rainy weather

I for one, hate the rain.   I don't like being out in the wet, and driving in LA in such things is totally treacherous.  Not to mention what it does to my hair, even when I'm not out in it.   Ok I know it's beneficial for the foliage- but still, this is a bit much, right LA?   It is kind of poorly timed for many brick and mortar retailers- it's the holiday season and people are sitting at home not wanting to go out in the rain.  I wonder if online sales have increased in southern california.

Maybe the rain will encourage people to make handmade gifts.   I have lots of things sitting around my house that I can make into interesting gifts for people and I don't have to leave the house.   I know everyone doesn't have a jewelry studio in their house but I bet everyone has SOMETHING they can turn into a great gift.  Perhaps you have a sewing machine and some old clothes- you can cut them up and make an interesting pillow, quilt, stuffed animal or new item of clothing.   Maybe you put away those knitting needles years ago- pull them out!  You could print out a particularly good photo from your camera and frame it... Do you like to cook?  Don't forget cookies/cakes/ food in general!  This site has a bunch of ideas.. http://www.pioneerthinking.com/crafts-general.html

For me I think it's a good time to make some new items for next season.  I'm planning on acting as though I actually can't leave the house, and am sketching and designing new things.

look at these cool things made from household items that I found on the web:

check out this blog for more diy ideas

ok the rain stopped for a minute, I'm running out for supplies and then I'm going to start creating.  

- myfriendroze  handmade jewelry every day

handmade spirit

I've got spirit yes I do- I've got spirit how 'bout you?   I'm not really a cheerleader, but I need one, and I think a lot of handmade artisans need one too.   I hear tell of the economy getting better- but I personally am not seeing this, in my line of work.   Is handmade the last to feel the boom- or is it just me?  I have had a series of disappointing shows and it's holiday season, so it's worrisome.  I worry that people are not buying handmade, or that handmade artisans are undercutting themselves in order to sell anything at all- which in turn does not help us stay in business.

This past weekend a bunch of great artisans stood outside in the cold with impending rain, and tried to sell their handmade goods.  Handmade artisans bonding together to try to boost each other up.  Much needed cheerleaders! Several I met through Etsy, and an Etsy team called CCCOE.  (I think that is etsy's version of cheerleaders, and honestly it does help make you feel better when you can see that things are happening to everyone, not just you alone)

 A few of my favorites from the show:

eri sugimoto

pinkcandy studio

luna + reese

Well- as my friend said, I made it through the day and I'm here to see another one, and make more jewelry.    This week is thanksgiving and believe it or not there is another show next sunday,  www.patchworkshow.com in santa ana.   I look forward to this being a better show personally so that I can purchase some handmade items myself!

handmade jewelry every day-  myfriendroze

Handcrafted Holiday Shows

I'm not really inspired today, I apologize in advance for a potentially boring blog.  I have to make jewelry for upcoming shows but I'm tired and worried all at the same time.  There are so many shows upcoming I wonder how well attended any of them will be.  I also wonder if going to shows is popular at all anymore, plus has the economy turned around enough for people to be shopping for handcrafted items?  If there are so many,  how does a potential customer choose which show they are going to?  How do artisans decide which show to vend at?  For me it's trial and error, and sadly lately it seems to be mostly error.  I didn't have the luxury of walking through all sorts of shows to decide whether or not I would do them the next year, I just had to try and see.   For some I tried more than once, and then either continued or gave up.   I did look on the websites of every show (if they had them) to see what vendors had done them before, to see if it was something I would like to go to.   I do tend to try to sell at shows that are considered more "indie" and I really try to be at shows where the vendors are all handmade.   It's hard to compete with all $5 made in china items when I handcraft each item.   So with that said I'm hoping I made some good decisions for this holiday season.
My next show coming up is called Patchwork show.  (actually they now have two)  I really was (happily) surprised at how good this show was last year, and can only hope for another great year.   www.patchworkshow.com   This show is Nov 21st in Long Beach and Nov 28th in Santa Ana.  It's a smaller show but I think the quality of the work is great.   I'm excited to see some of my friends like:

amanda k lockrow jewelry

Blue Platypus 

Roscata Jewelry

for a complete list of my upcoming shows http://www.myfriendroze.com/events.html

handmade jewelry every day -  myfriendroze

handmade homework

Sometimes you just have to push yourself to do something. You know, give yourself some sort of incentive, even if making things is your passion. Sometimes you just get bored, or tired of making the same thing. I know Etsy teams have challenges like the CCCOE team that I (kind of) belong to used to have a monthly challenge (do they anymore?), and Etsy metal has "Ring a Day" here is how they describe it "This is an exercise in creative exploration. The rules are simple: create a ring every day for the entire year of 2010 out of anything, no matter where you are." I don't know how many people made it this far (it is november and all) and well that's a bit much for me.... but here are some I found that I like a lot on their flickr set:

What is your handmade homework? what do you do differently to push yourself? The holidays are swiftly approaching and I know that should be my impetus, but I'm still here in my studio, looking at my same old things wondering how to get motivated. The increasing price of my materials is not helping... maybe I will try to think of new materials to use and THAT will be my handmade homework.... I think I'll go eat.


www.myfriendroze.com

Behind the picket fence

this upcoming saturday my friend Debby who is the brains and talent behind Rebe clothing asked me to come share a booth with her at behind the picket fence for their sale...  It's last minute but I can't give up any chance to get out there! It's a vintage and handmade sale so I hope that we are able to do alright up against vintage items which could possible undercut our prices.  Here is the link to more information on the sale  behindthepicketfencemarketplace.blogspot.com.     Since we met, at a show, Debby has always been a great friend and inspiration to me and I am always so impressed by all the new things she continually makes.   I'm excited to once again spend the day with her and see all her new clothing and accessories. Most, if not all of her handmade items utilize eco-friendly material and she uses her scrap to make great purses, blankets, and makeup bags,  etc.    Check out a few of my favorites below.  You might also notice a handmade myfriendroze necklace in the photo :).

rebe dress handmade ceramic myfriendroze necklace