peek at the next ebook in the works

Last month I mentioned that I'm working on my next ebook, and I shared my first peek from it. Over the past few weeks I've made a lot of progress on the samples for it and wanted to share of them. I am really happy with my work so far and am looking forward to finishing up the samples and moving forward with final shots for the book.

I always use an acrylic spray for my sheet music pages that I'll be gluing so that the ink doesn't run. On a whim, I decided to paint some of my clothespin samples. I absolutely love the textured look of watercolors over acrylic spray.

Finally, I can't seem to stop making paper flowers. Many of you know that I have been a huge Alisa Burke fan for several years now, and you can definitely see her influence in these flowers. In addition to the influence in the designs themselves, I also took a page from her book and used cheap supplies - Crayola watercolor paints and a Bic white out pen - to make this come together.

What have you been working on lately?

beaded diamonds first peek

It's been...several years since I last published a beading pattern. How did that happen? I've been way overdue to publish another pattern. It feels so good to have one well underway right now.

I'm writing basic instructions for creating beaded diamonds, eight variations for earrings, and instructions for making a ring, pendant, and bracelet. I'm planning to release two versions: the full pattern and earrings only. It's been a very time consuming process because I've had to make so many samples. I will be able to sell all of them when I'm done with the pattern, which is some consolation. (It also means that if you see anything that you like, you're welcome to claim it now). Regardless, it's still exciting to see it all come together.

Tentative release date: April 2015. Stay tuned for more details over the next couple months.

What have you been working on lately?

in the works: buttons

I stocked up on buttons right after Christmas and am really excited about all of the button ideas that I have for 2013.

I have a few popular button designs that I have never successfully kept in stock for more than a few weeks. I'm determined to change that this year.

I have developed a signature multicolored dangle button earring that I can easily replicate for Etsy, eliminating the need to take lots of pictures of variations of it. However, I'm creating some other options for shows. We'll see how they do. I may eventually develop another signature design or two to list online.

It's easy for me to get into a rut of re-creating best selling button designs and not think about creating new designs. I want to keep the best sellers in stock, but I don't want to get into a creative rut either. I'm planning to do a lot of expansion for my successful button lines this year.

Do you remember the custom color gradation pieces I did last year? I've been itching to make a few more of these ever since I did that order. I have more blue buttons than any other color so it was an easy place to start. This piece is listed online, and I'm hoping to make more in other palettes over the next year.

What have you been creating lately?

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Where I Linked Up Today:

sneak peek: charm and pendant sets for 2012

I took photos of my first glass/metal charm sets for my new line.  I started working on my initial ideas for this line back in the summer, so it's hard to believe that I'm really going to start getting these new listings up in a week or so.

Most of my wrap bracelets/necklaces will include one charm, but I will have separate sets of charms for sale.  I will definitely get this custom initial set up first.  Please click on the photos to see larger versions of them.

 

 

The large pendant is glass, and the letter charms are sterling silver.  Most of my charm sets will have silver plated charms to keep the cost down, but I wanted to do sterling silver for the letters.

I also photographed my flower charm set.

 

 

Most of my metal charms will be silver.  I really liked that little bronze flower so I picked it up for this initial set.  I ordered a bulk set of silver flowers for future sets.

My next sets will be: leaves (surprise, right?) and beach/tropical.  I'm also working on a heart set for Valentine's Day.

Future set ideas include: music, pets, cross/religious, dotted/circles, stripes, ballet/dancing, snowflakes, Christmas, other seasonal/holiday sets, kids, buttons, celestial, and books/reading.  Some of these ideas are coming together more easily than others.

I'm debating including a photo in the charm set listings with at least one of the charms on a sterling silver chain.  I may just photograph a few charms with the chain for the separate chain listing, though.

Feedback on the photos and set ideas would be much appreciated.  If there's anything else that you'd like to see, let me know.

I included this post in Michelle's Delicately Constructed Friday 12/23/11.