Devine Designs Jewelry

A quick hello to all! My thoughts today are kinda jumbled. The main thing I do want to talk about is how much time I spend promoting my jewelry business than I actually make jewelry! I just can't believe the amount of time I spend on this computer, writing blogs, reading blogs, joining groups, etc. A great book I've read that I highly recommend to anyone in the jewelry/arts and crafts field is: "Marketing and selling your handmade jewelry", by Viki Lareau. Great book! I think she states that you will spend 3 times the amount of time promoting your business, than you actually make jewelry. Well, I have to agree with that! My current schedule allows me to work on my business, usually 4 days a week. Not to mention the daily checking of emails and my Etsy store for sales. And usually my first day I spend talking with others on-line, updating blogs, and the like, sorting through new supplies that may have come in the mail, pricing everything, logging everything (for invent...

It's Friday night...here's what I've accomplished today....I did finally get those new items posted in my Etsy shop, oh, don't forget, over 200 shops are having a Christmas in July sale through the 31st! I've added different sections to my Etsy shop also, hoping to define what you're looking for. Oh BTW if you're one of the few people that have requested items from me, please contact me soon! O.K? :) I started a gallery at Jewelry Artists.org a while ago (and only had one item up) due to logging in problems with the site, but today I finally got that in order. So I posted some of my favorite pieces that I've made. You can go to: http://www.jewelryartists.org/Devinedesignsjewelry to check it out. And my Mom's in town from Oregon and brought her bead stash with her, so I have a number of projects that she wants me to make for her! No rush though, she says. That's good for me! Anyway I've got some hungry cats I'd better go feed, bef...

My new light tent is here, my new light tent is here, yeah! O.k., now if it only came with instructions! That's o.k., I'm still trying to find the instruction manual that came with my camera! So I messed around today taking pictures in the new "box", that is after chasing one of the cats out of it. I got a little bit frustrated...are the lights suppose to get this hot? Which way is up? I hate the tripod!!! The camera won't cooperate!!! Anyway....I made a couple of gifts this weekend; a cute simple bracelet set, and a few pairs of earrings for someone I work with. Then I finally finished the "Texas style 2". It's a real pretty necklace with lampwork beads by artist Moon Stumpp, and various shades of faceted carnelian stones. I added a few carnelian briolettes for a punch and some etched sterling silver, giving it a southwestern flair. Coordinating earrings go with it. Made some cute southwest earrings also. Very versatile, they have a toggle clasp at ...

Just 5 more days before the big Christmas in July sale on Etsy! July 20th -31st. Lots of shops will be having great sales! Stop by and search Christmas in July to find all those handmade items you've been searching for. Stay home, relax, save on gas, shop on-line! Enjoy!

I started out my day today going to local shops that I think might be interested in caring some of my jewelry. Got a couple of business cards from 2 shops that might be interested. The best shops I found were closed on Mondays (figures) One is a artsy-type gallery shop, the other a upscale designer clothing boutique. As I peered through the shops windows, drooling somewhat; I guess I'll have to make a trip on another day to these! There are also 2 metaphysical shops locally that I think might work out. My next step is organizing my portfolio that I've started. It has color photos of everything I've made. I have to write up my bio page to add to it and a copy of my SRAJD logo with my number. I figure it's a good idea to add anything professional ie: organizations, or awards, or shows that I participate in. My next step will be to call back the shops I liked and ask to set up an appointment with the shop owner. I'll take my portfolio and live products with me to those...

Lot's of new stuff to talk about today. First off I'd thought I'd let everyone see some of my (messy) area where I create my jewelry. You can see some of my bagged up projects that I started then, put aside, probably due to the fact that I ran out of something I need to finish it! Speaking of that, I promised Kristen that I would post the disc bracelet that I was working on. Finished the bracelet, decided to make a matching necklace for a set, but ran out of wire (of course). Also with the set I'm going to make matching earrings; I'm thinking of doing interchangable discs, so you could change the color of earrings you're wearing on different days. These are not Carey's beads (sorry Carey), but I do need some more of her discs for another bracelet I want to make with a center focal bead of hers. So I finished a couple of orders that I had pending. The first is more earthy, natural with tiger's eye and red jasper stones. The focal was made by Moon St...

Here's what I've been up to lately. I've been working on improving my photography and my Etsy store's appearance. As you can see here, new banner, new and improved pictures of my items in my store too. Please check out my "new" Etsy store: http://www.devinedesignsjewelry.etsy.com/. I want to give credit to Deannna of The Promo Queen for my new banners, avatars, and new earring cards with my logo (real cute!) She's great, willing to work with you, find her at: thepromoqueen.com or thepromoqueen.etsy.com. I'm waiting for my new light tent and kit to arrive, so I can have fun creating even better pictures! Also, ordered a tumbler for my jewelry pieces to polish them to a nice high shine. I have to put the Texas Style necklace aside for a while, as I ran out a certain bead that I wanted to use, so just placed another supply order. I'm so picky, it has to be the right bead, crystal, color, or finding that I envision; I find it hard to substitute...