Butterfly Jewelry and Show Prep

The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough.  ~Rabindranath Tagore

Here are some new pieces that will be part of my wholesale line, I will be testing them out at the local show next weekend.

I kind of did a little 'oh yeah!' when I finished this piece yesterday.  It's so striking and beautiful and will be eye-catching enough to get customers to venture into my booth.  I also have this crazy idea of displaying them on moss covered necklace displays - I will let you know how that turns out. 

I did the smaller pieces in three different colors for this pendant, the tiny butterfly pendant and the earrings.  Well the earrings I did several of each color.  There is a part of me that would like to make a ton more, but honestly I already have enough to fill the booth and won't be able to put it all out.  I do have a few pieces that need to be completed and I will make about 20 more pairs of earrings. That will land me 50+, which seems like a lot and it is, but you can never have too many earrings and I always sell tons of them.

My to-do list for the show:

Etch leaves for bracelets & necklaces and house pendants
Piece those together
Finish earrings
Starfish pendants and earrings
A few more nest pendants
(That's what I want to do, but I am giving myself until Monday and then what I have is what I have!)

Price jewelry
Update display busts with silk and some with moss (maybe)
Find tablecloths
Get sales receipts printed from Kinkos (a step up for the store bought generic ones)
Gather display materials

Might need to pick up:
Bamboo shade for the backdrop in my booth
Another large picture frame
A new mirror

Holiday Happenings

I have three holiday events that are fast approaching.

The first one is this weekend, Saturday November 12th from 10-5pm at Bead Quest in Grand Rapids, MI.

Bead Quest is hosting their annual holiday event with several artists and a crystal event.  It should be quite the party.  I am teaching my nest class in the morning and then from 2-5pm I'm signing books.  My beads will be available throughout the day.  I am making lots of the new holiday items, they flew out of my Etsy shop as fast I could make them this weekend.  I have a feeling they will do well at the open house too.

(Photo credit: Bead Quest)

And speaking of making things quickly, I'm also preparing to take items for the South Haven Art Center for their annual Mistletoe Market.  That is a holiday boutique that goes from November 18th until December 11th.  I'm making lots of impulse buy items: pendants, earrings, hair pins, etc - it's a tourist town that is pretty slow in the winter, but the artsy folks in the area brave the cold and support local artists.  Don't you just love that?  Ah, that makes me feel nostalgic - I remember shopping for Christmas gifts at the Mistletoe Market when I was in high school and then selling at the market for many years when I was a budding jewelry designer.  Oh, those were the salad days.

And finally, my last event of the year will be the Artist's Market at the Urban Institute of Contemporary Arts.  We used to do this show back in the day too.  Now the UICA is all spiffy in their new big building and it's their 23rd annual show.  This will be the show I pull out the big guns and get all super high end creative with designs like the ones in my book. 

I haven't even started to explore Grand Rapids.  There are all these hip little shops in my old neighborhood - it's totally urban chic.  I want to go check out The Sparrows coffee shop - okay, I just love the name.  There are some wonderful galleries and shops and I'd like to visit.  Hopefully at the beginning of December when I slow down a bit and we are all settled here in GR.  

Overwhelmed - nope, not really.  Way more excited about living my dream everyday and rising to the challenge.

"And you could say, because it’s your right to, that you’re feeling “overwhelmed”. 

But don’t. Don’t go there. 

Stay with me, on the light side of change and bursting creativity; on the front end of pressure, and greatness, and the best and worst kinds of challenges." 

From Danielle LaPorte, read the whole blog post here: Strike "Overwhelmed" From Your Vocabulary. (Via MissFickleMedia on twitter - thanks Shannon!)

Why 1255 is my lucky number

Okay, so what can possibly be bigger than a book deal?  Not much really, that is the tippy top of the mountain as far as I'm concerned.  But what is the next best thing in this career path? Oh I don't know, how about a booth at Bead & Button in June?

Yep, that'll do it.  I still squeal every time I think about it.  And 1255 - my booth number, right in the first row with the all the other beadmakers.  It's a very happy time at Humblebeads manor. 

