Ripples

The most amazing thing happened today!  For those of you who are just meeting me, my husband Neal is a CSW - Certified Specialist of Wine - and works for a wine wholesaler.  He went into a new restaurant account, and it turned out to be someone he has known professionally for years. It's a small world.  Once they had concluded their business, the conversation went something like this:

Buyer: "Are you still married?"

Neal:  "Oh yes, Robin and I are still going strong."

Buyer:  "What does Robin do?"

Neal: "She makes jewelry." Buyer seemed interested, so Neal proceeded to tell her LooLoo's Story.

Buyer:  "Oh my god, I've heard of LooLoo's Box; I KNOW the logo - the cat butt!  A customer was wearing this cool necklace; I complimented it and the customer said 'it's from LooLoo's Box, right here in town.'  She then dug in her purse, found the card and gave it to me.  I didn't realize this was your wife; I'm going to go check out her Etsy site!"

The extraordinary thing is that not only did the customer who had purchased one of my pieces keep my card and carry it with her, but Neal's buyer liked the logo and kept the card as well, intending to check out my jewelry. Ripples.

And the really amazing part?  She told Neal that she's "not really a 'cat person', but the logo makes me smile."

This isn't the first time I've heard someone I know say they talked to someone who recognized my business name / logo (more ripples), but Neal's the most credible source.

When I designed my logo I wanted something very simple, striking and memorable; obviously, I succeeded.  People remember my logo, and the story reinforces it.  Ripples.

I started selling my jewelry at the end of 2009.  In 2010 I did two shows.  In 2011 I did 9 shows, and at the two I'd done the prior year, customers from the previous year came and looked for me.  This year should be very interesting!

I'm hoping for a tidal wave.

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My 2012 Show Schedule:

June 29th thru July 1st: Taste of Tacoma's Art a la Carte - Point Defiance Park, Tacoma WA

July 15th: Art on the Ave - 6th Avenue Business District, Tacoma WA

August 4th: Proctor Arts Fest - Proctor Business District, Tacoma WA

Oct 26 thru 29th : SteamCon - Bellevue Hyatt Regency, Bellevue WA (unconfirmed)

November ???: Yule Boutique - Pacific Lutheran University, Parkland WA 

---------- * ~ * ----------  

Ta,

Robin

A Pack of Weirdos

This is a transcription of an actual Facebook conversation between me, my Step-mom, my little sister and my Dad (using my step-mom's Facebook account instead of his own).  They all live in another state.

Other than changing the names, and removing one stray comment, I have not altered the conversation in any way.  Honestly, I couldn’t make up something this nutty.

This is why I love my family.

-------------------- * ~ * --------------------

Step-mom:  Remember the sick deer last winter that laid under our picnic table? I found her body today :(

Me:  Aw dang. :-(

Little Sis:  Where was it?

Stepmom:  Just over the hill in the back yard. Bones looked like they were laid on a hairy mat, skull about 6' away. :(

Little Sis:  Thanks for the description because my next question was what did it look like :) But that's pretty sad, sorry for your loss, I know how much you liked her, you should make (Little Bro) bury it or something

Step-mom:  It would probably end up next to the coon, which by the way, I feel lucky not to have stumbled upon.

Me:  Or add the skull to your collection. :-)

Step-mom:  Do you want it?

Me:  Me? If it could be mailed to me, then heck yeah!

Step-mom:  Should I bleach it first? Do you also want mouse bones?

Little Sis:  Ok, this is getting weird guys...

Step-mom:  I'll also send you the bear skull. Wish I would have given it to you when you were here.

Little Sis:  Why do we have a bear skull?

Step-mom:  Ask Robin. It's above the TV in the living room.

Little Sis:  Robin, I feel like I don't want to know this...but why do we have a bear skull in our living room? More importantly, why have I never noticed it before?

Step-mom: My guess is that they have always just been there. I remember moving from our house in California with a box that said "skulls and stuff".

Dad (on Step-mom FB Account):  This is Dad-doesn't everyone have a bear skull?

Dad:  Robin-this is Dad again-she cant mail you the bear skull because then the mountain goat skull would get lonely.

Dad:  Robin=me again-I told her she can't send you the bear skull until its part of my estate.

Me:  Seriously, Dad? No bear skull? I got all excited for a minute. Sis, years ago when I was a kid I found a young dead black bear up at HiHium (a fishing camp in British Columbia). It was mostly decomposed, but I drug the head and paws back to camp. The caretakers gave me a camp stove and an old pot and I boiled the last of the flesh off. Dad got the skull, I don't know where all the claws went. I have a thing for animal bones and skulls, always have. And yes, I would love a mouse skeleton. ANYTHING like that. As for the deer skull, if it is clean (not stinky) then no, don't bleach it.

