This will be my first year vending at Free Spirit, and my third year attending. I can’t wait to see all of you guys! (Anyone else feel like they’re heading off to summer camp?)
Here’s a quick peek at the things I’ve been making to take to FSG.
Keep your eyes peeled on the Etsy page next week: I’ll be doing a shop update and adding about a dozen items when I’m back in town. Until then, the shop will be in vacation mode.
See you guys in Maryland!
One of the things I really appreciate in the art world is a good photographer. It takes talent to work with light, scenery, and equipment. It takes just as much interpersonal talent to know how to work with models- putting them at ease during the shoot, placing them in the best poses, and giving feedback in ways that makes them both responsive and comfortable. The results can be really breathtaking.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSJQ7etAzfj/?taken-by=aprileileenphotography
So when April of April Eileen Photography contacted me, I was pretty excited. April is a photographer based out of Virginia, and her subjects range from fashion models, to families, to pet rats. All of her photos are gorgeous. If you’ve never seen her art, it’s worth checking out!
April and I will be collaborating in the coming months. I’m loaning jewelry pieces to her for her shoots, and she’s taking some awesome photos.
I don’t know about you guys, but I’m stoked. I can’t wait to see more!
The last time I was in college it was sort of a horrific experience. I was in graduate school and I constantly felt on the brink of imploding. That was three years ago. I’ve avoided any sort of academic pursuit like the plague since. Sure I took some lapidary lessons, but that was off campus and in a weird, smoke filled warehouse. It felt as far from academia as possible.
Lately I’ve been feeling a strange pull to get back to school. There’s this nagging reminder that I used to love learning (its why I tried grad school in the first place). I especially loved my art courses in undergrad, which had nothing to do with my psychology degree and everything to do with giving me a creative outlet in order to stay sane. My friends Ali and Mary started prodding me about six months ago to step out of my comfort zone and try a few courses, and I had some extra money saved for business investments this month. So when I saw that my local community college was offering an introductory metalsmithing and jewelry fabrication class, I took the leap and signed up.
I’ve attended two class sessions so far. My anxiety each day has been through the roof leading up to the class, but the moment I get there I’m totally fine. The classroom is a big, open studio with a ton of jewelers benches, tools, and anvils. I recognize a couple classmates as fellow local vendors, and everyone is there to learn at their own pace. Its exciting and fun and a little intimidating, but I’m okay with that.
I have a few goals for the semester to focus myself so that I’m not just flailing at sheets of copper. The skills I want to learn are:
I know better than to think that I’ll master any of these techniques in 8 weeks, but they’re things I’m curious about and want to get a basic grasp on. I started sawing and piercing for the first time tonight, and I’ve decided to keep a running count of how many saw blades I’ve broken for the semester (so far I’m at two).
I’ll post more updates as I learn new skills and make shiny things. Thank you guys so much for your support- without you I wouldn’t have had the money to take this class!
The beginning of the year has been slow. January, February, and most of March have been dedicated to me trying to build back up my stock for shows later in the year and dreaming of the time when the weather is warmer so I can do lapidary things again.
Luckily, I’ve had some really cool custom orders to keep me inspired.
While I was vending at Piedmont Pagan Pride Day this past weekend it became apparent that I needed to make a quick update post for you guys. Between the lapidary work, custom orders, vendor work and travel, the online shop, finances, and just making new jewelry day to day, Lapdify has become a full time job. For that reason I left my retail job in July and am now entirely self-employed. It’s scary at times, but I feel like it was the best decision for me and for my business.
I’m currently not associated with any local retailers or “brick and mortar shops.” That means that the only way to buy items I have made are to see me in person at shows or fairs, contact me online, or to buy through my Etsy Shop. If this changes in the future, I’ll let you know!
So what does this mean for you, the client? Well:
And that’s about it! In other news, Lapidify attended the Enchanted Chalice Renaissance Festival and PPD this month, and I had fantastic time at both. I’ve also started working on a collaborative project with Gwen from Frog Crossin’ Pottery. We’re making aromatherapy pendants- she makes the clay body of the pieces and I add stones and metal to them. You can see a few of the ones I have available in the shop by clicking here!
Lapidify at the Enchanted Chalice Renaissance Festival in Greenville, SC.
If you’ve been following the Facebook page, then you already know the good news: After two years of saving, I’ve finally been able to get a cabbing machine! I decided to take the plunge and get a 6 inch Cabking rather than less expensive model I had been looking at. It is really, really nice.
Pictured: Me and my friends in awe of the Cabking.
So, what does this mean for Lapidify? Well, a couple things. First, it means that I’ll be back to cutting and polishing my own stones again for the first time in nearly two years. I’ll get to make unique shapes for pieces ahead of time rather than seeking out pre-cut cabochons and tumbled stones. I’ll get to conceive my pieces from start to finish now, and really celebrate each rock individually!
Secondly, it means that I can start taking some commissions to polish people’s stones. I have never cut garnets, sapphires, diamonds, or rubies and I plan on not taking those until I’ve had more practice. However, I can cut jaspers, quartz (rose quartz, amethyst, citrine, aventurine), chalcedony, agates, and calcites all day. So let me know if you’d like me to work on your stones!
March will be a busy month for me! You’ll be able to find the Lapidify booth at two different shows, two weekends in a row.
The first show is the Franklin Jewelry and Accessory Show located in Franklin, TN on March 12th. I’m really excited about this because it will be the first time I’ve ever vended in my hometown! The show will only include artists displaying handmade jewelry and accessories- nothing brought and sold from another source. Admission is free for everyone. You can find out more information about the show at http://www.wcparksandrec.com.
The second show is Randy’s County Wide Antique and Yard Sale on March 19th and 20th. It will be held at the Rowan County Fairgrounds in Salisbury, NC. Parking will be free, and admission for adults is only $1. There should be a huge range of items at this show to look at, and I will be sharing my booth with two other talented artists and close friends. Come check us out!
Lapidify will be having a sale through Monday, 11/30! Use the code “CYBER15” at checkout to receive 15% off your entire purchase of shiny things.
I’m excited to report that I’ve uploaded a bunch of beautiful new items to the Etsy Shop! I’ll continue doing so over the next 48 hours or so as I have the opportunity to photograph the pieces.
A final note: I’ve taken a handful of holiday commissions so far, but have room for a few more. Let me know if I can make a special piece for you or a loved one.
This weekend, Lapidify will be selling at the Enchanted Chalice Renaissance Faire
in Greenville, South Carolina!
This is my first time doing a two day show, and I’m excited that its at such a great venue. The Faire is put on every year by the Greenville Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, and it runs on Friday and Saturday. Discounted tickets can be bought online right now by clicking here. 
Lapidify 