Build A Line Challenge from B'sue Boutiques, Renee Hong of Fine And Dandy Jewelry, Part One

What's Build a Line?

Welcome!  I’m Renee Hong, of Fine and Dandy Jewelry and Art.  I am so honored to have been accepted into the Build a Line Challenge from B’sue Boutiques!  This is the first in a series of the blog hop, where I get to introduce myself and what I’ll be doing during this Master Class challenge.  Be sure to check back for the next two posts, which will be on February 20, and March 20.  All 57 participants will be creating a line of jewelry individually, while cheering each other on and learning what works (or doesn’t).  The final result will be a cohesive line, with at least five pieces per artist.  We’ve all chosen a particular theme, and B’sue has ensured minimal overlap. 

Who is B'sue, and what's her boutique have to do with this challenge?

Brenda Sue Lansdowne is the organizer of the Build a Line Master Class, and the owner of B'sue Boutiques in East Palesinte, Ohio, United States.  In fact, her shop is less than an hour away from where I grew up in Southwestern Pennsylvania.  Little did I know that someone so close would have such a big impact on my life.  I have never met a vendor or supplier more generous, humble and in touch with her customers anywhere.  B'sue has been making jewelry for years, had her own VERY successful line, and now runs a family operated jewelry component supply company AND does teaching workshops.  Learn more here:  http://www.bsueboutiques.com/

A little about me:

So now, enter my workshop--a great combination of IKEA furniture, window light, a plant, an occasional cat or child, and the Good Stuff from B’Sue boutiques!

The scrapbook paper is great for taking photos.  I often work with trays, so that I can move my materials out of my young daughter's reach.

A bunch of partly finished pieces, which are now complete and in my Etsy shop for sale!

I love adding color and patina to metal.  Here I decoupaged a great image from Piddix, and colored these B'sue components with inks and paints, which she also carries.  The end result was a lovely cuff bracelet.  By the way, I love using paper plates for this kind of work.  I'll keep using them until I accidentally set one on fire with a heat gun, or something.

I am also a photographer, and take and edit all my own photos.

I'm sentimental.  This little dish was found in my Grandmother's basement. She gave it to me many years ago.  I dream of where my German ancestors may have gotten it, as I work out of it.  The dish in the other photo above was given to me by her also.  The glass used to belong to my grandparents, too.  I drank many a root beer float and sweet iced tea from it growing up.  Green's my favorite color!  Nowadays, it's used mostly for water. The red pliers were given to me off of my stepfather's jewelry bench.  I use them more than anything!

 

Helpers and Such

I used to do local shows, as you can see in one of my last posts.  Unfortunately, it was from 2013, when I did 8 local shows.  Fortunately I have lots of help, as you'll see in the next few pictures, because I've been busy:

Our daughter, born in December.

But busy is good!  I promise to be more generous with posts this year.  So, meet some of my helpers: 

Duchess, my toddler's guardian angel and my assistant.  I love my rescue kitty!

My wonderful husband, and another of my children.  She's also a jewelry lover!  See those muscles?  That's how we did those 8 shows...

Surviving the summer heat in 2013 at Pop Up Market.  My oldest daughter loves to set up my booth. My middle son always has a smile ready and loves to help with his little sister!

So, when do we find out what your line is about?

Now, what you've all been waiting for: my chosen theme for the Fine and Dandy Jewelry line  (insert drumroll here)

I took this photo at my Fine and Dandy Jewelry work table today.  This will become a piece in my line, read more below...

"Finding Your Direction"

My life has taken many twists and turns in the past few years.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/196279459/compass-earrings-tiny-mini-compass?ref=shop_home_feat_1

But one thing that has helped me remain constant, besides my faith in God, is having a creative outlet, and someone to support and believe in me.  Interestingly enough, I decided to add a cute little (simple) pair of mini compass stud earrings to my shop, which became popular.  (you can order some using the link with the photo...but come back and finish the hop!)  I decided to build my line around "finding your direction."  Steampunk supplies, but as I told B'sue during the application process, not necessarily steampunk style.  The heart on my workbench, hammered and beaten, but not broken, will emerge as a piece in my line over the course of this challenge.  Stay tuned!  See you on February 20!

The other artists in this hop, many who have become my friends, and many I will get to know better:

Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B'sue Boutiques
Jewelry Making Outside the Box
Marcia Tuzzolino
Aurora Designs
Jann Tague
Clever Designs by Jann
Judy King
Apt to Wander Studio
Linzi Alford
Magpie in the Sky, Spoil Heap Tales
Cynthia Wainscott
Exotic Peru
Carole Carlson
Beadsophisticate
Lynn Stinten
Dragonzwench
Marica Zammit
Bead Lovelies
Catherine Shattuck
VRBrose
Michaele Collie
The Vintage Gem
Mary Craig
Jewelry Alchemy
Lee Koopman
Strega Jewelry
Erin Whitacre
Shattered Time Jewelry
Monica Casady
MJCasady Copper Works
Leila West
Leila Nicole Designs
Cindy Peterson
Howling Dog Jewelry
Leila Belcher
Leila Bee Designs
Gloria Allen
Wings and Beads
Pamela Anger
Novegatti Designs
Tammy Adams
Paisley Lizard
Lynda O'Mara
LOmara Creative
Elizabeth Hildreth
MadScientistsDesigns
Dana Hickey
Wind Dancer Studios
Janet Calardo
Jan Lea Designs
Maria Clark
Sweet Willow Designs
Lori Beekman
B. Accessorized
Jennifer Kroeger
Relic Charm
Amy Jorgensen
Hoarder's Corner
Robin Reed
Artistry: Handcrafted Bead Designs
Ingrid Anderson
Lilis Gems
Louise O'Shields
Desire Divine Jewels
Susan Killam
Killam Creative
Mary Katherine Deis
The Rose Sword: Artisan and Vintage Collectible Jewelry
Nike Bottalico
Nike Bottalico
Susan Bowerman
Woodside Wireworks
Kristy Le
Kristy Le Trendy Jewelry Designs
Jan Peters
Stylized Vintage
Mitzie Crider
Needful Luxuries Occasional Blog
Gina Hockett
Freestyle Elements
Linda Anderson
From the Bead Board
Alexandra Sefton
Imaginary Jewelry and Altered Art
Melida Boman
The Journey of Pens and Things
Teresa Shurter
TreeZ's Treasurs
Melissa Latimer
Smithed Up
Renee Hong
Fine and Dandy Jewelry and Art
Nadine Edris
Moondance Jewelry
Lori Meyer
Parisienne Girl
Jennifer Merrill Williams
Artists of All Stripes
Denise Lussier Poirier
Jewelry by Denise
Renee Allen
Small Stuff Design
Autumn Adams
Autumn Dawns
Elizabeth Owens
1996 Shabby Lane
Kat BarronMiller
Midnight Kat Productions Art Jewelry
Sandra Ballard
Mama San's Mojo
Coral Law
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