Shop Happy

It's midweek again, and I'm not feeling quite productive--hesitating somewhere between wanting to glue myself to the computer with hard copy draft in hand, and yearning deeply to follow a recent uptake in creativity.  One fatal swoop is all there is to it...

So I decided to go with the creative streak.

I apologize if you've stopped by my shop over these past few weeks, perhaps months, and witnessed en masse a consistent change in shop banner.  It drove me mad to not have a banner that fit the EmeraldCut mood and overall aesthetic, so like clockwork, I continued sorting through my photos until I found one (or two or twelve) that I believed would make a suitable shop banner.  It's been an ongoing process--designing, editing, and trying out different shop headers--but a dozen or so designs later, I am finally content with the result.  If you've missed the shop header show, below is a recap of a few designs:

And yes, after you design a few, your eyes do cross.

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The final banner:

Incorporates an earthy, olive-green peridot, my favorite stone; a book page; my shop name in a unique, readable font. 

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In celebration of this recent shop happy...

For orders $25 and over, apply ILOVESPRING at checkout for $5.00 off your purchase! Excludes donation items; offer ends March 15th.

Have you ever been this creatively meticulous?

It's a headache in the moment, but the end product is worth every moment spent.

Week in Photos (aka Happy Spring, Custom Order, and New Stones)

This past week has been a culmination of sorts: with spring in full bloom, it's been a trying task to stay focused, so I've been relying on sustained effort to meet some deadlines--with the windows open, and brisk escapes to the yard as inspiration. 

My first bridal order, which was also my very first bulk order, was excitedly completed last week.  I had the immense honor of creating bridesmaids pendants with these beautiful, AA-quality citrine briolettes:

The faceting on these briolettes are stunning...

 I hope the bride and bridesmaids are as content as I am with how the pendants turned out.  A true labor of love.

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Escapes to the yard yielded some epitome-of-spring photos.  (I know that I have posted more than a few nature shots in the past, so please bear with my endless fascination with the great outdoors.)

This bush seemed to have bloomed overnight into this breathtaking sight.

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I ordered a few new stones: moonstone briolettes in pale gray, peach, and white.  They are quite sturdy and large, and the stones have an earthy, warm glow rather than an overt sheen.  Ideal stones, in my opinion, for those who prefer a subtle, versatile color palette.

And, for good measure, a dramatic shot with shadow and light...

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Now onto some theory articulation--I have to constantly remind myself, You are almost there.

Hope that you all are having a wonderful week.  I truly cannot believe that it is already May 1st!  This year is flying by way too quickly for my comfort level, but one must stay optimistic...and just breathe.  

P.S. In honor of Mother's Day...from now through Mother's Day, 5/13, enter MOTHERSDAY20 at checkout for 20% off your order in my Etsy shop.  

Turning a New Leaf

Intellect:
I think that I'm finally ready to retreat from the stillness and engage.  I began reading an interesting psychology/astrology-esque book, Relating: An Astrological Guide to Living with Others on a Small Planet, by Liz Greene.  So far, the text is quite interesting and insightful, blending astrology and psychology into an exploration of how we treat and understand others.  However, there are some psychological jargon and concepts that I had to reread a few times in order to grasp (oh, the woes of intellectual intangibility), but 16 pages in, I am enjoying it.  It makes sense.  It's a brand new world for me: psychology plus astrology--the latter of which I have always been interested in, but also skeptical of.  FYI: I'm a Scorpio.  Can you tell?

About half of what is said about people born under the astrological sign Scorpio is what I would describe myself as (Greene says that one person can be described in numerous ways, by different people, which is colored by one's ego and projections).  According to Wikipedia, Scorpio is an introverted sign.  Check.  Astrology Online says Scorpios dislike "shallow relationships, flattery and flattering" etc., and "In their everyday behavior they give the appearance of being withdrawn from the center of activity, yet those who know them will recognize the watchfulness that is part of their character."  Check.  Zodiac Signs Astrology says, "Scorpios are very deep, intense people, there is always more then meets the eye." Um, yeah.  But as I've said, I'm a skeptic--one who has mellowed out since marriage, or so I think (you'd have to ask my husband about that one).  However, I do believe that we are born with certain innate characteristics that we are unable to change, even if we tried fervently to do so.  Nature and nurture.  With an emphasis on nurture.   


Shop:
Turning gears, this week I've been contemplating and brainstorming new ideas for my Etsy shop.  I've been trying to figure out how to sell my shop and its inventory in a more effective way besides (expensive) ads.  That, blended with a multitude of new ideas flooding my brain--and too much inventory.  Ideas are sprouting out that just need a good watering and TLC, some refinement.  Also, materials are taking over desk space--leaving me about 2 feet to rest my arms, books, computer on--which further jumbles my thoughts.

So that leaves me to wonder: Do all creative minds work like this, or is this a sign of manageable madness and disorganization?

