{please excuse my lack of posts the last few days. Had some personal, family stuff going on}

And now I bring you… Works in Progress!

Worksinprogress is a jewelry designer/photographer from North Carolina. She makes lovely, vintage inspired, feminine jewelry. She says she started as a photographer and slowly moved into jewelry making. She is talented in both these mediums. You can find her photography under the name KingdomByTheSea.

You can also find her at:

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{twitter}
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{myspace}

August 5th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Today I was delighted to see one of my Lattice Ribbon Bracelets featured in this lovely, calming treasury created by MissesBird. Aka Inbloomfinds. Aka Inbloomdesign. She’s a multitasker.

{you can click the pic to show it some love while it is still active}

I love Grey and I think Mrs. Bird did a beautiful job here.

Not too surprisingly as she does beautiful work in general. You can see for yourself in her handmade pieces.

These are all available at MissesBird. You should also check her beautiful blog Nest Blossoms. She really does have an eye for the lovely.

July 30th, 2009 | 2 Comments »

I have this post I want to write, but words never come easily to me. I’ve never been one who’s good with words. Give me something to make.

Ok. I have always, or for as long as I can remember, had this dream of being successful using my creative talents. I started selling my jewelry online in December. I have worked and worked and everyday I feel like I’m making progress in that my product photos are better than when I first started, my items are better than when I first started, my descriptions, my marketing, etc. Of course, there is a lot of room for improvement still, but I work at it everyday so I try not to be too hard on myself when things aren’t going how I would like.

I’ve had many a day when I just wanted to throw my hands up and be done with it all, believe me. But, I would never actually do that. I want this and I believe in myself and my product. When the sales don’t come in , you ask yourself a million questions. ” Am I in denial? Is my stuff just not as good as I think it is?”, “Are my prices too high?, are my pictures not good?, Are people afraid to buy from Ireland?” and a hundred other questions.

I’ve had sales and I am grateful for every single one of them. It’s consistency that I am after. I go weeks sometimes without a sale and I rack my brain looking for reasons. I know the economy is bad, but people are still buying. I know that jewelry is a very over saturated market, but people are still selling it consistently everyday. I don’t want to make or find excuses, I want to be successful.

Gosh, this is turning into a bit of a rant – wasn’t intended that way, lol.

The point of this post? My hard work is paying off. My pictures and product were “good enough” to make it into an Etsy weekend deals gift guide. This is something I have strived for, for a long time, but it always eluded me. I know how important it is to be seen, but getting seen, on Etsy, amongst the million other jewelry sellers, is hard, to say the least.

See down there in the corner? That’s me!! I have proof. haha

So… I am just very happy. Very proud of myself. I know this was just one weekend, and I hope that it wasn’t a one time thing. No, I know that it wasn’t a one time thing because I will continue to work my arse off. It’s just a really, really great feeling  to know that your hard work is paying off, not just monetarily.

It was a very successful weekend for me and I’m still a little bit in shock I think. Success  can be scary, at least for me. That’s another hurdle I must conquer.

I just want to thank every single person who has ever supported me or believed in me with sincerity. Or bought my stuff.

It really was amazing and I am just so, so grateful.

Thank you.

July 27th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Ponderosa birdsong by Julie Kaye

Watching… True Blood and Whale Wars are my staples at the moment. I watch a  lot of movies too.

Making… well jewelry, of course. And soon this serving tray.

Listening… to my kitty cackle at the birds outside.

Drinking… still… probably too much coffee and not enough water.

Wanting… a proper desk.

Trying… to find my energy, again.

Play along? 

July 23rd, 2009 | 2 Comments »

Helena Emmans resides on the Isle of Skye in Scotland and graduated from the Glasgow School of Art with a B.A (Hons) in Design. She says she is inspired by delicate geometric elements found in dandelion clocks, poppy heads and other fragile botanical structures found around where she lives and likes to fuse stylish wear-ability with delicate detailing.

- Silver Stalk Ring -

- Silver Cluster Bud Ring -

- Silver Dandelion Spores Brooch -

I think she has accomplished this beautifully.

July 16th, 2009 | No Comments »

How lucky am I to actually snag a treasury for this Thursday post?

All these lovely things are from the talented Irish folks of the Crafty Ireland Team. Clicking the photo will take you to the treasury if you’d like to show it some love. While it is still active, of course.

July 2nd, 2009 | No Comments »