Nose to the Grindstone

New Jewelry ©2010 Barbe Saint John/Saints and Sinners®

Even though you spend months preparing for something, sometimes it just isn't enough. After sorting through jewelry inventory on Sunday night, I realized I really don't have enough for 3 shows.....Even though I've been making stuff almost every day, its really not enough for 3 back to back shows. Can you say PANIC? LOL, I did!

So Monday I planted my self at my worktable and created this lot above. I know it doesn't LOOK like alot, but for me - it was hours of work, finding the right elements, the right colors, etc....... I am especially in love with the Aladdins Lamp earrings and keep fighting the urge to keep them for myself. I never wear earrings anymore, but since I love all things Arabian Nights they keep calling to me. I made a couple more necklaces yesterday and feel good about that. Today however I had appts and errands to run, but I'm hoping to get ONE thing made tonight before I got to sleep, even if it's only a pair of earrings.

I just sent a package of jewelry up to REDUX in Portland over the weekend, lots of pretties you can look at and buy in person.

I realized I forgot to post a photo of my filled bezels clasps. I like the way they turned out, and want to make some more of them this week if I can.

©2010 Barbe Saint John/Saints and Sinners®

I am still gathering stuff for the Alameda Flea Market this weekend. I have a small pile of vintage purses, a small pile of vintage dresses, and a sizeable pile of Asian chalkware......I wish I had some tent weights because I know it will be windy over there, I'm praying it isn't TOOO windy and they tent doesn't fly away and hurt anyone. I think I'm in space E3, I called and thats the number they gave me, but haven't received the packet yet. If you're coming to the market, please stop by and say hi!

Sunday Best Necklace ©Barbe Saint John 2010

I feel like this woman in this dauggerrotype; frozen in time, waiting. I know this is just a holding pattern, but sometimes it feels like Limbo. I'm ready to get moving. I do what I can and keep focused on the end goal. I've been gathering a pile of stuff for the fleamarket and made a few more things for the shows.

Going thru stuff for the fleamarket, makes me wonder WHY I keep some of the things I do. Things I've had on a shelf and not used in 3 years like purses, but when I pull it out I love it. I use to have so many purses but kept editing the 'collection". Now, I'd rather have a few that I really love than 100 that I like. Even though I like the super long 50's blue vinyl rocket clutch, I don't LOVE it or need it. And I think I used it 3 times in 19 yrs so I really don't need to move it again. Honestly, I'm happy to let it go on to some other retro person to love and use.

Today, I spent some time going thru more stuff and pricing jewelry for the SFIGF. I am also pulling out stuff for Art Unraveled and CREATE. I realized the other day that I need to figure out some different displays to use for Art Unraveled because I fly there 3 days after SFIGF. I will need to ship my supplies there before SFIGF show. I'm also looking for a helper at AU Vendor Fair so if you are interested, please email me!

And now on to todays Bead Bloggers!

• A Bead A Day Let's have a Tiki party! Lisa found Tiki beads at Big Lots for $1.00 and is looking for ideas!
• About.com Jewelry Making Thinking of selling on-line but worried about the cost? Tammy has discovered three freebie sites for selling your jewelry, crafts, and vintage items.
• Art Bead Scene Art Bead Scene finds findings worth finding!
• Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts Thoughts about creating multiple streams of income as a jewelry artist.
• Beading Arts Cyndi has a copy of "Metalworking 101 for Beaders" to give away!
• Carmi's Art/Life World Cherry wood bezels are the stars in this new pendant collection.
• Cindy Gimbrone Cindy rewinds on wire.
• Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie shows her Steampunk Sampler class made of mixed metals, industrial porcelain, and cold connections.
• Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Lorelei's studio is in total disarray. Check out some pics and if you have suggestions, she would totally be appreciative!
• Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! review of a great book: Candie Cooper's Metalworking 101 for Beaders! Don't miss this!
• Strands of Beads Melissa shows off a summery necklace design with components courtesy of Artbeads.com
• The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton Always on the hunt for unique components, Andrew spotlights "pinch bail components" from Shoutrinse on Etsy!