Today, I further reduced the price of my SALE section items.  Sale items are an additional 50 cents to 2 dollars less than they were yesterday--these prices are staying, indefinitely.


Shop Anniversary:
 Next month marks my first-year anniversary as an Etsy seller and buyer.  I'm not very good at celebrating, I must admit.  I did, though, finally decide on having a very generous coupon code for the month of November.  Stay tuned--my blog readers will get a sneak peek of the sale in a very near future blog post, plus some free goodies to go with their purchase(s)!



A few late afternoons ago, the sky looked like it was punctuated by razor marks, and shone through the billowing clouds in straight, bright blue streaks:

Collage-ist

I'm really digging my new, clean desk.  The free space is exhilarating and freeing from the physical and mental constraints of inactivity and creative blunder.  Actually, my desk is, again, taken over by things, but of the creative, introspective sort.  You see, I've began collaging again--not the small, ethereal ones you see in my shop, as it is over a foot long and wide.  It's a nesting collage, a permission of sorts to allow myself feel at home again in my newly-simplified space.  It's not that simplified, but I love it all the same.

Here is the collage I'm working on--can't wait to decoupage and display it:

A pretty bookend...a smoky quartz tumbled stone.  It took quite a few shots to capture the inclusions and coloring of this particular stone.

Speaking of books, I purchased some vintage copies of Jane Eyre, and am planning to display them like pictures, minus the frame.  They're beaten up, have bent pages and covers, and the cover art is so kitschy and time period-specific.  In other words, they're charming in an offbeat way, and have so much character--I love them dearly.  It's funny, "vintage" in Etsian terms means any item older than twenty years old.  Personally, I consider a commodity as vintage if it was created prior to the 1980s.  (This personal guideline, of course, does not include people.)  One of my new/old Jane Eyre novels is copyrighted in 1962.  Does that mean that it's doubly vintage?

My eccentric questioning streak will have to end here.  Have a good rest of the week--I can't believe it's already Tuesday.  Gracious appreciation must be given to my husband for all that he does.  Lastly (the real bookend), thank you to some wonderful buyers and my hermits who have left me such sweet and helpful feedback as of late!

My Shop/Jewelry Philosophy

I was re-reading my Etsy Policies page, and my Shop Announcement earlier tonight, and realized that the information contained within those two areas are so lengthy, yet do not fully encompass my entire shop and jewelry philosophy.  To my amazement, I found that I had MORE to say about the process rather than the actual outcome (jewelry).  So here is my "MORE to say":

~ I research the materials used in my creations because I want to be knowledgeable about the materials that I use.  Also, I want my customers to know exactly what they are purchasing--this aspect of retail is very important to me.

~ I sell mainly pendants because it is more economical for the buyer, and keeps necklace chains from adding up (and tangling up) in your collection.  Less mining (environmental impact), too. 

~ I mull over designs (even the seemingly simple ones!) for a day--sometimes up to a week or longer--depending on how content I am with its design.  I would rather stare at an unmade stone(s), rather than create a piece of jewelry from it ASAP if my creative thought process has not completely run its course.

~ Idea catcher: Numerous pieces of unbound scratch paper, which are scribbled on with pen.  My ideas oftentimes flow out as images, rather than words.  But lately, words have been flowing out more freely than images have.

~ All of my brass components are both lead-free and nickel-free.  This was an important step for me to take because brass usually has lead added to it.  For those with sensitive skin, nickel-free jewelry is the way to go.  To ensure the lead-and-nickel-free content in my brass components, I have inquired about the lead and nickel content of the components prior to purchasing them.

~ I include a jump ring on each pendant to ensure that the pendant will last for years to come.  The description of each listing's item for sale is honest and thoughtful; all posted images accurately reflect the item's color, design, eccentricities, etc. in natural light.  

~ My pricing is not the lowest, but is competitive.  In my pricing, I take into account global price fluctuations in silver--as well as increases in USPS first-class mail rates and US-made bubble mailers.  I try my hardest to purchase items that are made in the USA, due to the US's strict regulations on non-healthy, chemical additives (and to keep jobs from being outsourced to other countries in this economic recession).

~I am grateful for each sale that I make, and treat each buyer as an individual.  I was in retail for nearly a decade prior to opening up my shop, and this is what I have learned: quality and honesty are the best policies.  A complimentary gift per purchase, and keeping the buyer up-to-date with when their package will ship, is the least that I can do to say thank you.


This is my shop manifesto.  For those who read this blog, please convo me the phrase, "SHOPMANIFESTO," at the time of purchase, and I will take 30% off most items* (excluding shipping) from my shop through May 20th.  *Your refund will be done via PayPal--coupon codes CANNOT be used with this offer.  Offer does not apply to "HELP JAPAN" items and gift certificates.*

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A nostalgic Treasury by PopPopPhotography that features my Gothic Victorian Drop Brass Pendant: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dc41f1684278eefc4620743/of-a-different-time