I am just back from Rendezvous and it was such a great time! For those who don't know what Rendezvous is, it is a primitive camping event which focuses on the time period of 1760-1840. You can find out more info and see some pictures of me making jewelry
here on one of the NEPR (Northeastern Primitive Rendezvous) sites.
People take on different trades at camp- there is a blacksmith, a potter, etc. I have dabbled in selling my jewelry creations at the event in the past, but this year I decided to go all out and open a jewelry "store". It was a blast! I was able to spend 4 days straight making jewelry, talking about jewelry and stones and metals, and visiting with some of the most wonderful and unique people I have had the pleasure of meeting!
I was quickly reminded of just how happy it makes me to see someone pick up something I created and fall in love with it. What was especially wonderful was getting to see those same people wearing my creations all week and showing them off to others. So many people stopped by my booth because someone told them about me or sent them over. It was all very exciting!
That is the thing I love so much about Craft fairs/Ren fairs/Rendezvous type events- getting to visit with the people! There are so many people who share my love of stones and nature and jewelry. I get so inspired by their stories! I spent some time visiting with an amazing man called Stone Turtle. We talked for the longest time about all types of different stones and Pow-Wows and all sorts of things. Talking with him was one of the highlights of my trip and although we weren't talking about jewelry the whole time, he got me thinking of many new design ideas- mostly incorporating stone turtles. He expressed concerns that he is getting too old to attend another event, but I am holding out hope that he makes it to next years Vous so we can visit again. He was only one of many people I got to spend time talking to.
I was able to make many new pieces of jewelry- lots of earrings and some necklaces, bracelets, pendants and barefoot sandals! Some of them sold at camp. Sadly some sold before I was able to photograph them. (I always like to take pics of everything I make to add to my Gallery of Designs.) The others have all been photographed and I am in the process of getting them listed on
Etsy. Here are a few of my new pieces:
Overall, it was a wonderful time!
~AmberTortoise
Next, I finally decided on the direction I want to go with beading parties. I often get asked if I will do beading parties and I love to teach people how to bead, so I decided that I will do beading party workshops instead of traditional jewelry parties. I hosted one a couple weeks ago and it was a huge success! It was a group of 4 and we all had lots of fun and everyone made some gorgeous jewelry!
This weekend I am working on some custom orders and experimenting with wine charms. And, as always, I am listing new items on Etsy- fun, fun!
People take on different trades at camp- there is a blacksmith, a potter, etc. I have dabbled in selling my jewelry creations at the event in the past, but this year I decided to go all out and open a jewelry "store". It was a blast! I was able to spend 4 days straight making jewelry, talking about jewelry and stones and metals, and visiting with some of the most wonderful and unique people I have had the pleasure of meeting!
