in the works

I have been putting so much effort into making and photographing pieces for my new line and working on holiday items that I haven't been taking a lot of pictures of "in the works" pieces.  I've also had so much scheduled here lately that I simply haven't found time for this in a few weeks.  It was way past time to bring it back!  Here are a few things that have in my beading bowls and on my crafting table lately.

The newest piece in my rock garden line is going to be a a winter piece in neutrals.  And no, there are no pinks in the mix.  The design on the bottom of the bowl has a lot of pink, which shines through the clear beads.

Thank you for all of the wonderful feedback that I've received on my current header piece that I gave to Bethany for Christmas!  I will be offering a similar piece in my shop.

I have been working on a lot of greeting cards, including a couple Valentine's Day designs.  My card designing is pretty scattered (one day I'm working on Valentine's Day items, the next day I get inspired to start working on flowers for Mother's Day cards...), but I may try to get at least one more Valentine's Day design together before the holiday.

I have to say that I am really thrilled with how well I've been able to photograph cards in my light box.  I was worried that it wouldn't be big enough and that I wouldn't be able to crop the sides of the box out.  I was also worried that I'd get weird shadows on the cards when I stood them up.  So far neither of these things has been an issue at all!  There will still be some learning curves I'm sure, but I'm off to a good start at least.

This doesn't have anything to do with "in the works" but I wanted to say thank you for all of the anniversary congrats from the end of December.  Jake and I had a wonderful dinner out together.  I enjoyed the leftovers  at home the next day.  Look at how big those scallops are!

I still have a few $10 ad spots that will run for all of 2012.  Get them while you can!  All of the information about my private ad sponsorship can be found right here.

the new line is up and some standard designs are back in stock

Last year I started making multiple versions of single designs, which makes it easier to re-list items.  During the last few months this has paid off, and I got a few popular listings up and running again pretty quickly.  Although no two pieces I make are exactly identical, I do like having some standard listings that sell well.  Here are some of the newest ones that are back in stock.

Now what we've all been waiting for:

The new herringbone wrap bracelet/necklace line and detachable charms are officially up and running!

Here are some of the first brand new listings.

Beaded Wrap Bracelet/Necklace - Purple - Detachable Love Charm

This is not a wrap bracelet but it is one of my new herringbone listings with a custom charm option.

Beaded Bracelet - Black - Detachable Sterling Silver Initials Charms

As suggested, I am listing a separate sterling silver chain in case people want to hang their charms/pendants on a chain and don't have one of their own or want to give a necklace set to someone, etc.

I listed three charm sets: custom initials, flowers, and leaves (surprise, right?).

Next up will be music and a heart set for Valentine's Day.  I have some bracelets in the works, too, including a couple pink bracelets to list for Valentine's Day.

Like most of my work, all of these new bracelets can be customized in different colors and lengths.  I can also work with you to make custom charms for just about any theme you can imagine.  I'm trying to keep my listing descriptions as concise as possible so my buyers don't get overwhelmed. But the possibilities are endless so don't hesitate to contact me.

I included this post in Michelle's Delicately Constructed Friday 1/6/11.

Are you interested in a $10 ad spot on my blog that will run for all of 2012?  Hop on over to my advertising page for more information.

Friday features: herringbone jewelry

With the release of my new line coming up in just a few days, I thought it would be fun to do a herringbone jewelry feature.  Enjoy!

Herringbone wrapped Paua Shell with Teal Sparkly Glass Drops by GeishaCreations

Herringbone Bracelet, Violet, Beadwork, Beaded Purple by BeadfulStrings

Ear Cuff - Herringbone by silvermason

Bead Weaving: Rose Gold and Copper Herringbone Necklace by TheHighBead

Beadweaving Herringbone Belt Buckle Bracelet Swarovski Olivine Smoked Topaz Seed Bead by TheBeadnikDivas

Crystal Ring - Herringbone Ring - Beaded Blue - Green Glass Bead Ring by NazoDesign

Pink Aventurine Silver Herringbone Wrapped Wire Ring by sandijagt

new herringbone line: charm and focal possibilities

One of the neat aspects of my 2012 herringbone line is that all of the pieces will include at least one detachable charm.  As many of the pieces in the line can be worn as bracelets or necklaces, the attachment will function as a charm when the piece is worn as a bracelet and as a focal when the piece is worn as a necklace.  You got an early reveal of this for my November challenge piece.

As you can see in the picture, the charm attaches with a lobster clasp.  I have also considered using a split ring for the charms.  The lobster clasp is a little more user friendly but stands out a little more.  Preferences/opinions?  I really want this line to do well so I want to do what will sell, not just what I think will work.

I want this line to be very versatile.  One of the aspects of the versatility is the charms and how they:
1) will hang differently depending on how the piece is worn
2) can be switched out for new charms at any point
3) can be removed entirely

I am planning to offer at least one charm with every piece.  This is another aspect where I would like feedback.  Would it be more desirable to include two or three charms?  Obviously this would increase the price but again would increase the versatility.  Not all of my charms will be handmade, such as metal charms that I purchase, so I don't feel right selling all of them separately.  I am planning at least two different types of handmade charms that I can list separately.  Would this be desirable?  Or should I just include the charms with the herringbone listings?

This brings me to my original inspiration for this post: What types of charms would people like to see?  What would you want to buy?  I don't just want opinions on what looks good.  Put yourself in the buyer's shoes and consider what would or would not make these wrap bracelet/necklace listings marketable.

I am planning to continue to use large beads for focals, as I did with this challenge piece.  Of course leaf beads have been the first thing on my list.  What else would work well?

I am also planning to start making glass pendants.  Should I offer silver chains so these pendants can be worn separately?  Again, this would add more versatility to the listing but it would also increase the cost so I don't want to include something that won't be used/isn't necessary.

I will also include metal charms with some listings.

Metal charms are very easy to order so I can customize this option as people like.  One thing that I will mention in listings is that I can add initial charms.  Are there other popular charm options that I should suggest or consider including?

I am going to order lampwork, sea glass, and other hand crafted/hand drilled charms as I can to include with listings.  Is there anything specific from this category that people would like to see?

Here are some other options that I think would make good charms.  I'm not planning to make or order these myself, but I could customize them for people so they are detachable charms that would work with my line.  What do you think of these final ideas?  Is there anything else that you'd like to see here?

My official release for my herringbone line will be early January 2012. I would like to have a plan in place with the charms by then.  I need feedback for this to happen.  Any and all answers to the questions in this post would be greatly appreciated as well as any other thoughts on this topic.  Thanks!

I included this post in Erika's It's a Wrap Link Party 11/28.