etsy update!

So I started my Etsy Store Paris Handmade by TN in Late September (5 months ago).  Here is my progress...I have made 6 official sales on Etsy and 1 personal sale to a friend on the side.  7 sales in 5 months I think that is awesome ;-)

It has slowed down a bit lately only because I have not been creating new pieces and refreshing my account on Etsy.

For Christmas I received the best gift ever...a Kiln!  My very own oven to make jewelry ;-)  It is a big investment but my husband is not concerned with that.  He wants me to be happy and to do what I enjoy doing in my "spare'' time.  I use that word loosely haha!  But I am finding that since Little Miss is now 4 months and on set napping schedules I do have some time to myself.  My 2 year old (almost 3) will also start Preschool in the Fall.  So I will have even more time soon!

I have 4 pieces in the works but ran into a slight problem finishing them up.  I need a tool that I can't seem to find in France.  French websites suck btw!  They do not have online stores like in the US.  I even asked where my friend (who owns the workshop I used to go to) bought said tool and she bought it online through the US!  So I need to order it and since I am at it...I need some more supplies.  So these pieces won't be available for at least 2 more weeks.  BUT they are soooo cool!  And I am sure they will be a big hit.

Well that is it on the Etsy Store front...you are all updated ;-)

Back to writing about life in Paris with kiddos!

TN out!

Etsy Coupon Code to all my Readers

Hello Loyal Readers (and newbies!),

I have started my Etsy Store and am actively selling things!  I have officially sold one item via Etsy and one on the side...2 sales in less than 1 week I say is pretty good ;-)

BUT more would be better so to all you readers out there I am offering 10% off my Etsy Listing from now until October10th...So hurry up and order you treasure today!

Please use BLOGREADERPHTN at checkout

Below is the website again...

http://www.etsy.com/shop/tnave

Etsy.com Shop NOW OPENED!

Hello blog followers!

I have recently opened up an Etsy.com Shop please check it out and buy my first listing ;-)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82206206/round-pendant-with-a-vintage-feel?utm_source=OpenGraph&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share

I will be adding more listings shortly!

enamel on silver art clay

Here is my take on combining the two mediums Enamel and Silver Art Clay!

I have started to make my Silver Art Clay projects at home other than the firing process.

Below I have tried to take photos of the entire process.  It took 4 firing in a special oven to create this and about 3 hours of work.  But I think it turned out beautifully!

As you can see the Pre-filed, Pre-dried, Pre-fired, PRE everything is quite rough...but the work you do after the clay is dried corrects all these small imperfections!

Pre-Dried, Pre-Filed, Pre-Fired

Up Close View

Forgot to take a pic of the Post-Dried/Filed
This is the Pre-Polished photo - very matte looking (sorry it's blurry camera phone!)

Post-Polished

Adding the Enamel (which is colored glass in the form of Powder)

Final Product!

Another view

Yet another view

enamel on copper

This is a new medium for me...I plan to mix enamel with my silver art clay at some point

BTW jewelry is for sale...send an email fromoneswamptoanother@gmail.com with your inspiration photo and I will price it out!

silver art clay jewelry - second creation

Here is my second art clay creation!  The product is Silver Art Clay ~ which is silver in the form of clay.  I molded it into a heart shape, waited till it was dry, filed and sanded it, fired it then polished it!  And voila jewelry!

I made this one in October for myself this time.  Lots more to come but they are Christmas Gifts and are top secret until they are opened!

my creation!

Well here it is...my first piece of jewelry!!!!

I made this from Silver Clay...I molded the clay, decorated it, dried it, filed it, fired it (well the owner did this part), polished it and then voila my very first piece of ART!

Now since I have finished the silver clay class at La Petite Manufacture I can now work on my own by the hour in studio time. La Petite Manufacture is such a great concept and I am so glad it is just around the corner!

I have a few ideas of things I would like to make next...can't wait!

jewelry making class!

On Saturday we found an Arts & Crafts "Atelier" (workshop) around the corner from our apartment!

I have been looking for a place to learn how to make jewelry and other Arts & Crafts.

At La Petite Manufacture you can either take scheduled classes with an instructor (all materials included) or pay for studio time (use of tools and non media materials included).

Classes they offer this month are:

Clay Modeling - Sculptures
Glass Fusing
Enameling on Copper
Painting Pottery
Origami
Glass Etching
Creating Jewelry out of Silver Clay
Creating Jewelry out of Leather
Sewing
Intro to Drawing
Intro to Photography

I am going to take the Jewelry Making Class out of Silver Clay on Wednesday afternoon! So excited!!!!!!!!!!!!

They speak English too!

I will post pics of my creation and let you all know how it goes!

i need some hobbies...

Well when things settle down here I do. I think after we move into our apartment and are all unpacked I am going to try out sewing, making jewelry, baking and cooking. Stay tuned as I learn these skills (and maybe more!). I am going to check out a craft/art store today Rougier et Plé. It is just up the road from our apartment (our apartment not the temporary).

After we walk around the craft/art store we are going to pop in and see the apartment and then maybe play at a local square - Square Léopold-Achille on 5 Rue du Parc Royal. One of the city's websites says it has a playground for children. Let's see if it is good for little ones. Nothing will beat the one we found near Canal Saint-Martin in the 10eme.

Have a good day I will post some pics (of the apartment, park and store) once I get back from our walk.