Fired Up

Lately I have been Hand Firing and Enameling Copper pieces. It's so fun! I cant wait to get more Colors for the enamel!
I first Cut my desired shape for the piece out of a sheet of copper. Then I sand it, drill holes (if needed) and finish the edges before getting out the enamel. The enamel forms a glass on top of the copper, so it needs to be ready to go! Enameling is the last step in making the piece.
I then Decide on designs, shapes, words, pictures, and colors. I usually create a base color (typically white, something light) before I draw the designs with the lead-free enamel with a toothpick. This takes time, but i enjoy manipulating the enamel around to see what I can get. :)
As, you can see with my photos, I have made earrings, magnets, necklaces, YOU NAME IT! Im enameling everything in our house. If you have something in mind, let me know... I would love to make it! I love working with the colors, the torch, and the copper. You can view more photos at my website

SHINE atx! :)

Wednesday night I participated with Etsy Austin in BOTG! Great Music, Loads of People, and some GREAT Handmade buddies to work with. :)

I am encouraged and excited to learn something from each event. And excited to get more practice at other events.

Lessons Learned~

~bring water and a fan when its 100 degrees outside!

~bring tags for your items with inventory # when you are sharing a space

~Learn from others about different ways to get your stuff out there, and help one another, this is not a competition, but a team effort to encourage people to buy handmade

~wind proof displays

~efficient, and easy to set up displays

~be willing to "sell" you product. Merritt Gade, a fellow fabulous Jewelry designer (check out her tiaras here) put it well; you aren't selling yourself, you are working FOR your product. Treat it as someone elses, and you are the rep. It makes it easier and less personal. that was a paraphrase, i cant remember exactly her quote... I blame the fact that my brain probably melted in the heat!

~DO NOT BARGAIN! this is not a flea market, you are cheapening the fact that you
put hours and hours into your designs, and its not fair to other artists!
~I also learned from Pixieworx, an amazing crochet artist, that crochet is an art form that cannot be reproduced by machine! So, that means when you are buying mass produced crochet items, al too often, they are from child labor. Elderly & kids are the larger demographic involved. Depends on the nation & culture.why is this bad? It's bad 4 developing kids due to repetitive motion injury to developing cartilage. Bad for elderly as long use deteriorates. YUCK! buy handmade!

I am very excited about my new hand fired enamel copper magnets,pendants,and earrings! photos coming this weekend!! yippie. :)

See you soon! Keep Creating! and buying Handmade.

Keepin' Austin Real

Hello friends! I am so overwhelmed with creativity lately that I havent updated in a while! A couple of updates ~

NEWS:

~I have Joined Team Etsy Austin! what a great way to connect and support other fellow creatives!

~Participated in 1st Thursdays on S.Congress in front of MamboBerry! ( you will see me there whenever I can get out, but especially 1st thursdays! Nothing like setting up and enjoying a Yummy FroYo while I work! :) Not to mentioned, I got interviewed by the Republic of Austin blogger! check it out over on my links; theres a video at the bottom of the page.

~Last Saturday I participated with other EtsyAustin artist in the Austin Handmade Market. What a charming and delightful experience. They even provided a cooler of ice water for the vendors...such thoughtfulness. If you havent visited them yet, check it out! Was interviewed by a very pleasant freelance reporter Amy Hadley :); hasn't been posted yet.

~Come check out Blues on The Green Tomorrow evening at 7:30, ill be there with other EtsyAustin members!

Alrighty, enough of the News.

Creatively Speaking,

I have really been into cutting shapes out of copper and torching and enameling them. No photos yet (broken camera) but soon! So far my favorite is a "swoosh" (not the Nike kind) that I enameld with Colbalt Blue, turquois, and spots of white, creating almost a wave over the pendant. I dont know if I can part with it. Also, I have been taking the scraps of copper and making little tiny roses to go on my hairpins! let me tell you something; CUTE! I cannot wait to share.

Last but not least,

I want to show how grateful I am that God has blessed this business and Africa. If you are not aware, half of my proceeds go to Kenya, Africa. I went over in 2007 and fell in love with the Joy, Kindness and Faith of the villagers in Bongoma. I was overjoyed to know, that from the $$$ from Ruby Slipper Designs; it contributed to a purchase of $3,000 in maize! thats feeding alot of villagers folks. And I am just overjoyed that I can share my heart for those amazing brothers and sisters with you more and more, in Austin!

So, come out and Share a vision with me, Buy a cute accessory, and Help those on the other side of the Globe.

See You Tomorrow! :)