I met someone who gave me a new perspective. At the Allentown Festival in one of the most historic Buffalo neighborhoods a few weeks ago, my husband and I were strolling around. Or should I say shuffling? It was packed with people out to browse from and buy original art and craft. As we were about to wrap up our day and head back to the car, I came across a woman in one of the last booths. “Clementiny Clothing”, the banner read. I immediately recognized handmade clothing, and then she mentioned that it was all repurposed fabric or clothing. Fabulous! It was also incredibly well-made. We chatted for a while about Etsy, and other sell-online sites such as Dawanda and Artfire. We discussed marketing yourself and the importance of handing out business cards. We hit it off, and I knew this girl was someone I wanted to be friends with.

Once I got home, I looked her up on Facebook. Sure enough, there she was. A few days later, she posted pics of new (vintage) fabric, which included something in chartreuse! I was smitten- and asked if she would trade a dress for some jewelry. Being into the idea of barter, she agreed, and the rest was history! Here is the dress in her Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27049178

Not only does her style rock, but she is one of the few artisans I know to exclusively use repurposed/recycled/vintage materials! Lots of us Etsians use some of these things; but to incorporate more is a goal for many. I have been inspired by Clementiny’s funky look, fabulous taste, and sense of community! You will be seeing more sustainable and repurposed items from me in the coming months- thanks Kari!

Here is just one example: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27069721 Made with vintage Swarovski crystals from a customer’s mom’s set. What do you have lying in your jewelry box? If it’s broken, I may be able to repair it, or give it new life, integrated with other beads. Email me at info@danasaylordesigns.com for details!

Many people who see me working on jewelry at shows will say, “You must be so patient to work with those little beads!”. My normal response is, “Beads don’t talk back!”.

Now, I find myself longing to create my OWN focal pieces for my popular brooch bracelets and bridal necklaces. I am a huge fan of the Art Deco period, so I set out to figure a way to create these pieces. Several months and much research later, I ordered Ferido- a colored 2-part epoxy resin. Once mixed, you have 75 minutes to shape, cut, design, and press crystals and rhinestones into the surface. It sounded fairly simple. I drew out a design, mixed the 2 parts, and formed a small rectangle. Into this practice pendant, I pressed clear cubic zirconia shapes. In order to make the “silver” (read: gray) Ferido look like metal, I spray painted the pendant with metallic spray paint. Problem #1: it still doesn’t look like metal. Problem #2: the CZ’s came right out when I gently pulled on them with my fingernail. What is strange is that the bezel-set ring that I made at the same time worked out perfectly! Needless to say, I was frustrated and disappointed.

As a very impatient person (surprised?), I wanted to give up. But my husband encouraged me to try again- we exchanged the spray paint for a “Chrome” version today, and I got some molding and shaping tools. Perhaps if I can press the crystals in further, they will stay in place. After all, this is not just a clay, but an adhesive! I will be sure to update the story on my Facebook page soon!

It’s not easy to be persistent- my husband seems to have enough patience for two people (good thing)! But I really want to make this work. So I will try, try again!

Since Etsy recently changed its method for uploading new items in a batch-format, my views have gone down.  Drastically.  Basically, what they changed is this: before (when there weren’t quite as many sellers), any item you listed would eventually get scrolled through the thumbnails of “Recently Listed Items”.  Now, the items scroll much faster, and Etsy withholds a bunch of items only to batch-release them all at once to lessen the constant strain on their servers.  Unfortunately, that means, not every item will get a spot on the scrolling items bar. Instead, your listing can show up in the newly revamped “Recently Listed Items”, but you have to click INTO them and scroll through.  Before, it was a lot less work, and so the exposure goes way down for everyone.  

This is the double-edged sword of Etsy.  A much larger audience and loyal shoppers, but you get buried and lost in the crowd sometimes.  Unless you can draw in new visitors from outside Etsy (via a blog, facebook page, other networking), you aren’t going to grow as a seller.  

I will continue my relationship with Etsy as-is for now, because I continue to get bridal referrals and business in that vein.  But I am also going to try a new approach: 1000 Markets.  It is another handmade shopping venue, which is like Etsy in many ways, but also different.  It is still in beta testing mode until later this spring (not sure when, exactly).  I feel that the layout is sharp, easy to navigate, and simple.  If you are a seller, you have a store.  As a store, you can join one of the targeted Markets, which are themed by location, style, type of items, etc.  There are MANY markets, but it helps keep the experience feeling more “local” or small because you don’t always have to navigate through the entire sea of sellers.  

A big plus on 1KM is that it is juried.  I am working now to  increase the quality level of my photos, because they are a major factor in getting accepted, and I feel it is time to up my game.  This is a great impetus to push me to the next level.  Thanks, Tamaran Designs, for letting me know about this great venue- I hope it works out for both of us!  

Check out Tammy’s handmade crochet and knitwear here:

http://www.1000markets.com/users/tamarandesigns

Enjoy spring, and renewal!

This is something that I’ve been tossing around for a while.  Ever since my friend Denise (see previous post about a woman of substance) asked me to help her get her lampwork glass business online, I’ve been thinking about it.  Small Craft Business Consulting.  A mouthful, isn’t it?  I’m working on coming up with a name that just rolls off the tongue.  Anyway, this is a new avenue for me, to help other artisans make a living doing what they love.  Getting a blog (like this) set up, learning how to maximize your exposure through free online tools, setting up an online shop. 

I have had a website for about 4 years now, and an Etsy shop for about 1.5 years.  While I still do in-person shows, kids birthday parties and home open houses, I have learned that the internet is the best place to be seen by an international audience and to get the most bang for your buck.  Even though jewelry is a medium where many people like to touch and try on, there is a market for internet sales of ALL handmade artisan goods.  

