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Well, I’ve been threatening to do it and over the last couple of days, I finally did.  I’ve opened an Etsy store:

hollywest.etsy.com

I feel rather sheepish for not doing it sooner actually.  I’m not sure what held me back.  I think it was mostly because I already had a website and it seemed silly to open another one.  Then I suddenly realized that having the Etsy store might help bring traffic to my main store and therefore might be a good promotional tool.  We shall see.

I still have loads of items to add.  Etsy’s tools are very simple but the entire process takes awhile since I also have to photograph the pieces, edit the photos, etc.  I’m also simultaneously adding to the product database on my main website, hollywest.com, which also adds to the time it takes.  Here’s a shot of my makeshift "photo studio":

Speaking of hollywest.com, changes are afoot.  If you’ve noticed a slight color/style change on my blog, it’s because I updated it to reflect the true colors of my logo, business cards, and stationary.  My "business identity" was designed a few years back by my good friends John and Greg at Orabor.

I love my logo.  John and Greg were asked to contribute to a book called Graphic Design America 3 and used my identity as one of their examples.  Two very talented guys!

I’ve never made a necklace like this before:

In this case, the pendant started out it’s life intending to be one of a pair of earrings.  It didn’t work out because the shapes came out uneven.  I didn’t want to scrap the whole project though so I added a couple of jump rings and a lemon quartz briolette and this pendant was born.

It seemed inappropriate to hang this on a chain–it was begging for something more choker-like.  It would’ve been fairly easy to make my own neckwire, but I was lazy and purchased a ready-made one from Rio Grande.  I might have to make it slightly smaller–I haven’t decided yet.

Overall though I do like this necklace, if only because I don’t have anything else like it.

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The information provided below primarily refers to customers who purchase jewelry from me.  In most cases, I will have no need to contact you unless it is in the comments section of my website.

Privacy
I am committed to respecting your privacy and recognizing your need for appropriate protection and management of personally identifiable information you share with us (the phrases “personally identifiable information” or “personal information” mean any information by which you can be identified, such as your name, address, telephone number, etc.). The purpose of this privacy policy is to inform you what personally identifiable information or personal information I may collect from you when you visit our web site, how I use such information, and the choices you have regarding my use of, and your ability to review and correct, the information.

Collecting Information About You
In general, you can visit most of my web pages without telling me who you are or revealing any personal information about yourself. I may track the Internet domain address from which people visit us and analyze this data for trends and statistics, but individual users will remain anonymous, unless you voluntarily tell me who you are.

When you purchase products, sign up for information, or register to make comments I may ask you to provide certain information about yourself, such as your name, shipping/billing address, telephone number, email address, credit card information, birth date, gender, occupation, personal interests, etc. Whether or not to provide such information is completely your own choice. But if you choose not to provide the information I request, you may be unable to purchase products, or access certain services, offers and content on my web site.

Using Information About You
I use the personally identifiable information you provide for internal purposes, such as confirming and tracking your order or keeping track of donors and/or volunteers.

Although unlikely, in certain instances I may disclose your personally identifiable information when we have reason to believe that it is necessary to identify, contact or bring legal action against persons or entities who may be causing injury to you, to me or to others. I may also disclose your personally identifiable information when we believe the law requires it.

Editing, Updating, Correcting and Deleting Information About You
I want to communicate with you only if you want to hear from me. If you prefer not to receive information from me please let us know by calling us at (310) 403-0522 or by sending me an email. Please be sure to include your email address, full name, and specifically what information you do not want to receive. If you would like to update or correct your email address, street address or other personal information with me please contact me the same way.

Please note that when you purchase from me online I may need to contact you via phone, email or mail to address questions specific to your order, even if you have opted to not receive communications.  Also, if you delete certain information you may not be able to continue to purchase products or access other portions of my web site without entering additional information.

Protecting Children
I take special care to protect the safety and privacy of children. My website is a general audience site, though occasionally I may use language or broach on topics more appropriate for adults.

Children under the age of 13 should always ask their parents or guardians for permission before providing any personal information to anyone online. I urge parents and guardians to participate in their children’s online activities and use parental control or other web filtering technology to supervise children’s access to the web.

Security
I use ShopSite and Authorize.net to collect and process financial and other data, which uses sophisticated encryption and authentication tools to protect the security of your personal information that you share with me. Unfortunately, no data transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. As a result, while I strive to protect your personal information, I cannot guarantee or warrant the security of any information you transmit to or from my website, and you do so at your own risk. Once I receive your transmission, I will do my best to protect its security on our systems.

