Do I Have the Time to be Nicholas?

(updated at end of this post...)
It's been a couple of days now since I spoken to 'yall. Is there ever any time to be what we are supposed to be? Since I've been away I have intended to begin restringing all of my earliest necklaces and put on a more comfortable clasp around the neck. Have I done that yet? NO!

Often, life gets in the way of what one really wants to be doing. I try not to let that happen, but I am not God, (thank God) and stuff just come flying at ya and you either catch it and work with it or let it hit you in the face.

The Early Days...

I did sneak in a "remake" in the beginning of the week on one of my favorite early necklaces. It's the Cobalt/Indigo blue one. Obviously when people (me) begin a new line, a new hobby or such, they improve with age as they go on, as I have. See where I started from?

Better techniques, better quality and better materials have happened. I need to reel myself in and retain these pieces as they are and not be tempted to use the original design to  enhance upon it or change it which is exactly what I did with the blue one. Oh, it's much more comfortable all right, but I did change it. Now the old one is just nostalgia, I liked it too.

Got to NOT do that. Don't I? Now, it's a new piece and needs new pictures, and a new listing. Just thought I'd make more work for myself, just what I need to do. But you know, it's easy to restring, just keep your mind from wandering and saying to (my)self, I've got a much better separator than the one I am using, I think I'll change it...and that is how it starts.

As I think about this in more detail, perhaps new pictures would be a good idea. My props, models and style has also gotten better and I could do more justice for these earlier pieces if I did up new photo's. That way I can accommodate my uncontrollable urge to remake, change out and improve on the old!

There, I talked myself right into it! Now I am free to do as I wish. Well, that's what it's all about anyway isn't it? Doing what you love is doing what you wish and following your dreams is following your heart which is falling back on personality traits that I do not wish to change. Like holding back. Like restraining myself. Like reeling myself in. I don't like to do any of those things.

So, now I can say, come and see my new line of old necklaces? my new line of earlier necklaces? remakes of the old? improved materials and techniques? I won't advertise anything like that. As a matter of fact, I won't even mention it in the listings. They will just be remade sturdier and with stronger and more comfortable materials.

Cobalt/Indigo Blue Random Design..

Thanks for helping me through that! Ever feel like your talking to yourself? I have no followers yet and I don't think anyone peeked at my blog yet, so it's still a virgin waiting for someone to come and comment on it, ask questions about it and chime in on the discussions I have with myself. Yes, it would be nice to have some company.

Here's a pic of the early necklace as it WAS.



Like this clasp? OUCH!

So, I will be focusing on that for the next week. I hope I make good progress! I'll be taking new photo's as well.

   Here it is...I am back (1/11) to show you how it all came out! I think these chain drop earrings in the same cobalt/indigo Blue is a sharp looking pair! Come and see and be A M A Z E D !

Bye for now!

Nicholas spreads the Joy....

Well, my husband had his birthday the other day and we had cake and ice cream for anyone who happened to come by. His Mom called from Florida and the phone was passed and passed and passed around. She insisted on buying her granddaughter's some jewelry from my shop for their Christmas presents. She must have over heard me talking about how much energy, time and money I have dumped into Nicholas Designs and have not yet had an Internet sale. Prior to this I only sold perhaps 4 pieces of jewelry and they were not out of my new line.

Tickled, I brought out everything I had and of course the girls went for the Turquoise and the White Cabochon pendants. (The white one will be posted this week) (Each are $105.00). My mother-in-law flipped and gave me a $40.00 limit for each.

They picked out, all on their own necklaces that happen to have their Grandmother's antique beads and lace that was given to me (which I took apart and redesigned into more "modern" pieces, fresh and colorful). 

Julia's Christmas Gift from Nan

Julia picked a Clear Glass Murano Heart-shape with a green squiggle swirl inside resting on a very long piece of vintage ivory colored lace that belonged to her Grandmother.

Serena's Christmas Gift from Nan

My other niece, Serena picked out a green, white and yellow beaded pendant necklace also in Lariat length. The Green Agate beads came from an old piece that her Grandmother had which I tore apart and created this one. It is loaded with crystals and silver charms, just lovely.

My Sister-in-Law's Christmas Gift

Ironically, my brother-in-law jumped in and suddenly decided to buy his wife a necklace as well. He also picked out a beauty that again, had his Mom's antique beads..in this one, vintage Amethyst nuggets (paired with aquamarine and silver charms galore). How wonderful that they all have a little piece of this great lady to claim for themselves!

