Project Complete

It seems forever ago that I blogged about my custom order for wedding party jewelry. Well, I can finally check that project off my list. The bride has been incredibly patient and the wedding isn't until this summer but it had still been hanging over my head and I really wanted to get them in the mail. I finished the bracelets but getting together with my friend to make the matching earrings was a challenge with the holidays and various illnesses the past few months. They were a very simple design so I probably could have done them myself but I wanted it to be perfect since they were for such an important event and I've never made earrings before.

We had a lovely day today of crafting and shopping and I can finally mark this off my list of things to do. I'm really happy with how they came out. I'm not as happy with the pictures but I'm not used to photographing jewelry so they will have to do. I also was trying to do them inside which is never good. I upgraded her earrings to sterling components and got her some really nice origami boxes at a paper store today to assuage my guilt at taking so long.

Custom Knits

I've heard my sister in law and others talk about how they really don't like the constraints of custom projects but never really understood what they meant until recently. I've been getting several custom requests which I actually love, don't get me wrong. I just sent off a custom cold weather headband in wool to a fellow blogger and crafter Ollie McKay from Ollie McKay's Chic Boutique. I enjoyed working with her and I hope I came up with what she needs to keep her ears warm on her cold winter walks in style. I took a picture on my cluttered dining room table seen above. I also had fun making a few wild little girl scarves for a colleague's granddaughters. These projects were fun and relatively quick and easy.

The project that I have hanging over my head that is causing me some concern is an order for bridal attendant's jewelry for a super sweet bride to be that found me on Etsy. I'm making wire bracelets with sparkly citrine and silver beads and some simple earrings to match. I'm going to have my friend Leslie help me with the earrings since that's her thing, not mine. I had the bride pay 25% down to cover my upfront expenses for beads. I have all the supplies I need now but I'm feeling a bit paralyzed by the pressure. I want them to be perfect since they are going to be for such a big event. I know that I need to get going on it but it's not procrastination stopping me, it's perfectionism. I have the vision in my head and I know it is want she wants so I need to do it. I think I will get one done and then e-mail her a picture for her to approve before I do them all. Creativity not confidence is my speciality.