This entry has nothing to do with jewelry.

There are many cons to new credit cards, but the one I'm annoyed about today is when you're trying to activate your card and they put you on the phone with a customer service person (located in India, the Philippines, or some other country where labor is cheaper) and they offer you all kinds of programs. Credit cards are bad enough. Why on earth would you want to join a program that adds $12.99/mo. to your balance? That's $156/year + interest on top of the balance you already owe. And then when you tell them you don't want to enroll in their program, they ask you why. AND, you can only tell them you don't want to enroll when you can get a word in edgewise to the script they're reading. I've had to do this twice in the last few days. Once it was for a new card, just now it was for a replacement card. The other day when the customer service agent (located in the good ol' US) wouldn't take no for an answer, I interrupted her and said, "Look, this is an optional program, and I'm just going to opt not to do it. Okay?" She was quiet for a second and said, "Okay." Then did the "thanks for your time" part of the script. I thought I was so clever.

I made these 2 necklaces today. For about a week or so I wasn't sure what to do with the two pendants I made. I was considering oxidizing the moon pendant and finally decided to go ahead and do it last night, and I'm glad I did! I really like the way it turned out. I liked the necklaces too. They're a little rock n' roll =)

well..

I've been sick, which has had its ups and downs. It allowed me a little bit of time to rest, but in resting I neglected all of the housework I planned for my days off from my day job, and kept me from continuing to promote my jewelry. Currently you can find me here, http://www.myspace.com/camarilla_designs (of course) and ideally, at http://camarilladesigns.etsy.com.

I listed some new items tonight, from pictures I had taken on Friday while I was aware of an oncoming cold but still fighting it (or was in denial that it was coming). I took a ton of pictures that day and still have quite a few items to list. You can see them in my mini shop to the left, so please check them out :)

I still have plans for more promotion, and maybe one day, the big plunge into trying to sell my pieces in stores. The idea freaks me out because that would mean having to talk to a boutique owner and possibly facing rejection, like "Your jewelry is lovely, but it's not what we're looking for here in our store..." with that piteous look on their faces. You know, that sad smile that is basically a pat on the head and run along now.

But! I did get an email from a friend of a friend who said he would like to introduce some of my pieces at his art gallery (that also sells jewelry) in the next few weeks. That's a pretty vague timeline if you ask me, but he did say he wanted to do it, and that's cool with me! So thanks Robert, I really appreciate the opportunity. His gallery is in Chinatown and that means tourist traffic at the very least, not to mention the locals who are looking to do something different and hang out in Chinatown for the day and hey look, I didn't know Chinatown had art galleries!

I'm considering taking a day-long seminar on "How to Talk to Anyone". You know, I think I already can, I just want to stop faking that I enjoy it. Find me a seminar in that.

orders, orders, orders!

I have a couple of orders for my love pendant and some other charms I made. More pics to come...just have to wait until I have a day off so I can take the time to download the pictures and make them pretty for posting.

I met Neil Lane today who is a designer of fine jewelry. He's a very nice man, and he was admiring the jewelry I was wearing. I showed him some pictures of my other silver pendants and explained to him how they were made. He's interested in the whole process, I'm hoping he gets in touch with me to learn more =)

So excited...

I just posted this item for sale yesterday on my etsy shop (http://camarilladesigns.etsy.com/) and it already sold!!

It's a pendant made from fine silver (.999), about 1 1/4" in diameter. It's hanging from an 18" split suede cord. If you want one, I'll be happy to make one for you.