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Welcome.......
Pull up a chair, stay a while..it's margarita time!
Thursday Sept. 18, 2008:
I'm finally heading back down to my studio. I have missed being in my shop, especially when I'm not feeling very social right now and just want to create. I have a few custom pieces to do for Kim and I'm working on them now. I'll contact you when they are ready. I have been busy dealing with banking issues and merchant account problems. Coming home to those problems, with a heavy heart from TC, and trying to distress from a trip from hell with major things that went wrong on the road, I'm finally seeing a tiny light at the end of the tunnel. I have also been tweaking my security system for the shows and I'm glad it worked so nicely at the Tucson show. After the show in August I just decided that I could no long deal with the loss and didn't want to subject the innocent folks to a price hike to cover my losses. So now I have a new system and it should be just a bit tougher for the bad guys....hopefully. I was concerned that new customers would be offended, but no one seemed to mind, in fact they completely agreed to my new system. I hope everyone is having a good week, my Dad's birthday is next week and it's a milestone "B" day. He doesn't want a fuss, but I will try to give the most important thing on someone's birthday, and that is your time. I'm hoping he will at least be up for doing something fun. After almost loosing him in March, each day we get to spend with Dad is precious. Can you tell I'm a Daddy's girl???
Vic
Friday Sept. 12, 2008:
I'm back from the Tucson show and just beginning to unpack and get back to normal. But it won't be "normal" again. I came home to bury a precious part of my family, and right now, I'm going to allow myself time to grieve. I'm sure some might think it's silly to react to the loss of a little bird this way. But she was my family...we were the three buddies, Monet, Matisse and me. It isn't just about loss and grief, but guilt over choosing the wrong pet sitter to care for her, and immense anger over the sitters total lack of common sense and responsibility and afterwords, her lack of compassion. She never even said she was sorry.
I'm unpacking, and trying to get back to work. I'll probably be back on track fully by Monday, but feel free to contact me with your questions, as I do know that my personal situation shouldn't affect your needs. I'll update soon, feel free to contact me whenever you need to.
Vickie
Monday 08.25.08:
I'm heading back to the studio to continue making inventory for my upcoming show. I have been derailed with Mary's unexpected surgery and the fact that she's still in the hospital!! I actually don't know if we will make it to the show if she is still having problems. To top that off, this weekend I went into my oxygen shed to change out my tanks when I looked down and noticed something slithering in between the tanks!!!! The lizards are usually faster, and I just knew it was a snake. Needless to say, I took off running. Now I'm standing outside my studio, wondering how long this little bugger is gonna stay in my territory, after all I needed to get back to work. I took a broom and hit the tanks from a distance hoping I would see it take off, but no way. So I got the hose and hosed down the whole place. I figured he would either leave, drown, or simply enjoy a nice shower.! I changed my tank out but kept looking at the floor hoping he didn't decide to show up and crawl on my exposed foot wearing only thongs!!! If the dang snake wasn't enough to ruin my day, I let Monet out for her evening potty break. She pushed the door open to come back and I didn't realize it was open for a bit. I walked into my bedroom to find a BAT flying frantically around my ceiling fan, trying feverishly to get back outside. Again, I got my trusty broom, hoping I could guide this "rat with wings" outside. I finally dimmed my bedroom lights which sent him heading outside. It's days like this that makes me wonder what I'm still doing living in the mountains, after all, I'm a city girl, born and raised in the Bay Area. Well, I'm heading back to the studio to make more beads. I can't believe how fast the time is going. Have a great week, and steer clear of uninvited guests!
Vic
Tuesday 08.19.08:
We leave in 2 weeks for the Tucson show, and I need a lot of my new style beads for that. Almost all of the new style sold at the Gathering and I had to order more colors and specialty glass to get the selection I want. I just had to update a sold item on my focals page and I realize that when I get back from Tucson I really need to get some photos done and new product on this website. I ordered a photo set up and I'm hoping that will improve my photos a bit. I'm hoping to generate the same excitement online as I experience when we are doing a show. Somehow it just doesn't seem to come through the same online as it does in person but maybe I can fix that. My step mom Mary, who helps me at all of my shows, is in the hospital right now and I'm hoping she will be home today or tomorrow. This has been a tough year for our family, and it's sure teaching all of us about faith and learning acceptance. Much as we like to think we are in control, we really aren't. And it seems that the only real control any of us have, is to accept life as it comes and hopefully learn important lessons to help others learn as well. Anyway...back to business.
