Being Extraordinarily Ordinary

I should preface all of this by saying that most of the time I feel quite happy to be a jewelry designer and artist and create lovely little trinkets for all of you, my friends and family. But from time to time I look around on Etsy and at craft fairs and I feel extraordinarily ordinary.

I feel as though my the things I create aren't creative or "out there" enough to be considered art. Perhaps my tastes are a bit too mainstream compared to the other beautiful things I see lining the pages of other people's shops.

And though I find myself quite blessed with the support of friends, family and a wonderful community of Etsians, I fear as though someday I might wake up and people will find me to be a Fraud - that I am not truly an artist in some sense of the word and that my shop and I will be discarded, lost to the internet abyss.

But, what can a gal do? I can only create the things that I find inspiration for and open my eyes as wide as they will go. I hope that I will continue to create lovely things for lovely people and find satisfaction in knowing I put my whole self out there and that simply is enough.

C.

The Story Behind the Stories

I realized that some of you may wonder why I bother with all of the stories for each of the pieces of jewelry I create. Perhaps why I don’t just provide the necessary mundane details of measurements and materials and leave it at that. I thought I’d just write a little note and tell you why.

I believe that all work has a story behind it in some sense. As a designer I am constantly inspired by things I see in my day-to-day activities, my travels abroad, my conversations with friends, coworkers, strangers. I absolutely credit many of my design ideas to all of these things and I think it’s appropriate that you should know about them. Sometimes it’s so I can share with you what I’ve been thinking about or where I imagine these pieces of jewelry will be. Other times I see the places these pieces would have been, in another time and place.

In another life I think I would have been a writer. For me sometimes the stories come before the pieces do. It’s just one of my many little quirks. I enjoy writing almost as much as I enjoy creating, and I am happy to share both of those with you, if you’re willing to read my ramblings.

Here is my beloved Moleskin Notebook where I doodle most of my designs or write down the majority of my stories.
I simply adore these little notebooks!

I hope this helps explain why each of my pieces has a particular title and a story attached to it. Perhaps one day when I tire of thinking up clever little names, I’ll resort to “Sterling Silver Necklace with Bird Pendant”... but I sincerely hope not.

Hope you all are well.

Warmly,
C.

Etsy Tutorial 5: Promoting Your Etsy Shop

This is an article I wrote earlier this year and submitted to the Home Jewelry Business Success Tips website where it was published. I hope you enjoy it!

How to Get Your Jewelry Seen on Etsy

When I first began contemplating selling my jewelry, I immediately became attracted to the idea of selling online. I knew I didn't want to fall into the large pool of eBay, so when I found out about Etsy, I decided to sign up. I was thrilled at the thought of having my work out in the world for the very first time, and so I jumped into it with all the enthusiasm I could muster.

It wasn't long though, before I started to feel insecure about the low number of views I had and started interpreting those views as an indication of lack of talent. What I came to realize many weeks later, however, is that I had simply not learned how to promote myself on Etsy. After many more weeks, I discovered many ways to get myself and, more importantly, my jewelry, seen on Etsy. Here are a few of the ways I discovered to get more traffic to my store.

Etsy Success Tips for Jewelry Artists

1. Have a memorable banner and avatar
Your avatar and banner are the "first impression" you make with your online clients. They see it immediately as your page loads and when you post in the forums (I'll go into this momentarily). It's the first opportunity you have to show people what you and your jewelry are about.
Try to make it attractive and representative of your style, theme, colors, etc. I've seen great banners and avatars (especially avatars!) that feature a popular piece or something that represents the style of jewelry you like to do. That one little image draws people in immediately and tells them what to expect from you. Don't forget to make sure that it's formatted to the correct size. You can have a beautiful avatar and banner, but if the pixels are off, it just looks like a blurry mess!

2. Join the Etsy community
One of the best things I've found in Etsy is the community. The forums, chat rooms and virtual labs provide you with a support group of fellow artists and access to the numerous sellers and buyers on Etsy. It's a great place to gain insight on techniques in your field, feedback on your products, photos, descriptions but also a great place to get yourself seen! When you post in forums or participate in chat and virtual labs, people begin to notice your avatar and your work. This sort of networking can help you promote your shop.

3. Give your Heart away
On Etsy, you can "heart" someone, which means that you can mark them as a favorite. Hearts are a network of sorts. When you mark someone with a heart, they can see that you marked them as a favorite and return the favor. Hearts can also be seen by the public, and so if someone is shopping in another artist's Etsy store, they can see you marked it as a favorite and check out your shop as well. It's a great way to create a network to give your shop some visibility.

