Presentation is Everything

Create a crisp neutral pallet and vertical displays for maximum exposure.

I just wrapped up a successful show at the White Mule Winery this weekend, and wanted to share some of my thoughts and little lessons learned, while they're fresh in my mind. One of my favorite sayings is "presentation is everything" and it certainly paid off for this show. 

This was the first show that I had done in two years so I had to build my displays from scratch. Thankfully, I had my boutique displays to pull from, but I needed to make everything fit within an 8ft x 8ft space, keeping as much as possible at eye level with easy access to the jewelry. If they can't see it, hold it, and try it on, you're not going to sell it.  

If they can't pick it up and try it on, it's going home with you. 

I posted my prettiest decorated mannequin at the front of my display area where she would attract the immediate attention of shoppers as they entered the venue.  In the back right corner of my display, I placed another winged dress form to draw them into the booth. 

A pretty mannequin posted in front draws passing customers' attention to your booth.

The tall display in the back right corner draws customers INTO your booth.

I used an old oak library card catalog box as a base for my center display. It held two leatherette bracelet trays perfectly with enough extra space for pre-packaged sterling charms. Atop this section, I used an antique Waltham watch parts cabinet with three of the drawers pulled out in tiers. It was a great fit for the leather cuffs. Next was an old wooden crate which held a stand mirror. I hung several long layering necklaces along the sides of the crate. I changed this a bit for the show, adding two small metal file drawers to hold the ring trays and raise the display to an even better height. 

At the last minute, I decided to add a small display of the tools and materials I use to  create my jewelry. It really brought home the nature of handmade to my customers and added value to my pieces. 

I discovered that signage is a must to direct attention once customers are actually in the booth. Well-placed, succinct signage added interest to items that may have otherwise been overlooked. 

What would I change? I think in the future I would like to use jewelry rolls to transport necklaces for easier travel, and more large plastic tubs to carry display pieces. The toughest part of my display is lugging the heavy crocks around, but I think what they add to the ambiance of the presentation is worth it. Now to post all the new items to my Etsy shop!

Brave Girl: Hold Your Own Key

 "The secret to her happiness was holding her own key"

                                                                                -  Brave Girl

Abraham Lincoln is credited with saying "people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be".  It's one of the great secrets of life, really.  Taking control of one's own mind, choosing to be happy in each moment on a daily basis can transform your life.  Recognizing the difference between that over which we have control and that which is beyond our control is the first step.  And surprisingly difficult.  It takes a good bit of practice to learn how to stop trying to control the behavior of others.  But once we do, the magic door to Happiness opens and we can begin to enjoy our lives. 


 Women are socialized to make others happy - husbands, children, in-laws, bosses. And we're bombarded with images and messages telling us that we're responsible for everything.  Literally everything.  We're supposed to raise healthy, pretty, popular, well-adjusted children, keep our bosses and co-workers happy, and be the perfect wife who maintains her figure and looks.  All while smiling with perfectly white teeth and gorgeous hair.  

Is it any wonder that we forget to nurture our own happiness in the pursuit of pleasing others? The newest brave girl collection reminds us that we alone have the power to make ourselves happy.  Never give the key to your happiness to someone else.  Hold your own key.

Brave Girl: Badges of Honor for a Life Hard Earned and Well Lived

 Brave Girl

I've had this line in me my whole life.  It wasn't always jewelry, though.  It started out as moments of clarity, notes to self, timely revelations, and sacred vows never to repeat certain . . . shall we say . . . unwise choices.  It was only as I watched my sweet niece working through her own life issues that the line began to take form in my head. These pieces began as part prayer to the Universe for her continued strength through hard times, and part badge of honor for continuing to make wise choices despite the challenges of forging a path that leads to a better life.

I chose basic materials like steel, copper and brass, as well as found objects like garter belt hooks, and vintage carnival tokens.  The pieces have a rustic, make-do feel that represents the brave girl's tendency to work what she has to the best of her ability until something better and truer presents itself. That uncomfortable place when you're quite clear about what you don't want to do anymore, but haven't quite figured out what to do instead?  That's the inspiration for this piece:

"she tended her dreams with fairy dust and elbow grease"

Because there is an undying vision of what could be in the heart of every brave girl.  That's not to say she never has doubts or fears.  Remember your first apartment?  Brave girls can turn an old house trailer into an adorable cottage with sheer will, $20 at a resale shop and ingenuity!  And when they finally get a home of their own, they appreciate every inch of it and what it took to get them there.  They never forget where they came from and will always offer a hand to another brave girl.

 Brave girls are no strangers to bad relationships.  In fact, it just might be a qualification to be a brave girl.  One thing's certain: when she loves, it's with her whole heart . . . . scars, bandages and all.

This piece was created using vintage filigree brass stampings as a foundation, upon which I wired two hand cut and stamped plates in sterling silver and brass.  The heart is torch fired cloisonne on copper. 

Shop the Brave Girl Collection

The Sarcasm Project: aka Trying Not to Run Over People with My Car

For some time now, I've been creating snarky art using vintage ads and adding my own twisted captions.  Mostly to get through menopause . . . that horrible near-decade that no one tells you about.  I mean really, how can they?  The whole menses thing is shocking enough.  If they had told us about menopause we may have decided not to stay long enough to reach it!  But I digress . . .

