The Jewelry Party I'm Afraid To Have Is Happening!!! (maybe)

So. A few weeks ago I wrote about how I was thinking about maybe trying to have a jewelry party sometime soon... Despite my reservations, a combination of recent slow weeks at my store and wanting to try new things has led me to decide that I should do it! However, I really, REALLY don't want it to be a Tupperware-style "sit down and buy my jewelry" type of thing. I would much rather host a cocktail party, where there also happens to be jewelry for sale. My 1st anniversary in business is coming up soon too, so the party will also be a celebration of that. In short--the timing just seems right for this kind of event.

I spent HOURS the other day designing the perfect invitation--choosing the right day, time, wording, etc. And now, I've been staring at the finished invitation for two whole days, too afraid to send it out! Which I realize is ridiculous. I mean, what's the worst that can happen?? That nobody comes? That nobody buys jewelry? Who really cares?!?? I just need to keep trying new things to see if anything actually works!

Most of what stresses me out about the jewelry party is my discomfort with "soliciting." I hate the thought of anyone feeling pressured or uncomfortable at the event, or obligated in any way to buy. When I was growing up, a friend's mother would always invite my family to her selling parties--I can't remember the company name (or I can but I don't want to embarrass her in case she's reading!), but it was all kinds of (typically useless) stuff, and I distinctly remember how uncomfortable the whole thing felt. So, I guess I just want to make sure that I don't impose that feeling on anyone else. It's just not worth it to me!

But! I'm not forcing anybody to come. And once they're at my house, I am certainly not going to be making them buy anything. I do of course hope to make some kind of sales, but I just can't have that be the focal of the party in order for me to feel comfortable. I guess I'm just going to have to feel it out and see how this first time goes. And depending on what happens, I can plan to try another party. Or not. At the worst, I will end up drinking sangria by myself in the kitchen! And at the best, I will have a fun, profitable party with my friends :)
Ok, that decides it! I am sending out the invitations by tomorrow at the latest, whether I want to or not. I am having a party, dammit!!!!!

To be continued...

A New Use For Jump Rings!

I apologize for the poor picture quality, but I wanted to post about this necklace today, so what you see here is the best I could come up with from the store! The beautiful and talented Rose Berger (of Yoga Twins jewelry--you can see an example of her work HERE) gave me thousands of bronze jump rings a few weeks ago, and I've been trying to think up something to do with them ever since. Rose makes some beautiful chainmaille pieces in her store, and chainmaille also happens to be an excellent way to use up lots and lots of jump rings! But my style is a little bit "messier"--I really wanted to make something funky, that was also neutral enough for every day.

And this is what I came up with! This necklace took forever to make the first time I did it--I ended up making a second one the next day, and I got my time down to 90 minutes that time. A "quick" project it is not, but I think it's really beautiful, and I also think I will be keeping one for myself! This necklace has been made in mixed metals--bronze as well as copper, but now I am expanding my jump ring horizons. I really want to make a silver version, and maybe even a gold one too. I did end up with a huge, fat blister on one of my fingers from all the opening and closing of jump rings, but it was totally worth it. Just the price you pay for jewelry sometimes!

The Best Ring Model Ever

I couldn't resist posting this adorable photo of my boyfriend's nephew wearing one of my rings!! He is the cutest ever.... I hope Jen got her ring back though! :)

I spent today doing some supply shopping in Midtown, as I do several times a month. Today I visited a few of my usual stores and got some fun new things that I can't wait to turn into new designs! I thought maybe this week on my blog it would be fun to write reviews of my favorite bead and jewelry supply stores here in NYC. It has taken me awhile to find the best stores in the area, but now that I have been regularly shopping for almost a year, I feel like I have developed a pretty good sense of knowing which stores stock the best selections and have the best prices. So more to come on that, starting tomorrow. Good night everyone!

Jewelry for Your (and my!) Hands

Can you tell that it's been another slow day at my store??? I have been creating a lot of new pieces lately, and I have been especially interested in thinking up some fun new ideas for hand jewelry. This is partially selfish--I really wanted something cool to wear on my hand today that was more interesting than a usual ring or bracelet, so I made myself something! Well, something for my right hand--on my left hand, I'm wearing one of the cool double rings that I made yesterday. Oh, the perks of being a jewelry designer...

This was also a good project because I have had tons of extra chain laying around for months now, just waiting to be put to good use. Some of that chain finally got used up today in the creation of a few of these ring bracelets. I am currently wearing the one above, that's made of turquoise and brass. It's super comfortable and looks really pretty. Not too delicate, not too high maintenance. I am totally keeping it for myself!

Also, I really wish that there was a better name for these things--"ring bracelet" sounds awkward, but I can't figure out a good alternative. I have seen them sold as "slave bracelets" before, but that is literally the most offensive name for a piece of jewelry I have ever heard. I am always going to err on the side of not using the word "slave" to describe any of my jewelry, EVER. I guess I am stuck with "ring bracelet" until something better comes along..... I'm not sure whether I will add these to either my boutique or online store, but for now I at least have two new pieces for myself!