4. Join an Etsy Street Team
Etsy Street Teams are groups of shop owners who join together under common themes (i.e. artists of the same category, from the same state, or sharing similar beliefs) who work together to promote one another, provide support and to share information. These are absolutely wonderful for getting your shop noticed. Some buyers shop directly from particular groups, such as JET (Jewelry on Etsy Team) or SATeam (Starving Artists on Etsy Team) when looking for jewelry items. These teams often have promotional contests or events that gain lots of publicity, and being a part of that team means you can share in that publicity. Teams often promote other team members by featuring them in blogs, etc.


5. Make or be part of a Treasury
Treasuries are collections of items found on Etsy that are created by other Etsy sellers and buyers. There are 16 items in a Treasury, 12 seen with 4 alternates, and they are usually centered on a theme (i.e. colors, places, emotions, etc).
Buyers and sellers look through the treasuries to admire other people's work. It's a fabulous place to get yourself seen, whether you put together a treasury or are featured in one.
Etsy administrators also use well chosen treasuries for their front page. Imagine all the traffic you could get if you made it to the front page of Etsy!

Doing all of these things will certainly bring traffic to your Etsy store, though it may take some time to get things rolling. Be sure though, that once you do get that traffic to your Etsy shop, that your shop is ready for people. Make sure that your photographs are outstanding, your descriptions are good, your shop policies are clear and that the overall presentation is professional, appropriate and consistent!

Best of luck!
C

Etsy Tutorial 4: How to create a Successful Etsy listing

Okay! Now that you’ve set-up your shop with a profile, policies and some sections, it’s time to fill the pages of your shop with your wonderful products. Here’s the skinny on what you should have in each item listing.

Title
This is certainly something an area where you personal style can really shine through. For my items, I tend to create a unique title for the piece or a name instead of a more descriptive term like “Sterling Silver Labradorite Necklace”. It’s entirely up to you how you want to title your items. I would suggest though, that you try to keep it somewhat short. While you can see the whole title in the “list” mode (versus gallery”, when the items is seen in the “gallery” mode where the picture is bigger, the title tends to get cut off. Also, I really think titles that look like short paragraphs packed with ten or fifteen different keywords looks tacky – that’s what your tags are for. But again, this is definitely an area where you can personalize your shop.

Description
The description of your item is really the area where you have the best chance to SELL your item. It is also an area where you can really showcase your writing skills or personal style. No matter if you decide to write long involved stories or keep it brief and to the point, here are a few things I think all descriptions need:

1. Measurements of the items – Be sure to include measurements in the metric system as well for our international customers.

2. Materials used – It’s important to list the specific materials you use so that people understand why it is priced the way it is (you wouldn’t expect silver-plated to be priced as expensive as sterling silver pieces and vice versa).

3. Describe the use or purpose of the item – It can be as simple as stating it can be used to carry things, to wear for formal events, etc. It’s an opportunity to paint a picture for someone as to why they need your item and therefore should buy it.

Other than those three things, it’s up to you as to what to include. I would suggest though, that if the item listed is not the EXACT item they will be receiving (i.e. you’ve relisted something you’ve sold but will be making an identical piece just with variations as is the nature of handmade items), you should put a note so that they know not to expect that specific piece).

Tags
These are extremely important because this is how people will find you in the search engines. There are a few types of tags that I usually include in all of my listings. Here they are:

1. Item category – This is the category you select from Etsy for your item to appear (i.e. jewelry versus wedding). It can be a good idea to spread your listings out over a couple of different main categories to get a wider range of customers.

2. Item subcategory – This, again, is the subcategory from Etsy where your item will appear (i.e. necklace, earrings, choker, etc).

3. Color – Always, always include the color of your item. It’s a way that people shop and a way that people can find you to include you in treasuries.

4. Themes – Themes are important for treasuries and for people who are looking for a particular type of design. You can use themes such as nature, romantic, eclectic, mod, bohemian, etc.

5. Team – Always include your team tags so we can find you for treasuries and in case we have special group promotions, so that shoppers can find you.

6. Style words – I use a lot of words that tend to describe my style of jewelry and this is really helpful if customers are looking for a particular type of piece (i.e. elegant, timeless, casual, organic, etc).

No matter what tags you come up with, ALWAYS use ALL 14 of your tags. It’s what you’re paying for :)

Photos
I’ve discussed photos before in my other tutorial, but just some brief comments here. Make sure that your first picture is absolutely beautiful. It needs to be crisp, clear and showcase your item in a way that is attractive to buyers. This may vary a bit, depending on your items (i.e. supplies versus ready to wear), but in general I think that interesting close-ups are better as your first picture than ones that include a shot of the entire piece. You can always include those in one of the other pictures. Also, if you have matching products, you can use the 4th or 5th picture to include those in the listings. It’s a great way to upsell or create multiple item purchases.

That’s it! The ABCs of listing an item! Now hop to it and fill your shop with goodies!

Best of luck!
C.

It's Friday!

Do you ever just delight in the fact that it is Friday?

I do, quite frequently in fact and today is no exception. I'm excited to be back in my own furnishings after being away at a business conference for the last couple of days (though it did give me a lovely excuse to go visit my old college roommate and her husband - they're both such good people).

