Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you’ll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.
This weeks winner is Flower and Bud Jewelry. Congratulations! You have won a new O pendant from Jennifer Heynen of Jangles.
Send Jennifer an e-mail with your address and she will get it right out to you.
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| 70 Donut Pendants for the Bead Cruise. Glazed and ready to be fired. |
I don’t think I have shown how my little kiln looks when it is loaded.
I made these new donuts for the Bead Cruise. Yes, I am jealous that I am not enjoying beading, friends, relaxation and warm weather.
Instead we experienced a rather stressful week. My husband is a teacher. Most school districts are going through big budgets cuts, at least here in Ohio. Last Saturday we received the call, he was cut after 9 years of teaching in this particular district, many hours of going to school and a career changer. We were in shock to say the least, walking numbly through the next few days. I arranged an interview (which has since been postponed due to a conflict) to return to the corporate world. Steve was applying for jobs, not in teaching but back in the business world, one benefit of being a career changer. We received another call a few days later, he was now UNcut. We were happy, relieved, confused, and in general leery of the fate of education. Since then, State Bill 5 has pasted in our state. Not a happy thought. Moving on from this unhappy diversion…
Above is a photo of new donut Pendants that were created for the Bead Cruise. They are on rods, 3 layers deep in my little kiln. They have been dipped in a clear glaze which is why they don’t look too exciting.
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| Kiln opened, donuts fired. |
You can now see the detail after the donuts have been fired. Pretty-Shiny! Now to unload and file any sharp edges from glaze sticking to the rods.
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| 60 Pendants, bagged and tagged. |
This part of packaging I refer to as “bag and tag.” All donuts were put on cards and then placed in resealable cello bags. I wanted to try a different presentation with the pieces of bandanas that can be used to tie the pendants to a necklace.
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| Sassy Pendant |
Close up of the Pendant. Feeling a little SASSY?! Figure it was apropos for most of us on certain days and because my last name is Sasser.
My question this week is:
Have you tried a new presentation idea lately? Success? Failure? What do think of mine?
Leave your comment and you too can feel Sassy with one of my new Donut pendants if you are the winner!
Feeling sassy as usual!
Tari Sasser
Creative Impressions In Clay
Be kind to each other, you never know what someone may be going through.
Alice
April 2, 2011 at 3:40 pmTari,
Don't get me started on the school budget cuts. For the life of me, I can't figure out why funding is cut for something as important as an education. Sorry you are going through this stressful time.
I love your Sassy pendants. And the touch of red from the bandana is so cute–as is your packaging.
I mainly sell at shows so packaging is hardly an issue for me, but I have been trying to figure out new tags and earring cards for display. So far I haven't come up with anything that suits me yet.
Thanks for the peek into your kiln!
Molly
April 2, 2011 at 3:45 pmI hand dyed my tags for my jewelry and it added a beautiful pop of color! Happy Saturday!
~Molly P
Erin S
April 2, 2011 at 4:02 pmLove the new presentation–the fabric adds an element of fun and color!
Erin S
Mandy
April 2, 2011 at 4:40 pmI love the little donuts! I've never seen the kiln and glazing process before, so those photos were awesome! I love the packaging on the Sassy bead! Very original and kinda earthy, love it. What have I done with presentation? Well I purchased some new back ground fabric and papers for my photos. Some are awful (the black embossed snakeskin felt, lol) and some were pretty cool (very lightly patterned scrapebooking paper). But it was fun coming up with something new!
TesoriTrovati
April 2, 2011 at 5:18 pmTari- I am so sorry that you and Steve are going through this, as well as all the others affected by these wicked cuts. Over here in WI I am standing with you. But on to better and brighter thoughts… your donuts are so awesome! I love the idea that they have words. The little bandana is a sweet touch and would make for a great addition to a necklace or bracelet with one of these. I am working on packaging my new pendants. I have little pillow boxes that fit my logo stickers just fine. The inserts inside is what is puzzling me. I am working on that this weekend. Thank you for sharing all that you are doing and dealing with. (And of course, don't pick my name 😉
Enjoy the day, Miss Tari!
Erin
Sherri
April 2, 2011 at 5:54 pmThose donuts are really cute!
Shirley
April 2, 2011 at 8:30 pmWow, I am so sorry ya'll had to go thru that stress. As a homeschool mom, most people think I am anti-public school. Not in the least. And I pray for teachers quite often, because of stuff like this.
I am still just a hobby beader, but am making some stuff for a church fundraiser, so I am working on a packaging system. Love the cellophane baggies. Can you share where you got them? The bit of bandana is really great.
