Time to plunge into jewels!!
Yes, it's true!
It's official.
My jewelry is now available on-line.
Phew, I never thought I would say that.
But, it's true, it's true!
After years of folks asking me, what's up with the jewels?
Customers wondering if there was an on-line venue?
And regular calls from my mom (who is my best model), telling me people ask her every time she is wearing my jewelry creations, where they can get some of their own on the internet.
There is a place.
And...
If you are interested in a tale of jewels?
Let's see.
My jewelry adventures began around 1992.
I had several pieces of fine jewelry that I didn't love anymore, so I took them all apart and made one great piece.
People would walk up to me while I was out and about, and ask me where I got it.
I promptly became inspired, and started into jewelry making madness.
There are huge gem and mineral shows in Arizona.
So I started going to shows, learning about stones and gems.
And wearing even more jewelry, which I already did a lot of.
Only because I love it.
Love.
Passionately.
In every job I have been in, some male co-worker always calls my gypsy.
Folks comment on my clanking charms and such.
And then, they want some of their own.
:)
All those years ago, I plunged in the biggest way ever.
Buying tools, so many tools.
Endless beads, stones, silver, brass, copper, gold.
Vintage, new, Czech, Venetian, German...
Crystals!
Investing my whole savings account, many times over, at the bewitching gem shows.
I did huge jewelry shows showcasing my pieces.
Tables and tables of velvet displays, towering acrylic displays.
Mannequins.
So many mannequins.
(and mannequin make-overs)
Sculptural necks, display cases, lighting, credit card machines.
Packaging, boxes and sachets, and neverending information.
Knowledge.
Always learning.
And making, making, making jewelry at all hours.
Shows all over the place.
Renting spaces, folks hosting shows.
Trunk shows, jewelry shows, art shows.
Days of putting up displays.
Car loads.
When I met Mister Lovee he took a huge interest in my jewelry making.
As he once was, and his family continues to be, in the fine jewelry business.
And so, he became my right hand jewelry show man.
Putting up displays, taking them down.
Packing the car, unpacking the car.
Hours and hours of work.
Years and years of jewels.
Investments like you wouldn't believe.
Hunts for treasures.
Endless hunts, and treasures found.
Learning about so many things.
And of course, being hard headed as I am, never taking a proper class.
But trial and error over years and years was a good teacher in itself.
I sold my jewelry when I was in college.
Then whilst being an interior designer.
When I left that career, I did jewelry solely, for about a year.
Then...
I went into real estate about 10 years ago, and started doing bigger shows.
Painting, making jewelry and working so hard at my job, all at once.
Then there were bigger jewelry diplays.
Longer hours of putting a show together.
More gem and treasure investments.
Making more jewelry than ever.
And then, almost 6 years ago, I discovered blogs.
As I built a blog and painted and sculpted, I still made jewelry.
But, I didn't share my jewelry online, as I felt it was too daunting a process at the time.
What with everything else going on.
All the details.
All the photos.
Building a blog.
Opening an online art shop.
And, I was still trying to find my way in the internet world.
Until now.
I have plunged.
I am so excited to finally get to share jewels!
I hope this is the beginning of a really fun adventure.
Vanessa Valencia {Jewelry}
Now open at...
Yay!
ps: One other thing.
I accept credit cards in both my art and jewelry shops now.
So, if you don't use Paypal, or would simply like another option...
You can now use your credit card directly, to shop in any of my shops.
Woo hoo! ;)
