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 week’s winner is Baglady! Congratulations! You have won a Mystery Button from Tari! Send Tari an e-mail with your address and she will get your prize out to you soon!
This week’s Studio Saturday is my turn, Shannon with missficklemedia.com. I have been buried under paper work for the past month and nothing else is getting done. Not only did I have inventory sheets to send out with jewelry shipments for 4 stores, but there was a ton of insurance forms, new patient forms for an allergist, school paperwork for 2 kids, tax forms and wholesale invoices. Articles and stepped out projects were also needed which means math and measuring. With so many half finished projects in the air, this amount of time being sucked away by paper work is draining me of creative energy.
Pout.
In addition, I had problems with custom orders, my third pair of hole punch pliers broke, metal I needed wasn’t available, a case of lacquer was delayed and my tumbler got the dreaded black plaque from oil residue that required way more hours of labor I had to fix it.
Whine.
This means that all the goodies I had ready to put in my shop have sat in a box, collecting dust for the past month instead of being photographed, listed, shopped and designed with.
As a result, sales have all but stopped.
Stomp.
So aside from paying off debts and getting caught up with bills, this next month’s focus is going to be loading up my store for the upcoming holidays! While this might mean no more custom requests for awhile, it definitely doesn’t mean that there are no grungy patina goods available.
Until I get the new items listed I would like to offer a sneak peek in the form of a give-away;
A Color Wrapped Key pendant!
If you would like to be entered to win this saffron color wrapped, antiqued key pendant, simply leave a comment to this blog post, answering this question; What are you doing this year to ready yourself for the holidays?
Trying out a new show? Streamlining your line? Packing your store full of delicious beadful goodness?
Let us know what you’re up to!
Thank you for visiting us here at Art Bead Scene!
Much Love & Respect,
Shannon
missficklemedia.com
KmoRakefet
September 24, 2011 at 10:03 amWe have the same laptop 🙂
Barbara
September 24, 2011 at 12:44 pmI've been streamlining, shooting new photos and overall tidying up….I've also been working on new ideas which I hope will be ready in time for the holiday season!
m.e.
September 24, 2011 at 1:07 pmWouldn't it be lovely if we could just create beautiful things and collect a bit of money for doing so!!! NO fixing ,faxing or forms!!!!
I will be glad when you list some new goodies!I
I've been wanting to treat myself and that's just the excuse I need!!!
I'm passionate about your patinas,
m.e 😀
KayzKreationz
September 24, 2011 at 1:32 pmI'm trying to get my store filled up. I haven't had time to list anything in a while. I've got several things made. I just hate the photo/shipping aspect of glass and mosaics. So I put it off. But I really want a fuller shop for the fall. So I'm trying to get it all done.
That is an adorable pendant. Hope you get back to your creating/listing and get all your paperwork done. 🙂
stacilouise
September 24, 2011 at 1:45 pmHang in there shannon! Holidays?????? UG! I am just trying to get through this week. I havn't planned anything, but I guess I should make lots of earrings and such, gifty things for my shop. Good luck with everything,all your hard work WILL pay off!
Starseed Jewelry
September 24, 2011 at 2:23 pmI hear you about the time crunch. I am trying to get focused. I am in one of those stages where I am trying to learn new techniques while also marketing them. But,I find all I really want to do is play at my work table. Am experimenting with polymer clay, coloring metals, cold connections, resin and starting to combine them. But, NOT yet making much jewelry from them. I am posting new items here and there in both my jewlery and supply shops on etsy but business is slow. I cancelled two house shows so far and am trying to figure what I want to do with my art. Luckily I have day job or I would be homeless by now:)
Terri
E.A.Wakefield
September 24, 2011 at 2:29 pmI'm just starting my first online business. So, I'm creating product, starting a new blog and doing my research so I know how to best run this whole operation (that's why I'm here!) My head is spinning trying to figure out all of this, but I'm very excited.