Now come back tomorrow for news about the next Bead Cruise.  Until then, here is a set of beads inspired by one of my favorite new songs, Captains and Cruise Ships by Owl City.

Visit my Etsy shop to see more of the new beads.

What's up little tweet?

I can't even tell you how much jewelry I've made over the last few weeks! Today I'm back to filling orders and getting packages out the door. Last night I worked on bird pendants on silk cords, like the one above. Along with a few hedgie and squirrel charm necklaces that are too cute. I better pull out my camera before I take everything in tomorrow.

My strategy for doing a show is to have 2x the inventory that I'd like sell. So if my goal is $2000, I bring $4000 worth of jewelry. I always create a few show stopper pieces, ones that cost a few hundred dollars. A good chunk of my inventory is in the $40-75 price range and than 1/2 of what I bring is under $30. Those impulse buys: tons of earrings, ornaments and small pendants.

The show I'm doing is this weekend in San Antonio. It's Hecho A Mano at the Guadalupe Cultural Center. If you are in the area stop by! I've been encouraged that they had 2 ads in the newspaper this weekend. I've been hearing it mentioned all week on NPR and they have 3 huge street banners in different parts of the city. Kudos to the organizers for working on getting the word out.

In other news:

The Art Bead Scene's new monthly challenge is Puttin' on the Glitz. Stop by to check it out.

Stop by FabFiber's blog today and enter to win this very sweet bird ornament. All you have to do is leave a comment!

Opps, almost forgot to draw a winner from the Open House! The winner is Lorelei, who has won a holiday pendant!

Humblebeads Restocked

The ol' esty shop has been restocked. I have beads and orders filling the whole studio today. Poor Jess is hiding in his corner. I hear him snipping metal and he'll occasionally run over with the next part of his project complete. He is constructing some kind of glass soldered alter that has little doors that open up. Can't wait to see it finished.


I have been making beads, making beads, making beads.

Today I snuck off to the The Bead Market. Looking for blue apatite. I tell you, don't go to a bead show with one thing in mind. You'll end spending way too much money on faceted blue labradorite rondells. I was helpless against their shiny, flashy powers of persuasion.

You can find this strand on etsy from jNicLoft, these are the same color.

What else did I pick up? Not much really, a few stands of copper spacers and bead caps, copper clasps and a some small strands of czech glass. This show has mostly low end stands of stones, lots of deals for $3 and $6. But I wasn't looking for bargains today, I was looking for the unusual. What can I say, the next show is just around the corner. I'll hold out for that.

Oh, and I probably was a little shopped out, I put in an order from Rings & Things on Friday. Can you say gunmetal and copper findings? Yep, they have a very cool selection and a great new updated website, very user-friendly. (Maybe too user-friendly!) I will have to snap some photos of my recent purchases soon.


Amidst the beadmaking and shopping I have been a fury of jewelry-making superpowers. Unfortunately I can't show them yet, some of are for a top-secret project that I am working on, I promise to share as soon as I can.


Thank you for all the birthday wishes this week. I had a very lovely celebration and the beads to prove it. Hopefully by tomorrow I will be caught up on orders and back to blogging, taking photos and most importantly sharing my new line of beads!!!

A Great Big Pile of Jewelry!

That's what is sitting on my desk, all ready to go tomorrow. Now if you read this, send thoughts of sunshine. I get so nervous about the weather when we do an outdoor show. 30% chance of thunderstorms, see shows are a gamble. They even give you the odds to place your bet!


Dragonfly necklace with a humblebead, a boro glass bead and hammered brass dragonfly. Oh, hammering your brass pieces are fun, you should try it!


A different version of my dragonfly necklace.

And now, the showstopper. Drumroll please...


This necklace is created with 40 disk beads, 2 long Chrysanthemum beads and a clasp that I am in love with. Now the big question, will it end up on the table tomorrow?

Finding Arts & Crafts Shows

First things first, all shows are a gamble. You may do great a show one year and have slow sales at the same show the next year. You just never know, what you can do though is make informed decisions about what shows seem like the best fit for your jewelry.

