Well we just got back from IGEM in Seattle and boy did we find some wonderful gemstones. Okay, not only did I find them, I bought them. Definately look for some new designs on my web site using Champagne Quartz, Blue Labradorite and Pink Tourmoline. It is now just deciding what to start with first. Obviously, these are new gems for me, but not new to the gem world. I really didn’t see any new and exciting gemstones this time. Last year, it was the Fire Agate that I found most exciting and I have created and used some of my supply, but I bought more :-) .
If you have never been to the International Gem and Jewelry show (IGEM) and you are into jewelry and beads, you are in for a treat. Be prepared to be overwhelmed. There is so much to see and so many different vendors. My biggest hint to getting good deals is not to go to the wholesale section, but find a vendor in the retail area that has a supply of lots of things you would like to have (gemstone, crystal, pendants, bracelets, etc.) and make a deal. Buy more from that one vendor and they will most likely give you a big discount. Usually, a bigger discount than in wholesale. I found one vendor that had pendants, bracelets and gemstone strands. Because I was purchasing several items, I received 50% off of the pendants then another 25% off that. He also reduced the gemstone strands by 50% or more. This made it more than worth my while to purchase the bulk of my supply from him.
You should also keep track of what you purchase. My hint is to keep all the receipts in the bag with the gems so they don’t get mixed up with other purchases. Upon returning home sort through your items one vendor at a time and price each strand or item while it is still fresh in your mind. This way you can file away the receipts for your inventory purposes and not worry about losing them. If you wait too long you may get confused and forget the discount you received and not be able to tie back to what you were charged.
A couple of weeks ago I started selling some of my notecards and jewelry items on Etsy. We will see how that goes vs. my web site. I really just needed some additional marketing ideas and someone suggested that I give it a try. So far I can't tell that my web site has any more traffic, but the items that I do have posted on Etsy are getting some attention, but so far no sales.
Stay tuned for more of my Dilemmas. Thanks for taking the time to read. Dana
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
What's New
Managing a full time job along with a jewelry business has been a struggle, but I am seeing a light in the tunnel. I've been trying to make some contacts with local retail businesses for consignment of my jewelry and I have also been putting the final touches on my portfolio. Next step is to take samples around along with the picture portfolio and see what they think. I know women like my jewelry and I have several customers that buy from me regularly, but the unknown is always a little bit stressful.
On another note, I have developed with my husband and a friend a workshop titled "Tree of Life". The workshop is designed to explore your inner self and be able to apply your experiences in a creative process in designing a gem tree. The arrangement of the tree and it's limbs is a reflection of who you are, who you want to be or what you see in others. We also cover some of the healing qualities of gemstones that are used in the design of the tree. It is a personal growth workshop that will definately be beneficial for me and I hope for my students. This workshop differs from the other gem tree workshops that I teach in that this one is designed for personal, spiritual or emotional growth and not just a craft class. Obviously, if this sounds interesting to you, please send me an e-mail and I'll get more information out to you.
It doesn't seem like I've done a whole lot yet this year, but the year has only just begun.
On another note, I have developed with my husband and a friend a workshop titled "Tree of Life". The workshop is designed to explore your inner self and be able to apply your experiences in a creative process in designing a gem tree. The arrangement of the tree and it's limbs is a reflection of who you are, who you want to be or what you see in others. We also cover some of the healing qualities of gemstones that are used in the design of the tree. It is a personal growth workshop that will definately be beneficial for me and I hope for my students. This workshop differs from the other gem tree workshops that I teach in that this one is designed for personal, spiritual or emotional growth and not just a craft class. Obviously, if this sounds interesting to you, please send me an e-mail and I'll get more information out to you.
It doesn't seem like I've done a whole lot yet this year, but the year has only just begun.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
New Year - New Marketing
I do have to admit that this was my best year for holiday sales. The salon has taken root and I now have those customers calling for special orders. Now I just have to get the web site creating those same sales figures for this year.
Marketing and design will be my goal this year. I have already created custom tags for each jewelry piece that identifies me, the web site, the materials that went into the item and the price. I've already received compliments on the design and idea, so I have a start. Another idea that I'm tossing around is the presentation and packaging. For the past couple of years, I've used mesh drawstring bags to package a sold item (necklace or bracelet). I did find a jewelry supply company that sells satin drawstring pouches for the same price if ordered in quantity, so I'll be trying these out. I'm hoping for strong sales in return customers due to an easily identifiable product and a packaging idea that goes beyond any of the other custom jewelry designers out there. It's almost like an added bonus when you purchase an item to get this wonderful drawstring bag that is perfect for storing the piece when not worn or for gift giving.
I've attached a picture of the whole packaging concept. Let me know your feedback and ideas and come visit my site as I have added some new items already this year.
Marketing and design will be my goal this year. I have already created custom tags for each jewelry piece that identifies me, the web site, the materials that went into the item and the price. I've already received compliments on the design and idea, so I have a start. Another idea that I'm tossing around is the presentation and packaging. For the past couple of years, I've used mesh drawstring bags to package a sold item (necklace or bracelet). I did find a jewelry supply company that sells satin drawstring pouches for the same price if ordered in quantity, so I'll be trying these out. I'm hoping for strong sales in return customers due to an easily identifiable product and a packaging idea that goes beyond any of the other custom jewelry designers out there. It's almost like an added bonus when you purchase an item to get this wonderful drawstring bag that is perfect for storing the piece when not worn or for gift giving.
