Everyday Inspirational Jewelry

After a two month hiatus after the birth of my send son Skye, I'm ready to get back into working on jewelry and other designs! There will be a few adjustments to my previous work routine, now there are two boys to keep an eye on! I'm hoping to better get the word out about teaching classes. I also had a great invitation from a friend to come to her daughter's sleepover to teach a class there, unfortunately I was unable to attend, but what a great idea! Please let me know if you have any ideas so share. You can now also find Charms on Facebook!

So I've been up to some serious quilting lately...working to finish my son's all transportation applique quilt. Applique is a new skill, actually quilting is a new skill all together. It's not too different from my history with costumes but a whole new list of terms and ideas to think about. I'm hoping all of this fabric will lead me back to new jewelry designs.

I've also been working on glass pendant thoughts for the class I am teaching on May 2nd. This will be a quick and easy class, also very inexpensive. I'll be teaching it at a local "More with Less Conference". Great idea in these economic times. I will be teaching classes locally through the first week of May, then taking a much needed break while I prepare for and deliver baby #2!

I've also started a group on Facebook! You can join my group, search for "Charms - Everyday Inspirational Jewelry" 32 members and counting! 

Take a look at Farmer's Daughter Candles made from all natural soy cultivated by american farmers. Kerri is the creator behind these great smelling good for the environment candles. Learn all about soy candles and the cute candle cakes she creates at her new website.

Incase you failed to notice on the home page, March is my birthday month. I take it as a great time to reflect on my past year, set new goals, and relish my time alive.  As a result, I'm excited to offer NEW NEW items:

NEW Bling Pocket Purses

NEW DIY Bead Class listings for March

NEW Swarovski Sneakers

NEW Jewelry designs in all categories

NEW 2009 Color Trend Forcasts.

Happy Spring!

Many people set resolutions. I never do, I'm too prone to break them. Instead I prefer to set goals with deadlines and specifics. This year I have a big list of goals for Charms. I still need to nail down some of the details to help me be sure to reach them...wish me luck!

I know many of you will be looking toward this new year with goals and resolutions of your own. I hope that one of them is to continue to support growing little companies like mine. ;)

My appologies for the delay in the blog up keep, but boy oh boy life is busy. Personally my life has been a little nutty...but excuses. New things are happening atCharms!

I've started doing Do It Yourself Bead Classes out of my home studio teaching basic techniques, tool uses, and opening up my boxes and boxes of beads to the masses. These have been pretty popluar and a ton of fun! So I've added new featueres to the site; such as a calendar of classes and events, online class payment, and a SALE page for items just waitng for a pretty face.

If you attended a class already, please leave me a comment! I'm always looking for ways to improve. I look forward to seeing more faces in upcoming classes, if you have a technique you would like to learn, please let me know. Thanks!

Thanks to Kerri in Lowell, MA who hosted a jewelry party at her home. What a great event! All of the ladies who attended where awesome, we had such a great time! Over the course of a few hours we tried on necklaces and bracelets and oo'd over which piece looked better on who. I brought my tools, beads, and supplies and was able to modify a few items on the spot and make some adjustments. As always I got some some inspriring new ideas from these women and will try to work them into future events.  I'll be getting those orders out as soon as possible! Thanks again to all who came, and thanks to Kerri who is a gracious host as always.

If you would like to host your own party, either to buy exising pieces, make your own, or customize anything... please view the Events page.

Keep in touch and wear something inspirational.

-Shannon

After a number of adjustments to web image sizes, office renovation, and continued research into beads and techniques I feel as though more opportunities continue to come my way. Thanks to networking, dear friends, and encouragement from my family I hope to continue my quest to make Charms a growing company. I'm hoping to release new designs as soon as possible, in the mean time...

I've started a forum, please feel free to vote, give your oppinion and grow the community! If you like my blog, please link it to yours and send me a link as well.

Any votes on the color to paint my office?

The article below was selected for publication! Thanks to Rena Klingenberg of Home Jewelry Business Success Tips!

Also, incase you haven't noticed...the online shopping cart via PayPal is up and running! An easy way to shop for grads.

New items include Rings & Accessories. Including Swarovski embellished handbags, really beautiful with clean lines and beaded accents.  Also, the Gallery is slowing coming along. Here you can view custom designs, Swarovski crystalized dresses and accessories, and special requests.

New Summer/Fall designs are in the works!

I'm nearing my deadline for getting paypal and various changes in place on the website. The pressure is great and really helping me to motivate the design process. I hope that these changes will make everyone, including my own shopping and designing experience so much better and easier.

Also, I've had the great opportunity to design some special occassion jewelry for prom season and have loved seeing the design work so well with a gown made especially for the girl. Along with this has come an interest in embellishing handbags and apparel with Swarovski crystals. They are absolutely stunning and are beautiful when the design is complete. I hope you will take a moment to look at this new project. - Enjoy the everyday!