Getting organized, tagworld.com

I need to start getting myself organized and get moving on new pieces. I have made quite a few over the last couple of weeks, but I feel like I have fallen off track. I have a show coming up in July here in town, and if I want to have new pieces for it, I really need to get going.

Took some time today to photograph a few new pieces, and listed one of them in my Etsy shop. The earring turned out much better than I had hoped, and I was tempted to keep it for myself. It is made with a teardrop shaped piece of shell and freshwater pearl dangles. They are much lighter than they look and the layers in the shell are really beautiful when cut this way.



I have really been into shell jewelry lately. It's not a material I would usually work with, but it has really inspired me over the last few months. I am trying to find and work with other materials and mix things up a bit.

Oh, and I took down most of my old geocities website this week. I've discovered tagworld.com, and I love the way you can customize your page. So, I set up a Zen Creations page on there instead.

Fundraiser, New Treatment & New items

So, I haven't really posted much here over the last few weeks. I started a new treatment (Rituxan) for my ITP (low platelets) 3 weeks ago, and I've been dealing with it and the side effects ever since. I have to spend almost an entire day in the hospital (1 day a week) getting the treatment, and then the next 3 or 4 days dealing with the side effects, which doesn't leave me with much time to work on new pieces.

I started a fundraiser for the Platelet Disorder Support Association (http://www.pdsa.org) in my Etsy shop. This organization has done so much to help me and other people with platelet disorders, that I figured it was time to give something back to them. I am donating 50% of the sales on select items to the PDSA up until 5/4/06. After that, I will have at least 2 items that will continue to be designated as PDSA items, and 50% of their sales will be donated to the PDSA.

I do have some new items that I made over the last 2 weeks that I am really excited about.

This first one is made with puffed brown lip shell and white freshwater pearls:

These next two pieces are made with sterling silver, Czech glass beads and art glass beads:
Animal Magnetism v1:



This one has not been listed in my shop yet (made with similar materials as the one above):
Animal Magnetism v2:


This last piece is made with sterling silver, white freshwater pearls and pressed glass beads:
Sea Mist Bracelet:

PMC and Enamels

Lately I have been working with PMC and glass enamels. Mostly pendants, that can be hung on leather cord or a plain sterling silver necklace. Here is one of my favorites, that I listed in my shop yesterday:

Spring Fling Necklace


I have also been working with some great natural materials like tropical wild grass seeds and betel nuts. Here is a bracelet that is made with red poppy jasper, sterling silver and betel nuts:


I have also made and listed matching earrings and necklace, as well as a necklace and earrings that include tropical wild grass seeds.

2 Day Online Craft Fair; new pieces

I will be doing a 2 day online craft fair on:
Tuesday, March 28, 2006 10AM - 8PM ESTWednesday, March 29, 2006 10AM - 8PM EST
@ http://www.freecraftfair.com
In addition to the ongoing sale this month, I will be offering specials both days of the fair. I will also be available in the chat room for a few hours each day/evening to answer questions and take custom orders.

I also added some new pieces to my Etsy.com shop, and working on many more. Hopefully they will be ready to list soon!

Working on new designs

Now that we're moved and have finally settled in, I can start working on new pieces. I made 2 bracelets yesterday, and posted one on my Etsy.com shop. I need to get going on more new pieces for the summer and start thinking about the fall as well.

This is one of the pieces I listed today. It is made with sterling silver, chalk turquoise oval beads, and small coral branch beads. It's very simple and clean, but I really like it that way. I thought of adding some wire work to the turquoise beads, but I love it just the way it is.
http://www.etsy.com/view_item.php?listing_id=111835

Shells, Shells, Shells!

I just recently made and added some shell and freshwater pearl earrings and a necklace to my Etsy shop. I think they are fun and will be great for spring and summer. Here are 2 of my favorites:

The first piece is a necklace made with gold lip shell and freshwater pearls hung on a natural colored leather necklace.


http://www.etsy.com/view_item.php?listing_id=103706

This second piece is one of my favorites. It is a pair of earrings made with brown lip shell tooth beads and sterling silver. Very simple, yet very fun.


http://www.etsy.com/view_item.php?listing_id=105995