It's starting to look a lot like Christmas!

Ho Ho Ho,

Yippee, I got my laptop back! Now that I've been on the desktop in the studio for weeks I'm not sure if I'll be switching back. All my stuff is gone anyway. Well it's on a hard drive; on top of the workstation in the studio. I use an office chair and slide from my workstation to my computer. Wee!

Anyway I've been busy creating but am a little disappointed that sales are not what I had hoped for when I started out in June. That's when I lost my job and decided to get back into jewelry making.

At this point I am thinking of incorporating more sewing into the business as I've always done well with sewing. The only drawback is, as I have mentioned before, is space. Sewing takes up a lot of space! Especially if you sew window coverings and home decor stuff. Yikes! We are still recovering from sewing the two gowns for my granddaughters. I'm still pulling thread out of the vacuum!

What to do? Well I have taken more classes. John and I went to soldering class and I took another one to make bangles. It was really cool. We used a drill to enlarge holes in beads. It's another level of knowledge I can use. It's different using the torch and drill press from beading with wire and beads. Well, different muscles anyway! Holding onto those beads so they don't go flying and knock someone out was challenging.


I will post photos when I get a chance to take them. Busy with the turkey day and all that.


I must also mention I was surprised no one participated in the pendant give-away. I promise not to sell any one's address, ha ha. So, guess we will have to do another one. I will post the details soon. Don't be shy, leave comments, follow me. Which brings to mind a patch I sewed onto my favorite jeans back in the day...Don't follow me; I'm lost too!

Mahalo,
Jozee

My new pendants are old school tattoo designs. No I didn't do the art! But kewl, dontcha think? I know, I drive my granddaughter nuts. She calls me the crazy grandma! hahaha I'm not crazy, girls just wanna have fun!



My Bonanza Booth:  http://www.bonanza.com/booths/J_J_Designs

J & J Design Inspiration: Being creative

J & J Design Inspiration: Being creative

Being creative

My angel earrings are made. How many different ways can you make an angel earring? Ha ha! I made one that looks like she has hair. I also made regular ones. Tell me what you think.

I was pondering doing a tutorial for my drawstring jewelry pouches. Just in case I took lots of pics. The fabric is the backdrop for the photo above. Wondering if anyone would like to make their own bags?

Anyway I not only made Maddy's Halloween costume, I also made a gown for my older granddaughter. She's in A Midsummer's Night Dream as Helena at school. After the horror show I had working with real bridal satin and chiffon for the bride dress I made Maddy, I swore I wouldn't go that route again. After all, it's only a school play, right?

Wrong! OCD kicked in and I got the color she wanted, lilac and it was what I believe is called damask. Satin with a flower sort of embroidered into the fabric.

Here's a pic I took when I started cutting:

I'll post more later. You get the idea. Just me being creative.
Holla back if you want to know how to make one of these:

Have a great week!

Happy Holidays!!!

I had a productive day as I finished six glass tiles, photographed, and posted for sale. Then cut the pattern for my soon to be 12 year old granddaughter, Seiana. She is in a play at school. I was so rushed with Maddy's Halloween costume that I didn't photograph it. My daughter is sending pics through her Blackberry but I still haven't figured our how to get them on the computer.

Joy Pendant

Holiday Snowman

Pink Owl

I also have some interesting Steampunk art that looks great and will post a few in the next day or so.
My sister hopes to give me a tutorial on PhotoShop so I can use my own photos for the pendants. That will be great and is the reason I started making these babies!

My plans for later include cutting out the gown/costume. She is Helena in A Midsummer's Night Dream. Lots of fabric!!

I've decided to do a freebie this week. Leave a comment on my blog and you may win one of my glass tile pendants!

Hope everyone has a great, productive week!

Aloha,
Jozee

Happy Halloween!

I just shipped off my granddaughter's Halloween Costume. Don't you love the holidays? I enjoyed making glass tile pendants for Halloween. Here are a few samples:

I sewed a few drawstring pouches for them. Here is a photo of one:

I sent my older granddaughter this black cat glass tile pendant necklace:

Check out my Bonanza booth for upcoming Christmas theme pendants. Purchase a glass tile pendant and mention you saw my blog for free shipping on Christmas themed pendants. Valid October 29 through December 10, 2010.

http://www.bonanza.com/booths/J_J_Designs

Happy Halloween!

J & J Design Inspiration: If it weren't for bad luck...

J & J Design Inspiration: If it weren't for bad luck...

Maybe I should use the internal workings of my laptop for some altered art...

If it weren't for bad luck...

Geez Louise! My laptop crashed. We are fortunate to have a desktop in the studio. Right now I'm using John's laptop. Of course he had it locked up like Fort Knox so most of my stuff wouldn't run. Something about multi firewall conflict. Most of my photos and all the household account info are on that thing.

John had a special account set up for me when I came home from class. He's such a good hubby. Now I can relax on the couch to type. I really didn't want to spend any more time in the studio. I was in there all day until 3:00. Then I came out for lunch and to get ready for tax class.

I will be back in the studio tomorrow for more creating, picture taking, and labeling. Ah yes, inventory labeling and supplies. I need an assistant! I've been spending so much time on other business demands it has taken time away from jewelry making. Note to self, schedule some much needed torch time.

Aloha