Crafty ADD Update #16

Lots to show off this week - so lets dive right in!

Knitting

Goal - 72 inches. As of last week - 35 1/2 inches. As of this week - 48 1/2 inches! I knitted over a foot this week :D And I'm going to have to knit over a foot to have it done this week like I want so I can start the next one. I'm currently imating the little engine that could, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can."

Cross Stitch

I finally completed the piece of fabric!

I'm quite proud of how this book mark turned out :) Since it's entirely my own design. *take a bow* I'm definitely not planning on picking up a cross stitch hoop again until Christmas is over though... unless by some random happenstance I get a custom order. Mom has them all now and she's putting the backing on for me. For some reason I can't seem to handle the simple act of ironing on the backing. Go figure :P

Jewelry

My evil twins Christmas present is finished!

Her necklace was actually really challenging. The band is made from peyote stitch and I've never done a strip that long before! Plus it has two size beads, which always makes things more interesting. Adding on the drops at the end was easy though. Kind of like a nice little treat at the end. I can't wait to see it on her! She helped me plan it all out so this is one Christmas present I can blog about :D

I've also spent a lot of time putting together earrings to restock my main consignment store. I sold a bunch of stuff over Sept/October and I got the bracelets restocked but I didn't manage to get the earrings restocked right away. Things have just been crazy. Hoping to get them all priced and take them in tomorrow :D

Crafty ADD Update #14

What a week! Last week was a whirl wind of crocheting and making jewelry to put in my consignment stores. It's a relief to be done with the blanket! I already showed it once, but since this is my ADD post I'll show it one last time :)

Crochet

I wrote a post about my crocheting marathon already - but I do have something to add! Every one loved it at the party. The best part was little two year old Billy's reaction to it though. "It has holes in it!" Fe's response? "That's so we can find the baby!"

It'll be a little while before you see any more crocheting projects from me. I decided to toss my original blanket I was working on. There were WaY to many mistakes in it! So I'm chalking it up to a learning experience and I'll use the remaining yarn for small projects. For now I'm going to do some knitting though :) Once I'm done with the two knitting projects I have lined up though ...

Knitting

I had started this scarf once, as I was waiting to start the baby blanket, but I had to pull it apart and start again cuz I made some mistakes and I don't really know how to fix it other than to tear it all out! But hey, in the last couple days I've managed to knit it back to approximately where it was before, so I'm not worried about it!

Cross Stitch

I started filling in the brain! This was the first project I picked up again after finishing the blanket...and then I haven't picked it up since. Yesterday was mostly lost to crafting or I'd probably have more done on it. It's fun to add in the color!

Jewelry

I'm working on (among other things) making a series of bead woven earrings to put in my main consignment shop. This is the first half of the first pair! I made it this morning and I'm hoping to have enough time to make the second one before I have to leave to run errands and get my tooth pulled this afternoon. We'll see. I also have to fold the laundry when it's done and take a shower once I have clean clothes...

Thoughts About Consignment :)

I started working to put my work out there "in the real world" via consignment shops last January. I've blogged about it once or twice since then, and I thought it was time for an update again, because I've put in a lot of work on them this week! The shots in this post were taken quickly last night, so they aren't all as high quality as I usually shoot for.

Last week I was able to check in on both my consignment stores. I knew that at least one of them needed restocking and I already had a small supply made up. The owner of that shop was having a rough day though, so instead of restocking and getting paid then, we arrainged for me to come back this week.

The Stock I Already Had Made Up

The good thing about that was that it gave me time to make up even more bracelets! It was needed, because I had sold quite a few things, which I'm not going to complain about! So over the last few days I made up 2 more strand bracelets and 3 memory wire bracelets for that shop.

2 Strand Bracelets

I'm also going to need to make up a bunch of earrings to go in that shop! This is what I currently consider my "main shop." It's a bead store and its where I've made the most sales so far. A few months afterI put my work in her shop they moved locations, and now they are right next to a clothing store, so people often buy clothes, and then go over and buy jewelry at the bead store. Works out perfectly!

3 Memory Wire

The second place I currently sell my work is a hair salon that is owned by a friend of my mother-in-law. I haven't had anywhere near as many sales there as I have at the bead store, but my last payment from them was much better, so I'm feeling hopeful. It was a large enough payment that I can afford to buy a new display to put in that store, one that will look more professional, and that I can put more inventory on. I'm hoping that the combination of a more professional looking display and more inventory will help increase sales at that location. I'm headed out there tomorrow with a couple bracelets I made yesterday to increase my stock.

