New Wearable Art Pieces

I’ve really enjoyed making this new line. I have found working with the cardboard and paper very rewarding in a tactile way.

“Cityscape” Art Deco Necklace

My first piece was inspired by New York City and the texture of the cardboard.  I created the structure out of layers of cardboard in an Art Deco style. After soaking it in Sargent’s Laminate Glue and allowing it to dry, I searched for architectural images in magazines. My goal was to find black, white, and mirror-blue colors within urbanscapes.  Skyscrapers, stone walls, and metalwork were the perfect images for this necklace.  Deconstructing the photos and rebuilding them into new images excites me.  I cut them into strips and put them back together in an unorganized way.  I finished everything in multiple coats of matte finish, with exception of the blue skyscrapers that I finished with high-gloss glaze. To continue the urban, construction theme, I chose a black anodized aluminum metal chain.

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“Winds through the Changing Seasons” Necklace

Originally called “Gone with the Wind,” I renamed this one.  Someone told me it reminded them of waves and not winding winds.  That’s okay- art is in the eye of the beholder, right! I used a mosaic approach, selecting colors that reminded me of the four seasons.  The breeze moves from one season to the next, carrying some color with it.

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Flyer for Nov 30th Event

Why I cancelled my Facebook Shopify Shop & recommitted to Etsy

Last week, I launched a Facebook Shop using the Shopify app.  My hope was that is would give me another platform to sell my jewelry.  I had started with Etsy, but my sales dwindled once they changed their policies and allowed non-handmade, artisan items.

I was shocked to learn that Etsy announced a card reader the very same week.  Surely, I shouldn’t have been, knowing that they are all in competition with each other.

Like many other small business owners, I have hopped around from platform to platform trying to overcome the never-ending changes to social media and e-commerce.  Square, PayPal, Etsy, Facebook groups, Shopify, direct sales….Allthewhile, knowing the the small number of sales on my Etsy page did not accurately represent my overall sales.

At times, I’m sure it looks a bit loosey-goosey.  The fact is, algorithms change and I am constantly reacting to those changes.  Managing multiple platforms, especially while I maintain a day job and family life, is more than challenging.

The new Etsy card reader has very similar terms to the Square reader.  Here are highlights from my pros and cons list:

Pros

– Same cost/fees as Square…sort of

-Allows for in-person direct sales

– Most sales will count in your Etsy shop, allowing for reviews for those items

– Supports inventory control

-The bright orange Etsy branding reminds people where to find you for returning purchases

Cons

-Though the fees are the same as square, if you want the added benefits of having items connect to your Etsy shop, you will have to pay the $.20 listing fee and create an active item.  Without doing so, many of the benefits are neutralized (inventory control, reviews, etc).

-Learning a new app

My Strategy

So, my strategy will be to list all or my artisan products in Etsy.  For smaller, lower-cost items, I plan to use the “Quick Sale” feature that only takes a transaction fee but does not require the $.20 listing fee.

So, sorry for all the bouncing from place to place, but I promise there is some logic to it all.  Thanks for sticking with me!

-Donci

I’m now Selling on Facebook!

I’m open for business on Facebook.  Yes, did you know that you could buy things from Facebook?

Check out my shop at https://www.facebook.com/CrushRollDesigns/app_410312912374011.

I have a few upcoming events but will be posting more and more items as I restock my inventory, including my OOAK pieces!

Happy shopping!

3-minute Solution to Personalizing a Gift Card for Boss’s Day

It doesn’t take much to personalize a box, or even a gift card! My supervisor loves Starbucks, so I decided on a $5 gift card.  Yes, only $5.  (Well, she does make more than $1,000/month than I do… and, it’s the thought that counts!)

I chose an ad with colors that I know my boss likes.  Then, I rolled various size strips.  Glue them on, and voila!

personalized gift card

Artisan Halloween Jewelry

Here are a few pieces I made that would be statement pieces for Halloween.  They are all upcycled, using rolled magazine beads, aluminum cans, and various other materials.  Borth are currently up for auction through Tuesday, October 7th at 8:00 pm CST at the Facebook groupsite Artisan Designers Jewelry Buy and Sell.

I call them “Cruella de Ville’s Evil Candy Corn” necklace and the “Librarian Serial Killer” necklace.

Buy Local Black Friday Alternative 11/30/2014

I know that the holidays seem far away, but folks in the Central Texas area should add this one to their calendars now.

Several local artists will hold a market at the Holiday Inn Midtown on Middle Fiskville Road on November 30th from 10:00- 5:00.  This will give folks an alternative to shopping at chain and big box stores.

I will be on-hand, selling my jewelry line.  My goal is to have a variety of items made from an assortment of materials.  It’s important to me to also have things at all price points.

Be on the lookout for promotions from ATX Artisans!

Beer Cans: An Upcycler’s Best Friend

This week, I’ve been experimenting with bracelets.  Mostly, I am making them from cereal boxes and strips of magazines I like the composition of.

As I applied the varnish to the outside, I noticed two things: (1) I was bending the bracelet, and (2) I was leaving imprints from my hands.

I thought about solutions for a while.  Then, I noticed that the bracelets fit perfectly around an aluminum can!

The cans keep the bracelet’s round shape as I apply the finish.  Then, the finish hardens to provide more structural support. (I have used different varnishing products from Triple Thick Glaze to Collage Pauge.)

After I finish varnishing the outside, I can remove the bracelet from the can to finish the inside.

Ta-da!

Lady Tarantula: A Life of Her Own

Here’s a great example of a project turning into something completely different than anticipated.

I started to make a necklace using aluminum cans.  I cut and sanded the cans.  Then, I punched holes in them and hand-painted burgundy areas around the edges – all, as planned.

Then, the project led me in a new direction.  I added black to the red.  Then, I noticed how animal-like the shapes were, almost like a crab.

Soon, I had this:

It was great, but unfinished.

I had two quick thoughts races through my head: (1) The admin of the Jewelry Box asking artists to use today’s open day for posting holiday-themed jewelry, and (2) listening to a public radio stat on the popularity of Halloween.

Though I has people tell me often that I should make this or that, I try to stay true to myself and not make items that I would consider kitsch for the simple goal of being opportunistic.  However, when I looked at this through THOSE eyes, with those recent THOUGHTS speeding by, I immediately saw Lady Tarantula in this piece.

So, it evolved:

And soon, there were four friends, of which I’ll have to choose to complete the set:

I love this piece, and I’m happy with how it naturally progressed and became a statement Halloween item.

So, I ask you, do you choose your costume first?  Or, like some, do you buy shoes or an accessory that you fall in love with and build the outfit around them?

All the items you see here will be part of my trunk show Sunday, September 14- Monday September 15th at the Jewelry Box (Facebook Group).

Join the group to watch the show and to bid on items.  You’ll find a new artist every 48 hours.

The Name Game

Soon-to-be-Parents toil over finding just the perfect name for their child. I know; I was one of them. (Yes, it’s about to happen – another person comparing something they made to a birth…)

I love naming the items I create, whether it’s jewelry or a piece of art for a wall. Sometimes, I get it right; other times, well… meh.

You be the jury. Below are examples of both.
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Go Cajun (Wall Art)Jewel- Necklace

Mineral Elements- Earrings

The Flirt- NecklaceMalbec- Stud EarringsPaper Daggers (Earrings)