Do You Celebrate Kwanzaa?

I'm originally from Detroit, Michigan. I now live in Scottsdale,Arizona. I went from the #1 Chocolate City to the 5th whitest city in America. Yes there was a cultural shock. I celebrate Kwanzaa no matter where I am if I have to celebrate it with just my daughter and myself.


In Detroit its a very big deal with Kwanzaa Celebrations going on every night. Kwanzaa has grown from a Black American Celebration to one that is celebrated world wide. All communities are now celebrating Kwanzaa. People celebrate at home, in the workplace and at their houses of worship. Gatherings go from informal to very elaborate events where people rent nightclubs, Museum of African American History and other large venues. Many of them including the City Hall Building allow vendors to come sell and disseminate info about their businesses.

Truly celebrating the principle and purpose of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa provides a way to Buy Black and shop local. Many consumers discover businesses they never knew existed and continue to patronize after the season.

Do you celebrate Kwanzaa? Whether you celebrate or not it is a gift buying season with emphasis on handcrafted items as gifts. If you sell product you really show have Kwanzaa as part of your marketing strategy. There are now many who no longer celebrate Christmas because it has become so commerical and they only celebrate in church. Many of these same people celebrate Kwanzaa because it is a time of communal sharing and the emphasis on handcrafted gifts.

Do you celebrate or ignore Kwanzaa?

Click on the title to learn how to celebrate Kwanzaa.

Thanks for coming to my blog.

Etsy Artists of Color Gift Guide

Etsy Artists of Color is a  global collective of minority artisans who sell on Etsy.com, the leading online marketplace for buying selling unique arts and crafts. We are artists of color who create art in every medium. Through the use of a team we provide a place for you to buy directly from the Artist and not have to go through a middle person.

For the list of all EAOC shops please visit:

http://www.eaoc.blogspot.com/ 

 

To like us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/EtsyArtistsofColor
 
To view download and share the Holiday Gift Guide please click on the title.
 
Thank You for supporting small business.
 
Michelle

Cyper Monday Sale Ends at Midnite

Cyber Monday Sale ends at Midnight

Hi all. My sale ends at Midnight Monday November 29, 2010 all prices go back to normal. So now is a great time to purchase that "pretty" you had your eye on. Handcrafted one of a kind pieces by yours truly.

See examples below of the pretties on sale.

 Remember once its gone, its gone.

Monday is Featured Artist Day.

As always click on the title  or one of the sale sites to purchase.

My facebook page is up

Hi All!


II finally jumped in and added a Facebook page. Please click on the title to see the page and like it.  You will then have access to new work, processes, giveaways and contests. I will continue to feature new artists, arts organizations and Scottsdale events here.  I'll also post whatever I think might benefit you.  Sign up for our feed.


Remember the small shops this weekend, especially ME. Smile

Considering for an avatar. What do you think of it?

Depression During the Holidays

I noticed a lot of people posting about being depressed during the holidays. This is such a big country. People are scattered from family and friends because of educational and employment opportunities. Many are far away from the communities they grew up in. Finances are not such they they can return to that which gives them community. Many don't want to fly because of the screening procedures. All of these factors can contribute to feeling sadness and depression.

How do you combat it. You make family where you are. A kid at one of the Universities gathered contributions and got permission to cook Thanksgiving dinner for those who were unable to go home or had nowhere to go.

Step out of your comfort zone and go help someone else.  Volunteer to help serve dinner somewhere. Those putting on the dinner can always use an extra pair of hands. Have some folks over who maybe in the same situation, have potluck instead of trying to do it all.

The best remedy to combat depression  is not being alone. Stepping out of your comfort zone and being around other people will brighten your day and theirs. You will be amazed at how the little things can make your day if you open yourself to others. A smile, a hello, a compliment can brighten both the giver and the receiver's day.

Always know that no matter what you are still loved.

Peace,

Michelle

ARTFIRE ON SALE

Happy Holidays!!!!


Head to my Artfire shop to take 20% off shop wide. The coupon code on my bookmarks will not work on this site.

So save some money from Black Friday and visit me to obtain that one of a kind pretty you've had your eye on but couldn't bring yourself to spend the money on you.

As always click on the title to go shop.


Don't eat too much turkey. SMILE




LOVE Y'ALL


Michelle

Show Love to Small Business

Show love to small business this holiday season. This time of the year is make or break for us just as it is for large companies. The Big difference, our money is recycled back into the marketplace and not sitting in someone's portfolio.

