Creative Adventures of Ecolibrio

2011-10-19T09:39:00.000-07:00

http://www.etsy.com/listing/83954531/black-sequin-bead-leaf-necklace

For the sequin of it all...this vintage piece is part of my new inspiration. I just saw Mahogany on TV last night...so 70's, such eye candy! Sequin, sparkle shine. Vintage sparkle. Halston. Yay!
I'm looking for vintage jewelry and items to add to my line. Look for lots of new things to come!

2011-10-10T10:46:00.000-07:00

This week has been a roller coaster. One of my stores which I will not name here is sending back my handbags because they unfortunately did not sell there. Honestly, I was taken aback and upset. If you are an artist you put so much into your work that it becomes a little personal. What I am struggling with is that the feedback that I get is usually positive. People love the bags. I feel that they are very unique. I just need to find the right place to sell them. And I will! My next step is to research how to best approach the stores with such a unique product and to find out how to get them noticed.

"The look of love", www.Ecolibrio.com

Do your Ring!

2011-09-30T19:21:00.000-07:00

Rings glorious rings! I started making rings because I started with one and got tons of compliments on it. Lots of people are making jewelry right now but not as many are making rings. It might be a way to set yourself apart from others. Besides I'm really into big, huge rings right now. Thanks Rachel Zoe! love her. Anyway, big rings and funky colors on my short nails. I'm not one of those people who can't stand the sound of bangles, bracelets etc. I love it!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/82741708/ring-black-pyrite-stone-wire-wrapped

Organizing your studio

2011-09-29T09:15:00.000-07:00

I came up with a way to organize my jewelry chain when I realized I wanted to have all my large chain accessible and in plain sight. When I am working on a particular piece I prefer to have my materials in view to select from and choose. The suspended chains are hanging from the ceiling beams which I used S hooks to hang the chain to the precise size and length I wanted. Any pole will work so long as it will not bend with the weight. At the top I used safety pins to create a flap for the pole to be inserted. Maybe I was not in the mood to sew it! Then I used more safety pins to hang the chain - gold on top and silver on bottom. Voila! Ready to work!!!

The show must go on!

2011-09-28T09:06:00.000-07:00

If you are just starting out with any kind of art and have decided to start doing art & craft shows there are a few things I think you should keep in mind when you take on this kind of work. First, I would say get your courage up. No matter what your confidence level it can throw you off when you have someone you don't know give a negative critique of your work. Work that you pour your heart and soul into. Work that you love. Realize that not everyone is gonna love it. You will hear everything from the ever popular, "I can make that!" to "that looks like trash". Most of the time customers are very nice and complimentary. Take their words and run with them. Whatever you do, don't internalize the negative comments. Who knows what is going on with certain people who feel the need to insult others. That is no reflection on your work! Second, you will have great shows with lots of sales, that leave you super excited and you will have shows with no sales, one sale...money lost. And it finally happened to me, someone may steal from you at some point. My jaw dropped when it happened to me. But once you understand that this is the nature of shows you realize that you have to take the good with the bad. You keep going! Always take something to do in the case that a show is slow, but keep your eyes peeled for customers so that you greet everyone that comes to your booth. Eye contact and a smile speaks volumes for you and your work. Try to engage the customer who takes the time to look at your work. Explain the details customers may like. Is a clasp sterling silver? Real gold? A semi-precious stone? What makes it unique? These are just a few things to think about when doing shows. I will discuss more tips in future posts! Good luck!

So easy a duck could do it!

2011-09-27T13:01:00.000-07:00

I'm finally at 50+ pieces on my Etsy shop page http://www.etsy.com/shop/Ecolibrio. I opened my shop in 2008 and totally put it in the back burner. My fault for sure. I read some interviews and figured that I should give it a shot again. I have been doing some research about Etsy and apparently you need to have at least 100 pieces listed in order to see sales results. I'm actually not convinced about this as I have been increasing my listings and haven't had views!!! Argh! I'm trying to tell myself to be patient, but honestly reading some of the interviews on Etsy with sellers make it sound like it was so easy! I'm gonna stick with it to see how it turns out but...I'll just leave it at that. One thing is I wonder why are all the pictures selected to go on the home page usually so bland? Just sayin'!

Charleston Green Fair

2010-09-24T14:25:00.000-07:00

This Sunday September 26th Ecolibrio will be vending at the art walk in the Charleston Green Fair! Yay! Time: 12 to 6 at Marion Square downtown Charleston.

http://www.charlestongreenfair.com/

Come by and support local and independent artists. Forget the mall!

The state of computer & technology recycling...

2010-08-18T18:56:00.000-07:00

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/08/04/magazine/20100815-dump.html?emc=eta1

Part of the reason why I do what I do...I would be the first to admit that I'm not saving the world by any means, nonetheless I'm compelled to do my work with the cables. These things should never, ever be burned. Good intentions gone wrong? Would these e-waste fields ever be acceptable in the U.S.?

what is it that I do? View my jewelry & accessories line Ecolibrio, visit, www.ecolibrio.com

You better work!

2010-08-05T15:00:00.000-07:00

Today I'm pretty energized. You know, one of those days that are just sorted and organized into a check list of "things done". I've been working on my website and etsy account and feel happy with my progress.

How did this happen? It's been a chain reaction of events. I recently realized that I haven't been taking such good care of myself and quite frankly I'm tired. I can do better, or at least try and see what happens. So I've been thinking of creative ways to do what I should to help...myself. Is creativity what helps someone to care for themselves? What can I do today to make myself feel better? So I've been thinking of creative ways to change things I've been doing day in and day out. Things that I want to do differently. My sleep schedule is getting better. I'm feeling more rested. I overloaded on vegetables at the grocery to force myself to cook & eat them before they spoil. We also have a bag of local vegetables that we collect weekly from our Community Supported Agriculture. Today's lunch had plenty of zucchini, carrots & yellow peppers on the menu. I just heated them with a little olive oil and ginger dressing. Yummy & easy. I don't like to limit myself to strict schedules and regimes. For me, creativity is best left with an inspiration in mind, an end result, and the fun is in getting there. It always amuses me when customers look at my work and tell me that they wish they were creative. I believe that everyone is creative. It just depends on what you're creating!

2010-07-29T14:23:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of the professional photos that came out recently. Yes, it's the fabulous Tim Gunn at the Independent Handbag Designer Awards on June 16th, 2010. He was charming, as I expected him to be. Tonight is the premiere of the very inspirational tv series, "Project Runway". As a designer it's crucial to see others out there creating their own art, getting recognition, and learning as they go along. I really enjoy hearing what the judges usually have to say about the designs. I feel like they are teaching me too!

Testing, testing

2010-07-25T18:37:00.000-07:00

New Blog...I figured it was time to re-do it since Blogger decided to upgrade their format or something and reading the instructions was way too much!! Plus, this title now includes the name Ecolibrio! After a crappy 2009, 2010 is proving to be much better! I've been progressing in my work. I was invited to Charleston Fashion Week at the beginning of the year. That was pretty amazing. Then, I applied to the Independent Handbag Designer Awards and placed top 5 in the Best Green Handbag category. I was very honored because there were 900 entries worldwide overall. I flew to New York City and attended the ceremony at Parsons The New School for Design. There was a pre-press party at the Swarovski Store in Soho. I got lots of advice and was competing with designers who had art degrees and 200 employees! Since I am self-taught and work completely independently I was honored to be there. I didn't win my category but it's a great start! One thing I was told, "don't give up". That has to stay in my mind to fuel me in the future!