June Show Follow-up

Thank you all who visited my booth at the Dundas Street Festival on June 14, 2014. The weather was a tad cold for the vendors, but the day was mostly sunny and I think the show was well attended. Lots of volunteers were available and one gal helped my husband move the table to my spot. Here is a photo of my new tent and my display. I apologize for the poor quality of the photos. Must have been my cold hands, not to mention brain!

If I'm going to do any more outdoor shows, I will have to figure out how to cover up the UCLA logo on my tent, although I only had one person make a comment. Unfortunately, after the show I noticed that Giant Tiger had tents for $10 less than I spent on this one. Plain white with no logo. Oh well. I really do prefer the indoor shows where I can escape the weather, be it the cold, sun, rain or wind. All four have their own particular problems to deal with.

June Show - Dundas Street Festival

For more details, click here. 

This is my first outdoor sale on my own. I will even have my own tent. However, if you're expecting professional you will be sorely disappointed. I've been in denial about this outdoor event and have only just purchased a tent. From Kijiji. I'm glad I got a good deal because the top and eaves are advertising NCAA UCLA in bright blue and yellow. A nice, clean white would be much better, but beggars can't be choosers. Please join me in hoping for calm, clear and sunny skies on June 14!

Getting Ready for the Easter Bazaar

It's almost time again for the Easter Bazaar at True Blue Bay resort. The cruise ship season will have closed and families will be making plans to get together, but I've decided to set up shop. Gotta get my name out there!

I also want to get out the fact that I have new necklace in my collection. This cute little sea turtle was made up with peyote stitch and accented with teal and gold glass beads. It's strung on nylon coated wire that I stole from my husband's fishing stash. Good to 60 lb. and non-corrosive in salt water! A great catch!

Gallery Additions

I've added some new photos to my Photo Gallery Page. I'm still catching up with the photography as I had a hard drive crash and lost a lot of work.

Please click on "Photo Gallery" from the top menu, then choose Photo Gallery 2.

Thanks for having a look!

Happy, Productive New Year!

Here's hoping for a more productive year. With that in mind, I've re-awakened my Etsy store and have been gradually adding new items. It's hard to justify the time spent on having an online presence, so we'll see if more time spent equals greater returns. Please visit my store and see what I've been creating!

Fran Selinger's Etsy Store

Sneek peek:

"Circle of Life" ring. Coming soon!

Evolution of a Design/er

In 2011, I made this bracelet from a Fusion Beads kit called Peyote Ruffle. I loved the colours and always had it in mind to do another one, but to really make it my own this time around. If I want to call myself a designer, well then I'd better get designing...

For the first time, I laid out my own peyote stitch pattern using computer software called Easy Bead Patterns. To make things go easier, I decided to try a 2-drop peyote stitch - not entirely a "first", but my first time doing 2-drop for an entire bracelet. However, because I wanted a symmetrical pattern, I had to go with odd count peyote, meaning an odd number of columns. Not so easy now! I went with the traditional method of odd count where you do a turn-around within the beads at the end of every other row. The tension was off a bit, so another time I'd like to try a different method.

 

Here it is...

Welcome to "Razzle Dazzle Dots"! I decided not to do the ruffle like in the kit, to keep the lines more simple. I also found out that it was much easier when adding the picots to go down and up two beads instead of trying to go through one bead. Of course I didn't figure this out until part way through. I decided not to go back, so the second edge went easier and I just hope that no one, except me, notices the difference!

I used the same clasp, a gun metal plated sliding tube because it is so easy to use and the colour works well with the beads.

The bracelet isn't perfect, but I'm very proud of my progress.

Back After a Short Hiatus

I'm back. I can't say that I was very productive since my last post, but I can say that I'm definitely ready for my next creative spurt.  I now have a counter top display unit for my jewelry.

I got very discouraged last year after finding a very friendly venue for my work here in London, but then having several items stolen. Unfortunately, I had to make the decision not to show there any more. The solution seemed to be some sort of glass cabinet that could limit access, preferably be lockable, but still display my jewelry to its best advantage. Easy. Not. These cabinets only seem to be available through specialty display companies and are very pricey. I would also have to factor in shipping costs which could be steep. I even sought out my handy hubby, but nothing came readily to mind.

