EtsyMetal & Me...

Once a month, members of the EtsyMetal team are given a topic or question and then requested to blog about it simultaneously. This month's topic is:

Happy Anniversary EtsyMetal!
EtsyMetal & Me...

For my blog readers that don't know what/who EtsyMetal is...

EtsyMetal is an international team of metalsmiths working together to promote their art. The team was formed to provide a venue of communication, business development and support for metalsmiths who sell their handmade goods on Etsy. This team offers members opportunities to grow their businesses by providing them with an informational forum, a team website, cooperative marketing, and by offering a member-to-member mentoring group.

When/Why did you join?
I juried into this group in June of 2008...about 6 months after I began selling on Etsy. Etsy administration encourages artists/sellers to join a team to network, share skills, and promote their shops together. I choose to apply to the EtsyMetal team because I was impressed by the quality of artists in the group, their blog and their team activities.

Is it what you expected?
Yes, and so much more! I have found this group an invaluable source of information, support and friendship. I have learned an incredible amount about selling online, marketing online, studio tips, etc. I have been inspired to "play" in the studio more than I have in years....which has made my job fun again!

What does it mean to you to be a part of the team?
I am honored and proud to be a part of this spectacular group of artists. I have not only found it supportive in my business and art but also have made amazing friends. Working in the studio can be very solitary...having a "virtual" colleague just a click away makes all the difference!

EtsyMetal is turning four years old! The organization will celebrate this anniversary the entire month of October by giving away four $50 gift certificates redeemable at any EtsyMetal member’s shop. In addition to the give away, several EtsyMetal members will be celebrating by having individual sales! (Details of my sale coming soon.) To enter the drawing, one must sign up for the EtsyMetal newsletter...read more info on the EtsyMetal blog.

Please read the "EtsyMetal & Me" stories of other EtsyMetal members. Follow the links to their blogs throughout the day:
Catherine Chandler
Victoria Takahashi
Inbar Bareket
Stacey/wildflowerdesigns
caitlyn davey
Nina Gibson

Have snow, will marry...

I love when my customers share their love stories.
While snowshoeing in the Adirondacks, he proposed.
Naturally, she accepted.
How romantic!

Blackened sterling silver, 14k white gold, .25 ct chocolate diamond

Rose Cut Diamonds : Pre-Valentine Sale

I am having a
♥♥♥ Pre-Valentine's Day Sale ♥♥♥
All rose cut diamond designs are on sale!
Each stone is one-of-a-kind, so don't miss this great opportunity to buy something truly unique for your special someone!
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Click here see the available designs and pricing. A few more will be added, so check back!
"Chiseled" rose cut collection by Danielle Miller Jewelry
Yes, these are REAL diamonds. They are natural in color and conflict free.

10% off - Weekend Deal!

Get ready for the holidays and start your shopping early! I'm kicking off the season with a 10% off sale in my Etsy shop this weekend Friday, November 13 - Sunday, November 15. (Sorry, custom orders do not apply.) Don't wait....ACT NOW! Simply write the coupon code "Weekend Deals" in the message to seller during your checkout on Etsy!

1."Chiseled 4" Rose Cut Diamond Ring, 2. Satellite Pendants, 3. Midnight Vine Ring, 4. Trefoil Flower Pendant

If you are one of my wholesale customers, this offer is extended to you too! But hurry! You need to place your order THIS weekend to qualify for this great deal! Call or email me for details or to place your qualified wholesale order.

FREE SHIPPING!

I am offering a weekend of FREE WORLD WIDE shipping! This offer runs from, Friday 8/14 through Sunday 8/16 AND is extended to my etsy retail, as well as my wholesale customers! (Sorry, custom orders do not apply.) Don't wait....ACT NOW!

MARCH MADNESS SALE!

MARCH MADNESS SALE!
It's my birthday and I'm having a SALE to celebrate!

Hurry! This special offer only runs from March 10 through 17!
-FREE SHIPPING on all orders!
-10% off all orders over $75
-15% off all orders over $200
-Already discounted items are also included in this great offer!

Simply make your purchase and an adjusted pay pal invoice will be sent to reflect sale prices.

