The Destiny of Things: Day of the Dead Calavera Skull Beads, Story V

 The Destiny of Things:  Day of the Dead Calavera Skull Beads, Story V

Since yesterday, I've been going out of order on my back logged stories, and to be honest it feels weird and a bit disorientating, but I'm trying not to hold back.  As a hoarder, I'm acknowledging, accepting, trusting and letting go of "going out of order" feelings as best as I can!  So let me dive right in again!

The story of the skull beads for Dia de los Muertos! or Day of the Dead or DOD!

 Another confessed Hoarder!  I'm in good company!

 Jim Gould

October 1 2012 5:11pm EDT

Hi Ms. Miranda!

Thank you for making my Bunny Wedding Topper a favorite on Etsy.

I started creating Christmas figures which led to traditional Easter rabbits. I'm currently concentrating on wedding cake toppers...put this together last Easter to show my creativity and versatility.

The skulls I have just purchased from you will be used in a "day of the dead" themed wedding cake topper to again show prospective brides my range.

If you or someone you know might be planning a wedding...would love the opportunity to work some topper magic at the top of that cake!

Best wishes,

Jim
YourTops

 

 
Kennedy Miranda

October 1 2012 5:40pm EDT

Hi Jim!

Thank you for your email and taking the time to share with me the story behind your purchase! I am collecting these stories as part of my HoarderRehab therapy and it helps me to let go of things so I just don't go back and try to replace them.

I think you do work magic on your toppers and show great extremes in creativity, versatility and detailing.

I love your Easter wedding cake toppers and honestly love the more quirky ones. As a matter of fact, looking at your toppers reminded of years and years ago, when I bought these little godzilla toys on wheels that spit fire to turn into a wedding cake topper for one of my friend's wedding, but she declined. lol I guess they were before their time because I think they'd be really popular now. Also I think bird toppers would be popular also, since they are so "in" right now on etsy. Anyways, thank you for taking me down my own little nostalgia lane.

I look forward to your Day of the Dead themed wedding cake topper! If you remember, email it to me and I'll favorite it too!

Oh yeah and I enjoyed looking through your favorites because it seems you have a knack for finding good deals!

I don't know anyone getting married at the moment, but will recommend your magical toppers if I meet someone who is!

Kind regards,
~Kennedy

PS. We usually ship on Wed and Fri, but it will be shipped tomorrow, so you can get started on your creation ASAP!

Jim Gould

October 1 2012 6:18pm EDT

Hi...thanks for shipping early...I will definitely take pictures and send your way...

I get a bit frustrated posting these classic toppers as all those brides are not beating paths to my door...

My wife says my collections are hoarding... maybe she's right?

Will check if you have any rhinestone brooches...got a topper commission that needs one....Jim

Kennedy Miranda

October 1 2012 9:14pm EDT

Hi,

Thanks in advance for sending me the "Day of the Dead" wedding topper pics. I am getting a lot more traffic than I thought I would on my other shop, VintageToGoetsy, for my "Day of the Dead" nichos, so hopefully it will do that for you too!

I know it can be frustrating when sales or views seem stagnant, but don't give up! esp. since you have found your passion. Do you think it would help to branch out a little and sell other things for weddings too? I don't know anything about wedding items, but I noticed I do get a lot of views from people who seem to be doing DIY weddings and I even sold some apothecary jars for someone who was going to use them at their wedding for a candy bar. I also have listed some milk glass bud vases for $5 and some larger ones for $10. It might bring in the bargain hunters and then they'll see your creative toppers! Maybe add something, blue, old and new for brides? I even sell some baby of prague medals that are supposed to bring good weather on your wedding. It's gotten some views from wedding people or at least it seems so from what is in their favs.  What do you think?

Hmm... I don't know if you are a hoarder, like your wife says, but I know I am because it effects my life and health. For instance, I have over 66 collections at last count and no room for them, nor do I know where they are. I have one room so full, it's really just a storage room and I want to start something creative, art worthy and fun and I can't do that with my hoard! lol So I'm trying to clear out that space so I can have a studio.

Good for you! you do have a commission! I have one rudolph brooch with a bell on it and two rhinestone shoe or dress clips with some missing rhinestones. I do have a bow and butterfly rhinestone brooch, but I have no idea where they are in my hoard, so I'll have to do some digging for them. Thanks for the inspiration and motivation to do that tomorrow!

Kind regards,
~Kennedy

Jim Gould

October 1 2012 9:37pm EDT

Hi...the toppers are creative outlets for me...

I have just "gone back to school" to become a Personal Trainer as a pre-retirement career as I was re-organized out of my job last February...I have enjoyed exercise and fitness...going to train felllow baby boomers who haven't...keeping me fit as well.

Rhinestones need to be clear...bride has a rhinestone brooch bouquet I'm replicating on the topper base...

I was raised by 2 parents who collected...wife doesn't collect at all...like you, need to start downsizing...

Jim

Hi Jim,

I'm glad they arrived and you already have it made? with tape? that's awesome! I'm going to put a link to your shop with the beads and let them know a Day of the Dead wedding cake topper is in the make over there, is that okay with you?

Also, I'm getting a lot of views for some of my items listed with "something old" and "something blue" and for the milk glass vases wedding stuff or at least it looks like it from what other stuff they have fav., when I have time, I can put a link to your shop. What do you think?

Also, I'll list two clear Rhinestone dress/shoe clips, just in case, you need them. Otherwise- thanks for the extra encouragement and motivation to keep listing my hoard!