We are and will be the employers your kids will get their first job with. First on the list when community groups need contributions of any kind.  Yet if we don't have the sales we can't support the community. This is the circle of Life.

Click on the the title to show love. I rarely do sales so take advantage of it.

Baubles on Sale 11/23/2010

I have used the new on sale feature at my Etsy sale site to take 10% off all my items. Take an additional 10% off using the code "Bookmark" at checkout. If you have any questions you can convo me on Etsy or email me at info@wirequeen.com.

My Queen Yan Lin ring was featured in a treasury http://etsy.me/fyu43i

Monday's Featured Artist 11/22/2010 Shevon Gant

My featured artist is Studio potter, Shevon Gant. Shevan specializes in deep handmade ceramic bowls, large handmade coffee mugs and foodie gifts. Shevon uses smooth porcelain and dark stoneware clay to create these functional art pieces, that will enhance and beautify any living or work space. The glazes are earthy and the shapes organic, which reflects her love for nature.

From her Brooklyn, New York studio, Shevon’s studio time is divided carefully between creating new works using wheel throwing and hand building techniques, researching, testing and mixing batches of glazes, and conducting electric kiln firings which takes over 20 hrs.

Shevon uses smooth porcelain and dark stoneware clay to create these functional art pieces, that will enhance and beautify any living or work space. The glazes are earthy and the shapes organic, which reflects her love for nature.


It is important to note that everything in Shevon’s collection is hand-made. She leaves her mark on each piece and feels it’s important for each piece to reflect the artist in some way.

As always click the title to view more of Shevan's work and to purchase it.

You Can Now Use My Coupon Code Bookmark on Etsy

Etsy has finally added coupon codes so you can use my coupon code "Bookmark" to receive a discount when purchasing from my shop. Just type in "Bookmark" at check out in the coupon section.

 Let the shopping begin. (SMILE).

Black Farmers FINALLY to Receive Settlement

Headline, "Senate OKs $4.6 Bil for Indians, Black Farmers". Twenty six years after winning in court that the Department of Agriculture had discriminated against Black Farmers, it appears they will finally receive the settlement they won. Stay tuned its not in their hands yet. The Black farmers portion $1.2 billion.

Arizona Republic November 20, 2010, page 5

My New Website Sneak Peak

I've been working on getting my own website up, which has been quite a learning curve for this non-techie. I paid two web designers to "go away" they had me so frustrated. LOL

 So take a sneak peak and tell me what you think, its still a work in progress so I have it currently linked to my etsy sell site until I complete it. Click on the title and tell me what you think. I'd love to hear any suggestions and no I am not thin skinned.

Have a great weekend.

Scottsdale Leadership 25 Anniversity Kick-Off Party

I attended Scottsdale Leadership's 25 Anniversary Kick-off Party last night. The event was sponsored by and hosted at the fabulous W hotel.  I'm a graduate of the Scottsdale Leadership Program (Class XXII Tried and True). Most Major cities have a Leadership Pprogram. Scottsdale's is a 9 month program. You have to participate every Friday all day for the entire nine months. The application and interview process is strenuous. The program is structured around Core Programs. You might have a luxury tour of the city, which is unusual because it is long and narrow in land mass. Another day is spent with the fire and police  department. (My daughter did her report on her hero (Ya Me!) in full fighters gear. I don't know how they do it, I nearly fell over when they put the oxygen tank on me. The aim of the program is to get you up to speed on the history, movers and shakers and to motivate you to take an active part in moving the city forward through leadership and volunteerism.

Now back to the party. Scottsdale Leadership will be 25 years old in 2011 the party was to kick-off and raise awareness of this fact and to announce the featured speaker . Yours truly was on the planning committee not knowing she was on the hook for nine months. LOL

The event went off beautifully and the featured speaker will be announced on December 10 at the Scottsdale Leadership Awards Program.

As always click on the title to learn more about Scottsdale Leadership.

What have to done to volunteer in the community?

Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce Annual Trade Show

We attended this years annual trade show put on by the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is known for its themes and putting on a great show. I don't know if it is the economy or the cloud hanging over their head from the lawsuit that they have lost on two judicial levels, but it was not the same.

