serenity...

what a great year this is turning out to be! 2010 started out mighty bumpy but the road has become more serene. i've cleared out the excess baggage i carried around for over a year and set some goals for myself. and began to focus on what makes me happy. i'm happiest when i'm learning and creating. so i've decided to go back to school and work less at the day job. which has given me the space i needed mentally and emotionally to finally feel like creating again.

there is so much i want to learn...to expand my jewelry-making skills! i recently learned how to create the rings pictured above. i'm so happy to be able to share this new skill...i've been practicing every chance i get.

i hope you like them as much as i do! because i am going to be giving one away this month...custom made for you with your favorite word or name stamped on it and i will ship it to you where ever you may be on this lovely planet of ours. just leave a comment telling me about one of your goals this year and on june 31st 10pm HST, the random number generator will pick the winner.

giveaway "rules":  1) leave a comment on this post only. 2) one comment per person. 3) you have until june 30th, 2010 at 10pm Hawaii time.

Addendum:

***Thank you to all who left their comments. I enjoyed reading about everyone's goals. I will be notifying the winner soon!***

Ch-ch-changes...

I learned new skills this weekend! I learned how to solder collage pendants. I am so very happy. I know they are rough and not perfect but they mean so much to me. I love learning, whether it's jewelry or science or whatever. Just to learn something and mastering a new skill is so exciting. It feels like growth and renewal!

The class I took was with Margy Ledward at the Kapolei Bead It. I learned how to cut glass, use flux, and solder. The hardest part was coming up with a design to sandwich between the glass. Margy is such a great teacher and an overall very cool and fun lady!

Out of all the jewelry fabricating skills, I enjoy working with heat and metal the most. For me, it is extrememly satisfying. I just get such a kick out of it!

I was afraid I wouldn't be able to pick up tools for this new skill for awhile and of course, it's killing me that I can't make more right this minute! But I've found an online shop that sells the supplies I will need and at a great price, too! I cannot wait to start making these. Hopefully, I can add these to my shop for Christmas!

Speaking of shop, my little shop is going through some changes. After an impromptu critique last Friday during one of Etsy's critique workshops, I decided to make a few changes. Some are changes I have been wanting to incorporate and others I am not so sure about. And I'm not so sure that making major changes right before the holidays is a good idea. But what the heck?! Why NOT, right?

My sales are okay. I want them to be better though! I take my own photos and have always been complimented on them. Yet, I still feel that I should be able to push them to the next level. I've also asked one of my favorite Etsy sellers for a bit of critique/mentorship, too. She mentioned that I might want to concentrate on how I am writing my listings. I admit, I am a lazy lister!

Well, so much to do! Which means I better get off this computer and head to my workbench. Next Saturday, October 27th, the Etsy Hawaii street team will be setting up booth at the Aloha Stadium swap meet! I have some making to do!

Come see us there. If you can't make it, don't worry! I'll be sure to take lots of photos!

Rings!

This is by far the best class I've ever taken! Fusing taken to the next level with twisted and knotted rings taught by Kriss Silva at the Kapolei Bead It. Not only were we taught the basics of fusing the rings, Kriss gave many useful tips on upping our creativity and pushing the boundaries of our skills.

I created four rings during the three hour class and I couldn't be happier. These photos are taken prior to tumbling. All I did was use a wire brush on them. Then once I got home, I attacked them with some Pro-Polish pads. I'll take photos again once I have them tumbled.

I ordered a tumbler and just received notice that it has finally arrived. I'll be picking it up next Friday. Once I get the tumbler in my studio/bedroom/living space, I'll be able to create some pieces for my shop! I'm still amazed that I created these rings out of these wires...

These rings look great stacked together. I wish I could make more tonight. But I have to get to sleep as I have to work in the morning...

Btw-This Sunday is Etsy Hawaii's first meeting! I'll try to get photos to post. It will be fun to finally meet everyone. When I first joined Etsy back in '05, I think there were only a handful of Hawaii sellers. I'm so happy to see Etsy growing here in the islands!

Tomorrow...

I will be here learning to fuse fine silver. I'm excited as I've been itching to learn this technique for over a year! I will be using a butane torch to fuse fine silver wire into links for a bracelet. Yay!

I'd also like to learn to solder. Space and equipment costs have kept that at bay for now. I have been reading up on the pro's and con's of fusing vs. soldering. Since I haven't done either, I can't say whether one method is better. The fusing method is highly touted here for those not wanting to bother with soldering. But I can see already that I will need to learn to solder eventually.

I just want to learn it all!