Stocking Up

I have been working hard stocking up for this years show season. My to do list is huge so it can feel overwhelming. Where to start? I break it into manageable pieces by working by color. If you have ever been into my booth you may have noticed that it is organized by color. The shutters on one side are cool colors and the other side is warm. The necklaces on the table tops follow this pattern also. This last week I have been tackling cool colors. Bright multi-colors, greens, blues and finally purple.

I start by refilling each shutter, going over each pair of earrings and polishing or tweaking as needed. Then I can see what my needs are for backup. I also put a few bracelets on each shutter and so this is a chance to see what gaps I have there. Then it is time to make things. New this year will be the addition of more stone earrings and bracelets and less glass only items. 

Here are a few of the things that you will find on my shutters this year: 

 This is an oldie but goodie. Some designs I phase out over time, 

but this one continues to be a best seller.

 And the same design but with a nod to 

our local sports teams, Seahawks and Mariners.

 Lapis lazuli earrings. Such a luscious color!

 Assorted green gemstone bracelets.

 

Just for fun green glass.

Green jasper bracelets and earrings.

 Just for fun glass earrings.

 And lastly amethyst earrings and bracelets.

Sunday's Work

I was almost out of eyeglass leashes, and I was going to discontinue these. But, people keep asking for them! So I started restocking today. Browns, greens, purples. And a few multi-color. I have quite a few more color combos I want to do. The fun part is making the bead mixes. I was lucky to receive two large gifts of glass seed beads last year so I have so many colors to choose from!

Color on a Grey Day

Nothing like some bright colors to perk up a grey day.

I am not sure of the types of stones as they were among a large collection of beads I purchased from a friend no longer doing beading. My guess is they are a collection of jaspers, adventurine, and sodalite. I do know they are pretty! These have all sold.

I recently sold out of these cane glass bracelets so needed to restock.  I have been making these for many years and they continue to be popular. Must be the cheery colors. And you always need matching earrings!

 Speaking of earrings....pink and orange are popular this year so I added to my selection of earrings in those colors.

Bits 'n Pieces Custom Necklace

I have one of these listed in my online store on Etsy. But this particular customer wished to have the necklace a few inches longer. So I created a custom necklace just for her.

The story behind my Bits 'n Pieces line:
One day in studio I was sweeping the floor. I ended up with this great pile of assorted beads. That got me thinking. So I went and got a big bowl and a spoon. I opened up all my bead boxes and took a scoop of this and a scoop of that and stirred. The mix was used to make necklaces, bracelets and earrings. And they were a hit! Now I have small bin on the back corner of my beading table and all extras and go into this to create my Bits 'n Pieces mix.

All About Ears

Today I made a few earrings. My inventory is really low and I have to start re-stocking for show season! Often beads or stones tell me what they want to be. (OMG she is crazy her beads talk to her!) When I saw many of these beads I just knew they were meant to be earrings. Most of these will not make it to my online store so just shoot me an email if you see a pair you like.

 The main beads in the pairs on either side have a great swirly design.

The matte blue and green disks were destined for earrings.

I like the fun multi-color oblong beads with a chevron-like design.

This Weeks Work

I have been making these bracelets for many years and they continue to be very popular. I sold out of them at my last show so made a few more for this weekend. They feature furnace glass or cane glass beads (the chunky multicolor beads) mixed with an assortment of colorful glass beads and silver accents. The toggle clasps all have a small handcrafted silver dangle for a fun attitude.

This shimmery grey necklace started out very differently with a large zebra jasper pendant, but I was not happy with the way it was looking so I took it in a different direction. Instead it is 3 strands of grey and shimmering grey glass seed beads with a delicate crystal dangle. This has SOLD.

This Weeks Work

This week I have been busy restocking. Making more of things I sold out of, making new earrings to go with necklaces where the original earrings sold, printing more stickers and post cards, etc.

Here are some new grey and crystal earrings. Black is still to come.

 This new version of stacked earrings has been very popular. I made a half dozen of each of the silver ones and a few of the copper.

 Another new and very popular earring design. Black and several version of grey and silver.

 

This color blue reminds me of the Caribbean! Perfect with a pair of jeans.

 The earrings that go with this necklace all sold this past weekend so here are a few new versions. Sold.

 And the same with this necklace and bracelet set. Sold.

 Copper and teal to go with a pretty Owahee jasper necklace and bracelet.

 A new agate necklace with brown and bronze glass seed beads.Sold.

More of this new earring design. The multicolored ones are flying out of my booth!

Time to pack the car for this weekends shows. You will find me down at the Seattle Waterfront on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Between the aquarium and the big wheel!

Summer Stock Up

In July and August I will be busy with shows every weekend. So now is my time to restock. 

This week it was ankle bracelets, eye glass leashes and pins. 

I only make a couple of the most popular designs of ankle bracelets anymore. This week it was rainbows and bits 'n pieces, 6 of each and in small medium and large.$15.

Next up eye glass leashes. Several of each color, blues, bits 'n pieces, pinks, browns. $20.

 

Then today it was all about pins!! Blues, blue-greens, greens, green-purples, and purples. $25

 I hope these last a while so I can focus my energies on some new designs. Remember if you see anything on my blog that catches your eye just shoot me an email and we can fix you up.

More Fun for your Ears

Another gloomy dark day so what better thing to work on than bright cane glass earrings!
All have been  SOLD

Followed by a few soft green moss agate earrings with copper filled sterling silver ear wires.

 And finish up with ocean jasper earrings and bracelets. Two of these bracelets will go into my online store today. Or you can always purchase things off my blog posts - just send me an email!

Fun for your Ears

Since it is gloomy outside I was drawn to making something that would make me smile this morning. Cane glass beads always look so fun when used in earrings. All are made with surgical steel ear wires, great for anyone with metal sensitivity. And the hinge-back style keeps them in place. Price is $15 per pair. These likely won't make it into my online store so shoot me an email if you'd like one of these. All have been  SOLD

Online Store Restock

My online store has been extremely neglected. I sold so many of the things that were listed at the end of the year that it is now very sparse. So today I began re-stocking. First up was a few of my unique bead art pins. You can find them in the Accessories section of the shop. I don't think I have ever listed these online so we will see how they go. In my booth they are attention grabbers, but it can be hard to capture their whimsy in a photograph.

Bright Dangles

These are a fun and popular earring design that are made with bright colored, very luminescent beads. The ear wires are copper filled sterling silver.   

All have been  SOLD