Details are a Good Thing

So I'm trying to be better about updating my blog, and since I'm homebound nursing my back to health I will post two days in a row.  Score for me. . .  :)

This was a custom order for my husbands, Aunt Debbie.  She attended a Junk Market Under Glass event with her sweet daughter, Christi and I happened to be wearing my personal "Believers Necklace".  She loved it, and asked that I try to do a focal similar to mine for her.  It took a while for me to amass the right elements, but than finally, it all came together for me.

This was sent to Debi right before the Holidays and this is what she received in the mail.  The photograph of the mannequin with wings is one I took last Summer and had made into professional stickers.  This made a nice little extra touch for her otherwise white cardboard jewelry box that I have been packaging my SOLD items in when shipping via the mail.

I love bakers twine for packaging and happened to have it in aqua/white, black/white and grey/white for my packaging choices.  When I found this pretty aqua feather in my stash and the ivory floral pick, I decided to use this for her package.  I of course, was short on time, and oh how easy it would of been to throw that white box in the bubble mailer.   However, I'm glad I took the time for presentation.  This was one of my highest price point items, thus deserving of forcing myself to slow down and take that extra time to gather the right materials to make a statement.  In turn this went from a blah, to ahhha package with a few extra touches.

I bought these picks one year at the end of the Holiday season on clearance for like .29, and it probably would be about that same time of the year that I bought these, so if you like them places like JoAnn's, Michaels or Hobby Lobby would be apt to be the kinds of places to carry something that could be used like I did here.

This photo shows the focals of the necklaces.  My original one that she loved is on the right.  What I recreated for her is the one on the left.  Each of ours has about 18 vintage religious charms and I carefully chose each and every one to be more desirable for a person that is of a Protestant faith vs. the Catholic faith.  So no saints were used, and only one of Mary.
Many of you know that I create only OOAK (One of a Kind) jewelry designs, so when Debi asked me to make one like mine, I explained to her that I couldn't do exactly.  When one works with vintage elements like I do for these creations, I can only make it resemble one another, not duplicate.  The "believe" silver tone and bronze tone word tabs and the crown elements are new, so that portion was changed with the words being chosen in different metals, but all else is vintage elements.  A pretty good match and I think she was pleased in the end with the results.

Custom Necklace - 4H Memories

4H Leadership

Leading by Example

The caring support of adult volunteers and mentors inspires young people in 4-H to work collaboratively, take the lead on their own projects and set and achieve goals with confidence. 4-H’ers chart their own course, explore important issues and define their place in the world. 4-H’ers stand up for themselves and their communities.

These pivotal experiences build a foundation of leadership and skills for success in their future careers.

Last Fall, one of my customers commissioned me to do a vintage redesign necklace for her Mom as a surprise Christmas gift.  Cassie's Mom, just so happened to be her 4H leader for years when she was a young girl.  Cassie knew that she wanted it to be a memory necklace of this special time in this Mother/Daughter duo's life, and thus she sent me two 4H pins.  She asked that I use the two pins which I used in this necklace, and to design one of them into the focal.  She asked that I use one of my unique found elements as the focal with the pin and use antiqued gold tones.

Details shot of the focal with one of the 4H pins.

Not likely to happen with this heavier focal, but Mimi-Toria's Designs, has a reputation to uphold, that being cutting edge with designs, each one created is one-of-a-kind, details, details, details, and backs of focals are often created two sided in case the piece flips.  Thus, keeping an ugly backside of a piece being seen.  This necklace was no exception and I chose to use this filigree element with the Paris Eiffel Tower for its coloring which worked with this design.

Some of the details here the second 4H pin being used here as the connector between the focal and the chain portion of the necklace.  The ribbon is silk in a two tone shade that compliments the colors used in this necklace.  Th 4H were a rusty brown hue, so I chose to use ivory faux glass vintage pearls and rust toned freshwater pearls for the beads and antiqued gold tone chain sections.

I used a mix of 22g and 24g wire, thus wire-wrapping the 24 g sections and using rosary style loops for the 22g wire sections.

A fun mix of elements create the dangle portion of the necklace flowing freely from the focal portion at the bottom.

I also used some baroque brown toned faux glass vintage pearls in the chain section of the necklace to add another dimension and style as well as color into the mix.

I hand created a clasp for this necklace, as well as stamped a Mimi-Tori's Designs i.d. tag to attach to the piece.  I also wire wrapped a fun little stack of beads and vintage rhinestone roundel to the clasp section of the necklace.

