Ladies Who Launch LIVE! Event

Wow … what an amazing day. A day filled with inspiration, positive energy and tremendous support.

My day started at 7:30 am when I woke up, showered, dressed up and put makeup on (yes … surprising I know but this was a special day). I loaded my bin of boxes, table clothes and displays, as well as my jewelry, into Dolly (our Subaru) and headed for the Lawrence Gallery in the Pearl.

Upon arrival I could sense the excitement of the ladies who were there. Rebecca (our leader) was buzzing around – finally the day she had worked SO hard for was here and everything was coming together splendidly.

As I set up my vendor table, one of my “egg mates” (we did the August Incubator together) Leslie came over and was admiring my handiwork. She wanted several pieces and I just giggled. Once I pulled this lovely turquoise triple strand necklace out – she HAD to have it. So she slipped it on and … looked … AMAZING in it!

After all the vendors were set, the ladies attending the day started to appear. After grabbing coffee and yummy treats from Java Nation they buzzed around, admiring the handiwork of the vendors and chatting with each other. I really enjoyed talking to ladies who were new to the organization (ie this was their first event) or considering the incubator program. Such an amazing group.

After that, we had some wonderful presentations from local and national LWLers, including interviews with the founder of Portland Picks and a panel of Incubator graduates who talked about their experiences and successes.

Then back to the vendor table to show off my goodies. Lunch … more speakers … then Tara’s YUMMY Sweet Treat Company cheesecake kabobs. It was her “launch” and we cut the ribbon for her (ADD PHOTO). She was thrilled … and so were we.

Overall the event was amazing. I only sold two pieces – Leslie and Tara. My egg mates and biggest supporters!! Though overall the sales $$ weren’t great – the event was. I think I got my name out there to a large group of wonderful and influential ladies. Fingers crossed something comes of it all.

Donation to Café au Play

One of the greatest joys for me is giving away jewelry. Of course I realize that making money will only keep my business afloat in the long run – so I also enjoy sales. But my true passion is … giving.

I love the look on a lady’s face when she receives a piece of TK Jewelry that’s EXACTLY what she wanted – either as a gift or as a purchase.

So when I learned through the local PDX Etsy group of an opportunity to donate some jewelry for a raffle at Café au Play, I jumped at the chance. My new friend Gretchen – Salmon Street Studios was the coordinator of the Halloween event on October 19 and I really enjoyed chatting with her during the process.

I ended up donating the divine long necklace and matching earrings set (pictured here) – which Gretchen told me were well received at the event.

Though I wasn’t able to make the event – it looks like it was a ton of fun!

BOO!!

My new Etsy Shop

I have had my tkoriginals etsy shop for about a year now. My friend Suzanne recommended I “get on there cuz they have some great stuff!!” So I did.

Mostly I posted one of kind pieces cuz I still had the TK Originals/Jewelry site at that point.

BUT with the shopping cart down … looks like Etsy is gonna be my TK Jewelry shop for a little while at least. Hubby is focused on getting my TK Bridal Jewelry portfolio online … which is really a priority.

Etsy totally works. It’s got all the functionality and networking capabilities I need for now. So I decided to get a TK Jewelry etsy URL … check it out www.tkjewelrydesigns.etsy.com.

Most of the stuff there now is what was on the TK Jewelry site … but I will also be adding one of a kind stuff and when I get my butt in gear with photography things will really get flowing!

I love me some loyal ladies

Thank goodness for my regular customers for without them I would love my motivation and then I’d just have many many beads and no jewelry!

My friend Nicole has been buying from me for about 4 years now. I met her while I was working at Volt Services Group in San Francisco. She’s a regular customer and always comes to me for gifts. AND she’s gotten her family and friends into buying from me as well. Loves it!

My friend Bree is also a very loyal TK Jewelry lady … she has been a IT Security Contractor for the last couple years and recently landed a full-time position at Autodesk. She wanted to get a little something for the ladies she worked with at her contracting job, and asked if I would pull together some fun earrings for 4 different ladies she worked with. We talked about each of their styles and I presented her with about 12 options (I always overdue it). She picked out 4 pretty pieces … and the ladies loved them!!

Photographing Ideas

Hit this great store today called Paper Zone. I had to figure out something for my gift bags for the LWL Live! event and figured they would have cute bags or boxes or something I could use. I found just what I needed – inexpensive cellophane bags. $4 for 100. YEE HAW!

I had also been thinking a lot about my photography. How I need a “brand” … a look and feel to all my photos that would allow for recognition when seen (a little something I learned about at the Trillium Workshop with Ryan of Littleput Books.

So I picked up a few things – 2 photo albums (one teal blue like the site and one black) as well as a sheet of while textured paper and a sheet of red textured paper. I want to create a landscape for my photos that brings in the “heart” … the red of the heart in the logo, as well as photos of the people who inspire my jewelry making.

It’s going to be another big project … but I wouldn’t who I am if I didn’t take on too much … right?