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Even though I'm a jewelry maker, I find that I tend to wear my favorite jewelry pieces all the time.

One of these pieces of jewelry is a pair of earrings that I didn't even create. These silver raven shaped earrings are simple, silver, high quality craftsmanship and go with everything. And they're ravens. So duh.

Does anyone else have a piece of jewelry they wear all the time? Please feel free to post photos

Long Time, No Blog

When life gets crazy, certain hings tend to fall along the wayside. Unfortunately, one of the first things to fall off my planet is blogging.

This past year has has been full of changes, especially for me as a jewelry artist. I've had a lot of success's, especially over this summer, and it's given me the confidence I've needed to try to make RavenWorks my full-time endeavor.

There's been a lot of learning, and there's a lot of learning to go. I've learned how to better perfect my art, how to present my work, how to sell, etc. Now I have to learn how to promote, grow my customer base, and a million other things, such as doing taxes for my business this year for the first time.

I'm hoping that I can use this blog as a platform to share some of my experiences and hopefully help other people along the road to doing their art full time. I also hope to be able to get feedback from people as well. Oh, and laughing at myself now and again is always good.

So bear with me as I get this rusty blog train on track once again. I promise it will be worth it.

New Creations

Once again, my passion for stones and crystals has emerged. As I learn more about their metaphysical properties, I'm also new colors and combinations of stones, and of course, new wire designs.

I'm also pushing myself to keep my Etsy shop updated, and participate in chat, and other promotional avenues. My jewelry deserves to be seen, and hopefully, loved. Be sure to check out all of the great new stuff......

Gettin' Crafty With It

As I continue to be out of work, I continue to push myself with my jewelry creation. I've also committed myself to several craft shows for this coming season, something I didn't allow myself to do last year. I'm excited, and hoping this push to be committed to my jewelry making will bring around some good things.

I'll be posting pictures of new creations. Wish me luck!

Working, Working, Working

Well, haven't posted in some time, but now that I'm out of work, I should have more time on my hands.

I've been working hard on listing new items in my Etsy shop, and I think it's looking good. I've also joined Twitter (ravenworkstudio) and I hope to make some new connections there. I may even set up an Artfire and 1000 Markets account now that I have the time.

So, I'm on the crafty move. I hope I can get some things happening soon :)

Great Finds!

The gem show was amazing. I was so overwhelmed with all of the incredible stones, crystals and gems it was ridiculous. I made some great buys. My only regret was that I didn't have more money to spend. Luckily though, I discovered some new gems to love.

So, time to get my jewelry making behind into gear for the craft fair season. Good times.

Rock And Gem Show

This Saturday I'm going to my very first rock and gem show, and I'm so excited, it's ridiculous. I'm already dreaming of all of the great finds I'll pick up there, and pre-cringing at the money I'm sure to spend.

I really hope to find some really brightly colored crystals. I've seen some pieces lately using different shades of tourmoline and quarzt that make me ache with jealousy:

Aren't those stones just stunning? I hope to capture a few similar beauties this weekend. Wish me luck!

Ch-Ch-Changes!

Well, my new found passion for creating fabulous dog clothes creations and jewelry has finally found a way to resolve its self.

I've established a new blog and a new website, and really a whole new entity for my doggie lovelies called Devine Dog Designs. Please take a look when I finally get them rolling a bit :)

So, I can now go back to devoting this blog to my jewelry, as originally intended. However, I'm very excited about my new project. This way I can switch on and off between the two and not get completely burnt out on just one. Considering craft fair season begins soon, this is a good thing, and should help to keep the creative juices flowing.

Another Dog Project

So, continuing in my dog centric craftiness, I made a cute little dress for our new puppy Vixen from a fantastic pattern I bought off off http://petitepuppypatterns.com/Site/Home-1.html

So adorable, and the pattern is so versatile. Unfortunately I got the pattern a little to small, as Vixie is her pudgy puppy stage, and she's still growing. Today I got the pattern for the next size up, and I can't wait to make some more dresses out of all of the fun fabric I bought!

Veering Off

Once again I'm in jewelry burn out mode after doing the last art show. So, I've been giving my brain a bit of a rest from jewelry creation.

In the meantime, I've been working on some items for my doggies. Once I perfect them, I hope to be able to market them to other people with small dogs.

A small sample. The orange knit sweater:

Right now it's pretty basic, but I'm working on it. Eventually, it will evolve into something more impressive.

And, here's the fleece I've been crafting:

So far I'm happy to have figured out a few basic patterns. They're solid and ready to be awesome. Wish me, and my dogs, luck :)

Yeah for Animals!

Recently, I was really bummed out when I found out I was not selected to join the Etsy Wire Artisans Guild. I thought my wire skills had finally developed to the point of being considered at least pretty good, so this was a bit of a blow to the 'ol fragile ego.



So, imagine my surprise when I got a message from someone who had seen my Etsy site and said she loved my work. And that she managed a local art studio. And would like me to come teach wire working! I was so elated I could hardly speak. After meeting her this weekend, it seem like it's going to be a go, and I'll actually be teaching people to do wire working. My ego was restored a bit.



