Hit the Ground Running
Posted on 11 May 2009 | 2 responses
Wow – when it rains, it pours. Now that I have been to the lawyer, I’ve been looking at art shows, craft shows, and festivals to be a vendor at. The more I look, the more folks will contact me with more shows to do. It goes to show when you surround yourself with good people, good things happen 
Now I have to sit on my hands and wait for some of the shows to confirm, and that is truly hard for me to do. I’m a problem solver. When there is a problem, such as an unanswered question, I can’t leave it alone until it is solved. So my mind grinds until I get the answer I need. I do have one confirmed show date, though. Memorial day weekend I will be at the http://www.chicagolandgemshow.org/ thanks to my friend Aum. Aum and I are sharing a booth and we are both excited about it. She crafts silver jewelry so I can’t wait to see her work.
Other shows coming up I am hoping for are http://www.portpiratefestival.com/ and http://www.duckon.org/index.html I’ve had to use James’ old planner to keep all of my dates etc straight, which is funny to me as I have a great memory. This has just threatened to grow big quickly and I don’t want to lose my grasp on it.
Goldfish – Fort Knox, Perceptions of Pacha
Life Lessons From Mrs Thunder, or Don’t Be Me
Posted on 22 April 2009 | Comments Off
Life Lesson #1: When going to the zoo on a perfectly sunny Spring day, make sure to A: wear sunscreen and B: Don’t wear jewelry that is going to leave a tan line. Mrs Thunder, you should have learned this lesson from the countless times your husband was wearing a dew rag and had a tan line across his forehead. ( Can you guess which necklace gave me this mark? hint: it’s somewhere on this blog. Mrs Blocko isn’t allowed to guess as she and hers were with that day)
Life Lesson #2: Crafting is to be done sitting upright in a chair and never ever on the floor, especially for an extended length of time. It is really silly to do crafts on the floor if one does not like to sit on the floor to begin with, let alone for the time it takes to make a super duper long necklace. Please make sure not to sit on the floor while doing crafts ( I mean you Mrs Thunder).
Listening To: Machine Head – Beautiful Mourning, The Blackening
Time Out for a Great Cause
Posted on 20 April 2009 | Comments Off
Hey everyone, just a quick note to point out one of the links I have on my blog. All of my links are great, but one is for a great cause. Please check out http://www.theovernight.org/ to see what a friend of mine is participating in, and make sure to support her at http://www.theovernight.org/?fuseaction=extranet.personalpage&confirmid=10013045
I am more than happy to help out where I can, so if you are in a fundraiser, walking for a cause, etc, please feel free to send me a message with the info and I will post it here 
Artsy or Fartsy?
Posted on 18 April 2009 | Comments Off
Things have been rolling fast for me since I went to the lawyer. I’m waiting for a confirmation for http://www.portpiratefestival.com/ , I’ve been invited to a gem and jewelry show Memorial Day weekend http://www.chicagolandgemshow.org/ (thanks Om!), I’m looking at a few shows for the fall, I have been getting more compliments and passing out cards, and I finally have a genuine sale on http://mrsthunder.etsy.com/ . The gem and jewelry show looks to be promising, but I may have to rethink some of my materials. Although I’m not allergic to using sterling, I certainly can see the value of using affordable materials to reach a wider range of people.
I was on a beading magazine forum for a while, and while I made some nice online friends and found http://www.rings-things.com/ there (Russ is super), I found a large group of Always/Never people. Let me explain what I mean…
- Fancy Nancy: I Only use Swarovski crystals and Sterling silver in my work
- Snooty Rudy: I Never Ever use pewter spacers, they’re cheap
- Maddening Martha: I Always make All of my own everything, and if you don’t you’re lazy
OK, so the names have been grossly exaggerated, but you see what I mean. I ran into that A LOT, where the artisan who didn’t use the materials or techniques that were thought appropriate by the always/never crowd were chided. It got so bad in there sometimes that arguments started in one thread spilled over into three or more other threads (like the fight scene in Blazing Saddles). It really gave my poor little ego a blow, and I finally left the forum. I haven’t vowed against using precious metals and gemstones, but I do tend to get defensive when I hear someone use always, never, or only when they start talking about their work.
So what is your opinion? Do you appreciate artisans who can recognize the needs of their customers (and their wallets) or do you prefer to have value placed on your jewelry via the materials? In other words, do you dig the jewelry for the look, or for the things it’s made of, or a little of both?
Listening to: Ruby – Flippin’ the Bird, Salt Peter
Blogger formatting really hates me today 
Hey Look, It’s a Picture!
