Athens Indie Craftstravaganzaa-Holiday Market!

Just wanted to post some info regarding this year's holiday craft market to be held in downtown Athens, Ga. If you are a local artist you can go to their website at http://www.athensindiecraftstravaganzaa.com/index.htm and fill out an application to be a vendor there. The market will be held on December 5th and 6th. I will be applying to sell my jewelry there and I hope to see many of my favorite local artists there, as well!

Scrabble, the grey kitty

So Scrabble, one of our three cats, had quite a time of it yesterday. I found him limping through the cat door with blood dripping from his back paw. Ross and I tried to rinse the wound just to see what the problem was but we couldn't seem to stop the blood flow. We decided to run him to the vet immediately and I'm glad we did after knowing what was wrong. He apparently got bitten by a snake and had a deep puncture wound that had started turning black almost immediately. He had a high fever and his entire leg had continued to swell really badly. We were really glad we took him to the vet when we did. All I know is that I hope I don't run across that same snake! Scrabble's puncture wound looks really bad. He'll be fine, though. I would post some pics but they are not for the faint of heart.

Well, I'll be out at the Athens Farmers Market this Saturday, so stop by if you're near!

Summer's End

So summer is slowly coming to a halt here in Athens. Students are back and busy as ever, finding their classes, discussing their next party or bar hop, and stumbling into Bel-Jean to get their course packets. I am currently working at the downtown copy print store to help with the back to school course packet rush. Most new students are as confused as ever, but I do have some very encouraging news to report...students from many different walks of life are refusing Bel-Jean's plastic bags to haul their packets away! Maybe people are coming around to the idea that we don't all need a new shiny bag ever time we buy the slightest item in a store! I would say that fewer than 1 out of ever 10 customers accepted my bag offer! Yay Athens! Maybe there is hope after all.

I will be out at the farmer's market tomorrow with my jewelry. Sometimes I get so tired of hauling all of my displays out to my tent only to put them back again at 12pm. Don't get me wrong, I love selling at the farmer's market and I am not generally a lazy person...but if you have seen my display there, you know that it is made up of about 20 different pieces. I am tempted to consolidate the display and just bring a folding table with a cloth to drape over it, but I just can't bring myself to take away the charm (if you will) of my display. I think I like the display as much as the jewelry! So, tomorrow I will unload the car with Ross and be wistfully thinking of a folding table and a draping cloth.

Last weekend my mother joined me at my table to sell all natural and handmade goat's milk soap. She raises the little goats herself and then uses their milk to make awesome soap the old fashioned way (lye, olive oil, etc). I have been using her soap for a while now and it leaves your skin feeling so soft! So far she has made unscented, oatmeal/honey, lemongrass, lime, lavender, and a few others that I have yet to remember. I recommend stopping by my booth to see if she is their with her soap during the remaining farmers markets. She will be joining me every once in awhile. Here are some cute pics from her farm (Promised Land Farm in Social Circle, GA):

Running out of supplies!

So the last week or so I have been feverishly making jewelry for a wholesale order that was placed by a boutique in Atlanta. My friend Grace and I walking around Virginia Highlands in Atlanta with my jewelry and approached several business owners/buyers with my jewelry. I received a lot of great feedback and last week, one of the businesses ordered a good bit of jewelry right on the spot. This is very exciting for me at is my first wholesale order and this particular boutique is well known in Atlanta and has been in Lucky Magazine. So, needless to say, I have had little time to come up with new designs and my supplies have been dwindling.

I will be out at the Farmer's Market this Saturday, however, with the jewelry I have left on hand (a good bit). Sorry if I missed you last weekend. My husband had to take over my booth b/c I had to hurry home to deal with a 24 hour migraine. It was one of the worst I have every had. But, I am better now and I hope to see many of you at the market!

In the meantime, check out this awesomely fun website and have fun making old school yearbook pictures! Check out one of mine:

Support the Athens Farmers Market

So this post is really all about the recent controversy surrounding the latest issue of Flagpole. Charlie Mustard of Jittery Joes coffee wrote a short editorial piece describing his frustration with his rejection regarding this 2009 season farmers market. You can read the piece here, as well as the official Athens Farmers Market response here.