For the Hair Salon

Going forward - I'd like to expand and put my work out there in more places. Between the fact that I live in a fairly large city, and I do a wide range of work, I should be able to put my work in multiple shops with out competing with myself. I want to take a few high end pieces in and see if I can get them on display and consignment in a bridal store. I also would like to find a venue for my hemp work. I have a few ideas for that. Those are my first two goals and we'll see where it goes from there! I'll keep you updated!

Crafty ADD Update #13

I know some think that 13 is an unlucky number - but I have lots to show off this week so it must not hold true for me! So let's get to it.

Crochet

I realized a few days ago, with panic, that the baby shower is NEXT WEEKEND! I sat down and figured out how many squares I had left, how many days (leaving time to wash it once), and how much that means I need to crochet a day. I have to crochet and attach 6 squares a day! Now I've put in that kind of time on bead weaving many a time, but never crocheting!

Fortunately I'm right on track :) In the last couple of days I've crocheted and attached 16 squares! I have two more done since I took the pic this afternoon, and I have two more left to go to finish up my goal for the night. I know I can do it!

Cross Stitch

Not much progress from last week - but I've finished all the grey outlining! I won't get much done on it this week either...well at least not until the baby blanket is done! Then again once the blanket is done I'm going to need a serious break from crocheting....

Oh yeah, that's what knitting is for :P

Jewelry

I usually don't have a ton to show off in the jewelry category because I don't list everything I make in these updates - usually it's just whatever my WIP is - or maybe a special project that's not going on-line. Well this week I still have tons to show even with that!

The two hemp bracelets are a custom order for little twin girls for Christmas! I'm excited - because I love kids - and I love twins! So I'm thrilled that I got a chance to do this. I just wish it hadn't taken me so long to get the hemp color I needed. Fortunately I had an AWESOME customer who was very understanding!

The memory wire bracelet is what Meri ordered with her Gift Certificate from my Top Commentators contest. I love how it turned out! She loves woodsy things, and liked the look of memory wire, so this is what I came up with for her. :)

I'm back partcipating in the Thursday Sweet Treat weekly theme! This weeks was "In the Stars." Fortunately I recently bought those cute star beads, so coming up with a piece for this week was easy! I also need to restock my consignment store - so that's where this one is going! Of course, if anyone is interested, I can easily make another one for any interested customer.

I just have to show these off too! Even though these Bright and Cheery Disc Earrings are listed on Etsy and will be showing up next time I do a spotlight on my recent listings. Why? Because I'm excited about them! LOL

I've only made a few things with circular brick stitch so far. A pendant for my "Aztec Treasure"necklace, and for a pair of earrings called "Whirl of Colors." Both of those simply used seed beads. For these earrings I branched out a wee bit more and used a larger bead for the center and several different sizes of seed beads - and it went together like a dream! Look for more pieces in similar styles to be showing up in my shop over the next few months.

What's Next?

Well, like I said a good majority of my time this week is being devoted to crocheting. However, both my consignment shops need to be restocked as well! And I have an order that I need to work on tonight to adjust its length so I can mail it when I go to the post office tomorrow.

Did I mention my grandparents are also in town?

*whew*

I WILL get a good photo of the blanket when it's done to go up in next week's ADD post. I'll also try to get some shots of my consignment pieces and either give them their own post or put them in next weeks ADD post. In the mean time - lets hope my fingers don't fall off!

Insane!!!

Sane/Insane

Ok, seriously? I only need the Insane button right now... This week is turning out totally crazy! I promised myself I re-price my woven items this week (getting close to being able to do that), I found out Friday that I have a second shop I'm going to be selling consignment in and told her I'd have the stuff in this week, and then yesterday I found out that I'm doing my first craft fair of the season on Saturday!

Can you say running around like a chicken with my head cut off? 

Today was spent running and getting display supplies. I knew I needed to buy some tables and dsiplay things, but I thought I had a few more weeks! Plus I had some "real life" errands to run. My brother went with me since hubby had our car, and the two of us drove around for 5 hours! I kid you not! We literally made 15 different stops. Yes, it was sheer insanity.

Tonight I have one more trip to make (unbelievable no?) and my evil twin is coming over to go with me. I need some more feltboard and fabric for displays, so we're going to go pick that up, and then I'll put her to work assembling while I work on pricing or one of the other million things I need to do before the week is done. 

