Impressions by Heidi

23 October 2010

Flame Painted Copper

Filed under: Business — Tags: , , — Heidi A. Coghlan, Impressions by Heidi @ 9:03 am
Flame Painted Copper Squares

Flame Painted Copper Squares

I’ve been working on flame painting my copper pieces for a few days and I am thrilled with these that I did this morning. I doubt my cell phone pics and upload do them justice but they really are pretty.

I had a difficult time finding information on “how to” mostly just a couple hints and a DVD to purchase so stubborn as I am I started working at it. And Viola! No they aren’t what the premier artists in the field are doing but I’m thrilled with the results and believe this look will really add to the jewelry I offer.

I will share more later when I can get better pics and my daughter gives up my laptop.

Posted from WordPress for Android

16 October 2010

Close to My Heart Awareness Necklace

Filed under: Charity and Awareness, Jewelry and Beads — Tags: , , , — Heidi A. Coghlan, Impressions by Heidi @ 12:36 pm
Close to My Heart Awareness Necklace

Close to My Heart Awareness Necklace

Shown here in pink for Breast Cancer Awareness — it is October, Breast Cancer Awareness month, after all — the Close to My Heart necklace is the 2nd piece in the Impressions by Heidi Awareness Collection.  Here, I’ve hand formed and hammered a copper heart and dangled a copper ribbon charm from it.  The heart is adorned with Swarovski crystals and can be customized for you to show support for the cause of your choice.

I really enjoyed making the cord for this necklace.  It is a hand woven Kumihimo braid.

For each necklace I sell, I will be making a donation to Mesothelioma support and research to celebrate my Pop.

13 October 2010

Introducing the Awareness Collection

Filed under: Business, Charity and Awareness, Family — Tags: , , , , — Heidi A. Coghlan, Impressions by Heidi @ 12:02 pm

I am creating a collection of jewelry designed with the “awareness ribbon” theme. Most people can identify many of these colored ribbons and awareness campaigns such as:

  • Yellow ribbons: Support our Troops
  • Pink ribbons: Breast Cancer Awareness, Support for the Cure
  • Multi-colored puzzle pieces: Autism Awareness
  • Multi-colored ribbons: Gay / Lesbian Rights
  • Black ribbons: MIA / POW
  • Purple ribbons: Domestic Violence
  • Red, white, and blue ribbons: Patriotism and 9/11 heroes

A few days ago I received an email from Fire Mountain Gems with a link to their resource list of ribbon colors and causes. I was surprised that so many causes are represented and even more surprised to find mesothelioma among them, represented by a pearl ribbon.

It inspired me.

You see, my dad was diagnosed with mesothelioma just over a year ago and has been successfully battling this horrifying cancer.

I decided I wanted some gorgeous, real jewelry pieces to wear to celebrate Pop.  With a change of color, it will be easy to make them to show support for any cause.

 

I Heart Awareness Earring in Pearl for Mesothelioma Awareness

I Heart Awareness Earring in Pearl for Mesothelioma Awareness

 

I have several designs planned for jewelry: earrings, a necklace, and 2 bracelets. My first piece is the “I Heart Awareness” earrings, introduced on Impressions by Heidi (on Etsy) today and shown here in the Pearl for Mesothelioma Awareness that I created for myself.

Each piece will nicely packaged and come with a small card with a couple facts about the disease / cause.  If you would like, I can also send a pdf file of the card so you can print it for friends and family.  A portion of my proceeds from each piece of my Awareness Collection will go towards Mesothelioma Awareness and research.

Email me, convo me through Etsy, or contact me through my blog here to find out what color represents your cause.

8 October 2010

Is Your Spouse, Significant Other, Supportive of Your Artisan Business?

Filed under: Business, Family — Tags: , , , — Heidi A. Coghlan, Impressions by Heidi @ 11:13 pm

Sometimes mine is and sometimes he isn’t.  And I never know which mood he’ll be in.

Like when he offered to stop at the bead store for me.  Supportive.  When he tells me how much he likes my jewelry or even makes suggestions how to work with metals or helps with tools.  Supportive.

When he suggests that the 3 days I spent doing merchandising is more valuable than working my business.  Not supportive.  When he talks about me getting a full time job, which will leave me too tired and with too little time for my jewelry. Not supportive.

And when he deliberately refers to my jewelry work as a hobby (shudder).  Not supportive.

I understand he is worried about having enough money to support the household and my business isn’t really off the ground yet, so he has good reason for concern, but I’d rather he encouraged me than implied it’s a dream.  I know I need to bring money in the house.  I am looking for smaller jobs,  for temp work, and even trying an “assemble at home” company (craft work, of course) that has a good reputation. I wish I had his 100%, unconditional support in working for and building my artisan jewelry business, but at least I know I have his 100% love.

What about you? How does (d0) your spouse / significant other / parents / the important people in your life view your artisan business? Are they supportive or not? Do they let you give it your all or encourage you to take on more “normal” pursuits?

3 October 2010

Weekend is ending. New week is beginning.

Filed under: Business, Family, Random — Tags: , , — Heidi A. Coghlan, Impressions by Heidi @ 11:24 pm

And I’m not particularly looking forward to it.

Why?

To make hubby happy, I took a 4 day work order. I’ll be doing some merchandising — changing out magazines in several stores — and it’s a couple hours away so I’ll ask my mom if I can stay with them for a couple nights, closer to the places I’ll be working. It’ll be nice to see my mom and dad, especially as dad has had a rough year, but overall a boring job and not productive as far as being able to put time into my business.

I’ll probably try to bring a small amount with me to make while I’m there — after a shopping trip tomorrow. And I’ll definitely plan.

Plus, I’ll bring my laptop so at least I’ll have my computer friends! :)

And maybe, just maybe, my New England Crafters kit will come in tomorrow. I’ll bring that with me and get started on my samples if it does. Keep your fingers crossed!

29 September 2010

Errands, errands, and more errands

Filed under: Random — Tags: , , , — Heidi A. Coghlan, Impressions by Heidi @ 8:27 pm

Feel like I wasted my day running in circles, pick this up, go get some court documents, drop that off, drag kids here, stop there.  Ugh.  My big accomplishment for the day was purchasing some silver jewelry wire.  Well, I do have one project in the works now that may turn out to be a bigger accomplishment thanks to my brilliant daughter, Lily!  I’ve been trying to successfully etch copper for months and I think I may have accomplished it.  Test run was promising. :)

Meanwhile hubby is watching I don’t know what on the TV via Wii/Netfilx.  Actually, I don’t think I want to know what.  Think it’s going to be an early to bed night. zzz  But my to-do list still has too many do’s left. Oh, check out Remember the Milk.  It’s a great online task set up.  You can access it from a smart phone, which I love!  It has an iPhone ap, if I understand correctly, but not one for an Android yet.  Bummer. I love my Android phone!

28 September 2010

She drinks coffee at midnight…: Another Giveaway!

Filed under: Friends — Tags: , , , — Heidi A. Coghlan, Impressions by Heidi @ 8:06 pm

Gorgeous blue beads swirled in silver. :-) Take a look and enter the contest.

She drinks coffee at midnight…: Another Giveaway!.

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