Good News!!

I'm finally going to do something for me, something I enjoy and something that will definitely bring a smile to all you Funki Diva lovers out there.

That's it and my mind is 100% made up.. I'm getting myself a buskers licence and I'm going to travel around Malta and Gozo selling my products.. This is positively going to be a fun summer!

Well not everything is finalised yet! so you won't see me for a couple of weeks out and about. 

Here's how it's gonna work:

Every morning according to weather conditions I'm gonna decide whether or not to go out selling. If I am I'll decide a spot and place a note on my website news feed, stating a venue and approximate times. Then if anyone wants to come you're all more than welcome to.

Cesc is also planning on joining me in Malta, so it should be a definite laugh.

Funki Diva is going mobile. So you better read my news because I might be in a village near you!! 

I'll definitely be setting up a blog when I actually start busking..

Also look out for my June offers:

Spend 25 euros and get a free gift 

Spend 40 euros and get free postage and package to Malta and Gozo

Earth Garden Is Over! :(

The much awaited weekend festival has sadly come to an end.. But look on the bright side, it's going to be back next year and I'll be the first signing up! All I can focus on now is preparing for next year with new items and more handmade displays. 

I'd like to start by thanking all of those who came to visit Cesc and I at the Earth Garden Ethnic Market. It was definitely a pleasure to hear all your comments and praises about my jewellery. That definitely lit up my day. I also can't go without saying a big thanks to all of those who signed up for my newsletter.

I'm also posting some pictures of what went on and my stall so I hope you all enjoy them.

 

Tribali Jamming

Bamboo Displays

My Tree Branch Displays

Myself teaching Rae & Cesc how to make memory wire bracelets

Thanks again,

Don't forget to visit my website: www.funkidiva.com for all of those interested.

Online Catalogue!!

In this blog I'm giving all of you jewellery lovers out there a sneak peek to some of my latest jewellery creations.

First on the list are the new hair charms. They are available in a variety of materials such as; feathers, Swarovski crystals and many more. They are selling as singles or else in packs of 6. Hairpins are included:

Next on my list are earrings! Same as hair charms these come in an assortment of materials. And are stocked in all shapes and sizes.

Necklaces! Long chain, wire-wrapped, seed-beaded and other styles are found in our stock. A very popular style is necklaces with metal pendants sculpted into names. These are made to order.

Another item is bracelets. Macrame, shell, glass, seed beads etc...

Rings!! Wire-wrapped, seed bead swirls, Sewn on beads etc and others.

You can view more of my jewellery items at my newly updated website: www.funkidiva.com. So dont hesitate and come check them out.

Lists!! They’re sooo much fun!

After you read this blog you’ll notice that i’m a list freak and 3 is my lucky number. This is a series of lists of 3 things you... So what the heck.. Read on, post comments and I encourage you to give me your own lists!

3 things you wish you could do?

• At the top of my list is travel the world as a waif.

• I wish I could go back a year and re-live the holiday I took, it was such a blast!
  
• Finally stop being such a push over. I know it’s not something I wish I could do, but it’s more ofsomething I wish i could change.
  

3 things you did yesterday?

• Went for a ride in Chris’ new car. Watching his face light up when he saw it was definately the high point of my day.
  

• Allright this sucks and is really silly but while I was out for the ride i got sun burnt! The worst bit is that it was only one arm!
• Created some mobile charms. They are sooo cute!
  

3 things you look forward to?

 

• I can’t wait to go to Earth Garden. I’ve been waiting for ages!
  
• Buying a place I can call my own and settling into it!
  
• Going on holiday to Bora Bora , relax the whole i’m there and forget about everything. It’s not planned for anytime soon but I can hope. ;)
  

3 things you loathe?

 

• Silence. I just can’t stand it!
  
• Nail biters! Why people? Why??
  
• Being tickled! Yes Chris you know this one is for you! :P
  

 

3 things you love?

 

• My cat Skie! She is the funniest cat i ever saw. Believe me i’m not kidding!
  

