Univeristy of Kentucky Blue Ring!

Just renewed this. UK fan? Do you bleed blue? This ring is for you!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51509671/blue-bold-and-beautiful

New happenings

As always, it's been a while since my last post. I've been busy with the library, beading, being a mom and web work. But I have still been beading, indeed! I also did two small shows, one at the Louisville Watertower sponsored by the LVAA and another sponsored by our lovely Marion County Public Library. The LVAA show garnered no sales while I was there, but a wonderful lady contacted me afterward. She took a business card and perused my art site, purchasing two of my sculptures. Makes me want to sculpt again!

I've also been working on promoting myself. I recently was accepted as a new artist at Swanson Reed Gallery on Bardstown Road in Louisville. It's exciting to me, as it's my first representation in Louisville. I was in the Kentucky Museum of Art & Craft for a while, but it was a very limited selection of my work, only a few pieces. Swanson is carrying a selection of earrings, bracelets and cameo necklaces. I'll also have a trunk show there later this year, which makes me ecstatic beyond belief!

One of the requests that the buyer at Swanson Reed had was cocktail rings in the style of my beaded cabochons. To the left are my first few attempts. I'm pretty happy with them. I'll make a trip to the gallery first and then list some in the etsy shop.

I also listed some of my pieces that I've been making in preparation for Spotlight Lexington during the World Equestrian Games.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/46837471/cobalt-and-aqua-horse-cabochon-necklace
http://www.etsy.com/listing/46838165/green-gold-and-silver-horse-cabochon
http://www.etsy.com/listing/46838957/copper-and-gold-horse-cabochon-necklace
http://www.etsy.com/listing/46839577/silver-and-black-horse-cabochon-necklace
http://www.etsy.com/listing/46836655/purple-horse-cabochon-necklace
http://www.etsy.com/listing/46835696/aqua-horse-cabochon-necklace
http://www.etsy.com/listing/46841476/the-princesss-copper-horse-choker
http://www.etsy.com/listing/46840763/black-horse-cabochon-earrings
http://www.etsy.com/listing/46840137/gold-horse-cabochon-earrings

New Listings

Finally got around to posting some new listings on Etsy!

Bright Argyle Earrings: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43460871

Fun Fan Earrings: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43461948

Beaded Ball - Purple: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43462845

I've also sent in my entries for Bead Dreams this year. I'm still working on one that I'd hoped to enter this year, but may enter it next year. I just don't want to push myself and not be happy with what the end product is.

Kentucky Crafted was fabulous. I was picked up by the Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea and made some good contacts.

Also, the fabulous Cyndi Lavin of Beading Arts sent me an updated link to my article on her site and I'm working on some updates for her. Thanks for all you do for the beaders, Cyndi!

New Year, New Jama

Wow. I haven't posted since August. A lot has happened since then:

1) I closed my brick & mortar shop. It was a difficult decision to make, but one that had to be done. I truly believe that the shop would have been successful in a larger town, but it just wasn't viable here. I had so many people tell me that my place belonged on Bardstown Road or Frankfort Avenue in Louisville, somewhere in Lexington or (my favorite) "Why aren't you in NYC?" But this is my home. I want to raise my daughter here in Lebanon, which means rethinking what I'm doing in how to make a living.

2) I moved into a larger apartment. Huzzah! My old place was literally one room with a bathroom, no kitchen. I'm now in a two bedroom apartment with a large kitchen, place for crafting and a large storage room. Amber has her own room, I have an actual bed with new mattresses (instead of the bunk bed I was sleeping in) and a backyard when it's warmer and Amber wants to play. I'm still not settled in completely (there are still things in my ex's house and in storage), but I'm getting there.

3) I had several shows over the fall, including the Woodland Arts Festival, Ky Bourbon Festival, Marion County Country Ham Days, St. James Court Art Show, Sheltowee Art Show and Heart of Ky Holiday Festival. None of the shows were gangbusters, but they helped me pay my bills and I made some good contacts through St. James and Woodland again.

4) I started dating one of my best friends. He's been there for me through my divorce, helping me move and just when I needed him. We've been friends for years, so he's used to all of my quirks and vice versa.

But, that leads me to my resolutions.

1) You know, get in shape. Isn't that just a given? But this year, I'm not focusing on a weight loss goal. I just want to get healthy. That includes losing a lot of weight (I'm tired of watching my Mii on my Wii Fit swell up), but it also includes working out, eating healthier and getting my asthma back in check.

