Who loves Prasiolite???

I know I do! Prasiolite is actually amethyst that has been heat treated to a lovely green color.

Prasiolite, also called leek-green quartz, is a relatively rare gemstone which comes into being when certain amethysts from the Montezuma deposit in Brazil are exposed to heat of 932 degrees F to be exact. This elicits their green color, as well as the nickname 'green amethyst'. Its hardness is 7 on the Mohs scale (ranging 1: Talc to 10: Diamond). This is a very durable stone.

Mystic Lore: Intuitive sources say that Prasiolite helps to link the physical and spiritual aspects of life, activating the heart as one's center of conscious. It is said to strengthen one's mind, emotions & will, and to attract prosperity.

I have this pendant and a set of matching earrings soon to be available on my Etsy site...keep your eye out for them!

Marketing tip for today:

Join your local area chamber of commerce! They are always holding local business events that you can participate in. Also, investigate if your area has a tourism council.... I was just sent a post card asking me to submit info on my studio and they offered me a spot on their website and the chance to network with other artists in the area!

Silver Byzantine Rose Design

Although I think my favorite medium is wire sculpting I do love chain maille. This necklace is part of a 3 piece set I posted at Etsy today. I have the bracelet and earrings to match. It took me about 3 evenings to assemble the necklace and an additional evening to put the bracelet and earrings together. For those that have not attempted the Byzantine pattern, it is quite easy once you get the hang of it and it flows quite nicely.


Marketing tip:

If you design and make jewelry to sell to brides and bridal parties consider contacting local area bridal supply stores, bridal gown stores, caterers, tux rental centers, wedding DJ's etc. Ask them if you can leave your business cards & fliers about the great (Company Name) Bridal Gift Registry for them to give to their customers. Offer store owners a free gift or a personal discount for helping you spread the word about your business!

Shabby Accumulations: Mary#links#links

Shabby Accumulations: Mary#links#links

Packaging your "pretties" and more Marketing tips.

I thought I would write briefly about packaging. It is your first "hands on" impression before your customer even see your piece(s) in person. Take this opportunity to create a memorable event with them. It doesn’t have to cost much. I love the design on my business cards and have incorporated that to packaging by simply taking a matching sheer burgundy ribbon and punching a hole into the top corner of the card and attaching it to the glossy black box that I use. How simple is that?

Marketing tip:

Many churches host "Harvest Fall Festivals". Plan now to contact them about getting a table or a booth. A lot of times this will cost you under $15.00 for a space! Besides your jewelry have fliers, catalogs, business cards, party sign up info (if you do home parties) etc. I usually do a contest drawing at these types of events. Make up entry blanks that gather the customer's info so that you can initiate contact with them again...be sure to include a space for email addresses!

My love for dichroic glass and more marketing tips!

I enjoy wire wrapping dichroic glass. One of my favorite places to find beautiful pieces is from
http://www.designercabs.biz/ I urge you to check out this site. Donna Cason has a wonderful selection, great prices and quick service.



Here is a little more about dichroic glass:


Dichroic Glass is valued and prized in the art glass world for its brilliant iridescent play of colors. The coating that produces the wonderful, iridescent play of colors is actually multiple micro-thin layers of metal oxides sprayed on the surface of the glass base. We have the aerospace industry to thank for creating this coated glass and it has been in use for art/beading purposes since the 1990's. Conversely, the glass fusing process has been in use since the times of the Phoenicians (about 4,000 years ago).




Today's Marketing Tip:


Get a license plate made up for your vehicle! If you your state allows it use your normal license plate on the back of your car, put your business named one on the front of the car! You can get one with just your business name on it for about $20-$30 per plate!

Would this interest you....and of course, Marketing tips

I know I'm not the first to make something like this.... I think my grandmother would call these added pieces "skirts". I was playing with the idea of introducing a few of these designs I would call "Impact" pieces. They fit neatly over any stud earring taking you from a business daytime look to a more dramatic night time look. Would you be inclined to use them? I’m looking for feedback. To those of you in my jewelry making eSMArts team, a special question for you.... Would you consider the purchase a tutorial on how to make these earrings? Is this something I should develop? I'm interested in your ideas and feedback! Thanks in advance.

