I wrote about Jularee, my hand-crafted jewelry business, in
December 2009.
The business hasn't made much progress since then. I've kept it out there, selling to friends and colleagues, giving my jewelry as gifts to family and friends. I finally made my first
Etsy sale in 2011. I was excited about selling a pair of earrings to a stranger who lives a thousand miles away.
Now with retirement from teaching in plain sight (91 school days), I'm spending more of my time practicing making jewelry. This is one the items on my "Do Next" list.
When I say practicing making jewelry, I'm talking about actually making attractive, wearable objects... most of the time, that is. I do have a "mistakes" box. I consider them rough drafts.
I'm also practicing taking photos of my jewelry pieces. When I say practicing taking photos... well, they are mostly viewable, but... let me just say that my jewelry looks A LOT better in person.
This weekend I tried something new, chainmaille. It is the art/skill of taking tiny rings of metal and linking them together in such a way that a pattern is created. Oh, I know what you are thinking... that's the stuff that
knights of medival times wore. You are correct! However, I won't be making any chain maille clothing any time soon.
I used only 18 tiny sterling silver rings (they are called jumprings) to create this pair of earrings. The carved heart gemstones are Leopard Jasper and the wire and earwire used is sterling silver.
I think I'm going to make another pair today. That's a "Do Now."