Anyhooo.... I have a super weekend planned. What's that? Why certainly I'll share my plans with you!

Saturday morning: Breakfast with my Miggie at our favorite Vietnamese restaurant (it's a Saturday tradition) followed by a very happy visit to the new shops that opened
up at the nearby mall (I finally have an H&M less than 1 hour away!!)
To be followed by...
the creation of a HEAP of jewelry.
... since I've been away, I've had a string of new designs prancing around in my head ready for the making, so hopefully you all will be seeing them up in the Shop on Sunday if all goes well!

Sunday is reserved for my dear friend Kristin so that she and I may take in
the Bond gloriousness of Daniel Craig and some munchies someplace fab.

*sigh*

I certainly have it rough, don't I?

I hope you all have a marvelous weekend!

C.

Etsy Tutorial 3: Taking photos

I cannot stress enough how important photos are. Inevitably people who first start on Etsy ask

“Is it really all about the photos?”

The answer: Yes, yes, yes.

When you sell online, people can’t touch, hold or feel your products. Photos and your description are the only tools you have to sell your items so your photos must be amazing. I’ve seen high quality, wonderfully crafted items not sell because the pictures were terrible and conversely, I’ve seen really sloppily made items sell because they had stunning photos. Now that you’ve jumped on the “Photos are the most important part of my Etsy shop” bandwagon, we can start talking about how to take amazing photos!

Lighting.

The best possible lighting I’ve seen or used in my pictures is natural lighting. I’ve seen others who use light boxes (whether homemade or purchased) who have had success as well, but in my mind, nothing really can replace good ol’ indirect sunlight. I usually take my photos on a table near an open window in the early morning or late afternoon sunlight. Try to avoid taking pictures of items in direct sunlight as this can cause the item to appear washed out and can create deep shadows. Those who have made or purchased light boxes also can use natural lighting or a variety of lamps. You may have to play around with different places in your house to find an optimal place to shoot your photos at.

White balance.

You MUST learn how to set the white balance on your camera. The white balance adjusts the way your camera sets a standard “white” background. For instance, you can usually set the WB on most cameras for fluorescent lighting, cloudy outdoors, bright sunlight or manually set it. By setting the white balance you basically tell the camera how you need it to adjust to the lighting you’re in so that it can accurately capture the color of your item. This prevents items from looking too yellow or blue. Setting the WB can make a HUGE difference in the color of your photos.

Macro setting.

The macro setting is usually a button on your camera that looks like a small flower. This setting allows you to take very up-close pictures without making the photo go blurry. This is an absolute MUST for most people unless you have a digital SLR and know how to adjust it manually. Make sure this is turned on for all of your photo sessions if you are shooting small items such as jewelry.

Backgrounds and props.

You may choose to use a variety of backgrounds or props for your photos. For backgrounds, I’ve seen success in a variety of shops with both plain bright white (the vanished looking backgrounds), simple colored backgrounds (such as scrapbook paper) or with beautiful props (such as aged books, glasses, wood backgrounds, etc). It’s really up to you what you’d like to use, but the important thing to remember is that you want to create an environment for your items. If you are selling a pearl necklace with swaraovski crystals, it would not make sense to photograph it leaning up against a coke can. You’d probably do better leaning it against velvet or over some lace or gloves to create an elegant scene. Your photos can help create the style and aesthetic for your pieces by the backgrounds and props you choose to use.

Angles.

You are given 5 slots for photos for each item you list. My advice is to use all 5 whenever possible. This is where you need to get creative with your photos. I would suggest that you at minimum show an up-close of details on the item, the back of the item, one shot with the whole item and other interesting angles of the item or a coordinating item (i.e. matching earrings to a necklace). If your item is something that has multiple uses, you should use the photos to give your buyer ideas for different ways to use the item.

Using something to determine size.

It can be difficult for people to gauge the size of something in your photos or just by reading your description, so including another item in one of your photos (perhaps the 3rd, 4th or 5th photo) can help establish a frame of reference. Common items I’ve seen used have been coins, rulers, pencils or books. Please realize that currency may also not be something international buyers are familiar with.

Colors.

Be sure to photograph your items on backgrounds with a complementary color. Not only does it help get you featured in different treasuries featuring those colors, but it also draws more attention to your photo and looks more interesting in general.

Branding and consistency of photos.

An easy way to create consistency throughout your shop is by using your photos. Shooting at similar angles, using the same or similar backgrounds and props can create unity through your shop and make your pieces look cohesive. Personally I find shopping in cohesive shops much more appealing than ones that look mismatched.

Photo editing.

No matter how good your photos look when you take them, you should always do some photo editing. Google offers some free photo editing software, Picassa, if you do not have any other software. If you do any brightening, be sure to increase the contrast as well to avoid the washed out look.

Good luck!

