tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29760974234749654242024-02-18T22:31:04.185-08:00quisnamBe Bravequisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-70197673468102565032014-02-04T14:43:00.000-08:002014-02-04T14:43:28.033-08:00Quisnam alert<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJhmuLngDAvTBk9Tz29ycdF1dIkKYo5n6VZMyhZAA4XalQ23CqWZKZbOkN6MY6P4WHOjy3GL8Ei-4Op1y1OQJ2SbP-Ji492Cxbm2b3hsIBQ79SJ4Ohd1EQpWl6NLF-a51Q7X925fMjXY/s1600/bl403_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJhmuLngDAvTBk9Tz29ycdF1dIkKYo5n6VZMyhZAA4XalQ23CqWZKZbOkN6MY6P4WHOjy3GL8Ei-4Op1y1OQJ2SbP-Ji492Cxbm2b3hsIBQ79SJ4Ohd1EQpWl6NLF-a51Q7X925fMjXY/s1600/bl403_3.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just a quick note to say that my latest blog post is available on my new new blogsite at <a href="http://www.quisnamjewelry.com/blog">www.quisnamjewelry.com/blog</a></span></div>
quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-79213447590141203112013-12-21T23:08:00.000-08:002013-12-21T23:08:08.720-08:00I'm Moving ...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well not me but my blog.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A little while ago I posted about my new Indiemade website. Indiemade is a platform for people like me who want their own website with integrated blogs, shop, galleries and so on. I'm still absolutely on etsy (and plan stay) but my Indiemade site (which uses my own domain) works in conjunction with my etsy shop and, bonus, is completely under my control so I don't have to worry so much about some of the issues etsy has been facing recently.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As most of you will have gathered I've been INCREDIBLY slack at posting on this blog so I've decided to use my Indiemade site to blog from which means less time mucking around with blogger, logging in and out etc etc. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whilst the Indiemade platform hasn't got quite as many bells and whistles as blogger you can leave comments and follow by RSS etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For those of you still hanging in there I am so sorry for the lack of posting but I hope you'll check out the new blog home which should be more regular.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My latest post is on my experiments with my new toy a microwave kiln.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.quisnamjewelry.com/blog/microwave-kilns-fused-glass-and-dracula">http://www.quisnamjewelry.com/blog/microwave-kilns-fused-glass-and-dracula</a></div>
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quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-88682742663830479572013-09-03T20:46:00.001-07:002013-09-03T20:46:07.727-07:00Learning Curve ...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I know that there are a number of you who are thinking about setting up your own website and I thought it might be helpful if I shared my recent experience with you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm using <a href="http://www.indiemade.com/">Indiemade</a></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. I did a some research and this looked like it would be a good platform for independent artists who want a site with </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">a simple CMS (content management system) and </span>a range of functionality - integrated store, order tracking, pages which you can adapt to your own needs (eg. blog, news, galleries, FAQ etc) without having to learn code. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEn3obXlU0_ze_FUmPlh0gRYK_OLAGR9AZXH9Tn4ni7AqhjpBjvpypmDG9DUBlrPwS-VVtLimDPlc0oVcXm_6WZcvt2iblLiUhHnyytXrsdrU5QMGFaC856nfbU8i3kTCToNPE7HNCOEo/s1600/page+backend.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEn3obXlU0_ze_FUmPlh0gRYK_OLAGR9AZXH9Tn4ni7AqhjpBjvpypmDG9DUBlrPwS-VVtLimDPlc0oVcXm_6WZcvt2iblLiUhHnyytXrsdrU5QMGFaC856nfbU8i3kTCToNPE7HNCOEo/s400/page+backend.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is the backend of the pages interface where you can edit and add pages to your site</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Indiemade is, like a lot of other platforms, completely template driven so you have very limited capacity to alter the layout of pages. You don't need your own url to use Indiemade but if, like me, you've registered a domain (ie. <a href="http://www.quisnamjewelry.com/">www.quisnamjewelry.com</a>) there are really clear instructions for pointing it to your Indiemade site. I absolutley recommend registering your own domain name (I used godaddy to purchase mine) as it belongs to me and is fully transportable so, in the event that I decide Indiemade isn't for me and I move to another platform, my customers will still find me and I don't have to inform them or promote a different www.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutALWonna2bK3hVSXuvkaaPyL2oz2DlpppJJ-_62HKV67zmEX2Xt_ALBvwzHgudGBSd5PyxylbV3JyLyXDjzrKMVTX3gVzgciogsxCqt8pWn_pu5hVuFeu0w_YkN5plNENktGZHAXOFg/s1600/faq.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutALWonna2bK3hVSXuvkaaPyL2oz2DlpppJJ-_62HKV67zmEX2Xt_ALBvwzHgudGBSd5PyxylbV3JyLyXDjzrKMVTX3gVzgciogsxCqt8pWn_pu5hVuFeu0w_YkN5plNENktGZHAXOFg/s400/faq.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is my FAQ page - you can set what page people land-on - mine is my store</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There are a number of pricing packages available (you get the first 30 days free) all of which involve a monthly fee - I'm on the pro package at $14.95 a month which allows me to link to my etsy store so I don't have to switch back and forth to update sales and listings. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One issue I haven't resolved is that all my individual etsy listings include links to other areas of my etsy shop. Because both stores are linked, this information also appears in my Indiemade listings (which means if people click on these links on Indiemade they will go to etsy which will be utterly confusing for them). It seems the only solution will be to remove the links from the etsy listings which wouldn't be such a big deal but etsy's new page layout no longer has the shop navigation bar. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIL6FIL4dk_nRPoEvz8p1bKhQnDoc5bt46_PEe47VskDSZsoygS2vmk5sUBNbpnANmsgnoQqIu85yzdQ6Us-9qKxZaH-p7VeAk4vZIpLD7XdfcPoGtOEjnTpPP_IYXujyFMRK87m96-g/s1600/store.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIL6FIL4dk_nRPoEvz8p1bKhQnDoc5bt46_PEe47VskDSZsoygS2vmk5sUBNbpnANmsgnoQqIu85yzdQ6Us-9qKxZaH-p7VeAk4vZIpLD7XdfcPoGtOEjnTpPP_IYXujyFMRK87m96-g/s400/store.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nhGPwzu14AcEZC0mJrxgBXfbcSSW_1ifFTSp2CHjI_E57ci0OAX0-gIKk7VqYiSLLe7HiyPSd3vSGN6a-6WR7fhOqmEpQq5WvRedPIj797hr_keuNYsdG8EuBsLdu9yfpktTarCOHd4/s1600/product+backend.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nhGPwzu14AcEZC0mJrxgBXfbcSSW_1ifFTSp2CHjI_E57ci0OAX0-gIKk7VqYiSLLe7HiyPSd3vSGN6a-6WR7fhOqmEpQq5WvRedPIj797hr_keuNYsdG8EuBsLdu9yfpktTarCOHd4/s400/product+backend.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2wvZYoCJEBRcqHvdszkEcwRYpsahp4FE7MFiWxYx3L4lmM8n0GjADc13VIUUjUWS1YwZzCDHXVxLC3nKtkaOjpxY2OeCQ3zxhxPpm32GhyphenhyphenPKKDVm2dm14gMUZZKtkhuvaUFkv51djkI/s1600/item+backend.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2wvZYoCJEBRcqHvdszkEcwRYpsahp4FE7MFiWxYx3L4lmM8n0GjADc13VIUUjUWS1YwZzCDHXVxLC3nKtkaOjpxY2OeCQ3zxhxPpm32GhyphenhyphenPKKDVm2dm14gMUZZKtkhuvaUFkv51djkI/s400/item+backend.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the front and backend of the product listing interface</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I want to thank Patty, my first purchaser on the site, who took the time to provide incredibly helpful feedback on the checkout process and enabled me to tweak my FAQ copy to reflect her insights - it was unbelievably helpful and also took away all the stress associated with a first transaction. From Patty's experience purchasing is quite straightforward (uses PayPal so neither I nor Indiemade hold any credit card details so no worries with security). You don't have to set up an account to checkout but it will automatically provide you with a password at the end of the process in the event you want to make purchases in the future</span>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutALWonna2bK3hVSXuvkaaPyL2oz2DlpppJJ-_62HKV67zmEX2Xt_ALBvwzHgudGBSd5PyxylbV3JyLyXDjzrKMVTX3gVzgciogsxCqt8pWn_pu5hVuFeu0w_YkN5plNENktGZHAXOFg/s1600/faq.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutALWonna2bK3hVSXuvkaaPyL2oz2DlpppJJ-_62HKV67zmEX2Xt_ALBvwzHgudGBSd5PyxylbV3JyLyXDjzrKMVTX3gVzgciogsxCqt8pWn_pu5hVuFeu0w_YkN5plNENktGZHAXOFg/s400/faq.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's my FAQ which has information about payment and how to checkout (thanks Patty)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">From the seller end, processing and tracking orders is excellent. When you create a product listing you allocate items an SKU (essentially an individual code for that item) which is great for me as I can tie my own cataloging system to my Indiemade store, something I can't easily do on etsy. I got a notification that I had sold an item almost instantaneously (as did the buyer) along with all the relevant information. It's then just a question of logging in and updating the order when it has shipped. It looks like I've got a bunch of reports available to me (revenue, sales etc) but I haven't had a chance to really dig into these yet. I've linked the site to my google analytics so I can track a range of useful data and compare it to my etsy store.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Bonnie asked a really good question about buyer feedback and this is another area I haven't found an answer to yet. Indiemade isn't a market place like etsy; it's a essentially a host for seller's individual shops so the platform doesn't have some of the centralized features that etsy has including, as far as I can tell, feedback. I'm planning to create a Testimonials page so I can share any comments, feedback etc I receive (quite a lot of my etsy customers send me lovely individual convos rather than leaving feedback - I expect this will be an increasing trend under the new star based system). Another advantage of using a platform like Indiemade is that you don't have the same issues around communicating with customers outside of specific transactions. Etsy has some very strict rules around this. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The most important thing to consider if you are thinking about setting up your own site is, in my opinion, how you are going to get traffic to it ie your marketing strategy. Most etsy sellers know that they have to do an enormous amount of work promoting their shops in order to get people to come visit them. But, even if you do nothing, you are likely to get some views (even sales if you are lucky) on esty there's just that many users. But, if you don't have a plan for promoting your own site you are pretty much dead in the water (of course you will some traffic, if the sites SEO is good). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Another important consideration is that having your own website/domain means you don't get the substantial benefit of brand association with an online marketplace. Etsy, even with all the changes, packs a considerable punch when it comes to trusted brands. There are of course alternative online marketplaces including (groan) eBay. There has been a lot of chat about Zibbit which I had a quick look at and may have some potential.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I don't plan on leaving etsy - not just because it still delivers results but because it is a fantastic global community of people who provide support, advice and friendship. So, one of the issues I am going to have to resolve is how do I promote both my website on Indiemade and my presence on esty without creating confusion - I'm still figuring this one out but what I do know is that there are lot of businesses out there who successfully manage a number of online channels so I know it's doable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For me, whilst setting up and managing my site creates an additional workload it has also given me a new sense of control, energy and direction all of which, I hope, will be reflected in my jewelry which is what's important after all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I hope some of this information has been helpful. I know there are a lot of you out there who are thinking about setting up your own site so please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'Till Next Time (might even have some jewelry to show you ....) </span><br />
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<br />quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-69926211461221906722013-08-30T20:58:00.000-07:002013-08-30T21:00:07.583-07:00Fair Warning ...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Thanks to everyone for being so gracious about the long gap between posts. Bonnie it's nice to see you here, I love your comments on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Quisnam">facebook</a> page. Barbara,I agree with you about factoring in commission. My husband is a sculptor and sells mostly through galleries, we are talking 40% minimum!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Fair warning – I am going to go on a little bit of a rant (measured
but still a bit ranty) which will probably be of no interest to anyone except
etsy sellers later in this post. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
first there’s this…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I’ve realised that the reason I don’t make earrings that
often is that I don’t make earrings that often. This does make sense, promise.
