Bridesmaids' Necklaces

My latest project has been making necklaces for bridesmaids' gifts.  Take a look:

In honor of football season (and all of its glory).

I know that I've been a little slack about posting lately, but life has been a little crazy.  I'm recovering from a broken foot (caused by severe clumsiness and bad luck), so this past weekend, I've had some time to catch up on jewelry.  Here are some pictures of my latest creations.  Enjoy!

This CDS monogrammed necklace is a 2" circle on an 18" split chain, and is for a customer of The Pink Monogram.

These EOL earrings are for a friend of mine who recently got married.  I love the oval shape with the "O" as the center initial.  These are the same size as the hydrangea earrings that I posted a while back.

This is a honey bee necklace that I made for one of my very best friends.  Honey bees are part of the "theme" for her wedding that will be in October 2011.  I love the way it turned out.

This hydrangea bracelet completes the set (with earrings and necklace).  This was my first bracelet in this style and I'm pleased with the way it turned out.  I think I might make myself a monogrammed one.  Anyone else interested?

This is a birthday gift that I made for a dear friend.  She is very petite so I made the pendant 1.5" on a 16" split chain.  It's dainty and I like it.  She did, too! :-)

And for all of my fellow Gamecock football fans...ta-da!  This is my typical 2" circle on an 18" split chain.  I LOVE IT.  (Not to brag or anything, because I'm not the bragging type.)  It will be the perfect accessory for your garnet and black, monogrammed koozie, over-sized sunglasses, and other tailgate paraphernalia.  (I guess I could make a Clemson necklace, but it might hurt my soul a little bit.) ;-)

This final beauty is for moi.  It oozes with Wofford spirit.  This classic image of Wofford's Old Main is very near and dear to my heart.  I can't wait to wear it to games and Homecoming.  LOVE.




Keep your orders and ideas coming!
-Allison

Celebrate good times, c'mon!

A happy note on this dreary Tuesday...

...I've received my first order through The Pink Monogram!

Everyone, do the Happy Dance! :-)

-Allison

Introducing...

Now that I have been approved by the state, I can tell y'all the new name...
(Dramatic drum roll, please.)

Copper Alley LLC!
It was a tough thing to pick a name that encompassed everything I wanted and something that felt right.  But thanks to Kelli leading me in the right direction, I've got it!

I'm working on some new things and trying new ideas.  I know I need to add pictures of things, and I promise I will as soon as I take some.

Keep Copper Alley in mind for all of your upcoming gifts: bridal party gifts, birthdays, anniversaries, and it's not too soon to be thinking about Christmas.  Get your orders in early so you won't have to sweat it.  (Yes, that is my shameless plug for my awesome jewelry.)

-Allison

Tada!

For Sale: Copper Monogrammed Pendants at The Pink Monogram

I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to see MY jewelry for sale on a REAL website!  I feel like that kid in the viral video that got the Nintendo 64 for Christmas. (Thank you, youtube, for that link.)

I am honored that The Pink Monogram has such faith in my talents and has brought me on board.  I will be working to come up with new ideas and fresh designs, so stay tuned!  (In the works: wide cuff bracelets, BIG earrings, monogrammed ovals...)

Now, I begin the process of becoming an "official" business.  The online process has helpful tips and instructions, but I seem to lack the necessary patience.  I want it to be done NOW.  I don't want to wait around for weeks or months.  And I've purchased Quickbooks software.  Guess what I will be learning this weekend?  As an Art History major (with almost a minor in English), math eludes me.  I get the basics, but I dropped out of Economics class for a reason.  I have faith that I can learn this, though (or that my very smart friends can help me).

Exciting news: I have decided on a business name, but I'm keeping it a secret until it's official.

I want to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has been so supportive of me on this crazy journey. You mean the world to me.  Seriously.  I am so blessed.
-Allison

Ear-resistible

These are the earrings that The Pink Monogram will be selling.  They circles are 1" in diameter and the kidney earwires are approximately 38mm.

You know you are going to want a pair!

Pictures are worth a thousand words.

Here is the necklace that The Pink Monogram will be selling.  The pendant is 2" and it hangs on an 18" split chain.  Stunning, don't you think? ;-)

Here is a Fleur De Lis for my Aunt Nell in Louisiana.  (Go Saints!)

-Allison

What's in a name?

For those of you who haven't heard yet, I have some very exciting news... (Drum roll, please.)  The Pink Monogram in Greenville will be carrying and selling my monogrammed necklaces and earrings (and more fun things to come)!!!  I am beyond thrilled and blessed to have such an incredible opportunity.  And don't worry, I will let you know as soon as things are up and running.  In the mean time, check out the site.  Monica has some amazing items (sign me up for one of EVERYTHING).  Oprah even loves her stuff...and I'm pretty sure it's illegal to disagree with Oprah.  Am I right?

Currently, these are my favorite items:
Monogrammed Stephen Bonanno Sandals
Monogrammed Clogs (featured in Oprah Magazine July 2010)
Monogrammed Jewelry
Glenda Gies Purses
Monogrammed Shirts

Well, I told you that so that I can tell you this.  My Southern Charm needs a new name.  It's not that I don't like the current name, but I need something to make me stand out more.  (Charm is an over-used world in this business, and the last thing I want is to try to launch a line with an already stale name.)  I want people to hear the name and have an idea of what I do and what they can expect to see.  Here are a few that I thought of, but are already taken (just to give you an idea): Custom Copper Designs, Initial Impression, Copperiffic...

Here's where y'all come in:  I NEED YOUR HELP!  If you can come up with a fabulous and original name, you win free jewelry!  So take out your pens and paper, freshen up your coffee, and get those brains to work!  (This is your challenge, should you choose to accept it.)

