Saturday was my little bead show and while I had a grand time hanging out with friends I hadn’t seen in about 10 years, sales weren’t all that spectacular. It was a very small and private show, so I didn’t go in it with high expectations. (I was a bad blogger and I forgot my camera.)
Despite the low expectations, I’m still a little disappointed by the lack of sales. Insecurity has always been a strong point with me. I really am trying not to let it bring me down though and as soon as my camera battery recharges, there will be a big update to the shop.
Even though I have a more then good enough inventory of jewelry, I can’t seem to stop with the jewelry making. Last night I decided to try a tutorial from the Beading Daily website.
nameless bracelet
I about killed my hands working with half hard wire instead of the dead soft wire that the project called for, but I have a ton of the stuff on hand and I’m determined to use it up. I think I’m going to come up with something else for it in the future though. The tool marks on this piece are terrible and it will probably need to spend a long while in the rock tumbler to make it pretty. And really? I need my hands.
Sammy continues to grow. There was a time when he was able to curl up on top of this cat condo and have room to spare. Not so much these days.
growing sammy
Happy Monday everyone! I hope all you Americans had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I hope the rest of you had a fantastic weekend!
December 1st, 2008 at 9:53 am
I’m sorry the sale didn’t go as well as we had hoped, Opal. I think the economy has a lot of people freaked out. Or is that just me?
I am amazed by the wire work, and I agree. You do need your hands.
xo
December 1st, 2008 at 10:15 am
I love my earrings and I love my markers, I am one very happy customer of yours!!! I will have 2 sets of Bigga markers, 3 sets of medium markers, and one set of sock markers once I receive my latest order. Only then I will feel that I finally have all of your markers that I may need for every possible occasion (that I can think of so far). I hope at least word of mouth will be spreading about you and your beautiful beadwork. I certainly enjoy reading your beading blogs in the meantime.
December 1st, 2008 at 10:27 am
I love my stitchmarkers and your jewelry is beautiful, so it’s definitely not you. (I also went to some open artists studios in Berkeley on Saturday and there was some good stuff but there was a lot of overpriced not very well done work as well).
It’s the economy. People are freaking out. I’m gettting all sorts of concerned calls about taxes this year and normally no one really calls outside of tax season. (It’s so nice that they are though! It’s so much easier to plan than to fix).
Such a big kitty! Why can’t they stay kittens forever?
December 1st, 2008 at 11:33 am
The bracelet is very pretty Opal. And Sammy is adorable as always.
December 1st, 2008 at 11:38 am
Sammy is getting so big!
I love the bracelet, but I agree with everyone else. You need your hands. How else will you clap for the Cowboys?
Did you get to see the game on Thursday? Now, that’s what I expect to see from my Cowboys.
December 1st, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Sorry to hear that your sales were not what you expected. But it certainly is not you! It must have been the private venue or the economy because the bracelet you made is beautiful! Sore hands or not, it turned out great! Growing Sammy is so cute! I just want to pick him up and cuddle him!
December 1st, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Oh, Opal, your jewelry is glorious and I am sure things will pick up at some point. I think everyone is scrimping a bit this time of year.
December 1st, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Be kind to your irreplaceable tools, aka your hands, Opal! While I admire your desire to use up the material already in stock, there are perhaps other ways to do so.
The bracelet is a natural beauty, btw. So is Sammy. Is it bad that I want to tickle his little tan tummy?
December 1st, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Very cool piece — I love how the spirals connect — but yes, please do take care of your hands. :-)
December 1st, 2008 at 2:23 pm
i think nameless is nice – i have a thing for blue stones – turquoise and lapis with sterling….i think your jewelry is very pretty and well made, so imho, the low sales has nothing to do with your workmanship or their looks…just one of those days….
December 1st, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Blame the economy… not the product. Your stuff is beautiful.
Happy Monday Opal! xoxo
December 1st, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Your jewelry is gorgeous – I can’t wait to give Cieara the earrings – they are amazing! It was just one night – don’t let it get you down. The bracelet is very pretty – but watch your hands!
Sammy is too cute!
December 1st, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I agree with Cookie and the others — it’s the economy. Your work is beautiful!
Sammy is getting BIG!!! What a cute tiger-tummy!
December 1st, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Ooooh, that bracelet is so pretty! My hands hurt just thinking about all your manual labor. Y’know, I think your sales at your store will pick up as the holiday draws nearer. Maybe its too early to shop. So says the last-minute shopper.
Oh yeah…grow Sammy, grow some more. Keep eating and working out, buddy…I’m rooting for ya.
December 1st, 2008 at 6:59 pm
I love the wirework! It sucks that sales weren’t what you wanted, but you’ll be able to sell more!
*hugs*
December 1st, 2008 at 8:20 pm
I hope you had a great thanksgiving! I’m sorry that sales weren’t what you hoped for. It think that you are very talented!
December 1st, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Even though the event did not yield the sales you hoped, you can still be proud that you got out there and participated. That can be such a hurdle.
Yes, those hands are important.
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:14 am
Sorry to hear it didn’t go well, but I think if you keep getting out there and getting your name and beautiful jewelry out there, you’ll get rewarded! It takes time, so don’t be discouraged!
December 2nd, 2008 at 4:55 am
I wouldn’t be too upset about the low sales from the party, things are just tough these days economically for almost everyone and it being the holidays just makes it harder.
Your kitty is a cutee!
December 2nd, 2008 at 5:09 am
I’m not all that surprised about the lower show turnout and sales.
(I think a lot of folks are being really careful right now)
Sammy? He looks as if he doesn’t really care that he’s outgrowing his condo!
:)
lolol
The bracelet is very pretty…but nothing is worth killing your hands, hon!
(((((hugs)))))
December 2nd, 2008 at 7:35 am
I can’t wait to see it all! I’m sure it’s all beautiful.
December 2nd, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Maybe it was the economy … people cut back on everything other than grocery. Don’t let this beat you down … keep doing what you love. I think once the economy turns for the better, things would definitely improve.
The picture of sammy sleeping is so sweet!
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:29 am
I’m sorry your “Black Friday” sales were less than stellar. And believe me, I know about insecurity :/ So stop telling yourself that it’s your fault and start considering the possibility that people have widely differing tastes – and some have no taste at all :)
I do like the bracelet, like the style and like the stones. What kind of stones are they? Manipulating the half-hard wire must have been a pain in the butt though. Oh, and just because your inventory is in good shape, that doesn’t mean your creativity should switch itself off!
Sammy looks happy and content. Perversly, when Jade and Goldie are relaxed and sleeping (you know, instead of tearing around the place and raising hell), I sometimes want to poke them with a pin – like a balloon? It’s not as mean as it may sound, I just want to interrupt *their* sleep for a change :)
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:34 pm
I’m so sorry that your sale didn’t go as well as you had hoped. If it’s any consolation, I don’t usually care for hand-made jewelry, as it tends to look clunky, but your stuff I find exquisite and elegant!