Hello Teal World!

I'm back!! Did you miss me? :)

Wow, it's that time again, isn't it? Well, just because I haven't posted doesn't mean I haven't been doing anything--on the contrary! I've been pretty busy. I hope I can remember everything.

1. I got a hold of the local ovarian cancer organization about helping with their Run/Walk. Luckily, it doesn't conflict with Indy or Columbus, so I can do all three! What am I thinking? ;) Just kidding. I attended their latest meeting and I'm excited to become more involved in their group as much as I'm able.

2. I bought two jewelry holders on clearance that are super cute.

3. I ordered a car vinyl for the back window advertising my Teal4MyMom twitter and blog (so if you're visiting from the info on my awesome purple Fit, welcome!!) as well as a banner for my booths at the Run/Walks. I also got nifty little labels for my jewelry bags. Little by little, I'm making progress.

4. I added a pinboard on my Pinterest for Teal4MyMom. Check it out (search Janine Rigg) if you're inclined! I posted a pin to this blog, so if you're here from that, welcome to you, too!

5. There has to be a #5. I can't end at 4...hmmm.....oh, I know! My husband and I recently bought a house and before we moved our stuff in, we painted several rooms. Ben chose the color for one and I chose the color for the other. It's a nice dark teal.

All right, That's everything I've DONE, but there's still a lot TO DO.

1. I need to email Indy and Columbus to make sure they know I intend to vendor their events.

2. I just cataloged the jewelry I made, sold and had left over from last year.
a. Made--(goal was 125 total, 80 to be added to 45 left from 2009) 81, 126 total, not including pieces made at the events
b. Sold--(goal was at least 30 at each event, since I sold 29 in 2009) 59, so very close to my goal
c. Have left--93 separate pieces
d. Need--(anticipating selling around 30 at each event) 57, way better than the number I was faced with this time last year

3. Not only did I catalog, I also counted how many of each I would potentially need of each item based on the sales of the last two years. Bracelets are HUGELY popular. I have half of the needed pieces projected for bracelets. Most of the other items I'm pretty well set with the number I have, but it couldn't hurt to have a few more. I'm really happy with the position I'm in this year in terms of supply and demand.

4. My hope this year is to photograph each individual piece instead of doing group pictures. Then, I can post a "bracelet" or "earring" or "keychain" blog entry and just add the individual pics to their respective posts as the items are made. This will also help me keep track of the which pieces are available or not once they are sold, because at that point I can go in and remove that picture.

5. I'm entertaining the idea of doing a credit card swipe thing that would plug into the iPad (of if there's no wifi, seeing about using the husband's iPhone). Still tossing the thought around in my head.

Whew, that was a lot! If you made it through the whole thing and still have your sanity, congratulations. You win a free teal keychain or cell phone charm from my inventory. Seriously. Email me your home address (email found below in signature) by SEPTEMBER 30, 2012 with whether you prefer a keychain or cell phone charm and I'll snail mail it to you as a thank you for reading my novel of a blog entry.

Orders can be requested from pictures, but no guarantees are made that the piece will be available. All pieces are different. Custom orders accepted. Prices negotiable, 50% used to buy more beading materials and 50% donated to an ovarian cancer organization. Email me at janinemkr@gmail.com for order requests! RIP Rita Ann 7/1/2001

In memory

I've been thinking a lot about Mom recently, for various reasons: a friend mentions spending time with their mother, I think about Mom; someone on Facebook remembers a parent they've lost, I think about Mom; her birthday was last month, I think about Mom; Ben and I are going to try for a baby soon, I think about Mom; I receive a special piece of mail from the wife of a high school classmate with a teal ribbon pin, I think about Mom; I get a clean bill of ovarian health from the doctor and the same day hear my mom's favorite Christian song at work, I think about Mom. The list could go on, but it's already long enough...

I'd like to think that she'd be proud of me. I try. I never would have gotten into the teal jewelry/ovarian cancer awareness if it wasn't for her. It helps me honor her memory  to do what I know she would have done if she were here today. I would never wish losing a parent on anyone, but it has made me who I am today. The process getting here may not have been pretty or pleasant, but I believe I am stronger for it.

