TQB DESIGNS - Featured Artisan

The artist I would like to feature today is TQB Designs. She is a fellow Etsy Artisan. Every time I see one of her pieces I am just in Ahhh! I love every single one. Her play on colors is absolutely breath taking.
Each piece is made up of tiny seed bead spheres, plus just newly added — her squares, that she hand weaves over wooden forms. These beautiful beaded shapes are then accented with a stylish, hammered, sterling silver wire. Each unique piece is a modern statement.
I have not yet purchased my own piece, so many strike me, I just do not know what one to go with. I am just waiting for that one that screams my name.
Take a look at her stuff, I know you will just love them.

I HAD MY FIRST ON-LINE ORDER!

I am so excited. I had mt first on-line order yesterday. I was on cloud nine all day long. The customer bought this beautiful necklace shown, which was one of my favorites. It is amazing how one sale can just boost your soul, and give you hope.

I also have my jewelry displayed for the monthe of April at Rainy Day Paperback Exchange in Bethel, CT. So, I hope I sell some pieces through her as well.

Frustration Sets In!

So I have had my online store on www.etsy.com, www.colorscapedesigns.com set up for just over a month now, and I still have not received a sale. I have to a kind of cross road with my jewelry trying to decide what to do. On one hand I so enjoy making my jewelry, but on the other hand the frustration sets in when I am not selling anything. So the question I ask myself is how am I going to support my habit? I cannot keep creating jewelry and just let it pile up, or keep spending more money on supplies when nothing is coming in return. I get complements on my jewelry all the time, and the girls at work just eat it up when I bring it in. So I am not sure where my problem lies. What should I do? Can anyone help me with some answers?

So where do I go from here. I have only signed up for two craft fairs so far this year, plus I have a consignment space for a month as well. These all take place during April and May. So I hope these will guide me in what direction I should take. I really do not want to give up may jewelry. Someday I would like to own my own business, either it be my jewelry or owning a cute boutique that sells handcrafted items that I could include my pieces as well. I guess I need to stay on target for that goal.

I know my thoughts are all over the place, but this is how I am feeling inside. I just want a clear answer. But this is life, and that does not always happen. If you are reading this, please post me your thoughts on what I should do.

Thanks for letting me vent.

THE START

Well this is start to my first blog. I never thought in a million years that I, Kelly, would be blogging. But from what I read from other artists, this is a great way to get yourself out there and to be noticed.
I have been an artist since I was a child. I rember my first art show when I was in six grade. My featured piece was my very first oil panting of a large field with a barn in the distance. I painted it from the materials of a beginners art kit my father gave me that christmas. My inspiration was the many shows of Bob Ross that I watch on Sundays with my father. I received many compliments, from which, an artist soul was created.
I countinued my love of art throughout high school, where I continued to paint and discover the joy of ceramics. Even during the summers I would take an art class at a local studio. It was in my early twenties when I decided one day to tray out jewelry making. This idea came to me after one of my trip to the mall to buy a new outfit. I had decide to stop by the local craft store and pick up some beads to make a new necklace to match my new outfit. How great would that be.
After 4 or 5 shoping trips and 4 or 5 new pieces of jewelry, I realized what would I do with all the extra beads, so I just kept in making pieces. I loved making the pieces, trying new techniques and designs I saw on TV. After a while a small inventory started to build up, now it was time to try an sell. My mother informed me that her church was having a fall craft fair, what a great way to start selling.
Well it has been alomost 10 years and the craft fair scene has got very old. Last year I decide it was time to get off my butt and start selling my jewelry elsewhere. I have now set up website, www.colorscapedesigns.com, store on Etsy.com, and I am waiting for my first sale. I also started to market myself to local boutiques and I actually signed up for my very first jewelry class in metal smithing, which I am really enjoying.
So, I hope you enjoy reading about my journey.