I am artist, hear me...crimp?

One of the things that I have been working on since I started intenyears. is self-promotion. I'm really sensitive to being seen as 'pushy'. Maybe its was the decade of retail management experience, maybe its the fact that I can be shy in new social situations, or thinking that people won't really like what I do, then proceed to tell me about it...in detail! Guy doesn't have the same issue, luckily. He can walk in, and be comfortable with everyone and everything. Explains why one of his many hats around here is Marketing, doesn't it?

His comfort with new situations, and understanding of how I work and feel about them, is really helping me push my comfort zones and grow intenyears. On the surface, its things like...gentle insistence on trying my first craft show, the All Arts Market in March, even though I was nervous and felt I wasn't ready. Do I even need to tell you yet again what an unparalleled success that was for me? Or...getting me to apply to a Silent Auction by prepping a portfolio. We got the email at dinner last night saying my application was approved for the ARTcravings Silent Auction . Check out the website...my name is on there as an artist, and I had to have the page printed out to go on my inspiration board!

Less obvious is how much more confident I feel trying new ideas, see my previous post about 'doing things wrong'. More importantly for me, is how I now answer that famous question, "What do you do?" I am a handmade jewelry artist/designer. No other caveats or self-depreciating laughter.

Now that you know how sweet and timid and shy I am, look at my new links up top. Check out my new Events page, because I am going places, and I want you all to come along for the ride. :)

Thriving artist

So, yeah. Hi.

We've been busy here, but I know its hard to tell since it has been so quiet on the blog. Grab a cup of tea and let's dish!

First, I've been working with the owner of a local shop, let's call it Rose's, on carrying intenyears. along with other handcrafted items. Do I even need to explain how exciting that it for me? And stressful! I hope that if you live in or around the Queen City you will be able to stop by, browse, and take time to smell the flowers. Rose's is really an unique shop and in an awesome location, it would be well worth a visit. I'll post the definite info, date, and of course all the shop information as soon as I can.

Second, this being creative thing is pretty new to me. Or, at least the confidence in my creative voice. It amazes me that now, I seek out other things to try, and I don't think twice about attempting them. Before I would have never put myself out there, not even making the attempt, because I may 'do it wrong'. What I'm learning is, aside from safety issues, there IS NO WRONG when it comes to your own creativity, your own voice. I have so many ideas and dreams filling up my little notebook, a little craft bucket list if you will. Hmm, that gives me an idea......

Third, do you remember me talking about joining the local handmade and vintage group CrownTownHandmade ? They have been awesome, supportive, and informative. They've been trying to set up a community craft night, and as you can imagine the logistics of doing something like that can be crazy. Looks like the first one will be near the end of April, and you can meet me and do a fun craft. Because as of right now, I will be instructing how to do said fun craft. :) Of course, there is still so much time and plans may change, that's how things are looking. Of course I will post the finalized date here, and on Twitter.

And, last, we spent the day yesterday sorting and reorganizing out work space. It takes up a whole extra room, with my work table, a set area for the light box/photos, a new desk with our network printer, an area for soldering/wire work, and storage for finished pieces. I also hung up my print from CreativeThursday . To think, this started out as a lap project!

Thriving artist, indeed!

Quickly...

So, the All Arts Market was a success. Not only in sales, but people were so friendly, and the feedback/comments we got were phenomenal. I guess we're not changing our tags any time soon, as they were as much of a hit as the jewelry. The comments gave me some exciting ideas to pursue, so I am in full research mode. Which is about all I can do since I happen to be under the weather. As soon as I'm able, I will post the photos I have and give a much more detailed description.

Etsy shop is on vacation, because frankly I need to make more stuff to put in there!

But, most importantly, thanks to everyone who stopped by the booth, whether you purchased something or not. It was great talking to you and having you get to know a little more about us.

What I am doing today:

Today is prep for tomorrow's All Arts Market. Here is what I'm doing.
First, tagging. These are the tags I tea-stained, and Guy hand stamped with our logo. Prices will be handwritten in on the back.