This years theme was "Walking the Red  Carpet." The Chamber as usual did a great job. They had the red carpet set up complete with backdrop. Kidder and staff were dressed for the event. The vendors this year made NO effort to get into the theme. This year only one or two booths even made an effort by dressing in after 5 attire.

Last years' theme was "The Fabulous Fifties" and the vendors were all in. The winner of the best booth design was very hard to pick. We wanted a hair salon to win. They had cigarette girls and a nail tech who dressed as Madge from the old dishwashing detergent commerical (Dawn I think) she even had a bottle in her pocket. The booths were Fabulous.

I know the economy is in the tank, but if you're going to spend the money for a booth, you have to put your game face on and give your best effort.

If you had spent the money on a booth what would your selling technique have been.  Would you have gotten in the spirit of the theme, or business as usual?

As always you can click on the title to reach the Chamber.

My New Jewelry Website

I just created a website . Take a peak and tell me what you think? Click on the title. You can also use http://wirequeen.com/ to reach it.

Featured Artist for November 15, 2010 Unessalyn Sweet

Today's featured art is Unessalyn Sweet of My Junky Trunk. I love her tag line "Girl its time to make piece with your Butt." The first illustration is her avatar. She is a visual artist whose work has made me laugh until I had tears in my eyes. She brings to life in her artwork the real issue those of us with a "junky trunk" face.

Which of us haven't gained that "freshman 10 (pounds)" the first year of college? (The second illustration). So click on the title to have your laugh for the day and if you like what you see, make a purchase and share with your friends.

Leave a comment to let me know what you think of her work. Thanks. (For some reason Blogger won't space between my paragraphs today).

My Black Onyx SASS Earrings were Featured

My Black Onyx SASS earrings were featured in a treasury. They are wirewrapped in 92.5 Sterling Silver. You can click on the title to see the entire treasury.

Tabor of Amber Pendant in SterlingSilver

Amber carved into a honeycomb flat back cabochon. This pendant can be worn by male or female. I had this cab for two years before I created this pendant. I dreamed it and then executed the design. My friend Milton Bennett who is a metalsmith sends me amber and I send him huge odd shaped freeform gemstones. I can't draw beyond stick figures, so I never sketch out the designs. I take up a piece of wire and a cabochon or other items and just start bending wire. Its weird, almost like I step outside of my self when I am creating a piece of jewelry. Just me and the wire. I had to stop making jewelry at shows because I just zone out.

I was once doing a show at a school where I had a pretty good following. I picked up a piece of wire and an almost round stone. I totally zoned out, just me and the wire. I had people at my table trying to pay me for jewelry and didn't even hear them. A teacher, who is also a seller and knew how to cash them out jumped in and started selling for me. She teased me forever about that. I call theses pieces Blessed jewelry because its not me doing them. I've looked at some of them and said, "Did I do that?" I couldn't replicate them if my life depended on it.

That particular pendant I gave to one of my longtime customers at the school who designed my blue business card and wouldn't let me pay her. She doesn't allow anyone to touch that pendant. LOL

Have you ever done anything where you felt a higher power stepped in and did it through you or for you?

You can click on the link to get details on the pendant and purchase it.

Where Did All These Social Media Experts Come From?

Is it just me or are you tired of all the "Experts" who have jumped on the social media bandwagon? If you really look into their info you will find many of them have never sold anything and you can't find them on Google with a map. LOL

I missed posting yesterday (I thought erroneously that I had timed a post for yesterday). So I have to post twice today to make up. Back to the social media phenom. I attended a conference Thursday where they were going to show you what you needed to do and how to do it.

The presentation was excellent and they showed what the priorities you should set, gave the correct info on where you should be trying to position yourself and how. The kicker they then gave you a price tag on doing all this by hiring a person for each function. You know the price was through the roof. Then they hit their stride and gave you the sales pitch. For the low, low price of $3,999 per month they would handle the details for you with a dedicated team for your company.

If I were a doing enough volume to absorb the cost I would have signed up. This is the first presentation where they had all the ducks in order and all things considered you would receive value for your money.

Currently, I keeping my items on the first three pages of Google and have about five items cached on the first page of Google for their key words. This takes a lot of work which I would love to hand off to someone else. I'm a rainmaker. I don't like dotting the eyes and crossing the t's work, but we do what we must. A friend suggested I switch to representing people because people listen and place value on my opinion. I sell more jewelry off the web then I do on the web. LOL

What's your opinion on Social Media? Has it been a help to your business? How are you using it? I'd really like to know.

