BluJeanBeads
Banner from my Etsy shop
Monday, July 25, 2011
Shopping and Silly Husbands
K., and I went to Seattle to celebrate our 12th anniversary this past weekend. Seattle is approximately 1 hour from Olympia on a good day and it was a so so day so we made it in 1.5 hours. We settled into the Sheraton....rested a bit, puttered across the street to eat at Palamino's one of my favorite restaurants. Then coffee and back to the room to read, and relax.
Saturday we get up and head towards the Pike Place Market and food. Breakfast time. We hop a Metro bus which is free in the downtown corridor so we do not have to fight for and pay for parking. We wander along the market looking for a suitable breakfast spot and my husband settles on Chinese. Until, I look at the menu and decide I would prefer a typically high fat American breakfast: eggs, toast, jam, coffee, hashbrowns and bacon. We wander through the market and head for the Sanitary market across the street and find the perfect little hole in the wall cafe with great breakfasts and crappy coffee. Just what you would get in a diner of it's size.
We wandered about a bit and checked out the fruit at the stalls. I was quite taken with an Aubergine (eggplant that was extremely beautiful). Then we went after a new bottle of Basalmic vinegar in the high hopes that the sun will come out and we can enjoy fresh tomatoes, basil, mozzerella and basalmic vinegar in August.
My husband, hates shopping if it is not for food. AAAAArrrrrgh! I wanted to scream but held it in. I got him to go into an antique store with me and he seemed to enjoy that and the little stool he found to perch on while I looked around. Then he was tired so we headed back to the Sheraton by bus. I went up with him, although it was sunny out (rare these days) and I was in town. I set at the little table in the room and got out my beading supplies and made three bracelets out of blue glass beads and blue crystals - reminiscint of the sun shining on blue water. They are lovely and I wore them for the rest of the afternoon although they did not go with my earrings or outfit. I will be posting them for sale this week on www.etsy.com/shop/BluJeanBeads.
Then I got out of the room and commenced to walk and shop. I had such a good time looking at clothes, jewelry and trying to decipher the going "looks" in accessories. I took in the colors that were beginning to come in for fall and the fashion trends coming up. While I do not like trendy jewelry I will use the color of the day to imply the trend....but make something that can become a signature piece and worn for years.
Back to the room, read a crime novel and a fashion magazine...joy....then out to dinner to a brew pub.
Sunday morning....headed for home.... Still married although he hates shopping. AAAAARGHHHH!
Saturday we get up and head towards the Pike Place Market and food. Breakfast time. We hop a Metro bus which is free in the downtown corridor so we do not have to fight for and pay for parking. We wander along the market looking for a suitable breakfast spot and my husband settles on Chinese. Until, I look at the menu and decide I would prefer a typically high fat American breakfast: eggs, toast, jam, coffee, hashbrowns and bacon. We wander through the market and head for the Sanitary market across the street and find the perfect little hole in the wall cafe with great breakfasts and crappy coffee. Just what you would get in a diner of it's size.
We wandered about a bit and checked out the fruit at the stalls. I was quite taken with an Aubergine (eggplant that was extremely beautiful). Then we went after a new bottle of Basalmic vinegar in the high hopes that the sun will come out and we can enjoy fresh tomatoes, basil, mozzerella and basalmic vinegar in August.
My husband, hates shopping if it is not for food. AAAAArrrrrgh! I wanted to scream but held it in. I got him to go into an antique store with me and he seemed to enjoy that and the little stool he found to perch on while I looked around. Then he was tired so we headed back to the Sheraton by bus. I went up with him, although it was sunny out (rare these days) and I was in town. I set at the little table in the room and got out my beading supplies and made three bracelets out of blue glass beads and blue crystals - reminiscint of the sun shining on blue water. They are lovely and I wore them for the rest of the afternoon although they did not go with my earrings or outfit. I will be posting them for sale this week on www.etsy.com/shop/BluJeanBeads.
Then I got out of the room and commenced to walk and shop. I had such a good time looking at clothes, jewelry and trying to decipher the going "looks" in accessories. I took in the colors that were beginning to come in for fall and the fashion trends coming up. While I do not like trendy jewelry I will use the color of the day to imply the trend....but make something that can become a signature piece and worn for years.
Back to the room, read a crime novel and a fashion magazine...joy....then out to dinner to a brew pub.
Sunday morning....headed for home.... Still married although he hates shopping. AAAAARGHHHH!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Hello Blog
I went to Victoria BC last Thursday with my mother and neglected my blog. Sorry Blog....I still love you and still love all my readers.
