Saturday, May 29, 2010

Celebrate a Giveaway


Last December I was so happy to be included in a collaboration article with Deryn Mentock, talking about using pewter components in jewelry and the inspiration of the two of us working together.

Deryn was an early tester and adopter of the pewter designs, when I first started working with it. I've learned a lot and experimented to come up with new ways to work. All along she has been willing to use the pieces in her designs, and create lovely wearable jewelry with them.




One of the designs she created that didn't end up in the photographs for the article is a necklace she calls "Biker Chick Protection" and it's lovely, I think she showed it on her blog.

I had only made the one version of the central focal since last September, so I decided to create one like it. It's in the Etsy shop, a skull and gothic design that would look great as a choker or as part of a unique bracelet design.



For the giveaway to celebrate all the wonderful milestones I've had in the first half of this year, I can use your help answering a question.

Everyone who comments on this post will get a little "thank you" from me, but one person will win a special wearable finished piece of jewelry. I'll show a photo of the giveaway item tomorrow.

The question is - what would you like to see me make more of in the pewter Etsy shop?
Large central focal beads, pairs for earrings?
Do you like the one of a kind special things, or prefer standard clasps and rings that you can use in designs?
Do you like finished jewelry or just beads and components?

Would you like to see more finished earrings and bracelets that you could wear, or do you really like getting a piece to add to your own designs?

I'd love your feedback and hope you'll give me lots of good answers - my time to use in creating is short each week, I'd like to maximize it in the right directions - with your good guidance.

I'll announce the winner next week - lots of juicy details please???

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To prime the pump - I put some fun things on a special sale in the Etsy shop! Check out the great prices on some unique items ...

32 comments:

stregata said...

Since I am a jewelry maker - I prefer the components. I particularly like the fauxtique pieces you make and think a combination of "standards" and one-of-a-kind components would be fantastic. I hope this helps.

Katie said...

I love your components, too. I like the one-of-a-kind stuff best of all - you get such neat ideas from so many different places. But, earring pairs are a great idea, too...Maybe "two-of-a-kind" earring pairs? :o)

I also love when you incorporate other media into the pewter pieces.

Spirited Earth said...

your components are wonderful and my favorites..also like the polymer"charms". one of a kinds are nice for special pieces, however if one of my designs is popular i would like to be able to offer some sort of repeatable theme.
plus your profit margin is better with standards.

jacquio said...

I love everything you do Lynn. My absolute favourites are the resin and pewter pieces with words. It's lovely to have something you know no-one else has, unique and just for yourself. Though, when someone admires a piece I like to be able to offer them something similar.
I'd also like to buy the smaller earring charms singly!

Beatnheart said...

I think that your pewter pieces are what are so uniquely you..your signature and what is so easily recognized when looking at Deryn’s work or any other artists. I would love to see more connector pieces and clasps that incorporated a design rather than just the hook and hole approach. Two hands clasping...something that is versatile enough so that the clasp can be the focal...I loved yesterdays piece ...by the way.!

EmandaJ said...

Hi Lynn, everything you do is magic, so I think you should follow your muse where ever she takes you. I am particularly fond of your fauxtiques and beautiful pewter pieces, but like Kate says, two-of a kinds (or more) if that floats your boat on a particular evening in the studio. (Yeah, I'm kind of indecisive here.)

Emanda

Vintage Blue Studio said...

Hi Lynn. Since I make jewelry I would love to see you continue to offer components...especially earring pairs and focals. One of a kind is great but I just hate when I don't snag that one piece up fast enough. So maybe some limited edition items? And keep going with those little skull shapes, they are fabulous!

moo04 said...

I love everything you make; but I saw a ring with a pewter bird that had incredible details. Would love to see that in a bead! My favorite is still the pewter piece I bought from you with the single word BREATHE. Thanks for the giveaway!

Mellisa said...

I'm a component lover too. I think I'm most drawn to the pewter critters,your birds are divine :)

Unknown said...

I love your skulls & filagree pieces. as a jeweler myself, I like the parts you have vs. finished .

Mel said...

I love components and drops, too!! All of your items are fantastic, but I particularly love your "nature" inspired items, like the birds. I'd love to see more things along those lines... leaves, branches, other cute animals....

Alice said...

I'm a jewelry maker and prefer components I could use. Medium to large focals, one-of-a-kind for sure, and the vintage look is so wonderful.

Of course, everything you make is beautiful. Love the skull piece--never thought I would say that!

Lois Moon said...

I am a fan of components also. I love your jewelry, but I buy components. In particular I like your metal bezels and pendants. I'm a big fan of architectural antiques and love some of the work you have done with faux French components.

sandi m said...