Etsy Tutorial 2: Time to Set up Shop!

Okay! So you’ve signed up with Etsy and are ready to launch your new shop. Here are some basics about setting up your Etsy shop:

Your shop’s “Back Room”.

Whenever you click on “your Etsy” you get to see the “back room” of your shop. Here is where you will find menus for setting up your shop announcement, shop sections, profile avatar, banner, etc.

Shop Appearance.

This section allows you to put in information for your shop announcement, the message to the buyer at the time of purchase and requests for alchemy. Your shop announcement should usually be short, readable and provide the customer with updates on any promotions you’re having, information about you or anything else you’d like to share with them. The message to the buyer should include information on shipping, a thank you or anything else you’d like to provide them with. It is automatically sent at the time a customer purchases an item. Alchemy requests are custom requests that people can send you. You can set-up information on terms of your custom orders, what materials you have available, etc.

Banner and avatar.

Your shop banner and avatar should include your shop or business name, a tagline (if you have one) and be eye-catching. Many of the most attractive banners I have seen feature popular items from that shop or a representative selection of items or items related to your products. Also, make sure to size your banner to the appropriate dimensions. There is nothing worse than going to a shop and seeing a banner that looks blurry, out of focus or pixilated. Your banner should catch the eye of the shopper. Similarly, your avatar should do the same. If you post in the forums or attend the virtual labs, your avatar is how people will identify you. Having an avatar that features a popular item in your shop, something representative of your shop or even a sale sign when you have a special promotion in your shop can be a great way you draw attention to yourself.

Profile.

Your profile is a great place for you to include information about yourself. It should be creative, informative and let the customer get to know you. Tell people about how you got involved with your craft, what inspires you, how long you’ve been doing it, what you do when you’re not crafting, what you love, hate, etc. Something to catch their eye and get them to relate to you.

Policies.

Your policies page is perhaps the most important page in your shop. Here is where you should clearly layout your terms and conditions about shipping, forms of payment accepted, custom orders, returns and exchanges and anything else you’d like to include. Having firm deadlines for payment and timelines, methods and description of packaging for shipping can do a lot of things for your shop. First, it shows that you are professional and organized. Second, it protects you from bad transactions and from uncomfortable situations with potential customers.

Sections.

You can have up to ten sections in your shop. It’s up to you how you’d like to describe them, but whatever you decide, make sure that it is easy for the customer to shop. Sometimes doing “boring” section titles such as necklace, earrings, bracelets, etc, can make your shop a lot easier to search through than having really creative, unique named sections.

Shipping profiles.

You are allowed to create a series of “Shipping profiles”. These profiles are ways you can set-up various shipping prices and is especially helpful if you plan on doing a promotion involving free shipping or a discounted shipping rate. Simply create a new profile and include shipping prices to all destinations you will ship to. I have five main shipping destinations I typically send to: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico and Everywhere else.

Message to the buyer.

This is the message that will be sent to the customer when they purchase from your shop. It’s a great place to include a thank you to the customer, remind them of any size or color variations for items, shipping timelines or a reminder to complete the checkout process for Etsy by paying through Paypal. It’s up to you what you’d like to include.

Now that you’ve set-up your shop announcement, policies, profile, banner, avatar and sections, you’re ready to start listing!

Etsy Tutorial 1: What to know before you start your Etsy Shop

So you’ve decided to start your own Etsy shop? First and foremost, congrats on making such an exciting decision! Etsy has a wonderful community of artists of all mediums and skill levels and a great customer base that appreciates handmade items. But before you start filling your shop with hundreds of items, there are a few things you should really consider before you launch your Etsy shop.

Have realistic expectations for your shop.

No matter what your craft is, having a successful shop on Etsy is not an easy task. Many sellers launch their Etsy shop with the idea that they’ll sell tons of items right away just by listing them. While this is true for some sellers, this is very very rare. Selling on Etsy requires a lot of time and dedication not only in creating new pieces to sell, but also dedicated to listing, communicating with customers and most of all, promotion. Having a realistic expectation for the amount of work you’ll put in will definitely help you with your shop.

Know what your goals are for your Etsy shop.

Everyone’s goals are different on Etsy. Some people start their shops just to get some exposure, others for an internet presence and some to move towards a full-time stay at home job. Whatever your goals are (and I’m sure they will change over time and your success on Etsy), it’s a good idea to know what they are as they will play a role in the amount of time and dedication you’ll put in to your shop.

Have patience.

It’s quite rare that people launch their Etsy shop and immediately start selling consistently. It takes awhile (especially if you do not sell or have not sold anywhere else) to get noticed and establish a steady clientele. Expecting sales the first day, the first week and in some cases, the first month, can really lead to disappointment. Accepting the fact that it may take you weeks or even months to start getting a steady flow of sales will help prevent you from feeling discouraged and disappointed about your Etsy experience.

