Many things are going on. Hubby is in the middle of building my new studio.
My amazing guy works full time, nights and gone out of town more than half the week. Gutters and siding are next.
We just figured out paint and trim colors. One of my hardest things ever! Thankfully the BFF is there for me. She is always there to talk me off the ledge when it comes to picking paint.
Thank you Sherri!
I was going to title my blog today as Tool Whore, but decided that might be a little too far out there, even though it is far more accurate!
I love new tools…. looking at new tools, reading about new tools, playing with new tools. Well, you get the idea. I’m also a gadget junkie. And if you add in a fun color or name, I am so there.
My newest addition to my jewelry business is a little Acer Cloudbook. I added this with the intent of doing my blog on it and this is actually the first time I’ve used it for that. I also intend to do photo editing, Etsy, website and social media. So far, it’s a good addition.
In anticipation of more Etsy sales, I’ve researched and purchased a light tent to aid in the photography part of my business. That part is a lot to learn and I’m not afraid to ask for help.
In the studio, I just added a beautiful new riveting hammer! I already have one but it is a swiss style rivet hammer. The new one is bigger, so that means better right?
Big events on the horizon, as my husband has decided to build me a studio. Good thing we have a big yard. I think that there are many factors to him deciding to build this for me. First, to make me happy. Second, to give me a great place to bring clients, as my business grows. Third, the stairs leading down to the basement where my current studio is are treacherous. And fourth, with might actually be first, he doesn’t have a project right now and he is a man who NEEDS a project to be happy.
So, now I get to anticipate feeding my tool and gadget needs. Can’t wait!
I love commission work. The combination of my hard work, vision and a clients’ style.
Sometimes, it’s a simple thing, like choosing a color. At other times, there are two or three specific things that are wanted. And then, my favorite is…a made earrings and someone says, “I LOVE THEM! I’ll take them, is there a necklace to go with it?” Hadn’t planned on making a necklace but I can certainly do it. FUN!
I’ve many different pieces, here are some of my favorites….
Leather bracelet for a personal trainer.
For an accountant. 
Juanita loved the earrings and wanted a necklace to go with it.
Christmas present, from a daughter to her mom.
Children’s ID bracelets for a careful mom. Her cell is stamped on the back for easy identification.
It’s been an exciting week in the studio. Not necessarily a jewelry productive one but nonetheless, things have happened.
My husband, had finished up with his projects, so I dragged him downstairs to work on some of my “Honey-Do’s”. Boy, let me tell you, was he THRILLED! Yeah, not so much but he did help.
First, he build some shelves in a nook of the basement, so I could move some boxes from my area to there. Clearing up some necessary space for me. I’m loving that. He used cedar boards, so the basements smells fantastic.
Having grown up in sawmill towns and around sawmills by whole childhood, that is a lovely reminder.
Next, I asked hubs to drill some holes at the end of my bench, so I could slide my hammers in them. And in my mind, taking them off the bench and keeping them tidy. Well, hubs thought that couldn’t possible work! He offered several suggestions, which wasn’t what I wanted. Of course, I work down there and kinda new what I wanted but sometimes that isn’t logical enough.
What I ended up with was a compromise on both of our parts. Minimal guidance on my part, like telling him NO, I don’t like that and him listening …a bit. The results, though are FANTASTIC! Hubs built a shallow wall unit, with shelves and brackets for my hammers to hang and he added a piece of rebar, so my hand tools could hang.
YAY! Now, he did paint it. I guess forgetting that I am allergic to paint but on the positive, he painted it white, so it doesn’t stand out too much. When he said he painted it, I was worried it would be green. Like dark green. You never know what you are going to get with a color blind hubs.
This morning, I vacuumed up the dust and stuff and put my stuff mostly back where it goes. He also hung my new flex-shaft. Can’t wait to get busy again.
I never thought that when I started making jewelry, I would be blogging about it. Actually, blogging wasn’t even a thing when I began my journey about 15 years ago.
Not long after my oldest son, Mr. B, was born my friend Marci came to stay with us for a few days. She was making jewelry and brought me a wire-wrapped anklet.
It was love at first sight. I was hooked…obsessed…enchanted…driven….
I started with simple bead stringing. I studied and learned things to do with seed beads. Branching out into just about every style and branch of making jewelry that did not involve tools or heat. Teaching myself new techniques and processes.
Last year, my journey changed with my awesome husband building me a studio in our little basement. Gawd! It changed everything.
No more beads all over the house. Stored in nooks and crannies of the living room. I used to work at the kitchen table, which we only have one of, so yes, it was a challenge.
Now, I have space for everything and am able to get up and leave a project mid-way through. I’ve expanded my skill base. Not just reading about something new but able to practice.
Now, I make most of almost everything myself, buying only beads and things I just can’t make. The only limits are my imagination.
I think about jewelry design. Dream about jewelry design. The only trouble I get into is when I daydream about jewelry design when I’m driving. Scares the crap out the kids when I do that.
This last year has changed my creative life. Instead of selling by word of mouth, I’m now on Facebook. I’m on Instagram. I’m now blogging (can’t believe I can say that out loud). I have an Etsy store that isn’t well stocked. I have the option of selling on Handmade by Amazon.
This year is about revamping the “business” of selling jewelry. Boosted by the fact that I have been published in a jewelry making magazine, Jewelry Affaire. As you can see above.
I will add some photo’s soon. Well, I’m off to other things… see you soon!
Queene Bead Design 