Taking a break...

This will be my last post until the New Year.  It has been a busy few months and I need to relax and reload.  I'm sure that over the Christmas holidays I will find new inspiration for my jewellery line.  Hopefully in the New Year I will have some interest in my "kid's parties" idea.  Remember to keep me in mind!

Happy Holidays everyone, relax and enjoy...

C

Weekend update

Another busy weekend for Swag Barn. 

On Saturday, I hosted an Open House for family and friends and was so happy that everyone got had a nice time.  Thanks to all who came for some holiday cheer and to those that purchased a piece from Swag Barn.  I hope you enjoy.

Sunday at the Tansley Woods Holiday Shopping Spectacular was less than successful.  With the show being at a community centre I was hoping that sales would be stellar but I was wrong!  Oh well, you win some, you lose some.  I was particularly disappointed that out of approximately 25 vendors at least 6 of them sold jewellery, bad planning on the organizer's part.  Needless to say I won't be participating next year at that show but at least $35 of the (hefty) vendor fee went towards the charity "Sleeping Children Around the World".

A nice woman that stopped by my booth recommended that I make myself available for birthday parties for young girls.  Great idea!  She mentioned that her 10-year-old daughter recently had 10 friends over and they hired a jewellery designer to come and help them to make bracelets that they could take home.  I would really be into doing that!  So, for all you moms that have daughters, keep me in mind if you are looking for something to do at your next birthday party!

Until next time,

C

Tansley Woods Holiday Shopping Spectacular

I really should make the most of this holiday shopping season so I have decided to sell my jewellery and hair accessories at the Tansley Woods Holiday Shopping Spectacular! This event will help support "Sleeping Children Around the World".  Here are the details:

Sunday, December 5th
9:30am to 2:30pm
Tansley Woods Community Centre
Walkers Line & Upper Middle Road, Burlington

Swag Barn jewellery and hair accessories will be for sale.   There are lots of other vendors being showcased too, I've heard that about 3000 visitors come to the show yearly.  Hopefully it will be a success!

Photos of my display

 My first craft show display...

 The bracelet I made for my sister... chain maille.

 E.C. Drury Craft Sale

 My feathered hair accessories.

 Some samples of my jewellery, sorry for the bad quality photos.



Successful weekend

This past weekend was my SECOND ever craft show.  The 2-day event was considered a success!  The first day was much busier than the second day but overall I was quite happy with the show.

Again, thanks to my Mom for her help and merchandising expertise!

The feather hair accessories that I make are quite a hit with the younger crowd, especially at this time of year with Christmas and New Year's parties coming up.  I promise to post some photos soon...I know, I know, I have been saying that for ages but this time I will do it.

This week I will be bringing my pieces into work to see if anyone is interested in buying some Christmas gifts.  Also, I am planning an "Open House" in the early part of December for people to drop into my home and socialize and maybe even buy some jewellery.  A friend of mine also sells handbags etc. and will most likely bring some of her things to sell.  Great time to spread some Christmas cheer and buy a few prezzies while you're at it!

More detailed information will follow soon.

C

First Craft Show... check!

So, this past Saturday was my first craft show ever.  Everything went as planned, beautiful set up... done, photos of my table...done, selling jewellery... done, kinda...

I had a good day, sold a few pieces and took in the experience.  I made a profit and paid for my table but didn't sell as much as I would have liked.  I don't want to make excuses, but I don't think the "cleintele" in Acton was the perfect fit for my collection. 

Overall, I was really pleased with the day.  My Mom was a major help and she even stayed with me all day to keep me company.  Thanks Mom!

I can't wait to get ready for my show this coming weekend at E.C. Drury High School in Milton.  The 2 day event will hopefully double my revenue over the last show.  Hope to see you there!

Craft shows featuring Swag Barn

Acton High School Craft Sale
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Acton High School, Acton, Ontario

E. C. Drury Craft Show
Saturday, November 20
Sunday, November 21
E. C. Drury High School, Milton, Ontario

I have decided not to participate in the Jade Gardens Craft show on November 20 and 21, instead I will do the one in Milton instead, there will be more people and vendors.