Have your prices worked out before you start your shop.

There are literally hundreds of thousands of sellers on Etsy. Not every artist is selling on Etsy as a full-time job or to support themselves. Many are hobbyists or are simply working part-time. This means that there is a very very large range of prices for comparable items. Having your own prices worked out can really help you avoid the insecurity of pricing too high or underpricing your items.

Know how to use your camera.

This will save you endless hours of photographing bad pictures and photo editing and listing and really, just a heap of frustration. Learn how to adjust your white balance, EV and macro settings. These things are all key to good photography and good photography is the key to selling on Etsy. Start developing a brand for yourself if you have not already developed one. One of the things I’ve noticed about some of the more successful shops is that they have a consistent look about them, or a noticeable brand. You can see a particular style that is carried out from their banner, avatar, products, photos and even their packaging. This helps make your Etsy shop look attractive to shoppers and more professional, in my opinion. You may not have a complete brand in your mind and it will change as you and your art progress over time, but it is good to keep in mind as you start your shop.

I wish you the best of luck with your new Etsy endeavor! And please, feel free to contact me if you have any questions!

Signing off,
Cathy

Etsy Tutorials

Well, I am just pleased as pie about a new team that I'm co-founding with one of the loveliest Etsians around, Miss Laurel of LaValleyGirly.etsy.com. If you haven't seen her work before, you simply must stop on in' her Shop.

Sooo... I am going to be posting some tutorials about how to get started on Etsy, how to set-up your shop, success tips I've learned along the way and much much more. I hope you all will be able to learn from my mistakes. :)

Stay tuned, the first should be up in just a bit!

C.

The Warm Heart of Washington DC

Washington DC is quite possibly the friendliest place I’ve ever visited. Aside from the weather (which seemed bitterly cold to my San Diego sensibilities), it was a real delight to be walking the streets of our Nation’s capital. Wherever I went, locals were always kind enough to point me in the right direction. The first night I was there, I was given a metro ticket for free and was later offered a ride to the monuments by a wonderfully kind man from Bolivia. Friendly and welcoming barely describes the warm hospitality I received from DC locals.

Breakfast in DC

I even learned a bit of DC slang so I can now ask someone for a “jack” or cigarette like a local, even though I never would because I don’t smoke. And if I were ever dissed by someone, I would know that I had been “carried” by that person, as they call it in DC.

Wandering around the larger-than-life monuments of our past presidents and through the numerous Smithsonian museums bedecked in treasures from Monet, Matiss

e, the Hope Diamond, war planes from the great World Wars and bones from the dinosaurs was nothing less than amazing. Even just trekking back and forth before the Capital building was marvelous! I made my way up to the White House (or as close as you can get to it, really) which looked just as it does in the many many movies and pictures I’d seen before.

I even glimpsed the Presidential motorcade streaming down Pennsylvania Avenue no less than three times I was in DC. For those who have never seen this, policemen stop at every intersection in the path of the motorcade to stop all traffic, both pedestrian and motorists, and you wait until the numerous motorcycle cops and large black sedans and SUVs come flying down the street with the speed of urgency. Quite the show indeed.

I also spent a good deal of time eating my way through DC (with all that walking, a girl has just GOT to keep her strength up!). I wandered into Ben’s chili stand down on U St, where it seemed as though you just entered into a 1950’s parlor. Red and white vinyl decorations littered the restaurant with the liveliest staff manning the fryers and register. A serious discussion about Terrell Owens’ athletic performance went on between a cook and guys at the end of the bar. Proudly run by blacks since 1958 (as a posted sign proclaimed), the only people who eat at Ben’s for free are Bill Cosby and the Obama Family.

All in all, I found DC to be a wonderful collection of culture, with the hope of change clinging to the winter air. It was diversity at its best, and I am certainly looking forward to visiting again.

To Our Nation's Capital

... And so I journey tommorrow morning to our Nation's capital.

I am both thrilled and exhausted at the prospect of spending 5 days in Washington DC. It's so exciting because I've actually never been to the east coast before (save for a few painful lay overs on my way to and from Europe), and there's just so many things to see! And at such a time when we're about to have a new President as well!

And.. exhausted since I have a craft show coming up next weekend for which I have exactly nothing prepared. And then after that it's Turkey Day and all the related festivities. Turkey Day really is my most favorite holiday of the entire year. (I think it's all the eating, sleeping, eating, sleeping and repeating that gets me.) And after that, one more show before Christmas and the New Year.

I will be sure to keep you all updated on my trip and hopefully I'll be able to find a few lovelies while I'm away.

Till then, enjoy free shipping in The Shop!

xoxox,

Cathy

A day in the life of Jeweled Blossoms

It occurred to me earlier today, that some of you might be a bit curious as to how I spend my days. I know I'm often curious about the day to day on-goings of other artists, so I thought I'd give you a little snapshot of my day here in Sunny California.