You can also visit my portfolio website to browse my entire collection. Click here. If you see something you'd like to purchase that is not listed on my Esty site, please contact me and I will post it for you!

Friday at the bench...

This week was busy with snow days, small retail orders and a nice custom order. I was asked by my client to create a pendant similar to my Layered Marquise Pendant using metal from jewelry that was donated by several of his family & friends. Normally I do not use old jewelry...you never know what problems will arise with strange alloys, what weird solders were used, if it was plated, etc. However, most of what he gave me was quality hallmarked and did not look suspicious, so I melted it down and poured into wire ingots. The sentiment behind the design was touching: Family and friends that have touched his wife's life would donate something to create her 40th day birthday present and the design itself represented his wife and their 2 children. I loved the way it turned out and so did they!

Blackened sterling silver, 14k gold and pearls

Custom Marquise Pendant next to my Layered Marquise Pendant

I also made time to "play" a little bit this week! I bought some beautiful stones at a gem show several months ago and haven't had the time to do anything with them yet. So yesterday I made two quick rings just for fun. They are very simple and basic designs...nothing daring...I just really wanted to put some of the stones I bought in something! Plus I got to "play" with the beautiful Fretz hammer I got for Christmas by making a lovely texture on the side of the band.

14k gold ring w/ princess cut orange-red sapphire

14k gold ring w/ princess cut chocolate diamond

They will soon be individually for sale in my Esty shop...But look how beautifully they stack!

Valentine's Day Jewelry

I'm really not one for holiday themed jewelry or hearts, however I always bring these Abacus Hearts Pendants out at this time of the year. They are currently available in my Etsy shop for a limited time. See them here."How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death." -by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

looking BACK so I can look AHEAD...2008 to 2009

I feel like I walked through 2008 in a fog. It was a personal year of sorrowful lows and wonderful highs...and a business year of significant achievement and constant self-doubt. I have been wondering what happened to 2008 and what are my expectations for 2009. Luckily, I recently discovered Alyson Stanfield's Art Marketing Action Newsletter and her annual "Acknowledge Yourself and Celebrate" checklist via Margaux Lange's blog. As Margaux said in her post, "It's easy to forget sometimes how much we accomplish over the course of a year....Try answering these questions for yourself as a way to feel inspired about your progress before moving on to writing your goal lists for 2009." So I did just that!

How did you promote your art and your online presence?
I really concentrated on creating an online presence this year...

• opened my Etsy shop
  
• started my blog
• occasional contributing author on the Etsymetal blog
  
• opened a flickr account
• was accepted onto trunkt
• invited member on Handmade Contemporary Jewellery
  
• joined facebook, crafthaus and twitter
• launched my new website (still working on some glitches)
  
• mailed postcards to craft show retail customers, informing them about my new website, Etsy shop & blog.
• answered a few blog interviews
  
• upgraded my lup rocks designer account (this happened at the very end of the year...but it still was 2008!)

I also did my usual print advertising plus some new ads...

• advertised in NICHE magazine and the Buyers' Market of American Craft's show guide
• participated in co-op advertisement in American Craft magazine (with 9 other artists)
• participated in co-op advertisement (for Etsy) in BUST magazine
• participated in co-op advertisement in American Style magazine (with 3 of my galleries)
• participated in co-op advertisement in New York magazine (with CBL Fine Art)
  

What technological skills did you learn or improve?

• blogging / a tiny bit of html
• refined my digital photography and Photoshop skills

How many people did you add to your mailing list?

• I added both retail & wholesale customers to my mail list...but I no idea how many.
  

Who were the top ten cool or influential people you met?

• Frank Stankus of the Jeweler's Resource Bureau (via emails)
  
• Brian Clarke : amazing master silversmith (via smithing workshop in Ireland)
  
• Steve Midget : mokume gane jeweler extraordinaire (via Atlanta Contemporary Jewelry Show)
• several members of the Etsymetal team : always supportive, challenging and an invaluable resource for knowledge and inspiration!!!
  

Whom did you mentor or help out?

• I helped Alyson1234 and many others on Etsy with wholesaling issues, resources, etc.
  

Did you create a new business card, portfolio, or other marketing piece?