The Victoria trip was wonderful. We left Seattle at 8:30 am on the Victoria Clipper and quickly found ourselves in rough water. Could not cruise open waters so the boat routed itself through the San Juan Island's, went through Deception pass and on to Victoria. The closer we got to Vancouver Island, the sunnier it became.
When we arrived we were whisked from the dock on a Victoria Clipper tour bus to Butchart gardens. Fabulous....we saw delphiniums that had to be 6 feet in height, roses to die for, a beautiful sunken garden that featured beautiful maple trees and begonias with blossoms the size of dinner plates.
We learned that Victoria is in a rainbelt - surrounded by mountains and normally gets 33 inches of rain a year, typically houses cost $700,000, and they have not been hit hard by the recession. Commercial building is still strong and because of a high tourist season - spring thru fall and then the onslaught of students from September to June they are able to manage fiscally.
We visited the BC Museum and saw artificats from the Haida people and marveled at the lion skull that was on display. This was a large lion like you see on the savannahs in Africa. A reconstruction showed mane and all. Skull was found in a cave on Vancouver Island. Who knew?
On Government street their are two galleries side by side that feature Native art. One showed contemporary jewelry created by First Nations artisans and featured gemstones, wire wrapping, metalsmithing and lampwork beaded jewelry. The other was filled with more traditional arts and crafts. Equally as beautiful but more earthy. I bought my grandson an Orca Whale puppet.
You should visit Victoria and tour the gardens and the city. It is a wonderful adventure - close to home.
www.etsy.com/shop/BluJeanBeads
The Victoria trip was wonderful. We left Seattle at 8:30 am on the Victoria Clipper and quickly found ourselves in rough water. Could not cruise open waters so the boat routed itself through the San Juan Island's, went through Deception pass and on to Victoria. The closer we got to Vancouver Island, the sunnier it became.
When we arrived we were whisked from the dock on a Victoria Clipper tour bus to Butchart gardens. Fabulous....we saw delphiniums that had to be 6 feet in height, roses to die for, a beautiful sunken garden that featured beautiful maple trees and begonias with blossoms the size of dinner plates.
We learned that Victoria is in a rainbelt - surrounded by mountains and normally gets 33 inches of rain a year, typically houses cost $700,000, and they have not been hit hard by the recession. Commercial building is still strong and because of a high tourist season - spring thru fall and then the onslaught of students from September to June they are able to manage fiscally.
We visited the BC Museum and saw artificats from the Haida people and marveled at the lion skull that was on display. This was a large lion like you see on the savannahs in Africa. A reconstruction showed mane and all. Skull was found in a cave on Vancouver Island. Who knew?
On Government street their are two galleries side by side that feature Native art. One showed contemporary jewelry created by First Nations artisans and featured gemstones, wire wrapping, metalsmithing and lampwork beaded jewelry. The other was filled with more traditional arts and crafts. Equally as beautiful but more earthy. I bought my grandson an Orca Whale puppet.
You should visit Victoria and tour the gardens and the city. It is a wonderful adventure - close to home.
www.etsy.com/shop/BluJeanBeads
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Other Websites and What What
When I was a poor downtrodden military wife....29 years ago....I worked really hard to make ends meet, keep us fed and clothed and the bills paid. Well, I did just that and did pretty well. Had a little fun along the way by being creative and finding affordable/free or cheap adventures for my kids.
I kept a little book where I wrote down everything I was doing and about 15 years ago I typed them up and kept adding to them. I thought you know, I should publish this....other people might be able to use these tips. But I never finished editing....I edited about 100 times and then....
I joined Etsy and created my shop, "BluJeanBeads" and started poking around in other people's shops. I wandered into Ezines and Books. Oh my goodness, I realized I could get this book to people who really need it, in a much more affordable way then if I published it as a traditional book.
So I opened a second shop, called MizHarrison on Etsy for that purpose. Check it out: etsy.com/shop/MizHarrison. I broke my work into two volumes to cut the expense and put it up for sale. The kind of tips you will find in Sista's Guide to Turning a Nickel Into a Dime:
... Purchase shampoos, conditioner, handlotion, bar soap, tissues, swabs, cotton balls, and other hair products in bulk at wareouse stores, discount shtores or this big have everything drugstores. (take a list and only buy what you need or what you use);
General tips for saving money:
...stop shopping for recreation, today.
...Try cost cutting before you take on the expense of another job.
