Lookbook

Ack, I’ve been working so much recently although I have not touched any metal or gotten to set things on fire 

In speaking with galleries and stores, it has become apparent to me that I need a lookbook with pictures of my work with retail and wholesale prices to send to the buyers. I have spent five days on this and it’s still not done. I set up a whole excel spreadsheet to calculate the price of metal, how that relates to each piece I make, and the time involved with each piece to calculate the final retail and wholesale prices. Phew!

My next challenge is pictures. My sis showed me how to take some easy pictures and how to color-correct them. Exciting. That’s what my project is for tomorrow morning.

After that, everything gets sent to my lovely graphic design buddy who has graciously accepted some jewelry barter for creating the lookbook. Crossing fingers! More updates later.

The research I did on lookbooks:

• Julianna Bass: Great lookbook and I like the clothes.
  
• Baharal Gnida: I love this jeweler’s work. Amazing hollow forms.
• Anne-Marie Herckes: Oh, I can’t find her lookbook online anymore, but I saved it. She has the cutest stuff and I like the style of her website.

Freehand Gallery in LA

On my way up to San Francisco from the Santa Monica Contemporary Craft Fair I visited the Freehand Gallery in LA.  They have a nice, airy space right down the street from the Beverly Center on W. 3rd St. Their jewelry is fantastic- beautiful, handmade pieces in the $50-$600 price range…a couple of to-die-for pieces in the triple digits. They also do handmade clothing, ceramics, and some gifty items.

I plan on submitting an application to get into the gallery, crossing fingers that it will be a good fit. They say that they are interested in lower price items ($100 or so) because of the current economic climate. Seems to be a recurrent theme in speaking with galleries. Despite this the gallery that currently has some of my pieces (Circle and Square) has launched a new calendar that includes a champagne shopping day and tells me that they are doing well.  I guess it might be the difference in LA and SF?? Unsure. SF has not been as hard hit by the collapse of the financial industry because more of the economic base is supported by the tech industry…which is still holding steady if not gaining. Great for all my buddies.

Style Substance Soul

Another blog post! At the Contemporary Craft Show I met a lot of great galleries, art centers and websites promoting handmade work. I signed up with www.stylesubstancesoul.com as a result because of the work the website represents and the fact that you can go onto the site every day and click to fundraise for charitable organizations.

I checked out a couple of the links and I really want a new polka dot apron. Also they have a whole green products section! They’re just starting out so I think there will be some new additions in the months to come.

Santa Monica Contemporary Craft Show

Hello all!!! Lots of changes in the past couple of weeks. I’ve been working furiously on pieces for the Santa Monica Contemporary Craft Show which occurred this weekend.  This was a huge milestone for me as it is my first show. I was apprehensive going into the show for several reasons: a) response to my work from customers, b) I’ve never created a display before, c) getting my website completed by Friday, and d) working all day (10-6 P.M.) Friday-Sunday on Halloween weekend. It turns out that although the show took a lot out of me it was beneficial in that I sold pieces (yay!), met a lot of great artists, got good feedback from customers and galleries, and completed my first show!

Here are some pics from the show:

Here I am sitting at the booth #143

MPR and SK Riley at my booth

Here is the ring and necklace display

Here is my bracelet display

Here is my earring display

Here I am helping clients at my booth

Of particular interest at the show, I met a lovely ceramicist, Sally Jaffee, who has beautiful work. Additionally, I met the president of the Bay Area Metal Arts Guild, Allison Antelman who was encouraging and so nice! I think that meeting artists and hearing their interpretations of the show in comparison to other shows, their views on the economy and responses to my work was of huge benefit to me regardless of sales. All in all a worthwhile experience.

American Craft Council

Lookie here: www.craftcouncil.org!

I’m checking this out this weekend. All sorts of amazing jewelry artists…I’m on pins and needles. There are several demonstrations as well which I hope to attend.  I’ll report back with my faves.

Circle and Square

Back to blogging! Today’s the day!

The first thing on my list to blog about is the store that is carrying my stuff: Circle and Square in San Francisco. It’s a super cute boutique in Presidio Heights, right by the Sacramento Street shopping district. Basically they carry a variety of accessories: leather bags, fruffy headbands, belts, hats, and lots of jewelry. My fave. Best of all, it’s all handmade. Handmade hats made by forming felt over old hat forms, jewelry crafted by local artisans, the variety is always changing.

Here’s the article by Daily Candy: the Shape of Things. And their website for more info: www.circleandsquaresf.com

And here are some pics of the shop:

Yay! Go and take a look at all their fun stuff. I go in and try everything on; there’s always a story for each item. Enjoy!

Chains

I’ve been working on chains recently…actually I’ve been obsessed. Here are some chains in progress:

This one is pretty cool. I’m going to add some coiled 24 ga, 18ky yellow gold around the links and the square puzzle parts. Here’s a view of the clasp:

The clasp works like a key ring. I think it will stay on well but clasping it may take practice.

Here are some more chains I’m working on:

Contemporary Craft Fair

Recently, I went to the Contemporary Craft Fair at Fort Mason (http://www.contemporarycraftsmarket.com/). Here’s the view from the parking lot:

Gawd, that’s so ugly, huh? Hello Marin! Anywho, the next view I saw as I walked into the fair was:

Wow! It was daylight savings that weekend and a reporter accosted me and asked my opinion on the new, earlier daylight savings time. So, of course I said I loved it…who doesn’t love more sun?

Here’s the view of the start of the fair:

It’s a nice space with plenty of room and good light. My one complaint would be that it’s a bit off the beaten track for SF’ers. You have to trek to Fort Mason and then it’s waaaaay at the end behind the main buidings.

The highlights of the fair for me were:

http://cynthiadowns.com

http://www.bdjdesigns.com/springCollection.html

http://www.yansdesign.com/products.html

This is all done with embroidery…I love it! Reminds me of:

http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/turnerprize/history/raedecker.htm

I luuuurrvve me some Michael Raedecker, shortlisted for the Turner Prize in 2000. A bit of a darker take on embroidered landscapes than Yans Designs.

Open for Business

Large Square RingOriginally uploaded by LiFEofMR

I’m trying out this posting thing! First post….very exciting! Stay tuned for more information on my jewelry, jewelry I like, design inspiration, boutiques, stores and galleries.