Blessings, Shirley
Malin de Koning
April 2, 2011 at 8:36 pmFirstly, I think your presentation is absolutely awesome! I would feel very special getting that. And the bandana is great.
For myself I must admit I don't really have a presentation concept as such. BUT I actually went and purchased a few things that I need when sending or giving away my things. I need some more still.
So up until now we could say my lack of an idea at all is the failure. I'll be better though. Soon … or soonish.
Lisa Tracy
April 2, 2011 at 8:45 pmTari, hang in there! Having an uncertain future is one of the most stressful phases of our lives. I'm so glad you're able to keep a "sassy" frame of mind!
Your pendants are adorable, and I love the little scrap of bandana. I struggle with packaging endlessly. I'm currently packaging beads and jewelry in cotton-lined Kraft paper jewelry boxes, which are then tied with a combo of turquoise raffia and either white organza ribbon (for jewelry) or basic twine (for beads). It looks nice, and the boxes protect orders for shipping beautifully.
But nowhere near as cool as your packaging, that's for sure!
Pretty Things
April 2, 2011 at 10:00 pmFirst, I am so sorry for the craziness you've had to deal with. Wrong in so many ways.
Second, LOVELY work.
And third — packaging. I LOVE pretty packaging because it makes me think the artisan thinks enough of their work to make every last aspect of it beautiful. I LOVE yours.
When I ship things out, the item goes into an organza bag, then into a gift box that has my logo sticker on it, then that is tied with an organza ribbon. Sometimes I add a little "Thank You" charm (these are sold in the bridal section of Michaels).
For My Sweet Daughter
April 2, 2011 at 10:38 pmI love your little charms so pretty. Here in NY a lot of my friends are going through the same thing 🙁
I just got mini moo cards for my packaging and they are just adorable.
Shannon C
maryharding
April 2, 2011 at 11:42 pmI love Sassy whether it be Alice Neal or Terri Sasses. It keeps the world om track.!!
GailW.
April 3, 2011 at 2:01 amThe donuts and presentation look great to me.
Beadbug
April 3, 2011 at 3:04 amI love your new presentation, my boot partner and I recently tried a new presentation for her pressed penny earrings and it worked out beautiful.
Serena Trent
April 3, 2011 at 4:40 amNow that's what I call production perfection! Nice "sassy" pendants.
Sabine
April 3, 2011 at 4:59 amI have only done tags, but need to think on packaging. Nice presentation really enhances the product.
Ann
mycriticaleye.com
Mimi
April 3, 2011 at 1:27 pmSo sorry to hear about all the stress this last week, Tari . . . it's nice to be able to have a creative outlet to help you though, isn't it? I find my studio is my biggest stress reliever and great therapy! 🙂
LOVE your packaging! Definitely eye-catching, and the bandana scrap is too fun. I was previously using my business card for my earring designs, and recently made a new card just for my earrings. It removed the distraction of the print throughout the whole card, added a lighter background to highlight the earrings, and I still had room for a smaller version of my logo at the bottom. I'm really happy with the new look, and even splurged on a fancy earring punch for the cards which makes them look even nicer! 🙂
cw
April 3, 2011 at 2:03 pmReading your story makes me a bit more anxious because my daughter is also a teacher and I feel that anxiety you are going thru. Why must we make cuts to education? I just don't understand!
On a lighter note, your sassy pendant with bandana attached completes the packaging and grabs your attention. Good luck with that! 'would love to own one.
Chris
Tari of ClayButtons.com
April 3, 2011 at 3:23 pmAlice, the education thing is so frustrating. Cut education so our country can't compete with other countries. So intelligent!
Thank you.
Tari of ClayButtons.com
April 3, 2011 at 3:25 pmMolly, I bet they are cool! I have been tie dying shirts lately, I was thinking about dying fabric to use instead of the bandanas. I'll let you know how that works out.
Thank for stopping by!
Tari of ClayButtons.com
April 3, 2011 at 3:26 pmErin S, thank you so much!
Tari of ClayButtons.com
April 3, 2011 at 3:28 pmMandy, wow snakeskin felt. Didn't even know they made it! It fun to go looking for new things and experiment.
Thank you for the compliments!
Tari of ClayButtons.com
April 3, 2011 at 3:37 pmErin, oh my Wisconsin is going through hell with the cuts and new passage of the bill. I feel so bad for everyone. What do they think is going to happen when the state/government sticks their noses into regulating salaries and everything else? Do they think they will get better employees? Better education? Quicker responses to fires and emergencies? Breath….
Your packaging sounds wonderful and beautiful as your jewelry.
Thank you so much for your kind words.
