I decided to try out a couple of new shows this year. Just something to broaden my horizons. There is a convention coming up in July called the Dark History and Horror convention in Champaign, IL. They needed vendors and I thought it could be a great opportunity and fun to do!

I am planning to have a bigger stock in all of my dragon eye necklaces as well as my steampunk items. Ya know, my off the wall stuff.

Hope to see some of you there! At the Kountry Nook Craft & Gift Mall.  The third Tuesday of the month is the regular day I am trying to stick with. If anther day would work better, we could do a second class, or we could try a Sunday. Drop me a line and let me know!!

One of my earliest dreams was to go to art school. Well life had other plans. So last year I decided to take an online class from the New York Institute of Art and Design. It’s a specialty course in jewelry design and wire working. Some of the information I already know but I have e been learning so many new techniques and skills!

This current section I just completed was on wire forging and making my own unique handmade jewelry components; clasps, earring wires, and other findings.ome assignment was to make a necklace and use a hand forged clasp. 

Another assignment I did was on making my own earring wires. I made a pair of square frames and added just a simple silver bead on them.

Before I started on this class I had never even thought of making my own finding for my jewelry, but what a way to make my unique items even more unique!

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I am kinda lucky that I work the place I do. Hobby Lobby really is the perfect place for me. I work in the frame shop which gives me the ability to be creative all day long. I also get to see some amazing artwork come through the shop. Once in a while I will snap a pic of some of the detail in artwork or get the artists name. I get so many ideas about trying new techniques. More hours may have to be added to the day to let me try all of my ideas! Here are just a few of the awesome works that have graced  my table.

This last one is from a tapestry we were framing. I was looking at the detail and saw this tiny heart in the design. I immediately thought that my wedding ring would be a perfect size to go around it. And the interior of the band reflected the heart in a very abstract way. Unintentional awesomeness is the best!

So at my amazing sisters suggestion I made an online survey at Survey Monkey to make all of your lives easier! Please help me out and take the survey!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YN2Q3JL

This is a questionnaire that my business partner and I came up with. Answers to these questions would be extremely helpful to us.  If you choose to answer, please copy and paste this to an email , answer the questions and I will send you a coupon for $5.oo off a future purchase!

Raeven Design Studios –

A new venture by Julie B. of Ravenwing Creations and Rabecca M.

Feedback needed !!!! We are starting a joint fashion/jewelry line together and need

your help!

The following questions will aid us in the development of our brand. Every COMPLETED ( 1 per person)

questionnaire will earn the person a FREE PAIR OF EARRINGS or a $5.00 coupon towards the purchase of a

Ravenwing Creations jewelry item. Thank you for your help!

1. Please tell me about a time when you were shopping for a new outfit or accessory for an event. What was the event? What was the image you were trying to convey? What issues did you come across in your search for the perfect item?

2. If you had difficulty finding the right item, how did you remedy the situation? (i.e. try a new store, if so how many? Did you try to make something yourself or have someone make it fr you?

3. What guided your decision to shop at a particular store? (i.e. word of mouth, brand name, service, variety of product, visual displays, their success in helping you in the past? )

3. What kind of environment or service are you looking for when you shop? How does it affect you making a purchase and subsequently returning to that seller?

5. What is your primary goal when shopping for a new outfit? Is it for fun, for an event/ or need based or for others?

6. Are you looking for an item that is unique and will help you stand out in the crowd or are you looking for something functional and for more everyday usage?

7. Would you prefer custom made clothing with less variety or store bought with less variety?

8. When purchasing jewelry or accessories, what factors do you consider? (circle all that apply)_____Cost _____Color _____Construction ____Durability _____Fit _____StylePlease circle your #1 consideration for purchase of jewelry or accessories

Here is the next class I am teaching at the Kountry Nook!  Follow their Facebook page for updates on all of the classes and events at the Nook!

Hope to see you at class!

The next class I am teaching is going to be a wire wrapping class.  I have had several requests for this one, so here it is!

We are going to make a pendant with a Faux Dichrotic Glass Center piece. This will be fully wire wrapped around it and a wire bail at the top for the necklace. This should be a really fun class. I am looking forward to teaching it!

The local craft mall that I sell at, the Kountry Nook has recently started hosting craft classes. Somehow I got roped into teaching a few, not that I mind! So I have added to my already packed schedule a crafty class once a month! So my students get to partake in my wittiness while I teach them something amazing!

The first class I did was a dreamcatcher class. I provided all of the supplies and the students got to learn from start to finish how to make a multicolored bohemiann style dreamcatcher!

The gals that took my class seemed to enjoy it!  This was my first teaching experience but feedback from the students was pretty positive.

The next month I thought a class on how to make a set of fiber wrapped bangle bracelets with wire and bead wrapping.

This one was a pretty easy class, the gals there for it were so easygoing and fun, it takes a lot of the stress out of teaching! So thanks for that!!!

For the next class in November, I am planning a wire wrapped stone class. I have had a few requests for this type of tutorial so I am going to give it a shot! I will keep you updated as to the date and time!