Designing Hilary

I met with a very delightful woman the other day who I had contact with on Etsy. It always amazes me the connections one makes on this wonderfully wild thing we call the Web!

Barbara is an Etsy member who is helping to organize Plano's Blackland Prairie Festival. At first I wasn't sure if my jewelry craft would be an appropriate fit. They are calling for period crafts for the years between 1880-1920. However, I started thinking about jewelry back in those days and that was the period when costume jewelry started to take off and become accessible to the average woman.

Barbara suggested that I work up a 20 minute presentation about jewelry of the era. Agreeing to participate in this way means a reduced vendor fee for me. It sounds like a lot of fun!

I'm not afraid of public speaking. While I have the butterflies in my tummy as all "performers" do, other areas of my life has me speaking, even if only for short periods, in front of a crowd. So I'm used to talking to a group. I wonder, however, if anyone would be interested in what I have to say?

No matter, I'm going to spend a good deal of time researching jewelry of the era, and of the area. Plano does have some good historic pictorial information. If nothing else, I'll gain a higher level of understanding of my craft. Perhaps that can even help me sell a few more pieces!

I'll post any interesting findings as they come.