So... What's your Metal Style?

Hello everyone!  I know it's been so very long since I've posted on the blog, but things got ever so hectic for a long, long while.
Just a few minor updates rather quickly and then on to what's on my mind.
Currently I am leaving the Etsy Store unstocked, just because I've been selling so well at the Ocean View Swap Meet that right at this moment it would be difficult for me to keep stock on hand for both the online store AND weekly trips to the Meet.....

Now.. for  what's on my mind.... I've been contemplating metal lately.  I've always loved wire work and would like to move more into it.  I love working with all the "ooh SHINY" that is beads and crystals, but some days I like to simplify it all and just do metal work.  Now, because I've been contemplating metal, it needs to be asked... what kind of metal would be the most popular?  When I ask myself, the answer is INSTANT.. "Silver!"
Yeah, well not everyone is me.  Which I quickly discovered when asking some random people what type of metal they prefer giving them three options... Silver, Copper or Gold. (with the price of gold now days you know I didn't even want to offer gold as an option.)
I was actually shocked that most people responded with "Copper"  which made me happy because copper is something that I can afford to play with on a budget.  Yes... even Silver is god awful expensive now days.
So with this in mind I've been creating more wire jewelry with copper and boy has everyone been buying it up!!!! Sorry no photos because usually as soon as I make a copper piece, it sells... I MUST start keeping my camera on me at all times.
My Metal "Style" is mainly Silver because Silver looks good against my skin tone, but then I also connect to it in a metaphysical sense.  Silver is said to be the metal associated with the Moon Goddess.  It's a protective metal and repels and destroys evil spirits.  Silver is also known as an emotional balancer, helps to relieve stress and enhances mental functions.
all right y'all.. I have to create away in order to have stock available on Saturday... I was shocked when at the end of last Saturday, I only had four pairs of earrings left to take home!

So Baffled By This......

I went to Walmart with mom today so I could pick up a tripod. I've decided to at least think about creating tutorials when I see someone had set up a table selling handmade items. Out of professional curiosity.... and my innate attraction to anything remotely ooh shiny... I stop to peruse her wares.  I saw beautiful pairs of earrings created with peacock feathers that made me drool. And then.... interspersed with these beautiful works of art, I see something in my opinion utterly horrifying.  Single strand necklaces and a pair of earrings being priced for $35. If these necklaces were made of gemstones with sterling silver chain or gold, I could deal. I can imagine that as I have priced these materials and could justify that. So I found myself taking a closer look.  When I do so, I notice that the necklaces were created using a pre strung strand of beads that you purchase at Walmart for less than $4.00 and that there were no embellishments added to them. Literally these beads were restrung exactly as they were sold and a clasp added. The earrings were beautiful though. Btw, the necklace was made with a single strand of the pre strung beads which means that dependent on the price of her other supplies it cost maybe $5.00 to make. (I inquired if the clasp was sterling silver and it wasn't. )
So dear people, here is finally the point of my rant.  I do my best to provide my customers with two options regarding my jewelry.  Option one is I scour bead shops and online shops for the best possible prices for my supplies so that I may be able to create something that looks high end while keeping it financially obtainable.  I still keep my stringing supplies high quality so that even if you pay less than $20 you know that it will last.  Quality control is very important to me.  Option two that I offer is actual high end fine jewelry. Created with sterling silver, swarovski crystals and gemstones. These products are noticeably higher priced, but in the end more than worth it.  When I see something that is nothing short of lazy, it angers me. I am truly baffled that someone can call themselves a designer and allow product like that to be on the same table as truly remarkable work.

Shop Officially Opened on Etsy!

Hey Y'all!
I've finally gotten around to opening my shop on Etsy click HERE to check it out.
As a Grand Opening special I've created a 25% off coupon for y'all! BDGO25OFF
Please be sure to use it if you purchase anything.  I'm still uploading the listings, so keep on checking back in.
happy designing y'all!

Design Challenge - Beadiful Nights

Hello Everyone!
This past week I gave myself a Design Challenge. The Challenge for the week was to choose a Tutorial or Design, and change it up... try to put my own stamp on it.  This week I chose a tutorial from Aleshia of Beadiful Nights. I decided to play with her Chic Beaded Ring Tutorial.

If you like this tutorial of hers, please check out her YouTube channel HERE or you can find her on FaceBook HERE

I began of course by following her tutorial and creating the ring....

Chic Ring - Created by following tutorial by Aleshia of Beadiful Nights

Chic Ring - View 2

 Then I decided to create a matching Pendant and Earrings.... but still kept to the basic tutorial....

