Challenge Update: Wire Wrapping

Update #1 on Challenge #1: 30 days of wire wrapping 

 

I've been learning some new wire wrapping techniques 

and I have some more to show you:

 Viking knit bezel 1963 Canadian penny - Front and Side View

Viking knit bezel 1963 Canadian penny - Back View

An update on the sealing of the shells: 

Latest test: Mod Podge Gloss

 Creamy rich-beige shell fragment sealed with Mod Podge

I like the Mod Podge Gloss clear acrylic sealer spray. It puts a nice shiny finish on the shell and really brings out the colors giving the shells a "just out of the surf" look.

I love the sea-tumbled shell fragments. They are similar to sea glass or sea pottery except that they are ... well... shells that have been tumbled smooth by the ocean. 

I also wrapped one tumbled shell that I did NOT seal...

 Unsealed shell

Which one do YOU like best?

xo ~ Mad  

 

A Challenge for the New Year!

She Sells Sea Shells by the Seashore...

This year I've decided to really push the limits of my creativity and do monthly challenges all year!

Challenge #1: 30 days of wire wrapping

My daughter and I have been having fun finding sea shells at the beach. The only thing is, we aren't looking for the biggest, prettiest, most perfect shells we can find... No, we are looking for the most interesting shells that have a story. 

 The 1st shells I'm working on....

These shells include pieces of shell that have been tumbled smooth by the ocean, broken conch shells, pieces of shells in interesting swirled shapes, and fossil looking shells filled with holes...

I'll be experimenting with sealants for the shells to bring out their natural beauty. The 1st sealant I am trying is Glossy Accents. 

 Shells coated with Glossy Accents

I am using a small paint brush to coat the shells 

and I like the way they shine!

Finally, on to the challenge!! 

Here are the 1st 2 shells I've wire wrapped:

  First attempts at wire wrapping shells

At the end of the month, I'll be giving away 2 of my 

wire wrapping challenge projects so stay tuned!

What do you think? Can I make it?

xo ~ Mad 

My Secret Santa Gift

 

This year I participated in the Secret Santa gift exchange with one of my Etsy teams, Artists for Animals. My gift is for a super generous woman who rescues cats, so I made this pair of earrings especially with her in mind.

The earrings are made from silver colored wire with a 4mm sparkly glass bead dangling from a sitting cat. I made the ear wires from surgical steel.

I'm really happy with the way they turned out. 

What do you think?

xoxo ~ Mad

Florida Etsy Street Team 2012 Holiday Event:

Come meet me and some of your favorite Florida Etsy shop-owners on December 1st and 2nd at the Florida Agricultural Museum's Florida Market Days Fundraiser and Holiday Party!

FEST: Florida Etsy Street Team 2012 Holiday Event:: This year, we are having our first HOLIDAY PARTY!!! The  FLORIDA ETSY STREET TEAM  is getting together to spread the word, share some smi...

See you there!

xo ~ Mad

Show Time! Part 1: My Booth

  Vacuum tube ornament set "JOY" in silver

I participated in my 1st full-blown show this past Saturday, October 13th, at the 47th Annual Melbourne HAMFEST located in Melbourne Florida.

**A hamfest is a gathering of amateur radio enthusiasts were people buy and sell a variety of used and new radio parts, equipment, computers, odds and ends, and other things including jewelry and toys.**

There are tables inside the auditorium and set-ups outside in the parking lot known as a "tail-gate" area. I was in the tail-gate area (which is much less expensive than inside).

My tail-gate spot

It was a last minute decision (which I do NOT recommend... hahahahaha). Since it was an amateur radio show, I brought my vintage vacuum tubes to sell and a sampling of my jewelry and vacuum tube ornaments.

 My jewelry and ornament display

 Christmas Ornaments

Success!! I sold enough to cover the tail-gate spot cost, tickets, and food with a little left over. Of course that was before I went shopping.... :-) 

But, more on that next time...

How did your 1st real show go? What did you learn? Inquiring minds want to know! (OK, maybe we're just nosy...)

xo ~ Mad

Dark Side of the Net Goth and Halloween Links: New Dark Links for September 10, 2012

Check out this cool Goth blog that I was featured on for my bat ring and vacuum tube earrings:

Dark Side of the Net Goth and Halloween Links: New Dark Links for September 10, 2012: DARK ART: Agostino Arrivabene This Italian surrealist artist features Biblical, religious and mythological themes in his artwork. His pai...


xo ~ Mad

Optimize Your Etsy Shop FREE with the EtsyShoptimizer.com

Image from Purpose Advertising

I just used this cool app as a tool to point out things that I needed to improve in my shop. It was very easy to use and allows you to go directly to the listing or  area of the shop that needs "optimization" to work with Google's SEO (search engine optimization) search. By optimizing your shop and listings, you make it easier for Google to find you.

The app points out things such as listing titles that are too long, how many pictures that you have in your listing, and how your shop is laid out including sections, profile and policies.

So take a spin and try it out. It's fun and easy.

Optimize Your Etsy Shop FREE with the EtsyShoptimizer.com

What did it tell you? 

xo ~ Mad