I think I've developed my signature style, or at least it's something that my customers seems to want from me rather than the rest of the styles I do in beads. Of course it's all bling, and it's not an easy bead style to make, but I do love the outcome. Watch for photos of this new look, coming very soon. Have a good week and take care.
Vic
Tuesday 08.12.08:
Hmmm.....what can I say about the Gathering.??? Sensory overload comes to mind. The event is mind boggling and I came home tired but thrilled. I met a lot of wonderful people, and my sales were the best one day sale to date..!!!! Now if I can only project the same excitement in my online sales that I get when customers come to my table at a show, I would be set. My step mom drove 2 1/2 hours each way to come and help me. I couldn't have done it without her, in fact I needed a booth sitter to help me when she went to get our lunch! I think (hope) I only encountered one theft, but it was an expensive set, and I will certainly make yet another change in my sale approach since it seems to be getting worse. Shame on you. I knew she had the beads, but they didn't have a system for calling security the way the shows usually do and I was at a loss since I couldn't leave my table. I will fill out the survey and mention some useful measures that are in other shows to prevent these thieves from having it so easy to take our precious works of art. The demonstrations were very interesting and I was able to see a lot of new tools in person. At the banquet the gals at my table found out it was my birthday that night. They began singing Happy Birthday to me during dinner at the banquet!!! I was so embarrassed, I began singing along with them hoping no one would realize it was me they were singing for...hahaha. All in all, it was a lot of fun and I accomplished what I set out to do. To test my skills and designs against the best of the best, to find out if I had what it takes to be at the level I have been striving for, and yes, I now know that I do. I received so many fantastic compliments that I'm just overwhelmed. I want to personally thank Vicki Harrison for her unparalleled kindness after seeing my beads she sent over one of her prized bead buyers to see my work! I am blown away at such a gesture and surely will find a way to repay her kindness someday. Thank you Vicki for introducing Gloria to me. I also want to thank my roommate Suzanne for being so much fun, and for being a wonderful friend. I want to thank the Sacramento gang for their adorable birthday card and last but not least, I want to thank Braire Patch for that amazing personalized soap saying Happy Birthday Vickie Lee on it, how very thoughtful!!!
Well, I'm heading down to the studio, I have a lot of beads to make in 3 weeks for Tucson and I still want to get back to Ebay. I'll post my Ebay listings on the front page to let you know somethings up again. Hugs and have a great week.
Vic
Wednesday 07.30.08:
Well, the Gathering is coming fast and furious. I've been working non-stop on product for both the Gathering in Oakland and the Fall Bead Show in Tucson three weeks after Oakland. I'm excited about a lot of the new beads I have, and I finally got my beads finished for my personal watch, pendant and earrings. I will have a few sets of the same beads for sale since I made extras. I wasn't sure what exact size or shape I wanted, so I just made as many as my dichro would hold out for. When I get back from Oakland, I'll try to get some photos of the new stuff done and up on the website. Anyway, I need to get back to my work, but I'll try to keep this going until I leave next week. Hopefully, I'll have a few photos when I get back to post here. Have a great weekend, I'm taking Monet for her annual shots to get ready for Tucson. Bye for now.......
Vic
Saturday 07.19.08:
Just a quick hello. I'm busy working in the studio trying to build inventory for both the Gathering and a head start for my inventory in Tucson in September. I need quite a bit for Tucson because I also stop at my shops on the way home and wholesale some of my inventory so it goes quick. My postcards came out wonderful and I couldn't be happier. I must admit, I'm as proud of the artwork and design of my cards as anything else I might do. It was a challenge to get them just the way I wanted. Today is the bag stuffing party for the Gathering at Sharon Peters house, but with all that's been going on here, I couldn't make the drive this time. Maybe this year I'll make it to her Christmas party for our bead group? Hope so. Have a great weekend.