I have to run taking baby girl to a girls event and also attending a wealth building conference today. A long Saturday for me.

Bondage Heels( I couldn't resist showing these)

"Bondage heels"

Create a free slideshow with Picnik!

I could not resist showing these heels. Enjoy.

Want A Laugh?

Google is bringing up my ear spears with the search for Britney Spears ear piercings. My ear spears go viral I'll have to raise my prices. You'd better buy them before they go viral. LOL

Have a great day. Click on the title to purchase.

My Signature Designs

My signature design is the cowrie shell in sterling silver. The cowrie shell has had many different applications since the first person picked up a shell to use. In western Africa the Cowrie was used as the first medium of exchange. In some parts of western Africa, if there are not enough cowrie shells presented there will be no marriage.

In other cultures the cowrie has been deemed the symbol of the Divine Vulva the ultimate symbol of the feminine. Asians have used it as a good luck symbol keeping the shells in their bureau drawers. Gypsies consider it the strongest talisman there is. Native Americans traded with Africans and used the shell as adornment in the ritual garments. Make of this what you will.

I wore locks for seven years and made lock sleeves with cowrie shells to adore my locks. I will began making them again using the cowrie shell with copper, brass and sterling silver. I'll announce here when I've gotten them added to my sites this week. I have to finish photographing them. (Not my strongest talent) Smile.

So check back for my new pieces, the launch of my website and specials on my facebook page.

Click on the title to purchase.

Have a great week.

Featured Artist BEYOND JEWELLERY

Today's featured Artist is "BEYOND JEWELLERY" Nichole's jewelry is coming to you from lovely Kingston, Jamaica.

The flower earrings in the second photo are her signature and avatar image. Click on the title to see more of her work and to purchase. Smile

I was featured in a "Singing the Blues" Treasury on Etsy

My Dukurah Necklace is featured in a Team Etsy Artists of Color (Tag: EAOC). You can click on the title to see to see the full treasury.

Scottsdale Fashion Week 2010 Revisited

We finally had a chance to check out some of the fashion shows. (Baby girl had been under the weather). We went to Metro Parks show and they gave out give cards to everyone present. I found baby girl a cute over vest (?) with an asymmetrical bottom. Saw Mega Mind the movie (We had premiere passes last week but that's when my daughter took sick).



Many of the stores do great in store parties during fashion week Nordstom's does a really great job at this AND their people are really friendly. So if you're going to be in Scottsdale during this time of year or plan for next year contact me. I can set up tours, girlfriend getaways and shopping. Many of the spas also get in on the action. Leave me a comment if you attended any of the events or want to plan something for next year.

Daily Blogging till December 31

I challenging myself to do at least one blog per day from now till December 31, 2010. Join me in the challenge and lets share what we've blogged. On Mondays I'm going to blog about a new artist or designer I've run across. Tuesdays and Thursdays will be my new designs. Wednesdays whatever strikes my fancy (probably my soapbox day to rant). Friday through Sunday things baby girl and I've done through the week end.

I'm looking forward to your blogs and comments.

Scottsdale Fashion Week

Scottsdale is all in a tizzy this weekend. Fashion week debuts tonight with community night. Local designers paid to have a model make a circuit around the runway wearing their designs. Unfortunately, the powers that be did not deem this important enough to add it to the advertising.

There is so much going on in Scottsdale and around the Valley as the snow birds (Folks who go back to their home states during the summer) are starting to come back in full force. Many businesses, resorts and organizations are ramping up their game plans as the busy season kicks into high gear.

I'm challenging myself to blog daily from now until December 31. I'm adding structure to the blog by highlighting organizations on Monday, another artist on Tuesdays, Wednesdays new creations and the balance of the week will be new creations/specials/events. If you haven't done so, sign up for my mailing list and RSS. Feel free to leave comments as they are much appreciated.

Peace
Michelle

New Adjustable Rings

New Adjustable rings I just finished. I wanted to do an inexpensive fun line of rings but to give you something unique at the same. The shell rings are one of a kind, each is uniquely different. The shells are 2" to 2.5 and one inch wide. You can purchase them by clicking on the title .

The last picture has a Pearl Domed ring which is 1 1/8" x 5/8".

A Large Gemstone Disc that is 1.5" round and a Glass Cabochon ring that is 1.78 x 3/4 ". All on adjustable shanks.

Enjoy.