Togglewire Goes to the Craft Fair

Mark you calendar for April 10 - to come out an support Togglewire at the Rogers MOPs Craft Fair. It's my first time to sell at craft fair. It's a small fair - about 40 booths.

Preparing for the craft fair has been a big learning experience. In the past to sell my jewelry, I've hosted open houses / trunk sales at my house. They are pretty easy to plan for because for the most part it's friends or co-workers stopping by.

Next time, I know to ask if the craft fair will be limited to crafters / artisians. Much to my surprise there will be independent consultants for things like Scentsy and Pampered Chef selling their wares. I was very disappointed to learn that it wasn't just a craft fair.

I'm pretty excited though because I have some great pieces - you can see some of the on the Togglewire fan page on Facebook. What doesn't sell will go up on my Etsy store at http://www.togglewire.etsy.com/.

It's time to makeover my blog

Like many others, I had started a blog and neglected it. I'm giving it another try with a new focus.

Content of this blog - Togglewire - will focus on jewelry and other fashion items. My other blog, Vanessa Sidwell - will include recipes, favorite things, lessons learned and other random things.

With all of that said, welcome to Togglewire!

Back in 2004, I received a great promotion that came with a lot of change and stress. The stress and change was primarily because I went from a position that I spent 80 percent or more of my time using my creativity to a position that was about 80 percent administrative. It took me a few months to realize why I was so stressed. I realized I was missing the creativity ... which made me extremely unhappy. The job ended up being one of the most rewarding jobs I've had.

In an issue of Real Simple, there was that I had to have. It was by jewelry designer Wendy Mink. The necklace was sold out, so I took the picture to a local jewelry store and had them make something similar. After I got the beautifully beaded custome necklaces, I thought I could make my own.

A few months later, I started making necklaces for myself. It became the creative outlet that I was missing at work.

It wasn't long before people started asking me to make pieces for them. I've had a few open houses and sold things to co-workers through what has become know as the tote.

In August, I was released from my employer of 17 years through a reduction in force. While I was between jobs, I created a store on Etsy. Now, my jewelry is available online at www.togglewire.etsy.com - business has been slow, but I'm okay with that because for me it's about the creative outlet.