Independent Designer Friday - Design Options

The Independent Designer of the Week is Designoptions- a jewelery shop on Etsy featuring kiln-fired enamels, "high contrast" pieces.

Here is my favorite item from Designoptions- fleur de lis choker. I love French "things" and I am REALLY into red right now! Thiswould match my new red patent leather pumps perfectly!!

I asked Lynda a few questions about the craft business!

How would you describe your crafts/Etsy shop?

I would describe my etsy shop as always ready for summer: fun, exciting and hot!

How did you get started?

I started making jewelry about ten years ago. I took an intro class at my community college and was hooked. After a year there, and many workshops later, I ended up at the maryland institute's art jewelry program in baltimore for four years.

How long have you been crafting?

I have been making and selling things since I was about 6 and I carried a box of stones I had painted door to door to sell to my neighbors. For some reason, they bought them.

What is your inspiration?

My inspiration for working with my hands came from my father who was a professional photographer back in the day, and could also draw and draft. My mom was really into fashion and read vogue and mccall's and loved twiggy so I did too. She made a lot of clothes to help make ends meet. I loved the mother/daughter matching dresses with coordinating coats! My mom's mom sold her incredibly chic knitted dresses and suits to high end department stores on the west coast. She taught me to knit and crochet, while my dad's mom taught me to hand sew and make lace (tatting). I learned how to embroider from my great grandmother who made amazing crazy quilts.

What is your favorite piece in your shop today?

My favorite piece is any one of my "lucky" pendants. They are reversible and fun and perfect for taking away for the weekend.

How do you market/advertise your wares?

The first and most major thing I have done is join Etsy and open my shop. Etsy's design is clean and modern; its super simple to manage and navigate. You can't beat having a convenient shopping cart! I have tried to read all of the marketing advise Etsy has available and implemented some of their suggestions. I load and reload my work several times a day. I try to make a treasury whenever I can stay up that late. I have been fortunate to be featured in treasuries somewhat regularly and that seems to have kept my exposure on the sight up. I have joined several social networking sites such as indiepublic, we love etsy, and facebook to meet and mingle with as many like-minded artist and regular people as possible. I love to shop and do all of my shopping on line, so social shopping sites like stylehive and stylefeeder are perfect for me to bookmark my favorite finds and showcase my own work for no cost. I met the wonderful ladies from diycitymag.com recently on stylehive and they will be featuring my fleur de lis pieces in an article on New Orleans. So, its already working!

Any advice to fledgling crafters / entrepreneurs?

Yes - as a general rule in life, do what you believe in, and try to have fun doing it.

Lynda, thanks so much for your thoughtful and open answers and advice! Good luck and I hope you go FAR!!

Independent Designer Friday - Chic Designs by Hayley

The Independent Designer of the Week is Chic Designs by Hayley - a delicious jewelery shop on Etsy specializing in everything from do-it-yourself tools to beautiful special occason pieces.

Here is my favorite piece from Chic Designs by Hayley - Turquoise and Chrysocolla Necklace. Turquoise is so HOT!!! This would look killer with a bright red top, dark blue jeans and your new peep toe pumps!!!

I asked Chic Designs by Hayley a few questions about the craft business!

How would you describe your crafts/Etsy shop?

I would say that my jewelry is sometimes funky, sometimes elegant, and sometimes somewhere in between! I love color and I love things that have some sparkle to them.

How did you get started?

I first started making my own jewelry using inexpensive beads and plated wires. Once I felt like I had mastered the basics, I started diving into buying actual semi-precious gemstones. I learned most of the techniques I know by heading to my local library and checking out jewelry-making books and by buying beading magazines. So pretty much I self taught myself everything I know. People around my small town started asking me about my jewelry and if I was selling it. It wasn't until my jewelry collection got ridiculously large that my husband suggested the possibility of selling my stuff. I also noticed that when I had yard sales and was selling some of my first beginner pieces, people where showing up early and literally ripping jewelry out of each others hands. That was really exciting to see people eager to buy even the basic stuff.

How long have you been crafting?

I've only been making jewelry for about 4 years now, but come from a family of crafty people so its in my blood.What is your inspiration?As I've gained more confidence over the past few years of making jewelry, I've gotten bolder at making more interesting color combinations in my work. I see some of the fabrics that my sister uses in sewing her handbags and I just fall in love with the colors. Mostly though my inspiration just comes from wanting to make something out of the ordinary that you wouldn't find at the local shopping center.

