About to take the plunge...

It has been a goal to start regularly selling something...anything...that I make.

I've dabbled in many things. I would do it for a little while, get bored and abandon it. And though I love the idea of being a jack-of-all-trades, I want to develop at least one skill that I'm really good at, not just at an average working level.

 I made a promise to myself that I would finally hold my breath and jump into the Etsy world in the beginning of June. It's a nice segue into starting my own website and jewelry business. Not only is it a good middle ground, but there are no commitments. So, those fraidy cats -like myself - can test out the waters, so to speak, and see if they will sink or swim.

I'm getting more and more anxious as May is coming to a close. But I have to move ahead because I do not like staying in comfort zones for too long. I believe it's important that we keep growing in our character, skills, relationships, etc. With that said, it is almost time to take the plunge. Well, I gotta stop writing, I got a lot of work to do and very little time to do it.

Leftover beads? Make wire-wrapped rings!

Ever have those days when you want to do something that makes you happy, but have very little time to do it? Every day seems to be like that for me. But, it's important that I take time to do what I like, so I these rings are a nice stress relief. This basic ring only takes about five minutes to make, but they are cool enough to catch people's attention.

What makes it even better is that they are easy to make! Any beginner can pick up this design pretty quickly. So, if you have any beads lying around that you can't figure out what to do with it, why don't you try making this ring?

There are many ring tutorials online, so making my own would be redundant, but to save your precious time I found a wonderful blog, "Across the Pond" that gives an excellent tutorial on how to make this ring. Click here to check out the tutorial. Though having a mandrel for this project is ideal, you can use anything thats close to the ring size of your finger, like a plastic curler. Have fun!

My Favorite! Bead Show in Santa Monica

My name is Nicole and I am a beadaholic! I sometimes go down to LA to see what new beads I can buy. So, I'm excited about the upcoming "My Favorite!" Bead Show in Santa Monica next week, May 18-20, 2012.

Not only will there be beads, but also jewelry supplies being sold there. It will be great for beginners and professionals alike. To add a little flavor, there will be a jewelry making class offered during the weekend which is free with the purchase of a $10 supply kit - sounds like a deal to me.

I'm trying to limit myself to one really cool strand of beads. I also need some square shaped sterling silver wire. But all and all, I'm looking forward to the experience. I haven't attended one of these types of shows yet, so I'm interested to see what I will find or learn.

The tickets are pretty cheap, but if I can get them cheaper I will. I've seen the tickets average around $5. But, if you go through Goldstar.com it's free with a $3 service charge. So, if you wanna save a couple of bucks go through them. Hope to see you there!

Why am I doing this? Getting Sentimental

When I was a little girl, I wanted to be an artist when I grew up. A few years later, my aspirations changed to be a doctor, fireman, astronaut, etc. Why? None of my classmates at the time wanted to be an artist. I didn't want to be the different one.

Throughout high school, I took art classes: drawing classes, painting classes, photography, drama, and computer graphics. I even took after school college art classes, but I never felt confident in anything I did. I liked what I did. I just didn't think anyone else would. So, I always downplayed my skills. Only very few people in my life knew that I could draw well.

In college, I started my career as an Art Major. After the first year, however, I chickened out and changed majors. I did fine in my art class. I was just intimidated by the talent around me. I still regret the choice I made.

However, when I stopped drawing - in fact, stopped doing anything having to do with art - my mother noticed that I was unhappy. I didn't know why I was unhappy, but as tends to be the case with mothers, she knew. She told me, "Nicole. I miss seeing you drawing. You were made to be an artist." She told me this in my early 20s. Soon afterward, I attempted to draw something, but lacked the motivation to finish it. Instead, I tried chasing other things to fill the void, but I still felt like I was missng something. I still have that unfinished drawing in my portfolio.

It took a few years, but I eventually started getting involved with art again. I started small with coloring books. I would sit in front of the TV and have this itch to do something creative. Then, I would invite kids over and have little art parties, where we would paint clothes or dishes or whatever. And I always had a blast! I think I enjoyed those parties more than the kids did. And that brings me to today. I enjoy creating things. I like the creative process. Now I'm constantly enrolling myself into some form of art.