Multiplication in Today's Economy

Charlotte Cabochons ©Barbe Saint John

I recently took an E-class with Laura Bray about creating multiple streams of income. With everyone being cautious with their $$$, its a good idea to find multiple ways to bring in more. The class was short and sweet but helpful.  I would love to take another intensive one now to see more of the possibilities that are available.  I'd love a more intense workshop about it.  This class was a great starting good push to get me to think about how artists/crafters can create more income.

I've already been doing a few things to "cast my net wider" but haven't kept up on it as I should.  I let alot of  things go by the wayside for various reasons both good and bad.  With all the uncertainty going on in our life right now, the one thing I have control of is my own productivity. A couple of months ago, I had to take a hard look at things going on and refocus my energy where it was most needed emotinally, financially, spiritually and creatively.  I had to take some big steps and some baby steps to clarify what I wanted and needed in both my personal and professional lives.   Getting back on track is priority #1.

Along with refocusing on being a productive artist and functioning human being, I've opened an Artfire shop .  I'll be listing a bunch of my handmade jewelry components. I love creating unique pieces to use in my jewelry and art, and often get asked "where did you buy this component?" I love creating them almost as much as making the finished jewelry pieces.   I have an Etsy shop for some destash supplies, but that shop seems to get lost in the sea of other listings.  In the Artfire shop,  I have a number of things up including the Frozen Charlotte flatback cabs pictured above and this statement steampunk pendant.  I'll be adding more this week as well.

I'm also making a list of things I want do do AFTER my jampacked month of selling and teaching in August. I can't/don't want to start anything now that I'm going to have to put to the side for 5+ weeks.   Also we'll be moving (somewhere) in September so Fall will be a great time to start afresh with some projects I've been wanting to do for at least a year. We are now embracing this life change of having to move away from SF as the opportunity for adventure. We don't know where we are headed, but we are looking forward to starting a new chapter.   I will miss San Francisco, but the universe says it's time to move on and grow elsewhere. A couple of years ago I would have fought tooth and nail to stay here, but now I'm ok with moving away and looking forward to the new adventure.

Bead Blog Reading

Time to do some bead blog reading!

A Bead A Day What do you think about solar system jewelry? Lisa found a ceramic bead strand that looks like it could turn that solar system science project into jewelry!

About.com Jewelry Making If you are selling your jewelry on-line or thinking about it, then you'll find some of these resources very helpful.

Art Bead Scene The June Monthly Challenge is a painting by Toulouse-Lautrec.

Beading Arts Do you like Chinese food? Do you like jewelry...?

Carmi's Art/Life World A button get's glammed up with tear drop rhinestones.

Cindy Gimbrone, The Lampwork Diva Cindy touts one of her favorite colors in this week's rewind.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie explores building materials as texture and symbolism in a new set of pendants inspired by a fortress theme

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Lorelei got together for a fun beady date with Kerry Bogert, and together they created a necklace!

missficklemedia.com Come by and visit for a chance to win free Patina-ted Metal Components!

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean is fascinated by the beautiful necklace which Jennifer Dangerfield created and reposts her analysis of what makes it so appealing! All jewelry afficionados really must see this lovely piece!

Strands of Beads Melissa shows off her necklace design that won second place in the Metal Clay category of Bead Dreams 2010.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton On the heels of his trip to Milwaukee for the "Bead & Button" Super Show, Andrew documents and shares his favorite highlights from the experience.

Happy Mail Day

Polymer Clay Creations by Amber Dawn ©2010 AmberDawn. Photo ©Barbe Saint John

Attention: Cute OVERLOAD!

I got a sparkly little suprise package in the mail today from Amber Dawn. Thank you SO much Amber!!! It certainly did perk up my week (month!). I love it all, and look-she put my name on a bead too!!!



LOOK at how tiny she makes her mini confectionaries. It boggles my mind and I am so intrigued by them.

I put the wee slice of Red Velvet Cake on the quarter so you can see how little it is. I can't slice a NORMAL sized cake this clean and even! And the tiny lemon and orange slices with SEGMENTS!!! SQUEEEEEE I'm in cuteness overload! To see more of her amazing work, check out her blog. She does sell her creations too, so if you are interested email her and ask!