Well, that's what's been up since Christmas. Family, friends and good hard work.
Bye for now...
Old Nick was good to our loved ones!

Nicholas made a booboo....

Well well, it looks like I may have stepped on someones toes. Ouch! I was on my FB page and I was
inviting everyone I knew or had common friends with to come to visit my FB page, Nicholas Designs
shop, Grampa's Attic shop and this here Blog Why Nicholas?

It seems I did so to at least one person whom I apparently did not know nor have familiar contacts with and he or she sent in a bad, nasty, naughty, angry feedback letter to FB and I got my fanny reamed out!

I am SO sorry to have offended, bothered, insulted, hurt, annoyed you whilst trying to befriend you.

I always thought we could use all the friends we could get.

I am doing my best to expand my identity on line, to yes, ADVERTISE. There, I said it. I am sending out ADVERTISING to my family, friends and potentially new friends.  Many many of you accepted my friend request and I am so very happy! Thank you, thank you! I need ALL of you. I need you all to visit me frequently and leave me messages and feedback and yes, leave A LITTLE LOVE along the way.

To those whom I may have and did, ANNOY, Please forgive me. And for the rest of you...Thank you for being with me and helping me get my business and clientele going!

God Bless ALL of you, even the Grinch and especially his poor little doggie.

Deborah Barrell

Twas the night before ole St. Nicholas....

Well here it is Christmas Eve day, early morning for me. I have my bowl of grapes and my Sunny D and I am ready to tell some more of the story of Nicholas.

I saw our girl tonight, she popped over with a carrot cake for Christmas. Mmmm. It was (is) really good, and no, we haven't eaten it all YET. I had the opportunity to give her the necklace I made her of Purple glass beads splashed with aqua and silver with a few aqua spacers and crystals to shake it up a bit (as if purple needs any "shaking up"). On this, hangs the 2 inch moonstone she admired so much. WHY DIDN'T I TAKE A PICTURE?

She's not one to "moon" over things or jump up and down with glee and I could see that it was killing her not to be able to jump up and land a sloppy smooch on me! Yes, I think she really liked it. She kept on about how all her clothes were either purple or blue! So, yes, I did well. She did well too because I ADORE carrot cake and the frosting, oh to die for...I believe she did the frosting by hand, else, how do you get that carrot cake frosting, you know that taste, come out all creamy and chocolaty? I don't know how I just hope she makes more of them!

I remember for Thanksgiving, she woke me up (she has a key and a way to get in) with a cookie platter containing 9 (or 12) tiny little individual chocolate cream pies! Imagine that! I was so tickled I ate one in bed without utensils, right out of the pie tin! Right then and there. She thought that was so funny. But in fact, it was SO good!

I guess that's what started this whole gift thing.

I was going to say that I don't normally give things away (such as a $75.00 necklace) but,  that's just NOT true. I give everything away! I do! Drives my husband mad!

I remember last year I was looking for this 8 ft. long heavy duty dark, cobalt blue velvet ribbon edged with gold that had a heavy Christmas bell on the bottom for balance. I tack it up near the ceiling, (we have really tall ceilings), and as Christmas cards come in I staple them to the fabric so I can see them all and it makes for a nice "Christmassy" wall ornament.

Anyway, last year I was crazy mad to find the damn thing and it was just plain no where. So, I made a new one, Same thing only I had a nice light blue ribbon with silver edging and a bigger bell, (a real cow bell) I had confiscated from some yard sale. (Pause, eat a bunch of grapes....).

This year I found the ribbon I made last year and it dawned on me...I gave the original away a couple of years ago. It was after Christmas and I was breaking down everything and I can't for the life of me think of who I gave it too, but I did! I recall saying... here... like this? You can have it!

I don't mind giving things away but I think I should keep a list so I don't go crazy looking for something that isn't there. Know what I mean?

Mom's Christmas Shell Bracelet

Well, let see, what did I do today? I finished my mother's bracelet and earring set up. The first bracelet I made was too big. I know, cause it fit me and my mother is about 98 pounds. She doesn't like things that are too big (like me!). Anyway, I made her another one about 5 inches instead of 7. Perfect! fit me real tight, should be perfect for her. Its of Aqua Blue and Very White 1/4 inch shell cut squares. The iridescence is amazing on these. I got them from Dunham. He's got great stuff!

Mom's matching Shell earrings CLIP ONS!

I made sure my pattern was purposeful and not random and everything was "perfect". Her tiny little earrings are really cute. I hope the jeweler's glue holds. She doesn't have pierced ears so I bought a few pairs of sterling silver clips for her. I glued an aqua square like a triangle on to the front of the lobe piece and strung one square to dangle underneath. Simple, small. Just the way she likes it.