Second, inventorying. I am writing up index cards with general info, and then inputting them on an ex.cel spreadsheet that is numbered. Check off as we sell/pack up.

Third, taking photos. Many of the pieces I haven't bothered to photograph or put on Etsy, but I'd still like an image record. It's snowing outside, so I brought out the lightbox to take advantage of the natural light reflection.



Fourth, bagging. For ease of transportation, and so there are no tangles, each piece is getting their own baggie, with tags and index cards inside.



Phew. It is taking awhile, but one thing I have learned working retail is all the extra effort up front MORE than pays for itself later. Think I deserve a tea break, and then back to work! Hope you are having a productive day as well!

Yeah, so I'm a Trekkor. What of it??

I am panicky. I am trying to hold it together, and thought I was doing ok, until I went to the mock booth display we had up last night and tried to decide what pieces should be out, where, which color display, etc. All of a sudden, the red alert noise from ST:TNG was going through my head along with this stream of conciousness: YOU DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH PIECES! YOU DO.NOT.HAVE.ENOUGH! STANDBY FOR SAUCER SEPARATION!

So, I want to blog about my awesome CrownTown Handmade meeting & workshop on Thursday, and how it was so cool to brainstorm with others and get their ideas for improvement. I want to blog about how it inspired me to really narrow my focus on what I want to make, namely jewelry from found items. But, I can't seem to focus on anything other than getting ready for Wednesday. Even trying to ignore the weather person who said it will probably snow. *Lalalalala*

So, the nerdy girl with fingers in her ears and a tricorder on her belt loop standing in the corner? It's me. Be gentle and kind. Thanks.

Burning it from both ends

Busy busy busy. If you are wondering why it is quiet on the Etsy front, registration for the All Arts Market finally opened last week. Our booth is reserved! If you are in the area, stop by and say hi! It is at night so after work is fine, and the admission is free. There will be lots of cool local artisans to look at, and you can make it a date night by heading out for dinner in NoDa. Crepe Cellar is my favorite!

So everyday of the last week has been spent trying to build up inventory, make up lists for our booth display, and basically working out the logistics. This is my first craft fair, so there are lots and lots of things on my to-do list. I am in general panic mode, and Guy is being great at talking me down from the ledge. I know this could be done by myself, but I am so glad to have help!

Yesterday Guy was off of work, so we spent most of it driving around and working on our booth. We had some amazing (and lucky) finds, and by the end of the day it was looking pretty good. We've searched the internet for tips, and one of the ones that made the most sense to us was setting up a mock booth and working out your placement beforehand. Then you can just take a pic, and use that to set up without stress. Brilliant! Right now it is temporarily set up on plywood set atop sawhorses in the garage. Look for a new page soon with updated booth/fair pics!

So tonight was takeout pizza in between me making more jewelry and Guy making necklace display stands and hand-stamping(yep) our tea-stained (yep) price tags with the tree logo. And also doing his usual work from home Wednesday office work. Like I said, its great to have help, especially with all these details.

Now that we are full of yummy pizza, time to refill the coffee cup. Back to wire wrapping pearls and making displays. You'll probably hear from me soon, as frankly I need the break!

Quick Update

Feel like I am back to square one. Guy has been busy with his main job, so I've been learning how to use the lightbox, set up the camera, edit the photos, etc. Last week we bought a new camera, and its wonderful. But, with no earthly clue where to start with it, so far I've gotten as advanced as "on", it might as well be a paperweight. Until Guy gets home. So, back to waiting until he's able to take photos, but at least now it goes lots quicker than it did with our vintage horse-drawn digital 6 megapixel. This means a backlog of necklaces to photograph isn't so daunting. Just thinking about the write-ups that are waiting gives me shivers, though.

We went to the local homestore and my storage problem is solved - for now. Guy also suggested we head to Ikea, who am I to staunch his creativity?!? New shelves and various props later, it's feeling less cluttered and overwhelming in here. Which is good, because I just ordered a bunch of vintage crystals and metal findings.