I hope you can make it to support these craft shows as well as Swag Barn!!

More on doggy bling

I was at a dog show at the fairgrounds on Sunday, and wow these dogs are blinged up.  Made my dirty-bummed, shedding, dry-skinned chi look like a street dog.  One lady even looked at Nacho with a pathetic face and said in a whisper to her friend "look, at that poor dog...he's even missing teeth".  They both stared with pity.... as if Nacho is so hard up.  Sam just looked cute as ever...but he too got the sympathy looks as if to say "awww, that poor dog, not even a pure bred.."  lol.  

All I have to say to those people is that my dogs have the best life ever... they don't have to be groomed and stand on a table for hours at a time.  They don't have to stay in the van in a cage while you are showing your other prized dogs.  They can be dogs!  And damnit, they are the cutest ever.

Anyways, back to the intent of this posting... there was a lady at the show making leashes and collars with mad jewels & beads.  She actually made the entire leather part on the leashes with this intricate braiding technique.  The price --- some over $90 each!  Craziness.

I am going to research her braiding technique and try to work it into my creations, whether it be for dogs or humans.  I'm sure it will take a lot of practice.

On another note, I made some peacock feather earrings and a hair clip that I wore to a wedding on Saturday.  I received quite a few comments!  I learned that the hair clip was called a "fascinator" in Scotland.  Cool!  The feather's came straight from a peacock at a farm in Kitchener.  I must try to get some more soon.

Have a good day!

Acton trunk sale

So I found out that the have a table at the weekly Acton Trunk Sale is only $10!  The sale is in the parking lot of the Olde Hide House on Mill St. from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm.

I can't attend for the next 2 weekends due to a wedding and work but I think I'll try to arrange a set-up for the Saturday, August 28th.

Most vendor booths are exceptionally expensive.  The Milton Rib Fest wants to charge $200 for a 6x6 set up for 2 days.  Crazy... I could say goodbye to any profit.  I think I will opt out of that one, at least until I have some more inventory on hand.

I'll take photos on the 28th and let you know how it goes!

Pet bling

So... I have this theory...if 1/4 of the dog and cat owners love their pets the way I do and love to spoil them and dress them up my plan should work.

I had the revelation when I was at Port Dover with my sister, mom and nephews on the weekend.  While people watching, I spotted these 2 adorable chihuahuas hanging out with their "mom" and "dad".  They arrived in style in a pink polka dot basket.  They tested the water in their little pink Burberry style life jackets.  They soon sported their screen printed t-shirts after being hand dried with their special towels.  I thought to myself  "wow those are some spoiled dogs".  I know my dogs are spoiled but c'mon a pink picnic basket? 

Then it came to me..... pet jewellery!!!  I know this is not a new idea but the baubles made for dogs and cats these days are indeed expensive.  I should have given the owners of the spoiled dogs my card and told them I would make some custom bling for their pooches (at a reasonable price).

Oh well, off to the drawing (or beading) board to see what I can come up with.

Wish me luck!

Vacation week

Last week was a vacation week.  Didn't get to design any jewellery at all as I was so busy with so many other projects, including painting my living room.  Finally!  This room has been bothering me since I painted it the last time, never again will I paint anything dark blue.

I have discovered that Milton will be having it's first Ribfest on August 26-29 at the Fairgrounds.  I have emailed to see if I can get in with a table of my jewellery.

In the meantime, 2 friends and my sister have inquired about hosting parties featuring....yes, you guessed it... my jewellery!  I will speak with them further and get back to you with details.  Everyone will be invited!

No go for Strawberry Fair

Unfortunately the Strawberry Fair is all booked for vendors.  I will have to figure something else out.  Been making 1 or 2 pieces each night so my inventory is really getting up there.

Today I am wearing my new pearl earrings...I loved them so much that I decided to keep them for myself.

Have a great day!!

