Different Directions

My mind sometimes takes me in so many different directions that it can be overwhelming.  I’m constantly thinking of new jewelry designs and ideas for my small business (often with the input of other people) and if I don’t stay focused on what I’m doing I can become too scattered.  It’s easy to start going down a new direction and before I know it I’m doing too many things simultaneously.  That’s when I tell myself to clean up and figure out what I should do now and what can wait.      

One thing you should know about me is that I am a faithful list maker.  I make a daily list every day and keep a short-term list and a long-term list.  I have lists for my business AND my personal life.  Sometimes the personal and business lists get combined in to one daily master list but the short-term and long-term lists don’t often co-mingle.  Of course there are always exceptions.   

I usually get through about 1/3-1/2 of my daily list so subsequently things get pushed to the list for the next day.  Naturally, new things get added every day which shift things from my daily list to my short-term list or eventually my long-term list. 

What I find rather mind-blowing is that despite feeling behind most of the time the things on my long-term list somehow get done.  They not only get done, but they get done by the target point without me really being conscious of it along the way.  I became aware of this phenomenon recently when reviewing my 5-year long-term list.  I was surprised to see that I’ve accomplished most of the things on the list within the target year.   

I’m very organized and task oriented by nature which is odd (generally speaking) for an artistic person.  Despite my task oriented and rather compulsive manner, I’ve learned that I simply can not get everything done immediately.  This used to drive me nuts!!!  I’ve recently come to realize that getting stressed out does not help.  What helps is to let go of that frantic feeling and go with the flow knowing everything will get done eventually.  

So what if I don’t get through my list today - there is always tomorrow.   Don’t get me wrong, I work hard (always have) but I just don’t let myself get all worked up over things that I can’t control like being interrupted throughout the day by my little boy, my puppy, unexpected phone calls, little emergencies, etc. 

What brought me to this particular topic of “new directions” is my new puppy Riley.  For some reason I feel the need to craft a beautiful beaded show collar for little Riley.  Did I ever expect to make dog necklaces/show collars?  No.  Do I expect that anyone else will want one for their pet once they see mine?  Who knows.   In any case, this is a new direction for me and I put it on my short-term list. 

This new direction is a good example of having to go with the flow.  I already have a sizeable short-term list of things I want and need to do for my business so for now Riley’s collar will have to wait. 

To sum up, new ideas and new directions are good things.  They keep your mind exercised and your days filled with great possibilities.  Don’t get caught up in the how and when.  Just relax and make note if you don’t have time to get to it right away and know you will eventually get to it.  

For today, dog collars are NOT on my daily list.  Spring is here and ankle bracelets ARE so I’m off to create some new pieces.  I’m excited about the warm weather and the new directions the change of season will bring me.

The ankle bracelets below were created last season as a result of client requests.  Check my website www.makanajewelry.com frequently over the next few months to see tons of new pieces.

 

 

 

 

 

Stones, Beautiful Stones

I’ve been thinking about adding more interesting and unique gemstones to my work.  Don’t get me wrong, I love working with Swarovski crystals and crystal pearls, I just feel the need to bring more natural and one-of-a-kind elements in to my jewelry designs.  If you follow my blog you’ll notice that when I get a feeling about something (most things anyway) I just go with the flow.  That is the wonderful thing about creativity – you just don’t know where it will lead you!  The journey can be fun, exciting, interesting, perplexing and more, but allowing your creativity to lead the way always makes for an eye-opening experience.   

Speaking of going on a journey; next week I’m off to several local bead stores in search of some new gemstones.  I’ve tried shopping online but pictures just don’t give me the true color and details I need.  I’m excited about my little field trip.  I actually have two new jobs using gemstones and that is one reason why it is so important for me to get the colors right. 

One of my assignements (for a long-term client) is to create matching earrings for an existing necklace she has.  The other task is to find a particular color beige stone with  dark brown lines or specks in it.  That should be interesting!!  Other than that, I’m just looking for gemstones that inspire me to create some fantastic new designs.  I don’t know exactly what I’m looking for but I know they will call out to me when I see them.  

By this time next week, I hope to have all of my assignments and new designs well on the way.  I can feel the energy moving through my hands just thinking about it.  Did you ever realize that your emotions can actually make parts of your body react?  I didn’t notice this until very recently.  The next time you are thinking about something you are excited about doing, take note of how certain parts of your body feel.  For instance, when I’m getting ready to start creating my jewelry, my hands actually feel warm and almost tingly.  When I’m getting ready for my Zumba class, my whole body (especially my legs, hips and arms) feel really energized.  Sound silly?  Try it and let me know what you find. 

Check back over the next few weeks for some fabulous photos of my new designs.  I can’t wait to share them with you.  My new puppy arrives on April 1st so my goal is to get as much as I can accomplished before she arrives.  I know the first few weeks will be a big adjustment for our little pup and I want to make the transition as easy as possible for her.  Training her correctly right from the start is an important part of her development in to a well socialized, well behaved mature dog.     

