First Custom Job

I just finished my first custom job ever!  I am really coming to love doing custom work because I get to work in media I don't usually work in.  For this job I used polymer clay to make a pair of earrings patterned after the "Dalek" from the TV show, Dr. Who.  

Dalek photo to recreate

Work in Progress

I used red glittery Fimo clay to make the base, pushing it on the table to create the angular body.  I then added the black "neck" as well as the black around the bottom.  I used my pasta roller to roll out the silver clay and created the silver strips around the middle and on the neck.  I then made the red top and put the wire for the attachment through it (with a bent end so it doesn't slip out and left straight until after baking), and attached it to the top.  Then I added the "eye".  I then cut wire to create the 2 tools sticking out the front, and added a black piece of polymer clay (glued on after baking) for the suction cup.  I didn't bother creating the whisk.

 Front before baking

Back before baking

Then I baked the earrings, and created the loop from the wire to attach to the ear wire.  And I painted over the entire earring with acrylic gloss medium (not shown in the photos).  The finished measurement was 1.5" tall.

My client received them today and LOVED them!  I was getting so nervous to see what he thought, so it made my day to hear this:

Finished, hanging

Finished, front

Finished, back

"I freaking love them! When I first saw I said "god damn this looks awesome" you did a great job on them. Ill for sure contact you again when I need something made."

And I love my Grandma, too!

Package from Grandma!

So I'm postponing this week's feature until next week, and until then I have some lovely eye candy for you. Yesterday I came home to a huge package of vintage goodies from my grandmother. She sent me so many beautiful things, I was ecstatic!  All of the items in the photo (well maybe not ALL of them) I plan on photographing and listing on Etsy.  Stay tuned!  And if you are just dying to own one of the items (the Shirley Temple coloring book, perhaps?), let me know and I will make a reserved listing just for you with a 10% discount!

And because I'm now in vintage mode,  I also want to share with you the gorgeous collection of brooches I have received from both my mom and grandma.  These were originally collected to make brooch bouquets, but honestly, those are nearly impossible to make!  So I gave up, and now plan on listing all of these on Etsy or repurposing into new jewelry pieces.  The same applies as above, if you are interested in a piece, let me know!  And if you are interested in trying your hand a brooch bouquets, I recommend this tutorial....Project Wedding:  DIY brooch bouquet.  Also, here is an example (below left) of a mixed flowers and brooches bouquet my talented mother, owner of the North Dakota wedding decorating company, "I Do"...Balloons, Weddings, and Events, made for one of her brides.  Please remember all images are copyrighted to the artist.  Do not use them without permission!

Craft Fair Tips from My Experience April 27 and 28

This weekend I participated in The Flea on Saturday and the Artisan's Market on Sunday, both at the Railyard in Santa Fe, NM.  So far I have not had good luck at any of these I participate in, including this weekend, but at least I have always made my money back.  And I have never regretted doing them.  I had been asking for abundance heavily in the last week or so, but I failed to specify financial abundance, so I received this in other ways, like knowledge and connection to others, which I have to say are better than money!

The first day was at the Flea so I could sell things that are not hand made.  I had my vintage jewelry and china out with my hand made jewelry.  A word of advice...when selling at flea markets and craft fairs, don't clutter up your table!  People need to see exactly what you are selling from a distance.  And the customers at flea markets are much different from art or craft fairs.  The former tends to be only looking for a bargain while the latter has much more appreciation for the work you put into your art.  But that doesn't mean I don't recommend flea markets!  It really depends on the city, the day, and the particular venue.

Also, being friendly is a huge way to gain traffic and sales!   You don't have to think of yourself as a "salesperson",  just be yourself!  Say "Hi" to anyone walking by and give compliments.  Starting a conversation with someone will bring them closer to your booth for longer.  I had a prime example of this on  Saturday at The Flea.  A very lovely girl walked close to my booth, and I said "Hi" and complimented her on the flowers she was wearing in her hair.  Because of this, she stepped closer.  After looking she gasped, and had to buy a vintage glass with an orange slice motif (one I bought last week at Goodwill...didn't even have a chance to shoot it!  The matching carafe is pictured here).  This had been an item she broke recently,  an event that was a really "emotional experience" for her.  And whats crazy is she was just telling the man she was with about it that morning!  It felt amazing to make someone so happy!

Chalkboard for displaying necklaces

On Sunday I had an even better day!  My booth was set up beautifully, and I met lots of wonderful people, including 2 sisters who talked with us for about a half hour and took our cards.   And I had another example of being friendly leading to a sale.  A young man walked past wearing an Invader Zim T-shirt, which I HAD to comment on because I love that cartoon.  The guy then walked up to my booth, looked at everything, and told his mom to come look which lead to a sale!  So I cannot stress enough just how important it is to be engaged and friendly with customers.  Don't just sit and read a book the whole time.

 Different displays

If you missed me at the craft fairs this weekend don't worry...most of my stuff (and more!) is available in my Etsy shop...https://www.etsy.com/shop/ErikawithaKDesigns?ref=seller_info 

Set up different display areas for different items or styles of items. See how the bead embroidery is separated from the other types of  jewelry with the black cloth?

So in addition to having a fun weekend with my friends and meeting new people, I had my second celebrity encounter ever in the span of 2 weeks!  This time Giovanni Ribisi (probably most famously from Avatar) was just walking around, and since my good, and very outgoing, friend Diane was there she drug me over to him to say hello and take a picture.  I was so embarrassed, but now I have a memory to last a lifetime!  He's pretty cute isn't he?  For anyone here in Santa Fe who wants a sighting, he is here filming "A Million Ways to Die in the West". 

Me and Giovanni Ribisi...I LOVE Santa Fe!

Making Resin Plugs

So my need to jump from medium to medium is rearing its ugly head again, and the new project I have to try is making resin plugs.  I don't have gauged ears, but I know people who do and think there would be a good market for them.  I found a video on YouTube that shows how to make glittery ones!  Now I just have to get myself some stainless steel hollow plugs to start with!