Market Matters - jewelry findings to marketing guru

This year has been one of sweeping changes. Our shop now features marketing manuals, blogging help, supplier info and more - all based on our years of selling jewelry findings.

The change came due to a family decision to sail around the world next year. So my business of selling supplies had to go, the house has to go, pretty much our entire way of life had to be revamped. But I still wanted to work and be a part of the handmade community.

The best way for me to do that now was to put all of my experiences down into manuals for other sellers to benefit from. I have been a freelance writer for years on the side and now can combine that with all of my selling experience to help you market your own businesses.

I made over 10,000 a month selling supplies on Etsy and I am telling you exactly how I did it in my new ebooks. I hope these easy techniques are as helpful to you.

So you will be seeing a shift in focus of this blog from jewelry tutorials to marketing tips and selling aids. thank you for years of loyal following - I appreciate it.

What to do?

Summer is here and it is time to get out a few funky charms and make some funky light earrings - I think these are simply too cute - and many of these charms are on sale right now in our shop - make an easy pair of earrings!

Beads

Beads are Back at Winter Rose on Etsy and we will be adding new Czech Glass Cut beads and even gemstones. We have the flower beads and teardrops up now. These are the perfect compliment to our brass pieces in your jewelry designs. Enjoy.

Welcome Back

We are opening the shop again after more than 4 months off - it is slow going getting all the listings dusted off and put back on the shelf, but I'm hoping to finish it off over the weekend. So check in often and let us help you make your holiday sales go off the charts this year!

Also in your current issue of Bead Unique Magazine you will find one of our pieces - a Steampunk necklace called Amelia - it was the first place winner in their contest. Many of the brass pieces used to create this one of a kind necklace can be found in our shop.

Alice for a Grown Up's Fancy

So the current craze is for Alice themed jewelry - you have probably already discovered this. And for those of us grown ups who secretly can't wait for the premier of the new movie, jewelry is a good fix. But not all of us want the fluffy pink Alice and white rabbit jewelry - so here are a few designs adapted for adults - all of these charms and filigrees are available in our shop.

The White Queen
Elegant and vintage looking with a side strand of pearls and a few brass bits.

The Queen of Hearts
A side strand of opulent rondells and deep garnet ovals is offset by a nice chunky chain and delicate morning glory heart. The dangle is done with a lighter chain and brass ox charms themed to her royal court.

Alice
The basics are all here but not in a flashy way - a tiered tea set with clock and initial are glitzed up with a few faceted chunky teardrop crystals with a brown overglaze. Just clip them into a chunky chain and you are good to go - this one also makes a great bracelet or broach fob.

Pendant Formations

Pendants make a great starting place for more detailed designs, but they can also be quickly assembled and used on their own. These 3 examples are all used as easy pendants on bails to be threaded on premade chains - but could just as easily be connected into a beaded rope chain for a more OOAK look.

To find the brass pieces used in these necklaces, visit our etsy site and search by number or convo us and we will set up a special listing for you if you need larger amounts. These items are available in both antique brass ox finish and our antique silver plated finish.
I Have A Secret
This uses a # 220 filigree with a small handmade photo charm

Mr Darcy
This uses a # 192 with a small handmade photo charm

Banker's Hours
This uses a bar filigree # 193 and two additional charms the butterfly # 250 and the clock # 151

Holiday Flowers

This is a super easy, but oh so elegant necklace that you can put together in a snap! You can get all the pieces for this necklace in our shop - if they are not currently listed - someone else got there first, but just send me a convo and I will set up a custom listing for you!

Use 3 two inch head pins with small crystals or pearls threaded on the bottoms - gravity will hold them in place. Stagger them and then clip the tops even with wire cutters and make loops on the end. Take the eye pin and open the eye a bit, slide on the head pins and slip this into the flower bead - add the bead cap and another bead then create a look at the top for your chain.

So many variations for this piece - use for earrings or simplify for a more casual necklace....have fun with it.