Boo!

The only thing I have to say is that I have nothing to say. Enjoy the picture...please don't steal it. Thanks!

Working on some wristlets and my super-secret earring project, hopefully. Then I'll work on my website. Tentatively, one '<' at a time. Not that I have to but with programmer parents I've got the coding gene.

Post Picture: On the way to the library.

[sumeria] for your ear

Sumeria Earrings. First time I ever used a prop in my pics but I need something to balance them. I like it.

I learned how to oxidize sterling silver yesterday. I'd bought LOS and had some plastic containers. I read more directions that I probably needed to. Then I set up everything outside on my worktable (far less illustrious that it sounds but it's the perfect height) and watched the stuff work.

I'm fairly pleased. The earwires look blacker than they are in real life where you can still see tints of green, they're pretty. I did lose two headpins in the process...it was windy and I was too excited with my new skill to weight the paper towel down. heh

Yesterday, I also redid the titles in my shop. I decided, in a rather random way, that I like the simpler titles. Plus, it's free to edit on Etsy and I love to edit. I don't think I'll change them back entirely. But I'll play around with the words. elpy's slowly finding its identity.

In the Wind

Wake up
Get dressed
Make list of items to be available at rjax
Make list of items to be available at elpy
Burn 1 set or more of magnets
Look for supplies for jewelry commission
BLOG!

The list for today is longer than that but I didn't want to get into it all. Since this post where I exulted a little too much, I haven't done so well with list-making. In fact I'd left off with it altogether. So I'm back to it. I accomplish more this way. I need that structure.

I'm thinking of changing the name of this to Not Rachel because I am not Rachel. Wherever I go people think that's my name. Usually there is a Rachel there so I guess they think if there's one Rachel why not have two. It kinda cracks me up and makes me certain that I will not name my daughter Rachel because they people would never keep us straight. Dad and Bro1 have an issue sometimes...sharing the same initial.

There is a lot of hope for this month as I try to figure out, more definitively, where I'm going with all of it, where it's taking me. Shall see.

June

I want this to be the month that I get more organized about my shop...s. Yes, I will shortly have two Etsy shops: elpy [Handcrafted] and rJax. rJax has been registered for a while, but I was indecisive about actually trying it. elpy will continue the way it has been, with more new additions in different categories throughout the rest of year. rJax will have photography and paper goods. Paper is/was my first medium and therefore my favorite. So in a way I'm going back to my first love. Am I crazy? Maybe. But if I don't try I'll always wonder and that would drive me crazy.

I'm not exactly sure how I go about organizing. I should track my spending more carefully. I need a plan, what kinds of items I want to offer and who my audience is. Thinking about this recently, I discovered that the audience I want may not be the audience I'm actually attracting...which is fine, just need to switch mental gears. I need to work out a more solid pricing structure. Figure out how much my time is worth, charge accordingly and not apologize. Promoting is the ultimate conundrum for me. I can make lists and stuff to get back, but actually opening my mouth or even sending an email sometimes...

Shall see. I get a level of resolve at the beginning of every month. But I can't run two shops by the seat of my pants so I have to do this. Creating is my passion...one of them at least. (Writing is the other, can you tell?) It deserves to be presented and cared for as professionally as I can.

Post Picture: A tree I passed on the walk to the PO.

qoop

My qoop order came today. Very pleased. Though it probably shouldn't have it has inspired me to make my second Etsy name, rjax into a shop. I admit to being an amateur, maybe I shouldn't. I admit to having an extremely fickle camera, though, again maybe I shouldn't. I don't think of them as 'fine' art. But if you like them, I'm happy.

It's an experiment. I can be a little more lax with this shop. (it hasn't officially opened yet. Play around more. There will be other paper goods, too. Maybe I'll get a gocco. My hobby is creating, just like my business is.

Post Picture: [bastion] I call it. A pic I took last year in May. One of the prints from my qoop order.