• utilized new logo (which was designed 11/2007) on business checks, address labels, invoices & letterhead
• developed a tagline
  
• logo promo stickers (for jewelry boxes, envelopes, etc.)
• stock # labels w/ logo (for wholesale orders)
  
• postcards ( as mentioned above)
  

What medium or skill did you attempt or master?

• sinking & crimp raising
  

What did you try that was completely new?

• crimp raising

What did you try that was uncomfortable, but helped you grow?

• opened an Etsy shop (I was concerned that my work would not fit in and that my wholesale customers would not be happy that I was selling online)
  

What worthy cause did you support in some way?

• several small monetary donations to various charities
  

What new art events, galleries, and museums did you visit?

• National Museum of Ireland (the Archaeology & Decorative Arts sections)
• The Georgia Museum of Art (The Ring Shows: Then & Now and Putting the Band Back Together)
  

What resources did you discover?

• Gem Show in Asheville, NC & several suppliers that were exhibiting there
• I also discovered many resources that I haven't used yet, such as ponoko...
  

How did you improve your studio habits?

• didn't
  

What books did you read to help your career? What videos or films were useful?

• Craft in America, PBS documentary series
• not a book but a blog: Jewelry Business Guru
  
• not a book but a blog: Wholesale Matters
• not a book but a blog: Ask Harriet
  

What seminars/workshops/lectures did you attend or teach?

• attended Brain Clarke's silversmithing workshop
  

How did you enhance your office or studio environment?

• didn't
  

What organizations were you involved with?

• Etsymetal !!!!
• ACC (membership only - no active participation)
• Southern Highland Craft Guild (membership only - no active participation)
  

What grants/honors/awards did you receive?

• 2008 NICHE Awards Finalist (in 2 catagories)
  

What articles were written about your work?

• INDESIGN magazine, “neck and neck” July 2008
• INSTORE magazine, “men’s jewelry” June 2008
• NICHE magazine ,“Sparkle, Dazzle and Shine” Spring 2008
• Jewelry Resource Bureau website, "What Works: Selling Your Goods on the Etsy Craft Site" written by Frank Stankus
• and several blog nods....
  

What exhibits, grants, contest, etc. did you submit your art to?

• NICHE Awards
• Saul Bell Design Awards
  

Where did you save a wad of money?

• I cut back on hired help (regular employees and sub-contractors). For the first time in 7 years, I had only a few weeks of hired help . This was a good and a bad thing...
  

What was the single best thing that happened to your art career in 2008?

• I opened my Etsy shop! As I said eariler, I was worried and doubtful about Etsy. However, it ended up benefiting my career in many ways:
  

1. I sold well above my goal on Etsy
   
2. I received a few engagement ring / wedding band commissions through Etsy
3. I gained a great wholesale account through Etsy
   
4. I discovered and was accepted into Etsymetal (an invaluable resource of information, inspiration and friendship)
5. learned about blogging, trunkt, flickr, twitter and crafthaus; all via Etsy or Etsymetal
6. I was interviewed by Frank Stankus of the Jewelry Resource Bureau about my experiences with Etsy
   

Holiday Sale!

FREE SHIPPING to US and Canada in my Etsy shop from Black Friday to Cyber Monday (Nov 27 - Dec 1)! PLUS selected items are up to 20% off!

Click on any of the above images for more information. Or click HERE to see all the items in my shop.DON'T MISS THIS GREAT HOLIDAY SHOPPING OPPORTUNITY!!!

Web Press - Jewelry of the Day

My Bubble Pendant #5 was selected for the Jewelry of the Day on Tuesday, November 18. Jewelry of the Day is a blog which features a daily selection of handmade jewelry. Thanks, Eric!This pendant is available in my Etsy shop, as well as many of my other designs...ANY purchase that mentions this blog post (in "message to seller" during checkout) will receive free shipping (refunded via pay pal)! Click here to shop!

Jeweler's Resource Bureau & Etsy...

I am excited to announce that I was interviewed by Frank Stankus of the Jeweler's Resource Bureau for their "What Works" series. The article entitled "What Works: Selling Your Goods on the Etsy Craft Site" is a candid, tactful and informative introduction to Etsy for members of the Jeweler's Resource Bureau.
To view the entire article, you must be a member...and I highly recommend becoming a member to all jewelry designers! The Jeweler's Resource Bureau has an amazing amount of resources available, such as: suppliers, shows, competitions, publicity opportunities, marketing tips, consultations, and the list goes on... Check it out and sign up here!

