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
   

Happy Holidays

At the bench...Holiday Chaos...

The Christmas rush has come to a close and my studio & office looks like a tornado touched down. I'm ready for a few days off...

Gallery of the Month : llyn strong fine jewelry

I have been planning my Gallery of the Month posts for a while. Well...it's finally here! First up is llyn strong fine jewelry in Greenville, SC. Q: Describe your gallery

A: classically contemporary with over 60 international jewelry designers and glass artists.

Q: Why did you decide to open a gallery? How long have you been open?
A: It was somewhat accidental – I liked downtown Greenville. I’ve been open since Oct. 1989.

Q: What is your price range of the products you sell?
A: from $20.00 to $50,000.00; Best selling price range would be $250.00 to $600.00

Q: Do you have special events? ie: First Friday? Exhibitions/openings? Trunk shows?
A: I have one large annual event a year and First Fridays (in the gallery) ; and I participate in other exhibitions (with my own work)

Q: Do you offer special services to your customers?
A: Yes! We offer wedding/baby/gift registries, shipping, gift wrapping, etc.

Q: Do you sell online?
A: no direct sales online, but yes; customers can contact us through the website and inquire about pricing if interested

Q: Who is your customer base?
A: locals, repeat customers, business travelers, getting more tourists all the time now too!

Q: How do you promote your artists / store?
A: print ads in the Journal (local newspaper), TV, direct mail, website

Q: Where do you find your artists/product?
A: trade shows such as Rosen, ACE, and Global Design; magazines

Q: What is your favorite/least favorite part of your business?
A: my least is managing employees. my favorite is designing jewelry and developing a rapport with customers

llyn strong not only owns her own gallery, she is also an award winning designer who has been creating jewelry for 30 years. She has recently won First Place in the Miscellaneous Jewelry category of the 2008 Jewelry Arts Awards and First Place in Ladies Jewelry of the 2008 Bench Jewelers Passion Award Design Competition. llyn has been carrying my work since 2001....and I am deeply honored to be amonst so many amazing designers in her store.

singing in my head...

I woke up with this song in my head and I thought I would share...

I want this!!!

I have had my eye on this stunning 5 ct rough diamond for months now. I am seriously considering designing a line around it. What do you think? In this economy...am I crazy?

Blog Nods for my Bubble Collection

I recently discovered my jewelry in some blog gift guides...

My Effervescence Earrings were in GilBea's Jewelry Lover's Gift Guide. GilBea has a fantastic blog about fashion & the handmade and how to combine the two...AND she makes gorgeous handpainted silk accessories! Check out her shop here.

The always fabulous Julie Morrison (aka MAJESTYinc.) has added my Effervescence Ring to her blog wish list. MAJESTYinc makes handmade vinyl accessories that are creative, colorful and whimsical. Check out her shop here.