Links to Third Party Sites
My website contains many links to websites operated and maintained by third parties, including CafePress.com, over which I have no control. Privacy policies on such linked sites may be different from my privacy policy. You access such linked sites at your own risk. You should always read the privacy policy of a linked site before disclosing any personal information on such site.

Policy Changes
If I decide to change my privacy policy in whole or in part, I will inform you by posting a notice on my website. Those changes will go into effect on the date posted in the notice. The new policy will apply to all current and past users of my web site and will replace any prior policies which are inconsistent.

Your Feedback
To help me improve my privacy policy and practice, please give me your feedback. You may email me at holly@hollywest.com.

Your complete satisfaction is our priority.  For any questions regarding customer care, email us.

Shipping
Unless otherwised specified in an item description, all of the jewelry in my Etsy store is ready-made and can be shipped within 24 hours of your order. Orders placed before 6pm PST M-Th and Sunday will be shipped by USPS First Class Mail the next business day. Orders placed on Friday and Saturday will be shipped on Monday.

Shipping rates are as follows (all orders will be shipped via USPS First Class Mail):

Returns/Exchanges
There is a 20% restocking fee for all returns.  Returns are accepted for refund (less shipping fees), provided the request is received within 15 business days and the item is in the same condition as when it was sent, including all tags and/or labels. If an item is received defective, please email or call us upon receipt of item as soon as it is received.

Exchanges can be made within 30 business days, provided item is in the same condition as when it was sent, including all tags and/or labels.  There is no restocking fee for exchanges, however, additional shipping charges will apply.

To ensure smooth handling of your return request, you must contact us via email at returns@hollywest.com to receive a Return Authorization Number and mailing instructions.

Repairs
If jewelry purchased from Holly West Jewelry Design is in need of repairs within six (6) months of purchase due to normal wear and tear, please contact us via email at repairs@hollywest.com to obtain a Repair Authorization Number and mailing instructions. Charges may apply. You will be notified at the time the jewelry is assessed and prior to the beginning of repair. 

By using this website, you agree to the above conditions.

I was sitting on my couch yesterday afternoon, minding my own business, when suddenly I heard a loud boom.  I looked up to see the transformer in front of our building lit up like a dozen sparklers on the Fourth of July all going off at once.  When the fizzing and sputtering was over, big clouds of smoke puffed up and the tree in front of the building was shaking like crazy, along with all the power lines connected to the transformer.  I seriously thought the tree or the side of our building might’ve got on fire (although I now realize that was kind of silly).

If only I had some photos of the action.

When the carnage was over, the blown transformer dangled precariously over the sidewalk.

At this point, we still had power.  About an hour later, however, they turned off the power and over the course of the afternoon, removed all three transformers.  We could see the guys working from our balcony:

Since it didn’t seem like they were going to be finished any time soon (a rumor circulated that they were waiting for new transformers from Dominguez Hills), Mick and I went to drown our sorrows in Mexican food and margaritas.  When we returned, they were no closer to getting the lights back on so we went upstairs to start setting up the candles and finding flashlights.

For some reason, my husband loves flashlights.  I’ve never understood it, but for once this infatuation did us some good because not only did we have more than enough flashlights for ourselves, we lent some out to people in the building.

I’d just started a new project and I was itching to make some progress on it, despite the lack of light.  I surrounded myself with flashlights and candles and got to work.  Unfortunately, the light was still really bad and after just a few rows I decided to wait until morning to continue rather than make a mistake because I couldn’t see what I was doing.

I imagine this is the way the pioneer women used to do it, don’t you?

About 1 am the power came back on, much to the chagrin of our dog Stuart, who is the most neurotic pooch I’ve ever met.  He can’t stand any sort of beeping or high pitched noises, and when the power goes off and on there are numerous such noises. 

Poor little guy!

I am inexplicably attracted to skulls lately.  Sadly, if the lotus is a tired motif, than this one is positively exhausted.  And yet, I couldn’t help myself: 

I think it has something to do with the purchase of this t-shirt, the design of which I love.  What a rad tattoo that would make.  Yes, folks, I said rad.  Deal with it.

Oh, and speaking of Dirty Coast, they have quite a few other great designs there.  This being the 2 year anniversary of hurricane Katrina, it might be a nice gesture to purchase a cool t-shirt from a local New Orleans company or donate to the Hurricane Katrina Memorial Fund.  I’m just sayin’.

Anyway, my interpretation of the skull was fabricated in sterling silver and hung on a sterling ball chain.  I domed the top of it slightly to give it some depth.  Me likee!