Prepping for TorCon, Being Anti-Trendy, and Who Wants to be my Featured Customer of the Month?!?

Posted on September 14, 2013 by eldwenne

TorCon – the final frontier. These are the voyages of the blue-haired one-boot wearing jewelry designer…

Sorry for the cheese, I was just really struggling with an opening line.

So as you can tell from the title of this post – TorCon is happening and I’m busy as a bee (btw – bees never really looked too busy to me- they look more like drunken little things and their flower-hopping is the equivalent to a pub crawl).

Anyway, I thought a post about my prepping process might be a tad interesting.

The first thing I always do is take an inventory of the pieces that I have on hand to see where I’m short, for example, I have close to 150 necklaces but only 35 pairs of earrings.

That at least gives me a push in what area to work on.

Then I take a good look at the designs of the pieces that I have. Do I have a decent variety? Or do I have the same design done to death on most of them?

More often than not I find that I need to push my creative boundaries and challenge myself with a new design element or technique.

Once I find that I need to change things up a bit – the motivation bug bites (not the drunken bee sting) and I start reading tons of materials on new weaving techniques that I haven’t tried or have only tried once or twice.

Another thing I’ll do is dig into my older supplies to find mediums/stones/crystals/etc. that I haven’t ever used or haven’t used in a long time. Sometimes just looking at the supplies makes 1,000 ideas pop into my head all at once!

The one thing you will NEVER see in my shop or at a convention – trends. Call me weird, call me crazy, call me anti-profit – I REFUSE to make pieces that are ‘the latest thing’ or ‘in Vogue’ or whatever. That’s not why I make jewelry.

My jewelry – each and every piece – is about creative expression. Uniqueness. You’re not going to see pieces that look like something store-bought where everything is so perfect that it looks as if a machine made it.

You’re going to find pieces that have very human elements. You’re going to see that one of the rows in a weave may be slightly crooked. You’re going to see asymmetry. Because it’s about demonstrating the humanity in the work. I don’t want to emulate a machine, I am producing what my hands produce.

I can’t tell you how many people tell me how my work is so different than most and I find that to be such a tremendous compliment.

I’ve gotten the snide remark here and there as well. “Oh, your stuff is, um – different.” Damn straight.

I don’t mind getting the odd negative reaction. It means that I’m getting honest responses from people and I value that. And as an artist – I like to think about how Andy Warhol recommended to others to not worry about the content of the criticism, but to count the number of responses you’re getting. Kind of like being the kid starving for attention, so you’ll take the negative in with the positive, lol! Attention is attention!

I digress (as per usual). This is my long-winded way of saying my designs are my designs and not remixes or replications of what you will find everywhere else. Why come to me then? What makes my stuff attractive if you can buy the same stuff somewhere else?

Yes, I’m a business and I do need to sell my pieces. But I’m an artist and my jewelry is my art. And my art is all about individuality, uniqueness, and wearing my heart on my sleeve, er, wrap necklace. You get my drift, I hope!

I mean, if it’s good enough for Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki (yes, the boys are holding Eldwenne’s Fantasy jewelry that I made for their wives), then you’re in great company!!

The boys own my jewelry, you can too!

Even Misha Collins enjoyed perusing my table – and remembered my work!!

What I do love to make a lot of, especially when I’m gearing up for a convention, is a lot of Supernatural-themed pieces. Now that I’ve gotten a great response with my hand-stamped jewelry (Son of a Bitch necklace, anyone?), I want to take it to the next level and make new SPN jewelry that mixes hand-stamped with wire-wrapping and see how far I can push the design elements.

I learned that from the…

Dean’s Catch Phrase

Like a bracelet stamped with ‘Moose’ and hammered away with a beautiful texture, holes punched around the perimeter with gorgeous crystals dangling from it. How cool is that?

If there is a Supernatural idea you would like to see me create – let me know! I’d love to make it a reality for you!

As you all know, I feature a customer of the month for the last week of every month. If you’ve bought a piece from me, I’d really love to feature you. I just need you to send me a pic or two of yourself wearing my pieces – eldwenne@yahoo.com.

I’ll then send you five questions where you’ll have the opportunity to talk all about yourself, promote your own business, shout out to whomever you want to, and talk about what handmade means to you.

It’s a great way to connect and I look forward to hearing from you!

So I’m off to now work on more for TorCon. I do hope to see you there – if you’re going, please stop by and say hi! I really love meeting all of you. It helps inspire me to continue to do what I do, and I hope it brings you closer to enjoying handmade art.

I am trying to get to as many conventions as possible in order to build my business so I have a Click Start Me campaign http://tinycs.me/9T

The Click Start Me campaign allows me to help cover my travel expenses and get my business to the point where it’s self-sustaining and enough to support my family. And it also is a way I can give back to YOU – for every donation, you will receive a gift certificate towards my shop: http://www.eldwenne.etsy.com.

