Thursday Thoughts - Jewelry Display Ideas

After YEARS of selling at craft fairs and festivals, I think I have finally come up with a display that I not only am proud to say is mine....but is also fairly simple to setup and take down.  For those of you who vend at shows, you know that the beginning and the end of shows are the hardest and most physically taxing. 

My mom always said, try...and if it doesn't work, try again.  So after lots of trying, I'd like to share what I have come up with along with some notions on why I made that particular decision.  My next post will have some tips, tricks, and a checklist for vending at indoor AND outdoor shows.

Here are some photos from my most recent show (sorry about the bad photography).

This display is actually a display case that I purchased from Ikea and then modified.  This case is supposed to be mounted on a wall so there are no feet...which makes it easy to lay on a table.  I bought a few old shoe risers so the case sits at an angle on the table.  I took some regular velvet display pads and cut them to 12" high.  They now fit PERFECTLY inside the little frame in front of the glass.  You can see more pictures of this display here.  My necklaces are pinned to the velvet pads.

I also bought some trays and stands from the new West Elm that just opened here in Austin.  These make great display pieces because they can fit in a tight space AND you can fill them with whatever you desire and then cover them with saran wrap and they are easy to move!

I filled mine with black turtle beans and then set my display on top of those. I used silver and white display pieces and the contrast was gorgeous.  Just remember to saran wrap the handle openings when you are moving them or the beans will spill everywhere!  There are lots more pictures on what I did with the beans and trays here.  I used the beans on several other display tables as well in different ways.  I filled white plastic plates, cups, etc. Use your imagination!

Tis the Season...for Holiday Potlucks

Tis the season for Holiday parties and potluck dinners.  Have you ever gone to sign up to bring something to a potluck and realized EVERYTHING easy or even good has been snatched up already?  It's inevitable.  You want to bring the paper plates, the only left is the Honey Ham.

Well, as long as there is still a slot in the "Sides" cateogry, I've got you covered.  I have a recipe that tastes great, is healthy, and even looks festive!   Keep in mind, "Chef" is not something I would ever call myself, and I rarely cook...but I love this dish.  Here is my recipe for Harvest Pasta Salad.

Ingredients:
1 Bag - Multicolored rotini pasta (any brand)
1 Bottle - Ken's Northern Italian Salad Dressing
1 package - pre-cooked and cut roasted chicken breast
2 Cups - Chopped red, yellow and orange bell peppers (mixed)
1 Cup - Chopped celery
2 Cups - Halved or quartered grape or cherry tomatoes
1/2 Cup - Fresh grated parmesean OR romano cheese
Dash of Salt and Pepper

Directions:
I'm assuming you all know how to boil pasta...so I won't give detailed instructions on that.  Also, I get the prechopped veggies, but you can buy the whole ones and chop 'em up yourself if you'd like.

1.  Cook entire box of pasta in boiling water until done (follow directions on box)
2.  Measure the bell peppers and put in a medium sized bowl
3.  Add the chopped celery to the medium sized bowl
4.  Add the tomatoes to the medium sized bowl
5.  Mix the contents of the medium sized bowl until well mixed
6.  Strain the pasta when finished
7.  Put the pasta in a large bowl and add in about half the bottle of salad dressing (add more to suit your taste)
8.  Stir the pasta and salad dressing together
9.  Add the vegetables to the pasta and mix
10. Add the cheese to the pasta and vegetable and mix
11. Add the cooked chicken to the entire thing and mix one more time.
12. Cover and place the bowl in the refrigerator to cool
13. Once the pasta salad is chilled, feel free to add salt and pepper to taste.

Other veggies that go well in this mixture could be olives, cucumbers, onions...you name it!

New Retail Store #2!

Just in time for holiday shopping!  The Austin Museum of Art Shop is now carrying our bezel set collection.  I'm very excited to have a large selection of my work for sale in such an established institution.

Make sure to stop by to see not only Creative Chick Designs products, but also all the other cool products they have there as well.  They carry several other Austin area artists so you will definitely find something unique to buy for the holidays.  They have some cool unique gift wrap in sheets that might be showing up in some of my pieces soon!