A Challenge from the Wire Goddess Etsy Team: Spring Blossoms

Every few months, the Wire Goddess Team on Etsy hosts a team challenge. Each member is encouraged to participate, although we are not required to participate, as it is strictly for fun, inspiration, learning, and a great sense of community. The winner of the challenge then decides the next challenge focus and time frame so there is little stress involved.

Check out some of the entries for the February - March 2012 Spring Blossoms Challenge.

 

Bluebell Wood Pendant by Louise Goodchild

Sterling Roses and Vine Necklace by Hill Country Silver

Crochet Flower Bib Necklace by Sonseeahray

Peach Blossom Fairy by Tango Cat Gems

Morning Glory Summer Symphony by Mockingbird Lane Wire

Rose Necklace by Brie'Denee (me)

We are now ready to cast our votes and choose a winner. Please go and vote on your favorite Spring piece!

www.surveymonkey.com/s/7H7SR3G

The challenge from the end of December to the first of February was based on a photo for inspiration and titled  Fair Tale. We have several beautiful entries.

The winner was Ruth Jensen with her Rapunzel Has Left the Building Copper Tower.

Sunny Days: Lemon Citrine and Sterling Pendant

*The earrings have sold. The pendant is available at Eclectics Gallery as well as the John Knox Marketplace Spring Mart show March 31 - April 1, 2012.

The Wild Side of KC - A Treasury by the KC Etsy Team

Being part of the KC Etsy team, we make treasuries highlighting our team members. This treasury depicts a few beautiful animal items created by members of this wonderful team.

'The Wild Side of Kansas City' by BrieDeneeJewelry

Garden Slug Amigurumi P... cheezombie $4.99	Steampunk Owl Necklace SteamTimeJewel... $38.00	Purple Butterfly Hair C... ArielsBowtique $5.00	Waldorf upcycled bird d... greengoat $23.50
Set of 8 handmade Spri... bbesigns $21.00	Foxy Fox Hat Knit Beani... cottonhills $25.00	Custom Pet Portrait JBArtistry1015 $250.00	New Goldfish - Vintage ... butternutsquas... $10.00
Boston Terrier Chibi-He... MacKomicsStudi... $8.00	Silver Butterfly Pendan... TangoPony $17.99	Large Baby Giraffe - Be... FineArtsGuy $39.00	YOUR PET--Custom Noteca... originalsockdo... $45.00
Hand Embroidered Rooste... heypaul $8.00	Frog Prince on Lily Pad... ZagoraNaturals $4.00	Print Art Birds Fence B... LilyCole $20.00	Plush Star Wars Chewbac... littleoneslove $30.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

My Sister's Birthday

It was my sisters birthday this week. I wanted to get her a really unique gift this year. Preferably one I hadn't made, even though I know she adores anything I make her. The first place I thought of was Eclectics Gallery, where I'm a member and am constantly seeing cool new handmade items when I work on Saturdays.

One of my favorite items that I know my sister would adore is by Wendy Shoufler. She does amazing mosaic work and this little lamp is both a testimate to her skill as well as a usable art piece so it's not just clutter in my sister's house.

If you like larger wall art, Wendy makes those as well. She sold this piece a few months ago. It's still one of my favorites, especially for spring. It is now in a customer's beautiful home brightening up their day.

My sis is also a huge fan of jewelry. I have given her so many pieces as gifts over the years. I gave her a pair of sterling silver hoop earrings over Christmas that she just loved. Since her b-day was only a few months away, I decided to go with another artists work.

These are a beautiful pair of silver earrings by Makenna Rose Bartel. Although she has an Etsy shop, like myself, I found a pair of earrings similar to these at Eclectics. 

You can see these in the shop and on our blog: Our Eclectic Lives

KC Etsy Member Spotlight: Kathleen Gordon-Ross - Tiny Stitches

Babies are adorable. They are also messy.

For those burby messes, checkout Kansas City's local artist Kathleen Gordon-Ross's shop, Tiny Stitches, for some classy, shic cloths. They can be used for other purposes as well. Pull them out if you need a clean changing area or or if your little one gets chilled while out and about. Perfect to wipe a runny nose or clean a spilled drink in a pinch.

If you don't find a color combination that you like or that goes with your decor, send her conversation. She does custom work.

The Marketplace at John Knox - A Craft Show Booth Layout

Here comes another show! This one is The Marketplace Spring Mart April Fools weekend (March 31 - April 1). It is put on by the John Knox Village in Lee's Summit, MO at The Pavilion.

They're going to have all sorts of vendors, from handmade jewelry and accessories to clothing, gifts for friends and family, home decor, and even delicious food. All these items are going to be super unique, including my own.

Let me know you're coming! 

My mom and I have been making items like crazy for this show. I get off work at 5p, go home, and begin a new piece each night. Building the booth layout has been super fun too. It's been a challenge over the last few years acquiring the tools to have a fabulous booth. One that resists weather, looks great, displays the jewelry interesting and fun, and is easy to transport and setup. That's the best part though, facing the challenge head on and having a good game plan.

This is one of the more recent layouts I came up with for a 10x10 booth. This is a good one. A great option with both table space and grid space for good hanging or shelving. 

Option #2 isn't a favorite either since the center table could make it difficult for customers to walk through the booth. There's just not enough space between the 5 ft table and the 2 4 ft tables in the back. 

So far #3 is my favorite. I had found a posting for lightweight booth ideas on the Arts Business Institute's website which gave me the idea for the 4 small "tables" in the center. I'm still looking for the cardboard to pull this off. I'm optimistic I can find some good sturdy yet collapsible cardboard for those little tables.

Of course before we go, we'll do a mock-setup but I still wanted to have a better idea of where everything would go. It's always so chaotic when you get to a show and begin setting up. I've found it goes much more smoothly if you have a game plan and a good idea where to put your merchandise. 

This was the first drawing I had done to decide where to put all the different types of jewelry. Of course, with the layout above, I had to come up with a new placement.

Wish us luck! There is still so much to get done. Shows are a ton of work but extremely satisfying once they're complete. Definitely worth the trouble. 

Hope to see you all there.

Brittney

Affordable Finery - A Treasury by the Wire Goddess Team

'Affordable Finery from Wire Goddess Team' by tangocatgems

Wire wrapped treasures Under $50. Necklace , pendants earrings and rings in various metals

Sparkling Larvikite and... OurFrontYard $31.11	Whimsical Nature Inspir... Lirimaer $38.00	Chandelier Freshwater P... expressyoursel... $42.00	Earrings of SUNNY YELLO... ColorMeMagick $30.00
Adjustable Ring - Green... GailaviraJewel... $82.00	Cat On A Leash Wire Wra... sparkflight $30.00	Neon Blue Apatite Wire ... SweetWaterSilv... $50.00	Saint Valentin 2012 Nec... ElementsArtifa... $46.00
Wire Wrapped Pendant, A... UptightWanda $45.00	Seafoam amazonite and C... LouiseGoodchil... $22.00	Perfectly Paisley Earri... joslinjewels $36.00	Seaglass and Pearl Earr... silvermermaidj... $45.00
Silver Stone Ring: Peri... BrieDenee $43.26	London Blue Quartz Earr... TownCountryJew... $42.00	It is Geek to me-Upcycl... MockingbirdLan... $29.95

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.