Vickie
Wednesday 07.02.08:
Well, my postcards are one their way, in time for the bag stuffing for the Gathering. We have to submit 400 cards to go in some bags being distributed at the Gathering. I've been working on my beads for my watch, earrings and pendant to wear while I'm there, and I've wanted to make a dressy set for myself since I did the Galaxy watch. Hopefully, this time I won't put it in inventory to sell, and will keep this one for myself. The good part of this is I have a lot of beads done in the same style I've chosen for my signature jewelry. I couldn't decide what type of jewelry I wanted so I've been making an assortment of shapes in this particular design. Depending on how much I have when I'm done, I'll have bead sets, earring pairs, and finished jewelry similar to mine for sale at the August show. While I'm showing off my artwork on my postcards, I think I'll show my sign that I made for the front of my table. I think it came out pretty well considering it was my first attempt. On a personal note, my sister is doing very well now that she's out of the hospital. It's kind of amazing when people said what horrible luck our family has had this year with my Dad's accident and my sisters critical condition. My reply was that I thought we had fantastic luck this year. Both of my family members are OK, and although it was a lot to go through, everyone is Kay. Now I think that is very lucky.....and I thank "him" everyday. Take care...have a safe holiday weekend.
Vic
Tuesday 07.01.08:
Wow...what happened to June??? I can't believe that in a short 5 weeks I'll be attending my first ISGB Gathering, which is being held in Oakland, California this year. It's one of the reason's I'm going, I get to check out this event without the hassle of flying. I just ordered my postcards and can't wait to see how they turn out. I did the artwork myself, and submitted them to the printer so I'm a little nervous about the quality. I know I followed all the directions they gave, so we shall see. I'll post a small version of what the card will hopefully look like, but with a professional printer quality. I haven't forgotten about listing new stuff, and will be working on the photos in the next few days. I'll be busy for a few days, but try to update soon. Have a wonderful holiday, and please be safe out there!
Vic
Tuesday 06.24.08:
A quick heads up. I've been gone, my sister has been in critical condition for almost a week and I've been going back and forth to the hospital which is a few hours away. She is going to be OK, so hopefully I can get back on track. I have to do a few computer things, and get my postcards for the Gathering and then I will be listing my work on Etsy for a while and give that format a try. I'll post a link, when I begin listing. I would much prefer to sell from my website and the items will be listed in both places. The difference will be the free shipping if you purchase from my website. Other than that, I have to make some special requests for a store I sell to and then I'll be getting back to my normal routine. I'm hoping to list my big hole slider beads that fit the Biagi/Pandora style jewelry in about a week, I just need to order more silver. Thanks for sticking with me during these stressful few months. Tata for now..!!
Vic
Thursday 06.19.08:
My apologies for not keeping up with this website. After I did an upgrade the way the pages load became different and frankly it bummed me out. I spent a few days trying to change the thumbnails so that it wouldn't stretch when first uploaded, but that hasn't helped, so I guess I just got frustrated and didn't want to even look at my site for a while. But now I've got to get back to updating and hope that someday they get that fixed. I'm busy right now getting ready for Arrow Springs bazaar this weekend. I usually go just to have fun, buy supplies and visit. This year I signed up to sell, and although I'm always ready with my beads and jewelry, I've decided to sell things that other lampworkers might be able to use that won't inter fear with Arrow Springs. They are the BEST folks in the world and I have a serious loyalty to them. I need to get back to sales online, and can't decide whether to try Etsy or Ebay. I have a lot of beautiful sets that I'm not willing to risk the auction format since I have NO problem selling the high end bead sets at the shows. Maybe I'll try a few Buy It Now's and list on Etsy for my retail show price and see what happens? Anyway, I'm busy till after Saturday with Arrow Springs, have to finish my postcard design and get those ordered by Monday. I have my final draft of the back, hahaha and I did one version of the front that fits the template, so now I'll go through the steps one more time with the artwork, and save it in various formats just to be sure. Thanks for sticking with me, if you've read this far, and hopefully I'll get back on track. Maybe a contest would be fun?? Take care,
Vic
Sunday evening 04.06.08:
Look who's been sleeping in my bed. No, it isn't goldilocks.....it's none other than Monet hoping she can stay.....hmmmmm.
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