I was so looking forward to sleeping in today and like clockwork I was up after 6 hours of sleep...uuuggghhh! What happened to the days when I could sleep for 12 hours, oh how I wish I could do that again.
I don't have a lot planned for the day. My boys are clam digging with some friends and I'm still in my pajamas sipping on a much needed cup of coffee. Oh, I received the check today to get my roof done..woohoo! If you don't remember, the roof over the deck collapsed from the heavy snowfall. It ruined the BBQ, my deck furniture and the air conditioner, so I'll be replacing those items too. I loved my deck furniture and am hoping that I can replace it easily.
I've added more stock to my Shophandmade store at http://shijewels.shophandmade.com/ I've only listed my custom made items there...these are things that I constantly make so yes I have them in my Etsy store as well. I do really love Shophandmade but the traffic there is slow. I checked out http://artfire.com but they are almost as over filled with jewelry as Etsy is, but it's still a venue that I may consider.
So here's a question to my readers...where do you sell your wares and what are your experiences with them?
Well I'm off to get ready for the day and to get out of the pajamas....have a good one!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Consignment
For those of us who make and sell handcrafted items, we often sell in multiple venues at once. For me, everything is online as of right now, but there are often offers of consignment. I was recently approached again to sell my jewelry in someones B&M boutique. Though it was very tempting, I graciously declined. I wanted to share my reasons why and to share some tips that I've learned.
Read the contract very closely...and for goodness sakes read the fine print. I know you're very excited at the prospect of getting your products out there, but look before you leap!
Where is the B&M store located? It's better if you can keep tabs on your product, easier to restock and to keep in contact with the store in general. But, there have been successful consignment agreements where the store and designer are great distances apart.
What is the agreed consignment ratio? Is it 70/30, 60/40 or 50/50? The higher numbers should represent what you, the creator, should receive after your item has sold. Personally I would never sell at a 50/50 ratio, but that's just me.
Who is liable if your items are damaged or stolen? This is very important to me, and has been a deal breaker. I personally feel that if I take the time to insure my products for delivery, that while they are in the hands of the seller, store, or boutique, it then becomes their responsibility should something happen to my product. Many stores have insurance to cover just that, so be sure to check on it and ask if it's not in the contract.
Do you as the designer still retain your ownership rights? You will find that sometimes the seller does not want you to include your website or other personal information about you because it may draw business away from their store, understandable...BUT...I feel that you should at least be able to have your business name or logo on your product. After all, YOU are the designer.
What is the term of the contract? Sometimes there is a trial period, make sure you read this closely as well. At the end of this term what happens? Who's responsible for packing up your stock and returning them back to you? There are many times when it is your responsibility, and when you live across the country from the store, this is not a viable option.
How often will you receive payment? This is often done once a month on a particular day and is done by check. Find out if you have to include stamped envelopes for them to send your payments to you. This can sometimes be hidden in the contract somewhere too.
How do they want you to present your items? Do they want you to make certain labels, use certain price tags verses another type, boxes, display cases? This can be a lot of extra work if the store is requiring that you package/display your items differently than what you usually do.
A few other things are to make sure you take a copy of the signed contract, check out the store (look them up at the Better Business Bureau), ask for references. If your not happy with something in the contract, ask if it can be adjusted. If you see that something is missing, ask and most of all trust your gut feeling!! Even then, sometimes the best intentions with both parties can go south.
I'm not trying to be a "negative Nancy" here, but I think that we all have to protect what we have worked so hard to make. I will eventually do consignments, but it's a matter of finding the right fit, both with the B&M store and the contract. For now though, I'm content with where I'm at, I've found my happy place so to speak....I hope you can too!
Read the contract very closely...and for goodness sakes read the fine print. I know you're very excited at the prospect of getting your products out there, but look before you leap!
Where is the B&M store located? It's better if you can keep tabs on your product, easier to restock and to keep in contact with the store in general. But, there have been successful consignment agreements where the store and designer are great distances apart.
What is the agreed consignment ratio? Is it 70/30, 60/40 or 50/50? The higher numbers should represent what you, the creator, should receive after your item has sold. Personally I would never sell at a 50/50 ratio, but that's just me.
