Headache

I feel so blah today. Customers are unhappy at work, the phone don't seem to stop ringing, and I am having jewlery maker's block. My brain fart on designing won't let me come up with anything new. I took the opportunity to look through my new Fire Mountain catalog that came in the mail!! As I usually do, I started adding lots of items into my wishlist. I am so stinking addicted to that place.

I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday looking for some craft paper bags with handles for the jewelry party. They really didn't have any good prices on them, so I will hunt them on the internet.

Mom came over last night and we beaded. The only thing that would have made that better would have been if Clint was home. He has been working late every night for the last two weeks working on a large job for Western Kentucky Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates, try saying that 5 times fast. whew!

So to say the least I have really been missing him. Mom has trouble finishing off her eye pins and head pins, so thats where I come in. I don't mind, its not like I am an expert anyway.

Last night I ate half a watermelon, and pead the whole evening. It was so good I couldn't help myself. Summertime was meant for bare feet, sunshine, and watermelon. Wish I could get time to enjoy more of it.

MY FIRE MOUNTAIN ORDER COMES IN TOMORROW!!! I am so stinking excited I could cry. I'm sure I'll be back on to talk about what I got in.

TTYL-Brenna

to do list

Its late and I am trying to organize my thoughts on this whole jewelry party thing I am working to plan. I spent the better part of the afternoon looking into past forum postings on etsy and gathering information on successful parties. WHat I have found so far is that simple is better and having a game plan is going to be my best bet. Here are a couple good ideas I ran accross today.

1. Send invitations to twice as many people as I expect to attend- It seems that about half those you invite are likely to actually attend your party. Also, asking those you invite to bring a friend seems to be a good idea. After all, its not an invitation only event.

2. Keep the food and beverage options simple and appetizing. Wine and cheese or simple finger foods. By keeping the list simple, overhead will be kept to a minimum.

3. Offer a "raffle" by asking all guest to put a dollar in a jar and picking one guest to win a set of jewelry. Who can resist winning something for a dollar, or at least the chance of winning.

4. The layout/ presentation of the jewelry should flow easily through the house. Offer lots of colors and styles to fit everyone's likes.

As I find more tips, I will add to my list. This may come in handy for future parties or to help other designers who are looking to plan a party like me.

My first blog post

So this is my first blog post, and I guess I should start out my introducing myself. My name is Brenna and I have begun a small jewelry business called All That Glitters. That I suppose is my first motive in blogging, getting my name out there... I joined etsy.com and absolutely love everything it has to offer. The artists there and the wealth of knowledge they share is a great asset to have. As I said, I just began making jewlery.

My interest in jewelry designing and making came from my friend Janice. She was placing orders for beads and stones on FireMountainGems.com and asked if I might be interested in placing an order jointly. Being a kind-of craft fanatic, I agreed. Now I can't seem to get enough. I find myself surfing through the paper for designs and looking on the internet for new fashion trends. My sister-in-law is very trendy and keeps me up to date on what is fashionable. It helps me becuase I am a little out of the loop.

I graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2006 with a bachelor's of science in agriculture business....? what....? I know, what the heck is a crafty, married type going to do with that. I'll tell you what, pay student loans back, and start their own internet/home business. SO, that's what I am gonna do!

I married my best friend Clint in September of 2007, and its been the best ride of my life! I love learning new things about him, even though we've been together for nearly three years. He is the most kind, generous, hard working person I know. He makes me want to be a better person everyday!

I suppose that is what got me into the whole crafty mode, being a new wife and having a little extra time on my hands. I have a job working with Clint at his sign business. (Another thing to admire him for, never going to college and creating a successful business from the ground up!) I answer phones, take orders, help put a few things together, and other odds and ends. It provides me with oodles of extra time. At first, I started sewing, quilting, cooling, scrapbooking, gardening, etc. Nothing quite stuck as much as the whole jewlery making endeavor. I swear I am hooked.

I just placed an order with fire mountain gems on Thursday the 3rd of July. Cannot wait until it hits the door. Its like Christmas, except I paid for it! Don't care, not a single bit, because half the time I forget what it was I ordered.

My mother in law has made a special request for a necklace with clear and smoky colored quartz crystals. I think it will be fantastic. I especially like the tan leather cord I am going to use! As much as I would like to, I cannot take creadit for the design this time. I think she saw somethinkg similar to it on Dillards website. Regardless, I am happy to have a customer, mother in law or not.

Coming up.... I am getting information together to host a jewelry party!!!! The prospect of having girlfriends over to wine, dine, and shop is very exciting; however, I just wonder what they will think of my designs. Furthermore, what will I do if I don't sell the volume I anticipate, or even worse, nothing at all. Its giving me butterflies just thinking about it. God, help me! But I wouldn't be making jewlery if I didn't think I had a shot, so I'll focus on the task at hand!

I am going to get off here and get back to work. Today is a lazy day at work for me, the guys are out installing a big set of signs at the new Western Kentucky Orthopaedics building and I am in the office answering the few random calls that come in. QUIET!! I can get down to busienss now!

TTYL~ Brenna

-think I am really gonna get into the blog thing!