(and if you have no interest, just wait for tomorrow's post on something less mundane!)

My day usually begins at 6 am, when I reluctantly roll out of bed to the sound of my buzzzing alarm. I get up, brush my teeth, check my email for any sales or questions from customers, then get my Bella fed, let her out and head in to work.

My day job is providing quality assurance for a vet pathology lab (yes, yes, I know, that sounds terribly boring, but I'm telling you, it's right up my detail-oriented-alley!). I spend the day checking emails here and there and eventually 4 pm rolls around and I head home.

From there, it really depends on how many orders I get. I usually try to photograph any new pieces I've made right away before the good afternoon light disappears. Then I fill orders, answer emails, create new pieces if the mood strikes me.

I grab a bit of dinner, a shower, work on packaging up orders, listing new items and working on my website, JeweledBlossoms.com. Usually around 10:30 or so I start to slow down a bit and if I'm lucky, by 11 or 11:30 I'm in bed (lately it's been 12 or 12:30).

It makes for a long day, but I really and truly enjoy every minute of it!

So tell me, how do you spend your days?

Good GRA-cious, where does the time go?

Honestly, I have no idea where all of my time goes. I plan to do get things done and before I know it, the day has run by me with the blink of an eye.

Well, I am quite pleased that about 80% of my website is now up and running. I've a few things left to tweek and a bit more content to add (like my new jewelry style guide which I'm just giddy about starting!) and I have a heap of lovelies to list.

.... but when will I find the time to do all this? Excellent question. I'm not completely positive of the answer, but I DO know... it will, somehow all get done.

OKAY...

enough of the gripe fest, yes?

Now, I managed to make THREE lovelies last night in a creative fit. I should have pictures up quite shortly for you.

I was quite the good little business woman and went to a small business seminar offered today by the local BOE office (board of equalization), to which I learned quite a bit. Starting your own business really is quite the process! And of course, the governments wants their fair share... so today I learned exactly what they will be taking -- I mean, what I will be sharing with them.

it really is just the littlest bit depressing

seeing my hard-earned cash go to a bureaucratic black hole, but what is a gal to do?

Anyway... I'm back at home and ready to work.

Oh, I'm so sorry, I forgot to ask how YOU were doing. How was your day?

Great apologies...

... I have been greatly neglectful of my blogging for the last while, and I'm quite sorry, but I do promise to start posting more regularly in the future.

Life just has a way of getting in the way of things sometimes, you know? I 've been a bit busy lately though, creating a series of little lariat lovelies that I am so pleased to share with you all...

Introducing...

The Hundred Year Old Olive Tree Lariat
(currently for sale in the shop.)

And this little lovely is The Quiet Town of Julian Lariat...

I was also able to pick up the most wonderful sterling silver glass lockets, which are clearly family heirlooms ready for the making!

Sadly, I think it's time to turn in for the night. I'm exhausted from revamping my work space in preparation for a busy, busy day tomorrow.

Night friends!

xoxo
Cathy

Miss Leah, Mastermind behind Michon Design

I can honestly say, that I've never been one of those ultra-cool, swanky types who exude a seemingly effortless modern hip-ness. Lucky for me, I merely have to peak into see Leah's shop to find all the tools I need to appear sleek. Combining timeless gems such as pearls with clean lines of wire, Leah seamlessly creates modern looks that are refreshingly classic.

Miss Leah, my neighbor from the west, was kind enough to answer a few of my own questions, and here's what she had to say:

Pearl Flower Pendant

Artist name/Business name: My name is Leah, and my business name is Michon
Location: SF Bay Area, California
Website: http://www.michondesign.com/ and http://michon.etsy.com

JB: What do you create?
Jewelry

JB: When and where do you do your creative work?
I make jewelry when I have time, which is usually evenings. For wirework, I can work anywhere and sometimes make jewelry while I'm watching TV, but for metalwork that involves more tools, I have a studio set up.

JB: Do you have another day job?
Yes, I work part time.

Grace - Pretty Feminine Pendant

JB: Where and what did you study?
I studied linguistics at UC Berkeley.

JB: Where do you find inspiration?
Inspiration is everywhere. There are so many beautiful things to look at, both in nature and manmade things like art, or really beautiful architecture.


Gossamer Wings

JB: What motivates you?
Right now my motivation is earning more money so I can work from home & take care of my son instead of going to a day job.

JB: When did you start doing this?
I've been making jewelry for more than ten years, and selling it for about five.

Green and Brass Resin Pendant

JB: When and why did you decide to start your own business?
When I realized how much time and money I was spending on jewelry making, I decided to sell some of my pieces to cut down on the expense and hopefully make a little bit of money.

JB: How did you choose the name for your business?
Michon is my middle name, and I always liked it.

JB: What are you most proud of?
My son, who is about three months old.


JB: What advice would you give other women on starting their own business?