Took a few days off, but I'm back in the work area and creating again. It feels good, especially because I have lots of ideas floating around. Time to get out the pen and paper and sketch them out. Or, in my case, a written description because my sketches make sense to no one, including myself.

I've Got a Fever...

No, really, I do. A low grade fever that Ty.len.ol is helping with. Luckily it is snowing out, so I'm not really expected to be anywhere. Unlike yesterday, where I was expected places, but with my car keys hitching a ride in Guy's coat pocket to HIS work, they had to be rescheduled.

You could say I also have a fever for creating lately. This week, at least 2 completed pieces each day, 2 trips to the bead store, and 2 bead supply deliveries. We've had some crazy weather this week, so it was nice to stay inside and work. Thursday it was extremely windy, but needed to finish a necklace so I headed to the bead store. On my way in, the wind blew a large tree over, in slow-motion 3-D, crashing down about 3 car lengths ahead of me and blocking both lanes. Luckily, no one was hurt but I was a bit shaken. Called it in, and went on my merry way to the bead store. I was still a bit shaken, and they let me ramble on about it a bit, but wasn't so shaken that I couldn't cure it with beads.

I am also trying to be more active on the Etsy forum community, and using my Twitter account to self-promote. Its that community thing I was talking about last post. This week, we are going to try making my own earring cards and price tags, try to find something to display my necklaces on, and settle on a color theme for our display area.

Craftiness. In me. Sometimes, I don't even know where this crafty girl has been hiding all my life, but I like it. The other day I was looking at a necklace, and it still awes me that I made that. I created that. That I think they are beautiful, and hopefully someone else will, too. Is this the artist's version of a runners' high?

Speak now...

So, it was a day later, but there are still new items photographed and posted on Etsy as of yesterday. I still have at least one more in the works, and am heading out to the bead store today to get some chain to finish it. Oh, peeps, the sacrifices I must make to keep the ravenous hordes at bay!

Lately it seems we are preoccupied with doing our first craft show in March. So many details to think of: earring cards, display themes, invoices, will anyone actually buy anything?? We both have strong retail/service industry backgrounds, so we actually may be a little bit more relaxed AND stressed about the details at the same time, if that makes sense. Visual marketing is key to attract and maintain a brand, so we are trying really hard to come up with a theme from the beginning that we like. Yes, it may take some tweaking, and I am sure our first craft show will be a HUGE learning opportunity for the both of us, but we both think its important to have a cohesive starting point. Watch this space, as I am sure you will be the first to know everything!

I am also looking forward to talking to other artists/crafters. As someone who is a bit late to this creation game, finding a feeling of community is special. Support is key when you are putting little pieces of yourself out there for others to comment on, critique, and (hopefully)love. Plus, networking grows your business. To go back to the craft fair, we were told about it from a friend who runs a spectacular florist in the area. The newest dates and information aren't even posted, yet. We now have an email conversation started with the coordinator and I have volunteered to hand out flyers and just help out in general. Word of mouth, whether by customers, friends, or fellow business owners is what really drives everything!

Errr...

...due to football watching and imbibing early in the day, and not the bowl of the super variety, photos were delayed until thunderclouds depart...

2/9/10 update: photographs are being taken! Keep your eyes peeled! O.O

New Toys

Let's get it out of the way, I actually did have computer problems! Love all two of you, but am not crazy enough to be typing a blog post on my Xenon.

Lots of goodies! We had a day off, so Guy and I hit some local antique malls. We are getting scary good at working our way through all the stuff and finding things that are awesome and a great value. Even scored some great vibrant vintage buttons and beads that will go great with felt flowers. I love making the flowers, but to me it seemed they still needed something that made them 'mine' and cohesive with my style. The only downside to all of this is coming home and sorting through everything, and then trying to find homes that make sense. Yeah, everything is labelled, but I've run out of bins so two or three items are stored together. Think I will make Guy's day when I suggest a trip to the home store! Smooths the way for the trip we NEED to make to Ikea.