And Dad - will me the dang bear skull, please? :-)

Step-mom's Sister:  Good read guys :)

Little Sis:  I've learned a lot about my family through this...Dad is way too protective of his bear skulls, Robin likes skeletons, and my parents still can't use their own Facebook accounts right...

Me:  ‎Sis, you're just now figuring out that your family is a pack o' weirdoes? Really??? I mean, c'mon... Karl (my brother, who lives near them). 'Nuff said. ;-)

Dad: Careful about who is calling who weird - Dad

Conquering Arachnophobia, One Piece at a Time

I admit it; I have always, for nearly my entire 49 years, been a terrible sissy when it comes to spiders.  Nothing else in this world has the power to turn me into a shrieking, jumping, quivering and, on one truly nightmare-inducing occasion, fainting wreck than arachnids.  They just creep me the heck out.  Now I have improved somewhat over the years - gardening, especially, has helped me to learn tolerance - but any spider that crosses my threshold will meet The Boot.  No exceptions.

So, imagine my surprise when I found myself making these????

RoboSpider Necklace on Etsy

On Etsy

Tack Pin, on Etsy

ArachnaMachina 'Carpus' and her prey

ArachneMachina 'Auris' RoboSpider Earrings

These are the new line I am working on.  I call this line of Steampunk Spider jewelry 'ArachneMachina®', and I am in the process of securing the appropriate patents and trademarks.  Their abdomens are cast (by me) from Ice Resin that is choc full of bits and pieces from defunct mechanical watches; their thorax' (what's the plural for 'thorax', anyway?) are rhinestones, at least so far; I can definitely see gemstones in the near future.  The strange thing is that I am enjoying working with these!  They aren't creeping me out a bit, but the reactions of those who see the finished jewelry is ranging form "WANT IT!!!" to "EEEEEKKKKK!!!!!"  I sold my first wto pairs of earrings before they ever had a chance to hit my online store. I'm totally going to wear one of these pins on the back of my shirt, top of the shoulder blade, crawling towards my neck... to the mall.  That should be fun, bwahahaha!

Do you think this could be a case of 'know thy enemy'?  Could I be becoming inured?  Somehow I don't think so.  These things have an up to nearly two inch leg span; a real spider this size would likely have me raising the roof.  I hope I never find out.

Feelin' Grooooovy!

I know I said I'd be posting every Friday from now on... and that it's been several weeks since I said that.  My credibility as a blogger is probably shot.  :-)

First off, I am officially announcing the launch of my stand-alone website, LooLoosBox.com!  It's taken me forever to get this project going on, and I am now in the process of adding inventory.  I am hoping, in time, to be able to become less reliant on Etsy and PayPal; plus, I'll be able to handle wholesale sales through my websitre as well.  It's a step in the right direction.  about dang time, I say!

I have been very busy working on perfecting, and expanding upon, my resin cabochon lines.  If you've followed my work then you are likely familiar with my Steampunk cabs:

Steampunk Locket - On Etsy

They are wicked fun to work with, but are beginning to be copied.  Inevitable, but irritating. I have been expanding my cast cabochons to include gemstone chips in resin:

Peridot in Resin Earrings - On Etsy

with other gemstones coming soon.

What really blows my skirt up, however, is coming up with an idea that is completely original (as far as I know, anyway)... and during a brainstorming session with another jewelry artist friend, we came up with the idea of casting pre-made resin flowers into cabochons!

Yellow Resin Flower Earrings, On Etsy

All Resin Flower Jewelry by LooLoo's Box

I really love the look; the way the light shines through, the punch of '60s retro Flower Power color... they just make me smile.  Who knows how long I'll have before this idea gets copied and I start seeing similar jewelry all over Etsy... but I intend to enjoy this while it lasts.  :-)

Have a Shinies weekend!

Robin

Reforming a Bad Blogger

I cannot believe how quickly time is passing these days; I blinked and POOF! It's been over two months since I last blogged.  Wow.  I am, apparently, a very bad blogger.  It's not that there hasn't been anything going on in my life (hardly!) but rather that there's been a tremendous amount, but a lot of it isn't the kind of stuff I want to share with the world.  Anyway, I've decided to make Friday mornings my scheduled blogging time.  If I can avoid being distracted by shinies, this just may help me become a reformed bad blogger.

