Mama Mayborne Designs: the blog

Don't Hit Me in the Head with a Frisbee

2009-11-18T18:58:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone and sorry for not writing in a while. I've been stricken with my first cold of the season... and it's a bad one. Since Saturday, I've been experiencing a burning chest, painful cough, sneezing and stuffy head. Basically, I just want my mama!!

I don't get sick often, but when I do all I want to do is rest. And now that both kids are in school, I've been able to take care of myself. But not today!!

Today, I noticed that my calendar listed that I was scheduled to be the lunch and recess monitor at my kids' school. "Oh joy!!" I said to myself (YES... that was sarcasm).

When I got to school, I immediately noticed that the kids had way more energy than necessary. So I gave them some ground rules (gotta have ground rules!): don't drive me crazy, don't hit me in the head with a frisbee and don't make me yell cause my throat hurts.

After we entered the gym for recess (thank God it rained and I didn't have to be out in the cold!), the seemingly bazillion kids broke out into a frenzy of loud but adorable play. Then, they proceeded to drive me crazy, and of course, I had to yell (ouch!).

But in the end, the kids spent all of their extra energy, I survived the assignment and the school building is still standing thanks to yours truly,

Mrs. Mayborne
The Lunch & Recess Monitor

P.S: I did not get hit in the head with a frisbee!!

Please Bring an Apple for the Teacher!

2009-11-11T10:17:00.010-06:00

After a 5-year sabbatical, I'm looking forward to teaching jewelry making classes again. Actually, I take that back. I taught a 5-week jewelry making class to eager 5th and 6th grade girls at my sons' school last spring. But now I'm finally going to be teaching adults again.

I got my start teaching jewelry making at Michaels craft store by teaching customers how to use all of the products and tools. I also offered several beading classes, from beginner to advanced projects. The classes were popular and I loved teaching, but the arrival of my second son made me put all of my extra curricular activities on hold.

Now that my youngest is now five and in full-day kindergarten (yippie!!), I eagerly accepted the offer to teach at Creative Expressions Art Gallery in Mequon, WI. I've spent a lot of time writing the classes, shopping for materials and creating beautiful project samples.

On December 1, I will be teaching "Beautiful Beaded Basics". It is perfect for anyone interested in starting to bead or anyone looking for a beading refresher. Participants will work with me step-by-step to and create a beautiful bracelet and earring set.

On December 10, I will be leading a class in making the "Reversible Metal Clay Pendant". In this class, students will learn hands-on how to work with precious metal clay to create their own pendant made of pure silver.

I'd love to hear your comments about these two classes!!

New Item - Silver Lace Earrings

2009-11-09T11:04:00.004-06:00

Hello everyone!! Today is the first day in a looooong time that a brand new item has hit my Etsy shop!!

I call this pair of earrings "Silver Lace" and they are perfect for all styles and occasions.

They are made of fine silver disks, each measuring 5/8-inch in diameter and textured with a piece of lace fabric. The reverse side has my signature. The silver has been lightly oxidized to highlight the texture and signature.

The disks are finished with sterling silver French earwires. Rubber earnuts are also included for added security. The overall length is 1.25-inches. $20

Movin' On Up!!

2009-11-08T05:25:00.002-06:00

Just like George and Weesie, I am very pleased to announce that my beloved Graphic Jewelry Collection "is movin on up". But instead of going from Harlem to the East Side... Graphic has gone from my basement studio to the brand new (and beautiful) Creative Expressions Art Gallery in Mequon, Wisconsin.

I must admit that I am very proud of my little collection... getting to hang out in a gallery with amazing works of art and talent.

And the best part of having my work accessible to the public is the increased amounts of feedback. Today, the gallery owner told me that "Graphic Triple Pendant" receives the most attention. This is great to know since I feel a burst of creative energy coming on and plan to create a similar design.

Once again, until the pieces of the Graphic Jewelry Collection take up residence with you (hint, hint) they can be found at the Creative Expressions Art Gallery.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

An American In Paris

2009-11-06T04:48:00.001-06:00

Bonjour everyone!! Here is just a little post to tell you what I've been up to lately... before I forget. This is also a nice change of pace from my usual posts about my life as an artist.

Now, here's a little about my life as a tourist... in Paris!!

I went to France (from 10/27/09 till 11/3/09) completely alone to enjoy a break from my every day life. My glorious week in The City of Lights included all the typical sightseeing, visits with both of my previous French exchange students and a blissful night of dancing till dawn!!

It was wonderful and I can't wait until I travel to Europe again!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Randi's Bracelet

2009-10-25T17:24:00.004-05:00

Recently, I (finally) completed a custom order for a very dear friend of mine... Randi.

A few years ago, she went to Israel on a tour of the Holy Land and had a wonderful time. She was able to see for herself many sites that we discuss in our weekly Bible study classes. The trip was very inspirational to her and created a deep fondness for the land and its people.

Like most folks who take life changing trips... she brought something back to remind her of that faith adventure. And I am so glad she did!!

Her little reminders (a handful of coins from the national currency and ones for the planned temple) turned into a great opportunity for me to create something different for a change.

The coins were drilled, cleaned & polished and arranged with beads. Then colorful crystals were added and voila... a wonderful charm bracelet!!

Now she can wear a great reminder of her trip that has sparked numerous conversations. And the added bonus... you can now hear Randi "jingling" from about a mile away!!

Mama's New Gig

2009-10-23T08:49:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone!! In this post I want to tell you a little bit about my latest adventure as an artist.

When my youngest started full day kindergarten this fall (yippie!!), I was left looking for ways to add a little more purpose to my life. So one day I contacted a friend who was opening an art gallery and asked if she needed any help.

To make a long story short... I will be an art consultant, class instructor and featured artist!!

Last night was the grand opening of Creative Expressions Art Gallery in Mequon, Wisconsin. It was a big success and I'm so glad to be part of such a wonderful team!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Mama's Got an iPhone

2009-10-21T22:43:00.000-05:00

Hello!!

I know it's been a loooooong time since my last post. A lot has happened but nothing that exciting that the whole world needed to know about.

Until now.

Now, I have my very own iPhone and to me that's noteworthy. After listening to me beg for months, my hubby got it for me for our 12th anniversary.

This device is so cool and I feel like I have the world at my fingers... any place, anytime!!

Now, I just have to figure out how to post pictures to my blog with this thing.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Whew... It's Finally Over!!

2009-03-22T20:21:00.008-05:00

Well, I pulled it off. The trunk show that I hosted at my home on March 19-21 is finally history. All of the planning and preparations have been completed, the house is (almost) back to normal and I can get on with real life.

Don't get me wrong... I love opening up my home to show friends and customers my latest designs and offering a fun, relaxed way to shop. However, there is a ton of work that goes on behind the scene. I spent a lot of time doing production, promotion, cleaning and cooking. Setting up an attractive display takes time and making arrangements for the kids is no joke either.

