Get Quirked: The Blog @ A Quirk of Art

"Tis the Season" - Well Almost! Definitely Time to Support Handmade Craft!

The holiday shopping season is almost here. If you're super-organized in ways I can only dream of, then you're probably making your holiday shopping list right now or even shopping already. Me...I'll be the one running around town in desperate search of the perfect gift two days before Christmas and paying out my nose for overnight shipping. I've tried to change, I really have. But its hopeless. Sigh. But no matter how little time I'm bound to have, one thing I'll be sure to do is to buy handmade American crafts whenever possible. I urge you to do the same. Not only will you be supporting the small, independent craftsperson (like me!), but you'll also be giving gifts that will earn you the title of the most fabulous, kick-ass gift-giver of all time (a title I try to win every year).

Where can you find fine American crafts? First and foremost, support the small, brick-and-mortar business owners in your area. Your local gallery owners depend on your business, and you'll be supporting your local community. Go to a craft fair...its a great day out and the perfect place to buy one-of-a-kind crafts. And, if you're an online shopper, there are plenty of websites selling handmade items--just Google it and you'll see! One of my favorites is Artful Home, and that's not just because my jewelry has been selected to be sold on Artful Home. They offer an amazing selection of top-notch fine art and craft--in fact I want one of just about everything they have!

Of course, I would love it if A Quirk of Art jewelry topped your gift-giving list (or your own wish-list for that matter). My jewelry can be found at the fine galleries listed here. I'm happy to be represented by some new galleries, including Poppy in Columbia, MO, and Uncommon Angles in Fort Worth, TX.

Found Object Bracelet Now Available at Poppy

You can also find my jewelry online at Artful Home and Lux Without Bux. I also have several events coming up that I hope you'll come out for if you're in the area:

Festival of Fine Craft at The Wheaton Arts & Cultural Center
Date:     October 3-4, 2009
Time:     Sat: 10 am - 5 pm, Sun: 10 am - 5 pm
Location: Wheaton Arts & Cultural Center
1501 Glasstown Road, Millville, NJ 08332 

All That Glitters: Gold, Silver, and the Pennsylvania Society of Goldsmiths at Monsoon Gallery
Date:        November 6th through December 23rd, 2009
             Artist Reception: Friday, November 6th and Friday, December                  4th (Times TBD)
Location:    Monsoon Gallery
             11 East 3rd Street
             Bethlehem, PA 18015

A Quirk of Art Trunk Show at Art4 Gallery
Date:     Saturday, November 6, 2009
Time:     5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Art 4 Gallery
          309A Allegheny Street
          Hollidaysburg, PA 16648

Whether you buy from me, or from another craftsperson or artist this holiday season, your support is one the best gifts you can give us small, independent crafters. And you'll be sure to earn some great karma along the way!

See You In NYC Tomorrow! Fine Art & Designer Crafts on Bleeker

Just a reminder that I'll be in New York City tomorrow selling my jewelry at the Fine Art & Designer Crafts on Bleeker. Plus, print this coupon exclusive to my blog readers and Twitter followers and get a FREE surprise gift with your purchase tomorrow! Get more info on the show below....

FINE ART & DESIGNER CRAFTS ON BLEECKER: Annual fund-raiser for the Greenwich Village Youth Council

WHEN: June 14, 2009 - 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Bleecker Street between Bank & Christopher Streets
New York, NY

Don't miss this very upscale fair is held on 5 blocks of Bleecker Street between Bank & Christopher Streets in Greenwich Village, NYC! Bleecker Street is closed to traffic between Bank and Christopher Streets creating a virtual gallery of 150 professional artists and designers selling only their own unique creations. Independent design is featured, promoting the importance of goods that pay heed to tradition and craftsmanship.

This is the 14th annual fundraiser for the Greenwich Village Youth Council, a 501c3 non-profit youth service agency devoted to reaching and empowering young people ages 7-22 from all ethnic, racial and social classes with programs ranging from a girls basketball league to outreach to runaway & homeless. Show your support by coming to Bleecker Street browsing, shopping and schmoozing!

Get more info HERE.

Wake Up Little Suzie (Washington, D.C.) & BoxHeart Gallery (Pittsburgh, PA) Now Carrying Our Jewelry!