Riley's First Time Outside

The Artistic Process of Creating Jewelry

I invited a prospective Jewelry Consultant over to see my workshop and studio the other day.  She took one look at my wide variety of crystals, stones, beads, etc. and said, “Wow, this is almost overwhelming.” “How do you decide what to make?” I said, “That’s easy…I just sit down and pull out whatever color appeals to me at that particular moment in time and get started on a design that feels right.” 

It really is as simple as that.  The jewelry I create is a reflection of how I’m feeling on the inside.   Some days I feel like using bright colors and other days I feel like working with warm neutral tones.  Sometimes I surprise myself with the final piece because I had no idea what I was going to come up with when I started.  It’s a really fun and free-flowing process.   Transforming my inner feelings in to beautiful jewelry is like opening my heart and just letting things flow with no boundaries.   This has been an eye-opening revelation for me so I’m sure I will blog more about this concept in upcoming posts.  

Here is a little twist on my free-flowing method of creating jewelry.   I love to create custom jewelry so there are many times when I sit down to design that I’ll have a specific goal in mind for a client.  Although the creating process is relatively the same, the method for creating custom work isn’t quite as free.   When I make a custom design, I get my client’s input  regarding the beads or crystal colors, the style of the piece, etc.  Naturally, since I have certain parameters to meet the custom process isn’t as impulsive as the free-style approach but it is just as rewarding – if not even more rewarding.  This collaboration of minds and hearts is a true team effort  and the results are awesome.   There is nothing more rewarding to me (with my jewelry business)  than to see my clients proudly wearing and loving the jewelry I created specifically for them.   It’s so nice for them to know they had input in to the jewelry as well.

I created  the one-of-a-kind set below for my friend Kim.  I love creating custom designs for Kim because she has a classy, unique style.  Kim has clear views on what she likes but gives me total artistic control knowing I’ll create jewelry she’ll love.  She has really helped and continues to help me grow as a jewelry designer.  Thanks Kim!

Custom Y-Necklace and Earrings Set

My Thoughts on Creativity

I always had a creative eye growing up.  This may sound silly but I was great at making posters, dioramas and various art assignments at school.  I became an Art Major in High School and went on to College where I continued along my creative journey.  Since creativity came naturally to me it didn’t occur to me that this was a gift and that not everyone had the same sense of creativity.  It wasn’t until I became an adult that I realized that I had some kind of innate ability that many people just don’t have.   

My creativity takes on many forms.  I am not only good at designing and making jewelry but I also seem to have quite a knack for interior decorating, flower gardening and landscaping and even putting on make up (go figure), among other interesting, unusual and at times surprising things.   

Although some creative aspects can be learned, I think you really must have a natural foundation.  For instance, let’s take vocal and visual arts.  An average singer can learn vocal exercises and breathing techniques to become a better singer,  an average painter can learn brush strokes and the mechanics of great color mixing to become a better painter but the best singers and painters (in my opinion) have natural talent.  Do you see where I’m going with this?   This topic has become a very interesting subject of conversation for me.  So much in fact that I’ve created an entire category on my blog dedicated to creativity.  So, let me pose a question to you.  Are you creative?  If so, do you think you were born that way or did you learn to be creative?  If you are not, would you like to be more creative?  Give me your thoughts.

 

 

More Insights on Great Displays and Packaging

I have to tell you that when I walk craft shows or street fairs I am attracted to the booths that have their stuff displayed in an elegant and artistic way.  I mean, what is the point of crafting really beautiful jewelry and then throwing it on a table like it is not worthy of being showcased?  A really beautiful display not only tells the world that you take pride in your craft but it also shows them that you are a true artist.  

I can’t tell you how many compliments I get on my displays AND my packaging.  From start to finish I want my customers to feel the extra thought that went in to their purchase.  I always display my jewelry on black wrought iron displays or velvet fixtures.  Maybe it takes more time to go the extra mile but I totally think it’s worth it in the end.  Everything I do from my jewelry designs, to my packaging, to my tables and booth reflect the way I feel about my craft.  If I want to be seen as a serious artist I have to put myself out there as such.

The Benefits of Selecting Artisan Jewelry for Your Wedding Day

Your wedding day is one of the most important days in your life. You met the right guy. You found the perfect dress. You put so much effort into planning your special day, down to the last detail. Why not put the finishing touches on your wedding attire by selecting custom made jewelry.

Well-designed jewelry offers you beauty that lasts. It also represents your personal statement of style. The most important rule for jewelry is to buy what you like because its beauty will last a lifetime.  With this in mind, handcrafted jewelry can be the best pick for your wedding day.

A good jewelry designer will take the time to get to know you. Just as you consider your personal features such as body type and face shape when selecting your wedding dress and headpiece, so will your jewelry designer when creating your bridal jewelry. She will also ask to see your wedding dress to get a creative vision for your jewelry. 

Hematite and Sterling Silver Set

 In many cases, your jewelry designer can use or match beads from your dress to create your custom jewelry. What better way to complete your look than to have a one-of-a-kind set crafted to your specific desires.

