yeah, sure............

Right on, there Diana, I'm going to keep up this blog and work hard all year to make sure all my websites are updated, linked and impressive, PLUS build and outfit my own Art Studio, do every craft show and gift shop within 200 miles, AND set aside 2 hours every single day to make jewelry, jewelry and more jewelry... as I said,

yeah, sure....

Well, here it is, December 7th, Pearl Harbor Day, and I have a selection of my handmade earrings and silk corded necklaces being sold on consignment at Service Pharmacy in Norwich, NY, and I have the rest of my inventory at the Chenango County Council of the Arts Holiday Gift Shop from Dec. 6th to the 20th.

I have the desk I'm going to use in my studio, some shelving and lots of ideas, that's it. I'm lucky if I get 2 hours a WEEK to make jewelry. With 2 kids in high school, you can imagine how hectic my life is right now! I ended up having to skip ahead on my www.naturalearthjewelry.com and not put Paypal "Add to Cart" buttons on each piece just to get them online. I have my email address on each piece so customers can contact me direct at this point. I will (somehow) get those buttons added soon!

I'm expecting (ok, hoping) that showing my jewelry at the CCCA Gift Shop will generate interest in my pieces and I will add to my customer base from it. I am currently working on a new Squidoo lens entitled (ready?) Cheap Art Supplies (www.squidoo.com/dianaparkerart). Why would I call it this? Well, I am on a strict budget to get this much anticipated studio up and running that I've found my wallet is a lot tighter when it comes to supplies. Thankfully I have gathered enough beading supplies that I'm all set for probably, oh, the next 40 years without having to buy so much as another jump ring.

But as far as art supplies go, I didn't have much. I like to think of myself as thrifty and creative, and when those two words are put to use together, well, I ended up with a Squidoo page that I'm really excited about. I have promised myself that I will make time to list all my cheapskate ideas THIS WEEK, so please check back and see what happens!

Oh, and I also opened up an Etsy store at www.naturalearthjewelry.etsy.com. I've got a few pieces listed so far, but I hesitate to list more because I am SO hoping I will sell most of my inventory at the Gift Shop! As I said, I did put some serious work into my www.naturalearthjewelry.com website, so nearly every necklace I have is posted, it IS worth checking out!