I thought this was such a sweet necklace idea that Cassie came up with to give to her Mom for  Christmas 2010.  Again, I just came upon this file folder on my computer recently while doing some organizing and thought it might be fun to share.

Interesting facts about 4H:

Research shows those children involved in 4H are:

Nearly two times more likely to get better grades in school

Nearly two times more likely to plan to go to college

41 percent less likely to engage in risky behaviors

25 percent more likely to positively contribute to their families and communities.

The Story of a Memory Necklace... created by Gretchen

~Here's the Story~

A Mother,

with 2 beloved children...  

A boy, and a girl. 

 Both born in November. 

 The Mother an August birthday.

A tragic accident...

“Be joyful always,

pray continually,

give thanks in 

all

circumstances.

For this is God’s will

for you in Christ Jesus”

1 Thess 5:16-17

~This Bible verse is one of my favorites and seemed appropriate for this blog post today. ~

It's not easy to be thankful always...but we are called to do so.  I would think as the daughter of this heartbreaking story, the loss of one's Mom in a tragic car accident would be a difficult thing to be thankful for, but we are called to be "thankful in everything".  Wow! He is in control and knows the future of each one of our lives.

This post is about something I'm asked to do more and more in my jewelry design business.  It is a privilege for sure.  However, it's always a huge undertaking.  It's always tough when as a designer you are given treasured pieces of a loved one that has passed on.  To have the vision and to try to create something that the recipient will love and also captures the essence of their deceased loved one is always scary for me. 

You truly don't get paid as much as one would, if you just spent the same time designing jewelry you could create to sell vs. custom creating.  However, to me it isn't always about the almighty money making $ that I do this for, but rather the love I have of designing jewelry, and the reward I obtain while ministering to my customers that brings me rewards through joy.  This is something I find myself doing more and more.  

I believe I have been called by God to use my jewelry design business to minister to my customers on a regular basis.  Whether it be through my designs such as my "Faith/religious jewelry, custom memory jewelry, or designs I create that speak to my customers and minister to their spirit".  This is and has been an unexpected and added gift to me as a jewelry designer.   My hearts desire and goal is to be used by Him in all I do, all I say, all I create, and for Him to ultimately be glorified through it all.

Back to my story...

I'm struggling with blogger, so will post at the bottom of the photos the rest of this story.  Sorry about this.

Last Fall, I was brought a stash of elements that had been owned by a customers deceased mother-in-law.  These precious bits and baubles were now what my customers sister-in-law had left to remember

her beloved Mother by.  You see, this Mom was tragically killed in a car accident, when her daughter, Lori was young.  I was asked by my customer, to create a necklace from these items to be given as a Christmas gift 2010 to her sister-in-law.  It took me several months to look at, think about and than create these pieces with the items I received.  Of course, I also added into the mix my own bits and pieces as I deemed appropriate.

The Mother had a charm bracelet with her daughters name engraved on a Sterling Silver girl silouette, bits of chain, a Sterling Silver cross charm, a Swedish style Sterling Silver filigree pin, etc., as well as a few faux white pearls.  I added the wire and vintage AB Swarovski crystals for some sparkle.

The Mom also had these two tiny gold silouette boy/girl charms, the two November birthstone shoe charms that represented her kids birthdays and the green heart peridot charm representing her month of birth.  I purposely created these pieces in the same area on the necklace to represent the family structure of this Mom.

I added the Mother of Pearl floral button and vintage beads from my stash.

This shot shows the Mothers watch, which was worn in the accident and you can tell it has a damaged crystal, and basically stopped working most like at the time of impact. :(  Time stands still, and two young children had their lives irrevocably changed.  This watch element was requested to be included into the necklace and what a great idea Lori, the daughter had with the inclusion of this time piece.

Note the scratches and damage to the watch crystal.  This necklace surely tells a story of love, as well as a tragic loss of life.

The goal was to create with as many elements as possible of the Mom's and I actually was able to make five different necklaces that could be layered with one another and/or worn separate.  The addition of this necklace being an adjustable style necklace added to its length being short or longer.

Although this close-up of the inside necklace on the photo below is simpler, it is still unique with the use of all of the Mom's jewelry to create it.

This shows two of the necklaces layered together.  I apologize for the poor quality of photos, as these were all taken in the middle of December 2010, on a cloudy day, inside my Minnesota home just before mailing them off to be given as a gift last Christmas.

I just came across these photos and had always meant to do a blog post with them, but didn't realize my photo quality were so poor until now.  Still wanted to share this inspirational memory piece with my readership.

Enjoy your Mom's while you have them.  Life is uncertain, and we should all live our lives like it could be the last, and love our family and those around us as if we may never again see them.  Live with no regrets...

