Jill MacKay's BLOG

Home from Jewel School

Hi All,

I have been meaning to write about my trip and all that happened down in Knoxville while working with Jewel School and Jewelry TV. But it's just now getting to the top of the get it done list. It seems crazy that it has almost been 2 weeks already! So I thought at the very least I should post some images from my trip.

I learned so much while there, which will make my next trip down go even smoother!

Hostesses with the mostesses Margot & Kim with me after  the show ended. Major thank yous to these  talented women and the crew and producers that make it all look easy!

                   Behind the scenes at Jewel School!

                    Another set at Jewelry Television

                        During the show...

The magnetic clasp kit sold the most and they want more! Very happy with my experience and how everything went.

Looking forward to the BSBP hop on the 17th. Can't wait to see all the different work though there are so many participants that it would take three days to view them all!

xoxo

Jill

ABS MONTHLY CHALLENGE

Check it out: I am donating a $50.00 gift certificate to one of the winners of this month's  Art Bead Scene's monthly challenge! http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/

I cannot wait to see what everyone makes this month!!! So many talented people in the world! Thanks Heather Powers for the invitation and opportunity to be a sponsor! Love the color palette and challenge itself. My favorite bead blog on the web!

xoxo

Jill

Jewel School and JTV

I just booked my flight to Knoxville TN where I will be heading down to meet and work with the good people at Jewel School and   

I will be appearing on air September 4th with many a selection of my components and findings. This is very exciting and such a lovely opportunity. 

I will be selling 5 different kits! Clasp kits, pendant kits and more. 

The people I am fortunate to be dealing with are communicative, friendly, fun and have business savvy. All this to say it makes for a great experience and a wonderful gig. I owe this connection to my talented friend Margot Potter. She is a powerhouse of creativity and now a host on Jewel School. 

Margot introduced me to everyone while down in Tucson and the results of our work will soon be realized! Looking forward and love this opportunity and the others to come....

Off to the studio!

xox

Jill

Nearly Tucson Time!

It's nearly time to make the annual trek to the AZ desert for the  Tucson Gem  Show. Due to the generosity of my talented friend Paula Radke (who generously gave me one of her two booth spaces) I was able to and decide to join in the fun at fairly late date. Thank you Paula! I have a great spot exhibiting in the grand ballroom at the TBTB show at the Double Tree side by side with Paula. It should prove to be great fun. How do I know? She is my neighbor at the Bead and Button show each summer and the Beadalon folks are a couple of booths away on our isle.  So many wonderful people in our industry! I am truly blessed in this regard.

This year we got smart and rented a house on the edge of town. It is a beautiful adobe home that is less expensive than a decent hotel and has a kitchen so we can save on food because we can cook!

Check out the Tucson digs:

 

I will be exhibiting my favorite silver plated pieces, my sterling silver line and a good portion of my newest line which is a leather line that I created and licensed to Silver Creek Leather. Now in full production available for sale I am anxious to receive feedback about the line. I showed some of it at Bead & Button but will have more items in Tucson.

Sneak peek:

Screw back changeable focals and bracelets, very cool!

                                          Leather pendants ready for dangles

 
   End caps and leather braid for bracelets.

Beadable leather chandeliers and MORE!!!

Have to get back it..off to the studio. Here's hoping you have a great week!

See you in Tucson!

xoxo

Jill 

 

  

 

Jill MacKay Content Store Launches on SCRAPBLOG.COM !

Who'd of every thought that you could make jewelry digital and use it online for scrap-booking?! Well the clever and wonderful people at www.scrapblog.com did!  I am so lucky to be one of the designers that get to have a store that provides digital content for the community there. Everyone at Scrapblog worked so hard to make this happen and for a long time. They spend a lot of behind the scene hours making Scrapblog easy to use! A major THANK YOU to everyone who worked so hard on my behalf. They also spent a lot of time making my work look good and scanning in hundreds of pre-1920's postcards from my father's antique paper collection. So look in the pages further back in the store for those.

Take a peek!

The first few pages are some of my jewelry components made into stickers and some of my illustration shapes filled with text from antique (way past vintage) women's magazines. So there are contemporary shapes filled with contrasting history. I love the shapes! You can also take my shapes and fill them with any other background in my store or anyone else's for that matter.

Get a few pages, print a book, print a card or just send the digital page to a loved one or friend. It is VERY cool and beyond clever while easy to navigate! Love it! So happy!

