My Featured Customer of the Month – Robin L.!!!!!

I know everyone is waiting for an insane update on my VanCon Experience – and while I’m getting that ready for you, I want you to show some love for my featured customer of the month and friend of mine, Robin!

Robin and I met while I was selling at a flea market in Bayonne, NJ.  This woman pulls up a chair to my table and her ever patient fiance, Jason, sits with us and gives feedback on which pieces Robin chooses.

It’s a hoot seeing these two together, they complement each other so well, and you can just tell they love each other so much.

They’re planning on being married in the summer of 2014 – I can’t wait!

Robin and Jason travel a lot and like to collect found objects as souvenirs.

One day at another flea market, Robin and Jason came by with TONS of sea shells, stones, corals, you name it.

Robin really knows what she wants; she’s very particular and sees potential in many things to have artistic qualities.

For example, here’s Robin wearing some of the pieces I created for her using her found items:

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Robin’s here to tell us in her own words about herself

Hi, my name is Robin.  I graduated college back in 2007 with a BA in psychology, but I always enjoyed taking art classes for fun. I am engaged to a wonderful man that I have been with for 9 years.

I also enjoy making jewelry.  Back in college I used to take jewelry and ceramic classes.

I have always preferred handmade jewelry over store bought.  I don’t only enjoy handmade jewelry, but handmade anything, for example, in Pennsylvania in the Amish country where everything is handmade – I love that stuff. I love it because it has its own sense of quality you know;  time was put into the work that was done and it was done with care.

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In that sense it seems to make the product of greater value. Plus, with factory pieces, so many are made of the same thing.

With handmade, every piece is uniqe in its own way.

The wire work seems to be my favorite medium because of how many different designs you can make just out of the wire, any which way you turn it.  It can turn into a whole different looking piece but with the same formula.

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Just the care that is put into each piece you can tell that it was made by the heart, and a passion for the work.

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Jodi here again – wow, thank you, Robin!  It’s people like Robin that keep me going – she has a genuine appreciation for the work it takes to make my pieces.  She’s a staunch supporter of my work – just recently she called me, so excited, because she was on the bus and saw someone wearing one of my pieces.  That is one of the greatest compliments I could hope for.

Not only having someone interested in my work, but EXCITED enough about it when they see others wearing my work as well!

Thank you, Robin, I am fortunate to not only have you as my spokeswoman, but as my friend.

As usual, I need to throw in a Supernatural reference – so I’m not even apologizing for that anymore because you’re probably reading my post for it, lol!

As you all know, I was in Vancouver this past weekend.  A FULL account of my weekend will be unleashed next Friday, I PROMISE.

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I do have to say that it was an amazing experience.  Many of the actors and production crew of Supernatural are walking around with my jewelry – it was INCREDIBLE!

The Vancouver convention was financially JUST under what I needed to break even, but in terms of actual sales – well I kicked ASS! Unfortunately, traveling to the other side of North America ate into my profits. Had it been a local event, I would’ve been financially very successful.

I learned so much and have a much better understanding of my audience and how to travel smarter.

In order to keep up the momentum, I need to get to the Toronto convention in October.

Would you please consider donating to my Click Start Me campaign: http://tinycs.me/9T

I need help garnering up the funds to cover my travel to Toronto – I have so many people expecting me there, it’s going to be a major success – if you share my link, please let me know so that I can give you a discount towards my jewelry! If you donate, you know the drill – I give you a gift certificate for your donation amount PLUS an additional $25 – THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN ME!!!

Goddess Spiral Inspiration and VanCon – ALMOST HERE!!!

The goddess spiral is a motif I use in many of my pieces, if you’ve noticed.  It’s a symbol that is used in so many different belief systems and cultures.

There is no one solid definition of its meaning because it is so ubiquitous.  Its meaning varies depending on the person.

It can represent the cycle of life or infinity or energy, I could go on forever.

When I design a piece using the goddess spiral, I use it as a representation of feminine energy.

The symbol radiates the warmth and power of the goddess to me.  I use it to infuse this energy into my jewelry.

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Silver Hammered Goddess Spiral Ring

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Goddess Spirals in Silver with Copper Bracelet

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Goddess Spiral Ring in Copper

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Goddess Spiral Wrap Ring

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Goddess Spirals on Sea Glass Necklace

You can see many more pieces that were inspired by the goddess spiral in my shop at http://www.eldwenne.etsy.com

But if you really want to get a GOOD look at these pieces, and many more, come see me at VANCON!

A week from today (or yesterday for gold pass patrons!), you will see me in the dealers room selling my handmade jewelry!

I’ve been working away with so many SPN-inspired pieces!  And I will be taking requests – I will custom make anything you are looking for, like the pieces I have here. I wanted to show some love for our favorite bad guy, Crowley:

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His favorite greeting

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His majesty, the King of Hell!

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The catch-phrase to end all catch-phrases

You know what I’m really looking forward to more than anything at VanCon?  Meeting all of you!

I love spending time with everyone that visits my table.  I feel like my table is my home, and you’re walking into my home and sharing a part of me, I get to know you, and I truly feel enriched by everyone I meet.

It’s a blessing to be able to do this and meet you face to face.  I hope that your VanCon memories include me, as I know that my VanCon memories are going to be all about the fantastic people I’m going to meet – you!

I’m now offering a special discount to anyone who shares my GoFundMe link: http://www.gofundme.com/EldwennesFantasySPN

If you share my link, just send me an email to eldwenne@yahoo.com show me how you shared it, and I will send you a coupon code for 10% off any item in my shop on etsy http://www.eldwenne.etsy.com (not including gift certificates).

