Showing posts with label handcrafted. Show all posts
Showing posts with label handcrafted. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Oh No Snow!






I woke up to snow... and yes it does snow in February here in Canada..... but please! My tulips are showing already! The past few weeks have been so unseasonably warm, and I have been looking forward to Spring with great anticipation.

So I leave you with this:
Snow White Handmade Lampwork and Sterling Bracelet
as I head out to the Studio to make some Spring inspired beads!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Tuesday Tip Jar: It's a Wrap


When selling your handmade products online, take the time to ensure they are packaged nicely, and shipped with care. Great customer service like this gives your buyers another reason to shop with you again. Whether it's the least expensive item in your shop or your priciest piece, small details can make a big difference and set you apart from your competition. Let your customers know that you take great pride in your work, and in turn they will have confidence that you are a professional business owner.

You don't have to go to great expense, you just have to be creative. Make your own packaging by hand and save money, and add to the handmade feel of your product. Recycled paper of all sorts, and clean like-new used boxes can be painted and stamped, just as an example. Let your customers know if you use recycled packaging, most will appreciate that too.

Another option is to buy new packaging materials at dollar and discount stores and from craft store clearance bins. I recently picked up some cute Chinese take-out boxes at my local Michael's store.

Make it personal and connect with your customer. Include a small note of thanks, perhaps a business card and maybe a coupon for a discount on a future purchase. Ideally, your customers will come back time and time again, knowing to expect the very best.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Tuesday Tip Jar: Esty Helper Sites


Tuesday tips on Wednesday, better late than never! I've been so busy at work these last few weeks I have't been blogging much. Tonight I came across this great list of Etsy "Helper" sites compiled by Patti of GetGlassy, from the Creative Glass Guild of Etsy. Definitely worth checking out these sites if you're an Esty seller, so thought I'd share!


Heartomatic
Etsy Fee Calculator
Etsy Poster Sketch
Etsy Treasury West
Craftopolis - Etsy Treasury Clock and Treasure Hunt
Statsy - check your views
Craftweasel - shop stats and tag finder
EtsyHacks - need to install greesemonkey but lots of helpful tools for Etsy
Cr8tivity - nice sideways scroll sidebar ad for your Esty store, plus stats and hearts
Flickr - a group that captures Etsy's front pages
EasyEtsy - a list of other Etsy tool sites and more

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Make 'n' Tell Challenge Day 22: Pandora Beads



Three handmade lampwork big hole glass beads, they fit all European style add-a-bead charm bracelets and necklaces such as Pandora, Trollbead, Biagi and Chamilia. Designed to go over leather cord, ribbon or chain also.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Make 'n' Tell Challenge Day 13: What's In a Name

Shakespeare’s Juliet says to her Romeo, “What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Yet calling this set made with my lampwork beads from Day 9, "Necklace and Earrings Made With Copper and Glass", just doesn't cut it.





Danielle Fox, editor of Stringing, author of Simply Modern Jewelry, and co-author of Mixed Metals, gives tips on naming your jewelry projects at Beading Daily But even after reading this great article, I still can't decide what to name this set. Any suggestions? I'd love to hear your ideas!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Make 'n' Tell Challenge Day 12: Dirty Martini Earrings


Day 12 of the Make 'n' Tell Challenge finds me in the studio early in the morning. The weather's too nice today to spend all day indoors! A simple offering....I've called them Dirty Martini earrings, named after the colour of CiM glass that they were made with. I love the floral detailing on the sterling silver ear wires!

Friday, September 11, 2009

Make 'n' Tell Challenge Day 11: Flower Power


Day 11 of the Make 'n' Tell Challenge, still not sure what I'm going to do with my beads and copper yet. Today I've made a pair of earrings with my own handmade lampwork glass beads that are fun and funky.... retro florals in chocolate brown, and aqua blue, with orange and lime green highlights!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Make 'n' Tell Challenge Day 10: Cranberries


For my next challenge, I decided to make some beads with my most challenging glass colour....the colour red. I don't make many red beads. I don't wear much red, but I do love red shoes and red lipstick! In the world of glass, red is one of the more difficult colours to work with. It is hard to see when layering with other colours in a hot flame as it appears black when cooling from molten orange back to solid. And it "burns" easily, that is, the red colour darkens with prolonged heating and can look dirty. I'm happy with how this set turned out, they're simple but remind me of cranberries! Now I have to decide what to do with them!

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Bead of The Day



I love the way this lampwork focal bead turned out, it just came out of the kiln. I think it will look good on a silver bail on a simple black leather cord necklace. What do you think?

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

BeadCrazed Now on ARTFIRE!

I recently joined ArtFire and set up shop! You can now visit me in 2 locations, I'm still on Etsy too.

Looking to meet new friends and network with other sellers, I joined two groups (called Guilds on ArtFire). I am now a member of the CANADIAN ARTISANS & DESIGNERS GUILD and the ARTFIRE GLASS GUILD. I just had to share some of my favorite picks from each group.

CANADIAN ARTISANS & DESIGNERS GUILD


ARTFIRE GLASS GUILD