Who is liable if your items are damaged or stolen? This is very important to me, and has been a deal breaker. I personally feel that if I take the time to insure my products for delivery, that while they are in the hands of the seller, store, or boutique, it then becomes their responsibility should something happen to my product. Many stores have insurance to cover just that, so be sure to check on it and ask if it's not in the contract.
Do you as the designer still retain your ownership rights? You will find that sometimes the seller does not want you to include your website or other personal information about you because it may draw business away from their store, understandable...BUT...I feel that you should at least be able to have your business name or logo on your product. After all, YOU are the designer.
What is the term of the contract? Sometimes there is a trial period, make sure you read this closely as well. At the end of this term what happens? Who's responsible for packing up your stock and returning them back to you? There are many times when it is your responsibility, and when you live across the country from the store, this is not a viable option.
How often will you receive payment? This is often done once a month on a particular day and is done by check. Find out if you have to include stamped envelopes for them to send your payments to you. This can sometimes be hidden in the contract somewhere too.
How do they want you to present your items? Do they want you to make certain labels, use certain price tags verses another type, boxes, display cases? This can be a lot of extra work if the store is requiring that you package/display your items differently than what you usually do.
A few other things are to make sure you take a copy of the signed contract, check out the store (look them up at the Better Business Bureau), ask for references. If your not happy with something in the contract, ask if it can be adjusted. If you see that something is missing, ask and most of all trust your gut feeling!! Even then, sometimes the best intentions with both parties can go south.
I'm not trying to be a "negative Nancy" here, but I think that we all have to protect what we have worked so hard to make. I will eventually do consignments, but it's a matter of finding the right fit, both with the B&M store and the contract. For now though, I'm content with where I'm at, I've found my happy place so to speak....I hope you can too!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Buzz, Buzz, Buzz
I have got a major creative bug right now! I'm buzzing back and forth from my jewelers bench, to my computer, outside to take the photos, back to my bench...just a buzz, buzz, buzzing around. I have so many more new things that I want to make and list. I figure I better take advantage of this now, I can't tell you how many times I have sat at my bench just blankly staring at all the metal and stones, trying to figure out what I was going to make next. I would assume it's quite similar to writer's block...I hate it when that happens.
So here's a new bracelet that I listed today, and hopefully I'll be able to get some meditation/prayer beads made by this weekend. Sales have been a bit slow on Etsy, but I'm definitely keeping busy. I'm off to make some earrings now!
So here's a new bracelet that I listed today, and hopefully I'll be able to get some meditation/prayer beads made by this weekend. Sales have been a bit slow on Etsy, but I'm definitely keeping busy. I'm off to make some earrings now!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Mirror, Mirror
This is just a simply sweet necklace, that is dainty and absolutely feminine. I had a dream about it last night so I had to make it today when I got off of work. It's made using a 5mm mirrored sterling silver ball and an 18" sterling silver ball chain.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Another Quickie
Just wanted to share a couple more items newly added to my store today! I've been busy creating, and hopefully will keep this rush of creativity alive for awhile :) 
Finished!
The necklace is made with fancy cut Garnets and faceted Labradorite. The reason that I made this is because while we were at the FaerieWorlds Festival this summer, my best friend saw a necklace similar to this, it was beautiful and she fell in love with it. She wanted it so badly, but refused to buy it out of guilt or something because I make jewelry. Though I told her over and over again to purchase it, that I would never make something like that (I didn't have the stones on hand, and the style isn't something that I do or make)...she still wouldn't budge. So out of my love for her, for her friendship and obvious loyalty I decided a couple of months ago that I would try to make something similar to the necklace that she fell in love with. I really struggled with my memory of it....it's not what it used to be that's for sure, but I think it's close and I hope she likes it.
This will be one of her Yule/Christmas gifts along with a matching pair of earrings. We're meeting tonight to enjoy some coffee and other such goodies. With the holiday's being so hectic we didn't have time to get together. Her basket is going to be packed full...I can't wait :)
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Quick One
Just a quick post of a couple more new pieces that I've added today. I've got some more that I'll list tomorrow but I have a custom necklace to finish first!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Who Knew???
I've been on Etsy for a little over a year...and 2 coveted spots on Etsy are being in a treasury that makes it on the front page and being a featured seller. I always look at the front page and I've never seen any of my pieces on there :( That's okay though....until tonight!
