The Dilemma of Being a Fancy Button

QUESTION #1: If you wanted to revitalize your well-loved lady's coat or jacket, OR you wanted to create a knit capelet with a STUNNING BUTTON, what Search terms would you write in your favorite search engine?

When I posted my first 2 Buttons in my Etsy jewelry store, I had to decide if they were "Supplies" or "Jewelry."

NOTE: The only differnce between these items as supplies/buttons or as jewlery/pendants is the location of the loop! I felt like I had created Jewelry, but which word would a shopper use to Search? I learned that on Etsy a shopper would look under Supplies, not Jewelry, for even a fancy button. So tomorrow I will re-categorize my 2 creations as "Supplies" instead of "Jewelry."

Which bring up...

QUESTION #2: Would you pay $32 & $38, respectively, for these "Supplies/Buttons"? If not, what's the most you would pay for them? What if they were "Jewelry/Pendants"?

Which brings up...

QUESTION #3: Why not move the loop from the back to the upper rim & sell them as "Pendants"? Check Search results for "handmade designer buttons" vs "handmade designer pendants" to see why.

MY REVISED STRATEGY is to post maybe 3-4 wonderful jewelry-quality button designs in my shop among the handmade jewelry items, hoping that shopper Searches on "buttons" will find my shop. Searches on jewelry words certainly haven't. Thank God for loyal, local fans & 4 boutiques. The online market is a major challenge for jewelry artists unless Oprah discovers you.

So it's not easy being a fancy button, trapped between 2 worlds! Plus I feel I'm in uncharted waters & I can't swim.

Photography- Frustrations

HELP! I've been taking hundreds of new pics for my new Etsy shop with its New Black Look. I re-take & edit pics until the (1) item & its colors look as realistic as possible & (2) the item "pops" against the black background.
BUT
Last night, when seeking comments in the Etsy forum, someone said that "my pics were too dark & hard to see"...
...which brings me back to my tenuous relationship with my favorite geeky toy VS what YOU see on your computer?

PLEASE HELP save me by clicking the "Comments" link below & answer these questions:
1. Are ALL the pics clear & easy to see in Gallery mode? (HINT: On Seattle Chic's home page, click "gallery" in the small link "view:gallery/link")
2. If not, which specific pics have problems?
3. Viewing on Mac or PC?
4. What operating system?
5. What Browser?
6. Do you know your screen resolution? (In Windows: Rgt click on screen, then Properties, then Settings for "screen resolution".)
6. Any insights on how I can produce pics that look good on BOTH OUR SCREENS?

I have a PC, Windows XP Pro, and use Internet Explorer. My screen resolution is very high==> 1280x1024 pixels.
To edit I use either Photoshop Elements (very old version) OR Picasa. Thanks for your help!!!

I'm Baa-ack for a Fresh Start

Since my June post to say goodbye to online activities, my physical health is back & I'm so grateful!! I'm ready to dip my toe into online waters again, hoping I can resist the urge to jump in. So "Unwired" is back in business, tracking my path as a sole proprietor & jewelry artist.

The other good news is that I've replaced my original Etsy store with a new one that better reflects where my busy hands have taken me while I was getting well. Seattle Bead Creations, as in BEAD, was a suitable name until I took my first wire-wrapping class. It became even less suitable when I took my first metalsmithing class! As my passion for all 3 skills took over my life & my house, BEAD barely described what I did all day.

The Old Me==> The New Me==>

Too bad Etsy won't let us change our shop name... That would have been so easy. But I've made a fresh start with a new shop, new name, new banner, & new icon. Let's not forget The New BLACK Look for Seattle Chic, decided with the help of folks who voted in the blog poll to the right.

These last many months have been a busy time of healing, creating, & renewal... in all regards. So check out the Old Me VS the New Me. I hope you like what you see:)

And the Winner Is...

BLACK by a mile. I'm so grateful that a few friends kept nudging me towards black, despite my dusty house, as Black is a dust-magnet. Interestingly the White & Color background options have remained tied throughout. So I'm excited that Black won with more votes than White & Color combined. PHEW!

So guess what I'll be doing for the next few weeks??? My New Black Look will debut mid-October, just in time for holiday shoppers. Will keep y'all posted so you can attend The Grand Opening. haha:) Thanks to all who voted!!