Here's the official press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Colleen Reilly, VP Marketing

Scrapblog, Inc.

110 Sutter Street, Suite 700

San Francisco, CA 94104

Phone: 415.956.0358

Email: press@scrapblog.com

www.scrapblog.com

Jill MacKay™ Launches Digital Content in Partnership with Scrapblog.com

 

San Francisco, CA, August 6, 2010 --- Award-winning jewelry designer, author, and craft personality Jill MacKay is the latest to launch a digital content store on Scrapblog.com. The new storefront, Jill MacKay, offers multimedia scrapbookers and paper-crafters the ability to use MacKay’s timeless jewelry pieces for the first time in digital format. “It’s opened a whole new world for my jewelry components,” says MacKay. “When I see them as part of a beautifully prepared scrapbook, it’s very special to have them used in this manner. I feel very privileged to be a part of honoring family, friends, and memories in this new way.”

In addition to her jewelry elements, the Jill MacKay store will also feature hundreds of vintage images (pre-1920s) that MacKay received from her father. These exquisite and colorful postcards and product labels were part of his antique paper collection for more than 50 years. “My father is just amazed that these beautiful images could be captured and utilized in such a way by so many,” says MacKay.

Both paper and digital crafters can use Scrapblog’s easy-to-navigate, Web-based software to design digital layouts, complete scrapbooks, calendars, and greeting cards using Jill MacKay content. “Scrapblog makes digital scrapbooking so easy, it’s enticing,” says MacKay. “The creative tools are so simple and save so much time and mess that there are no more excuses for anyone not to be inspired to create something unique and beautiful.” Finished projects can then be shared online with family members, friends, and the Scrapblog.com community on Scrapblog.com, via email, or through social networks like Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. They can also be printed professionally or via high-resolution downloads on the user’s home printer.

“We are delighted to feature Jill MacKay’s unique jewelry and vintage designs on Scrapblog,” says Jill Braff, President and CEO of Scrapblog. “MacKay’s content is a wonderful addition to our catalog, and we’re confident that our users will love it as much as we do.”

Jill MacKay’s digital jewelry designs and vintage content was just recently launched on Scrapblog.  To view the Jill MacKay store, simply visit this link: http://www.scrapblog.com/builder/launch.aspx?path=/marketplace/store/47/

 

Thanks for letting me share!

xoxo

Jill

 

BEAD & BUTTON SHOW TIME!!

It's unbelievable that it's already been another year gone by and it is time for your favorite and mine...the Bead and Button Show. This wonderful show touted as the world's biggest bead show is a blast! It's like one big happy family. Year after year we return and  visit, swap and sell. It is in Milwaukee, WI and is always a treat! Looking forward to seeing my bead family. This year I have two wonderful ladies operating my booth so I will actually get to walk the show as well. YAY!

Show Hours:

Special Preview for those taking classes:

Thursday, June 10 4-9p.m.

Open to the public:

Friday, June 11 10a.m.-8p.m.

... Saturday, June 12 10a.m.-6p.m.

... Sunday, June 13 10a.m.-4p.m.

I'm super excited about this year as I have lots of new work to introduce to the show-goers! Before I go any further let me mention that my Booth number is 1008  right across from my dear friend and partner in crime... the dichroic glass queen (soon to be the glass clay queen!)  Paula Radke.

I will be showing my latest leather line that I created with the wonderful folks at Silver Creek Leather

Here's a little preview for you!

   

Large leather cuff with magnetic closure shown in black.

 
Flourish Bracelet Slide in brown and black. These slides  are interchangeable but wait till you see these:   

These are my latest jewelry innovation. Chicago screw style  findings. These bracelet focals easily screw on and off allowing you to change the color of the cuff as well as the suede oval background. The screws are easy to handle and  rounded but flat so very comfortable to wear. Again with the interchangeable trend. 

   

The paisley option:  

 

Below are individual interchangeable bracelet focals. Again screw on or change out.
     

They work well with the lacey cuff bracelet!

 

Hey I gotta get  to work, daylight's a burning. Tomorrow I will show you some of the new two tone line...stay tuned!

xoxo

Jill

Congratulations to my PARENTS on Their 60th Wedding Anniversary!!!

My parents have been in LOVE and married for 60 YEARS!!! WOW! We had to  get haircuts and dress up for the occasion and take photos. Heck they don't even make greeting cards for 60 years! I suppose because hardly anyone reaches this amazing achievement. I am so proud of them and proud to be their daughter.

