Handmade Chic

What are you worth?

2011-08-27T18:25:00.001-04:00

Pricing and profit sometimes seem to be dirty words when talking about handmade goods. It's all about the urge to create, right? But what about the reality that in order to be able to create, we need to be able to sustain our business and ourselves?

It's funny--ask someone if the company or organization pays them what they are worth, and they'll probably readily admit "No! I definitely deserve to be paid more!" So why is it, when we are the ones in charge, we are so reluctant to give ourselves a living wage?

"Pricing and profit sometimes seem to be dirty words when talking about handmade goods."

I have been doing a lot of thinking about pricing structure lately. I've realized that if I don't begin pricing my creations like I am in a business, I won't be able to afford to keep creating. Making almost anything costs money, not just for supplies, but in my labor. If I am under-charging myself, I will burn out from the pace that I need to keep just to make cheaper items to sell (notice I didn't say cheaply *made*--there's a huge difference). I will certainly become frustrated, and most definitely working on my creations will become a chore--and nobody likes doing chores.

I plan on doing some research, and I will happily share my finding with you, though I know not everyone will agree with how I decide to price my creations. And that is OK. We all need to find that balance between allowing our business to not just survive, but thrive, while staying true to ourselves.

But for now, I challenge everyone to look at the hourly wage you are "paying" yourself. It may take a little bit of calculating if you haven't been breaking your pricing formula down already, but do it. See the number. And ask yourself, are you getting paid what you are worth?

Conquering Fear

2011-08-18T22:15:00.000-04:00

At different times in my life, people have told me that I appear courageous. In some ways, yes, I am pretty fearless. But when it comes to being creative and putting myself "out there", I often find myself so frozen by fear that I look at the raw materials in front of me, and simply walk away.

That is really, really sad.

When we make something by hand, and especially if we try to sell it, it becomes very easy to identify one's creative identity with those things that others "approve" of through their act of purchasing. This is more than just a good business practice of producing what we know our customers want. Those who have the urge to create know that this urge doesn't give a hoot about what's trendy or selling well. But our egos do. And our egos can overtake our thoughts, telling us that anything new or untested in the market isn't worth our time. What if you spend two hours on this necklace design and no one buys it? What if no one else likes that color combination in your hand and that scarf sits in your shop forever? What if you try and fail?

If you fail? So what.

What if we all make a pact to step outside of our comfort zone? At least once a week, or even once a month, we choose different materials to create with, or try a new design or technique? Set aside an hour or two and just play. What you end up with may be godawful ugly, or it may surprise you with its beauty.

I've made this pact with myself recently. When I make jewelry, I tend to string beads in a nice, orderly pattern...which is classic, right? And boring. Really boring. So I am forcing myself to step away from the beading wire and finally try all of those wire-wrapping techniques, and to use other materials to compliment my lampwork beads. My first bracelet exceeded my expectations:

So stop letting fear dictate what you create. And start letting your creativity be your best friend--and business partner.

Quiet doesn't mean without thought....

2011-08-14T13:14:00.000-04:00

I've been taking some time to really think about this blog. I was thinking for some time that I wasn't sure what my readers would want from a blog. Then, I realized, I wasn't sure what *I* wanted from this blog.

The need to be creating something is a need I'm sure many of you recognize. This blog is as much a part of that need as crafting a glass bead or piece of jewelry. And, like many of you, my need to create is coupled with a need to share that creation with others. That's why many of us take it as a personal affront when a piece of jewelry doesn't sell, or no one comments on a blog, or someone walks past our painting without a glance to admire another; we are creating so we can connect. When someone doesn't pick up the lifeline we've thrown out to them, it stings.

Source: michelleums.tumblr.com via Rocío on Pinterest

This blog is an attempt to connect with other artists. I've been hesitant to put any of my own work up on this blog, because I don't want to abuse it as an advertisement. But I am thinking differently about this lately. I can't ask others to share if I'm not ready to do so myself. I need to take risks. I need to be brave. I need to fail miserably at some things, and discover those hidden talents lurking within.

This doesn't mean that this blog will no longer have "handmade" as its focus. On the contrary, as handmade should be about having a piece of the creative soul within whatever it is you are creating--otherwise, what is the difference between what you make and what some factory worker churns out overseas? Not much, really.

I would still love to hear from all of you. Leave a comment, write a guest post, just reach out and connect. Just don't make the mistake that this blog is all about me. It's about us.

Handmade Should Never Be Cheap

2011-06-26T21:02:00.000-04:00

Sometimes, you read another person's blog, and they are able to so succintly say what you have been thinking, you are more than willing to let them be your voice.

I had been fiddling around with Facebook, when one of those revolving ads popped up on the right hand side of the page--you know, the ones that are supposed to be tailored to our likes?

I don't know about you, but I don't like Handmade Jewelry, or handmade a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g being called cheap. Ever.

Fellow artist, Jennifer Cameron of glass addictions, reacted in much the same way at these ads. Her response on her blog provides one of the best written proclamations for why handmade objects hold such value, why they are the antithesis of "cheap."

Like I said above, sometimes someone can say what you're thinking better than you can. Please check out her post: "Handmade Jewelry. Ridiculously Cheap." Value yourself, and value handmade.

Time to Play!

2011-06-10T10:13:00.003-04:00

I love handmade toys. I think some of this is due to the fact that I love it when functional and fun can come together, and what is more fun than toys? Combine this with the fact that summer is upon us, at least in my neck of the woods, and that means more time to play, no matter what your age. Therefore, it is the perfect time of year to have toys on our Friday Fun Finds!

Stanley the Stegosaurus by MandyandRandy. In their Etsy shop.

Plushie - Little Miss Worm by anapaulaoli. In their Artfire shop.

Wooden Alphabet ABC Blocks by Lecabita. In their Artfire shop.

Alice in Wonderland Finger Puppets by Claraclips. In their Etsy shop.

Mushroom Bowling by MuddyFeet. In their Artfire shop.

Share your handmade toys! What are your favorites?

Are Supplies Really Necessary?

2011-06-06T15:37:00.000-04:00

Photo Courtesy of massdistraction

As someone who makes handmade jewelry and glass beads, I have a bead addiction problem. So, of course supplies are necessary!

But...is it really necessary for the big "handmade" sites to sell supplies as part of their offerings?

Yes, there are handmade supplies. Lampwork beads are considered as much on many sites.

But do these sites, that promote themselves as handmade, really need to scores of other supply shops, offering made in China merchandise alongside those supplies handmade one by one? Isn't this in conflict somewhat with the mission of these sites, to support the handmade lifestyle and artist?

If you are a source for handmade products, then *everything* allowed should be handmade by individual artists--even the supplies.

I'm curious to hear what other artists think about this situation--should Etsy, Artfire, and Zibbet have a supply section that allows re-sellers and importers? Is this of benefit to handmade crafters because they can in theory shop on the same site that they sell? Or is this just a ploy to cushion the earnings of the sites on the backs of handmade artists?

My opinion? I think allowing resellers and importers, even when they are properly identified, undermines the "mission" of these handmade sales venues. If you are a source for handmade products, then *everything* allowed should be handmade by individual artists--even the supplies. I would gladly do my shopping elsewhere for my crystals and chains that fill out my jewelry creations.

Let me know what you think. Let me know if my bringing this up ticks you off. Or is it a non-issue?

Friday Fun Finds: Flight of the Butterfly

2011-06-03T15:41:00.002-04:00

This week's Friday Fun Finds pays homage to those beautiful symbols of metamorphosis and springtime. Let us know which one is your favorite, or point us towards a beautiful handmade rendition of a butterfly that you have seen!

Flutterby Wings Shadowboxes by Color Story Designs. In their Etsy shop.

Blue Van Gogh Glass Candle Chamber by Glassdiane. In her Etsy shop.

Evening Pixie Wings by littlewingfaerieart. In their Etsy shop.

Dancing Butterflies Hand Cut Mandala by EmerlyeArtsKirigami. In their Etsy Shop.

Bridesmaid Clutch in Teal by bellafiore2009. In their Etsy shop.

What are your boundaries as a handmade artist?

2011-06-01T09:00:00.001-04:00

I was just doing a preliminary scan for this week's Friday Fun Finds when a thought came to me (scary as that is!) I had found a gorgeous piece using butterflies, and given the fact that summer is finally coming down the lane in the Northern Hemisphere, I decided to make that the theme. I found some beautiful pendants that were created using actual butterfly wings. And I wasn't sure how I felt about that.

I'm not going to list any of the pieces here, because I don't want any artist to feel I am calling them out. These pieces were drop-dead gorgeous, as you can probably imagine if you've seen how gorgeous some butterflies can be. And the artists I viewed all made reference to the fact that the butterflies they used were gained in a responsible and legal manner, and none were endangered. One even commented how part of the proceeds will go to conservation efforts, which I applaud greatly.

I have discovered a boundary for myself as an handmade artist.

However, I am still put off a bit by the idea of using a once living creature in my creations, simply for the purpose of adorning myself with its beauty. Part of me thinks I am over-reacting and being a bit prudish about the whole situation. But, I have discovered a boundary for myself as an handmade artist.

Because I entered the handmade world when I began doing jewelry and glass lampwork beads, I already knew I had a problem with cheap imports, both as an economic threat and as a ethical issue. I knew there were some gemstones and metals that were to be avoided based on mining practices and quality of goods. Those seem like pretty cut and dry boundaries, at least for me.

I am wondering if anyone else has discovered their own personal boundaries when created homemade goods. Do you avoid any chemical processes? Are there materials you won't use? Are there techniques you avoid because they can somehow be harmful?

Let us know.

Anyone want to blog??

2011-05-30T16:15:00.000-04:00

Photo Courtesy of Maria Reyes-McDavis

While I love being an advocate for handmade and the way of the handmade artist, I am by no means an expert...mainly because the world of handmade is so incredibly diverse due to the creativity of the human spirit!

I would love to host guest bloggers from time to time on the following topics:

Business tips for handmade artists
Cool handmade ideas to make life better and more beautiful
How to tell if a product is truly handmade
Tips or techniques that you'd like to share with fellow artists
Any handmade topic you'd like to see addressed!

These guest blog spots are not a place to pimp your wares, though links will be given your online sites and shops. These will be posts that have the intent of helping your fellow artists grow.

Don't worry if writing isn't your thing. I can help with the editing and making it sound "chic!" Send me your ideas at handmadechicblog@gmail.com and we can chat about getting a guest blog written for the handmade masses!

A positive spin on the Urban Outfitters Debacle

2011-05-28T12:06:00.000-04:00

Photo Courtesy of Fiona Bradley

If you travel in handmade circles, and are involved in social media, you've probably heard a lot about the Urban Outfitters PR debacle, where they have yet again been accused of stealing handmade designs. The outrage that this company has yet again failed in the originality department, choosing instead to replicate the work of handmade artists, is certainly justified.

But my first thought, after the initial frustration that the big guy was again taking advantage of the little guy,was not so negative...

Has handmade finally hit the mainstream?

If major retailers are hopping on the bandwagon, I think the answer is yes.

What does that mean for us? Now is the time to continue to educate the public on the benefits of buying handmade from local artists. This could be a pivotal moment, where we reach out and prove our worth to the skeptics, where we prove that buying from us beats buying from the big guy any day of the week.

So I issue a challenge to all artists and bloggers to post at least one reason why it's better to buy handmade from an artist than from a major retailer. We are so immersed in the handmade world, that we often lose the ability to articulate why handmade is better, since we feel it so deeply in our soul. Try to think like the average consumer, who is more concerned with economics and impulse buying. Make those people want to buy from us.

If we can do that, it won't matter what unscrupulous retailer is out there trying to make a dime off our backs. They will no longer be able to.

Handmade Luxury!

2011-05-25T08:23:00.004-04:00

When I was a little kid, handmade frequently meant "cheap" or at least brought memories of the church bazaar craft show circuit. Not anymore!

Every once in a while, we deserve to see the luxurious side of the handmade coin. So from time to time, I will share some absolutely luxurious handmade treasures, for when we want to spoil ourselves rotten (because we do deserve it!)

Eye of Horus Necklace by Black Sheep Bijoux.

Crisp, Cool Ocean Sapphire Blue Lights by Boots 'n Gus.

Mesquite Wood & Rattlesnake Book by Mary Jane Henley.

Creativity...in the words of others

2011-05-23T08:00:00.001-04:00

Creativity is one of those concepts that people know when they encounter it; but ask them to define creativity, and most will sputter and give a "cop-out" definition (like Webster's does), such as "the act of being creative." Very helpful, Mr. Webster.

Below are some quotes from some great minds, creative minds, and humorous minds on the essence of creativity. Enjoy!

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.”

~Scott Adams, Cartoonist

“Don't think. Thinking is the enemy of creativity. It's self-conscious, and anything self-conscious is lousy. You can't try to do things. You simply must do things.”

~Ray Bradbury, Writer

“The chief enemy of creativity is "good" sense.”

~Pablo Picasso, Artist

“Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way.”

~Edward de Bono, Psychologist & Writer

"To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong."

~Joseph Chilton Pearce, Author

“A truly creative person rids him or herself of all self-imposed limitations.”

~Gerald G. Jampolsky, Psychologist & Writer

"The creative individual has the capacity to free himself from the web of social pressures in which the rest of us are caught. He is capable of questioning the assumptions that the rest of us accept."

~John W. Gardner, Educator

Friday Fun Finds is Back!

2011-05-19T20:14:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite posts was always doing the Friday Fun Finds, so of course, I had to bring them back! I love looking at the work of handmade artists, and this gives me the perfect excuse to spend some time browsing the online shops of the creative.

I'm not sure about where you live, but Spring decided to take her own, sweet time arriving this year. It felt like we were going to have barren trees and dreary, cold days forever! Then, like magic, the trees decided to rebel and unfurled their leaves--one of the sure signs that winter has been kicked to the curb. So in celebration of spring being better late than never, I offer you some beautiful handmade trees.

A gorgeous Carnelian Tree Pendant, by LOC Designs. Found in their Zibbet Shop!

Next, Magnolias no2, a beautiful fine art print, by Jessica Doyle. Found in her Etsy shop.

Finally, this Blackbird and Branches Aluminum Cuff by K. Murphy Designs. Found in their Artfire Shop.

What fun finds have you discovered in our theme of trees?

What is the appeal of handmade?