But the gift certificates are special too – don’t forget that with every Go Fund Me donation, you will receive a gift certificate worth MORE than your donation amount! So if you donate $25, you will get a gift certificate for $50! $50 donations receive a gift certificate for $75 – $100 gets $125, and it just keeps getting better! And they never expire!!! They’re valid until you spend them, so there’s no pressure to use them by a certain date.

Donating to my Go Fund Me Campaign is not only about getting me to the convention locations – it’s about jumpstarting a woman’s small business. It’s about believing in what I do and giving me a tiny boost to realize this dream that not only will provide quality handmade jewelry to the masses, but help me provide for my family and build my business to the point of being self-sufficient.

Remember to swing by Go Fund Me at http://www.gofundme.com/EldwennesFantasySPN and check out what special offers I have for you in exchange for jumpstarting a woman’s small business! THANK YOU!

In the Thick of Things and Salute to Supernatural VanCon – HERE I COME!

One of the most important design decisions I make with each of my handmade jewelry pieces is ensuring there are interesting contrasts.  One way I like to achieve this is through varying line thicknesses with wire.

 

Green glass tile ring wrapped with three different wire thicknesses

Green glass tile ring wrapped with three different wire thicknesses

I’ve explored this design element to a degree that I thought was rather thorough, until I found a wire that blew my mind – 1/4 inch wide silver wire.

As soon as I picked up the spool, my mind raced with all of the design potential – it was insane!

Even as I write this new ideas are popping into my head and I’m getting cracking at them as soon as I post this!

Here’s a peek at just some of the pieces that were born lately:

Rutliated glass with thick silver frame necklace

Rutliated glass with thick silver frame necklace

Side view of rutilated glass with thick wire frame
Side view of rutilated glass with thick wire frame

 

Gray agate ring with thick wire band

Gray agate ring with thick wire band

 

Beach Stone Wrapped in Thick Wire Frame and Hand Forged Hammered Silver Links Wrapped with Lavender Crystals

Beach Stone Wrapped in Thick Wire Frame and Hand Forged Hammered Silver Links Wrapped with Lavender Crystals

It’s been so much fun exploring the potential of the new wire.  I’m currently working on a woven bracelet with it – I’m looking forward to sharing the results soon!

Now for my incessant need to tie in my Supernatural obsession – NEW SUPERNATURAL JEWELRY!!!

I’ve been working very diligently, getting ready for the Salute to Supernatural VanCon 2013!!!  I’M GOING!!!  Thanks to my generous GoFundMe friends, I am now able to embark on one of the greatest experiences in my handmade jewelry career.  I will never have a larger audience than at VanCon – thank you all so much!  I’m still in need of support, as this is the most expensive convention out of all of my traveling needs.  I have more information on how you can be a part of my journey, read on!

To help defray the hotel costs, I tried to find a couple of people who were willing to be roommates with me at the hotel where the convention is taking place.  I was very fortunate to meet two fantastic ladies who are on board.  Initially we connected in order to help defray the hotel costs, but the three of us really clicked and look forward to spending time together at VanCon – so I’ve made some great friends.  We’re already talking about making this an annual event for us.

In getting ready for the convention, I really needed to boost my inventory.  I wanted to make some SPN pieces to celebrate being in the mecca of all that is SPN – Vancouver.

Some of the pieces that I’ve been making are heavily focused on stamping – which I am really getting the swing of and enjoying tremendously.

Team Free Will - Sam Dean Cass Hand Forged, Hammered and Stamped Necklace

Team Free Will – Sam Dean Cass Hand Forged, Hammered and Stamped Necklace

 

Team Free Will Sam Dean Cass Hand Stamped Oval Bracelet

Team Free Will Sam Dean Cass Hand Stamped Oval Bracelet

All of these pieces are available in my etsy shop: http://www.eldwenne.etsy.com

In preparing for Vancouver, I do still need some help from my GoFundMe friends.  The traveling expenses have been a heavy burden…any sharing of my GoFundMe link would be most appreciated – and now comes with special offers!

I’m now offering a special discount to anyone who shares my GoFundMe link: http://www.gofundme.com/EldwennesFantasySPN

If you share my link, just send me an email at eldwenne@yahoo.com and show me how you shared it, and I will send you a coupon code for 10% off any item in my shop on etsy http://www.eldwenne.etsy.com (not including gift certificates).

But the gift certificates are special too – don’t forget that with every Go Fund Me donation, you will receive a gift certificate worth MORE than your donation amount! So if you donate $25, you will get a gift certificate for $50! $50 donations receive a gift certificate for $75 – $100 gets $125, and it just keeps getting better! And they never expire!!! They’re valid until you spend them, so there’s no pressure to use them by a certain date.

Donating to my Go Fund Me Campaign is not only about getting me to Vancouver – it’s about jumpstarting a woman’s small business. It’s about believing in what I do and giving me a tiny boost to realize this dream that not only will provide quality handmade jewelry to the masses, but help me provide for my family and build my business to the point of being self-sufficient.

Remember to swing by Go Fund Me at http://www.gofundme.com/EldwennesFantasySPN and check out what special offers I have for you in exchange for jumpstarting a woman’s small business! THANK YOU!

 

A Feather Isn’t Always Just a Feather and Further Adventures in Supernatural Jewelry Explorations

Feathers have always been so fascinating to me.  Birds in general – I mean I named three of my four kids after birds – Raven, Phoenix, and Jaden (he likes to think his name is inspired by the blue jay). … Continue reading