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."

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!

"Soul Verbs" Series

I go to Southwestern College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA studying for a master's degree in art therapy and counseling.  Right now I'm taking a class in Archetypal Psychology, which has been a very inspirational class for me.  We do a regular dream journal and artwork as well as artwork around the mandala books we are reading.  Today we had a discussion about feedback giving when sharing our artwork and how some people really like/need to get feedback or interpretations of their work and how for some it is not helpful.  This got me thinking about my jewelry.  I have always wondered why I make jewelry when I rarely ever wear it, and when I do its usually not my own work.  Thinking about our conversation in class I realized I create jewelry because it is a way for me to connect with others.  I make beautiful and meaningful jewelry because I like to hear what it means to others, even more than deciding on my own interpretation.  Its very heartwarming to me when I create something that another person likes enough to wear on their bodies, especially when it has meaning to both of us.  Its a way for two hearts and souls to align. 

"dig deep"

I've been thinking a lot about branding lately as well, and I see that this idea of meaningful, touching jewelry is what I want Erika with a K Designs to be about.  And coincidentally I created, in response to my mandala book for class, a series of necklaces (an in the future bracelets, earrings, etc) I call "Soul Verbs."  They are made with Swarovski Elements, glass vials filled with Swarovski beads and other things, as well as hand stamped metal tags with inspirational verbs like "Explore", "Love", and "Dig Deep".

"dream"

When I showed these today in class, one of my classmates pointed out that each one has 3 different elements, 3 being a very powerful number meaning synthesis and "2 becoming something greater than the sum of their parts."  I feel this is the perfect explanation of these pieces!

The first one I made was "Explore" (below) in response to my thoughts on mandala making (circular pieces of artwork representing wholeness).  I chose the Earth element because the Earth itself is like a mandala, circular and whole.  I chose the word explore because making a mandala is like exploring the unconscious or the soul.  And then I added the vial filled with beads to represent what one finds when exploring. 


These necklaces are all on sale in my Etsy shop in the Soul Verbs Collection section, and there are more to come.  Also, I encourage custom orders!

"EXPLORE"

"inspire, create"

"LOVE"

Playing with Resin....

A year ago I bought a tube of Ice brand resin and finally took it out last month.  I think I have found a new love!  Resin can be touchy, and if not mixed properly will yield a forever sticky yet hard, impossible to remove substance, but when used properly creates really professional looking work from the beginning.  Just make sure to follow the directions to a T and be prepared to fail sometimes.  The first time I tried, despite the directions, I ended up with a beautiful collage in a large oval bezel that now is collecting dust, hair, and fingerprints.  Make sure when you try this for the first time you use materials that are not expensive or important to you!  Save those for when you know what you are doing....

My second round turned out great!  I made a whole series of hummingbird collage pendants with little flat-backed crystals. Pouring the resin over these crystals created a really neat effect, making them look flat.  Some bubbles and imperfections are unavoidable with this medium (at least I think!), but I feel this adds to the uniqueness of each piece.  Here are the necklaces from my 2nd try:

Click to buy!

Click to Buy!

Click for Listing!

Click to Purchase!

Click for Etsy Listing!

I also made resin papers, but I will leave that for another day and another post!

Beetle wings!

So at Beadfest I found a new material to work with...beetle wings from the Sternocera aequistignata beetle!  I have not had so much fun making earrings in a long time.  I decided to keep it simple, something I can have a hard time with from time to time, because I thought the wings should speak for themselves. I used my new favorite tool, my Euro Punch metal hole puncher, to make the holes, and placement was easy because there is a natural discolored round dot at the top of the wing where it looks like a hole is just supposed to go.  I also used my wire snips to cut off the gross little ridge at the top of the wing just for aesthetic purposes.  Then I stuck a jump ring through the hole and put the jump ring on the ear wire...Voila!...a gorgeous pair of earrings!

The use of these wings in adornment is an ancient practice in Asia, especially Thailand, and is now becoming more and more popular here in the West.  The beetle symbolizes many different things, including rebirth, stability, practicality, and groundedness.  According to the Symbolic Meanings Blog by Avia Venefica, "They move with bellies always close to the earth, and so their wisdom is sacred and deep."

So anyway, my new earrings are available in my Etsy Shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/ErikawithaKDesigns.  They measure approximately 1 1/2 to 2" in length (including the ear wires).