hemp – zen BLITZ

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The results are in from last month’s analysis, and I’d like to share my top 3 items with you!

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Two of these items were made in response to other items, & one was a successful shot in the dark. I’m pretty proud of their popularity so far! Hopefully someone feels inspired to buy one!! 😉

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Coming in third, I call this super cool steampunk inspired necklace the “Steampunk Reject”. I actually included it in this blog post from back in January, “possible rejects” because it was so popular on Instagram despite its imperfections. Before, the beaded section was wonky, the gear pendant wasn’t what I thought it was gonna be as I was making it, &…I can’t remember what else I didn’t like about it. I just knew it could be better. And voila! I like it a lot; I couldn’t see myself wearing it casually, but I think it’d make a cool costume / festival piece!! With 24 likes on Instagram fixed, & 27 when it was a “reject”, it looks even cooler in person than pictures can show!

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Second most popular was this “Classy Hippie” necklace. Inspired by something similar on Pinterest, I figured I’d give it a shot since I have those pointy-shaped rock beads (lol! what are they called?! Anyone? Help? lol) It didn’t quite turn out as I’d hoped, but it seems to be pretty popular. I like that it looks handmade. It’s definitely unique, & I could see myself wearing it casually. With 11 likes total between Twitter & Etsy, I might be experimenting with this style a bit more!

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Last but certainly not least, here is a fairly basic beaded macrame necklace that I call “Steampunk Love v1.2”. Last summer, I got back into jewelry making so that I would have something to do with my cousins when we were camping. I made my fiance a necklace similar to this one, & he got a lot of positive comments about it, so he insisted I try opening an Etsy shop. And here I am!! ;D Between Instagram, tumblr, & Etsy, this was my most liked item, with a total of 28 interactions! It might even be the most liked item I’ve posted so far, so there will definitely have to be more of these in the future!!

Be sure to check out ALL the awesome stuff available in my shop!!

I’m often adding new listings & trying new things, so keep an eye out!

Let me know what you think of these items in the comments below; I welcome constructive criticism as well as compliments!!

And if you do happen to see something you like in my shop, zen BLITZ, be sure to use code SPREADLOVE for 10% off anything & everything!

Have a great week, everyone!! ❤

Ghost Island Inspiration

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I thought I’d snagged my first sale, until I got to thinking about it…

A couple weeks ago, I got a message on Etsy requesting a custom order, even though I’m not offering them yet. I was initially excited for the challenge and came up with some cool ideas, but ultimately the project just wasn’t feasible. However, I still tried to put the inspiration to good use.

So, the conversation began in reference to one of my current listings, this unique macrame piece. The gentleman said that he was part of a crew who were doing a something special for the season finale of Survivor : Ghost Island, & he was trying to find a bunch of custom made macrame necklaces for about 25 people. He said they had a really cool pendant being made, which features the skull in the logo, & he wanted two-toned macrame necklaces with purple & orange beads, embedded pebbles, and/or a “nature” theme. He said he had a budget of up to $8 per necklace, but said he was willing to pay extra for any special beads. And he said he liked the simplicity of this necklace, which makes sense since the pendant is obviously the focus of the piece. He seemed to be getting irritated with my ambition (I just wanted to make sure I could help him! LOL), so I figured I’d continue the conversation after a good brainstorm & scavenger hunt…

After looking at the logo & contemplating what he requested, my boyfriend & I came up with some great ideas. White then black hemp, with wood tiki beads, an orange & a purple bead on either side, white pebbles netted in beside the pendant hanger, & an adjustable chain & lobster clasp closure. That would’ve been perfect! So, I went to four different stores, and couldn’t find anything suitable!! Especially not for such a low budget, which was a concern my boyfriend was very adamant about. Figuring I was one of several people contacted with this request, I let it fizzle.

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But the ideas were just too cool to not try as one of my next series of listings (which I’ll start listing in my shop soon!) Voila : a reject!! Rather, a lesson in techniques. I didn’t even bother adding closures because it’s just going to have to be scrapped, even though it’s still kind of cool. I don’t like how I switched the colors; none of that turned out right. The beads are kind of lame, but kinda cool in how they go along with the logo colors. And I can’t net pebbles in hemp. Just not gonna work. Otherwise, I almost like it LOL, but it’s still definitely a reject!

“Success is a series of mistakes” ~ Billie Joe Armstrong

Even though this project didn’t pan out, it was a fun & educating process. At least I know I’ll be better prepared for future challenges.

What do you think?

Was $8.00 each for 25 necklaces reasonable?
Do you like what I came up with?

I’d love to hear your opinion in the comments below, or shoot me an email at ZenBlitz@yahoo.com

Have a great week! (And don’t forget to visit my Etsy shop!) ❤

possible rejects

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Life is just a learning process…

…so nothing we do is a failure. But sometimes, I just don’t know (hahaha). In today’s post I’ll share some items I’ve made for my (soon to be) shop, which I’m not too sure about. I’m open to advice, so please share!

Not a great picture of a neat looking Steampunk inspired necklace featuring a length of leather, stone skull beads, a centerpiece made of gears, all backed by gold chain, & a dangling handmade key charm. It looks way better in person, but I wasn’t too worried about it because of its flaws. I was having a little trouble with the beaded section at first, and so the wire on one side is a bit kinked. Also, the 3 gears didn’t turn out quite as I’d hoped, and it’s a bit longer than I intended. Again, this first series was all experimental, so I know I shouldn’t be hard on myself. I’m not sure if I should scrap it & create a new one, or if I’m just exaggerating.

I do like this piece as well, & I’ll likely put it up for sale, but I just don’t know. It’s quite long, overwrapped in macrame, & the closure isn’t quite ideal. The rock should be showcased more, as it’s hand pulled from the family creek & glossed; but I do think it all goes together well. It turned out quite well considering my lack of appropriate clasps, & having been my first attempt at macrame wrapping an item. Perhaps this will be a redo, or a discounted item.

I’ve made these wire rings in the past, & worn them regularly. To my surprise, they’re actually pretty durable & never stained my fingers, so I guess I did a good job! LOL! The one on the left is a bit wonky. And I just wouldn’t know how much to sell these for… Although I see something similar on Etsy selling for $21; same material, slightly thicker wire, slightly more complicated design. And people have bought them. So I guess I have some thinking & practice to do! I tried to make a similar bracelet, but it turned out a bit wonky too. Not bad for a first try I suppose, but not good enough to sell. I know that much, lol!

Although I’d like to keep all of my neat earrings, this ring is the only item I’m keeping for myself from my first series. I’m wearing it right now, actually! I’m not 100% pleased with the quality, but I still love how it looks & wear it often. Again, not bad for a first attempt, but not ideal for sale.

Stay tuned for the debut of my Etsy shop to see the items I’m actually pretty darn proud of!

I’m quite the perfectionist, so creating this first series & trying to set up a business has been quite the challenge. It’s all a learning process, & I’ll get through it. I hope you’ll join me on my adventure!!