In other news, I've opened an Artfire shop to sell some of my jewelry making supplies - both commercial and ones I've made. I have some in my Etsy shop but get very few sales from it. I am hoping Artfire will be better since its a smaller site. I plan to finish and send a newsletter this weekend. It will have a juicy coupon AND a freebie with order info, so if you aren't subscribed enter your info in the box at the top left of the blog.

I've been a poor blogger for a while and I'm trying to do better. I enjoy blogging, sometimes life gets in the way. The past couple of months have been "challenging" to say the least. We've had one trauma after another in our lives almost every day...... I don't talk about it much because I don't want to attract anymore energy to the chaos. I try to focus on solutions rather than problems, and keeping my eye on goal, not the obstacles. The past week has been slowly getting better, for which I am VERY grateful.

A major part of our stress this past spring was my husband getting downsized. The salary cut makes it unable for us to live in this apt for very long. Looking for a decent/affordable/dog friendly place in the Bay area has been majorly depressing as well. My own business (like everyone else) has been down too and that doesn't help the situation. With our budget we were going to have to give notice at the end of the month, and as of yesterday we STILL hadn't found anyplace to move to. Our plan B was to try and decide WHERE else outside of the Bay area we could/would want to live. Yet MORE stress.

Today, the financial gods smiled upon us and we will be able stay in this apt until the end of August. I am SO relieved, I can't even tell you. Now we don't have to scramble to decide where we are going to move within a month. I think that more than likely out of the state, unless some miracle happens. I'm ok with leaving California now. Two years ago you couldn't have gotten me to move away from SF for any amount of money, but now I'm ready to embrace a new adventure. I would love to stay someplace warm, but living somewhere less expensive with more room and the ability to SAVE some $$$$ is definately more appealing.

We'd love to live in a cute walkable suburb with good public transportation. I want to have a place with room and be able to have people over & socialize again. We'd also like to have a little yard for Bettie to enjoy. Can't get that in SF for less than $3000, and in most of the area for less than $2200 (way out of our current budget) We're researching different places, and keeping an eye out for the sign to show us which way to go.

And the winner is................

I've picked a winner For the City of Love/Spread the Love Giveaway, by using random.org.

Drum roll please............................

The winner is:

Steufel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats!! I'll be emailing you to get your address and will send you off this lovely package of beads!!

Thanks everyone for commenting, reading and following my blog. I'll be doing another SOON, promise!!!

A day late-Bead Bloggers

Its been a hard hard week, so I'm a bit late with everything this week. I'll be picking the blog givewaway later tonight, but without further ado-this weeks Bead Bloggers:

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean is thrilled to be in BeadStyle magazine's July All Star issue, with pals Tammy Powley, Heather Powers, and Katie Hacker who made the cover so beautiful! Come and see!
The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton The prize for this week's Thursday Giveaway comes courtesy of Green Girl Studios! Find out how you can get ahold of these fine pewter beauties!
missficklemedia.com The Staples of Jewelry Making
Art Bead Scene Gearing up for that big bead show coming up? ABS has the top ten tips for your bead buying trip!
Jean Campbell Jean reviews Nathalie Mornu's Leather Jewelry, a bang-up book.
Earthenwood Studio Chronicles Melanie celebrates her 1000th blog post with Ten Days of Giveaways!
Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva A set of smokey quartz beads inspires a new necklace.
Katie's Beading Blog Get the 411 about BeadStyle's gorgeous All Star Issue!
Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts Barbe is having a "City of Love" giveaway!!!
Beading Arts Chapter two of Cyndi's e-book is available for download! "Altered Surfaces" begins the exploration of the exchange between mixed media and bead embroidery!
About.com Jewelry Making Tammy is getting back to the basics, starting with jewelry making tools. What is your must have tool?
Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio Lorelei has been answer some of her reader's questions from a previous giveaway post. Read up on what everyone wants to know!
Carmi's Art/Life World A handmade bezel results in a new necklace for Carmi called FAITHFUL.
Strands of Beads It's Melissa's turn to review Kate McKinnon's fabulous Sculptural Metal Clay
Thanks for visiting.