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.

Scavenger Hunt and I Heart Macro on Monday

Welcome to another edition of the photo Scavenger Hunt and I Heart Macro!  Enjoy!

1) Mainly One Color

This is one of my new button pins that I'll have at my final 2011 show.  More details about that soon.


2) Around the House

One of the final unpacking/setting up projects in our house is the basement.  I recently took down Jake's big gaming area, which can be put up when needed and set up a painting area for him and a card making/table work area for me.  We still have a little more work to do on our bar area, and I need to continue unpacking my work boxes, but we've made a lot of progress.


3) Reflection

I don't post a lot of pictures of myself here, so I thought that a lot of you would enjoy seeing me again.


4) Writing

I have learned to do a lot of writing work on the computer over time, but I still love to organize my ideas and brainstorm on paper.  I always have a notebook going with jewelry ideas, HubPage article outlines, blog post ideas, "to do" lists, and more.  One of my goals for 2012 is to have several notebooks so that I can keep my different ideas more organized.  We'll see how it goes.


5) Water

One of Angel's favorite daily activities is getting fresh water.  We give her fresh water twice a day and could probably do it more often, simply because she loves it so much.  I should make a video of it sometime because it's really funny to watch her excitement over the newly filled bowl.

Please check out Ashley's blog to see what other people photographed for these themes this week!







Here's my shot for I Heart Macro.

It's a picture of the newest button bracelet that I listed last night.  It's available here.

treasury round up

It's been another week of amazing treasury love!  Please help me thank the curators of these treasuries by checking out their collections and their shops.

Margaret (SplendidLittleStars) included my Beaded Dangle Earrings - Peyote Tubular Triangles - Black in her Brrrr......Baby, it's cold outside! treasury.  Fun winter items like these make the cold weather a little more bearable.  Check of Margaret's KNOTTED HAT, Snowman, soft cotton jersey hand dyed, hand painted, for baby, infant, and toddler sizes.

Barbara (900PinkTulips) included my Beaded Bracelet - The Leaf Series - Fall Autumn in her Turning Leaf treasury.  Of course I love this collection!  There are so many great vivid shades of red and orange here.  Check out Barbara's Christmas Tree Skirt Reversible 39" Handmade Gold & Red with Green Ribbon Trim.

Jenny (ABirdInTheHandArt) included my Button Charm Bracelet - Black and White in her Black and White and Red All Over treasury.  This is such a fun collection.  I love the mix of items.  Check out Jenny's Songbird Christmas Ornament - Wood and Fabric Song Sparrow.

Deb (storybeader) included my Button Bracelet - Christmas in her BBArtisans Secret Santa Suggestions treasury.  The BBA team is holding a Secret Santa exchange this year.  We just got our assignments.  There are so many gift possibilities right here within our own shops.  Check out Deb's double-ring organizer with pockets and envelopes.

Karen (MysticWynd) included my Beaded Cuff Bracelet - Cream, Caramel, and Chocolate Layers in her Warm Toasty Glow treasury.  I love all of the neutral tones here.  Check out Karen's Shades of Gray Necklace w Onyx, Hematite, Obsidian, and Glass in an Asymmetrical Design.

Karen also included my Beaded Dangle Earrings - Pink Leaves in her Cuz It's Almost Summer Down Under! treasury.  This is a fun idea for a treasury.

bigskysky included my Beaded Cuff Bracelet - Strawberry Fields Forever in her Christmas Bling Bling treasury.  Who doesn't want a little bling for Christmas?  bigskysky doesn't have a shop or even any favorite items or shops so a thank you is all I can offer here.

RoseMaria (464Handmade) included my Beaded Bracelet - Button Embellished - Green in her Time of Joy treasury.  I love the random mix of items in holiday colors here.  Check out RoseMaria's Washi Tape Organizer - Masking Tape Holder - Wooden - Eco friendly Wood Japanese Tape Dispenser for 10 rolls.

Linda B. (lindab142) included my Button Charm Bracelet - Christmas in her Holiday Gifts Under 20 for Her treasury.  There are so many great gift possibilities here.  Check out Linda's Santa Sleigh Earrings Red and Green.

Erika (ArtfulRising) included my Button Charm Bracelet - Sea Green in her Shades of Blue and Pink Calling me Softly treasury.  This collection is absolutely stunning.  You have to check out Erika's new shop, too!  I love her Art Journal - Live Your Truth.

Linda (PruittCreations) included my Beaded Bracelet - Black and White in her Turquoise Newspaper treasury.  I love this theme/color combination.  So unique.  I also love Linda's Fancy Christmas Yo Yo Tabletopper in red, green, and Gold.

Janet (HoneyFromTheBee) included my Silver Chain Links Bracelet - Tubular Peyote Triangle Charm - Green in her Lavender, Mint, and Sage treasury.  This is another gorgeous color combination.  I don't really like light purple, but it's beautiful paired with these olive shades.  Check out Janet's Mother of Pearl and Robin's Egg Blue Earrings - Peruvian Opal.

Kathy (tapestry316) included my Button Bracelet - Fall Autumn in her Brighten up your winter! treasury.  This is such a fun, colorful collection.  Check out Kathy's I Want to Play - a beautiful buckskin horse who wants to play - 5 x 7 print of my original watercolor.

Meg (ABeadedWorld) included my Beaded Cuff Bracelet - Strawberry Fields Forever in her Fruit salad! treasury.  This is such a fun collection.  Check out Meg's Watching the Roses - A Picasso-inspired OOAK bead embroidered collar.

Tina (parltradet) included my Beaded Bracelet - White and Pink Shell in her Twinkle, twinkle, little star! treasury.  This collection is so elegant.  Check out Tina's Necklace 16 3/4 in. black silver stretch Lakrits (Licorice/Loquorice) (pte-101).

Sher (SherHastingsDesigns) included my Button Charm Bracelet - Spring Green in her Dear Santa, Since I have been very, very good... treasury.  There are so many great gift ideas for Christmas (including for yourself!) right in our BBA team.  Check out Sher's PDF Christmas Pattern for Gingerbread Boy & Girl Stocking - Tutorial, DIY.

Nancy (nfall2rt) included my Beaded Necklace - Round Stone Amazonite Focal - Light Blue and Champagne in her Jewelry Obsessed - A Gift Guide treasury.  This is a stunning jewelry collection!  Just about any woman would be very lucky to receive any of these pieces.  Check out Nancy's Knit Purse with Shoulder Strap in Geometric Grid and Stripes black and white.