Lady and the Vamp, Adventures in Goth Jewelry, and Mother’s Day Gifts CAN be Hip!

Posted on March 30, 2013 by eldwenne

To Goth or not to Goth – that kinda was a question I asked myself a while ago. I went through a Goth stage in my life (one of the original goths and very proud of it!), and it’s still a piece of me that is engrained pretty deep.

I still refuse to wear anything other than black, although I do have the rare exception here and there – I’ll throw on a deep forest green once in a blue or a gorgeous merlot, but most of the time – black is the old/new/forever black for me.

Wearing black always gave me a strong sense of security. I mean what other color takes off 10 pounds, hmm?

When it comes to Goth jewelry – it’s really hard to veer away from the stereotypical; bats. famgs. spider webs, lace – not that there is ANYTHING wrong with these, as a matter of fact I adore these design elements and still use them for my daughter’s jewelry.

But I wanted to find the “sophisticated goth” path….and I think I’ve found it! And in some pieces, I actualyy (GASP!) use colors other than black! Well, ok, the main colors are black but look how red just pops in each piece and still retains it Goth dignity!

Now let’s take this a step or five further – Mother’s Day is nigh….yes, the day where mom pops open the card for the ever-present gift card…or gets the umpteenth 1-800-flowers delivery, or kinda noticed the quick run to Sears’ jewelry section.

Mother’s Day doesn’t necessarily need to be TRADITIONAL. You can start the new tradition by getting Mom (especially the hip and cool moms that introduced you to The Cure and Siouxsie) the best, one of a kind jewelry that screams with their personality – mine! All lack of modesty aside, getting mom something that is about who they are and their personality is what it’s about, right?

AND if you want to stay traditional, and there’s nothing wrong with that at all – I make spectacular custom made charm bracelets! Here are some that I’ve made for moms, sisters, best friends, etc and are all still available as custom orders in my etsy shop: www.eldwenne.etsy.com

Now let’s take this a few more steps forward – what about throwing your mom a jewelry making party? Or if your mom isn’t the hands-on type but wants a unique piece made before her eyes – it sounds like she needs a JODi (Jewelry on Demand) party! The best Mother’s Day gifts, no??

For all my blog readers that email me at eldwenne@yahoo.com with the words, “I LOVE YOUR BLOG” will get a 10% off a JODi party or a two hour jewelry workshop!

Wedding Season, Supernatural Overdosing and Did I Just Become the Avon Lady?

Posted on March 20, 2013 by eldwenne

Try to wrap your brain around that title for a moment…I’m still trying, actually.

Being unemployed (in the traditional sense) has been a blessing in so many disguises. There’s so much clarity that I now possess, or at least now have access to, that simply wasn’t available before. And no thanks to immersing myself in some Sam and Dean ala Supernatural…sigh….that really does the brain (and eyes!) some good. All eye-candy aside – the writing on that show is fantastic and does actually expand my brain cells a bit. Mix that up with the newfound clarity and some wonderful things happen.

So with that let out to dry, let’s talk about wedding season for a moment, shall we?

Having planned my own wedding all those years ago, I still look back to that time with great fondness. Yes, really. Both my husband and I had a total blast calling the shots since we paid for everything ourselves. Very few people dared to challenge us since they knew our retort was, “Oh, you think we should do X? Are YOU paying for it?”

It was glorious!

What I spent a lot of time fretting over was the bridesmaids’ gifts. Being a jewelry designer, you’d think I would’ve just cranked out some pieces and called it a day. Can you believe I didn’t even make their jewelry?? I was too busy controlling, er, WORKING with the DJ to get the music just right.
Looking back I do regret not making their gifts. To (over)compensate, I came up with a fantastic offer.

Wouldn’t it be the nicest gesture to show your bridal party that not only here is the jewelry that you better effing wear on your special day, but have them CREATE it themselves? Throw them a jewelry-making party with the jewelry hostess with the mostest. Sorry, I truly couldn’t find something less trite.

I will go to your home or venue, sit down and design the pieces right then and there with your bridal party. I’ll teach them how to manipulate wire, how to use the tools, how to create a working design that will last far beyond your wedding day. It’s fun, it’s the whole chick-flick bonding thing, alcohol can be added to the mix for some interesting design inspiration, and it adds another fond memory to planning your wedding.