I Need Your Opinion:)

NOTE: After writing the original post below, I just discovered a black background that doesn't collect dust. So I've added a 3rd mockup with a slightly different banner for your consideration:) Because I can't edit the original Poll, I've added a 2nd Poll, below the 1st. Please vote in only ONE Poll. So here's the original Post with the 3rd mockup added.

=============== ORIGINAL POST ===============
I'm ready to give my online Etsy jewelry store a facelift for holiday shoppers. In mid-October I'll add a New Look & begin posting dozens of new creations & great new pics. HOWEVER, I can't decide between The Look with Colors & The Look with White. Both Looks include a new banner across the top. MY GOAL: The New Look must be so inviting & attractive that folks will want to click to enlarge the jewelry.

YOUR OPINION MATTERS TO ME. Please complete the POLL on the right about the 2 mockups below. SUGGESTION: Just click to enlarge the mockups to compare side-by-side.
I'm so grateful for your time. To leave suggestions or feedback, please click "Comments" below. THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU:)

Update- Jewelry Exposed :)

By cutting back my online activities (see post below), I have more time to make jewelry, which is my joy. LOTS OF JEWELRY! And more opportunities to take classes. It's been a period of discovery & growth. Beading has evolved into wire-art and metal-art jewelry. So I'm finding a happier life-balance where there's time for creating because I'm trading most online marketing for face-to-face wholesaling to boutiques, plus selling at local craft shows when they fit into my schedule. Despite the economic downturn, I'm very grateful & honored by the opportunities that have opened up for me. So besides my 2 websites (Classic Beadwear and Seattle Bead Creations, my Etsy site), look for me locally at upcoming craft shows and stores carrying my jewelry.

AT CRAFT SHOWS, you'll notice Monique, my tireless, uncomplaining, and very coooool employee pictured below. Everyone knows Monique :) Though I have TWO BUSINESS NAMES ==> Classic Beadwear ... Seattle Bead Creations, both offer the same high quality metalwork, wirework, and beaded jewelry. I'll maintain a list of my shows on the right.



MY BOUTIQUES-- I'm proud to recommend these wonderful merchants who sell a selection of my one-of-a-kind jewelry:

a) PW Kerr's -- 612 W. McGraw St., Queen Anne Hill in Seattle, 206-285-2467. Penn carries a gorgeous, eclectic collection of hand-picked objets d'art, including handmade purses, wonderful table centerpieces, lamps, mirrors, paintings, jewelry, & much more! It's a welcoming, lovely store, exquisitely arranged.

b) Avenue Arts -- 1621 Queen Anne Avenue N., Queen Anne Hill in Seattle, 206-281-0054. Joan's gift store is part of Queen Anne Frame. She sells a nice assortment of medium-priced gifts, including attractive paper products, candles, jewelry and more.

c) Laura Bee Designs -- 6418 20th Avenue NW, Ballard area in Seattle, 206-789-4044. Laura's shop specializes in custom-made purses & satchels. Our daughter ordered one with pictures of the grandchildren on the fabric! Laura sells modestly-priced accessories as well, including jewelry.

d) Salon Pecoaro -- 722 Market St, Kirkland, WA, 425-828-4959. A terrific hair salon. Ask for Nancy Wessman, my favorite hair stylist ever. Beautiful haircuts, reasonably priced! You'll find a selection of accessories as well, including purses & jewelry.

And THANK YOU to the incredibly loyal folks who've continued to support my efforts down the path of jewelry design.

Fondly,
Cherylz

Life Intervenes...

Dear Friends,
Sometimes, despite the best of plans, life intervenes like an unexpected Stop sign. So I must vastly reduce my online efforts -- orders from 'above.' As timid as I was about starting this blog, I have come to enjoy it, & I will miss its almost-therapeutic value & the friends I've made!

