Survey Posted: Please Take the Survey, Thank You!

Greetings everyone!

I must not have had enough of research in college. Now I'm doing research for my business.

I decided I wanted to take a survey of people and their jewelry purchasing and wearing habits. In my time of selling jewelry, I've had an interesting time observing how people react to jewelry. However, I want quantifiable information.

The survey is short: only 10 questions. It won't take you but five minutes at the most to take it. Your participation would be greatly appreciated!

Click here to take the survey.

Be BOLD.
Miachelle

A Fair(y) Use Tale

Hello! Yes, I'm back.

I'm graduated, and it's done. It feels really good. And to those who posted congratulations, thank you so much for your kind words. If there's any message I can leave regarding my graduation, it's that never believe you are too old or too busy or too anything to go back and get your education. If you want it, you can do it.

Not so long ago I posted about copyright(http://jewelryzine.blogspot.com/2007/09/copyright-essentials-you-should-know.html). Well, for graduation I received an iPod Touch, and in the throes of enjoying many podcasts about fashion, jewelry, Dirty Jobs, the Dog Whisperer and more, I found a cartoon created by Professor Eric Faden. I provide for both your entertainment and your education. And yes, you can view and use under Creative Common Attribution Non-commercial Share-Alike License 3.0.


Be BOLD.
Miachelle

The Grand Finale

Hi everyone!

I'm guilty. This is not a jewelry-related post at all. Well, maybe I'll mention the word jewelry once or twice. But really what this post is about is that finally, I'm graduating this week.

I took my last final yesterday. It was the one I was dreading. I've done horribly in this class all semester, and I've had issues with my teacher regarding the terminology and phrasing of questions on his lab sheets. I did win some points back, but it's been an uphill battle. Tomorrow I give my portfolio presentation.

And I'm done.

I've been taking some time off in between studying for finals. I'm actually starting to feel like me. For the past 2.5 years, I haven't been me. Going to college as a middle-aged mother running a family and a business on the side tends to sap the jolly spirit out of you. I'm starting to get the taste of what it will be like not having homework seven days a week, and to know the pressure of making the best grades is finally gone.

My best friend arrives tonight. Wednesday after my portfolio presentation is done, we drive to Sedona to stay with my in-laws, and Thursday we go for a hot air-balloon ride. Taking this ride seems to me to be the perfect way to signal the ending of one adventure and the beginning of another. And a hot air balloon ride in Sedona??? Oh yeah. The best!

Friday is convocation. I'm not doing ASU's giant commencement ceremony--the parking and hassle isn't worth the impersonal atmosphere of the commencement ceremony. Saturday we are having the graduation soiree...and then it's all done.

Don't worry...in the meantime I've been cooking up ideas and events for my jewelry. Some will happen this year, and one I'm thinking about may occur next year. Trust me, I can always find a way to fill up all that time left empty by my graduation.

Next week? Oh yes, I'll be back in the studio. I'll be making up for missed time, and hopefully will be able to dedicate more time to this blog and you, the audience.

Be BOLD.
Miachelle

They Might Be Giants

In case you don't know much about Arizona's garden life, we actually do have one. Ever since we moved here, I have wanted an Argentine Giant. They are beautiful cacti, and have these incredible white flowers that bloom at night. And the scent is supposed to be magnificent.

Well, last week we had some landscaping upgrades done, and among those upgrades, I had an Argentine Giant planted in my front yard. Right now is the bloom season for cacti, and my new little baby had what I call "bloom balls" (no dirty jokes!).

I've been running outside every morning to see if the largest one had bloomed yet, and sure enough, this morning provided me with this gorgeous delight. And I can verify that the smell is heavenly.





Speaking of giants, I have a slight update on the JAPAC lobbying of Congress regarding the sale of 1+ carat diamonds at Armed Forces Exchanges. This issue caused quite a furor on a certain forum, and the VP of JA responded. He stated that for some time there has always been a rule limiting the PX's to selling diamonds 1 carat or less, and they are merely lobbying to keep this in place.

