Monday, June 30, 2008

Free Hugs in Ecuador

Who couldn't use a free hug?

Sunday, June 29, 2008

A very successful BH Marketplace!


What a great time! I admit I was a bit nervous, but after the first 10 minutes of unloading the car, parking and starting to set up, things started to flow and I eventually calmed down. Thanks to my peeps for dealing with me. I love you all!

I was not imagining such an urban setting, "union square" screamed grass and big park to me (not ever seeing it before), that was not the case at all. It was such a downtownie feel. The regular pedestrian traffic even before the show started, was thick. It was very exciting, exhilarating even!

The afternoon started out with some wind, but it settled down enough for us to set up comfortably with no problems, and eventually the humidity took way to very cool temps. I wished that I had brought a sweater...there were so many things that I could have brought or done differently. I will take all the newfound knowledge and squirrel it away for the next big show.

My rings were definitely the big seller, in fact, I couldn't keep the ring display in order. Every time I fixed it up, someone came along and tried every ring on. It was a happy mess.

Earrings faired a bit better, but they were still not safe from the masses. People were taking them off the displays to hold them to their ears and not putting them back right. I know...I didn't expect them to. I sold the most earrings in one show there. A new record!

My Mom, Me and Suzanne, courtesy of my sister Kathy.

Kathy, Me and Suzanne, also courtesy of Kathy by way of Mom taking the photo.
Kathy got some great shots of all the exhibitors, you can view her picks on her flickr page. Thanks Kathy!


During lulls in the show were the only opportunities that I had to get out there and take some photos...here is one with a few people enjoying James Christensen


The Grown Up Noise
also rocked the square, but I don't have a pic of them. Really cool band tho. I was happy. Everyone was happy. Great times!
Kathy really captured some great photos of all the exhibitors wares and also some great crowd shots. Please check out her photos!

City shows rock! Thats all I can say. I really appreciate being a part of this great conglomeration, and I can't wait for the next one! Go BH!!!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Ahhh the life.

The Toaster relaxing in the grass on an overcast day.



Rusty with one of his humans.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

nancyrosetta artisan jewerly

Jewerly....yeah, jewerly. You read that right. I feel oddly, religiously pigeonholed now by a stupid misspelling. Not that there's anything wrong with that.



It should be a beautiful thing, but...well, I think I am a little more embarrassed by the spelling than I am happy to accept credit cards.




So there ya go! My imprint for credit card sales. Damn!
They will get a new plate out to me with the correct spelling, but sadly, not in time for my weekend show.

And just in case you thought that I would misspell jewelry, here is my packing slip with the imprint engraving that I ORDERED.



Glad I could give you all a chuckle. Now come buy something from me on Saturday, and you will have a keepsake misspelled credit card receipt, it could be worth something someday, right? Ya, right. Whatever.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

4 Days until the Marketplace


I've been off the computer and trying to be productive the last few days. And I'm finally feeling ready for the Marketplace on Saturday. I have some new things and I have already been setting up some displays to make it easier for set up at the actual show, especially earring displays...they are very time consuming. We have only one hour to get our booths ready since there is a farmer's market ending right before we begin. Good reason to get there early, huh? Fresh fruit and veggies!

I am so excited for this show, not only because it is so well advertised and I am in it, but for the fact that I will be meeting other wonderful vendors and seeing all their most awesome handmade things! I'll probably be spending as much as I make. Some sellers who I am really excited to shop with are Elizabeth Brennick Designs, Mimi Kirschner, The Hole Thing, Muchacha K, Vintage By Crystal, Cozy Cottage Creations, Jessica Burko Designs, and Lucky Monkey There are so many others, too, I hope I don't go broke.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

More Flowers

I made a bunch of these flower rings today.
They are pierced out of sterling silver sheet free form style! Then I soldered them to some half round wire for the shank part.
I love these rings. They sort of match the pendants I made last week.



And a skull ring!

I have been having the time of my life piercing out these little beauties. I think I found what I love to do. Sawing and soldering!