2011-05-17T21:08:00.000-04:00

Photo Courtesy of J>Ro

One thing I hated about doing certain shows, was the fact that the show organizers often had no idea of what quality handmade really meant. I would show up with my handmade jewelry, constructed from my own handmade lampwork beads, and be next to a person selling non-imaginative jewelry, strung with cheap glass bead imports from the local craft shop.

To make things even better, these fellow "handmade" jewelry designers would often come over to my table, cooing how pretty my things were, only to drop them like a hot potato when they saw the price. And believe me, my work was underpriced, if anything. They would often follow up with comments, like, "I could never charge that much for a bracelet/necklace/earrings!"

And they shouldn't. This might offend some readers, but if you are buying a string of $3.99 beads from the local craft store, stringing them on some beading wire with a few mass-produced spacers--that really isn't in the handmade spirit, in my book.

Part of the appeal of handmade is the idea of having a one-of-a-kind product, or at least one that is created with a vision by the artist. I'm really not slamming people who use store-bought supplies (as long as they do not compromise the structural integrity of your piece--but that's another blog post!), nor I am slamming people who try to create on a budget. I've seen gorgeous pieces made from components bought at a Michael's or Jo-Anns, but they were gorgeous because they contained the artist's voice and vision. Thought and heart was put into the pieces.

There is so much more to a piece being handmade than the simple idea that is was created using one's hands. People want something that they feel they could not have created themselves. Anyone can make a pair of earrings, just like anyone can do a color-by-number, or make a bar of soap. People want to feel like they are buying an idea from the artist's mind that they can now enjoy and cherish. They want something that someone else has put some thought into, and felt compelled to create through passion for a craft.

I do realize that this is my opinion, and some out there will think handmade means something totally different. But what do you think? What is the appeal of buying handmade for your customers, or yourself?

Handmade Chic is Back!

2011-05-16T16:49:00.003-04:00

After a long hiatus, Handmade Chic is back, hopefully on a regular basis.

I'm sure the blog is going to evolve in its own direction as time goes on, but there will remain one focus: Celebrating the Handmade Movement.

What does it mean to be handmade? Some will argue that any object made by human hands qualifies as handmade. But here, the human heart has to aid in the creation. So, you can holler all you want that something made by hand on a production line in China, India, etc., would qualify--but this is my blog, my rules, and it doesn't.

Handmade means artists are behind the creations. It means that items are made from passion for craft, not because someone is being paid a wage to crank out a product. It may mean that items are truly one-of-a-kind, simply because the nature of handmade requires it. It may mean a small production run, because there is one person doing the creating of each piece, one at a time.

Notice the word "create" popping up a lot? Handmade requires creativity to exist. An artist's eye can see simple objects, and using their hands and heart, combine them with skill, to create something useful, whimsical, or just plain beautiful.

Do you celebrate handmade? How? Let us know, we'd love to hear your ideas!

Don't Go Breakin' My Heart

2010-01-22T19:52:00.004-05:00

I was browsing some craft sites and noticed that most every has very sweet Valentine's Day promotions starting...blech. I wanted to pay homage to those of us who are not so in love with cupid and poke some fun at the Hallmark holiday that celebrates the heart. So enjoy the not-so-warm-and-fuzzy collection of items for the broken-hearted!

Sutured Heart Necklace

Idle Hands Designs

Love Suicide

Running With Scissors

Stitched Heart Lampwork Focal

Hannah Rachel

My Bloody Valentine

VonDoom

Poisoned Apple Thoughts

Pink Avenger

Lampwork Superhero: Lydia Muell

2010-01-17T19:34:00.004-05:00

I had blogged about Lydia Muell of Ashton Jewels last year, simply because she makes the most incredible lampwork beads I have ever seen. In fact, they go beyond being a bead, to truly collectible art.

I decided to feature Lydia again, as she has been the target of a malicious scam artist who has tried to dirty the name of many accomplished artists. Lydia has been another superhero in the fight against the evil "fraud slinger", much like Elizabeth Wait (see below), helping to organize the legal fight against the libelous blog posted by a disgruntled wannabe lampwork artist.

From Lydia's Bio:

When I began playing with glass in 2005, it was not with the idea that I would become a career lampworker. Glassblowing was my mission back in those days and I thought lampworking would be the gateway obsession that would eventually deliver me into the moderate-sized hot shop that I so desired. I wanted to make functional art glass pieces like candle holders, huge glass beads that could be used as drapery finials, blown glass spice jars for Tuscan style kitchens. . .I had to crawl before I could walk and somehow I found myself on an unexpected path.

Today, I am a career lampwork beadmaker who takes each day as it comes, rarely questioning tomorrow. Today provides the same challenge as yesterday and tomorrow will provide the same challenge as today. . .Evolving my skill at the torch, searching my soul for the inspiration that always seems to be communicated with strong classical influence.

Timing, rhythm, and repetition are the elements that move me most in a piece of visual art, just as they move me when I listen to beautifully arranged symphonic piece. As cliche as this may sound, if I can SEE the music playing within one of my beads, I know I've achieved something soulful.

These days I don't look to tomorrow. I'm enjoying the journey too much to worry about where my path is taking me or how and when I'll get there. I have found a sense of satisfaction and self worth within those little beads that I create each day. For now, these tiny wearable treasures are my destiny.

You can buy Lydia's available work through her website, Lampwork Treasures.

Featured Artist: Jenny Friske-Baer

2010-01-10T23:35:00.000-05:00

Today's featured artist is Jenny Friske-Baer of Divine Spark Designs. Jenny is another fabulous lampwork artist. Jenny works primarily in borosilicate glass, with its beautiful colors and ethereal patterns. Jenny sells her beautiful creations from her Etsy shop and from her own website, Divine Spark Designs.

From Jenny's Bio:

My name is Jenny Friske-Baer and I started Divine Spark Designs in December of 2002. My goal is to provide beautiful, unique, handmade lampworked beads, glass and jewelry that will reflect the love and good energy gone into their creation and perhaps inspire others to discover their own Divine Spark within.
I started beading over 10 years ago (who can remember?) and I blame the addiction on my sister Gretchen! She got me started and soon after I often couldn't find that "special" bead for a project. So I decided to try and learn how to make them myself. After sitting at a Hot Head Torch for an afternoon under the expert and patient instruction of my dear friend Kandra, I was hooked! I played for about a year on the Hot Head - saved my money - and now I work on a Bethlehem Barracuda Torch as well as a Lynx Triple Mix torch from Glass Torch Technologies.

Everyday I feel blessed that I am able to sit down at the torch to try and create something that others might find beautiful and full of good energy. And I feel blessed that the love of my life enjoys working side by side with me in our studio (a fancy word for garage!) creating many wonderful fused pieces and stained glass works of art.

Featured Artist: Elizabeth Wait

2010-01-08T22:15:00.006-05:00

My featured artist for the weekend is lampwork artist, Elizabeth Wait of Betsy Beads. Elizabeth makes absolutely beautiful big hole beads, which are made specifically for the popular Pandora and Troll bracelets. She also makes beautiful focal lampwork beads. An artist since a young age, Elizabeth has also designed a 2010 calendar containing beautiful pictures of lampwork art, which is for sale in her Etsy shop. The purchase of this calender supports the Artisan & Glasswork Legal Fund, which was established to help fund a defamation lawsuit brought by numerous artists against a disgruntled wannabe.

From Elizabeth's Bio:

I started with pottery quite young, probably about 5, digging clay out of a ditch bank and making a Mexican hat out of it. I went to college and got a BA in art, and if I had had the money, I would have stayed longer than 5 years. I've knapped arrowheads, tanned hides, made quilts (by hand), done beadwork, weaving, metal work, jewelry, pottery, stained glass, fine art painting, pen and ink drawing and lots of other things, but lampworking is one of my favorite things to do.

I read an article in a magazine in the late 80s about using a plumber's torch to melt stained glass shards on a coat hanger wire that had been dipped in kiln wash. After learning how to do that, I went on to buy actual glass rods and learned how to make dots and plunges and petals, and eventually bought a Hot Head torch. I went from my trusty Hot Head to a Bobcat and promptly melted my mandrel. Now I'm on a Cricket and enjoy it even more than the Bobcat.

Elizabeth also has an Artfire shop and a blog that showcases her new creations and current endeavors.

Featured Artist: Alicia Helsley

2010-01-06T18:42:00.004-05:00

Who doesn't like chocolate? OK, I know a few people who don't, but I tend to think they're strange! And what better medium for an artistic soul to work in, than chocolate?

Enter Alicia Helsley of Fat Daddy Sweets. She creates handmade goodies that aren't only pleasing to the eye, but also pleasing to the palette. Her products include chocolate-dipped sweets, truffles and other delectable candies.

From Alicia's bio:

As far back as I can remember being in the kitchen watching my mom and grandma cooking and baking. In November of 2008, I attended a cookie exchange party with a group of local moms. A couple of weeks later, one of my friends sent me an email that I needed to sell my goodies. I started my Etsy shop in December of 2008, and started with cookies and other baked goods, it was when I started adding the candies that things really took off.

In March of 2009, I was contacted by Martha Stewart Weddings, who wanted to have my truffles in an article they were doing.

I truly enjoy creating new chocolates to share with my customers, the best part is seeing the look of genuine pleasure that crosses someone's face when they taste my creations. I look forward to creating more in the years to come!

Featured Artist: Lori Ramotar

2010-01-02T23:10:00.005-05:00

My first featured artist of the new year is a talented painter and jewelry artist, Lori Ramotar. She currently has two creative ventures. The first, Artwork by Lori, showcases her whimsical artwork. The second, The Royal Bead, allows Lori to unleash her metalsmithing and jewelry skills.

From Lori's bio:
When I was a little girl of only 6 yrs. old, I already knew what my calling in life would be. It was at this age, I first declared that I would be an artist when I grew up. Creating gave me an overwhelming feeling of happiness and purpose, and it still does.

I have been creating my own jewelry since 2002, and spent 4 years as a professional glass bead maker (lampworker). I had to retire from lampworking when my husband and I moved to Florida. I have since been concentrating on metalwork in my jewelry designs. I have never stopped painting though, and my love for texture and layers in my jewelry designs led me down a new path to mixed media paintings.

First and foremost, I am obsessed with color, texture, and design. I desire all of my artwork to attract second glances and bring visual and emotional enjoyment to the viewer. I enjoy using inspiring or amusing quotes in my pieces. I believe we all need daily smiles and uplifting reminders to get us through difficult times.

Lori's work puts an immediate smile on my face!

Happy New Year!!

2010-01-01T19:47:00.004-05:00

Is anyone as happy as I am that 2009 is finally over?

In reflection, I have been through a divorce, barely sold any beads, and have found a happiness within I never knew existed! I am proclaiming 2010 my "Year of Freedom." I am free from bad relationships. I am free from "having" to make beads to sell them--I can once again simply create for the joy of creating. I am freeing myself from the lack of confidence in me, and ditching the bad habits that have dogged me in the past. I'd say 2010 is shaping up to be pretty darn good!

I know we are all supposed to make the resolutions that we will quickly discard as life takes over the next few weeks. Rather than set oneself up for disappointment, I suggest we make goals for improvement...humans are much more likely to stick to good behaviors when they are working towards something, don't you agree?

My goals? To continue to work out 3-5 days a week. To learn how to eat better and cook more simple foods that provide fuel, not therapy. To write everyday, even if it's just 100 words.

If I can manage to achieve these three simple goals, my lived will be changed immensely.

What goals are you working towards in 2010?

A Fellow Artist Needs Your Help!

2009-10-27T16:31:00.004-04:00

A friend of mine alerted me to the legal plight of a fellow artist. You may have seen these incredibly cool fire-pit metal sculptures on 1000 Markets or Etsy. They are the work of John T. Unger, an extremely talented artist and designer.

Turns out, there is an unscrupulous individual, who has sued John so that this individual can continue to manufacture and sell knock-offs of John's copyrighted designs! In order to maintain hsi legal copyright, John has to defend himself in court, which, as you can guess, costs an enormous amount of money. You can read all about the details, and how you can support John, at his website.

What made me so furious about this case? I am frankly tired of all of the unethical scumbags out there looking to make a fast buck by copying artist created designs. With our economy in shambles, these people farm out manufacturing to third-world countries, and sell cheap copies. So what if they cost pennies on the dollar? Whenever you buy one of these copies, you are taking money out of a local US community, out of the pocket of an artist. In fact, I would go as far as to say that the "steal" you got at Wally World or Tar-get is called that, because you are stealing from the artist as much as the copier themselves.

John T. Unger has done what he needs to legally protect his work. He has made certain he has the legal copyright for his work. That he can be in this predicament should be a warning to all handmade artists and its supporters, that we need to be vigilant and resist the temptation to buy what's cheap--the next time, it may be us being sued.

Featured Artist: Jennifer of Jennifer Lynn Productions

2009-08-31T19:34:00.007-04:00

I love photography of unusual objects. It takes a special eye to see the physical world and capture an object within that is spiritual and meaningful. When I visited Jennifer Lynn Productions' shop, I immediately saw a number of photos that captured my attention--I love her subject matter which runs from the mundane shown in a artistic way, to her graveyard scenes, which are full of emotion. In addition, Jennifer also makes mixed media art, jewelry & handbags.

What does it mean to you to "buy handmade"?
What it means to me is that the buyer and the artisan build a personal relationship. The buyer sees where his/her goodies come from, how they are made, how the materials are sourced. The artisan may share some of their techniques, or even the stories behind what they make. There is usually a relationship built between seller and buyer, and often the products are created in a sustainable way. You know no one is being exploited.

How long have you been active in your craft?
I have been artistic all of my life. I have been actively trying to sell what I make probably for close to ten years. I had another venture, with a friend, before I started my current business.

What inspires your work?
Lots of things inspire my work: colors, feelings, folklore/mythology, conversations, my dreams, even my family. Often, it's the materials that spark an idea for a certain piece. I'll see a piece of fabric for instance, and it will seem to tell me: "I need you to make me into a ..." It's very strange. I don't quite know how to explain it! LOL!

Where do you sell your creations?
http://jenniferlynnproductions.artfire.com , http://jlynnpro.etsy.com , http://jlynnpro.redbubble.com . I'm in the process of emptying the Etsy shop, but as long as I have items there, I will sell through it.

Are there any special accolades you have earned in your field?
I have, for two years in a row, won blue and red ribbons in a local arts show for both my photography and my mixed media pieces.