Strawberry Fair

This weekend at the Milton Strawberry Fair I might have a table to sell my jewellery (Saturday 8-4 at Milton Fairgrounds).  I have contacted the Milton Hospital Auxiliary, who hosts the event, to inquire about space.  They have not yet replied to my email or phone message but I am hopeful that someone will contact me soon.

If I manage to confirm space I will let you know!

Anne Taintor

I just have to share the website of Anne Taintor, the original vintage humour company.  You may have seen my various Facebook profile pics, generally of Anne's creations.  Her quirky humour and vintage photos are most comical and so ironic they make me laugh each time I see one. 

Some places that I have seen Anne Taintor merchandise for sale are:  Winners, Terra Greenhouses and Urban Barn (some of my fave stores!).

Anyways, check it out if you have time and need a laugh.

Have a good day.

Score for me!

So... knowing me and my love for garage sales, I headed out on Saturday morning to see what I could score for a bargain.  The morning was quite a success in my books. 

I came across a sale that a lady was having to get rid of her remaining items from a store she had closed.  All for $10 I scored these items - a rotating necklace stand, a wooden 2-tiered bracelet stand, a small plastic jewellery stand and 2 brand new fames.  Awesome! 

I also managed to score a round vintage crocodile hat box for travel for $2.  Looks good in my jewellery "studio". 

Back to metal class tonight to polish my sterling necklace pendant that came back from the casters last week.  I promise to post some photos this week.

Garage Sale a Success!

Sorry for the delay in posting this... the website was down for who knows how long.  Either way, I have some good news!  I had a small table at my parent's garage sale on Saturday...and no....it didn't rain.  It was a lovely day and I have the farmer's tan to prove it.

The sale was a success!  I sold 4 necklaces, a bracelet, 2 pairs of earrings and a key chain.  Not big time, I know, but I was quite surprised at the nice comments I got and how many people browsed at my items.

Three people took my card and one asked if I could make a pearl necklace for her... I'll see if she calls me...thinking back I should have taken her number.  Hind sight is always 20/20.

Now, back to work, making more, more more....

I definitely need to come up with a signature look/piece.  I have been trying to create all different sorts of necklaces, bracelets, earrings etc. but have not yet perfected my "look".  I have experimented with beads, metal, leather, ribbon and other materials but I love them all equally so it makes it difficult to decide where to focus my efforts.

A line that I find most inspiring is Foxy Originals.  The line was created by a couple of girls in university and their success has completely exploded over the last couple of years... how they did it is completely amazing.

If you happen to come across my line please give me your feedback on the pieces you like best...the ones you find most appealing...with no pressure to buy of course!

It is up in the air about the garage sale tomorrow at my parent's house...they are undecided since it might rain.  I will confirm today.

Getting ready

So last night I had a busy night...making jewellery of course.  My parent's are having a garage sale on Saturday and I thought I would set up a table with my stuff....small time I know but hey, you gotta start somewhere!

I worked on some pieces that I've been meaning to try to a while, still have to perfect my technique, or lack thereof...lol.  Just going with the flow right now, it is all trial and error at this point in the game.  There are so many designs I would love to try but just don't have the tools yet.

It is amazing how many sources of inspiration are available.  From catalogues to magazines and websites, there are so many talented people out there that make some gorgeous stuff.  How they sell some of these pieces for such a cheap price boggles my mind.  For the prices I am selling for right now it barely covers the cost of supplies.

I'm currently taking a metalsmithing course at the Mississauga Living Arts Centre on Monday nights.  Great time so far.  I've made a sterling silver ring with a one-of-a-kind design.  Will post a photo.  Also created a pendant out of wax and it has been sent to the "lost wax cast place" (whatever you call it) to be cast in sterling.  Can't wait to see it on Monday night.

Creating my first ever blog

So... this is a brand new experience... creating a blog. I have read and searched for many-a-blog in the past, from fashion to decor. Now it is time for me to join the party!

I am in the midst of creating my own jewellery line, Swag Barn. Inventory is slowly but surely being created.

My goal is to create and sell affordable, unique pieces that make women feel beautiful and "swagged" out.

Once I get the hang of blogging I will post some photos of my new line for you all to see.