Earrings are on such a different scale than my usual work that when I sit down
to make a pair it takes me way longer than it should to get something I like. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once I’ve got a couple of pairs under my belt
it all starts getting much easier as I get into a rhythm.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">see the boar hair tassels - wasn't sure if these would be a turn-off</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">note the artfully placed dried leaves from my garden!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I still think feathers have a meaningful role to play!!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My latest obsession however is with leather cuffs. It
started with a fabulous belt I found in a thrift/op shop – dark brown, a little
bit distressed, with an embossed tribal pattern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been sitting in my stash whilst I
figured out a way to attach things to it and what kind of fastening I should
use (I wanted to avoid snap fasteners).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually
I came up with this focal wrapping technique – basically a long piece of copper
wire, balled on the end which goes down through the leather and up the other
side of the focal and then wraps and around itself to form a spiral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure I’m not the first to think of it but
I was pretty happy to find a solution that suited my work. Another advantage is
you only get a little bit of wire on the backside of the cuff so it’s not uncomfortable
to wear.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This piece uses exactly the same technique.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve got another one in the making which has
a much smaller focal so only needs one piece of copper to keep it secure.</span></div>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I decided simple was best for the fastening so it’s
literally just punching a hole in each end of the cuff and threading<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>recycled sari silk ribbon through. The added
benefit is that the cuff is fully adjustable – larger wrists simply need to loosen
the ribbon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll supply each cuff with
extra lengths of ribbon so people can change-up the look or replace the ribbon
really easily.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Talking about recycled silk and leather, I
thought I’d team them up in a wrap using another, much thinner, thrifted
belt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve knotted the sunstones, beads
and other bits on with waxed linen which is super strong and will ensure the
silk (which is glued to the leather) stays on.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now for a bit of measured ranting</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I’ve been selling my work on etsy for a couple of years or
so now and I love it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a fabulous
community with some really wonderful supportive people, but there have been a
number of changes to etsy recently and not all of them, in my opinion, good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone who has been to etsy in the past few
days will notice they’ve changed feedback to a review based system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Whilst the previous system was flawed I have
some real concerns about this new system which I consider to be incredibly pedestrian
and reductive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hate the idea of rating
my purchases with stars, it’s just so … eBay - Moreover, the star rating is
very item-centric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know evaluating the
actual thing you buy is pretty damn important but there are other aspects to a
transaction including communication and customer service, these are part of the
reason we shop on venues like etsy after all. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>But, by far the worse aspect of the new system
is the removal of buyer feedback all together. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no longer an option for sellers to provide
buyer feedback at all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a buyer and a
seller and my original feedback rating incorporated both – I was proud of my
feedback as a buyer as, amongst other things, it demonstrated my strong commitment
to a handmade aesthetic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know there
are lots of other buyers out there who are really really dismayed to have lost all their
feedback literally overnight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Of course the reality is that etsy is a vast marketplace
and, whilst there has been a huge negative reaction to the reviews, I suspect
there may be just as many in favour/don’t care. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The point is that I really don’t have any
control over this or any other aspect of the way etsy is managed – I don’t
resent this at all, it is what it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But,
from a ‘risk management’ perspective this is a real issue for Quisnam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now etsy is a wonderful forum for
artists like me, but if they choose to grow in a way that doesn’t suit or even
disadvantages my business then there’s really nothing much I can do about
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I can do is make sure that I
don’t have all my eggs in the etsy basket so to speak. So, one of the things I’ve
done this week is set up my own website with an integrated store at <a href="http://www.quisnamjewelry.com/">www.quisnamjewelry.com</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I don’t plan on leaving etsy so my new site
will operate alongside my etsy store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
new site also gives me a place to add additional content including photo
galleries, news, even my blog, but most importantly it gives me a sense of
control.</span></div>
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<br />quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-18443706639556736582013-07-24T18:05:00.000-07:002013-07-24T18:05:35.399-07:00Guilty ...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's been such a long time since I've been here. I wouldn't be surprised if no-one sees this as you will all have justifiably given up on me. I got into a kind of guilt spiral - the longer I didn't post for, the guiltier I felt about it and, consequently, the less I felt like posting. I think some people are natural bloggers but I struggle a little bit with this medium. I find the blank white box that pops up when you sign-in to write a new post intimidating. I think I need to improve my methodology. Perhaps jot things down, as I go, during the week. Actually, now that I write this it sounds like a plan and I'm starting to feel that guilt ebb (it's not gone but it's a bit lighter).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One of the things I've been very keen to ensure with my jewelry making is that it remains a place where I am free to play, be creative and not so mired down by the practicalities that affect so many aspects of my life and which can, frankly, suck the joy out of them. Of course I sell my jewelry but Quisnam is most definitely not just a business to me. It is also an investment in myself and my well being. When I sit down to make - there might be frequent cursing and even the odd minor injury (hammers can be tricky) but there is also a kind of zen from which I emerge calmer and happier.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The super talented Penny has been having a very interesting discussion about pricing over on her <a href="http://sparrowsalvage.blogspot.com.au/">blog</a>. This is an issue I've touched on here in the past and I agree with almost all of what Penny, and and her commentators, have to say. I know when I started I most definitely struggled with a lack of worthiness. Nowadays I use a very straightforward formula to calculate my prices - cost of materials plus an hourly rate plus a percentage to cover associated overheads and things like time involved in photography, listing, administration etc. This approach has, for me, taken a lot of the anxiety out of this aspect of Quisnam. Now, I should caveat this with a couple of points. I buy a lot from etsy sellers but I also source from thrift (opportunity/charity) shops and use, whenever I can, found objects. I rarely use precious metals like silver or gold (generally only on earring wires). The only mass produced bits and pieces I use are generally the ones that come attached to my thrift shop finds and which I usually alter in some way. I also admit to cheating the hourly aspect of my pricing strategy from time time. Sometimes a piece takes way longer to complete because of unanticipated design issues or I find one of my wire wraps isn't up to scratch so I have to re-make it. I don't include all this extra faffing about in the final price. I'll also admit that my 'hourly-rate' for my jewelry making is probably lower than it should be. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm not interested in benchmarking my work against the mass produced stuff available in retail stores or online markets places like eBay because that's like benchmarking processed against whole-foods. I have found that most of the people I meet would much prefer to buy something hand made over something mass produced and they are absolutely prepared to pay more for it. But price can be a barrier, particularly in these tough times. Whilst I don't want to use this an excuse to devalue my work it has shaped my approach to making. This means that when I am sourcing supplies I rule out those that will result in the finished piece having what I consider to be too high a price tag. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Whenever possible I take advantage of reduced shipping costs and make multiple purchases from one one supplier, pragmatically waiting until I have a long enough shopping list to make it worthwhile. I now have a core list of suppliers that I use for my most often used components and materials and whose quality I can be assured of - I am loyal to them and they are loyal to me, frequently giving me extras and discounts. Nowadays I am much more ruthless and only use a proportion of the income generated from my sales to purchase supplies and other consumables. If I haven't got the cash-flow I don't buy it!! Does all this sound incredibly business like - hell yes! But the irony is that this pragmatic approach frees me up so that I can relax when it comes to actually making. Does my approach constrain my creativity - yes to an extent, but it is a fundamental part of my aesthetic. I am committed to making my jewelry what I consider to be affordable (of course affordable is a super objective and relative, but that's a whole different post) - that's the challenge I have set myself and it's much more inspiring than it is constraining.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Do I break my own rules - of course I do. This is art after all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /> </span>quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-48076043415004988102013-03-07T16:59:00.000-08:002013-03-07T16:59:05.329-08:00Tumultuous psyches and memory wire...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's Autumn here now, but the heat wave continues. My cranky old air conditioning unit broke down ages ago so we are reliant on a couple of portable fans for some relief. This means, on the very hot days, I tend to move no further than the couch. It seems crazy when so many of you in the Northern hemisphere probably feel like you haven't seen the sun for months! There must be somewhere in the middle that we can all meet and get some relief.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was thinking about Kimberly's comments from my last post, about how our creations reflect something of ourselves and our state of mind. I know when I make things I waver between anxiety bordering on panic (it's all wrong, it's not coming together, I'll have to start again) and a zen-like serenity when the piece almost seems to make itself. When I first started getting serious about my jewelry, the former state of panic had the upper hand. Nowadays whilst I am much more relaxed, a niggling sense of anxiety and doubt remains - sometimes just out of reach at the edge of my consciousness, sometimes right up there in my face. Self doubt seems to go hand in hand with all forms of creative endeavor, so much so that it might even be a pre-requisite for the artistic process. Why this is so I don't know. Perhaps art, like lava from a volcano, can only emerge from a tumultuous psyche. I do know that the moment when something does come together is indeed a joyful one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I tried using memory wire for the first time this week. Whilst I love making embellished copper bangle stacks, I wanted this piece to flow - with one section leading to another, part of a whole:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I used lengths of tubing wrapped with sari silk ribbon threaded over the memory wire interspersed with eclectic beaded sections. The patterns on the silk determined the overall color palette and I tried to keep the selection of beads random enough to ensure texture without becoming too discordant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In contrast here's a trio of copper bangles I made that uses the same ribbon as the memory wire bangle but is much more minimalist in its use of beads and other materials. Completely different but I think still part of a similar aesthetic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Unlike copper wire which, for me, is generally an integral part of a design, memory wire is essentially a framework to be covered up completely. Quite challenging when you tend not to use beads in this way. Having tried a memory wire bracelet I thought I would see if the same principals could be applied to a necklace and was actually surprised it worked as well as it did:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFn6Tcyl571Xo64bxWylex1zFxdpl-N364kNb4X1iji9buSZEovGoeVh9mpcyjf5Z-MmZfaSLB0-52J_IPQ36DlhbN9M961yp67ie9hgzJCpXOOTIw1eBypO-t_Iah-JuuXe5yY4iNlb4/s1600/nk235_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFn6Tcyl571Xo64bxWylex1zFxdpl-N364kNb4X1iji9buSZEovGoeVh9mpcyjf5Z-MmZfaSLB0-52J_IPQ36DlhbN9M961yp67ie9hgzJCpXOOTIw1eBypO-t_Iah-JuuXe5yY4iNlb4/s320/nk235_1.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I also found some fabulous hollow bone beads in a thrift shop which I used on this assemblage necklace (the mannequin is teeny little display one)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kai from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/KulshiMumkin?ref=pr_shop_more">KulshiMumkin</a> had some new tribal pockets in her etsy shop - they feature the most beautiful vintage embroidery. I have them sitting in a huge glass jar next to my computer for inspiration and have used a couple as a basis for necklaces:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> 'til next time</span></div>
quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-88574523496211807092013-02-08T00:54:00.001-08:002013-02-08T00:54:58.338-08:00Frenzy<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've been on a bit of making frenzy this week. Well actually when compared to some, my output isn't that huge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The looping on this necklace (thanks Mary Hettmansperger) opened up a new way to work with some of the many gemstones I've collected over the years. I'll happily drill metal but stones and shells intimidate me. The large amethyst in this necklace was said, by the ancient Greeks and Romans, to prevent drunkenness. FancifulDevices (a complete and utter genius) has been using gemstones and her <a href="http://www.fancifuldevices.blogspot.com.au/">blog</a> prompted me to dig through my stash</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I also revisited my collection of hmong textiles and found this little beauty. The colours are just beautiful, really deep almost like a Persian carpet. I teamed it with rosary wrapped beads and added a couple of wrapped silk bracelets - rather than sash chord I used tubing on the bangles,fed a thick copper through and then looped the ends together</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I bought some gorgeous Ethiopian beads from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/xclusivedsgns">xclusivdsgns</a> on etsy including this big round metal bead I used on this choker:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">These following pieces are reworks. I picked up some stuff I've had at a local gallery. Mostly I just recycle things that don't sell and break them down in order to scavenge the components . But these have been reincarnated by adding some elements and removing other bits:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span>quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-55099691656463885652013-02-03T17:09:00.002-08:002013-02-03T17:09:55.868-08:00Okay , where did January go?<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If someone could please tell me where December and January went, that'd be great. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. The summer here in Australia, so far, has been really mixed. We've had pouring rain but also some incredibly hot weather leading to major bushfires, thankfully none close to us but my thoughts are with those impacted.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bermegui Blue Pool, NSW</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We also took our first family holiday for years and travelled up the coast from Victoria to southern New South Wales. My mum, over from the UK, travelled with us so we rented an absolutely fabulous house overlooking a lake and only five minutes from the beach. Whilst we often pop down to Melbourne for the weekend I'd forgotten how wonderful it is to get really get away. We took two cars which meant I was even able to take some supplies with me and make a few things. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Both of these necklaces use window sash chord wrapped in sari silk ribbon. Rather than modpodge, I used ordinary craft glue to preserve the softness and color of the silk. The large washer came from a flea market, the stall holder was astonished at my preference for rusty as opposed to shiny new and gave it to me for free! I was inspired by Kimberly at </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/NuminosityBeads?ref=shop_sugg"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Numinosity Beads</span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> to call the piece 'Rusty Karma'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The little grungy washer for the found wrapped stone necklace below came from the salt water lake we overlooked, the stone came from outside the property. I used hemp to 'loop' the stone. Mary Hettmansperger covers the this technique in her wonderful book 'Fabulous Woven Jewelry'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Lately, I find myself drawn to natural elements like rocks, raw and unpolished gemstones (particularly carnelian) at the moment. This bangle stack uses a slab of crazy horse stone along with bone, shell and kuchi.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And this charm bracelet has red and white coral, carnelian, agate, beach glass, fossilised stone and a lovely clay foot from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ScorchedEarthonEtsy?ref=shop_sugg">ScorchedEarthonEtsy</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was looking at the balance of items in my shop the other day and realised I hadn't made any earrings for a while. The bells in these are little versions of larger ones I used in the necklace up above. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I realise that I've been a bit slack on my 'blogger' blog posting lately. I've just started using <a href="http://quisnam.tumblr.com/">tumblr (quisnam.tumblr.com)</a> and instagram (@quisnamjewelry) to post photos of pieces as they come off the work bench so it's a bit more immediate and up to date work wise but less conversational than my blogger blog if that makes any sense.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">'til next time</span>quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-2525302395940771492012-12-16T23:15:00.001-08:002012-12-16T23:15:29.139-08:00Lucets and other things ...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When I'm in the middle of a day-job project it seems to consume my ability to write anything other than whatever it is I'm working on, hence the lack of posts recently. The project also meant I haven't made as much jewelry as I usually do although I am pleased with what I have found time to create. Thanks by the way for all your lovely comments from my last post, I am so sorry to have been so tardy in responding.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I'm still very enamoured with the sari silk and recently bought a lucet - a two pronged fork which creates a square braid which is strong but quite flexible. There are tons of YouTube videos on how to do it, the technique dates back to Viking times apparently.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've just listed the hamsa necklace but the one above with the salt cellar has already sold. I thought I'd try a bracelet as well:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">These are quite quick to make as the braid works up rapidly on the lucet. One of the advantages is that unlike macrame or kumihimo you can work straight off the skein or spool 'til you get the length you want, so there's no pre-measuring involved. Great for lazy people like me!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Also had a bit of a run on bangles in the shop so I made these over the weekend:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In between we've been preparing for Christmas. I decided this year to have a real tree with, other than lights, only hand made ornaments. My daughter and I made a bunch of pom poms and my husband found a little pine tree. Not sure its going to make it through to Christmas though, its looking a bit sad. I tried to take a photo for the blog but it's in a dark spot in the house and just looks like a blur. Now the children are a bit older December is a bit more relaxed, much less rushing around. School has finished up for the year so I'm looking forward to spending some time with them both. The fact that it's summer here helps as well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span>quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-55954925732296949672012-11-12T20:01:00.000-08:002012-11-12T20:01:06.188-08:00Even more color ...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So Richelle got me thinking with her comment on my last post and I decided to give braiding another try. I have this friendship wheel thing (it's basically a kumihimo disc for kids) which I tried once before with some yarn, but it took forever to get even a short length and I got bored and put it to one side. Rather than wool or cotton I used the sari silk ribbon I am so in love with. I had to cut some extra notches in the disc so the silk would fit but it actually worked really well and, better still, was really quick to work up. The finished braid was a bit too much on its own so I added some dangles and wrapped short sections with balled copper wire to break it up a bit:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The skein the ribbon came from is multicolored (the color changes every yard or so) so I wasn't too fussy and just went with the flow. It's one of those pieces, I think, that looks far nicer on than off.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Whilst I was in Melbourne I picked up some lovely noro sock yarn that was on special. I vaguely planned to make a hat (I justify my yarn purchases with the flimsiest of excuses) but used a bit on the tassel for this choker:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The round bead is actually bright pink plastic so I used some gilders paste to tone it down and sealed it with acrylic lacquer. I really like chokers. They're easy to wear and suit pretty much everyone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">These earrings have already sold - I bit the bullet and bought some sterling silver for the ear wires - and made the cylinder beads by wrapping silk around a mandrel and treating with mod podge. They go absolutely rock hard, and are pretty much unsquishable:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've had some leather scraps sitting around for a while - beautifully soft - which I used for this amulet pouch. I took 13s advice and used the smallest crimps I could get away with o the beading wire - don't know what a wire guardian is though? Must look it up. I still have reservations about beading Beatnheart and am so much more comfortable with wire wrapping:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I also share Beatnheart's exasperation around sales. Mine seem to have taken a bit of a nose dive just lately. Not sure if it's down to what I have on offer in the shop or the fact that it's coming up on Christmas. Most of my sales seem to be to the USA and you guys have had an absolutely rotten time of it lately what with Sandy and all. It's getting warmer here which is lovely but the thought of bush fires keeps nudging me. We were caught up in the terrible Victorian fires in 2009/10 - fortunately we were all OK but it was incredibly scary. The fire was heading towards us but a slight change in the wind caused the neighbouring village of Boolarra to take the brunt. Several of my friends lost their houses. In the North of the state, whole towns were destroyed and lots of people tragically lost their lives. Just dreadful. I think we are all much better prepared now so hopefully it will never happen again.</span><br />
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quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-7143762240782082382012-10-21T23:17:00.001-07:002012-10-21T23:17:17.458-07:00Happiness permeates...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">An endless round of head colds, school holidays and various other bits and pieces of life have got in the way of blogging lately although I've managed to keep up with things on the making side at least.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I recently bought some vintage sari silk ribbon from Australian etsy seller <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/plumfish?ref=shop_sugg">plumfish</a>. She makes the most beautiful tattered scarves and accessories. The silk comes in skeins made up of frayed lengths tied or sewn together - incredibly eclectic and quite beautiful. I've used them in a few pieces including this Hamsa nekclace and wrist wrap:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As individual lengths the ribbon can be quite fragile and I was a bit worried about using it in my work - it's just so lovely though, and I'm obsessed with lots of color lately. I road-tested both the above pieces and they seem to be holding up OK. I've also used it to wrap bangles:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And a more recent experiment - making fabric beads by wrapping little bits of the ribbon around straws, treating with mod podge and then pulling off the straw when dry. This talisman assemblage necklace is an example of how I'm using them - the charm on the left just above the crucifix. I've found they look much better if the ribbon is patterned or multicolored rather than plain. Incidentally, I debated whether to use the angel wing in this necklace. It stared life as a large silver metal charm reclaimed from a pendant which I painted and embossed to age. I'm not keen on all the cutesy guardian angel stuff but I love the shape of the wing and I think the tribal beads, including some bamboo coral, and grungy white wavy leather necklace offset. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm trying to find away to incorporate some yarn in my work - anybody got any suggestions? I've got so much in my stash, which is stored at the top of my husband's wardrobe, that he can't close the door properly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My daughter and I were in Melbourne over the weekend - she had a dentist appointment so we stayed over for the night. It was so lovely spending time with her (despite my second head cold which meant I didn't have as much energy as I would have liked).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The weather was warm and it seemed as though everyone in the city headed to the river - the restaurants and bars were packed and there were loads of</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> people on the bridge taking photos of the sunset. Just shows you how sun starved we've all been!! There was a lovely vibe going on - a sort of general happiness permeating through the layers of the sometimes cynical Melburnians.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We had to catch a bus back home (a 2 1/2 hour journey) because they were doing some work to the rail line. One of the shops we visited over the weekend was selling little blackboards:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I see I'm definitely not alone when it comes to having reservations about stringing. Both Barbara and Richelle made some really good points that it is somehow counter intuitive but, if you can master it, adds a new dimension particularly if integrated into an assemblage aesthetic. I have to confess though, despite buying a one step beader, I haven't overcome my reservations yet. I'll have to get those tips of you Barbara.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'Til next time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-82349779690638572192012-09-20T21:24:00.001-07:002012-09-20T21:24:57.941-07:00Baby steps ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_9BfKHs1Pea7GTlvWYEHweGJ7ZqML7vXrtlr4VAUOtwFIqwPez5ucAXrhyphenhyphenG7Zr8BIDg_80gP6OvnCz7rmUkrpv0IJN1ZloWL8wgYYMnZV65wbP18q_4B_JdcBoEOoEuH9Y-cG6HUU5E/s1600/studio+sept2012b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_9BfKHs1Pea7GTlvWYEHweGJ7ZqML7vXrtlr4VAUOtwFIqwPez5ucAXrhyphenhyphenG7Zr8BIDg_80gP6OvnCz7rmUkrpv0IJN1ZloWL8wgYYMnZV65wbP18q_4B_JdcBoEOoEuH9Y-cG6HUU5E/s320/studio+sept2012b.