The biggest project I have going on at the moment is preparing myself to enter the scary world of selling my jewelry wholesale to boutiques.  I've been moving my inventory onto standard jewelry trays that stack inside these soft totes that are made to carry them.

Trays are coded as to what type of jewelry (N = Necklace, for example) and which collection.

Pearl headed pins hold everything securely in place, so nothing gets damaged or tangled.

Two types of inserts made for rings; the tabbed insert (top) works well for bangles.  The bottom is foam with slots for the rings.

Next I need to purchase a couple yards of Silvercloth, which will be cut to fit over the jewelry inside the trays to keep the tarnish at bay, especially on the trays of sterling & fine silver jewelry.  Polishing is a task I prefer to keep to a bare minimum, and not just because it isn't very much fun.

I am also working on marketing materials; brochures about me, about my jewelry, price lists, that sort of thing.  It's a big job, but I'm one of those that finds comfort in being very prepared when it comes to situations that frighten me.  Calling on Boutiques scares the crap out of me, feeding into all my insecurities, although I realize that it will get much, much easier with experience.  Nike had it right when they made their slogan "Just Do It."

A stand-alone website (LooLoosBox.com) is coming soon as well.

Wish me luck, please; I could use it.

~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~ 

Here are some pics of some of my latest creations; click to enlarge.

Faceted red agate and copper beads on copper hand-forged chain.  36" long.

Carnelian gemstone with black Czech glass on copper.  43" long, with a dangle at the clasp, as pictured. Rusty Black Patina filigree and old Rose Ox flower components are from B'Sue Boutiques.

 Layered brass oak leaves plated in Old Rose Ox with Rusty Black Patina filigree (both from B'Sue Boutiques) with copper beads, orange-red Swarovski crystal and Czech glass and solid copper soldered-link chain.  43" long.

Steampunk Rocks!  There's room in every wardrobe for a bit of Steamy Glam.

Geneva Strips Steampunk Necklace - On Etsy

Two layered necklaces:  #1 and #2

On Etsy

On Etsy

On Etsy

Steampunk Dragon on Watchworks - On Etsy

SOLD

SOLD

On Etsy

On Etsy

Old Hollywood Glam and A Bit of Whimsy in warm earth-toned metal with gemstones & pearls.

Large pink opal glass cabochon, 1930's Germany, with rose quartz and mixed metal hues.

On Etsy

Cultured pearls with copper and brass embellish a functional metal padlock.  On Etsy.

The embellished key dangles from the clasp, adding another decorative element when worn doubled.

Old Rose Ox plated centerpiece and filigree beads with copper and bone beads, on copper wire.  One of my hand cast resin Steampunk cabochons emblazons the center.

On Etsy

Sunset Orange crystal beads with copper beads, on copper chain.

  On Etsy!

If you've hung on to the end, then I appreciate your dedication.  I think this is more than enough for this week; I will see you next Friday!

Ta,

Robin

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

If you could hear me sing, you would be thankful that I am not about to start channeling Julie Andrews.

No, I am talking about my #1 favorite source for the bits and pieces I need to feed my addiction... to making jewelry.  My favorite supplier is B'Sue Boutiques, at www.bsueboutiques.com.  Brenda Sue not only offers the best quality American made and finished brass stampings on the market (and other cool vintage stuff) but she also is a Mentor, an inspiration, a teacher; she and her establishment are class acts all the way.

At the moment I am in love with her wonderful floral components, like this one in Old Rose Ox and this one, in Chocolate Ox.  Why?

Because with those pieces (and a few other bits, of course) I made this set, which found a new home last night.

They look vintage because the dies used to make the stampings are vintage, but it is new brass, made right here in America.  I like that.

She also supplied the centerpiece for this necklace, which I wore last night.

B'Sue Boutiques isn't my only supplier, of course... but it's where I look first for the types of products she carries.

Full disclosure:  Brenda Sue at B'Sue Boutiques is having a contest; you can read about it here. However, that's not why I am blogging about her shop.  It may be why I am doing it today, but I would have anyway.  I did a private event last night, and the majority of what I sold contained components from B'Sue Boutiques.  If I hadn't found Brenda Sue's shop my art would not have branched out in this particular direction, or at least not in quite this way... and I really, really like this direction.  I am blogging about Brenda Sue and B'Sue Boutiques because I am grateful... and because she deserves it.

Thank you, Brenda Sue!