Don't worry, I'll get you more info about my consignment deal when it's set up! Then I'll have pictures :) 

Oh! I also got some awesome eye-candy in the mail yesterday and I'm going to try and take photos and show off tomorrow :) I'll be taking photos of other things anyway so it should work... *crosses fingers*

Seeking New Growth

One thing that every good business should seek is growth. This is the last of my goals for the new quarter we're in, and at the moment, it's the least clearly defined of them all! Probably because there are so many different facets I can address with growing my business. 

Growth can look like a lot of different things. For one, I want to grow in my talent as an artist. This is something I'm constantly working towards and rather undefinable in that sense. Especially because some times I'm completely surprised by my own growth! Take the earrings I pictured to the left. These are just one example of my spiral earrings, and I came upon the design totally by accident when I was playing around with wire one day. Yet, in the process, I discovered my most popular earring style yet! So a portion of my growth is simply always dreaming and trying new things. 

My main focus right now, artistically, has been to grow as a bead weaver. I also want to grow as a wire-worker, but lately that interest seems to be taking a back seat to bead weaving. I'm challenging myself to learn new weaving techniques. Top of my list right now are a pattern called "Hojas" that I have the artists permission to recreate. In fact, the first is sitting on my desk next to me partially done! I also want to learn to work with cabochon's in bead weaving. I have a few ideas for that and hopefully you'll see that soon. 

Aside from artistic growth, the most important way my business can grow is financially. Which basically means, new sales. There are a number of things I'm working on for this. First, I started a newsletter awhile ago, and then it fell by the wayside because my migraines we're making it too hard to write intelligently. I intend to start up my monthly newsletter again, if you don't remember receiving it in the past, and want to be on the list, send me an e-mail at jedimarri@gmail.com so I can make sure you are on the list!

Another step I'm taking is to increase my visibility as an artist in the "real" world. To that end I have already set up my first consignment deal with a brick and mortar shop. Last I checked there were no sales there yet, but they just moved locations, so maybe the new location will mean new customers and some sales! I'm currently pursing a second consignment deal that my Mother-in-law helped me find, and I plan on pursuing at least one more at some point.

I'm also beginning to research and apply for fairs and markets to participate in. My improving health makes this possible again, and I'm really excited about it! So far I've put out a few feelers, and I hope to know a lot more soon :) I'll let you guys know as I know!

The last way I'm working to grow my business is my growing my on-line presence. There are a lot of different things involved with that, and I plan on blogging about some of them individually in the upcoming week or two. As always, it's an adventure! I've learned a lot in the last year (I've almost been open a year!) and I know I have a lot more to learn. 

So here's to a growth filled second-quarter!!! I hope that you have a growth filled and profitable second-quarter as well. Come join me in my adventure to make myself a better artist and business woman. I'd love to hear about your stories and struggles, because that's what the artisan community is for, sharing, caring, and helping each other. :) 

A Productive 1st Quarter

I started out this year by setting myself a list of goals. I decided to only extend those goals through March, and then my plan was to reevaluate them. Why did I do things this way? Well, I firmly believe that one of the important things about goals is to be flexible. You never really know what's going to happen in life, and in 3 months things can change a lot! You can also learn a lot in that span of time. I'm currently in the process of revamping and rethinking my goals, and over the next week or so I'll be talking a lot about what I have or have not accomplished in the last quarter, and what my new goals are for the next quarter.

I've been keeping track of my goals (sometimes more faithfully, sometimes less so) using the site GoalForIt. One of my sets of goals has been "Crafty Goals." So today's post is about what I've accomplished in that area!

Crafty Goals: Accomplished

~ Elements Series - Wind Dancer - Number 2 in my Elements Series. Available in my Shop! $50.00


~ Create Purple and White woven earrings and bracelet for consignment - Currently Available in my consignment shop, custom requests are welcome though:) Earrings are $10, Bracelet is $25.


~ Create another woven bracelet for consignment - Currently Available in my consignment shop, custom requests are welcome though:) $25.00


~ Create orange and White woven earrings and bracelet for consignment. Currently Available in my consignment shop, custom requests are welcome though:) Earrings are $10, Bracelet is $25.


~ Elements series - Swiftly changing Waters - Number 3 in my Elements Series. Update: Sold! 4/5/09 Custom requests gladly taken - $40.00


~ Learn a new macrame knotting pattern. I must admit I'm not entirely sure how well I learned this one... This looks great, but I've been having troubles making a second one! Available in the shop I share with my Mom. $5.00


~ Heroes bracelet for Theresa - This was a custom order. I'm more than willing to make another one in any color scheme you might prefer! $25.00


~ New Geekery bracelet - Bracelet says "Etsyholic." Currently Available in my shop. Requests for custom sayings gladly taken. $25


It's been such a productive quarter I decided that I'll have to continue this post tomorrow! Until then my friends :)

Selling on Commission at Main St. Beads

It's real - it's official - my jewelry is on sale in a real store! I'm so excited! Now if this dumb cold would just go away I'd be able to jump up and down too :) Here's a shot of my box of tricks as I was getting ready to go out the door this morning :)

And here's my display set up! The bracelet stand and the board with all the earrings and a few necklaces. All in all I have 47 pieces in the store right now :D


I'm working on a tutorial on how I created the earring display. Hopefully I'll have that up for you on Friday :)

Here's hoping for some sales!

