My House Smells Like Campfire...

Truly! It does.  I have been so productive it is hard to handle.  I feel like if I pause for a second, I'm not doing enough for my business!  It has been a wonderfully rewarding experience.  I have been researching Etsy non-stop about how to really improve the look of my shop and more hits to my shop.  It is incredible how much knowledge I have gained within the last two weeks. For anyone considering opening up an Etsy shop, here is my biggest piece of advice: read their newsletters and join the community!  It will get you far.  So far I haven't sold anything from the immediate purchases, but I feel confident that my shop is clean, beautiful, and professional.  I've also improved the descriptions (although I am definitely working on these still) and the product photography is light years away from what it was just weeks ago.  I am very proud of my progress and I can't wait to keep producing even more art.  I have a goal of becoming part time in my work (whatever it may be at the time) in two to three years' time and to rely on my art as the rest of my income.

Now for an update of my actual work! Marici's Gift has sold, which was a mixed blessing.  Honestly, I think that is my favorite piece of art I've ever produced, in all mediums. However, it went to a dear friend and I know it will be loved and appreciated by him for years.

As for my new items, I have four new necklaces, all available for $25.00.

The first one is an anatomical heart necklaces, perhaps for Valentine's day!

The next necklace is based on the Tree of Life, with a highly stylized tree:

Another one is a fun mushroom one, a request I've heard from a few friends:

Finally, I finished this barn owl necklace just last night:

I think all of these necklaces are perfect for casual wear.  I've also changed the chains I used on all of my necklaces.  They're all 24 inches of sterling silver.  They lay approximately at the bust and I think it lays very well for the size of the pendants.  

I've also finished a box that I was working on forever!  I have had the top drawn for many months, but a lack of time and distractions from other projects had me pushing this one back again and again.  Finally, I've finished.  It is inspired by Victorian-era doors, which had such beautiful detail and mystery.  The images from the era both seem inviting and foreboding at the same time; you want to touch and see the details, perhaps peak through the key hole, but you just can't access the secrets inside.  This box has a lion's head knocker at the top, with a door handle in the front, and two key holes on each side.  The back has small clusters of leaves at each corner, with a small skeleton key surprise on the inside of the box!  I love the many dimensions that this box has, and it will be a gorgeous addition to a wonderful home.  

An angled view of three sides.

The top: a lion's head knocker 

The opposite side of the angled, three side view 

Detailing of the skeleton key inside

 Close up of the door handle on the front side

 Close up of key hole

All-in-all, quite a crazy week! All of these items are available at my Etsy shop, so click on this sentence to check out the full listing!  I also have a commission coming up, and many more ideas in my brain that are bursting to get out.  I am so, so excited for the future and what it holds for my art!