Competitions

I have again entered into the 'Designer Quest' competition. Judging is on Monday. The first time I entered I didn't get a place and nobody voted for my piece in the posters choice. Second time I entered I didn't get a place and 3 people voted for me in the posters choice. I'm hoping for more than 3 people this time. Here is my entry. Personally I am very happy with it.

As for my website - it is up but I'm not ready to show it yet. It needs a lot of changes made to it. I am very pleased with it though. Just need to make it look better.

Also met with Penel regarding putting the pendant design in the magazine. She loved the pendant and we put down the steps. I'll have to make up the steps for the pictures next. She also said she'd like to do more colloborative work, so that was very good to here.

The pendants I'm making with the discs from Stilletto Designs are almost done too. Hopefully something will sell soon.

Things are Moving Again

It's been a while since I updated and quite a lot has happened. Firstly, the web site is in motion. I found a man with the help of Marjo and he will do a wonderful job, I think. I have sent him all the logos and things and look forward to seeing what he does.

Marjo? you ask. Who is she? Well, apart from being my cousin, she is now, a part of the website, which will be called "Soulscape Artistry". This is going to be for a select number of Australian artists who will benefit from working together. Hopefully, sharing a web site will widen the range of people who see our work. I have spent some time setting up Marjo's etsy store. It is called "ClayGraphia". Hop over to the links and check it out. She really does wonderful work - Calligraphy and Clay. Ceramics with writing and carving. Really beautiful. She has just finished a six week exhibition and so is looking for the next step.

Also, finally have a new version of my banner has arrived. Not fabulous, but the 'Handcrafted Jewellery' is much clearer and so looks better. Here it is.....



There are two other things in the pipe line. The first is with Wendy from Guru Creations (see links). She has asked if she can put some of my work in her customer gallery. I was excited about that. The other thing is that I was asked by Penel of Fire Bird Beads (no website), to use her beads to design a pendant for a customer DIY kit. I have sent her some pictures of what she has done and wait to see her reaction.

So, all in all, things are going well. Sales are non-existant but I'm sure will improve as people look towards the gift giving season. I hope they do, anyway.

Thinking Time

Well, things are pretty much the same at present. I'll be meeting with a guy to talk about websites this coming week so hopefully something will get moving there. I'm spending most of my time getting things made.

I have also given a bit more thought to how I would run parties. What things I would need to have as projects. I'd have to have beginner, medium and more advanced things and wouldn't want to use the beads that I make my own things from or I will dupe myself. One of my student's mother sells glass beads so maybe I can use her things for classes and parties. Will have to see what they're like. It's difficult to think of project that are simple but not complete ripoffs of other people's designs. A strung necklace is a necklace is a necklace to a certain extent and earrings, if you want to be simple just that, simple. They say you need to change a design by 10% to avoid copyright etc. I should be able to work it out when I sit down and think it through. Just got to sit down and think it through.

On with the show

Well, things are beginning to move again. Slowly, but however slow the pace is, it's always better to go forward then not move at all.

I received my banner today. Well, to be perfectly honest, I've had other versions sent before but haven't liked them so they don't count. Not entirely happy with this either but it's good enough to use for now. Here 'tis. Tell me what needs to happen to make it work better.

Will it work if I just have the writing moved more middle-ish or is something else needed? The rest of the stuff looks stylish, this just looks boring. Should I have the G made smaller so the rest of the writing can be made bigger? Does the handcrafted jewellery need to be bigger also? So many questions.

As for the website saga, not all is lost. I rang my pottery cousin who needs a site and had a talk and she is expressing interest. Cautious interest, but she's a cautious person so all is fine. I will go visit her in a couple of weeks and meet with a friend of hers who can give us much help and information about things.

On the creative front, I have been asked to design a kit with some beads from a bead maker to be sold in her shop. I'm very happy with that. My name will be put as the designer and there is potential for getting my name out a little wider. Wider is always good, I think.

So, the show carries on. Let's hope I have some good updates soon.

One day at a time...

Well, as thought, I've lost my business partner. I'm recovering. It'll be ok. I still want to get the website running. I still want to run a little business. I still want to make my jewellery. This set back is just part of the process. Am I talking it up successfully? Of course I am. One day at a time.

I went to get my business cards printed up. Found I couldn't use my CDrom for anything and while having that looked at found my whole comp needed a revamp. Hopefully things will run smoother now. I'm moving forward with the banner but need the original design to send to Anna because the writing is really unclear. The disc is at the printers. One day at a time....

At least I've been able to take some photos now though so have some new things up on my shop. Here's what I'll put up tomorrow....

When the Going Gets Tough...

Not that things are all that tough really, just had some disappointments today. Some of my shows later in the year may not be able to go ahead; I cannot get hold of a camera, so will not be able to update my etsy site; people are not returning my emails with answers to questions and I'm impatient for my banner.

I did, however, get some good feedback today on my avator. They agreed that it was very distinctive and stood out among others. Yaay! And my friends are leaving me some lovely comment too, so not all is bad.

I made some lovely things today and have begun to work on the Christmas balls again in the hopes that they will sell as well this year as last. They are looking great so far and I'm making them much quicker than last year. Just hope that my hands and wrists allow me to continue.

Ok, now that's out of my system I will post this and be on my way.

Next Lesson....

Today's lesson is about posting pictures. I can do it on forums. I can do it on my etsy store. I should be able to do it here. So here we go.

I spent Friday with Angela designing my avator and business card design. I think they turned out pretty well. I thought I'd show them off.

And that's not so difficult at all.

Now here is my business card.....

So there it is folks. Personally, I like them a lot. I've sent the front pic to Anna to make a banner of it for my store so I will put that up when it comes.

Not such a slow learner today. Maybe there's hope for me yet. :)

Even the Slow

Well, whaddaya know. Even I can work this thing it seems. It's taken hours (I exaggerate not) but I've worked out how to upload some links and my 'about me' section. Also got a profile pic up AND got it to show on the front page.

So, next thing is to find out about posting pictures. For now, that's it from me.

Wow

So I've started to search the internet to learn how search engines work. My goodness it's a lot of information to take in. My poor little brain. I'm a creator not a techie. I'll come back tomorrow or even perhaps later today to try some more information take in.

I know that inside me is a business brain, but boy it's easier to do what I know. Thing is, I want to expand what I do, learn new things so I must, as one of my teachers said, 'sit on a prickle'.

For now, I think I'll sit on the prickle later on.......

Creative Outlet

Well, this is one thing I never thought I'd be doing. Such a private thing and yet here I am typing for who know who to see.

Let me introduce myself. I'm mezz. From Australia. Sydney. Love it here.

I'm from an arty/crafty family and need an outlet. I've just started jewellrey making and it's fun.