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2_Pvwr7jaWR77y_OJCU9Hk1xUlH17AxBXHjJ5rvSrwvTuTw8hONgHRiH3b9KkQ4vohmelJAEWuLZ614qWPDLYWvgn54muJCown7CU6t8t9XBYpaT0nmIA9P89GSzoS0O1gTE24OhhAk/s1600/studio+sept2012a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2_Pvwr7jaWR77y_OJCU9Hk1xUlH17AxBXHjJ5rvSrwvTuTw8hONgHRiH3b9KkQ4vohmelJAEWuLZ614qWPDLYWvgn54muJCown7CU6t8t9XBYpaT0nmIA9P89GSzoS0O1gTE24OhhAk/s320/studio+sept2012a.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just had a tidy up in my studio and so thought I would post these pics to prove (to myself mostly) that I do have the capacity to have things neat, tidy and in some sort of vague order. It wont last of course. I use vintage tins or divided containers to keep the majority of my supplies in, but I tend to forget what I have in my stash if I can't easily see it, so I have put a selection in clear plastic tubs from the $2 shop - a thrifty but not terribly pretty solution.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I see that lots of you are enduring poor etsy sales. On the one hand I'm pleased it's not just me, but now I feel bad for all of us. Being realistic though, in times of uncertainty people really aren't going to go jewelry shopping which is completely understandable. Other than a couple of galleries etsy is my primary vehicle for selling my stuff and I sometimes worry about this. I read an interesting blog from a seller whose shop was closed by etsy, because of some minor infringement or other, and overnight she lost her entire business. She recommended against having a total reliance on a third party like etsy which, ultimately, you have no control over. All very well and good but I'm not sure what the alternatives are particularly when you live in rural Australia!! All this talk is spectacularly dull and makes me sound as though I'm fixated on sales and money. Not the case I promise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm still on a bangle binge - singles rather than stacks though. In addition to the copper ones I've also made a couple of assemblages using vintage brass stampings and other bits and pieces. Stylistically, these two types are completely different from each other. Not sure which are more 'me' but I guess they are both an expression of my artistic voice (that sounds horribly pretentious, so sorry).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmf13mbYwuBGk-N-5-YDrNYBuGoUYFIk9-o97ib8sl0TQPrng3HWwfpNSOe5buOC1LWuaux82mY-BTIkNAGiqV6nDpEk6eS7kMtXUKp8f8lMfpYGEoCoxeJ5hmy3j3RWKXXEzCBjHONBI/s1600/bangle+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmf13mbYwuBGk-N-5-YDrNYBuGoUYFIk9-o97ib8sl0TQPrng3HWwfpNSOe5buOC1LWuaux82mY-BTIkNAGiqV6nDpEk6eS7kMtXUKp8f8lMfpYGEoCoxeJ5hmy3j3RWKXXEzCBjHONBI/s320/bangle+collage.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgK29XRsK0f11RzLbsKLmB8x8u9NmZMZUQKVAQfX2HN2LkD8d93Yz78zLSoxRntS1nUkANnyS2CIlruw-bagvdeJpH2-jKuqqJvXV4chUUY1T8yYIaoxRXNdqV34jfcQag2Ky_WjM2F4/s1600/bangle+collage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgK29XRsK0f11RzLbsKLmB8x8u9NmZMZUQKVAQfX2HN2LkD8d93Yz78zLSoxRntS1nUkANnyS2CIlruw-bagvdeJpH2-jKuqqJvXV4chUUY1T8yYIaoxRXNdqV34jfcQag2Ky_WjM2F4/s320/bangle+collage+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlJurt8u16G7Qf85IPIO_eviEaBkcYft6FIZrUDdDQ-sUvAJnAM1q_y819sZnqP04CY1IKA6mhc-tChNE8YUpdxlJYZOUSzpiStCRKLZD5NDbY5arUZpK46GydYdLeE2NRrcAS921fgM/s1600/bl33_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlJurt8u16G7Qf85IPIO_eviEaBkcYft6FIZrUDdDQ-sUvAJnAM1q_y819sZnqP04CY1IKA6mhc-tChNE8YUpdxlJYZOUSzpiStCRKLZD5NDbY5arUZpK46GydYdLeE2NRrcAS921fgM/s320/bl33_3.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From bangles it's a fairly short hop to chokers, especially since I found a metal lined ice bucket in the thrift store which has proved to be an ideal choker mandrel:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhtsWNic3MhpfeJGs-ONpHUx95gndMOB5vujzM4DllCl5VBrVqmPLLWROZt2dQ3IhVt_DAYz_5LR0NTclI6X3TcD8ipGohHTKqd8YAByO04TGYzjoaN5OfZNU5AM5v1DLIR_9s5V5M-E/s1600/nk147_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhtsWNic3MhpfeJGs-ONpHUx95gndMOB5vujzM4DllCl5VBrVqmPLLWROZt2dQ3IhVt_DAYz_5LR0NTclI6X3TcD8ipGohHTKqd8YAByO04TGYzjoaN5OfZNU5AM5v1DLIR_9s5V5M-E/s320/nk147_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-HaYpJXp9wI3AtsfAIDr1AMzghYG_ofVfH2HbThY7SBtODRHGDGJhkGErmuZoJ6hL96oUSVa34dQiJi4NbEq8Rwn-iQfByVU2JL7yZXdt1XBGQhV23zxuy1NXBAfQL5OgK3qCn835Gk/s1600/nk146_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-HaYpJXp9wI3AtsfAIDr1AMzghYG_ofVfH2HbThY7SBtODRHGDGJhkGErmuZoJ6hL96oUSVa34dQiJi4NbEq8Rwn-iQfByVU2JL7yZXdt1XBGQhV23zxuy1NXBAfQL5OgK3qCn835Gk/s320/nk146_1.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Both chokers are wrapped in silk (salvaged from head scarves or clothes), metallic vintage trim and then wire wrapped.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfl-k9Qqypuk9GVnQlSH2dn6hrMPnVIplNzhsLXlJrq8smvPmJyb3gzskmqdu-HcenHqOgMQgPUj3AME2c3KQT4yLmcPUb6HZkL85A1PL3foYUzNITQ7rswnNlExKJsNQRx4Dsp7ukAQ8/s1600/nk145_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfl-k9Qqypuk9GVnQlSH2dn6hrMPnVIplNzhsLXlJrq8smvPmJyb3gzskmqdu-HcenHqOgMQgPUj3AME2c3KQT4yLmcPUb6HZkL85A1PL3foYUzNITQ7rswnNlExKJsNQRx4Dsp7ukAQ8/s320/nk145_5.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm participating in one of Deryn Mentock's online courses at the moment and this necklace was in response to the symmetrical design challenge she posed us. One of the reasons I'm doing the course is that it includes bead stringing which is something I have always shied away from. I am completely paranoid that the beading wire will break and I hate using crimping pliers. I do think developing confidence around stringing as opposed to just wire wrapping beads will open up my design palette, so I've invested in some softlex and a bead buddy (one step crimper).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_Fyu2NDJczlf63rvY3uBfsNeYttagGIHnAerzvw-Ngd9zmTr-KG4daZ1YO7zCwt7BjHAiY-IwzhNlNdMCUDScmvotraM2Y8nZSWgc_PeL5G3W4NDojF-CcuoNPmonYmUJwRyVQyUTfQ/s1600/nk148_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_Fyu2NDJczlf63rvY3uBfsNeYttagGIHnAerzvw-Ngd9zmTr-KG4daZ1YO7zCwt7BjHAiY-IwzhNlNdMCUDScmvotraM2Y8nZSWgc_PeL5G3W4NDojF-CcuoNPmonYmUJwRyVQyUTfQ/s320/nk148_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This necklace is mostly wire wrapped apart from the small beaded section at the back - baby steps.</span></div>
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quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-21242472835134233612012-09-03T20:11:00.000-07:002012-09-03T20:11:03.241-07:00Crossing my fingers...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm crossing my fingers that this post will be free of frustrating blogger problems - such as not being able to upload photos - apparently something to do with a clash between my antivirus software and chrome/blogger.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've pulled a few things out of the shop over the last few days so that I can put them into the Artisans Store, a local gallery just around the corner from me. Rather than my assemblage/narrative work (although I have submitted some of these pieces) I thought I would concentrate on the embellished/embroidered textile cushions. Here they are on display in my kitchen the night before:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlcX0hvgNjYQmvIclzY5u-e8WqAhwH8HNtmfVbdBNvWs0lnOY1PaXOFXPrngik1O5toMiqtfZL9-HZqfcSqtaL823UpHZs1heiM8uOfEuzozUm52g82GaW4PbLwXcZf4ef_nS0jSa8HU/s1600/Artisans_31_8fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlcX0hvgNjYQmvIclzY5u-e8WqAhwH8HNtmfVbdBNvWs0lnOY1PaXOFXPrngik1O5toMiqtfZL9-HZqfcSqtaL823UpHZs1heiM8uOfEuzozUm52g82GaW4PbLwXcZf4ef_nS0jSa8HU/s320/Artisans_31_8fb.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here's a collage of the necklaces in more detail. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9ko5u-ffuS-2HJF0TbUMQ52hiXLEtZ-Chhc8rRMLJNpqQdOnzD7ynEKTt9sdxlcoToX52IePUOcHtal4Ml4oDWIlN_jjmYP61a5pePdQPEuz4Hu20lqWoC43a1gh9eqcRAqdBiBpo8s/s1600/textile+necklaces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9ko5u-ffuS-2HJF0TbUMQ52hiXLEtZ-Chhc8rRMLJNpqQdOnzD7ynEKTt9sdxlcoToX52IePUOcHtal4Ml4oDWIlN_jjmYP61a5pePdQPEuz4Hu20lqWoC43a1gh9eqcRAqdBiBpo8s/s320/textile+necklaces.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I also thought single bangles might be a little more accessible (ie. easier on the pocket) than stacks:</span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3V1cyUiWVv1m9mj0zBwKkPnPNPdFojiWv0JZo_xSE0nq4pTEMlvLkiKsz1PrCQyxAfIPMil8N45C2tDOxHq-7jh0t8EE_91CnQvu9LmufWsDDFOa1D1Aq61T_mai_E7s9BcVwWmfIRg/s1600/bk127_collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3V1cyUiWVv1m9mj0zBwKkPnPNPdFojiWv0JZo_xSE0nq4pTEMlvLkiKsz1PrCQyxAfIPMil8N45C2tDOxHq-7jh0t8EE_91CnQvu9LmufWsDDFOa1D1Aq61T_mai_E7s9BcVwWmfIRg/s320/bk127_collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibViriCEf9_-roB1Dc00pW1ewKwxpU4pIRSOd1dICcGGpj7h8y3YP-WIs4kiN09zPG3UPKIv0-Ob3sSaDiWgRN4NkHPBNUqFE1EYagksk_47l1ivDPLXm1p1XRE8VLvIkD-0aUuw9EpOM/s1600/bk128_collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibViriCEf9_-roB1Dc00pW1ewKwxpU4pIRSOd1dICcGGpj7h8y3YP-WIs4kiN09zPG3UPKIv0-Ob3sSaDiWgRN4NkHPBNUqFE1EYagksk_47l1ivDPLXm1p1XRE8VLvIkD-0aUuw9EpOM/s320/bk128_collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Really simple but I am pleased with how they turned out. I'm thinking about putting some in my etsy shop.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All this switching stock around has left the etsy shop a little depleted. I know some people have an item for sale in several sites/locations at once but my brain just can't cope with this. I have listed a couple of new things though:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEh2CxqyhO0-65_6RKsPrfKDtRQCLOWwL4yLnkjAck7CAc_L5ymDhmO1DbtqaduB4bVJYXH_xAdieDnu6nKpzjORjq3wgVV-O_INui3PUUm1f68NFFQUcVToxLxnWq3xWDqBEQkqct1TM/s1600/nk124_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEh2CxqyhO0-65_6RKsPrfKDtRQCLOWwL4yLnkjAck7CAc_L5ymDhmO1DbtqaduB4bVJYXH_xAdieDnu6nKpzjORjq3wgVV-O_INui3PUUm1f68NFFQUcVToxLxnWq3xWDqBEQkqct1TM/s320/nk124_3.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CrqG465M_JqorUfVrSxaRJumZd8Qbs-SMNpQF8WZArPskYuJsV2VIABhGCShJkN49zg6vEFxl3W8e9UqhWbWNV6ft53qraN6uw1Aso_YsasVsp7YCYdq5SaAeTDPibai4nSLsofz7jc/s1600/nk121_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CrqG465M_JqorUfVrSxaRJumZd8Qbs-SMNpQF8WZArPskYuJsV2VIABhGCShJkN49zg6vEFxl3W8e9UqhWbWNV6ft53qraN6uw1Aso_YsasVsp7YCYdq5SaAeTDPibai4nSLsofz7jc/s320/nk121_2.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've found a new way to attach bails to the textile cushions - cut a short piece of wire, paddle each end and drill a small hole. Bend the wire in half and place over the cushion. Insert a long dress makers pin (glass head or hammerhead) from the front to the back through the cushion and holes in the wire, secure the pin by bending it so that the sharp end lies flat against the cushion and then trim off the sharp end with wire cutters. You can then over-sew the bendy end of the pin to the cushion or put a bead over it - whatever works. It's a much neater technique although still a little time consuming. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm still lovin' working on the bangle stacks:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9J4w9EJA8xClJ626K75F5sReIAsg_4yQjQvjCqWW6mdrrjgPdUAUBZfdtbjmCFqBgxBBfjWDe-7ZBIv8Pz0OvWprvFWXA6uVY0cylgA_11T5SyUxzaExnDfS-_G2y_NNVm0zKH4c1Op8/s1600/bl119_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9J4w9EJA8xClJ626K75F5sReIAsg_4yQjQvjCqWW6mdrrjgPdUAUBZfdtbjmCFqBgxBBfjWDe-7ZBIv8Pz0OvWprvFWXA6uVY0cylgA_11T5SyUxzaExnDfS-_G2y_NNVm0zKH4c1Op8/s320/bl119_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This one was in the etsy shop but is now in the Artisans Store.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVYJ-FCKOAFCe8Mu5Asr3XTY9bHBnk1gApTd9bXPFKc68fy-JCvCzKyIqJqeEIiOBeRfduvANsUa-I2BMhE-qvJ-2kleBMK4R14ODupv0wl7uDRvKgmfa_DmXAG9mwZxQ9MP09fb6oBc/s1600/bl122_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVYJ-FCKOAFCe8Mu5Asr3XTY9bHBnk1gApTd9bXPFKc68fy-JCvCzKyIqJqeEIiOBeRfduvANsUa-I2BMhE-qvJ-2kleBMK4R14ODupv0wl7uDRvKgmfa_DmXAG9mwZxQ9MP09fb6oBc/s320/bl122_2.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I really like this white/cream set - it's even got a bit of bling. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For those of you that sell on etsy - how are your sales lately? Mine seem to have taken a bit of a nose dive over the last few weeks. Not sure if it's the time of year, economic climate or, perish the thought, people aren't liking what I'm doing enough. Mind you, compensation is meeting (online rather than in person) some really lovely people and that doesn't seem to be impacted by the seasons or the GFC!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Talking of lovely people ... </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I don't buy many jewelry magazines but I have splashed out on a subscription to Belle Armoire Jewelry which is hugely expensive as I have to have it mailed to me from the US. I see that the Autumn issue is essentially a tribute to some of my favorite artists including; Tracy DiPiazza from </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/pipnmolly?ref=shop_sugg" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">pipn<span id="goog_940016405"></span><span id="goog_940016406"></span>molly</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, Janet Loomis from </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/anvilartifacts?ref=shop_sugg" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">anvilartifacts </a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and Cynthia Wolff from </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/beatnheart" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">beatnheart</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. You guys rock.</span>quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-7236144702209802682012-08-29T18:56:00.002-07:002012-08-29T21:41:46.416-07:00Frustration<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm having a problem uploading photos - it's been going on for a few days now and I gather I'm not the only one judging by the number of frustrated posts on various forums. Rather than wait until the problem has been resolved (or throw my laptop at the wall) I thought I would do a quick post today and then, hopefully, post photos of latest work as soon as I can upload again...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The internet, as we all know, is a forum for people to share their opinions which, not infrequently, are bigoted and small minded. On the other hand, sometimes we get an opportunity to witness people at their absolute courageous or heart warming best. Occasionally something comes along that does both.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What possessed Bic, the French manufacturer of pens, to market a 'Bic for Her' is beyond me. The product description from Amazon reads like a page from the anti-feminist manifesto:</span><br />
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<h2 style="color: #cc6600; font-size: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em;">
