New Things Happening

What a great weekend. Sat. we went to the race in Martinsville, VA. The weather was rather HOT for the end of October but I'm not complaining. The best thing about Nascar's Sat. race is the lack of traffic and crowds. Seating was great as I hate being crushed into a tiny space. More interesting were the loads of redneck men.....they are more fun to watch than the race. I mean, "put you shirt on dude!"

On Sunday my hubby made me a great jewelry holder. The best part is that we had most of the wood so the whole thing cost less than $2 - I LOVE bargains. I'll get to try it out on Dec. 4th at the Danville Community Market Christmas Show. My wonderfully talented cousin & lampwork artist, Nancy Zapata is making me some wonderful beach beads so once they are complete I'll be busy making new jewels!! Thank you Nancy!

For those local to my area I hope to see you in Danville and for all others please check my FB site for pictures and prices of my jewels.

Support artists - one of a kind creations!

Fall Weekends

Fall weekends are full of things to do - we went to the Halifax County Fair last weekend, this weekend the 16th is a big race at the South Boston Speedway with another race in Martinsville the following weekend!

Our garden is all planted (had to replace a few little plants that didn't make it) and it looks wonderful. I can start harvesting the kale next week - yes, eating off the land - you gotta love it.

Planning another vendor sale. This time we'll be in Danville at their community market Christmas event on Dec. 4th - YEA!!!

Working on a new website - trying so hard to find my niche - loving the jewelry but having a hard time marketing it. I have this BLOG and a business Facebook page but having a hard time getting folks to "Like" the FB page.

Check me out on Facebook: Beach Babe's Jewelry

Something old, something new

Fall has arrived - a welcomed relief from the heat but a bit too chilly for me. I'm not ready for long pants, sweat shirts and socks! Guess I have no choice - it's here.

I've been working on special orders from the show and a few new things. When I'm bored a tend to take pieces out and re-work them plus I've ordered a few new things to try and I still have many beautiful lampwork sets made by my cousin, Nancy Zapata. I'm hoping to sell a few of those to make into little beauties and will send the rest back to Virginia Beach for Nancy to sell.

If you are interested in birthday, special occasion or holiday presents just send me an email. One of a kind jewels make the best gifts.

On another note Tom and I spent last weekend in Natural Bridge, VA enjoying the great weather, hiking, sightseeing and relaxing. We stayed in a restored caboose!! If you want a difference experience and are heading to the Virginia mountains check this out: www.guestcaboose.com

Hope to hear from you soon!

Events were a success

What fun!! The Soiree in the hills was wonderful with many sells, great food and wine. Many thanks to Erin and Mr. Greenwood (the winemaker - Greenwood Winery - Halifax, VA.)

Last Sat. Sept. 25th was the South Boston Harvest Festival and with the help of my husband we set up shop at 7AM - 5PM. The crowds were great, sells were brisk, music was wonderful - a great time was had by all. It was also in the 90's but a little sunburn never hurt anyone. I received a few special orders that I'm working on now.

Where do I go from here? I know of a few Holiday Shows but not sure I want to pay the fee.....these are big time events with fees starting at $100. I'm playing around with the idea of another website but then it's back to photographing ALL my pieces. I'm not the best at taking jewelry pictures - there is an art to it. I'm also thinking of purchasing a metal stamp set so I can personalize sterling silver blanks with names and/or dates. Another investment to think about.

For now I'll work on my special orders, work my very part-time job as a wellness traveling nurse and think about the upcoming holidays.

Thanks to all who read my blog for their support - especially my husband & my talented cousin Nancy Zapata who makes wonderful lampwork beads.

Contact me if you need a one-of-a-kind special gift.

Soiree in the Hills

YEA!! A wonderful opportunity presented itself and I'm setting up as a vendor. The event will be on Sept. 17th at a new winery - music, food, wine and of course me!!

I have been spending my days cleaning all my jewelry, making some new things and getting signs ready. South Boston has been so gracious in lending me tables and a tent - I'M READY TO GO DO IT! Of course this would not be possible without my hubby, Tom. I know manning a vendor table full of jewelry is not what he loves to do but he does love me so......there you go.