Just over 300 people were invited, and less than a dozen showed up. I had nine actual customers. Luckily, those nine made big purchases and the show was profitable. I was disappointed in the turn out and more so in the number of folks who said they were coming but didn't. I know that the biggest factor is the economy... but does that mean that I put everything on hold until the recession is over?? I'd love to hear feedback on what others think.

Planning My Next Home Show

2009-03-10T08:28:00.000-05:00

For all of you who haven't heard, Mama Mayborne Designs has recently turned five years old!! I cannot believe that I am still making jewelry and how much my product line has grown during a half decade.

During the past five years I have made hundreds of items, shown at several places (including the Milwaukee Art Museum) and created an online presence. I'll never forget how it all began with the desire to make a few Christmas presents and my mama's relentless sales pitches.

Now I am planning to do one of my favorite things with my work... show it in my home to family, friends and 5-year's worth of customers! And to do that, I've been very busy with planning and preparations, making lots of new items and figuring out a way to display it all.

Also new for this show will be a giveaway. My first 30 customers will receive a free pair of pink Swarovski crystal and sterling earrings. Just my way to say thank you for helping me celebrate five wonderful years in business as Mama Mayborne Designs!

What Happened to February?!?

2009-03-01T18:58:00.003-06:00

Ok, this isn't even funny. It feels like I merely blinked my eyes and a whole month flew by. What happened to February 2009?!?

Today is March 1st and I am frantically trying to determine what exactly I did during the shortest month of the year. I hope that I didn't waste too much time on seeking heat and watching Days of our Lives!!

There is only one way to figure out what I did... and that is to make a list of my major accomplishments (obviously posting to my blog was not one of them!!). So, during the month of February 2009, I did the following...

sold a whopping FIVE items from my Etsy shop, making February my best month ever!!
set a date for my 5th anniversary trunk show.
booked a flight to NY to attend my sorority's 20th anniversary.
designed and ordered new cards to promote home trunk shows.
became an international seller by filling an order placed from Austria.
learned how to Twitter and joined the Etsy Twitter Team.
announced the winner of my first Facebook Fan contest.
donated three items to silent auctions for charity.
had a very successful two-day "earring only" sale at my husband's office.
hosted a non-English speaking family of four for three nights!!

The Bold and the Beautiful

2009-01-22T00:00:00.003-06:00

I was pretty productive this past weekend. Partly because it was too cold to go anywhere. Partly because I woke up from a dream about making a ring!! Well, I made the ring of my dreams and a few other pieces to go along with it. I'm calling the trio Bold and Beautiful because that is what they are. All the pieces are made of sterling silver and are guaranteed to make a statement of their own.

The ring I made is a size 8, has a domed shape and is slightly hammered on the surface to reflect a lot of light.

The pendant is made of a two inch disk of sterling silver with a shiny satin finish. It has a bail that is 3/8 inches wide, making it perfect for placing on almost any chain or strand of beads.

Finally, make a bold statement on your wrist with a bold cuff bracelet. It also has a shiny, satin finish and a slightly domed shape. A little charm from my Graphic Collection gives a little extra appeal.

Making My Own Hang Tags

2009-01-20T10:00:00.006-06:00

Just a quick post today for those who have ever been puzzled with hang tags for jewelry or other small items.

I have tried everything from the fold-over sticky tags (aka shark tags), the cheepies from the office supply store (you know, the ones with that loooong flimsy string), ones that had been done by the local printer (only to have the ink run off) and business cards which look way too big on jewelry.

Well, last year before a show, I decided to pull my look together in a more professional manner and in a way that would be lasting. I created my own logo that is just my name spelled out in a simple, hot pink font. Now I use that branding on everything and it reminds me of how much I love the simple things. It is also a great reflection on my art, which will remain simply beautiful.

Anyway... the hang tags. Rather than going the same route, I decided to make my own. I designed a one inch square tag in Microsoft Publisher that had my logo and a matching border. Next, I printed several per page on the color printer and cut out each row of tags. Then comes the genius part. I covered each row of tags with clear packing tape on the front and the back. This keeps the ink from bleeding and makes the tag extra durable.

After that, I cut out each tag by hand and punched a small hole in the corner. Using silver elastic thread, I made a tie to loop on the piece of jewelry. Whew!! A little work, but basically free and well worth the effort!!

Mama Needs Earwires Now!!

2009-01-15T19:05:00.001-06:00

What do you do when you are in the middle of making something only to find out that you are missing an important component? That's what happened to me the other day when I got fired up about making some earrings for Valentine's Day. However, after I finished making the charms, I realized that I did not have any manufactured earwires on hand!!

Since I have a big problem with patience and didn't want to wait for the next supply order, I decided to make my own earwires. I usually don't do that because I like to put all of my effort in the earring's focal point. In this case it was the heart-shaped charms that I made for my Graphic Collection.

So in a few steps I had what I wanted. 1) loop one end of a 20 gauge wire, 2) wrap the wire around a round mandrel, 3) smooth the edges of the wire, 4) tap the wire again on mandrel to form, 5) bend tip of unlooped end to fasten and 6) enjoy the perfect hoop earwires. And they look great on the new Graphic Heart Earrings!!

Facebooking and Loving It!!

2009-01-14T19:35:00.009-06:00

Hello everyone, how's it going?? If you have a minute, I'd like to tell you about something that's been going on in my little corner of the world.

As some of you know, I'm on Facebook now and LOVE it. I've connected with so many old friends that I haven't seen in years... some even go back to grade school!! It's great seeing everyone all grown up and having the chance to catch up on life.

I've even had the chance to reunite with several of my Phi Sigma Sigma sorority sisters from Hofstra University (1989-1991). Reestablishing these relationships is utterly precious to me because I've been upset about the way I left them back in the day.

To make a long story short... I ran out of money for school, had to drop out and left without saying goodbye. I wasn't able to keep paying dues so I basically quit the sorority. I really regret that and was soooo happy when I finally got the chance to apologize, even if it was 17 years later.

Anyway, I'm in the process of appealing my membership status so that I can be put back on the rolls. In the meantime, as I anxiously await the decision, I created the Greek Mama Bracelet to add to my Mama Collection. Working on it helped me remember that sisterhood is very, very precious!!

Everyday is Show and Tell

2009-01-12T19:51:00.006-06:00

After my last post about my messy studio, I felt that a change was needed. Just seeing the photos of my space and knowing that they were in cyberspace for all to see gave me the motivation that I've needed for so long. Changes have been taking place in the studio and I promise to report back when I'm finished.

I will tell you now that I put a display case in my studio. I've been wanting to do this for years, but have never found the right case for the right price. Yesterday, my mom and I went to IKEA and looked around. Right in the middle of the third floor, was the KLINGSBO glass-door cabinet. It was cute, perfectly sized and affordable at $129.

I picked it up (along with a hot-pink task chair) and headed for home. My husband assembled it the next night as we watched Terminator 2. Then, I loaded it with my favorite jewelry items. I think it makes the perfect addition to my space and creates more of a professional studio-store atmosphere. Now I just need to get the kids to stop leaving toys in there!