E.A.Wakefield
September 24, 2011 at 2:30 pmI'm just starting my first online business. So, I'm creating product, starting a new blog and doing my research so I know how to best run this whole operation (that's why I'm here!) My head is spinning trying to figure out all of this, but I'm very excited.
baglady
September 24, 2011 at 2:37 pmYippee!! I'm a winner (and that always feels good to say). This seems to have been a tough week for lots of us-not sure why-maybe the economy, maybe the holidays coming….I don't know…hang in there and try to squeeze in some creative time.
rockcreekcreations
September 24, 2011 at 3:26 pmI"m not sure YET what I'm doing to get ready for the holidays. I have started making ceramic beads and really need to get some strung. I'm hoping to streamline my process. That would help to get ready for the holidays right?!?
Millie @ ammjewelry
September 24, 2011 at 4:02 pmI feel your pain!
I've been learning to make beaded beads, which has given me more reason to admire the work of bead weavers…they are amazing…how do they do it? And I'm getting ready to do more enameling soon, now with the cooler weather. So much to learn and create, so little time!
Try to relax and enjoy your day…
that key pendent is a cutie!
Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor
September 24, 2011 at 4:23 pmSorry to hear things have been such a challenge for you lately Shannon. I can relate to having to do immense amounts of tasks that you do not want to do and having to put off the ones you do. Like being creative. As far as the broken punches go, have you tried the EuroPowerPunch by Eurotools yet? I just got one and it seems to be very strong. Plus you can get replacement parts should they break. Mine can punch holes in 7 sizes (3/32 to 9/32) in soft metals up to 16 gauge. It might just work for you.
Kartott
September 24, 2011 at 5:04 pmOooo – I spied on of my pieces in your photos, on that lovely necklace you made! hehe
I hate paperwork! Ugh. Time crunch is a problem for me too – mostly juggling full-time day job with my developing business (Starry Road Studio). I'm working on creating a set of standard components and glaze schemes – streamlining. Taking forever but I'm slowly getting there. I had to cancel a show due to too much work (both jobs), so I hope to streamline enough to get more shows in AFTER the holidays, and a good holiday show next year.
More immediately, what I'm trying to accomplish is to work on my jewelry. This is always last on my list of "to dos". Wah. I have several of your lovely patina pieces I'm just dying to work with. Right now I have two pottery firings ahead of me. Sigh.
Hang in there gal – your hard work WILL pay off!
I can't wait to see what's in that box of new shop goodies!
– Karen
somethingunique
September 24, 2011 at 5:08 pmHi Shannon, well first i am excited to learn how to forge links with your tutorial i just downloaded…i have wanted to try this for some time now…i haven't had much time in the studio due to a family illness but hope to soon..my daughter just helped me reorganize the entire shop so it's ready to go just waiting for me…i have stocked up on many supplies from my blog friends and the all the suppiles for the standard swarovski Christmas earring collection..i don't have a shop yet(Goal)but have a few craft shows set up pre-holiday. i just love that key hope i win LOL
take care & enjoy your weekend ttfn Lana :)p.s. good luck with everything!!
LisaS
September 24, 2011 at 7:47 pmAre'nt you glad all these little things happened now instead of in another month or two?? 😉
As far as my shop goes…I'm putting plans together for a line of holiday give-aways to use at selling event in November.
Mrs. B.
September 24, 2011 at 9:28 pmI love this pendant. I am getting ready for the holidays by making many bracelets for the family and id necklaces for coworkers. Pick me!
Rebecca
September 24, 2011 at 10:40 pmI've only just started doing some local craft fairs earlier (may) this year. So I giving myself til Christmas to try out as many as possible and then decide what's the best way forward for me and my jewellery. I still feel I've not found quite the right setting for my jewellery but it takes time I know. I'm hoping the coming months will bring some fair success but am open to whatever happens – you live and learn!
Dale
September 25, 2011 at 1:10 amI've been making jewelry for a bit now, and have a lot of pieces sitting in my studio. However, i haven't decided where would be the best place to sell yet. Shipping from south korea could be rather prohibiting to many customers… my goal is to start figuring out where would be the best place for me to start selling.
