Gung hay fat choi! How auspicious our hop lands during Chinese New Year! This is the year of the Wood Sheep or Goat. The Sheep is kind, tender and sympathetic. Sheeps are creative and elegant. Because of their softer side, they are symbolic of peace and harmony and beauty. We have been considering our lines, creating them and soon we will be revealing them. Sure then, to be beautiful every one of them.
I have loved making my original works, generally making the entire piece with very little purchased components at all. I have quite prided my self on that, the ability to take just wire, metal and fire to create some wearable piece of art. Wearable art, a small piece of beauty but only a single piece, and most often priced out of impulse range. Wearable art for many of us has to be budgeted. If you love my work I want you to be able to own my work. See it, Love it, Buy it! This at times necessitates a lower price line.
I have tried to create lower price points for my shop, but the harder I tried to create that price point the less my shop looked like my shop. While it did bring sales, It lacked the cohesion I had hoped it would bring. Focusing on photos and trying to create a unified photography style helped, but my shop still lacked that little something that just pulled the whole thing together.
The prideful part of me stands here tall and proud and thinks but being a hand crafted artisan is what we were striving to be. OOAK works, pride said, would make us stand out. That pride has gotten in the way of creating cohesion in my shop along many price points. At times, pride told me it seems too easy, it feels as if I am cheating, playing with these beautiful pre-made components of B’Sues and not making them myself.
The artist in me slaps pride and leans close to my muse whispering there is artistry in all of what we make and isn’t it going to be so nice that any one who would like to own a piece of my art, my heart, may be able to do so?
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| Necklace from Muchas Champagne collection paired with stacking rings and stacked copper bracelets already available in my shop. It is important to me my new line creates cohesion with existing pieces. |
Sharing that little piece of myself has always been the point. The way these designs complement my existing works, creating a full range of price points is a thing of beauty in itself, and instills such a sense of accomplishment. I think the artist and I will be hanging out more often, she makes sense :)
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| Sneak peek: Red Heart filigree ring with pieces from Mucha's Nature and Music Collections It was just as important to me that the collections be able to mix & match with each other as well. Heart ring is another existing piece in my shop. |
It is that desire to share my art that makes it so exciting to see the pieces in my shop fall into place as I create this line and these collections. It is incredibly freeing to think I can finally get back to the art of creating beauty in as complex or simple as I like. To be entirely hand made by me or artfully crafted by my hands. I look forward to completing this line and taking my work to the next level. This is where I’ve been headed all along, what I have been striving for and I can finally see it coming together. I love that! All I really needed it seems was that little nudge Brenda and her Build a Line challenge/Master Class has given me.
Oh I’ll still visit with Pride every so often. I mean who doesn’t like making little pieces of art? But now we’ll have a design path to where we’d like to take this art. How incredibly freeing this new found path has been!
Til Next time!
Dana
Please join me in hopping with the rest of our designers on this our second hop...
I hear there are lots more sneak peeks to be had!
Our Hostess
Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B'sue Boutiques
Jewelry Making Outside the Box
Marcia Tuzzolino
Aurora Designs
Jann Tague
Clever Designs by Jann
Judy King
Apt to Wander Studio
Linzi Alford
Magpie in the Sky, Spoil Heap Tales
Cynthia Wainscott
Exotic Peru
Carole Carlson
Beadsophisticate
Lynn Stinten
Dragonzwench
Marica Zammit
Bead Lovelies
Catherine Shattuck
VRBrose
Michaele Collie
The Vintage Gem
Mary Craig
Jewelry Alchemy
Lee Koopman
Strega Jewelry
Erin Whitacre
Shattered Time Jewelry
Monica Casady
MJCasady Copper Works
Leila West
Leila Nicole Designs
Cindy Peterson
Howling Dog Jewelry
Leila Belcher
Leila Bee Designs
Gloria Allen
Wings and Beads
Pamela Anger
Novegatti Designs
Tammy Adams
Paisley Lizard
Lynda O'Mara
LOmara Creative
Elizabeth Hildreth
MadScientistsDesigns
~*~*~*~*YOU ARE HERE!!~*~*~*~*
Dana Hickey waves HI!!