There is another new toy on my workbench, a wire jig. At first, the jig and I circled each other like prize fighters. Its many pins and vacancies just made no sense. How can these linear holes with pegs make round, flowy, loopy wires??? And then some tutorials came my way. Cannot say enough about the crafters who go through the effort to make these tutorials, they are so helpful to newbies like me, and help build a feeling of community. So, if any of you see this, THANK YOU!

My first necklace using the jig to fashion a pendant is now complete, and I love it! Photographing new items for Etsy Sunday, and probably posting them Monday, and it surely will be on there. Possibly a felt flower necklace or two, and one crazy colored necklace that just makes me smile. Oh, and a really neat necklace that uses a few vintage beads we found this last trip.

Snow day!

Snow that stuck. Not too common in the South, its usually ice. Well, we have both, so I am home bound and beadilicious! Looking out my window, the street is all ice and my neighbors haven't been able to drive up the hill. My 4x4 is in the garage, because I know that 4 wheel drive doesn't help with ice. Someone hasn't passed along that message! Guy is at work because people are crazy. Anyway.

Lots to tell you about! I just posted 2 new necklaces today, both different for me. Do I always say that? Well, I like to make things that make me happy, so who knows from one day to the next what that will be. The first one is an illusion multi-strand. Thats different for me because all that individual crimping makes me bonkers and I usually end up ruining a strand three quarters through. Just enough to really piss you off! But I perservered, and it is pretty damn gorgeous if I do say so. Go check out Etsy and see!

The second involves a big felt flower. Big.Felt.Flower! I discovered felt and flower making this past week (that is what I was talking about last post, thanks V!), and oh boy, I love it. I have little daisies, and posies, and somethings, oh my. I have put some on pins and on hairclips, so expect that to show up soon. I am trying to tamp my enthusiasm and get some more jewelry up before I veer off into yet another new craft.

Might be doing my first craft show next month,so I really need to get some inventory and make a cohesive statement. See previous paragraph. Also need to vary my price point, and think about packaging.

Favors are not just for weddings

It hasn't been that long. Hush.

Nothing going on here. I can't seem to shake the guilt that when I spend time making something, I could be doing something more 'productive'. Not my definition of productive, or my spouse's, but the ubiquitous THEY. They always seem to be Debbie Downers! I am also in the phase of not believing that anyone actually likes what I make, but then I remember I do.

Finished some necklace/earring sets and posted one of them tonight. There is another necklace to post, but my camera battery died. Of course. It is recharging now with a martini and a massage, so it should be good to go in a few hours. I think it heard me drool over the SLR. Eep.

The bead order I was waiting for arrived, and spent some time sorting them. Love love LOVE it when the freebies you get are something totally unexpected and awesome. This time there was a 16" capiz bead strand, some rose quartz, and....a ruler lol.

As usual, there are some ideas banging around in my head that need to find a way out. I have a friend, V, who is so crafty she'd pwn Etsy. Hi V! I need to make it a priority to spend some time together because, well girl time, and also she might be able to help me with my ideas. So, look for that. Hint hint, I know you read this!

Well, as my battery is charging, its time for me to recharge with some nice pinot. Till next time (month!)

Taking the romance out

So, there is a relatively large bead order winding its way across the U.S. towards my humble little workspace. Mostly findings, and less fun stuff, but since the problem is not finishing the pieces I've made, they are a necessary evil.

I am hoping to get myself back in create mode starting Monday. Maybe it sounds funny, but it is something that has to be scheduled into my day, otherwise it can get lost in the mudane household stuff. Spending time being creative can make me feel guilty, since it is also such a 'me' time. Since not only its 'me' time, it can be hours of work with no finished product, or playing with new techniques, and even *gasp* organizing if nothing inspires me. This week I went into my work area and cleaned up my table, put away my tools, found homes for all the lone stragglers and things that could be used for practice. It felt good to be in there. What I have learned, though, is my laptop and cell phone need to stay OUT. Technology is great, but it also makes it so easy to be distracted or sidetracked.

