The design a day challenge

In an effort to boost my inventory and thus my exposure on Etsy, I have been making a new design a day. Today I made 3 different pairs of gemstone earrings each in a different color. I pic'd and posted them this afternoon. They already have a couple of views which is great! I also joined http://stumbleupon.com which kind of makes me think of making a video, some of the things and artists I saw on there are so cool! Now I just need to find a simple jewelry design that I can video tape in front of camera. 

Verdigris Patina Start of the Trial

So today I learned a few valuable things about Verdigris Patina. I've always loved the look of that aged green on garden rooftops and thought it would meld quite nicely with my Summer jewelry pieces, including copper flowers, leaves, and different types of Fauna. So I googled "Verdigris Patina Solution". Behold! A fellow Etsian's shop popped up, so I ordered a small, cutely designed bottle of teal filled patinaing glory. http://missficklemedia.etsy.com
  I'll state now that the seller did clearly state to either purchase how to color using patina's from the shop or look it up yourself. Easy! I thought; it's probably the same process as using liver of sulphur to color metals,           Step 1: Heat water
Step 2: Mix Sulphur
Step 3: Add Metals
Step 4: Wait

So after about 5 minutes of completing this process I returned to check on my copper flower. It was not green, it was nowhere near green, it is in fact covered in a reddish rust that appears to be flaking off of my flower and into the bottom of the coloring bowl.
  Maybe I should have invested in the coloring instructions after all. After a good hour of searching for information on google, I've discovered Verdigris is POISONOUS. Great, so now I have to purchase some type of shelack to cover the "verdigris" finish on all of my pieces. This already is a longer road than I wanted to go down. If I knew it was going to be this much of a bother I would have just faux painted it on or tried to figure out another technique. Well, now I'll try to paint it on directly to the copper findings, I just have to remember not to touch anything and wash my hands really well.

I'm Back and Business is Blooming

So I finally joined an Etsy team, I've been busy promoting and discussing my jewelry, (as well as making it). Getting a drill has probably been the best purchase for my business to date. The possibilities are endless, I am drilling and riveting like crazy. Although I haven't had any sales in the past month, (unless you count a lost earring replacement an order; I don't), my views have skyrocketed. My shop is now a vibrant colorful place filled with bright spring beads and crystals. I added a facebook fan page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Simone-Sutcliffe-on-Etsy/158588467526544 and have been tweeting like mad. Now I just need to up my inventory for craft fair/ street fest season and I'll be good to go.