website

I fixed my website, as of right now it is a free site with ads, and it points straight to etsy, but hey I like it!
http://www.angelfire.com/biz6/sebordeaux/index.html

Just need a domain name. I think "Bordeaux" is taken - ;)

I got my kiln back - woo hoo!
I just hope they correctly fixed it, I will know soon.

Spring Green

Blue (no name or item number written on my tube of blue)

Enamel Tests

I should be getting my kiln back this week. It has been in the repair shop because of the faulty display.

Anyway here is some big news....

I GOT A SINK!!!! Running water to my studio. I could not enamel without running water, now I can.
So in getting ready, I am doing some enamel tests of my existing colors. It is going well.
I am making earrings my test pieces and I am going to document each color here as I go.
These earrings will be for sale for $21 each.

This pair is #2720 Trans HARoid Purple. (the color isn't exact in the photo - it is a eggplant kinda color)

Display Tweaks

Last week I decided to get a jump start on getting my display ready for use again (it has been put away for 2 years).
I drug the whole thing to the center of the yard and assembled it. I realized the shelves needed a good washin' and to be re-painted. So I dis-assembled all of it and put it back together in two unit sections, with half the total shelves set up in such a way for me to paint them and let them sit in the air to dry. I then realized it would be a good idea to set up the tent around the shelves in case it rained, so I wouldn't have to take them down until I was done. I got the tops of the white shelves, cleaned and painted. I left it outside overnight to dry. That worked out quite well, however the next day a nasty storm came to town, nearly blew the tent down on top of the shelves, so my 4 year old and me, rushed to disassemble it before it started to rain and wind really whip up. We did it! All that time to set up though, alot of wasted time, we need to do it all over so I can finish painting.

N E C K L A C E D I S P L A Y S

I really could care less for the conventional neck bust displays for necklaces, and at $30 each, it really is unreasonable to use them in my set-up. Besides that they get dirty and banged up, just by the nature of taking them to shows. So my alternative was to cut fan shaped pieces of plexiglass with notches cut out of the top for the necklace to hang on.
My problem - a way to make them stand on their own -
My solution - well, everytime I have set up at a show so far with this display (which has only been about 3 times) I stuck the plexiglass down into bars of soap. It worked until customers handled them or the wind blew them, the holes worked larger and the fans were no longer sturdy. It wasn't working good enough. Though my booth smelled wonderful.

So I asked on the etsy forum if anyone could suggest a solution, Only one person seemed to have any ideas, a tripod stand or some of that foam for plants you can get from the floral dept of the craft store.

I bought some tripods, though too little they would not hold my plexiglass. So I tried the foam and it seems to work well, I guess the best test of that will be to use it. They will work better than soap but I don't believe they are the best solution still yet.

In looking at the picture of my booth, I realized how much I dislike the three big white boards where I showed off multiple necklaces together. They are dirty and not the look I want.
So I have all these tiny tripod easels now with no use, so I made tiny fans to compliment the larger ones, they work perfect, and my pendants will fit on those as well. I can also use them for earrings. I think I will paint the little ones white.
I am excited about how they are turning out.

here are a couple of pictures to help illustrate what I am describing,

Upcoming shows

I was accepted in the Spring Daze Festival in Cary, NC. It is a juried show, however I have no idea how it differs from a regular festival where you just pay for a booth and are in, next to god knows who.
(I was in the middle of 2 food venders once, lets just say I will never order food from one of those festivals based on what I observed)

Anyway, I am also planning on selling at the local Farmer's Market on Saturdays. Maybe just set up half my display. (I am iffy on this one)

And one more the Orange Street Festival. I really like that one, because well I do really well there.
Three years ago I won third place for my setup and got a hundred dollar check, then had to break down and not even show up for the second day because, my dad passed away at 3pm on the first day.
2 years ago I attended that one when I was pregnant and really hurt my foot bad, there.
hmmmm maybe I should avoid that one huh? :)

I think those three should be good enough for a start - esp since my youngest is still quite young.
I am thinking my 4 year old could help me sell at the Farmer's Market, he might enjoy that - If not he can sit at Grandma's each week.

Today I painted half of my shelves. I am in no hurry but they definitely need the overhaul since I haven't pulled them out in over about 2 years.

I need to set everything up to make sure I have enough merchandise. I am nervous about that.
and I need to make a few more necklace holders.