Divella Delights
Happy 4th of July!!
This weekend to celebrate the 4th most of my shop
has been reduced 40% to 60%! Sale ends Sunday.
Have a wonderful and safe 4th of July and remember
to thank someone in uniform for their service and
our freedom!
Dianne
http://www.divelladelights.com
I have been desperately attempting to make some macramé leaves to use in some designs I have rolling around in my head. Thanks (and MANY of them) to Jeanne Wertman for helping me out there! She is wonderful lady from Ohio who has shared her knowledge with me. Check out her designs here: http://www.picturetrail.com/grannyx she is quite astounding, not to mention patient. So thanks to GrannyX I have been working on some new ideas using those fabulous leaves. I have pictured one of her designs here so you can see how wonderfully talented she is. I can only hope that in the years to come I can develop my craft half as well as she has developed hers. Thanks Jeanne!!
I have added a new category, which you will find at the top of the home page entitled "featured". I will have one or a few items that I mark 50% off for a day, perhaps 3 or 4.
I am going to be going back to a "real" job soon so I want to clear out my studio. I will still be making jewelry and my fiber goods, especially those wonderful hats everyone loves, I am obsessed after all. It’s just that I need to turn part of my studio into an office so I need to create some space and downsize a bit on the supplies end.
I am going to begin discontinuing those designs that are not "gotta have" items. So far I have discontinued and discounted the crocheted bracelets 60% of the original price, which was still lower than a lot of artisans on the Internet. They sell in the local jewelry store for $49.00 so I don’t really don’t understand why they don’t sell well on the net. It is a shame because I love doing them; I find it very relaxing.
I have decided not to make the crocheted bracelets anymore so I putting them all at 60% off. Many of them have handmade artisan-created lampwork in them for under $13.00! 
I want to focus on my one of a kind designs and will be working on learning some new techniques to incorporate into those.
I have also started receiving hat orders for the coming season and find I will be very busy with those quite soon.
Now is the time to grab those bracelets! They make wonderful gifts, especially for those ladies in your life who have a hard time with clasps. My grandmother wore hers everyday never taking it off. She loved it because she just rolled it on, did not pinch her or get tangled up with anything else. So think ahead a few months. Is there anyone on your Christmas list who might like one these little treasures? They come in a wide variety of colors. There are even a couple for the men in your life.
OK so I am a softy.
My 6 year-old granddaughters are doing their first bit of charity work and naturally I sponsored them. I would like to help out more and make this a really positive affair for them so that they are eager to participate in charity work in the future. For every item that I sell from now until June 20th Divella Delights will donate 5% to Walk for Kids. You can see more info here. http://www.firstgiving.com/jessicacersosimo and please by all means if you would like to sponsor them, feel free!
Also, to sweeten the pot I am having a BOGO this weekend!! Buy any item in my shop and get one at the same or lesser value free!! Just e-mail me at info@divelldelights.com and let me know the item # of your free gift when you complete your sale.
Let’s help make this first charity venture rewarding and satisfying for the girls and their cause.
We all thank you for your support!
Creatures from the Sea
I had a lot of fun with some artisan created lampwork sea creatures. Generations Lampwork made the lobsters especially for me and the Octopus was created by Margo Lampwork. Each creature sits atop a reef of gemstones and pearls they are each the standard 7 inches long. I won’t be getting any more of these cute little guys so once they are gone there won’t be any more. Each one is unique and woven with 4-5 layers of gems, pearls and seed beads. There are still a few items with just the lampwork shell too. So take a look at my Lobster jewelry, and the Octopus jewelry while they are still around!
My daughters hate it when I refer to these wonderful, colorful 100% cotton cloths as rags. I got that from my Grandma June who taught me how to make these a long time ago. Sadly, Grandma is gone now but not her rags or her sarcasm, they live on, I have had mine for years. I continue to make them for the family and thought I would put some on my website for those who would rather have handmade than big box! Everyone loves them! Each one is hand crochet or knit with 100% cotton yarn. They are great for the kitchen and for the bath.
Divella Delights is very pleased to announce that the popular Flapper Hats are now going to be in Bonnet Boutique in Portland, Oregon come Fall! They are located at 412 NW Eleventh Avenue in the beautiful Pearl District so stop by and say hello if you happen to be in the area. If not, you can check them out here http://bonnetboutique.com. The first order goes out in October and there will be 24 delicious items to choose from. The new hats on the website will be coming out soon so stop by every now and then.
I am always happy to take special orders, I did a lot of those last year so if there is a special color combination you have in mind, let me know.
Playing with rocks
For anyone who has read my blog lately you know that I have been playing with macramé. My 6 year-old granddaughter gave me this rock so I decided to d something with it. The neck is macramé with $3 cubes and the rock has been wire wrapped with silver non-tarnish wire. It was fun to make up and I have a special piece of jewelry from a very special girl!
OK…day two of the macramé watchband. Slow but steady. I had to take several rows out because I decreased one too many for the buckle. That reminds me, if you are going to make a watchband and finish it with a buckle you will need to decrease as the watch face is generally wider than the buckle. 
Also here you can see I have begun putting holes in for the buckle prong. All you have to do is not tie the middle two ends together on one row every 4 or 5. Also if you need help getting started or a refresher on your knots here is a good site http://www.free-macrame-patterns.com/ Hope to see you tomorrow!
We have a very cute ½ Lab, ½ Pit puppy who has decided that my husband’s watchband and cell phone are really yummy. While I cannot do anything about the cell phone, I was thinking that I might be able to make a watchband.
I started learning micro-macramé about a month ago so I got out some Omega nylon cord (colorfast) and went to work. I decided to do it in black as the watch face is black and it is after all, for a man. Learn along with me or just pop in for a good laugh!
I don’t have much of the watchband done yet but here is my beginning. 
I cut 12-56 inch strands of the Omega, as the watch is quite large. I fastened it on the watch using larks head knots. I added one size 4 cube to the center 2 strands then worked left and right side diagonal double half hitch knots. Before you ask I have no idea why it is not just a hitch knot rather than a double half…hmm. I am adding a #8 black matte seed bead in the center every other row of those diagonal double half hitch knots. I would like to put something more colorful in there but I will play with the next one. I have a couple of rescued watch faces for women. I need to keep this one simple as I am just learning.
So far so good. Now I have to fix supper for the poor watchless, phoneless man.
A bouquet for your wrist and a smile for your heart…
I had a wonderful compliment on one of these new bracelets from a customer. She said, " It makes me smile every time I look at it"...that is what I call a success!
I am absolutely convinced that once these bracelets really hit the streets, I won’t be able to keep up making them. That wouldn’t bother me a bit as I have so much fun creating them! In order to really get them out there, I have decided to run a short term 30% off sale on them. And because it is a pain to separate them I have all the bracelets at the same discount, lucky you. Enjoy!
The winner for this month’s free drawing is Tonya! Congratulations Tonya! I hope you enjoy the gift I am sending you.
