Janet of All Trades

It has been a very busy summer since I decided to start selling jewelry at outdoor shows. Like anything new, it has been a learning process and every show brought different challenges. So I have compiled a list of the things I have learned by facing the challenges if you are ever thinking about embarking on this adventure! (1) Weather You can not control it but you can control how you deal with it. I learned that wind is not your friend and displays that worked inside don't always work outside. We had to weigh down all my mannequins with sand filled cigar boxes and screw their bases in to the box to keep them from moving. This took about two shows with gusty winds for us to learn this, since we got tired of hanging on to everything and picking broken jewelry off the ground. (2) Good Shoes Now when I mean good, I don't mean date night shoes or those that are really cute. I mean good as in possibly orthopedic and ugly. Your back and feet will love you at the end...

I named my Jewelry Mannequin Mable over the Spring since I really thought she needed a name. She is an average size but I always thought she was a little plain and need a scarf or top to dress her up. So I thought I would make my own dress for here that alway would serve as a cover to protect her stark  white skin. I started with an old sheet in a light tan color that I thought would work the best for display purposes. Next I basically made a sack. Two rectangular pieces sewn together on two sides only. Much like a pillow case but open on both ends. Next I cut out the shoulder cuts. I did this first by placing the sack on Mable and tracing the curve of the shoulder. I then cut both sides to match.  Now the last few steps I kind of fumbled along with since I have never made a piece of clothing that looked anything like it was suppose to nor do I have the best sewing skills. I basically but the sack on Mable and pinned and re-pinned and sewed and resewed until i...

I  made a huge decision to try and sell my pendants at a craft show and have been busy working on pendants and displays. I found these Artist figures at Ikea this past weekend and they are perfect for displaying my pendants.  I have been working on some lovely new key designs and I hope I sell just a few. If not I have some great ways to display my own jewelry I will sure to update on the out come of the show as well as my full table display! Enjoy!