Fire Divas Part III: Return to the Fire

2009-08-29T17:09:00.005-04:00

I have more Fire Divas for you this weekend! The lovely lampwork ladies all love to play with fire--with awesome results! Remember, you can find out all about the Fire Divas on our blog!

Susan Sheehan: SusanSheehan
Frosted Lilacs

Susan has been lampworking for many years, ever since it convinced her to leave her photography behind.

Nicole Valentine-Rimmer: NValentineStudio
Barn Swallow

Nicole has been lampworking since 2003, and has been published in numerous publications.

Patty Lakinsmith: PattyLakinsmith
Humu Focal

Patty has been melting glass since 2002 and has developed a recognizable organic style.

D. Lynne Bowland: islandgirl
Searching for the Perfect Autumn

Lynne worked as a fiber artist for many years before becoming a glass artist in the late 1980s. She owns a seasonal gallery in New Brunswick, Canada.

Karen Klomparens: giapet
Turtle Bead Pair

Karen is addicted to melting glass, and holds it as one of her life's passions.

Featured Artist: Michelle of Creative Critters

2009-08-25T22:07:00.004-04:00

This week's featured artist is another talented artist with clay. Michelle, of Creative Critters, creates these amazingly-detailed, small scale sculptures out of polymer clay.

What does it mean to you to "buy handmade"?
Buying handmade means purchasing something an individual created with their own hands, versus a mass produced item manufactured by a large corporation. When an individual makes something there is more pride involved, generally speaking. I certainly prefer to buy from fellow artisans whenever possible. So far I've never been disappointed with the products I've received.

How long have you been active in your craft?
Since I was old enough to sculpt Play-Doh! I really got serious about sculpting around the age of 22 or 23. I began buying all the how-to books I could find, and tried to learn as much as possible about the art. I keep some of my early projects around to remind myself just how far I've come over the last 10 years or so, as well as to remind myself that there are no limits to what I can achieve creatively. I began sewing my cloth dolls around the age of 29 or 30, after my friend gave me a "Make Your Own Waldorf Doll" kit. I don't use the name "Waldorf" on my dolls though, because I've created my own patterns and just used that original kit as a learning tool. As for the knitted animals, my friend taught me how to knit about 3 years ago. I've always loved stuffed animals, so when I found books with patterns for knitted stuffed toys, I was off and running! Of course, I've also adapted all those patterns and come up with completely new ones as my skills have progressed.

What inspires your work?
Fantasy, for one thing. If you look in my shop you'll find lots of fantasy sculptures, as well as my line of plush World of Warcraft characters. I also find a lot if inspiration in the natural world. I love plants, animals, and all sorts of wild places. I can find inspiration in just about anything, really. My imagination is a fertile playground, with new ideas sprouting up all the time!

Where do you sell your creations?
I sell my work at http://creativecritters.artfire.com, and I have a blog at http://creativecrittersblog.blogspot.com where I sometimes add more information about items for sale, projects I'm currently working on, and a variety of other topics.

Have you received any special accolades in your field?
Several of my pieces have been featured in Polymer Cafe Magazine including Scorch the Rockin' Dragon (Feb. 09) and my Miniature Log Cabin sculpture (Oct. 08). One of my handsewn cloth dolls was featured in Creative Home Arts magazine as well.

Featured Artist: Erin of ErinNicole Jewelry

2009-08-19T00:01:00.000-04:00

One area I have always wanted to explore is fused glass. I love how one-of-a-kind pendants and jewelry can be created by layering & melting glass. This week's featured artist, Erin of ErinNicole Jewelry, has beautiful fused pieces that show how amazing fused glass can be. Not only is she a talented artist, she has also taught a number of jewelry design classes, all before graduating college!

What does it mean to you to "buy handmade"?
I think that "buying handmade" is all about supporting those that take the time to produce quality items themselves, as opposed to the mass-produced (and, often, poor quality) products that the market is becoming more and more saturated with. Buying handmade also means expressing your individuality and cultivating your own style. After all, no two completely handmade items are exactly alike, just as no two people as exactly alike.

How long have you been active in your craft?
I have been creating metal-worked jewelry for about 5 years. I learned how to incorporate glass techniques into my jewelry almost 4 years ago. It's amazing how the two complement each other!

What inspires your work?
Creating things has always been a passion of mine, even before I started making jewelry. I am definitely inspired by modern art. I love clean lines and vibrant colors. I also love taking ancient techniques, and bringing them into the modern era. My buyers are always surprised to hear when the ultra-modern piece they've selected was created with centuries-old methods. Of course, I also thoroughly enjoy playing with the newest techniques. In this way, technology serves as another major inspiration for me. I think that a lot of buyers aren't aware of the "science" of jewelry-making; countless innovations and chemical processes come into play, all serving as tools that can be used in a variety of ways. Coefficients of expansion, devitrification, melting points, annealing temperatures--there are so many things for every glass and metal jewelry artist to consider.

Where do you sell your creations?
I sell my jewelry in a variety of places. Currently, I am participating in the Colorado Farm & Art Market in Colorado Springs. This is taking place every Wednesday through October from 3-7pm at America the Beautiful Park. I have also just opened up a new online store at http://ErinNicole.artfire.com .

Have you earned any special accolades in your field?
As far as accolades go, I have won some prizes in local competitions, and would like to apply for more prestigious awards as time goes on. Right now, I have just recently graduated college and am still getting my ducks in a row!

United by Unusual Circumstances

2009-08-17T12:36:00.007-04:00

Usually, being a handmade artisan has a lot of perks; you are your own boss, you get to do something you love, and you get to meet a lot of great people who appreciate your work. Every once in a while you meet a bad apple, but they don't ruin the whole bunch.

Recently, however, the online artisan community has been targeted by an individual who has taken it upon themselves to falsely accuse many artisans of fraud; which is ironic seeing as how this individual had their etsy shop closed last year for fraudulent selling. (See the links to the right for more information) And as anyone who has worked with etsy knows, they will not close down a shop unless they have had proof.

Suddenly a great number of artisans, some of whom spoke out when this individual raised their head again on handmade sites, find themselves joined in a unique sister-hood (well now there are some brothers). The ironic part is, among her targets, I have found a lot of great handmade artisans that I might not have known about otherwise. For example, Lydia Muell of Ashton Jewels, who I featured recently, has been a target! Below are just a handful of the great artisans and their work!

Seller: cctexan3
Handcrafted lampwork & gemstone jewelry
Green Lampwork Charm Bracelet

Seller: JavaBead
Artisan jewelry & boro lampwork beads
Cherry Blossoms Lampwork Bracelet

Seller: betsymn
Handmade lampwork beads
Fire Opal Owl Eyes

Seller: Goatmountainarts
Soaps, fiber arts & more!
Handmade Goat's Milk Soap

Seller: Acelticgirl2
Handmade gemstone jewelry
Green Onyx Rice Pearls Sterling Earrings

Seller: LenorasDesigns
Handmade Lampwork Beads
Lampwork Focal Pendant

Featured Artist: Linda of Buttonwilloe

2009-08-12T00:01:00.005-04:00

My first thought when I saw this week's featured artist was that her work couldn't possibly be handmade! But no, it is just years of experience that allows Linda of Buttonwilloe to make incredible hand-sculpted figures out of clay. I am truly amazed at her talent and skill, which is why I am happy to have her as a featured artist!

What does it mean to you to "buy handmade"?
To me, it means someone has put their time, love and part of themselves into creating something very special. When an artist creates an original design, I like the term "heartmade", because original designs are often an extension of who we are and sometimes reflect our personality and lifestyle.

How long have you been active in your craft?
I started sculpting little figures and giving them as gifts when I got married in 1972. Early in the 1980's, I sold at my very first craft show in a friend's home.

What inspires your work?
The sweet face of a little baby. The purr of a kitten, and the happy tail of an excited puppy. Babies of any species in general...except creepy crawlies. I truly believe our talents and abilities are gifts from our loving God, and that we are all "precious in His sight." It's my hope that my little creations will bless your heart and make you smile.

Where do you sell your creations?
Since the early 1980's I've been selling at arts and crafts festivals in Southern California, where I live. You can check them out at www.sugarplumcrafts.com and www.Harvestfestival.com. I also do a craft fair in my hometown called Nutcracker Boutique. I sell online at www.buttonwilloe.artfire.com.

Are there any special accolades you have earned in your field?
In 2002, the Harvest Festival honored me with "best in show" at the Long Beach location. It was so exciting. The staff came to my booth, literally with bells and whistles, and presented me with a beautiful plaque that I have displayed in my booth ever since. I also received "most festive booth" and the "Heart of Sugar Plum" awards at Sugar Plum Festival. Last year Sugar Plum honored those of us who have been participating in their shows over 20 years. There were only six of us. It was a very sweet and memorable occasion.

Need to Cool Off? Cool Fun Finds!

2009-08-10T21:36:00.003-04:00

Last week I featured the Dog Days of Summer, which finally decided to make an appearance in my neck of the woods. This week, I need to cool down! I have scoured Etsy to find handmade products that will bring the temperature down a notch!

Adorable Stephanie Snowperson by former featured artist, Nivenglassoriginals

This beautiful Winter Ice Bracelet by Opheliax

A Tasty Blue Slushie Pendant Necklace by SweetStella

Impossibly cute Kawaii Penguin Bottle Cap Pendant Necklace by craftyaddictions

A Cold Bear on Ice set of 4 coasters by Sybilinart

Red Hot Fire Divas Part II!

2009-08-07T11:02:00.003-04:00

This is the second installment of my feature of the Fire Divas, a group that has come together through their love of lampworking! If you don't want to wait for *me* to present all of the Fire Divas, you can check out our blog and find links to our various online shops & personal blogs!

Holly Dare Hughes: HollysFollyGlass
Waterworks
Holly started out in television production and worked on The Carol Duvall Show, which is where her fascination with glass began.

Jessica Veda Jones: VedasBeads
Chunky Black Crystal Set
Jessica has been lampworking for several years, and just recently left her "day job" to pursue her passion full time.

Janel Dudley: Janeldudleybeads
Lampwork Frog Focal
Janel first started making lampwork beads in 1997, and has been going strong ever since!

Jamie Rose: GlasstasticTreasures
The Mummy Returns
Jamie has been creating her whimsical beads for over 3 years.

Melissa Villadiego: VillaDesigns
Gerbera Pendant
Melissa has been lampworking for over 5 years and has been published in numerous craft publications.

Featured Artist: Wendi G of Miz Darlin'

2009-08-05T00:02:00.001-04:00

Meet Wendi G., our newest featured artist! A recent retiree who has moved onto her dream island and on to becoming a full-time crafter, she creates beautiful hand-crocheted hats and neck warmers from non-sheep's wool: no allergies or shrinkage! She sells her creations as Miz Darlin' and her hats are all one-of-a-kind and come in all sizes, from baby, to extra large.

What does it mean to you to "buy handmade"?
'Buy handmade' is the way I try, as much as humanly possible, to live my life. It is a philosophy to me, not merely a slogan. I try to support myself creating and selling handmade goods, and I buy handmade goods whenever I can, by preference, for their superior quality and price, and the added bonus of helping others to support themselves this way. Anyone who spends any time creating and selling in any venue that is amiable to handmade, will find that it becomes a lifestyle rather than a random choice.

How long have you been active in your craft?
I have been creating since I was a small child, and always restlessly searching for whatever I can put my hand to regarding creativity--I love learning new disciplines and perfecting old ones. I have been actively crafting and selling my work for over 30 years.

What inspires your work?
My inspirations are boundless--but usually it starts with the natural world. I love doing representations of natural things or using natural elements in my work; for example, wood, or freshwater pearls. I also enjoy using elements made by others, to re-purpose or recycle parts and create new things. I am also terribly weak when it comes to texture and color--I can go wild with yarn buying, because I find a new color, texture or type of material, and I discover I cannot continue to live without acquiring it and working up something new. And let's not talk about my exotic bead addiction...

Where do you sell your creations?
I am currently selling on two online venues, Artfire and Etsy, and my blog, Ms. Exile in Paradise, has links to both these online shopping sites.. I also sell at a local weekly Farmer's Market and several craft fairs throughout the year.

Dog Days of Summer Fun Finds

2009-08-03T22:57:00.007-04:00

Where I live, it is finally summer! We one of the coldest July's on record, but August has been nice and hot! So to celebrate the dog days finally showing up, here are some of my favorite handmade dog finds!

Puppy Yawns, an adorable Limited Edition print from Michelle Pullman

Golden Retriever Table from Jeffrey Pohan

Cuter than cute Pointer Dog Earrings from Mark Poulin

Mini Custom Needle Felted Puppy by Emilie Friday; pick your breed!

For your little one, this Puppy Hooded Towel by Tulips & Daisys

A Fused Glass Whimsical Dog by Enid Traisman

An Ergonomically Designed Pet Feeder by Woodin' You

Meet the Red Hot Fire Divas

2009-08-01T23:47:00.005-04:00

Welcome of my first installment of "Meet the Fire Divas." The Fire Divas are a group of lampwork artists who have come together to support, promote and inspire one another. We "met" on a forum for lampwork artists, and the rest is history! When you buy from a Fire Diva, you can be assured that you are buying from an actual artist, not some re-seller trying to pawn off factory-made lampwork as artisan-made!

This week I am showing off the work of five of our Divas: Cindy Haberman, Melissa Vess, Lara Lutrick, Lea Avroch, & Angela Kane. Next to each picture you will find the Divas name, their Etsy user name, the name of the bead pictured, and a short bio!

You can also find links to all of the Divas by visiting our blog.

Cindy Haberman: Cindylynne Glass
Lampwork Glass "Balloonimal"
Cindy started out trying glass fusing but quickly found her passion in lampworking. That was three years ago, though she has loved glass since childhood.

Melissa Vess; Melissabeads
Ice Blue Silver Nuggets
Melissa has been working with hot glass for over 4 years, and has a degree from the Art Institute of Colorado.

Lara Lutrick: Lutrick
Rainbow Bicone
Lara has been making jewelry & lampwork beads for over 10 years in her Seattle studio.

Lea Avroch: LAJewlery Designs
Purple Majesty
Lea has been making lampwork beads for several years. Her work has been published in several magazines, including Bead & Button & Belle Armoire

Angela Kane: Blue Lagoon Beads
Inside the Raindrop
Angela has been making lampwork beads for a number of years in both soft and borosilicate glass.