Like many before me, I'm a jewelry designer and prefer components - the fauxtique replicas. Not a resin fan so prefer the solid pewter pieces...
~ pendants, larger with holes top & bottom
~ pendants, longer in length like the pen nib
~ toggles that incorporate part of a pendant that can then be used in a design
~ pairs for earring designs
~ standards and OOAK
~ love all things Frenchie
~ maybe some pieces from button molds?
~ milagro hearts

You get the idea!
Your work is great and unique and it's nice that you care enough about your customers to get their opinions.

The Joy of Nesting said...

Lynn,

First congratulations on reaching such an amazing mile post!!

Like Renate, I love your OOAC fauxtiques. Most especially your resin/pewter pieces. Every piece I make using one of these sells immediately. But I do have a selfish request. Perhaps more of the resin/pewter focals without words. Oh don't get me wrong I love the prompts you add!!! But when they are in English they don't sell to the majority of our customers--Mexican women. :( Maybe we can do some special order pieces??

TesoriTrovati said...

I don't know what I would like better.... but I do know that your pewter is beyond compare so yes, more please. I like toggles and interesting bits. I have some of the ones with the resin. I guess I don't look for anything in particular, but if it strikes my fancy I will buy it. I do think that pairs might be a nice option. And if you have bits and baubles put them all together in a grab bag. I love those. Best of luck on this endeavor! Enjoy the day! Erin

Lorelei Eurto said...

Definitely earring pairs, and more buttons please!! But anything you make is right up my alley.

Doreen said...

I have to say I like components. One-of-a kind is great. I really like the buttons!

Kym Hunter Designs said...

I really like the components that you make. I love the romantic, vintage look and that they are original. Earring pairs would be great too though! I also like your skull pieces.

Unknown said...

Hi Lynn I would love to see you make more..lots of button components! I loveeee button jewellery! Some modern buttons too without the vitage look as well for an alternate look. (I do love your vintage look tho!)

Marie Cramp said...

I prefer pieces to use in my own design, since that is what I do. I love all the wonderful pieces you make, my favorites would have to be romantic pieces with a French influence. I love one of a kind, I love keys and locks and I love focals. Good luck!! I can't wait to see what happens in your shop!

Marie

Beverly Herman said...

If I had to pick something it would be your pendants and bezels.
Everything you make is unique. I love to stop by and see what you have been creating.

Piper said...

Love everything you do with the vintage feel, anything with wings, houses. Lynn I believe the more I follow my own unique muse, the more interesting my work is and I see that in you too!

SueBeads said...

It's so nice of you to have a giveaway - I would love to see some earring pairs, or the buttons!

Trish said...

Your components are a definite weakness for me - they are unique and extremely well made. I love the pewter double-sided connectors and pewter and resin pieces. I think my absolute favourite item is la bella luna - so beautiful and peaceful. If I were to dream of something for you to make it might be quarter sized (or even larger) discs with words or sayings in script, antique type faces etc. I would also love a charm size moon face too. Thanks for asking!

Klassy Joolz said...

Hi Lynn,

Your components are wonderful...so unique. One of a Kind is always best. Love the keys and locks and the skulls!!! All your creations are really special so it is hard to say what you should make.

Did you see "Sex in the City 2" yet? There is a half moon focal pendant necklace that is simple, but yet it was eye catching...check it out~~~~

Mary Newton Designs said...

I like the components, particularly small ones like earrings. I also prefer OOAK.I design jewelry so I don't buy it. Thanks!

Riki Schumacher said...

Hi Lynn, that's a tough one. Personally, I love the birds and medallions the best I think. I like to use the pieces more for pendants, because I don't make larger earrings most of the time. I'm more of a metal girl than poly girl, but love your resin in pewter too, for pendants. Crosses are huge right now, but not too big. I like your pieces best that are about 2" square or under. After that, they start getting pretty big for me to use. As always, love your work, and your creativity. Hope this helps. Hugs,Riki

Lucid Moon Studio said...

I like everything you make with pewter - pendants, charms, clasps, etc. I like having a mix of some one-of-a-kind things and some basic items. I personally like to see jewelry that others have made, but can't justify buying it since I make more jewelry than I know what to do with. Therefore, I would prefer components for jewelry making. I don't see why you couldn't make both and have 2 different stores - one for jewelry, one for supplies. Then you can see which store sells more and adapt accordingly.

Love, love, LOVE your button bracelet!!

Lisa

Colleen said...

I love smaller components that can be used as special focals or charms for bracelets. Your work is so great - I especially love the pewter/resin pieces with words, etc. Thanks for the opportunity!

Karen Burns said...

One of a kind, special things that I can add into my own work :-)

Nancy K. said...

Hi Lynn, I hope this is not too late for feedback. I am pretty new to your work, so right now, I would say everything. I like everything I see. It was hard for me to only order what I did the two times I have ordered. I really like this bracelet too!