I am beginning to get orders already for the winter hats! I had a lady contact me with an order for 3 of them and here we are in May…well, nearly June but you get the point. I am also talking with some local boutiques and the local jewelry store has taken them as well as the felted clutches. The gallery who featured me last month has decided to buy outright rather than consign which is so much easier for me. She sold many of the ones she had and is buying the rest as well as more on the website. That says a lot as far as confidence goes. I think at this point I will forgo consignment, I am just too busy!
The summer hats did not go so well so I am donating them all at the end of the month. I hate to see them without a head in them, they are so cute!
I hope you are all enjoying the Spring, I am looking forward to Summer as it is still a bit chilly here in Waterville, Maine!
Gifts to make you smile!
The old days and ways of making jewelry have certainly changed in the past few years. I love the "anything goes" philosophy of creation! The only limit is my imagination and willingness to explore.
One thing that really helped me get out the box was the book Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. I was very conservative in my approach for the first several years I was making jewelry. Then slowly I began to branch. Not everything has worked but when one of my customers said to me: "Every time I look at it (bracelet) I smile". I knew at that moment I was on the right track. This series is not to be taken seriously! It is not for an evening at the Opera. They are however, a LOT of fun to wear. Some of my customers have purchased colors they have never worn then went shopping for an outfit to match. What a wonderful applaud that is.
The more I learn the more fun I have and the harder it is to come out of my studio. I learned how to do macramé and along with my other techniques I am making these bracelets. They are such an amusement! Even the shopping for these is a lot of fun. I look for anything interesting…different colors of course and different shapes, textures and materials. I love to incorporate genuine gemstones into them when I can and sometimes even pearls! It is such a pleasure watching these evolve. They seem to take on their own direction. Often, in fact more often than not, they take a turn in a way I had not predicted.
I will get back to the more conservative soon I suppose with the changing of the seasons. For now though, I am having a blast.
It is nearly time for the monthly drawing again and I have a really special item in mind this month! I hope your name is on my e-mail list so you have a chance at being selected as the winner this month. Remember that all I ask is that you put in a short entry in the Guestbook for me after receiving your gift!
Metal Sensitivity
Do you or someone you know have sensitive skin? Does even the finest gold or silver turn your skin colors? Does your sensitivity only apply to plated metals? Are you fearful of the metals containing lead and seeping into your skin? Lots of people have allergies or sensitivities to metals and have trouble wearing jewelry they love but there is an answer! You can wear the latest styles and be free from rashes, itching, fear and more.
Check out all the wonderful macramé jewelry. Now, before you shutter from visions of giant owls with huge jeweled eyes staring down at you, listen up! What I am talking about is micro-macramé. Same knots, to be certain…those are eternal but wait until you see what’s being done with them. Rather than using large ropes and thick cords there are many of us designing jewelry using thread and small cord such as Irish linen. The possibilities are nearly limitless. I have even done some with pearls and other gemstones. In fact, most of my micro-macramé pieces do contain genuine gems! How exciting is that?
Take a look at this photo…
fun isn’t it? This just gives you an idea what can be done. Of course, smaller scale can be done as well if you prefer the more classic look. The point is that many of us are designing jewelry with those of you in mind who cannot wear all the beautiful trinkets that fill the jewelry store shelves.
Check out your local jewelry store. Many of them have realized the desire for handmade, local jewelry over the imported stuff that fills the malls. My local jeweler took a chance on me a few years ago and she has been very pleased, not to mention successful. There were several months last year that the only sales made were my designs! She has half the store filled with local designers, the other half remains the typical, everybody has one items. You can guess which side does better.
You can also shop online for artisan created jewelry. The choices are infinite. Happy shopping!!
A bouquet for your wrist and a smile for your heart…
In this garden created in sunny yellows, scrumptious purples and lively greens you will find treasures such as genuine faceted Amethyst, Artisan created Lampwork, Vintage and Contemporary Lucite leaves, Czech glass, Golden Opalite, and Swarovski carefully woven together with the bright yellow button to a length of 7 inches.
Each bead and gem is individually knotted in a core of waxed Irish linen with coordinated threads for a lifetime of wear making this series perfect for every day or any day when you just need a smile.
Here in the midst of Spring, I am already working up my new 2009-2010 Winter hats so I must clear out the old to make room for the new.
I have my original Flapper hat
designs as well as numerous hats with no flowers. Much like my Flapper hat series these are made with assorted fibers (wool, lambswool, angora, mohair) and acrylics.
They are sweet, warm and ultra soft. Please see what my customers have to say in the feedback section!
I have put all my hats on sale at 50% off, even a few new ones! The ‘Hats by Jessy' are marked down 20%! And to make things easier I have included my cotton summer hats in this sale. 
Now is the time to think of that long winter shopping list and get some great deals!
I also have some new bracelet designs for you to see and am working up some more color schemes today.
Oh and don't forget the to pass this along to your friends so they san sign up on the e-mail list and have a chance at the monthly drawings! The May drawing is coming right up.
Many thanks to all of you for understanding the error last month. I ended up sending out 4 winners due to the glitch.
For those who do so much for all of us...Thank you for your service, past and present! Please enjoy 50% off your entire order this weekend if you serve in the military,
Carousal Series, a banquet for your wrist
I have a new design to show you and one in the works. This was inspired by Stephanie Sersich from her book ‘ Designing Jewelry with Glass Beads’ although I have made a few changes in that I use different stringing material and I use a lot of gemstone rather than making it all lampwork. I am calling it the Carousal Series. I am working on some fulled beads and discs for a fiber version. I hope you will come by and check it out in a few days.
The beads I make with the wool are fulled by hand and they take a few days to dry completely so I am hold with those but in the meantime I ham having a lot of fun making the gemstone variety.
I have spent this spring learning some new techniques and mixing up with my old ones and am having lots of fun doing it. I like using all the leaves and flowers, it reminds me of a beautiful English garden
As always if you see a design and would prefer it in a different color, just ask!
Sometimes coming up with an appropriate Hostess Gift is difficult at best as I prefer to make my Hostess Gifts myself. If they drink wine I can make some of those adorable wine glass charms with a theme to match a home or if it is a single woman I can make some sort of jewelry. If however, it is a couple and they don’t drink wine, as is the case with my brother and sister-in-law then those gifts are not appropriate. I wanted to come up with something for the home and I wanted it to be hand-made.
My sister-in-law is big on Victorian so has lots of pinks, creams and such in her décor. I make knitted hats and fulled bags in addition to my jewelry and had recently made a piece of fabric using some wool left-overs to cut flowers out of for my bags. This sparked an idea for the Hostess Gift I wanted to make.
When I got home I went to the yarn store and found some really pretty vintage rose colored wool and knit up a large piece and fulled it. I bought some creamy natural roving (unspun wool) for the needle-felting portion of the project. I thought about putting a little jeweled charm on the corner of each but decided against it because I was afraid it might scratch the wood on the tables. While the large piece was still damp I cut into 4" squares then let it dry completely.
I wanted to make them match but not exactly as is the Victorian era theme so I needle-felted hearts on each one with the cream roving making them each a little different.
I hope you like the outcome.