Finally, after an unexpected monetary gift and a serendipitous email sales flyer, I was able to purchase what I needed. Here is my new "showcase" from Zakka Canada:

I chose this one first of all because it was lockable. It also has a light and enough shelves, four, to display a good variety of my work. (Or some nice sea shells, which is mostly what I have at the moment!) It also rotates automatically which wasn't a requirement and I'm not sure if I'll use this feature because it seems a little noisy. We'll see.

Next I need a display solution for Grenada. I have a marina who graciously offered to show my jewelry, but they would prefer to have a cabinet that could be locked.  I saw some that I liked at a booth at one of the antique shows at Cherryhill Mall.  They were made from wood with a glass cover that could sit open at an angle. After buying some beads and vintage jewellery, I asked the owner where she got her cases. It turned out that her husband made them. I already carry about 50 lbs. of beading supplies when I travel, so I'd need to have them made in Grenada. (Right, dear?!) So Scott Bell, of Rush Creek Renovation in St. Thomas has promised to do up some plans for me. Wood, glass, hinges and a lock should be easy enough to obtain once we're in Grenada, or a trip to Lee Valley may be warranted. There are some better photos on his Facebook page, but it will look something like this:

Now all I have to do is make some goodies to fill 'em up!

New Jewelry to brag, ahem, I mean tell you about...

Last year I made a bracelet that I just loved. It was a spiral rope with a combination of olive and khaki beads. Unfortunately, or fortunately, it sold. I've finally made another one to sell and this time made one for me. I've been learning more wire work, so the clasps are fancier, with a spiral of course. I'm working on a new business card and logo. I call it the "Signature Selinger Spiral". Also, Adobe Illustrator has a cool spiral tool, so I've been fooling around with that. Then I can attach little wire spirals to my jewelry so that you know it is a genuine Fran Selinger product.

The first bracelet is, logically, the first one I made. The second is the one that I have made to sell, and the third one (no pic yet) is mine, all mine. For it I used matte instead of metallic cylindrical beads. In any event, I have a feeling that the shiny version will appeal more to my "public".

And here is the matching necklace:

Hmmm... looks better on a black background doesn't it? I thought with the darker colours that white would be better, but I guess I was wrong, for once! 

Next I'll be making some pendants for a little variety and to offer something in a lower price range. Thanks for looking!

Handmade Wire Clasps

These are really fun, especially hammering flat some of the wire! I had a chasing hammer, but also invested (! these are cheap) in a nylon hammer just for work hardening. I think that I will also sell handmade clasps at my craft shows. I have a good range of copper wire gauges to practice on, or to use for the final product.

BONUS! Wire Clasp Tutorials:

Wire Clasps from Szarka at Magpie Gemstones (#3)

Wire Links and Connectors from Karen at Magpie Gemstones

Clasp for Leather Cord from Danagonia

Hook and Eye Clasp from FireMountain Gems

All Kinds of Clasps from WigJig

I am very inspired by Szarka's jewelry. I'll post a few pics so you can see what wonders she works...

My Next Show

Thanks to the folks at True Blue Bay Resort for their great promotional work.

I guess I'd better crank up the motivation!

Successful Season

So far, I've had a very good fall and winter. The Wearable Art Show was successful for all involved and congratulations are due to all the Museum London Volunteers who organized this show. I wish I could find a venue like this for the Spring/Summer season.

I leave for Grenada in a week. As usual, it's a hectic time trying to pack and get ready for 5 months out of the country. And now that my inventory is so depleted (thank you Barbara!), there's the pressure to get more jewelry made. I have 3 events lined up in Grenada for the month of December. The next one is the Christmas Bazaar at the True Blue Bay resort and they've made up a great flyer. I like it when the organizers do this, because it makes it easy for me to get the word out.

I want to thank all the people at the Wearable Art Sale who stopped at my table to have a look at my jewelry. It was encouraging to have so many appreciate my work and the time that goes into its making.

My Next Show.

A New "Home" in London

I have finally found a place to retail my jewelry in London. I've been searching a couple years now and I'm glad to have found a good match. The Artfusion Gallery, in City Plaza, was recommended to me by a fellow jewelry designer, Candace Dice. She has a great talent for taking discarded vintage jewelry and giving it new, creative life.

Ryan Mahy, one of the owners, has been so easy to deal with and has also provided space for a friend of mine to display his work. His name is Michael John and he's a stone carver from Grenada, my second home. He carves pendants and sculptures from local stone using design motifs from the Arawaks, the original inhabitants of the island. I'll have to post some of his work on a future blog.