"It isn't easy, but it is rewarding to make money doing something you love doing, so if you don't mind working really hard, go for it. Just understand that you have to work really hard to make money, and unlike a day job, you don't get to go home and forget about it at the end of the day. But it's worth it!"

JB: What's the biggest challenge you face in your work?
Currently, finding time and energy to work is challenging because I am getting used to being a mom. I've been making quicker, simpler designs because I need projects I can finish while my son is napping.

Rose Quartz Centerpiece with Freshwater Pearls


JB: What do you love to do in your free time?
Sleep!

JB: What are you currently working on?
Photographing some earrings I made a couple weeks ago so I can list them in my shop

JB: What do you hope to do next?
I really need to get busy making rings for a gallery that sells my work...

Thank you Miss Leah, for sharing your thoughts with us!

Until next time...

xoxo
Cathy

Rings, rings, rings!

Friends, I do believe...
... that I...
.. am..
... in Love.

Yestereve I was most pleased to have taken a delightful class at my very favorite bead shop where I was able to create these little lovelies:

Rich Apple Coral, juicy Carnelian, sterling silver and gold-filled wire marry
to form this Indian Summer Ring...

And of course, five Moonstone petals with three dainty amethysts form
this delicate blossom, ready for the birds and bees to drink from!

I think I've fallen in love with silver smithing. It's such a rush to be able to actually make forms out of things... so exciting! I'm so looking forward to a silver smithing class I'll be attending over summer at UC Davis!

Off to go list these lovelies in my shop.

See you soon!

Cathy

A gal can never have enough treasures....

....and my latest treasure just arrived today.

Jillian of TheNoisyPlume must simply be one of the loveliest Etsians I've met. Not to mention, enormously talented. Today, I received this little decadent treasure from her..

The Stranger in a Strange Land Necklace

These are the days I really enjoy being a girl....

Since I had the day off, the rest of my day was spent filling a couple of orders and making other pretties which should be appearing in my shop sooooonish.. I hope.
My poor Bella lost her patience with me and eventually passed out...

Well, seeing as how I am waking up at 4:40am, I should probably get my little keester off to bed.
Night night little Blossoms

xoxo
Cathy

Sit Down with Jeannie Mainzer of Beadstylin

Hello, hello again!

One of my favorite jewelry designers that I was able to unearth on Etsy simply must be Beadstylin. With a flair for beautiful colors, an eye for elegant, timeless designs and affordable prices, it's no wonder that she's found a niche for herself on Etsy.

Today, I was most pleased to find that Jeannie Mainzer (mastermind behind Beadstylin) was gracious enough to answer a few of my questions. Here's what she had to say:

Orange Spice Carnelian Gemstone Pendant Necklace

JB: What do you create?
JM: I like to work with many different mediums. I love gemstones, Swarovski crystals, and Czech glass. I also like to age my own brass and incorporate that into my designs. I make necklaces, bracelets, earrings, anklets, rosaries, and rosary bracelets.

JB: When and where do you do your creative work?
JM: I create mostly late into the night, after my children are in bed. My shop is in a tiny corner of our finished basement.

JB: Do you have another day job?
JM: I stay at home and homeschool our four children.

JB: Where and what did you study?

JM: Didn't have the opportunity to go to college.

Somewhere in Time Dragonfly and Labradorite Brass Necklace

JB: Where do you find inspiration?
JM: I am inspired by getting new beads. I get inspiration from nature, magazine and TV pictures, and from looking at other jewelry.

JB: What motivates you?
JM: A sense of accomplishment. I like to take raw materials and make them into something beautiful. And it's not bad getting paid for your work either!

JB: When did you start doing this?
JM: Ten years ago I started making rosaries. From there, it branched out into jewelry.

Florentine Lilac Teardrop Lucite and Brass Earrings

JB: When and why did you decide to start your own business?
JM: I piddled with this for years, but I finally decided to "go official" with it about 2-3 years ago. It was getting too big to call it a hobby anymore.

JB: How did you choose the name for your business?
JM: "Bead-Attitudes" came to me while vacuuming the floor! I wanted something that sounded spiritual because I made rosaries. Beadstylin' just popped into my head when I was registering at Etsy.

Little Black Dress Jet Black Swarovski Pendant on Sterling

JB: What is the most interesting thing about you?
JM: I think people find me to be a multi-faceted person. I can be shy and private, but I can also be off-the-wall, sensitive, imaginative, or funny. I seem to wear a lot of different hats, depending on who I am around.

I also love toads!

JB: What are you most proud of?

JM: I am so proud of each one of my four children. They are so lovable, creative, and special. They are my greatest blessings.

JB: What advice would you give other women on starting their own business?
JM: Keep at it. Don't cut corners on quality. Don't be afraid of success. And just do what you love and have a passion for!

