Why should you buy handmade?

I make Artisan Jewelry.  Over 10 years ago, I started designing jewelry as a hobby but I have been actively pursuing it as a small business owner for the past eight years.  It is a passionate journey for me and I enjoy it.  Working with metal, gemstones, fibers and anything really to make my ideas come to life is a natural high.  Don't get me started on tools, I may have surpassed my husband years ago!

The ironic part is that most times, I don't even wear jewelry.  I have about 10 pieces that I wear religiously because they are a reflection of who I am or what I like. I also purchase from other artists because as part of an artist community we support each other and it is always inspiring to see another artist's vision.

I don't like to be pushy to my friends and neighbors about buying my jewelry.  Most friends and family are aware that I make and sell jewelry.  Some have bought from me in the past and I am very grateful. I put quite a bit of thought and detail into each piece I make and my hope is that someone will love the piece as much as I do.

I have a different outlook on why I wear jewelry.  I don't really look at wearing jewelry as just an accessory.  Jewelry is not disposable.  I would wear every single piece of jewelry that I make because I think wearing jewelry is like wearing a little piece of personal art.  I love it when someone picks up my jewelry and really looks at it. Taking in every detail because that means they understand and appreciate the work that went into each piece. I love when my jewelry is bought by someone who really loves the piece because it means something personal to them.

I use the best quality materials because I want my jewelry to stand out. I have no issue with people purchasing from companies like Lia Sophia, Sundance Catalog, or Silpada.  I actually really like Silpada because they use quality materials and Sundance is also great because they are sourced by jewelry artists.  I do not get offended if someone buys something from somewhere else because it is on sale or less expensive than what I sell.  My prices are derived from the amount of time, materials, and overhead costs it takes to make each piece.  Everything I make is handmade by me.  I don't outsource and because of that you are guaranteed a one of a kind piece of jewelry that if treated with some care, will last a lifetime.  I stand behind that.

Now don't get me wrong.  I do make lots of jewelry and some would not be considered "art" but there is still attention to detail and care when designing and making each piece.  I would encourage everyone to think about the process that was followed when creating a piece of handmade (not homemade, I don't make jam and jelly!) artisan jewelry.  Don't just look at the price tag and think "Oh, it's so expensive for just some beads and metal!" or my favorite comment, "I could make this."  If you could make "this", you would understand how much work went into "this" and realize just how reasonable the price for "this" is.

I belong to a couple groups of artists that design, create and sell their products.  Whether it be jewelry, clothing, beauty products, pet accessories, and even promotional materials, each of these artists put their passion and creativity into everything they create.  When you support them by purchasing from them, it means you appreciate their passion and creativity and validate their efforts.  So before you scoff at a price or decide to buy the "bargain" version, think about buying handmade and everything that goes with it.

A Clean Slate

Every now and then I decide it's a good time to start over. A clean slate, a fresh coat of paint, new design for my website, clean my studio, clean out closets...whatever you want to call it. I think it might be part of my obsessive compulsiveness. Like folding my clothes a certain way so they fit nice and neat in my drawers with very little wrinkles. Or reorganizing my jewelry tools and supplies just when I have figured out where everything is. The sad part is that I forget the new place I have put stored things and end up making a mess anyway, c'mon you know what I'm talking about.

I was talking with another mom today at my son's soccer game and we were laughing how when we were young we had attention deficit issues and how they started to go away by the time we were adults. But as we got older, we started to decline again and having kids speeds up that process twofold. You know, short term memory loss, because there is only so much "room" to remember things for everyone else that your personal memory bank gets depleted. So you end up having to be organized or you forget where stuff is.

But I digress, in my journey as an artist, I am always looking for new methods, techniques, anything to bring out my creativity. I am part of a wonderful group of women that has started a new group, Illinois Metal and Jewelry Artists. We met through this awesome Art Jewelry class at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, IL. It was like kindred spirits finding our way to the light. The "light" being what drives us to create art. It has really changed the way I look at life since I try to use different perspectives, not just what feels safe or easy. Our intent is to promote our art through a collective effort.

I also signed up for this online class called Homesteaders Metalsmithing by Stephanie Lee. One of my jewelry friends took the class this summer and recommended it to me. As I look at the different projects and style of Stephanie Lee's creations, I have a feeling I am going to love it!

On top of all this, I decided to redesign my jewelry website. A fresh clean simple look that still reflects what my vision is. So what is my vision? Hmm...that's a hard one. The best description I can give is eclectic artisan jewelry with an aged but treasured look. Kind of like how I would describe myself. I don't particularly like shiny new but a little sparkle or glint of light will do. I love to be able to touch and look at a piece to feel and see the work that went into it. You can look at my jewelry and know that I am passionate and enjoy what I do.