So that pair was done. I do want to open a line of clip earrings that are made of fine materials I think that's a corner of the market that is relatively scarce. Perhaps I could fill the needs of many who have no holes in their ears?

 I also made a pair of real shell, well they are all "real", I mean someone took one of those curled up shells and cut the curly protruding end off. They are left un-dyed, so it's natural looking. I glued that on to the lobe piece and called it good. WHY DIDN'T I TAKE A PICTURE? (Think I am getting the message to record everything?)

Then I remembered she gave me a silver and gold, intertwined metal bracelet that I said I could make smaller for her. Well, that was tougher than I thought. I literally had to break the metal in order to remove 4 links. Then I didn't have a clasp as I broke them off and had no way to weld them back on!

 Ooops. Not to worry, after fooling with it a while (grapes, grapes..) I put new Gold plated clasps on it, a hook and eye. That's all I had for gold. It came out rather nice. I just hope that it's not too small now. But the 2 bracelets I worked on for her are about the same size now, I'll find out tonight when we open presents. I hate to disappoint her and I have enough guilt for the entire world! Anyway with the links that I took off, I made her a pair of matching earrings to go with the bracelet. Like I said, I hope the jewelers glue holds!
Enough about Mom.

The final piece I worked on was a new creation for the sterling silver Sets in the shop. I adore the red nugget and Hematite piece I did the other day and I just got in new SS "tubes" that are "twisted" instead of smooth like the ones on the red necklace. The tubes keep the stones a "said" length apart from each other. I like that idea. so, I ran with it.

White Agate Pendants with Hematite

Twisted tubes, small round white beads, and (just got these in too..) tiny Hematite heart shapes and I surrounded the Hematite with clear Swarovski crystals (like on the red one, I used gray crystals). The whole neck piece is two inches longer than the red one and this one hold a 2 inch triangular White Agate that's been polished. The gray streaks in the white stone play off the gray Hematite in the necklace. I think this is the finest one I have ever made.

 I truly believe I just keep getting better and better. My designs are becoming more conservative and my work is much more precise.

I am so happy. I just hope to sell some pieces so others can enjoy them as well.

I'd like to do the same style only with pink and gray. I think that would be awesome. Although I have something else up my sleeve for the pink. Maybe I'll just make 2 pink ones that will solve my dilemma. I have this gorgeous 1 1/8 inch Heart shaped Stone. I have to go look and see the type of stone it is as I bought it a few weeks ago and I forget things. Thank God for receipts!

Well, I prolly ought to shut up for a while. We have Christmas after dinner on the 24th which is today. We will be enjoying lobsters for dinner at my Mom's and then presents. I think I went overboard on my husband, nothing "special" or specific, just a bunch of stuff he doesn't need as usual. I concentrated more on his sore back and picked up a back brace he can wear at work and I picked up a chair liner that you plug in and it massages you and heats up. I hope this helps his weary back. I hate to see him hurt.

Christmas day we will visit his sister and their tribe, maybe stay for dinner. The day after Christmas is my husbands birthday.  I need to get on the phone and call everyone and invite them for "cake and ice cream". Usually my mother-in-law does that but she moved to Florida. I miss her terribly.

So I will end today with a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Jolly Whatever you worship.
God Bless you all, and to all, a good night!
Jolly ole Nicholas signing off.

Nicholas Takes Care of Her Own....

I just finished up a necklace for my mother in law. It is so simple, It's lovely. I have a 24 inch sterling silver snake necklace and I added a 20mm heart made of white shell. put the two together and viola! Elegant and simple. WHY DIDN'T I TAKE A PICTURE OF IT?

I mailed it yesterday along with a ton of packages that were orders from Grampa's Attic, That shop is taking off really well!

Then I finished up a pendant necklace for the girl who walks our dog and shovels our walkways after a snow storm. Takes her a while to come and shovel but if I have to wait a couple of days, then so be it, I am thankful that she does it.

She saw all the beautiful pendants I purchased over at Dunham's Gemstar Gemstone shop on Route 4a in Enfield, GAWD, I LOVE THAT PLACE! It's a rock museum and should be listed as an attraction in the town of Enfield. Perhaps I will recommend that.

Any way our girl had her eye on a moonstone pendant. So, what colors do tweens like? Purple! I matched purple glass beads that had a tiny bit of silver and aqua splashed on them with lilac colored round beads and created a really cool pattern. It turned out really great, I had to restring it 3 times because I screwed up the pattern, (never be in a hurry!) but it turned out perfect, tight, and gorgeous!