I wanted to give a shout out to Artfusion, so here's an article focusing on their upcoming first anniversary at City Plaza:

http://metronews.ca/voices/backstage-pass-london-2/384978/urban-art-for-everyone-artfusion-gallery-marks-a-year-in-london/

I don't feel right posting a blog without some visual treat, but don't have any new photos for you. I do have some new jewellery, but as it's being held hostage at the gallery, I haven't been able to shoot them yet. What other eye candy can I give you? Aha, here's a photo of the latest progress on our house in Grenada. Yes, we have to climb a ladder to get in.

Some Beading Humour

This video is from the editor of Beadwork, Melinda Barta, who is one of my favourite designers. If you don't get it, you're obviously not a beader. I wonder if there is "Stuff Lampwork Bead Makers Say"?

Question of the Day/Month/Year

The question I'm posing to myself today is:

Do I really have time to run an Etsy store?

I acknowledge that it is a great community and I visit it frequently. However, I use it mostly for inspiration and to purchase supplies. I didn't get any action on my first listing and it has since expired. Which is OK, because I sold it to my neighbour in Grenada a few months ago. Sigh.

I'm off to a nearby hair salon this afternoon to see if they will sell some of my jewelry. I guess that if I had some venues here in London, I wouldn't feel like I needed the Etsy store. I'm just soooo not fond of craft shows! The last one stank. If anyone has a good suggestion for a good upcoming show in the London, Ontario region, please pass it along!

I just wanna bead...

Duh, here's a link to my store.

Photo Found!

Here is the photo that I wanted to include in my previous post:

Something New!

I made this pendant for Alma Francis, a jeweller here in Grenada. She's been drilling holes for me in tiny red seeds for a real "made in Grenada" style bracelet. (Sorry, can't find the photo of said bracelet at the moment.) She wouldn't take any money, so I've forced her to accept one of my jewelry designs. This is my "Art Deco Pendant":

Independence 2012

Independence Day has come and gone again in Grenada. On February 7th, and the week heading into it, green, red and gold flags start appearing. They fly from cars, trees and store fronts. Everybody is proudly showing their national colours. On the 7th, you'll be out of place if you're not wearing a piece of clothing with your colours.

In honour of the 38th year of independence, I have created a new design for my Independence Collection.

Last New Year's, I opened my "cracker" and found inside, not a plastic whistle or some stupid thing, but a really nice daisy chain bracelet. The flowers were of various colours and matched just about anything I would ever wear. It broke recently and while I was repairing it, I thought that it would make a good project for my Grenada Independence collection just by changing the flower colours. 

It took a few false starts trying to figure out bead sizes, how many "petals" there should be and what looked best in the middle of each flower. My favourite is the top bracelet. It is made with size 8/0 beads and the centre bead is a 3mm glass pearl. The bottom bracelet is similar to my cracker bracelet and it's made with size 11/0 beads.

Back in Grenada

I'm glad to be back in paradise as of December 6th. However, it hasn't been the usual laid-back experience so far. I was invited to be part of a "Jewelry Party" on the 9th and a Christmas Bazaar on the 11th. It hadn't even been a month since my last showing at the Wearable Art Sale and I was busy trying to get packed and organized for our 5 month stay in Grenada. There wasn't a lot of time to increase inventory.

Both the party and the bazaar were held at the same venue, True Blue Bay Resort. There is a lovely, covered area right on the water that they call the Dodgy Dock and is normally where you can sit down for a meal or lime it up at night with live music and beverages. The owners have kindly let me download some of their photos so I can talk up their resort. I've got a link to the right that you can click to check out their web site. Click on the "Specials" tab, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on "Click here to see some of our past events". There's a little bit of info there about the Easter and Christmas Bazaars.

All my sales here have been successful. Is it the lack of tourists in London, Ontario that make jewelry sales here a bit bleak? Who knows. Just one more reason to stay in Grenada!

Free Pricing Tool

I received this pricing tool from the folks at Bead Manager Pro and would like to pass it along. It's great for making sure that you are using the most up to date price for gold and silver when pricing your jewelry pieces. This link will take you to BMP's Facebook page where you can find the info.

Gold Pricing Sheet