I need to get more business cards printed and then those will be in the store too. So it could lead to some on-line sales too! You never know!

For those of you who live in Vancouver - my jewelry is for sale at Main St. Beads in downtown Vancouver.

Working - working - working!

I was hoping to post a tutorial today - but I just don't have the time! I'm busy getting ready for setting up in the bead shop tomorrow. I'm really excited! Lot of work though. Today I have:

1. Made a display. (taking photos!)
2. Created an inventory list for the necklaces and earrings going into the shop.
3. Labeled all the necklaces and earrings.
4. Made 4 pairs of basic earrings for the shop.
5. Started a pair of woven earrings.
6. LOTS of other regular life stuff!

Left to do tonight:
1. Finish the pair of woven earrings.
2. Make another pair of earrings.
3. Inventory and label the newly made earrings.
4. Inventory and label the bracelets.

Sleep.

I should sleep tonight right? Don't worry - I will!

Back to weaving earrings!

Coming up this week: Pictures of my set-up in the bead store. This weeks artist for my radio show. And hopefully that tutorial :) We're going on vacay this weekend so I'm hoping to find time to pre-write some posts - but we'll see!

I'M SO EXCITED!!!!

I'm so excited! I started the ball rolling back in January to sell my work on consignment in a local bead store. Well, we had one meeting and then I got sick, then she got sick, then I got sick and didn't get better. *sigh* So...since I've finally been feeling better this last week...I went back in and made another appointment!

The meeting was this morning and it went FANTASTIC! I have a contract signed (you may now ooo and ahhhh) and I'm going in Wednesday morning to set up my display! Woohoo!!!

Can you tell I'm dancing in my seat here? Totally dancing! I'll do a post next week with photos of my set up and everything :D

Whew!

I feel like I've been going none stop all day long! I finally have internet access again and I've slowly started catching up on all the blog posts that I missed.  I felt so left out! I'm having fun reading everything, but it's taking me awhile :P So if I haven't been by your blog yet, don't worry, I should be soon!  I've been starting by catching up with my etsybloggers, and I plan on returning to my normal entre card drops tomorrow if at all possible!

Yesterday was really exciting! My dear hubby and I were talking as we drove to the bead store about building a web-site.  He's a geek-extraordinaire, and has offered to build one for me.  My first reaction was, "I'm managing enough sites with etsy and three blogs!"  Then, as I thought about it more, I began to see more and more possibilities for having my own web-site.  One of the things that I'd really like to do in the near future is start working on getting some consignment and wholesale accounts in the local area.  I was thinking I'd try to get cracking on that after the New Year.  So I was thinking that it would be fantastic to have a web-site that I could put in a brochure for consignments and wholesale accounts.  That way I can produce a small brochure, and then say, "for futher examples please see ...."  My dear hubby loved the idea and we talked about the whole to the bead store!

At the bead store I had several things I was looking for specifically, and I ended up in a long conversation with the store owner.  I have a new project I want to try, the patterns from a book, so I was double checking with her that I had the right materials.  As we chatted we ended up talking about many things, and I showed her a macrame piece that I had in my pocket (working on it in the car), she was very impressed! Which surprised me since I've just started working with macrame...  Anyway, next thing I know she was telling me that she loves to support local artisans and if I ever wanted to sell in her shop to let her know! 

I was floored, and super excited! We talked over details and I'll be going back in the next few weeks to set it all up! I couldn't believe that we'd JUST been talking about trying to pursue opportunities like this, and one was handed to me, dropped right in my lap.  Isn't that exciting?

Today was our first radio program on Blockhead Radio! I'll be telling you more about that tomorrow - so stay tuned!  I'll just say for now that I think it really well :)

I wanted to share a blog post with you that a friend of mine put together.  I thought it was really inciteful and I'm looking forward to reading the rest she has to share!  Go here to find the blog post :)

Oh yes, and for anyone who has been wondering, I do plan on resuming my promotions series, hopefully Saturday or Sunday.