Product Features</h2>
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<li style="margin: 0.5em 0em;">Elegant design - just for her!</li>
<li style="margin: 0.5em 0em;">Thin barrel to fit a women's hand</li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I mean, seriously! They even have a YouTube video <span id="goog_8204742"></span></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c23dUWATaY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c23dUWATaY</a> . <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm not convinced that this video isn't actually a parody. For a mum of a teenage girl it's bad enough that I have to fight the tidal wave of misogynistic crap in magazines and on TV. But now pens ...!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That's the bad, now for the good. Bic's misguided marketing campaign has prompted a completely brilliant retaliatory back-lash as evidenced by the hilariously sarcastic and tongue in cheek product user 'reviews' for the pens on both the UK and US Amazon sites. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So, if you feel like you need some cheering up - hop on over to Amazon and search 'Bic for her'. It started with one extremely funny review but now there are now hundreds of them. I love the fact that people are protesting against Bic's idiocy using humor and I don't think it lessens the impact of the protest one bit. The only downside is that all this publicity will probably end up being good for Bic...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here are couple of my fave 'reviews'.</span><br />
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<div class="mb15 txtlarger drkgry" id="revMHT" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<strong>Most Helpful Customer Reviews</strong></div>
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful</div>
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<span class="swSprite s_star_1_0 " style="background-image: url(http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/common/sprites/sprite-site-wide-2._V146303866_.png); background-position: -82px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline-block; height: 13px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 65px;" title="1.0 out of 5 stars"><span style="left: -9999px; position: absolute;">1.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> <a class="txtlarge gl3 gr4 reviewTitle valignMiddle" href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R2H1XHYBG18XAX/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B007FLG7OK&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=1064954&store=office-products" style="border: 0px; color: black; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 0px 3px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: middle;"><strong>Perfect Girly Pens</strong></a><span class="gry valignMiddle" style="color: #666666; vertical-align: middle;"> <span class="inlineblock txtsmall" style="display: inline-block; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">August 28, 2012</span></span></div>
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OMG!!!!!! I luv these pens!!!!! They R so gurly and sweet! But they would be better if they made everything look like a rainbow or a pony. PONIES!!!! Or maybe a vacuum. If they could make like a pony or rainbow pen, I would buy all of them. Or a fairy. I like fairies.<br />
I would give these pens more stars if they made sparkles. Cause sparkles R the BEST!!!!!! But they only make lines. : (</div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">or:</span></div>
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<div class="mt4 ttl" style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-top: 4px; overflow-x: hidden;">
<span class="swSprite s_star_4_0 " style="background-image: url(http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/common/sprites/sprite-site-wide._V146303782_.png); background-position: -43px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline-block; height: 13px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 65px;" title="4.0 out of 5 stars"><span style="left: -9999px; position: absolute;">4.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> <a class="txtlarge gl3 gr4 reviewTitle valignMiddle" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/RRCYQ79DQ789E/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B004FTGJUW&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=192413031&store=officeproduct" style="border: 0px; color: black; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 0px 3px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: middle;"><strong>My life has been changed!</strong></a><span class="gry valignMiddle" style="color: #666666; vertical-align: middle;"> <span class="inlineblock txtsmall" style="display: inline-block; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">20 Aug 2012</span></span></div>
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<div class="drkgry" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">
I never did very well at school. I wanted to learn and it felt like all the words I needed were right there in my head, but I just couldn't get them onto the paper in front of me. If I really pushed myself, I could sometimes manage to draw pretty flowers in the margins but this didn't please Sir and I was soon in all the bottom sets. What really confused me is that I had no problems in cookery or textiles. At the time I didn't understand why I could grip and use a wooden spoon or sewing needle but couldn't properly hold my black-coloured pen for more than 45 seconds without dropping it on the floor and weeping.<br />
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Things were a bit better when I left school to go and work sweeping up hair at the local salon - yet again, the broom seemed to just fit into my grip as if it was meant to be there - and I saved up to buy a pink laptop. I still had trouble writing for a long time because, although the case was pink, the keys weren't designed for female eyes which, as we all know, struggle to discern between shades of black and grey. I could write for about 4 minutes at a time, though, and that's how I found out about these wonderful pens for girls like me.<br />
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As soon as they arrived, I was soothed by the pink packaging - I'd been feeling stressed after driving back from work because my hands just won't stay on the black, leather-effect steering wheel in my cute mini. Anyway, I quickly found a piece of notepaper with pictures of kittens round the edges and had a go at writing my name. It was amazing! The pen just stayed in place between my fingers, just like it always had for the boys in my class at school. Well, in no time I'd filled a whole notepad and had to go and get another one!<br />
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Now I've gone back to night school and hope to realise my ambition of enrolling on a childcare course next year. I'm also halfway through writing an erotic novel set in Victorian times - but with vampires!<br />
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My only criticism of these wonderful pens is that I get a bit bored with all 12 looking the same. I get around this my customising each pack. At the moment, the pen I have in use is covered in stripes of glitter and I glued a pink pompom and one of those diamanté charms you get on mobile phones (I couldn't fit any more on my phone) onto the top. I think BIC should start adding pens like this to their range because some women find it difficult to hold tubes of superglue properly - I asked the 6 year old boy who lives next door to help me.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and:</span></div>
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<span class="swSprite s_star_5_0 " style="background-image: url(http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/common/sprites/sprite-site-wide._V146303782_.png); background-position: -30px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: inline-block; height: 13px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 65px;" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><span style="left: -9999px; position: absolute;">5.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> <a class="txtlarge gl3 gr4 reviewTitle valignMiddle" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R33BL22QQBKM42/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B004FTGJUW&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=192413031&store=officeproduct" style="border: 0px; color: black; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 0px 3px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: middle;"><strong>Revolutionary article - must buy!</strong></a><span class="gry valignMiddle" style="color: #666666; vertical-align: middle;"> <span class="inlineblock txtsmall" style="display: inline-block; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">20 Aug 2012</span></span></div>
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This pen is great. I bought it for all my female friends and relatives. It enabled them, finally, to write things (although they may not yet know to do so on paper; but you can only expect so much, really). I thought they were just a bit slow.<br />
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My mother, a hard-working woman who raised twelve kids single-handedly whilst doing all the ironing (as nature intended), was furtively abashed by her illiteracy. Long would she gaze upon her husband and sons' scrawlings and would dedicate five minutes a day (which she really should have spent making sandwiches) to pray that one day she would be granted the ability to create such scribbles of her own. She's still a little slow on the uptake, but this product has definitely helped start the ball rolling. We tried to give her men's pens but she used to rip the cartridges out and drink the ink. Typical woman.<br />
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Anyway, it's good that BIC are finally doing something to aid the plight of women. Hopefully a range of 'for her' paperclips is on the horizon - my wife has an awful time keeping her recipes together.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...til nex time'</span></div>
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<span id="goog_945341233"></span><span id="goog_945341234"></span>quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-39233995544791363472012-08-15T20:52:00.000-07:002012-08-15T22:00:19.098-07:00Fairy-tales and shopping<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've been a little preoccupied this week and haven't had a chance to get too much work done other than this piece:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJTb9FA8yFl6MmsrY2fTaxZGOgpi_4juNJ02W_TPdrx5ajn-3b78iRqYEhPeDCLk7EiTz5qLQ_7-n7ZOTBiVzhMCm0sFlMU2E3AvPdQHWHFAWIywvnFBWn1CnpZx_84BkZGS4H4pWQ2o/s1600/nk120_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJTb9FA8yFl6MmsrY2fTaxZGOgpi_4juNJ02W_TPdrx5ajn-3b78iRqYEhPeDCLk7EiTz5qLQ_7-n7ZOTBiVzhMCm0sFlMU2E3AvPdQHWHFAWIywvnFBWn1CnpZx_84BkZGS4H4pWQ2o/s320/nk120_4.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKrDuS8_o_pJPNy0Ll_Z7pGEfcUhTs3uwoe0B3Ek8gfw-iLyLnvVBDDFt0SK4gdkHWbSdrVHXyyxzusnhOBnQNSBUsQtYIdtsk8UtVL2WPZ_xz_yWx11nvx5cZO8sPy-nRwiqi5fa2lU/s1600/nk120_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKrDuS8_o_pJPNy0Ll_Z7pGEfcUhTs3uwoe0B3Ek8gfw-iLyLnvVBDDFt0SK4gdkHWbSdrVHXyyxzusnhOBnQNSBUsQtYIdtsk8UtVL2WPZ_xz_yWx11nvx5cZO8sPy-nRwiqi5fa2lU/s320/nk120_2.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I wanted to weave a narrative around the focal </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and swans always make me think of fairy-tales. I searched and searched for inspiration but couldn't find anything quite right (and there was no way I was going with an ugly duckling metaphor!!). I did discover that transformation or metamorphosis is a dominant theme for many of the folk/fairy stories involving swans (including the ugly duckling one I suppose) and, given this focal started out as shiny brass, I thought it appropriate to come up with my own adaptation reprinted below. I've borrowed bits and pieces from other fairy-tales and, whilst it's a love story, I wanted my swan to have a bit more free will than she does in most. Of course, it's entirely possible I've been watching way too many episodes of Grimm and am now a living example of how TV really does have a detrimental effect, so I'll also take this opportunity to show you a couple of thrift shop finds first:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1m_1W5304FEuqrCK_O5-ilaPYDPi_H7022Dub6zQy7gwXYLV9DOUpOc24ju-sZtm_AZFZ_Bfx0b4Bxg3UMFJBIWop6s9F5SGL7vK6RKShx4FWADPs39ubs4t3xF_T0LZRIj5qxxS9alc/s1600/photo+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1m_1W5304FEuqrCK_O5-ilaPYDPi_H7022Dub6zQy7gwXYLV9DOUpOc24ju-sZtm_AZFZ_Bfx0b4Bxg3UMFJBIWop6s9F5SGL7vK6RKShx4FWADPs39ubs4t3xF_T0LZRIj5qxxS9alc/s320/photo+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsab-EvayIIqMkpopo1kLl9YzuTgFDgq6bmCW_WmsNbpV3h2J6jtQGFjScfp8ZHcBdVdZkjoVMvGGlr6TEbRvb7b-8QT2MdkDf6TUxa_nhuzILGN5n0i1BpMTW4EQGLf6N3lKev5lhbFg/s1600/photo+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsab-EvayIIqMkpopo1kLl9YzuTgFDgq6bmCW_WmsNbpV3h2J6jtQGFjScfp8ZHcBdVdZkjoVMvGGlr6TEbRvb7b-8QT2MdkDf6TUxa_nhuzILGN5n0i1BpMTW4EQGLf6N3lKev5lhbFg/s320/photo+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The beads on this necklace are absolutely beautiful - not sure if they are bone or stone. It also has a wonderful carved hook. The weird looking things in the top photo are Chinese lucky key chains - I bought them because I really like the bells.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And now .... </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Once upon a time...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">..a young man, hunting by a stream in the woods, spied a
swan. As he reached for his bow the
hunter was amazed to see the elegant creature transform into the most beautiful
woman the hunter had ever seen. Every
day for a month the hunter crept back to same spot to witness the
transformation, and each day his love for the swan maiden grew ever
stronger. Finally, he could wait no
longer and as she swam in the stream, he crept out of his hiding place and,
before she could transform herself back, professed his love and begged her to
stay as a human so they might be together.
Now whilst the swan maiden, who had seen the hunter watching these many weeks
past, was flattered she explained to him that for her to remain as a girl was
impossible. Even though she sometimes
appeared as human, she explained, she was always a swan on the inside and, to
remain human, would mean giving up her swan self completely. For many months the hunter searched the land
for a way he and the swan maiden could be together. He began to despair of ever finding a solution
until one day he met a wise woman who, on hearing his story, said she would
help him. The very next day the hunter returned to the
stream and presented the swan maiden with an amulet necklace fashioned by the
wise woman. He explained to the swan
maiden that as long as she wore the necklace she could keep her swan self safe
inside but remain human on the outside.