Welcome to two new stores now carrying A Quirk of Art Jewelry! Please shop locally and support American craft!

Box Heart Gallery BUY ART. COLLECT ART. LOVE ART 4523 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15224 P. 412 687 8858 www.boxheart.org boxheartexpress@earthlink.net Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday: 10 AM - 6 PM Sunday: 1 PM - 5 PM Shop Box Heart here: http://www.boxheart.org/nn/shop.html

Wake Up Little Suzie 3409 Connecticut Ave NW (between N Ordway St & N Porter St) Washington, DC 20008 Neighborhood: Cleveland Park (202) 244-0700 Nearest Transit: Cleveland Park (Red) Hours: Mon-Fri. 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. You'll love Wake Up Little Suzie! Read customer reviews here: http://snipurl.com/h6jaj and http://snipurl.com/h6jjm

 

Great Eats, Wine & Craft in Lancaster Co. - Fundraising & Great Crafts in NYC - Plus FREE Gifts!

May and June offer some great opportunities to browse and buy great handmade, American crafts!

Be sure to stop by my booth at both of these events for the opportunity to see and purchase new and one-of-a-kind bracelets, necklaces, earrings and more.

Plus, print this coupon exclusive to my blog readers and Twitter followers and get a FREE surprise gift with your purchase of A Quirk of Art jewelry at these events!

The Great PA FlavorFest: Mark your calendar for a culinary celebration!
WHEN: May 23 & 24, 2009
WHERE: Mount Hope Winery, Cornwall, PA

Kick off this year’s summer season with a delicious Memorial Day Weekend at the second annual Great Pennsylvania FlavorFest, an all-encompassing showcase of Pennsylvania’s unique cuisines and the region’s cultural diversity.

A diverse mix of Folk, Americana, Bluegrass and Jazz music performed by national and local musicians will create an exciting soundtrack for the weekend’s activities and exhibitors from the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen will sell one-of-a-kind items that will pique the interest of even the most seasoned shopper.

Get more info and purchase tickets HERE.

FINE ART & DESIGNER CRAFTS ON BLEECKER: Annual fund-raiser for the Greenwich Village Youth Council

WHEN: June 14, 2009
WHERE: Bleecker Street between Bank & Christopher Streets
New York, NY

Don't miss this very upscale fair is held on 5 blocks of Bleecker Street between Bank & Christopher Streets in Greenwich Village, NYC! Bleecker Street is closed to traffic between Bank and Christopher Streets creating a virtual gallery of 150 professional artists and designers selling only their own unique creations. Independent design is featured, promoting the importance of goods that pay heed to tradition and craftsmanship.

This is the 14th annual fundraiser for the Greenwich Village Youth Council, a 501c3 non-profit youth service agency devoted to reaching and empowering young people ages 7-22 from all ethnic, racial and social classes with programs ranging from a girls basketball league to outreach to runaway & homeless. Show your support by coming to Bleecker Street browsing, shopping and schmoozing!

Get more info HERE.

Selling Jewelry Online ... In Search of the Holy Grail!

Selling jewelry online is not easy. So many jewelry designers that I know mistakenly think "If I build it, they will come." Unfortunately, that simply isn't true. It take time, a strategic plan, and tons of work.

I've been in search of the holy grail of online jewelry selling for a couple of years now. I'm talking finished jewelry, not jewelry components. I've tried Etsy (little success--flooded with low-end jewelry and hobbyists), Ebay (absolutely abysmal--everyone looking for a bargain), and selling on my own website. I'm now selling on SmashingDarling, but its too early to judge the results. I also maintain my own website as a portfolio, but have discontinued selling on it because it was just too difficult to drum up significant traffic.

In fact, I am coming to the conclusion that selling something like jewelry online, particularly to new customers, is an almost impossible thing to accomplish on a grand scale. Especially bridge jewelry like mine with prices mainly in the $100-$350+ range. People, especially those new to my work, like to touch and feel and try the pieces on. The like to see the quality of the craftsmanship before dropping $280 on a bracelet.So in-person and in galleries, I do great, but online, because they can't see it and touch it first-hand, its slow-going.

