Just Stayin' In Touch

Don’t really have too much to say today.

I felt like making “chunky” necklaces (short ones, not long), so that’s what I did. But I hate setting up my photo studio for just a couple items, so I have to make some more things before I take pictures. Hopefully by late summer I’ll have a studio where I can keep my photo corner set up at all times. That’d be sweet.


see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!


see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!


see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!


see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

Stinson Beach and New Jewelry

Stinson Beach

Took Mon and some of her friends to Stinson beach today.











No people photos… I had to “keep my distance” from the teens, so I just walked on my own along the shore until I arrived at an outcropping of rocks. Then I pulled out my Agatha Christie book and read for a few hours.

I really like the beach.

I decided that I really must find ways to get to a warm beach a couple times a year. And yes, I said warm. There is nothing I like better than letting ocean waves wash over me, my feet, whatever… but man, cold water is WAY TOO PAINFUL!

The beach today was freezing (by my standards). The young people were in bathing suits and were actually going into the water. BBBBRRRR!!! The rest of us had sweaters, coats, scarves, gloves, etc.

Monica said the little shops were fun to look at. I’ll have to check them out next time. Who knows… maybe I can find a gallery interested in carrying some of my work.


New Jewelry Listings

Tried some new techniques last week. And I’d like to thank Katherine for make me realize I am “coloring” not “painting”. It seems like such a little thing, but makes all the difference to my designs and my nerves. Thanks KG!






Those two pieces are already spoken for, but the following photos can be clicked on for more info. The first two are from my “Exquisite Colors” line. They’re bracelets, but the necklaces will soon also be available.









I hope to get some more “playing” time in with my rolling mill this weekend. I think I’ll also go pick up some additional colors of paint. That’s another technique I want to really explore. Maybe I can do something beach-inspired.

Wow… it’s after ten. I’ll have to continue this tomorrow!

TTYL!

Update on Bracken Designs Jewelry Pricing Calculator and More "In Your Face" Commentary about Not Selling Your Jewelry for Materials Cost

I like to try new things. Sometimes my experimenting leads me to cool, new ways of making jewelry. Sometimes it doesn’t.

I’m in the process of trying something new. I want to paint on metal.

I’m not an artist by any stretch of the imagination. And by “artist” here, I mean I can’t paint and I can’t draw. This kind of makes me wonder, what exactly do I plan to paint onto metal.

As I ponder that, I run my first test (applying various colors to some metal). I should have photos at some point… the paint is currently drying.

So later on today, I’ll sit with my thoughts and my sketch pad, and I’ll see if I can come up with any kind of starting point.

In the meantime, I wanted to share with you a cartoon I’ve created as an attempt to prove my point to buyers and sellers alike. We are not selling components. :-) Think about it.



My cartoon can help us segue into my next subject which is that in the past year I’ve learned a bit more about using EXCEL and so I’ve “prettied up” my Jewelry Pricing Calculator. Still just as functional as before, but more aesthetically pleasing now too.



I’ve also taken some of the suggestions from users of the file and added and removed features.

There’s now a specified spot where you can drag a photo of your item to the page you’ll be printing out for your record keeping.



The formulas are virtually the same but more streamlined. The file still includes the wire calculator (which I use CONSTANTLY).



The materials list is now on the same page that you print for your record-keeping binder.

The Supplies Inventory pages are completely changeable to fit your needs.



And the instructions have been updated.

If you’ve already purchased this pricing calculator from me, expect an email this weekend. I’ll be sending all previous customers a free upgrade of the new version merely for the asking.

Talk to you later and happy beading!