Wind Dancer Studios
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Janet Calardo
Jan Lea Designs
Maria Clark
Sweet Willow Designs
Lori Beekman
B. Accessorized
Jennifer Kroeger
Relic Charm
Amy Jorgensen
Hoarder's Corner
Robin Reed
Artistry: Handcrafted Bead Designs
Ingrid Anderson
Lilis Gems
Louise O'Shields
Desire Divine Jewels
Susan Killam
Killam Creative
Mary Katherine Deis
The Rose Sword: Artisan and Vintage Collectible Jewelry
Nike Bottalico
Nike Bottalico
Susan Bowerman
Woodside Wireworks
Kristy Le
Kristy Le Trendy Jewelry Designs
Jan Peters
Stylized Vintage
Mitzie Crider
Needful Luxuries Occasional Blog
Gina Hockett
Freestyle Elements
Linda Anderson
From the Bead Board
Alexandra Sefton
Imaginary Jewelry and Altered Art
Melida Boman
The Journey of Pens and Things
Teresa Shurter
TreeZ's Treasurs
Melissa Latimer
Smithed Up
Renee Hong
Fine and Dandy Jewelry and Art
Nadine Edris
Moondance Jewelry
Lori Meyer
Parisienne Girl
Jennifer Merrill Williams
Artists of All Stripes
Denise Lussier Poirier
Jewelry by Denise
Renee Allen
Small Stuff Design
Autumn Adams
Autumn Dawns
Elizabeth Owens
1996 Shabby Lane
Kat BarronMiller
Midnight Kat Productions Art Jewelry
Sandra Ballard
Mama San's Mojo
Coral Law
ab:coraldesign
Dana - this is a brilliant post. My hat is off to you (and my wallet is out, ready....).
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Susan
That's one of the nicest things anyone could say! Thank you!
DeleteI agree. Brilliant post. And so is that necklace. Wow!
ReplyDeleteNow that we've started on this incredible design path, there's no turning back. And I love it :-)
Can't wait to see more of your pieces Dana!
Thank you Marcia! I agree 100%
DeleteSimply beautiful. And I love what you blogged about as well! Very nice, Dana!
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan!
DeleteGreat post and I believe art can be seen in most things. Looking forward to seeing more! ~Ingrid
ReplyDeleteThank you Ingrid! I do too, I think my pride was just blocking the view for a little while.
DeleteGreat blog post! Love how your designs are coming out. Looking forward to seeing more.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteYou your designs are going to be beautiful can't wait to see everything finished
ReplyDeleteThank you Cindy!
DeleteYou your designs are going to be beautiful can't wait to see everything finished
ReplyDeleteand again!! Don't you love it when blogger double posts for you?!
DeleteYour designs are looking great. You are not alone in your inward struggle. When I took a hard look at my online shop I saw at least two personalities. If I didn't know the same person made them all, I might have seen a dozen hands in the designs. It's good to know from our class discussions that there's a way to stay true to our desire to create one-of-a-kind wearable art while being "artistically generous" and also designing more widely accessible pieces.
ReplyDeleteA LOT of truth in that statement Tammy. I'm grateful for that big shining neon arrow saying hey try this instead!
DeleteVery nice! Can't wait to see the finished line next month!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Leila!
DeleteI cannot wait to see your entire line! Great Blog!
ReplyDeleteThank you Nike!
DeleteGreat writing, and I know about Pride, I argue with her quite a bit! Looking forward to seeing your entire line.
ReplyDeleteI think pride and I have reached an agreement thanks to this class :) Thank you so much Micheale!
DeleteGlad you've still got a path to Pride's door! Really beautiful pieces--LOVE all the metals, filigree, reds and all, plus your description of how you got where you are now. Waiting happily to see your full line. :):)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Alexandra! Me too!
DeleteGreat post, Dana, and I'm so glad you've found a way to share your beautiful art with even more people. Can't wait to see the rest of your goodies! ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Pam!
DeleteVery nice, Dana...Happy New Year to you as well. Looking forward to your next post!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Renee!