So here are my questions: As a consumer, is jewelry something in general you buy online at all? If you do, where do you prefer to buy? Do you go to places like Etsy and Artfire? Or do you go more high-end places like www.artfulhome.com? Or are you striclty a bricks-and-mortar store shopper when it comes to jewelry?

And to all of my fellow jewelry makers out there...Have you had success online? Does Esty or Artfire work for you, or are you selling from your own website? Do you see the web as a viable venue at all for selling your jewelry, especially to new customers?

I would love to hear about your experiences, so please comment!

American Visions Contemporary Crafts Now Carrying A Quirk of Art Jewelry!

American Visions Contemporary Crafts in Rock Hill, MO, is now carrying a selection of A Quirk of Art jewelry! American Visions is a Niche 2007 Top Retailer of American Craft. The art and artists represented by American Visions range from traditional and understated, to whimsical and bold. The gallery features several local artists, as well as the great work of artists from all over the U.S. and Canada. We're thrilled to be in such good company!

Learn more about American Visions Contemporary Crafts here. And if you're in the Rock Hill, MO area, be sure to stop by!

A Quirk of Art Jewelry Now Available at Wave Gallery!

	I'm pleased to announce that Wave Gallery in New Haven, Connecticut is now carrying a selection of A Quirk of Art jewelry! Wave Gallery is known for having one of the finest selections of artisan jewelry in the New Haven area. In 2007 they were awarded the Advocate Best of New Haven Award for the best one-of-a-kind jewelry. I'm thrilled to be represented by them!
Learn more about Wave Gallery here. And if you're in the New Haven area, be sure to stop by!

SmashingDarling Find of the Week - La Vita E Bella Dress by Gina Michele

Gorgeous & Eco-Friendly!
LA VITA E BELLA DRESS from Gina Michele.

I'm Teaching at BeadFest Philadelphia!

I'm super-excited to announce that I'll be teaching at BeadFest Philadelphia this August! I'll be teaching my Charmed Hearts Recycled Tin Charm class on Saturday, August 22, 2009 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Here's a photo of the bracelet that students will be making: 

Students will learn basic metalsmithing skills,  including shaping and filing metals, riveting and eyelet setting. Plus you’ll learn easy and quick techniques to turn jump rings you can purchase at any jewelry supply store into a one-of-a-kind bracelet! No experience is necessary. And you'll walk away with a complete bracelet!

BeadFest Philadelphia is a great show held at the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, PA. It offers tons of workshops with world-class teachers/artists, and you can spend hours shopping gorgeous gems, beads, tools and more. I've taken classes there myself and have never been disappointed. And I don't even want to talk about the $$$ I've dropped at the vendor's market!

So check it out! I'm honored to be chosen to teach, and I would love to have you in my class! You can get more info and register here. 

Even if you can't take my class but will be at BeadFest, email me and let me know....I always love to meet and talk shop with fellow jewelry artists!

GREAT Opening Night at the Wayne Art Center!

The PA Society of Goldsmiths jewelry show Reflections in Metal had its opening night last night at the Wayne Art Center. It was fantastic! The show setup looked amazing, the work was truly inspiring, diverse and well-crafted, and well-known jewelry artist Thomas Mann was there signing books and talking to us "common folk".

We arrived halfway through the opening night festivities and many pieces were already sold! This is great because partial proceeds from the sale of all jewelry at the show will be dedicated to outfitting a state of the art jewelry studio at the Center where they will be offering a wide range of jewelry classes this fall.

Some of my favorites of the night were Todd Reed, Ann Lalik, Wendy Edsall-Kerwin, and Maressa Tosto Merwarth (I love when the line between sculpture and jewelry gets blurred, and that's exactly what Maress Tosto Merwarth's work does!).

Here's a shot of my jewelry:

The show will be up through April 15th, so if you're close to Wayne, PA, or even not-so-close, please stop by! Even if you're an hour or more away (like me!), its well-worth the drive. I have to say that this is one of the finest-caliber show I've ever been a part of, and if you love jewelry, you'll absolutely love this show.

And many thanks to the powers-that-be at PSG and the Wayne Art Center for putting together such a fantastic venue to show and sell our jewelry!