Orange Soda

Item # JE-024




These simple earrings boast citrine nuggets. Instead of being boring blocks of color, these stones have a variety of shades of yellow and orange. Great for a pop of color in an otherwise dreary day.

All findings and settings are 0.925 sterling silver.

Darkest Night

Item # JE-067 $36.00





These Onyx drops were obtained from a supplier with a fair trade agreement with India. Instead of simply getting a fair trade certification, which pays for a large amount of administrative fees, this particular supplier checks on the groups she has agreements with several times a year, ensuring that all employees are well treated and paid for their artistic efforts.

All findings and settings are 0.925 sterling silver.

Moonlit Sail

Item # JE-069 $36.00





These moonstone drops were obtained from a supplier with a fair trade agreement with India. Instead of simply getting a fair trade certification, which pays for a large amount of administrative fees, this particular supplier checks on the groups she has agreements with several times a year, ensuring that all employees are well treated and paid for their artistic efforts.

All findings and settings are 0.925 sterling silver.

Swarovski Pears

Item # JE-016 $11.00






Swarovski crystals have taken the world by storm. Somewhat new to the mix, is the Swarovski Pearl. It's still very much a crystal, but happens to look like a pearl.

There's a matching necklace to go with, using another Swarovski pear pearl center strage, strung with small potato pearls, knotted tin-cup style.

All findings and handmade earwires 0.925 Sterling silver.

Labradorite Doublets

Item # JE-053 $16.00





Labradorite is similar to moonstone in that it has a glimmering shine to it, called Labradorescence. These particular labradorite nuggets seemed to have more shine than their buddies.

All findings and handmade wires 0.925 Sterling Silver

Purple Windows to the Soul

Item # JE-045  $42.00



When I was in grade school my parents sent us to a private school.  This meant we all had to go to chapel every day, just after first period.  The chapel had 10 stained glass windows along the sides, and a super ornate rose transom window at the back, above the balcony.  The shapes and colors were so vibrant that they provided lots of fuel for imagination, even if the chapel service wasn't.  These marquise-cut amethyst drops remind me of those moments stolen from attentive prayer and bible reading.

These Drops were obtained from a supplier with a fair trade agreement with India. Instead of simply getting a fair trade certification, which pays for a large amount of administrative fees, this particular supplier checks on the groups she has agreements with several times a year, ensuring that all employees are well treated and paid for their artistic efforts.

All findings and settings are 0.925 sterling silver.

Deep Oceans

Item # JE-042  $33.00





Iolite is one of those not-so-popular stones that is just breaking into popularity.  It comes in a variety of blues, similar to sapphires, but is less expensive.

These particular drops, set in sterling, happen to go with everything Navy easily, as well as anything you would wear Navy with.  And they do say Navy is every bit as slimming as Black.

All findings and settings 0.925 sterling silver

Home Sweet Home

Item JE-066 $36.00





These adorable little turquoise drops in their sterling settings remind me Houston Texas, where I grew up.  Silver jewelry, frequently with turquoise, was always a classic go-to with a black, brown, or bright white tops.  Turquoise also happens to be the birthstone for December.

These Drops were obtained from a supplier with a fair trade agreement with India. Instead of simply getting a fair trade certification, which pays for a large amount of administrative fees, this particular supplier checks on the groups she has agreements with several times a year, ensuring that all employees are well treated and paid for their artistic efforts.

All findings and settings are 0.925 sterling silver.

When Bad Is Good

Item # JE-0XX $30.00





When I was working my first summer job, one of the first sets of earrings I ever bought on my own were Malachite set in sterling.  I still wear them periodically.  These malachite drops reminded me of those little earrings, and a time when everything only seemed complicated.  Setting and wires are 0.925 Sterling Silver.  Handmade Wires.

Violet Petals

Item # JE-015 $32.00



These amethyst cabochons remind me of so many spring flowers, but at the same time, they also make me think of fun bold colors available in the winter.  The settings and wires are 0.925 Sterling Silver.  Handmade wires.

Cigano Triplets

Item # JE-057  $15.00





These earrings use an unexpectedly oval hoop to dangle three bohemian crystals each, in a beautiful two-tone turquoise.  They were inspired by a wonderful well-loved and much-missed gypsy friend with a love of the water.

