I Hate Being Sore

I'm a freaking weakling. I painted at the tearoom for like 5 hours straight yesterday and now I am sore sore sore. Sucks. Evan and I went to dinner and then to see District 9 (see it) last night with the intention of going for drinks afterward. Haha, we were on the way home and I couldn't figure out why I was so tired. I ended up on the couch and ready for bed before 2! It dawns on me this morning that I worked harder yesterday in the heat than I have in a while. Duh. That explains the tired.

There's a bright side to this. I painted at the tearoom! It's so exciting to see things on the upswing out there. I've had little or nothing to do with the operation over the past several months - since there wasn't much I COULD do. Plus I was working my ass off at 2 jobs for awhile, which didn't leave me much time. I'm finally quitting DSW after this month. It's kinda pointless to work one day a week and not at all some weeks. I will still have my discount until January, so that is cool. Anyways, that will free up time now that the Masquerade is getting busier and busier. The final stages of the tearoom and its opening are cutting it very close to Halloween. Haha, it WOULD work out that way so that I will be working 24/7 between both during October. Oh well, that's why I've been planning Halloween costumes and such for months already. I figured October would be mad busy. I suppose it will then be time to say farewell to the Masquerade. That's one hell of a bummer. I love that store. But nothing in the world can top being your own boss. Nothing.

Speaking of being my own boss, I am amazed at how well Freshwater Designs is doing! All of the sudden I'm selling stuff left and right. And it's not cheap stuff either. My mind has begun to revel in the thought that avoiding housework in the name of creativity might finally be paying off. Too bad that success and money making equals more taxes. Bastards.

And speaking of Freshwater Designs...I am kind of bursting with ideas lately. I don't know where it all comes from. I can't shut it off. I fear that I may be wearing myself out by dabbling in too many other crafts. Then again, one can never have too many artistic outlets. I guess I will just keep selling anything I can make. Why not? And when AntiquiTea opens, I will be ready with product coming out the wazoo.

Time to get back into my creativity cave...because I ain't doing those dishes today.

I Love When Goodness Finds Me

Today, I received a random convo on Etsy from a fellow named Andy Hopp. He is organizing a nifty "little" craft and art show called The Oddmall. He invited me to secure a booth at said event. I'm so tickled that Mr. Hopp stumbled upon my work and considered it different enough to receive juried approval for the show. His description of the event:

"Oddmall is more than just an ordinary craft show. It's a celebration of uniqueness, creativity, imagination, and wonder where artists, crafters, and like-minded sorts gather to offer their unusual creations for public consumption. It's a forum for creative expression, a classroom for esoteric wisdom, a soapbox for wild ideas, a miraculous marketplace of the unconventional, a metaphorical Serengetian watering hole where the zebras and wildebeests of inspiration and artistry congregate amidst the snapping crocodiles and scorching sunbeams of originality and ingenuity. ...umm yeah. Anyway, it'll be fun. Trust me."

Did I go for it? Hells yeah! Got me a booth at the "Early Worm" price, as they call it. The show is at a Holiday Inn in Hudson, OH. Not too close, not too far. I need to talk to my cousins to see if Evan and I can stay with them. They live in Medina, which isn't far from Hudson.

It's not until May 9th. Plenty of time to make new items and work on my display.

In case you don't understand, THIS IS AWESOME NEWS!!!! I'm always looking for places like this to sell my jewelry. I'm a decent saleswoman, they tell me. I definitely benefit far more from a live show with customer interaction that from any online venue.

Start wishing me luck now. Hell, even if I don't sell a thing, it still looks like a hell of a good time. I'm "2 hells in one sentence" excited right now! WOOHOOOOOOOO!!!

I Love Selling Jewelry

This past weekend was the Old Allegheny Victorian Christmas house tour. AntiquiTea purchased three tables this year and my mom was kind enough to allow me a whole table for my jewelry. Whereas the tearoom only did about half as well as last year, I ended up selling a LOT of my things. It was a huge confidence boost. Not to mention I really needed the money! I have two jobs now, but I'm still not even getting 40 hours a week between them both. Actually, I might this week. That's beside the point.

There are 2 obvious reasons for the tearoom's lack of sales. First, we passed out samples of loose tea last year, but not this year. I had made iron-close teabags and enclosed each with a little card telling the flavor, instructions, and our contact info. This allowed us to engage each passer-by. Those who were tea drinkers then proceeded to check out our goods and many of them purchased tea from us. I didn't do that this year. I was preoccupied with the jewelry both before and during the show. I really wish I had time to have prepared for both. We also didn't have our secret weapon this year - Evan. They don't call him "The Mayor" for nothing! He can sell anything and engage anyone's attention. He had originally planned to help again this year, but in the end he didn't feel obligated to do it...certainly not for me. Can't blame him. I don't. His back was messed up on Friday and he had a costume party to go to on Saturday at his brother's place.

I really just wanted to post some photos of things that I sold, but ended up rambling as usual. Haha. Here are pic-a-tures:

I Hate Missing Myspace

I deleted my Myspace account, which is depressing me. I loved Myspace. Yes, I am 15 years old at heart. Haha. Meh, as much as I hated to do it, I had to. I just need to start using my time on the computer for more constructive things! I'm focusing a lot of my energy on jewelry right now. I still have the Freshwater Designs Myspace. Check it out and pass it on. I would love it if you'd add me as a friend, since I lost so many with the deleting of my personal profile.