Tari of ClayButtons.com
April 3, 2011 at 4:01 pmSherry, thank you!
Tari of ClayButtons.com
April 3, 2011 at 4:05 pmShirley, hats off to you for homeschooling! I don't have the patience to homeschool. Thank you for your thoughts.
Packaging can be so difficult. The bags were purchased at nilecorp.com. There is so much to look at on their website. They also have the best price on trays for shows. If you click on the link in the blog post it takes you the bags I purchased.
Have a great day!
Tari of ClayButtons.com
April 3, 2011 at 4:11 pmMalin, thank you so much.
I admit presentation is challenging. But as they say "presentation is everything!" I have an advantage of being graphic artist and able to produce my own material and ads.
I'm sure you come up with something absolutely wonderful and stunning!
Thanks for sharing!
Tari of ClayButtons.com
April 3, 2011 at 4:32 pmLisa, thank you. Your packaging sounds lovely. We always try to do something no one else has done. It can be so difficult to come up with something that compliments our work.
Thanks for visiting!
Tari of ClayButtons.com
April 3, 2011 at 4:37 pmLori, thank you for your kind words.
Pretty Things is you! I too love pretty packaging. Unique packaging intrigues me. Your shipping packaging sounds perfect!
Have a wonderful day!
Tari of ClayButtons.com
April 3, 2011 at 4:38 pmShannon, I feel your friends in NY. I have yet to try the mini moos. I really need to one of these days.
Thank you for the compliments.
Tari of ClayButtons.com
April 3, 2011 at 4:39 pmMary, you're wonderful!
Tari of ClayButtons.com
April 3, 2011 at 4:39 pmThank you Gail!
Tari of ClayButtons.com
April 3, 2011 at 4:40 pmBeadbug, thank you! Glad your presentation worked.
Tari of ClayButtons.com
April 3, 2011 at 4:41 pmSerena, thank you!
Tari of ClayButtons.com
April 3, 2011 at 4:42 pmSabine, you are so right!
Thanks for stopping by!
Tari of ClayButtons.com
April 3, 2011 at 4:43 pmMimi, your new packaging sounds great! Thank you for your kind words!
Tari of ClayButtons.com
April 3, 2011 at 4:44 pmChris, I hope your daughter doesn't have to go through the same. It is hard.
Thank you for your kindness!
roseworksjewelry
April 3, 2011 at 8:09 pmI like your new presentation! I haven't tried any new presentations lately, but I have some in mind 🙂 Mostly photographic presentation…
SueBeads
April 4, 2011 at 7:49 pmI do like yours, Tari – it looks like you spend a lot of time caring. I am hopefully going to do a big show in October (fingers crossed) and need to figure out some "presentation" myself, so thank you for the idea!
Tari of ClayButtons.com
April 5, 2011 at 3:29 amThank you Rose! Photographic presentations work wonderful. You'll need to show us.
Tari of ClayButtons.com
April 5, 2011 at 3:30 amSue, the things you lay awake at night thinking about. It happens too much. Good luck with preparing for the show!
Linda Landig
April 5, 2011 at 7:15 amTari- I am sorry to hear that Steve was laid off. Glad he was rehired, but it makes everything feel so insecure and tentative. I am a semi-retired educator and now I supervise student teachers for the univeristy. I worry about if they will be able to get jobs, esp. if teachers with 9 years of experience are facing cuts. It's so outrageous & wrong in every way.
I love your pendants and packaging, esp. the bandanas! I recently tried placing my earrings in cello bags and found that customers seemed to enjoy paging through the packaged earrings. It made them linger longer in my booth.
Stay sassy and strong!
Tari of ClayButtons.com
April 5, 2011 at 9:35 pmThank you Linda. With the passage of SB5 why would anyone want to be a teacher, fire fighter, police, etc. Really, what do they think is going to happen? You can no longer afford a mortgage or a family. It's pretty doom and gloom right now. I should go knock on John Boehner's door! He lives (when he's in town) a couple neighborhoods away.
I need to try more of the bag trick at my next show. I would love to have them linger longer and of course buy more!
Thank you so much stopping by!
Heather Powers
April 7, 2011 at 5:01 pmI'm glad the crisis was quickly resolved. I know that stress well.
Your little sassy pendants were a hit on the cruise – everyone loved them!
Tari of ClayButtons.com
April 8, 2011 at 1:39 amThanks Heather! I'm glad they liked them.
Stepha
April 9, 2011 at 1:57 amI have tried the premade card holders. But I am going to make new tags by hand. For a more handmade feel. Love yours. Have a wonderful weekend.