Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Shows Spring/Summer 2012

I have not done many shows this Spring/Summer season.    The first show was at the beautiful, newly restored, Monkton Mill. This 2 day show in April was sponsored by the North County Art Festival. The sales were few but the camaraderie among the exhibitors and potential customers was great. 











This past Labor Day week-end, I had the good fortune to be accepted in my first out-of town-show juried show.  It was the African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh NC. The culture and entertainment were awesome as I had booth #1 which was near the main stage. A Touch of Gracye jewelry and bags were well received by Raleigh and beyond as one of my necklaces was adopted by a woman from Bermuda.  It was very encouraging to have so many men were drawn to my men's collection, several pieces found new homes in NC.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Charm Bracelets & Charm Necklaces & Waist Beads

Well the holiday season is upon us. As you scurry around town looking for the most unique and original gifts for your loved one's, you may want to stop by my Open Studio on Friday 11/26 and Saturday 11/27 from 12-5pm to purchase handcrafted jewelry and bags that your gift recipient will treasure forever.

Speaking of treasured gifts, you may not be aware that I make charm bracelets and charm necklaces for women, girls or the daring man. I have a simple questionnaire that asks questions about your interests, family, career, etc. (if interested, I will email you the questionnaire) send your request to: atouchofgracye@yahoo.com
Pictures of charm bracelets and necklaces will soon be posted on this blog. Charm bracelets and necklaces by A Touch of Gracye will be available for your perusal at the Open Studio this weekend. I use sterling silver or gold charms & chains and natural semi-precious gemstones.

Another unique gift item is the waist beads. These are custom designed beads worn around your waist.

Traditionally, a woman wears waist beads underneath her clothes for only her husband or significant other to see. In some parts of Africa, the beads are anointed in oils, and the woman stands over a smoke pot and commences to "smoke her self." This practice aids in sensory pleasure for the man. Some beads are adorned with bells, which is a signal to let the man know that the woman wants to engage in sexual intimacy.

In other parts of Africa, the beads are given to young women as a rites of passage into womanhood. In general, women wear waist beads for their own personal pleasure. When crystals and gemstones are incorporated into the style of the waist beads, they acquire the healing properties of the particular stones.

Today, women can choose to either show their waist beads as the latest fashion accessory, or to wear it for themselves. Either way, waist beads are an excellent tool for healing and a wonderful way for women to feel more feminine and beautiful. Some women use the waist beads as a way to monitor their weight.
These beautiful gemstone waist beads are hand made and customized just for you.

They will be available for you to see when you come to the Open Studio.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Where You Can See/Purchase My Bags & Jewelry

As the holiday season approaches, I am working at a feverish pace creating and designing new jewelry and handbags just in time for the gift-giving season. I find myself going between my jewelry studio and my sewing room creating new items for gift giving, to yourself or to others.

My show calendar is filling up with with home parties. open studio and holiday shows.

On, Sunday, November 14th you can find me exhibiting at "Catwalk for a Cause", a fashion show fundraiser for the Johns Hopkins Children's Hospital. For more information, see: http://www.catwalkforacause.org/

The following week, on Saturday November 20th, you can see/purchase my bags and jewelry at the Friends School Holly Fest! for more information click: http://www.friendsbalt.org/news/releases/101104-hollyfest.asp

If you want an opportunity to earn free or significantly reduced priced jewelry, invite some friends to your place and I will bring the jewelry and bags.

I am also available to you privately by appointment. Just give me a call at 410 241-7283 or send an email with your preferred date and time: asabi2@aol.com.

Have a Peaceful, Joyous, Healthy Holiday Season,
gracye

P.S.: Remember I do custom orders and can do repairs, cleaning or up-grades to your existing jewelry

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Accessories for Autumn & for Gift Giving

If you are looking for some new accessories to add pizzazz to your fall and winter wardrobe, make an appointment to see my newest designs in bags and jewelry, You won't be disappointed!!!


I have items in price points that are excellent for those on your holiday gift list (men, women and children). Come by at your convenience for a private shopping opportunity.

For a special price reduction or even free jewelry, invite some friends to your place and I will bring the bags & jewelry and wine & cheese. Check your calendar and give me a date & time.

As always I am grateful to you for your support and patronage.

Free Jewelry Cleaning


Pictured is a vibrating tumbler half filled with sterling silver jewelry waiting for your jewelry that needs to be cleaned and polished. Then I can start the tumbler and the jewelry will come out looking refreshed and energized, ready to add sparkle to your fall and winter wardrobe.

The tumbling process, which can take a few minutes to several hours, cleans and polishes sterling silver to a like new finish. Some tumblers are barrel shaped and use rotation to clean and polish. I happen to like the tumbler that vibrates. However, both models are very noisy.


As a special thank you to collectors of my jewelry "A Touch of Gracye", I am offering FREE cleaning of my "babies" which you adopted. This event is for one week only, Monday October 18 through Sunday October 24.

Give me a call 410 241-7283 or send me an e-mail asabi2@aol.com to schedule your appointment. Minor cleaning can be done while you wait. So bring some friends and check out the handbags and new jewelry designs while I bring back the sparkle to your jewelry.
Don't miss out on this opportunity!!!
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Friday, September 10, 2010

A Touch of Gracye Rips the Runway

Click on the link, YouTube - 8 19 10BFW ATG to see A Touch of Gracye bags and jewelry making it debut in the world of high fashion at Baltimore's Fashion Week.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Art Business Institute

August was a very busy month. Immediately following the fashion show, I participated in the Visiting Artist Program sponsored by Wendy Rosen of the Buyers Market of American Craft. This three day event was held at the Baltimore Convention Center, Aug. 23-25. The wholesale show is designed to link artists with museum, boutique and gallery owners who will place orders for their wares.

Wendy had the foresight to offer an opportunity for visiting/emerging artists to participate in a daylong business course, Art Business Institute, that addressed: marketing, gallery relationships, reasons to wholesale, pricing & production, building a brand, and telling your story, etc. The workshops were facilitated by gallery owners and artists. I found the information invaluable. Participants were asked to bring their portfolio and publicity material for critique which was also very helpful. We were given an opportunity to walk the show-room floor and speak to the some of the artists, observe displays and booths, collect promotional material, as appropriate.

Here is a link to get more information about the Buyers Market, go to the "Press" page and check-out the video: http://www.buyersmarketofamericancraft.com/.



I don't know if you're like me, but I like doing the creative side of art: buying product, designing, creating and manufacturing. I know that in order to maximize success you must also do the business side of art: record/bookkeeping, marketing, selling, follow-up, etc. We were given tips for getting it done without necessarily doing it ourselves. Ask me how???