I have so many pretty things to sell but I'm hoping for holiday special orders. I love making initial bracelets and necklaces from infants to adults - one of a kind - how special is that???

Email me if you're interested in giving a one-of-a-kind gift of love.

LONG HOT SUMMER

It's been a long hot summer and the rest of winter 2009-2010 and spring are a blur. Now as summer nears the end a couple of hurricanes brew in the Atlantic threatening to ruin the last Hoo-Rah............Labor Day weekend. Our plans were to head to New Bern, NC and hit Atlantic Beach but those plans are up in the air - maybe heading to the mountains would be a safer bet............we'll see what the next few days hold.

I'm still making bread but mostly for my hubby as the farmer's market scene never unfolded. I am once again debating what to do with all my handmade jewelry. Such a waste to let it set in boxes but pricing, cleaning and lugging everything to an event seems a bit much. I have no tent. At this point I would actually pay someone to do the show for me?? Any takers????

All kidding aside: If I could get a helper I would consider the last event of the year in SoBo - the Harvest Festival. Need to put my feelers out!! Lots of great jewelry at great prices.

Finding A New Talent??

It's 28* and we still have piles of snow but this weekend promises sunny and "warmer"....I have hope as the sheets that are washing are headed to the outside clothesline!! There are no dryer sheets that smell of the greater outdoors. I'm also watching my carbon footprint and that is a wonderful thing!!

I'm working on my jewelry daily making new little beauties or re-working a piece to make it perfect............very relaxing. I look at these gems and can picture them going to a concert (and getting many compliments) or hanging on someones wrist as they shop for veggies.............no reason not to look and feel good whenever you leave the house. Let me know if there is something special you'd like. I can make it!!!

With a hint of spring in the air and searching for new adventures I'm wondering how I can contribute to our local farmer's market. I've been having the best time making bread - how great is that?? Who doesn't like a nice loaf of crusty on the outside - soft and chewy on the inside bread??? I've got that part down and I'm now working on a sweet version....... and then on to a savory herb loaf. Is your mouth watering?? The picture above is of two of my beauties - one I kept and the other I gave away! Who doesn't want something that looks this good and tastes even better??

I'll soon be certified as a Master Food Volunteer through the county extension office so maybe bread is what I'll make for the market...............along with some jewels...........we'll see.

Please stop by often. I'd love to hear from you!!

NOT AGAIN

Another weekend and more nasty weather.....seems like a good time to make some jewels, enjoy the fireplace, play some Wii Golf, watch the Super Bowl (I never make it to the end!!) and cuddle with my best friend.............my hubby!! It's already a great week since VT beat UNC

GO HOKIES!!!

The weekend will be better.

If you are thinking of a unique gift for that special person..............be it a birthday, anniversary or wedding..............think of one of a kind jewelry. I can do that!!!!!

swsunbeach@yahoo.com

Keep warm and safe on this Super Bowl weekend.

Some of My Little Jewels

My cousin is still married.............therefore I consider this set a true inspiration..........although I prefer Special Orders like the one above I do have a few jewels already made. Tell me your spirit and color and let me design something just or YOU.

More bad weather on the horizon but in SoBoVa - Life is Grand!!!

Where's My Niche

I guess it's human nature to complain about the weather..............too hot (is there such a thing??), too cold, to wet, too dry.............on & on but it will get us no where fast........what happens just happens. It appears that my neck of the woods, Southside Virginia, has been hit with cold & snow once too many times. What happens happens!!

As I ponder my usefulness or lazy lack of............I'm wondering what artsy outlet to wonder into next. My heart is drawn to making jewelry but where is the market?? It seems too many people are making jewelry and I just can't seem to find that special niche. My husband tells me it's all about marketing. No market here. This is not a wealthy area therefore all the beautiful expensive lampwork I buy will not be crafted into a work of art to be sold. These beautiful little jewels will be touched, admired, awed and worked into tiny delicate pieces of art for ME. To share this love would be inspiring, to actually sell them would be humbling.

I believe for now as I soak in the sun & the wonder at all the left-over snow that my special niche is hidden somewhere waiting to explode.

If any of you share my love of creating your own art - I would love to hear from you.