Friday, March 11, 2011

Whine and Cheese

I had something I wanted to write about yesterday, but the day got away from me and I didn't post anything.  Does it matter?  I have one follower on this blog:  me.  Of course, I'm sure that has to do with the fact that few people know about my blog. 

Yesterday I worked on a newsletter to send out to my friends, family and customers, with information on my Etsy shop, my blog and my show schedule.  I wrote it in Word.  My header, which was a banner with my company name, wouldn't copy over to the e-mail editor I use.  I really wanted my newsletter to look more professional, like some of the newsletter e-mails I get from stores and vendors.  I have Microsoft Publisher on my PC, so I tried re-writing my newsletter with that, and didn't get very far before it was dinner time.  I try very hard not to be on the computer after 5:00 p.m. in order to give that time to my husband.

So I didn't send out the e-mail with all the information on how to find me and read my blog and buy my jewelry.  I will admit here that I also haven't sold anything on Etsy.  I've only had my jewelry on there since January 20th, 2011, but it is still disappointing since it's been a lot of work.

Last Friday I spent quite a few hours taking my own picture.  I had a fresh haircut and told my stylist, Liz (http://www.bakkenwood.com/), that I would have to go home and take pictures of myself for marketing purposes.  I am so NOT photogenic.  And SO much a perfectionist.  I even rearranged my library bookshelves so that the background would look good.  I had to make myself laugh before each shot so I didn't look so stupid.  I'm so glad I don't have to look at myself! 


Over the weekend, my husband set me up with a fire brick and a torch in the back porch, and I happily fired copper metal clay pieces that I had made a few weeks ago at a class.  I don't have the required pickle solution, so used vinegar.  It sort of worked.  I also polished the "charms" with my Dremel.  At the end of the weekend, I put the shiny copper charms away in a plastic baggie.  Apparently there was still moisture on the metal as when I took them out the next day, the charms were GREEN!  Which is not the look I was going for at all.  So I spent more time on Monday polishing them.  Then I lost one leaf charm.  I found it today when I ran the garbage disposal.  What a lot of noise a small little copper charm can make!  I don't recommend it as a way to polish metal.

I spent some time Tuesday and Wednesday with my Dad.  Took him to an eye appointment downtown St. Paul, and then we went to the optical store to order a new lens for his glasses.  He only needs one because he's now blind in his right eye.  Mom would never have allowed that to happen, the blindness in one eye.  She would also not have allowed Dad to smoke in the house or use the extra bedroom on the main floor for  wood-carving.  She would have thrown out half of Dad's wardrobe and burned the other half.  The house would be spotless, Dad would weigh more, his hair would be cut and he would never stay in his pajamas all day long.

I did make new jewelry this week, so it wasn't a total loss. 

Maybe I'll get some photos taken and posted next week.

See, I do serve cheese with my whine!!

3 comments:

  1. Laurel,
    Chin up! You're not alone. Starting a new venture always takes way too much time and a lot more effort than we realize.
    I really like the new pieces you've been doing and hope you bring some for show and tell. I'd love to see them in person -- but I can trek down to your show at the end of the month too.
    A friend of mine buys things through Etsy regularly and has been very happy shopping there. I've looked around the sites a little bit and plan to do more looking there.
    Alice

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  2. Laurel, I'm so glad I stumbled upon your blog! This post especially was just what I needed to read today.... You're SO not alone in what you describe, my dear. All the work that's necessary to get the simplest of online things created, all the trial-'n-error stuff involved in creating one's work, all the effort expended posting to a blog that you suspect no one will ever read, even your description of taking your own pic -- I both laughed and cried. All that you describe is stuff I wrestle with; I totally get you and you're just like me! :D Keep doing what you're doing and keep writing about it, 'k? Because I'm now one of your avid followers and happy to be so.

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  3. Thanks Laurel, your jewelry designs and the process in which they come to life is inspiring. Keep on grindin', love that copper!

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