Mama's Messy Studio

2009-01-06T10:02:00.010-06:00

Welcome to the very messy studio of Mama Mayborne Designs. Actually, I am posting this blog, complete with very honest photos, to show you all the current state of my work space. I have no idea how it got this bad... but it's bad!

Just so you know, I'm not quite a neat-freak but I am pretty close. But when it comes to my studio, I like a little bit of disorder because it makes me think that I've been soooo busy making money (yeah right!!) that I have no time to clean.

But things have gotten so bad that I cannot find the sales tax forms (that might be a subliminal act to avoid that dreaded task) or my barely-been-used-lately cash box.

Now I am asking for this blog's millions of followers (yeah right again!!) to hold me accountable for getting my workspace back into a productive, orderly state. And give me a few weeks (at least) to post the results!

Let's Here It for the Girls!

2009-01-04T20:57:00.008-06:00

As you may know by now, I have a passion for making jewelry that women can feel special wearing. But about four years ago, I acted on several customer requests for something for little girls. I came up with the Little Mama Bracelet, which is the smaller version of the Grand Mama Bracelet.

The Little Mama gives little girls the chance to start their jewelry collection off with quality and style. It features her name in sterling silver letter beads, Swarovski crystals in choice of colors, sterling silver spacer beads and a tiny sterling toggle clasp for a secure closure. The best part of the bracelet is that it is further customized with a sterling silver charm.

After making nearly 50 Little Mama Bracelets, I am very pleased to announce that they are now available in my etsy shop for custom order. Also posted in my shop is one infant/toddler bracelet from my Princess Charming collection. This bracelet has five heart charms and four Swarovski crystals and is specially priced at only $10.

Both bracelets are perfect for the little princesses in your life. They make great gifts for new births, baptisms and birthdays. Thanks for checking them out!!

Have a "Graphic" New Year

2009-01-01T06:00:00.004-06:00

Happy New Year everyone!! I hope that 2009 brings each one of you success, health and happiness! If you are one of those resolution people, I hope you make progress before your list becomes a bookmark.

What I really want to do this year is MOVE inventory and properly roll out my new jewelry collection. I call this line "Graphic" because all of the pieces contain at least one element with a texture that quite frankly reminds me of graph paper.

"Graphic" has been in the works for over a year now. I've been playing around with textures and decided on this one because I love the way it looks with simple shapes. I think it makes the finished piece look powerfully elegant and boldly simplistic. (make sense???)

After I had the texture process down, I began designing and fabricating pieces right after Christmas 2007. Next came testing "Graphic" at shows last spring and summer. Customers seemed to like the unique texture that lends very well to mixing and matching.

I am very pleased with this collection and can't wait to add more pieces. Keep an eye on my Etsy store and Facebook page to see the items that get added on a continual basis.

Holly's Crosses

2008-12-30T09:09:00.001-06:00

Ok, now that holiday season is almost over I can take a deep breath and share a little of what I've been up to. Life hasn't been too hectic, but an awful case of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) almost sent me over the edge. Now that I'm hip to what the lack of sunlight does to me, I made some major adjustments in how I approached this year's festivities. Basically, I was a slacker. That's right... killing myself with stress was not on the agenda this year. So you can just stop checking the mail for my Christmas card... it ain't comin' !

With that out of the way, I feel so justified in confessing that I put the brakes on business during my peak sales period. Actually, Mama Mayborne Designs intentionally experienced it's slowest holiday season in the five years I've been doing this. I only participated in one small show and only accepted one custom order.

That order was for a friend of mine, Holly, who asked me if I could make her a cross pendant with her favorite verse. Of course I told her "YES" and made her a quick sketch. Next thing I knew she wanted six!!

Now I had to figure out how I was going to pull it off. Just so you know, I always get nervous in between the "sketch" and "do something" steps. Think it took me two weeks just to get my mind around it all. But I kicked out a better sketch, a template and something to practice on (in this case, hand-scribing the verse was freaking me out).

After I had one done, I showed it to Holly to see if it was what she wanted. ***Fellow artists take note: Just because there is agreement with the initial sketch doesn't mean that is what the client wants. What they really want lies somewhere between the sketch and SOMEthing else. You'll never guess it on your own so go back for feedback, preferably before you use up all of your time and raw materials.

In this case Holly didn't like the "plus sign" looking cross when it jumped off the page and into real life. She preferred to have the traditional-shaped cross. No problem. New sketch, new template and everyone is happy!

The Twenty Minute Toe Ring

2008-11-15T15:10:00.011-06:00

I cannot believe how long it has been since my last post! Actually, I can because it has felt like forever since I've felt ANY sort of inspiration. But I have a feeling all that is about to change. The oncoming cold, gray weather has me thinking a lot about what I can do with silver (get it?? cold and gray. never mind!).

Well, I've dedicated today as "Get Back in Your Studio and Make Something Day" and the self-imposed pressure is working much better than expected. I've drawn out a design for a custom order project, cut the template and actually have the raw forms done. Next is filing and since I hate that step, I decided to take a little break. It was a working break during which time I created what I call the Twenty Minute Toe Ring.

What's that?? You want to know how I made such a lofty piece of important jewelry?? Thought you'd never ask, but I took pictures of the process anyway. Here's a great, easy thing for your spare time...

First, I cut a thin (2mm x 44mm) strip of 20 gauge sterling silver using a Guillotine cutter and smoothed the edges with a small hand file and fine sandpaper. Then, I used my "wrap and tap" pliers to start forming the metal. As you can see in the third photo above, my next step was to pound on a hammered texture using a small brass mallet and ring anvil.

After that, I reformed the ring using my homemade swage block and trusty small, brass mallet. Next, I polished the ring with a felt polishing disk on my flexshaft. Then, using a brass brush, I washed the ring in hot, soapy water with ammonia to remove the polishing compound. Finally, I tried it on and adjusted it for best fit. Now, I just can't wait to show off my toes in yoga!

I'm on the Front Page of Etsy!

2008-05-30T06:52:00.004-05:00

First of all... I am still alive and well. Just haven't been writing very much lately. I should have warned my few faithful readers that when spring finally hits Wisconsin, the last place I want to be is in my basement studio typing on the computer. Instead, I've been working on the garden, playing with my boys and heading to the gym to shed several winter pounds!

As the days have gone by without putting in any action on Blogger (or any of my websites for that matter), the non-blogging guilt has been building up. Add to that a complete lack of any interesting ideas to write about... until today!

At about 6:30 am this morning, a good friend of mine (and the talent behind KPCreations) called. She started the conversation with the appropriate apologies (not knowing that my day actually starts at 6 am). Then she made the long awaited announcement... that one of the rings in my online shop, The Wave, has made it to the front page on Etsy!

By 6:45 am, I was at the computer checking things out for myself and viola! There it was! My ring was selected for a treasury created by "rockstarwife" and showcased with other very lovely items.

What a great way to start the day!! Thanks!

First Sale on Etsy

2008-05-01T07:56:00.012-05:00

Hello everyone! A lot of things have been going on in the Mama Mayborne Designs world since I have last written. Busy, busy, busy... just the way I like it.