Many people my age know what they what to be when they grow up, I'm still figuring it out. However, in all the avenues I dabble in, I currently enjoy jewelry making the most. I get to play with fire! Or I can get dirty with clay. The sky is the limit when making jewelry and I want to keep learning about different techniques. So, I wanted to document the process and see where I can take it. I still am not confident in my skills, but I won't allow fear to stop me this time.  People at times don't understand me and may not even like what I'm doing. But, all I know is that I am happy allowing myself to be me. And I have a great support system in my family and friends and that's all I need.

Anyways, here's a bracelet I just made. I love the stone. However, my photography time with the studio lights = Fail! Back to the drawing board.

Playing with photography

Many of our desires start with what we look at. So, it's important to entice that sense through photography.  I know this theory is true due to all the recipes I have saved on pinterest. Many of those pictures have me salivating before I even know what kind of dish it is! Since this is the case with pictures, I need to learn how to take better ones.

In high school, I took a photography course. That same year, I was the Art Editor in Yearbook. I remember running all around school campus taking everyone's picture and claiming it was for the yearbook. And though some did make it into the yearbook, most of the pictures I took were really for my own practice.

 Though I wouldn't call myself any type of expert, I think I'm pretty good at taking pictures of people. But, when it come to objects, I have reached a realm that I am clueless in. I know to watch for shadows and blurriness, but now I'm learning to watch for how the lights make the jewelry sparkle or how the background color washes out the gems. Argh! It's a little overwhelming. But, I can do this.

 Via U! Photography has some excellent pointers on taking photography. I especially liked the page on making silver jewelry shine. But, it also has pointers on taking professional pictures without professional eqipment, among other things. I have a couple of studio lights coming in the mail. Once I receive them,  I will definitely be putting more of these pointers to use. I have already started using white paper as a light reflecction.

In the mean time, I have been practicing with angles on a new ring I made. What do you think?

Reality Television is my Muse

I was watching "Braxton Family Values" and saw the coolest earrings on one of the girls. The earrings looked like it was made by fabric, yet it seemed heavy enough to dangle like earrings should. It also had a little glimmer to it. I had to find this magical fabric! So, I went downtown to LA as quickly as I could and searched for it. I finally found it in the very last store I searched. It's metal cloth!!!

This cloth has an irridescent shimmer to it. With the burgundy glass pearl it's perfect for the nightlife - hanging out at a bar, jazz club, whatever.  These earrings make me happy. :)

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Fabulous beginning

I love jewelry. I believe no matter what you wear, you can make it look great with the right accessories. So, at a time where I didn't have the money to buy any more jewelry (though I already had tons in my closest), I thought, "Why not make your own?" There's where it all began

I researched tools, techniques, types of beads, etc. When I had all the knowledge my brain could take at the time, I finally began working on a necklace. It was a simple piece, but I was so proud of myself. So, I started telling friends that I started making jewelry. The best mistake I have made.

A close friend of mine, in late 2007, asked if I would make some pieces for a wedding party. It through me for a loop. I wasn't experienced. I had only made one piece before that conversation - when she reads this blog, she'll probably kill me. But, I figured I had to start somewhere. And I had confidence that I could do a good job, even if I had to spend months to get it right.

So, I went back researching and practicing. In a few months, I had learned many techniques, especially with metal wire. Then I started researching types of metals and beads and gems to use. I  was doing so much research that I didn't start the pieces until a month before the wedding! However, in 2008, when she got married, I was proud of the finished product.

The pictures are horrible. But, I never expected to put them on a blog. :)

Bracelet with aquamarine beads, mother of pearl clasp, sterling silver metal, and Lapis lazuli beads

Chandelier earrings with sterling silver metal and aquamarine beads

Double necklace with sterling silver chain and light aqua chalcedony quartz beads

Dangle earrings with sterling silver chain and light aqua chalcedony quartz beads

I must admit, the girls looked beautiful in my jewelry. So, four years have passed and I decided that it's time I start moving forward. Why not begin with a blog?