-Allison

#1 Fan

Become a fan of My Southern Charm on Facebook: My Southern Charm on Facebook

I am enormously grateful for all of the support! :-)
-Allison

Variety is the spice of my life.

Since all of this is so new for me, I've spread myself in all different directions.  Here are some more pieces I've done. (By the way, everything you see here is for sale-- except for the ones that say they were made for someone specific.  If you have a question about a piece, PLEASE email me or comment.  I aim to please.)

Here is a keychain I made for my Dad.  He is a member of the Southeast Woodies Club, and this is their logo.  The piece is a 2" square.  I'm pleased with the amount of detail I was able to do on such a small space.

This is a monogram piece I did for a friend.  The piece is 1.75" in diameter.  She plans to hang it on a beaded necklace, and I think it will look fabulous!

I really love this one.  Like REALLY.  For all of you Greenvillians (is that even a word?), I present you with the Liberty Bridge at Falls Park.  This piece is 2"x1.75".  The chain is approximately 24".  I'm really into the landmark theme, so we will see which one I do next.

Enjoy!
-Allison

A-wrist-ing Development

Clever, huh? Last night, I decided that it would be a great use of my time to make a bracelet.  And, as usual, I was right.  Or, at least I think so.  Here's the final product:

I've used 1mm leather cord (in copper, metallic green, and metallic purple) to create the look.  There is an antiqued copper "S" piece in the center. I have many color options available for leather cord, so the possibilities are seemingly endless.

This is the clasp in the back.  The leather ends are concealed by these beautiful copper cone bead caps and I have used a spring ring for the closure.  The stiffer nature of the leather makes the bracelet easy to fasten.

I'm hoping to explore more design options with the bracelets in the near future, so stay tuned!
-Allison

Monograms and Bridges: How very southern of me.

This is a custom bracelet that I made for my cousin.  The copper plate is about 2.5" wide and .75" tall.  This is another one of my Cooper River Bridge pieces.  To connect the bracelet in the back, I used black leather cord and copper findings.  However, this could be done using leather cord (of any color) or with copper chain.  I made it custom to his wrist size.  The possibilities are endless!

Here is a perfect example of a custom piece.  I created this pendant of the Hanson logo (que "Mmmbop" music in the background) for a friend.  The piece is approximately 1.5" in diameter.  Custom copper pendants are a unique and classy form of expression. (Did I sell you on it yet?) I drilled the hole at the top and hung it with a copper bell onto leather cord.

This is a custom monogram piece.  I love the symmetry in the letters.  This pendant is approximately 1.75" in diameter.  Wouldn't you love one of your own?! ;-)

Here are some images of work I have done so far (but this isn't everything).

This is the very first piece of copper I ever etched.  In true southern fashion, I opted for my monogram.  The piece measures about 2" in diameter.  I drilled a hole in the top and added a wire bell to it so that it could hang from a chain.  (Note: my circle-cutting ablilities have improved dramatically since then!)

This piece is of a hydrangea bloom.  I see them everywhere in Greenville, and I think they are beautiful.  This pendant is approximately 1.75" in diameter.  I have also made matching earrings for this pendant.  They are available as a set or separate.

Here are the earrings.  Right now, they are on kidney wires, but I can change them to different wires depending on your style.

Truly an image of southern charm.  This is a piece of the state of South Carolina, etched with its symbollic Palmetto tree and crescent moon (the same images that adorn the emblematic state flag).  I cut this piece by hand, which was significantly more time-consuming than a standard circle, but extremely rewarding when you consider the final product. It is approximately 1.5" across.  The hole is drilled on the balancing point, so it will hang nicely on a necklace!

Here is another southern icon: the Cooper River Bridge in Charleston, SC.  This pendant is approximately 1.75" in diameter.  (This is one of my favorites.)










I will continue to post pictures as I get the chance, so stay tuned!
-Allison

And, thus, I begin my life as an entrepreneur.

Arts and crafts have always been my thing.  I've always loved to paint, draw, sculpt, bead, cut, photograph, stitch, create, build, form, and imagine.  I was a student at Greenville's Fine Arts Center for many years, and I even majored in Art History in college.  Go figure.  I have a family with strong creative tendencies, and many of them have also caught the entrepreneurial bug.  (It must be contagious.) Two of my aunts make beautiful jewelry, and I have always admired their work.  They have recently gotten into working with base metals, notably copper.  My aunt showed me how she had learned to etch copper with acid.  Consider my interests sparked!  I did a few test pieces at her house and I absolutely fell in love.  A light went off in my head that THIS is what I want to do. 

(Here is a little insight into what I do.)  I cut each piece from a sheet of copper.  I do this by hand, so everything isn't exactly perfect, but that's the beauty of something handcrafted.  I file and buff away the rough edges for a smooth finish.  Now comes the fun part; I get to draw my design!  (The first piece I did was my monogram.  After that, I've had endless ideas of designs and I'm struggling for my hand to keep up with my brain.  Such is the life of a creative genius. ;-) )  After the design is drawn, I etch the copper with acid so that the design stands out from the piece.  Once the piece is etched and cleaned, I apply the patina for an aged effect.  This really makes the design pop.  The piece is then coated with a thin layer of wax to seal it off from outside elements.  And, voila!

This blog will serve many functions:

1. Humor you with the adventures (and sometimes woes) of my learning experiences with copper.
2. Dazzle you with the amazing things I create.
3. Serve as a sounding board for my friends/family/customers.  If you have ideas or suggestions, send them my way!
4. A way to place orders.  Shoot me a comment, message, or email if you are interested in placing an order.  The possibilities are endless!
5. And lastly, to keep everyone updated on My Southern Charm.

Thanks for taking the time to check everything out!
-Allison