Featured Artist: Artisan Goods by Gayle

2009-07-29T00:01:00.001-04:00

I am always truly amazed when I come across an artist who does their craft well. I'm even more amazed when I come across an artist who does *many* things well! Gayle, of Artisan Goods by Gayle, is a self-taught photographer and crafter. Her work reveals a love of culture and a diversity of style.

What does it mean to you to "buy handmade"?
In my opinion, handmade gifts still retain major credibility as being the most "thoughtful" (ie. "it's the thought that counts"). As an artisan, I know how much thought, skill and passion goes into a piece. Unlike mass produced products, handmade artisan items exhibit individualism which is an appealing aspect to me. If there is a back story shared, then it can actually influence my decision to purchase. Also, as a struggling artisan myself, I fully realize the importance of supporting my fellow colleagues so that they can continue to create, too.

How long have you been active in your craft?
Photography I was self taught during the 1970s I had my own small local photo business until I was forced to close it due to the recession. I began actively selling my fine art photos again in 2003. Jewelry was learned and apprenticed in handwrought silverwork during the early 1970s at an international art institute in another country. I didn't immediately pursue it after returning to the states due to costs and life in general, then began creating and selling my current OOAK styles in 2007. I began creating my conceptual soft sculpture art dolls, accent pillows and art cards in the year 2000

What inspires your work?
My inspiration comes from all that I am exposed to, be it cultures, nature, poetry, films, atmosphere, whimsy, color, heritage, memories, shape and textures. My work conveys my delight in simple pleasures and a passion for life.

Where do you sell your creations?
Currently my only shop is at Artfire. I am currently looking at other venues.

Are there any special accolades you have earned in your field?
Thus far, my fine art photos have received numerous awards, won contests, been used for teaching examples, and have been added to private collections.

Who Says Lampwork Beads Aren't Art?

2009-07-27T15:50:00.003-04:00

I am sure many of you creative types have a favorite artist in your field whose work you covet and wish for one-tenth of their talent! In lampwork, many artists (myself included) create beads with the common purpose of being used in jewelry. Lydia Muell, of Ashton Jewels takes her lampwork beads to a whole different level, creating miniature pieces of art at her torch.

I have been a fan of Lydia's work for a long time, and have enjoyed watching her style develop. She has created some of the most distinctive beads I have seen since I began lampworking 5 years ago. Her current floral beads are truly breathtaking and unlike any other artist's.

Not only is Lydia an artist with glass, her jewelry, which incorporates her stunning beads, is equally amazing. Could imagine how good you would feel walking into the room, wearing one of her pieces?

If you are not already a fan of lampwork beads, Lydia's will definitely win you over. She is a trendsetter in the field, and one of my favorite glass artists of all time. Visit Ashton Jewels whenever you want to devour some gorgeous eye candy, and maybe treat yourself to true wearable art!

Featured Artist: Magic Bean Buyer

2009-07-25T00:15:00.006-04:00

One of the best things about writing a blog about handmade goods is being able to discover and share uber-cool artists with others. Jamie of Magic Bean Buyer creates the most adorable hand-sculpted and hand-painted figures I have seen in years. A pre-press designer by day, Jamie transforms into Magic Bean Buyer at night, sharing her whimsical vision with the world from her Etsy shop.

What does it mean to you to "buy handmade"?
Buying handmade to me means supporting your fellow artists and crafters. I appreciate knowing that something handmade that I've bought has a lot of care and hard work put into it. I also love being able to know where and from who the things I buy come from. It gives the item more value in my opinion.

How long have you been active in your craft?
I've always been creating things in my spare time and going through different phases, honing in on what I enjoy to make the most. But I'd say I've probably been creating my figurines and jewelry pieces for a bit longer than I've been selling on Etsy, which I've been doing for the past four years.

What inspires your work?
My biggest inspiration would have to be food (who doesn't love food?), with super cute things like kitties, polka dots, sprinkles and anything miniature, a close second.

Where do you sell your creations?
Currently, all of my items for sale can be found in my Etsy shop. I've been slowly building my own website, so hopefully one day my stuff will be available there as well. I love to take custom requests, so even if you see something in my shop that you like but wish it was pink, or wish it had a cupcake attached, or whichever....feel free to ask!

Handmade Harry Potter Fun Finds

2009-07-23T14:51:00.008-04:00

Even if you aren't a huge fan of the books, you can't escape the hoopla now that the latest Harry Potter movie has hit the theaters. Today's Fun Finds pay homage to Harry & his Hogwarts friends!

Radish Earrings, inspired by Miss Luna Lovegood, and hand crocheted with wire by Yoola on Etsy.

A stylin', working Hogwarts Crest Pocket Watch by Iheartglitter on Etsy.

Imagine how fun the next office meeting can be when you wear these Harry Potter Upcycled Lego Cufflinks by bitsandbadges on Etsy.

A gorgeous Hogwarts Woodburned Box for all of your magical trinkets, by SixthandElm on Etsy.

Adorable Harry Potter Finger Puppets, handknit by kazzalblue on Etsy.

Catch your own Golden Snitch when you buy Fleur's Snitch Necklace by Trophies on Etsy.

Last but not least, the Hogwarts teacher every fan loves to hate, featured on this Professor Severus Snape Scrabble Tile Charm Bracelet by Islandgirlzjewelry on Etsy.

D-I-V-O-R-C-E Beads!

2009-07-20T22:03:00.005-04:00

I'm not really one for broadcasting my private life on my blog, but I figured this one time wouldn't hurt. I wanted to brag about the first new lampwork beads I have made since my soon-to-be-ex decided that our marriage wasn't worth working on. Obviously it was a big blow, and I didn't even want to touch my torch for a good month or so...then came having to pack and move all of my glass and studio set-up. Then, unpacking all of my glass and studio set-up! LOL

But then, the urge started to come back to be creative. I truly believe it was my spirit's first declaration that it is starting to heal. Somewhat ironically, one of the first beads I made was supposed to be a tab focal, but it forced itself to take on a heart shape. It's a little wonky and off-centered; a perfect reflection of my own little ticker (at least this heart didn't break!)

I will hopefully be able to actually list some beads for sale over the next couple of days. But I think I will hold on to my wonky heart for a while before sending it to a new home! ;-)

Lovely Surprise!

2009-07-12T22:36:00.003-04:00

There is nothing better for a lampwork bead artist to see their beads made into gorgeous jewelry. The other day I happened to recognize the name of ArtFire's Item of the Hour artisan, as she had bought some of my beads a while back.

As I browsed The Beaded Lily's Artfire shop, imagine my delight when I found two beautiful pieces featuring my beads! I decided to share them here, like a proud momma!

This piece, entitled Chocolate Cherry Velvet Necklace, featured one of my focal beads, and some unique chocolaty rhodonite. So decadent!

In A Bit of Bedu necklace, some of my lampwork lentils are paired with turquoise crystals, mother of pearl and silver. I can totally see this necklace with a gorgeous southwest-styled outfit!

Life's A Beach!!

2009-06-30T16:47:00.002-04:00

I am in the process of moving, which is never fun! To help make it through I am dreaming often of kicking back and relaxing at a beautiful, peaceful beach by the ocean. It seems only fitting to highlight some beautiful handmade works that can help bring a little bit of the beach to you, wherever you may be! All are from shops on Artfire.

This beautiful Beach Watch is by MySRCreations. They have watches made with all sorts of miniatures in every theme imaginable!

This Beach-in-a-Bottle Charm is made by Treasures from Hawaii. I think the shop name says it all!

This fun Summer Plate is by Nikkidoodle. Even the back of the plate is decorated and signed by the artist.

Can you imagine this Ivory Beach Shell Frame by beachgrasscottage showcasing your favorite vacation from your latest beach venture?

Last, by not least by a mile, is this gorgeous Beach Comber bracelet by Freshwater Designs. The bracelet features artisan made lampwork and sterling beach-themed charms!

And the Winner is....

2009-06-25T12:21:00.010-04:00

After dealing with my internet being down last night, I am back and ready to announce the winner and answers of the Lampwork Treasure Hunt!

The winner is: Susan Wells of swellsthings.etsy.com ! Susan wins a pair of my handmade lampwork earrings!

Were you wondering what the answers were to the treasure hunt? They are revealed below, with a photo and link to the Etsy listing!

Treasure #1
1) Stephen King wrote about a dark one.
2) Only mail deer have these (use the singular!)
3) Free term: lampwork

Tower of Strength by juliechristie

Treasure #2
1) If you have too much of something, you are up to your...
2) These are meant to decorate your ears
3) Free term: divas

Eyeball Earrings by JanelDudleyBeads

Treasure #3
1) A type of dark chocolate cake
2) A muffin's sweeter cousin
3) Free term: divas

Chocolate Devil's Food Cupcake by HollysFollyGlass

Treasure #4
1) These are a girl's best friend
2) This can be cloudy, sunny or dark
3) Free term: divas

Diamonds in the Sky by Glass Addictions

Treasure #5
1) Adjective for someone who loves their country
2) Jewelry that hangs from a necklace
3) Free term: divas

Three Cheers for the Red, White & Blue by LAJewelryDesigns

Treasure #6
1) He brings happiness on his wings
2) She opened a box of trouble
3) Free term: divas

Bluebird of Happiness by islandgirl

Treasure #7
1) Man's best friend
2) Beware the curse of the monkey's...
3) Free term: divas

Zoe's Friends Paw Print Focal by infernoglassbeads

Thanks again to everyone who played with us! :)

Treasures Found!

2009-06-24T08:11:00.002-04:00

Thank you to everyone who took part in my first Lampwork Treasure Hunt! I will be selecting the winner from the correct entries later today. Check back tonight to see who won!

Fire Divas Treasure Hunt!

2009-06-21T18:46:00.005-04:00

Welcome to my first treasure hunt! If you love lampwork beads, this will be a blast for you!

Here's how it works. I have 7 treasures for you to find (only 1 is mine, so you will get to see a lot of other artists' beautiful work). For each treasure, I will give you 2 clues--the answer to each clue is a tag you should use on Etsy to search for the item. I will also give you a third term for you to use as the third search term. Even better, if you find all the treasures, you will win a pair of my handmade lampwork earrings (see photo below).

For example:

This is one of my wine stoppers. Here are the clues & freebie search term:

1) Follow the Yellow... (2 words)
2) Another name for vino
3) Free term: Divas

You would go to Etsy and, under Handmade, search for "Brick Road Wine Divas". The only listing you will find is the wine stopper. You have found a treasure!

What you need to write down when you think you have found a treasure is the shop's name, and the name of the bead listing. For the above example, you would record "infernoglassbeads, Brick Road". Once you have all 7, email all of your info to handmadechicblog@gmail.com.

I will take all of the correct entries and have someone choose one at random. The prize, a pair of my handmade lampwork earrings, is pictured at left. The prize is valued at $21.00 USD.

All email entries must be sent by midnight EST on Tuesday, June 23rd. Entries sent after this time will not be eligible for the prize drawing. Your odds of winning the prize will be based on the number of correct entries received.

Enough with the rules! Are you ready for your clues? Good luck!

Treasure #1
1) Stephen King wrote about a dark one.
2) Only mail deer have these (use the singular!)
3) Free term: lampwork

Treasure #2
1) If you have too much of something, you are up to your...
2) These are meant to decorate your ears
3) Free term: divas

Treasure #3
1) A type of dark chocolate cake
2) A muffin's sweeter cousin
3) Free term: divas

Treasure #4
1) These are a girl's best friend
2) This can be cloudy, sunny or dark
3) Free term: divas

Treasure #5
1) Adjective for someone who loves their country
2) Jewelry that hangs from a necklace
3) Free term: divas

Treasure #6
1) He brings happiness on his wings
2) She opened a box of trouble
3) Free term: divas

Treasure #7
1) Man's best friend
2) Beware the curse of the monkey's...
3) Free term: divas

Remember to email me your list of all 7 treasures, and which shops they come from by midnight EST on Tuesday!

Handmadenews.org Must Reads!

2009-06-18T11:53:00.004-04:00

Handmadenews.org has already had thousands of visitors come and read their pages. It's not surprising that the site is growing so quickly, as there is a ton of great content on the site. It's getting harder and harder each time to choose only 5 articles for my must reads!

First off, my columns from the previous week deal with a variety of business topics. First, is the popular, Secret to More Sales (and the secret is something you already have!). Next, I look at doing business in the information age, especially communicating through e-mail, in Manners 2009. Finally, we have the first in a two-part series about financing your business in Bank On It.

Now on to the other must reads for the week!

1) Favorably Green Wedding Favors Just in time for summer weddings, this article gives suggestions for some environmentally friendly wedding favors guests will love.

2) 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall: Gift Trends for Men Even though this Sunday is father's day, you still want to show dad you love him all year 'round, right? This article highlights some very cool handmade gifts dad, or any man in your life will enjoy.

3) Top 10 Sign You May Be Selling Yourself Short A humorous look at a serious subject for crafters and artists trying to support themselves on their creativity. Jenn Joyner gives the 10 signs that you may be underpricing your work.

4) Know Your Shoppers An excellent article that looks at how to provide the best customer service possible to all types of customers. You'll discover that you have all sorts of customers with different needs.

5) Craft Techniques Department Okay, so this time I am sending you to the department's table of contents. The reason is, this department publishes a great craft tip each day to help you run and enjoy your business. You will have a blast, and get great ideas, from browsing their many "Craft Tip of the Day" gems.

Featured Artist: Red Panda Chainmaille

2009-06-16T20:11:00.004-04:00

This week's featured artist is a talented chainmaille artist. Jessica of Red Panda Chainmaille offers a wide spectrum of chainmaille jewelry, from the fun and funky to the sleek and classic. If you appreciate the art of chainmaille like I do, you absolutely have to check out her shop!

What does it mean to you to "buy handmade"?
Buying handmade is about supporting independent retailers, who make a living or at least supplement their income with the things they make. It's supporting your fellow person instead of a big box retailer.

How long have you been active in your craft?
I've been making chainmaille since my junior year of high school, in 2004. I remember weaving rings in English class, and I haven't stopped since!