What I'm wondering, is how others deal with making time to be creative, or just time for yourself. Is it something your schedule, or is it more organic and just happens? Do others understand when you need to take time out? Do you feel scheduling time for yourself to create 'takes the romance' out if the process?

ETA: I just spent some time working on my 'to be dealt with' pile, listening to Vivaldi and having a cup of tea. It was wonderful!

2010

Well, um, hello there. Long time no see. *kicks dirt with toe* Would it make it better if I admitted that the guilt of not writing has overwhelmed me?? No?? Hmm. Tough crowd.

To be honest, I haven't written because there was no momentum with intenyears. for the last few weeks. Holidays, stress, lack or creative energy all played a part. There was a post Christmas Eve, but it seemed kinda sad, and who wants to read that over the holidays? Everyone has their own problems to deal with, and this is supposed to be a blog about Creating! and Adventure! There were a few pies that were created, but this isn't a baking blog. Check out the awesomeness that is bakerella for that!

Today I posted my first items all on my own, from photography to finish. Yay! The Rock Candy necklace is the unfinished quartz previously blogged about, and the brass filigree was a remake of the necklace I have gotten SO many compliments on. In fact, it is the necklace that spurred me to get the business cards made up. Much classier than writing it in a cocktail napkin, but way less fun. Maybe they make bourbon-scented card stock?

As for the photography, we knew our camera was the sucketh, but thought it would suffice to start off. On New Years' Day I was able to play with a friends' SLR (Mom, not as bad as it sounds!), and OH.MY.WORD. Did not want to give it back. The ease!The focus!The clarity! Makes me want to weep. Plus, you just look like you know what you're doing with a camera like that in your hands. Then, today, back to reality and our old digi. I tried not to show Canon my disappointment, as it is not his fault and he snaps his little heart out. But, there is cheating in my heart. Its name is Nikon.

Now Hiring: Personal Assistant

No snow for me. Not that upset, since winter is an over rated season IMO. Not really necessary, other than to piss you off, mess up your car, and cause lots of knee and elbow injuries. The whole thing is really a marketing tool for the dairy, wheat, and salt industries. Tell me that the threat of a snowflake on your local news channel doesn't create a run on bread and milk, and then the roads get covered in salt or brine, starting 2 days before? Exactly, think about it. The weather did force me to stay indoors and work on some necklaces. Oh, and it forced hot cocoa down my throat. Those extra marshmallows were pure evil.

If you read the blog, you know guy does the photography of my pieces. I create, and he does the rest. This time of year his primary job gets a bit hectic, so there has not been the time to get the photos set up, taken, edited, and posted. There are at least 10-12 pieces, many with earrings, that are on deck and ready to go. So, that means learning how to photograph my pieces. Sounds easy, doesn't it? But there are lightboxes, and shutter speeds, angles, tripods, and editing software thingies to deal with. I, to put in mildy, do NOT have the patience of a saint. Is that the sound of guy chuckling ?? He doesn't even know what I'm blogging about, its that bad. The game plan so far will be to have creative days, and posting days, and bonbon days. The main reason guy was doing the photography is, well, he's good at it, but also to keep me from getting bogged down in things other than creating. So, setting aside time for each task will probably be the best and most sanity-keeping way to get it all done. It can be difficult to keep to a schedule when you are working from home, so does anyone have a system to get it all done and not go crazy? Maybe a big dry erase board, or paper planner with my days marked out. There also has to be time set aside for housekeeping, and time for just me. I don't ask for much, do I?

Family Eyes

Brrr, its starting to feel like December, even here in the south. Now, anything below 75 degrees and the whining begins, but it will be in the 20's soon. So how am I coping? I headed straight for the local bead store, of course!