Love you Mom and Dad!

Aren't they gorgeous?!! I come from good stock!

xoxo

Jill

Tucson Gem Show Report

As always the Tucson Gem Show is something I look forward to every year. This year was no exception. It was raining when I arrived but cleared right up and allowed for fun under the sun.  I walk as many of the 50 some shows as possible and trend shop.

This year's show was better than last year's show as far as exhibitors and attendance. Last year I actually witnessed exhibitors breaking down their booths and leaving in the middle of the show! Was it the Tucson Gem Show of yesteryear? No, but it is very nice to see that we are on an uphill swing with the economy, ever so slight though it may be.

As always this show comes on the heals of the CHA Winter Show and for me is the Super bowl of Jewelry show events! 

 

The Gem show is the ULTIMATE treasure hunt on many different fronts. It's not just beads, pearls and gems...it's fossils, raw minerals, sculpture...it's the only place that you can find 50 plus shows going on at one time, in one city. It's crazy cool! Seems like every parking lot, hotel and open space is filled with finds! A few shows are open to the public but many of the best are for the trade only. I love going every year. Wouldn't miss it for the world. Again a big thank you to Darice who I'm out scouting for!!!

So here now is this years photo journal of the 2010 56th annual Tucson Gem show...

 

Tucson-

  the city

Sunset over the show tents.

Lucky Gems booth, pearl table

The colors are delicious...........and every where

The vendors, shopping heaven.

Pearls

And this is just one booth at one show!

Gorgeous!

Love this piece...............Two crows & peridot!!

The wonderful Candice Wakumoto and her exquisite work! Always a joy to see her and her husband. Such lovely, fun, gracious people. Amazing humans delight me!

Speaking of amazing...always a favorite to see and visit with  Andrew Thorton

I cannot wait until I can buy all of Stuart's beads...

My  favorite jewelry designer and delightful woman Jamie Hogsett

Photo op at Tierra Cast's booth. They have some nice new lines!

Wyatt White at the Beadalon booth...making more fabulous man bracelets

(we LOVE Wyatt & Fernando Dasilva! Not to mention their work...they are brilliant creators)

Why I LOVE Paula Radke! We have more fun than anyone! 

Another reason why I love Paula...her fab dichroic glass!

Party night in Tucson...wouldn't you know that the first person I see is someone I know from Pittsburgh?!!!

New Friends in Tucson!

Back at the shows....I love watermelon!

  Of course there's the Swarovski party every year! (missed you Katie!)

Getting a hug from crafting celebrity and lovely woman Terri O

When it was time to go home I could not! (Oh darn!) Pittsburgh's airport was closed due to a snow storm that dropped 32 inches of snow! I was delayed 4 days, so I made my way to Phoenix where my brother Kenny lives and had a blast with him and his wife (and my long time friend) Anne and got in a hockey game and a trip to the desert. Was great to see them and it was so nice of them to pick me up and put me up. Was wonderful to reconnect! Thank you Kenny & Anne! Pets to the kitties! Hugs to you! ee you at the finals!

My big brother Kenny and sister-in-law Anne

 

My find of the day...a heart made of stone. Though I have found these in humans never before made by the desert.

Howler and I at the hockey game! Kenny let me wear one of his jerseys so I fit right in!

When I was finally able to make it back home...this is all I saw out the plane's window...ugh...

Pitt upon landing..nothing but snow!

 

Fast forward a couple of weeks and things still look like this here in Gibsonia.

Dreaming of sun...Spring is near....things are moving below the soil...

Stay happy and productive. My 2010 jewelry trend report coming soon!

xoxo

Jill

 

Finally Reporting in!

First I would like to thank EVERYONE from the bottom of my heart for all the support, and encouragement, for all the wonderful comments and emails in response to the studio fire. It helped more than you know.

On that front you will be glad to know that the studio is presently under construction being rebuilt.

 

Photo of Issac after power had been restored. Entrance door to his left.

With the insurance money Peter was able to purchase scaffolding instead of rent it for 10 weeks! Cool!

The guys (Three Birds & All) have been working tirelessly without heat doing some very dangerous work in the cold...and dark. These are tough guys with big hearts! Luckily at this very moment the gas is being turned on and we now have power. So tomorrow the gentlemen can work in warmth and see what the heck they are doing! Yay! As they progress I will post pictures so you can see our beloved studio come back to life

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now as far as reporting on the trade shows I am way behind. Let's start then with the furthest back Winter CHA Show in Anaheim, CA in January. Many including myself had the very best CHA show that we have ever had in all the years in attendance (and that's a bunch!)

