A&W

Need I say more...these are my little guys A&W...future Iron Chefs?

I can't do just one creative project...

I've tried, there's always a project happening in my background. My ideas are plenty and my roadblock is time. Time seems to keep me from completing some of them. My dreams are to somehow share with others all the crazy, beautiful, ridiculousness that's in my brain that I call ideas.

Between blogging, and writing them down in my many notebooks that litter the life in my car, my office, my purse and in my bedroom notebooks are my mental dump of everything that happens in my brain.

Here is a project that I'm calling: The 17thour - a collection of tees that are what I'm feeling as a mom, an entrepreneur, and a human. 17thour just seems like the end to that long long day...when all those flood of emotions kind of hit you. Either it was a good day, a tiring day, a happy day or sad...but in the end it's a comfort to be able to say....I made it (again)

Here is my first shirt. While not the first design this is the first 17thour tee that has actually 'made it' to a tee.

the sea is full of component B&W designers...

Buyer beware! If you do a search right now, this very second for handcrafted jewelry what you'll see is thousands upon thousands of wire and beads strewn together in some shape or 'fashion' to resemble jewelry. Some is worthy to be called artistry work, and some well just isn't. What makes handcrafted jewelry so ever present is the fact that to get started can take less than $20.

Any person now can run to Michaels or Jo Annes and start putting beads onto a wire or string, through a clasp on it an viola...'handcrafted jewelry'. To say the industry is saturated is like saying there are trees in a park.

So I being a self-proclaimed jewelry designer, but cringe at the site of 'beads & wire' have decided that I have a passion for creating jewelry that sparks a feeling. Jewelry that is aesthetically pleasing and more than just BW (beads & wire).

But here's the deal, I realize that there are also a sea of other designers and artists out there, who's jewelry art deserves praise, and recognition. Jewelry that dazzles, sparkles and delights...it's this kind of jewelry that I'd like to share with you and showcase.

a college student asked for an interview today...

Totally flattered and excited that someone else thinks what I'm trying to accomplish is interview worthy. A student from Norfolk State University contacted me today in hopes that I would accept an interview request from her as per her business class.

Why of course I will...I'm c'mon who doesn't like talking about themselves? Not to mention has wonderful it is to see a young budding entrepreneur take interest in this crazy, amazing, roller coaster of a life. So yeah I'll participate..no scratch that I happily, and whole-heartedly accept!

the magic happens here...kinda

My little fortress of solitude is our converted breakfast nook. I took over that space shortly before my first son was born back in 2005. It is the perfect little spot to do my creating, designing and experimenting...and and and I get a window view. What more could a creative entrepreneur ask for.

If you look closely you can see a Kindergarten picture of me, this little corner of the office/studio says alot. Nope I'm not the most organized designer....but I'm working on that..don't judge me.

What's your creative space look like?

the cool designers accept credit this way...

You've heard jewelry designers or designers of whatever sort say this right: "Well I had no intentions of selling my creations, but then one day I wore my (widget) to the grocery store and a young lady bought my (widget) right off of my neck".

Wouldn't it be uber cool if you could be in that scenario, and not have to wait around for a check, or take cash..unless of course you prefer cash...which is a-ok! But what if you could electronically process a credit card...super quick, and look fabulously trendy all the while...

Introducing: Square

I'd read about this nifty little device awhile ago in Entrepreneur magazine, and was instantly in love...but of course it still had a year or 2 till release. But I'm ecstatic to announce it's here, and ready for your use. Yay! And my FREE smart phone reader is on its way as I write this post!! Woo Hoo...I'm stoked.

Now how cool are you, when you whip out your Android, or Apple whatevermajig, connect your Square and bam credit card accepted or yikes...declined.

budget-friendly metals for jewerly design

When I first started creating jewelry, I used the good old artist wire. Of course after 1 wear or 2 the pretty exterior color started to come off. So I extended myself both financially (huge epic fail btw), and artistically and began using Sterling and Gold filled. The look amazing...the return...not so much.

So this time around I've decided to take another more affordable approach...reaching out to other metals. My personal fave right now? Aluminum! Super easy to work with, gorgeous in finish, doesn't break out my skin like Sterling...and it's super strong yet lightweight. What more can a designer ask for.

Well I'm sold. Look for my designs featuring the awesomeness that is Aluminum!