You get the jist. I even have a statement that buying jewelry can be a much affordable way to spark your attire than shopping for a new outfit or spending on credit cards. Jewelry that can make a statement and that is trend/fad free is very affordable in the long run.
Happy sensible shopping. Happy sensible savings! Check out my guides!
I kept a little book where I wrote down everything I was doing and about 15 years ago I typed them up and kept adding to them. I thought you know, I should publish this....other people might be able to use these tips. But I never finished editing....I edited about 100 times and then....
I joined Etsy and created my shop, "BluJeanBeads" and started poking around in other people's shops. I wandered into Ezines and Books. Oh my goodness, I realized I could get this book to people who really need it, in a much more affordable way then if I published it as a traditional book.
So I opened a second shop, called MizHarrison on Etsy for that purpose. Check it out: etsy.com/shop/MizHarrison. I broke my work into two volumes to cut the expense and put it up for sale. The kind of tips you will find in Sista's Guide to Turning a Nickel Into a Dime:
... Purchase shampoos, conditioner, handlotion, bar soap, tissues, swabs, cotton balls, and other hair products in bulk at wareouse stores, discount shtores or this big have everything drugstores. (take a list and only buy what you need or what you use);
General tips for saving money:
...stop shopping for recreation, today.
...Try cost cutting before you take on the expense of another job.
You get the jist. I even have a statement that buying jewelry can be a much affordable way to spark your attire than shopping for a new outfit or spending on credit cards. Jewelry that can make a statement and that is trend/fad free is very affordable in the long run.
Happy sensible shopping. Happy sensible savings! Check out my guides!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
On Summer's Eve
Tomorrow is the first day of summer for the year. Yowza! I am so excited. I love summer...can you tell? I have done enough whining about the cold, gloomy weather to let you know!
I have been creating all kinds of pretty bracelets. Just ready for the season. I created one that has varying shades of lavender and pink and I am so excited. It will look so cute with one of my favorite summer dresses.
I've also been thinking of brides....June is a great month for weddings and all those beautiful shades of white that go into gowns, bouquets and hair ornaments. My sister, of Ashar gems (www.etsy.com/shop/Ashar) has been busy creating the most beautiful wedding ensembles for brides.
The season has also inspired me to write. I have written a book on budgeting and posted it in my etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/BluJeanBeads. For years I have collected all the little tips I used to get through the hard times and I have been writing them down. Well, Sunday, I took the time to take my jottings and put them in a downloadable format and posted them for sale.
Budget books and jewelry? Do you see the connection? Well, when times are tough, many of us have to give up our "shopping" and "mall" addictions to make ends meet. An affordable piece of jewelry is just the ticket for jazzing up what you have in your closet. I love fun and funky jewelry but many of my pieces at www.etsy.com/shop/BluJeanBeads are more classic in design then funky. I want my customers and friends to wear my creations for years instead of having to replace a trendy design in a year or two. That definitely is not frugal or cost effective in these tight times.
Well....talk to you soon!
I have been creating all kinds of pretty bracelets. Just ready for the season. I created one that has varying shades of lavender and pink and I am so excited. It will look so cute with one of my favorite summer dresses.
I've also been thinking of brides....June is a great month for weddings and all those beautiful shades of white that go into gowns, bouquets and hair ornaments. My sister, of Ashar gems (www.etsy.com/shop/Ashar) has been busy creating the most beautiful wedding ensembles for brides.
The season has also inspired me to write. I have written a book on budgeting and posted it in my etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/BluJeanBeads. For years I have collected all the little tips I used to get through the hard times and I have been writing them down. Well, Sunday, I took the time to take my jottings and put them in a downloadable format and posted them for sale.
Budget books and jewelry? Do you see the connection? Well, when times are tough, many of us have to give up our "shopping" and "mall" addictions to make ends meet. An affordable piece of jewelry is just the ticket for jazzing up what you have in your closet. I love fun and funky jewelry but many of my pieces at www.etsy.com/shop/BluJeanBeads are more classic in design then funky. I want my customers and friends to wear my creations for years instead of having to replace a trendy design in a year or two. That definitely is not frugal or cost effective in these tight times.
Well....talk to you soon!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Thieves are Running Amok
I went to one of my favorite local beadshops and I had to heave my large and I mean, large, bulging with junk and crap, handbag into a little locker. All because, of theives. It seems that people walk into beadshops create a distraction, whilst their comrades steal 100's of dollars of stock.
