CELEBRATION GIVE-AWAY
150+ and Growing
At the beginning of the year my blog celebrated it's third birthday. I began the year with only 60+ subscribers. In just a few short months, word has spread and continues to spread about my Tool Time Tuesday Posts. It thrills me beyond belief that people feel my blog is worthy of subscribing to and reading. I must admit that I am a pretty selfish person. I try not to be, but in the end, it is all about me.
This blog is just one more example of that. The blog began as I participated in a challenge called the Year of Jewelry. I was very new to jewelry at the time and knew only the basics of how to work a torch and just a little about wire wrapping. In three years time I have taken an unknown talent have turned it into a career. My career is a very lax one as I am just letting it takes it course while my children are young. I already know what it is like to live in this world without one child, I figured I would do my best to spend the time I have with the children I do have here. But even letting my business takes its course by word of mouth, I am able to afford my "habit." That is a good feeling. But I digress. This blog was a way for me to document my journey in jewelry, and what a journey it has been.
Continuing in my selfishness, moving to Ohio has been very difficult for me socially. I am a very social butterfly, but when we moved here, I gave up my career in computer training and software development to be a full-time stay-at-home mom. We moved to Ohio in October... the weather was already bad and we didn't know a soul. As a way to gain friends, I started a guild here in Ohio called the Ohio Jewelry and Metal Arts Guild . In just one short year we are already 80 members strong and are getting ready to open up two new regions in the state.
My Tool Time Tuesday posts are another selfish thing, it is totally about me, even though there might be some benefit in it for you. I was getting lazy and not blogging. I was not getting into my studio to work on my craft and develop my talent. I wasn't accountable to anyone. Now that I know that people are actually reading this thing, it gets me into the studio and I am learning new things and trying out new tools. It is so much fun!
I told you all that once I hit 150 subscribers I would do a celebration give-away. As promised and as a way to say "Thank You" for spreading the word, here it is. I don't know who is subscribed as I only see a number, not an email address, username, ip address, nothing.... just a number. The only way that I actually know who is reading this little blog of mine is if they actually leave a comment, and I read them all.... and try to respond.
I have identified a couple of audiences however, and have a few gifts for you to choose between should you be the lucky winner.
For my friends that are in the jewelry making business, there are two great items to choose between. You can choose a pair of beautiful faceted Amethyst pear briolettes AND faceted heart shaped Periodot. These are not poor quality. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find a better quality or cut as these. I paid a pretty little penny for them, and the picture just does not do them justice. They are top drilled.
If stones aren't your thing. Then I am offering one of my FAVORITE hammers. This is a little goldsmiths hammer. Both ends are slightly rounded. It is lightweight and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I use it a lot when I am doing my rivets or adding texture to a piece. In fact, I just ordered 11 more of these if anyone is interested, just let me know. The hammer below is actually mine. I just sold my last one and placed my order for the others today. So if you choose the hammer, you will have to wait until Tuesday or Wednesday of next week before I can send it out.
I also have a lot of friends and readers that just enjoy reading the blog to see pictures of my progress. So I am offering one of three choices of finished jewelry. The first is a pendant in sterling silver and Agate (though I forgot the type of agate). The second is a pair of Sterling and Fire Agate beads. And the last is a pair of earrings, similar to the style that was presented in the new 30-minute-earrings book.
So how do you win?
Well, as I said, I don't know who has subscribed and who hasn't, so just leave a comment on this post. I will number them in the order in which they are entered and use a random number generator to pick or I might just write the numbers down, stick them in a bowl and let my girls pick the number.As something kind of fun, in your comment, tell me about your favorite tool or piece of jewelry (doesn't have to be one of mine.
)I will draw and announce the winner on Friday night. So you have until Friday at 6:00 pm EDT to get your comment in. Good luck!
You do not have to be subscribed to the blog, but if you like it, then think about entering your email address in the upper left corner under the caption "SUBSCRIBE." You will receive an email every time I make an entry on my blog.
And again, THANK YOU!
Posted by Melissa Muir at June 2, 2010 12:30 PM 
Categories: Pendants, General Announcements, Earrings
Categories: Pendants, General Announcements, Earrings
Melissa...I love your blog site and seeing all the interesting projects you come up with...you are marked as a favorite!
Liz
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Love you jewelery. You should think about a booth at Greens Artaplooza.
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I love your articles Melissa! My favorite hammer is this one:
http://www.fusionbeads.com/shop/product/43364/
The checkered side especially!
I just LOVE the texture of the squares.
susan
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Well, Melissa, you may think your Tool Time Tuesdays are all about you, but they really help all of US~ I am a novice jeweler and have enjoyed learning something from each of your weekly posts.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
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I love everything about your blog and all the information that you provide keep up the good work Melissa
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I bought an inexpensive wooden ring clamp when I first started playing with metal - I have to say it's one of the most useful tools I have!!
I love reading your tool reviews!
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Wow, congrats on your readership! That's wonderful. You make me consider taking my own blog more seriously. I have enjoyed your tool time posts. They have inspired me to own new tools and try new things!
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Congrats on 150 subscribers! I too have little ones, although you seem to make much better use of your time than I do...I can't imagine how you manage to complete all the things that you do! I rarely manage to scrape together the time to work on my own "hobbies" but I look forward to every one of your posts and study your TTT's avidly!
