Thursday, January 22, 2015

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
ab:coraldesign

59 comments:

  1. Wonderful Post Renee! Loved meeting your family too! Your design are really beautiful, can't wait to see how your line emerges! Have a Blessed Day!

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    1. Thank you, Robin! I hope you have a blessed day as well. : )

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  2. What an enjoyable page and a great theme. Renee, I'm looking forward to seeing what you create. You have a beautiful family. Well done on all fronts!

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  3. I'm in love with your theme and very curious about how you will carry it out! Fun!! :)

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  4. Just favorited your etsy shop--love the red fox cuff--that is dynamite! :)

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    1. Oh, thank you! I really like that one, too. It was a fun set to make. I appreciate you favoriting my shop!

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  5. Wonderful theme, very aspirational, the compass is perfect!!
    I'm looking forward to seeing the final line!

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  6. sometimes decoupage looks so cheap and country, but you make it look very refined and exiting! I cannot wait to see how your line grows, it's a wonderful theme

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    1. Thanks, Kat! I haven't done much decoupage, so thank you for the compliment! Maybe I can find a way to incorporate more of it into my line. You have given me more ideas to work with, thank you!

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  7. Renee, Beautiful post, pictures and jewelry.

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    1. Thank you, Gloria. I love your work, too!

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  8. Loved reading your blog. Your helpers are so cute :-)

    Always loved your work so I'm looking forward to see more of your theme. I've had my eye on that compass for a while now. They always seem to disappear before I manage to order lol

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    1. Hi Marica, I really like your blog as well. I am jealous of your lovely beach! Those little compasses are great to work with. B'sue will special order them for you, if you ask!

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  9. What a charming blog post, Renee. I laughed out loud about setting the paper plate on fire with the torch... a little too close to home :-) Looking forward to seeing your new pieces!!

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    1. Oh, Lori, I'm not even brave enough to break out the torch yet, that was just about the heat gun!! Your blog is great...I was ooohing and aahing over it during my test of the links! Thank you!

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  10. oh boy can't wait .. love that heart and your blog is so sweet .. Jann

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    1. Thank you Jann! Your jewelry is always some of my favorite stuff. You are truly talented.

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  11. Love your creativeness in your designs. Can not wait to see more and more of your helpers

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    1. Thank you Cindy! I love your bug idea, too!

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  12. Just a lovely post and a creative line. Can't wait to see more.

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  13. Super post, Renee, and what a beautiful family! Your jewelry is lovely, and it's going to be fun to see how your new line develops. ;)

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  14. Great story and post.

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  15. Your story and life (family - Duchess too) are Wonderful (Rich). I so look forward to seeing your completed line. (We share a German heritage - my paternal grandmother's maiden name was Dollman).

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    1. Hi Sandra! Yep, I'm 7/8 German. Schmidt, Troxell, Cline. Thank you for your comments. My cat truly acts like royalty, the name suits her well. She was named after the cat from the Aristocats Disney movie.

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  16. I love your theme, it's so original, as well as the compass cuffs.

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    1. Thanks Carole. I'm excited about it, too. Seems like everyone needs a little direction at some point in life, so it will appeal to many I'm hoping.

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  17. I really enjoyed your post and your beautiful pictures. Clearly you put a lot of heart and feeling into your work. Can't wait to see more!
    Plus you have the most gorgeous family!

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    1. Thanks, Mary! Your theme is amazing also.

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  18. Love your blog! It's a pleasure to be a part of a group with such talented artists as yourself!

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    1. Thank you, Denise! I am so honored to be a part of this group.

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  19. Looks like you know where your direction is taking you, and many will follow to see where it leads.

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    1. I love the way you put that, Lynn. Thank you!

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  20. You certainly have your hands full with your beautiful family. Great photos! I like the tip about using the sketchpad as a background for the photos, or is it there to reflect the light?

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    1. Hi Autumn, yes, and thank you! I like to use scrapbook paper for the background for photos. I have a simple piece of white cardboard that I use as a reflector. It works, especially because of my nice big window.

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  21. This was a lovely read. Your photos are great. Looking forward to seeing the line develop.

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    1. Thank you Tammy. I'm excited to see how your lizards evolve!

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  22. Renee, I can't tell you how much I like and can relate to your theme. You and I are at different places in life, my baby is 17, but the journeys and changes continue. Your jewelry always inspires me and I'm so excited about your new line.

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    1. My oldest is 17, Micheale! I can definitely relate to you on a lot of levels, too. It would be great to meet one day. Thanks, I like to see your creations as well. That Christmas necklace with the little toy figures was of my favorites!

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  23. Looking forward to seeing your line so many possibilities! ~Ingrid

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  24. Awesome blog! I love your work and cannot wait to see more of it! so excited to be in the challenge with you!

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  25. What a wonderful post! I enjoyed meeting your family, seeing your show booth and learning more about you. You are perfect for this challenge and I am certain that you will achieve new direction and a great new line before the end of the class!

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  26. So excited to meet another woman of Faith and when He is directing your path you'll be going in the right direction! Love your photos and your great family. They'll grow up way too fast, believe me!

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  27. Sounds cool. Can't wait to see some finished pieces. :-) ~Elizabeth

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  28. Loved reading your post, very inspirational! Can't wait to see your finished work!

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  29. Great blog. Love the pictures and the way you told your story. Can't wait to see your finished line.

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  30. What precious pictures of you and your family. There is so much creative spirit that comes out through your work. I am partial to babies as my younger son is producing grand babies for me to spoil as their Nana. How do you find the time to produce pieces to supply your Etsy store and other "traveling" shows? You must be the ultimate manager of time and productivity. I look forward to more "directional" work from you, Renee!

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  31. Renee, "Finding your Direction" is a great concept for a line of jewelry. Loved the use of paper in the pieces you showed. Looking forward to the final line.

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  32. OMG Renee you nailed it!! Bravo what an awesome blog post, story, jewelry aaaaahhhh yeah I am now and official fan for cetain!! Wow thank for such a great experience with the creaton of your art and your blog page! I am truly thrilled for you and I can't wait to see what is next for you!!! Warm Regards Louise.

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  33. Renee- am looking forward to seeing how you develop your line- great theme! Linzi

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  34. Renee - your theme is fabulous and your work (especially that cuff!!) is gorgeous. I can't wait to see your line grow.

    Cheers,
    Susan

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  35. Hey there our new little mother and jewelry creator extraordinaire I've always been a hug fan of your jewelry and you amaze me on how you find time to create with all you have to do. It's wonderful how your children are so involved with your creative journey and yes all things are possible with Gods help andn direction. Love you bunches little lady.

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  36. I can so relate to your line, as what happens to and in your heart always influences your direction. Glad your heart is not broken! Beaten and hammered ----well, that can lead to a great new direction!! Am anxious to see your designs from this line! Gina H

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  37. Your jewelry is always beautiful. I can see you spent a lot of time on them. How can you manage to do shows, take care several kids (with a newborn), make jewelry and other chores at home? You are awesome.

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