You win some, You lose some...

Hey Everyone!  Sorry I haven't posted in a while - things have been pretty hectic lately and I just haven't had the time to put in a good post!  But I'm back with a few new things I've been working on.

First - Last weekend I had a show. I was really excited for it since I hadn't had a show since August, so I was really pumped to do well.  The weather turned out really nice for Saturday, and the event was packed with people.  But for some reason, nobody was buying!  Lots of wonderful people stopped by my booth and "Oooo'd " & "Ahh'd", but no sales... by mid afternoon, I was starting to get really frustrated, and worried that I wasn't even going to make my booth cost back.  It wasn't just me though - all the other vendors were experiencing the same thing...I ended up with only four sales on Saturday - but thank god for 2 of those sales, which covered my booth cost.  I was even surprised that I could barely get people to put their names in for a free drawing!  I was doing a drawing for these handmade Polymer Clay Pumpkin Earrings:

So I was a little bummed that night, but tried to remain optimistic for Sunday.

So Sunday rolls around, & it's really windy & really cold.  Again, sales were horrible.  It got to the point where I almost wanted to pack it in by mid afternoon.  Again, all the other vendors felt the same way.  I guess you win some, and you lose some... this one was of those losses...

But while sales weren't good, I did meet some really fun and amazing artists in the process.  Hopefully that will be the good thing that comes out of this show - networking.  I'm alway's trying to find the brighter side of things - and so at least I made some friends in the process!  Unfortunatley my two new friends don't have websites to share with you...if and when they get them running, I'll be sure to post them!

One of the women in the booth next to me loved my new Steampunk Style Polymer Clay pieces - I only had a few pieces to show - but she convinced me to really get going in that genre.  She also gave me an awesome idea - using initials and setting the clock faces to the time babies were born!  She insisted that she wanted one when her baby was born... so I seriously considered it and thought it was an awesome idea.  So below, you can see an example piece that I will be displaying in my booth for custom orders.  This is not a baby theme, but an anniversary theme, using the words Love, and the clock is set to my anniversary date:

Here you can see that the clock time is 10:25 - this is my anniversary date!

Both the heart and the Faux Typewriter Keys that spell LOVE are handmade from polymer clay.  I love this design so much - and really hope others do as well!

What else have I been working on you ask???  Well just for fun, I decided to make some leaf masks for my kids for Halloween - they turned out so awesome that I just had to share them with you:

 

 I am amazed at how awesome they turned out!  After Halloween I think I will put them up on my wall for decoration!

So now I'm focusing on my next shows - I'm planning on one in November and possibly three in December...

I'd really love some comments and feedback this week - maybe let me know about some of your your trials with doing festivals and shows too!

Melissa

Come see me at my next show!

I'm getting ready for a show this weekend.  There's a lot to be done, but I'm really excited!  I had wanted to participate in this show last year, but sadly did not have the funds to do so.  I love fall, and am so pumped to be doing a fall show!  Check out the Festival info below - and come check me out if you are in the area!  Hope to see some of you!

 

 http://www.brownsberrypatch.com/craft_show.html

Columbus Day Weekend - October 10 & 11, 2009
11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Come out and see me!!!

***I will be holding a drawing for a free jewelry piece (I will post a pic when decided on!) so be sure not to miss it!

***I am also accepting old and/or broken pieces of jewelry, watches or anything interesting - bring me some at the show and receive 15% off your purchase that day!!!

DYI Mania

Are you a Do It Yourself-er?  Me too!!!  

Here I have compiled a couple DYI sites that you are sure to enjoy - I know I do!

I recently come across a group that combines Unique DYI projects and low cost materials, called Dollar Store Crafts.

Most materials used in each project, you can usually find at your local Dollar Store!!!  I have been having so much fun the past few days going through all their archived projects and have come across some darling and odd projects.  Take a look below to so see some of these Projects I fell in love with:

Make Oversized Faux Cupcakes

So I love this, but I don't know what I would do with it.. I'm thinking either waiting for my daughter's 3rd birthday next September and using them as decorations.... OR maybe I can turn it into her Halloween costume this year?!?! Maybe make my son an ice cream cone to match?!?!

Make a Faux Leather Bottle  /  Make a Faux LeatherPicture Frame

 

 

I decided to try the bottle first, and it turned out awesome.  

Make a Starburst Mirror 

I can't wait to try this one out!

Another really great DYI site that I love is Threadbanger.

They always have neat ideas for everything from Clothing to Home Decor. I love love love this site!!!  Check out these projects: (sorry no pics to upload)

Make Spats!

Make a Cycling Cap!

How to Fuse Plastic Bags into a Laptop Case!