Creating "Soul" Series - Part 1

I've been thinking a lot about jewelry design and what sets one designers jewelry apart from another?  I'm thinking that there is more to it than what many people may think.  Or shall I be so bold as to say I think I finally figured out that there is a difference amongst the jewelry and the designers of "Made in China" jewelry, a non designer deciding to quickly make something out of things they find in a junk drawer, or antique shop, even yet others that make jewelry for a living financially, and than lastly someone like myself.

Not be mistaken here as self righteous in any way.  Just feeling this... that "I'm truly blessed right now, loving the privilege I have of creating jewelry at this juncture in my life and truly feel that this is what my

"life's purpose is".  For me to be able to minister to others through my jewelry business, is a gift!  Whether it be those customers that God brings into my everyday life through selling off of my blog,  customers I create custom pieces for, customers I interface with while selling at awesome shows, or those vendors/pickers I meet while buying for my business.    I am blessed...

I think I've figured out something that my customers have been telling me for years, but I hadn't yet found a word for it.  My jewelry has "soul".

What does this mean you may be thinking?  Having soul means first of all...

1)  Connecting ~  with customers.  I love getting to know the heart and souls of my customers, and many of my closest and dearest friends I've met through my jewelry design business and they were once upon a time a new customer.  I love this unexpected gift!

(This photo taken at Junk Bonanza shows me connecting with a repeat customer)

Q:  How can you do this in your own business?  

A:  By creating relationships with your customers.  Really caring about who they are, what they're doing, what it is they are seeking your jewelry for?   Is it for an event?  Is it nourishing their soul at a difficult time in their lives and giving them some joy?   Or maybe it's a memory piece that brings them joy and closeness to the person their remembering through the custom piece I create for them and helps ease the loss of a loved one in their lives.

Also, by using social media opportunities.  Including and not limited to a personal facebook, a business blog, a business facebook, twitter, linkedin, a personal web page, etsy and whatever else form you so choose to be involved in.

(All of these ladies started out first as customers, 

and now I'm happy to call each one of them "Friend".)

And, last but more importantly, being friendly to your customers and truly making them feel and know that you care about each one of them.  Providing time permits when you are interacting with them.  At some of my large shows that is a frustration for me, as sometimes it is so busy that I'm barely able to write up a sale, much less truly interact like I would like to with each of my customers.

Do you try to connect with your customers?

If so, how do you connect with your customers?

If not, give it a try?  I think you'll be blown away how cool it is...

I'd love you to leave a comment and share your thoughts on this topic.

(Stay tuned to a future segment of this series)

A Natural High

Just a little update...

the FMUG

(Flea Market Under Glass)

event was

SUPBURB.

Who would of thunk it...

We were given the go ahead

after a successful pre-event

in the form of a 10 vendor trunk show

held January 29th...

Sheyenne and Sherri drove 12 hours each way from Montana to shop this show.  They ended up renting a trailer to bring their wares home, as their pick-up wasn't big enough.  They have great taste...fun style and are the sweetest ladies ever...  They each bought a fun necklace from me and have keepsakes from their experience here.  I know they'll be back again soon.  They were SOLD on the event Sue created.

Sheyenne chose this fun necklace as her wearable keepsake from the show.

"Penny", my penny doll necklace I created for the event, found a good home.

Penny and her new owner.  See that smile?  Penny was making her smile.  You see 2 years ago the Minneapolis Star Tribune did an artisan expose' about me as a jewelry designer whom was re purposing and creating jewelry with found elements and vintage finds.  Another penny doll I created a necklace out of and was named Claire was featured in that article and this lovely lady saw it in the newspaper spread, and came to the Junk Bonanza event to purchase her.  She was already sold to another customer and this lady was sooooo sad.  Fast forward 2 1/2 years and you're at the "Flea Market Under Glass" event.  Another artisan had Penny for sale and had turned her into an ornament.  I changed her up with a restyled outfit, new accessory bling I prefered, added the wings, took her down to the bare doll again and reattached the items I kept and added the new, wire wrapped arms for her to hang from and took vintage faux glass pearl beads and made rosary style links with them to create the chain portion of her.  I then added a cool padlock style toggle clasp and she was ready for the sale.  I spent an entire night creating the pearl/linked chain portion while watching the only TV show I ever watch each week, "the Bachelor".  Now, how fun is this story?  Customers like this lady and her excitement to find "Penny" which by the way, she loved better than the origianl doll necklace I had made, is what makes my business so much fun for me.

Talk about loyalty...

