Monday, October 28, 2013

Where's Waldo?

Where's Waldo?
or a pair of earrings?
 
 
 
 
Not sure about you but I have a habit of removing my jewelry after I sit down in my comfy chair and putting the pieces in a dish on the table next to me. It works well until I want to put on a pair the next day. That's when I'm reminded of "Where's Waldo?"
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Really, can you see a pair of earrings in that dish? I keep picking an earring, one at a time, until I find a pair. (Most are silver but have different designs. So, they do look almost alike)
 
 
 


 
 
Which reminds me of the question "In the dark,if you have 6 different color pairs of socks in a drawer, how many pairs do you need to pull out to make sure you have a matching pair?"  (I'll post the answer at the end)
 
 
So, I decided to pull everything out of the dish and just see what's what.
 
 
 
It was easy to sort out the bracelet and two necklaces and yes the rings were easy too. The earrings, not so much. The pearls kept rolling for more fun.
 
 
 
Here is a picture after I matched things.
 
 
 

 
I know, looks about the same because it is hard to see in the picture. I will tell you that some did not make a pair. See the lonely copper earring on the top left?
 
 
To be fair, I must admit that in addition to the dish, there is a pile of jewelry next to the dish. Mostly heavier necklaces and bracelets but I found a few earrings hiding in the pile. Here is a picture, with the additions, sorted out.
 
 
 
 
 
 
I didn't find the missing copper earring but I did find another pair of copper earrings, plus several other pairs. The pearls kept rolling even though the surface was fairly flat. One pair ended up in the rings.
 
I would love to say I did something "smart" once they were sorted but I put them back in the dish, a little more organized. I know, they are still in the "Where's Waldo?" mess.
 
I discovered something else, they need to be cleaned. Next project.
 
 
I've been busy making other things and the cleaning will come soon. I usually have a fall cleaning of all my silver pieces. The humidity is gone and they'll stay clean longer.
 
 
Oh, to answer my question about the 6 different colored socks, you need to pull out 6 pairs of socks to make sure you have a matching pair. Did you "get" that?
 
So, am I the only one with "messy" jewelry storage like this?
 
Until next time,

Monday, October 21, 2013

Hooked on Leather

Hooked On Leather
(new bracelet)
 
 
One of my favorite on-line suppliers is Jamie North of Glitz 'n Kitz.  She has great supplies of seed beads, magatamas and leather.
 
 
 
 
I've shown several bracelets I've made from her magatamas before. (Available on-line)
 
Very popular.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This time I tried one of her "Hooked on Leather" kits. It is hard to find things to make for guys. (I have 4 grandsons and two sons-in-law - I know)
 
 
 
 
So, when I saw these, I had to try them. Here is one in Blue leather with a nice open star slider.
 
 
 

 
And one in an orange/brown multi color leather with a dome slider.
 
 
 
There are many choices of leather (some more masculine than these) Black, brown, green, etc and different slider shapes.Stars, buttons, X's, skulls, butterflies and many more.
 
 
 
 
If you are interested in different colors please send me an email so we can choose a bracelet you will love.
 
 

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Christmas already?

Christmas already?
(I need some help)
 
We all hate the stores that start stocking Christmas items already. I heard a new term the other day. "Hallothanksmas"
 
 
 
It implies what we all know, that fall holidays are coming faster and faster each year.
 
 
So this request may seem just like the stores but I really need your help.
 
I'm planning items I need to have available for your shopping pleasure. ;-)
 
 
 
 
I was surprised the other day when someone was asking to purchase a gemstone pendant and I didn't have any in stock. I had given them as gifts myself this past summer. Not only that but I was low on gemstones and also did not have any bails to make the pendants. Wow!
 
 
 
 
 
So, this week I've scheduled a trip to Two Guys Fossils for gemstones and the local bead shop for bails.
 
I'd rather not have to turn away business but need to have some ideas of what you might be looking for in the future holiday shopping season. (I didn't lose this business but I might have)
 
 
So, what kinds of things might you be looking for in the upcoming shopping season?  Bracelets, earrings, pendants?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
And probably, most important, do you have a price point that you like to use for holiday gifts? I know I do. Let me know what works for you.