If you are going to make items such as these remember when you are knitting to allow for shrinkage. Generally speaking you are going to lose about 25%. The formula for that is to divide your finished size by .75. For example I wanted 4" square so I knit the fabric about 10 2/3 X 10 2/3. That gave me enough to get my coasters and trim them square. Or you could knit them at 5 1/3 each. I use a rotary cutter, which was a little pricey. If I did not have one of these I would probably make them one at a time, as scissors don’t really do a very good job.
I have been getting back to this chunky design I love to create the most and I have a few pieces for you to look at. I enjoy learning new techniques and love experimenting but I kind of feel like this arrangement is my baby.
The one pictured here is made with genuine Stick Pearls…I just love these. The iridescence is amazing and no photo could ever do these pieces justice. I think this winter I am going to take some photo classes to try and capture more of the true essence of these beautiful pearls.
This particular piece is also comprised of Pearls, Amethyst, Swarovski, and seed beads. I make these at 17 inches although I can make them any length. We (the jeweler and I) played with different lengths and this one is the one most preferred by her customers. They all come with matching earrings.
With all the experimenting I have done, I enjoy my signature piece the most.
I hope you enjoy them as well!
I have really enjoyed creating designs using there wonderful lampwork beads by Margo Lampwork. I have sold a number of them, they are quite whimsical and a lot of fun. ! I also make jewelry with fish and lobsters with beads made by Generations Lampwork. The first is free form peyote stitch and has genuine pearls, amazonite and turquoise and was tons of fun although it does take some planning ahead of time. The second is a crocheted beaded necklace with genuine Pearls and Black Onyx. I had to put a photo of "Chubby" the fish from Generations Lampwork in as well...isn't he adorable? This piece is crocheted as well. I also have lots more photos, other fish pieces as well as more octopus and even some lobster designs! Please stop by and sign the guestbook !
I have added a few more of the ever-popular crochet bracelets and have put them all on sale for Mother’s Day at 50 % off for the rest of this week. I know I am a little late but I just returned from vacation where I picked up some really nice beads and some wonderful handmade Lampwork clasps from a local artisan in Portland, Oregon…wait and see what I do with those! Back to work with me now! I am also already working up my Fall/Winter line up of hats by request so get your orders in now!
See you soon with some wonderful new designs
People keep saying to me that I should not take any work on vacation! What on earth could they be thinking? My work is my passion. I often spend all day in my studio, knit and crochet while hubby is home in the evenings and then back up to my studio after I tuck him in.
Most of my ideas come to me as I am drifting off to sleep so I have to get up, make some notes, perhaps gather some materials together to recall that creation that surfaced in that half conscious state when the vision appeared.
I love to do things outside the "norm" although I am happy as an artist to see that the line between normal and not is getting grayer by the day.
I think the most boring commissioned pieces I have had are plain, simple just strung requests. I like to be challenged. Can you draw it, explain it in detail? If so, I would love to attempt it! The most wonderful requests I have had have been from the local jewelry store. She will call me and say "I need something with Carnelian and Pearls". We have been working together long enough that she trusts me. She also knows if she does not like it I will sell it elsewhere and start over although that has not happened yet I am happy to say. I get to play and let the creative energy go wild. I love that!
The option of NOT taking work with me just terrifies me. I have a bag in the car with knitting always, always. I have a light in the car so I can knit while hubby drives at night. Ok, so perhaps I am an addict. I am however, a very happy one. How many of us are fortunate enough to be able to be so fervently dedicated to a profession they cherish? Every day I am surrounded by beautiful colors, luxurious fibers, ravishing gems, lustrous pearls and have a studio right upstairs.
So, what WILL I take on vacation…so many options!
A great new design using Rhyolite, Turquoise, Jasper, Lovely faceted Smokey Quartz, Labradorite, Artisan created lampwork from 3 different artisans, Wooden charm by my hubby, a few vintage Lucite leaves, and 3 vintage pressed Czech leaves. Whew…
The entire piece is knotted with a complimentary green cord and the clasp is a loop and Lampwork bead by Rufus and Roxy.
As this is a first attempt I am keeping this one as it does have some minor flaws. I should have some for sale the first part of next week. They’ll run $40-$65 depending on the gems and other materials used.
I have purchased some great fibers and have some pretty hot ideas in mind so come on back in a bit.
I will be unavailable from 27 APR until 6 MAY but I’ll be ready to roll when I return!
Congratulations to Tess and Amanda who were the winners of my first monthly giveaway! Yep, I did 2 this month. I look forward to their comments in my guestbook soon.
Remember to send the information on the drawing to all your friends. The next drawing is right around the corner. All they have to do is sign up on my e-mail list for a chance to win the next and future drawings. It can be found on the bottom of the home page. All I ask in return is a short blurb in my Guestbook after receiving the gift. How easy is that?
I have also added some new designs to my gallery so you might want to take a peek and see what’s new.There are more designs in the works so come back every now and again.
New Bracelet Design!
I have come up with a hybrid design. I like the stability of the micro macramé and of course my design of the woven gems and pearls.
This bracelet is made with a very strong knotted cord and pearls. The top is then woven with Turquoise, Amazonite, Pearls, Czech glass flowers, and Mother of Pearl each on a bed of seed beads. The clasp is a genuine shell button. With the base being knotted with the macramé technique and the top all woven together this a very strong and extremely attractive piece of jewelry that will last years if not generations!
They do take a bit of time…about 3 hours so I won’t be making too many, as they are not very cost effective but they are therapeutic.
Well folks, here I go again in pursuit of another lesson. A friend of mine had a book on micro macramé and it looked really interesting to me. My mind went away with all the design possibilities. It will be my new venture to incorporate some of that old 70’s style stuff with my designs. Understand that this is not done with the Jute we used back in the day. It is done with thread or very fine cord and beads…even gems! Yea! Sounds like it will be right up my alley. I have ordered the instructions and that should be in for me to pick up in a couple of days.
I am still working on the vases; in fact I have a beautiful black, silver and white one in the works now. It is smaller than the first one I did for 2 reasons. First to make it more affordable and second don’t you know those things take a long time?
I am also still doing the crochet bracelets, the woven gemstone work and free-form peyote so if there is something you would like, please ask.
I will be going on vacation soon and am trying to get my ducks in a row, learn new techniques to keep things interesting and figure out what I want to take with me for some possible new accounts.
Free? Really? Absolutely!
Beginning this month I am giving away one free item a month free of charge to one person on my E-Mail list. All I ask in return is that you stop by my guestbook after you receive your item and leave a note. The only thing you have to do to have a chance of getting a wonderful surprise in the mail is join my e-mail list. You will find the link at the bottom of every page. These are not seconds. They are taken from the items I have for sale in my shop. I will contact the person drawn for a mailing address to send the gift to. I will not use your address for any other purpose, give it away or sell it.
My aim is to increase the favorable comments in my guestbook for others to see. It is that simple.
Sign up now…the drawing for free merchandise is soon!
Rasta Jewelry is making a big comeback. Last year I did some of my crocheted bracelets in the Rasta (or Reggae) colors of Red, Yellow and Green with black and they did very well so I thought I would put a few more up this year. It is an item that seems to go better in the summer months for some reason. Keep in mind that monitors do vary and I can assure you these are all true primary colors.