I'm gladly rekindling my relationship with The Bead Hive. This is an eBay group I have belonged to for a long time. It is comprised of the best damned jewelry and bead makers on eBay (or anywhere online, in my opinion). Sadly, my mindset over the past year has kept me from enjoying many of the things that I love and take pride in. I need to get back to what I know. The best news is that I "rejoined" just in time for them to move the group off of eBay and onto Aimoo. This means one major thing to me...I can finally talk about my frickin' frackin' Etsy site! On an eBay group, you can't even whisper the name "Etsy." *shhhhhhhhh* Not even in a private group, just between members. Nope. For those of us who no longer sell on eBay, it makes such a group far less useful.

Uhm, yeah, I made my signature 2008 holiday piece this past week. With any luck, it will sell at the Old Allegheny Marketplace in mid-December. I'd buy it. Haha.



Oker-dokers. I have to pry myself from the computer because Evan and Ivy are on the way home with feeeeeewd for me. Num-num-num.

I Love Skull-A-Day

I shouldn't be wasting time on this right now. I should be doing something productive. *gag*

I love the Skull-A-Day blog. Thank you, Tony, for turning me on to it last year. This artist (his name escapes me right now) made or found one skull every day for a whole year. By the end of the 365 days, the blog was so popular that he chose to go for another year. This time, it is everyone else that makes the skull crap and submits it to him. I made a jewelry submission (naturally) for them.

Oh, and I start working at the Masquerade store in Robinson on Monday! Woo-hoo! Can't wait. Pffffff, who gets excited to work? Haha. There are so many things that I want from there for Halloween that I doubt I'll actually take any money away from the place.

Anyways, come visit me. That's an order!

I Love Makin' Necklaces

Here are the other things I made last week. Honestly, nothing I am in love with. Making things just makes me happy. Can't all be masterpieces.

For Summer, before it's gone...


For the kids...


To keep cool in the heat...


Mmmm...jewelry.

I Love Looking Like a Kid

I met my new favorite person today. His name is Dan. The older I get, the nicer it is to hear that I look like a youngster. Earlier today, I was working with this fellow delivery driver that I had not yet met. Unlike the two fellas that I work with on a regular basis, this one is a regular chatty-Kathy. Somehow, age came up. I said I was 29 and he freaked out. If I had perceived the slightest bit of bullshit, I wouldn't have taken it as a compliment. It seemed to be a sincere shock. Haha. Cute kid...I think I'll keep him.

On Wednesday I went to see the Titanic artifact exhibit at the Carnegie Science Center Sports Works. It's incredible, go see it. I command you. My Mom has been talking about it since she first sniffed on the air that it was coming to the 'Burgh. Now, I knew that she had a Titanic obsession with all things Titanic, but I had no clue the extent of her knowledge. I must admit; I was impressed! She was spitting knowledge at me left and right. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, but I learned more from her than from the exhibit itself. My Mom is amazing.

The best thing about this week is that I actually got back into my jewelry cave of wonders. I made a few new things, but mostly just fixed things for people. I'm good like that. It might take me 2 years to do it, but I will fix your broken jewels. My favorite new piece is called "Pulse." I love purple. I even snuck a skull in there.

I Love Huge Messes

I spent all day Monday rooting through more junk at Nunny's. I'm trying to get the attic totally cleaned out because that is where Evan wants to start remodeling. It's not too bad. There wasn't much up there. The tough thing is going to be packing up all of my Dad's old Lionel trains. He has a huge built-in table up there with a whole crazy setup. Those things are worth a fortune! *cha-ching* There's my new bathroom. (Sike?)

Yesterday, I delivered pizzas! Good times. My friend, Rachel, actually bought the Vocelli's Pizza on route 60 that we both worked at in high school. It was Pizza Outlet then. Yep, she's been there for 11 years. While I'm not getting paid by the tearoom all Summer, we both thought it would work out for me to cover a couple of lunches each week.

What I want to know about Vocelli's is who the hell Vocelli is? I know for a fact that the company is still owned and operated by the Turkish family who started it - the Ablaks. There isn't a thing Italian about the company and there never was. I find the new name hilarious.

In recent news, I am filthy. I'm covered in soot from the tearoom. My Dad just keeps gutting shit! I headed out today to sort through some things and organize the randomness. Most things are covered in a fine layer of black dust thanks to his recent round of demolition. I'm a dirty mess. First I intend to savor this beer I'm drinking for as long as I can before showering. I earned it.

Over lunch, I offered my services (however limited) to what he is doing. Surprisingly, he started rattling off horrible, time consuming jobs that I could do to save him the hassle. I'm glad to help any way I can so it looks like I will be training for the shop-vac Olympic team next week.

Oh, and I made something this week. Geekery is collectible, you see, and so is jewelry...

The Answer

I Love When Ideas Become Reality

I hit the bench yesterday. I had been dying to execute these ideas. It's great to see them in the real world, rather than only in my mind.

The first one is called TWISTED. It's a braided rope of silk ribbon, Rhodonite (with quartz inclusions), Swarovski Crystal, and glass.

The second is a themed piece about Eve. It's a reminder to be whatever kind of woman you WANT to be, and damn the consequences! If that means destroying mankind's perfect existence, so be it.

The snake is badass...

The clasp was made from a button I liked.

The apple core is a handmade polymer clay bead that I found on Etsy.


I'm very pleased with how both turned out. They're for sale on Etsy:

Freshwater Designs