Small update and an Epiphany.

Another day of training. A better day of training. I re-organized and put out new jewelry today. learned all about layouts which come from Target. Kinda interesting because it is someone's job to create these layouts so that they look fresh and new and make you want to buy, buy, buy! I also had the chance to look at the jewelry that Target sells. (My epiphany!) It's makes it really hard for a true crafts person to sell there work. earrings for $5 and bracelets for $6. Cheap materials makes an inexpensive product my problem is that this transcends into my life. People look at my prices of $180 for a pendent verses what they see everyday and though they really like what I have to offer they can't seem to find the reason to spend so much money. This is typically from the ages of 18-30. I have a dear friend and we did a small show together to sell our work. There were hundreds of people but everyone wanted something for nothing! She had made some sterling silver pins and was selling them for $25. I thought that was already extreemly low for all the time she had put into them. A girl came to our booth and asked how much they were and we said "25". the girl said "ok I'll take this one." when we asked for the 25 dollars she said "oh I thought it was 25 cents. Sorry" and put it down. It's frustrating out there and after working in Target for only a few days I can see why they want it cheap, cheap, cheap! Target is "targeting" this age group with there jewelry. I just wish people could understand how much blood, sweat, rashes, and tears is put into it all. One day... one day... All I want to say is that I would really like young people to wear my jewelry too. But it looks like the only people that appreciate it are more seasoned. I going to say a little vow here "I will not cheapen my beautiful bobbles to please those who do not understand. I will create beautiful works of art to become treasures for a life time." with that said I sign off!

Target, Target, Target...

Oh Target... I had my first day of training yesterday. Oh the training.... gosh what can I say. I'm the "jewelry specialist" I sound so fancy right... well it's not so special. I spent 95% of my time "zoning", Target lingo for organizing (making sure that all the clothes are in order of size and that hangers are finger spaced apart) I was in infants.... and Disney... yeah... soooo. I spent the remainder 5% of my time at the jewelry counter. kinda sad about that. I'm training with a girl "Jay Jay" that is the "jewelry specialist". She doesn't know anything about jewelry and must look everything up... But can do some of the basic jewelry counter things like unlocking the cases and changing watch batteries. She does a perfectly fine job at that. I happen to have a little more knowledge here. I know your suprised about that. I have a feeling that I will "zoneing" more than I will be at the jewelry counter. I guess I have to get used to the ways that Target runs their business. Till then I just want to learn about the "jewelry specialist" stuff... is that so wrong?

Happy new year!

Happy new year!

So ... I finally have a job! hooray! guess where..... yup Target. I am going to be the jewelry specialist. I have to say in this economy it is nearly impossible to find a job. It's tough out there. Though I am not going to be a goldsmith in the back of a small jewelry store, I at least get to do something with jewelery. Think I am just a little over qualified but I have a job! I have applied to many places even though they were not hiring. I was starting to get really down... Just lucked out here. Other good things that have come out of all this is I found a really nice Jeweler. He said he would call me in the future. So I still have hope for a future bench job. He said that if he wanted to he could close his store for 11 months of the year and just keep it open for December and be able to survive. This year, he made an eighth of that he usually makes for that month. sick..... thanks bush.....well I am going to rest now after my eight interviews this week! ( the artist is above is Yuko Shimizu thank you Chris)

It is officially Christmas time! My husband and I put up our tree, I just love how beautiful it looks. I look forward to this time of the year just for the tree. All the lights twinkling and the ornaments that we have collected since we were babies. It just sparkles with Christmas delight. There is nothing better to do when in the Christmas spirit than to bake cookies. I decided to make many different kinds but my favorite this year were "Chocolate crackle tops" the recipe follows.
"Chocolate crackle tops "
Makes 38
7oz semisweet chocolate chopped (or chips)
1/2 cup unsalted sweet butter
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups plain flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar for coating

1. In a pan set over a low heat, melt the chocolate and butter together until smooth, stirring frequently

2. Remover the pan from the heat, stir in the sugar, and continue stirring for 2-3 minutes until the sugar dissolves. Add the eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla essence.

3. Sift the flour and cocoa powder, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Gradually stir into the chocolate mixture in batches until blended.

4. cover dough, chill for at least 1 hour, untill the dough is cold and is able to hold its shape.

5. Preheat the over to 325. Grease two or more large baking sheets.

6. Place the confectioners' sugar in a bowl. using a small ice cream scoop or a table spoon. scoop out the cold dough and roll it into a ball between your hands.

7. drop in the confectioners' sugar and roll to coat. tap off excess sugar using a slotted spoon. place on cookie sheet about 1 inch appart.

8. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the tops feel slightly firm when touched. let cookies sit on cookie sheet for 2-3 mins to cool, then remove cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Merry Christmas!