Well, after four long, painful months of waiting, I finally received my first sale on Etsy! I had just about given up on ever selling anything online, when (much to my surprise) the long awaited message hit my inbox saying that someone placed an order for the "Pebbled Disk" earrings ($20) shown on the left.

I don't remember if I did the official "Happy Dance" but a lot of loud cries of joy did burst forth from my mouth. I felt so excited as I carefully wrapped, packed and even stood in line at the post office to send it off. Even better was reading the feedback that my new customer left for my shop and service.

Now that I know that selling on Etsy is possible, I plan to revamp my shop and add new products. Check it out over the next few weeks to see the exciting changes that are in store. If you like what you see, please let me know with a message or an order!!

My Art Show Application Experience: The Booth Photo

2008-03-28T09:47:00.006-05:00

Hello everyone! I'm back with more insight on the whole concept of applying to art shows. Previously, I've written about planning, paperwork and jury slides. This time I'd like to share a little on the topic of representing the look of your display to jurors (or judges) through top-quality booth photos.

This happens to be the first year that I've applied to a show that requires a booth shot because a) I don't really have a good one yet and b) it was another requirement that made me nervous and self-eliminate before even applying. But this year, I was determined to face new things head-on and stop being a whimp!

I edited a photo that I took of my booth a few years ago and came up with what you see in this post. A few weeks ago I attended a jury showing and saw hundreds of booth examples. My photo would not be considered the best (by a long shot). It would also not be the worst either.

I met with, Larry Sanders, expert craft photographer and one of the show's judges and asked him what is the purpose of the booth photo and what makes one better than another. He said that the purpose of a booth photo is for the jurors to see:

The scale of the work that is being shown. It is often difficult to know the size of a piece and it could be a determining factor for an artist. This is not the case for jewelry however as the size of the jewelry most often can't be determined.

It shows the jurors that the person applying has more than the 3-6 pieces that are usually required for jury slides. Some artists will make a few nice pieces to get into a show without adequate inventory to sell. This is bad for a show.

It shows the professionalism of the display. In other words, orange crates are not very appreciated these days at shows. Nice display cases, nice shelving, nice walls are always a bonus. Curtains that cover the harsh white walls of a tent are a big help.

It can be a tie-breaker between two or more equally talented artists. Favor would be given to the one with the better looking display.

Some shows will actually give the booth a score that is added to the score for ranking artists.

A Few More Tips from Mama...

When taking your own photos, keep people and anything that identifies who you are out of the image. If I knew more about photo editing, I'd have taken the man in the yellow shirt out of my image. Dropping the sides of my tent would have also helped.

I recommend using iprintfromhome.com for turning your digital images into slides. They are very cheap, easy and fast!

Use a professional if possible. Like I said about jury slides, why take chances when the only representation you have of yourself are a few images. I'll be giving Larry a call when I'm ready for my next one.

I'm in a Treasury on Etsy!!

2008-03-25T07:47:00.006-05:00

My very lucky friend (and designer behind KPCreations) was able to snag a coveted treasury listing on Etsy last week. For those of you who don't know, a treasury listing is place where a "curator" can assemble an exhibit of art work. Most curators assemble work based on a particular theme. My friend's theme (if you can't tell) is "girly gear" and has many moms leaving wonderful comments.

I guess my Tanzy ring was included to remind mamas to not forget to treat themselves to something nice too!

I've Been Featured... Again!

2008-03-23T18:42:00.006-05:00

Hello and Happy Easter!

After the kids found all the eggs and I was thoroughly gussied up for church, I snuck a few minutes to check the computer for messages. I was very surprised to find out that I am today's featured artist on Haute Innovations, a fresh & innovative independent artisan showcase.

For those of you who are not aware of Haute Innovations, rush on over to check it out. You'll find something for every style and plenty of inspiring info on indie artists. I am just amazed at the site's professionalism and ability to discover new talents.

And of course, I am very flattered and honored to have been chosen!
Thanks Haute!

Allow Me to Brooch a New Subject

2008-03-22T10:47:00.028-05:00

Some of you may remember that I have been on a little ring thing lately. For those of you who are just tuning in, check out this and this.

Well anyway, I decided to break the trend (at least for the moment) by making a brooch. I started this project last Wednesday during my class at Terri McCarthy Studios. There, I fabricated the base by texturizing sterling silver, copper and brass. Then, I soldered the pieces together and added a 5mm bezel cup to the bottom.

I finished the piece this morning at home by soldering the pin findings onto the back. I was a little nervous because I've only made one pin before and that was a few years ago. I spent a lot of time lining up the catches and pallions of solder. Once everything was just right, I got out my handy dandy torch and voila! Perfect... if I must say so myself! After I finished patting myself on the back, I added a light patina, set a black onyx stone and polished the piece.

Thought for the day: If you think something is going to be too hard, try it anyway. You might be pleasantly surprised or find a new challenge. Either way, practice makes perfect!!

Surprise Weekend Work Time

2008-03-17T12:26:00.004-05:00

I was able to enjoy some unexpected, quality work time at home this weekend. On Saturday, Papa took the kids to see the Veggie Tales movie and on Sunday, he took them to Grandpa's for the afternoon.

What did I do with this surprising gift of six hours to myself? Well after I finished my naps, I got right down to the studio and made more rings!

I seem to be on a ring kick lately for some reason. In my last post, I wrote about making several sterling silver bands out of embellished wire. I decided to stay with the simple look and made these delicate little rings. I used 14 gauge sterling silver wire and soldered it into round bands. Then I soldered on 5mm fine silver bezel cups. Next I set denim-blue lapis lazuli and black onyx cabochons. Finally, I burnished them with a brass brush and soapy water until they shined.

I was able to make one ring on Saturday and six on Sunday. Isn't that learning curve amazing!

My fingers are still sore from all of the stone setting and burnishing, but now I have a nice little ring to wear... and a few more to sell at my next show. And since I was on a roll and the boys were still out, I made a couple pair of matching earrings by soldering sterling silver earring posts onto the backs of additional bezel cups.

Not bad for a little surprise work time!

Have We Been Hit by the Plague?

2008-03-14T15:56:00.006-05:00

I am soooo glad to be back at the keyboard!! It gives me a sense of slow victory and relief from the "germ warfare" that has been attacking my household over the past two weeks. Ailments of every kind first took over the health of my two boys, causing chaos and confusion... to the point of missing school (yikes!). Even I was taken prisoner and brought down from my top post, leaving hubby to fend for the family and dispense lots of medicine, fetch a ton of Kleenex and empty several yucky pails! Yes, the germ soldiers fought hard and dirty, but we fought harder and were dirtier... and survived!

I tell you all of this not just to gain sympathy, but to let you know why I haven't written in a little while. And now that I'm back, I do not know where to begin. I did manage to make it to my metalsmithing workshop the last two Wednesdays. I've been working on making several sterling silver ring bands to sell at upcoming shows. I like them... they're simple but with a flair, just like me! So far, I've made 15 of them in various sizes to sell for about $15 as a show special. I hope to be able to make another dozen before early April.

