Update on the Crocheting, I think I have the technique down but I'm still fiddling with it for practice. I haven't made an actual jewelry piece yet. I will, of course, post pictures when I finally do make a finished piece :-)

On another note it is getting closer and closer to the Holiday season. I am a Christian so for me this means Christmas, yay! Whatever your religion or beliefs now is a good time to let me know if you want a custom made gift. I usually get pretty busy the closer we get to the holidays. Of course we still have Halloween, Autumn, and Thanksgiving on the way first which are also great excuses to order some Unique Jewelry!

Crochet?

I'm attempting to teach myself tubular bead crochet. This is interesting because, despite my craftiness, I never mastered basic crochet techniques. Here is a picture of my first attempt. It is a little sloppy, I'm still learning. Also, I'm using crummy beads because I don't want to waste my good beads on a practice project.

This YouTube video-* Bead Crochet YouTube *- was the best help! I usually can't stand to watch videos, I'd rather read written instructions but this one is done so well (and has printable instructions if needed) that I watched it twice! 

I just finished a custom order. I have been having some medical problems lately so I am trying to work from home as much as possible. That means that I don't go to my classes as often as I should but I do get more beadwork done in between homework assignments.

The Pendant was custom made according to Customer specifications.
 

This is the design I pictured to match the Pendant. However the customer had a different vision.
The customer gets what they want :-)
 



The finished product!

Yesterday I took a necklace and remade it into a bracelet with matching earrings for my best customer, Shari. Today I've done some house cleaning and I plan on working on the dragonfly necklace for Sean as well as catching up on some school work.
 Keeping busy :-)

Shrinky Dinks

I'm working on a project for a friend this weekend. It involves Shrinky Dinks, Sculpy Clay, leather, and beads (of course). I love playing with Shrinky Dinks but I have to admit that this project is trying my patience. It is only difficult because I'm such a perfectionist but I will get it completed to my satisfaction eventually. I will definitely post pictures of the finished piece.

Ok..........................I have not been keeping up with my blog. In fact, I have been neglecting a lot of my business in order to focus all my energies on school. So..........................I have decided that I want to make the time (somehow) to build my business. I am going to redesign my blog, possibly even change all of it, and try my best to keep up with postings!

Ann hosted a bead party on Saturday. It went very well and several people said they wanted to host a bead party too. I've finished some new projects ( check out my Facebook for pics). I'm trying to work on some new ideas while potty training my (almost) 2yr old, Ruby.

Summer quarter is over! I passed all my classes with As. I have about 1 month until Fall quarter starts and I have about 10 custom-order projects lined up plus several other projects I've been wanting to try out. Let's see how much I can get done!

I revised my essay before turning it in. Then I revised according to the teacher's instructions, and I will probably revise it again. I think it's very cool that this teacher allows us to continually revise and improve our grade.

Now on to beading-------- I haven't had as much time to work :(
 I still get things done if I have an order but it's been hard to find time to just make whatever I want to make. (I have about 120 items already made and on display in my home office).  On the plus side some people in my classes have shown an interest in my items. And Sheri Shouse (my biggest supporter) always has something to keep me busy :)

I have some super-cool ideas that I can't wait to try out. Here are some hints: One has to do with keys (an inspiration I got from my Keys for Writers book in English 101), and several have to do with mirrors (an inspiration from doodles I made in English class). So keep an eye on my blog. I will post pictures when I get the time to actually make the items.

I'm so excited! I just finished my second day of school. I am taking classes at Pierce College to get my prerequisits so I can apply for the nursing program. Because I'm so excited I wanted to share my first essay with you. The topic was any issue that is important to me personally so of course I chose a topic that has to do with beading. Let me know what you think.

Unique is Better

Beaded jewelry is very fashionable right now. Most people don't think before they buy a piece of beaded jewelry. You can pick up a beaded bracelet or necklace at almost any department store. However, if you take a little time to consider before you buy I think you will realize that buying from a local artisan has many benefits.

If you choose to buy from someone who is local not only is it supporting your local economy, you may even be supporting people you know. Many people who make hand-crafted jewelry do it as a part-time job to earn money while raising a family, going to school, or working a full-time job. Some of them are mothers or even grandmothers, and for a lot of people it is a family tradition.

