ETSY BLOGGERS BLOG CARNIVAL!

Welcome to the August 2nd, 2010 edition of the rockin EtsyBloggers blog carnival!

julie marriott presents Blog Carnival for July posted at Welcome To My World.

Liz Howell presents Summer Fashions at LizsWares! posted at Liz's Wares.

cindy devine presents They're back! posted at Devine Designs Jewelry.

Missie presents EtsyBloggers Carnival Post posted at Sykin's One Stop Etsy Shopping Guide.

Deirdre presents Catching up on the Handmade Faire posted at Blackbird's Learning To Fly.

theashgrove presents Blog Carnival: Summer Inspiration posted at Notes from the Ash Grove.

Betty Mathers presents Summer Flowers posted at The ReFORMatory.

BeadedTail presents Friday Features posted at beadedtail.

MagdaleneJewels presents Carnival Blog: My Summer Designs posted at MagdaleneJewels's Blogs.

Sandi Myers presents Blog Carnival – Who taught me to crochet? posted at The T-Shirt Lady.

Linda Pruitt presents Who started me crafting? posted at Pruitt Handcrafts.

Blog Carnival for January!!

For Etsy Bloggers Street Team January blog Carnival!

**What's your favorite Winter time activity?**

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I must start by mentioning that I'm not a fan of the cold weather, and I do love to stay inside on a chilly day! Living on the NC coast gets it's share of rain, snow, and cold weather for many more days of the year than Texas...I miss the warm January's there...but, I try to keep busy inside as I love the warmth of a snugly blanket and hot cocoa!

As of now it's cold here, but I'm definitely staying busy with jewelry orders and trends developments. I haven't made too much lately as I'm trying to get some of my stock sold before I indulge into more jewelry designs...a draw back of the January season no less...Christmas is over!

So I'm keeping busy with getting the house organized and fixed up nice to get ready to put it on the market. And there are lots of unorganized closets, shelves and storage that I have forgot about...and the garage definitely can use some cleaning love. It's a great time of year to re-vamp your organization, clean, and rearrange! I like the idea of cleanliness in the summertime and spring, but I'd much rather be outside than indoors cleaning when the weather is nice again!

The custom orders keep me busy so I'm glad about that, I don't have kids, just my Schatz dog and she sheds like it's already summer so I'm definitely keeping myself busy with all the vacuuming! Plus with all the cleanliness that's going on, I'll be ahead of the curve by the time allergy season hits!

Is it May yet?....

If I had my way I'd be taking advantage of the season and get to a place where I can snowboard!!!!! It's so fun! A trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains or West Virginia might need to be in order! That's the one part of the snow that I do enjoy!

Successful Sale {Blog Carnival!}

Thanks to Indulgeyourshelf for hosting this weeks Blog Carnival for the Etsy Bloggers Street Team! Q: What was your most successful sales event or product, and why do you think it was?

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I'd have to narrow that question down to two equally challenging, profitable and fun custom pieces. The first would have to be the Cross pendant necklace I custom made for my cousin Chris. He runs a Metalsmithing business in San Antonio, TX and wanted me to make him a custom pendant that matched his company logo. After design collaboration, we ended up with this idea and I hand cut, soldered and forged every detail.

Made form Argentium Sterling silver sheet, pendant measures 2" long on Sterling silver oxidized chain 18"

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My other successor would have to be the custom arm band I handmade for a customer in Spain. She asked me to make her a large {3" x 8.5"} arm cuff she could wear on her upper arm. She wanted the three rows of studs added for design flair and for it to be adjustable. This cuff was among the largest pieces I have ever had to solder and forge. It was a challenging piece, but I was very happy with the outcome and so was my customer...

Sterling Silver sheet with Sterling studs. One monster of an arm cuff!

I'd definitely say that these two pieces were the most successful due to the time, skill and money put into them. They are the most expensive pieces I have made and the most cherished. I hope the customers who have them know that I worked especially hard to ensure they were just as please with the design and outcome as I was. They helped me build my skills as a craftswoman and I hope for more challenging pieces in the future!

Show Your Face

Blog Carnival post for my Etsy Bloggers: I love to know the artist behind the work. Show us a picture of yourself and talk about your work, life...whatever. Interview yourself if you like...

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- ALL ABOUT BW:SILVER - (Survey Style)

Name: Brittany Wende

Nicknames?: "Britt", and formerly known as "BZ" by all my friends, but they still call me that...

Business Name: BW:SILVER

Why This name?: It's my initials, plus what I do...silver!

Business Location: Hubert, NC...but I'm a Marine wife to it's a traveling business...

Year Started: 2007

Type of Business: Custom & Handmade Jewelry

Media: Argentium Sterling, Sterling Silver, authentic gemstones, glass beads

Favorite Materials to Use: TURQUOISE STONES!