Hoops and findings 0.925 Sterling Silver

Glimmer & Glow

Item # JE-013 $25.00





These sweet little earrings start with a handmade sterling French wire hook, and end in a dance of fresh water pearls, with one Swarovski crystal peeping out.  Equally perfect for a casual day, a romantic dinner, or even a wedding.

All findings, chain, and French wire 0.925 Sterling Silver.

Second Show – How Fast did that Go?

I haven’t had much of a chance to post lately, but last weekend was the Astoria Starving Artist Fair. This fair is intended to help benefit the Astor Street Opry Company, a community group that puts on such hilarious melodramas as Shanghaid in Astoria and Scrooged in Astoria. If you like throwing popcorn, or eating it, and drinking good Fort George Brewery Beer, and ever happen to find yourself in Astoria, you MUST check these folks out. Astor Street Opry Company

Words can’t thank Cindy, the organizer of this wonderful event, enough. It was my first year, and we were some of the last to sign up, but she made room for us in the back room of the Astoria Yacht Club Event center. There were some tiny bugs with this back room with visibility, but we had lots of assistance from Cindy, nearby vendors, and some special cameo guest appearances (more on this in a second).

What may have been known as the “little back room” quickly became known as the “Secret Sparkle Room.” We had a plethora of electrical outlets and windows with sunshine just streaming in to help light our wares. We had a few fantastic artisans back there:

Francois D’Orleans, is a Jeweler, in the real sense. Most jewelry artists, like myself, could only hope to learn what he knows. He is a silversmith, a goldsmith, and a lapidarist (meaning he works with precious and semi-precious stones). His work is both intricate and amazing. Photos hardly do it justice. He’s got a wealth of knowledge, has travelled for many years, and happens to be a joy just to chat with.

Oregon Du Drops, represented by Cat Freshwater. You really must see these things in person. These are recycled light bulbs filled with Oregon rainwater, and capped with brass bells from India. They are unbelievably gorgeous. Some even sport Swarovski crystals. One she had even had a giant fluorite chunk in it. Each bulb has the date of the rain collected engraved on it. You can ask them for particular dates, or let them know in advance you’d like a particular date in the future’s rain. (OK, it rains a lot here.) On days it doesn’t rain, they’ll collect dew instead.

None of us realized we were in front of Broadway royalty… until someone jokingly suggested that in order to bring more of the fair-goers into our little room, that our little backroom should organize an impromptu choir. Cat started in on The Christmas Song, for the rest of us to join in, and we were shocked. Her voice is stunning. It was hard to sing with her, because I wanted to listen to her so bad I could barely think what I was supposed to be singing. She was giving copies of her latest CD, A Capella Cat, to the toddlers who came through, what a sweet treat! I hope this goes viral: Cat Freshwater's Music at CD Baby.

With all of these accomplished artists around me, I was pretty intimidated. But you don’t get to be something without being nothing first, and the only thing to get from point A to point B is to work hard. So, work I did.

I decided our #1 hurdle to jump to have some success was getting folks in the back room. In my head, a multi-part plan started forming. First, was to stand at the entrance to the small hallway to our room, welcoming folks to the Secret Sparkle room. I always feel like I’m verbally an awkward klutz, but I tried to just smile and be engaging. As people looked at our displays and passed through, I tried to also remember to thank them for coming.

I admitted my klutziness to my husband, who noted other dogs present at other vendor tables. He disappeared for half an hour, returning with Chloe. Chloe, who happens to be one of our dogs, is also a local celebrity. (Partially in her own mind, but also to kids.) She works Public Relations and Administrative Assistance at several companies: Mead Engineering, Mead Music Studio, and Cascade Yachts. At Mead Engineering she provides package acceptance and assists with certain land surveys and deliveries, as well as guarding survey vehicles. At Mead Music Studio, she greets students and their families, provides entertainment to those waiting for lessons, and free toe cleanings. At Cascade Yachts she provides Quality Assurance, accepts deliveries from local chandleries and hardware stores, greets prospective customers, provides security, and taste tests all hot dogs. Lest you think a dog this busy must be a high energy greyhound… she’s a 6 pound papillon. And there’s always energy left over.

And when I say she’s a celebrity… have you ever walked into a hardware store, and people had no clue who you were, but knew which company tab to put you on, by your dog?



I must admit... who can refuse an endearing face like that?

In any event, Chloe herself consented to provide her services. She hung out with me, saying hi and welcoming everyone into the back room. Having a dog in Oregon just brings conversation. And it wasn’t nearly so awkward as before. And sure enough, sales picked up.

