Flashback Friday - Ukrainian Easter Eggs

Hand Dyed Eggs


From my Archive:

This was such a treat!
At the silent auction fundraiser for my son’s school, I won an opportunity to learn how to dye Ukrainian Easter Eggs.
I don’t think I really knew what that meant exactly…but it sounded different and interesting.
We learned how to use the tools, wax and dyes. I thought the handmade tool that held the wax was beautiful itself...I forget what it's called.

The evening was a relaxing mix of good company and creative inspiration. The finished products were impressive…even for our first try!
It definitely made me want to embark on a new craft.

Custom Tattoo Design Colored Cross with Date

Client’s Description Request:

I would like something with a cross, a heart, the date 10-11-09, with color - primarily purple. I would like the date to be integrated into a line either on the heart or the cross. This will go on my forearm. I really like the designs on your profile. I like your style. I'd like something rather feminine.

Client Feedback:

I just KNEW you would come up with the most awesome designs! I'll be sure to upload a picture of the finished product for you! I just can't thank you enough! I appreciate your talent and your attention to detail. I will definitely be contacting you for the one! Thank you so much!

Tattoo Quote

Your body is a temple,

but how long can you live in the same house

before you redecorate? 

~Author Unknown

Custom Autograph Tattoo Design

Client’s Description Request:

Simple and feminine B&W tattoo centered round my parents' autographs!

Before taking the plunge and moving to another country, I wish to get my parents' autographs inked at the side of my boob/at my ribcage. And I do not wish to simply have the tattoos itself, but have them in some kind of design.

It should be simple, black & white, (thin) lines only (no grey "colour" areas or anything) and feminine. It shouldn't exceed the width of my ribcage and therefore shouldn't be much wider than 12cm (about 4.5 inch). Myself I am thinking of getting them done in a simple infinity symbol.

But I'm not an artist and am open for anything simple & feminine! As long as it's B&W and centers around the autographs - just know that I'm not that much into hearts :)

Flashback Friday - Columbian Gold and Butterflies

From my Archive:

On a recent trip which included a day stop in Cartagena, Colombia, we had the unexpected pleasure of touring the Museo de Oroa or Gold Museum in the "old city".

The small rooms were filled with valuable pre-Colombian gold artifacts and some of the oldest ceramics in the Americas.

This particular exhibit caught my eye...not only for the the actual jewelry but also for the display design. They reminded me of floating butterflies!

Custom Half Sleeve with Personal Imagery Tribal Tattoo Design

Clients Description Request:

I would like a custom design that combines several of my favourite things/icons to create a half sleeve design (open as to the size, really depends on the design). I have several tattoos already, all in black, except for my first one which was done very badly when I was a kid and is the Southampton FC emblem.  I would like the new sleeve design to either completely overlay the SFC emblem on my right shoulder or somehow work part of it into the design.  Pictures of all my tattoos are included, I would like the design to 'fit' as well as possible with what I have already.  I am very much open to ideas regarding how to combine the key images I'd like included, which are: the number 7, Celtic spirals, Buddhist symbol Om, Scottish thistle, kangaroo, zodiac signs of my wife and kids, the sun, enso.  I have included example images of most in a style that I like (but only as examples, artist has the license to adapt and create accordingly).  Main thing is to include all of these references in a coordinated sleeve design.  Colours wise I am open to a splash here and there of red, white, blue, green and gold (being the British and Australian colours).  That's the brief!

Client Feedback:

Fantastic! This is really great Pam - just the sort of thing I was hoping for but couldn’t imagine or describe myself! Thanks so much for getting involved. 

Tuesday Tips - Creative Jewelry Displays for Earrings Series - Metal Basket Idea

From my Archive:

Creative Earring Displays for Jewelry Shows

There are so many interesting options out there for unusual jewelry displays. This is the second in my series of four posts on using everyday items for your show displays.

This top picture is a tall chrome wire basket that I think had some kind of sleeve and is supposed to be used as a wine cooler.

For shows, I put it on a small lazy susan and hung my earring cards on it. It gives me the ability to highlight a few pair and makes them easily accessible to customers.

The best part is that it is light and doesn't take up a lot of room in transport.

Above is another wire basket that I found at a discount department store. It served the same purpose but held a ton of merchandise!

For storage and transport I used plastic wrap (that you use for food storage) and wrapped the displayed earrings right on the wire basket.

The handle made it easy to carry and the plastic wrap protected the earrings. I was able to store small items including baggies and a folded table cloth in the center for transport which made it multi functional.

Depending on my show set up it was great that I could put this on a lazy susan as well and customers could have access to all sides.

* Hanging Earring Card Tip:

I use business cards to display and package most of my earrings.

Sometimes I fold them in half like a tent...that way they can stand up on a table or can hang over one of my displays.

Another option is to apply sticky back plastic hangers/earring card adapters to the cards...that way they hang neatly on the wire rails. The earring card adapters can be found at Jewelry packaging supply shops and by searching online.