The artisans who do beadwork take pride in their work. They take the time to inspect every piece, which cannot be said for the pieces you buy in a department store. Most of the time the individual pieces that make up the whole are of a higher quality. Artisans take the time to scrutinize each piece before buying. They make sure that every piece is as perfect as they can get it.

What do you do when you want a bracelet, necklace, earrings, or even a keychain to match a specific outfit or for a special occasion? You can go to the local department store or nearest jewelry store and look for hours just to find a piece you 'kind of like'. Another option is to buy from a local artisan who can make a special piece to fit your needs. You can choose everything: the hardware, the size, even the individual beads and focal pieces. By doing this you get exactly what you need and you will have a piece of hand-crafted, locally made jewelry.

Many artisans have been learning and creating since childhood. It really is a passion for them and it shows in the work. They each have a unique style and unique personalities to match. So get to know your local artisans, support your local economy, and in return you will recieve a unique, high-quality piece of wearable art. You may even make a new friend in the process.



　

I just had another surgery on Wed. It was just a small one though. I am sore but should heal quickly. On top of that we are packing in preparation for moving to a new apartment. I'm still beading though! Here is a pic of my current project.

Selling jewelry at Freighthouse Square today and tomorrow. They just started a new Indoor Swap Meet on the bottom level. Come check it out!

Superbowl Jewelry was a bust! I just think these two teams aren't that important in our area. However it did give some people ideas for jewelry they would like made with their favorite teams. I think I will take the pendants off of most of the jewelry and sell them as 4th of July themed jewelry since all the colors are Red, White, and Blue.

I am hoping to get some orders for Valentine's Gifts soon. I have plenty of supplies to make necklaces, bracelets, and earrings with hearts or whatever the customer requests.

Just finished the Necklaces and Charm Bracelets for the Superbowl Teams. I have spent every spare minute working on them for the last 4 days or so.  I ordered the pendants as soon as it was decided which teams would be going to Superbowl. Then I had to wait for them to ship to me. I never realized how little time there is between play-offs and Superbowl. Now that they are finished I hope to find buyers for most of them before the game - only 6 days away.

Check out the Pics on my Facebook page by clicking on the link below.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.244528985623147.58512.100001981437292&type=3&l=6d739e2c0f

NY Giants and New England Patriots are going to Superbowl. I have both team pendants ordered and I went to The Bead Factory and bought some red, white, and blue beads. Both teams have the same team-colors!

My surgery went pretty well. Some unexpected complications but nothing too serious. Mostly recovered now. I'm excited to get back to beading. I have ordered some new pieces for Valentine's Day and I am going to order some new NFL pendants for the Superbowl. As soon as I know who is going to Superbowl.

            It looks like I will be going in for surgery in the middle of November. I am going to keep making jewelry until then and I hope to have a bead party soon.
            Recently I made my first beaded ring. I think it turned out awesome.

            I also made a charm bracelet that hooks up to a beaded string to use as a rear-view mirror decoration. I made it for my Mother-in-Law because she doesn't wear jewelry very often but I found the cutest dog charm that I wanted to make something with for her.
         I have tons of ideas but only so much time.  Let's see what I make next.....................................

I am looking for someone to host a bead party next Saturday or Sunday. I posted on my personal Facebook and I will post on the Facebook for Unique's Custom Beadwork tomorrow. Hopefully I get a response from some of my friends. I also have a few friends and family who aren't on Facebook who may be interested in hosting a bead party.

The bead party yesterday was a bust! My sister-in-law hosted it but it seems like her friends are unreliable. She had invited 6 or 7 people and only her neighbor showed up. And no one bought anything. Oh well, I will try again with someone else hosting.

It's been a while since I posted on here. That doesn't mean I have'nt been working. I just forget to post sometimes. I am having a lot of medical issues lately and that takes up a lot of my thoughts sometimes.
I am currently working on some bracelets that have been ordered. They were ordered at my launch party in March  but I just recently got the measurements I need to be able to finish them.

I just finished making a few Halloween pieces. I love doing holiday themed pieces. Unfortunatly if they don't sell it usually means they won't sell for at least another year so I try not to make too many holiday pieces unless they are ordered.

I am having a Bead Party at my sister-in-law's house on Saturday. She will be inviting some of her friends so I can hopefully get a few new clients. I have invited all my supporters/clients and family as well. Hopefully it goes well.


I have posted all of my recently finished pieces on my Facebook page. Including a really complicated veil that was a custom order.  Check it out: www.facebook.com/uniquescustombeadwork.