Orphan Beads of the World Unite! Waiting to Post...

Yesterday I began posting items from my new line, 'Orphan Beads of the World Unite!' The number 1 in the series has already sold, and numbers 2, 3 and 4 are currently listed in my Etsy shop. Those pictured in the cluster above will be coming soon!

Orphan-Beads of the World Unite!

Today marks the debut of my new design series; 'Orphan-Beads of the World Unite!' (first in series pictured above). The name for this line was supplied by a shopper at the Designers Downtown Market on Saturday, where my orphan-bead baubles were a smashing success! There are tons of uses for these adorable little gems--I've thought of a bunch and I'm sure you'll come up with more....I list them as zipper pulls/charms, but they could easily be used as pendants on a simple chain. What would you use them for? Leave a comment! :-)

Lifecycle of a Custom Order: Part 5; Necklace is Almost Finished!

I am nearly finished the necklace for the custom lilac pearl set that will be worn at a summer wedding by the mother-of-the-groom. After finishing the ends with fancy bead caps, matching pearls and a lobsterclaw clasp & chain adjustable closure, the necklace will be complete. Earrings and bracelet will be coming soon!

Ta Da! SmuTopia Debuts at the Designers Downtown Market

Yesterday, 3/22, I set up a booth at the Designer's Downtown Market in Raleigh, NC--SmuTopia's craft show debut! I'm so happy with the way my displays looked--it was so cool to see everything come together the way I had envisioned :) The show was a success, and I'm even more motivated to find more craft shows to apply for now that I have one under my belt!

The next thing I plan to add to the SmuTopia traveling set-up is a white tent-top (and some weights to keep it from flying away on a windy day!)

Hurry Up.......and Wait! DDM Rescheduled for 3/22

So, I have a little more time to prep for my first craft show appearance at the Designers Downtown Market in Raleigh since it was postponed due to nasty weather! The show will go on this Saturday, 3/22. I was disappointed, but I can always use more prep time :-) Pictured above is the main part of my display for bracelets and necklaces. It's looking better and better.....I can't wait to get photos of the booth as a whole when I set up this Saturday!

Countdown to Saturday 3/15....Displays in Progress

We're in the homestretch now....only a few more days to prepare for my first show, the Designers Downtown Market in Raleigh this Saturday, 3/15! I've been hard at work on my displays. The photo above shows my earring display board, now covered with fuzzy green fabric :-) It's coming together, but there is still so much to do.......

3/15 Designers' Downtown Market--Prep Time!

I will be setting up a booth at the Designer's Downtown Market outside Ornamentia in Raleigh, NC on Saturday, March 15th! Although I have sold my jewelry online and at the NC State Fairgrounds flea market, this will be SmuTopia's first appearance at a real craft show!!! I've been hard at work on both my inventory and my displays--visit soon for more updates....

Lifecycle of a Custom Order--Part 4; Gathering Supplies

Now that we've decided on the basic design of the necklace, bracelet and earrings in this custom set, I have gathered the supplies and tools I will need. I'm excited to start creating!

Lifecycle of a Custom Order--Part 3; More Design Ideas

To complete the custom set I am working on, I will be creating a bracelet and earrings to match the multi-strand lilac pearl necklace. The bracelet will be similar to my 'cranberry dreams' design pictured above. The earrings will be primarily silver and crystal like my 'spring green' chandelier earrings (also above). As I do not plan to use pearls in the earrings, I am thinking of adding additional silver accents in the necklace bracelet in addition the crystal to tie the look together.

Lifecycle of a Custom Order--Part 2; Design Ideas

This custom set will be based around a necklace in a similar design to the one pictured above. The freshwater pearls will be of a lilac color.

Lifecycle of a Custom Order--Part 1; Inspiration

I am just beginning the process of creating a custom order. This custom necklace/bracelet/earrings set will be worn at a summer wedding by the mother of the groom. This set will be in the hue of lilac, to match the peep skirt of to be worn with this stylish black dress.

Messy Jessie--Are Creativity and Organization Mutually Exclusive?

I have never been what you might call an 'organized' person. My craft room is a perfect example of this. I goes through cycles............When it gets too messy to function and I can no longer navigate to all the corners of the room I start cleaning. I barely ever get the room to a state I would call 'clean' or 'organized' before getting side-tracked. I'll either unbury some half-finished project I had forgotten, or inspiration will strike while I'm re-organizing supplies. I like to think that it's all part of my personal creative process ;)