Discovering a Niche

Ever since I joined etsy, I have been struggling to find a niche. I still have not found it, but I am narrowing it down as I go along. Right now I love doing dogtag-style designs, and have just started making word charms printed on frosted shrink plastic. They look really good combined together on a ball chain necklace.

Here is a photo of me wearing a couple of my charms and some of my dogtag designs. It would be nice to actually have a model and the correct lighting, oh, and maybe a cool studio to shoot in with a professional photographer, but that is not in the cards right now, so I am the model and the photographer. I think this shot came out all right. I just wanted to show some of my favorites that I'm working on right now :)

The Sunday Special

Every Sunday I write about my favorites from etsy sellers. I recently discovered these lovelies:

This is from Crankbunny. They create these lovely pop-up cards. Just awesome! The one pictured sells for $8.00. You can see more of their product at http://crankbunny.etsy.com/

This next seller is Moth to Flame. She does paintings using bleach. Amazing work! Above is "Skeletal Moth". This particular shot is an art card of an original, which sells for $8.00. You can see more of her product at http://mothtoflame.etsy.com/

Finally, this artist is one of the first I discovered on etsy. Her needle-felted animals are superb! She will do a replica of your dog or cat for $145. Sounds like a lot, right? But if you see some of the close-up shots, you can see how much work goes into one of these beauties! Just look at their eyes! Each holds its own unique expression. Truly one-of-a-kind! You can see more of these cuties and her other fabulous illustration work at http://ameliamakesart.etsy.com/


Have a super Sunday!

The Sunday Special

I have decided to select some favorites from etsy (or maybe other places too) to feature on my blog every Sunday. I have seen so much talent since beginning this venture, it is at times overwhelming. Last week I ran into a new designer on etsy, Ferociter. I love her style and she has some great photos. My favorite piece is this:

I love the foiled skull bead on this pearl choker! It is elegant and a bit evil at the same time! You can see more of ferociter at http://ferociter.etsy.com/

Another favorite of mine is:

This is called "I Am The Wind" by Beth Spatafora of Arete. It was my first etsy purchase. She has since upgraded the design so that the image sits inside a bezel. The version I purchased was simply soldered on the back. I love this change. It really adds polish to the piece! You can see more of her work at http://arete.etsy.com/.



Finally, this next etsy artist is new to the scene, and has a great style, combining vintage pieces with her own designs to create really visually appealing pieces. One of my favorites is this choker:

You can see more of her work at http://shalottlilly5.etsy.com/.



Have a super special Sunday, everyone!

OAK Boston, here I come! :)

I finally got my display and product shipped out to Boston. Crossing my fingers that it arrives safe and sound. I included a mix of goodies: Plastic "letter yourself" pendants, suede pendants with Swarovski crystal accents, a couple of my "Spread your wings and fly" pendants, smile pendants and my steel pendant necklaces with glass accents. I'm both nervous and excited about this opportunity!

Welcome 2008

I recently listed my new line of rings. I decided to package them in this tall, hard plastic box. With the insert, it looks very modern and allows me to advertise my shop address without taking over the clean look of the packaging. This one, "lava", sold the first day! I am working on some other versions to sell at my consignment gig. I sure am having fun making them!

Emo

I had no idea what "emo" was when I heard one of my husband's nieces talking about it the other day. So, I looked it up on the Web and, well, apparently it's a style, or lifestyle, maybe. I'm not sure. It really doesn't seem any different than what was "alternative" in the mid-80's when I was a teenager. When I look at photos of the current "emo" style, it just seems a variation of Susie Sioux (remember Susie and the Banshees?) or Robert Smith from the Cure. Even Sid Viscious of the Sex Pistols had a little of the "emo" style. Anyway, it's just funny that these "new" looks come along that aren't really new at all.

The strangest part, though, is the stereotypes that accompany them, like being severely depressed and "that's why they wear black." I always wore black because it just suited me and still does. As much as I try to steer away from it, every new piece of clothing I buy is black or a dark shade of grey or brown. Of course, being older and a mom, I've learned to throw in a little bit of color every now and then, so I don't look too "depressed". lol

Anyway, I was inspired to create a little "emo" girl pendant. She reminds me of me as a teenager. I guess I was sort of an "emo", or alternative, or punk, or...something like that :)

"Ringing" in the New Year

I am working on these new little fun rings to add to my site. I don't usually wear rings, but I am really excited about these! Before I add them to my shop I need to figure out how to package them. I have some ideas, but I need to test them out first.

I am realizing the importance of packaging and the branding of that packaging. I have received some orders that are Christmas gifts and I shipped them out with a thank you card but the actual products don't have my logo :( Let's say that person receives the gift and thinks "Wow, I really like that. Where can I get more?" -you never know, it might happen :) Well, if I don't have a tag of some sort on everything, they aren't going to know and the person who originally ordered will most likely have forgotten! Important lesson for me! Now, back to work, probably on tag design :)