I encourage everyone to become aware of this "situation" so that you are well informed when someone in town brings it up...and they likely will. In my own opinion, as a person that works most markets, I believe that the farmers market in an upstanding establishment that did what it had to do in order to work within the size limitations as well as the market rules and regulations. I personally feel very fortunate that my jewelry 'passed the test' and that I am allowed to sell at the farmers market at Bishop Park. Despite how you feel about the inclusion (or lack there of) of Jittery Joes in the market, I hope that you will continue to make it out to the market to support all of the good farmers and vendors that are currently there. I, for one, love 1000 faces coffee and it is sad that several people have begun a sort of picketing of their products because of this flagpole editorial piece. I do hope that you will not reject 1000 faces coffee because of this controversy because I can tell you from personal experience that these people are good people and they care as much if not more about Athens, GA than the next person. I believe that both 1000 faces and Jittery Joes could inhabit the market together and both be successful in doing so. We all have our reasons for why we choose one product over another, whether it be taste, presentation, product history, company morals or cost. I just ask that you continue to buy 1000 faces or Jittery Joes coffee for these same reasons and not becuase of some disaggreement over market spots. After all, I bet if you asked both companies what matters most...they would respond, "the coffee."

And to end this rambling...new jewelry using framed milk bottle caps, vintage postcard/ad clippings, and stereoviews! Also, a new piece entitled "Flight of the Jailbird".

I tried to cross the river but my oxen died...

Well, its been a crazy week at the Pringle household. Ross and I have a total of $8.64 cents between our checking account and my business account. We have been waiting on a paycheck from UGA that is "in the mail" as they say. Sometimes the university system can be so frustrating. I am hoping that tomorrow's farmers market at Bishop Park will help with the finances. I have been making a ton of new stuff hoping that it will strike someone's interest!

Recently I have been using pennies in various designs. I used to make jewelry and other odds and ends out of pennies when I was little. We have a railroad track that runs very close to my childhood home out in the country...and when I was younger I would put 10-20 pennies on the tracks and then wait a day or so and go back to pick up the mashed disks that had flung all along the tracks and get my dad to drill holes in them to make things. I know that this is awful to some of you and honestly I am so relieved that I never derailed the train (!!) but from what I am told, pennies are very unlikely to derail trains anyhow...but I am no expert so who knows? Anyway, these days I am using regular old unmashed pennies. I love their bright color and they reflect light very well. All my life I was told that I must have swallowed a dollar because I broke out in pennies (freckles for those that don't know the saying). I made this necklace using that inspiration:

Anyhow, I love funky jewelry like this and I sometimes think that it may be too out there for anyone else to want...but who knows?

Also from my childhood...the ancient computer game "Oregon Trail". Anyone else know what I am taking about? I think you have to be a child of the eighties to have played it in school...but in a nutshell, it is this game designed to teach kids about the oregon trail and the diseases and plights of Americans during that time in history. So, you and your companies set out of a journey and depending on how things went, you encountered various plights from disease, hunger, deep fjords, etc. and had to figure out how to survive. This necklace is inspired by the dreaded day when you tried to cross the river, but your oxen died:

The woes of being tall...something I know nothing about.

So Athfest is over and Athens, GA returns to its full summer doldrums again.  Ross and I went to see the live recording of the Mountain Music and Medicine Show at the Morton Theatre on Sunday. It was a lot of fun, with bluegrass and bad jokes.  The format was similar to A Prairie Home Companion, but with less talk and more music.  

The humidity is low outside today...it was actually a pleasure to go outside and take pictures of my jewelry. The wind even kept the mosquitoes off of me for a few minutes, something almost unheard of here. If I hadn't gone just yesterday, I would go to the Red Eye Cafe in Bottleworks and enjoy some pistachio gelato...but, I figure I should wait as least a day before having gelato again :) If you haven't made it to Red Eye yet, definitely check it out. They have been open for six months or so and the atmosphere is very relaxing. Just don't try it on Tuesday for you will find that they are closed.

