Friday, October 28, 2011

Re-packaging the artist

I had a fabulous weekend in Maine both in classes AND talking business with my great friend, owner of The Beadin' Path in Maine, savvy business woman and designer extraordinaire, Heather DeSimone.  I love having someone who GETS what I do available for great conversation... someone I can talk REAL business with and bounce ideas off of.  What we do is similar in that we're in the same industry, but different in that we have totally different parts of that industry, so it makes for great outside insight, but from a perspective of someone who shares the same sorts of customers.  I have no idea if that made any sense at all, but what it boils down to is...  it was a GREAT weekend of classes AND conversation!

I came home re-thinking a lot about what I do... fresh approaches, fresh markets and over-all refreshing of what I've already got.  One thing that needed refreshing is ME.  It's been FOR-EV-ER since I got my hair done... really done... made funky and fun and artsy and my clothes need a little "lift" as well... BESIDES the fact that I have none of my own jewelry... I REALLY need that (but that will have to wait!).  The packaging of the artist is sometimes as important as the art itself... and I need some re-packaging.  I'm looking forward to a "new" me via the hair salon arriving some time next week.... just in time for shows and classes rounding out the year.

ok... back to work on Head Over Heels Zombie Girl.  I know some of you are DYING for me to finish.  I'm on my least favorite part... legs.  I HOPE to get the 2nd one finished today then all I'll have to do is assembly, embellishment, a little direction tweaking (although I did most of that already) and photography.... just a little to do.  ;)

Happy Weekend ya'll!!


and p.s. this is October 28th and there has still been no word from Bead and Button... everyone else I know that applied to teach and was accepted heard weeks ago, so it doesn't look like i made the cut, although they said "teachers that are accepted will know by October 31st"  Again, doesn't look good... and I'm bummed, but not going to waste a whole blog posting on it... please don't start letter writing campaign (ha!) until I officially say "no go on the B&B thing" but I promise I won't waste blog space whining about it.... ok, maybe a little.


tiny blah blah blah...

music - nope.  Project Runway and Accessory are keeping me company while I bead

coffee - YES!  Coupon for Starbucks!!  woot!!!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Head Over Heels Zombie Girl edition.... In progress

So I am STILL working on my prototype for this. It is taking me FOREVER and I'm not sure if it's because I'm swamped with other stuff or if I'm just not prioritizing it just because I'm tired of it already... But I really don't think it's that. I think it's just the swamped factor. It is hard to have things that I know I need to do that are not necessarily money makers when I KNOW I have this thing on the burner that WILL pay some bills.

So... I'm trying to make my to do list for the day and decide where this sample falls on the list.. and I have got to move her to the top or I will never finish!!!

I need a clone (my phone tried to make that "clown"... I DON'T need one of those!!!)

Off to work... Here is a glimpse of what's to come... The back of her dress.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Very Scary

I think this one is a bit scary!!!

Another Unfortunate Pet (I fear for the person who adopts this one!!)

Saturday, October 08, 2011

Funnest Google Result EVER!

So, you know I love looking and finding how people get to my blog... what they google, what sites refer them, etc.

Well, today's research cracked me up.  Someone googled "Breaking and Entering Cupcakes" and THEN amongst however many thousands of results, chose to click on my blog for information on said activity.

When have I talked about breaking and entering??!!!  Guess we'll have to ramble through the archives at some point... cupcakes are obvious.  :)

Super quickie post... off to teach!

tiny blah blah blah...

coffee - hoping to detour through Starbucks on my way to class
music - nope... will just be the happy sounds of students laughing in my workshop!

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

Wicked... the beads, not the musical

I survived my first real outdoor show... barely.

I'm not going to go into the horrible details, but I managed to get out with my ego somewhat intact, though pretty severely bruised.  I learned a LOT and that's what a lot of the experience was for... to figure the whole thing out.

Things I learned...

I need a roadie, or a team of them.  Building a portable store that looks good is HARD work and I'm pretty sure I need help if I'm going to do it again.

I need more work on my display... including signage that really explains to people what I'm selling... it isn't as obvious as I thought.

I need MORE stuff... a booth that size takes a LOT of inventory to look full.

I need to find the right shows for me... shows that have high-price-point customers in addition to happy shoppers (because this show was totally happy... that part was really fun)

Other thing I learned... always have a show or a class on the heels of a bad show so that you can revive your ego with the help of friends....  Michigan girls, I'm sooooo glad that I'm with you all this weekend!

And speaking of that...  here are a pile of beads heading that way.  Something Wicked, the ring project is included here as well as parts for the soon-to-be Spooky Head Over Heels (which the MI girls will get to see before anyone else!)



It looks a bit gory... the random "severed" heads...  at least the girlie skulls cheer things up a bit! 




tiny blah blah blah...


coffee - YES!  Cinnamon Dolce Latte to the rescue
music - no... listening to audio books this week... Game of Thrones book 2.  WOW!