Marketing tip for tonight:
Handout your business cards with a little pizzazz. Take a small zip lock baggy (snack sizes work well) with your Business Card or a flyer, a piece of candy such as hard candy or a lollipop, discount coupon is optional and a "small gift". I use my leftover stones that don't have a home and make up cell phone lanyards. I hand these out to the bank tellers, retail cashiers, even at my son's sport events. Keep a stash of them in the car, this makes it really easy as you go through any drive thru to pass them out!

Felt like sharing tonight

I know many of you in the eSMArts team are unaware of this....as I am still quite new to the team... but I have to share some awesome news with all of you. Let’s back up a smidge....my Mom and Dad live next door to me and we are very close. I've included a picture of the yard and view we share. We are very blessed, and give thanks for those blessings regularly. My dad got word last October that he was a victim of cancer. The outlook at that time was not very optimistic nor was it pessimistic...it was 50 /50. He proceeded to endure what seems like endless bouts of chemo and radiation...surgery...more chemo. He really was not the same man at Christmas time last year. Although he is young...only 65 and just ready to retire to his life long dream of fishing and relaxation, he was looking much, much older. After the surgery, the Doctor announced that the tumor was contained and removed, but he did not like the looks of a few "other areas". He did not expand on that, just ordered more chemo and testing and monitoring of his patient. It was at this time the Dr. suggested a new trial chemo drug be introduced in the war against this cancer. After much careful deliberation, it was decided that was what my dad wanted. We supported him whole heartedly. I would be quite remiss if I did not give a BIG, BIG thanks to my sister, Lisa, who was my dads tether through thick and thin. She did a great job with keeping him on schedule with Dr. visits and a whole host of things.
On July 11th we received word from his team of Doctors....4 total, that he is "CANCER FREE" Fred, Rich and I were on our way up to the Saco river in Maine. I can not explain to you the emotion.... I could not talk to anyone, I couldn't speak (there are a few of you family members I'm sure that will read that one and laugh)....I was just so thankful that is going to be well again. It's taken me a few weeks to adjust and be able to express all of this....and I though I would share it with all of you...my friends! NEVER underestimate the power of prayer and filling your life with positive thoughts and positive people.

Needles aren't always bad....

Especially when they are in Rutilated Quartz...how interesting and intriguing! While most varieties of transparent quartz are valued most when they show no inclusions, some are valued chiefly because of them! The most popular of these is known as rutilated quartz. Rutilated quartz is transparent rock crystal with golden needles of rutile arrayed in patterns inside it. Each pattern is different and some are breathtakingly beautiful. The inclusions are sometimes called Venus hair. This is soon to be a new edition on my Etsy site! It is gorgeous!

Today's marketing tip:
Time to think about back to school...more specifically ~College Campuses.
Dorms & Housing Students are always looking to spend money. A lot of college students are also looking for an extra income so target them with the Business Opt too! Drop off fliers and business cards to the College Student Center. Most colleges usually have bulletin boards, tables and other things where you can leave your information at for FREE. Plan ahead!

I've Got The World On a String...and more marketing tips!

Lapis Lazuli....what a beautiful gem. With the gold flecks throughout it reminds me of seeing the earth from outer space. Lapis is said to evoke knowledge, wisdom, perfection, protection, and creative expression. This was my new edition today on Etsy. Just a reminder...my "Catch the wave bracelet" will be going on sale soon! Be on the lookout!

Today's marketing tip:
Small Home Town Newspapers- we have a few called "The Bargain Buyer" and "The Valley Breeze". Be sure to inquire about getting your ads on specific pages in the newspaper or flyer that target the group of people most likely to buy from you. If you sell bridal jewelry, ask for the section announcing weddings and engagements. If you sell animal related jewelry ask to be printed on the pages selling pets or livestock. Big newspaper city ads are usually more expensive and most times the payback is not as great.

Marketing Your Jewelry~ tips & ideas

I've decided to start posting a daily marketing tip for my friends at eSMArts. I think that we will more than due justice to the ecommerce side of marketing but if you are like most of us, we go beyond just the internet. I hope these are helpful and get you thinking of other things you can do to "get yourself out there". Now, I have not tried all of these yet myself, but if you have I'd be interested in hearing about it.

