Sharma Designs - Behind the Scenes of a Handmade Jewelry Business

New Lucite Earrings

I have become a little obsessed with lucite lately.  I just love the funky colors and shapes.  They make really fun earrings.  Lucite is super light so they can be big and they don't weigh your ears down.

The lucite I have purchased was made between the 60's and the 80's.  Geez..that makes me feel old.  Something that could have been made when I was a kid is considered vintage.  I'm old!

I haven't finished posting the complete stash but there are a few new vintage lucite earrings already available and more to come in the next few days.

One More!

I woke up to a note from Lynsey at Cuteable letting me know that I am featured on Cuteable today too!

Press! Press!

Wow.  Things have been a little crazy over here.  I promised myself when I opened Sharma Designs again that I would take a break from it when I needed to.  I needed a break last week.  As all you moms know...being a mom is a hard job.  We are in a rough patch right now with the 3 year old and I am just completely exhausted by the end of the day.  I could barely think past bedtime.

But, things are looking up and so I should be getting back into the swing of things.  I listed a few things over the weekend and I have lots of goodies lined up for this week.

I had two blog mentions since I last posted.  Head over to Styledash to learn a little more about me in my Indie Designer Interview.  Also, Trendy Mommy thinks that Sharma Designs jewelry makes a fabulous Mother's Day gift.  I couldn't agree more....

One last thing.  Have you guys heard of Redbox.com?  I ran into the grocery store this weekend and saw a sign that said $1 movie rentals.  I went in search of these $1 movies and found my dream vending machine.  It's a movie vending machine!  All rentals are just $1 a night!  Being a total movie freak I am very excited.  You can also go online and pick the movies you want and then just pick them up at the vending machine (Helps prevent poor movie choices made from the stress of people tapping their feet behind you in line). 

We have netflix but I always forget to mail them back so we get stuck on the weekend with nothing!  So check these red boxes out.  They have all the new releases too.  I'm not sure if they are all over yet but around here they have them in all the Safeways.  Since we don't get to movies in the theater all that often I am all over movie rentals. 

Have a great week!

Bloggy Giveaway Carnival Winner

Congratulations to Kari S in Maryland for winning my contest!  She won the earrings pictured above.  I hope you enjoy your new earrings.

Thanks everyone for playing!

Bloggy Giveaways Spring Carnival

Everyone loves a giveaway right?  I know I do (Although I have the WORST luck!  I never win!).  So, I decided to participate in the Spring Carnival at Bloggy Giveaways.  There are going to be a ton of blogs participating and lots of chances to win things.

Here's what I am giving away:  A free pair of earrings of your choice.  I will ship anywhere so everyone is welcome to participate.

The rules:

1.  One entry per person

2.  Go look at the earrings and find your favorite pair.  Leave a comment with your choice. 

Easy right?  I will choose a winner this weekend.

To see what else you can win click on the pink bloggy giveaway picture above!!!!

Sticks!

The fun thing about making one of a kind jewelry is that I can make different pieces every time I sit down to work.  A few nights ago I made lots of "stick" jewelry.  This necklace is super funky and while not for everyone, it is definitely an eye catcher.

This coral colored necklace uses pretty drops and the effect is more feminine and yet still has a bit of funky to it.  I think it's perfect for spring and summer.  Add a little burst of color to your neckline with your summer dress.

These sticks are made from horn.  Simple earrings that can go with anything.

Now, here is the funny part.  I am making all these somewhat delicate stick pieces the other night and late into the night I do a 180 and create this:

When I first got these pendants I was shocked.  I had no idea they would be so big!  Then I made a necklace with one and had it for sale at a jewelry party.  A tall girl tried it on and she rocked it!  I thought, hey this necklace looks awesome on taller women.  And it really does.  I kinda want to keep it for myself.  It looks amazing on.

I have some new earrings that I am very excited about so keep an eye out for those today!

Have a great weekend!

Earrings or Necklace or Both?

I am curious what your thoughts are on wearing both a necklace and earrings.  I tend to wear one or the other but I know a lot of my customers like to have matching earrings with their necklace.  I also know people that wear big earrings with big necklaces.   I think if I was going to wear the earrings above I would go no necklace and maybe a bracelet?

Those "in the know" ask for matching earrings with their necklace purchases.  I used to offer it with all orders but then decided to let people request it.  I didn't want to spend time making earrings that weren't wanted.  The matching earrings are just 1 or 2 little beads.

So, what would you wear?  The earrings above with the bracelet, the necklace, or alone?

Why am I asking?  Well, if I see a lot of people saying they like the big earrings with the necklaces maybe I will make more good sized matching earrings!  Ask and you shall receive!

Custom Jewelry Project

From time to time I get to work on fun custom projects.  This project was a re-work of sorts.  My friend's sister is getting married in Hawaii.  She had a necklace with this cute Hawaiian flower pendant that she wanted me to "Sharma-ize" with her sister's wedding colors.

I love the way it turned out!  It's perfect for a beach wedding.  She will also be able to wear it after the wedding as the colors will go with practically anything.  Hopefully, she will send me a picture of her wearing it in the wedding so I can post that too! (hint hint)

If you are interested in re-working a necklace or in custom wedding jewelry just send me an email.

Hope you are having a great Monday!

Bizarro Moments

Last night I was in the grocery store and looked up and saw a familiar man.  He saw me at the same time and we both kinda did a double take/recognition.  I had no idea what his name was.  I just knew I had good thoughts of him and I felt like I could picture him in a uniform.  I went through a few aisles racking my brain.  Who was this familiar friendly man? 

Then I realized...he's the Fed Ex guy!  Ha ha ha.  No wonder I had good thoughts of him!  And no wonder he recognized me too!

I sadly have had the same thing happen with Starbuck's baristas.

Have you ever had this happen? 

New Earrings and a Sale

I just listed these cool retro-esque filigree wood earrings.  They are similar to the pink ones I have listed.  I also listed a few colors of the mother of pearl teardrop earrings.

I saved one of these for myself.  I love them. 

Also, there is a special one day sale going on in my Etsy store.  I am nearing 100 listings and I want to clean house!  So get on over there and find something for mom!