I stocked up on some things that were needed to finish a few projects that have been lying around, so that was a necessary purchase. But! They had a 50% table! And pretty new sparkly things! In orange! And pink! Orange has been my latest obsession, so a strand of orange beads on sale was a no-brainer. Pink I just love, but can't seem to work it into a design I like that isn't too twee. This pink would go perfectly with some unfinished rough quartz we picked up on our last trip, which is white with a hint of pink. The rough texture of the unfinished white quartz and the smooth shiny tiny pink quartz beads will go excellent together, IMO. Plus, now I know that they are having a huge Boxing Day Sale. Important info to have.

The holidays are coming up, so of course most of my projects have been for gifts. It is really stressful to make something to give to family! You worry about every single detail, things that no mortal eyes would even notice. But family eyes, family eyes would notice, or so you believe. Honestly, they probably would overlook any flaws and love it just because I made it for them, but still. Anyone else feel more pressure when making gifts for family, or is it just me?

Holiday Baubles

The Thanksgiving holiday is over, house is back to just us, and my lungs have firehosed the soccer hooligans. Back to work time it is. Make sure you check the sidebar listing, as there are quite a few new pieces to post, new gorgeous gewgaws to work with, and of course you'll want to be updated since it is the season of giving! What better gift than something handmade, that is as unique as the person you are giving it to. Can you tell I used to work for a social expressions company? No? Good.

On an exciting note (at least for me), my new business cards arrived this past Friday. They are so awesome and it makes me feel 'legit'. It feels much more professional to have this beautiful card to hand out when someone tells me they like what I'm wearing, instead of writing it on a napkin or trying to find a non-awkward way of promoting my website. Some have already been handed out to friends, visiting family, and the woman at the bead shop we stumbled upon during our latest adventure. Yes, I said adventure. I am going to let the Guy talk about that in his next post. It should be quite a read.

Are you wondering what I've been working on? Since the holiday season often includes lots of events and parties, what better way to get more mileage out of that LBD than some fun jewelry sets? And guys? We girls would *LOVE* it if you bust out a cutely decorated jewelry box as we're getting ready for a night out. Colorful chokers, earrings, semi-precious stones and bright copper to really get noticed amongst all the tinsel. I really seem to be drawn to working with copper, it seems to showcase the gems just that little bit more than silver or gold, and people definitely seem to notice it more. It is just warmer.

In other words, come check out all the fun and pretty stuff that will be posted soon. We are very excited here about the next few weeks, and hope you will love the new stuff, too.

Your trash is my inspiration

I see you've met my guy. Proves you can't leave your blog password out or just anybody will start posting. He has a way with words, that one.

My lungs are still auditioning for the next Muci.nex commercial. Soccer hooligans seem to have moved in and are throwing dustbins and Gui.nness around in there. Lots of singing and shouting. But, overall, I am feeling better and have some adventures to share. There are some new necklaces to talk about, antique mall finds, and of course the beaders' night out.

Guy and I went to few more antique malls around here this past week, and scored some nice deals. My favorite is an ugly copper wire tree that I found for $1.50. There isn't a picture quite ugly enough, or that isn't some one's art, that can be linked to. But, basically, for $1.50 I have at least 50 copper leaf pendants and a whole lot of copper strands for jewelry work.

I spied it from across the aisle, and went straight into stalker mode as there was a woman looking in that stall. I stepped closer. Closer. Clos...er. She must have been glad I brushed my teeth. My left hand was physically restraining my right from darting forward past the eyeless baby doll heads and snatching the tree. My eyes darted back and forth. The tension was thick. The music was bad. Closer, until there was an uncomfortable lack of distance between us. She finally muttered 'excuse me' when I pushed her down to step on her as I grabbed my tree. Guy thinks it looked more like I stepped back politely to give her room to exit and then went back in, but not IN MY MIND.

