With the green movement really taking off in so many ways, there are many ways to help.
As a metal smith, I try to do my part by recycling my scrap silver. One of the reasons I choose to buy from Rio Grande, is because they refine their own silver. They pay up to 80% for scrap silver. They then use this silver in their refinery to produce various products. Though no product will be completely recycled, I feel I'm doing my part. Here is a very informative article regarding recycled silver.
As a mom, we decided to start using cloth diapers when my son turned a year old. Though it was a shift in the way we do things, I still think it was worth it. It not only has saved hundreds of diapers from the land fills, but has saved us hundreds of dollars. We also have discovered a very helpful website that speaks about the toxicity of various products. Skin Deep has added a baby section and is always adding more. Though we haven't changed all of our baby products, we have changed products that James puts in his mouth (like bubbles in the bath) or one's that we use every day (like baby powder).
As a home maker and wife, I do my best to conserve energy by consolidating trips, turning off lights and watching the heating and air conditioning usage. I also try to minimize the amount of bags I use in the grocery store. Mostly this comes in the produce department and at check out. We also get a local produce box each week. I've been using this produce bounty to freeze and stock up on produce for the winter. I'm looking forward to using this in some homemade soups. We also keep chickens in the backyard. We let them free range during the day and they provide us with eggs. We also use the manure in our compost pile, which makes for wonderful fertilizer. Another consideration is MPG as a big factor when purchasing vehicles.
Though these are small things, I feel they are making a difference.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
Bezel Class
So on Friday, I went to my favorite little craft store, Ornamentea, and got some inexpensive stones to practice my bezel setting. This is because I have struggled with a piece that uses a bezel and I needed some help. I was willing to practice on my own and figure it out, but to my advantage, Ndidi was teaching a bezel setting metals boot camp on Saturday. I took it as a sign from the universe that I needed to be in this class, so I quickly signed up and looked forward to solving my bezel setting issues.
Ndidi is a phenomenal teacher! We had various skill levels in our class and she gladly accommodated all of them. The morning was focused on sawing out and finishing the back plates of the pieces. Then in the afternoon, we conquered the bezel! I learned a bunch of new tricks and tips that made me feel confident in what I had learned. I have said before that the sign of a good class is one that you walk out of feeling like you could do it at home by yourself, this was one of those classes. I highly recommend Ornamentea's classes to anyone learning any new jewelry skill.
Ndidi is a phenomenal teacher! We had various skill levels in our class and she gladly accommodated all of them. The morning was focused on sawing out and finishing the back plates of the pieces. Then in the afternoon, we conquered the bezel! I learned a bunch of new tricks and tips that made me feel confident in what I had learned. I have said before that the sign of a good class is one that you walk out of feeling like you could do it at home by yourself, this was one of those classes. I highly recommend Ornamentea's classes to anyone learning any new jewelry skill.
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| I got to practice a lot of bezel setting, which was exactly my goal! |
Friday, July 6, 2012
Finding the Right Customer
There are two parts to selling to the right customer for your business. First is figuring out who your customer base is, second is reaching those people.
First, figuring out your customer base. This requires a lot of observation. Who is purchasing your product? Ask your customers about their purchase and listen to their answer. For example, is it a gift? If so, who for? And how old are they? If your customer is buying for themselves, do they have children with them? Are they wearing other jewelry, (this applies in my case, not for everyone)? Take notice of how your customer found out about the show. Did they happen across it or did they look for a show? If they looked for it, you can deduce they go to craft shows often. You also need to take into account your price point. If you are at a higher price point, you need to consider that your clients need to have a greater amount of disposable income. My items are quality handmade pieces from precious metals, this makes for a higher price point. So, my customers tend to have more disposable income.
Reaching your customer base is a mixture of timing, location and marketing. Reaching my customers has a lot to do with the show that I'm participating in. As for timing, the time of year tends to be the biggest factor. For me, the best sales come around the holidays. People are in the buying mode and looking for gifts for other people. Even my loyal customers tend to buy more during the holidays. As for time of day, I have found there really is not any rhyme or reason to it. Next, location is something to consider carefully. I am not only participating in shows in the area but I also sell my items through retail locations. You want to be careful not to saturate an area with your product but still be visible. This is a very tricky balance. In talking to customers at a show, when it becomes apparent that they are probably not going to purchase anything but admire your work, it's nice to have somewhere local to refer them. That way, if they need a gift or a piece in the future and you don't have any upcoming shows, they can still purchase your work. Lastly, marketing is very important. I have found that using social media is a free and easy way to let your customers know where they can find you. Also, keeping your website updated with your contact information and upcoming events can help. This way, when you hand out your card with your website, your customers can refer to it and easily locate you.
Once you find the right customer, you can concentrate your efforts there. Especially in regards to marketing and choosing shows.
