Necklace giveaway ends midnight May 31st! (USA PST)

I'll be drawing the winner of the necklace giveaway at the end of the month, which is almost here!  To enter, please sign up for my brand spankin' new newsletter.  I promise not to email you more than once a month (ok maybe twice if there is something really, really special).  There'll be discount codes for my Etsy store for newsletter subscribers too.

To sign up, just email me -- click the link in the sidebar under Contact Information.

Thank you for your support, I really appreciate it!  Right now your odds of winning are very, very good ;)

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Flying Lessons with Kelly Rae Roberts

So as much as I should not be spending money right now, I signed up for Kelly Rae Roberts' brand new e-course titled Flying Lessons:  Tips and Tricks to Help Your Creative Business Soar.  Sounds like just what I need, right?!  If you haven't come across her yet, Kelly Rae is an amazing mixed media artist and beautiful blogger.  I also relate to her because her background is in social work, not art, and she didn't begin exploring art as a career until her 30s.  After completing a half-marathon, no less.  Sound like anyone you know...?

Class starts May 30th, I'm very excited.  I did hesitate on the cost, not because I think it's not worth it, it undoubtedly will be, but just because I have a lot of expenses hovering over me right now.  I knew I'd sincerely regret it if I didn't sign up though.  There is still time to sign up if you are interested, just hop on over here.

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Fabric Flower Tutorials

I had fun today!  After my original plans went out the window, I devoted the majority of my Saturday (after a trip to the dog park) to making fabric flowers.  I picked up a cute fabric flower headband at a Shecky's Girl's Night Out this week and it gave me inspiration.  Finally a way I can indulge my fabric arts craving without a sewing machine!

Google supplied me with a range of tutorials to choose from.  I ended up meshing this one from Pink Paper Peppermints and this one from Sew Ritzy Titzy to make the tan and cream flower and the black flower, and meshing this one from Design*Sponge with tips from this one on Still Dottie to make the red one.

I've put pin backs on all of them so I can attach them my tops and cardigans, elastic headbands, purses, etc.  I'm thinking about adding accessories to my Etsy store.  Whether this eventuates or not, it was a lot of fun and there will be many more to come!

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Daily Photo Project Update

Well, I haven't been perfect at taking a photo every day, there's been several days where I've totally forgotten to do it.  Here's some highlights from when I have remembered though!

A couple of donut/pineapple-shaped chips from a bag of Trader Joe's hawaiian bbq flavored chips.

Finger-painting is good :)

My beautiful sleep mask from Etsy seller BibBon

Another new needle-felted friend.

Bake caking :)

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Sewing Tutorials

One of the crafts I really want to learn is sewing.  I have taken two classes at The Urban Craft Center (where I made a pillowcase and a clutch), but I don't have my own sewing machine so haven't gotten much further.  These tutorials are so cute and look easy enough even for me!


Little Lamb Pillows from The Purl Bee

Quilted Notecards from Made: A Creative Collection

Fabric envelope tutorial (doesn't have to be a love letter!) from LucyKate Crafts

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Goal Update

Kimberly Wilson of Tranquility du Jour makes it a habit to create goals at the start of every month, and review her progress at the end of every month.  I was thinking about this wonderful habit when I realized that I had blogged about a goal I had for myself exactly two months ago. On March 13th, I wrote that I had sold 13 items through my Etsy store, and within 6 months I wanted to have sold 50.  Today, on May 13th, my Etsy sale total is up to 21, which leaves me with 29 to go in four months.  I have increased my average sales from three per month to four, so that is hopeful, but I need to increase that to just over 7 per month to hit 50 by September 13th.

I have also made more sales off Etsy (thank you work colleagues!) I still have hope I'll meet my original goal.  I have more items to list over the next few days, a couple more rings, and two new necklaces that I just need to take photos of them being worn before I list them on Etsy.

Do you set goals for yourself or your business?  And do you remember to do regular check-ins?

