Weather Permitting

I will be doing the pop up holiday market in Centennial Square tomorrow (December 14), and depending how that goes, possibly Sunday as well.

Details can be found in my posts below, but just to reiterate briefly, it will be from noon until 5:00pm under the Ferris wheel in Centennial Square, downtown Victoria.  Hope to see you there!

Update on Pop Up Holiday Market

Sadly, we were rained out this weekend, so no market for me.  Next weekend I'm volunteering at a swim meet, so unless I do Friday night, I won't be there that weekend, but weather permitting, I should be there on Saturday, December 14 and possibly Sunday, December 15.  (Details about the market can be found in my previous post.)  I'll let you know when I've decided about Friday.  Until then, feel free to contact me via comments or send me an email.

Pop Up Holiday Market in Centennial Square (and some pictures, as promised)

The next event where I'll be selling some items is the Pop Up Holiday Market at Centennial Square (downtown Victoria), underneath the Ferris wheel and among all the holiday lights. 

The market will run Fridays from 5-10pm and Saturdays/Sundays from 12-5pm from November 29th until December 22nd.  More details can be found at harbour living.  Sadly, the market was rained out today, but hopefully I'll be able to be there tomorrow.  I don't think I'll do any of the Friday nights, but I'll probably do a couple Saturdays or Sundays.  I'll keep you posted when I know which ones I'll be attending.

In preparation for the holiday market, I made some more holiday-themed items.  Like I said in a previous post, I made some jolly holly earrings with glass pearls.  Here are the ones with two leaves (seed beads, bugle beads, glass pearls, gold plate ear wires):

And here they are with three leaves (same materials, just more bugle beads):

I also made a necklace to go with them.  I decided to avoid gold altogether for the necklace and to go back to the cluster of three seed beads as berries.  I'll probably make a pair of earrings to match perfectly.  (seed beads, bugle beads, lobster claw clasp in gold plate):

And here's the necklace again just as a jumble on the table because I almost like it better that way.  I may make a few lengths of this just to wrap around the bases of candles or something.  I think that would be quite pretty, at least until wax started dripping into them, haha.

You may recall that I mentioned that at the Gifts show I discovered I needed to make more variety of lengths for my bracelets.  One customer brought a couple back to me that she'd bought and asked if I could change the length on them, and after we talked for a bit we decided it would be best to add some extender chain since they're gifts and she doesn't know the exact gift size of the recipients' wrists.  Here's a picture of the chain extender I put on, just so you have an idea of what that would look like.  (seed beads, glass pearls, lobster claw clasp, silver plate chain):

I think the little pearl with the seed beads on the end of the chain looks fairly cute.  I chose a larger chain because I thought the size being more consistent with the bracelet itself would be less jarring.  Thoughts?

And last but not least, my fringe necklace that I finished up during the Gifts show.  I promised you a slightly clearer shot, and here it is.  It's still not perfect, but I didn't feel like setting up all my multi-angle lamps just to photograph one necklace.  Next time I do a photo shoot of a bunch of my work I'll get some more pictures of it, assuming I haven't sold it by then.  (seed beads, filigree clasp, mother of pearl "focal" bead):

Since it's a big/fancy piece I've decided to give it a name.  I'm calling it "treasures of the deep" since the idea was that it would look like waves or currents of water, and since the focal bead is made of mother of pearl.

It's probably a fairly safe assumption I won't sell it any time soon (and that you'll therefore get better pictures) since I'm asking $180 for it.  Does that seem reasonable?  I spent about 40 hours making it, but I know no one will pay the $400+ that minimum wage plus materials would cost.  But given all the time, and the sheer volume of seed beads and expensive extra fine beading thread, I'm not parting with it for a small amount either.  In the few hours it was up at the show, it got a lot of attention, so who knows.

That's it for today.  If you've read this and then see me at Centennial Square, let me know.  I should be there tomorrow (Sunday), and I'll post again when I know my next day there.

Getting set up & Announcing Gifts for Myself and Others

Hello world wide web!

I suppose I should be more formal, given that I'm creating this blog for my business.  Then again, my business is hand-made beaded jewelery, which makes me more of a batty artist/artisan than a formal, suit-wearing businesswoman.  Which is good.  I hate formal writing.

The reason I'm setting up this blog in the first place is that I'll be participating in the Gifts for Myself and Others Christmas crafts fair at the Da Vinci Centre (195 Bay Street) on November 15-17.  Details can be found at the Island Artisans Association website or at various other places such as chatterblock or harbour living.  Let's see if I can insert an image of the post card for it.

Turns out I can.  Huzzah!  As you can see, there's a mini map there, but I also included a link to google maps if you'd rather look at that.

You can also check out more info on the IAA's facebook page.  There are lots of pictures there of pieces by many of the amazing artisans who are participating.  You should especially check out the gorgeous peacock by Deb Thurlbeck, because I'll be sharing a table with her.

The IAA theoretically also has a twitter account, but I don't know the url for that yet.  I'll share a link when I do.

I guess that's all the info I'm going to put up for now.  I need to see what my blog looks like, and twiddle with it.  Possibly create a website too.  And maybe a new email address.  Then order business cards.  I'll put up some pictures of my work soon though.

Jessica