I can make them any size although the small, medium and large will fit most as they just roll on and off. I crochet the small to 6.50 inches; the medium to 7 inches and the large to 7.5 inches. The crochet bracelet should be about ¼ to ½ inch larger than your wrist to allow it to fit over your hand. Most of the ones I make are the medium unless otherwise specified. If in doubt, please ask!
The small usually fits the average tween, the medium fits most women and the large most men. If you need a size that is outside the "average" (whatever that means) please let me know and I would be happy to make you one. All I need is your wrist size.
Needless to say if you want different colors I can do that too. My most popular requests are for school colors, Rasta, or to match particular outfits but have also done some for barn colors and band colors.
These wonderful bracelets are great because they can get wet without stretching out due to the materials I use. When I first switched the cord I am using now I had my youngest daughter wear one for an entire summer and asked that she not take it off. She wore it in the shower, pool, and ocean and it looks today like the day I gave it to her. She did tell me that when she wore it in the pool she rinsed it after with clear water. So go ahead and check out the crocheted bracelets and order your won if you don’t see one that appeals to you or are not into the Rasta jewelry.
Abstract jewelry?
One of the greatest roadblocks I always had in my painting was that I could not really get the concept of abstract. If it did not look like
"Something" I could not get there. With this new free form absract bracelet style I have been working on it has really helped get rid of that block, not to mention that vase I did recently. Oh by the way, I should be getting my new vases any day so I will be doing more of those very soon. They are a tad bit smaller than the previous one but still a good size for a dozen or so flowers.
Back to the bracelets…I am working on one now that I believe will be my all time favorite. The colors in the lampwork bead are all me and I love the way it is coming along. It is difficult for me to work in colors I am not attracted to although I still do it. I realize not everyone has my taste and I am thankful for that. My daughters have totally different color preferences than each other and myself. When I do something for them I love the way it looks on them but I could never wear it because of the colors. I suppose many times it has a lot to do with the style as well. There are some styles that me as a 50 something just should not wear lest I look as though I am in denial if you know what I mean.
The abstract bracelets transcend all that though. It seems that they can be worn by women of all ages. It is especially joyful for me when I can work up a piece that I really love. It is interesting to me that those with a more neutral palette will often be drawn to the more colorful abstract bracelets. They have spurred a few women I know to go and buy an outfit to match in colors they would never normally wear and as an artist I find that to be fabulous!
Thanks for stopping by and tolerating my rambles. Be sure to keep your eye out for this new abstract bracelet!
Very stylish with bold, beautiful flowers, these hats are great for a cool summer evening. They are hand crocheted with 100% cotton. If there is a special color or combo you would like just drop me a note at info@divelladelights.com
I have also been told they are great for Chemo caps, as the 100% cotton is breathable and soft.
This photo is of my 2 daughters and my twin granddaughters who belong to my eldest daughter.
I had a wonderful vacation but did not get much work done while I was gone. NAS Pensacola is where my daughter is stationed for the time being while she completes "A" School then she will be off to fleet or "C" School. It is a beautiful Navy Base and everyone was very friendly and helpful. Now back to reality and after leaving my dear husband alone for a week it is housework and Spring cleaning for me.
I do have some orders for some peyote bracelets and a couple of felted bags with beaded handles so I will work those in between rooms!
I will be leaving the end of April to go to Oregon, hopefully to get some accounts and see lots of family I have not seen for several years.
Back to work!
It’s funny how art seems to take direction all by itself. I began this, a free-from peyote bracelet as a special order for someone who wanted a free form in purples. When I realized I did not have an appropriate center bead I had to make one. I was going along trying to get this finished before I leave on my trip when I realized it began looking like grapes to me. Now, perhaps that is because I want a glass of wine, I don’t know. I’ll have one but not until I have finished with the clasp portion. Anyway, like the vase I did recently I had no real plan. I picked out the beads I wanted to use and went from there. I had a couple of leaves left over from the vase and decided to put them on. Then I went back and added a couple of grape clusters since it already appeared to have taken on that theme. Presto! I am waiting for final approval before I make this to her requested length. If she likes wine I think I am in! Happy Friday!
I had a wonderful compliment from my sister about my hats; especially the Summer Flapper Hats. "Because they are made of soft cotton they make great Chemo Caps and are much more stylish than many others you see around."
I will be donating some to the local cancer ward here when I return from vacation. I had never thought of that I am sorry to say. I donate to children’s homes and such in the winter months but never thought of the need for something pretty and feminine during the summer months.
If you know of a cancer center that could use some, please let me know. I would be happy to donate a few. I can make children’s sizes as well.
I wanted a cool new bag for my trip, especially since I am going a-marketing so I whipped this one up. It is large, has a beaded crochet rope handle and cool brass leaves attaching it to the bag. It has a magnetic snap and a crochet free form button made with all kinds of cool stuff. Neat huh? Below is a photo of it hanging with all my junk in it.
Finally...it seems like forever since I began this vase! Now that the skin is finished all I have to do is the embellishments. I have put a few flowers on and 1 leaf and I beaded up another leaf. After I get that little grouping on I will put a few pearls here and there and call it good. The bottom was much easier than I thought it would be so I am going to order those vases I spoke of in an earlier Blog. I have also found a few items around the house to work on in the meantime. Yes, I am addicted. Come back and see the progress on those as well. Oh! And I finished another peyote bracelet and have an order for one in purples.
I am on my way to Florida in a few days and have a lot to do to prepare for that trip. I am hoping to get some accounts on the way down.
Wish me luck!! 
I just received a box of new hats by Jessy! There are some kids hats which I have not photographed yet as I am trying to find a model but they are adorable. There are a bunch of new women's hats on the site though so go take a look. These are very stretchy and will fit Tweens and women.
She uses a wide variety of colors and fibers and like me, she tends to go where the mood takes her so no two are alike.
We are getting closer! Here is the vase as I near the end of the bottom. Then all I have to do is get the top done. One thing…if you decide to do one of these resist the temptation to add anything until you are finished with beaded the vase. It is more time consuming to bead this now because I have to watch that my thread does not catch on the flowers. Also resist the urge to decrease too much as you turn onto the bottom.
Having finished the summer Garden Bracelet I was working on I am going to be starting a new one with these colors. The cloth it is on is actually a light green so the colors, at least on my monitor are accurate. The shell is an original lampwork by Generations Lampwork and I will be using that for the center I think.
OK, so the vase is getting there but I had to post the bracelet which I am very excited about. It turned out better than I had seen coming at the onset. See it under the bracelet section for a complete description!
As the vase nears completion so does the bracelet. The direction of the vase is hard to see but after I finish beading the actual vase I will add the embellishments. I have decided on a title...Midnight Garden so I will be going with that theme. There will be beaded flowers, leaves and a few dragonflies, perhaps a butterfly and I am thinking vines...we'll see. I go back and forth between the two and then I have thrown in a sweater into the mix. I made the boyfriend sweater a few years ago and actually married the guy! Against the old wives tale for certain. Anyway he is due for another and here is the beginning of that...did this last night watching some tube with my honey.
am adding a copper crochet necklace to the batch of projects tonight, although I have to get that done for a special order at the jewelry store. I love having a few different things going on at once, it keeps me from getting bored. The free form peyote is really good for me as I tend to be OCD and very black and white. Abstract has never come easy for me, I do better with realism so this is quite a stretch.