Posted on 10 April 2009 | Comments Off
So other than the contest photo, my posts have been lacking pictures lately. I am happy to say I have remedied this. This is my first chunky chain necklace, and it will go up on etsy very soon. The necklace name is Violet Fire, and I am pleasantly surprised with the end result. I may do more chunky chain necklaces before the trend is over
I am also very excited and wigged out at the same time. I just paid my lawyer to get my business up and running. Wednesday Night Accessories will now be a legitimate company, and I already have an application in for the Port Washington Pirate Festival June 5-7, 2009 (http://www.portpiratefestival.com/) I’m also looking at other craft shows/art fairs/street festivals as this is where I have made most of the money (De Monet, De Monet) in the past, face to face. I will continue to sell online, whether it be my own site or through etsy. I’ve been given some good ideas on how to market bookmarks, thanks Gunda and Aunt Dar, I know what market I have to be super careful with when designing, thanks Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, and thanks to my family and friends who have been encouraging and supportive. Although I’m sounding like I won the Oscars, I am sincere in my thanks. It’s so easy to dream and even easier to dismiss those dreams because of scenario A, or situation B, or what if Z. I always say “Don’t lie on your deathbed with regrets”, now it’s time for me to put my money where my mouth is. And I didn’t even quote Mel Brooks that time
Listening To: The Doors – Riders on the Storm, The Best of The Doors
And the Winner is…
Posted on 2 April 2009 | Comments Off
Kristie Satterly! Her winning name is The Eye of Spring and was picked by James. Congratulations Kristie and watch for another contest in the summer!
Name That Necklace!
Posted on 24 March 2009 | Comments Off
My first contest and I’m so excited! This necklace has told me it needs a name, but I need help coming up with one. From now through March 31st, 2009, name this necklace for a chance to win $25 worth of Wednesday Night Accessories merchandise on my Etsy shop. The winning necklace name will be used to advertise the necklace on Etsy.
Here’s how it works – Send me an e mail at Amy.WNA@gmail.com with your name and necklace name. I will post here and e mail the winner. Get your jewelry loving friends and family to enter as well, the more the merrier!
Good luck to all! Only one entry per person please
Too Legit to Quit
Posted on 23 March 2009 | Comments Off
Tuesday I am going to see a small business lawyer/accountant about getting my tax ID back and how to legitimize and protect Wednesday Night Accessories. There is a new act, Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, that seems very strict and complicated, so I will need help wading through the legalese. I am nervous about the whole thing, but very excited at the same time. Even if WNA does not go much further than it is now, at least I don’t have to feel like I am being dishonest. I haven’t sold a thing on etsy, the one sale that shows up is a trade, but it’s more the craft shows I am looking to do that have me hung up, It will feel nice not to worry about what I’m doing wrong, just focus on what I am doing right
Listening To: VNV Nation – Further, Burning Empires
Size Matters (or does it)
Posted on 7 March 2009 | Comments Off
I’m not promoting Godzilla, nor am I hawking Enzyte, although I did have a Bob moment when Portillo’s made their jumbo hot dogs even more jumbo (yum). I am trying to figure out as a general rule if women like their necklaces shorter or longer. I personally like them short. My favorite look is a scoop neck blouse and a necklace with a big pendant laying on my chest. Of course I’ve always loved the turtleneck with the long necklace too, but I don’t seem to do well in turtlenecks. So I’m wondering what you ladies are looking for. Are you a long necklace girl, or only in the winter, do you like chokers, princess length, etc? And for the men, when you notice women’s jewelry, what do you notice most?
Pictures coming soon, I promise
Listening To: Stellamara – Szerelem, The Seven Valleys
Hobby Lobby (and Bankruptcy) Here I Come!
Posted on 3 March 2009 | Comments Off
My husband, James, like many of us, is facing lay offs with his company. He may find himself dodging the bullet, under the radar, among the survivors, or whatever phrase you want to use for being able to keep his job. In the meantime, I am trying to gather applications. I say trying as the few places Ive gone to have all said they are out of applications. One such place is Hobby Lobby. This would be my absolute first choice in retail, where I think I can find something faster and I might not have to explain away my 5 year absence from the work force. I’m sure you can guess my problem with working at Hobby Lobby, and that is my potential lack of take home pay. I mean, does a recovering alcoholic take a job as a bartender, does someone that attends gambling addiction meetings choose to live next to the casino?
So would you want to work in an environment where the temptation to spend your paycheck is a reality, or would you be happy enough to have a job you could enjoy and sock your money away like you are supposed to?
Listening To: System of a Down – Radio Video, Mesmerize