Jewelry parties for men and women!

Ladies. Looking for a fun night in with the girls?
Fellas. Looking to get something for your sweetie?

Bring Mountains to the Sea to your house or party location for fun and easy jewelry show. Hosts will receive a $25 credit toward my shop (one per household). I know things are tight after the holidays, but my jewelry shows are low-pressure and there is no obligation to buy!

For women: Get your ladies together and have a blast!
For a ladies night in, we'll have fun door prizes and the hostess should provide food and drinks. We won't play any cheesy games (unless you want to!)

However, if you want to increase the fun factor, think about adding Belly Dance to your event and make it a Shimmy Party! That's right, shimmies and sparklies!!! For information about booking a shimmy party, visit: http://andaleedance.com/fortheladies.html. Just ask me to bring my jewelry.

For men: A laid back affair

Valentines's day is right around the corner! You won't need to worry about having a big cheesy party. Guys just want to get in and get out. Bring me in for a stop n' shop or even during half-time. There are no games or obligations, just pick out something for your sweetie, I'll wrap it and you'll be back to the guys in no time.

For more information about my jewelry shows and products, visit: http://mountainstothesea.biz/index.html

New Etsy store!

My new Etsy store is here! Check it out and do a little Christmas shopping. I have much more inventory to add over the next few days so come back often.

My First Craft Fair

This weekend, I'll be vending my jewelry at a craft fair for the very first time. I'm very nervous and hoping that it will be a supportive crowd, since it is, you know, at an elementary school. I've only done trunk shows and commission work thus far, and I recently dipped my toe in selling at the neighborhood yard sale. That was a total bust. I didn't sell one piece of jewelry and I really hope that isn't a sign about this weekend. I know the economy is bad and this is the first time that this school is having a sale like this. Anyway, wish me luck! Here is the flyer and if you're local, come on out!

P.S. I plan on posting everything that doesn't sell on my new Etsy store. Stay tuned for a link and updates.

Too many hobbies is right: stash busting and organizing

Inspired by Ozma's stash-busting blog and tickled by the spring-cleaning bug, I decided to look through my belly dance stash. Wow, there are so many projects in there, I have enough to keep me busy for months, years maybe.

Here's a run down:

1. Finish pearl costume. It's looking great. Fringe is in progress. I did actually make harem pants to go with it too. 


2. Make a sleek skirt using the taupe/brown crushed panne I bought a couple of weeks ago.
   
3. Re-make this lovely Samia Gamal inspired bedlah. I now have a good bra base. I went to Ross and bought a Delta Burke body suit. I cut it apart and used the bottom portion to make a tummy cover and now I can use the bra part to make a bra-base. I love two-fers. 


4. Finish tribal inspired bathing suit top. I am not a tribal dancer, so I guess we can call this Tribaret. The biggest problem is that there is not a lot of support. I need to buy some fabric stiffener and stiffen the liner/cups and then insert them into the lining. I think that will help. Plus reinforcing the straps with grosgrain will help with the bounce factor.


5. Make a purple belt using my stash. I finally have enough pieces to get started on this. I have been collecting for a few years now. I finally got the right fabric when I was search for fabric to match my purple Khahari costume. Well the fabric didn't work for the costume, but it is perfect for this project. After I make it I am going to splurge and buy a turquoise L rose skirt and u-top. I will wear a sparkly gold bra (also courtesy of Mz Delta Burke) with it. 
   
6. Speaking of the Khahari costume...I need to add more coverage to the cups and bead, as well as add about a inch of length to the bottom of the skirt. The fabric isn't an exact match, but I think if I can incorporate it in enough places, it will really come together. If I have enough of the mircodot stretch Lycra, I will make a flying skirt with it. I probably won't need this costume until at least August, so this one can wait.
7. Make some more crop tops from that lovely Simplicity pattern 3832. I have a bunch of leftover panne. And I just bought some black Lycra that I will either make a crop top with or a flying skirt. 
8. And finally (I think), I need to make a front closing caftan with the gorgeous cotton/rayon blend that my sister bought me in Africa (Tanazania or Nigeria). 

Yeah, so that is A LOT. More than enough. I have absolutely no business buying anything new, costume or otherwise. I mean, I didn't even get into all of the jewelry projects I would love to start. I am only allowed to buy stuff that I need to work on these, ie fabric stiffener, elastic, seed beads. Absolutely no more projects allowed!

Oh and I organized my belly dance cupboard today. It looks awesome. Adam still needs to install the handles, but it is so functional. Of course, I have more belly dance stuff in two closets and the TV stand, but most of it stays neat and tidy (yeah right) in the cupboard....and it really is a cupboard! It's an Ikea kitchen cabinet. Gotta love Ikeahacker. 

Quick updates

So here's a run down of my projects to date:

• I finished the bridal jewelry. I need to take portfolio pictures before the bride takes it away.
• I sent my stepmom her necklace and she loves it!
• I made my circle skirt and my stretch velvet skirt. The circle skirt is a hair short, but my fabric only had a certain amount of width to use. My velvet skirt fits perfectly, except for it's a little small on the waist.
• I updated my class flyer and schedule

Projects on the horizon:

• Finish Sadiya's costume alterations. Needs to be done ASAP!
• Finish my freelance graphic design project
• Make two cholis/crop tops out of leftover stretch velvet in black and blue. I actually bought a pattern.
• New photoshoot with Adam. I am still deciding on natural setting vs. renting a studio for the day. I think I want to try both.
• Once I have my new photos, I can redesign my Web site and promotional materials.
• Help Seher develop her Web site
• Finally make that handmade costume that is in my head...

I know there is absolutely more. There has got to me more...but that's the big stuff for now and I am so overwhelmed by it I can't possibly think of more things to add to it!

New jewelry: commission piece for my stepmom

My dad ordered a necklace for their 23th wedding anniversary. He didn't have anything in mind he just wanted me to go really fancy. I called my step mom and told her I was interested in doing some simple silver work. She said she would like a really nice sterling silver chain with a large centerpiece. I hope I accomplished it! She deserves something special.

Sorry the picture isn't better. This looks a lot better in the light. I am not sure what the stone in the middle is, but the pieces on the side are garnet and turquoise.

Wedding Jewelry

I'm working on some bridal bracelets for a friend of mine and I wanted to give an update on the progress. Basically, technology rocks because I was able to send her a web album with pictures of the prototypes. Anyway, here are the 3 versions for her to pick from. She asked for specific pearls for two of the strands and the 3rd one was for me to play around with.

Version 1

Version 2

Version 3