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

RINGing in the New Year

I have decided to participate in a challenge that my friend Nina Dinoff proposed: "A Ring-a-Day" from January 1 - 31. There are no real rules---simply to create one ring every day for one month. It is an exercise in discipline and creative exploration. A ring can be a found object or a labor intensive piece of art....it can take 3 minutes or 8 hours to create. See info on the Etsymetal blog for detials.

I might be a little crazy, seeing that January is a hectic month for me---I am always frantically replenishing my pillaged sample set, designing and making new work and pulling my hair out while getting ready for my major wholesale trade show in February. But alas, I have joined the party and am hoping for some fun, inspiration and stimulation.

Here is my first ring of the challenge. "New Year's Ring" 1/1/10.
Sterling silver and champagne cork.

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
   

Fun at the Gem Show

Yesterday I traveled to Asheville, NC to meet some of my Etsymetal friends at the Gem Show. I really enjoyed spending the day with these talented young women in person...Beth, Maggie and Sara! While at the show I purchased many lovely goodies: some champagne and grey colored diamonds; an amazing oval imperal topaz; a pair of lovely princess cut aquamarines; a positively scrumptious parcel of multi-color princess cut sapphires and more! My head is swimming with ideas for all these lovely gems...now I just have to find the time to make them...

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!

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????

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!