Well, on to the new jewelry that I have been making...check it out:

The first necklace is made from some sort of Marine Insignia that screwed onto something...I had to cut those screws of the back to make it into pendant. This necklace is for my sister who is visiting home before returning to her station out in CA. She is...as you might have guessed, a Marine (as is her husband).

The second necklace is a antique skeleton key that has been turned on its side...I just love the simplicity of this piece and each key is so unique!

The third piece is just something fun that I made for all those tall ladies out there (note: I am short). I had a lot of fun coming up with this one and making it! It says "its not easy being tall" and features a cute giraffe charm. I just love stamping brass!

mmm...peach soda and boots

So my husband and I went to north Georgia near the mountains and we stopped at a little rinky dink gift store to see some of the views of one of the gorges. Well, I tried peach soda and it was awesome! I recommend it!

I have been busy making new jewelry and finding new things to experiment with...little glass bottles, large skeleton keys, etc. Check out my new hand stamped necklace with a famous Nancy Sinatra song quote on it...

Happenings in Athens

Well, as many of you may be aware, the Georgia Theatre burned last Friday to the dismay of many Athens residents.  I myself was awestruck at the news. To think that the place where I spent many Friday and Saturday nights during my college years (and beyond) is now nothing but walls is hard to grasp.  One thing we can all do is hold on to our memories that were made there and hope that the great venue will rise again.  

Luckily, Athfest is right around the corner and Athens will change from a dreary summer college town into a bustling epicenter of music and crafts.  I have been to Athfest in previous years but I can honestly say that I am most excited about this year’s performers and the far reaching scope of music genres.  I hope that all of you can make it out to hear some music and peruse the artist market. My friend Celan (the painter I have mentioned here in my blog) will be showing her paintings and she has agreed to have a few of my pieces on display as well.  I would have loved to have my own booth this year, but I did not make the deadline. I hope next year will be an option!

On another note, I have recently found out that a former downtown employer of mine has been taking pieces that I created while at the store and claiming them as her own creations on Etsy.  In addition, many of the new pieces created at this establishment are very, shall we say, reminiscent of my jewelry designs.  I left this particular position to concentrate on growing my own jewelry business as a full time venture.  I just want all of my customers to know that I do my very best to come up with unique and original designs that I hope you all enjoy. I put my heart and soul into each piece, from start to finish, and I take great pride in displaying my work for you on Etsy, at the farmer’s market, and at various craft shows.  Luckily, I have received great feedback from everyone and this encourages me to continue my pursuit of rustic/vintage style jewelry.  Every day is a new opportunity to create fun and exciting pieces and I look forward to all of your feedback and ideas!  Hopefully these unfortunate events will be put to rest soon and I can continue to count on all of you for your support. Thanks to all my loyal customers and I hope to see you soon!  

Now, get out there and enjoy Athfest!

New Ken Will Morton Fan

So I have been officially made a full member at the farmer's market! It looks like I will be there for all the dates in previous post! I have been really busy working on new jewelry and I found some great old skeleton keys just the other day.  You know the kind...intricate scroll work at the top.  I am really excited about coming up with designs using these pieces of history.

At the farmers market on Saturday we were graced with a fairly large crowd considering the 100F weather.  One thing worth mentioning is one of the bands that played music at the market. Luckily I have my stand near the music area so I get to see the performers do their dirty work. Ken Will Morton was playing during the last half of the market and I am here to tell you that if you haven't heard of this guy, you should check it out. He lives here in Athens and honestly I am just astounded that I hadn't heard of him before yesterday.  Their performance yesterday prompted me to run over and spend my hard earned money on 2 cds.  I can now report that it was money very well spent. So...check him out at either www.kenwillmorton.com or even better, go see him and his band play at the Green Room on Thomas Street on Saturday at 9:30pm during Athfest.  You will not be disappointed.  

Here are some photos of my new pieces:

Farmers Market Issues and New Jewelry

So apparently the Athens Farmers Market is now full (yay for them), but I may not be getting all of the dates I signed up for (bad for me). We shall see what the day brings, but I will be very distraught if my dates have been given to someone one applied way after me.  I sure hope that doesn't happen :(. I will keep you updated as soon as I know something.

