I mean, I start with plans for one thing and something else takes form! I draw out a lot of my designs prior to starting. Some come out exactly as plan and the others I may work on for days and may end up as something total different! It is always a wonderful surprise when it works out...but that isn't always the case! I think the hardest thing I have overcome...or am still trying to overcome, is the fact that I'm a perfectionist, and I'm my worst critic! Now don't get me wrong...I know it is good to take pride in your work and always do your best, but sometimes I am just obsessive about it! I've been working at trying not to be so obsessive...I think it is just in my genes! My whole family is obsessive compulsive! :) LOL I know that isn't funny...but if you could see us, you would laugh too! Anyway, I'm trying to accept the fact that I'm my worst critic! After all, I shouldn't expect everyone to like every piece or think I make! Art is subject...I make the jewelry, because I enjoy doing so...I hope people will like my "creations," but if they don't, I'm not going to give up. Also, I'm trying to accept the fact that just because something don't turn out exactly as I plan, doesn't mean it has to be thrown out...everyone else doesn't know that it isn't what I had in mind! I've always acted obsessive...school work, painting, making jewelry, pottery, actually in all aspects of my life! ...but I guess it is just most noticeable in my art. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I think everything I make is better than everybody else, or that I'm the BEST...it is more about the mental aspect...it's not that I'm saying "I don't care who likes my work," it's just that I'm saying I'm trying to quite being so nit picky about creating it. I guess we all have issues! I certainly know I do! I psychologist would have a field day with me! :) LOL



This is another piece I'm currently working on...it is another example of one of my mishaps! It started out as an earring...it's funny how things can veer so far off target!





Well, that's all for tonight!

XOXO

A Weekend in Review...

It's me again! :)

So, I had a good weekend, not the most eventful, but it was good! :)

Friday, I went by the thrift store. I love that place! Okay, so I know that may sound funny, because I'm not always them most cost-conscience person, but I love it! Maybe it is the possibility of finding a treasure that is priceless, or a rare find, or maybe it is the thrill of the prospect of finding something that cost a lot, for nothing. Who knows! :)

Of course, there is nothing I really need at the moment, and I never go looking for anything in particular, but I did find a couple of neat things I couldn't resist...which seems to be one of my bad habits - I'm always buying things I don't need, just because they're neat and I can't resist! :) Anyway, I found a Kate Spade handbag that cost about $200, for $1.50, that looks brand new! I bought a few books, and 2 pieces of blue "diamond point" Indiana Glass ($1/each), and a few pieces of vintage costume jewelry. A couple of the pieces were signed...Coro, Sarah Coventry, and some were just cute! One piece had a jeweler's mark I'm not familiar with...it was marked Sterling....and what looks like maybe a WH???? It looks like the last line in the W is the first line in the H...like the are merged together??? It is a vintage (although I'm not sure how old) rhinestone choker....which I will never wear, but it was cute! :) LOL

My favorite piece of the day was a navy tote ($1.25). When I saw it I thought of my mom...she is always buying cute totes to carry stuff with her to work...and it looked brand new! It was a Miss America Pageant Atlantic City - tote bag...inside it had the ticket stub from 1989 Miss America Pageant Parade on the Boardwalk. Which I thought was kinda neat!

Saturday, my friend April and her mom came over. They brought her brother's daughter, Madelyn to go swimming. My aunt and cousin came over too. So, me and mom spent the day in the pool! A day in the sun is always fun! LOL :) Madelyn had a blast! The water was steaming! It's heated, but we usually don't let it get over 90F....which is still a little hot to me(especially in the summer)! Anyway, I guess it has just been so hot...the water temperature was way over that...we left the hose running to cool it down! :) I think Madelyn enjoyed playing with the water hose more than she enjoyed the pool! :)

So, that was about it for the weekend! It was good, but too short! :) I sold 2 pairs of earrings this weekend! That was a nice surprise! Even though I have sold quite a few pieces, it is still exciting when something sells! It really makes me feel good to know someone likes a piece good enough to buy it! At the same time, it is a little sad to see the piece go, after I spent so long making it! I know that sounds silly! :) One pair was purchased by a woman in Newfoundland. This is the 5th pieces she has purchase! It is really exciting when you have "return" customers! Not to mention the fact that she is from Canada! WOW, my jewelry is international! :) LOL Imagine that! :) LOL Honestly though, I am honored and gratified that they have chosen my pieces! This is one of the pairs I sold!