What inspires your work?
I know most people say something cliche like nature or architecture inspires them. When I think about this question, it's honestly my work that inspires my work. I've never been on a nature walk and suddenly been inspired to create something. I do like to consider myself a photographer as well, so I see the beauty in nature and I capture it that way. As for my chainmaille, almost all of my ideas come from when I'm working on one item, and my mind wanders to other things that are similar to what I'm working on, but substantially different. I've invented new weaves of chainmaille by trying to make a weave with ring sizes that I know won't work for it and coming up with something completely new. Or just trying to create a pattern from memory that I haven't made in years. I might weave a ring into a slightly different place than the pattern calls for, and make something new. I'm always experimenting with color combinations and weave combinations, so there's always something I'm making, inspiring more things for me to make. As self-absorbed as that sounds, it's the truth!

Where do you sell your creations?
I primarily sell my chainmaille on my website, www.redpandajewelry.com, Etsy (http://redpanda.etsy.com), and Artfire (http://redpanda.artfire.com). I have my full stock listed on these three sites. I have one to five items listed on tons of other handmade sites across the web, mostly just to try them out. I'm also very active with social networking sites. Links to my twitter, myspace, facebook, indie public, plurk, and flickr sites can be found on my main domain site.

Are there any special accolades you have earned in your field?
I'm honestly not that involved with the "artist" community locally, as most all of my work is sold online. I am so busy with just creating things and the whole process of photographing and listing, that I don't feel that I have enough time to enter contests or write for magazines or anything of that nature. As previously stated, I have invented a few weaves recognized by the Maille Artisans International League. I'm also a paralegal full time while I'm not mailling, work on my hoop dancing skills on a regular basis (see hooping.org for more info on hoopdance), take pictures of abandoned buildings and other interesting things, and have a wonderful boyfriend, so my hands stay pretty full.

Friday Fun Finds: 6.12.09 School's out the the Yart Sale!

2009-06-12T10:45:00.008-04:00

Since I am a teacher, the end of the year is just as exciting for me as it is for the students! I decided to celebrate with this Friday's Fun Finds. As an added bonus, all of these items are part of the Etsy Yart Sale, so they are on sale, offer free shipping, or both! Enjoy!

Teacher's Pet by The Grace Within

Graduation 2009 by the Paper Fairy

School Day by Jennifer Dennis Potter

ABC's Learning Alphabet by Cillia Home & Hearth

High School Musical XL Handfolded Envelopes by Good Earth Paperie

Etsy Yart Sale!!

2009-06-09T21:10:00.005-04:00

Etsy is having an "unofficial" Yart Sale, June 10-14. I will be participating, with 20% off all items in my Etsy shop. Please check out my shop for details.

The Yart Sale is an "Art Yard Sale" that was first pulled together by an Etsy Street Team, the Etsy Supply Street Team. Now is a great time to take advantage of these specials on all sorts of handmade goods. Simply search "Yart" on Etsy and you should come up with all sorts of items on sale!

Free to List Online Marketplaces

2009-06-07T14:44:00.002-04:00

We need to face it--there is nothing free anymore, except maybe smiles! When selling your handmade goods online, it's sometimes hard to pay the money upfront to list your items, without having that guarantee that they will sell.

Some of the newer online marketplaces are addressing this issue. Instead of the industry standard set by ebay and Etsy, which was to charge listing fees and commission, or selling, fees, these new venues are making it free to list your products. This is done to help alleviate some of the concern that you will be shelling out your hard-earned money just to have your item sit on a website somewhere. If your item does sell, then these venues take a small commission, usually 3-3.5% of the selling price. In this respect, it behooves the venue to make sure that their website is adequately publiciczed and is easy to use for buyers. It can be a win-win for artisan and webmaster alike.

Below are some of these new venues. I only have personal experience with one of them, but would love to hear from you if you sell on any of these sites!

Silkfair: US based site that sells handmade, as well as vintage and antique items. Their commission is 3% of the final selling price.

Made it Myself: US Based site that sells only handmade items. They claim they are waiving the listing fees right now, so at any point they could institute them. Currently, they also charge a 3% commission fee.

Lov.li: Another site for only handmade goods, but I find it a little difficult to navigate. They charge a 3.5% commission

1000 Markets: Only sells handmade goods by the artists themselves. This website is a little more expensive, 5.5% + .50, but the quality of the goods is very high. This is not grandma;s church bazaar craft table!

Friday Fun Finds 6.5.2009

2009-06-05T00:01:00.002-04:00

Thank God it's Friday! Nothing like relaxing on the weekend with a little music serenade. Each of these handmade items has music in it's soul, and is sure to nourish yours as you kick back and relax. All of these items were found on Artfire!

1957 Elegant Music Tags by PetitPoulailler

Musical Throw Pillow Case by RLP Photo Press

Shaded Strings by The Infinite Lens

Electric Guitar Upcycled Domino Pendant by Ninja Jenn

Hula Girls Guitar Pick Earrings by The Birds and the Beads

Summer Night Mixed Media Guitar by CT Studios

Must Reads from Handmadenews.org

2009-06-04T00:01:00.000-04:00

This past week on Handmadenews.org, I tackled the concept of branding. Branding 101 gives a background on exactly what branding consists of, and how it benefits the independent artisan. Once you have the basics down, move on to Branding Pitfalls, which highlights the most common branding mistakes made by small businesses. Both of these articles help you to get a handle on your business' public persona, and create an image that makes customers want to buy from you.

More Must Reads...

Love Bags for Father's Day looks at creating a sweet momento for dad on his special day, forgoing the traditional tie.

The Little Things Mean So Much gives a number of ideas submitted from other artisans on how to go that extra mile for their customers. These special touches help build customer relationships, which can be hard to do over the Internet.

Teakettle Weed Killer is a cool little article from the Green Wise department. If you love your lawn, but hate weeds, the author reveals how you can kill the weeds naturally with boiling water!

Are Your An Artist or a Crafter? looks at the age-old debate with a clear perspective.

How to Market Fine Art Galleries Online offers some suggestions on marketing your fine art to possible collectors on the Internet, and how you can help them to find you.

Make sure you check out Handmadenews.org for your craft-info fix!

Featured Artist: KZM Facial Care Boutique

2009-06-02T00:01:00.000-04:00

This week's featured artist creates all-natural, cruelty free indulgences for your skin. Karley, the owner of KZM Facial Care Boutique has a well-respected line of skin care products and make-up. Her products allow you guilt-free pleasure in treating yourself and your skin.

What does it mean to you to "buy handmade"?

Buying handmade, to me, means that I am choosing to purchase an item which has been handcrafted with someone's talent and passion. You can almost sense the passion one has for his or her art in each product, whether it be a photograph, a bar of soap or a handbag. Buying handmade means that I am not supporting a major giant who squashes the little guy; the mom and pop stores. It means I am supporting someone like me.

How long have you been active in your craft? What inspires your work?

I made my first lotion in 1999. I had a teeny tiny business selling to friends and family and life got in the way of the hobby. I have been actively involved in creating skin care since my son was born and suffered from severe eczema in 2003. I am inspired in so many ways by the different women I meet who see results in my products. That motivates me to keep plugging away. I started working in the cosmetics and skin care industry while I was a sophomore in college. I sold Mary Kay out of my dorm and did well at it. I then started freelancing for Lancome. I never looked back and continued in the field.

Where do you sell your creations?

I sell my creations online in my 1000 Markets shop, http://kzmface.1000markets.com.

Are there any special accolades you have earned in your field?

I am very proud of my achievements. My Goat's Milk Facial Cream was featured as a recommended product in the October 2008 issue of Martha Stewart's Body + Soul magazine. Before I just decided to offer facial products, I used to make a baby skin cream which was featured in Canvas Long Island magazine. My products are listed in The Good Guide, and my cleansers are ranked in the top 10% of all brands sold. I've been a signer of The Compact for Safe Cosmetics for quite some time, and my products can be found on the Environmental Working Group's Cosmetics Database. Most recently, May 28 in fact, I was approved by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics' Leaping Bunny program, making KZM Facial Care Boutique one of the few 100% truly cruelty free lines on the market. I am very proud of these accomplishments and I continue to strive to do the best I can for my customers.

Do You Love Lampwork Jewelry? Please Vote!

2009-05-31T22:27:00.003-04:00

One of my fellow lampwork artists has put together a contest for lampwork jewelry. This week's entries are all bracelets, and boy are they beautiful! Laurie did this to help show the world how beautiful jewelry made with lampwork beads can be. If you love lampwork, you will want to visit just to see all the eye candy.

My entry is Tiger, Tiger! I would love it if you would vote for me! I am entry 2-2 on this page. You can vote once per page, and there are three pages of entries. Please check it out!

Looking for Craft Shows?

2009-05-29T14:05:00.003-04:00

If you are like many crafters and artists who have sold exclusively online in the past, the recent economic woes have probably forced you to consider other selling venues. One of the most popular is the craft/art show circuit.

I have found a site that may be helpful on your search for such shows. Sunshine Artist is a database for craft and art shows across the country. What I love is that you can search within specific dates (or leave the dates blank for all upcoming shows), your state, or region if you don't mind traveling a little. Plus, you can search for shows that fit a variety of categories. You can look for fine art of fine craft shows if you want to weed out the shows that allow imports or kits.

Check out Sunshine Artist, and let me know how you do with finding shows in your local area. I would love to get your feedback!

All About Handmade News

2009-05-27T19:36:00.002-04:00

As some of you know, I am a columnist for a new website aimed at being an amazing resource for the handmade artist, handmadenews.org . I am really impressed with the quality of the articles coming out of this website (and not just because I write some of them)!

I will take time each week to share not only the current articles I have written for the Business Tips department, but some of the best articles from the rest of the site as well.

So without further adieu...

MUST READS from Handmadenews.org

This week we have tackled Accounting & Paperwork in the Business Tips department. Please check out my Is Your Price Right? to help you think about all that needs to be figured into the price of your product, and Stay Sane with Filing to get some tips on organizing and filing paperwork for the small business.

A very fun article, in the aptly named "Just for Fun" department gives you a quiz to take to see if you maybe take your crafting a little too seriously. Are You and Obsessive Crafter? pokes fun at all of us who have, in the past, been sucked into the craft zone.

Next, for all of you color-lovers out there comes Color Toys and Joys! Every handmade artist has debated over color themes at some point, and this article list some tools to help you make your decision.

Finally, for this first week on my blog, I am going to feature a whole department as a must read. The Green Wise department is full of articles about going green with your crafts and your life. With articles about using found materials to make crafts, to more serious topics such as what is really in your make-up, this department has a number of fantastic pieces sure to inform.

So be sure to visit handmadenews.org when you are looking for crafting information. But be careful--it's easy to lose yourself in the pleasure!

Featured Artist: Studio Marcy

2009-05-26T00:01:00.001-04:00

Today's featured artist is a lampwork bead artist sure to bring a smile to your face. Marcy Lamberson of Studio Marcy creates whimsical and fun lampwork beads and sculptures.

Marcy's background, in her own words:
My happy and somewhat quirky lampwork glass beads are designed to make the viewer grin. They are a reflection of who I am. Besides being a full time beadmaker living in Atlanta, GA, I also teach this art form both as private lessons and in groups around the country. I contribute beads to the HOPE Bracelet Project and Beads of Courage, which are two non-profits supported by glass artists. Other important facts are that I can write with both hands at the same time in opposite directions, able flip my tongue over 180 degrees, and still working on learning how to hula hoop.

What does it mean to you to "buy handmade"?
Buying handmade is having a chance to purchase an item that was made with someone's hands and heart. I know from my personal experience, when I make something, my customers have bought a small piece of who I am as a person.

How long have you been active in your craft? What inspires your work?
Although I have created artistic items all my life, I have been making whimsical lampwork glass beads for about eight years now.

Inspiration comes from everywhere. As funny as it may sound, one of the ways I look at life is through beads. I see someone's dog, who I unconsciously reconstruct into a cute bead, or a pattern on a fabric or it can even be a phrase in a story that spurs my imagination. Inspiration can come from 3-D, 2-D or even daydreaming.

Where do you sell your creations?
I primarily sell my glass beads through my etsy shop, http://www.StudioMarcy.etsy .com. It is an easy way to find my most current offerings and contact me. Often people will email me through my StudioMarcy@gmail.com to request custom bead orders- like pet or people characterization focal beads, or beads representing items that have special meaning to them.

I also have a fun daily creativity, inspiration and lampwork glass blog: http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com

Are there any special accolades you have earned in your field?
Well yes, some wonderful things have occurred in my field.

This July, I am very happy to have been chosen to teach a sculptural beadmaking class for the International Society of Glass Beadmakers' International conference- The Gathering.

Last year I demonstrated and presented a program on my current work for the International Society of Glass Beadmakers.

My work has been exhibited in many locations including the following:
The Heinz Museum, Pittsburgh, PA
The American Association of Woodworkers Museum (a collaboration piece)
The Ohio Glass Museum
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft

Fabulous Finds: Lampwork Jewelry

2009-05-23T19:46:00.007-04:00

I was spending some time wishing I had a million dollars :) If I did, I would splurge on some of these incredible lampwork jewels. These are not for the faint of heart, or the penny-pincher! These are all truly pieces of wearable art.

Colorful Cala Lillies by artjewelryonline

Surprise Bird Box by Birdland Creations

Lovely Dancing Bloom Earrings by risabeads

Sea Grass by Skychica

Dangerous Liaisons by redhotsal

Featured Artist: Niven Glass Originals

2009-05-21T00:01:00.004-04:00

There are always a few artists whose pieces regularly draw your attention. Florence, of Niven Glass Originals makes some of the most innovative fused glass pieces I have come across to date. She brings a strong sense of design to her fused pieces, making them stand out from most other fused glass. Her "Divas" are my personal favorite, and show such personality, it is hard to believe they were created in a kiln!

I am so happy that I get to present to you, Niven Glass Originals, and I am sure you will become a fan of Florence's work, too!

What does it mean to you to "buy handmade".
Handmade to me, means just that - from the hands of an artisan or crafter. I'd like to think that someone has developed an idea from sketch to finished product.

How long have you been active in your craft?
I have been a graphic designer and illustrator since 1983. Nine years ago, I took a stained glass course that completely changed the focus of my work. Since then I've slowly replaced my paint brush with a glass cutter, and now work full time as a glass artist. Over the past four years I have eased out of stained glass and now work exclusively with fused glass - glass that I cut, layer and fuse together in a high temperature kiln.

