MeadowbrookGemstones was chosen for a Treasury!

My dear friend Amanda Fortier chose my blue topaz necklace and earrings to appear in her treasury! It can be found at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=68456
I really appreciate Amanda for including me!

And the Winner Is....

This is the design that my customer chose. I heard from him last week, and he says that he loves it. The irregular brown beads were a little difficult to work with because of the way they fit. I'm happy that the customer is happy!

This customer has an OOAK (one of a kind) necklace -- because I don't have enough of these beads to duplicate it. No one on the planet has a necklace exactly like this one!

Designing for the Customer

I have a customer who is looking for that perfect piece of jewelry for himself. I contacted him via Alchemy after he presented his request for an 18 inch turquoise necklace. After taking a look at my shop, he decided that he wanted me to be the designer. For me it is a great honor! I've been working with him now for a few days, first by listening to him, and then by sending him photos and ideas. He's interested in combining turquoise stones and copper beads. Above are a couple of the possibilities he has considered. He knows he wants turquoise, but he's not sure about the type or color. He knows he wants oblong stones and copper. I asked him if he would consider adding another stone for contrast. My thought is to direct him towards black stones which will contrast well with turquoise. I have a similar necklace in my shop.

I showed him the above two samples of turquoise and two other choices. He first went through a process of elimination and told me what he did not like. In a way, I was disappointed, because I actually liked another design better. After his elimination, he began to compare these two designs.

What I found out while working through this process is that my preference didn't matter! He did accept my idea of adding a contrasting stone -- but he does not want black. So, I sorted through my bead assortment and found some brown beads I thought he might like.

Stay tuned to see what he chooses!

Partners in Crime

Meet Dusty (left) and Sami (right), our two cocker spaniels. They are our "children" at home since their human "brothers" have both married and are on their own.

We have had a tremendous amount of rain in the last few days. Both dogs are getting restless and they are tired of being inside. So, they try to help "mommy" while she works on the computer by sitting close beside her and knocking the mouse out of the way.

My Favorite Bead Store

I live in Boothbay, Maine. This is a great place to live -- but when it comes to shopping, it's a hassle. First you have to get off the peninsula, and for me that is an 8-mile trek. Then, because of all the regulations on "box stores" for miles around, you have to TRAVEL to get to the nearest Wal-Mart, in Brunswick. So when Peter and I need anything, we make lists and then go from store -- to store -- to store.

On Thursday we made such a trip to LL Bean and I made a stop to my most favorite beadstore -- THE BEADIN' PATH. They have an awesome selection of beads and findings. They also have a great bunch of classes. (I've taken 4 of them so far.) Their website is good, and when I haven't been able to make the trip, I've ordered from there: www.beadinpath.com. Dara writes articles called "The Weekly Beaditudes" that I highly recommend. She has a great article this week on the practical do's and don'ts of beading. Take a look!

I love sales that help people!

I think the best thing about making a sale is feeling like you are helping someone. Today I made a sale to a gal who is planning her wedding and needs two necklaces and two sets of earrings for her bridesmaids. Actually, this is my first sale on Etsy -- and I was honored that she chose a piece of jewelry I designed for her special day. She asked if I would make earrings to match, and it was nice to sit at my table and design with a specific event in mind. Luckily, I had made two of these necklaces already and had all of the beads on hand to create the earrings.

The other sale we had involved Peter's woodworking. I responded to an Alchemy request for a wooden "5". A lady wanted to give her husband (also a woodworker) a "5" in walnut for their anniversary. (Peter said it put him under pressure when he realized his product was going to another woodcraftsman. So, he put extra time into it!)

"Alchemy" is the place on Etsy where people make specific requests and Etsy store owners bid on the jobs. This is where people can even request custom-made "training corsets". (Honest! That's a real request!)

Maine Team Meeting- March 2009 Brunswick

Maine Team Meeting- March 2009 Brunswick
Originally uploaded by dreacarbone

Chatting around the table. The Etsy Maine Team meeting was held last Sunday. This was my first meeting, and I was happy to meet fellow Etsy members.

Display of my jewelry at the Etsy Maine Meeting

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Originally uploaded by dreacarbone