Monday, June 16, 2008

This is ridiculous

I saw the shortest snippet on the news tonight about these stiletto crib shoes for babies 0-6 months. I had to investigate, and I found the website heelarious, her first high heels . Sure they are funny looking, but *ahem* they are in extremely poor taste in my opinion.

I am not a mother, but if I had a child I would not treat it like a barbie doll.

Who buys these? The child is definitely not begging for them, hell, the child can't even stand let alone speak.

I would love to hear your thoughts, since after seeing these shoes, my mind has completely shut down.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Chik'n rediscovered

I love these!

I had a boca spicy chik'n sandwich for dinner and I have to say that this box will be gone in no time. Really, these substitutes have come a long way. The last time I tried a soy based chicken substitute I was gnawing on cardboard for crying out loud!


It's really hard for me to eat right, having a meat and potatoes husband, but since he is working the night shift, I have been experimenting with my meals. I may just fool him with this product. I went to the grocery store tonight and bought a bunch of veggies for stir fry and picked up these patties as an afterthought. When I got home, it was too much bother to cook, and since I had hamburger buns and some lettuce, I just cooked up a chik'n pattie and loved it! I want another, too bad for me that it's too late to eat.

They have a nice spice, and really have a great texture. I think I'm hooked.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Flower Pendants Start to Finish

I am in production mode, as you can see. I am getting ready for the Boston Handmade Marketplace show in Somerville.

I thought I would take some pictures of the process of piercing. Everyone likes start to finishes, right? These are freehand flowers as you can see from the first photo, I only drew an outline for where I want the stamens, the rest was left to chance.

First I make a divot where I am going to drill. I have also drilled out a hole for the bale. The first pendant does not have the petal holes drilled yet.

Then I use the smallest drill bit I have to drill the holes out.

I thread the saw blade through the hole and start piercing out the petal.

I keep removing the blade and re-inserting it into the next petal hole and pierce out the whole flower this way.

Then I get into the petals with needle files and smooth out all the edges and then sand them until all the tool marks are out and they are nice.

I coiled up some 14gauge 1/2 round wire on a 4.5mm mandrel and cut them just like jumprings with my jumpring cutter, and then soldered them closed in the holes I drilled out earlier.


Now I only have to string them onto a chain or cord.
I think I got pretty good at making them. I can see the progress if I really study the photos of them all together. I'll definitely be making more of these.

Monday, June 09, 2008

Heatwave!

I am seriously melting here.

It's the third day of 90+ with oppressive humidity and I am ready for autumn. It's not even officially summer yet! I like the heat alone, maybe I should move to the desert.

Yes, I am moving to the desert. I'll send you all a postcard.

I celebrated this official heatwave today with a manicure/pedicure. My hands and feet are happy, if nothing else.

What's wrong with our society?

Today, Scott and I went to do a little shopping.

We went to Kohl's (yes, we are old), got lost from each other and our cell phones didn't work in there. I spent a few minutes really irritated and ready to just check out, while I was waiting in line (with all the people!) Scott poked his head around a bend and I scooted out of line and was happy again. Please don't go shopping on the hottest day of the year, the people are crazy and sit Indian style in the middle of the walkways. We paid for our old folks clothes and headed for the parking lot.

As we crossed the lane into the parking lot, a swerving minivan got our attention. It was Cathy, our old neighbor (oh how I miss them!) with her oldest daughter. We chatted a bit, it was nice to see her.

We headed down to Dedham to DSW. Scott and I both separated again, I looked for sandals, Scott looked for tennis shoes. We caught up when we were ready and headed for the checkout. There were only two checkouts open. We stood in line (not for very long) and a woman just walked up right behind the person in front of me...and me and Scott. I thought she was with the person ahead of me since she stood there with such conviction.

Turned out that she just cut in front of us in line! I really still can't get over that completely blatant disrespecting behavior. Who raised her? Monkeys? I didn't know that she cut in front of us until we were called to a new register that had just opened. She was still doing a transaction and the person who we thought she was with was long gone.

Can you believe the nerve of some people? This was a WOMAN, not a kid. Am I in the last generation to have manners? Really!

I did end up getting a really cute pair of wedge sandals and some flip flops that are so comfortable.

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

The Toaster