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Silver and Copper Vintage-Look Rings

As promised, here is your sneak peek at the new rings I will be putting up in my Etsy store next week.  All bands are adjustable so one size fits all/most. The copper rings are smaller than the silver-colored rings.If there's anything that strikes your fancy, send me an email (artandclasp [at] gmail dot com) or an Etsy convo and I will create a reserved listing for you.  There's currently only one of each though!

P.S. Don't forget to email me to sign up for my new newsletter and enter the draw to win a necklace!  Drawing is at the end of May.

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Craft Show Recap

As mentioned, last Sunday I participated in a mini craft show with the Etsy Los Angeles Street Team.  Here's what I ended up taking:

Fold-up table
Fold-up chair
Fabric to cover table
Bed-risers (to make the table taller and minimize shoppers' need to bend down to look at items)
Mirror
Jewelry stands and small dishes to display bracelets and ring
Business cards and magnets
Newsletter sign-up sheet on clipboard
Scissors
Price tags
My tools and some materials (ended up making a few things while I was there, and selling one of them)
Pens
Stapler
Gift bags prepared with A&C sticker on the outside and business card inside
Cash float
Apron to hold cash and cellphone
Camera
Water and snacks

Didn't bring but should have:
Sunscreen (we ended up setting up outside)

As you can see from the photo, the black jewelry bust I made out of foam-core board didn't make an appearance -- I tried setting it up but the first gust of wind blew it over.  So that will be an indoor prop only.

The first few hours were very slow, only a trickle of people came through.  It picked up for the last few hours and I ended up selling 5 items -- not enough to recoup my outlay for the table, stands, etc but I was terrified I would sell absolutely nothing so at least that didn't happen!

The number one thing I learned from this experience was this -- when choosing a craft show to vendor at, consider the location and targeted audience of the craft show carefully.  The people coming through this one seemed to have a very particular look and my jewelry didn't really fit in with it -- hence why I was happy to make any sales at all.

I just finished taking photos of the new rings I have made.  These were my most popular items at the craft show (though that may have also been the lower price point).  I'll post a sneak peek of these tomorrow before beginning to list them on Etsy on Monday.

Hope you're having a great weekend!

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GIVEAWAY! Be in to win a necklace.

Next on the Art-&-Clasp-takes-the-craft-world-by-storm agenda is the creation of a monthly newsletter.  To entice you to sign up, I will draw a winner for one of the round pendant necklaces at the end of May.  So far your odds are excellent! LOL.

Promises!:  I will email you no more than once per month (well maybe twice if I have something super duper special to tell you. Like another giveaway.  Or a sneak peek.  But that's it. Promise).  And I will NOT give your email address to ANYONE.  Promise.

To sign up for the newsletter and enter the giveaway, please email me at artandclasp (at) gmail dot com (take that, spammers...)

Thank you so much for your support!

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Craft Show Preparation

I did a practice set-up of my craft show display today to see how it's going to look (sorry for the photo quality, I'm a bit lost without my light box).

I picked up these two stands on sale at Pier One this week, very cute:

Here are rings (new product! Not on Etsy yet!) and bracelets:

Still got a lot of little tasks to do tonight (price tags, put labels on bags, etc) and will hopefully make a few more pieces as well.  Hope to see you there!

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Come see me at the DIY Gallery in Echo Park this Sunday!

As you've heard me mention, I will be participating in my first craft show ever this Sunday.  Sounds like it will be pretty cool -- the poster above is a bit blurry but it says:

The ETSY LA Street Team invites you to an UN-COMMON POP-UP SHOP filled with vintage clothing, accessories, handmade jewelry, and much more from LA based designers and brands...

Shopping + Booze from 11am-6pm
BBQ + Booze + Music from 3pm-11pm
FREE to get in all day

DIY Gallery & Jelly Roll Clubhouse
1549 W Sunset Blvd Echo Park 90026

BBQ!  Booze!  Music!  Not your ordinary craft show.  A few of my friends have been asking where Echo Park/Silverlake is:


View Larger Map

If you are in the L.A. area and have no plans this Sunday, I would LOVE to see you there! Today I need to finish getting my display together, will post pics of that later.

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