Ok, fine. I responded to his statement this morning, and have asked why the PX's are viewed any differently than other wholesale venues such as Costco, other than Congress can determine what is sold at the PX's. I don't know if he'll respond, but I think more in-depth explanation is needed.

Be BOLD.
Miachelle

Lobbying to Eliminate Diamond Sales in Armed Forces Exchanges

Ever since I started this blog, I swore I'd stay away from politics. I've done the political blog thing, and it brings out the nasty in people. I don't want nasty on my blog.

However, a post on this morning's Orchid Forum brought an issue to my attention, and my hackles are raised. You see, I am a military veteran. My husband is a retired military veteran. We support our troops. Not just in a time of war, but for all time. Troops don't just fight in Iraq and Afghanistan. They get deployed on "humanitarian peacekeeping missions." "Operations other than war." "Low Intensity Conflicts." For examples of these, see Haiti, Somalia, or the Former Republic of Yugoslavia. (The FRY deployment would only last 18 months, so President Clinton announced at the beginning. We were there over a decade.) Since 1950, 54 countries have hosted at least 1,000 troops. The Heritage Foundation has done a wonderful job of researching troop deployments. Check that page out--it's an eye-opener.

So here is JAPAC, the lobbying arm of JA, demanding (and apparently for quite some time), that Armed Forces exchanges not be allowed to engage in the sale of diamonds over 1 ct. in weight. Their claim is that many of the JA members live close to large bases and that the Exchange hurts the small jewelry business owner.

Being a small business owner in the creation of art jewelry, I can appreciate that sentiment. I'm having to do more shows this year to maintain the income I made last year. However, having been a soldier struggling on military income, I believe there is a far bigger picture that JAPAC is not seeing.

First and foremost, our troops deserve an economic break. I can remember the day when a number of shops around military bases would give 10-15% discounts to military members and their families. It was a way of showing support. In the late 90's, I don't know what happened, but that died. Rare is the store nowadays that gives a discount. But it's a form of patriotism, in my opinion. The discount at the Armed Forces Exchange on items isn't always that big of a difference. Usually it's the convenience that's attractive to servicemembers. I believe that if these small business owners provided a 10% discount, they'd probably find themselves competitive with the Exchange prices.

Second, our troops give up a lot when they sign their name on the dotted line. They give up a lot of personal freedoms for yours and mine. They put up with hardships, they get deployed to armpit locations around the world. Periodically someone decides that they need to limit what purchases a servicemember is entitled to. Why? They give up enough, why take away a small "luxury" such as buying a piece of jewelry at a reduced discount?

Third, while I appreciate JA looking out for it's American members, there's a broader picture here. Armed Forces Exchanges go everywhere troops go. It's a bit of home, and servicemembers know what they are buying when they go into an exchange. They don't have that security and piece of mind when living overseas. Sure, a "luxury" item may be cheaper "out on the economy" as the phrase goes, but they don't always have that secure feeling of knowing what they purchased is quality and that the item truly is what the seller claims it is. Restrict what the Exchange can sell in the US, and you restrict what is sold period, in every Armed Forces Exchange around the world.

Fourth, where do you think the Exchange gets its products? Not only do the Exchanges get jewelry from big name corportations, but they also ROUTINELY bring in small business vendors.. I've seen small jewelry business come into an Exchange on rotations, and sell their products to servicemembers. I've bought jewelry from these vendors. The Exchange gives small business opportunities as well as the large businesses. Truly, there is opportunity through the Exchanges for all size of businesses.

Fifth, there are times that bases are at heightened security. I remember after 9/11, security at the base on which I worked was extremely tight. So much so that I could see where people felt it was a hassle to go off post. Fortunately, the Exchange is on base, so whatever was needed was readily available. Overseas, security can go full throttle in a heart beat. You need the exchange there to be available during these times. No, a person doesn't need a diamond ring during these times, but once you begin limiting what is sold, where does it end?

