Just checking in

I'm really trying to get in the habit of blogging regularly. To that end, I'm trying to come up with a schedule.  Part of that you've already seen as Vintage Thursday. On either Monday or Tuesday each week, I plan to at least drop in and post a few words about what's going on, maybe the latest stuff we've made or that we're working on, just a general check-in type post. Thursdays, obviously, will be Vintage Thursday. I've already got some great sellers lined up for this coming Thursday and the next, be sure to check back to see all their goodies and learn a little more about them. Saturdays are going to be Shopping Saturdays (Thank you to Tomlinson Photography for letting me borrow her idea, which she debuted last Saturday on her blog!) I'll feature several collections from Artfire sellers, showcasing the many great handcrafted, vintage, fine art, and other goods available there. So if you like window shopping, you'll want to check out both this blog and the Tomlinson Photography blog every Saturday. I may add other regularly scheduled features, but right now, I think three days a week is a good goal. If you have comments or suggestions about any of this, feel free to let us know in the comments.

So, now for what's going on. Artfire recently updated a bunch of stuff, and our studio now looks very different. (Go look. You know you want to!) I thought I finished the necklace I was working on last week, but then I tried it on and it wasn't quite right. Hoping to finish it this week instead. But, I did finish some new bracelets. They're fairly simple, fun bracelets, but I'm happy with how they look. They'll be listed sometime this week, but here's a sneak preview for you:

Two new Christmas bracelets

Fall colors of brown and gold on gold plated memory wire bracelet

I think that's about everything. Please feel free to comment, and remember to check back on Thursday for our next Vintage Thursday featured seller!

What I'm working on...

I've been working on a new necklace for a while now. I don't think it should really be this hard, but my real job has been busy, and we've had some family stuff going on, and I've been spending a lot of my time online, trying to figure out how to promote our business, hoping that if enough people see our stuff, more of them may buy it. Anyway, I had the idea for this necklace months ago, when I found these cool beads at a local bead store, Beading Dreams, and bought them at their half off sale. They're called dogtooth or chevron amethyst, and they're amethyst that formed with calcite, giving them bands of white and brown. Some of the beads are almost solid purple, and some have hardly any purple at all, but I love that variation between them.

Dogtooth Amethyst Beads, round, square & nugget shaped, being made into a necklace.

I searched and searched online until I found the perfect clasp for it, a sterling silver heart shaped toggle clasp with an amethyst accent, from a seller called Jazzy Jewels and Collectibles on Artfire. And finally(!), I actually started working on it.


Part of the necklace. You can see the part of the heart shaped toggle clasp on the left side of the picture.

I hope to finish it up this week and have it listed soon. I hope it looks as good in real life as what I've been picturing in my head all this time!

Also, I've been busy lining up vintage sellers on Artfire to participate in Vintage Thursdays, and I've got one lined up for this Thursday, Hand Me Down Treasures. Go check out her store, she's got some really neat stuff, and be sure to come back on Thursday to read her interview.

We're still here...

I haven't been very good about keeping up with this blog. I swear I'm going to do better. I just need a few more hours in every day to get everything done!

Our Christmas in July sale is still going on. You can get 10% off your purchase with coupon code CIJS2011. We even have new items listed, like this one:

Red Fire Polished Czech Glass Beads on Silver Plated Adjustable Ring

Our three donated items raised $74 for the Help Charlie Heal auction, and the grand total raised was $4200. If you missed out, you can still go donate at their website.

Charity auction, and Christmas in July.

First, we donated a few items to a charity auction to benefit Charlie, an 11-month-old little boy who has serious health problems, which unfortunately his parent's insurance is only paying a fraction of.  The auction runs until 11:59 pm on July 3. Go check it out, bid on stuff. There's lots of stuff to choose from. Or you can just donate, if you feel so inclined.



Black and purple necklace by Helen, up for auction to benefit Help Charlie Heal.

 Second, Artfire is doing a sitewide Christmas in July event. Many, many shops have discounts going for all or part of this month. It's a great time to do some Christmas shopping, or maybe just shop for yourself. Everything at Pink Fish Designs is discounted 10% if you use coupon code CIJS2011.

 

One of our newest creations - get it for 10% off this month only!