As always love seeing all the wonderful people in the craft industry that have become close friends. I am absolutely convinced that the craft industry is the very best industry in the world. So many genuine and creative people who help each other. I especially love catching up with the designers whom I adore and sitting around after a long day and shooting the breeze and having a laugh. A big shout out this year to my dear friend Jim Scatena (Floracraft) and his family. Beautiful people who have been through quite a year. Was so wonderful catching up with you Jim! Thank you for your friendship.

As you know or can imagine trade shows are a ton of work. As an exhibitor (with Darice) I get to see it all evolve from the beginning, setting up (which actually begins months in advance) to the show opening, to break down....As always a big Thank you to Darice, my partners in crime and creating!

Here now then is a photographic journey of Winter CHA 2010 and the CHA Super Craft Show

 

The Crates and shipping stuff everywhere.

I just love this random photo... lot's of manikin helping hands down at the Bernat Booth.

The girls who got the arms!

While all the set-up was going on for the CHA show the CHA Craft Super Show was going on next store in a different part of the convention center. Lots of make-it-take its and celebrities all around.  The Super (consumer) Show and had a fairly healthy attendance. We are thankful for this!

 

The ever talented and wonderful Carol Duvall Signing books at the CHA Craft Super Show

The talented and radiant Linda Augsburg was especially a glow! Word has it that cupid struck! I am so happy for her. She is SUCH a delightful woman.

 

The First Lady of Crafts (and Glue!) Aleen! We were volunteering for her daughter Tiffany Windsor's Live Pajama Party event and working at her other daughter (Heidi's) table doing ecco-crafts! Though I just couldn't bring myself to show up with pj's on.

 

The GRAND opening of the CHA show! We always have the drummers and bagpipers. So very cool. Look forward to this every year.

In this photo you see Mr. Greg Sartor in the back of half of my class debuting my new line with  Silver Creek Leather using our Real Leather components. I couldn't believe the  jewelry that was made in this class!  I think we are on to something here! A BIG thank you to Greg!

 

My good girlfriend Paula Radke exhibited her amazing dichroic glass beads at CHA for the first time! How fabulous was it having Paula at the show? FABULOUS!!! Love you Paula!

Bestest Girlfriends Althea and Marie Browning late night giggles at the Hilton!
My apology to the lovely lady from Australia who had the most beautiful name which presently escapes me!

Night time shot of the mighty palms of Anaheim from a lovely late night walk about.

Last year was Star Wars Storm troopers this year these two characters!

Just before landing looking at Pittsburgh from a bird's eye view!

Next...The Tucson Gem Show report!

Stay tuned...I will get caught up!

xoxo

Jill

 

My New BEZELS!!!!

Hi All! Happy to let you know that my new bezels (produced by Darice Inc.) are now in production and for sale. I thought I would show you some pictures and get you interested. Please tell  anyone who might be interested and please help me spread the word! Especially the polymer clay  artists. I am thinking about offering them for sale on my web site.  Should I? What do you think? Presently I do not sell anything but my sterling silver on my website. But I really like the bezels...though wait till you see my next line through Darice. It's two tone (gold and silver) it's presently in packaging stage. More on that soon.

So what makes my bezels different then all the other bezels hitting the market for this hot & happening trend? Well I made them very deep so we could really have fun filling them. The walls are 3mm deep. There is no bezels that I know of on the market place this deep...that I know of. If you know of some cool bezels please feel free to add a link to this post. As I would love to know more about what's available. It is so much fun  using all kinds of other craft materials to fill these little babies up!One of the other things that makes my bezels different is that I added a pattern in the background. This is especially nice for those of you that like playing with resin.  The decorative pattern in back can be left to show or covered partially or entirely up to you but now you have these choices.

Check them out!

Fancy shape deep bezel (above) and matching earrings (below)

 

Bezel bracelets!!

 
and matching EARRINGS !

MORE PENDANTS...though these have fancy edges!

I gave them each places to hang dangles from at the bottom and nice large bails!

Check out this fabulous piece that Marie Browning did (my dear friend and resin queen!) I wish Sherri Haab would play with them too!

If you are a designer that publishes and would like some bezels to work with, please email me and I will see that you get some! Look for info on the Designer Endorsement program for designers that Darice is sponsering!

Thank you so much for looking and letting me share!

xoxo

Jill