2) Get my wholesale catalog prepared and begin taking orders. I got into Ky Crafted last year and am doing the Market in March. I'm excited and scared all at the same time. I've started working on some new designs and mocking them up.

3) Start saving up for a new vehicle. I just took over the web hosting from my mom, so I have steady income. That should actually be enough to cover my monthly bills, with my library and jewelry income being extra. My truck started dying this fall and I need to replace her. She's been a good truck, but I just replaced the starter and battery, but the air compressor went, the brakes don't sound so hot and I noticed a speaker going out. I'm an audiophile, so that's kind of a biggie :)

4) Get organized. I've started working on it already, but I need to finish it, get the rest of my filing in order and get my back storage room completed. That'll allow me to get rid of my storage building and get everything out of my ex's house.

5) Keep my etsy store up to date with at least one item a week. (I did add some new things a while back - http://thesepreciousthings.etsy.com)

6) Blog once a week.

Karate's in just a bit. Gotta get the yellow belt ready to punch!

I Did It - Finally!

After 4 years of rejection letters, I finally got into Kentucky Crafted! I was fully prepared to have to run to the grocery store for a consoling pint of Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey, but I actually made it. I have a mandatory meeting on the 21st of this month to attend regarding what's expected of me, attending Crafted at the Market, use of logos, etc., but I'm pretty excited. The program requires no rejurying in every year and can be helpful in getting into galleries or retail locations, which is exactly what I need. Things have been very slow lately and I'm having to contemplate taking a full-time job in order to make ends meet. I really don't want to let the gallery go, but I have to be realistic.

There's a fabulous treasury I'm in that expires in just a few hours. It features many of the entries for the July Etsy-Beadweavers Challenge - Here Comes the Bride, including my "The Mermaid Bride". Thanks to the lovely enchantedbeas for putting it together. Check out both of her shops!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=59867

Please visit the EtsyBeadWeavers’ blog between the 9th and 15th of July to see all the beautiful entries in this challenge and vote for your favourite!!!! http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com

I also listed quite a few new pieces the other day (and I have many more lucite pieces to photograph & list, but there's only so many hours in a day!):

Grandma's Crazy Quilt Bracelet:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27321154
Pink Bud Earrings:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27323742
Redbuds Earrings:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27323444
The Mermaid Bride (again!):
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27322566

Relisted:
Keep on Searching for a Heart of Gold:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27324072
Warm Fuzzies:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21798663

Long time, No post!

The last few weeks have been rather hectic around here, so I haven't gotten to post, even though I've been creating new listings in my etsy store. I really haven't had time to bead, so the items I've been listing are ones that I've had in the gallery for a while, but had neglected to post. Most of that is rectified now, I'm pleased to say. In the last few weeks, my daughter graduated from Kindergarten, turned 6, won a slew of awards and has made me just an all around proud mom.

The always lovely Ileana of enchantedbeads included my Chrysoprase Earrings in her treasury, Gotcha!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=62056

New listings!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25616956
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25623950
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25722913
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25661185
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25661557
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25723800

Also, a pair of my earrings is being given away over at the Bluegrass Etsy Street Team blog. Go check it out!

May 2009 EBW Challenge

The entries for the May challenge, "Hollywood Red Carpet" are in! They are as always simply beautiful, creative and amazing! Etsy Beadweavers took the time and have the talent to create these inspiring challenge pieces! Tiny little beads and a needle and thread along with incredible patience bring these selections to you to vote and choose your favorite. I am so honored to be included with such a talented group of beaders!

You can click on the item in the text list below the mosaic on the EBW blog which links to the Etsy Shop listing of each entrant where you will see more detail of each piece!

Voting begins today, Saturday, May 9th and ends midnight May 15th. Show your appreciation for the efforts of these amazing artists and take on the difficult task of voting for your favorite. (The ballot is on the side bar at right.) Again, the individual pieces are listed below the mosaic where you can visit each entry for more information by following the link.

My entry, "The Prince and the Showgirl" is #11 in the mosaic and on the right in the voting block! My blog entry about the necklace is here: http://jamawatts.blogspot.com/2009/05/prince-and-showgirl.html

The Prince and the Showgirl

I FINALLY finished my entry for the May EBW Challenge this morning - Hollywood Red Carpet. I really envisioned old Hollywood glam for this one, mainly one of my idols, Marilyn Monroe. It's the first time in a while that I've actually ordered beads for a specific challenge. I usually force myself to use what I've got in stock, making it even more of a challenge. This one, though, needed GLAM and some bang.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24579502

Here's the description I wrote up for my entry. If you've never seen The Prince and the Showgirl, check it out sometime.