My Art Show Application Experience: Jury Slides

2008-03-04T08:40:00.019-06:00

I'm back with another article on my experiences in applying to art shows. I want to remind everyone that these are just my thoughts on how the whole process works. I've been applying to shows since 2005 and have been accepted to all of them, but I am in no way an expert. But I have learned a lot in these few years and I'm willing to share it with those just starting out. If you missed my first two articles on planning and paperwork, be sure to check them out.

Now, who wants to talk about jury slides??? I must admit that when I first started out, this was a fearful topic! Not only do I hate taking pictures of my work, but knowing that those images would affect my chances of getting into decent shows really had me shakin' in my boots. Actually, for my first round of shows, I intentionally refrained from applying to any that required slides. Then I began to realize that if I was going to be a serious artist doing serious shows, I had to get over it... and fast!

I began to research the topic a little and found out that the images submitted for jury are nothing like the ones you see of pretty objects in catalogs or online shops. In those photographs, items are displayed with colorful backgrounds, props, and "in action" showing suggested use. In photographs used for juried competition, objects are to be the one and only focus in the image. Backgrounds are minimal and drab; lighting, and therefore positioning, is key; and clear, sharp images that make sense are necessary. In my images shown here, it is obvious which of my pieces are pendants because a little of the chain has been kept in the photo.

In a future post, I will be walking you through an actual jury procedure, but for now it is important to know that typically a jury, or panel of judges, will see your images blown up as big as 3-feet wide. Keep that in mind! The smallest flaw on a piece might become very obvious when viewed at that size.

If you've read this far in what has turned out to be a very long post, here is just a little more to keep you busy...

Mama's tips on submitting great jury slides...

Ask another artist to select items from your body of work to be photographed. When we create our own work, we tend to be biased and think that every piece is the best. Get a fresh pair of eyes to help you select work from a judge's perspective.
Be sure to label your slides according to the shows specifications, making sure to clearly identify your name and the images proper orientation. It would really stink if you had a great slide that was shown upside down!

Use a professional photographer, and not your cousin who takes great wedding photos. I am convinced that some things are best done by others. So if you think that I created my own jury images, you are CRAZY. They were taken by the extremely talented Larry Sanders, who is based in Milwaukee, WI.

Update your images every few years or when your body of work changes significantly. Some shows are now indicating that they will check your booth to make sure that you didn't turn in images of your only five things that actually turned out.

Lastly, start where you are and do what you can. Use the jury process as a learning experience and never stop reaching higher and higher!

P.S. Shown are all of my jury images. Soon I will post about booth shots, the jury process and more!

Mama is Back in Action

2008-03-03T12:32:00.008-06:00

Hi all! Sorry I haven't written in a while, but my kids have been playing germ tag... seeing how many times they can pass the same cold back and forth. I really can't complain about their health because they are rarely sick, and even when they are they still want to go to school and church. It's just all of the nose blowing, doses of medicine and, of course, loads of special mama TLC that has kept me hoppin'.

Anyway, I'll give an update as quickly as I can while the little one takes a nap. Since my last post, I've been accepted into a wearable art show to be held on May 3rd in Shorewood, WI. There has still been no word on the other four shows that I applied to, but it's still pretty early. I'll let you know how it goes as I get the results, or you can check the "events" page on my website for more details.

I also had another metal smithing class last week at the Terri McCarthy Studios. During my second class, I met more people and got real friendly with the jump ring tool. Never again will I have to pay the high price for retail jump rings because I have figured out how to make my own. I made up several rings using 16 guage sterling silver wire and a #5 mandrel.

This gave me the opportunity to try a pattern in a book for a byzantine link chain. Here is a picture of my progress. Not too bad for the first time. In class, I also made a sterling silver disk pendant with a wide tube bail. It will look perfect on the chain when it is finished... if I must say so myself!

The Mama Bracelet

2008-02-26T08:36:00.029-06:00

Alright, I confess! This seven-inch strand of silver and crystal is at least a small factor in my decision to have two kids. Like I mentioned before when I described my "Good Shepherd Bracelet", I love jewelry that has a purpose and a story behind it. For those of you who are interested, here's the story behind what I call the "Mama Bracelet".

After having my first child and deciding to stay home to raise him, I became totally immersed in the new mommy culture of play dates, mother's groups, stroller walks and story times at the library. It didn't take too long for me to realize that this society is full of its own unspoken norms and customs. Like when I went to my first MOPS meeting, I noticed all the moms pulled up in minivans, had perfectly applied makeup at 9am, brought elaborate dishes (with Pampered Chef utensils) to the potluck, and later took their tiny tikes to Gymboree.

But more importantly, (jewelry freak that I am) I noticed a bracelet sported by a few moms like a badge of honor. They called it a mother's bracelet and it had their kids' names on it. I fell in love with the concept of jewelry that could be worn as a reminder of what is really important... even on days when I showed up at MOPS without makeup and a bag of chips to be eaten directly from the bag!

I made my first bracelet a few weeks before delivering my second child and donned it in the hospital right after giving birth. I have made nearly a hundred since then for many more moms who want to celebrate the blessing of being a mama, even on days when they don't want to jump through all of the unnecessary hoops. The "Mama Bracelet" that I make has a distinctive look and is made to endure life with children.

You are invited to celebrate the blessing of being a mother everyday in a beautiful "Mama Bracelet". It is made to order with 4.5mm or 5.5mm sterling silver letter beads, toggle clasp and Swarovski crystals. A crystal dangle with your kids' birthstones is included. For more info, contact me or check out the "Mama Collection" on my website, www.maybornedesigns.com.

Mama Goes Back to School

2008-02-21T09:06:00.010-06:00

Yesterday was a big day for me. I sent the little one off to playschool and headed off to the Terri McCarthy Studio in Grafton, WI to start another 12-week, hands-on study of metal jewelry fabrication. Since it has been almost two years since I've studied there, I started my day with a tour of the studio and getting a refresher on the equipment.

My favorite tool of the day was the rolling mill. Just imagine a machine that's like a pair of rolling pins on steroids. I don't know the engineering mechanisms involved, but when an annealed piece of metal is rolled through with a textured object, the mill presses the pattern onto the metal. I added texture to sterling silver and turned it into earrings with post backs. I rolled another piece to make a ring with a leather textured shank.

But the very best features of the studio are the lights, vents, outlets and fellow artists! I have a very well-equipped studio at home but it's a bit lacking in the fundamentals. Someday I fear that I am going to trip in the dark on the four extention cords that share the same outlet. Either that or I will pass out from the flux fumes and no one will know that I'm missing. Getting out for 3 hours a week, with other adults and windows, is definitely a good thing.

This is a picture of my instructor, Terri McCarthy. She has been making jewelry since 1988 and opened her own studio four years ago when the local community college stopped offering the metalsmithing class that she taught. She knows everything and I hope a little of her expertise rubs off on me!

My Art Show Application Experience: Paperwork

2008-02-19T09:53:00.008-06:00

Well, I think I finally figured out why the art show application process bugs me so much.