Back to civilized behavior. There was a beaders' night out to attend last night. Even though I've been sick and wasn't sure if it was good to go, I was excited about spending time with other beaders, swapping ideas and inspirational stories. Insert laughter, crying, and chocolate eating montage here. You get the idea. Anyway, so packed up several project ideas, my tools, some beading wire, and headed out. Got there right on time, early enough that I was the first one. Chatted with the employees, who said about 6 RSVP'd. Set out my stuff, and started designing a necklace. Very quiet. Thirty minutes later, someone else! One hour later.....nobody else! Only 2 of us showed up. 2 does not a montage make....well not the kind of family-friendly one I was thinking of. It was a nice time, though, and got to know my local bead shop employees a little better, but next time there better be inspirational bonding, damn it!

Two new necklaces to post about, and two others that are photographed and ready to put into the shop. At the BNO, I used some more of the vintage cream-colored flowers in a longer length necklace, with some really pretty orange glass rondeau beads as accents. It is supposed to line up asymmetrically on the neck, very nice. Also finally finished a necklace today using a stone
I've had for awhile. Its been in another necklace, but it didn't make me happy and finally dismantled it to reuse today. It is a blue-green faceted dyed quartz, and I added a lapis lazuli bead and a clear acrylic disk to a chunky silver color metal chain. Very simple, yet the size of the stone and shape of the chain links make it a statement piece. I cannot wait for you to see them!

And now a word from the Marketing Department...

So, as "gal" mentioned, there is a "guy" behind the scenes and he is me. We figured that while she handles the creative side in regards to making the jewelry, I'll handle the fun stuff such as (but not limited to): web design, marketing, heavy lifting and photography. Often times the "offices" of the marketing department overlaps the design department, (i.e. our workspaces on the table co-mingle) but overall we work well together. Personally, I don't really find this as a surprise, but I'm sure "gal" would answer differently.

We've already had some learning experiences in this venture and as time goes on, we thought it would be fun to share them with the world. We are by no means suggesting our lessons are unique but if you're here reading this, you must care about us in some form or another. So in that regard, here is hard fought lesson number one: scale.

About one week into our venture gal and I were perusing on Etsy looking at the different beads that were available. In a stroke of genius I decided to sort from most expensive to least, just to see what the "top" beads where and what their prices were. We came across this beautiful watermelon tourmaline, fate and destiny intertwined, it was meant to be ours. It was green on the outside, gorgeous pink on the inner band. We both immediately fell in love with it and I'm sure both had visions of this being the gem to kick start our store and be our first sale. (ok, so I might have added some extra drama for effect, but you get the point.) We ordered this gem and another few things from this seller, who is based in Thailand, and preceded to wait.

About ten days later we get the package notice (actually we missed the delivery and had to go to the Post Office) but of course it was still out for delivery. The next day rolls around and Gal goes to pick up the gem to end all gems; I still wish I could have been in the car to see her face. Below is a transcipt (more or less) of the ensuing phone call:

Gal: Hey, it's me...how are you?
Guy: Good, at work the usual fun stuff. What's up?
Gal: Well, I went and picked up the package...
Guy (giddily): And...is it everything we hoped for and more?
Gal: It's really pretty. Green on the outside, pink on the inside. The other pieces are cool too.
Guy (sensing a strange tone in Gal's voice): How big is it?
Gal: Well, it's thicker than I thought.
Guy: Wow, that's great. How big is it?
Gal: It's a little smaller than I envisioned...
Guy: Like how much smaller, is it the size of a quarter?
Gal: Umm...
Guy: A dime?
Gal: Ummm, I'm in the neighborhood at the bead store, I'll show you.

So Gal shows up at work and hands me the package. This thing must have had like twelve layers of bubble wrap around it. I carefully unwrap the gem and lo and behold it looks like...

You know how if you actually suck on a Jolly Rancher until it gets really thin right before it disintegrates in your mouth? Combine that with the diameter an Altoid, then shave off a few millimeters and you've got it. Right.

Well there you have it. So, the marketing department learned a valuable lesson that day: Always check the scale of your purchase, otherwise you're making necklaces for the Keebler Elves.