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!

Merry Christmas to all my Readers!

Hello Loyal Readers (and newbies!),

I am back from Maternity Leave!  Baby Girl C is doing well and she is almost 1 month ;-)  I will be posting pictures soon and do a post on the birth story as well as what it was like to have a baby in France (healthcare system).  But I needed to re-open my Etsy Store first...since the Holiday Season is right around the corner ;-0


I am offering 10% off my Etsy Listing from now until January 7th (when I go on vacation again!)...So hurry up and order you treasures today!

Please use MERRYCHRISTMASPHTN at checkout

Below is the website again...

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

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!

new year's resolutions...

Usually I do not make new year's resolutions because it is so cliché...but what are they really?  GOALS and what is wrong with some new goals for the year?!?  NOTHING!

2011 Goals

• Work on my jewelry making (try some new techniques and medias)
• Lose weight/Exercise (which is on everyone's list haha!)
• Read more
• Study French more (not just classes but on my own and read in French also)
• Speak more French at home with F
• Walk more outdoors (the problem is that M is refusing to sit in his stroller AND to hold hands while walking!)
• Write a Blog Post weekly
• Be less frumpy...I have been in a style rut lately...well since M was born...and more so since we moved to Paris.  Yes in the Fashion Capital of the World I am the most unfashionable person in the city limits!

2011 Goals for M at home with me...I want to be able to give him the following:

• engage M in meaningful/imaginative play
• read more to M
• expose M to beauty (art, music, nature)
• progress M's language skills (and hopefully F and belle mere will do the same in French)

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!

art projects

M and I made some cards for our family in the US.

It was my first attempt (as M was in daycare before and has made many hand print artwork).

What I found out is that you really have to be organized and ready for the clean up! I did pretty well...but i wish I had helped M make better formed hand prints. Some don't even resemble a hand haha! Next time we will be ready!

I would like to get a craft table for M's room.


Enjoy the photos!