Kristen
September 25, 2011 at 11:12 amI have been adding some new things to my etsy supplies shop and I must work on titles, tags, and descriptions in my etsy jewelry shop to try and get some sales there as well. I would also like to build up some extra earring inventory for a jewelry "party" for my coworkers in November. I have two adult children living at home which seems to use up a lot of my energy (in a good way) and yesterday my dryer broke. Yes, I understand some of your frustrations, haha. And why is my house always such a mess?
Line Labrecque
September 25, 2011 at 11:41 amI just finished a week long show that didn't do so well. So now, i go back to my studio and start making beads as well as produce3 or 4 pieces a day. I also have not figured out which types of shows do best for me, it's a trial and error at this point. But I can't see myself not making more pieces, that part is a given. It's stronger than me.
Sabine
September 25, 2011 at 12:26 pmi am thinking about participating in a craft show. I just have to see if I have enough inventory. It will be a huge undertaking. And, during all that I am trying to write a thesis. Yikes!
Ann
mycriticaleye.com
Erin S
September 25, 2011 at 4:42 pmLOVE the key charms! What am I doing to prepare for the holidays, you ask? NOTHING!! I am up to my eyeballs with my workload. So while this means I should have plenty of money to pay for christmas gifts, I probably won't be buying them until the last minute. And nobody is getting anything hand made, unless its already done. bah humbug.
Bonita Bead
September 25, 2011 at 6:10 pmWhen I was school I knew I knew I would never be a secretary and never wanted to do math again. What do I do for both of our businesses. Yes, all day long, math and paperwork. I need time to create.
Charis Designs
September 26, 2011 at 12:03 amI'm trying to create time for creating. I'm doing two home parties for Christmas and a new craft fair, as well as trying to start teaching lessons in our rural town and keeping up with 2 other part time jobs. Love the key pendant- I'm new to your blog 🙂
Elisabeth
September 26, 2011 at 2:22 amUgh – know what you mean. Days and days go by while jewelry stuff that needs doing collects dust. But I just signed up for Square and have half of a new display assembled. For my day job we just had an off site (talk about creativeness draining :-)) and he had a good point about working problems – the best we can do is move the boulder a little bit down the field each week. And if we keep at it, in a few months we might just be way down the field. Hey! Maybe I did get something out of that dreaded off site 🙂
Tina Francis
September 26, 2011 at 3:16 pmWe just completed a major move from Virginia to the San Francisco Bay area and my focus right now is finding craft shows in this area for the coming year and getting back to work with the clay again. Would also like to make tons more beads and do a bead show… something I have never done before. Love your shop on Etsy, your work is awesome!
Klassy Joolz
September 26, 2011 at 5:56 pmI'm getting ready for a Craft Show in two weeks and gearing up for a three day Holiday Boutique Show in mid November…both are firsts for me…all in between working at Michael's Art and Crafts Store with the Holiday rush starting there as well. I've, also, been adding jewelry listings, redoing pictures and reveiwing my listing at my Etsy and ArtFire Shops.
Now that I'm writing about this it seems I'm pretty busy…not real organized and I need to move faster as the Christmas season will be here to soon!
Love antique keys!!! Thanks for the nice giveaway!!!
Sally Anderson
September 28, 2011 at 12:01 amOh, this year the holiday gifts will be much sparer than in the past. I am trying to find things to make that people would like. I'd better get to the making soon or nothing will get finished!
Shaiha
September 29, 2011 at 5:54 amOh I don't sell my jewelry…yet…but I have started working on my Yule gifts already.
Betty S.
September 29, 2011 at 2:07 pmShannon, and yet after all that your work still jumps out as a breath of fresh air and you are willing to share so much of your talent with all of us. How do you do it all? I am personally in a bit of a creative slump and haven't decided if I'm going to do a show this season. Haven't decided.