Latest Doings

Well, it's been ages since I posted anything new. Been doing some new jewelry designs, and I've been working on some off-line selling ideas. I've also been pretty busy with the Etsy LabRats team that I belong to. And on top of all that, the gorgeous summer weather has been a real inhibitor to me staying in my crafting corner away from the sunshine. I have managed to get a few things done, though, so here's some pictures of my newest "creations".

Weekend Update

My wire crocheting skills are slowly improving...here's a picture for your evaluation. I went bead shopping yesterday and came home with more tools than beads, but that's not a bad thing! I got a ball pien jewelry hammer to use when hammering wired jewelry, a set of mandrels to help make neat coiled circles and curlicues, plus some steel bookmarks that can have beaded lengths added to them! I'm really excited about the bookmarks, as I've wanted to try my hand at them for a long while. Keep your eyes and blogger dashboards open for pictures soon!

New Technique

So I was in JoAnn Fabrics yesterday, browsing through their newly revamped bead section, hunting for some inspiration. I came across a book: "Crocheted Wire & Bead Jewelry" by Jacqui Harris. Woohoo!! Inspiration struck! I grabbed the book and started looking. The end of the story is that I went home with an odd assortment of beads, 2 crochet hooks, and two colors of 26 gauge wire! I've crocheted ever since I was little, but the idea of using WIRE to crochet with was completely unique. Once I get the technique down, I've got tons of new ideas for necklaces and bracelets. Watch out world: I'm armed with wire, beads, and a crochet hook!

Today is a good day! I sold a necklace today to a friend and it's already shipped! I came up with a new packaging idea last night which will let me use some fabric I've had my eye on. I also listed a few new items on Etsy. They got a fair amount of views right away, which is encouraging. I can only hope that those views will turn into sales! Here's a picture of the necklace that I listed. The beads are actually lava, which I think is really cool. Check them out on Etsy!

So I decided to run a small promotion for my Etsy shop: get a free pair of earrings with any purchase from my shop! These "freebie" earrings are NOT ones posted in my shop, but will have the same quality of workmanship as anything you see in the shop! Happy shopping!

New Listing & Critique!

So my laptop is finally working again (thank you so very much, husband!) and so now I can post new items on Etsy, work on my photographs, do blogging...all that good stuff!

Here's a picture of and link to my latest listing on Etsy: a beautiful pair of earrings with peridot Swarovski crystals!! A great way to lighten up a summer outfit!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50840882/peridot-crystal-round-dangle-earrings

I've also been selected for a shop critique by Aunt Karen's Creations blog!!! Drop by and leave a comment for the critique at

http://auntkarenscreations.blogspot.com/2010/07/double-critique-6.html

Photo Shoot

So the photo shoot that was supposed to happen today got postponed...my photographer had to reschedule. On the plus side, that gives me more time to make stuff for him to photograph! :) And now we're getting some models to model the jewelry as well, so the end result should be even better!

Woohoo!!! I'm now officially an Etsy LabRat!!!! This ought to be alot of fun...I'm already in the labs alot, so now I have some new squeaky friends! Squeak squeak!!

So I'm getting ready for my big, professional photo shoot next week. I can't wait! Of course, that means getting all the jewelery made that I can so I have the most to take with me. Here's a pic of a new piece that I just finished late last week!

It's made from Kambaba Jasper, which is found in South Africa and is formed from fossilized algae! It has the most gorgeous shades of green and black all swirled and mixed together that I've ever seen. I love creating jewelery with this stone!

Here's to a gorgeous day in northeast PA!!! Have lots of pictures to edit and item descriptions to write so I can list new items on Etsy. Plus I got some new amethyst beads in to make a custom necklace, and two repair jobs. Then it's on to my job as an accompanist for a voice teacher tonight...think I'll be busy??

New Blog

Well, I've never had a blog before, so I really don't know what I'm doing. But since this is for jewelery stuff, here goes!

Just posted some new jewelery to my Etsy shop...check it out here!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/lauriescustomcreate