Gift Certificate for www.eldwenne.etsy.com

Gift Certificate for http://www.eldwenne.etsy.com

The gift certificate will be worth the exact amount of your donation! And it doesn’t stop there. If you donate $25 or more, I will add an ADDITIONAL $25 to your gift certificate! For example:

If you donate $10, you will receive a gift certificate for $10.

If you donate $25, you will receive a gift certificate for $50

If you donate $50, you will receive a gift certificate for $75, and so on and so on!

And you know what totally rocks about my gift certificates? They NEVER EXPIRE! They’re valid until you spend them, so you’re not put into a time crunch to use it or lose it!

I also wanted to remind you that I am having an amazing deal the entire month of September – if you go to my shop http://www.eldwenne.etsy.com – I am offering FREE US SHIPPING!! Just use coupon code FSSEPT at checkout in order to receive your free shipping!!
Thank you for reading and I’ll see you at TorCon!!

VanCon 2013: I Cut Off DJ Qualls’ Head, Dick Roman in the Elevator, and Rude Jewelry Sells Well

Posted on September 6, 2013 by eldwenne

I need to start this post with several huge acknowledgments. I’ve said this so many times already but I need to express how genuinely thankful I am to everyone who contributed to my Go Fund Me campaign. You got me … Continue reading →

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

Posted on August 31, 2013 by eldwenne

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!!

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

Posted on August 9, 2013 by eldwenne

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

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

: Side view of rutilated glass with thick wire frame

Gray agate ring with thick wire band

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 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!

TVDNJ and Carrying On in the Convention Circuit!

Posted on July 19, 2013 by eldwenne

Wow, what a weekend!! The Vampire Diaries Convention in Parsippany, NJ came and went so quickly I’m still reeling!

I arrived late Friday night to set up and be ready for the Gold Pass patrons that were there to pre-register.

The location of my table was ideal – I was literally five feet away from the autograph table where a couple of very special guests would be greeting the fantastic TVD fans!

What a challenge it was to arrange my table – I created soooo many new pieces and I just wanted to be able to put them all on display at once. Logistics being what they were, unless I rented three tables it wasn’t happening, lol!

So I tried my best to artfully arrange my wares and my table did receive a lot of attention.

Cluttered, yet classy….I think

This was an incredible learning experience for me. I learned that I do absolutely adore selling in person as opposed to online. I mean I do need to keep a strong online presence, obviously, but nothing takes the place of being there with someone and working with them directly to get to the perfect piece they are looking for, or didn’t realize they were looking for!

Not only were the patrons there amazing, but the other vendors as well. I got to meet some very special people, such as Zephyr and Kierstin. They specialize in autographed posters and photos of celebrities. I can’t tell you what an amazing view I had the entire weekend of a GORGEOUS signed pic of Jensen Ackles directly across the way….sigh….

Then there was the mom and daughter team of Joan and Joanna – a dynamic duo to say the least!

I also met a great couple of best friends Jezzalyn and Lauren. They were looking for matching bracelets to represent their friendship.

The lovely Monica bought a pair of earrings and put them on immediately – warmed my heart!

Zephyr, Kierstin, Joanna, Joan, Jezzalyn, Lauren and Monica are going to be featured next week, so keep your eyes on this space!

I’ve been getting asked “What were your biggest sellers?” – well, I had a couple of really big hits – my wrap necklaces and a lot of my pentagram jewelry.

My wrap necklaces were a big hit! This is my Goddess Spirals Gunmetal Chains and Angel Wings piece

The Ladies of TVDNJ – They will be featured next month, so watch this space!

Also up there were my stamped necklaces.

Damon Stamped Necklace

Stamping is a new medium for me (please refer to my last post “Stamping out The Vampire Diaries – Jewelry That Is!”). I had so much fun doing it and am still enjoying exploring its potential that I’ve come up with a TON of new stamping ideas.

Imagine this – five silver circles stamped with the most memorable quotes and word associations of Supernatural!! Here are some descriptions of what I have on the drawing board:

Dean’s bracelet:

Son of a Bitch

Pie

Eye of the Tiger

Awesome

Jerk

Sam’s bracelet:

Moose

Spectacu-lacular

Salad

Bitch

Clowns

Castiel’s bracelet:

Angel

Trenchcoat

Pizzaman

Ass-butt

I’m God

Crowley’s bracelet:

King of Hell

Morons!

Let’s Make a Deal

Son of a Witch

Hello Boys

I even came up with a other bracelets celebrating Bobby, Charlie, Gabriel, Dick Roman – I can do pretty much any SPN character, just let me know if you have an interest in someone specific or if you want a combined bracelet!

Now, back to the TVDNJ convention!

As I mentioned earlier, my table was so close to the autograph table for a couple of special guests.