        

• I’m definately in love with the wire wrapped rings i’ve been creating lately.
  

• I can’t list the things I love without mentioning my bf! (I know you’re hating the fact that I mentioned you three times in this blog but I just couldn’t help it!)
  

 

3 things you couldn’t live without?

 

• My diary. My whole life is in it!! Here is the WARNING, if I ever can’t find it, RUN!! And DON’T LOOK BACK!!
  
• Hair Products! Without them my hair runs wild and i’m absolutely alarming. :D
  
• My workshop! I definately couldn’t live without being able to go home, sit at my work bench and just design my pieces!!
  

 

Finally keeping with the number 3 theme, here is a pair of earrings i made with 3 beads hanging from each one:

 

FYI!!

I am writing this post just to let everyone know that I have started a Funki Diva newsletter. 

If you're interested just send an e-mail to info@funkidiva.com, and just type in the word "NEWSLETTER" and the e-mail address on which you'd like to receive it.

By receiving Funki Diva's newsletter you will get the latest news, special offers and updates on the latest jewellery pieces available in our shops.

 

Jewellery Colour Coding!

I’ve noticed that many of my jewelry customers buy my pieces based on colour so I thought that this might be a good topic to expand upon.

It could be when they request made to order items. They usually start by asking for a specific colour, or if they are browsing through my displays they sometimes find a colour that they realise they can’t leave without.

Colour is a major feature when I shop for jewellery supplies. I have to make an effort to buy beads and other items in colours that I wouldn’t personally buy for myself. This is so I have something for everyone’s colour preference. Although about half my bead supply is in my favourite colours. (Old habits die hard!)

I’ve been though a couple of blogs and they all mention the Fugly Colour Phenomenon. It’s when I build something experimental with a new colour scheme and it turns out looking sooo unsightly that I hesitate to put it on display. Someone always convinces me to exhibit it and guess what!, it’s truly unbelievable, but it’s the first thing that sells. I can never understand it.

And i’m going to end this by mentioning  the most popular colours in jewellery making: hot pinks, fuchsia, orange, turquoise, royal blue, and bold purple to name a few! These colours are flattering when worn as jewellery and can add a much needed splash of colour to brighten up your wardrobe.

Inspiration!

Not only am I going to talk about my muses, lack of inspiration and how to summon it, but i'm also going to mention the items that help me create.

Sometimes I think that what we recognize as negatives could also be positives. All of us are jam-packed with so much creativity just ready to erupt. Beautiful things can be created if we don’t let our personal obstacles stand in our way.

There is more than one way that makes my creativity flow. Here are some ideas, and pictures of what gave me my inspiration and the jewellery piece I made. It can be just by seeing:

• A view of nature. The simplest of scenes can give you the greatest ideas.

• Other art forms.

• A scattering of beads on my work table. (Boring but effective!) 

 

• The interior design of a certain room or a piece of furniture.

 

And here are some tips for being more creative:

• Get off your behind and experience life! Sights, smells and sounds are definately a great way to boost your creativity and imagination.
  
•  Maintain a daily ritual or pattern. Certain changes can be a sure way to leave you blank.
  
• Right before turning in, jot down a list of all the things you need to accomplish. That way when you lay your head on your pillow you have a clear head and can get your needed rest.
  
•  Keep sketch books and always keep them at arms length! As soon as you have an idea just jot it down. Don’t take a leap and leave it out there cause personally i’d just forget it.
  
•  Creativity is like a muscle that you need to flex regularly. So just practice, practice and practice some more.
  

We all go through spells of losing our spark and that’s definately when I feel like i’m lost in limbo and creatively stuck. Since I first started my jewelry business, I’ve had at least 3 major spells of completely losing motivation to make jewellery.

Most of this has been due to burnout - I tend to take on too much, winding up overwhelmed, exhausted, and needing a serious relaxing get away.And another cause of losing motivation is when personal issues seem to be keeping us from getting where we want to be.

I definately want to hear what all of you artists out there think about inspiration and all that is to you. So, come on fellow bloggers, just post a comment!