I really like wire wrapped work. Designing for it is something I find really challenging. For me it has to be somewhat unfussy. Something like Terri's bracelets.
I used to do a lot of weaving and macramé and willow baskets for fun when I had a day job. I love some of those patterns like the gods' eye and weaving, just never seem to have the inspiration and the right materials at the same time. The last years have been to focused on making enough of what will sell to keep a steady income .
I will finally get my full pension this Sept. and it will allow me to slow down on some aspects of production work. Amazing what an extra $1000 a month will do.
I have never been able to allow someone else to pay all my expenses. My mom drilled that into me as a young woman, NEVER be totally dependant on a man, or anyone for that matter, for your keep. DH has always been his own person and we have split expenses 50/50. sometimes it's been a big stretch for me to do my 50% but as long as I can walk I'm bent on doing it, anything else would be charity.
so that extra pension from my teaching days is going to be like heaven.
Erin- I do simple also- I do add do dads now and then but I think simple speaks for itself. If it's a cool stone- then that's what does the talking. I truly admire the people who do far more complex designs but they sure don't come to me often. We are all now stuck with Jen's term "do dads" . It is the word of 2014. Maybe she can find us a new one for next year- but we haven't really used it enough yet. Going to pour some bubbles and eat some lobster
My net profit from internet selling is pretty minimal when I consider the hours involved. It's a good fit for me when I don't have a drivers licence but it is a break even thing most of the time.
I'm much better making stuff and doing road trips. A few nice hotels and some stops at interesting shops along the way. I have a thick enough skin to move on if one place rejects my stuff and just enjoy the journey.
< having bubbles and a veggie/turkey stir fry now.
Erin, I've had to learn to do simple. For a long time I just didn't think it was worth doing because I thought the market was saturated. But honestly, it's what people want and understand. I still do more elaborate pieces but those take a longer time to sell. 'Simple' is becoming my bread and butter.
I'm in a bit of a conundrum. I purchased some stones from a seller back in November. My order was short by several stones and yet I was charged for them. When I brought it up to the seller's attention they apologized and asked me if i wanted to wait until more of them came in. I said yes and asked how long. I didn't hear from them for a few weeks even though I emailed once more about them. So, just a few days ago I decided to convo them here (they have an etsy shop too) and was told that they thought they had shipped them and would get me a tracking number "tomorrow". Well, it's been 3 days now and I haven't heard back. I'm stumped. This person is a top seller here. Should I be more forgiving because it's the holidays?
I bet I wore out 40 or 50 copper bracelet blanks when I first got those Bonny doon stakes before I got even 1 that I could feel like presenting it to the public. I thought those stakes were going to make me an expert, seemed to take me ages to get even the simplest one to look like I pictured it in my head.
After my December I might give a bit of slack. If they have a high volume they may still be dizzy. Of course it's not good business but...I know I barely caught a few errors of a logistical nature. Hope I handled it all.
Normally, I would pester them, Laura. However, it is the holidays and New Years so maybe they are a bit flustered and backed up. If you don't need them right away, maybe wait until life is back to normal? Now...if they have bad feedback I would be more apt to needle them, good feedback and I would chalk it up to holiday rush.
I love your hammer, CG. I would much rather see that hammer on a table with a beautiful shiny cuff than a new untouched Fretz.
Yesterday, Nodeform posted a pic of news polished rings being held in dirty from polishing hands. I think the contrast was beautiful. I go look for it so I can post here hopefully.
On a good note, my port is now flushed and my blood sucked out. The human drano (called TPA) worked...Yippee!
I was looking at the Fretz and Bonny Doon stakes last night. They make it sound as though you could almost close your eyes and make what each is intended for.
I have that whole set that comes with the vise CG. DH thought they would make me a superb metalsmith with my eyes closed.
That was 2 or 3 yrs ago and I'm just now feeling like I can make a cuff that is even somewhat acceptable. Don't get me wrong I enjoy having them but are they worth the $...NOT! My old ball bearing was just about as good.
I was whining about not using my rolling mill enough a while ago but today I actually enjoyed getting a bunch of sheet textured to make some earrings. I found my flow so to speak. Maybe one just grows into equipment.