The swan maiden put on the necklace that very day and returned with the
hunter to his village where they lived happily together, the swan maiden
remaining unchanged, but the hunter growing older and frailer as the decades
passed. On the day that the hunter died the
swan maiden took off her necklace and transformed herself back into swan and
was never again seen as a human woman.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'til next time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-52314612664583591162012-08-08T23:52:00.000-07:002012-08-09T20:27:37.002-07:00Small Things Take Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cNYhWcP60tROUHa4LvjGAwG_79DHfJaBI-ZVwI5bPb9ryvQ3ZChpOjrJEcYG1uLnO5QhIzofyqClkY8AyMHEn1bYjqemvf-Qloe0E5LM3va4tF27q5DH5fLsg-uvd3TVaOk5rzevNoo/s1600/nk118_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cNYhWcP60tROUHa4LvjGAwG_79DHfJaBI-ZVwI5bPb9ryvQ3ZChpOjrJEcYG1uLnO5QhIzofyqClkY8AyMHEn1bYjqemvf-Qloe0E5LM3va4tF27q5DH5fLsg-uvd3TVaOk5rzevNoo/s320/nk118_4.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Small Things Take Time</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>By Susan Wallbank</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Small things take time</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">they twist into fragments</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">which hang like strands of DNA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">impossible uncoded strips that thread the days</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">between the cut glass black jet nights</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">to form a kind of necklace</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Small things take time</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">they scatter it with actions</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">the deed-compacted seconds lie</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">like long-gone moss and little flies defy decay</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">suspended in warm amber hours</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">to make a kind of bracelet</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Small things take time</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">they grind it into powder </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and from the dust create a paste </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">that glues the wasteful hours between each deep decade</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">compression-packed, dull-glimmering</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">to forge a kind of ring</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-80502832453769454132012-08-04T22:28:00.001-07:002012-08-09T20:26:58.637-07:00Horses and cushions ...<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> I've been working on a couple of pieces that I wanted to share.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfIcoLGcB0AwZ_0Dablc5WRok2pT5aIhi_FE0padcTgT5ajwxqDAtJ3nFGnO6lpxdO0S5TVycHDj9jBhBgH49WuNhQg-q4tvLnhjpglfst0788WEcFM8_-SItecf6Jah5fJ3uj9R6Q54/s1600/nk115_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfIcoLGcB0AwZ_0Dablc5WRok2pT5aIhi_FE0padcTgT5ajwxqDAtJ3nFGnO6lpxdO0S5TVycHDj9jBhBgH49WuNhQg-q4tvLnhjpglfst0788WEcFM8_-SItecf6Jah5fJ3uj9R6Q54/s320/nk115_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I remember my father taking me to see
the white horse of Uffington when I was quite little. Carved into the side of a hill and visible from miles away it is an experience
that has stayed with me ever since. One of the most ancient of the hill
figures found in England, the white horse probably dates back some 3,000 years. Nobody
really knows what it stands for (or indeed if it is really a horse at all and
not some other animal). This not-knowing regarding its purpose does not detract in any way from its beauty and grandeur. I remember
being completely awe struck when I understood the scale of it and I also remember wondering
what motivated the people who came together to create it. Was it fear, an appeasement or gesture of faith? </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUURrIC8gPlGwzktag5j2Ln-F2aSNLEOuPRHc4Duqm9ThvW0_j9LUTBJY4Fgi0M1zOHJ8Tae_516dCd8l9YuzDhSSXXeKVZcmKpscw7-Ki4kk2b1twL8Bt1lilqYoX6Rbx29ajMKX6Qg/s1600/280px-Uffington-White-Horse-sat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUURrIC8gPlGwzktag5j2Ln-F2aSNLEOuPRHc4Duqm9ThvW0_j9LUTBJY4Fgi0M1zOHJ8Tae_516dCd8l9YuzDhSSXXeKVZcmKpscw7-Ki4kk2b1twL8Bt1lilqYoX6Rbx29ajMKX6Qg/s1600/280px-Uffington-White-Horse-sat.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Without careful maintenance the white
horse of Uffington quickly disappears from view as nature reasserts itself and
this is the narrative behind this piece. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFDniIBqnkPeuVno4Kp8a9HuaTRRX1TFFyp6uQK5DV5WccDdSCbDVu8aAEoZrMMM6R_INsHzM_PLljcJY5quvoW3bKtwtF1OeWSXMQ_VJ8o0bwh-eIkdiOVdXVMS6a-fCvsdAdZJtWyg/s1600/nk115_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFDniIBqnkPeuVno4Kp8a9HuaTRRX1TFFyp6uQK5DV5WccDdSCbDVu8aAEoZrMMM6R_INsHzM_PLljcJY5quvoW3bKtwtF1OeWSXMQ_VJ8o0bwh-eIkdiOVdXVMS6a-fCvsdAdZJtWyg/s320/nk115_4.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The brass horse of my necklace, and its accompanying cluster of bits and
pieces, are not as they were - once bright and shiny they are now aged and
flaking but still I think beautiful. Caught
between new and old the items are preserved. But, left to the ravages of time
they would have disappeared completely.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've noticed that my pieces seem to have lots of colour or no color. And so to this:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zNywQ5Xz-sfY1cN4UmFlR50JPAg42zV3PpP_uaoO-WDysiMbA65V2HR71uEX2tKYlAOAXqaJJPrczO95HnG39br5G-V6OLHb32LHR-Kf0sdBvh9X7z-yC1JyPLuLB0C35mVJhdazivQ/s1600/nk116_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zNywQ5Xz-sfY1cN4UmFlR50JPAg42zV3PpP_uaoO-WDysiMbA65V2HR71uEX2tKYlAOAXqaJJPrczO95HnG39br5G-V6OLHb32LHR-Kf0sdBvh9X7z-yC1JyPLuLB0C35mVJhdazivQ/s320/nk116_5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am still completely obsessed with using little textile cushions as a base for embellishments. This one uses a vintage sari scrap and some gold trim. I like the fact that the fabric is a little bit tatty and frayed (bit like me really).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lastly, judging by your comments quite a few of you are not, stating it mildly, fans of Facebook. Far be it from me to defend this bastion of bad grammar and mundane status updates I do think Facebook's </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">powers can be used for good rather than evil!! An example to illustrate - Facebook is an excellent way to link people who would otherwise be socially isolated for mutual/peer support and friendship. Facebook's relatively straightforward interface makes it a better option for those that are not quite so computer literate or who may be intimidated by other online options or who, for one reason or another, are unable to get out and about and, if not for the internet, would be rather disconnected. Also individual pages are a little different than pages for organisations/businesses. The latter tend to be much less ...well, teenage. And I have to say Quisnam's Facebook page has connected me with some really really lovely people. It's definitely different than blogging but, as I said in my last post, horses for courses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'til next time.</span></div>quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-83940391013868085092012-07-29T20:59:00.000-07:002012-07-29T20:59:16.531-07:00New ways to make things old<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Blimey, I've been neglectful of my blog over the last month. I think this is in part because I have been working on a day-job project which has involved writing (pages and pages and pages of it) and I just didn't have the energy to write anything else. I've also been using Quisnam's Facebook page to post my latest work - I know lots of people hate Facebook - but I actually think it's quite a good way to communicate with people and, just as importantly, vice versa. Not like a blog of course, but still horses for courses.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've been working away on some new pieces as well. I'm still very much enjoying using textile cushions but, rather than just using the Hmong ones as a base, I've started making and embellishing my own:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6f88mPiGI4ylbuy-1mZS3kVYAH-BcoPFKS8nFjWDJftTc0hObEna_WDMnXA1Iraw2bN2p15lpjoS7Yp9tiv7B4yowrPD265bxB03DEdcRNl2rzNOh4_aONwhr7tuVSQHs8Q8w4kc6mfU/s1600/NK109_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6f88mPiGI4ylbuy-1mZS3kVYAH-BcoPFKS8nFjWDJftTc0hObEna_WDMnXA1Iraw2bN2p15lpjoS7Yp9tiv7B4yowrPD265bxB03DEdcRNl2rzNOh4_aONwhr7tuVSQHs8Q8w4kc6mfU/s320/NK109_4.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddLnuelFcauOLpoynItFlAlUey09_1bGVQZ82ytOkGXyRHtYgrya0j3XY227ABxtwE-PoQ55cDOPGZOeOz1HHDbHaTPqzCw4LJu4q30N_DUH0QcPZBzIRO_JraOap-hJtTPg27HeOjaY/s1600/NK104_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddLnuelFcauOLpoynItFlAlUey09_1bGVQZ82ytOkGXyRHtYgrya0j3XY227ABxtwE-PoQ55cDOPGZOeOz1HHDbHaTPqzCw4LJu4q30N_DUH0QcPZBzIRO_JraOap-hJtTPg27HeOjaY/s320/NK104_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm discovering better ways to make them as I go - inserting the bale before stuffing rather than sewing it on later for example - and find the process rather meditative. Thrift stores are a fantastic source of fabric, the top necklace actually came from a skirt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've also had a real urge to do some assemblage pieces:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3ncyyNpDYt_yNPS2laDvDYb2jgD0m-e0OFpBabyn1iufJH0Ar6_CpUzFIpg_C8rRds6cx_FVeGLHpjxXpFLaKK3z4kPQRo1XrCdID-nq7R8-2JV1gSZk-4Vwc-lznXzPkIrKcA5gJ9g/s1600/NK108_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3ncyyNpDYt_yNPS2laDvDYb2jgD0m-e0OFpBabyn1iufJH0Ar6_CpUzFIpg_C8rRds6cx_FVeGLHpjxXpFLaKK3z4kPQRo1XrCdID-nq7R8-2JV1gSZk-4Vwc-lznXzPkIrKcA5gJ9g/s320/NK108_2.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I wanted to show you a closeup of the Buddha focal in the above piece which I painted with vinaj patina paints and then textured with pewter embossing powder and shoe polish. I've had these Buddha pendants sitting around for ages but hated the shiny metal cases they came in. I tried gilders paste, rub 'n' buff and a couple of other things but this worked so much better than I was expecting.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKC5Yf46SmSvxHycP2RUG36twxfXKaONJwSBtPUJ-ytiHPgEp6FLdlY4Y5Y20xwKpXL-bwSFh4Ob3D5enjfQ_rYuX-tfJBsmM6e4kjTEEsR096gLaHeyZeOz36IBPTlCCe3ESoV38UF34/s1600/EA110_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKC5Yf46SmSvxHycP2RUG36twxfXKaONJwSBtPUJ-ytiHPgEp6FLdlY4Y5Y20xwKpXL-bwSFh4Ob3D5enjfQ_rYuX-tfJBsmM6e4kjTEEsR096gLaHeyZeOz36IBPTlCCe3ESoV38UF34/s320/EA110_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">These earrings use a similar method except I've used ink and a combination of cream and pewter embossing powder for the grunged up flaky look. I've used this technique before but not for a while - it was actually a post of fancifuldevices that reminded me to dust of the embossing powder and heat gun, thanks Marina.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9-DOd-LNmKRqG_1uA_drCYeWAnoakYQbJfn5RQC8CCqUvrdbkm5tm6sHF8VLxMu_5Wf9Ewg05y1n2a2CoOIH60hDP3MaxCcMlpNm9G3uluvz5TXEJ0ENT1pFHZoS7P_-_X1lG7WvJeo/s1600/NK112_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9-DOd-LNmKRqG_1uA_drCYeWAnoakYQbJfn5RQC8CCqUvrdbkm5tm6sHF8VLxMu_5Wf9Ewg05y1n2a2CoOIH60hDP3MaxCcMlpNm9G3uluvz5TXEJ0ENT1pFHZoS7P_-_X1lG7WvJeo/s320/NK112_2.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Same thing with this necklace which is a narrative work - each item symbolizing a different aspect of our lives - marriage, motherhood and home. The ties that bind us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've been experimenting with a slightly different approach to my bangle stacks, making fewer bangles but in a much heavier weight wire. I've been really lucky to find some excellent vintage bangles recently which, when altered, also add depth to these stacks. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dNh-KxxUBvmbdo6FEbPR28vTLlshZSL0Kft8c3i1Gi0zMFIWfWiVJVsVqNp_274C_9y-zKyD1QFbv4yX1GXHR9kTMZvzEZdS7qXTWV1hLN8Grk_s-KkDnyGWx1BGn5yuCR2q7nB5Urg/s1600/BL113_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dNh-KxxUBvmbdo6FEbPR28vTLlshZSL0Kft8c3i1Gi0zMFIWfWiVJVsVqNp_274C_9y-zKyD1QFbv4yX1GXHR9kTMZvzEZdS7qXTWV1hLN8Grk_s-KkDnyGWx1BGn5yuCR2q7nB5Urg/s320/BL113_2.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqXVgA81zQW5aX5xMLGQVbH9eqBn4iQ2PmJzgAcQXbq49oAUtSXiXcumYVkk3xRW8CnVFZAyJqTMMNQgOK6pJn7XmAXLLswjZ5IW-jnPaMSrizS3DQ9hZq7EiCooYAol-HViog8LdEXI/s1600/BL105_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqXVgA81zQW5aX5xMLGQVbH9eqBn4iQ2PmJzgAcQXbq49oAUtSXiXcumYVkk3xRW8CnVFZAyJqTMMNQgOK6pJn7XmAXLLswjZ5IW-jnPaMSrizS3DQ9hZq7EiCooYAol-HViog8LdEXI/s320/BL105_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimF1XrxctKic5nalCirjfCXA808y8lM9qu_aCl6P-maDmT8hraHGFQVIwkpL4yGHF0QZ3D_uXQ_WaKsE4LUU_g8bmWy4RbwkB43dy0z868SPgInse-dHGljyPszqPCJyh0SS4JuMEUmBo/s1600/Beatrice_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimF1XrxctKic5nalCirjfCXA808y8lM9qu_aCl6P-maDmT8hraHGFQVIwkpL4yGHF0QZ3D_uXQ_WaKsE4LUU_g8bmWy4RbwkB43dy0z868SPgInse-dHGljyPszqPCJyh0SS4JuMEUmBo/s320/Beatrice_cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was also fortunate to find some beautiful trims in a thrift store in Melbourne although now my supplies are starting to pile up and I've only got a finite amount of storage space. I'm wondering if I should open an etys shop for my destash. I've got heaps of things that I am sure I will never use.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">'til next time</span><br />quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-3266621175512358492012-07-02T00:44:00.001-07:002012-07-02T00:44:22.443-07:00At least I've got my electric blanket...<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Good news, my new iPad has arrived at last. It's so cold and wet here at the moment that I find myself retreating to my bedroom, electric blankets on full, watching BBC crime programs or reading a book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This version has a camera which I tried out today on my latest piece:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuF_xgITTAfRGnoxDr4GVCyIDZEr2yzkEnP8mCHeBvxCnPpZXtU3-qJBsAi44WkSFMjJSuZWycw6uZPTbKqE8Fqc_3Jk_jahYRcIRowt764jYGCMxU9ju_h68mAMEqglKsxg-7opnCrrY/s1600/NK098_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuF_xgITTAfRGnoxDr4GVCyIDZEr2yzkEnP8mCHeBvxCnPpZXtU3-qJBsAi44WkSFMjJSuZWycw6uZPTbKqE8Fqc_3Jk_jahYRcIRowt764jYGCMxU9ju_h68mAMEqglKsxg-7opnCrrY/s320/NK098_2.