THE INTRICACIES OF DESIGN II

HELLOOOO ALL,
I hope you had a lovely JULY 4th HOLIDAY WEEKEND!!!. I actually had a pretty restful weekend and spent some quality time with my bebe since it seems like for the last few months we've been like ships passing in the night. Unfortunately in all that enjoyment I forgot that my Dad's birthday was on July 4th, so calling him with well wishes completely escaped me :(/! But then again at 68, i'm sure he can identify with forgetfulness, so I am thinking I'm most likely forgiven ;-P
Shortly before holiday, I had spoken with a client who tended to veer towards a more simplistic yet chic look. She wanted a modification on a previous multi-strand coral and turquoise piece I had made months earlier so I ordered the beads for this custom project. It appears I ordered the wrong size coral stick beads for when the temporarily strung beads arrived, I was horrified but really didn't feel up to the hassle of return. Little did I know the stringing would be a labor of love. Suffice to say I was not a happy campter given that it took a combination of 2 days and almost 11 hours total to string the teeny beads onto a silver wire. On day 1- after I started dozing off at the table with only a strand and half completed, I was like, ENOUGH of this! Especially since I was working bright and early the next morning. Meanwhile my hubby had already given me a crazy look (u know the the one that says- "U are Joking right"..) and hied himself off to bed an hour earlier. What can I say, I tend to push the limits when I'm motivated! The only sad thing is the energizer bunny inside of me tends to be a wimp at times..huff..eyeroll!! :-P
In any case, I eventually finished it (NO JOKE) after much stringing and re-stringing to ensure that the layers would lie appropriately on chest and neckline once worn. These pictures are just to give you an idea of how labor and time intensive some of these beading projects tend to be. I can now start to understand why some of these products on the market are so pricey.

 The ORIGINAL 5-Strand Statement Piece- Adora

THE INTRICACIES OF DESIGN

HI ALL ...
Long time ... Siiiiigh! I really have these great urges to post as often as once a week or more but ALAS!
I've been trying to design as much as possible to showcase the product on the Etsy website (www.EdenHouseofDesigns.Etsy.com ) in the interim while I work on getting the company website running. A little while back a client reached out to ask if I could design something for her mom in time for Mother's Day. Feels like eons ago given its already halfway through the year now - my, how time flies!! In any case, I had just gotten some cobalt blue magnesite length drilled slabs and was pondering how to use it. I vacillated quite a bit between using silver versus gold findings to bring some 'bling' into the piece. After setting out the stones and deciding on silver, I then tried to determine what would bring some OOMph to the piece. A single strand appeared too simple for the statement look I tend to gravitate towards so decided to double it up with the hope that Mommy's neck bone was made of sterner stuff -- no flimsy collagenous bones here, whew! I ended up with a great set. However, the challenge was in trying to find pieces in my current stash to complete the product in a chic manner as well as making sure my poor fingers did not get caught in the pliers when twisting wire for the matching earrings. A big shout out to my client though - I got such an amazingly timely payment though she really had me struggling to figure out how to accept a payment via email of all things!! Who would've thought we'd get here with technology - I must still be in the Victorian era because all these email verification's via Wellsfargo in order to link to BOA weblink to transfer the $$ had me mind-boggled for a hot minute! Since the hold up was on my technologically backward end, I just went ahead and shipped the product out  in enough time for her to oooh & aaah over her new baby - from my arms to her neck - (all the while on bended knees praying funds would be figured out.. lol). Suffice to say, I ironed out my hi-tech issues and MAMA loved her GIFT!!!!
I subsequently re-ordered more stones but somehow the cobalt blue stones from the same vendor were not as vibrant as the previous set, I thought. I suppose given the nature of the stone, variations are to be expected. So this time round, I tried it with gold findings as well.
* A SAFE & HAPPY 4th of July Celebration to ALL* [...In my dreams but hoping come Monday when I return to work, I will see less banana bags (=vitamin replacement IV bags for alcohol abuse) and less admissions with those who got too happy with the moonshine lol.. we"ll see!! ]
...Muaahzzzzzzzz
PS:  Let me know which one you like better, Hugz