As I was preparing my final round of paperwork today, I kept being reminded of my former life as a human resource consultant. I spent a lot of time in those days recruiting, selecting and placing hundreds of folks in positions with companies. More importantly, for every person placed were dozens that were not. Why?? Well there's all sorts of reasons and I really don't want to rehash too much of the past... but one reason is not taking the application seriously.

Now I admit that I was a tough critic, especially when getting a ton of applications for one position that needed to be filled asap. I've permanently "filed" plenty of incomplete, sloppy and grammatically-challenged first impressions. Now I do NOT want that to happen to me, especially when a few shows make up most of my revenue for the year. So when I complete an art show application, I put myself in the position of the selection committee faced with hundreds of applications for one 10'x10' piece of pavement.

So my advice... take time and care when preparing your applications. Supply all information requested, print clearly, organize your paperwork and remember that you only have one shot at making the first impression! And if that doesn't motivate you, think about the non-refundable application fee... that always makes me want to give them my best!!

A few more tips:

make a file for each show to house info supplied and received.
have a ready-made, short blurb about yourself and your work.
send materials directly from the post office to avoid exposure to weather.
pay careful attention to requirements and deadlines.
pray!

Good luck everyone and come back to hear my thoughts on jury images!

Announcing the Clearance Sale!!

2008-02-16T10:06:00.010-06:00

Help!! I need to move some inventory in order to make room for many new items for spring. This sale features several fabulous beaded jewelry items. Shown is a small sample of what is being offered (top left to right: Hope, Chelsea, Claire; bottom left to right: Sami, Kate, Kayla).

Hurry on over to the Mama Mayborne Designs website to check items listed in the first annual winter clearance sale! Prices have been reduced by 50% and all items are top quality and ready to ship. Contact me to request additional information or to purchase.

I've Been Featured!!

2008-02-16T09:39:00.004-06:00

Wow... I feel very honored.

I am today's featured artist in another blog! Click here to check out the article by The Banner Queen and leave a comment or two.

If you are curious about the other blogs that have featured me recently, click here to see what Moon Dog Treasures said about me and here to see what Keys and Memories had to say!

Thank you all very much!!

My Art Show Application Experience: Planning

2008-02-15T08:37:00.008-06:00

February is not just the time to celebrate love, remember dead presidents and get very mad at a woodchuck. No, not if you are an artist who practices procrastination. Then February becomes a time to pound out art show applications in order to meet fast approaching deadlines.

Application time is not one of my favorite times of the year and I put it off like paying taxes. But it is extremely necessary in developing an art business. It gives me great anxiety when I think about being judged on a few slides and a short blurb about my work. Not only that, but every year I apply to higher level shows that have higher hurdles and I sit on more pins and needles waiting for the verdicts.

Last week, I identified five shows that would be the best fit for me at this time. I found some of them by visiting the Wisconsin Art & Craft Fair Directory produced by the Wisconsin Arts Board. I look for shows that seem to be the most selective and draw big crowds of my target market. I have the best luck with shows that have been recommended to me by other artists. As a relatively new kid on the block I love meeting seasoned artists at shows and learning from their successes (and mistakes).

I have already been accepted to a wearable art show in April and five more (if accepted) would give me one show per month until September. That is the most I can do this show season with two little kids, limited production time and a very limited application fee budget. I also plan to do two shows during the next holiday show season, but fortunately those applications won't be due until the summer and I can put them off for now!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

2008-02-11T10:17:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was one of the coldest days of the year... so far! The actual temperature was -8*F (-22*C) and the wind chill factor made it seem more like -35*F (-37*C). Brrrrr, baby that was cold!

After spending most of the day freezing... I decided to play with a little fire. So I went to my studio, dug up a few projects that were ready for some heat and fired up my torch.

First, I annealed a strip of sterling silver that I cut to become a cuff bracelet. Annealing is the process of softening metal by exposing it to a high heat source, thereby making it much easier to bend around a bracelet mandrel.

Then, I soldered sterling silver earring posts onto a few PMC disks that I made. Soldering is another fun thing to do with a torch of fire. By heating the two pieces that need to be joined (the disk and the post) along with tiny snippets of solder, a permanent bond can be made. The trick for me is always to figure out the right level of heat, because I'm notorious for melting my work. Actually, I did melt a ring that was going to look fantastic. Oh well, practice makes perfect and that's how I learn best.

So that's how I stayed a little warmer on a very cold day. Tomorrow if it's still freezing, I'm going to find something to do with my kiln. Firing metal at 1300*F just might do the trick!

The Good Shepherd Bracelet

2008-02-06T09:54:00.000-06:00

I love jewelry that has a purpose and a story behind it. In my opinion, this bracelet is one of the most meaningful that I have made. I call it the "Good Shepherd Bracelet" and it helps me memorize scripture, which I'm sorry to say that I never did as a child.

There are 12 Swarovski crystals in the bracelet and each color represents a key word or phrase. It all helps me remember brilliant pieces of scripture and God's provisions. "The Good Shepherd" is also made with an eclectic assortment of sterling silver beads, bead caps and spacers. It is finished with a sterling silver toggle clasp and two sterling silver charms. I like to think that the cross in the center of the Star of David charm shows how the passage elloquently points to Christ.

My Artist Statement... Speaking from the Heart

2008-01-31T21:09:00.000-06:00

I love jewelry... the way it flatters, flirts and plays hard-to-get. It creates an attraction that is intensified by its magnetic appeal AND promises satisfaction by pleasing every style, mood and occasion. Jewelry is seductive and always leaves me wanting more.

Romantic designs that are subtly sexy are very enticing. I strive to create pieces that captivate and compel approving glances from adoring eyes. My jewelry designs also emphasize durability and versatility to make everyday wear possible.

I enjoy playing the matchmaker who joins the wearer and their object of desire into a long-term, enduring relationship. That's what makes me so passionate about creating the opportunity for women to display their love affair with jewelry.

Sincerely,
Brook "Mama" Mayborne

Stuck in the House All Day... with a Bunch of Kids

2008-01-30T13:02:00.000-06:00

Ok... this isn't even funny. Four snow days and it's only January! What's up with that and why don't schools stay open anymore?! Actually, today can't even be called a "snow day" because I can see GRASS!! I think they're calling it a "too cold day" or some other kind of nonsense. Heck, when I was a kid, I had to walk a mile to school in freezing blizzards (wow-- just sounded like my mom there for a minute).

Don't the schools know that Wednesday is MY workday. I recall telling them when I recently registered my 3-year old for an extra day of "play school" that he goes to school and I get to work, hassle-free. Man, five hours of uninterrupted work/quiet time shot... all because schools can't seem to remember that this is WISCONSIN and we need to teach these kids some cold-toughness here. If nothing else, they've got to be able to tell their kids those "we walked to school, in the snow, uphill, 10 miles, 10 below, with no shoes..." stories. Now all they'll be able to say is "my eyes hurt from LOOKING at all that snow"!!!

So needless to say that I'm not going to get much work done today! But I have broken up 20 fights, fetched a dozen snacks, showed countless videos and it's only 1pm!