With Gratitude,

Robin Delargy

Looloo's Box

2011 - a Year of Growth through Change

It's been quite a while since I added to my blog here; quite honestly, I've just had too much on my plate.  2011 has been a year of great change; some of it has been really hard, some of it is STILL really hard, and some has been completely wonderful... but still contributes to the pile. It's all been just a bit overwhelming. As the year winds down I find myself in a contemplative frame of mind... when I have time to think, that is.

Without getting into too many specifics, here's my Year of Change in review... and what I've learned in the process.

January 2011


What Happened:  Neal got in a car accident; his car (2008 Honda Fit) was totaled, but he was relatively unscathed, although he did need chiropractic and some physical therapy.

What We Learned:  That the 2010 Honda Fit is even better.  And that dealing with insurance companies sucks, which we actually already knew.

~ * ~

March 2011

What Happened: My best friend and business partner decided to end our relationship, both personal and professional.  Our friendship couldn't withstand that much togetherness; she walked away from our business, leaving me with all the inventory and supplies, as well as all the debt.  Fair enough. This came as an incredible shock to me, and on the emotional side it felt very much like a divorce I didn't see coming.  We have not spoken since.

What I Learned: It turns out I am happiest as a solo; my creativity functions best when it flies free of others.  I just am not cut out to be in a creative partnership.  I also learned that at some point the relationship had stopped being good for me as well; I was (and still am) surprised to find that I don't really miss her.  Whatever she is up to, I do wish her well... but my life is better now.  I hope hers is, too.  I was also pleasantly surprised to find other friends filling the vacuum, our friendships growing. I have not once suffered for want of a good friend.

~ * ~

April 2011

What Happened:  My husband quit his job of 10 years to go to work for a competitor.  The pressure that his former employer was putting on its employees had become untenable, and his health and happiness were crumbling.  He stayed there far longer than he probably should have only because of the pay; changing jobs would be financially hazardous.  Guess what, though?  Money only matters to a point.  With my blessing and encouragement, he changed jobs.

What I (we) Learned: Money isn't everything, which I already knew.  Let's just say that we have traded our good credit rating for less stress, and it is worth it.  His income will improve with time, and we aren't in danger of homelessness or starvation.  We have each other, and that's the main thing.  We will be just fine.

~ * ~

Ongoing

This year I did every art show I could, and have thrown myself whole heartedly into making LooLoo's Box viable. It's been exciting, exhilarating, and wonderful... but also exasperating, exhausting and consuming.  I have learned that I need to balance it with the rest of my life... but I haven't figured out how to do that yet.

~ * ~

October 2011

My only child, the youngest of our three, moved out.  We became 'Empty Nesters'.  It was hard.  However, I now have a dedicated workroom, and am reclaiming our dining room for, well, dining.  It's been a long time.

~ * ~

Ongoing

We have an immediate family member who has been making a lot of unhealthy life choices.  This situation is ongoing.  It was overshadowing everything in our lives, wondering when more ugly drama would seek entry or if/when we would get a painful ultimate phone call.  Attempts to intervene have been unsuccessful.

What I (We) Learned:  This was sucking the sunshine from our lives only because we allowed it to. We have had to come to terms with the fact that we can't help someone who doesn't want it; we can't force change.  However, we can choose to not be around it.  We choose to no longer enable, not even through passivity. We can love the person while rejecting the behavior. We can choose to reclaim our personal power over, and the responsibility for, our own life. We are done overlooking the obvious and wishful thinking; the negativity is no longer welcome.  Leave it at the door or don't come around at all. Our life, our choice. We choose sunshine.

~ * ~

The Holidays. Family obligations. See above. 'Nuff said.

Early Menopause.  Beginning to have hot flashes and other fun physical stuff.  I'll be 49 on 12/1. Sigh...

On top of the rest, our house was broken into TWICE - both times, my ID or my entire purse was taken.

There are several more shows scheduled through the end of the year, which is wholly positive by any measure... but I am tired. I enjoy them, and I learn so much every time, but I am looking forward to being able to focus on my Etsy shop, to put my tent away until Spring.  To relax into the Winter routine, canning turkey (bought when super-Holiday-cheap), making sausage (a cool weather activity), spending quality time with my husband, who is my best friend in the world, and at my workbench, without deadlines.

2011 has been a year of trials, frustration, worry, fear, triumph, learning, stretching... a year of change.  It has also been a year of enormous personal and artistic growth. You know what? It's been worth it. 

Yesterday was 11/11/11.  At 11:11 P.M. I made a wish from the bottom of my heart.  I wished for... serenity.  I'll get there yet.