I am hoping to do at least two if not three run/walks this year as a vendor again. I might enlist some help, though, because doing the event by myself was hard last year, and I may be pregnant this time around (fingers crossed!). Besides the run/walks (9/9 in Columbus, Ohio, 9/15 in Cincinnati, Ohio and 9/29 in Indianapolis, Indiana), there are some cool things going on in Indiana and Ohio to check out. First, the *very first* Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Midwest Regional Conference is being held in Indianapolis on Saturday, March 10th. Registration is $50, deadline to register is March 2nd. Mom would have been so excited! Also, the OCAO is holding their 3rd annual Gala "On Wings of Hope" on April 14th.Tickets are $100 per person, or $100 for two tickets for young professionals under 35, or $250 for two and recognized on the OCAO website/event program. They go on sale February 1st. I hope to be able to attend!

http://www.ovariancancer.org/2012/01/06/midwest-regional-conference/

http://ocao.org/Gala2012.aspx

http://www.ocao.org/Events.aspx

http://www.cincyovariancancer.org/events.html

http://ovariancancerin.org/Run-Walk.html

Orders can be requested from pictures, but no guarantees are made that the piece will be available. All pieces are different. Custom orders accepted. Prices negotiable, 50% used to buy more beading materials and 50% donated to an ovarian cancer organization. Email me at janinemkr@gmail.com for order requests! RIP Rita Ann 7/1/2001

Thanks for dropping by!

Hi, everyone!
I know I haven't put new pictures up in a while. :( I have been giving myself some much-needed time off from beading. I anticipate I'll pick it back up again around Christmas. I usually get a couple commissions during that time and I tend to make several pieces while I have my tools out.

Recently I was approached by a coworker whose close friend had ovarian cancer and she wanted to see some of my pieces. She remembered from several years back that I made my jewelry. How cool!

Don't forget that even though I may not have new pieces to show off, you can still contact me if you see something you like in one of the older pictures. Or, better yet, have me make something especially for you (or a loved one)!

It whispers, so listen.

Orders can be requested from pictures, but no guarantees are made that the piece will be available. All pieces are different. Custom orders accepted. Prices negotiable, 50% used to buy more beading materials and 50% donated to an ovarian cancer organization. Email me at janinemkr@gmail.com for order requests! RIP Rita Ann 7/1/2001

One last big THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone who came by my booth at Turn Up the Volume run/walk this past weekend in Indianapolis for Ovar'Coming Together! I was able to donate $51 from the sales at the booth to the organization who helped my mother through her struggle with ovarian cancer. I know it's not much, but I am so proud and happy to be able to contribute even a little to support those facing the disease.

I don't claim to be a professional jewelry maker, but I am dedicated to this cause. I try every day to honor my mother's memory and give back to those who share her struggle. Again, thank you to those who stopped to look, chat or buy at my booth! I hope to be back next year!

One more big thank you to everyone who visited me at both Strides for Hope in Columbus and Turn Up the Volume in Indianapolis. Several family members came out to see me in Indy and do the run/walk! It's so great to have others honor my mother's memory as well.

I'd also like to recognize each person who made my donation to the agencies possible this year:
In Columbus-
Christi
Linda
Vet
Lee
Jeannette
Pam
Riley
Jessica
Renee
Pia
Shelley (a survivor!)
Kelly (a survivor!)
Margie (a survivor!)
Sherri
Jean Marie
Linda (a survivor!)
Sandi
Alli
Kim
Jean (a survivor!)
Joann
Janet
Cienna
Jennifer
Angela

In Indianapolis-
Patricia
Karen
Shelley
Danny
Barb
Christina
Janet (a survivor!)
Brenda
Jeri (a survivor!)
Laryn (a survivor!)
Shaina
Rita
Joán
Donna

And one more time, because I haven't said it enough...THANK YOU!

Orders can be requested from pictures, but no guarantees are made that the piece will be available. All pieces are different. Custom orders accepted. Prices negotiable, 50% used to buy more beading materials and 50% donated to an ovarian cancer organization. Email me at janinemkr@gmail.com for order requests! RIP Rita Ann 7/1/2001

I have awesome friends!

I almost forgot! A friend of mine has made a crocheted hat pattern and half of the price is being donated toward ovarian cancer research. If you crochet (or as my brother calls it "crotch-ett") or know someone who does, I highly encourage you to check it out and even purchase it. Yay for awesome friends!

Candy Corn Beanie

Orders can be requested from pictures, but no guarantees are made that the piece will be available. All pieces are different. Custom orders accepted. Prices negotiable, 50% used to buy more beading materials and 50% donated to an ovarian cancer organization. Email me at janinemkr@gmail.com for order requests! RIP Rita Ann 7/1/2001

New pieces

I know I haven't posted on here in a few days. I promise I didn't forget about it!

I did take a couple of days off jewelry making to give myself a chance to breathe after the run/walk on the 11th. I made a few pieces while I was out of town for work this past week. I took a quick inventory after selling quite a few pieces at the run/walk. I hadn't met my goal for how many I wanted made, so I figured up how many I need to make to be comfortable for the run/walk coming up on the 24th. I also realized I was scraping the bottom of my materials, so I replenished.