I also have an art show on Friday featuring my new animal designs (which is why many of them aren't listed in my Etsy shop yet). I hope it goes well and I sell at least a few pieces.



And here's the piece that caught the eye of the studio manager, and one of the pieces from my new animal line:





I love the animal pieces. They're just so much fun to create, and people really respond to them. I just hope they do well at my show. We'll see!

Finally- She's Done!

Finally, I decided how to string my fabulous mermaid gal:




I did a simple chain with tiny shell accents. I didn't want to do anything too complex, as I didn't want to take away from the mermaid herself. I think she came out great (even if the pictures aren't spectacular). I even made my lazy self list her on my Etsy site. Yeah!

Vacation Time

This week is February vacation for the kids and my parents have taken them to Vermont for the week, leaving me and my husband home alone. Yipee!

So, with some free time on my hands this week, I've vowed to do some serious crafting. Today I went to the craft store and got some new beads, clasp and findings to inspire me to get started. I'm hoping to have some pieces completed and listed on my Etsy site by the week. Here's to some good craftin'!

The Mermaid

I've been doing my best to keep busy lately, especially with my new animal forms. My most recent work is an enchanting mermaid:


She's taken a lot of work, especially the scales in the tail, as each one is studded with a tiny seed bead. In her heart lays a piece of the ocean, a small shell I collected this summer on the beach, and then hand drilled especially for this piece. I'm very happy with how she turned out.

Now the only thing that remains to do is to figure out the best way to string her as a pendant. Hopefully she'll be finished and listed on Etsy by the end of this week.

Ode to the Wire Artisans Guild

Oh you lovely wire queens,

All your works are simply dreams.

Each piece made with such skill

For your talents I would kill.



Oh Wire Artisans Guild,

I pray your ranks aren't filled

That among the chosen few,

You'll let me slide in too.



If my application you deny,

I fear I'll surely cry.

So don't shun me artists awsome,

When in your guild I'll surely blossom.




*The Wire Artisans Guild of Etsy is currently accepting applications for ten open spots. I've got my fingers crossed!*

Something New

As I said in my New Year's post, I've had a few new ideas brewing. This is the latest:



I just listed this guy on Etsy, and it's the first listing in a new series of animal items I'm working on. I did a few basic pieces as gifts for Christmas, and in the piece above, I took it a step further, incorporating weave and stones within the piece.

I'm very excited about these new animal pieces, and I hope they go over well.

Off and Running!

That's right, I'm already working on kicking my New Year's craft resolutions into high gear. Yesterday I spent HOURS taking photos, editing photos, working on my website, and putting up two new listings on Etsy. I hope to do some more today, but I feel like I'm finally on the right track.

If you have the time, please take a peek at my new website www.ravenworksstudio.com , and tell me what you think about the format, photos etc. Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Crafty Resolutions

All right, it's that time- time to make some serious craft resolutions for 2009! My resolutions are all based on kicking my crafty butt into high gear and taking my jewelry business to the level. Here's what I have in mind:

1.) Back on the Etsy Train- I was actually starting to make some real progress with Etsy when I let it all fall apart. I haven't listed anything in ages, or promoted in a million years. This year, I'm determined to list often, and promote, promote, promote!

2.) Pimp My Blog- This means posting far more often, and once again, promoting, promoting, promoting.

3.) Line Up more Craft Shows for '09- Now that I've gotten to know some of the bigger and better craft shows in the area, I'm going to make sure I get out there more in '09. Craft shows may be a lot of work, but usually they're well worth the investment.

4.) Get the Website Going- My website is pretty much non-existent at the moment. I need to get it looking good and get it functional.

5.) Create, Create, Create!- Most importantly, it's time to get working. I need more items. if I'm going to achieve all of my goals. I need to create new things and develop new techniques. Time to get busy!

Happy New Years!

Looking Ahead

The holidays are fast approaching, and I'm glad that they're almost over. The Christmas craft shows are done, the custom orders completed, and all of my gifts, handmade with love, are ready to be opened.

With a little down-time, I've been able to get creative and branch out by learning a few new techniques, and experimenting with some designs that have been idling in my brain. Some have worked out really well, and I can't wait until I can show them off on my Etsy site and my home site.

All ready I'm looking ahead to what I'll be doing this year when it comes to crafts. My knitting continues to develop. I'm working with beading, and developing some great things with wire work. I get so excited just thinking about all of the projects I have lined up to tackle in the new year.

My main focus this year will be working on listing on Etsy once again, and working on my own website. I've been horribly lazy when it comes to photographing and listing my items.

Has anyone else got any crafty New Year's resolutions they're pondering?

Happy Holidays!

I'm finally feeling the holiday love in the craft department! Yeah! I just had a holiday craft show that went spectacular, with another one this Saturday, and the custom orders have been rolling in. Just by bringing some jewelry in to work today, I managed to make enough to cover my Christmas tree. Good Times.

I'm hoping to get my new website up and hopping in time to catch the holiday rush. I know it won't be as fancy as the last one, but I just couldn't afford the hosting any more. Ah well.

So, how is everyone elses holiday craftiness going?