Sixth...What is the difference between a base Exchange, and Costco, or Sam's Club, or BJ's? Or any other wholesale membership business? The only difference: membership to use the Exchange requires a committment of X years to the military, whereas the wholesale businesses cost you a small annual fee to gain entrance. You don't have to worry about being deployed on a moment's notice, receiving orders to Korea or Germany or Kuwait or some other place, and you have the same if not better discount for luxury purchases. So why pick on the Exchanges? Why not target any wholesale operation if the concern is the small business owner? I'll tell you why. Because it's easier to leverage power against the Exchanges through Congress. It's difficult to convince lawmakers to shut down a non-government business. Lawmakers don't have that power. But believe it or not, civilians have the same option to purchase fine jewelry at a lower price. It just comes in a different store front.

Leave the servicemembers alone. Let them get a 10% discount on jewelry through the Exchanges. They give us 100% everyday, even when not in a "time of war."

Be BOLD.
Miachelle

This One is for Mary

Oh, Miss Mary, you challenged me, and here you go. This one is just for you! XO

List one has to do with 5 strengths you have, for example persistence, courage, friendliness, creativity.
1. I am creative.
2. I am loyal.
3. I protect those I love.
4. I am analytical.
5. I am joyous.

Now list 5 things you admire about yourself.
1. I admire that I've survived some very awful things in life.
2. I admire that I refuse to let others get the best of me.
3. I admire that I look for the silver lining in all things.
4. I admire that I can eat tons of chocolate without batting an eye.
5. I admire that I always look for opportunities.

Now list 5 of your greatest accomplishments in your life so far.

1. My family.
2. My friends.
3. Overall, I think that being able to forgive some of the worst trespassers in my life is a huge accomplishment. I have a couple more to work on, but I'm getting there.
4. In spite of my own stupidity and idiotic mistakes early in my adulthood, I've managed to become a pretty successful person.
5. That I found my happy spot. I believe every person needs to find their happy place, and I consider finding mine not only an accomplishment, but pure luck.

List at least 20 other Accomplishments.

6. Graduating college at almost 39. With a 3.99 GPA.
7. Serving my country.
8. Making people happy.
9. Becoming a writer. It hasn't been easy.
10. I've learned that bitterness breeds bitterness. That one took me a while too.
11. I've been published in 3 books, with #4 and #5 on the way in the next year.
12. I've been on tv.
13. I can shoot a rifle and a pistol. Well.
14. I make a mean black bean soup. Oh yeah.
15. I've made a Vietnam vet-male-chauvinist pig crap his pants. Literally.
16. I ran a 2 mile Army pt run in 13:03. Once.
17. I've learned to run a business.
18. I've overcome my fear of water.
19. I'm beginning to overcome my fear of heights.
20. I overcame my fear of flying.
21. I haven't fully accomplished this one yet...but I am beginning to accept me for who and what I am. I've made a lot of progress in this the past year.
22. I've ran the Heidelberg castle run.
23. I've incapacitated a German tank AND a German turret.
24. I've learned to like artichokes.
25. I haven't stopped dreaming of future accomplishments.

List 10 thing you do to treat or reward yourself, that don't include food or cost anything.
1. Take baths.
2. Do absolutely nothing.
3. Enjoy the sunsets here in AZ.
4. Call my best friend and laugh with her.
5. Tickle my daughter.
6. Play with my dogs.
7. Pick on my husband. :-)
8. Literally smell the roses...in my neighbor's yard as I walk to the mailbox to get the mail.
9. Sleep till 8 in the morning.
10. Play my favorite music.

List 10 things you can do to make yourself laugh.

1. Make bad stinkers. Yes, women do this. Especially as we get older and our stomachs don't deal so well with food. (Don't roll your eyes at me--you know you do it.)
2. Watch a Jeff Dunham dvd.
3. Tease my hubby.
4. Play with my daughter.
5. Have a goofy conversation with my best friend.
6. Do something adventurous--I don't know why, but that makes me laugh.
7. Fight my daughter for the last bite of some obnoxious chocolate dessert.
8. Dance and embarrass my daughter.
9. Play with my dogs.
10. Watch "Dirty Jobs."