So glad that I named my business "MAMA Mayborne Designs" to remind me what my first job is, especially on days like this!

Oh and P.S.: Since I'm one of the only stay-at-home moms in my neighborhood, I've also received the privilege of babysitting another kid too!!

Fine Silver Jewelry Care

2008-01-30T11:30:00.000-06:00

When I play matchmaker between you and your new jewelry, there are a few important conditions...

Give your jewelry posh, yet private accommodations. To a piece of jewelry, this means storing it alone in an airtight container. This prevents scratching on other jewelry and exposure to oxidizing elements.

Go on plenty of dates. The more you wear your piece, the more it gets coated with your natural body oils. These oils create a clear protective patina which prevents tarnishing.

Give it a lot of R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Unlike a silent partner, your jewelry will let you know if you aren't treating it right. Matchmaker suggests that you keep the piece from chemical spills, sharp objects, sudden impact and toddlers!

And just remember to have fun looking beautiful in Mama Mayborne Designs!

Let me know if you have any other suggestions or questions about jewelry care.

And FYI... all Mama Mayborne Designs ordered online are shipped to you in my signature pink gift box with ribbon. It has an anti-tarnish cotton lining and makes the perfect abode for your silver pieces. I also tuck in a zip top baggie with an anti-tarnish strip for times when your jewelry is on the go!

Mama's Gotta Brag!

2008-01-27T12:51:00.000-06:00

As I reflect on the last few days of being a jewelry designer, I've come to realize that I am simply fabulous!

Don't take that the wrong way, I am a very humble person... but there comes a time when I have to lay my humility to the side and shout "I am GREAT" outloud. So what if no one hears it but me. So what if no one agrees (not even me). So what!! It's got to be said and believed and perceived.

My kids teach me that not even your greatest accomplishments (giving birth, living on a budget or enduring Barney) will be appreciated . Fellow artists have told me that no one will understand my efforts in creating. Even my cat, who I rescued from the snowy streets, gives me an "I-could-care-less" look quite often.

But I'm here to say when life gets hard, my ego gets bruised and I feel my artistic efforts are going no where, I'll just remember...

that it's my motherly guidance (and genes) that helped my son bring home a perfect report card this week (his lowest score was a 99 percent!!!),

that the home atmosphere which I've helped create leads my youngest son to remember to give thanks before a meal... even at school, AND

that people (and not just my mom) are taking notice of my work and spreading the word. I've even been featured in a blog of someone I don't even know. Click here to check it out!

I really AM all that (and a big bag of chips)!!!

The Mundane Side of Art Business

2008-01-23T14:03:00.000-06:00

Today is one of those days that I find it hard to be an artist.

Not quite sure why, but it is. I feel like I've made a lot of progress with my work and business lately. I've designed my spring collection and have the majority of the designs fabricated. I've recently given my brand a face lift. I've set up this blog, an online photo catalogue and an online store. Heck, I've even made a few sales this month which is very unusual for January.

I get very excited after putting several hours into designing, fabricating and promoting my work (especially when it turns out the way I wanted). But then there is the inevitable lull when waiting for an opportunity to show it off or when the non-creative side of business comes a-calling.

Right now that side of business is calling loudly and I feel like I must force myself to pay last quarter's sales taxes (bummer!), clean my studio (pointless!), file papers (yuck!), order supplies (boring!), etc.

Does anyone else feel this way about the mundane side of creativity?? I know I'm not alone here... but here's what I'm going to do about it:

turn my music up loud and throw my own little "get-this-junk-done" party.
eat chocolate until it hurts!
bribe myself to get motivated with a promise of retail therapy.
think about not having to do it again for a while (or at least a day).
thank God that I've had sales that gave me taxes to pay, a studio of my own to clean, important papers to file, and enough money to order supplies that I need!

Wow, feeling better already!!!

It's All Greek (and Jewelry) to Me...

2008-01-20T19:38:00.000-06:00

This past summer, I was blessed with an amazing opportunity to spend two weeks in Greece following in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul. I traveled with a group of 40 lovely people and one awesome tour guide. Together we explored the ancient ruins all over that beautiful country. Everyday of the trip brought one breathtaking experience after the other.
Click here to see a few of my favorite photos from the trip.

It was truly a wonderful trip... very inspiring both as a Christian and as a jewelry designer. Standing in the same places that saw major biblical and historical events, made me feel awestruck.

It only took a few moments for me to realize that taking pictures of Greece wasn't going to be enough. I wanted to take Greece home... and that's what I did! I decided to collect leaves from plants that adorned the popular attractions and from ordinary places. Now in my studio I have dried leaves labeled, "poplar leaves from Olympia", "plant outside Paul's prison in Philipi", "laurel leaf growing next to the Parthenon in Athens" and "ivy leaf from the stream where Paul baptized Lydia".

I know that my travel mates thought that I was nuts at times, but I kept telling them that I had a plan for those leaves. And now everyone can see a little bit of my imagination come to life in the photo above. Here I have cast an olive leaf (left) from the grounds of Philip's tomb and a laurel leaf (right) from Apollo's temple in Delphi. I'm not going to bore you with the process, but I painted each leaf with several layers of a paste form of pure silver. After completely drying, I fired them in a kiln, applied a patina, polished and voila... perfect leaf impressions made of pure silver (click on the photo above to view larger). The process took about a week working at mom speed and I look forward to making more with the leaves that did not get ruined by the Greek heat or my cat.

The photo on the right is the olive tree that "gave" me a leaf.

The photo on the left is the laurel tree that did the same.

Thank you trees!!! (and security guards for looking the other way!!!) and by the way the, the stones behind the leaves above are actual pieces of ruins in Corinth and Ephesus... but don't tell anyone!!!.

I'm Zoomin' Now...

2008-01-18T19:31:00.000-06:00

I feel like I just entered a new age of technology and it feels GREAT!

I just got a high speed DSL internet connection yesterday and the world just became a little smaller... and faster! Shedding the confines of the dial-up world has me feeling like it's a brand new day. I still feel like breaking out into a song and dance like Dorothy in "The Wiz" after killing Evilene (actually, I am dancing now and will probably watch that movie tonight while I work!).

But I never want to be accused of not remembering where I come from, so here's a few thoughts to memorialize my 10-year relationship with dial-up:

Gone are the days of choosing between working on the computer and being able to get phone calls. (that one is for you Mom!)
Gone are the days of working late when connections are a millisecond faster.
Gone are the days of waiting an hour to upload a single picture.
Gone are the days of being 2-3 versions behind on all software because I can't wait for the updates to process.
Gone are the days of getting through several magazine articles while waiting for a page to refresh.
Gone are the days of having my email box telling me, "You want me to send that? With an attachment? Are you nuts?!?"

But even though I can move around a lot faster, I have found that (at least today) my time on the net has quadrupled. But that's because I'm having a ball zipping all OVER cyberspace!

