For Christmas my amazing Mom bought me two new pairs of pliers for wire work. My sister-in-law was right, they have changed my life! Let's just say the phrase "where have you been all my life?" doesn't even quite sum up how I'm feeling about these pliers. Since I started back in July I have been using a package of pliers that I bought at Michaels...and yes, I said package. Meaning four pliers in one package. That right there should tell you something. I knew they wouldn't be the highest quality but I figured I was just starting out, right? Right. For about a month. That's when I should have gotten new ones but didn't. But hey, now 5 months later I appreciate them all the more right? And these new beauties...20 bucks a pop! German made baby! I'll never go back. Where did this amazing mother of mine purchase these you ask? This leads me to my next point...

Fusionbeads.com. When I'm on that site I'm like a kid in a candy store. My amazing sis-in-law (as mentioned above) used to be an assistant manager in a Fusion Beads store in Seattle. She is the one that introduced me to the magic. I blame her for my new addiction. (Just kidding I love you).  She is also the one who kind of actually started it all, giving me a box of beads my senior year of high school. Of course at the time all it amounted to was hemp necklaces, but the fire to "create" hadn't quite been lit under my behind yet. I still aspired to her work though, as she has always been a source of inspiration to me. Her beauty encompasses her...from her personality and heart to everything she creates. Now I think of her every time I create a piece with an "asymmetrical" element to it...that's right, all her idea! Can't take credit for it. I hope she doesn't mind that I stole it from her. But I love that style so much and I love her so much it gives me joy to make jewelry with a touch of her unique feistiness.

But anyway back to this site...Fusionbeads is amazing...all the gorgeous stones and crystals you can imagine in every color you can imagine...and then they even have "inspiration" projects in case your creative juices are...well, not flowing. This site has definitely been useful to me as about 90% of what I've learned so far has been self taught and researched. Step by step wire-wrapping techniques, new designs, everything even down to the sizes and names of stones and beads...it's amazing how much you realize you don't know once you try to describe it well enough on Etsy that someone will think you know what you're talking about and want to buy your product! Anyway, if you are interested in learning about jewelry or simply love looking at the stuff....this is a great place to start. Oh, and if you are still using the crappy $5 pliers, please oh pretty please do yourself a favor and buy new ones.

It has already been almost six months since I took the leap and opened an Etsy shop for my jewelry. What an immense blessing it's been! And man have I learned a lot. About jewelry, about myself, and about my Creator.  It all started with this deep longing to create...to bless...and to reflect. At the time I was working in a job that did anything but create, bless and reflect. I felt drained. I felt blah. That summer I had been tinkering around with making jewelry for friends and it quickly turned into a desire to know and do more. I have always loved fashion and style - the colors, textures, seasons, and expressions. But this was the first time something was welling up in me, building up, bursting at the seams. I wanted to express everything I was feeling inside tangibly and for the world to see! So, with the enormous love and encouragement from family and friends, I signed up for an Etsy account, started watching Youtube tutorials, and collecting coupons for Joanns and Michaels. Almost six months later, I have had 47 sales, greatly improved in the art of wire-wrapping, and hopefully* have blessed many women - reminding them of how beautiful and cherished they are. This is just the beginning...and that is what is exciting.


You can see a preview of my etsy site by the thumbnails on the bottom right corner of the blog. To see the full site and all my jewelry, click on the "edenscloset" link below the pictures! 


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