This is just a tiny little store on the westside of our little town. It is run by a family who probably bring in a little over $2,000 a month. And they have to be robbed. Really?
All they are trying to do is make an honest living to support themselves and their grandchildren.
My other local bead shop is about 3,000 acres big. It has beads, crystals, leather, wire and tools from all over the world in it. They had this nice silver display of findings....of course some dastardly folks had to pocket the goods there, too. So they had to move some of their nicest stock to an out of the way location, behind a counter, where we honest customers can't readily pick out what we came to purchase.
In this economy, in fact in any economy - why do people have to lose their moral compass and steal? I don't want your jewelry item made from stolen merchandise. I don't know how you in good conscience would think this would be an item to wear. If you steal....and you make jewelry from your ill gotten gain, keep it. No one else wants it.
This is just a tiny little store on the westside of our little town. It is run by a family who probably bring in a little over $2,000 a month. And they have to be robbed. Really?
All they are trying to do is make an honest living to support themselves and their grandchildren.
My other local bead shop is about 3,000 acres big. It has beads, crystals, leather, wire and tools from all over the world in it. They had this nice silver display of findings....of course some dastardly folks had to pocket the goods there, too. So they had to move some of their nicest stock to an out of the way location, behind a counter, where we honest customers can't readily pick out what we came to purchase.
In this economy, in fact in any economy - why do people have to lose their moral compass and steal? I don't want your jewelry item made from stolen merchandise. I don't know how you in good conscience would think this would be an item to wear. If you steal....and you make jewelry from your ill gotten gain, keep it. No one else wants it.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Pricing
It always amazes me when I look at onsite shopping sites such as the one I belong to, Etsy, and realize that my "competitors" (fellow artists) sell their items for less than market price. A $2.00 bracelet - 20 cents cost for posting on site, shipping cost not to mention the price of the product, the price of the artists time, and the expenses that are incured in making the product: gas to go to the store to purchase components, and electricity- is worth so much more than $2.00. What are they really getting for their efforts?
Oh yes, the satisfaction that someone will beautify the very air around them, because they look so good in the two dollar bracelet. Oh yes, the joy they bring to others because that bracelet really sets off that thrift store outfit making it look like it originally cost a thousand bucks and was tailored just for you.
But seriously....
I still don't think I would price my items that low. I am seeking to make a profit on my beautiful bracelets because one of my goals is to be self supporting. I desire to fund my child's education and I eventually dream of creating a fund where I can help low income families around the world, acquire microloans, so they can better themselves and their families through good nutrition and education. I want to support one of my favorite charities. I want to do this through this work.
I also do not think of my jewelry making as just a hobby. I am an artist and I have vision. My time and talent is worth more than a few cents an hour just as the $2.00 artists' talent is worth more than what she is charging for it. Personally, I think undercutting prices this low is an insult to everyone who is trying to make a living through their art. This tells us all that we are a site filled with hobbyists and that a person who takes the time to design a piece, do the wire wrapping, charges for her time (and she doesn't come cheap) and takes in account postage and overhead is overpaid or is overcharging. I don't think so. This is not a dollar store filled with mass marketed and produced machine made products.
Please at the least....take in account your product cost and your designated time per hour and times it by three. Be fair to yourself and the work of others.
Oh yes, the satisfaction that someone will beautify the very air around them, because they look so good in the two dollar bracelet. Oh yes, the joy they bring to others because that bracelet really sets off that thrift store outfit making it look like it originally cost a thousand bucks and was tailored just for you.
But seriously....
I still don't think I would price my items that low. I am seeking to make a profit on my beautiful bracelets because one of my goals is to be self supporting. I desire to fund my child's education and I eventually dream of creating a fund where I can help low income families around the world, acquire microloans, so they can better themselves and their families through good nutrition and education. I want to support one of my favorite charities. I want to do this through this work.
I also do not think of my jewelry making as just a hobby. I am an artist and I have vision. My time and talent is worth more than a few cents an hour just as the $2.00 artists' talent is worth more than what she is charging for it. Personally, I think undercutting prices this low is an insult to everyone who is trying to make a living through their art. This tells us all that we are a site filled with hobbyists and that a person who takes the time to design a piece, do the wire wrapping, charges for her time (and she doesn't come cheap) and takes in account postage and overhead is overpaid or is overcharging. I don't think so. This is not a dollar store filled with mass marketed and produced machine made products.
Please at the least....take in account your product cost and your designated time per hour and times it by three. Be fair to yourself and the work of others.
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