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I did have to seriously edit in picmonkey, but not too shabby I think. If you've had a look at my etsy shop lately you will see a few pieces featuring these little textile cushions. I bought some vintage hmong textiles from an etsy seller with the intention of making a cuf and took a punt on the pockets she had listed. It was love at first sight when I opened the package. They come in all shapes and sizes, most aren't really suitable for using in jewelry but the variety in textiles is just wonderful - some are really tribal with an almost African vibe, others more bohemian. Some are obviously really old and some clearly quite new. I emailed her to say how pleased I was and she said that her mum and some of the village ladies make them with the left over bits and pieces from her bags and cushions. Just like when I discover a new type of bead I'm finding it hard not to use them in everything. This piece took an absolute age - sewing on the links and recycled silk. I must have made and remade it a dozen times. I debated over whether to use a leather or fabric necklace and then remembered a vintage chain with glass crystals I had (Avon would you believe it) and thought I'd never use. Just goes to show you, hoarding pays.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I also got the urge to use leather:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEg0jMeo0xY89oasbHY19rxoWcuQ02xl4w0_GksKUiOL0xsC5igR8McIm7DDHItXW3RX8Dpe1dZFx05rUmNzNcT8Rhyphenhyphen_2OFqtcYLiROWyCbk9Ycap1IiVMSyZKUvo8-cp-TcBDMNTHjM/s1600/NK097_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEg0jMeo0xY89oasbHY19rxoWcuQ02xl4w0_GksKUiOL0xsC5igR8McIm7DDHItXW3RX8Dpe1dZFx05rUmNzNcT8Rhyphenhyphen_2OFqtcYLiROWyCbk9Ycap1IiVMSyZKUvo8-cp-TcBDMNTHjM/s320/NK097_5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The beads on this are mostly Czech glass with some bone and wooden ones for good measure. I discovered that it's much easier to go through the leather with an awl rather than using a hole punch. The stick on the right is gold coral (which I'm assuming is coral that has been painted gold). My daughter asked if it was macaroni which is a little disheartening. Actually, thinking about it, painting some macaroni might be a good option - a grown up version of the necklaces we made in primary school.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Melinda, from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BeesOnPie?ref=ss_profile">BeesonPie</a> sent me some really cool stuff which included deer leather pieces. I thought I might try using it wrapped around a bangle. Taking of bangles, I listed this stack:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkDooVIJ9VtTKSrZn2fA3gvmhEkQMv_EgVkM8v_HUeYZA_2g0vAaX73k9x1R4fCFPlEbBDlGZ1WOoDuU1WyfW1uH2cNgsTJc1aEQujRHPtyiNk9yjkbrlO3rZ-M39mSGL380BlWbqvVw/s1600/BL092_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkDooVIJ9VtTKSrZn2fA3gvmhEkQMv_EgVkM8v_HUeYZA_2g0vAaX73k9x1R4fCFPlEbBDlGZ1WOoDuU1WyfW1uH2cNgsTJc1aEQujRHPtyiNk9yjkbrlO3rZ-M39mSGL380BlWbqvVw/s320/BL092_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Rather than the usual 9 or 10 bangles this set only has 4, but three of them are much heavier wire than I generally use (3mm) - it's quite difficult to work with but it does make for a really robust finish. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Also been working on some earrings:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLpOan-8BSf3NWmgcP_n9AniWtjrkQluljyLeMVETE5oUmgzbbO-sEcQ5EuPlK7y5g18bx0NZJa1em4V3W-_u_LbSMtYHPdUy28aV3PrMSTYUtsAWTVZMnnRedIBTQtvcD9GRtJEX8fs/s1600/earring+collage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLpOan-8BSf3NWmgcP_n9AniWtjrkQluljyLeMVETE5oUmgzbbO-sEcQ5EuPlK7y5g18bx0NZJa1em4V3W-_u_LbSMtYHPdUy28aV3PrMSTYUtsAWTVZMnnRedIBTQtvcD9GRtJEX8fs/s320/earring+collage2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I do find it much harder to come up with ideas for earrings. Although, having said that I did a custom order recently of 5 earrings - all different but harmonious - which I thought would be really really challenging but just flowed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">'til next time.</span>quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-60273843746707382912012-06-17T19:11:00.000-07:002012-06-17T19:11:43.228-07:00Splurge...<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Can't believe a week has flown by since our visit to Melbourne. It's been so cold and dreary here that, even though the weather wasn't much better there, we felt we needed to get away. There are many advantages to living in the country, but there's something wonderful about cities at night, the way they light up. In addition to the requisite shopping we also took in some culture including a wonderful exhibition of the work of Australian landscape painter Fred Williams. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJy4VLtmgkgrcAWsEM7oqPNvsYgZcvyJnWSh1ZuNEBPYU7l84FBMg2XJU5Vk6fvy9sioCYeUk0QF5S6rTtTfwAPqvuaa22_QiwfDxpV0xOjl21C00jUZ7rVy6ZbrKeFJGpnEEn1HLSKM/s1600/fredwilliams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJy4VLtmgkgrcAWsEM7oqPNvsYgZcvyJnWSh1ZuNEBPYU7l84FBMg2XJU5Vk6fvy9sioCYeUk0QF5S6rTtTfwAPqvuaa22_QiwfDxpV0xOjl21C00jUZ7rVy6ZbrKeFJGpnEEn1HLSKM/s1600/fredwilliams.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's a </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">marvelous</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> collection with most of his best known works but also some pieces I hadn't seen before including his portraits. They way he captured the Australian landscape, his use of colour and perspective is breathtaking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was also hoping to see 'Unexpected Pleasures - the art and design of contemporary jewellry' at the National Gallery but, unfortunately, it was closed on the day we were there. I did have a quick look at the catalogue and I think it will be really interesting, hopefully I'll get back down to Melbourne before it closes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Having sold a few pieces I also splurged on some supplies this month including a set of bone beads from etsyan TheRavenAndPearl which were even more wonderful in person than in the photos. They were also beautifully wrapped. I firmly believe that wrapping is a hugely important part of of a the buying experience. As the prologue, it sets the scene and can influence how someone responds to an item - positively or negatively. Receiving a beautifully wrapped item can make up up for some of the disadvantages we face as online sellers including the delayed gratification between purchasing and receiving. Most of the things I buy from etsy are beautifully wrapped.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">I, like lots of sellers, do try and use as much recycled packaging as possible when I ship. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgLZLbmYoh6ybOzBfVwnksqCYM8_MTia20dbCCwKCWL7gyu9l9jq8k6OJwmG2VKpOmi7d-IcvdMKwNR-1OQBW1dV8VfPJZ9xgzcEelMQd4hMpWTM2pIeTYBJpI-s4-WarjwC5jv7iem8/s1600/blog+18_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgLZLbmYoh6ybOzBfVwnksqCYM8_MTia20dbCCwKCWL7gyu9l9jq8k6OJwmG2VKpOmi7d-IcvdMKwNR-1OQBW1dV8VfPJZ9xgzcEelMQd4hMpWTM2pIeTYBJpI-s4-WarjwC5jv7iem8/s320/blog+18_6.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The map envelope is made from pages from an old Atlas (my daughter's idea). I use incomplete sewing patterns for wrapping and strips cut from old headscarves as ribbons. I'm also always on the lookout for boxes or little baskets in charity/thrift stores. I confess I do use bubblewrap (but I do try and reuse the stuff that other people have sent me).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I also splashed out on a journal. Whilst I've got a little leather bound one that I keep in my bag, I wanted something a bit more substantial. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8G69z85QXRKjpoDaAMBTGo7aSB7GF154ikRDXnf7-oKS5vwhScoBOBM8wbg0svvJvasmvpFrRpAbl7zAgXjcRfcOfKPblQWpJ0Q34z6MR54Bh_Kr3aU5o03V2eRPaSD00_mGURG4PeXA/s1600/blog+18_62.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8G69z85QXRKjpoDaAMBTGo7aSB7GF154ikRDXnf7-oKS5vwhScoBOBM8wbg0svvJvasmvpFrRpAbl7zAgXjcRfcOfKPblQWpJ0Q34z6MR54Bh_Kr3aU5o03V2eRPaSD00_mGURG4PeXA/s320/blog+18_62.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">This came from etsyan <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AriomDesigns">AriomDesigns</a>, it's almost 12 inches tall so a bit too big to carry around with me but perfect for home.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3N-DqCx51j570F-EiXcbsiFBuYMctFcloppn3x-Sj2P_J-ANKp30rP8w_AwQfrDrbhEVsJREU6YmXqlXYfX3SYaOGNZzzULlT_V4OIitbYekQ_rb6GrqG5TfdRPF2dFuuCGk_Yc4IQjk/s1600/blog+18_63.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3N-DqCx51j570F-EiXcbsiFBuYMctFcloppn3x-Sj2P_J-ANKp30rP8w_AwQfrDrbhEVsJREU6YmXqlXYfX3SYaOGNZzzULlT_V4OIitbYekQ_rb6GrqG5TfdRPF2dFuuCGk_Yc4IQjk/s320/blog+18_63.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I have to say though that my finished pieces almost never turn out like the sketch!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">On the making side, I'm still very much in tribal mode although this week I am going to set myself the task of making some pieces with a more bohemian/gyspy feel.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQVVnnG3hwE6fyv64nolddh2pFE-unesFptfOsX7t7XzjUA1gmbL0Xh3tffZfOQ46RSDEf2-EqoXc3GeuneE9VeRAhLuCayWsnU7jOmU4Pn8u8rqyvgbdIa4jENSTRrFrgZjAerW1jEI/s1600/BL091_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQVVnnG3hwE6fyv64nolddh2pFE-unesFptfOsX7t7XzjUA1gmbL0Xh3tffZfOQ46RSDEf2-EqoXc3GeuneE9VeRAhLuCayWsnU7jOmU4Pn8u8rqyvgbdIa4jENSTRrFrgZjAerW1jEI/s320/BL091_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">With this stack I wanted to create an authentic colour scheme. I find it so hard to photograph bangles. They always seem to collapse in a heap as the shutter clicks. They are heaps of fun to make though. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">'Til next time.</span></span></div>quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-88382443518365189572012-06-06T21:02:00.002-07:002012-06-06T21:02:50.550-07:00Choices<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was reading <a href="http://thealternativefoundry.blogspot.com.au/">The Alternative Foundry</a> blog (if you haven't visited it do go and have a look) on the 'Politics of Women' - it was a really interesting and touching post which I have been thinking a lot about. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My sisters and I were fortunate to grow up in an environment in which we were encouraged to believe that our gender should never be a barrier. I don't ever remember being told 'oh no, you shouldn't/can't do that you're a girl'. Now, as a feminist and a mother I am trying to imbue in my own daughter and son that same sense of equality. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As my daughter moves into her teenage years we are dealing with questions like 'when is it OK to wear makeup?' and 'can you buy me that amazingly short skirt?'. I have to confess that I am extremely ambivalent about fashion. I mean have you seen the heels on some shoes? It seems dangerously akin to the old Chinese practice of foot wrapping and incredibly anti-women. On the other hand I love the sense of personal style my daughter is developing (she's one of those people that possesses the ability to drape and wear scarves). I have been asking myself how do I put this in a feminist context so that I can guide my daughter and answer her questions with confidence. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So bear with me as I work through this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I think the first thing is that it's about choice. Women have fought long and hard to have the freedom to make their own choices (I know we haven't completely won this battle yet and in many cultures women still have no choice). This means being able to choose what we study, do for a living, wear and so on. I think it then becomes really important to consider <u>why </u>we make the choices that we do. Are our choices informed? Do they empower us?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I think fashion, jewelry - self adornment of any sort - can be really empowering. It allows us to express something of ourselves. I know that sometimes, when I put on a particular piece of clothing or jewelry it makes me feel brave, like I could do anything and it's a really good feeling. I also know that, on the odd occasion, when I have bought something just because it is in fashion or all the rage, I don't get that same sense of empowerment - rather than being an extension or reflection of me (or the me I want to be) it's a mask that I am hiding behind and this is not such a good feeling. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am glad that my daughter seems to have a very strong sense of self and whilst, of course, what she wears is influenced by the what's on TV or in magazines this is not the sole criteria for selection. I hope this sense of self will extend to all her choices including the much more important decisions she will need to make in her life - these can wait a few years though.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">'Til next time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-74467277864547174772012-06-03T18:21:00.002-07:002012-06-03T18:21:38.806-07:00Teenagers and critters ...<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So, I was sitting in the car the other day waiting for my husband Piers (it's usually the other way around) and came across this text message sent a few a weeks ago, using my phone, to Piers from my daughter Billie:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">'In the car as mother has forgotten me as she talks to a friend just letting you know I love you one last time before I die of boredom ...' Teenagers!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As an update to my last post, clearly I'm not the only one who has had critter issues, judging by your comments. Anvil Artifacts' squirrels sounded like they were bowling in her attic. Actually, it's entirely possible they were as I gather squirrels do like to bowl!