I've attached a picture of the whole packaging concept. Let me know your feedback and ideas and come visit my site as I have added some new items already this year.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Jewelry Sales
Well the new web site has been up and running for almost 2 weeks now and no more kinks have surfaced that I am aware of. This is good news.
The open house I hosted in my home went well and I received lots of good comments on the web site design and on my jewelry designs. I had 6 customers who wanted special orders and some of them were in multiples. I guess now I have to get to work!
I have 3 more shows upcoming in November and now I'm wondering how I'm going to have enough new material for them to be profitable. I guess this is why we have 24 hours in a day.
I'm always trying to trend what is selling so that I can make more of that type of item, but at this last show, a few things sold that I had made last year...go figure...I was just about to tear them apart and design something new. What I can tell you is that gold and silver items sold about equally which is different than last year when it was mostly silver items that were selling.
If there is any advise I could give someone new in the jewelry design business it would be to create what you would wear...now I expand that and create items that myself or my mother would wear, since she tends to raid the jewelry stash whenever she needs a piece of jewelry to go with a particular outfit. She and I do have somewhat differing tastes in jewelry...hers more simple and understated and mine is a little bit more bold, so we make a good pair. My mother-in-law however will wear most anything I create, because I created it. My husband is my critic and that is the role I place him in. I try out new designs and colors on him...okay, he doesn't wear them, he just has an eye for designs that look good and he will be honest with me. If he doesn't like it, I go back to the design board and start over until I get it right.
I just can't go wrong with family who support me in almost anything that makes me happy, except that now they want me to paint more pictures. Not sure how to do that and make jewelry. Maybe if I start making small paintings that people could wear...now that would be interesting. :-) -d
The open house I hosted in my home went well and I received lots of good comments on the web site design and on my jewelry designs. I had 6 customers who wanted special orders and some of them were in multiples. I guess now I have to get to work!
I have 3 more shows upcoming in November and now I'm wondering how I'm going to have enough new material for them to be profitable. I guess this is why we have 24 hours in a day.
I'm always trying to trend what is selling so that I can make more of that type of item, but at this last show, a few things sold that I had made last year...go figure...I was just about to tear them apart and design something new. What I can tell you is that gold and silver items sold about equally which is different than last year when it was mostly silver items that were selling.
If there is any advise I could give someone new in the jewelry design business it would be to create what you would wear...now I expand that and create items that myself or my mother would wear, since she tends to raid the jewelry stash whenever she needs a piece of jewelry to go with a particular outfit. She and I do have somewhat differing tastes in jewelry...hers more simple and understated and mine is a little bit more bold, so we make a good pair. My mother-in-law however will wear most anything I create, because I created it. My husband is my critic and that is the role I place him in. I try out new designs and colors on him...okay, he doesn't wear them, he just has an eye for designs that look good and he will be honest with me. If he doesn't like it, I go back to the design board and start over until I get it right.
I just can't go wrong with family who support me in almost anything that makes me happy, except that now they want me to paint more pictures. Not sure how to do that and make jewelry. Maybe if I start making small paintings that people could wear...now that would be interesting. :-) -d
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Up and Running
Well, what a relief. The web site is up today and now we just have to work out some of the kinks. If you are ever going to develop a web site, be sure to get the SSL certificate way in advance of your site going live. I have found that this has been the biggest delay.
Look for future posts on jewelry design ideas, gem tree design, cleaning gemstones, etc. as I am trying to look to the future and what type of information folks would find interesting. If after looking at my site, you find you have questions about where I have found material or how I have made something, please let me know and I will post it here.
www.danasjewelrydesign.com
Look for future posts on jewelry design ideas, gem tree design, cleaning gemstones, etc. as I am trying to look to the future and what type of information folks would find interesting. If after looking at my site, you find you have questions about where I have found material or how I have made something, please let me know and I will post it here.
www.danasjewelrydesign.com
Friday, October 06, 2006
Web Development Kinks
Well if I thought coming back from vacation and getting started on the web project was busy, I didn't have any idea what would hit me when I went back to work. Working full time and running a jewelry business is a bit much, but I love what I do.
The web project got even more difficult when my developers informed me that they forgot to have me get a SSL certificate...okay no problem, but when I checked out my server host, they wanted a ton of money and they wouldn't use a 3rd party vendor. Needless to say we are now working through the moving of my site to a new host (cheaper than the other one) and will be able to get a SSL much cheaper from GoDaddy.
My husband has started working out the kinks on the stuff I posted to the test site...lucky him and I'm just wanting to get back in the craft room and create more jewelry. I have designs and ideas just floating around in my head that I want to do something with.
The web project got even more difficult when my developers informed me that they forgot to have me get a SSL certificate...okay no problem, but when I checked out my server host, they wanted a ton of money and they wouldn't use a 3rd party vendor. Needless to say we are now working through the moving of my site to a new host (cheaper than the other one) and will be able to get a SSL much cheaper from GoDaddy.
My husband has started working out the kinks on the stuff I posted to the test site...lucky him and I'm just wanting to get back in the craft room and create more jewelry. I have designs and ideas just floating around in my head that I want to do something with.
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