Pendant and Earrings Created following the steps of the tutorial... without the ring band.

 

Bracelet created using the basic steps of the tutorial for the top of the ring.

The above photo is of a bracelet that my mother made using minor changes that I made to the pattern. I didn't remember to get a photo of the bracelet that I had made so I just took one of the bracelet mom made.

My Marina Bracelet in Aqua

I like larger bracelets, so I sat down and decided to do a double row using 8mm glass pearls in two shades of Aqua, 4mm silver beads, silver lined crystal Miyuki 8/0 seed beads, and a simple magnetic clasp.  I originally planned on using a double strand clasp, but unfortunately the only clasp I had onhand is one that is difficult to clasp and remove. 

I'm planning on posting some new designs in a few days if the lighting is good enough for me to get decent photos.  Another thing.. someone asked if I may be creating tutorials for some of my original designs (there aren't many but there are a few)... and to be perfectly honest.. I am not planning on doing any video tutorials, but I may create some photo montage tutorials, and may also create some downloadable PDF written patterns with photos.
Many tutorials that I've seen created by people who have long nails, have so many comments from people complaining that they can't see what the person is doing because of their nails.  As my nails are longer than most, I'm not even going to attempt it. 
That's all for tonight.. so I'll hopefully be back soon with another update.
Happy Designing Everyone!

Brattitude Designs... Now on Facebook!

Just created a Facebook account for BD. Please join me... add as a friend... all that good stuff!
http://www.facebook.com/lei.brattitudedesigns

New Stock Completed!

It's great when you can complete things...
I was able to take photos of the newest additions to my collections and even create a few other designs.  I finished a choker and bracelet today that I've named "Mercury".  I love 'em.  I'm also playing around with the idea of creating a few dangle charms that you can attach to them using Lobster clasps so that you can purchase a few different ones and change the look of  your choker with just a quick clip.  Not sure yet tho.. but going to probably work on that idea tomorrow....

 

Gold Coloured 20 gaugeWire Wrapped ring with an Aqua AB Crystal Druk in the centre.

 

BCA Ribbon Pendant created with 18 gauge Silver Tarnish Resistant Wire and 24 guage wire.
Accented with an acrylic Bead and 4mm and 6 mm bicones.

20 gauge wire wrapped ring featuring a Rhinestone embedded Bead.

 

Wire Wrapped ring made with 20 gauge tarnish resistant wire, an acrylic bead from the Jesse James Beads "Hi-Def" series, and 6mm bicones.

 

Mercury - Aqua
Cluster Style Choker

Mercury - Rose Smoke
Cluster Style Choker and Matching Bracelet

 

Linked - All elements with the exception of the Turquoise Bead was hand crafted by me including the clasp.
Wire elements were created with 20 gauge tarnish resistant silver plated copper wire.

 

Wire wrapped ring. Pink Rose

 

Oracle Ring.. Now available in Pink as well as the original black!
Also created with 18 gauge wire rather than 20 gauge to make this ring sturdier since it's an open style.

Moonlit Bangle and ring.  Both created using memory wire. Simple and easy to wear.

 

Created this the other day... and I'll be honest.... I really don't want to sell it.
Black Satin Single faced ribbon is woven through the links of the heavier silver plated chain.
the acrylic beads, key dangle charm and pave magnetic clasp all add to the simple industrialistic beauty of this piece.  I may have to seriously contemplate purchasing the supplies to remake this if it sells, just so that I can have one for myself.

 

Simple basket weave woven and wrapped wire ring. 
Created with 18 gauge wore and wrapped with 24 gauge wire.

New Year.... New Venture!

Hello all and welcome to 2013.  2012 brought about a lot of changes.  Some good, and some horrible.  My father passed away in February, and because of that I've moved back home to Hawai'i after living in Michigan for 10 years.  I am glad to be back with my mother again, but because of living in Ocean View, I (with input from my mother) decided not to attempt to find a position at the WalMart here.  This has given me the opportunity to spend time creating and selling Jewelry.  This has been a hobby of mine off and on for a few years, but I have not been able to devote the time and resources that was needed to fully do it.  Thanks to my mother I have been able to do so now.  I am working on my Site in order to begin selling my pieces online, but until that is complete, I've decided to just post things here on this blog.  I've taken a few photos of some completed projects and I will be at the Ocean View Swapmeet next week Saturday selling.
Now to show off a taste of my new collections!

 More photos to come soon.  I have so much more ready to go, but just haven't had the time to photograph them all.  Happy Designing all!