So, cheers to all those who made show #2 become a success for Grey Seas! We hope to show at several more shows in the future. If you happen to know of one you’d like to see us at, please don’t hesitate to e-mail! Grey seas jewelry at g m a i l

Best,

Posey

Stormy Skies

Item # JE-046 $63.00



These marquise set dangles were obtained from a supplier with a fair trade agreement with India. Instead of simply getting a fair trade certification, which pays for a large amount of administrative fees, this particular supplier administrates her agreement herself, checkings on the groups she has agreements with several times a year. This way, she's ensuring that all employees are well treated and paid properly for their artistic efforts.

These particular dangles are faceted Amethyst and Iolite. Handmade earwires. All silver, including chain, is 0.925 Sterling silver.

Approximately 2 1/4" long from top of earwire to bottom of drop.

I can't believe it's not CZ!

Item # JE-056 $36.00



These Drops were obtained from a supplier with a fair trade agreement with India. Instead of simply getting a fair trade certification, which pays for a large amount of administrative fees, this particular supplier checks on the groups she has agreements with several times a year, ensuring that all employees are well treated and paid for their artistic efforts.

These particular dangles sparkle with White Topaz. Topaz is the birthstone for November, and comes in pretty much all the colors of the rainbow. Handmade French Wires. All silver is 0.925 Sterling Silver.

Approximately 1 1/4" Long from top of earwire to bottom of dangle.

Blue Jean Queens

Item # JE-041 $32.00



Antiqued Lapis Lazuli drops for a casual dab of color in an otherwise gray winter. Maybe they aren't so casual afterall, Lapis was a favorite of Cleopatra herself.

Handmade french wires. All silver is 0.925 Sterling.

Approximately 1 1/4" long, from top of earwire to bottom of dangle.

Kathy's Favorite

Item # JE-055 $36.00





These Drops were obtained from a supplier with a fair trade agreement with India. Instead of simply getting a fair trade certification, which pays for a large amount of administrative fees, this particular supplier checks on the groups she has agreements with several times a year, ensuring that all employees are well treated and paid properly for their artistic efforts.

These particular drops are faceted Garnet. Handmade earwires. All silver is 0.925 Sterling silver.

Approximately 1 1/4" long from top of earwire to bottom of drop.

Seafoam Treasure

JE-059







Some ancient cultures believed that aquamarine protected those who carried it at sea from harm. These stunning nuggets of aquamarine are presented with sterling accents.

Handmade French Wires. All silver is 0.925 Sterling Silver.

Approximately 1 3/8" long from top of earwire to bottom of dangle.

Lady Luck

Item # JE-044 $36.00







These Drops were obtained from a supplier with a fair trade agreement with India. Instead of simply getting a fair trade certification, which pays for a large amount of administrative fees, this particular supplier checks on the groups she has agreements with several times a year, ensuring that all employees are well treated and paid for their artistic efforts.

Given all the good karma associated with these earrings, you can't help but feel a tad bit lucky wearing them.

These particular drops sport faceted peridot. All silver is 0.925 sterling silver. Wires are Handmade.

Approximately 1 1/4" Long, from top of earwire to bottom of drop.

Sunshine Drops

Item # JE-020 $37.00







These Drops were obtained from a supplier with a fair trade agreement with India. Instead of simply getting a fair trade certification, which pays for a large amount of administrative fees, this particular supplier checks on the groups she has agreements with several times a year, ensuring that all employees are well treated and paid for their artistic efforts.

The lovely yellow stones in these drops are Citrine cabochons. All silver is 0.925 sterling silver. The wires are leverback style, obtained from a local PNW supplier.

Approximately 1 ½” long, from top of earwire to bottom of drop.

KISS - in Aventurine

JE-006 $16.00







Green Aventurine rounds, for keeping things simple. All findings and wires are 0.925 Sterling Silver. Handmade Wires.

Approximately 1 1/4" Long, from the top of the earwire to the bottom of the drops.

Seashells from the Seashore

Item # JE-008  $32.00

These beautiful blue glass seashell earrings were lampworked by a local Ilwaco Washington artist.  Handmade French wires; both the wires and the findings are 0.925 Sterling Silver.

Ilwaco is a small town on the Coast of Washington, at the mouth of the Columbia River.  It famously provides the home of one of the toughest locations for Coast Guard motor life boat training, using the often treacherous conditions found at the Columbia River Bar.