You can see another little vase peeking out from behind, that'll be the next one while I wait for the shipment of larger ones to come in.
I will be taking a break pretty soon as I will be driving my daughter's car down to her in Florida where she is in "A" School in the Navy. I can't wait to see her as well as get out of the snow for a few days, we have had so much. Well, I had better get back to it...more tomorrow unless I finish it today...as if.
The Beaded Vase continues…
I had to resist the urge to take it apart and start over so I began the bracelet pictured here. I have to keep in mind that this is a learning tool and not a for sale project. I have learned a lot in this process and have been busy taking notes with photos. I think part of the reason I want to start over is because I am afraid of getting to the bottom and I am nearly there. The bottom of course, has to be completely flat so it is stable. Then there is the top up over the lip. One thing I am happy about and that is the choice of thread I used. I did not think about the end sue when I began and it is strictly a stroke of luck that I used Fireline. It won’t matter if it gets wet, king of important in a vase.
I also have a picture in my head I am anxious to begin after seeing some of the patterns emerge from this experiment.
I found a place on line where I can get the vases at a reasonable price and I am resisting the urge to order more until after I complete this one to make sure I can even do it. I have to order 12 at a time to get a price break and I really have no other use for them aside from these beaded vases.
Hopefully I can get this completed today, or at least the bottom.
Ok so one step at a time. When I made the error of increasing too fast it left a little hole...I wish I would have taken a photo of that before I attached the flower shown here. I took a small vintage Lucite flower, a genuine pearl and attached it over the hole with a 3-seed bead picot. If you look to the right of the flower there is a spot I don't like so I making a Russian Leaf to put there and actually I will put this leaf in progress and 2 smaller ones for a little grouping to be more aesthetically pleasing. 
Not much progress has been made for the last couple of days due to my back and hip being out of whack. That will surely change now that my husband bought me a wonderful new drafting chair to work on. When I sat on it I wanted to roll it home! We re- organized my studio so the computer is on a table the same height as my work table so I can get rid of that old metal folding chair and use this new one at the computer as well.
This is a lot of fun, although quite painful. My hip is not well this morning so my mission today is to find a drafting chair or something similar that will give me the height and some good support. This chair is just not good for my back. I have a pain in my shoulder as well which I suspect is due to the chair as well.
My daughter asked me for one of my free form peyote stitch bracelets in green for her birthday. I wanted to learn how to do leaves anyway so it was a great project. I bought Peyote stitch Beading Projects by Bead and Button to learn the leaves. This was a very good book with detailed instructions that are very, very good. Anyway, it also had a beaded vase project in it also done in free form peyote stitch. the one in the book is stunning done in earthy colors which I love. I do not have a surplus of those colors but long ago I bought a couple of kilos of beads when I was shopping with Fire Mountain for my beads. I have since switched to a local supplier for several reasons. Back to the vase. I had this old glass vase and a bunch of beads that I did not want to use for jewelry as I prefer uniform size which these are not. It would be easier I think to do it in my new beads but I don't buy those by the kilo yet so I don't have enough on hand for the entire project.I have a very small business I run out of my home, which finds me knitting, crocheting and making jewelry into the wee hours. I sell my jewelry to the local jewelry store that also imports all the gold, silver, diamonds you see in ever jewelry store in the country. For over 3 months the only jewelry sold was that which was handcrafted locally. It turns out to be a win-win for everyone involved. So why is it that all those folks, on say for instance Newbury Street in Boston does not buy handmade?
I recently went down there on the suggestion of many friends and the folks who own the jewelry store I spoke of earlier. Everyone seemed to think my goods fit in very nicely down there. What I heard from shop owners stunned me. I will give them one thing in Boston, they are quite honest! They told me and I quote…" We know the quality is not as good but it is cheaper and that is the bottom line" from one shop owner. " Wow, your merchandise is beautifully made but we can get it so much cheaper from China and because it does not last as long they keep spending their money here..." From another What amazes me is that people don’t even expect things to last very long and they would rather have something cheap and buy it 5 times. How did we become such a throw away society?! AND THAT IS OK?! Well folks, I can’t go along with that. I am convinced I will find my niche. I will not lower my standards, it has become my mantra! It would be so easy to pitch it all in, buy cheap materials, not care about the workmanship so I can sell cheap. I say easy but not really so. I want to feel good about what I am doing, the service I am providing. When someone makes a purchase from me I want him or her to be thrilled, not just happy. Furthermore, I want them to pass their treasures down to the next generation. So I keep plodding along with true hope in my heart. Speaking of hope, I know that word lately is like the word ‘love’ over used and abused. But that is another story…
Summer Flapper Hats are here!
As promised I have come up with a couple of designs for some lovely summer hats. Both designs have an open weave to keep you cool and comfy. There are 2 different price points depending on the materials used. The higher end summer flapper hats use cotton fleece and/or mercanized cotton while the lower price point uses less expensive cotton. Both are lovely.
If you would like a special order in these, I would suggest the higher end as the color choices are much more varied. Also you may have them with or without the flower or motif. I am happy to do special orders in either.
Remember, at Divella Delights you can design your own hat and have me make it so just e-mail me here at info@divelladelights.com and I will be happy to work with you to create your own Summer Flapper Hat!
I was in my local Starbucks store today and saw some beautiful handmade pottery for Portugal. While this is very nice, it occurred to me that we should be selling our local artisans if not instead of, at least in addition to art from other countries. In a time when everyone is so concerned about our country’s economy why are we not putting food on the table of those who live down the street but instead supporting those who live thousands of miles away? I am all in favor of supporting our global neighbors but what about the potter who lives next door? Should we not help those closest to us first?
It is not that I have no heart for those suffering many miles from me, it is that I DO have a heart for my suffering neighbors.
Let’s not forget that the USA is the most generous country in the world. Still, we have some of the worst slums and poorest people just blocks from our own White House. Why is that?
The mugs seen above were made by Twisted River Clayworks in Connecticut. They create pottery that is unique and eclectic. They use a potter's wheel, slabs of clay and other creative additions. All of their work is functional and made of stoneware. The glazes are certified food safe and contain no lead. Pots can be used in the microwave, dishwasher, and oven with care. They recommend heating the pot with the oven. Their work can be seen at http://www.twistedriverclay.etsy.com/
Twisted River has taken no part in this article and the ideas are my own and not a reflection of Ron or Char.
To be continued...
To be coninued...
As you can see there is a new wholesale only button on my page. This is to allow retail shops to purchase directly from the website. If you are interested in access to wholesale information, please contact me at info@divelladelights.com
Thanks!
I would like to express my gratitude to all my customers on Etsy and my own website, Divella Delights for the month of January. We donated $47.45 to the Alzheimer’s Association
The month of February is dedicated to the American Heart Association. Along with Valentine’s Day this month is special to me because my stepdad who raised me not only died of heart disease but he died during the month of February at the age of 47. We have come a long way in research and preventive measures since that time but there is still work to be done! As always 10% of all sales for the month will be donated.
