Mini Brass Jumble Earrings: don't they look pretty in the sun!

I always enjoy making the jumble earrings - no matter how many times I make them, every pair is always different, though they have a similar style. I always have fun making the first earring - and then struggle to match it for the second! I've started making the pair in stages though (one loop on one, then one loop on the other, etc) so it's become much easier to match the two.

Also, a shout out to SewMoe, who made me this beautiful dress! Not only is it gorgeous, but I gave her my measurements Sunday, and she had it done yesterday! I am amazed. Thanks Moe!

EarthSea Earrings: from a random selection of colours, that turned out beautifully

I've been working on my photography lately, as per my April/May goals, and looking at my shop, there is a clear difference between my pictures the last month and anything earlier.

I've also been experimenting with location - while lightboxes are great, they don't really add anything unique to a photograph. I've been wanting to do some jewellery photos outside, and the EarthSea Earrings and Necklace are the first. I'm really happy with how they turned out. I actually took the photos on the railing on the back deck when the sun was setting. It definitely adds a nice warm glow to the photos, especially the earrings.

I'm planning on slowly going through and re-taking pictures of my other stock, and making them look beautiful!

Red Curlique Pendant: One of my new favourites! I actually made this necklace while spending the afternoon at Le Scandinave with my family

I'm very excited about one of my new May goals to work on my photography (and actually an April goal as well), because I just bought a brand new camera! Well, partly brand new. I already have a Canon film SLR, and I just bought a digital camera body to use with the lens from my old camera. The photo above was one of the first taken with the new camera, and I'm very proud of how it turned out.

May Goals!

Blue Sunstar Necklace: the most recent item in my shop


Time to cross off April's goals and set some new ones for May!
I'm very glad to have an impetus to do this - it does give me a roadmap. You'd think with all the strategic planning emphasis in my library courses I'd have thought to apply it to my business by now!
Hmm, so, let's see how I did!
April:
1)Apply to be a part of Portobello East
2)Apply to be a part of Store 54. Well, sort of - I actually decided that it would be too much of a demand on my time at the moment, along with working full-time. You should still check them out though! Store 54
3)Get more jewellery bags for online orders
4)Make minimum one piece of jewellery a week (this is what I usually do, but exams got me off track)
5)Blog once a week
6)Experiment with product photography (create a lightbox or take photos outside)
I'm not sure that the last one entirely counts. I did experiment with photography, just on my window ledge and not outside.

Onto the May goals!
1)Apply to be a part of the Wychwood Market
2)Experiment with product photography (create a lightbox or take photos outside). I've re-added this because I still want to do more with it. And see above about it counting.
3)write out my business plan. This goes back to the strategic goals - I think I'd like to have a map somewhere.
4) Get my accounts in order for 2009. I just did my 2008 taxes. There was swearing.

I think those are big enough goals for May! Any suggestions?