Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Don't Be a Sellout

Copper Leaves Earrings
Do what you love and love what you do.  Yes, it is as simple as that.  As a creative business owner, it may be tempting to jump on the wagon and make the same kind of things that you see everyone else selling.  It is selling after all, right?  I'm going to tell you not to give into this temptation and I've even been guilty of it a few times myself while starting out.  I'll even be nice and tell you why :)

First off, anything that does not contain 100% of your heart and soul does not deserve any of your attention.  If you don't love it yourself, it becomes all that much harder to stand behind it and convince others (your buyers) why they should love it (and why should they if you don't?).  Why waste your time on all that effort?

Red Poppies Hand Painted Scrabble Necklace
Second, giving into whatever you feel would sell better just further floods an already crowded market which also makes it even harder to convince buyers to buy your item among an ocean of duplicates.  Is there really a point to being one of a million?  Is that strategy really worth your time?

Third, it's cool to be your own unique (maybe even a little weird) person, who wants to be "normal" anyway?  Stand out from the crowd and show your own style in your creations and it will be a breeze to show how much you enjoyed working on it.  You will find your own niche and your customers will be very loyal once they discover you.  After all, only you can create your own style of products.  No need to worry about trends, fads, or anything else that goes with the tide.

Secret Place Locket
I'm not saying you should never ever make items that fit a current trend and if you specialize in trending items and it works for you then that's wonderful!  You all know I make nature inspired jewelry.  There is a TON of nature inspired jewelry out there.  I may see something I love that's trendy right now, such as an owl charm necklace, and want to recreate it and there's nothing wrong with that.  However, what I do is create it with my own individual style that is unique from the mass of other owl charm necklaces.  Even though it may fit a current trendy style, it stands out. So, simply put, just be you!


Thursday, February 21, 2013

What's New in the Shop

I wanted to share with you all some of the new items I've been working on recently and have listed in my shop!  I've been cooped up inside with all the snow we've had recently so I've had lots of time to make new jewelry!  Lately I've been working on more wire wrapped pieces and I'm excited to introduce a few featuring a beautiful herringbone wrap.  I love how elegant and intricate it looks along with how perfect it goes with the rustic style of my jewelry!  I've also made a new locket and I'm hoping it will be as well received as my previous one which was a best seller in my shop!
Azurite Half Herringbone Earrings

Yellow Turquoise and Leaf Earrings
I'm soooo sick of grey winter days so I wanted any excuse to add a splash of color to my day!  It was great to work with these gorgeous gemstones!
Poppy Jasper and Circles Bracelet

Digging around through my gemstone beads I discovered a set of beautiful pale rose colored poppy jasper that I completely forgot I had!  I had to use them right away and they made for a gorgeous bracelet!
Bohemian Garnet Double Hoop Earrings
I made these at the end of January and since my birthday was in January as well, garnet seemed a fitting choice for these earrings.  I love the richness of the red color and of course the natural look of tumbled nuggets.  Raw beauty at its best!

Blue Rose Locket
Lastly, here's the new locket!  I wanted an excuse to break out the guilder's paste for a beautiful patina look and it worked perfectly with this piece!  I almost kept this one for myself ;)

Treasury Thursday

It's Thursday again and I'd like to share a few lovely treasuries, enjoy!

'Stunning Selections from the Wired Team' by ElainaLouiseStudios


Teal Czech Glass Be...
$22.00

Rustic Copper Leaf ...
$30.00

Hand Crochet Wire G...
$40.00

Tangled earrings, C...
$29.50

Fancy Hoops - Non t...
$16.00

Teal Blue Kyanite N...
$30.00

Wire Wrapped Gemsto...
$25.00

Wire Wrapped Key Ne...
$60.00

Turquoise Hoop Earr...
$38.00

Mint Tea - mint gre...
$86.00

Hand wire wrapped C...
$55.00

Mocha Taupe Wire Ea...
$14.00

Wire Wrapped Gemsto...
$58.00

Sale- Bracelet Hand...
$20.00

Lapis Crysocolla ri...
$48.00

Dichroic Glass Copp...
$30.00

'my mind is whirling' by brightstarali


Compact Mirror Smal...
$35.00

Red Swirly Flower S...
$13.25

Antique Brass Roset...
$6.50

Mandarin Spice Soap...
$4.50

Tea Bowl with Aust...
$38.00

Swirly Heart Clay K...
$7.00

Beautiful Bird Cage...
$35.00

Swirly Wedding Tree...
$125.00

Swirly Tree Tags on...
$1.00

Swirly ceramic earr...
$12.00

CLUTCH PURSE Handma...
$35.00

felted bracelet - b...
$14.00

Romantic Hammered W...
$34.00

A Branch for all Se...
$34.00

Fall Tree Pendant S...
$25.00

Tiles - Curly Patte...
$45.00

'Freshness of Spring' by BurakandSerpil


Dandelion Wish Scra...
$20.00

Olive green felt be...
$8.40

Set of 3 furs - oli...
$36.00

Unique Vintage Dres...
$198.00

Hand Knit Green Fin...
$28.00

1980s Olive Green S...
$89.00

Lampwork beads, oli...
$16.50

Olive Green Chiffon...
$11.95

Olive Green Collar ...
$26.00

Olive Green and Blu...
$14.00

Vintage Olive Green...
$48.00

Olive Green Japanes...
$16.00

MIRAGE COQUE TAIL /...
$7.00

ALL I NEED watercol...
$30.00

3 D Large Wooden le...
$28.00

Tulips Photograph, ...
$24.00