What inspires your work?
I am seldom without a sketch book, or at least a scrap of paper. I've been doing this long enough to know that inspiration comes from all over - a passage from a book, a walk in the park, design magazines, fashion, movies. My background as a graphic designer informs how I see things; my designs tend to be clean and precise - less is definitely more. But I also like to keep a sense of humor in my work - I don't take myself too seriously.

Where do you sell your creations?
I sell my glass at several retailers here in Canada and also online through my Etsy shop - Niven Glass Originals.

Just for Fun: Is Your Cat Trying to Kill You?

2009-05-19T20:33:00.006-04:00

I know that this is supposed to be a blog about handmade goods, and cats aren't necessarily handmade items, but this was too funny not to share. If you are owned by a cat or two, you will totally relate. (if you're not a cat person, this definitely will *not* help you to like them!)

This was taken from How to Tell if Your Cat is Plotting to Kill You.

Cafe Handmade Virtual Craft Show

2009-05-18T00:15:00.001-04:00

I discovered a new website this week, thanks to Twitter! Cafe Handmade is yet another website devoted to handmade, but with a twist. One of their coolest features is how they allow artisans to advertise. While there are the requisite little square ads along the side, the bulk of the artists on Cafe Handmade advertise through the Virtual Craft Show.

The Virtual Craft Show allows artists to upload 5 photographs on their work. These are arranged in a banner-type format as part of the Virtual Craft Show. When a potential buyer clicks on one of the photos, they are taken to the artists web site. The Virtual Craft Show is updated every week, so that there are constantly fresh items to be seen.

Signing up for the Virtual Craft Show starts at $14 for a two week minimum run. This advertising rate is comparable to a lot of the other handmade websites I have checked out. What's so cool about the Virtual Craft Show is you get to spotlight 5 items, rather than just one in a standard type ad.

Cafe Handmade has more than just the Virtual Craft Show. They have a "Best in Show" poll, where you can vote for the best artist in that week's show. They also have spotlights for featured artisans and a marketplace for your works. This is a site definitely worth visiting if you like handmade!

Friday Fun Finds 5.15.2009

2009-05-15T00:01:00.000-04:00

Another Friday is here! Thank Goodness! :)

I have been swamped with preparing articles for my Handmade News column, but I still made time to feature some very cool summer-themed items! All of these beauties are available on Artfire, and I have listed the link to each artists' shop, so you can find them easily.

So help me welcome summer, maybe a little early according to the calendar, but never too early for my spirits!

Summer Apple Tree Ne cklace by Hollis Wire

Summer Orange Blossom Olive Oil Soap by Ginger Bells

Little Piece of Summer Art Pendant by Vusova

The Summer Jumper by Drape Clothing

Tropical Paradise by Luna Cat Jewels

Introducing Furever Friends Pet Market!

2009-05-13T00:01:00.000-04:00

My pets have always filled my heart with joy and love. That's one of the reasons I decided to propose a specialized pet market on 1000 Markets. If you haven't heard of 1000 Markets yet, it is a website for quality handmade goods that is a step above the rest. I am happy to say that the Furever Friends pet market is a reality, offering treats for your pet, and pet-themed gifts and art for you!

At Furever Friends, you can buy adorable artwork and photography like the exhausted kitty seen above. You can also buy handmade food and treats. Clothing for your pet is also available, including collars, coats and more.

Finally, we haven't forgotten the humans! Our For Humans Only collection features jewelry and collectibles that reflect your love for your pet. If you love animals, and you love buying handmade goods, Furever Friends will be a heaven on the Internet for you & your furbaby!

Handmade News!

2009-05-11T00:01:00.000-04:00

I am so excited to be part of a new venture aimed at taking the pulse of the handmade movement. Handmadenews.org is a brand new, daily online news magazine full of information of interest to anyone who creates or loves to buy handmade goods!

I am currently a columnist in the Business Tips section. Even though Handmadenews.org has just gotten off of the ground, I have already had two of my columns published. Please check them out! The first, Finding Your Niche, talks about how you can combine passions to create one-of-a-kind art that will be in demand. The second, What's in Your Name, talks about the importance of naming your online business.

In addition to Business Tips, Handmadenews.org also has daily columns in Craft Techniques, Marketing, Craft Trends, Going Green, and much more! Be prepared to spend some time browsing the articles! There will truly be a treasure trove of information available for the handmade artisan.

I will still be posting my blog here, but I am going to focus more on presenting new-found handmade artists and trends, since my business-focused columns will be on Handmadenews.org . If you would like to be a featured artist, or know someone that would be great to feature, please email me at handmadechicblog@gmail.com!

Featured Artist: Karen McGovern

2009-05-05T00:01:00.000-04:00

Every now and then, you come across an artist whose creations amaze and take your breath away with their innovation and beauty. Karen McGovern, whose business goes by the name Beadkeepers, creates some of the most original, nature-inspired jewelry I have seen to date. What's more, most of the proceeds from the sale of her creations features a nature conservation organization, rarespecies.org.

What does it mean to you to "buy handmade"?

I LOVE to buy handmade for so many reasons. Whenever you purchase handmade art you are not only buying something original, a true "work of art", but you are also supporting the artist who made it and thereby encouraging that artist to continue creating. Nothing is more satisfying to a hard-working artist than seeing their work appreciated. BUY HANDMADE, EVERYONE!!

How long have you been active in your craft?

I've been an artist all my life, but focusing on jewelry design for about five years.

What inspires your work?

Nature, the environment, the world around me. All my designs are a reflection of my belief that art and nature are linked--you cannot have one without the other.

Where do you sell your creations?

I currently sell online through Etsy, and my stand-alone website, Beadkeepers. My work is also available in Rebecca's Studio and Adornment Gallery located in Traverse City, Michigan. I also have a blog about how art and nature influence each other.

Are there any special accolades you have earned in your field?

I've had a couple experiences that really stand out--I was once asked to design a series of rings for a opossum rehabilitation center. The director gave them to all the staff. I created rings incorporating opossum teeth in glass. Very fun and a great honor. I also have been asked to create vessel necklaces in remembrance of passed loved ones, or as affirmations. These are the really special design collaborations that inspire and honor me.

The Semantics Game

2009-05-04T12:01:00.000-04:00

I love it when people play the semantics game. I was reading one of many forums I enjoy, and someone stated that people really shouldn't be upset the sellers of mass-produced lampwork beads market them as handmade. *They are made by hand after all--just in a factory by underpaid workers is all* (OK, the sarcasm here is my addition).

Yes, there are a lot of things that are made by human hands. But anyone with half an ounce of sense realizes that when someone is shopping for handmade goods, they want those hands to be attached to an artist. If you want to dissect the meaning of handmade down to its barest bones, so be it. But the reality is, "handmade" has come to mean so much more.

The good news for artists is that handmade is becoming hot. Whether it is the movement to buy local to help the economy, the high number of problems we have had with imported goods, or the need to buy something that isn't pure technology in today's hi-tech world, items that are handmade are now of value. Why? It used to be that men and women knew how to make most of the items they used in their lives. Handmade items have become rare. And items made in a factory aren't rare.

So there.

Were You Front Page Material? Find it in the Vault

2009-04-28T00:01:00.000-04:00

A couple weeks ago, I posted a number of sites that had cool Etsy tools. One of the sites, Craft Cult, had a very cool tool that lets you view which of your items have hearts. There is another tool on that site that I finally got to looking at, and wanted to spread the word.

Getting featured on the front page of Etsy is a big deal for many people. Craft Cult has a database of those special front page treasuries, available for your view in the Vault. You can browse the front pages, if you want to see what type of items are usually featured. You can also search by an Etsy username, or by a specific date. This way, when someone tells you that they saw you on the Etsy front page, you don't need to feel bad that you missed seeing it! You can just go on Craft Cult and look that baby up! You can also share the listing from the Vault with others quite easily.

Right now, the database only goes back to March 2009, as that was when the tool was introduced. Even so, it is still a really cool way to keep an eye on what is catching the eye of Etsy curators.

What is the Cost of Your Art?

2009-04-27T12:01:00.001-04:00

Discussion on pricing art abound all over the Internet. But what about the actual costs incurred by your art of choice? In this day when we are used to seeing some many cheap imports available, people have no true idea of what it really costs an independent artisan to create their goods.

Since I love to do lampwork, and have to deal with people who are used to buying cheap imports at Wal-Mart on a regular basis, I will use that as an example. I will only mention the tools and supplies you absolutely *must* have in order to create a quality lampwork bead (notice that you can't really put a cost on practice and expertise here!).

There is a beginner torch out there called a Hot Head. This torch runs on a single fuel, and is made to run on the small canisters of MAPP gas or propane you can find at hardware stores. You of course need glass rods, and stainless steel mandrels with bead release to form the bead around. And no matter what people might want you to believe, you need a kiln to anneal your beads (fiber blankets and vermiculite do *not* do the job).

So before you have even lit the torch and made a bead, you will have to spend:

Hot Head Torch: $40.00
Mandrels (12): $6.00
Bead Release: $10.00
Glass Rod Asst: $20.00
Kiln: $550.00
Can of Fuel: $3.00

If you chose to upgrade your torch to one that burns hotter, you will need to buy a dual fuel torch, the least expensive of which runs about $225.00. Plus, when you do this, you need to add in either bottled oxygen on a regular basis, or an oxygen concentrator which starts at $550.00 for a refurbished one.

Of the above supplies, the bead release, rods and fuel are consumed by the craft and need to be replenished regularly. Even if you decide to try to catch anneal your beads in someone else's kiln, you still need to spend nearly $80.00 before you make a bead. Now it makes a little more sense as to why those little glass treasures cost a bit more, doesn't it?

I would love to hear from artists in other fields as to what the costs associated with their area end up being. Please email me at handmadechicblog@gmail.com if you would be willing to write up a short entry outlining the costs you face, so we can continue to educate our customers.

Friday Fun Finds 4.24.09

2009-04-24T00:01:00.002-04:00

One of the ways I always know Spring is knocking at the door is by the birds singing. But I have a confession to make; I don't really like birds all that much--I blame it on Alfred Hitchcock.

But one feathered friend I do love are owls. I had the privilege to be able to hold a beautiful white owl at my local county fair, and have attended barn owl releases by Hawk Creek, a great wildlife rehabilitation center in my area. So I dedicate these beautiful, handmade owls to them!

I love when people recycle unexpected materials to create something new. Debby Arem Designs on Etsy has taken a recycled circuit board and scrap metals to create this adorable owl brooch. The fact that this beauty is eco-friendly is an added bonus!

Sora Designs, also on Etsy, has for us another beautiful owl piece of jewelry. This beautiful Wise as an Owl Ring has a carved redwood owl face as its "gem", and is adjustable to fit nearly any finger. Another beautiful piece with a natural touch!

Animal totems are thought to contain special powers, and this Wise Owl Lampwork Bead would make a perfect totem for peace and wisdom. Handmade by Nicole Valentine, this little guy is just waiting for you to turn him into a piece of art for your neck. This bead is available in Nicole's ArtFire shop.

Finally, we have a pair of earrings that are total show-stoppers. These abstracted owls are made from handcut copper by The Sparrow's Nest on Artfire. Perched upon handwrapped copper branches, these earrings would be sure to garner compliment after compliment!

What about eBay?

2009-04-21T00:01:00.002-04:00

There are probably very few people left who haven't heard of eBay. eBay has revolutionized selling on the internet with its auction and Buy it Now formats. But, is the most well known site for selling really the best option for selling handmade?

My opinion is no. Not anymore. I used to sell on eBay a few years ago. I absolutely loved it, and I used to be able to get very good prices for my work. However, eBay continued to grow, and not always in ways that benefit the self-representing artist.

For someone starting out on eBay right now, it is a very hard place to get noticed, unless you want to fork out nearly $25 to advertise your item in the featured section. For some artists, this may make sense. But for many, it doesn't add up cost wise. And believe me, nearly every category that has handmade items, also has been flooded with mass-produced items. This means you are competing with cheap goods. It is the same principal as if you were trying to sell your first quality art in a Wal-Mart.

eBay has also become more and more expensive to use. Yes, if you want to chance that you may only get $.99 for your item, you can list for $.15. However, if you want to get a more realistic price for your work, you will pay more. For example, let's say you have a handmade purse that you really hope to get $50 for. You decide to start out the auction at slightly half of that, $24.99. Your insertion fee for the auction is $.55. Not bad when you look at it, but this double what Etsy charges, and if you are doing an auction, only good for 7 days. Let's stay positive and say, without adding any listing upgrades, people find your purse and it sells for $40. You now will have to pay eBay a Final Value fee of $4.03, which is added to your $.55 insertion fee, bringing the total up to $4.58 in fees. This is over 10% of the price of the item. The same purse listed on Etsy would cost you $1.60 in fees when it sold.

This isn't to say that there are not some artisans who still do well on eBay. However, most of these people already have a loyal customer base built up, and buyers know to look for their items. Even with this, some of the handmade items I see with bids on eBay are selling at ridiculously low prices that are an insult.

Have you made the Handmade Pledge yet?

2009-04-20T00:01:00.000-04:00

As a blog devoted to all things handmade, I would be re-miss to fail to point out that you can show your support by taking the Handmade Pledge at Buyhandmade.org . There you can "take the pledge", and publicly show your support for handmade. As of this writing, 40, 425 other artisans and supporters have done so.

You can also then place a badge on your site that lets everyone know where you stand. They also have a great blog that has all sorts of interesting info on Buying Handmade, Conscientious Consumption and more. Be prepared to spend some time reading through the articles that are sure to inform even the most active handmade artisan.

Made By Hand. By Me

2009-04-16T00:01:00.002-04:00

Of the new social networking sites for handmade artisans, Made By Hand. By Me, is by far my favorite for one very cool reason. Besides being truly devoted to the spirit of handmade (read their story), they have made available a very cool, clickable, gallery tool to showcase your work, or the works of others.

See the little gallery I have off to the right there? ----->

I created this virtual themed gallery with the Spotlight feature available on Made By Hand. By Me. What's great about these Spotlights is that you can include items from many different handmade venues in one gallery. They support the big guys like Etsy & Artfire, but they also will let you use items from 1000 Markets, Made it Myself, and Zibbet, plus more.

If you are like many artisans, and you have multiple shops, you can easily create a gallery of your work for your blog or website that pulls items from all the venues. It's similar to an Etsy mini, only better, in my opinion, because you aren't limited to one venue. Registration is free, and you can set up your own profile for their Artisan Directory as well.