On another note, between root canals and errands, I have found some time to make a few new pieces. The first one pictured has authentic antique chandelier crystals and an antique skeleton key on a 30" brass chain. The second is a simple antiqued brass angel's wing necklace that measures 16" in length. The third is a really cool OOAK statement necklace that features an antique cabinet drawer backing with an antique chandelier crystal. This necklace measures 16" as well.

New Necklace

Just posted a new 'Heaven's Gate Necklace' on etsy. It has an antique brass keyhole and wings. Check it out:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26190533

Farmers Market Dates

So, I have yet to hear back from the guy that runs the farmers market here in Athens...but I know that I will be there on these dates for sure:

June 20

July 18

Aug 15

Sept 19

Oct 17

Nov 14

And these dates I have signed up for but haven't heard back about:

June 13

June 27

July 11

July 25

Aug 8

Aug 22

Sept 5

Sept 12

Sept 26

Oct 3

Oct 24

So, as you can see, there are a lot of Saturdays in limbo at the moment, but I do hope to participate in the second list of days. I will let all of you know as soon as I do.

On a different note:

You should check out my good friend's paintings on her website celanworks.com. She does amazing work with both oil, acrylics, and mixed media. Some of her pieces have cloth and cut up maps incorporated into them. Definitely check it out.  Here is one of her pieces entitled "lived in a shoe" (my favorite, to be exact):

Tweet Tweet

So I finally started a twitter account. I honestly haven't figured out the point quite yet but everyone on Etsy seems to think that it helps with sales...so, we shall see. You can follow me by searching for rustic roses. 

I am in the process of making a new necklace...it is a winged keyhole. I will look something like this:

I will be selling some like this at the farmers market next Saturday June 13th.

Needful Things

So I just found out about this place called needful things near Athens! I am so excited about a new place to find cool vintage jewelry pieces! I think I'll be stopping by soon.

On another note...I started a twitter account named RusticRoses. I am unsure about this whole twitter thing but everyone on etsy recommends starting an account. We shall see how that goes.

Have a great day!

Farmers Market

So I recently hauled some of my wares to the Athens Farmers Market at Bishop Park and had a really great time meeting tons of people and chatting about my jewelry. I started by signing up for one Saturday per month at the market, but after the great performance 2 Saturdays ago, I decided to sign up for many additional Saturdays. I expect to be there every 3 Saturdays or so if you wanna come by and check out my new pieces. I noticed that many people like my keyhole necklaces that have angel wings. I sold out of all of these styles in particular and now I am on a grand search for more antique keyholes! Each one has been one of a kind so I am trying to find really cool and unique keyholes.

On another note, I quit my full time day job and am now searching for a part time job in Athens. I really just needed more time to focus on my jewelry business. If anyone knows of any cool part time jobs let me know!

I will be working on my website (www.rusticroses.com) during the next couple of weeks and hopefully it will be up soon!

Well, enough about me and my happenings.

Off to Copper Creek for some awesome $2 pints!

So I've never had a blog before and I have to admit, I rarely read any. I suppose you may wonder why I am starting this one. Well, here are 3 reasons:

1) I need to promote my etsy site
2) I want people to have a way to keep up with my goings on
3) I want to keep track of my own creative progress

So I make jewelry, mostly. You may have seen some of my pieces on etsy or maybe at a craft fair. I began my etsy site as a way to use my creative ventures as a way to make some extra cash for little luxuries in life...like buying things on etsy! I am very passionate about the work I create and I am always trying to come up with new ideas to put into a concrete medium. I love brass because it is warm and rustic looking. Most of my ideas are completely spur of the moment. It is kinda like writing a story and having an idea that will be gone with the wind unless you write it down immediately. I have lost several themes and ideas because I could not get to a pen and piece of paper in time. What tragedy. Anyway...I have recently posted several new items to my shop. The most popular items seem to be the copper bird's nest bracelet and my returning to the nest necklace. Check them out if you have time! Anyway...Athens is beautiful today. Gotta go!