Products Sold: Chain and beaded necklaces, pendants, rings, earrings, cuffs, bangles, bracelets, etc...

Inspiration: Natural objects, antique jewelry, paintings & colors, fashion magazines, individual ideals, changing seasons, art books

Target Market: Anyone who enjoys handmade jewelry!

Price Point: Moderate to Best --everything is handmade!

Employees: 0

Office/Studio Location: My garage!!

Websites: 4 - ETSY, Artfire, 1000Markets, Blog

Social Networking Sites: Facebook, Myspace, LinkedIn (Be My Friend!!)

------Q & A ------

Where did you learn your craft?

It was my minor in college, I took a metalsmithing class just out of curiosity, I never knew it would turn into more than a hobby. I didn't know if I could get into it at first, but after my first few lessons, I knew I was really going to like it. My great grandfather was an ornamental metalsmith that came over from Germany to the US and started his metalworking business in TX. Since then, my Grandpa and my uncles and cousins has all carried down this business, and now I do the same...just on a smaller scale. I guess it's kind of in my blood?

What makes your designs different than others?

I try to design pieces that are eye catching, unusual, and unique. I feel that jewelry should reflect someones personality. Fun, funky, bold, simplistic, clean...I'm all of those! I have many different styles I like to incorporate into each piece. It's fun to play with different techniques and try new things to see if I can come across a totally original and unique art piece and someone can have & wear. I like that my work is mainly original and one of a kind, it makes each piece that much more valuable to the person. Jewelry should be loved too, not just worn!

What are your future business plans or goals?

I hope to have a wider customer base and maybe even a shop someday I can sell my work and other handmade artists works. I value the efforts of handmade goods and artists with those skills to make someones life a little more vivacious & fun! I would also like to learn more about jewelry making and metalsmithing, an apprenticeship with a silversmith artist or advanced metalsmithing workshops would be great.

I like working with silver just as well, but I think incorporating other metals would be nice too. It will also help to broaden my consumers. No everyone likes the look of silver, and I always like to try new things! Maybe one day I can be like James Avery!

Any current specials, sales, or shows going on soon?

As of now, and always, I have FREE SHIPPING on all items over $30! And that includes Canada & overseas shipping. And in the next few weeks I will be posting a LIQUIDATION SALE of items in my Etsy shop that MUST GO! ((They are cluttering up space for new jewelry pieces to come...))

All of my items are complimentary gift wrapped, boxed and ready to enjoy or give upon receipt. I can also do custom greetings on a gift tag to include on any items purchased. I don't have any shows planned as of now, but I'm looking into a November show in Wilmington, NC. Christmas is coming....

Blog + Carnival = Blarnival!

This post regards the Etsy Bloggers ::Blog Carnival:: bi-weekly post, and OF COURSE I wanted to participate as a newbie...
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TOPIC: In a few months, the holiday season will be in full swing. What are you planning for: increasing your inventory, festival hopping, networking?
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But of course I am planning to get my self geared up for the holidays! It's probably my busiest time. Last year was good, but I'm hoping to do better this year. With the fall approaching...yikes! already!...I'm finishing up custom orders as of now, and moving onto a new collection of turquoise and silver inspired bracelets, rings, necklaces and more! I recently made a trip home (to "Tejas") and brought back mucho turquoise and unique stones to work with.

I went to the International Gem & Jewelry Show on June 19! One word: AMAZING! If you've never gone before, you must go! It's worth it and so inspirational! They have wholesale beads, findings, finished jewelry and even fancy diamonds to trendy cheap styles. It's the BEST and goes all over the US.

A few necklaces have already been made and posted form findings at the G & J Show, but that's beaded stuff...the metalwork aspect will come into play very soon. My Military Medallion pendants have been a big hit with my fellow Facebookers and military friends, so I plan to keep them rolling as the year goes on. I'm gearing up to possibly have a booth at the (OWC) Camp Lejeune Art Fair again this year....and this time, I'll be ready! Last year was fine, but it was also my very first "show" so I didn't know what to expect. Now, I am fully ready to take on the show with a better set up, display, organization, etc. I'm hoping to do well this year! The Art Fair will be in November, usually close to Thanksgiving, I'll post exact dates once I know more ~ My husband should be possibly coming home from Afghanistan around then so we'll have to see if I can actually make it.


As of now I am still selling items via Etsy, 1000 Markets, Artfire, as well as Joolz in Canandaigua, NY and of course through social networking with my Facebook group and some on Myspace. If you'd like to be my friend on either of those sites please feel free! Just give me a heads up on where you heard about me. I'd love to connect with other buyers/sellers of handmade goods. Connection is the key!