And the bridesmaids will forever be talking about how fun it was to create something and flaunt it to the masses. A special keepsake.

A wire forged piece can be a fun activity

With that in mind, I’m now offering a whole new line of JODi (Jewelry on Demand) parties:

Children’s parties where I come to the home and using your chosen theme create charm bracelets or necklace/earring/bracelet sets.

Charm bracelets are so versatile and customizable – perfect for kids!

Wedding entertainment – I will go to your wedding with a table set up for your wedding guests to enjoy some jewelry making. Their favor from your wedding will be made by their own two hands. The components will be items of your choosing that have significance, be it found objects, color themes, etc.

Found Objects are great ways to create an elegant yet simple design

The old fashioned jewelry workshop – I will go to your home and do a wire jewelry design instruction workshop.

So with all that in mind, I realized, wow – I’m going to be spending an awful lot of time in people’s homes – have I just become the Avon lady?? Not to worry – I’m not handing out crappy lipstick samples. Just don’t step on the rug in bare feet – you might step on a Swarovski here and there…

Anyone interested in having a jewelry making bash for your princess or to thank your bridesmaids, or to get me into enjoy your wedding while I entertain your guests with some fab jewelry making activities – you can contact me at eldwenne@yahoo.com.

If you mention ILOVEYOURBLOG in your email to me, I’ll knock 10% off the price of the package!

Jewelry in the Raw! Free Leather Cord Offer!

Posted on March 6, 2013 by eldwenne

I’ve been bitten by the raw gem bug. I got my hands on some absolutely gorgeous raw stones. Not only do I have some beautiful clear quartz crystal points, but some geodes filled with calcite, amethyst, quartz as well…sigh… This … Continue reading →

Handmade Jewelry On Demand Party and a Discount!

Posted on March 1, 2013 by eldwenne

Wow, it’s been a while, huh?

Ok, well lots of things have happened. I lost my day job, started studying to obtain my teaching license, and am considering moving from Jersey City to a suburb outside of Nashville.

And that’s all within the past MONTH.

2013 started out to be quite a challenge, however, it was the kick in the pants that I needed to get my life on track.

My husband and I were running at the track this morning and I was telling him about my new service that I am offering called Jewelry on Demand.

I go to people’s homes (or they come to mine) and I display samples of my unique, handmade jewelry.

My clients point to what they want, I sit down and make it then and there on the spot, in front of them.

There really truly is something behind seeing the product come to life in front of you. I initially got the idea a couple of years ago at a flea market.

I was at a flea market trying desperately to sell my jewelry. A little girl came over and told me how pretty a pair of my earrings were but she wanted to see them in red.

I always bring along my tools and some supplies with me to flea markets so that I have something to do while I wait pathetically for clients, lol! It also comes in handy if a client wants to adjust something, like changing the length of a necklace, for example.

Anyway, I crack out my tools and supplies and get to work making a pair of earrings for the little girl.

Her mother came over and asked me what I was doing. I explained that her daughter wanted to see a different version of the earrings and the mother then said, “Can you make me a pair in blue??”

So I got right on that and before I knew it, I had a line of people waiting for me to create something right there in front of them, to their specifications. It was SO MUCH FUN!

I coined the term “Jewelry on Demand” because that’s pretty much what it is! You demand, I create.

Imagine throwing your daughter a birthday party where the guests walk away with unique, one of a kind jewelry handmade before their eyes….or jewelry that they make themselves under my instruction!

Movement was a key part of this design.

So my husband said, “So you’re throwing JODI parties. Jewelry On Demand Inc. parties!”

Now why didn’t I think of that???

He’s clever like that, so I’ll keep him : )

I am very VERY pleased to announce that JODi parties are now happening and if you live in the NYC metropolitan area, I’d be delighted to come on over!

If you’re the kind of person that doesn’t feel like stressing over having company – come on over to my place instead! I’ll put on some coffee or tea, we’ll have some snacks and I’ll get cranking with some one of a kind designs specifically for you!

MAN it feels so good to take the reins over my life – give it a try!!

So if you’re interested in a JODi party, convo me for a special discount towards your party! AND just because, here is a Coupon Code to use in my etsy shop for 10% off your jewelry purchase in my etsy shop: RETURN10.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Eldwenne?ref=si_shop