I made four bracelets, two necklaces, one lanyard, three clip on earrings (interchangeable), two pierced earrings (interchangeable) and two keychains.

I can't wait! This is the run/walk that started it all and I am so proud to be supporting the organization that provided my mom with so much support when she was going through her ovarian cancer. I hope that my jewelry can bring a little happiness to those affected by the disease and raise awareness. If you are in town in Indy on the 24th, please feel free to stop by my booth at the City Market. I'll be there all morning!

Orders can be requested from pictures, but no guarantees are made that the piece will be available. All pieces are different. Custom orders accepted. Prices negotiable, 50% used to buy more beading materials and 50% donated to an ovarian cancer organization. Email me at janinemkr@gmail.com for order requests! RIP Rita Ann 7/1/2001

A big thank you!

Thank you to everyone who came by my booth at the Strides for Hope in Columbus for the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Ohio! I was able to donate $75 from the sales at the booth, plus $55 from sales I made since my last run/walk, for a total of $130 donated to the OCAO. I know it's not much, but I am so proud and happy to be able to contribute even a little to support those facing the disease.

I don't claim to be a professional jewelry maker, but I am dedicated to this cause. I try every day to honor my mother's memory and give back to those who share her struggle. Again, thank you to those who stopped to look, chat or buy at my booth! I hope to be back next year!

Orders can be requested from pictures, but no guarantees are made that the piece will be available. All pieces are different. Custom orders accepted. Prices negotiable, 50% used to buy more beading materials and 50% donated to an ovarian cancer organization. Email me at janinemkr@gmail.com for order requests! RIP Rita Ann 7/1/2001

Lots of work done!

I've gotten quite a bit accomplished over the last couple of days. My sister helped me make a few of the pieces, so a thank you shout-out to Sara! :D

We made one eyeglasses chain, two book thongs, two ankle bracelets, three bracelets, one pair of clip on earrings (interchangeable), three pairs of pierced earrings (interchangeable), one cell phone charm (I had been done with those, but I found myself with a rogue bead strand that really wouldn't have worked as anything else) and three necklaces.

Also, after my bead-a-palooza, I am down to 15 pieces left to do by Sunday. It should be no problem. :)

Orders can be requested from pictures, but no guarantees are made that the piece will be available. All pieces are different. Custom orders accepted. Prices negotiable, 50% used to buy more beading materials and 50% donated to an ovarian cancer organization. Email me at janinemkr@gmail.com for order requests! RIP Rita Ann 7/1/2001

Movin right along

I only made 2 pieces today, but I finished some merchandise placards, which is a big part of things needing to be done.

I made 1 bracelet, 1 pair of pierced earrings (interchangeable)

Orders can be requested from pictures, but no guarantees are made that the piece will be available. All pieces are different. Custom orders accepted. Prices negotiable, 50% used to buy more beading materials and 50% donated to an ovarian cancer organization. Email me at janinemkr@gmail.com for order requests! RIP Rita Ann 7/1/2001

Wear Teal Day

I wore teal today for "Wear Teal Day," the second day of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. I hope you did, too! If you had some of my jewelry, you could have. ;)

Anyway, enough shameless self-promotion. Knowing that it is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month just made me realize how few days I had left to reach my goal of 80 additional pieces (of which I had already done 40), so I got to work on it. I finished 9 more pieces, which leaves 31 pieces in 9 days before the first of my two run/walks this year. I can do it...and even if I can't, I will have plenty. :) No worries.

I made three bracelets (one potentially an ankle bracelet), one keychain, two clip on earrings (interchangeable), two pierced earrings (interchangeable), one book thong.

Orders can be requested from pictures, but no guarantees are made that the piece will be available. All pieces are different. Custom orders accepted. Prices negotiable, 50% used to buy more beading materials and 50% donated to an ovarian cancer organization. Email me at janinemkr@gmail.com for order requests! RIP Rita Ann 7/1/2001

Teal jewelry 8/14/2011

I made seven twelve more pieces today. This brings the grand total to 35 40 additional pieces, which makes 80 85 pieces in all. I have 40 35 more pieces to go, so I'm almost over halfway done for my run/walk inventory! I have 4 weeks left before the first one. I don't think it should be a problem to finish.

I made one lanyard, one pair of clip on earrings (interchangeable), one pair of pierced earrings (interchangeable), one bracelet, one cell phone charm, one keychain, one book thong.

Then I made one book thong, one keychain, one pair pierced earrings (interchangeable), one matching set bracelet and necklace (can be sold separately).

