Sunday, January 25, 2009

Posies for your ears

For the longest time I've been conflicted about offering finished jewelry with my ceramic beads and pendants. First, I seem to get a serious creative block with my own components, I always like what other people do with them better than what I would have come up with. Second, I felt like making jewelry with those pieces might give jewelry designers a bit of a bad vibe as they might not want to have "competition" (although again, I have that issue with thinking other people's creations with them are better!). Also, having the finished jewelry items on the same site as my pendants creates a bit of a pricing conundrum- I value the time I put into making jewelry pieces and also value the level of skill I've developed as far as wire work, etc so it's tough when someone can then go to the pendants section and see what I have an individual pendant priced at.

I decided the only way to do it is to put my finished ceramic jewelry on a separate sales venue but Etsy is so jewelry saturated and there are so many sellers who devalue their labor and sell at fire sale prices! Soooo I think I've finally figured out the solution(s)... I'm just waiting on approval for my 1000 Markets shop, it's visually so pretty and the site is user friendly. The other solution is that I am going to make some charms/pendants that are just for my finished jewelry. Then I don't have to feel like I'm undermining my jewelry designer customers. I"ll still probably have a few jewelry items that I've made with pendants or charms that are for sale individually but I plan to keep them few and far between and they'll primarily be jewelry pieces that I've submitted to beading magazines for publication.
Here's a peek at the first items- feedback definitely welcome!!

9 comments:

  1. I love the earrings M- they are just my style! I am looking forward to your 1000 Markets shop! I love that website. I hope it's a lucrative decision for you.
    I've had my 1000 markets shop for a couple of months. Not too many sales yet but I hope the word catches on soon about the site.
    :)

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  2. I love these earrings! I've found myself drawn to colorful flower beads and jewelry lately, I think because I'm ready for spring! I think your plan sounds great, especially having special charms just for your designs...although I'm sure you will have people that beg you for the individual charms, lol.

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  3. Those are great little earrings.
    Now I know why I never too many finished pieces using your ceramics. Good luck with the new store...

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  4. Thank you so much for the positive feedback on my earrings! I'm hoping that people like them enough to buy :) I'm thrilled to say the coral pair sold yesterday (thanks Rosanne!!).

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  5. These are darling!!Your ceramic work is so unique! I haven't looked at 1000 Markets yet! Make sure you give us a link!! Thanks for visiting my blog!!! Sarah

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  6. Thanks Sarah! I'll definitely link up my photos to the site- in the meantime there's a little link picture to my shop in the sidebar as well.

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  7. OMG! I so want a pair. Just my style. Srsly.

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  8. I love these! So beautiful and elegant, yet understated and dainty!
    Donna K. Schrader
    sodapop@ptialaska.net

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