List 10 things you could do to help someone else and make yourself feel good about yourself.

1. I volunteer with a non-profit.
2. Sometimes I do chores my husband would normally do, to alleviate his stress.
3. Once in a while I give a couple bucks to a homeless person. It may be a crock, but I do it any way.
4. I offer my talents to people without asking anything in return...like editing written material for people.
5. Give fledgling business owners advice from my own lessons learned the hard way.
6. Teach. I've taught karate to young children, I've taught jewelry...I like to teach.
7. Give people ideas when they've run out.
8. Be a sounding board for someone who's stressed.
9. Give someone a compliment. I do this frequently. I like to see how happy people feel when someone pays them a moment of attention.
10. Take a friend to lunch.

This is me in a nutshell. WYSIWYG.

Be BOLD.
Miachelle

What is Blue?

21 days to graduation, and already I am embarking on a new project. The theme of the project revolves around "Blue." It will take several months before I can really discuss the scope of the project, but for my personal part of the project, I need to examine "Blue."

What is "Blue?"

Blue is...your favorite color.
Blue is...music that expresses how you feel.
Blue...is...


A blue laser striking a crystal.


Unearthly blue roses.


An acropora blue slimer staghorn.


Blue tie-dye.

More to follow.

Be BOLD.
Miachelle

Disecting the Validity of the Phrase "Fashion Craft"

Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions.--G.K.
Chesterston

Hello readers! I'm caught up enough in homework that I wanted to take some time this evening to discuss a phrase I heard on the morning news a couple of days ago. [And I'd like to add that as of today I have 30 days to graduation!!!!!!!]

The other morning as I was getting myself and my daughter ready for our daily adventure in our respective schools, I was watching a local tv morning news show. One of their regular segments is a woman who comes on and talks about new and different craft ideas and products. She recently attended CVA, and this week she was talking about some new jewelry craft idea: prefabricated frames in which you can put just about anything, and coat with a special type of resin that resembles glass. She was wearing one, and had a vintage looking photo inside of hers, and it was embellished with flat-back crystals. What caught my attention was her use of the phrase "fashion craft."

I've been pondering this phrase for a few days now. Perhaps it's because as a student of technical communication, I've become much more aware of marketing terminology and new terms that arise to attract more customers or legitimize the actual craft. For example, in the diamond industry, dark brown diamonds are called "cognac", "champagne" or "chocolate" diamonds. You can't possibly ignore the use of words that speak lusciously of some of life's finer culinary treats. But in reality, we know that the darker brown diamonds do not have nearly the value and aesthetics of white or rare naturally colored diamonds. The diamond market merely realized that by using wonderful, colorful, even "yummy" adjectives, they become more appealing to the audience (primarily female).

"Fashion craft" is a phrase that reminds of this marketing tactic. That doesn't mean that I view this industry in a negative light, I just question the linguistic validity behind the creation of the term.

I decided to research the words individually, and then decide if the combination of the two is accurate and/or appropriate.

Fashion. When we think of fashion, we think of the couture houses. We think of elite, well-known models who grace the covers of our favorite magazines. And, much to our consternation, we think of the wardrobe that somehow we are required to adjust the content of in order to remain significant with our peers.

But is that what fashion really is?

According to http://www.fashion-era.com/, "fashion" is several things:

• Fashion is a non-verbal statement to signal rank, status, gender, occupation, and more.
• Fashion is a language of signs, symbol and iconography that non-verbally communicates meanings about individuals and groups.
• Fashion is a barometer of cultural changes.
• Fashion is a way to maintain tribal belonging--we use fashion to make ourselves feel better and feel accepted within the tribe.

According to Wikipedia (and hence not necessarily verified fact), the first fashion designer was Charles Frederic Worth (1826-1895). He is recognized because up until his designs, all other designers were "merely" dressmakers. Mr. Worth earned a reputation as such that he dictated what his clients should where, instead of the reverse. Eventually, artists were hired to sketch designs, and fashion design was born. That contradicts those who collect fashions from history, such as the Kyoto Costume Institute in Japan. However, as a note, "fashion" and "costume" are used interchangably in instutitutions such as the KCI.