A huge moonstone pendant hangs in the center of this 20 inch necklace. (she is small). I hope she likes it! I can't wait to give it to her. I love to give her things, we never had a child and I would hope that if we did, a girl would be alot like her. WHY DIDN'T I TAKE A PICTURE OF IT?


Cute Ears...Huh?

She has also been the 'girl behind the ears' in many pictures on Nicholas Designs' web listings for earrings. She is my model. I can't show too much of her as she is so young so we get her hair done like I would do mine and she has the cutest ears!

Here she is modeling the matching earrings to the Red Nugget and Hematite Necklace...

Hematite Heart Pendant with Red Nuggets

She models for my new collection of hypoallergenic Sterling Silver Fine Jewelry. She is the model behind the Turquoise pendant (below) and the Hematite and Red Nugget pendant, here.
They are both just beautiful! and so is she!



I can see quite a few people looking at these but no one has bought anything yet, I am wondering if the price is scaring them.
You get what you pay for and if you want the best, you must realize that my pieces will last a life time as I have built-in safe guards against the clasps fraying the wire as in this one that boasts a "dainty" Hematite heart about 1/2 inch, more Hematite squares and red nuggets and genuine Swarovski Crystals.

My Turquoise Pendant...YES!

The Turquoise Pendant is about 2 inches long. The Lariat (long length) is really made well, rugged with natural Turquoise.  I am asking $105.00 for the Turquoise and $75.00 for the Hematite. I don't think that's too much considering how much work goes into them and the quality of the materials is the best I can find anywhere...

Pretty huh?

Pink Quartz and Sterling Silver Earrings

I have a most gorgeous pair of pink Quartz earrings with Sterling Silver. Everyone seems to be looking at this one as well but no bites yet. These are so dainty and ornate, nothing brash or loud, just some shiny silver holding a dangling 1/4 inch pink Quartz rock. They are going for $47.00. For the materials and the work involved, they are worth it! (I actually started out pricing it at $65.00).

Well, come and visit, I have invited those people to my facebook page that I think may wear jewelry and have an appreciation for fine jewelry. There is also a good amount of fashion jewelry available for those who do not have an allergic reaction to nickle and lead. What I have shown here today are those pieces that are hypoallergenic.

Talk later! comment, send messages and visit!   Wish we could have holiday cocktails together!

Deborah.

Carry on Nicholas

Yes yes! I hit the new post tab. and this comes up. cool.

Ok, what's been happening...I want people to know about "search ads" on Etsy. I paid 10.00 for 10,000 what they call "impressions" which are pictures of my work in Nicholas Designs that come up within the first 25 images shown when someone uses a keyword "tag" that applies to my pieces. So if you went to Etsy and typed in "necklaces" I should be one of the items within the first 25 images of necklaces in the world of Etsy.

Well,.....I bought the 10,000 impressions for 7 days. On the seventh day, they had shown 3,191 impressions as of 2am before my time ran out. So, I sent them an email and they have not yet gotten back to me as to why and where are the remaining > 6,000 impressions that I paid for?
It will be interesting 1) IF they even get back to me and 2) what they plan on telling me.
I wonder if I will get a refund?

So anyone out there using Etsy's search ads ought to be very cautious. I think it's a rip which is unusual because Etsy is really a very good "landlord".
'nuff of that.

Well, almost enough. I complain because I am not getting the advertising I need. I have tried 'showcasing" and now "search ads" and nothing is working.
I am making more sales in person than what I am spending on line. What shall I do?
I could try Google ads. Anyone done that? I'd be interested to see if that works better.

You know what is really kinda sad? Is that vendors must PAY in order to have their items show first after a search word is put in. I find that awfully deceptive. It rubs me the wrong way yet I am doing it. Why can't things just happen normally? If there is a way to make a buck someone will find it.
sick, sad and sadistic. Welcome to the world.

This post is terrible! How depressing! I think I'll end it and start a new one, much more uplifting!

So many words, so little time...

Or was it so much time on my hands and so few words? Nah.
Who has so much time on their hands? very few.
Who says so little? Very few.


Blogging I suppose, is alot like listening to yourself talk. And if there is one thing I know how to do...that is listening to myself talk.


I tried to complete the "about me" section of this brand new blog and apparently it didn't like what I had to say because it crashed.

Perhaps I should close this one to see if it too is going to vomit my words out and die on the floor like a writhing squashed bug.
hmmmm.
Deb