First to come in and sign was the most beautiful Torrey DeVitto! She was so stunning and treated each and every fan as if they were the most important person on the planet. A true, genuine person.

My daughter, Raven, insisted on giving her a present! She grabbed one of my geode necklaces (because she said it matched Torrey’s shirt) ran over and gave it to her. Torrey very graciously took the gift and immediately put it on!

Later on came the charismatic Charlie Brewley! He was very upbeat and also treated everyone very nicely.

Raven said we can’t give Torrey a gift without giving one to Charlie as well, it wouldn’t be fair. So I tore apart my table trying to find a piece that could remotely be considered masculine. Aha! I found something!

I had a very simple dalmation obsidian stone on a black cord. Great! I lean over to retrieve a gift box from my bag on the floor. And promptly stumble over my own two feet and land on my rear end. I look up and I see one of the Creation people trying to help me up, the volunteer at the table with Charlie AND Charlie, all looking over at me with their jaws hanging open.

The Creation lady asked me if I was ok. “Aside from an extreme case of embarrassment, I’m fine,” I replied.

I then looked over at Charlie and said, “Yes – I AM always this graceful. But this is actually your fault.”

“What did I do?” he laughed?

“I was trying to get a box so my daughter could give you this.” I said and walked over with Raven, so she could hand him the necklace.

He looked at it and appeared to like it, I think, lol! He then asked me a bit about my jewelry making, said hi to Raven, and I went back to my table to try to salvage what was left of my dignity.

I want to point out that I do not have photos of the celebrities because there are very strict rules in that you are not supposed to take photos of the celebrities while they are at the autograph table and I respect the rules laid out by both the celebrities and Creation Entertainment.

So overall it was an amazing time filled with fantastic people, learning experiences, and more inspiration to “carry on” and continue my journey on the convention circuit.

Raven was also very inspired by the weekend and told me that she wants to become a jewelry designer when she grows up. I’ve never received a greater compliment.

Raven taking a very well-deserved rest after working such a hard weekend!

I’d also like to thank all of you who have been wonderful customers and those who have been such supporters that have donated to my Go Fund Me Page:

http://www.gofundme.com/EldwennesFantasySPN

It’s because of support like this that I’m able to get my small business started. I still do need a little boost in order to successfully complete the convention circuit for the remainder of the year, if you could please pass my link along I would greatly appreciate that!

Remember, every donation receives a gift certificate worth MORE than the donation amount! And it never expires – so there’s no time limit. It’s good until ya spend it!

Thank you, everyone!!

Stamping Out Vampire Diaries – Jewelry, That Is!

Posted on July 9, 2013 by eldwenne

Yes, I am SOOOOOOO excited about this coming weekend! On Saturday, July 13 through Sunday, July 14, I will be at The Vampire Diaries convention in Parsippany, NJ. I’ll actually be there the evening of Friday, July 12 for any VIPs coming in!

A great friend of mine suggested I branch out into stamping to see how what I could come up with.

I don’t get out of my comfort zone often enough, so I welcomed the challenge.

I invested in a stamping kit, some beautiful silver discs, and some tools so that I could shape the discs, and I was raring to go!

You see Damon up above, here is Stefan and Elena:

I had so much fun making these. I also learned a couple of new skills. Stamping is not as straightforward as you may think and it takes some concentration to get the desired effects you’re looking for.

And to make the pieces more interesting, I hammered the discs into domes for some dimension.

The finishing touches are a gorgeous bead and black satin cord.

Now you all know me, I need to tie in some Supernatural action, right? Check out my license plate necklace:

I also created so many new pieces, such as my pentagram cuff bracelet, Medusa ring, and my Blue Aurora Borealis and Copper necklace:

Pentagram Cuff Bracelet

Medusa Ring View 1

Medusa Ring View 2

Blue Aurora Borealis and Copper Necklace

I’m really looking forward to meeting you at the Vampire Diaries convention this weekend, please do come by and say hi!

I will also be selling gift certificates at the convention, but if you want more bang for your buck, if you make a donation via my Go Fund Me page: http://www.gofundme.com/2kwx90 you’ll receive a gift certificate worth MORE than your donation amount which is good towards all jewelry in my etsy shop at http://www.eldwenne.etsy.com! The gift certificates never expire – they’re good until you spend ’em!

For example, if you donate $25, you receive a gift certificate for $50! For a $50 donation you recieve $75! for $100 you receive $125! and it keeps getting better – It’s a great opportunity and you’ll be helping a woman jumpstart her small business dream.

Supernatural and Vampire Diaries fans – I’ve been invited by Creation Entertainment to sell my jewelry at Supernatural and Vampire Diaries conventions!

I have a lot of gorgeous Wiccan and Pagan pieces! New ones uploaded every day into my shop: http://www.eldwenne.etsy.com