I'm a sucker for Marilyn Monroe movies. While my favorite is Some Like it Hot, this piece reminds me of something Sir Laurence Olivier's character would have bestowed upon Marilyn's character in The Prince and the Showgirl.

This piece features a large Baroque champagne Swarovski crystal, measuring 1.25" wide and 2" long. Necklace itself is woven in netting with silver-lined gold seed beads in 11/0 and 15/0 sizes, silver 4mm faceted Czech rounds and 140 4mm Swarovski bicones in pink, topaz, ruby, amethyst, montana blue and pale yellow.

Necklace ends in a beautiful swirling sterling silver hook & eye clasp and measures 18" long. Central weaving is 6" wide and 2.5" long.

This piece was created for the May 2009 Etsy-Beadweavers Challenge - Hollywood Red Carpet. From May 9-15th, stop by the EBW blog at http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com and vote for your favorite piece. Search for other entries on etsy with the keyword "ebwc" or search for other ebw work by searching for "ebw" or "ebw team" any time you want to shop for beautiful beaded items!

I also listed a few other items today:
Matching earrings for entry: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24580825
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24575180
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24575684
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24576136
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24576633
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24577398
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24577860

Run for the Roses

I absolutely love the Kentucky Derby. It's one of those times that I just want to strut around & tell everyone I meet that I'm from this beautiful state.

My dad has been on me for years to do Derby hats. This year, I finally heeded his advice and created some hats. I was supposed to make it to a friend's wine tasting tonight to show these off, but my body has other plans, so I just spent the last hour & a half listing these beauties on Etsy. I had tons of fun making them, even if I ended up covered in glitter, hot glue and feathers for a while!

The pictured hat is already sold. I LOVE those feathers!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23845814
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23846787
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23847069
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23847372
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23847662
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23847854
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23848096
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23848307
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23848682
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23848907
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23849347
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23849101

In other news, I just got Mod Knots by Cathi Milligan in the mail. I've done some simple macrame in the past, but I'm itching to try these out! Because I'm too ADD to not try something new!

My beads came in for my latest EBW Challenge, Hollywood Red Carpet Creations. Can you say sparkly?

New Listings!

I went nuts (like usual) the other day and glazed a bunch of glass tiles for jewelry. Today, I finally got around to adding 5 of the bracelets to my etsy store, along with a beadwoven necklace and bracelet.

Things have been a bit hectic with my schedule and I feel like I haven't gotten much done in the way of beading. I know it's not true because I've increased my stock in the gallery, but I just haven't gotten photos taken of everything for etsy. Sometimes, I just feel like my business gets in the way of my business! Of course, I'd sit and bead all day if given the chance, but I have to say, I've enjoyed hanging out with friends lately and working on my committee assignments. Yes, I am crazy, why do you ask?

Glass Bracelets:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23714548
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23717249
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23718635
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23719178
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23719608

Dutch Spiral Bracelet:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23722427

Bird's Nest Necklace:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23720308

Voting Still Open

What a talented group of Etsians in the Etsy-Beadweavers team! I'm always blown away by their work anyway, but these challenges really are quite awesome.

The fab Ginny of Njema Creations has curated a Treasury featuring some of the entries in April's "Time Machine" challenge. Go check it out & don't forget to vote in the EBW challenge on the EBW blog. You have until tomorrow to cast your vote.

A Trip Through Time Treasury:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=50362

I have more pieces to photograph, but haven't been able to get to them. I'll try to rectify that!

In the meantime, I've relisted a few items:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18784495
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18737344

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14698463
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14693536

Voting Begins!

The entries for the April challenge, "Time Machine" are in! They are as always simply beautiful, creative and amazing! Etsy Beadweavers took the time and have the talent to create these inspiring challenge pieces! Tiny little beads and a needle and thread along with incredible patience bring these selections to you to vote and choose your favorite. I am so honored to be included with such a talented group of beaders!

You can click on the item in the text list below the mosaic on the EBW blog which links to the Etsy Shop listing of each entrant where you will see more detail of each piece!

Voting begins today, Thursday, April 9th and ends midnight April 15th. Show your appreciation for the efforts of these amazing artists and take on the difficult task of voting for your favorite. (The ballot is on the side bar at right.) Again, the individual pieces are listed below the mosaic where you can visit each entry for more information by following the link.