This is what we wish menopause looked like:

 This is what it actually looks like:

So creating these revamped ads seemed a healthier way of dealing with the insanity and hypersensitivity to scent, sound, and stupidity than driving over people with my car. And then it got to be kind of fun.  After all I'm a consummate smart-ass, so this is really right up my alley - menopause or not. 

I've always loved the illustration art of the 40s and 50s, so this was a way to vent some overactive snark and make some funnies in the process.  And it was pretty successful.  To date I've run over exactly no one with my car.  Well, at least not outside the confines of my mind . . .

Enjoy!

**DISCLAIMER**
If you're sensitive to snark, sarcasm, poor taste, crass observations and/or cursing, this may not be much fun for you and you should probably move along . . . nothing to see here.

In retrospect, I'm thinking this wasn't one of my best Christmases.

This is the profile photo for my Facebook Page, The Sarcasm Project.  Feel free to share!!  https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Sarcasm-Project/148862861880479

 Probably one of my favorites:

The whole "cougar movement" is lost on me.

 

My poor hubby never knew which way was up during the 6-8 years it took for it to be over.

 

 *snort*

 I used this one a lot.  I mean . . . A LOT. In my mind, I mean.

I do not take Xanax, but I've wished for some on many occasions.  Fantasy is better than driving over people with your car.

 So very true.

 OK I just like this one.  Just because.

 Sorry . . . 80s flashback.

 Ok, but this one is true.  Just sayin.

I Wonder if Paris Misses Me

I Wonder if Paris Misses Me by shessowitte featuring evening maxi dresses

The Traveler Necklace

"Wherever I Go, There I Am"
The Traveler Necklace

A working antique compass with brass case and original beveled glass is the focal point of this piece. From the base of the compass I've hung an antique frosted glass perfume stopper in my own handmade copper bezel. On the antiqued brass chain is an antique barrel skeleton key, a vintage African brass bead with verdigris age patina, and a vintage copper Grotta Azzura (Blue Grotto) Capri souvenir bell charm. I used oxidized steel to create the beaded stations of the chain, and the beads are amazonite, yellow agate, carved horn, and ceramic.

 

Double S-hook clasps allow you to wear this 34" necklace as a choker by hooking the clasps into the bail of the compass. Focal drops an additional 5" from the chain and measures 1 5/8" at its widest point.

SOLD

 

Cherry Blossom Flour Sack Inspired Necklace

 So much of what I do feels like playing. Sometimes I like to pull together a pile of related elements and "see what happens".  This necklace is the product of just such an exercise. 

I experimented with using embossing powders on a stamped image on glass which worked pretty great I have to say. I used a small rubber stamp of a Japanese lantern to place the design, then sprinkled gold embossing powder on the glass tile.  I set it on a candle warmer for a few minutes and it melted into place.  It needed something behind the embossing to make the image pop, so I dug out this old flour sack material from my long neglected quilting supplies.  The effect is charming and feminine, and I love the almost garish colors, softened by the silver and age-patinaed phosphor bronze in the handmade chain and wrapped accents. 

If you've never worked with phosphor bronze, I recommend giving it a try.  It has a softer color than copper, a bit like rose gold and it gets a great "old gold" look to it when it oxidizes a bit. (available from Wickwire Jewelry).

Here's the inspiration photo of the materials I started with:

The piece of "carved coral" glass is vintage Cherry Brand pressed glass from Occupied Japan, and I think it works much better than the dangle I have on the piece.  The piece changed so many times in the process of creating it, that somehow I left this bit out.  Definitely needs to be swapped out and photos redone.

Alright then, off to change it out and redo the photos. 

ShesSoWitte Romantic Art Nouveau Inspired Labradorite Heart Necklace

ShesSoWitte Romantic Art Nouveau Inspired Labradorite Heart Necklace by shessowitte featuring a victorian lace dress

ShesSoWitte Jewelry Studio Project

It's official! I converted my garage into a studio workshop, and I am in love. I honestly think I would sleep in there if I could.  (. . . Yes . . . I tried it, but the loveseat is too small.)

 
There are lots of cabinets and drawers and containers to hold all my bits and pieces, and several design surfaces with good lighting.

I even have a shipping department.  It's quite an upgrade from the breakfast bar in the kitchen!

 

My bench, custom made by Adam Hempelmann of Hempelmann Construction

    Let the creative process RESUME!!

How to Wear It: Druzy Quartz Gunmetal Asymmetrical Long Necklace

How to Wear It: Druzy Quartz Gunmetal Asymmetrical Long Necklace by bythetimeim50 featuring high heels

What to Wear with My Necklace

What to Wear with My Necklace by bythetimeim50 featuring markus lupfer

A Pop of Coral

A Pop of Coral by bythetimeim50 featuring raquel allegra

How to Wear It: Signature Swirl Sterling Silver Collar

How to Wear It: Signature Swirl Sterling Silver Collar by bythetimeim50 featuring platform heels