If you or someone you know makes any kind of creative item, including quilts, baked goods, paintings, ceramics, paper items, crocheted/knitted items, etc., there is a place for you to sell online, and I can help!  Sites like Etsy also allow sales of art/craft supplies, and vintage items!  I can help you learn how to properly photograph the items, post them online, and promote yourself.  

This idea is still in development, but I do know that I can work with you in person or via phone/email/videoconference.  Please contact me at info@danasaylordesigns.com, or call me at 315-525-7474 to learn more.  Good luck, and happy crafting!

Now that I am getting settled in my new place in Allentown, one of the funky, artistic neighborhoods of Buffalo, I am putting out the word about Kids’ Parties and Workshops.    I will be offering jewelry-making parties for kids, whether in private homes, at organizations, churches, or holiday events. Please check out my website for more details here:

http://www.danasaylordesigns.com/id65.html

Also, I have now listed the shows I will be doing in this area, so be sure to take a look there, and stop by and see me.  My Etsy site is available anytime, so if you’d like to shop online before the holidays, feel free.  I am also accepting custom orders and still offering my “New Life For Old Jewelry” service.  Please contact me to set up a home jewelry party and earn FREE host credit- a great way to get yourself some beautiful accessories for the festive season.  Happy Holidays!

I’ve recently been lucky enough to receive some gorgeous vintage beads and jewelry in the mail from customers who wanted to see broken pieces restrung and old beads incorporated into new designs. This is what my New Life for Old Jewelry program is all about!  For only a $5 labor charge (per strand), plus the cost of materials, you can refresh a beautiful older piece and make it wearable today!  This is a great option if you have lots of broken jewelry lying around or have recently inherited some of your mom’s vintage pieces and don’t really know what to do with them.  I even had a customer send me a huge box of items to keep, and I restrung four other pieces for her FREE, in exchange!  Even if your piece of jewelry is more recent, I’m happy to do repairs and updates.  Just contact me via phone (315-525-7474) or send me a convo through my Etsy shop.  I may ask for photos of the jewelry before you mail it to me, just to be sure it’s something I can help you with.  

Have a great fall, and enjoy all the offerings of the season!

I am so excited to announce that I have reached 100 sales (okay, 105) on Etsy! To celebrate, I have created a scavenger hunt- one step only. If you can find the photo of me placed in one of my Etsy listings, you can be entered to win a $25 Dana Saylor Designs gift certificate!!!! All you have to do is look through my Etsy shop listings, find the photo of me, and while you’re on that listing, hit the “Contact” link (to the right, next to my shop name- you’ll see “Shop”, “Profile” and “Contact”.) Send me a Convo- conversation, in Etsy speak, and let me know; you’ll be entered in the drawing! Don’t forget to register on Etsy, and list DanaSaylorDesigns as your referrer, then you can add your favorite jewelry to your “hearts” to come back to later.

If you’re not familiar with Etsy yet, it’s the handmade craft website where I sell my jewelry online. I am just one of thousands of sellers with handmade items within this beautifully designed online community, at http://danasaylordesigns.etsy.com. It’s great place to shop for all your gift-giving and craft supply needs- there are also sellers of vintage items! Beautiful items, really nice people, and lots of ways to search, including “Shop Local”. Please read my other blog posts, and leave me your comments.

Thanks as always for your business, and for buying handmade! Have a great fall.

Dana

Whether you’re attending a wedding or special event, or just want something funky and sparkly to wear with your summer outfits, Color Cascades is the collection for you. I am introducing this new group of Swarovski crystal jewelry, which will be customizable for bridal parties, with multiples available. Many brides are choosing three-color schemes for their weddings of late, and I am offering a response to that trend. Popular color groupings include: sage/chocolate/rose, turquoise/chocolate/chartreuse, black/white/red, and teal/red/black. Not only will I provide the blingy accessories brides need and want, but in their colors!!! Different sizes and color combos of Swarovski crystal are available. Contact me for your custom order today, and keep checking back on my Etsy shop at http://danasaylordesigns.etsy.com for new additions- I will be very busy in the next few weeks.

I admit it: I’m in love.  I’ve been telling everyone about it, and it’s finally time to make it official.  Etsy & I are getting serious!!!  Who’s Etsy, you ask?  Only the most innovative and wonderful handmade craft website on the planet!  I have been slowly building up my Etsy.com shop and have decided to sell online exclusively there.  My website will remain, but it will serve as a gallery and information source.  Etsy makes it quick & easy for me to list new items, so that means more NEW stuff, every single week!  Sometimes, every single DAY!  So if you want to check it out, first go to my shop at http://danasaylordesigns.com

Etsy has great tools, like the “Heart” feature.  Once you’ve registered (as a buyer or seller), you can “Heart” any other seller, which is like adding them to your favorites.  You can view the people you *heart* and the people that *heart* you, and it shows up like this:

If you click on the “Etsy” box at the top left, it will take you to the main page of the whole site:

From there, you can browse the wonderfulness being generated by all the other fantastic Etsy sellers.  There are a number of different tools you can use to find what you’re looking for, including:

There are many other ways to use Etsy; simply put, it’s a treasure trove.  So check it out and “Convo” me once you’re registered- feel free to ask me any questions you like about my shop there, or how to navigate Etsy.com.  Enjoy the addiction!

I talked with my friend Denise Sachs- Mishalanie today and she’s got some great ideas going.  I am so excited to tell you about her work.  Not only does she have a part-time “serious” job, but she creates lampwork beads at her home studio several days a week, and does trunk shows at local bead shops.  Would you like to see her work?  I thought you might ask.  Either view her beautiful creations in person at Emmi Beads in Clinton, or Market Beads in Liverpool, NY.  She will be launching her own Etsy shop soon, so keep your eyes peeled for an update.  Thanks!