According to a page on Thinkquest.org, fashion is a term used to describe a style of clothing worn by a country of people, which changes every 1-3 years. It becomes custome when it is handed down from generation to generation.

And finally, we should never omit official definitions, such as those found on Dictionary.com:

1. (n.) a prevailing custom or style of dress, etiquette, socializing, etc.: the latest fashion in dresses.
2. (n.) conventional usage in dress, manners, etc., esp. of polite society, or conformity to it: the dictates of fashion; to be out of fashion.

Aside from Dictionary.com, am I saying any of these other explanations are the be-all, end-all factual identification of what makes up fashion? No. Because fashion is individual, unique, and no matter how hard couture houses, fashion magazines, fashion designers, and retail corporations try, we all end up interpreting for our own individual comfort and confidence just exactly what is fashion. Many dispute the difference between "fashion" and "trend"--fashion connotating an enduring style, trend indicating a style that can last literally as short as a matter of weeks.

Craft. The word "craft" conjures up different imagery. "Craft" can signify hobbies and pleasurable skills that potentially can qualify as art. "Craft" elicits images of projects spent with children and family members. "Craft" can be synonymous with highly skilled technicians.

For my first linguistic examination of this term, I must of course refer to skilled jewelry artist and instructor Tim McCreight. In his book "Design Language," he first defines "craft" as:

1. Skill or ability in something, especially in handwork or the arts; proficiency, expertness.
2. Skill in evasion or deception; cunning, guile.

He then discusses "craft" in his own terms: "Usually excellent crafstmanship is the result of talent, training, and experience. The pleaure of good crafstmanship is universal, transcending language, culture, and time. A more specific use of this word referes to objects of a prinicipally utilitarian origin, as in "handicrafts" such as furniture, textiles, metalwork and so on. This double use of the word can be confusing and requires care: not all crafts are well-crafted, and most fine art relies on its craft."

According to Dictionary.com:

1. (n) an art, trade, or occupation requiring special skill, esp. manual skill: the craft of a mason.
2. (n) skill; dexterity: The silversmith worked with great craft.
9. (v) to make or manufacture (an object, objects, product, etc.) with skill and careful attention to detail.

According to Wikipedia:

A craft is a skill, especially involving practical arts. It may refer to a trade or particular art. The term is often used as part of a longer word (and also in the plural). For example, a craft-brother is a fellow worker in a particular trade and a craft-guild is, historically, a guild of workers in the same trade. See some further examples below.

The term is often used to describe the family of artistic practices within the decorative arts that traditionally are defined by their relationship to functional or utilitarian products (such as sculptural forms in the vessel tradition) or by their use of such natural media as wood, clay, glass, textiles, and metal. Crafts practiced by independent artists working alone or in small groups are often referred to as studio craft. Studio craft includes studio pottery, metal work, weaving, wood turning and other forms of wood working, glass blowing, and glass art.

A craft fair is an organized event to display crafts by a number of
exhibitors.

Conclusion. So here we have a category of products being retailed by companies and corporations involved in the hobby craft industry. They've attached the label of "fashion" to indicate something that is hot and in demand by those who are fashion-conscious. However, it isn't a ready-to-wear fashion product--you have to spend a short amount of time to turn it into something wearable. It doesn't necessarily require a high amount of skill, and for the most part it won't involve a valuable component. It may have a certain amount of sentimental value depending on what's added to it, but does sentimentality equate to fashion? Certainly cameos did (and still do), as did mourning jewelry made of the hair of deceased family members (not very popular now).

I think it's clever that some advertising/marketing guru thought up the term, but on the flip side, I hate to see the work of fashion designers and skilled craft artisans belittled by the flippant combination of words that represent worlds in which skill, time, experience, and imagination are the very foundation of their success and enduring qualities.