To see the spotlights that others have created, you can click on the Shopping tab on their website and either select Window Shopping, to view a random spotlight, or choose Artisan Spotlights to see a sortable list of active spotlights. Be warned, though, time can get away from you as you drool over all the beautiful handmade goods!

These spotlights are only one of the many cool things about Made By Hand. By Me. To be honest, every time I visit it seems like I am finding out something else cool they have created for the online artisan. This is one site I would wholeheartedly recommend you check out!

Hot for ArtFire!

2009-04-15T10:01:00.000-04:00

Last week I talked about how Etsy made selling handmade cool. Now, I have to admit, I have found something I think is even cooler.

There are a number of new sites aiming to refine the handmade online experience. ArtFire is one of those sites, and in my humble opinion, they are going to give Etsy a run for their not-so-proverbial money.

I signed up for ArtFire a few months ago. At first, I was dissapointed in their layout, especially once you got into the categories. It seemed like it would be pure chance that anyone would ever find my beads, and I became hesitant to invest to much in my ArtFire shop.

However, members of my online groups kept praising how great the ArtFire team is at responding to feedback. A few days ago, I went back for a real look-see at the site. It is amazing!

First off, each category has a section up top for random items to be featured at the top of the item page. These are random, not paid for by the artists, like the seldom noticed Etsy features that run at the top of item pages (never noticed those? I hardly do either!). Next, they have created an interface where you can sort items by price, time listed, and number of views. If you are one of those people who get a rush "discovering" a new artist, ArtFire gives you countless ways to get your fix.

Second is the fact that every item listed gets on the front page, and it is in a nice large format, not that tiny little filmstrip Etsy has running. They also have a great search feature that lets you decide if you want to include supplies and vintage in your quest. You can then narrow down your items further by price, or excluding certain terms. They have made finding items very easy for you.

Finally, we have to talk about price. While Etsy is affordable, I found that I was regularly having bills of over $20 when I would list regularly. The listing fees were on .20 but they would add up quickly with the 3.5% commission. ArtFire does it different, very different. If you only want to have 10 items in your shop at one time, you can have an ArtFire shop for free. Yes, FREE! If you usually keep more items stocked, you pay a flat monthly fee. Right now (and for the next week), you can sign up and only pay $12 a month for everything. No matter how much you list or how much you sell, you will only have to pay ArtFire $12 each month.

I know that this might not be the best choice for everyone, but if you want to budget exactly what your expenses will be for selling online, this may be for you. I personally love it.

This really is not to say that I don't like Etsy anymore. I still do, and will keep my shop there are well. But, if what I have seen so far is any indication, ArtFire will force Etsy to step up to the plate and become more responsive to its sellers.

TGIM: Networked or Burned Out?

2009-04-13T00:01:00.000-04:00

A colleague, on one of the many social net groups I take part in, mentioned how exhausting it is keeping up with all of the social networking self-representing artists find themselves participating in on the web. If you Google 'social networking sites" you get over 45 million hits. Facebook, Flickr, MySpace, Twitter, Forums, blogs: seriously, when is a person supposed to find time for it all, and still create?

This is a question I have been turning over in my head for a while now. It seems like most people fall into two camps; one groups feels the best results will come from having representation in every avenue, the other feels that energy should be focused on one or two priorities. I find myself bouncing back and forth on a continual basis, so who am I to offer advice to anyone, right?

One thing I have realized, is social networking will not benefit your business if you find that it is interfering with your ability to create new product! Lately, I have had a number of initiatives starting up, and found myself without any time to be creative, much less add new work to my existing sites. It was then that I realized I needed to see through the projects I had started on, and then decide one or two sites that I would try to utilize the best way possible.

However, most self-representing artists do not have a big advertising budget, and social networking can be a great way to sell yourself to a targeted audience. To satisfy that part of me that is worried I will be missing out on the next great "thing", I will continue to try out the new sites that I come across...and then I will have to make the decision whether to continue that route or let it go.

Social networking can be a blessing for the artist who does not have a group of like-minded folks in their neck of the words. Just make sure it doesn't turn into a time vampire, and deprive you of the precious minutes you spend in your studio creating new treasures for the rest of us!

Friday Fun Finds 4.10.09

2009-04-10T00:01:00.002-04:00

Without a doubt, my favorite color is purple. I am always drawn to it, whether it be clothes, jewelry, paper, or pens even! So, of course, I just had to do a Friday Fun Finds with Purple as its theme! All of the following come from shops on 1000 Markets.

First is a painting that totally captured my attention, and still hasn't let go. A beautiful ocean theme interpreted through purples and violets is the creations of zenbreeze. Santa Cruz Rhapsody is only one of her beautiful works you will find in her shop.

Next is this sweet handmade greeting card by Totally Tyra. A purple daisy adorns this card that comes with, of course, a matching envelope. You can find this card, named "I've Been Thinking About You" in her shop.

I love purses almost as much as I love shoes. And this handknit and felted Purple Rain Mini Sling Bag would make a great addition to my collection! Created by Suzy B Knits, you can visit her shop for more awesome bags in bold, beautiful colors.

To go with your beautiful purse, you need a top that is equally gorgeous. This hand-dyed Woodgrain Shibori Top is absolutely stunning. This is just one of the many amazing hand-dyed pieces by dye diana dye.

Last but not least, is a beautiful accessory to complete your purple look. Featuring a handmade lampwork bead, Floral Fantasy is a elegant pendant suspended from a silver chain. Wirewrapped by Alaiyna B. Designs, this stunning pendant is just one of the many beautiful pieces in her shop.

Etsy Tools 101

2009-04-09T00:01:00.000-04:00

I have to admit that I obsess a little bit over checking out my views in my Etsy shop. So it should come as no surprise that I love the new tools people have created to help you keep track of all things Etsy. Here is a collection of tools that help you get more out of your Etsy experience. Have fun!

Craftopolis
A super easy tool that lets you enter your shop ID, and then tells you if you are in any treasuries at that moment. I used to wade through all 20+ pages of Etsy treasuries looking for the elusive yellow star. Now I can see within seconds if I am featured in a treasury. They also have atab that lets you know if you are in any gift guides. Very cool.

CraftCult.com
Another one of my all-time favorites. It has the Heart-o-matic, which lets you see not only your shop hearts (which you can check out in Etsy anyways), but how many hearts each specific item has! You can see at a glance which items are popular among Etsy browsers. It also has a tab, called "the Vault" that lets you see if you are in gift guides, of if you have been featured in the Storque recently.

Etsy Fee Calculator
This one can be a real eye-opener. You can state what amount you want to receive for your item, and then the fee calculator adds in the Etsy & Paypal fees, showing how much you will have to charge. Too often, people forget to figure in these fees when pricing their work!

Etsy Wiki
First off, this site has a wealth of information if you are trying to figure out Etsy. But what I love is their Top Seller function. You can easily find which shops sell the most on Etsy as a whole, or within your specific craft. This can be helpful so you can see what successful shops are doing.

Etsyhacks.com
The name may be a bit scary, but don't let that put you off. The developer of this site has created these tools, partly to help his wife, who has an Etsy shop. Under the Tools, there are two that are cool. First is the "Where Am I?" which lets you plug in your information to see if any of your items would show up within the first 25 pages of a search (you enter a tag & your user name). The second, is "Inventory Worth?" which does what it says; it tallies up the prices of your Etsy items and lets you know how much total inventory you have.

Let's Ets
This site allows you to easily add you Etsy items to the Google Base, which puts your items into Google searches. This is another great tool to help you with exposure of your Etsy items.

Featured Artist: Marilyn Peraza

2009-04-07T00:01:00.001-04:00

This week's featured artist is Marilyn Peraza, the woman behind Peraza Beads & Jewelry. Marilyn personifies what Handmade Chic seeks in a featured artist; someone who not only makes handmade goods, but who seeks to help others in their own quest for making handmade a focus, whether artist or customer!

Marilyn is a lampwork bead artist, who is very well known for her sculptural rose beads and her newest rose interpretation, the rose murrini. She has published tutorials for both, showing a willingness to help other artists learn and grow. Her jewelry is absolutely exquisite, showing a talent for design.

What does it mean to you to "buy handmade"?

Buying handmade is very special to me. It means that not only is there the material components of the handmade item, which are visible to the naked eye, but the heart and soul, love and passion of the artist who created it.

How long have you been active in your craft? I have been making jewelry since a very young girl. I started making my own glass beads about 10 years ago. In 2006 I released the first issue of The Annealer Magazine, a magazine dedicated to lampwork artists and lampwork jewelry designers, and its companion website at http://www.theannealermagazine.com/.

What inspires your work?

Oh my goodness, what doesn't inspire me should be the question. I can see something inspiring in just about everything I look at.

Where do you sell your creations?

My website is: http://www.perazabeads.com/, where you can purchase items directly from me by viewing the online catalog, or, you can visit my public shops on Etsy, 1000 Markets, Artfire, and even on GlassBeads.org. You can find links to all of these shops, on my main website, under "current auctions."

Have you earned any special accolades in your field you are exceptionally proud of?

I have had some recognition by winning various contests, features, etc., but I'll tell you what means more to me than anything is when a customer contacts me (by email, phone, or simply in the feedback portion of the sites I sell on) to tell me how much they love the bead or piece of jewelry they purchased. To me, the appreciation of my art and/or jewelry designs, from the person on the receiving end of my finished work is most special.

TGIM: Summer Inspiration

2009-04-06T00:01:00.000-04:00

Where I live, we are under a winter storm watch for tonight. I have about had my fill of the snow & cold and find myself dreaming often of the blazing heat of summer. While mother nature has other plans in mind, I am making it summer now in my studio, and have found some beautiful pictures to help inspire you.

All of these photos come from Best of Wallpapers, a great site for nature photos. I challenge each of you to create your interpretation of these summer themes. If you like, you can send me a photo of the finished product and I will feature some on Handmade Chic in the near future!

Friday Fun Finds 4.03.09

2009-04-03T00:01:00.000-04:00

Who doesn't love shoes?

Today's Friday Fun Finds spotlights handmade items in one of my favorite indulgences; shoes! I know I am not alone out there, so enjoy these fun handmade items that reflect a love for that which adorns our feet!

Even your baby deserves to have footwear to be proud of! I fell in love with these adorable, hand-knit, fuzzy booties! Created by Never Felt Better, you can find these Hazelnut Nuzzlers in their Etsy shop.

Talk about a cool use for those old dutch wooden shoes you have laying around! A hand-painted wooden shoe is transformed into a functional pin-cushion for your favorite seamstress or needle artist. You can find this Wooden Shoe Pin Cushion in Run Amok's Etsy shop.

I've always admired origami. When I imagine trying to work to the small scale of these origami pumps, I am amazed at the skill of this artist! Origami Spirit on Etsy has a number of very cool origami shoes for your perusal. These Red Polka Dot pair just happen to be my favorite!

Finally, this gorgeous pin features hand-set Swarovski crystals. This Vintage Style Shoe Pin was created as a beautiful tribute to a friend. Found in von Walhof Jewelry's Etsy shop, you can see more of their gorgeous pins in a variety of themes.

Tips for Having a Successful Show

2009-04-02T00:01:00.001-04:00

Most artisans sell their creations at shows. Even though more and more are joining the Internet community, successful sellers realize that their potential customers want to see and touch the creations in person; after all the subtle nuances of a piece are often what attracts a buyer, and many times these can only be appreciated in person.

If you are used to mainly selling over the Internet, the idea of doing a show IRL (in real life) can be very intimidating. There is a certain safety towards your ego when selling over the Internet–you can’t see any negative reactions to your work…but you can’t experience the joy of someone falling in love with one of your creations either.

If you have decided it’s time to branch out into shows, or even if you have a few under your belt, here are some suggestions to help make your experience a successful one, both financial and mentally.

Make certain you visit the show before you agree to sell there!
Unless you have sworn testimonials from many trusted friends, you need to actually attend a show to see if your items will be well received. A local church craft bazaar or small summer craft fair may not be the right market for your creations. If a local craft show has an open vendor policy, that means anyone can set up a table and sell pretty much anything. If you make beautiful, handcrafted, wire-wrapped jewelry, why would you want to sell along side of grandma’s foam cut-out Christmas trees (no offense to grandma)! You wouldn’t expect to sell your jewelry at Wal-mart, you would look for higher-end shops that appreciate your work, mainly because customers that will appreciate (and buy!) your work will seek out those shops.

Also by visiting the show, you can see the conditions for yourself in regards to the lighting and spacing. You can determine if the organizer is on the ball and has arranged the artists for optimal traffic flow. You can also observe the type of people who are already attending this event; is it a nice mix of customers, people mainly looking for a bargain, or art conisseurs looking for a one-of-a-kind piece?

Set up your display ahead of time as a dry run.
You will already be running on adrenaline before your show starts, even if you are an old pro! You definitely don’t want to be stressing out because you didn’t think ahead as to how you wanted to set up your display. Also, when you set your display up at home you can immediately pack up everything as you pull your practice display down, reducing the likelihood that you will forget something important! In addition, this planning ahead will force you to think of everything you might need. Since I mainly sell my jewelry at shows, I know I need to include:

hand-held mirrors;

clipboard with newsletter sign-up info;

business cards;

extra pens;

extra price tags; and

scissors to cut the price tags in case the buyer wants to wear their purchase immediately.

Make arrangements to accept credit cards!
Considering there are so many affordable merchant services available now, there is no excuse for the serious artist not to accept credit cards. I currently use a service that many people recommended, Propay. I personally find this service very easy to use, and sell more higher-priced items as a result. There are others out there as well, I just don’t have the personal experience with them to recommend them to others.

If you do accept credit cards, make a folder for your credit card receipts. Make a “cheat sheet” with the instructions and information needed to process a credit card and tape it to the inside of the folder. This will also come in handy if you have a booth helper; they won’t have to interrupt you to take the card info, since they will have the directions in front of them. Once the show is over, you will already have your credit receipts in a folder making it easy to keep organized for bookkeeping purposes.

Be friendly!!!
This is probably the most important advice, and also the one thing you can absolutely control. You can have a million things go wrong, but the customer doesn’t need to know that. You would be amazed at how many shows I have been to, both as a vendor and as a buyer, where Sally Sourpuss is just sitting along at her table, ignoring nearly everyone who walks by (she may occasionally make eye contact with someone she thinks may have money to burn). There is no way you will have a good show if you don’t smile and acknowledge the people who are taking the time to look at your work, however briefly. Don’t be afraid to ask them how they are doing, and don’t get discouraged if they don’t buy something right away. They are more likely to remember you for being nice, and return to you for a purchase at a future show.

