Some better glimpses and a proper introduction...

Ok, so the other day I said I'd show off this little guy during my "Wordless Wednesday" post but being Veteran's Day, I thought another post far more important.

So today, without further adieu... I give you...

"The cutest little guy to ever rummage through my trash"...

This little fellow has been fabricated in his entirety by my very own 2 hands. Nothing pre-made here (except for the clasp and the adorable carved wooden walnuts). Every curve is hand-sawed, and every layer soldered by moi. Every bead was hand-wrapped, every loop was soldered shut, and every hair on his bushy little tail was stamped individually.

He is the second installment in my "Creature" series coming after this little gal.

He's SOOO cute nibbling on a little something clutched between his teeny little mitts (most likely a little hunk of stale candy corn) and he'll be scampering over to my etsy shop along with these guys as soon as I'm finished typing this post...

In keeping with the "creature" theme I seem to be going with lately: The Ribbit Ring...

When Mr. G. saw this one he said "Oh wow, it looks like the stone is sliding off the ring!"

I think he's right. :)

"OJ in the morning" necklace featuring an ocean jasper cab in the most delicious shade of pea- soupy green. Mmm...

"OJ in the morning" necklace with a lovely little mustard yellow guy...

"Go ahead, "Make a Spectacle of Yourself!"...

Off to start-a-postin'!!!

Happily,

Emily

"Wordless Wednesday" Veteran's Day edition...

Because sometimes there just aren't words to express the way you feel...

Thankful and Remembering,

Emily

Goods at a glance...

Here are several of my new pieces that were not featured the last time I teased you like this...

"Mmmwa-ah-ah-ah..."

(that was sinister laughter in case you couldn't tell...)

I'll be showing some closer, more "all encompassing" shots of these guys as I get prepared to list them.

Oh hey! Remember that Bumble Bee necklace I made a while back? Well, I have another installment in what I can only describe as a bit of a "creature series" and I can't wait to show you!

Think...

"walnuts"

and

"furry tail"

and

"apparently unable to stop from helping himself to the bag of stale candy corn I threw out about a week ago, making quite a mess at that"

I think I'll show him off tomorrow for "Wordless Wednesday".

Soon and very soon friends! It has been so fun going through all my treasures and preparing to show them off to you but it has certainly been a time-consuming process. I hope it'll all be worth the wait!!!

Happily,

Emily

Show's over...

Well folks, the show's over and here is a bit of a rundown...

First of all, I want to take a moment and thank everyone who came out to support me and my work this past weekend! Whether you knew you were supporting me or not when you arrived on Friday or Saturday, it meant the world to me to see each and every one of you!

Secondly, if you happened to grab one of my cards at the show and have found my blog via that card, WELCOME!!! It is so great to have you here and please know that you are welcome 'round these parts ANY TIME!!! :)

And now for this weekend in review...

(That's my mama in the bottom right corner pic - I was SO glad she was able to come with me!)

- Overall, it didn't quite go as I was hoping/thinking it would but I still had a great time!

- Didn't sell too much but I now have plenty of stock with which to plump up my etsy shop!

- Gave out lots of business cards.

- Wowed several people who didn't realize I actually MADE everything MYSELF.

- Took 1 custom order.

- Had the privilege of watching the couple things I did sell go to VERY special women in my life.

- Had this conversation...

Me: "Hello!!!"

Lady: "Hello."

(lady quietly looks over everything on my table and picks up a necklace)

Lady: "How much is this?"

Me: "The prices are listed on the back of all the pieces"

Lady: (flips necklace over) "85?"

Me: "yes"

Lady: "DOLLARS?!!?!???"

Me: "...yep."

Lady: (raises her eyebrows as high as humanly possibly, sets necklace down, and walks away).

I am really glad I did this event, but, I'm also glad it's over.

(I'm pretty sure I would have felt this way even if I had completely sold out of everything I had taken with me).

You know, as I was getting everything made in preparation for this show, I kinda had this perpetual feeling like I just wasn't making enough. I really wanted to have a good amount of stuff to take with me and with each piece I finished I just kept thinking, "If this is the last piece I'm able to finish before Friday, I don't feel like it'll be enough"...

...till I gathered it all together to work on tagging everything, and I saw it.

All together.

In one place.

At one time.

It was actually a bit overwhelming.

4 bracelets.

7 brooches.

22 rings.

25 pairs of earrings.

35 necklaces.

I had a moment where I felt an immense amount of accomplishment.

Accomplishment and pride and satisfaction.

I MADE each of those pieces.

I took sheets of silver, stones, spools of wire and chain, and I turned them into beautiful things.

I didn't cut corners.

I didn't give less than my best.

Though it has many different facets, I feel like I really got to see a little glimpse of what "accomplishment" looks like for me.

I certainly have plenty of new goodies to show you and plan to do just that very soon but for now, I think I'm gonna go plop down on the couch. :)

Pics of now goods to come!...

Happily,

Emily

Productivity...

For me, the mark of a productive day in the shop is not necessarily the number of pieces I'm able to complete, but when I look down to see my hands looking like this...

... 6 scrubbings with dish soap and the creases still aren't clean.

Happily,

Emily

Wordless Wednesday... (on a Friday since I totally spaced it on Wed. but I have some really cute pics from Wed. night that I wanted to show you...)

Happily,

Emily

HOLY FRIJOLES!!!

Something hit me just today...

It was 4 years ago yesterday.

One year to the day before Sweet Sophie was born and just 4 months after etsy itself got it's start.

4 years ago yesterday, I took a deep breath and flung open the doors of my little etsy shop.

Since that day, I have had (and continue to have) SO MUCH FUN, having found that thing that I am in love with doing, and then, coincidentally, finding a way to get paid to do it.

I've made some fabulous friends as well as many pieces of jewelry - both of which I am very proud of.

In honor of this, my 4th etsyversary, I have decided I'll be giving something away.

Something WAAAY amazing.

Something UBER-spectacular.

Something... just as soon as I get past my November show.

(I've been goin' hog-wild makin' tons of goodies and the calluses and cuts on my hands are quite the testimonial of their sheer awesomeness).

I don't know what it'll be right yet, but the wheels are-a-turnin' my friends...

...the wheels are turnin'.

Stay tuned.

I'll make it worth the wait.

OOOOOOO DOWGIE, it's gonna be good

Happily,

Emily