End of May Newness

Well, not much has been shakin' around Lunachick land lately, but I HAVE managed to get a few pieces made.

I've decided to work the Radford farmer's market every couple of weeks or so. I went once a couple of weeks ago and it went pretty well, save for the wind that kept blowing all my displays over. That part=not so good.

I'm in the process of looking for a new place to live, as my current digs are WAY too expensive and offer no room for me to work.

I have no work space to speak of and I'm tired of hauling everything to my parent's house just to get anything done.

The hardest part is to find a place that allows pets. 9 out of 10 that I've found don't, which doesn't work for me. My two cats gotta' have a place to live, too.

That's that for now. We'll see how much I can get done for the rest of the day.

My Feature

A local magazine, the New River Valley Magazine, contacted me through Etsy, informing me that they wanted to do a piece on my jewelry.

I'm super excited! I've never been featured in something like this before, and I hope that there will be some nice exposure because of it.

My interview with the writer is Wednesday. She's going to give me a list of questions to look over beforehand so I'm not taken totally off guard during the interview. I'm glad I'll have a bit of time to think over my answers. I'd hate to sound silly or something. ;P

I'll be sure to mention Etsy and how awesome it is and all the great stuff you can find there, too.

In other news, I've spent this gloomy Saturday making a few pieces, none of which have been photographed due to said gloominess.

There's a show coming up at the end of the month. It's not a large one and I didn't sell much there last year, but the atmosphere is awesome and there are some really cool people there, so I'm going again anyway, despite the three hour drive each way.

I've also decided to spring for an E-Z up tent this year. I'm sick of having a great booth display and a sheezy little open tent that nearly blows away with the least little breeze. Part of my tax refund should assist nicely.

For the remainder of the day, I'll be working on more pieces. Wonder if I'll get anything done?

I'm BACK!

Whew. It's been a long four months, lemme' tell ya'! We won't get into all the personal issues I've been facing. Let's just say there has been a whole slew of them in rapid succession, but I'm doing better these days.

Moving on! On the jewelry front, I don't have any shows coming up until the end of next month, when I'll be attending the Northern Shenadoah Valley Pagan Alliance Gypsy Faire in Stephens City, VA.

I didn't sell much last year, but it was such a fun environment that I really want to go again this year, so I'm doin' it.

I've been on a buying frenzy on Etsy, snatching up groovy cool supplies and turning them into even groovier pieces of wearable art.

Also becoming apparent as of late: life is EXPENSIVE. Thus, I applied to be the jewelry teacher at the local Michael's (again). I taught there for over a year before I went full time and they made me stop. :(

Hopefully, my old boss will hire me back and that will give me a little extra money. I'm thinking of teaching private classes, too.

I finished up several new pieces lately, including the Mage, the latest in my RPG series (Sold so far are The Dancer, The Warrior and The Thief), and a really beautiful necklace, Desert Fire (see above...)

I'm looking forward to creating more new pieces for the Gypsy Faire. I wonder if I have enough displays these days? I may just have to investigate that further.

Be sure to swing by my Etsy shop at www.lunachick.etsy.com to check out all the new additions!

That's all for now. More updates to follow soon!

Today's Featured Artist: Zoe Stewart

Zoe's shop? It's FUN. It's


Name: Zoe Stewart
Location: Edinburgh/North Yorkshire
Shop Link: www.zoestewartuk.etsy.com

What made you decide to start creating?
I left uni deciding to do a teaching career and i had to wait a year like a year out, so in between i decided to do something with my degree and started sewing.

When did you start? i started sewing when i was younger... my mum done a few parent toddler groups that me and my younger sister used to get to go and help and the first thing i ever made was a beanie frog, ha ha

What has been the most difficult part of selling?
getting people to buy, i have only sold things to friends and family and on a certain auction site, but nothing yet on etsy, as i only started to list items at the start of october, but getting yourself known out there is a hard task indeed!

Which piece are you most proud of?
Henry, has to be.... lol everyone likes him, and i have many more on their way too, henry is just fantastic.

What is your favorite material to work with?
cotton, Its just great the variations of it and it sews really well and its great for kids, washes well i mean... theyre messy devils

What's the most satisfying part of creating/selling your work?
when i see something finished and someone actually buys it because they love it, that makes me smile to see that ive made someone else happy,

Any advice for others selling their work?
be patient, if you havent had a sale it will come, no one knows when but it will, and promote yourself, get in the forums and the chat and try and list every moment you can....

What's a random fact about you?
lmao i went to bible camp, my husband only found this out a few weeks ago and thinks its hilarious, and i spent every summer in school, learning extra for exams and summer reading groups to help people that werent so great or confident

Anything else you'd like to say?

i love etsy and the surroundings, everyone is so fantastic with each other and helps in any situation, all you need to do is ask for the help and you get it.... its fab, and tea of course, couldnt manage a day without it!!

Today's Featured Artist: plasticpumpkin

Ren Adams (plasticpumpkin) creates beautiful and inspiring fine art work that reflects her love for and dedication to each piece.