Before you go running off to find shows, take a moment to think about your customers. Are they busy mom's on the go, fashionistas, alternative artsy indie girls or no-nonsense business women? Each one of these women go to different types of shows. You'll need to put on your detective hat to find the right fit.

I can only offer you my experience and what I know. My customers are women in their 30's - 50's. They are usually married, work and have disposable income. They love handmade items and the arts in general. They support their local art museums and organizations. They collect handcrafted items. They aren't worried about trends, but see jewelry as an expression of their individuality. They love to give gifts that are meaningful and well thought-out.

My best shows are art fairs and shows that are hosted by arts organizations. I wouldn't do well at a country-craft type show. My customers aren't there. I do better in urban areas in larger cities.

Where to find shows?
*Ask other artists/crafters.
*Go to shows and see what events your favorite artists are doing.
*Get connected with the local art groups in your area.
*Find out if your state has an arts commission or council, here is a list of them.
*Network with guilds/societies in your area. We have a fiber arts guild & a bead society. Both put on shows for their members and announce upcoming shows in the community.
*CraftLister is a list of craft & art fairs.
*Looking for big shows? Sign up for Zapplication, most of the larger shows use this service.

In general, it's better to attend a show before you sign up for it, especially ones that charge higher fees. Stay away from 1st year shows, it's such a gamble. Exceptions would be organizations that you want to support.

Preparing for Arts & Craft Shows

I've been selling at Arts & Crafts shows for 14 years. I've never done a national art fair, but I've done way more than my share of local arts fairs, market days, school and church arts & crafts shows, artist's markets, farmer's markets, bizarre bazaars, etc.

Some things I've learned along the way...

1. Do NOT design the week before the show. Now is not the time to try new designs or spend hours "playing" with the beads. You need to have your product line developed by now and spend your time wisely making multiples of the ones you feel will sell the best. Hate making more than one of something? Have a basic design and change out the colors.


2. Diversify your price range. First, have a few 'show-stoppers' in your booth. These are the items that you can see a mile away. They should have your blood, sweat and tears poured into them and cost a few hundred dollars. People will ohhh and ahhh and want to try it on. You never know, you might just sell it. I can remember how excited I was when I sold my first $300 necklace! Most will look around at what is in their price range. So have a good amount of items in that middle price range. Now, I like to have 40-50% of my inventory in the impulse buy range. For me these are items under $30. Small pendant necklaces and earrings fit the bill.


3. Don't guess prices at the last minute. For pete's sake, what business does this? This is really bad to do if you are worried about selling at a show. What happens if you underprice yourself and Ms. Fabulous Gallery Owner spots your work and asks if you wholesale? Be prepared. I love Eni Oken's price calculator. Have a formula and stick to it.

4. Get the word out. Don't count on show producers to do all the advertising. Let your customers know when you are selling at a show. Tell your friends, family, co-workers, etc. about your upcoming event. If it's a large show, it doesn't hurt to let the promoters know that you are available to talk to the press if they need someone to interview. Have a press release and print ready images available on your website. I made the cover of our local weekender guide by talking to the promoter before the show.

5. My best, most important piece of advice - go to bed early the night before the show. I know, there is never enough time and you could make 10 more things if you only get two hours of sleep. You will do better at the show if you are rested. Period. So plan ahead, try to have everything done by 5pm the day before a show. Spend some time not thinking about the show, go out to dinner, watch a movie, hang out with the fam'. Be prepared on show day to sell, not curl up in a ball to take a nap at the back of your booth!

*yes, I am guilty of all above mentioned sins, but have turned from my evil ways. mostly.

Gruene Market Days

Okay, there are beads on my computer desk, trays of beads on the dining table with half-finished projects, beads on all three of my work stations, a stack of dishes in the sink and my children have gone native. That can only mean one thing, I'm getting ready for a market day this weekend.

Fillin' up the ol' jewelry stash. Making lots of bracelets. Some new necklaces and everyone's favorite, earrings, earrings, earrings.

If you are in the San Antonio/Austin/Hill Country area, come out to say hi! Gruene's website. Lots of cool pottery, jewelry, bath & candle stuff, good eats, cute things for kids. Everything is handmade.

