Miscellanea -New Items , Southwest and Tribal Inspired

I’ve been on a total raw gemstone, southwestern and tribal style kick lately.  Peruse the following and get ready for more minimalist and natural designs this Spring!

Chunky Magnesite Necklace, $30

Howlite Spike Necklace, $20

Large Brass Teardrop Earrings, $25

 

Extra Long Amazonite Necklace, $25

 

Tribal Trapezoidal Earrings, $18.00

New from Miscellanea by Valerie Tyler

Lots of new items added to the Miscellanea Collection, here’s a sampling.

 

 

Thanks for the support! This independent buisness is going to keep growing.

Today I want to write a thank you to all my customers, my accounts, and art show jurors who accepted my work.  I probably should add a thank you to my biggest fan, my mother, and my groupie/intern/woodworker-in-a-pinch husband.  Sales have increased, and I think the quality and creativity of designs is representative of me.

It might not be for everyone, but it’s nice to run your own business.  When I started the jewelry designing it was a hobby, but I did intend for it to become a fully fledged business.  For those just starting out with their own companies, be prepared to give it time. I’m still not at the capacity I plan to be some day, but the growth has been incredible the past few months.

It still is lots of hard work bit it is exciting when that work begins to pay off, and it becomes time to juggle a host of professional things like meetings with galleries, e-mails from prospective accounts, and art show acceptance letters.  It’s nice when finally after years of promotion, marketing, and networking that people start to come to YOU, contact YOU, and seek YOUR work out.

Today I need to visit a gallery and bring work samples, I sent off my wholesale sheet to a prospective buyer, am putting another order in the mail to a customer, am paying my sales taxes for the half-year, and probably should make some more pieces as well.

So thank you to those who have been supportive. Thanks to the bloggers, twitterers, facebookers, and others who have helped with marketing along the way. Thank you for those who have purchased. Thanks to customers who left glowing feedback. Thanks to art show patrons who made selling outside in rain, heat and wind a little more fun, and thank you to anyone who believes in and supports small and independent business owners!

New Earrings : Dark, mysterious and minimalist

New earrings are for sale at Valerie Tyler  Check out the oxidized finished and mixed metals.  They’re sleek and modern!

Coordinating Bracelets and Earrings

I’ve just filled up part of the Miscellanea shop with a selection of coordinating bracelets and earrings. They’re pretty much one of a kind, and not something I do all that often so get them while they’re available!

Orange Art Center Invitational Craft Show

It’s your first chance to see my 2011 pieces in person. My first exhibition of the season will be at the Orange Art Center Invitational Craft show on April 15th and April 16th
I’ll be there with Gina DeSantis, Cindy Kepler, Susan Kleinstub, David Shafron, Susan Skove, Jenn Szalkowski, and Terra Verde Soap Co.

April 15th is the Patron party and admission is $5, April 16th is free and open to the public.

Valerie Tyler 2011 Jewelry Collections Sneak Peek

I’ve been at work in the studio and really pleased with how the results are turning out. I’m super excited about the 2011 collections which will feature lots of mixed metals, unique textures and a minimalistic style.

Enjoy the preview!

Available from Valerie Tyler, prices range from $15-$100

Valerie Tyler’s Mixed Metals Collection is now at MOCA

I have some exciting new to share. You can now find my mixed metal jewelry at MOCA, the Cleveland Contemporary Museum of Art. I recently dropped off a large collection of pieces, and they will be available for purchase in the gift shop.
Here’s just a few items available as of this posting:

Recycled Renaissance

I’ve taken a slight detour from my modern and nature inspired jewelry lately to revisit some ancient medieval and renaissance themes. In doing so I’m also introducing my new line of jewelry with recycled sterling silver. All the raw sheet metal I use in these pieces is *greener* and more earth-friendly than just any old sterling.

Check out my new crest necklaces (currently a dragon and a griffin are available) as well as more gothic style cuffs that combine leather and metal.

New Botanicals Collection by Valerie Tyler Designs

This summer I’m working on a very special new collection. I’m finding it really inspiring, as it’s bringing in multiple elements such as metal, wood, green organic materials, and well…even fire when I torch the pieces.

The ferns in my garden were my original inspiration.

Which led me to create this piece. It’s made of sterling silver, with a handsawn fern. An actual fern specimen has been lacquered into a smaller sterling dome and the entire piece is backed with ebony wood.

I’ll be collecting, pressing and drying natural specimen in the coming weeks. The lacquer was a test, and while it works I’ve ordered a much better resin for slightly different effect in the domed area. Most likely the collection will have a variety of herbs, small leaves, and tiny flowers.