Wonderful Wednesday

2008-01-16T13:37:00.000-06:00

Forgive me if there are any typos in today's entry. My hands are raw from applying a patina then hand polishing 33 pieces of silver this morning. It was hard work (pity please) but it felt really good getting it done and working on components for my upcoming spring collection. Now I can finish off a link necklace, ring, charm bracelet, pendant and a pair of earrings.

That's right -- I did all of that by 1pm plus I edited several jewelry photos that I took yesterday, entered a new item in my Etsy shop (check it out at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8601075), repaired a ring for a friend and also completed four other pendants. Here's a picture of one of them called "Twinkle" and it's one of my favorite (and most popular) pendants.

Isn't it cute?! "Twinkle should be hitting my Etsy store later this week. Make sure you check it out!

Company Story: Part 2

2008-01-15T08:42:00.000-06:00

At the start of 2005, I made an important decision and nothings been the same since...

I decided to GET SERIOUS! I set goals, looked for ways to expand an spent a lot of time learning new techniques. I remember telling my very supportive husband (hi honey!!) that if I'm going to do this, I'm going to do this right! And to me that meant registering as a business (even if that meant paying sales tax); learning lots of new skills in order to create my own website, business cards, etc; promoting myself a lot (and that's still not fun!); and selling my butt off!

That year became a blur of sales. I sold at any and everywhere. Fairs, (so-called) art shows, cafes, bizarre church bazaars, offices, schools, home parties, trunk shows, boutiques... I even made several sales off of my dining room table and I think there was even one made out of the back of my Jeep! No, I did not approach strangers with jewelry hanging in the lining of my coat -- but I did think about it more than once.

At the end of that year, I found that my efforts did pay off. My first "real" year in business brought in a 5-figure revenue. Most of that I reinvested into my basement studio and several classes on jewelry making, metalsmithing and running an art business. The money came in handy, expecially since I fund all business operations from my linty back pocket. But more importantly, the best "pay off" I got from that frantic year in business was learning a little bit more of what does and doesn't work for me and my creations.

There has been a lot of refinement along the way due to my increased focus and fluctuating time constraints (don't forget that I'm a full-time mother of two young boys and a cat). I say it's all paying off and I'm having a lot of fun now. I love being creative and able to keep things flexible and being in charge of this one little aspect of my life!

The Company Story: Part 1

2008-01-14T10:47:00.000-06:00

In case you've ever wondered...

I began making jewlry in late 2003 after deciding to give a handmade gift to the MOPS volunteers who cared for my son. I've always been pretty crafty and knew that I could pull it off, but I had a hard time deciding what to make. After considering several options, I decided to create something wearable that would hopefully be donned as a fond reminder of my deep appreciation for the loving cate they selflessly provided. Four women received a simple beaded bracelet... my very first designs!

Not too long after that, making jewelry became my favorite hobby. I was even teaching classes featuring my very own designs at a local craft store. And for Christmas that year, every woman on my list got a piece of my work.

My mother (who received a beaded bracelet with a prayer box charm) wore her gift every day like a prized possession. It soon caught the eyes of her friends and coworkers. When they commented on it, mom (without my knowledge, of course) began setting prices and taking orders!

Well about a year and many different orders later, I realized that this craft was becoming more than a hobby. It was growing into the perfect opportunity for me (a stay-at-home mother of two young boys) to combine newly discovered artistic talents with previously aquired business skills. I created MAMA MAYBORNE DESIGNS as a way to offer myself unrestricted channels of personal growth and an outlet for other women wanting to express their desire to feel beautiful, unique and adorned.

More Productive Than Planned

2008-01-12T19:50:00.000-06:00

In yesterday's blog entry, I mentioned that a late night for me ends at about 10pm. However, last night (for some strange reason) I got a second wind and worked until 12:30am. I popped a DVD in the computer (it was "Beauty Shop" with Queen Latifah, which I recommend as a cute flick) and worked on creating some silver components for my Spring 2008 Collection. This is the first time that I'm looking at the design process as creating a group of similar, interrelated items. So for this spring I've been working on a new body of work called "Graphic" that features mesh textured silver components like in this piece http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8629230. My goal is to debut these items at the upcoming Wearable Art Show in Cedarburg, WI in April 2008. So far I have 3 necklaces, 2 bracelets, 2 pendants and several earrings. My goal is to have 10 production pieces (that could be made several times) and 5 one-of-kinds. We'll see how it goes...

Not only did I stay up late working, but when I finally got to bed it took me another hour to actually fall asleep. My mind was racing with design ideas and to-do items... why does that always happen?! Then I had to get up early because my cat, Foster, thought it was time for a little mishchief -- and to torture me!

I rolled out of the bed, kissed the boys and got back to work. I got some more components ready for the next step. By the way, for those of you who don't know... there are sooo many steps to creating even the most simplest-looking, handcrafted jewelry items. So show your jewelry designer (me) a little love!

I also spent quite a bit of time researching international shipping and am now happy to say that MAMA MAYBORNE DESIGNS is now a global operation, shipping world-wide. Actually, I'm still waiting for an order to come from outside the US... but when it happens... I'm ready! Check out the low shipping rates in my shop at http://www.mamamaybornedesigns.etsy.com/.

Thanks for your time!

I'm a Blogger... Day 2

2008-01-11T18:52:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm back at it and ready to share the thoughts of the day.

Today is Friday and it is usually a jewelry business workday for me. Actually, I try to do something everyday but the bulk usually falls on Friday and Saturday when my husband is home to watch the kids. On these workdays, it is typical to find me in my pajamas until 2pm, when I break from work and get ready for the day. I'm usually napping by 3pm and back to business again after dinner and into the late night (for me that is about 10pm).

I have adjusted my work schedule recently to accomodate for the added daily duties in having an online store (yeah!) . I'm on the computer daily checking the activities in my Etsy shop (http://www.mamamaybornedesigns.etsy.com/), uploading items to my regular website (http://www.maybornedesigns.com/) and now blogging! All of this has got me spending additional time doing research and promotions for my product line and boosting my presence on the web. If I'm going to be a famous jewelry designer someday, I've got to get the word out... right?!

However, I'm still seeking to balance the business side of things with actual time spent designing and creating. I think I've got a few ideas on that and you'll have to come again to see what my plans are.

I'm a Blogger Now!!!

2008-01-10T09:12:00.001-06:00

Hello and welcome to the Official Blog of Mama Mayborne Designs and the ramblings of Brook "Mama" Mayborne!

Here I will be posting the ongoing drama of being a an up-and-coming jewelry designer, wife and stay-at-home mother of two.

I will try to post regularly (my goal is daily), but you know how that goes! I will mostly talk about myself, family and what I go through as a jewelry designer. I can tell you upfront that there will be nothing about politics or current events on my site because I do not watch the news and am about a month behind in finding out about any events.

I am especially excited to launch this site because I have experienced a large amount of loved ones who have moved away recently and I am not very good at picking up the phone. So all of you out there who have had to nerve to move away from me, this is your place to find out all that is going on in my little world.

I encourage your postings and comments. I usually pass my day time with a three and six-year-old so I find myself craving adult conversations as much as possible.