Divella Delights is proud to announce the addition of handmade hardwood clocks and Commemorative Plaques by David Jacques.
David takes great care in the workmanship of his clocks and Commemorative plaques. He has been hard at work for the past 2 years perfecting his scroll saw art and finding his niche. Many hours are spent in his home shop in Waterville, Maine cutting, sanding, buffing, and sanding some more.
David was in the US Air Force for 10 years and has worked at the VA in Maine for almost that long. After raising his 2 children literally on his own since they were 2 and 4,David has allowed himself the luxury of a hobby that has developed into quite an art.
The commemorative plaques are done by special order as they are personalized and they too can be made into clocks. He has done several commissioned pieces for some of his fellow Veterans that honor their time in service. He has also done some plaques for anniversaries and graduations or you can have your favorite sports team. These are really a special gift, especially for someone who has everything.
David has developed a passion for miniature clocks and I just love them. They are just perfect for your desk, shelf, dresser or bookcase and make a lovely gift for your favorite teacher, boss, admin or college student. Most of them measure around 6 inches high and 3.5 to about 6 inches wide.
He uses only fine hardwoods (unless requested) and pays close attention to every detail.
His work can be seen, ordered and/or purchased at www.divelladelights.com
Check out my new Free-Form Peyote stitch bracelets! They are a challenge to make but so much fun.
Carefully constructed with the finest materials, my peyote stitch bracelets are done in free form peyote stitch. I hand pick my seed beads locally to ensure great quality. All gemstones and pearls are genuine and also selected from a local supplier. The cord I use is fireline to ensure strength and durability. Each bracelet is a unique piece of wearable art you will love to put on.
Have you looked at my crocheted bracelets? These are great gift items because they have no clasp so they roll on and off and fit a wide variety of sizes. Great for moms with little ones, those with poor vision and they are so comfortable you can easily forget you have them and sleep in them.
I have my eye on some new lampwork beads to use for the centers of my crocheted bracelets but I need to justify buying them so I am having a sale on the ones I currently have for sale. Take advantage of me now. These bracelets sell on line in other shops at $35.00 or more. They are available with and without the center bead. Valentine's Day is not that far off and this is a great chance to get your crocheted bracelet at a terrific price!
November: Toys For Tots
December: Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
https://secure3.convio.net/tft/site/Donation2?idb=1689888040&df_id=1233&1233.donation=form1
https://donate.americanheart.org/ecommerce/aha/aha_index.jsp
For the woman who has almost everything!
Is there a woman on your shopping list who you just can't figure out? I am pretty sure she does not have one of these Flapper Hats with gemstone centers. This one has Lapis, Sky Quartz and Swarovski fine Austrian crystal. There are more to come with pearls, jade, turquoise, garnet, Sapphire, and the list goes on! These hats have been selling like crazy without the gems such as the others posted here. You can also order the scarflet to match. I ship every day so there is plenty of time for the Holidays. Get that hard to shop for gal on your list a Flapper Hat with gemstones!
Brand new in time for the holidays are the new Baby Flapper hats. Designed just like the Lady's Flapper Hat, these are made with Homespun and lambswool for ultimate softness and warmth. I only have one so far but am most happy to take orders for any age infant or toddler...or for Mom for that matter. I have had wonderful feedback on these hats from customers on the construction and softness of hats which are now very much in style if sales are any indication.
Are you like everyone else this year and looking for low cost gifts? These crocheted bracelets are beautiful gifts and very reasonable. What is really wonderful is that they allow you to give a piece of handsome handmade jewelry without breaking the bank.
Fabulous, wonderful and colorful, durable, not to mention easy; just roll on and off, no claps to fiddle with! These crocheted bracelets are made with heavy-duty cord to give you years of enjoyment. They are available in most any color.
Typically winter has been a time for muted tones and earthy colors taking all the color out of our world just when we need it most. Chase away the winter blues with one of the new Flapper style hats this year. Just because the trees are bare and the skies gray and heavy with snow is no reason to go colorless. Make a bold statement today with a Flapper Hat and Scarflet.
Each hat is a one of a kind piece of art. The designs for the hats are pretty much the same although I do tweak them depending on the types and weights of yarn used. The embellishments on the hats make the statement and no two are alike. For those of you who really can’t force that much color into your life, I do make the more muted earth tones. I have done several special requests as far as color goes but my style is such that I have to have artistic license with the flowers, leaves, etc… Everyone has been very pleased.
Payment is made on approval, never before so you can be sure you are getting a hat you will want to wear every day!
Check out what I have in stock. More are added nearly every day so keep checking or better yet e-mail me with your color preference or coat color!
Hand crocheted using a variety of rich, lush yarns from my favorite yarn store, this hat is sure to get you noticed this Holiday Season. Perfect for your entrance to those parties coming up! You will want to be fashionably late wearing this hat. It is fashioned in my new Flapper style but with embellishments that make this one a real work of art. It does contain wool so needs hand washing. It is difficult to get a good photo of the flower; the depth and richness are amazing! I made this flower in 8 separate pieces Look for the scarflet to match and more Holiday Hats coming soon!
The Flapper hats were very popular in the 1920s when women’s style were at their peak. Feminine and sexy, sophisticated and demure all at the same time.
I have tried to come up with a suitable replica in the crochet and knit mediums. The felted hats of course come the closest but I do love the open weave of the crochet variety I make. They look great with both the long and short hair styles of this anythign goes style era we are in currently.
This new series of hat are fashioned after the vintage Flapper Hats except that they are hand-crocheted. I use a variety of yarn fibers and I have a lot of fun with the flowers. I tried to use patterns for the flowers but always seemed to go astray so now I just start with a chain 4, join to form a ring and go off from there. I figure they must resemble something found in nature somewhere in the world J !
I hope you enjoy these as much as I enjoy making them.
Free Form peyote is a blast! The brown bracelet I worked up first and had so much fun with it I asked my daughter who was visiting to pick out 3 colors of my size 8 beads and the pink and aqua bracelet one came out of that. We went shopping later that day to find her a dress for an early afternoon wedding she was going to so I made her a necklace and earrings to match. The length on the bracelets are a bit tricky, if you make one be sure you don't make it too big...much easier to make it longer then to shorten! They are not really all that difficult, but do take a fair amount of time. Just begin with 2 or 3 rows of regular peyote stitch and then go wild. I have seen tutorials that suggest you make it 1/2 inch larger than your wrist but I would not recommend it. That is what I did with the brown one and it turned out 1/2 inch to large...go figure. On the clasp, these are the first ones I have made this way (on the bracelets) and I have some adjustments to make to them but I like the continuity using the beaded toggle. I think this would be a great project to dive into if one has a artist block. It gets the creative juices flowing.
I have been working on this free form peyote for a while now and think I have some pieces I really like. The newest one can be seen in the bracelet section. It took some tweaking and no two are alike but I believe I have come up with a template for the design I approve of. The center 49 strand professional wire and a clasp is attached to that, usually hand made by me in either sterling or 14K gold-filled wire with a gemstone or Swarovski twisted in. The rest is done with a variety of seed beads, gems, pearls and Swarovski crystals to add texture and make the piece truly a conversation piece. The result is a sturdy, beautiful piece of jewelry that will give pleasure for years to come. The thread I use is a nylon professional grade made for stringing gems and is very tough.
