Hellooo...2021 and ValentineCollection

Although I've been back in the studio (if I'm being honest, it was re-al-ly almost immediately after Christmas, that's not a real break!) it was mostly for some promised large custom orders, the dreaded paperwork that comes along with having my own business, and some aRt time (you'll be excited to hear about that SOON!).

I've been getting some happy items ready for the upcoming ValentineCollection which will be part of the studio's Valentine Trunk Show February (4?) or 5-10. 

I plan (weather permitting) to have the studio open for in-person shopping Friday and Saturday, switching over to the virtual-shopping portion, beginning Saturday afternoon-Wednesday. I am still considering a bonus Thursday evening preview. IF weather does not permit in-person shopping, the show will be shifted to virtual only. 

I have a handful of original Valentine shakers, all one-of-a-kind. I made bronze bezels for some new resin hearts, assuming I can get the studio warm enough for pouring resin. I currently have 4 left from the last time I created the hearts! There are several new glass charms and NEW silver/hearts/bangles and more! Oh my!!!

I am currently working on a possible add-on page to my website that would allow me to make all of these new creations ready for online purchasing during the show. This will be a test-run for a virtual shopping page for future shows, as well as temporary fix while I begin the work of building my new website that should debut in August. If you remember, adding new jewelry and editing the current website is very time and labor intensive, making it impractical for my new dual-show format. If I get the add-on page finished in time, it will appear HERE as a link on the WEBSITE Valentine Trunk Show Page and the Home Page. After several days of research and design I really hope it all comes together, but if I can't work out all of the bugs (and really, I do need/want/no NEED! to keep working on the actual reason we all get together...the jewelry) I will go back to the FB album format with Paypal invoicing that I used for Christmas. More details will continue to be added to the Valentine Trunk Show Page on the WEBSITE.

So you KNOW that I am always working on new pretties and collections, but here is a quick listing of some information and updates in the works...

• Weekly Facebook Live sessions will resume Tuesday February 2 (8pm). 
• Look for more frequent postings on FB and Instagram.
• I am currently submitting applications to "more than a handful" of shows in Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and beyond!
• I will be focusing on collecting new emails and editing my current list. A new email with an invite to the Valentine Show will be coming out Tuesday or Wednesday of this week!
• There is always a giveaway recipient chosen from subscribers each time I send out a monthly-ish email.
• Did I mention how much work building the new website entails? But it will be very lovely...
• If you know of a good show/opportunity/idea for the studio? Let me know!

As always, I want to thank everyone who helped me finish out the past year, and this was one that threw a lot of curves. On a VERY positive note, 2020 helped me try out lots of new ideas and many of those ideas were ones I'd been mulling over for a LONG time...Would I have done FB Lives in a normal year? Doubt it, and as awkward as I am in them, a part of me loves showing up there for you! Would I have finally gotten around to changing my out-dated website? Probably not! I am very slowly learning some prioritizing and I hope that it shows in what I bring to the studio and YOU, my friends.

Note...if you want to comment on this post, you just click below on the link that (right now) says No Posts. After there are comments, you would click on 1 comment, etc.

 

I'll be at market TWO more days!

I will be at the Piedmont Market tomorrow (Saturday August 21, 8-noon), and then again the following week, and THAT'S IT before my Fall shows begin. I'm oh-so busy getting everything ready for my Open Studio Show September 9, 10, and 11(remember, I had to move it forward a week!)...and then the FUN begins! Shows almost every weekend until December. Can she do it? Can she still plan coffee dates with her friends? Will Lucy tell her mother she's too grouchy to work with? Yes, YES, and I HOPE Lucy tells me if I'm too grouchy...that girl's my right-hand gal :)

On Monday, I plan to let you start reserving times for private studio Trunk Shows, beginning in September. These are perfect for groups of 5+ friends, co-workers, sisters (and MOM!)...you get extra-special help for custom orders, plus there's usually a lot of laughing while you help Susie pick out what SHE needs! I only have 2 available Saturdays, some Sunday afternoons, and one or 2 evenings per week. If you have a group that can come during the school day, we can work with that, too.

Now for this week's lucky-ducky give-away winner...Natasha is a new fan on the studio Facebook page and should contact me to claim her prize, the "secret locket".

Hope to see lots of friendly faces tomorrow at market...I sure hope Mary Helen has a pie with my name on it!

rain...and shine

Well, looks like rain is keeping me from the Piedmont Market today, but if you were hoping to see me, come down to visit at Jazz in June, or call to come to the studio (Thursday 10-2).

I'm finishing up Father's Day orders, but wanted to show you one more fun thing...

These large silver or copper disks are perfect to add to a keychain for Dad (or Grandpa). Let me know if you'd like me to squeeze your order in this week!

...Gather your friends

In the past, summers were my downtime...no shows, work on inventory for the fall. This summer, I've been branching out. I'm at the Piedmont market most Saturdays from 8-noon; I'm signed up for Jazz in June on Tuesday evenings in front of the Lied Center at 12th and R...you can come down for food and music, too:) Don't forget Thursdays in the studio, 10-2!

