Monday, May 28, 2012

Memorial Day ~ Proud to be American

Thank You!


If you see this please say a little prayer.
Memorial Day is not only for sales....
We are one.


Monday, May 21, 2012

New Pewter Beads

In the decade of designing my jewelry at To Be Me Jewelry I ALWAYS incorporated only sterling silver and goldfill metals. This weekend I found quality pewter beads. I was blown away with these beads. These beads look like sterling silver! As you all know the prices of silver and gold has sky rocketed in recent years. It's difficult for the small business jewelry artist to "stay alive".  I decided to try these new found pewter beads and see how it goes. I actual think you will not be disappointed either.

The photo below is  my Just Bebopping Bangle designed with glass beads, pewter beads, core and handcrafted clasp sterling silver. To purchase this bracelet please go to To Be Me Jewelry .

What do you think? Like it?

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

The Anticipated Thrill of a Craft Show!

Ahhhh....I feel it in my bones...oh wait a minute ~ I mean soul! I think the old saying, I can feel it in my bones is for weather. Yes, it's the anticpated thrill of selling my handmade jewelry at craft shows. I just finished filling out a few applications and plan to mail them today. As soon as I get accepted I'll let you know the scoop.

There are a few different pings of "thrill" when I get ready for a show. One of them is I really LOVE making my own earring cards. Since most of my shows are at the Jersey shore I take my photos around town. My friend, Diane also gave me a couple. Thanks, Diane! I then put the photos at the bottom of the earring card. It's a form of branding. One show, The Ocean Grove Craft Festival has a great deal of tourists. Let's face it, when on vacation we all pick up little "trinkets" to bring back to friends and family. What's better then To Be Me Jewelry's earrings with a Jersey shore photo on it? Good thinking, right?

I make the earring cards using card stock paper 8 1/2 x 11 in. Using the Word program or another type of program I have I design the earring card. I duplicate the design to make 10 cards on each sheet. I use a cutting board to cut to the preferred size which is a business card size. I use to make these on business card paper. I cut down my cost (a lot) by using card stock paper and cutting it myself. Every penny counts, beadheads - every penny costs.

Here's the skinny....and one of the pings.




P.S.  One of the cards has a photo of Madame Marie's blue fortune telling booth. A landmark to the shore area. Bruce Springstein wrote a song, 4th of July, Asbury Park  (Sandy) paying homage to Madame Marie.  Cool.

Take care my beadheads ~ enjoy the coming of summer ~ get those flip-flops on and bebop!