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Chelsea's cat has taken control of a naughty possum at her parents house. I remember my in-laws had a resident possum in their garage for a little while, although all it seemed to do is sleep. Our possum has been very quiet lately, I hope it's okay. At the end of the day, much as it's a nuisance I agree with Lucie, it is kinda sweet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Jewelry wise I've been on a bit of an earring and bangle kick lately. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A few of these pieces have already sold so I must be doing something right. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The white/pink bangle stack (top right) and copper wrapped set (bottom left) are in my <a href="http://www.madeit.com.au/storecatalog.asp?userid=57827">madeit shop</a>. This is a site for Australian artisans a little bit like, but nowhere near as sophisticated, as etsy. I thought I'd give it a try and am getting lots of views but no sales as yet. I know there was a huge kerfuffle when etsy switched it's default search to relevancy rather than recency, but personally I think it's better. madeit uses recency and this, together with the fact that it's tagging system is non-existent, means that you tend to get lots of looks when you first list and then it dies off to nothing as you drop off the first few pages. My media consultant (aka daughter Billie) encouraged me to try madeit. She's also helping me with my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Quisnam">facebook page</a> - an example of teenagers using their powers for good rather than evil. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm working on a wrist cuff at the moment. I haven't made one of these for ages as they are quite time intensive. But, it's cold and dreary here so sitting in front of the fire with my box of textiles and trims is quite appealing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-57475482923174542082012-05-21T00:07:00.001-07:002012-05-21T00:07:30.283-07:00Killer possums ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo64hQQ1IODQ1NpQZrjODPtnvwCj96L0F3yccmyb1gG5lyKRbyCC4hvhXw_RZknA3tHcX4Hfhy7f41fcaJcsefBvijuCRkQnUNnpGB8eKsTeUnOUoWGlPAJbCH1NRt7STByqh-KBfPklg/s320/killer_possum.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Okay, killer might be a little bit of exaggeration, well its a lot of an exaggeration, but this little feller has been terrorizing us for a while now. It goes like this - we're in bed, warm and cozy, drifting off to sleep when - BANG, CRASH THUMP goes the possum across the roof. You would think that something that's roughly cat sized wouldn't make so much noise. But, on a tin roof, it's horrendous. Enough to send the dog into a frenzy and to wake the children (and I mean those down the road not just ours). We snapped this photo (doesn't he look sweet - well let me tell you he's not, he's a bastard) the other night when he decided to climb up on our window and sit there looking at us for a little while before climbing into the tree to torment the dog some more from his vantage point. Now, I can't let the dog out at night unsupervised because all she wants to do is hunt possums and, much as I'm over the whole late night roof walking thing, I don't actually want it to be eaten by an over enthusiastic staffy!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's been a busy couple of weeks jewelry wise. I had some work in a local Art Show over the Mother's Day weekend. I was fortunate enough to win Best Work in Jewelry and sold a few pieces. One shouldn't need it (of course we all do) but it's nice to get some validation. Does anyone else sometimes look at their work and go 'what the...?' I probably shouldn't say that here really ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've got several pieces lined up ready for the shop:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdgODDSO0vLbzsbgBHSo0Q-j56CfhMbiUpdZccssAflzqLMIASXUhtYjDcZ8yEWU_7QAZHSLOh5Qc0-pVgCvfzQtfXQe9I_30nMr4sjYGASt2emNBtSXZ4hAQJ_DnFcZJiZcUMsJrEDY/s1600/NK075_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdgODDSO0vLbzsbgBHSo0Q-j56CfhMbiUpdZccssAflzqLMIASXUhtYjDcZ8yEWU_7QAZHSLOh5Qc0-pVgCvfzQtfXQe9I_30nMr4sjYGASt2emNBtSXZ4hAQJ_DnFcZJiZcUMsJrEDY/s320/NK075_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I bought some ceramic Buddha pendants from an etsy seller but didn't like the cases/lockets they came in, way too shiny. I decided to pop him on an oxidised copper backing and secure with wire. The only issue is whether the wire looks like I'm trying to imprison him - very un-zen if so. I do like the way it looks with the necklace of ribbon, beads and leather.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And with this piece I just went with the flow without any real pre-planning or idea of how it would turn out. Much like my life really</span>quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-26397685369373683302012-05-08T21:01:00.000-07:002012-05-09T01:35:27.202-07:00And that's all I have to say about that ...<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I wanted to thank you all for the lovely comments I have been receiving lately. When I first started Quisnam and this blog, I had no idea that it would be a doorway to such a creative and welcoming community that I am truly glad to be a part of. In my last but one post I talked a little about my father who died ten years ago. My mum was very moved by the comments you left.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Oh, and the reason for the new layout. I was mucking around on blogger and stuffed up my old layout so I thought I'd take the opportunity to try a slightly different look. This is a standard template that I haven't altered at all and it's doing a few weird things (the followers column looks all strange) so I'll probably fiddle with it a bit more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This Thursday (10th May) I will be putting my shop
'on-vacation' for 24 hours. I am doing
this in solidarity with a group of hand
crafters and artisans who are peacefully protesting the rise of re-sellers on
etsy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There has been quite a lot of discussion on this gentle protest (much of it rather mean spirited and some of it downright aggressive)
so I wanted to take this opportunity to explain why I am participating.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Firstly, I have no problem at all with people selling things
that were made by others. To illustrate I purchase lots of supplies from etsy sellers - some
are hand-made by the artists that sell them, others are not. For example some
of the Czech glass beads that I am fond of using were originally produced in factories by the thousand (if not hundreds and hundreds of thousands). I do however have a problem
with those sellers that are not honest about the provenance of their items and imply, or flat-out claim, that they have made something themselves
when actually they bought it on eBay (or wherever), and listed as a OOAK
or hand made when quite clearly it isn't.
Etsy is very straightforward in its policy about this but I am fairly sure they
are not doing everything they can to police this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Similarly, I take no issue with the concept of a collective
(or group of sellers using one shopfront) - in fact I think the idea of an artistic collaboration
or, alternatively, a group of artists using the same shop to show-case their
different work is rather wonderful. But, and this is a big but, there is a
world of difference between a collective and say a factory!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have a little shop that generates an income that just
about covers the costs of my supplies. I'm reasonably sure that people who like
my stuff probably aren't going to be shopping the re-sellers! So this isn't
about money or my sales. But I am
worried that the idea behind etsy (or at least the idea I thought was behind
etsy) is slowly getting lost. To put it
another way - The etsy brand is becoming increasingly tarnished and there are
no shortage of people happy to point this out - regretsy being just one
example. Of course, it is possible that
etsy will choose to revise rather than police its policy on re-selling. I get that, at the end of day, they are a
business and need to have a commercially viable and sustainable business model.
I guess what I'm lobbying for more than anything else is honesty. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On the creative side of things I've been working on a couple of pieces which I will aim to list at the weekend. This piece uses a vintage salt cellar (one of many that I have in my 'found objects' collection). It is similar in concept to something I made earlier this year. I love the simple but powerful shape.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My husband (who is a sculptor) made me some lovely shapes from some ebonised wood that he has had for a while. You can't see it in the photo but the wooden circle is thicker at the bottom than the top. I think it has quite a contemporary look but with a tribal feel to it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976097423474965424.post-59786103428301473732012-04-30T00:35:00.000-07:002012-04-30T00:52:52.774-07:00Ta da ....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0M5cH6q-qsbLYJbvDNfGlQFoKc7uXCWChlkrAZt1Z6EpjIfNJQjbWz9SlsAdJBswRAn4ywrG9YgsxfP-OpME4E8c6VtujiZdufyl6YgitT4_VeVw7JN3an0NzgwKRm18tvENgtC4iMc/s1600/BL063_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0M5cH6q-qsbLYJbvDNfGlQFoKc7uXCWChlkrAZt1Z6EpjIfNJQjbWz9SlsAdJBswRAn4ywrG9YgsxfP-OpME4E8c6VtujiZdufyl6YgitT4_VeVw7JN3an0NzgwKRm18tvENgtC4iMc/s320/BL063_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I bought etsian fancifuldevices' <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/98513289/pdf-tutorial-tribal-gypsy-bangle-stack">bangle tutorial</a> a few weeks ago and finally got round to making a couple of stacks. The great thing about the tutorial is that it encourages you to be brave and not over think the process. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKvgxfBOElIjjl_dJXQJy2g1VNLxZ0-eVuVUhM6WtEUpS8L58GQ_vxXAJUzLy9QMou9HvGen8SMi6644YSGgGnXvfv1ej5dhd6cHGq9fDc9JfS_DcEil9v6yrWbDZuG8-tq7yKasnXv4/s1600/BL067_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKvgxfBOElIjjl_dJXQJy2g1VNLxZ0-eVuVUhM6WtEUpS8L58GQ_vxXAJUzLy9QMou9HvGen8SMi6644YSGgGnXvfv1ej5dhd6cHGq9fDc9JfS_DcEil9v6yrWbDZuG8-tq7yKasnXv4/s320/BL067_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've admired many bangle stacks from fellow etsians like <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/readbetweenlines?ref=ss_profile">readbetweenlines</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TuscanRose?ref=ss_profile">tuscanrose</a> (to name just a couple of examples of awesome artists - we are talking serious talent) but I have always, up until now at least, been unable to create an etsy worthy stack of my own. I followed the tutorial's advice and kept my colour palette simple, turned the tv on and ... not bad for a first effort I think. I'm going to try to be braver still in my next attempts. I've been hoarding some brooches and other bits and pieces of shiny for some time (think years) and I think (well hope) that they might work well in a stack.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The only downside is that I am now addicted to The Voice which was on whilst I worked away at the bangles- at least it's better than my (very short addiction) to Jersey Shore for which I blame an MTV marathon of back to back episodes and flue medication. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On the complete flip side I also finished this piece:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIExEsTrv7BhisRjqZOOqR5HIm7t38F0Ig2cg_EMw6G0On1cLAM7SoQeM4U6J9OWca1V49pLH-D-mDw6GFt01rmSqOw2bWQ-WZRTvlBa04Nma5SZ-8x-uDBd9E8fJMvlQAA4bFdQ8GxA/s1600/NK068_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIExEsTrv7BhisRjqZOOqR5HIm7t38F0Ig2cg_EMw6G0On1cLAM7SoQeM4U6J9OWca1V49pLH-D-mDw6GFt01rmSqOw2bWQ-WZRTvlBa04Nma5SZ-8x-uDBd9E8fJMvlQAA4bFdQ8GxA/s320/NK068_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DR8CH6e30xHv1boH1Lr-IWf28m1Mc_lGFfQxOxONbOkDwX9JPvMO42bd4zFC18bDolfH4SetDS0bVYUVO4sptmD3b5rk8vCJmsWbFpUer-kGU7_gr44b99rTl7OUwrqwHS68IGih5RY/s1600/NK068_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DR8CH6e30xHv1boH1Lr-IWf28m1Mc_lGFfQxOxONbOkDwX9JPvMO42bd4zFC18bDolfH4SetDS0bVYUVO4sptmD3b5rk8vCJmsWbFpUer-kGU7_gr44b99rTl7OUwrqwHS68IGih5RY/s320/NK068_3.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is a complete rework of a piece of the piece below (sorry about the crap photo)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhU5Iv8K3R2SufIUugyeFtnHa8CmQFAqx9iZgG04fuZrkMERV9Sm-QS9Lq3hRswEMvkqBsiG9vvVf_AGgk6RU4iUbAUrW5elJDXIhpyay8VqcCCUIRyuwrJzsLWzRRxAribe1n7YIhUo/s1600/NK053_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhU5Iv8K3R2SufIUugyeFtnHa8CmQFAqx9iZgG04fuZrkMERV9Sm-QS9Lq3hRswEMvkqBsiG9vvVf_AGgk6RU4iUbAUrW5elJDXIhpyay8VqcCCUIRyuwrJzsLWzRRxAribe1n7YIhUo/s320/NK053_1.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The more I looked at it the more I hated it -the tassel was too full and the silver cap (the top of a vintage salt cellar) was completely out of whack. I was tearing my hair out until a brainwave last night. Mind you I think I went through about a mile of wire before getting the wrapping right!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm still struggling with my camera - the weather is so gloomy lately and, because I take the pics outside without flash, it's hard to get anything in focus and I end up having to use the 'sharpen' option in my photo editor which does weird things to the colour. I think I'm going to have to rethink my setup for winter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh and I wanted to show you something else I made with the fabulous materials that Melinda from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BeesOnPie?ref=ss_profile">Bees on Pie </a> sent me.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQDXKheq21AyJIq1GdhbKsutSgXNBp5kYtJE3ulrRhYPcfuVTTtMrBBvZFZtVMl_5WHrbEsVrrkCq8G-wPicQcctAUKodjgDQ5oXCBITqapa6q_b0UJAZv7uy41Uh8YqZTx14yHPYYlAs/s1600/EA059_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQDXKheq21AyJIq1GdhbKsutSgXNBp5kYtJE3ulrRhYPcfuVTTtMrBBvZFZtVMl_5WHrbEsVrrkCq8G-wPicQcctAUKodjgDQ5oXCBITqapa6q_b0UJAZv7uy41Uh8YqZTx14yHPYYlAs/s320/EA059_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">See that gorgeous little shell with the hole , isn't it cute. These have sold already (thanks Melinda). She also sent me some fabulous little driftwood pieces which I want to use but the stash hoarder in me wont release them just yet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Til next time ...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>quisnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205746662383047109noreply@blogger.com5