First, figuring out your customer base. This requires a lot of observation. Who is purchasing your product? Ask your customers about their purchase and listen to their answer. For example, is it a gift? If so, who for? And how old are they? If your customer is buying for themselves, do they have children with them? Are they wearing other jewelry, (this applies in my case, not for everyone)? Take notice of how your customer found out about the show. Did they happen across it or did they look for a show? If they looked for it, you can deduce they go to craft shows often. You also need to take into account your price point. If you are at a higher price point, you need to consider that your clients need to have a greater amount of disposable income. My items are quality handmade pieces from precious metals, this makes for a higher price point. So, my customers tend to have more disposable income.
Reaching your customer base is a mixture of timing, location and marketing. Reaching my customers has a lot to do with the show that I'm participating in. As for timing, the time of year tends to be the biggest factor. For me, the best sales come around the holidays. People are in the buying mode and looking for gifts for other people. Even my loyal customers tend to buy more during the holidays. As for time of day, I have found there really is not any rhyme or reason to it. Next, location is something to consider carefully. I am not only participating in shows in the area but I also sell my items through retail locations. You want to be careful not to saturate an area with your product but still be visible. This is a very tricky balance. In talking to customers at a show, when it becomes apparent that they are probably not going to purchase anything but admire your work, it's nice to have somewhere local to refer them. That way, if they need a gift or a piece in the future and you don't have any upcoming shows, they can still purchase your work. Lastly, marketing is very important. I have found that using social media is a free and easy way to let your customers know where they can find you. Also, keeping your website updated with your contact information and upcoming events can help. This way, when you hand out your card with your website, your customers can refer to it and easily locate you.
Once you find the right customer, you can concentrate your efforts there. Especially in regards to marketing and choosing shows.
Check this out!
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Happy 4th of July, Nautical Themed
In the past week, I have been feverishly preparing for our big cook out and playgroup get together today. Here are some pics from today (forgive them, they are cell phone pictures). And, yes, I may be the next Martha Stewart ;)
Some of our themed foods were; Bulkhead Buns, Salty Dogs, Buoy Burgers, Port-side Potato Salad, Mermaid Melon Slices and Compass Corn. For our Davey Jones Desserts we had Kraken Cake and Flying Dutchman Ice Cream.
We had such a nice time with all our friends, kids and adults. I hope this becomes a bit of a tradition. Though we didn't get to go to the fireworks because of poor naps, we more than made up for it at the cookout.
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| The second attempt at an octopus cake, much improved and the one we ate. |
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| Ice Cream cups with patriotic spoons :) |
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| This was an upside down ice bucket that I decorated and used as a cake stand |
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| A little nautical dinnerware collected from Etsy, Target and Party City. |
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| The Bar |
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| I made paper bunting for the door ways. |
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| What would fourth of July be without watermelon? |
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| Here's James playing in the back yard. All the kids had a great time playing outside together:) |
Monday, July 2, 2012
Haters Need Not Apply
Whatever your endeavor, there will always be haters. Mostly because they are jealous of your tenacity to follow your dreams, some because they don't have your skill and still some because you are the competition. Whoever they are, and whatever their reasons, they have no room in your dream.
I am fairly new to the handmade jewelry trade and have already come across my fair share of haters. When they reveal themselves as such, I gently ignore their negativity and go along my own way. I have also found that there are far many more supporters out there. People who are willing to answer your questions and help you along in your journey.
Sometimes, the people who reveal themselves as haters, are not easy to ignore. A good friend or a family member may turn out to be a hater. In that case, you need to gently tell your hater that you do not need negativity in your life right now and if they are not going to be supportive, please don't speak about your dream.
I notice that I have used the word gently more than once. I say this because it is very easy to deal with negativity harshly. But take into account that they dealt with your dreams harshly, the virtuous thing to do is to consider their feelings and deal with them gently.
Regardless of what others have to say about you, you are following your dream and fulfilling your vision. This in and of itself is admirable. Don't let the haters get you down.
I am fairly new to the handmade jewelry trade and have already come across my fair share of haters. When they reveal themselves as such, I gently ignore their negativity and go along my own way. I have also found that there are far many more supporters out there. People who are willing to answer your questions and help you along in your journey.
Sometimes, the people who reveal themselves as haters, are not easy to ignore. A good friend or a family member may turn out to be a hater. In that case, you need to gently tell your hater that you do not need negativity in your life right now and if they are not going to be supportive, please don't speak about your dream.
I notice that I have used the word gently more than once. I say this because it is very easy to deal with negativity harshly. But take into account that they dealt with your dreams harshly, the virtuous thing to do is to consider their feelings and deal with them gently.
Regardless of what others have to say about you, you are following your dream and fulfilling your vision. This in and of itself is admirable. Don't let the haters get you down.
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