by mgilvey | Nov 4, 2012 | Craft Shows
Marie Antoinette stands behind her instant work station where she demonstrates how she make her bead jewelrOn Saturday, November 3rd, we were very lucky to get into the Brooke Point High School Dance Team Craft Show. We literally walked in the day of the show and filled out an application at the door; boy were we lucky to get in. This was a great craft show and there was a lot of traffic throughout the day.
We had a spot that appeared to us to be in the farthest corner in the back behind everything but it was anything but that! I think we had just as much traffic come by as anyone else did.
A couple of customers just loved Marie Antoinette’s semi-precious stone bead necklaces but wanted to know if their selection could be altered a little; no problem! Marie Antoinette made a couple of changes and each of the customers necklaces and they were happy as can be. We always offer the option of making a piece of jewelry longer or shorter or if within reason, other alterations that make each piece a one of a kind treasure.
The Brooke Point High School Dance Team Craft Show was a great event and we’ve already reserved our space for next year.
by mgilvey | Oct 12, 2012 | New Jewelry, Wedding Jewelry
We were very fortunate to be contacted in August by a local resident who was going to get married in October. She was looking for something really special that used fresh water pearls and wire (click photos for enlargement). We met with the customer at our home where we could show her the collection of beads Marie Antoinette had in stock and to discuss the design and quantity the customer wanted.
Our 
customer wanted two sets (fresh water pearl earrings and necklace), one for her to wear and one for her made of honor. Together, the two of them reviewed some ideas and put together a list of supplies needed. Each of them looked for the right beads and after a bunch of e-mails and a few weeks they got together again at our house to discuss their findings.
Time was beginning to run out but once we had all the supplies, Marie Antoinette went to work on the sets, showing the client periodic process on the first one so she could go “full-steam ahead” on the second. Since this client was in our area, she could come and see the work in person and I think that meant a lot to her.
Designing custom wedding jewelry is a joint process. As a graphic designer myself, I watched as the two of them craft their ideas together to create a beautiful piece of jewelry. This isn’t to say that two heads are better than one but having the customer involved was an important step in the process. The process took two months to complete but the customer was very happy with the jewelry. I think it’s important for the customer to get involved because it gives them ownership that they might not otherwise have and more importantly, a true one of a kind piece of art can be made that will be cherished forever.
by mgilvey | Jan 16, 2012 | Craft Shows, New Jewelry
Did you know that in order to participate in a craft show, many times the show organizer will request vendors to send photos, not only of what they make but also of them actually making it. Marie and I are getting ready to send out our application for the Gar-Field Spring Craft Show so I’ve put together our usual vendor product sample sheet (PDF 365K). This multi-paged sample sheet has four large photos on each page showing a piece of jewelry being made and the final finished piece. It also includes our corporate identity, URL to the main website and contact information.
I have fun making the photography for these because it gives me a chance to show her in action. Ok, maybe stringing beads is a little like watching grass grow but isn’t everything when you get down to it? I decided to use one large soft light for the foreground and a straight flash that was covered with an orange filter (a full CTO in photography speak) as a second/hair light. This lighting is ideal for this kind of photography because it shows everything clearly and just by adding the orange gell over the second light source, it adds a “homey, warm” feeling to it.
We will be going to several craft shows in the Spring. Watch our home page on the right side for details. We will also publish them via our Twitter feed and on our Facebook fan page. Follow us or Like us to keep up with the latest.
by mgilvey | Dec 17, 2011 | Jewelry Sale, New Jewelry
Greetings everyone, I bet you are all out shopping for Christmas gifts. My wife and I are going to photograph some of her latest bead jewelry today. It will be a bit of a slow process as we will photograph one item, cleanup the image, post it on our Etsy shop and then tweet and post to Facebook.
Below are a couple of photos of “Le Studio” showing our setup for making all of this happen. As I don’t have any jewelry to photograph at this moment, I set up my lighting using a couple of race cars as subjects. Please friend use on Facebook to see the stream of photos as the will be mostly be getting posted there.
Happy Shopping
by mgilvey | Dec 4, 2011 | Craft Shows, Jewelry Sale, New Jewelry
Hi everyone, Mark here. As I sit here typing away at my keyboard listening to holiday music on Pandora, I just wanted to let you know that the Gar-Field Orchestra Boosters annual Holiday Craft Show will be this coming weekend: Saturday, December 10th at Gar-Field Senior High School.
Saturday, December 10th
14000 Smoketown Rd,
Woodbridge, VA
703-730-7000
Directions
If you have never been to this event, in my opinion, it is the largest craft show in all of Prince William County during December. Don’t spend your time fighting the crowds at Potomac Mills for a present that was made in some factory. Come to the craft show where you can purchase real “artisan creations” at very affordable prices.
Marie Antoinette and I will be there along with some of her new bead jewelry I will be photographing this week. You can watch her as she makes a new bead jewelry creation live, during the show.
Please friend us on our Facebook page for the latest information, sales and events.
I hope to see you there, mention this blog post and get a little something extra with your purchase at the show.
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