Holidays are approaching....

Gosh, I guess I haven't posted in awhile. I've been a bit busy, I guess, working some and playing some too. I have been working on some new ideas I've had both for the holidays and for everyday stuff. I've been tinkering with hammering copper designs and I have also been fiddling with beading. So far I have some neat little beading projects that should turn out nice. I'm also really enjoying working with copper wire, I feel like the possibilities are endless. Lately I've really been trying to do more intricate and involved work with more attention to detail. I'm also in the process of cleaning out my workroom (work in progress for awhile now, lol) so my workspace is more usable, novel idea, eh?

New happenings...

First of all, I recently made my first online sale on my Etsy store!! I also sold a pair of lovely earrings to my mother in law, which was nice too. I recently finished photographing a pair of earrings (with my poor decrepit burned hand, but I'm ok now, lol) for my bridal/special occasion line that I've wanted to do for awhile, and these earrings will be the first in that line. I hope to be able to add to it soon along with my fall jewelry. I'm also working on some fall/winter crafts to add to my store just in time for the holidays. I have so many ideas right now and I just got a job at a craft and fabric store, so who knows what I will come up with!

New items

I just got finished posting a few new items on my etsy page. I have a new pair of earrings, bracelets and a bracelet/earring set. I also have another pair of earrings finished that I have yet to photograph, but I plan to post it in the next day or two.
I am also working on a new banner for my shop, I'm working on one that showcases a few of my best pieces. I hope to get that finished in the next couple of days soon. I start a new and exciting job this weekend and I am looking forward to having a more creative job (aside from what I do at home, of course). :-P

Why buy handmade?

In our ever expanding globally connected world, it seems it's more important then ever to look at the benefits of buying handmade and locally. What are the benefits, you ask? Let's take a look:

~Buying handmade supports the craftperson directly, no one takes a cut and there is no middleman.


~Customer service is paramount. If you ever have an issue, question, or compliment about something handmade that you have bought, you are dealing with the person who created the item you bought, not some 'representative' who probably doesn't much enjoy what they do and could care less what sort of problem you have. Crafters tend to go above and beyond to make their customers uber-happy and enjoy doing it.

~Creativity and love. Every last detail of a handmade piece was carefully thought about and assembled from a unique mind with love and care. No sweatshops, no mass production by machines, and no exact copies mean that you get a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork that was made especially for you with love.

~This one I got from the Pledge Handmade website, which you need to check out and don't forget to pledge!
"Buying handmade is better for people.
The ascendancy of chain store culture and global manufacturing has left us dressing, furnishing, and decorating alike. We are encouraged to be consumers, not producers, of our own culture. Our ties to the local and human sources of our goods have been lost. Buying handmade helps us reconnect."

Think of something I forgot? If you've got some other reasons, feel free to comment!

My first post!!

I suppose for my first post I should introduce myself. My name is Stephanie and I make and sell mostly jewelry for now in my little workshop in the central valley of Northern California. My jewelry is focused more on simple designs that are elegant, funky, and fun. I enjoy using copper wire and natural stone in my pieces as well as wire wrapping and colorful beads. I hope to soon add custom bridal jewelry to my list of products, but I'm not quite set up for that yet.
I have been making jewelry on and off for a number of years and recently decided to sell some of it. I hope to one day make my living just on selling my wares. I am excited for the holiday season and I hope it brings me many sales! My store is haughtonhandmade.etsy.com and my website is www.haughtonhandmade.com. Please feel free to email me or leave comments if you have a question or just want to say 'hi'. I am friendly and enjoy talking to other jewelry makers and crafters. Thanks for checkin' me out!