Best to you too,
~Kennedy

 

Jim

Oct 5, 2012

Whoa...topper is not made yet....need additional colored skulls to arrive before I begin...but, yes, link it's "in the works!"

Tape....I tape ribbon and trims in place for pictures when i create a "sample" idea topper....I can cheat which saves time me time in throwing a "look" together...

Link me away for weddings....appreciate your thinking of me...send pix when topper is done :) Jim

Kennedy

Oct 5, 2012

Hi Jim-

could you leave me feedback too?

Thanks,
~Kennedy

Jim

Oct 5, 2012

I can but wanted to send pictures...have not figured out how to leave feedback and then send pictures?!

Jim

Kennedy

Oct 5, 2012

Hi Jim-

No worries, sorry if I am impatient, it's just I haven't slept in four days and well, nm- I'm sure you'll figure it out and I totally understand because I'm totally techless over here!

Thanks in advance,
~Kennedy
 

Jim

Oct 5, 2012

Hi...skulls are on arch...however....didn't think about large hole and thin beading wire...wanted skulls facing out on arch.

Had to patiently glue skull and fill skull head hole with glue...

Here's a quick pix...Jim

 

 

Kennedy

Oct 5, 2012

Hi Jim!!! Wow!

Thanks for the quick pic!!!! That looks so cool!!!! I think someone will use that for sure!!! Sorry, the holes were so big, maybe for next time a pipe cleaner would be wide enough?

Looking forward to the final product!
~Kennedy

Jim

Oct 6, 2012

Good idea about the pipe cleaner but in between the skulls are crystal beads for sparkle and contrast...their holes are wire diameter....makes for a tricky combination...

It will all come together when the colorful skulls arrive...Jim

Kennedy

Oct 8, 2012

Hi Jim-

Hope you had a good weekend. Hope you have some time to work on the "Day of the Dead" wedding topper, it already looks amazing!

I added your link here to the items that seem to get the most traffic from wedding viewers or at least from what I can tell by what is in their fav'd pages. Which reminds me to add your link to the skull beads!

www.etsy.com/listing/101283996/antique-hand-tooled-leather-victorian

www.etsy.com/listing/104400722/2-large-white-wedding-milk-glass-vases

www.etsy.com/listing/104960815/3-milk-glass-bud-vases-art-deco-white

Oh and about the feedback pic- I'm so bummed because I don't think you can change it. I had another customer be creative with one of my items and she could not add it to the feedback pic, she could only use the original.

Looking forward to seeing the final product. I love Day of the Dead!

Best regards,
~Kennedy

Kennedy

Oct 8, 2012

Hi Jim-

Thank you for sharing the story behind your purchase. I think it is helping with my HoarderRehab! Now I just have to figure out how to blog! Anyways, here's the link about it:

www.etsy.com/listing/109661655/55-skull-beads-white-and-black-resin

Best regards,
~Kennedy

Jim

Oct 8, 2012

Hi Kennedy...had a fall escape to Michigan with dear friends this weekend...no workouts (I'm training to be a Personal Trainer), no cake toppers (looked for Trims etc.) or leaf raking :)

Thanks for the linking....appreciate it very much...still haven't gotten the colored skulls to work any further....and with no mail today for Columbus Day...will have to wait.

I will feedback with the finished picture...thanks Jim

Kennedy

Oct 11, 2012

Hi Jim!

How is the Day of the Dead wedding topper going and your rhinestone bouquet?

As you requested I listed some clear rhinestone dress/shoe clips, the only one I could find at this time. No worries, if you don't need them anymore! Thanks for requesting it- it gave me the motivations I need to keep clearing out my hoard!

I'm going to launch my HoarderRehab blog: The Destiny of Things and once I figure out how to manage it and do things correctly on it I will include your purchase of the skull beads and how you transformed them! I'll send you the link when it gets done!

~Kennedy

 Here is the final product of the Day of the Dead Wedding Cake Topper by Jim Gould of

YourTops

Custom Wedding Cake Figures and Toppers

Saying Good-bye:  These were easy to let go, since I still have three more listings of them!  Which reminds me,  I have some bone beads skull beads as well, somewhere....Let me know if that's what you need and I'll go treasure hunting in my hoard!

What did I learn from this post today?

1. My own patterns are difficult for me to see.  This is the fourth confessed hoarder, I've met and it took me awhile to figure out that as a hoarder, I am not alone, even if I do feel alone about it. 
2. Things are much easier to let go, when I know where it's going and what it will turn into--- from just a pile of skull beads to an amazing DOD Wedding Cake Topper!
3. Also, easier when I know I still have some stashed!  I'll see how it goes when the last batch sells, like when the last of my witch charms sold.
4. A reminder, to finish my draft about "feedback" as a Techless Hoarder Newbie on etsy
5. As the first day of Dia de los Muertos begins here is a quote to silently pause and remember our ancestors, "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."  ~Thomas Campbell.  Thank you upz from upzanddowns for the endearing quote and  taking the time to create such a festive collection to kick start the celebrations for all our ancestors with a DOD etsy Treasury!

Thank you for taking part in my HoarderRehab!  Thank you etsy for providing me the perfect venue for getting my hoard and myself out into the world! 

If you would like to see my hoard visit my shops and maybe you can help downsize it, click on the the shop names, VintageToGoetsy and HoarderRehab!  Thanks you for looking!

 !Feliz Dia de los Muertos! Happy Day of the Dead!