I am happy to ship directly to your recipient and include a small gift card, just make sure you e-mail the information to info@divelladelights.com at the time of your purchase. Please do not use the recipient address for Paypal. If you have any questions you can e-mail me at the above address. Look for more coaster sets in the coming days, they make great hostess gifts for those Holiday parties!
Now I have ventured into the world of learning the stitches. For someone who loves realism and has a hard time with abstract the free form peyote I have been doing is a stretch. I never thought I would be so taken by it. Now I want to buy a loom. You can just imagine what my studio looks like with all the beads, gems, pearls, lampwork and yarn...I still make those bags. yarn...I still make those bags. 
Take a look at what's new! Black Friday, Buy handmade
Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year in the malls and retail stores. I wonder if the same is true for on line shoppers? I am thinking it must be; people are off for the holiday weekend.
If you want to stay home this Black Friday take advantage of all the Internet sites offering handmade gifts this year. You can find most anything at an online shop and support small business at the same time. Best of all you will be giving a one of a kind gift, handmade with great care.
Most artisans who sell their work at a site on line sell products that are of superior quality; they depend on repeat business! We cannot afford to have someone displeased by a purchase they made from us, we all know how fast bad news travels. In buying handmade this year you can accomplish a lot. Among other things by shopping the Internet shops on Black Friday or any day you can:
Save energy, time and money by shopping from home.
Support small business, maybe even someone in your own town!
Give a high quality USA handmade gift with a person and a story behind it.
Know that the person you are buying from depends on word of mouth and repeat business, they will want you to be thrilled with your purchase!
Avoid road rage, trying to find parking spaces, long check out lines, shortage of "advertised specials".
Avoid the infamous bait and switch practice used by so many retailers, especially on Black Friday.
Black Friday is part of a wonderful long weekend for most people and a chance for you to enjoy family, friends and wonderful food.
There are wonderful websites out there full of handmade artisans where you can read about the artisan and their work, ask questions, request special orders. One of them is Etsy.com. I have a shop on there for my knit goods and my own shop at www.divelladelights.com as well for my jewelry as well as my knit and crochet goods
On Etsy you can find just about everything your imagination can come up with and then some and it is handmade!. There are:
Wood products
Clothing
Jewelry
Home Décor
Books
Patterns
Soaps, lotions and oils
Paper goods
Pottery
Paintings
Sculpture
Music
Candy
Leather goods and it goes on…
I am having a sale at my divelladelights.com site beginning this Black Friday and lasting until New Year’s Day. I have not decided on all the details yet. I already offer free gift boxing on all my gemstone jewelry.
Shop in comfort, give a special gift this year and buy handmade this Black Friday.
I live in New England where the leaves are just stunning this time of year. It is also getting colder and if you are taking the wee ones out Trick or Treating for Halloween you will want to bundle up to keep warm.
My hats and scarves make your evening not only quite toasty but fashionable as well! I really like all those new scarflets. They are very warm but don’t hang down and get in the way or come unwrapped like the longer ones.
If you live in a part of the country that is not quite as cold as we are here, the scarflets are great with a sweater as well as under a jacket.
Stay warm and above all safe this Halloween weekend. Have fun with your little goblins and enjoy yourself!
Happy Halloween!
These new scarflets are a lot of fun to make in fact I carry these in the car now in place of the sock bag! I use a double strand (or single if the yarn is very thick) of a variety of yarns to make these scarflets and you will find this information in each listing.
There are hand knit and crocheted hats to match most of them and if there is not, I will be happy to make you one! The scarflets are a great alternative for those who want to keep their necks warm but do not like scarf ends hanging down or coming unwrapped.
The new scarflet can be made with acrylic, wool or a blend so if there is something specific you would like, let me know and it will be my pleasure to accommodate you if I can.
I will of course be making more so if your color has not popped up yet, keep checking or e-mail me.
So if you are tired of those ends falling down and constantly having to adjust your scarf why not try a scarflet?
The person with the most referrals to my website wins one of my new designs with matching earrings similar to the one pictured here.
This series is versatile made with 3 strands that can be worn loose for a classic look or twisted for a more modern, chunky look. They are all made with genuine gemstones, pearls, etc…
This is how the contest works:Simply refer friends to my website, have them sign the guest book and put your name in the comment section, very easy! If the person you refer also enters their e-mail address you will get 2 points. If they make a purchase you receive an additional 2 points and they will be entered into the contest with 2 points. On November 20th the person with the most points wins! In the event of a tie there will be a drawing to determine the winner.
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Family members of Divella Delights are not eligible for participation.
So send your friends to www.divelladelights.com and win some free jewelry to keep or give as a gift!
I took some time out to make some crocheted hats as the weather is changing here in New England. In addition to gemstones, knitting and crocheting is an addiction of mine and one that I enjoy very much. Typically I am in my studio upstairs during the day making jewelry. When my husband gets home I sit with him and knit or crochet while we watch our favorite shows and work on our various projects; he with his wood and me with my yarn.
He will occasionally say to me "Can’t you just sit and relax?" My answer is that knitting and crocheting is very relaxing for me. It is very difficult for me to sit and do nothing; I even have a sock bag so I can knit in the car!
I hope you enjoy the crocheted hats and other hand knit and crocheted items I offer as an aside to my jewelry. I love making them!
I will be doing some is wool soon.
My favorite yarn store has a huge sale every January so watch periodically for more hand knit and crocheted hats!
I love working these Centipede Bracelets and a new month will be upon us soon. The birthstones for November are Topaz and Citrine. Because Topaz is not as readily available as Citrine the cost of Topaz is quite high so I will be using Citrine for my November born friends this year. Perhaps next year I will be able to provide you with some Topaz designs. J
I am working on the Citrine designs for the next couple of days so I should have some ready soon. Come back and check them out!
Mystical Birthstones are of Tibetan origin and date back thousands of years. According to the Tibetan chart, the pearl is the November birthstone and I have many designs with Pearls. For the more traditional I am getting ready with the Citrines!
The family budgets have taken a beating this year and this has left me wondering what I can do for my customers this Holiday season. As I have just lowered my prices to wholesale there is not a lot I can do there. I was thinking though of offering a line of non-gemstone designs. You know what you came here looking for…did I have it? Is there something you liked but did not fall within your family budget?
I would be interested in what YOU think. Would you be interested in something without gems or just a more simple design overall? Do you have any design ideas you would like me to work up?
In order to give my customers what they want I am asking for some feedback. Let me know what you are looking for, what is important to you and what price range easily fits in your family budget.
You can of course, see the Centipede Bracelets on the bracelet page of my website and there was past blog as to how they came to be.
I have a wholesale account at a local fine jewelry store. I find it is so much easier to sell in person than on line, probably due my lack of skills as a photographer. The 2 Centipede Bracelets that I took to the store sold already so I am busy making more in different colors. They feel so wonderfully soft on the wrist and they have a very playful movement. I am going to make more in the Autumn colors but no 2 will be the same of course.