DeleteWhat gorgeous and elegant creations you have and your jewelry is stunning, loved your post. Here's to continued happy creating. XOXO!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Kristy! Happy Creating to you too!!
DeleteA very thoughtful post Dana, the struggle about pre-made components resonated. Very refined pieces. Love the collection so far.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Maria!
DeleteA very thoughtful post Dana, the struggle about pre-made components resonated. Very refined pieces. Love the collection so far.
ReplyDeleteDana .. beautiful pieces .. looking forward to seeing more of your jewelry on March 20th
ReplyDeleteThank you Jann!
DeleteI am still making my own ear wires for my collection, so I feel you when you say it's hard to not make your own components. :-) ~Elizabeth
ReplyDeleteThank you Elizabeth! I like the lever backs but I like mine too. :) I'm finding ways to keep both sides happy.
DeleteInteresting post and stunning work. This was a real pleasure to read and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more of you work, and blog posts too!
ReplyDeleteThank you Nadine!
DeleteYour work is very elegant. I got a chuckle from your arguments with Pride. What with Pride and Critic, the voices in our heads get pretty loud sometimes.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carole! They do! Sometimes they say things we need to hear, but sometimes gah! it's blah blah blah and man it's hard to get them to hush up! I'm thinking I've got a decent compromise for them for at least the time being :)
DeleteCan't wait to see your new pieces of art. Great blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you Janet!
DeleteLooking good, Dana. Very pretty earrings.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Marcia!
DeleteHappy Chinese new year
ReplyDeleteThank you Lynn!
DeleteGreat insight & elegant work!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Teresa!
DeleteBeautiful pieces! Can't wait to see the completed reveal!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandra!
DeleteBeautiful artistry and impeccable work!!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Judy!
DeleteI love that conversation!!! You have a beautiful aesthetic and i love what you have shown! Can't wait to see the rest! Have a Blessed Day!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Robin! Hope yours is blessed as well!
DeleteSounds like you did some really serious wrestling with yourself there, Dana. Remember, these pieces are the work of the hands of a master die maker. We can cut the findings, manipulate and drill them, add color, make them completely our own. I don't think that an artist can truly make any many spinning all their fiber, making all their own fabric, fabricating all their findings, making all their own paint and all their own canvas....unless they have a very very exclusive clientele. Few of us have that luxury. You have done a beautiful job here and I do believe if you continue and promise yourself that when you use prefab findings, you use great ones....you'll build your bottom line and your clientele.
ReplyDeleteThank you Brenda! Sometimes you don't even realize the inner dialogue is going on until you decide to do something that goes against the status quo. It was a real eye opener for me and a huge relief afterwards.
DeleteGood answer, Brenda! ;)
DeleteEnjoyed reading your post, I'm struggling with pre-made/handmade, also. Looking forward to seeing your finished line next month.
ReplyDeleteThank you Monica! It looks like a lot of us are dealing with it.
DeleteHi Dana, interesting to hear about your internal warfare but without out the premade components there would be no B'sue and no challenge! and remember they are just that- components - to marry together with your own pieces- and everything your create is your own art :D Look forward to seeing the rest of your line in a month , Linzi
ReplyDeleteThank you Linzi! I do love Brenda's components, they are beautiful and of a really good quality and I'm happy to use them. I think I'm going to write on the topic some more. If I can figure out why I felt that way maybe I can help someone else. :D
DeleteDana--Excellent post. I think many of us struggled with the same things as you have been, but I'm not convinced that we can have it both ways. I'm glad it all came together for you. I'm looking forward to see more of your finished pieces in the final reveal.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lynda! I think we can, we just need to remember to place everything where it belongs in the pyramid and create cohesive lines. The base pieces support the top tier pieces allowing a flexibility in your work. It was never about one or the other, it was about learning to allow them to coexist. At least for me :)
DeleteBeautiful Post, now that you found that inner peace to co-exist with, lol cant wait to see your line.
ReplyDelete:) Thank you Gloria!
DeleteReally lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Melissa!
DeleteBeautiful, I love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you Amy!
Delete