Slightly less than 1 ¾” long, from top of earwire, to bottom of the Shell.

First Show Musings

It was a crazy busy weekend, but now that the dust is settling on a lovely (if drizzly) Tuesday, I'm able to look back at how things went.

We had a great showing Saturday, it was busy, busy.  There were quiet moments, and crazy moments.  Lots of family and friends stopped by.  We did the vast majority of our sales Saturday.  Sunday was much quieter, because we hadn't planned to continue, it was just a last minute decision.  Still, it was worth it, because it gave us a chance to sit back and think about the display, and walk around and look.

There were lessons learned, and also surprises as to what was most popular.  I was paid so many compliments on the jewelry as well.

One item I sold out of was my Swarovski earrings. I've been calling them "Headlights" in my mind, after going back-and-forth as to whether I liked them...   "Headlights" seem an uncharitable name for something that follows the KISS principle, so I'm looking for a better name.  Either way, I hadn't made many of them, but they were gone in a flash.

Two things that shocked me as to their popularity was Ornaments and Bookmarks.  They were some of the less expensive items I had on display, which may have contributed to their overall popularity.  They also had a shade of the whimsical, and the ornaments weren't strictly "Holiday."  One woman gushed "Lady Bugs!  I love lady bugs!"  Another one was attracted to a locally lampworked bead on a bookmark.  Later on, another lady remarked to me, "Wow, ornaments I don't have to put away after Christmas."  With most of the stores we shop at, grocery or otherwise, beginning Christmas almost concurrent with the beginning of the school year, I think many of us are Christmas'd out long before it happens.  

From GSM Christmas Ornaments 2009-11-07

Husbands, of course, were distracted by my husband's masterpiece display.  "How'd you put that together?"  I'd point at my husband, who was randomly available, or show them the innards of my display myself.  A table saw, and a biscuit joiner played mightily in the construction, thankfully both items he has for his business.  

Husband's the new owner of Cascade Yacht Works, LLC, the first fiberglass Boat-Building company in the US.  (We were just a glimmer in our grandparent's eyes at the time.)  He's usually busy working on sailboats and trawlers.  When he's not working on them he's usually thinking about them, dreaming about them, sketching them, or talking about them.  

Lest you think this would be dull to me, boats are my day job too.  Which means we have our own relatively private vernacular, Boat-ese, as my best friend (The Queen of Everything) called it.  QE happens to be similarly employed in the marine world, so were to I call to complain that I came down the companionway and found my husband overhauling the Wilcox-Crittenden on the galley table with tools all over the settees, she would be mutually horrified.  To landlubbers, that's walking in the door, and finding your husband pulling apart your toilet in your kitchen while laying tools all over your couches.  In his favor, it only happened once, and the toilet desperately needed an overhaul.  Granted, the first words out of his mouth were, "What's for dinner?"  Proof he's a smart man:  the ensuing pregnant silence suggested to him it was going to be Los Tapatios and a margarita.  

In fact, much of the jewelry is made on the water, in between one boat project or another (although never in conjunction with any dealings with the Wilcox-Crittenden, or any other marine head, I promise).  Others are dreamed up while I'm up to some monotonous boat task, or inspired by some sea-memory.

Thanksgiving is coming, with that responsible adult twinge of oh-how-do-I-get-it-all-done, and the old familiar childish twinge of yay-Christmas-is-nearly-here.  So off I go!

Best,

Posey

First-Show-Eve

It's the day before my first show, and I think things are pulling together nicely.  I had saved some finish work on a bunch of pieces till this week because I needed to glue them all at the same time.  Of course, after you glue, things need some time to set, then you've got some final finish work to do after that...  So, last night was a tad tedious.

That, plus, under the assumption that I'm selling jewelry, I figured I should probably be wearing something with what I had picked out for the day.  I came up with a long (50", at least) knotted strand of Swarovski pearls in mystic black.  It's versatile, I can wear it doubled into two strands, or as a lariat, hung scarf style.  Knotting approximately 300 4mm beads took awhile.  I even had to change my knotting process.  Normally I make my overhands by pushing the yet to be beadless side through the hole, but the nylon I'd cut was so long that it was easier for me to put my beaded end through instead.

Also, getting tags together has been a bit epic.  First, type them, then get them printed, adjust the print settings, then final print.  Get them separated, get them punched, get them ribboned, then get them on the right pieces of jewelry!  Crazy. But they will look great.