New Ring...

This ring represents hope...
Just as in the myth of Pandora's box...hope always remains...even if just barely...

This sterling silver ring graceful curves around the finger and it terminated with 2 gorgeous wine-colored rhodolite garnets set in 18k gold bezels that just barely touch. I made this ring as part of etsymetal team's monthly theme... October's theme involved using the technique of bezel setting and the concept of hope. It is currently for sale on etsy.com ...check it out!

Marquise Pendant gets Web Press x 2

Jewelry of the Day is a wonderful blog for jewelry addicts! It features a daily selection of hand made jewelry with links to where you can purchase the items. And I'm happy to say that my Asymmetrical Marquise Pendant is the item of TODAY! Thanks for choosing my pendant!
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The same pendant was featured yesterday on Etsy's The Storque article entitled Sterling Silver Jewelry!

Back to School...

Back to School!
This sterling silver ring is such FUN!
The pencil actually spins like a propeller when you flick it!
I made this ring as part of etsymetal team's monthly theme... September's theme involved using the technique of riveting and the concept of green/recycle/upcycle.
I am happy and surprised to say that the ring sold quickly. Tell me what you think...should I make more????

Satellite Collection & A Blog nod...

Last week my original Satellite Ring was featured on panie przodem, a contemporary jewelry blog based out of Poland! It it a great honor to be included with such inspiring avant-garde jewelers. Thanks, Dominika!
With that said, I have also recently decided to resurrect my Satellite designs. In the past this collection has mainly been flatware (cocktail spoon, fork and martini sticks). Now, I am working on adding many new jewelry pieces. The first two are now available in my etsy shop.

Satellite Ring #2

Satellite Earrings #1

More Satellite designs coming soon...keep posted!

New Wedding Rings...

I made this ring a few months ago and really liked how it turned out. The body of the band has a high polish and the concave detail has a light texture. I called it my Reverse Radius Ring. I love the simplicity and geometry.

I thought it would make a great wedding band so here the results so far...

I am currently test marketing them in my etsy shop and will officially introduce them into the Spring 2009 Collection at the Buyers Market in February.

Featured in blog... Pfeiffer Photos

Tina Pfeiffer recently contacted me to let me know that she featured me on her blog, Pfeiffer Photos. She had kind words for my work and showcased it by embedding my Trunkt portfolio. I knew this could be done, but I've never tried it. It looks GREAT...check it out! I can't wait to play around with this widget!

Check out Pfeiffer Photos on etsy. I especially like their graphic compositions of everyday objects, like these:

Carts by Pfeiffer Photos

Rental Skates by Pfeiffer Photos

I'm a new member of Etsymetal!

Yesterday, I received my acceptance into Etsymetal! What is that?, you ask. It is a great group of juried metalworkers who sell their wares on Etsy.com. Here's a quote from their website: "Etsy Metal is a global Team at Etsy.com. We strive to be a unique group of metal artists who support Etsy and each other. Our goal is to promote metal working on Etsy, and to direct traffic to participating shops offering work that incorporates hands-on metal working techniques." They also have a great blog...check it out!

NEW RINGS!

I've been wanting to make a series of simple, vine-inspired forged rings for years now. It all started when my husband, Ben and I collaborated on a few pieces...we called these pieces our "Porta Collection." I made scored and bent, hollow fabricated boat and leaf-shaped elements and he forged elegant vine-like tapers. I thought the combination of my graphic, geometric aesthetic with his more natural, organically influenced forms resulted in some stunning pieces!

"Porta Slide Bracelet" & "Porta Slide Ring"

Ben's "Cipolla"-alabaster & sterling silver vessel

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After all these years, I have finally set aside some time to make a few of these simple vine-like forged rings, inspired by my husband. I'm very happy with the results so far and am continuing to work on more variations. Currently I am test marketing them in my Etsy shop and I may be adding them to my wholesale line in 2009.

Vine Ring with diamond - 18k gold & sterling

Open Taper Ring - 18k gold