Don't live in driving distance? Well meander over to my Etsy shop and snatch up something before they head to the show.

New this week:

Jewelry Shows

I have been busy filling orders and working on jewelry for a show I did this past weekend. I'm glad I took the chance. We sold a lot of jewelry and enjoyed the market day. Some days I miss doing shows. Jess and I started selling jewelry at shows the first year we were married. We would pay for our living expenses selling jewelry. I remember our first "booth" was a piece of foam core board with fabric wrapped around it set up on an easel. Wow, that seems so long ago. I love meeting artists and seeing what talent is locally grown. I really miss the art shows in the small tourist towns in West Michigan.

I forgot how much I love to make jewelry, sometimes I get so busy making beads. I have 2 lines of jewelry that I would like to start producing and selling again. I need more hours in day!

The photo above is part of our booth display from this past weekend. That's Jesse's jewelry on the books. He was so excited to sell his pieces.

So now the big question, do I sign up again for next month? It's always a gamble. A gamble that it doesn't rain, a gamble that the right crowd will be there. A gamble that we won't all sweat to death in June, although the chances of that are pretty high here in Texas. Hard choice. I guess the question is, do I feel lucky?

Bead Show Success

The show last week was great. I sold a nice amount of beads, kits, kits and more kits. Sundry bracelet kits sold out. I had one-of-a-kind beads in bright new color combinations. Well, bright for me anyway. I'm going to do more bead shows in the Southwest Texas area. It was fun and gave me the show bug, so I'm also going to try my hand at a market day again.

I may regret it, but you never know. It's an all handmade show, but it leans toward the country crafts, stuff-on-a-stick kind of sale. I've done the show off and on since we've moved to Texas and it's always a gamble. Some days I sold tons, other times I smiled and twirled my thumbs. I'm up for gamble.

I've been designing more jewelry. I love copper and brass findings and have a new collection of jewelry that I recently created. I'll try to take more photos soon. OHHH and wait until you see what Jess has been making. All I can say it that I'm married to a genius.

First I should probably clarify: I have a list of bead stores that I'm marketing to, what I'm hoping for are those ones that are hidden treasures in your neck of the woods. You know, the ones who might not advertise in Bead & Button but love finding unique beads to offer to their customers.

Those little beads do but the bread on the table. : ) I just enjoy worrying, it's my part-time job and I'm so good at it.

So I have a Bead Show coming up the first weekend of May. Last night I had a nightmare. I was at Martha Stewart's house and she was having an open house for a few of her artist friends. I had my beads, but no display. So Martha and I were going through her kitchen looking for something that would work, but couldn't find anything. I kept asking if she had a cake stand. Now, if she had read my article on inexpensive jewelry displays, she might have been more of help.

If your craft business is a tax right-off...

5 Ways to Get Customers Fleeing your booth:

1. Act moody and depressed, you want to portray that whole artist mystic.

2. Assemble your booth to look like a maze. Your artwork is worth the effort to view.

3. If it's a slow day, do gossip loudly with your neighbor about how poorly the show was promoted. If it's a busy day, gossip loudly with your neighbor about your fellow artisans.

4. When someone compliments your jewelry make sure to say, "Oh that thing, I made it like 5 years ago. I can't believe I even put that on my table."

5. By all means, bring a book, crossword puzzle or cell phone to pass those long, boring hours when those pesky "customers" are in the your booth taking up your time.

Oh, you actually want to make money selling your arts & crafts at shows?

Then try: smiling and saying hello when customers approach your booth. Create a booth that is open and easy to walk into, make sure it looks inviting and not like a medieval torture chamber. Keep a positive attitude, no matter what the day brings. Give knowledgeable answers about your creative process and the unique materials that you use in your artwork, make sure to point out why they are benefits to your customer. Don't get distracted, you have a story to tell about your artwork. Spend your day sharing your creations with everyone who walks into your booth.

If you follow these simple steps you may just make a profit. Which means you'll have to pay your taxes. But you'll have money to buy that new camera you've had your eye on, which is a tax right-off if you use it for your business!