Make a Bike Chain Bracelet!

I hope you enjoy these sites as much as I did.  

Now lets get our DIY on!!!

Mad Hatter Tea Party

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending my good friend Stacia's Bridal Shower.  The theme was a Mad Hatter Tea Party and we were all to wear hats if we wanted a special prize.  So knowing my group of friends, I knew that they would all be making these extremely awesome hats to wear.  I hadn't really thought about it until 2 days before the shower... so I started scrambling. I knew Stacia would be the Mad Hatter.  I knew my friend Bethany was going as the White Rabbit.  I was flustered trying to think of who else in the story wore hats! Until, Rachel, Stacia's sister said "I don't thing anyone's coming as the Queen of Hearts!"-That's it - I was sold!  Now, how to make a crown???  I wanted something awesome and cute.  So I found a tutorial for mini top hats and crowns at Craftster, D.I.Y.O.D.S. (Do It Your Own Damn Self).  I didn't have enough fabric, so I used card stock and construction paper.  Once I got the basic shape done I was pretty happy with it, though I thought it looked to "kindergarteny".  But I got over it and started to decorate it.  It ended up coming out pretty sweet - and I won the "Most Inventive Hat"!!!  Here's a pic of my hat:

 

So, then came gift time.  I was especially excited about this part!  I had told Stacia a long time ago that I would try and make some Sushi things out of Polymer Clay for her (she's a big Sushi lover), but never got around to it...this was my perfect opportunity!  So I made some Sushi Magnets out of my Polymer clay and then attached real rice to the outside to make them look more realistic. Let me tell you - attaching the rice was harder than you might think!  I was using this jewel glue type stuff, and it just got all over my fingers and every time I'd try to grab a piece of rice, I'd get huge clumps!  I also ended up with stringy glue all over me - and my apartment! LOL.  So anyway - they ended up turning out really really nice and Stacia just loved them!  See the pic below:

 

Then to top it all off we got parting gifts of cool, random and different kind of teacups - here's mine:

So all in all it was a very fun, happy and creative type of day.  Thanks for letting me share it with you!

Me & Stacia

-Melissa

Fall Business Women Online Expo-Shout out to my Top Ten!

I was so amazed when I started looking around all of the shops during the Fall Business Women Online Expo, hosted by Dee of Girls Night Out, and Runako Designs!  Everything was so unique and special! I decided I wanted to give a shout out to my fellow business women so I compiled a list of my Top Ten fave shops here at the Expo.  There was no way I was going to be able to choose a favorite, so I just created a list - along with where you can find them!  Please check out these amazing women!

Runako Designs-Booth#1

Of course I had to put Dee on this list. She created this amazing Expo and showcased the most amazing artisits I've seen in a long time!  Along with it - SHE CREATES BEAUTIFUL JEWELRY!

Here is one of my fave pieces:

Check out her website here: http://runakojewelry.com

Check out her Blog here: http://runakodesigns.blogspot.com

Check out her Girls Night Out Blog here: http://rdgirlsnightout.blogspot.com

Catch-A-Star Creations-Booth#8

Sara Kay makes the most beautiful Suncatchers (along with many other beautiful things!)!!!

Here is one of my faves:

Check out her Esty Shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6388335

Check out her Blog here: http://catchastarcreations.blogspot.com

Dawn Correspondence-Booth#6

Dawn makes beautiful stationary and other paper products.  Seeing her creations convinced me to start sending more Snail Mail!

Here is one of my faves:

I'm partial to Owls, and this is just too cute!

Check out her Esty Shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5770240

Check out her Blog here: http://dawncorrespondence.blogspot.com

Garage Gypsy Jewelry - Booth#16

I love love love this one!I love her use of "different" materials - something I'm getting into myself.  Her photographs are beautiful too!

Here is on of my faves:

Check out her Website here: http://www.garagegypsyjewelry.com

Check out her Blog here: http://twotincans.tumblr.com

The Seasonal Cottage-Booth#18

I love the Vintage and French style jewelry by Denise. This amazing women has 6 different shops!  How does she do it all????

Here is my fave from her Dion Designs Etsy Shop:

 

Here is my fave from her Simply French Designs Etsy Shop:

Check out her Blog for ALL HER SHOPS here: http://theseasonalcottage.blogspot.com

Hershberger & Huff Studios-Booth#21

Beautiful Paintings and Mixed Media Art!!!! Love it!  The also offer a wide variety of Books as well!

Here is one of my faves:

Check out their Etsy Shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7377672

Check out their Blog here: http://hershbergerhuff.blogspot.com

 Ennadoolf-Booth#22

Anne has 3 different shops - ranging from dolls to knits, and some totally awesome vintage stuff.

