I had fun at the LivingRoom Coffee house show on Saturday! I hope to do it in March also.... more to come on this!While there a long time friend and customer saw my Valentine's day offerings and wanted earrings along the lines of one of the pendants. Here's what I came up with, hope she likes them, should find out Tuesday.
Speaking of Tuesday, I'll be at Panera Bread at 4150 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines between 6-8pm demonstrating my artwork.
After Tuesday, I'm going to be scrambling to get ready for my trip to South Dakota! I can't wait!!! Sure, I spend most of my free time making jewelry when I visit Sue and Cathie -- just like home -- but I get to visit Sue and Cathie while I'm doing it!!!
Sooo... I 've got to decide what the pack for the trip and what projects to take with me. I wish I could import my intire 600 + square foot studio including the millions of beads, metals, tools, wire (and now a Kiln, glass tools and a growing assortment of glass!) with me, but that seems extreme for a 4 day trip. Besides, the hubby, with some justification, complains over more than a few bags worth. He is the kind soul that has to drag it down 2 flights of stairs and carry it to the car.
So I usually just take project boxes with me, and the smallest amount of "standard stuff" I can get away with. Now for most shows, I've streamed lined my "standards" into 1 medium sized rolling suitcase, 1 hard plastic case about 20 x 20 x 5 inches, and my handy pink and black tool bag. These 3 items allow me to adjust jewelry on the spot at shows, and a very limited range of redo's. For example, say someone wants a crystal ring in red, and the ring in stock is aqua... my red bag has a small stash of crystals just for such a request. Or if a bracelet is 2 small, I can either restring it larger with spacer beads or add chain.. the simple stuff. If someone wants one of my bead woven items or metalwork, then I take an order and mail it to them after the show. There is no way I can bring a torch with me, or lug 600 + types of seed beads!
When I visit the girls however, the standard, is, well -- higher. First of all, I bring ALL of my sterling and gold-filled wire with me. We always end up experimenting with wire when we all get together, so I just have to be prepared for anything wire. That also means more tools with me.... For example I do shows with 2 basic hammers. but I own 12 and counting. So I usually bring most of my hammers with me for a visit... as well as sheet metal, because you never know. I usually bring a greater assortment of other tools with me for the same reason.
And they usually have special requests... and I don't want to run out of stuff to make ( HA!) so I always bring more projects with me that I could possibly do.
And there is always a piece or 2 of jewelry I've made that I want to show them. And Presents of course.. we always give each other presents on general principle, plus to catch up on holidays and birthdays since the last time we got together. This time I have Christmas, just because and Sue's birthday. (which I still need to get wrapped)
I could go on and on... and if it sounds like I'm complaining, I'm not! I'm sooo excited to be going and for 4 days this time, I could burst! I cannot wait!!!!!
1 comment:
I actually hammered wire the other day - you must be rubbing off on me!
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