Looking For My Style

For some time I have been trying to find my style.  A custom style associated with my business, Bits of Clay.  I have not found or settled on a style that fits just yet.  I still want to do every new and different technique I see, therefore, i have a varied line of jewelry.  I am leaning toward metallic creations in polymer clay and I usually design and create leaves, and nature related jewelry in Precious metal clay.  But I'll keep working on a line and style that I'm happy with for me and my jewelry business.
The first leaf necklace is Precious Metal Clay and the second photo, although not metallic, is a polymer clay leaf bracelet.








http://www.bitsofclay.com

When you design Fall jewelry, What do you Think of?

When I start thinking of Fall jewelry, I always think leaves. How many other designers in polymer clay or metal clay think the same way.  I know polymer clay designers and creators will think pumpkins, but what others subjects and colors do you think of?  Of course, your Fall line does not have to include leaves aor pumpkins!  These are the easiest in polymer clay.  I have decided to think out of the box and maybe just design a pleasing shape in metal clay; maybe add colorful czs in the design.  Then in polymer clay, maybe incorporate what I think of as Fall colors and not necessarily a Fall theme.  Of course, I will design a leaf cane in many Fall colors, too!

My friends at Destash Junction have banners and links that I have added to my blog. I would like to invite you to visit their sites. You will find these banners down on the left of my blog.

Jewelry delivered

After a quick and fun week with my family from California and South Carolina,I delivered the new jewelry display and it is in place at the new shop in Gatlinburg. I would like more catchy display props, but I used what I had at the time. I'm looking for more small display props, not necessarily traditional jewelry display props, but interesting pieces to display and use as a prop in a jewelry case. The proprietor wanted, especially the Precious metal clay pieces in a case. I also gave her a chevron polymer clay pendant, but the neck piece was a bit close fitting, so I will adjust the neck piece for her. She was pleased with the display.

I have been working on new Precious Metal Clay pieces for a new shop in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. I have some original designs in the works waiting to be cleaned and fired. The shop owner also wants some polymer clay jewelry like the river stones bracelet and chevron design pieces. I have several pieces in the making, but my son, Scott and my grandson, Austin will arrive tonight for a visit from California and I will put the jewelry on hold and have a fun time with them.

Working Away on New Jewelry

I'm working away on new polymer jewelry for galleries and for teaching new polymer classes. I will be teaching a Make and Take bracelet class at White Fox Beads in June in Maryville, Tennessee and at the Appalachian Arts Craft Center in Norris, Tennessee in August. The gathering of materials
and tools, plus preparing the samples and step by step process takes time and planning. Once a well known teacher advised me to work backwards in planning the class. This is good advice for me. I first make a list of materials for the project then make a tools list. I also write a class description. I think the hardest part of the planning is the handout of instructions and drawings for the technique. After these steps are finished, I think of the class from end to beginning. I feel this is necessary though for a successful class.

A New Blog Feature

This is my first featured Blog of fellow blogger, Kikaydesigns. Please check her blog shop out. Kikaydesigns creates lovely handmade cloth bags of several sizes and designs.

http://kikaydesigns.blogspot.com

Where do I go today?

So many techniques, so many ideas and so much jewelry to create, use and accomplish. I am going in so many directions. I must stay focused. If only I could create more time! To completely go in a different direction.--- Today I will offer a polymer clay color recipe you may want to try. For a great coral, mix equal parts of Fimo magenta #21 and yellow #1. More recipes in the future.

Cold Canvas

I was reading an update on one of my pages on line about showing your wares to shops and I wanted to add what I have done to call on shops, galleries and boutiques. I am not an expert, by any means, but I have done what I call cold canvas, which came by way of my husband's insurance business. Create your varied samples of your work. As in my case, get you a nice jewelry case, add trays, as nice as you can afford and fill it with your beautiful creations and designs. You will also need to have with you your business card, with all your contact information on it. Dress appropriately and wear a smile. Some shops require an appointment with the owner of the shop. Off you go! Plan your visits. Don't try too many places in one day. Maybe three, or at the most four shops. Try to go early in the week, maybe a Tuesday or Wednesday. If cold canvasing, walk in confidently, smile, introduce yourself and ask to see the manager or owner of the shop. Show all your lovely samples and explain what you create and what materials you use. Hand your business card to the person and say" I admire your shop and would like to have my jewelry (designs, wares, creations) represented here. Would you be willing to include my work in your shop?" After the owner selects designs to include in their shop, ask if they have their on contract or if you should present yours. Usually the shop owner will have a standard contract they use. If not, prepare a simple contract with all the pertinent information on it, a place for both signatures and dates, insurance and theft information, etc. After the details are out of the way, thank them their time and the opportunity to have your wares in their shop. Go to your studio and work like heck to create, create , create. Price tags added to your designs with price, ID, short description and maybe your initials or even better, your custom price tags. When you are ready to bring your designs to the selected shop, include a typed list with a description of your designs, identity number, prices, materials along with date and your contact information. Good luck and go for it!