Contact local area pizza shops, breakfast diners, coffee bagel shops and deli's to ask them about advertising on their paper place mats! Customers do read those ads!

I posted a new pretty today....come take a look!

Squid School Checklist

Here is a list of information that you should gather together when you decide to put a lens together. One step at a time. You'll see that many of you will already have this info available and some of this may not apply to you.

1) Begin thinking of an introduction.
A good place to start is you profile on Etsy....doesn't have to be long. You can do what you like.

2) A picture to represent you.... your Etsy avatar can be used here as well.

3) Have your Etsy address handy

4) Have your blog address handy

5) If you have a Flickr account, have that address available

6) If you have a twitter address, we can use that too

7) Have our team blog address

8) If you subscribe to Del.icio.us...have your user name available

9) If you want to add a Poll to your lens you can begin to think about what the topic might be.... this will increase interest an may bring visitors back again. For example I've used :
What metal is your favorite jewelry made from?
Gold
Silver
Copper
All of the above
If you think of a good topic that would apply to your work, you can get some useful information that you can act on!

All for now!

Social Marketing eSMARts with Squidoo

I've put together another Squidoo lens to give you an idea of how the lens can be adapted to marketing your site(s) and the team too. http://www.squidoo.com/MyGemStoneBoxbyDianeI'd like to see how many of you are interested in learning how to make these lenses and create a plan of walking through the steps to building one with all those interested. I'm thinking a combination of written instructions that you all could look over and play with and then maybe schedule the chat room to facilitate questions and answers regarding what issues you may have encountered. Gladly welcome any ideas you may have on the topic. So far I have two people that have voiced interest ellenwheels2001 and jewelryelegance.... Anyone else??

News on my store: this piece that will be going on sale in my Etsy store in the next few days. It's called "Catch the Wave". The bracelet is made from dichroic glass and cane glass with sterling silver wire that forms a "wave" on the wrist. Be on the lookout for a great new price!

Saco Bound part DEUX

I am pleased to report we had a wonderful time on the Saco! We had a total of 13 adults, 14 kids and one puppy. It was wet and wild....literally. Many people camp along the river edge and they do not hesitate to use passers-by as target practice with water balloons and high velocity water rifles. We were well prepared with all the ammo (balloons and water guns) that we could carry...all in good fun. Six canoes made it on the five hour trek unscathed and not one tipped! Before leaving I filled an order that I received through my website and also had time to make these pretty earrings.

These will be coming soon to my Etsy shop. I can make them with any color crystal you like also available in copper and gold by request!

Saco Maine Bound!

Come 6:00 am tomorrow morning we are packed and ready to head into the great unknown…or almost forgotten. My husband comes from a large family, there are six brothers and sisters- all have children, some in college and some just out of pampers. We are all headed to Saco Maine for a family canoe and camping weekend. The last time we had this adventure my son was seven or eight- he is starting high school come September. My most vivid memory of the trip was that every single canoe tipped at least once during the trip. I’m not sure what to expect, but the weather looks promising and… hey… a day off from work is always welcome! Trying to finish up a couple orders, getting them shipped while going through the mental checklist to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything. I’m sure I’ll have stories to share come Monday!

Etsy eSMArts Team

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! We had a great family cookout....I hosted over 50 family and friends for our annual 4th celebration. It was great, thankful that the rain held out.

I have recently joined an Etsy team called eSMArts and I am loving it! It is a new team still in the forming stage but what a wonderful group of artisans. If you are an Estian and looking to be part of a great team take a look at these links ....

http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/eSMArts/join

http://www.esmarts.blogspot.com/

I've included example of the lovely items made by our talented team members.

Best,

D

Magnetic closures

Let me start by saying I was never a big fan of magnetic closures until my Mom asked me to add one to a necklace for her. What a great little invention! I have been using them more often on my own jewelry and incorporating into my designs. I was always a toggle or lobster clasp gal until I bought a 10 pack to use for her (less expensive per piece). I didn't realize how much of a hassle putting on a bracelet was until I put on my Delicate and Raku for a size and comfort check and what a surprise! No muss no fuss! These things are great, no more "Hey hon, can you help me out here....." feeling all of my 40 “somethingness”. Check them out for yourself-