What is your favorite piece in your shop today?

I absolutely love my white topaz and freshwater pearl earrings. I think they are absolutely stunning.

How do you market/advertise your wares?

In addition to selling on etsy, I have my jewelry in a gift shop in a neighboring town. People are able to pick up one of my cards there too which directs them to my etsy shop. Although I would love to be able to list at least one item a day on etsy, sometimes it just doesn't happen (3 kids) although I definitely list at least 3 or 4 pieces a week or even relist an item. I also make sure to wear some of my work wherever I go, even to the grocery store, and keep a full stock of business cards in my purse so that anyone who comments on what I'm wearing can be handed a card. I find that is like being a human billboard. Who cares if you are just heading to the Post Office or the grocery store, throw on a fabulous chunky necklace and matching earrings and turn some heads. I also get on the "We Love Etsy" network usually daily and list photos of my work. I also check out the forums on etsy and convo other etsy crafters.

Any advice to fledgling crafters / entrepreneurs?

Be persistent. You can't list 10 items on etsy, not do anything for a month and expect the sales to come rolling in. Get your name and your craft out there. Do a craft fair or something of that nature. It's a way to get your name out there to a lot of people at one time. Don't be afraid to share what you do with people. For me, the best kick start to my business was getting my items in gift shop.

Thanks Hayley!! You have delicious pieces :> I love your advice about wearing a few fab pieces of jewelery even to the post office! I think that as a mom myself - I need to hear that advice!!!

Independent Designer Friday - Kymjewelery

The Independent Designer of the Week is Kymjewelery - a fun and fresh jewelery shop at Etsy specializing in Swarovski pearl, crystal, sterling, shell, freshwater pearl, wood, semi-precious stone, glass and ultrasuede.

Here is my favorite product from Kymjewelery - Country ultrasuede brown and turquoise necklace - This is fun take on the turquoise necklace!

I asked Kim of Kymjewelery a few questions about the craft business!

Describe your craft.

I design bridge jewelry catering to moms, brides, and fun, funky gals of all ages!

How did you get started?

A mom/friend of mine asked me to attend a jewelry design class at a local craft store. I liked an excuse to get out and be with other adults (I had a 2 year old at home) so I went to the class. I learned how to crimp in about 10 seconds. That's all I needed to get rolling.

How long have you been crafting?

I have been on a jewelry making binge going into my 6th year now. It's addictive, and being self-taught, I am still learning and growing my craft.

What is your inspiration?

Other moms. I listen and learn. That's what I tell my boys to do all the time! I get wonderful ideas from other women, and it may take me a month or a year to let the idea evolve in my head. I can have so many ideas brewing, they trip over each other at times.

What is your favorite piece in your shop? My Premiere necklaces are my favorite in that I hunt in antique shops and thrift stores to find unique pendants and pins. I turn them into unique necklaces that are, essentially, wearable art. Each necklace is different, and I never know how it will turn out. I just let myself go and the piece evolves wonderfully. I do have to admit that my proudest wares are the Breast Cancer Awareness Jewelry that I sell through the Breathing Room Foundation. I give 50% of the BCA jewelry sales straight to this foundation and they help families in the local area afflicted with cancer. What a great win-win for all. It is truly special for me.

How do you marketing your wares? I have a website that features what I do, why I do it and all of the retailers I sell to and foundations I fundraise for. Most of my success has been through personal marketing, meaning that I participate in artisan shows, craft shows and fundraisers and get the word out personally. Believe it or not, I have found that the one-on-one attention that I give to my customer, as well as the attention to detail that I give my work really seems to mean something to women who are tire of the "same old, same old". If a piece does not work for someone, I listen and learn why, then I fix it and make it BETTER. That's how I have become successful and have gained a reputation for quality and value.

What entrepreneurial advice can yo offer? Gosh, there is such a steep learning curve that I took on when getting into my own little jewelry business. I would suggest being open to new ideas, and writing them down. Having a mentor would be wonderful, and I wished that I had one to provide the shortcuts to learning....but then I might not have been as successful in how much attention I put to being myself and taking it back to the basics of running an honest, well intentioned business. Truly defining yourself and what you want to achieve is key. Do not be afraid to bounce ideas off your friends or partner. Do expect to make many mistakes, but do not hesitate to admit your shortcomings, fix it and make it better. Listen and learn.

Thanks Kim - for your information and fresh spin on classic jewelery pieces :>