It's a sickness!!!

Yes, it's true. I have it and it's a HUGE problem. I can't help it. My problem is a big ol' stash of JUNK!! It's dusty, chippy, rusty, and always ends up going home with me. My dad would say... "It's a sickness".. and he would be right. My husband, thankfully, shares my affinity for the cast offs that sit sadly on the sidewalk during bulk pick up season, or on a shelf at a thrift store or in a junk shop. He loves going junkin', but he can walk away from it much more easily than I will. My weakness is not furniture, thank goodness. It's small stuff, like beaded clutches, china bowls and cups, vintage jewelry.. and not so small things, like depression glass and lamps. The larger pieces of my glass collection was sold a few years ago, so no, you will not see me on an episode of Hoarders, at least not anytime soon.

Those of you that have seen my jewelry booth at shows around the Great State of Texas (yes that is our state's official name) have probably noticed the lack of commercially produced jewelry displays. Yes, I have the trays and a handful of neck-forms. I also have an "eclectic mix" (that is code for random goodness) of display items, ranging from coffee cup trees turned t-stands for bracelets, a room divider turned necklace display, cigar box risers, and even a re-purposed $2 table lamp.

Yes. That my friends, was a white $2 table lamp from a thrift store, once upon a time. It actually looked like this... (the white one in the background) when I found it.

The coffee cup tree is being used for bracelets, the frame will be a sign holder. The other lamps will get stripped, hand painted, and rewired for home use. Not to worry, though. It won't be the only lamp turned jewelry stand. I've got more lamp bases and a couple more lamps that I plan on re-purposing. It really is a sickness and I hope there is no cure. 

It's show time!

Well. Here we are, five days from Christmas and there is still a lot to do. I wish I could say, "I've decorated!"... but I haven't. The most I will do is probably bake something for our family dinner. This I assure you is a good thing. I've been busing creating! I had my last show this weekend and even though it didn't require an armored truck pickup of the earnings, we did make a few new customers. They were funny and ever so sweet... and best of all they bought stuff and wanted to know where I would be next. It was really a nice feeling. So I decided that I need to do this again.... and again, and again!

It's been a while, but I think it's time to start selling my own work at art/trade shows once more. That decision having been made, meant that it is time to refine the look of my booth without looking like everyone else. So here is a peek at the set up...


It's a little skimpy. This was after all... day 2! and I upgraded to a second table so as not to feel cluttered. Do you like my fancy tradeshow lights?? I'll be posting the details in the coming days.


I've started to schedule a show a month, to start with. My next show is only 3wks away. eeeek! With Christmas and New Year in the mix that drops me back to a little over 2ks worth of work time. I have to restock some clasps and beads. There are also headpins and ear wires to make. As well as creating new designs for spring. So what am I doing here!?! It's time to get to work!!

Happy Monday!! let's make it a great one!