Introducing...a hand stamped necklace line

Here it is!  The first of this year's new jewelry lines! 

 

I would like to introduce... a line of sterling necklaces with hand stamped messages; a simple word with a lot of meaning (peace) or an inspiring phrase (faith, hope, love).  Each necklace is made to order and will be personalized with Swarovski crystals of your choice...birthstones anyone?  The sterling pendants hang from a sterling chain with a couple of crystals.  I enjoyed making these necklaces, the process of selecting the appropriate stamp, positioning it, and hammering the imprint was rhythmical and relaxing.  "Tap, tap"  Because each is hand stamped, some variation is expected, but that increases the artistic quality and uniqueness of each piece.  I hope you agree with me! 

What do you think about this line?  Take a look at the rest of the line in my shop, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Design Time

With the start of the new year, I've decided to make some changes (but not New Year's Resolutions- no one ever sticks to those) to Peace of Grace Designs in order to facilitate growth and increase recognition of my brand.  Primarily, I'd like to increase the number of successful craft shows I participate in and I would love, love, love to have my jewelry in a brick & mortar store. 

To do these things, I think I need to improve the cohesion of my jewelry so I've decided to design a few lines of jewelry for the year and focus on creating more pieces of a similar style.  Typically, I design something and am so excited I make another one or two similar (but not identical) pieces.  Then I'm inspired by a new design and I move onto the new design- no looking back.  This has led to a wide range of pieces in my shop but a lack of clearly defined style or direction. 

I spend a few afternoons this week working on one of those lines.  Here is a sneak peak.

 A glimpse of my workspace this afternoon.  I set up a folding table on the sun porch and worked until the sun set while my husband sat on the window seat and read a book.  The dog napped on the floor between us.

Swarovski crystals in birthstone colors.  These are wonderful- a little bit sparkly and such beautiful colors.  The different combinations are endless and the way the colors complement each other are gorgeous. I like to use birthstones to personalize jewelry and make it a little more special.

Peace of Grace Designs for Dogs?!?

Since we've welcomed Yahtzee into our household, my husband and I have had all kinds of ideas for products aimed at dog owners (shhh I'm not going to share any of our ingenious million dollar ideas here! haha)  We've only had the skills to make one so far, but I have to say I'm really happy with what we made!  These were Christmas gifts for our dog owning friends.

I'm thinking about adding them to Etsy, but I haven't decided yet.  I think that I will have them at craft shows, and shoppers could order them to be customized.  I would love to make them on the spot, but I'd need a large vendor space and an assistant; I usually am solo at my shows.  And oh yeah, I'd have to have neighbors that didn't mind the loud hammering!