This photo is of me on the right, and Susan on the left.  I am changing the length on a necklace for her.  She and her husband got up at 3 a.m. to drive here from out by Green Bay, Wisconsin to come to the show to see me, as well as the other vendors.  They are friends I met while selling with Sue at other events and they've been wonderful customers and now friends through the Junking industry events I'm a part of.  Now how lucky am I?  Thank you Pat and Susan for making the trip.  I hope you weren't disappointed and enjoyed yourselves.      (photo courtesy of Pat McClearney-husband of Susan)

Yes,

in 4 1/2 weeks

the

FMUG event

was brought to you...

courtesy of a fabulous

Otten Bros. team

along with the

brain child of the incredibly

talented

Ms. Sue Whitney of

Junk Market Style.

A large area in the middle of the greenhouse was staged and created by the outstanding talented Sue Whitney of Junk Market Style.  These design styled areas were a wonderful addition to the overall experience of the "Flea Market Under Glass" experience and these living spaces helped people to be educated on re purposing JUNK treasures and turning elements into unique accents and useful items in their home decor, garden decor, etc.  This particular photo showcased an outdoor living space and was filled with wonderfully creative inspiration....

Notice the incredibly FRESH ideas for displaying your FRESH plants?

All FRESH plants were courtesy of OTTEN BROS. NURSERY

whom hosted this fabulous event.

 Me in my vendor space...Day 1.

My dear friend, Laura, came and worked for me on Thursday.  She was a huge help.  Thank you Laura...

Than you throw in a mix

of 40+ hand picked junk vendors

along with a sprinkling of

fabulously talented

Artisan vendors

and

finally add the incredible

networking that the Otten group did,

Junk Market Style Events,

incredible vendors

and

the added boost of KARE 11 TV

filiming onsite and running

segments of 2 minute snippets

and it all

='s

the most incredible

opportunity ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Karla (left) was a vendor and friend I brought into the show and Carolyn (right) is my loyal friend and helper.  Carolyn worked with me on Friday, and arrived the night before from a FL vacation and still helped me out.  Amazing friends I'm blessed with.   I love you ladies!

 One of the pieces I created Friday night, which SOLD on Saturday.

 SOLD this morning on Facebook.

:)

More details will follow

in future posts.

"Flea Market Under Glass" Event Starts Today

Good Morning my lovely blogger friends. 

 It's 4 a.m. the day of the big event, and I cannot sleep...

What does a girl do? 

 She goes online and promotes the show...

truly, you will not want to miss this event.

My jewelry aside,

it is an incredible site to behold.

The entire place is rocking...

and you'd never know that it's still Winter.

Details of my Penny Doll Angel girl. 

I spent an entire evening,

creating the rosary style links

on this little precious girl.

She is being showcased...

on my angel manequinn.

A simple but fun necklace!

An ultimate mix of JUNK elements

are used to create this

one-of-a-kind

design.

Some fun

JUNK and QUEEN

inspired

pieces.

A few even humorous designs.

This one has the jist being...

vaccinate your dog

to

avoid the bullet.

The show is at Otten Bros. Nursery in Long Lake, MN

It's a fabulous greenhouse,

currently being used to house the

"FLEA MARKET UNDER GLASS" event,

thus the garden inspired pieces.

My cabin was the inspiration

for this fun design.

Ahhhhhhh,

Spring

take me away

to the 15,000 sq. ft.

Otten Bros. greenhouse

turned into an

indoor Minnesota

Flea Market extravaganza

which includes

wonderful JUNK

incredible displays

by Sue Whitney of Junk Market Style

and 40+ fabulous artisans

and vendor areas.

I even created some

vintage redesign

Bridal bling.

And beach inspiration...

yes, it will one day be warm again in Minnesota,

the snow will be melted

and we'll be romping on the beaches.

Besides,

I'm off to Mexico for some

fun in the sun,

sand,

surf,

and ocean.

A girl needs some fun when she's ready to hit the big "50".

See you on the beach...

I'll be the gal with

NO JEWELRY,

NO CELL PHONE,

and

NO COMPUTER

for a week.

:)

Don't worry,

I will still have my camera,

my inspiration magazines,

will have my nose on the ground,

looking for found elements to create with,

but inbetween the walks on the beach,

the playing in the surf,

and the fabulous food and drinks,

I will vow to slow down,

enjoy my family,

and catch up with

some reading.

Sorry for the quality of photos and lack of editing. I remembered at the last minute to take some photos with my cell phone, and borrowed them off of my facebook page.  Will try to post updated photos as the show goes on.  It runs today, March 3-5th and the link is provided above for more information.