BeadStyle : guest blog

Endings

BeadStyle Magazine — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:39:00 GMT

I have really enjoyed sharing my thoughts and stories with you. I’d like to end this week talking about endings…to necklaces, that is!

Even three years ago when I started making jewelry, clasps for necklaces were fairly simple; spring rings, lobster clasps and a few fancier toggle and hook clasps. Now there are so many fantastic finds.

These clasps are truly works of art. I am particularly fond of the Israeli sterling silver clasps available at great online stores like Art Beads, Fusion Beads and Gemshow-Online. Since these findings are hollow, the price is right too! Many designer and specialty silver clasps can range from $5 to $20. The Israeli silver clasps sell anywhere from $3 to $10 (watch for sales and specials for the best deals). The designs are unique and add quality to your designs. And they look every bit as good as many of the solid silver closures. Below are a few of my favorites.

You decide!

Happy beading!

Alison

Turquoise, turquoise, or turquoise?

BeadStyle Magazine — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:34:00 GMT

You are shopping for gemstones. Hmm, how about some turquoise?

Your search leads you to many types of turquoise: Sleeping Beauty, African, Chinese, Viennese, Howlite, and Purple. What to choose?

Time for some serious research. And what you will find can be a little confusing.

African turquoise is really a jasper, so don't be fooled into paying turquoise prices.
Natural Sleeping Beauty turquoise is very expensive. And the prices are justified. This is some of the highest grade natural turquoise, mined in Globe, Arizona. The robin's egg blue color is unmistakable.
Chinese turqoise is real, but sometimes dyed or otherwise enhanced. It comes in several colors: green, blue, spider web, yellow and bright blue.
Viennese turquoise is a fake. Stick to Vienna pastries, but not turquoise.
Howlite is a borate mineral dyed to look like turquoise.
Purple turquoise is Arizona turquoise that has been dyed and eradiated.

The bottom line is to know your vendor. Reputable gemstone dealers will provide information on their website and be willing to answer your questions regarding the origin on the stones they are selling. If the description is scant, such as “turquoise beads for sale,” I would move on. If you are buying in a bead store, ask plenty of questions.

If you are selling your jewelry, you need to be able to inform your customers about the items they are buying. A knowledgeable seller will be 10 times more successful than someone who knows nothing about the materials they are using. Study gemstone handbooks, use online lapidary journals and look at lots of pictures. If you have the opportunity to handle the stones, get familiar with the feel, weight, color, and texture of the stones. The old “knowledge is power” saying is very true.

So you want to sell your jewelry...

BeadStyle Magazine — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:16:00 GMT

You’ve perfected your technique, polished your designs and have gotten positive reviews from friends and family. Now, you want to test the waters and try to sell your creations. There are a few things you will have to tackle:

1. Choosing a name: Try to come up with something that really describes what you offer. For example, my business’ name is BEADZ. I am a beader, not a silversmith, gem cutter or bead maker. My name defines the product I offer.
2. Getting a business license and/or sales tax license (depending on the requirements in your locale): Check with your state’s Department of Treasury.
3. Finding available arts and crafts shows: Start early, as some shows want applications received by the end of January for the upcoming spring/summer show season. Check with the Chamber of Commerce in towns you are interested in, check online craft show directories, talk to other vendors to get the “scoop” on the shows, and keep an eye on the classifieds in your local newspaper.
4. Displaying your wares: You will need to make an initial investment for displaying your jewelry. Needs may include tables, tablecloths, shelving units, jewelry display items, a tent for outdoor shows and lighting (a must for indoor shows). And don’t forget bags and gift boxes for your customers to carry things home in.
5. Transporting your stuff: You may need things like a vehicle large enough to carry everything, tote bags, roller bags, storage containers, and hand carts.
6. Promoting your creations: Business cards, table signs, large booth signs, a mailing list form, custom price tags and printed schedules listing your upcoming shows are all possibilities.
7. Sales processing: A merchant account so you can accept credit cards, receipt books, and a cash box with plenty of change!
8. Technology: If you want to develop a website, you need a domain name, a web hosting service, a good camera (great pictures equal great sales), website building software and photo editing software.

Most of all, have fun! You can’t do it all at once, and your business will constantly evolve and change.

I’m sure I’ve forgotten a million things, so please chime in with the things you use to sell your wonderful jewelry.

Have fun in the summertime!

BeadStyle Magazine — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:58:00 GMT

I love bold colors, textures and unusual materials. A great combination for summery designs is wire lace and Greek ceramic beads and/or pendants.

The wire lace gives the impression of fishnet floating on water, and the Greek ceramic pieces come in a variety of styles that scream ‘summer at the beach.’ There are pendants of the Sun, shells, dolphins, flowers, fish, squid, turtles and more. The beads and spacers have wonderfully large holes that easily accommodate wire lace. They have an earthy texture and the colors of the beads and wire lace work beautifully together. It seems they were made for each other.

Here are a few examples of designs I developed using this combination:

I recommend visiting Embroidered Soul for a great selection of Greek beads and pendants. Visit Mimi's Gems for wire lace.

Natalie's gift

BeadStyle Magazine — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:24:00 GMT

Hello!

My name is Alison Libby and I am the guest blogger for this week. I look forward to sharing my beading experiences with you, and hope you will post your thoughts and ideas. That is what makes the BeadStyle blog such a great resource.

During a summer vacation in 2005, my niece, Natalie, gave me a beaded anklet she bought at a local sale. I loved it. It took me back to my days of beads, embroidered shirts, bell-bottoms and peace signs. A couple of weeks later, I stopped by a local craft store and bought some beads, stretch cord and glue. ‘What could be so hard? I’ll make a few anklets for myself,’ I thought. And make anklets I did (and bracelets, and necklaces, and earrings...)!

That is how it all started. Having gone through surgery and treatment for breast cancer the previous summer, I was looking for a new outlet. Making jewelry was something I could do at my own pace, and I could be my own boss (a dream most of us share)!

Since then, I have been doing about 24 arts and crafts shows a year, putting on home parties, and maintaining a fairly successful website for my company, BEADZ. This past May, I had the honor of being published in the gallery section of BeadStyle magazine. I have no idea where my ability to design jewelry was lurking, but I am glad I found it!

A few months after giving me the anklet, Natalie told me, “I never thought I would give someone an idea for a business plan.” Very funny, since she was about nine-years-old (going on 18!) at the time. But I am so glad her gift launched my new creative endeavor.

Please post your own stories. I would love to hear how you got started beading and how it has affected your life.