WORKING THROUGH THE PR & MARKETING ASPECTS OF THE BUSINESS

Hello All,
It feels like a whirlwind since the last post as I've been trying to get things organized in order to effectively birth this new promise in my life. I have been talking to so many people and listened to so many points of view that I may very well be information-choked, if there is such a thing.:)
After several years of being somewhat ambivalent and absent from social networking it appears the time has come to cast off that veil. In order to get the word out, I have been attempting to get more social media savvy since that is truly the cheapest way to market my business. I am still surprised at the many nuances one has to sift through to capture an audience and the amount / style/ verbage of posts involved in doing this . In order to get the marketing and PR show on the road, I'm going to have to maintain a more fervent effort at being a visible presence online. Hence, in addition to the facebook business page (Eden House of Designs), I just opened an Instagram account for 'EdenHouseofDesigns' and lets just say for those of you more media-savvy folks, you have to pardon my ignorance because hashtag use, specific verbage and posting times was a revelation that required a sit down briefing from my awesome logo designer Damon (plug for D.Rice Photography) in order to 'edJumacate' me! Whew!!
Presently , the most exciting accomplishment is being able to showcase and market the product in a viable way online after weeks of burning the midnight oil making the pieces. I wavered several times between setting up my own website (which is the gold standard supposedly) versus being a vendor on others' websites. After a candid talk with designer Jody Davis (who styles stars such as Patti Labelle and the Braxton sisters..) after I showed up unannounced on her boutique doorstep, she generously provided great insight on several aspects of start-up businesses and recommended I do Etsy. I had initially considered and discounted Etsy but after several web design quotes, ETSY IT IS so voila! [EdenHouseofDesigns.Etsy.com]
It actually seems to be working out pretty well given the dashboard that allows you to monitor customer views and statistics. I do have to use this opportunity to give a big shout out to M.O. - my first Etsy Shop customer. Hopefully there are more customized, luxury designs that will keep you and several others coming back for more. :)
NO REST FOR THE WEARY, OFF TO DO SOME WORK...:)
Peace and Blessings .. :-D
https://www.etsy.com/shop/EdenHouseofDesigns

Showcasing The Product II

Well Well Well, Photography is NO JOKE and I applaud all who put the time in to excel at this career.
I left the house yesterday afternoon on the pretext of going grocery shopping -at least that was what was agreed on since the refrigerator is EMPTY and the dining table is non-functional as I said before. However, I got a call from the ever capable Mz.Aisha to bring additional products for shooting if I had them (so generous spirited of her reaaaallly...). I took along a bottle of Motrin since she had complained of back ache from all the gyrations needed to get a great shots from several takes in order to get a different perspective on each piece. Little did I know this was not going to be a quick drop off as I had anticipated. I was recruited as photography assistant for the product shoot for all the pieces I had left with her (TO BE POSTED SOON) and my OH my! It was no easy task. Mind you, all I was actually doing was setting up the pieces on the white background and being a 'paper holder' to decrease the glare from the target lighting. I left there almost 3 hours later needing some Vitamin I (Motrin) as well STILL with no food in my fridge! Whew, I can now begin to understand the amount of work that has to go into making an excellent finished product. Lets just say, the products came out looking great and showcasing the character within some of the stone pieces. Can't wait to POST. Of course, the end result is to sell the pieces but it feels like I'm parting with my babies. Hmm...my hubby will probably spaz-out if he realizes I'm having separation anxiety - left to him alone, these babies should have found new homes by right about now...LOL!  So, till the next update, 'Keep your chin up and know all things are possible for HE is the LIFTER up of our heads!"
Hugz
PS: This is a teaser of a piece I made for the BOLD beach bride who is not afraid of color or size ;-P

Showcasing The Product

Hello Everyone...
These last couple weeks have been quite interesting! Trying to figure out the logistics of using photography to showcase these hand-made pieces in the best possible light for my target market has been a challenge to say the least. What with dealing with regular job drama and trying to stay up all night to make a sizable quantity for the product line launch, my hubby thinks I'm obsessed. Not surprising to hear him say that given the fact that the dining table has now become the beading table so it cannot support any 'fine dining' in conjunction with bead making. :P
So going back to logistics, one of my close girlfriends has been offering great advice with respect to the step-wise approach for executing a start up business and even though she doesn't mince words and makes me feel like a techie-dumbo, I am most appreciative for honest, constructive criticism -- keep it coming Petch, luvya!. Of course, I do have to say I love my cousin Kate's somewhat soft-gloved approach -- what can I say, i'm blood, she can't throw me out with the dishwater any way she looks at it..lol.. woohoo!
Either way, I feel blessed to have several people in my life who provide me with great support to counteract the daunting negativity one tends to get from other entrepreneurs who have no qualms letting you know they have no interest in answering or assisting you down the path they have already traveled. All I have to say is..God is good and HE who has seen fit to start me on this journey will see me to its completion [Phillipians 1:6]
Soooo....I spoke with several photographers and I really loved the work they all do so much so that I wanted them to be part of my vision. Some were more than willing to facilitate and others did not care to respond which is okay..it's BUSINESS as usual I suppose. We all know budget constraints for start up businesses are no joke and Lord knows quite a bit' of money has been invested into the purchase of material so true to a promise I made, I've stopped buying material and have been concentrating (sometimes to the detriment of my sleep) on the design and production phase. We finally found someone who could jump start this project - Jazzy Photography Studios who was wonderful to provide all the various aspects of the shoot (from models to MUA to a creative director whom facilitates wardrobe design and concept..etc) as well as a positive attitude and energy towards work despite being sick (big shout out to him and his lovely wife Aisha). I love the studio setting that Jazzy provided and can't stop raving about the great energy some of the models brought to the set. Hopefully, I can do a shoot with other LIFESTYLE photographers as well to round off my vision of versatility to create statement pieces for women of all races, shapes and sizes who are not afraid to take it to another level as they express their inner diva style. :)
For now, enjoy some of the unedited pictures I've obtained permission to use. XoXo!!