BUT

My jewelry business continues, as making jewelry is not a job, but a joy. I hope you will take a peep at my latest creations from time to time. Where? How? (Thank you for asking :)



MY BUSINESS PLANS --

o Craft Shows -- Sell at a few well-run shows in the Seattle metro area. I will update my Scheduled Craft Shows on the right periodically.
o Wholesale, Consignment, Custom orders -- Yes, let's talk! These will all be one-of-a-kind creations, even if wholesale.
o Primary Online Store -- Classic Beadwear. Just click its link to my Maxi-Slideshow to see the entire collection, including the latest & greatest. I'll update the collection frequently. Please view that slideshow before you buy! To purchase any item, just click the site's contact link.
o Secondary Online Store -- Seattle Bead Creations, my Etsy store. This is THE place to complete your purchase! When you pick your favorites from the Maxi-Slideshow (see previous), just email - convo me. I'll immediately list your selections in my SBC store for you to put them in your shopping cart & charge your purchase via PayPal, even without a PayPal account. It's easy & I'll help you if you get stuck :)
o Email me -- Use the contact link at either store to reach me. I'd love to hear from you! Also, if you don't want to purchase with a credit card, email me :)

I'm optimistic that I will one day re-join my blogging friends. But until then, I wish you all the best!

Fondly,
Cherylz

Countdown to Edmonds PSIA Craft Show

As the countdown begins, all of us PSIA vendors (Puget Sound Indie Arts)are busy finalizing preparations for our spring Craft Show in Edmonds, WA this Saturday, May 10. What perfect timing... the day before Mother's Day! Check the official notice on the right with all the details because if you're anywhere near Seattle, it's a great opportunity to shop! You'll meet a fantastic group of local artists proud to show off their exciting handmade creations. I'll be there with my favorite one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, including the new line of all-metal jewelry -- copper, Sterling, and gold-fill. I promise to leave the propane torch at home :)

There's something for everyone at the event, and I'm proud to highlight just a few of the artists you'll meet. For the complete list, check "Edmonds PSIA Vendors" on the right & click on any name to view their online stores!

World of Whimm -- KC's world is all about kids. She is a mother with an imagination children love and sewing skills anyone would envy. Her costumes, crowns, & tiaras can transform your little gremlins from princesses to Robin Hoods, Indians, and even pigs -- adorable pigs :) Need a baby shower gift? Her handmade blankets, cuddly crib dolls, and even burp rags would make you proud. Be sure to bring your kids to enjoy KC & the imaginary World of Whimm she'll create for them!


Maluhia Designs -- Well-made with an eye for color & design in fabrics, Jonah's handmade handbags, checkbook covers, cell phone carriers, wallets ("classyfieds":), and more are a must-see for any woman OR anyone shopping for a Mother's Day gift! (I hope my family reads this post!) Yes, she makes stuff for kids, too!


I will try to highlight more vendors before the May 10 event, so please check my blog again this week. See also KC's terrific World of Whimm blog for vendors I did not cover! And stop by my Seattle Bead Creations booth to say Hello & meet my hard-working employee Monique. She'd like to model our one-of-a-kind, handmade jewelry, especially the new line of metal-crafted art jewelry :)

Too Beautiful To Bear -- Again!

Do you remember Paul Potts from the British version of American Idol (Britain's Got Talent)? The very same Paul Potts whose unlikely voice consistently fills me with such emotion that I had to blog about him? In fact, I frequently call up this blog just to click on his permanent link to the right, listed under Inspirational Links! Well, here is the next Paul Potts. And here I am again overwhelmed with emotions I don't understand by the angelic voice of this child. Have a listen & enjoy Andrew Johnston, age 13. I hope his voice doesn't change.

Are You Ready for May 11?

Just in case May 11 isn't ringing alarm bells in your head, it's Mother's Day. Maybe you are the mother in question. If you're in the Seattle area, mark your calendars now for a unique opportunity ON MAY 10 to buy a special treat for yourself, a mother figure in your life, and even your kids (You wouldn't be a mother without them :) Puget Sound Indie Arts, the group of Seattle independent artists to which I belong, is hosting its Spring Arts & Crafts Show in Edmonds, WA. Not only will you see a fine selection of handmade products by local artists, but the 50 earliest arrivals will receive free, valuable gift bags! One additional gift bag per hour will also be awarded. These are not bags of plastic trinkets, but beautiful handmade fabric bags filled with our artist's handmade products!


Please find a copy of the official announcement. Feel free to share it with friends, but be sure you arrive before they do!