Yes, I Like What I Make

One of my Etsy shop bracelets

Sometimes you just have to take a moment and realize...yes, I like what I make. I mean, if you don't like what you make then how do you expect to sell it? What makes you think others would want to buy something if you don't even like it. Sometimes I wonder if people create just to make money. Is it a chore for them? Do they do it because they started enjoying it once and did well, so they continued but no longer like it?

When I used to do custom jewelry I'll admit I didn't really like it. I was often given a photo of a piece of jewelry to replicate or someone would describe to me exactly how the item should look. I was just the machine to create it. I didn't like it. I had no creative vision. I stopped doing custom work and started my Etsy shop to have a place to show my own designs. There's times that I'll make something and it turns out nice but I keep staring at it long enough and decide that I could do better, that it's not good enough. I have a table full of not-fully-happy-with-it jewelry. There's nothing wrong with it. People say they're nice...but I don't like it. I think I'll constantly challenge myself to only try to sell what I really get excited about.

In my Etsy shop (www.friskywink.etsy.com) you'll find the items I've made that make me creatively giggle. That make me smile. I get all emotionally invested in my jewelry. I get inspired and think up a design. I view my jewelry as wearable art because that's what the design process feels like to me- creating art. Again, if I viewed my jewelry as a chore I wouldn't like it! And art is never a chore!

Getting Ready for St. Patrick's Day!

It's my favorite time of year! Yes, I'm one of the strange ones. Some people prefer Christmas, some people love Halloween, but my favorite holiday is St. Patrick's Day. The good luck of the Irish. People wearing my favorite color in order to not get pinched, the corned beef and cabbage, the Irish soda bread, the green beer, dancing a jig to bagpipe music, or looking for the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, however you celebrate I think it's great!

As a jewelry designer I probably miss out on the big sales gimmick of Valentine's Day. (It's my least favorite holiday). I don't make heart theme jewelry and market "sweetheart sales." Nope. Not a single heart in my shop last month. However... I can't help but make the green jewelry for my lovers of the Irish holiday.

I thought I'd post some of my favorite St. Paddy's designs!

Throwback Thursday- Hurricanes Necklace

I'm jumping on the whole Throwback Thursday craze. I thought I'd share some of my old Friskywink designs that I made over the years. What better way to start off my first Throwback than with my absolute fav?

Glass Hurricanes Necklace- Sold in 2009

I love to watch Hockey. My favorite NHL team is the Carolina Hurricanes. Perhaps because I'm born and raised in North Carolina? Or is it because it's the team playing when I saw my first ever hockey game? Whatever the reason I started pulling for them, they became my favorite.

I got smitten with the sport the first time my now husband surprised me with tickets. I remember the chill in the air inside the stadium, the swishing sound of the skates, being mesmerized that they can keep up with that little black puck, and then...oh yes...the checking! I favor the defensemen. I'm not a violent person, but hockey fights are interesting. If they only allowed checking in other sports, some wouldn't be so dull. Think about it, the next time you watch some Duke/UNC basketball game tell me you're not going to be wanting that Blue Devil to just push that Tarheel up into the bleachers? (Well unless you're a UNC fan...)

Anyhow, I became such a fan that I actually named my first dog, Ruutu, after a Hurricanes player. Before that I just had Hockey on the mind. I was shopping for beads one day and saw the red and black glass discs I used in this necklace. My "vision" was of a 'Canes player taking the puck to the goal.

This necklace happily sold in 2009. Hopefully, they're a hockey fan!

Wonderful Winter White- Etsy Treasury

Everywhere I look lately is plastered with pink and red. Not saying I particularly hate those colors (well, maybe pink), but I think it's too "holiday focused" right now. Don't forget that there's beauty in the Wintertime. White can be simple, yet dazzling.

New Focus for the New Year

Hello long lost blog. Happy New Year (11 days into 2013!) I always get excited in January. I make all these yearly plans for myself, and like everyone who sets a New Year's Resolution, the good intentions fail as soon as March. Every year I vow to do better. I guess this year is no different. However, my resolutions aren't the typical. I'm not trying to lose weight or quite some nasty habit (although I could stand to stop biting my nails). Nope. My resolution is different.

"I resolve to be more creative and treat life like it's Wonderland."

I struggle with that every day. I fight depression and regret missed opportunities. I have a new perspective. I have talents, although I allow my perfectionism  insecurities to criticize myself. Last year, I started slowly to put more focus into my Etsy shop. I listened to other people for years over the type of things I should create. I settled and made some things that I, well, hate. I started just making things that I thought looked good and didn't care if they sold. Ironically, that's the things that I actually sold. So I realized that I shouldn't listen or care what everyone else thinks. Just be me.

I'm resolving to live without creative regrets.  Break out of trying to be perfect (aka- letting go of my insecurities). You'll see a new side to Friskywink. I will be taking more creative risks.

How do I keep this resolution?

Today's journal: Taking a step out of "perfection"

Create jewelry I like to make & post on Etsy.
Keeping an art journal.
Blog more often.
Don't let others put me down.
Don't put myself down.
Don't compare myself to other artists.
When I get a creative impulse- act on it!
Believe in myself and let nothing else matter.

“In a Wonderland they lie, Dreaming as the days go by, Dreaming as the summers die:
Ever drifting down the stream- Lingering in the golden gleam- Life, what is it but a dream?” 
~Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass

New Etsy Treasury!

Vintage Glitz and Glam!
Get your sparkle on.....

Get Your Shopping On!

Black Friday....I've never been one for standing in line in the wee hours of the morning just to get a good deal on something. I'm more of a coupon person. There's times that I can get a good price on an item using a coupon than you could waiting in that long line in the freezing cold for the store to open. Don't fight the crowds this holiday season. Buy your friends and family something more one-of-a-kind.

Go shop for handmade jewelry at www.friskywink.etsy.com !

Right now everything at Friskywink is 15% off! Use the coupon code: Shop4Holidays

Sale is through Cyber Monday (11/26/12) Shop now and don't delay. Remember 11/24/12 is Small Business Saturday! Support Etsy shops like mine! Most of them are people who are trying to make a living selling their craft. (like me!)

These snowman earrings are just a peek at what I have to offer!