This week I plan on posting a bunch of new pieces on Etsy and my website...I have made quite a few new pieces. I love making the pieces, but I still have mastered the art of photographing them! LOL I'll share some pictures of a few things that I'm working on soon!

TTFN,


XOXO

Welcome....

Hello everyone! Welcome to my blog!

I'm Jen, crafter, jewelry artist, painter...I love anything to do with art! As you know, I'm new to Blogger, but I also have a blog at Yahoo 360. In the past, I haven't dedicated much time to blogging, but I hope to keep this more up-to-date! I hope to share my work, ideas, and many other things that strike my fancy! However, let me warn you upfront, my spelling and grammar is atrocious! :)

First, I would like to introduce myself! Like I said earlier, my name is Jennifer...I live in Charlotte, NC, and have my entire life! I'm 30, a Pisces! I LOVE the beach. I have a BA in Business, and I love to create...anything and everything! I am always trying something new...which leaves me thinking, "gosh, I'm so unfocused!" The truth is I keep trying new things, because I think one day I will have an epiphany and find that one thing/medium that sticks out; that one thing/medium that I know immediately, is my favorite, and the one medium I want to focus on. So far, I haven't found it! I love it all! Maybe there isn't that "one" special thing...maybe, there isn't just one thing that will stand out....maybe the key is finding something you like...and just developing your skills for it! Who knows!!! :)

So, I'm making jewelry! Funny thing is it is the one thing that I never imagined myself doing! In fact, it was one thing that I thought I would have NO interest in! So, how did get started??? Well, my aunt took a class on beading...she invited me to go to a local bead shop a couple of times...finally I broke down and bought a few supplies and she showed me the basic techniques. I started dabbling, and that was it; I was hooked! :) I should have known I would like it, because I have always loved gemstones and rocks! Yeah, I was one of those kids that walked around picking up rocks and stuffing them in my pockets! LOL I think every drawer and cabinet in my parents house had at least one rock in it when I was little! :) Not to mention, my dad took me to the gem and mineral shows when I was younger, and several of my science fair projects in school were on rocks and minerals!

I am self taught...although I am signed up for a jewelry class fall semester, that focuses more on the metalsmithing side of jewelry. I'm really looking forward to expanding my knowledge of the craft! I have been making jewelry for a few years...I can definitely see the improvements in my techniques...along the way, I've learned a few new things. Most recently, I've started working with PMC, or precious metal clay! I've also dabbled a little in lampwork...I would like to take a class in it...self-teaching hasn't proved too affective thus far! LOL :) Anyway, I'll keep you posted on how the class goes! It starts August 20.

I've been selling my jewelry online for almost a year! I started out on Etsy...I joined August 8th, last year. I still sell on their! (http://www.jennlyn54.etsy.com/) In November 2006, I started showing pieces in the first gallery...it was in NY. I'm no longer with them, lets just say their business practices are lacking in several areas!!! (So, I want name any names!) In March 2007, I applied to show pieces at Maddi's Gallery here in Charlotte. Diane loved my work, and my first pieces were added at the gallery in April. I also created a website...http://jennifergardnerdesigns.com/, to show some of my work! Anyway, that's my story thus far! It has been an exciting journey! I've learned a lot and met a ton of really nice people! So, we will see what the future holds! LOL :)




Well, that's about it for now! I'll write again soon!


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XOXO