Where Do I Go

I have often wondered where my "hobby" will take me, and can't seem to come up with any solid answers. So I started asking myself some questions. what do you like to do? Make lampwork beads. Anything else? Make jewelry from my creations. And? dabble in other forms of jewelry making such as wire wrapping, chainmalle, vikingknit, use gemstones in my creations. Thats as far as I got.

I love working with my hands and creating, but am not sure if I need to focus on one specific thing, or if I should just continue doing what I like best, which is all of the above. Decisions, decisions decisions! I know when I do create something I get overjoyed that "I made that", but when I look at other artists work, I wonder "how do my pieces fit in the scheme of things?

Each artists tries to compare themselves with other artists, and then the process begins...well their work is better than mine. Self doubts again. So since I can't decide which way to go or what to create any more, I think I will continue with what I am doing and hope that someone sees it and falls in love with it and wants to buy it. Ah the dream of an artist.

Even with asking myself the questions I still have not decided on a "signature" piece as yet, and decided to just keep creating what comes to my mind as I look at my leftover beads that are just begging for me to make them into something. So now I need to get busy making more lampwork beads to sell so that I can buy the supplies I need to create these ideas in my head. sounds like a plan to me. And again I am no further now with "what I want to create" then when I began this blog post.

My "creations " can be seen on my website http://www.wilmas-whimseys.com; and my beads can be bought from http://www.whimsey.etsy.com, or from my website where I always list them first. I may not be in the same league as the other artists I know, but I can say that I am happy with what I create. So back to the torch for me to make more beads and hope they sell so I can buy the items I need to create more!!!

Meet the Artist of the Month

I would like to introduce you to a very special artist and friend of mine. Her name is Jill Milan and her jewelry is just fantastic. I myself have yet to reach the level of expertise that Jill has when she creates a piece. Jill is currently retired and lived in Marietta, Georgia with her husband.

To quote Jill she says " A little bit of everything that might just catch your eye". Her jewelry is made as "eclectic jewelry styles ", styles that I find breathtaking and not at all eclectic. A lot of her work is done in copper and gold filled wire, beads and lots of wire wrapping and coils.

Jill is an active member of the eSmarts team (www.eSMArts@yahoo.com). This is where I first met Jill, and I have been following her blog where she offers insight to so many different ideas and topics. You can find Jill's blog at http://jewelryelegancebyjill.blogspot.com/

A wonderful etsy store just chocked full of goodies awaits you and has so much "eye candy" that you will be cleaning your keyboard off for weeks to come! Check her store at Jewelry elegance by Jill http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5292047. You will NOT be sorry you looked. You can also find Jewelery Elegance by Jill on 1000 Markets http://www.1000markets.com/users/1105/.

A very special lady and a good friend, I am so glad that I have the pleasure of knowing Jill from Jewelry elegance by Jill. Be sure to check her out.

I am so glad that I have had this opportunity to take a few minutes for you to get to know this wonderful artist. Please check her blog for more insight on this Jill Milan.

Found a site for Jump Rings

I have recently started doing chain malle,and was looking for the larger chunkier sized rings to make into a mans bracelet. Well I somehow mentioned my search to WWJ (Wire Wrapped Jewelry site) Shelly, a member and a moderator of the site, said that they have just started making rings for sale. Lo and behold, I told her what I wanted, and Shelly kept in touch with me while they were being made and then contacted me and told me when they were being shipped.I got such great service from her that I just had to share. They are also making rings in parawire so that we can get creative with our styles (WOO HOO) A sample of what they are making was included in my order, and they made SQUARE jump rings!!!! How cool is that. She sent enough that I made a pair of earrings out of them! Guess I have to say I highly rec commend them for buying jumprings and they are very accommodating to making what you want. I will be getting ALL my rings from Shelly (Tortoise Treasures )A special thank you Shelly and Don for such great service.
If you would like to buy from them, as they are expanding their line of what they carry, contact Shelly at tortoisetreasures@comcast.net; You won't be sorry!
After my project is created, I will show you what I made.....