Trippin'

Going to Boston today with the same family we spend Father's Day. We only see them once a year so we spend a lot of time together when they come. Actually isn't only the girls and Bro2. Feel sorry for him, but he doesn't want to stay home by himself. He's the baby.

This'll be the second time in Boston. Hopefully, since we don't plan on getting on a boat, Mom won't get sick.

Weekend Blurble- Father's Day

I'd decided last week that I want to spend the majority of Sundays away from the computer. It's a challenge, but overall good. So much happens when I'm away from the computer...I'm not sure how much to actually share.

Yesterday was Father's Day. Some old friends that moved out of state made their annual visit. So after church we went on a picnic with them to Kent Falls State Park, about an hour from our house. The weather changed and was nice out there. We hiked up the falls and then stumbled down the other side. It was kinda fun in the arduous things are when you have good company.

I have a job application to finish. Some beads I bought arrived today. They have me jonesing for more, but I really need to put the kibosh on supplies buying...unless if I go to Boston tomorrow I can weedle my way to the Dick Blick up there. Then I wouldn't have to pay shipping. Ha!

I found a site called Blurb. I'm not sure how I found it, maybe from Qoop or Etsy. You can make your own photo books. I've thought about making a catalog of my wares when I finally start doing shows. This would be perfect. I have the layout in mind. I just need to make more things to fill it in. It's looking super-easy and not really expensive. Can't say how soon it'd be done, but it's an option...a resource. Makes me happy.

Post Picture: Forget where we were in the ascent but it's a picture of the falls. I again wished for a D-slr. Or perhaps a better knowledge of Photoshop Elements.

rJax

I opened my third shop. rJax has a listing. My domination of Etsy is underway. Ha!

I toyed with the idea for a while. I know I'm an amateur and there are so many wonderful photographers on Etsy. I'm being selective with what pics I chose to add, trying to keep a certain level of quality. It will be slow in growing for a while. I think I'm closest to my photography of any work that I do...and photography is actually more of a hobby, one I've ducked for about 7 years...heh. A bit of bravery, perhaps, in starting. I've got two hearters already and a hearter on the picture. It made me smile like nothing has for a few months. I'm excited about it.

[nautico] long, etc.

Didn't get much computer time yesterday but I did manage to list the Nautico long earrings. Simple but so elegant. I love the earwires. I love love love them. They're sterling silver, lightweight and very feminine, graceful, like the ballet dancer of earwires. :)

I'm wristlet-ing. Over the past few days I've cut out a ton of wristlet bodies and straps (the outer corduroy parts), cut up a shirt for lining (it will yield 6 wristlets), cut interfacing for the straps and the bodies (the straps are a general pain), ironed the interfacing to both, sewed the straps' inside seams (they are two-part straps joined by a brass ring and double-stitched). I'm tired. Ha. I just want one to be done!

Oh, most of my supplies came in for my jewelry comission. I'm to make a bunch of butterfly charm necklaces and earrings as 'party favors' for a quinceanero. I'm using czech fire-polished beads. Really nice. I'll have to get a pic up soon.

Heat

framed
Originally uploaded by lpdesigns

It's very muggy when I am...across the street from a white house. All my crafting stuff is upstairs where it's really hot. So I bring down what I can. Can't move the sewing machine, though.

So I finally framed my mlee print. There was a lot of back and forth and just forgetting. My mom bought me the perfect frame the other day. Love it. I'll try to get a better pic later.

My beads from the Netherlands came yesterday. That's what I call them, the beads from the Netherlands. (how come some countries have 'the' in front of them? no one says i'm going to the France?) I love them. I made a pair of earrings for myself, already know what I'm going to wear with them and made two pairs for the shop. I'm calling them Nautico...for some reason though, that feels like something that's already famous. Google found nothing.

Those are Nautico short. The others are on long kidney wires. I really like the kidney wires. I could use those all the time.

I'm still having a pricing issue, mainly with my mother and myself. I believe my items are worth what I charge. But she insinuates that I'd get more sales if they were lower and I made up the diff in shipping. But I can't justify charging $6 to ship earrings domestically. Conundrum. *sigh*