My entry, "Time Standing Still" is #4 in the mosaic and on the right in the voting block! The link to my piece is currently incorrect, but my piece can be found here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22899690.

New Treasury

Binkaminka has included my Copper and Silver SteamPunk Pendant 1 in her treasury, Wild Solitudes.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=48895

I've also listed two new bracelets:

Oooooh, Shiny Object!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22903302

The Spring Spiral
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22902740

Time Travel

It's finished & listed on Etsy, so I can blog about it now :)

Like TheBeadedLily, my first thought was incorporating watch parts into my April EBW challenge piece. My necklace was inspired by my love of SteamPunk and it's merger of Victorian era and Industrial Revolution. One of my close friends is a pilot and she's enamored with this era, which inspired me even more to head this direction.

This piece incorporates metallic 8/0 seed beads in shades of copper and bronze, woven around watch gears and other parts encased in resin. I'd already created the resin pieces for bracelets, pendants and earrings that I've been creating as part of my SteamPunk line on etsy. Further accenting the piece are drops of copper chain and amethyst faceted beads capped in copper. A copper toggle fastens on the side, adding a modern, assymetrical touch to the piece.

Necklace measures 19" in length, 4.5" at its widest point and 3" at it's longest in the center.

As always please visit the Etsy Beadweavers blog http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com to vote for this necklace or your other favorite between April 9-15. Meanwhile, search "EBWC" on Etsy for more stunning bead woven Time Travel creations!

New Treasury and Work

The fab facesarefunny from the Bluegrass Etsy Street Team put together another great treasury, this time called Tangled Up in Blue (I love Bob Dylan!). She was nice enough to feature my Wrapped in Blue glass time bracelet! Go give it some love.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=48136

I've also been hot gluing away on my Kentucky Derby hats and have been enjoying it immensely. I've finished 6 and have another 9 coming in to work on. If anyone out there is interested, message me through here or Facebook about ordering a custom one. I'll be posting pics of the completed ones soon and am thinking about listing them on Etsy. I've got two private showings in April that I'll be traveling and taking the hats to (Girls Night Out in Louisville & Wine Tasting in Richmond), but they're on display here in the gallery, as well.

I've also finished up my Time Travel entry for the Etsy Beadweavers April challenge. I've got it photographed, but haven't had time to crop, etc. I'll have it up before the end of the week. In the meantime, here's a few pics of it in progress to wet your whistle!

Featured!

The awesome Kelly at Macaroni & Glue has featured me in her blog this week. Thank you so much, Kelly! Kelly does some really cute stationary in both her Macaroni & Glue store, as well as her stores, Freshly Crafted & Retro Crafted.

Temptation Treasury

Voting is still going on at Etsy-Beadweavers for the March challenge. Please go vote! You have until the 15th of this month!

Tied to that is a new treasury put together by njema:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=46481

I'm currently making flowers for Kentucky Derby hats, one seed bead at a time. Break out the Icy Hot!

Blog Giveaway at Chocolate & Steel

Want to win something? Want to win something gorgeous & handmade??? To enter for a chance to win this beauty, go here: http://chocolateandsteel.blogspot.com/2009/03/giveaway.html

Go ahead now, check it out! You know you want to! But hurry, ‘cause the drawing is on Friday, March 13!!

And don't forget, voting is still going on at the Etsy-Beadweavers Blog for the March Challenge. Voting is open until the 15th!

Treasuries Galore!

I feel so blessed to be part of the Bluegrass Etsy Street Team when I see treasuries like the two that I was honored to be part of. What great artists and a great variety! Soaps, jewelry, hand-dyed & hand-spun yarn, paper crafts, fine art... it's all there and more!

The first treasury was put together by facesarefunny and is called ...hypnotized... by these Kentucky wonders.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=44522

The second treasury is called Am I Foxy? and was put together by WhimsybyMari.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=46006

FrontPage?

So, apparently, according to Google Analytics, I made it to the Front Page yesterday on Etsy! There doesn't seem to be a screencap of it in the Flickr photostream, but that's pretty exciting. It's the first time I've been on there.

Also exciting was the visit I had from the folks with the Kentucky Entrepreneurial Coaches Institute. They were in town for a conference and our local coaches told them to come talk to me about my experience in business, etc. While they were here, one of the ladies bought my "Washed Onto Shore" necklace, which absolutely made my day even better.

In other news, I'm getting ready to place an order for some beads to make lots & lots of flowers.