And if you feel you are having a horrible show, and inside feel anything but happy, I have two words of advice: Fake it! Being nice never hurt sales, but being unfriendly definitely will.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the amount of advice that is out there for having a show. However, it should be enough to get you going and have a great time while meeting your customers face-to-face. Believe me, there is nothing that beats having a perfect stranger come up to your creations and re-affirm that your work is, indeed, beautiful.

Where to Sell? Spotlight on Etsy

2009-04-01T00:01:00.000-04:00

Taken from the Etsy website:

"Etsy is an online marketplace for buying & selling all things handmade.

Our mission is to enable people to make a living making things, and to reconnect makers with buyers.
Our vision is to build a new economy and present a better choice:

Buy, Sell, and Live Handmade."

When Etsy first came on the scene in 2005, it was truly visionary...a website, devoted to the sale of handmade goods? And they expected to make money with this?

Their timing couldn't have been better. With ebay becoming flooded by cheap, mass-produced items, it was quickly turning into a flea market, not a true venue for a serious artisan. And many artists were still not willing to invest on a website for their business that would allow for shopping carts. Etsy offered a solution to both of these problems.

So how is Etsy as a selling venue in 2009? While it sometimes seems like everyone I know is on Etsy, I realize there are still many people out there wondering if they should take the Etsy plunge. In my opinion, it is still quite easy to use, and the cost is less than listing an item on ebay (if it sells). You can list an item in your shop for 20 cents, which is good for 4 months. If your item sells, you pay 3.5% of the selling price as a transaction fee. If it doesn't sell, you can either renew the item for another 20 cents, or let it drop out of your shop when it expires.

The bone of contention I have with Etsy is the fact that they allow supplies and vintage items to be sold on Etsy as well. They claim that their tagging policies are supposed to ensure that commercially made (i.e. mass produced) supplies will not be mixed in with the handmade supplies, but anyone who has sold on Etsy for a while will tell you this isn't true. I have seen a number of threads in the Etsy forums where someone is lamenting another seller listing mass-produced items in the handmade section. While Etsy is more responsive than other sites when such issues are brought to their attention, I feel they could end this problem entirely if they would just live by their stated motto, and be only handmade.

Success on Etsy can also depend on what you are selling. The jewelry category is completely overloaded, making it difficult to find unique artisan pieces that are also affordable (the easiest way to find the coolest jewelry is to sort the items most-least expensive, but you still have to go through many pages of jewelry that may be way out of your budget until you find something you can afford). If you are selling a handmade good that can be used as a supply or to create other items, such as lampwork beads, paper or fibers, you will inevitably have to fight with the sellers of commercial supplies, which are always priced way cheaper due to the fact they are almost always imported from overseas.

However, Etsy is a great place to start off if you are just beginning to sell your work online, and you don't want to invest in a website just yet. Etsy is very popular, and the site gets a lot of traffic. Plan to do your own marketing on top of that which Etsy already does to help drive people to your shop, and you could find yourself reaching customers on all corners of the globe.

Featured Artists: Fire Divas

2009-03-31T00:01:00.006-04:00

This week's featured "artist" is actually a collection of lampwork artists who have come together with a common purpose: to advance their love of handmade glass beads.

Originally formed as a street team on etsy, the members had known each other through the popular lampwork forum, lampworketc.com. As time passed, the core group of members wanted to remain connected yet move beyond just one venue. The name of the group was changed, members re-committed to the group's goals, and Fire Divas was born.

Every member of Fire Divas is committed to offering only the best handmade lampwork beads and sculpture, while supporting each other's artistic endeavors. The group may boast some well-known lampworkers, but no one person is valued above any other. Each and every artist contributes to the success of Fire Divas as a whole.

Fans of handmade lampwork beads should know that members of Fire Divas have shops on both etsy and ArtFire; search "Fire Divas" on these sites to find the beatiful offerings the Divas have for you!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
firedivas.etsy.com

TGIM: When "Handmade" doesn't mean Handmade

2009-03-30T00:00:00.000-04:00

In one of my posts last week, I briefly touched on the idea that just because something is made by human hands, it isn't necessarily "handmade." When most of us are looking for something that is handmade, they are looking for something crafted by an artisan; a piece that is made with inspiration behind it. However, some pieces that are made created by artisans are made using components that totally go against the spirit of "handmade."

I will probably ruffle a few feathers with this post. And I have heard the argument that if I buy sterling toggles from a store to use in my jewelry, I am no better than other people who buy cheap items in bulk from overseas. I have been told, that since the glass I use to make my lampwork beads is from a factory in Italy, I have no right to talk about the components other people use.

Of course, I do not have the right to judge. But I do have the right to educate. And consumers have the right to be educated on just how much of their handmade item has the true spirit of a handmade artisan good.

Being a bead & jewelry artist, I will use this example: if you want to use lampwork beads in your work, you can use those made by independent artisans, or you can use the mass produced beads from China or India. Yes, there are some very pretty beads that come out of factories, I will be the first to admit. However, just because you string a handful of imported, factory-made beads, and add a toggle, that is, to me, a very weak example of a handmade item. If you make your toggle or clasp yourself, then the handmade stock goes up...maybe create some wire designs for the beads, and the homemade stock goes up even more. Then, use lampwork made by a local artist, and you truly have a piece that is handmade, body & soul.

This isn't to say that strung pieces cannot be beautiful and done exceptionally well by talented artisans. However, those artists often choose the best quality stones or beads that they can find, and let the beauty of the components do the talking. They do not simply buy cheap components, put them together, and then talk about handmade.

I hope I am communicating the difference here between those who exhibit the spirit of handmade, and those that have more of a "production" mentality. What I do know, is that this issue permeates more than just the bead & jewelry fields. With so many items made overseas, many artists in different arenas now have a choice between traditional materials and those made more cheaply. You can buy "handmade" paper in any craft store now, but is it really the same as using paper made and designed by an artisan? You can buy and number of wools or fibers with which to knit, but what about the joy that comes from using wools that an independent artist has prepared and dyed themselves? The more "handmade" an item is, the more value it has, at least to me.

Friday Fun Finds 3.27.09

2009-03-27T00:01:00.002-04:00

One of my the things I am most excited to do with this blog is to feature cool handmade items by other artists. I love to choose a theme and then search some of the online venues to see what cooolness reveals itself!

This weeks theme is "dragonflies". Why? Simply because I love them!

First is this incredibly cool, yet functional, dragonfly metal earring holder by Moxie Metal. You can find this gem in their 1000 Markets shop.

Next, this original handpainted "Luck Dragonfly" silk scarf from Meyer Lemon Designs is a gorgeous addition to your wardrobe. More beautiful silk scarves such as this are featured in their 1000 Markets shop, too.

Fans of steampunk will love this incredibly clever interpretation of a dragonfly using a vintage watch face, called "Moment in Time". Designed by Vintage Filigree, you can find this piece of art in their etsy shop.

And finally, I beautiful item in which to keep your treasures! This Barn Wood Keepsake box features a woodburned and hand-painted dragonfly design, and is made from reclaimed pine boards. Created by Paradise Hill Designs, you can find this and other upcycled wood items in their etsy shop as well.

Want to suggest a theme for a future Friday Fun Finds? Email me at handmadechicblog@gmail.com !

Pricing Your Art = Pricing Your Time

2009-03-26T00:01:00.003-04:00

Pricing your art. Ugh. It's enough to make most independent artisans start to sweat and second guess themselves...how to I price my creation so that it will be bought by my customers, but still help put food on my table? And how do I price my work objectively, especially since a little piece of me has gone into making it?

I think the major issue I see with pricing is that a lot of artisans undervalue their work completely. It is easy to take the cost of materials, and know that you have to cover that, but far too many only take those hard costs into consideration when pricing their items. As a result, you begin to see a lot of nice items that are priced far lower than they should be.

What artisans need to also figure into their pricing structure is their precious time...and not always just the time of physically making the item. I may make a necklace in an hour, but it may have taken two to three hours of planning and experimenting before actually being able to make the finished product. In a business reality, I need to realise that necklace takes me three hours to complete, and I need to pay myself for those three hours somehow.

I feel that this is what separates a lot of successful artisans (i.e., they can make a good living at their craft) from the rest of people who find themselves thinking, well at least I can make back my cost of materials, but will never be able to be a self-supporting artisan. I myself have struggled with pricing my time for years. I personally now use a pricing calculator I purchased from Eni Oken, a well-respected jewelry artist. I realized that to support myself, I need to make about $20 hour before everything is taken out; taxes and social security need to come out of this amount, just as if I were at a salaried job. Once I accepted this fact, I also realized I needed to build the cost of non-materials such as Internet cost, computer costs, printer ink, etc. The only real variable in my pricing structure is now the cost of materials...if I want to make a piece that is more economical, I use less expensive materials, I don't cheat myself of income.

I'll admit that I had sticker shock the first time the calculator told me what I should be charging. It was hard to admit to myself that I was worth that much as an artist. But if I don't believe that I am worth the price, how will my customers ever believe that? I want them to know that I believe enough in my work that I am not willing to undercut myself or my art.

Online Venues; Which Do You Prefer?

2009-03-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

There are so many online venues for independent artisans to sell their creations today. Each venue has their positives and negatives, but all of them have allowed us to reach customers we never would have met otherwise!

In upcoming posts, I will be discussing the major online venues, looking at how they help, and sometimes hurt, the independent artist. For now, I want to know which of the online venues you currently use to sell your goods. The poll will be up for a week, so you can always come back later if you don't have time right now!

Featured Artist? No It's Just Me!

2009-03-24T00:01:00.006-04:00

For the first "Featured Artist" entry, I decided just to introduce myself as the person behind the Handmade Chic blog.

I began making jewelry about six years ago when I was sick of never being able to find exactly what I had in mind when I went shopping. This led to an interest in lampwork glass beads, which I would buy to use in my creations. Then, just like with jewelry, I began to have a picture in my mind of the beads I wanted to find. When I couldn't always do so, I decided I would try to make glass beads myself and took a class. Thank goodness my mother trusted me enough not to burn down the house with my torch, and I have been melting glass ever since. Below, you can see my lovely little fuglies that emerged from the flame when I first started lampworking!

I first sold my beads on eBay. Once I felt that the market there was getting saturated and over-run with mass-produced beads, I moved on to etsy. I still have a shop there, and have also recently opened an Artfire shop, and a shop on 1000 Markets. While it's a lot to keep some many shops going at once, I utilize each in a different way, for different goods, and so far, it works for me!

My day job is as a high school special education teacher. My job can be very stressful, and being creative is a much-needed therapy. Without creative outlets, I feel myself slowly wither inside.

I hope that I can help pass the word on why it is good to buy handmade items, not only for the aesthetic sense, but also for the benefit of local economies. My goal is to have the Handmade Chic blog evolve into a place that can serve as a resource for both artisans and those wanting to buy handmade goods.

TGIM: Why Buy Handmade?

2009-03-23T00:01:00.002-04:00

I have a friend, who told me that she only bought a major brand of jewelry when it was on super sale, not to save money, but because she knew it was going to break eventually anyway. Not because she was rough on her jewelry, but because she knew the craftsmanship wasn't there...after all it was produced in a factory overseas, by workers who were focusing on quantity, not quality.

Why do I bring this up? Because it presents one of the first reasons for buying handmade goods. Let me clarify that just because something is made by human hands, it is not necessarily "handmade" in spirit. When an independent artisan creates a piece, whether is be jewelry, a book, clothing, furniture, and whatever falls between, there is a relationship between artist and creation. Where you have this relationship and the love and care that goes in to a handmade good, you are also getting the pride of quality that goes with it. There are many items that are still created by hand--but in factory settings where that relationship is not allowed to flourish, and where quality suffers/

Buying handmade has become something of a trend lately. People are finally proud to state that they buy handmade goods. But the reasons to buy handmade go far beyond the trends. Most mass-produced goods are made overseas, and their sale largely benefits other countries. By purchasing handmade goods, especially by area artisans, you can easily help benefit your neighbors and local economy. If I have a good show, I will take that money and be able to spend it at the local markets and stores, hopefully helping other local merchants.

I've had people, friends even, tell me that buying handmade is too expensive. However, when you begin to realize that items become disposable because you can not count on mass-produced items to have a decent life, the amount of money wasted quickly adds up. It is almost always better financially to invest in a few quality items than to repeatedly purchase replacements. And while it is true that a local artist is going to demand more per hour than an overseas factory worker, we are now seeing the true cost of the "cheap global production" mentality as job loss and economic depression are now constant companions in the U.S.

However, my favorite reason to buy handmade is simple. I love to buy goods that were created from inspiration, by another person who felt the passion to create. I have never been someone to want what everyone has, and am always on the lookout for the unusual and unique. You will only truly find the unique when you look at small-scale production that only an independent artist or small collective can provide. Unique and mass-produced are oxymorons at heart.

What are your reasons for buying handmade? I would love to hear from you as to why you make the decision to buy the unique and beautiful. Send me your reasons at handmadechicblog@gmail.com and let's share our passion for the love of handmade.

2009-03-16T10:35:00.003-04:00

Welcome to Handmade Chic!

My goal in starting this venture is simple; I want to help connect the people who see value in buying handmade with those artisans that create beautiful items by hand.

I came to appreciate the value of handmade goods after I began lampworking. I had grown to love using glass beads in my jewelry making. I bought a lot of mass-produced glass beads, and thought that breakage and having a few wonky beads in the bunch were both part of the deal. One day, I decided to buy a small set from a lampwork artist and was amazed at the difference. I quickly began to see how artisan-made lampwork beads were worth the extra money, and soon took my first lampworking class. The rest, as they say, is history.

Starting next week, articles will be posted Monday-Friday according to the following topics:

Monday: TGIM-"Thank God it's Monday" musings and fun to get the week started.
Tuesday: Featured Artists
Wednesday: Spotlight on Techniques
Thursday: Business Sense
Friday: Fun Finds

I am always looking for ideas for the techniques and business sense articles. If you already have a write up you would like to share, I would love to see it. I can't pay in cash, but I am open to working out a trade of some sort! Please contact me at handmadechicblog@gmail.com