Saturday, January 15, 2011

Times They Are A'Changin'

German cut crystals that are true prisms
paired with a tiny abstract charm (a snowflake or a flower?)


Swarovski crystals in dark gray with a special finish


Swarovski crystals in a translucent white "opal" glass


Small black onyx beads wire wrapped to hand formed "stick" ear wires,
with free form hearts added to the ends
all silver is sterling silver

At the same time I've been designing quite a range of colorful earrings, the urge for black and white, for neutrals, also strikes. None of these are listed online quite yet. Posting new pieces is going a bit slowly right now except for the big push I had to get a nice collection of RED posted last week.

Things are in transition for selling my pieces right now. There are more "brick and mortar" outlets becoming available, some pieces are going to become "exclusive" in collections outside of my own shops (I'll be announcing them here when they launch), and I'm beginning to seriously restock my ArtFire shop again, where I can offer special deals, coupons and so on!

Etsy has gone through a lot of changes recently, not all good ones, in my opinion. There's this big internal push to connect the artists with each other via this feature called "circles." Now I don't mind getting to know more artists...but the reason I post my things on Etsy is to sell them, not to socialize about them, so I'm not clear about the changes and direction this huge monstrosity is going yet. It just keeps getting larger and larger even as the opportunities to get attention from buyers and new customers get smaller and smaller...so it's really just prudent to figure out ways to branch out, to spread things around a bit wider. In fact, that is what the company is pushing everyone to do--go out and promote themselves--except for that minuscule collection of Etsy favorites who grace the so called 'front page' ad nauseum (having nearly 200,000 shops means you just stick with your favorite 40 or 50, using them over and over, right?)

So as I roll with changes, my blog will remain my primary touchstone for all these kinds of things--new ideas and inspirations, new creations, and new places to exhibit my work and more. At least I can't get lost here!! So thanks for dropping by!! Have a wonderful weekend, and do keep warm!

9 comments:

Ann said...

Love this new design. Those earrings in the first picture are fabulous.
I've thought about an Etsy store but it's all a little overwhelming for me and I don't think I really have the time to devote to it. I'll just have to keep it in the dream stage :)

Lin said...

I like the combination of the blog and etsy in which to see your jewelry. I like the photos here and the stories behind the pieces. I get overwhelmed when I click on etsy sometimes--it's like a wormhole!

Kristin Aquariann said...

Your jewelry is absolutely stunning! *stares at all the sparkles*

Btw, thanks for keeping my Sycamore Fairy badge on your blog! I saw you joined my Winter Blog Hop, too - you're welcome to replace it with that button.

Anonymous said...

Oh more pretty earrings! Earrings are the only jewelry I wear now since I rarely leave the house - no point in doing the bracelet and what all else thing...

Anonymous said...

I hear ya- it's frustrating to work your you know what off and get no love from etsy. The thing about those trendy people is- they are in a constant need to evolve their work according to what's new. That's great and we all do that in our own ways, but really, can you be inspired by owls one week and then mustaches the next? I think that's just not something I'm willing to do to my work...

Additionsstyle said...

Your new pieces are amazing! I know what you mean about Etsy. Your blog is a perfect showcase, I love coming here to check out your new pieces.

CharmN Jewelry said...

Times are changing and so is changing the taste for jewelry.These new ideas are very creative.I love the black onyx beads and the crystals of course.
Initial Charms

icedgurl said...

love ur designs!!! soooo charming crystals!!! :]

InViTiNg YoU tO TrEK mY SiTe aNd LeAvE SoMe TrAiLs! ThAnK YoU! :] hApPy BLogGing!

Rose Clearfield said...

LOVE your work is always! I great really frustrated with those issues on Etsy, too. The site should focus a lot more on catering to the buyers out there. But it doesn't. At all. And the same trendy people do get featured on the front page over and over again. It would be really nice to see more diversity. Like Nancy, I refuse to create work or curate treasuries around what's trendy. It's frustrating that the people that do continue to get rewarded for it. I'm glad that I'm not the only one sticking it out and doing what I love!

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