to show.
Muaahz

HAPPY EASTER/ RESURRECTION DAY

Hello All,
So this post is a tad late...I can't believe its already a week after Easter and what a busy one it has been as well. In lieu of doing more pieces for my Jewelry product line, I've been trying to come up with a sample board design for a client's home modernization /remodel project and its been fun and challenging at the same time. I'll post what I did in another blog so you can see my "all things bright and beautiful" mantra at work.
In the interim, I just wanted to give my husband kudos for helping me put together my fab Easter outfit for church. I wanted a chic & colorful look and he delivered! He likes to think of himself as a fashion guru (depending on his mood and tolerance level for the day) so I must have caught him on a good day for modeling different outfits as is...IMAGINE THAT! :)
I had these slim leg pants made in Ghana from ATL / Vlisco super-wax print fabric (ntama - Ghanaian, ankara - Nigerians) while back and I have really wanted to wear it for a while now but was hazy as to what to coordinate it with to avoid looking like an orange color pencil. The motif in the fabric looks somewhat like flame-bursts and the color is predominantly brownish orange with specks of white. So i tried on a couple of tops and finally settled on a white eyelet peplum blouse that went well despite the textured fabric. He suggested pairing that with an orange & gold corset belt, a reddish necklace and I picked some 'killer' shimmery bronze-burnished gold pumps. I use the word 'killer' because the trick is to not wobble or topple in these 4+" pumps as i'm sashaying myself down the aisle in church (I know some of you ladies can testify..). And Alas! I almost toppled over some little girl who crossed my path without me noticing when we were trying to get in through the sanctuary doors. Umm umm umm...divine intervention is all I can say at this point. Suffice to say the mother cut me a look like some gigantic homo sapien was about to crush her 'baby" who was a full grown-jumpy 4 year old I might add!
In any case I digress.
So based on the outfit, the goal was to find accessories that complimented it. I had an "Ah huh" moment when I remembered I had some reddish-orange strand of magnesite stones that i was yet to put together and VOILA, a lovely statement necklace was created and I got several compliments. I wore this with Gold stud earrings because I strongly believe that wearing bold earrings and necklaces together as a set just doesn't seem quite right. I think some women with long necks can pull it off but other than that, you just look like you are carrying a mother-load - and God forbid if your head is the smaller variety....Hmmm.....
Unfortunately, I did not take a full fledged picture of the entire outfit but so you can see the jewelry that complements the look I've dubbed as "Flame", I placed them all together (sans the orange belt). DISCLAIMER: Please note this is not a professionally taken photograph set up by an LA wardrobe designer. :)
Till another day -- BE INSPIRED!

BIRTHING NEW PROMISE - EDEN HOUSE OF DESIGN

I have decided to go off on a limb and do something 'impractical' that I've never ever done before, i.e. consider starting a business. In the past, given my pragmatic background in the field of science, I staunchly refused to consider getting an MBA when my father suggested it some years ago and staunchly plunged on in the health field hoping I could save the world by making a difference via one Infectious disease~Global Health program at a time - a daunting goal at that!
Yet, with a doctorate in pharmacy and an MPH in hand, it seems I still needed something else. So, I decided to tap into the right hemisphere of my brain and coupled with my love for all things beautiful & chic (which come with a not so beautiful price tag mind u...) I took a course in Interior design. I have been doing home decor projects for a couple years now (..fortunately or unfortunately, all pro bono consultation jobs that have me inevitably spending too much of my own money).
Then I had a eureka moment! - I thought why not expand to handmade jewelry design given the fact that my love for Neiman Marcus jewelry was certainly not gelling with my hubby's outlook for our financial future together. And I could sing all day about 'Happy Wife = Happy Life" but even I knew this vice wasn't sustainable or healthy for my fledgling marriage.
Initially, I was unsure how all this will fit together but the way I looked at it, why not look fab for 'your public' as well as in the privacy of your own home. :) And though the road ahead seems daunting, i'm hoping my passion and flair for design will lead to bigger and brighter things ahead by Gods GRACE!
THUS.. Eden House of Design was birthed!!