Husband's been putting finishing touches on my jewelry display board.  He's pretty anal retentive, and he's mentioned a few boo-boos, but I'm thinking that the point is to have folks looking at the jewelry, not his very-handi-work (which I'm sure is spectacular).  He's put a lot of time into it, so I owe him big time.

One thing I've struggled with is pricing.  For certain of my items, like holiday ornaments and cell phone charms, I've made an array of them that cost me similar amounts in time and materials, so the price on each of them is really an average price.  For other things, like actual necklaces, bracelets, earrings, the prices differed widely.

But where does the price, averaged or not, come from?  I take the prices of each of my components (and I buy in large amounts wherever I can afford), and add them up (MAT).  I add up the time I spent putting something together, and charge that at a labor rate (LAB).  (My labor rate is currently cheap because I'm psyched out.  I add up MAT + LAB, get NDY.  NDY to me is "Not done yet."  Because I haven't added in for my overhead costs (OHD), or any profit (PRO).  Not that I charge much for either, I'm still getting an idea of what exactly to charge.  Overhead and Profit will be in percentages, for example, 5%.  But to apply it NDY, you'll need to move the decimal two places to the left, and add one.  So, instead of a 5%, OHD or PRO would be 1.05.  Then the "wholesale" (WH) price is NDY * OHD * PRO.

I've been told if I find someone to sell my wares at a retail location, I'll expect them to charge about twice my wholesale.  Which, means retail (RET) = WH * 2.0.  I was also told that if I'm selling some jewelry by myself, that I couldn't charge less than retail.   But I couldn't stomach that.  So, I'm charging a small percentage over WH in order to cover the costs of getting the display together.

How does that compare to what you buy in the store?  Well, ask questions.  Is what you buy in the store only solid 0.925 sterling?  Or is it merely plated?  Was it made in China, or handmade?  I try to focus on using only sterling, and I make as much as I can of a piece.  Extra bits like special items set with cabochons may or may not be obtained under a fair trade (FTA) agreement--and I note if it is.  Items that are produced under FTA tend to be more expensive, as compared to items produced without being under it.  I'd love to say all of my items were, but I can't afford it, and neither can anyone else.  We do the best we can though, with what we've got, don't we?

As I get back to work, I feel a little homesick for my mother.  She would be having a blast getting everything ready and organized just so, looking at all of the pieces I've made, talking with people, helping set up the Grange.  She's listening from the sidelines back in Texas, but some day, I'll have her here to see what all of us are doing.

Best,

Posey

Balinese Drop with Peridot

This is a special earring I'll have available at the show.  We may have taken 40 pictures trying to get the right lighting and focus, and we're still being picky over it.  Today what I see is different, that the glass that we were playing with to hold the earrings up is super dusty!  The dangle is a real Bali Sterling Silver setting with a faceted Peridot.  It's also going to be available in Garnet and White Topaz from me.  My favorite might just be the White Topaz myself, as it's a color that can and does go with everything.  The dangle was obtained from a vendor with a fair trade agreement with a shop in Bali.  Not only is the work stunning, but you simply just feel an aura of good karma emanating from it, knowing its origins, and knowing it wasn't made in a sweat shop.  Feel free to e-mail or comment if you have any questions!

Best,

Posey

Getting Ready

We've been getting ready for our first big show.  The weekend was spent working on tags for all of the pieces, taking the random photo, and building parts of the display.  The time that my husband put in, given that he's so busy with his own business (Cascade Yachts) was heroic, and it was great to spend time with him in the shop.  Working with him on photography is always a learning experience.  Photography is not something I excel at, but he's able to explain it, one-engineer-to-another.

So, the details on the shows:

This Saturday, November 14th, from 9AM to 4PM at the Grange, in Warrenton, OR.  I'll be using my own name instead of the company name, because it's technically a neighborhood craft fair.  There should be all kinds of things besides jewelry!  Cash or check appreciated.

December 4 - 6 at the Astoria Yacht Club in Astoria, OR at the Starving Artist's Fair.  There will be even more vendors, including other jewelry designers besides myself, at this event.  Cash or check appreciated.

What will I be showing?  Necklaces, Bracelets, Earrings.  Purse Bling, Cell Phone Charms, Bookmarks, Holiday Ornaments, and Beverage Charms.

Hope to see any number of folks there!

Posey