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Congrats! Hope I win! My favorite tool is my enamel furnace...I wish I had more hours in the day to create.
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Very exciting! I really enjoy the tutorials and appreciate all of the effort you put into your blog. I'm a hammer girl myself because of all the amazing things you can do with them. Here's to the next 150!
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Hi Melissa,I was delighted to find your website and more importantly Tool Time: I have been looking for a disc cutter and did not whiich one to buy. Thankfully your tool time has helped me decide on the Swanstrom, which I am about to order (and some other things as well) and have it sent to Australia. Have added you to my blog and subscribed to your website. I hope I win. Thanks, Margaret
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Melissa, I love your Tool Time Tuesday, am also inspired by your work. I too, love swirls and curls. My favorite tool is the one I have in my hand at any given time, be it a jewelers tool or any tool. I,m a tool girl.
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I really enjoy your blog.
I have been doing metal work and wire work for about 3 years now and it is very refreshing to have someone willing to do all the initial work of discovering tools and techniques and then sharing it with others.
You are a wonderful person.
My favorite tool is one of your favorites, the helicopter punch. I have fibromyalgia and it is the only punch that I can work and have it come out perfect.
Keep on blogging. I am a fan from Petaluma, California.
Julie
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Congratulations on reaching 150! After first class really enjoyed going through your website, tool time and all. I suppose my favorite "tool" is the creativity that has been unleashed when I first started beading in October of 2008 - though I am looking forward to getting the 3 texturing hammers, etc. you've ordered for me! Keep up the great work!
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My favorite tool is my ring clamp. It isn't glamorous but I use it all the time.
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I remember when you joined the Year of Jewelry, and you have certainly flourished in your work! If I had to choose between the hammer & stones, well, I'd have to go with the hammer. Maybe then I'd finally get around to learning how to rivet!
Thanks for all you do Melissa!!!
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oh! And please continue to be selfish! We're all better for it!
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Thanks Melissa for your work on this. You have really helped me grow with what I create. My favorite tool is a texture hammer that has little circles on one side and straight lines on the other. Its fun and helps me work out my stress!
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Tamara Here: I didn't get to finish my e-mail before it ran away from me somehow. I would love to have one of your goldsmiths hammers.
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Thank you so much for sharing the information in your blog! I am VERY new to metalsmithing and jewelry making and have found all your posts most helpful. I am so new that I really don't have a favorite tool yet but my dog has taken a liking to my new rawhide hammer and I have had to retrieve it from him several times.
Thanks again and Blog On.
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Melissa, Congrats on your 150 !!! That stone is a red lace agate... and I would love to have that or the hammer... Probably hammer though... My favorite tools are my hammers, just love to pound on stuff... But I just finally set up my flex shaft so it might be taking over as fav...
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Hi Melissa, I love your blog and I love YOU! I've been a big fan of yours for a long time. I have also been on a very similar journey to yours, learning to make beautiful things with metal and tools, and now teaching. I took part in the year of jewelry two years ago. What an awesome experience that was! Keep up the great work. Your awesome content is what keeps us coming back!
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Love the tool tips and your work. It is nice to see email from you once a week or so. My favorite tool is my hands. You can do so much with them, from bending wire to threading a needle or holding a mandrel steady. Keep the tips comming.
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Hi,
I also love this news letter. As I love tools like so many of us but don't always know how to use some of them even after I buy them, you letters help me out with what to do with them. Your work is also fun to see.
Micki
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I don't want to win anything. I just wanted to say that your blog is awesome and it's helping so many people learn new skills and learn about tools. It helps you and it helps others! Starting the guild has helped so many people as well. You are fantastic and definitely a social butterfly! : )
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Melissa you have been an inspiration of mine for a very long time. I love reading anything you write and especially love looking at the eye candy. Hmmm...my favorite tool for making jewelry? Got to be my koil kutter for chain maille and jump rings! For quilting??? My wireless iron!
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My favorite tool would have to be my tumbler. It takes hours off of the polishing process, and everything comes out of it so shiny and sparkly, just like magic.
Thanks for the generous giveaway, but also for your wonderful blog. I have learned so much from it already, and look forward to each new entry.
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Melissa I am in awe of your talent and rapid progression through your various skill levels. I still hope to study with you when my life has calmed down.
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Firt, I am from Ohio now living in DC area. Enjoy. Second, I have only received a few of your Tool Time Tuesday Posts, but I do look forward to them as I am VERY new to jewelry. So many makers of pliers, hammers, gadgets, I welcome comments about good/bad, worth the price/not, etc. I'll keep looking for info about the hammer you love, love, love.
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Thank you so much for all the wonderful information you share! I love seeing your updates in my Blogger dashboard! As for my favorite tools, it is hard to pick just one, but mine would have to be my Fretz hammers....that is as far as I can narrow it down! LOVE ALL of them so, so much! Congratulations on seeing your business grow! Enjoy those sweet little ones. They grow up so fast!
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I recently found your blog and subscribed. I always love getting into conversations about jewelry making and reading your thoughts is kind of the same. I've been doing jewelry/hand engraving for over 30 years. I recently purchased a jump ring maker and have been playing with chain maille. This is a fun tool! Aloha
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