(semi)-Grand Opening
So, per usual, I haven’t moved quite as quickly as I had originally planned, but I think I’m at a point where I can offically open up shop. My inventory is still very much on the slim side, but that’s partially due to a show I have coming up, that I’m also trying to build up stock for. If you’d like to check out what I have so far, point yourself over to:
http://dan-clark.com/shop
I welcome any and all feedback, positive or negative. And I would like to put out a question to all of you. In terms of my site, I’ve been wondering if I should keep my blog on the main domain and the shop separate, or have the shop on the main domain and the blog separate. In other words, there would be one of two scenarios:
1. http://dan-clark.com points to this blog, and http://dan-clark.com/shop points to the shop (this is how it’s currently set up)
2. http://dan-clark.com points to the shop and http://dan-clark.com/blog points to the blog
I realize that there really isn’t that much difference, but I’m trying to get a feel for what people think makes more sense. Please leave a comment, or contact me with your opinion, if you have one.
Coming soon…
…real soon, if I can get off my butt and get to work. My new shop will be opening up right here! Well, not RIGHT here. More specifically at a subdomain of this blog. I’m currently in the process of fine-tuning all the gazillions of settings in my cart software, and will then be moving my items from my Etsy shop to my own shop. Once that happens, I’ll be good to go, and I’ll provide you all with the magic link 
Stay tuned…
New Ring and an Idea
While I was toying around in the studio the other day, attempting to recreate a design I had seen elsewhere, I came up with this:
I’m rather proud of it. The seam isn’t great by any means, but add some creative photography and the fact that I have no intention of selling it, and it works out very well. I was showing it off to someone, and they suggested that I make a series of them, with the symbols of the zodiac, instead of the scrolls. Sounds like a good idea to me…what do you think?
Been Busy
So, obviously no big surprise, but I fell off the face of the blogearth again. My time hasn’t been spent meditating in the void this time, however. Before the “Big Whipe”, as I like to call it, I had previously mentioned taking a class at Artascope Studios. Well, I’ve taken a couple more, and was considering getting a membership. A friend of mind got me a gift certificate there, and I used that to start my membership. I’ve been going in pretty regularly on Sundays, and working for a few hours, and have stopped in a couple times during the week as well. They have a full metalworking studio, which is where I’ve been spending most of my time. It’s really great to be able to just work. When I’m there, I’m not tempted to sit and watch my inbox for new email, or surf randomly for hours, or spend hour after hour grinding trolls on WoW. All the equipment and tools I could possibly need are there, and I get a 20% discount on all supplies for being a member. The first class I had taken was “Wire-Wrapped Seaglass Pendants”. I had done some of that before, but really just wanted to get in there and take something. Next I took “Fused Glass Jewelry” and “Hammered Silver Jewelry”, and a few weeks ago I took “Soldered Silver Ring”. I have to admit that I was a bit intimidated about using the torch for soldering, but it’s so much easier than I expected. Here are some pics of a few of the items I’ve made. For more, check out my Flickr. Most of these will be listed in my Etsy shop soon, if they haven’t been already. Comments and criticisms are very welcome!
Blog Review – A Little Hut
What can you do with a piece of paper and a pair of scissors? If you’re Patricia from A Little Hut, you can do quite a bit. Decorative and functional at the same time. Simple and beautiful. Patricia takes a piece of plain paper, makes a few snips, and somehow manages to turn it into a thing of beauty.
I’m especially fond of her junk mail trees, which were what first attracted me to her site. If you’re into papercraft, expect to spend some serious time pouring through the archives. And definitely subscribe to her feed. I’m consistently surprised and impressed with her originality and the freshness of her designs.