November 20, 2010

Clay Genie - The Work of Jean Christen

Who Makes the Beads? The Work of Jean Christen (Clay Genie) Magpie Gemstones has supported this American Clay Artist for over 6 years. We are honored to carry her work and would like for you to get to know more about her work through this article.








For years I’ve admired the unique clay work of Jean Christen. I find her beads and pendants both beautiful and fascinating whether I am holding them in my hands or admiring them on the Magpie Gemstones website. Internationally recognized and a master at her craft, Clay Genie creates pieces of unique and exceptional art in the form of pendants and beads for us.

To Read More ...

www.magpiegemstones.com

November 6, 2010

Business Cards




In one of the online jewelry making forums I belong to we are having a discusion about business cards. I uploaded pictures of my jewelry business cards here so I could show what I was talking about. The issue is shiny or not, hand printed or not, double sided etc ... you get the gist.

I get these from a company called http://www.gemgraphics.net/ ... they chose the pictures off my website and built the card, asked if it was ok and I had them in the mail pronto. Great company (watch for typos though), and inexpensive.

I believe the the photos of jewelry they chose had more to do with the background colors of their design working with the background color of the photos as opposed to what peices I would have chosen but because the decision was so hard for me I just went with it.

www.magpiegemstones.com

November 1, 2010

Pricing Handmade Jewelry for Etsy


One of the discussions I hear often in jewelry making forums is the issue of pricing jewelry. Eventually it turns to how inexpensive jewelry on etsy is. A few people come to their defense that they are selling low to get their "sales" numbers up and will eventually return to a pricing system that is consistent elsewhere.

I follow these converstaions and often wonder if that tactic works or not. I do not have much experience with etsy so for me it is always just a passing thought in my brain.

I came across a few articles written by etsians on the subject and thought they may be interesting to those of you thinking about etsy or sitting on one side of the fence or the other on this issue. Do tell what you think?

The following article I discovered on http://business.ezinemark.com/how-to-price-products-to-sell-on-etsy-16cc629b286.html and you will have to click here to read it all. I don't want to copy it here and get them upset with me.

HOW TO PRICE PRODUCTS TO SELL ON ETSY


Pricing is often one of the hardest parts of starting an Etsy shop for a newbie seller. Crafters often tend to undervalue their wares, and underestimate the real money and time that went into their creation. Or, they feel that customers won't pay anything but rock bottom prices for their work. But learning to recognize the value and worth of the handmade items you make, and communicating that value through price, is one of the most important steps a new seller can make to set their Etsy shop on a firm financial footing and build a foundation for Etsy success.
Read more: http://business.ezinemark.com/how-to-price-products-to-sell-on-etsy-16cc629b286.html#ixzz143tztFTm

$200 Shopping Spree Give Away

Twice a year we give away a $200 shopping spree for gemstone beads to one lucky reader of our newsletter. All you have to do is sign up and you are elligible. To read more just click on the link above or the link below.

http://www.magpiegemstones.com/spree.html

www.magpiegemstones.com

More Earring Wire Designs

Dr Karen Meador submitted a great article that suplimented the you tube video we posted on making ear wires. She made some beautiful designs that made the earring design a part of the ear wire. If interested check it out by clicking the title above or the link here. To see the original video just scroll down, I think it is two posts down.

http://www.magpiegemstones.com/ear_wire_designs.html




Any articles, tutorials we post from client's receive a $20 gift certificate to the store. Here is a list of articles we may be interested in publishing http://www.magpiegemstones.com/ideasforarticles.html

www.magpiegemstones.com