It will be interesting to see if "fashion craft" is one of those trendy (as opposed to fashionable) terms who time is short-lived in the ever-turning cog of the corporate wheel.

Be BOLD.
Miachelle

More Pix From Taser

Me, before the show.


Alan modelling "Millenium Arrow."


Kathlyn wearing "Caribbean Cool."


Jessica models "Prickly Beauty."


Alyssa models "Blagic Magic."


Marlow models "Diadem" fantastically.


Marlow wearing "Diadem."


Me, waving in the finale.


Amparo and I posing before the live auction. She is wearing "Catalina's Quest."

Be BOLD.
Miachelle

Taser Recap

The Taser show is over, and I'm still tired. If it wasn't for wanting to discuss the recent Bendel Open See, I wouldn't be posting this morning. I'm still that tired.

How did Taser go? Taser went well. It was the first fashion show in which everything was on time, and we were prepared. It went fast, as fashion shows do, and we were hustling and bustling backstage to get everyone changed. I loved the venue though, and from what I hear, it looked fantastic. The only snafu was the very last outfit of course had issues--we were getting the model into the dress, and the zipper broke! There was a very long space between her and the model before her as the designer was safety-pinning the back together, but she got it, and the model made the last walk down the staircase.

The auction could have gone a little better, but those issues will be better handled next year I'm sure. Next year? Oh, yes. Apparently the Taser board members were pleased with the result, and the show will occur again next year, which was my first concern. I'm happy they were happy, and hope that they will ask me back next year.

I'm waiting on pictures to come back from the photographers that were there, but one of my friends brought her camera, and here is a group shot of us after the show. I'm on the left; my friend Jane is next; one of the male models, Alan, is third; and my spokesperson and good friend Liana is on the right.



On a slightly different note, I just found out that Bendel's already had their Open See?! Why doesn't this get more widespread attention on the Internet? I was reading about it in Cindy Edelstein's e-newsletter. We jewelry bloggers need to get on the ball! Marketing opportunities in front of big name merchandisers don't come along very often, and the Bendel's Open See is a huge opportunity we need to share with each other.

Bright note of the day: I have 38 days until graduation!!!! Oh yeah, I'm seein' the light!

Be BOLD.
Miachelle

Are You a Bead Star?

That's what Beading Daily and Interweave want to know. They are holding the inaugural Bead Star contest, with some really fantastic prizes. All the rules and eligibility requirements are posted here.

Be BOLD.
Miachelle

Hiatus from the Hiatus

Hi everyone!

I've returned temporarily to share with you what I've managed to do in between the insane homework assignments I've had lately. These pieces are chain maille-intensive, but I really like them all. A couple are simple, but the use of color gives them an edge they might not have otherwise. I had one more necklace (turquoise chain maille), but no matter how many photographs I took, my camera would not focus on it at all. I don't know why, because all these photos were taken in the same session, and I didn't have any focus issues with these pieces.

Hope you like them...Taser is one week away, and I'll be glad when it's done so Ican get back to some simpler designs. The fantastic ones are great...but they don't sell as quickly as the simple pieces.



The NF17 fundraiser necklace for Neurofibromatosis Inc. of AZ. It's the DNA spiral using black, silver and red jump rings. The red jump rings are #17 chromosome of 23 pairs, regardless from which end you start counting.


"Splash" bracelet.


"Pink Roses"


"Black Magic"--necklace front (pendants are Ethiopean crosses)


"Black Magic"--back side of necklace, with more Ethiopean crosses.


Detail on front side of "Black Magic" necklace. There are earrings to match as well, but I haven't actually attached them to posts and photographed them.

That's it for the time being...I'll post again as soon as I can!

Be BOLD.
Miachelle

Temporary Hiatus

Hi everone,

Due to the final semester, the Taser fashion show, and beginning my job search, I have to take a very slight break from blogging. I will pop in, and hopefully in a couple of weeks I'll be back to doing my thing here. Please bear with me, and I'll talk to you soon!

Be BOLD.
Miachelle