I also think that because so many folks will need some low cost gifts this year I will teach some classes in how to make them. I always prefer getting something handmade, even if the person giving the gift does not make it.
They can be quite low cost if you use just beads, or a little more special if you use gemstones and pearls. Because the core is done with an elastic cord, they will fit nearly everyone.
I have been asked by the local Starbucks to do a coffee/jewelry class and I think the Centipede Bracelet is the perfect item for that. You can complete one in about an hour and a half. It should be a lot of fun and I will use any excuse to go to Starbucks!
The first thing I do when I make the Centipede is the clasp and core so that when I am finished weaving the rest of it, it is ready to wear. Even though you would not finish it during the class, you could take it home and finish it with no problem!
So ladies, if you live in Maine, near Boston, MA or New Haven, CT e-mail about doing a class in your home and learn how to make the Centipede Bracelet!
Social Networking
Social Networking is all the rage now and there is a group for everyone nearest I can figure. I am so new to it that there is still a lot of mystery surrounding it for me. I was invited to my first group, MUIB a few weeks ago and I joined. From there I was invited to a couple more so I joined and so on. OK so, now I feel myself spread a little thin., too many social networking sites, not enough time. Although I am new to this aspect of growing my business I can offer one word of advice. Unless you have nothing to do but sit at your computer all day, look around and find just a couple that really meet your needs. Otherwise you could end up like me and find yourself actually neglecting your business just to keep up. Joining a social networking group requires time and energy if done properly. You are there not only to get but also to give.
The idea is to find a group of people with common goals and help each other meet those goals. On the two that I belong to, MUIB and WAHM, there is lot of activity. We have members with a wide variety of expertise specifically geared to work at home moms. Although we work from home, we need to make the most of our time and social networking can be a valuable tool if used correctly.
While years ago there were clearly defined lines as to the duties of a woman, the role of woman/mother is now quite convoluted. When I was growing up my mom stayed home, raised 5 kids and sold Tupperware or Sarah Coventry in her "spare" time. Dad was rather old fashioned and successful and no wife of his was going to work outside the home, it looked bad. To him selling Tupper and Sarah wasn’t really working! The point is that things were simpler then, the juggling act was more clearly defined and a family could survive quite well on one income. Now most of us HAVE to work so if we can work at home and put food on the table or oil in the tank that is a wonderful thing.
That is where the social networking helps. Sometime between all the other responsibilities in their lives, these women find the time to help each work out all the complexities of owning their own business while still being the primary caregiver to their family. There is such a medley of talents to draw from and contribute to. We have women in affiliate marketing, communications, artists and artisans, direct sales, and the list goes on. If you are under the impression that social networking is all about gossip you could not be more wrong, There is a lot of work going on!
Social networking is not all about business. There are sites out there for just about everything. There is even a site for Navy Moms; I had to join that one! Talking to women about the worries and woes of having a child in the Navy is a wonderful support system. The same idea really, I feel a responsibility to participate although not on a daily basis. Happy social networking!
If you like the new designs, you can thank Marsha at my local jewelry store. I have a wholesale account with them and she has suggested that people are going to be more cautious this coming shopping season. She has sold many of the woven designs similar to the ones I posted here but asked me to come up with something in a slightly lower price range. The result of that challenge is the "Gemstone Twist", a 3 strand necklace that can either be worn loose for a more classic look or simply give a twist for a more modern, chunky look. I have made earrings to match. They will be available at wholesale until next month when I have agreed to post at retail.
In addition to the design being right I was most afraid of the cost. I have been quoted thousands just to design the site, never mind keep it up and running. With Artisans Accomplice I pay $20.00 per month for everything. I am going to go to the yearly plan of $192.00, I just wanted to make sure this was going to work first. The total expense to design, build, get the domain away from the other guys, and get the site up and running was $35.00 and included my first month. Now I don’t know about you but I can’t see paying thousands of dollars to someone to give me what I have for $20. The support I received is wonderful and they don’t make me feel like the computer idiot that I am! With those other guys I would ask a question or ask for help and IF I heard from them at all they would just repeat themselves over and over. My time is valuable to me and another thing I love about Artisans is that they value my time as well.
Now that I have been up and running for a couple of weeks, love what I have with these guys the next step is to figure out how to get people to my site.
So now it was time to find someone to do it for me. When I started getting quotes on what the design would cost I was astonished! I am a (very) small business here in Waterville, Maine. My studio is in the refinished attic of my home. I don’t have thousands of dollars to put into a website.
My daughter lives in Massachusetts and I go down there fairly often. I have a favorite coffee shop down there, Bohemian Coffeehouse in Melrose. If you happen by there, tell Hillary I said hello! Anyway so I was in the coffee shop one day talking to Hillary and sipping a wonderful triple latte and she introduced me to a really nice guy that owns one of the biggest bead stores in New England. The Bead Gallery http://www.beadgalleryinc.com/
Come to find out he is also the owner of Artisans Accomplice, a designer of websites geared to the needs of artisans. I still looked around for another 6 months or so. What a waste of time and probably money! The folks at Artisans Accomplice ROCK. I told them what I wanted, simplicity, colors palette, etc and they put the whole thing together for me. They wrestled my domain away from a large company that I had it registered with. They handled setting up the shopping cart. The list goes on. Most importantly to me, someone who is computer inept, is that I can manage everything on my own! This would include photos, blog, coupons and sales, editing pages and I can even decipher the very detailed Reports page to see who is coming to shop from where! Amazing!! I tell you I am really a beginner when it comes to this stuff and I can do it. In the event I have questions they are just minutes away. Now really, I mean support is available free within minutes…not hours or days or how about never as was the case with 2 webhosting companies I tried. OK so enough about the wonders of Artisans Accomplice, Suffice to say to that if you are looking to open your own website you should check them out. Part 2 complete, I found someone to do it for me. Now, the cost…
I have been designing and producing jewelry and fiber products for a few years now and had a shop on Etsy.com. That experience gave me the opportunity to break into the Internet marketing plane, something I was a little shy about for a while. I had some wholesale accounts but wanted to make this a full time occupation rather than burning the midnight oil in addition to a full time job. So I opened a little shop there. It took me 2 years to get up the courage to plunge into my own website. I am pretty much computer hostile so it took me some time to see that it might just have some benefits. I am science minded and have to analyze everything so first of course I had to do some research.
First I had to have the thing designed. I looked at other sites and came to a decision on the basic design I wanted. Something simple, not garish or trendy and I knew I did NOT want anything to dance or sing on my pages. My taste in music is not for everyone and I have left many sites because of the music or some dancing woman, flashing stuff, glitter all that stuff distracts me and makes me dizzy. I am 50, not 12; this is jewelry not dolls; so I don’t want cartoons on my pages. I love earth tones, despise neon, etc… So I had the basic concept, what next?
The next logical step is to find someone to do it for me because although I said I was computer hostile, I am really just inept! So I had to find someone to do it for me…
The vase if at last completed! On to the next… but which one? Any votes?