Here is my fave from her Topsy Turvy Etsy Shop:

 

Here is my face from her Vintage and Such Etsy Shop:

Vintage magazine

Check out her Blog and other shops here: http://r-anne-dom.blogspot.com

Broken China Treasures-Booth#23

I love that she takes broken pieces of china and creats beautiful pendants and jewelry!

Here is my fave:

Check out her Website here: www.brokenchinatreasures.com

Check out her Blog here: http://brokenchinatreasures.blogspot.com

Evie's Tool Emporium-Booth#17

Evie has tons of tools for tons of differents medias.  She has quality stuff for awesome prices!

Check out her Etsy Shop here: http://eviestoolemporium.etsy.com/?ref=em

Check out her Blog here: http://www.eviestoolemporium.blogspot.com

Ecocessories-Booth#30

I love that Jessica is thinking about our Earth!  This is something I have thought about and have been wanting to do for a long time - and I am so happy to see someone putting it into action!  And besides being Eco-Friendly - her jewelry looks amazing!

Here is my fave:

Check out her Shop here: http://www.ecocessories.ca/collections/shop

Check out her Blog here: http://blog.ecocessories.ca

So!  There were my favorites. It was actually a very hard list to compile as every shop I went to I gave alot of "OOOOO's" and "AHHHH's"!  So even if you didn't make my list - don't feel bad!  You were all amazing!

If you haven't had a chance to take a look around the Expo - THERE'S STILL TIME!!!!

Click the image below to go to the expo now, and check out ALL the shops!

 

GREAT JOB EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fall Business Women Online Expo - Booth #31

Welcome to Earthbound Creations!  My name is Melissa DelVecchio, designer and owner.

Thanks so much for stopping by my booth today! I hope you enjoy your visit!

Now, lets take a look into Earthbound Creations!

Let me give you a little info on me before we begin.  First and foremost, I am a mom.  I have two beautiful children, Ethan-5 & Joselyn-2.  They are my pride and joy, and everything I do - I do for them!  I have been married for 5 (almost 6!) years to my wonderful husband Joe, whom is my biggest supporter (*aww*).

I have been making jewelry for years, but did not start my business until 2008.  I love beading, and most recently - I LOVE MAKING MY OWN!  Dabbling in Polymer Clay has been my most creative venture yet!

Handcrafted Polymer Clay Slide in Purple and Gold Leave

I usually like to stick to one of a kind pieces.  To be honest - I get bored making the same thing over and over again.  So I usually stick to one per design, but sometimes different color variations like these flower shell bracelets below:

I work with a variety of materials, from shells to stones, glass to wood - and now also, Polymer clay. I have a design (I believe) to match anyones style or personality.  I also do Custom Designs for any occassion, or even just any outfit.  Check out some of the custom designs I've created for people in the past on my website, under Specialty.

I also enjoy taking apart old pieces of jewelry that are broken or just out of date and making them new again.  Check out the Vintage Style dangle earrings that used to be just plain old studs!

Now just for fun, here is one of my all time favorite pieces:

Handcrafted Polymer Clay Faux Opal, atop a Mother of Pearl shell pendant.  Garnished with Genuine Turquoise, Mother of Pearl Shells, Genuine Moonstone and Faux Jade Glass.

So Please - Come visit my website & have a look around!

At this point in time, I am only able to take email orders - SORRY!

earthboundcreations@live.com

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!!!

-Melissa

Welcome to Earthbound Creations!
Jewelry inspired by nature; created for natural women...
 

Every woman naturally knows how to:  
-manage life and time better than most jugglers in a 3-ring circus
-shift from super- mom to super-professional faster than the ‘caped crusader’ himself
-be soft and romantic; strong and assertive; and playful and fun – creating the mystery and complexity of our gender.

Every woman also, naturally – from time to time…
-gets stuck in a rut
-needs  a change
-searches for her identity  

Earthbound Creations has a few simple rules made for natural women…

Earthbound Creations Woman Rule #1: 

It's a woman's prerogative to change her mind!

-Earthbound Creations has something for everyone, for every style.

Earthbound Creations Woman Rule #2:  

Women can make jeans and a tee go from casual to chic whenever they want!
-Earthbound Creations has just the jewelry to make the shift in your style without having to change your clothes!

Earthbound Creations Woman Rule #3: 

Never wear plaids with stripes --- why not?!
-Earthbound Creations can match any challenging combinations you create... just ask us.  We'll design custom pieces just for you.

So – go ahead – be yourself; express yourself; create yourself…  
Earthbound Creations can help!