I know I promised earlier in the year that I would do a better job of blogging and putting down my ideas but somehow life has a tendency of getting in the way or moving too fast. Part of my Clean Slate theory is to wipe clean, start over and move on. My hope is that all this reorganizing and starting over will clear the path to a clean fresh perspective on my life and my art.

Welcome to a New Year!

Well, it is 2010 and here's hoping for not only a better year but a busier one. I have made a promise to myself to create one thing a day. Whether it be a card, piece of jewelry, scrapbook layout or even adding to my previously defunct and abandoned blog. I need to be more creative this year. I have been priming myself for bigger and better things and now it is time to be more productive!

I refuse to call it a resolution as I don't want it to be about just this year. I want it to be about moving into the future. One new and fun change has been the addition of a business venture. I decided to jump into becoming a Close To My Heart Consultant.

A friend introduced me to their products and I just love their easy to follow layouts. I have been avoiding the whole scrapbooking scene since I have mostly felt intimidated. I have a friend/neighbor who is crazy creative when it comes to her page layouts. I mean she made a tiki hut out of strips of paper. She's amazing! While I don't think I could be that creative, I would like to start documenting some of my childrens' memories since I have a handful of pictures from my childhood. I think they might appreciate it when they have kids of their own.

So while I am able to take some "side trips" with scrapbooking, I can leave myself more open to my jewelry making. I am going into my fifth semester of Art Jewelry at MCC. I am pretty excited about the syllabus this semester. Right now I am playing with different enameling techniques. I already have a great idea for the "Series" project! My brain is buzzing with new ideas. I just wish that I could be taking the morning session with my very creative and inspiring friends. But I do get to catch up with my evening session friends who I haven't seen in awhile.

Next week I will be teaching a six week Jewelry class at River Art Studio and Gallery in Algonquin, Illinois. I have completed the first two "lesson plans" and need to document the next four. I am going to attempt to make some class kits tonight. I will try to finish that off this weekend.

Already I will be very busy. I just hope I can keep up with myself and my family!

Lifting Winter's Warm Blanket

Well, the holidays are over and things are beginning to resume back to "normal". Our family schedule is kicking into high gear. Kids are back in school, hubby is in his office and I am back at work and looking forward to starting up another semester of Art Jewelry.

The weather here in Northwest Illinois has been very unpredictable. Our holiday vacation started out with a blizzard and ended with a cold wet wind. It was too cold to go out most days and by the time it warmed up all the snow was gone. Even though we were all getting a little cabin fever, it was nice to spend time at home together. Most days were spent watching movies, playing video games (yes even I love to play Guitar Heroes with the kids!), or just snuggled up under a nice warm blanket restoring some of the energy that the holidays seem to suck out of you. I found myself getting a little too comfortable with the sleeping late, getting up late and just not wanting to do very much. Humans are not meant to hibernate!

Like a very pleasant end to my winter vacation, I had some friends over for a Ladies Playdate. Everyone brought their projects, wonderful food and laughter! I always love social gatherings but I especially love gatherings that include creating something, sharing ideas and learning something new. There is nothing like getting a group of very artistic ladies together to get the inspirational juices flowing. My class starts up next week and I am looking forward to bringing some new ideas to life.

So while it has been a nice long vacation from the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I am ready to lift the warm comforting blanket and get moving!

Unfinished Projects - A Summer Proposal

Some people like to have New Year's Resolutions. I don't, well, I don't anymore. If I can't commit to something right away, I'm just not going to follow through on it on the day after I just ate a whole prime rib or have a hangover.

I know I'm not the only one that has a treasure trove of unfinished projects hidden away. I say hidden away because it is really quite embarrassing how many I have. I have a plastic container that has roughly about 30 projects that I started or at least separated specific beads, fibers, and other materials that are neatly packed into little plastic baggies. Some of the concepts are quite recognizable and I'm pretty sure I can pickup where I left off on about half of them. Then there are a few that cause me to pause and say out loud, "What was I thinking?!" Let's not forget those two or three projects that just scream, "Please, please destroy any evidence of me!"

But I am going to start a new Summer Proposal. I propose that I will either finish all of those unfinished projects or rejoin the sundries back to their happy families only to spawn new projects. I propose that I will finish projects that I start in the hopes that I can be rid of any further embarrassment. Please come join me on this magical journey! You can do it too!

DISCLAIMER: Summer is only three months long so if you don't get to all of the unfinished projects you can always say "Well, I just ran out of time!"