Another option for the summer...gather your friends in my studio! We tried this just before Christmas, and got great comments from everyone who planned or attended a private trunk show. You and 5+ friends (sisters, mom, co-workers...) have a scheduled window of time in the studio to shop and visit with me about special orders. This is great if you'd like to shop in the evening, because it's one of the few times I open the studio outside of Thursdays and open houses.

For this week's give-away...anyone who schedules a Gathering will receive a free $12 glass charm from my inventory at the time of her scheduled trunk show.

blog...according to the Brown Dog

Taking a Memorial Day break from the studio, so this entry will be a collaboration with Miso (aka "the brown dog"). She wants to recognize all of you great dog owners and everyone else who is curious about the studio namesake. Miso inhales her own kibble with the same gusto as

stray morsels of human food. She loves walks, squirrels, the comforts of heat and A/C, and only tolerates the camera when Sarah has crackers in her pocket.

This week's give-away is simple...you or your pet can say "hello" to Miso via a comment at the end of this entry, e-mail, or by "liking" the Brown Dog Studio Facebook page (click on the link in the sidebar...you don't have to friend Sarah, so no one will view your FB page!)

Miso insists I give the random winner a silver or copper 1" disk "dogtag" with their choice of inscription, which doesn't have to be dog-related :) The "lucky dog" will be announced in Friday's blog entry.

Remember I'll be at Jazz in June on Tuesday evenings, starting tomorrow. I also plan to be at the Piedmont Market this Saturday, from 8 until noon. I love visitors!

computer vs. studio time!

I LOVE my in-studio time, creating items to take to Market/show or working on custom orders. I have some FUN beauties people have requested this week, in addition to personal photos...VWs, tiny nail polish bottles, "worthy," "believe," eagles, LOTS of new initials (funny how I seem to always run out of "M"s!), and more. I'm working on fun new silver, hopefully done in time for Jazz in June (starts this Tuesday, 5-9).

I TRY to balance my studio time with the computer. I read and send e-mails. I add to this blog...hard to keep it brief, you know I love to talk :). And now...Facebook. I fought it forever; I can never do anything halfway and worried how to balance the personal and business side of FB.

So...I have 2 accounts. If you look at my sidebar, there's a link to find Brown Dog Studio (my studio page) on FB. If you are a "fellow FB-er," look me up, "like" me (please?). You don't have to become my friend; I don't have access to your FB site, unless you invite me later on :)

Most of my comments this week came via e-mails, but Debbie was the random winner of the "lucky penny charm." Contact me, Debbie. I look forward to seeing many friends at the Piedmont Market tomorrow (8-12). I can't wait to see what produce might be there!

Oh...I cleaned my studio...Yippee!

...like a bright copper penny

My original idea this week was to focus on teachers and inspiration...now follow my train of thought :)

...that led to graduations and other new beginnings with dates
...new babies, anniversaries, birthdays...

And off I went, on the hunt for a 1991 penny for Todd's and my 19 years married this month!

I added a few into some silver necklace designs I've made.
This charm necklace also holds glass charms (a pretty version of the CLIP). It could be a gift for a teacher, or a graduate.

This necklace could be for an anniversary (mine!), or a new marriage.

So...in my penny frame of mind, I'd like to hear your two cents for my give-away this week. Comment here on my blog or e-mail me what date YOU would like to wear or one that you would give as a GIFT. Someone will win a personalized "lucky penny charm" on Friday.
Shh...I'm making one for my sister's birthday!

I'll be at the Piedmont market again on Saturday (8-12), but will not have my regular Thursday Studio hours this week. It's the kids' last day of school and I am momma-taxi. If you need me this week, give me a call, or I'll see you at the Market!

A little bird told me...

Isnt this little birdie SWEET?! I got him from my friend, Stephanie of Pixybug Designs at a bead show in Omaha. Her husband makes these cuties, and I had to have some of them, but I may NEED more! I only have a few, so if you are wanting these little guys, let me know so that I can order MORE.

I'm still planning on the Piedmont Market Saturday morning, from 8-12. It's at Cotner and A Streets. I'll have all of my charms, a bit of silver, and some of my Father's Day ideas available for orders. Let's see how much I can fit on TWO tables! No really, it's all I can have! Hope to see you there!

To Market, to Market...

It's a PLAN! I'm signed up to hit the Piedmont Markets on Saturdays, and weather permitting, will be there this Saturday, May 22, from 8-12. You can find the Market at Cotner and A Streets (don't look for me downtown, I'd hate to miss you!). I hope to be at the Piedmont Market twice a month over the summer, and I'll let you know each week, in this blog, if I plan to be there.

I'm previewing some Father's Day ideas this week. I'll take orders via phone, e-mail, at the Piedmont market, or in my studio Thursdays 10-2.

One great idea for Dad (or any GUY) is this thick, black leather band with one of my Silver Twist-ies (TM). You can request children's names, a quote, a verse from scripture. I have more silver that can be added to this manly bracelet, or a heavier leather cuff.


1-inch copper or sterling disks on keyring. Personalize them with names, dates, your sentiments for Dad, that quote he's famous for! Also great for Grandpa (grandkids' names)!

For this week's give-away, I'd love to hear dad memories, quotes, famous words. These don't have to be ideas I can use in the studio...just inspiration for my next few weeks of work! Comment here or in an e-mail to me, and I'll announce the random winner of one free $12 charm, on Friday.