Orders can be requested from pictures, but no guarantees are made that the piece will be available. All pieces are different. Custom orders accepted. Prices negotiable, 50% used to buy more beading materials and 50% donated to an ovarian cancer organization. Email me at janinemkr@gmail.com for order requests! RIP Rita Ann 7/1/2001

Teal jewelry 8/2/2011

I made 4 pieces today. Slowly but surely! 28 down, 52 to go.

I made 1 pair clip on earrings (interchangeable), 1 keychain, 1 eyeglasses chain, 1 necklace.

Orders can be requested from pictures, but no guarantees are made that the piece will be available. All pieces are different. Custom orders accepted. Prices negotiable, 50% used to buy more beading materials and 50% donated to an ovarian cancer organization. Email me at janinemkr@gmail.com for order requests! RIP Rita Ann 7/1/2001

More progress

I made 4 more pieces today. I also added 7 to my goal and took away 2. So, really I added 5. I decided to make a couple lanyards and eyeglass chains, and also decided rings were a waste of my time.

Today's creations include interchangeable clip on and pierced earrings, a bracelet and an eyeglass chain.

Total made so far: 24. Remaining needed for goal by 9/11: 56. I think I can do it.

Orders can be requested from pictures, but no guarantees are made that the piece will be available. All pieces are different. Custom orders accepted. Prices negotiable, 50% used to buy more beading materials and 50% donated to an ovarian cancer organization. Email me at janinemkr@gmail.com for order requests! RIP Rita Ann 7/1/2001

Sets of matching sets

I made more jewelry today. I finally got a chance to use the stuff I bought on Sunday! And boy, did I use them. I think there is only one thing that didn't get incorporated somehow, and I'm sure I will find a use for it soon. :)

I'm trying to do the stuff that takes the longest each time I make a batch, such as necklaces and bracelets. Unfortunately, they're also the things that are most popular, so I have to make more of them than most other things. I've got two jewelry making parties scheduled for September before the respective run/walks.

I made 5 pieces total, with a matching set of pierced earrings (can be interchanged), bracelet and necklace and a matching set of clip-on earrings (can be interchanged) and a necklace.

Orders can be requested from pictures, but no guarantees are made that the piece will be available. All pieces are different. Custom orders accepted. Prices negotiable, 50% used to buy more beading materials and 50% donated to an ovarian cancer organization. Email me at janinemkr@gmail.com for order requests! RIP Rita Ann 7/1/2001

Organization keeps me sane

I ran to Wal-Mart and bought some more beading supplies (btw, you do not want to be in Wal-Mart when the power goes out. The generators last 20 minutes and people go hysterical trying to check out, not to mention the associate coming over the PA every 30 seconds telling everyone to make their final selections). I also mega-reorganized.

I'm hoping that if I stay organized through the run/walks, it will go much smoother in the long run.


Orders can be requested from pictures, but no guarantees are made that the piece will be available. All pieces are different. Custom orders accepted. Prices negotiable, 50% used to buy more beading materials and 50% donated to an ovarian cancer organization. Email me at janinemkr@gmail.com for order requests! RIP Rita Ann 7/1/2001

Teal jewelry 7/22/2011-7/23/2011

A request was made on Facebook for pictures of my jewelry. I was already thinking about starting a teal blog, and that made up my mind. This year, my events are the one for the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Ohio in Columbus on 9/11 and for Ovar'coming in Indy on 9/24. The past two days I have made 14 pieces, toward my goal of 75 additional pieces for a total of 120 pieces. I sold 29 in 2009, and I'm hoping to sell more than that this time around at each, so I wanted to make sure I would have more than enough.

Today I made 3 necklaces, 3 pairs of earrings (2 pierced, 1 clip on...can be interchanged), 1 keychain, 2 cell phone charms, 3 bracelets (1 large enough to be a possible ankle bracelet) and 2 book thongs.

I used the double carrick knot that I taught myself for the wedding favors on the keychain and cell phone charms. I actually made a third cell phone charm, but it's now on my phone. :) I think it looks like a support ribbon.

Bracelets were far and away my most popular item in 2009, so I'm going to be making a ton of them. Personally I'm not a fan...they irritate my arm when I'm writing or typing or really just doing anything. But, I'm not selling to me. :)

Orders can be requested from pictures, but no guarantees are made that the piece will be available. All pieces are different. Custom orders accepted. Prices negotiable, 50% used to buy more beading materials and 50% donated to an ovarian cancer organization. Email me at janinemkr@gmail.com for order requests! RIP Rita Ann 7/1/2001