Beautiful Jewelry in Silver and Copper

Beautiful Jewelry in Silver and Copper
Beautiful Jewelry in Silver and Coper

Friday, July 30, 2010

updated website

I finally updated my www.NayDesigns.com website.
I am so happy to have finally replaced the yucky old website with all its yucky old designs and photos!

The new site has my blog and etsy shop imported directly onto my pages. I don't know the proper verbage to use but they are all there and that makes me happy!

I also added a page for my accessories, which is not up yet. Plus a page for my graphic design work.

Yeah!

Nay Designs

On a sad note:
I had two friends whose K9 and Feline Children passed away this week. So sad. Pets are so special to us. I personally prefer animals over humans sometimes. I have pets instead of children. I don't trust anyone who does not like animals. That being said I am sending lots of hugs to my friends who lost their pets this week.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Sometimes I wonder if I am cut out for this whole metal smith/jewelry designer/creative life thing. Or maybe I am just exhausted and need to be refreshed, rejuvenated and inspired.

I am watching the monsoons crawl in out of my office window. Inspiring? Perhaps. I am so exhausted from Leah being here, from cleaning the entire house this morning, and my parents moving here that I think I am a bit overwhelmed.

Sometimes I think that breaks are good. Vacations, homcations...whatever you call it, but a time when you regroup, rethink, and get re-inspired.

For the moment my mind is a blank. I just can't come up with anything I want to make. Its sad to even contemplate it. I see fellow bloggers post photos of their beautiful pieces of jewelry, and I get mad at myself for not being as creative.

I think it is time for a long break.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Crop Circle Rings

I have been obsessed with UFOs, Aliens, and Crop Circles since I was a little kid. I still have (and don't leave home without) my ALF doll.

At some point a few months back I decided that I wanted to try to use actual crop circle designs and incorporate them into a ring. To do this I decided that I would need supplies to etch in silver.

So I bought them from a chemical supply house in Tucson (much less expensive then any of the jewelry supply websites).

With a lot of nervousness I was able to make a good sample of the ring to put up on Etsy.




I am really happy with the designs, and the way the ring turned out. I hope the response to them is very positive.

In other news, Leah goes home on Wednesday. I've realized that I can not have children. My frustration level is way too low, and I value my time way too much! I got up at 6:00am on a Sunday so that I could have some time to myself. I don't know how all the mothers out there do it. You are all so amazing.

Off into the studio to fill orders now!

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Inspiration Vacation

I am taking my cousin Leah on a vacation within her vacation. My husband needs a break from us. Haha.

First I am going to corrupt her the best I can by taking her to see the Rocky Horror Picture Show in Tucson. I performed in the Los Angeles cast for 4 years, and have not been in about 4 years. We are going to meet my good friend Bernie up there. It will be so good to see an old dear friend. The best part is that we are going to stay at the Hotel Congress which is super haunted. Yippie. I am sure I will be way too tired to even care if a ghost haunts us.

From Tucson we are headed to one of my favorite towns in the world! Jerome! Again staying at the Ghost City Inn which is super haunted. I requested one of their haunted rooms. What I love about Jerome is how easy it is to get inspired. There are so many artists that live there and work there that just seeing their works sparks creativity in my soul.

After Jerome we are going to the only aquarium in the state. Unfortunately it is going to be 110 degrees in Phoenix, but we will manage by staying at the Hilton with their built in water park, Hole in the Wall. I plan on staying in the lazy river until my sunscreen wears off! And shopping at H&M is on the list! So excited...new wardrobe! I can't afford one, but I don't care. That is what credit cards are for...right??

It will be very exciting to get out of town, out of the house, see old friends, and go on a mini vacation.

With that being said all orders made in my shop this week will be made/mailed next week.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Rain!

Next week Leah and I are heading out to Tucson, Jerome, and Phoenix and while on our trip I am going to pick up some etching supplies so she can make a hebrew ring.

I have been so lucky lately. I have made numerous sales in my etsy shop. Its been really neat because when an order comes in, my cousin Leah and I run to my studio to create. It has been fun teaching Leah how to solder. She is getting good at it too.

After an order comes in the really fun part is packaging it up to ship out. If the item fits I use these great little boxes intended to be used on desks to hold paperclips and other small office supplies. They have a little magnet on the back so you can stick them on a filing cabinet, or on the fridge. I put the jewelry in the box and carefully wrap it all up like a birthday gift. Who doesn't like to receive gifts that they carefully have to unwrap to find their little treasure inside?



This ring is being shipped to Rachel Krech from www.AssociatedContent.com in Des Plaines Illinois. She did an article on me for her site. Here is a link to the article. Its so exciting!

It is rainy and muggy here and I love it! Just the type of weather I live for! I really should move to Seattle where it is like this all the time.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

teaching

My 15 year old cousin is staying with me until the end of July. She asked if I could teach her how to make a ring. She wants a spinner ring with hebrew going around the band. Thinking back to my metal smith classes I decided to start her off with copper.
As I filled an order for etsy, I taught her how to saw, file, sand, solder, and tumble copper. She made this adorable pendant which she has been carrying around with her all day. I have to go to my supplier in Tucson to get some etching materials so that we can actually make the ring she wants to make.
In the meantime, I am going to have her make a ring band in copper. Then we will try silver.
Its sort of refreshing to be teaching someone something new and its even more refreshing to have them respond in such a positive way to my teachings!

We are now off to watch the fireworks!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Busy as a bumble bee

I am so busy. My night job was exhausting these last few weeks. Now my 15 year old cousin is visiting me for a month.

Yesterday one of my pieces was on Etsy's main showcase, but did not result in any sales. I was very upset. I think my pieces are pretty with good quality, but I guess people are not buying.

I am debating if I should shut down my etsy shop and just sell my goods in town in the store where I work one day a week. My jewelry usually flies out the door there.

I am too busy right now to even contemplate these things. I have a few more showcases lined up for this month, I will await to see what happens afterwords.