The most common materials used for bridal jewelry sets include Swarovski crystals and Swarovski pearls. Many people have heard of Swarovski but don’t realize its meaning. Swarovski (Austrian) Crystal is considered by many people to be the finest quality, full-lead crystal made today. It contains a minimum of 32%PbO, making the crystal optically very pure. The crystal is then faceted with tremendous precision, creating beautiful prisms. Brilliant colors and/or coatings are added to these crystals to create pendants, stones, and beads of dazzling beauty and tremendous variety of shapes and sizes.

Crystal’s radiant light, and its mix of strong style and irresistible magnetism gives crystal beads an innate glamour. Swarovski’s core values are radiance, joy and sparking abundance and their crystal is unmatched in quality and distinction.

Vintage Crystals, Swarovski Crystals and Sterling Silver Bali Beads

Swarovski Crystal Pearls are perfect imitations of natural pearls. Each Swarovski Pearl begins with a crystal sphere core that gives the pearl its ideal weight, hence the name Crystal Pearl. Next, each Swarovski Pearl bead is uniformly coated with iridescent mother-of-pearl-like layers. The even coating combined with the crystal base of the pearl beads give them a luminous glow from within and luster similar to that of real pearls. The high specific gravity of a raw pearl made of crystal gives the Swarovski Crystal Pearl the same weight as a cultured pearl.

A Swarovski Crystal Pearl feels good to the touch and as a piece of jewelry it offers that sensual experience valued by pearl enthusiasts. Making the choice for handcrafted artisan jewelry for your wedding day ensures that you will have a memento to treasure and an heirloom to pass down from generation to generation.

In addition, giving jewelry as a gift is the perfect way to thank your maid of honor, bridesmaids, and flower girl for their participation in your wedding. Your attendants will be touched when you present them with beautiful artisan jewelry. They will look lovely wearing this gift on your wedding day and they will cherish this keepsake forever.

The Importance of Great Displays and Beautiful Packaging

I get so many nice comments about my displays and packaging when I do a show.  The first step in making a good impression on your customers is having your jewelry displayed in an attractive and orderly manner.  I can’t tell you how many compliments I get on how I display my jewelry.   I’ve worked in many different retail shops (from clothing and shoes to jewelry) where I learned how to artistically display merchandise.  If you do not feel confident enough in your ability to select and purchase display pieces, you can always look online or go to shows and see how other jewelry vendors display their merchandise.  Your customers’ overall viewpoint of your jewelry will be impacted by how you display your work.  

Once you have made a sale you have yet another opportunity to impress your customers.  Great packaging seals the deal on your customers’ opinion of their purchase experience with you.  I happen to love the color purple and so it has turned in to my signature color for my jewelry business.  With this in mind, I bought very pretty purple boxes and matching tissue paper with which I package their purchase.  I take the purple box and place it in to the purple tissue paper and then place the tissue paper and box in a white polka dot plastic gift bag with handles.  The bag is almost see-through so the purple tissue paper shows through and also sticks up out of the bag a few inches.  It makes for a very pretty package.  Those people buying gifts really appreciate the fact that they don’t have to wrap the gift since it is so nicely packaged already.  One thing I should mention is that I plan to transition to more earth-friendly bags once my stock of these white plastic bags has been depleted.  The tissue paper and jewelry boxes are recyclable and I’d like to make all of my packaging earth-friendly. 

To summarize; sometimes it’s the little extra details that can make a world of difference in your customers’ perception of your business.  I truly believe it’s the combination of having a great product as well as the little touches like great display pieces, beautiful packaging and of course, great customer service that will keep your customers coming back.

List of Resources for Women Business Owners

Listed below are three valuable resources that have been helpful to me as an emerging small business owner.  Check them out and feel free to contact me with any questions you have.  

SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide.  SCORE offers free and confidential advice to small businesses through face-to-face counseling, online counseling, workshops and more.  SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).  http://www.score.org/index.html 

Ladies Who Launch – Entrepreneurship & creativity as a lifestyle.  Ladies Who Launch is the first new media company to provide resources and connections for women entrepreneurs.  The Ladies Who Launch mission is to make entrepreneurship accessible to any woman with a project, dream or aspiration to start her own business and be successful.  It is our hope that women will come to Ladies Who Launch and take advantage of our trusted community, tools, resources and success stories and live their dreams. http://www.ladieswholaunch.com/

NJAWBO – New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners. ”Money, Power, Position…Women changing the landscape of business.”  NJAWBO is the oldest statewide women business owners’ organization in the United States.  Its primary objective is to support and encourage business ownership by women.  Since 1978, NJAWBO has helped women achieve their business visions by providing them with the tools to develop and grow their enterprises.  http://www.njawbo.org/site/c.8nJDKONuFqG/b.1045035/

My First Post

Welcome to my BLOG.  I am a mother, jewelry designer and entrepreneur.  I’ve learned a lot along this journey and I hope to share that with you.  One major thing I’ve learned is that the best way to figure out how to be successful is to meet other people who’ve accomplished what I want to accomplish.  Of course, I’m still learning but the knowledge I now have is so valuable that I figure maybe I can help someone else out along my continuing journey.