Many a bride has contacted me about ordering jewelry for their bridesmaids. I've done 8 pairs of the same earring, I've done 6 pairs of different earrings but all with gold added to them, I've had women order right from my Etsy shop. I'm always honored to have my work be a part of someone's special day. It's interesting though, how so few of these brides have considered my jewelry for themselves. They tend to be more traditional and go with crystal or diamonds or pearls. So I'm extremely excited to be a part of Ava Bishop's upcoming show. 
We have a very similar aesthetic and our work pairs beautifully together. Initially I found myself choosing from my most conservative pieces for her gowns and then I realized... she digs the edginess, the tribalness and that's so cool!
Her show of gowns "Past and Present" will be meeting up with my jewelry past and present - some classic designs, some revamped and some brand-spankin' new. I always prefer to see my jewelry on the body and seeing it on model brides draped in Ava's exquisite creations is sure to be a lovely sight.
Photos will be taken and I'll get 'em up on the web as soon as possible.
So happy to be featured in the March 2011 issue of Art Jewelry Magazine. The article is called "The Many Faces of the Modern Apprenticeship". Kristen Sutter did a great job profiling four types of apprenticeships and I was interviewed for the traditional perspective. Is an apprenticeship right for you? Check out the article!
Since I opened my Etsy shop 3 years ago, I've been selling my work in a very careful way. Only posting pics of pieces I had made and that were ready to ship. After another crazed holiday season of trying to fill my shop, do craft shows, and supply Trinket; I am where I often am in January - out of jewelry. In the past, I've slowly rebuilt my inventory over the winter months and worked on big projects, pieces and problems and let my shop go. That really isn't good business, to build up so much momentum and then just let it go, let my shop barely run with a handful of pieces in it.
So, I simply re-filled my shop, activated all of my inactive pieces and renewed many sold pieces and now people can order from me and I can make their order in 1-2 weeks. I thought about doing this last year but I was scared of the pressure this may cause, I don't like pressure. I want Etsy to work for me, not me to work for my Etsy shop. But rather than shooting in the dark and making lots of jewelry that people might buy once I finally list the pieces, I can make what people definitely want.
I wasn't sure if people would be apprehensive to purchase pieces that they'd have to wait for, but after talking to folks in the Forums and in real life, the consensus is that "people will wait for good stuff". I have little patience and I recently ordered a hat and a planner from two different Etsy shops that I had to wait 3 weeks for and...it was totally worth it. I like knowing these things were made for ME and waiting for them actually made me that much more excited to get them. It seems a lot of sellers on Etsy work this way. I've already had some sales which is so rare for January and because my shop is full, I've been featured in Treasuries and maintaining my web presence. If the sales get too overwhelming (not a bad problem to have) I can always increase my 'making' time or decrease the amount of pieces in my shop. I am in control!
Why didn't I do this earlier?
Ever since I attended my first Phish show, I was taken with the community, the art and most of all, the music. As a maker of little things, I love the merit badge concept and it inspired me to create a token. Since I work in metal and I'm excited for the New Years Run in NYC, a token, reminiscent of subway tokens, was an appealing idea. It's made of pure silver and is the size of a quarter. Each one is hand made by me. A great gift for your favorite Phish head! It comes in an archival coin display holder for $25, HERE
It's also available as a pendant HERE and comes on black waxed cotton cord (16" or 18") with sterling ends and a sterling lobster clasp. Or on a sterling chain for $45 - just check my shop.
In addition to the commemorative fish and apple, and "NYE, NYC, MSG", all three show dates are inscribed among the lines on the edge. 
A limited edition of only 100 tokens will be made to order. Definitely a collector’s item, and maybe the start of a new token series?
I'm donating a portion of every sale to the Mockingbird Foundation because as important art is to me, I couldn't live without the music and I want that to be true for future generations.
Check it out, the token is featured on CashorTrade.org!
Amelia: Photo by David Seaver
Brittany: Photo by David Seaver
Kerrin: Photo by David Seaver
Priscilla: Photo by Alison Redlich
Aleisha: Photo by David Seaver
Linda: Photo by David Seaver
Priscilla: Photo by David Seaver
Photo by David Seaver