While browsing through the forums on Etsy there's a link to Flikr that is strictly for front page treasury's and you can search to see if you were included....so I decided what the heck...did a search...got ready to close the tab when voila...there I was....OMG! Yes I screeched with joy...LOL I made it on 12/12/08 and I missed it...darnit, but I'm just so excited that I made it! Here's a picture of the necklace, it's titled "Snowflake" and it's on the left, second one down from the top.
~Happy Dance
While browsing through the forums on Etsy there's a link to Flikr that is strictly for front page treasury's and you can search to see if you were included....so I decided what the heck...did a search...got ready to close the tab when voila...there I was....OMG! Yes I screeched with joy...LOL I made it on 12/12/08 and I missed it...darnit, but I'm just so excited that I made it! Here's a picture of the necklace, it's titled "Snowflake" and it's on the left, second one down from the top.
~Happy Dance
New Additions
I just wanted to share some new creations that I added to my store today. I received some new stamps in the mail so I quickly made a pair of earrings in preparation for Valentine's Day. They're dainty and lightweight...I loved them so much I had to make myself a pair :)
I recently bought a string of the deepest blue Labradorite also known as Spectrolite. I'm not really sure what I'll do with all of them, but this necklace definitely wanted to be made. Just a simple design that allows the stone to speak for itself.
I have so many ideas rolling around in my head like all the stamped jewelry I can make, fusing fine silver, and working with PMC. I'm hoping to get everything purchased within this next week, so I can put my mind to rest. I think that's the worst part of creating....thinking of all these fabulous things you can make, then having to wait until you can buy everything you need to bring them to fruition....I better buy it soon, so I can start getting some sleep at night.
I recently bought a string of the deepest blue Labradorite also known as Spectrolite. I'm not really sure what I'll do with all of them, but this necklace definitely wanted to be made. Just a simple design that allows the stone to speak for itself.
I have so many ideas rolling around in my head like all the stamped jewelry I can make, fusing fine silver, and working with PMC. I'm hoping to get everything purchased within this next week, so I can put my mind to rest. I think that's the worst part of creating....thinking of all these fabulous things you can make, then having to wait until you can buy everything you need to bring them to fruition....I better buy it soon, so I can start getting some sleep at night.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New Year Resolutions
As I sit here sipping on my much needed cup of coffee, a headache lurking just waiting to come out, trying to recoup after a night of way too many strawberry Margarita's....I'm thinking of any New Year Resolutions that I may have. To be honest though...I can't think of any. Oh sure I could say the whole weightloss, get fit because my 20th Class Reunion is around the corner thing, but why? Been there, done that!! Eh, I think as I get older....OMG did I say my 20th class reunion?? WTH? Where did the time go, didn't I just graduate? Okay...okay...breathe...I'm not that old...nope I'm young, my kids are graduating this year and I'm only going to be 38. Yes, I have more gray hair than I care to have, but I've earned every single one of them, besides it's nothing that a trip to the salon can't cure :)
Now that I'm no longer hyperventilating and my heart rate is back to normal, where was I? Oh yes, I think that as I get older the little stuff doesn't matter as much as it used to. The only thing I want to do is enjoy my life. To enjoy the rest of the year that my kids are home before leaving for college, to take in every smile, laugh, argument, hug, and everything else that comes with having kids....just to take it all in and file it away in the vault in my mind that's filled with various memories of the past.
My New Year Resolution....well it's going to be that I will enjoy life, make every moment count, and I'm not going to let those little bumps in the road get me down because I know that right around the corner there is something wonderful just waiting for me!
~Cheers to all for a prosperous, healthy and happy New Year!
Now that I'm no longer hyperventilating and my heart rate is back to normal, where was I? Oh yes, I think that as I get older the little stuff doesn't matter as much as it used to. The only thing I want to do is enjoy my life. To enjoy the rest of the year that my kids are home before leaving for college, to take in every smile, laugh, argument, hug, and everything else that comes with having kids....just to take it all in and file it away in the vault in my mind that's filled with various memories of the past.
My New Year Resolution....well it's going to be that I will enjoy life, make every moment count, and I'm not going to let those little bumps in the road get me down because I know that right around the corner there is something wonderful just waiting for me!
~Cheers to all for a prosperous, healthy and happy New Year!
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