Stocking at iCrave this Friday!

I'm premiering a first in a series of pendant pieces that feature my artwork. Particularly my fairies! What a great way for me to combine my love of making jewelry and my digital art work. These were exceptional fun to make. If you want the Autumn Fae Necklace I suggest you head over to iCrave at 12pm tomorrow [friday]. It will be available then! We're heading out today for an unschooling conference in Massachusetts. It's the Northeast Unschooling Conference. Looks like lots of fun. Then a few days later we're heading to the Rethinking Education Conference in Texas! Such fun! I'm so looking forward to this. I better run now as I have to clean up my work station before we leave.

MetalSmithing

This appears to be the next natural step for me.  I'm getting my supplies together, lining up classes and reading, researching and watching utube videos in an attempt to quench my thrist for metalsmithing knowledge.  I am going to take a wire wrapping class at the Currier, then in Mass there is a workshop class at MetalWerx which is a distance for me so I'll need to stay overnight.  Which also means I need to work something out with Keith so he can come and watch Jeremiah during my class.  I can't be gone too long from Jeremiah yet due to breastfeeding.  Which is really fine with me as I'm totally not ready to be gone from him for very long.

I feel a bit like I'm on a rollercoaster ride that sometimes seems too fast.  For me, when I set my mind on something, I enjoy the learning process but I find I'm almost too ambitious.  Learning is so gratifying for me which is why I believe I tend to keep raising the bar.  If I just keep beading and designing via pre-made findings and beads, it is gratifying and even was challenging but now, I need more.  My first goal is to create beautiful silver rings, my huge inspiration comes from a lovely lady named Lisa who is rather local to myself Lisa's Lovelies.  Her rings are very cool and she shares freely her knowledge of various techniques.  All too often I've found in the various artist communities (graphic artist, 3d artist, digital artist) that some people viewed knowledge as a commodity to keep as trade secret.  I just don't view the world that way.  I've always shared what I've known with others freely, even creating my own graphic design resources for other artists.   I believe that in jewelry, like all other things, you create your own market.  There is not a limited market but it is unlimited by creating your own niche.

Anyhow, I find there are a lot of parrallels to my learning style to the one my kids have.  This is why we are child-led learners.  It just makes sense.  We are by nature curious people, children the most of all.  Children do not need to be told what to learn or when. They will learn it at their pace when they need the knowledge.  I have seen it happen with my own children.  I won't lie, this method requires a lot of trust, but it is so worth it when you see the true sense of "I really did do it on my OWN".  It's different than when children are forced to learn something they see no relevence for or don't really care about.

I'm designed some frame pendants with diamond glaze and silver beads.  I have one that is a long necklace that is about belly button level (if you don't have ginorous twins like me).  It's pretty cool as I placed a beautiful bee charm inside the frame, used compliementry green beads.  It's a fun and pretty necklace.  Then I have another one I'm working on with another frame style with resin and a lovely daisy flower inside with accenting daisy flower links and beads.  I have decided how to finish off the necklace part of things.  I was going to use large 8mm complimenting blue beads but Keith thinks they are too big and I kind of wasn't feeling it anyhow.

Not my usual quality of photos but there wasn't enough light this morning to take advantage of, so I used my flash.  The wooden necklace is a men's necklace I deisgned for Keith.  I'm making a second to sell.  The clasp though is needing to be changed.

Rings, bouble rings and they stretch!

I've been playing around with stretch rings and various designs.  You can see them in my store.  I enjoy making them except when it's time to tie them.  I'll be knotting when I somehow manage to just let go and beads fly everywhere, lol.  Then the quick scramble to find them all before Jeremiah (15 months) does.

There are a lot of other new items and if you are paying attention to the categories, you'll see there is some other items in plans.

I made this for my 10 year old son Jacob:

He designed this himself.  I think it's darned cool!

PS.  It's hot here in New Hampshire!

Been creative of late

I've added several new designs to the store. I like to keep a large offering of designs in my stores so as to meet as many unique tastes as possible. I try to also add new items as they sell out. Which is challenging as with 5 children, time is limited in that each piece is hand-crafted. Often times while nursing a baby or holding sleeping baby. Yes, I'm a multitasker to the extreme. I'm also learning about metal smithing too.

I also managed to deplete my shipping supplies this week, lol. How that happened is beyond me!

In other exciting news I received an orgasmic amount of new beads and pendants. I just sat there touching, looking, drooling. It was like my own piece of bead heaven here on Earth. Gah! My photography of my jewelry and designs continue to be discussed at several forums about the internet. I really am enjoying the positive feedback.

Cool Turquoise Necklace $29.00	Fresh Leaf Necklace $30.00
Girlie Girl Pink Necklace $28.00	Go Green Necklace $33.00
Sapphire Dream Necklace $32.00

Just a few!

Random thoughts

I'm in bed after nursing sweet baby Jeremiah to sleep. I've come to realize he loves jewelry as much as I do. He loves to wrap his chubby little fingers around the pendant on my necklace. I love how, as he greets the world from the safety of the sling, he always is hanging on to my necklaces. I love this more than when he chooses to hang on to my hair or *gasp* earrings. Ouch.

I get so much joy from creating jewelry designs and beading pieces. I love going to my local bead shop and running my hands through the stunning sterling silver bali beads or stroking the pendants. I even more appreciate that they do not toss my butt out the door for fondling the goods with far more joy than should be allowed.

When I first opened my virtual online doors, I remember being greeted with a less than friendly email. I was told off for using the often used phrase in women's fashion "you are a goddess.". Apparently this person felt they "owned" the phrase. My opinion is no one can own it. We as women own the phrase and the right to use it. I could have let that first email color my joy. Instead, I smiled realizing that it was pretty damned cool that I got noticed so quickly. I expected no one to find my site for months. I've since been noticed with ever increasing frequency but on a positive note. The biggest joy for me is that people are wearing more and more Soliel Arana pieces! It's not about sales but sharing my passion for fashionable jewelry.

Be joyful, be creative and love every minute of being a goddess. ;)

Added new designs

Apple of My Blue Eyes Necklace, Earrings, Bracelet set $41.00	Ebony Elegance Danglies Earrings $10.00
Interacting Threads Necklace and Earrings set $43.00	Under the Tree Necklace $28.00