Lunachick: What made you decide to start creating?

plasticpumpkin: It was never a conscious decision. I've just always done it. I ruined my baby book, too.



Lunachick: When did you start?

plasticpumpkin: Probably before I could walk. Both of my parents are artists and I was always surrounded by art supplies.


Lunachick: What has been the most difficult part of selling your work?

plasticpumpkin: Choosing the wrong venues and getting told that a 2-year old could do better. Hauling tables, canopies, and all of the other trappings to in-person art fairs, only to have a bomb of a day. Staying positive is important. Supporting your fellow artists is important. Remembering that some days are good and others are bad is important. Sometimes it's a little difficult to keep oneself centered, so I'd say that's the biggest challenge. Moving forward, even when you question the path you're on. It's hard... but it's not impossible.


Lunachick: Which piece are you most proud of?

plasticpumpkin: I am not proud of anything that I do. Chinese brush painting is about capturing the chi of your subject. It's about focus, serenity, tranquility, and modesty. To be humble is the most beautiful thing. When I look at each piece, I can see that I could have done better. Each piece is one step farther along the path of improvement. It's a lifelong path.

Lunachick: What is your favorite medium?

plasticpumpkin: Chinese brush painting. I also really love oil pastels, mixed media (especially acrylics and pen), and beeswax.

Lunachick: What's the most satisfying part of creating/selling your work?

plasticpumpkin: I believe each individual painting has someone for whom it was meant. There's nothing more exciting than helping that someone get that special something. Uniting them with a piece of art that speaks to them and that they will enjoy for a lifetime.


Lunachick: Any advice for others selling their work?

plasticpumpkin: Hang in there. Do what you do because you want to. Because it needs to come out. Don't worry about the rest of it. It can be discouraging, but it will all fall into place in the end.

Lunachick: What's a random fact about yourself?

plasticpumpkin: I am short, have red hair, and I am currently obsessing over traditional Chinese clothing (hanfu).

Lunachick: Anything else you'd like to say?

plasticpumpkin: Thank you for taking the time to ask such interesting questions!

Today's Featured Artist: SilverDragon

Meet SilverDragon, who creates absolutely gorgeous works of wearable art using quality materials in a wide array of colors.

She blends style with the utmost in craftsmanship, her work standing out in a crowd with no problems whatsoever.

Lunachick: What made you decide to start creating? When did you start?

SilverDragon: If there was a conscious decision to begin creating, I certainly don't recall it. As far back as I can remember I have always had the desire, the urge to create.

Lunachick: What has been the most difficult part of selling?

SilverDragon: The most difficult aspect of selling is coming up against a mindset that looks with disdain at an artform not well comprehended. The market has been inundated with poorly made objects (generally made by poorly paid artisans) unsing low quality amterials that mimic the art I and other beadweavers create. Most people have no first hand experience
comparing and understanding the difference. This is a great obstacle and I am a shy (however opinionated) person.

Lunachick: What is your favorite material to work with?

SilverDragon: Glass and stone beads are my favorite materials. I love the smooth surfaces, the sparkling faceted surfaces, the many and varied hues and finishes. It's like solid paint and makes for wonderful experimentation of color and texture combinations.

Lunachick: What's the most satisfying part of creating/selling your work?

SilverDragon: Possibly the most satisfying thing is to have others "oohing" and "ahhing" and actually paying me (and thereby honorong me) for my work.
Lunachick: Any advice for others selling their work?

SilverDragon: Don't undersell your talent, your time, nor your work. Artists deserve to earn pay that does not insult us and indeed makes it possible for us to live by our handiwork.

Lunachick: What's a random fact about yourself?

SilverDragon: My favorite color is RED!

Lunachick: Anything else you'd like to say?

SilverDragon: Thank you for being a part of this project and for asking such excellent questions!

Lesson 4,893 Learned + Prospects

I'm WAY too out of practice to ride a bike more than 2 seconds. I rode a measly 1.7 miles (that's NOTHING on a bike!) yesterday, and my butt is killing me!

I also nearly crashed about a dozen times. I haven't been on a bike since middle school so I'd gotten the hang of it by the time we were done.

Ugh...I need a wider, cushy seat if I'm going to do this. My poor hindparts can't take it. Oh, and it's a kid's mountain bike I'm riding, too. Not super smart on my part!

In other news, I have a show that's done well by me in the past coming up next Saturday. The theme fits well with my pieces, so I'm rather looking forward to attending again.

I've also been given several opportunities to display my work on consignment in local shops and galleries.

The only problem is this: I'm worried I won't be able to keep up with everything. I also don't want to essentially have my best pieces on hold while still trying to do shows and sell on Etsy.

I suppose this means I should get to work making new things, possibly even have a sale to clear out some of my older, more basic pieces.

I just don't know. It seemed like a great opportunity, but I'm just worried I'm getting in over my head. I suppose we'll see.

Now, I'd better get to work!