Birds and Blooms Vintage Inspired Floral and Brass Necklace

JB: What's the biggest challenge you face in your work?
JM: Juggling my business with the demands of being a mother, home educator, and wife.

JB: What do you love to do in your free time?

JM: Beside beading? I love to garden and landscape, metal detect, listen to music, read, work crossword puzzles, fish, and hang out with my family and pets.

JB: What are you currently working on?
JM: I've just learned how to make glass beads and am trying to get better at that.

Until next time little Blossoms!


xoxo
Cathy

Song of My Heart Necklace

My! It truly feels as though it's been ages since I last posted. Luckily, I was able to put together a small little necklace..

The Song of My Heart Necklace

Quietly humming along

like a sweet sparrow's song

the Song of My Heart.

Every moment of every day

while He is away

I look to the sky and

wonder why it should ever be this way.

I close my eyes and make a wish

exhale softly and let my thoughts adrift

to sail across the warm breeze

carrying to you a wish from my lips.

Until later today dears, have a lovely afternoon!

xoxo

Cathy

Sit down with Endless Bounty jewelry artist Rene Rydell

Today, dear friends, I am fortunate enough to have a sit down with jewelry artist Rene Rydell from Endless Bounty who speaks candidly and sincerely on matters of creating jewelry, inspiration, running a jewelry business, being a mother and her next project.

Aventurine Dreams Wire Bracelet

JB: What do you create?

RR: Affordable Jewelry made from Fine Elements – Crystals, Minerals, Gemstones, Rare Pearls, and Blown Glass.

JB: When and where do you do your creative work?

RR: In my home, monopolizing the dining room table until my studio is completed.

JB: Do you have another day job?

RR: Mother of a gorgeous 5 year old boy and I am also a Stylist.

JB: Where and what did you study?

RR: I studied art & photography at a local community college. I was determined to be a photojournalist by age 25. Now, my passion for photography gets used in another medium. Taking pictures of the designs that I create.

Through the Looking Glass

JB: Where do you find inspiration?

RR: I am driven by emotional inspiration. I notice that when I am going through some of the most challenging moments of my life that all I need to do is sit down and let my fingers do the work while my brain calmly sorts it out. It brings feelings of hope, beauty and happiness right back in the picture.

Even a song that touches me in some way lyrically can inspire me to make some of the most unique pieces. I feel the music and that manifests into something concrete.

JB: What motivates you?

RR: Beatles music…Kidding. I am fueled by desire. Desire to make the world a “prettier place."
Desire to create something and know that someone is going to find it spectacular; Desire in knowing that when someone receives a package from me they are going to receive a little package of happiness. Then I have truly done my part. That keeps me going.

JB: When did you start doing this?

RR: At the age of 12, I used to make bracelets for my girlfriends. However, it was only this past year when my son started school that I needed to find myself again. I was so busy being a mom and someone’s partner that I felt I was starting to loose my artistic edge. At that time I was living near Woodstock and New Paltz, NY. The art community was HUGE. And I knew I needed to feel a part of it again. So I got involved with an arts community called UNISON and then decided to get connected with ETSY.

Bohemia Pale Mookaite Hoop Dangle Earrings


JB: How did you come up with a business name?
RR: A very close friend of mine actually gave my business its name. She told me that every woman's jewelry box should be an ENDLESS BOUNTY of gems and goodies. And then... it was born.


JB: What is the most interesting thing about you?
RR: I wouldn't call myself interesting, but if you asked my friends they would probably tell you different. I have had many successful careers and taken on various projects throughout my life. But still, I seem to have a gypsy-like frame of mind. In other words, at 31 year sold, I still don't know what I want to be when I "grow up".

JB: What are you most proud of?
RR: Raising my son and giving him the little extras in life that I didn't have as a child growing up. He makes me proud every moment of my life - even the sometimes quite embarassing moments.


JB: What advice would you give other women on starting their own business?

"If you truly feel it in your heart, then don't give up.

Don't be afraid to ask for help or how to be a success.

Listening to words of advice from anyone can
only benefit you in the end."

JB: What's the biggest challenge you face in your work?

RR: There are millions of jewelry designers. in fact, ETSY is probably made up of 70% jewelry design. HOWEVER, jewelry is extremely personal. You never know who your next customer will be. You have to strike a chord within someone with something you create. Some pieces have it, and some don't. But don't be surprised if the piece you have had lying around for 2 years finally sells. There is always something for everyone. That someone will eventually find you.

In The Raw

JB: What are you currently working on?

RR: Currently I am working on more Olivewood Bangles. They are so much fun and such beautiful works of art when they are completed. I have two listed for sale at the moment but with the summer months coming I will continue to offer them.

JB: What do you hope to do next?

RR: I hope to take some more art classes and try my hand at silver smithing. Who knows? ... Every day presents itself with more opportunity than days before.

Many thanks Miss Rene, for sharing your thoughts, aspirations, inspirations and successes!

xoxo

Cathy