01.23.09
Posted in Uncategorized, jewelry, hand crafted jewelry, kellymalouf, networking, marketing, site promotion, forums, blogs, social networking, Time Management at 6:53 pm by KellyM
It’s been quite a while since I last posted. For the most part I’ve used this blog for interviews for other businesses and crafters. Hopefully it helped these people get more traffic to their sites. That was the plan. But, with the interviews over, what to do?
Over the course of last year I worked hard doing whatever I could to get traffic and sales to my online shop. I really wanted to expand my customer base beyond what I had and figured the internet was the best place to do it. Though not totally new to the internet, I was new to selling here. I learned quite a bit, I have to say.
One thing I’ve learned is that advice is everywhere for new businesses. I followed just about everything that people suggested or that had worked for them. I worked many hours online to help get my site noticed among tons of others doing the same thing. I joined forums, craft sites, blogs, groups, business sites, social networking sites, blog networking sites, whatever anyone suggested that worked, I joined. I found myself overwhelmed with the need to get noticed. Did any of it work? Not really. Sure, I got hits from around the world and all over the USA, but no sales. Hmm. Could it be because I wasn’t able to make new items to post for sale? Maybe. I had no time to make anything, and that was what my business was for. Way too much time spent online. So I stopped.
I stopped trying to get my website noticed and focused on my website and my jewelry creations more. I changed my site look three times. I added many new pieces and sold pieces too, but not online. I started another blog with a different topic path. I tried selling in a store and doing home parties. I found I was stretching myself so thin, that it just wasn’t fun for me. Again, I stopped. All the while watching my numbers (they are always consistant no matter what I do) and keeping up with the sites that brought me the most traffic.
What I can tell you from my experience is this. Links DO help. I got a lot of traffic from links on other sites I link swapped with. The social networking sites, I’m still on there, but just for fun now. Same for the Blog networking sites. The thing is, I spent so much time online, I neglected the one thing that would make me money, and that was my product. Keeping it fresh and new.
For all of you new sellers of crafts and even some old ones, time is important. Do not think you need to be online all day everyday to get noticed. Sure there are things to be done to get your name out there, but be more selective. Don’t take everyone’s advice, and the advice you do take ~ research it first, as much as you can before you dive in and spend time to make it work.
I have my site still. It’s a professional work in progress. I do still sell items, but more to people who are local. And that is fine by me. I can deal with them one on one and they can see my creations up close and personal. I would like to feel the happiness of selling to someone who ordered online. And that takes a lot of work, sure. But I’ve been putting in the wrong kind of work for that to happen. The lesson I learned, concentrate on what you are selling more than anything and the rest will fall into place.
The new year has begun, and I’m focusing on a new path for my business. Hopefully it will prove to be the right one.
Permalink
08.21.08
Posted in Uncategorized, jewelry, fun, hand crafted jewelry, shopping, site promotion at 7:20 am by KellyM
Please meet Fabiana Fusco, Owner of www.fuscogioielli.com
Where are you located? I live and work in Italy, in Rome.
What do you design? I make precious jewellery in silver or gold.
Where/How did you learn this? I was always interested in Art since I was a child. I attended an art school, then graduated in History of Art. After University, I decided to become an artisan and take classes in jewellery making, especially in wax casting and lost wax techniques.
Favorite Artist who inspires you? I don’t have a favorite jeweller, my inspirations come from Art in general.
Where does your inspiration come from? Music and dance are my sources. Every movement in dancing inspires my hand and becomes a little sculpture for a necklace or a bracelet. Jazz music is also a good chance to create with instruments and music mood special jewells.
What do you do to combat creative block? Well, usually it’s a great moment for cleaning…yes, clean my lab and put some order in my stuff. To find new inspirations, if I can, I like to make a little trip or take a rest for a weekend on the sea or on contryside in Umbria, read books, and look at all magazines I found.
Where do you design your creations? I don’t usually make a sketch, I prefer to work directly on wax in my laboratory.
What does your work space look like right now? Completely messed up because I am working on the next exhibition and I’m preparing ten housebirds that I need to display the jewells and a piano table!
How does your family feel about what you do? They try to support me but it’s not an easy living having a job in art and crafts in Italy…I attend this job full time and I didn’t really earn too much money…Too much taxes to pay in Italy for an artisan.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to make their own creations using this method? Practice and patience…and also a lot of creativity! I tell people that they have have to find their own way to make something special without looking on others or copying from others.
Favorite part of owning your own business? FREEDOM in every sense, time, things to create….
Least favorite? People don’t really understand how difficult it can be.
How do you relax? I take dance lessons two times a week
Favorite color? Red
Does this color show up in a lot of your work? Not so much.
If there were more hours in the day, what would you be doing? I love my job very much, so for me, the more time I can spend on the table, the more I’m happy!
A sample of Fuscogioielli products. For all products, please visit Fabiana’s website
Permalink
08.07.08
Posted in Uncategorized, jewelry, fun, hand crafted jewelry, shopping, site promotion, interviews at 6:21 am by KellyM
Please meet Kerry Wilkinson, owner of www.penny-dog.co.uk.
Where are you located? Leicestershire, UK
What do you design? Resin and Silver jewellery, but also photography.
Where/How did you learn this? Self taught from books and the Internet. Had one silver clay session at Quicksilver in Jersey.
Favorite Artist who inspires you? Sherri Haab, Claire Marie Adams, David LaChapelle.
Where does your inspiration come from? Nature and our present society.
Where do you design your creations? I do all the drilling and silver clay stuff in the kitchen, some sanding in the living room whilst watching TV, and all the smelly stuff in the study, which is really just my work space now.
What does your work space look like right now? Messy!
How does your family feel about what you do? They’re supportive, if I found it worthwhile to go full time they’d be worried but proud that I can do it on my own.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to make their own creations using this method? You can cut out some of the finer sanding stages by spraying your pieces with a few coats of car lacquer.
Favorite part of owning your own business? Can do what I want, when I want, and there’s little I don’t like about it.
Least favorite? Filling in forms.
If there were more hours in the day, what would you be doing? Housework!
A sample of Penny Dog products. For all products please visit Kerry’s website.
Permalink
08.06.08
Posted in Uncategorized, fun, shopping, site promotion, interviews, Books at 11:42 am by KellyM
Meet Leigh Moss, Owner of www.lmoss.etsy.com
Where are you located? Athens, OH - but not for much longer.
What do you design? Books, boxes and frames.
Where/How did you learn this? A good friend taught me how to make books. She had taken a class in college on bookbinding. From there I branched out to boxes, with the help of ready-to-go kits where the board is already cut for you and detailed instructions are included. I recently started making frames and I am proud to say I figured out how to make those on my own. It was the first time I had ever developed a prototype, and that was really thrilling for me. No one coached me throught it, I came up with a way to make them (out of bookboard scraps) all on my own.
Where does your inspiration come from? I am inspired my modern, large, bold, graphic takes on elements from nature. I am inspired by the materials I work with. I don’t design the paper I use on my books, boxes and frames. In that way I am less of a creator and more of an editor. My strength lies in putting things together.
Where do you design your creations? I work in the kitchen. It has the most light.
What does your work space look like right now? I actually *just* tidied up so it looks quite nice right now. Very organized.
How does your family feel about what you do? The are incredibly supportive and encouraging. My husband is always telling people about my shop - it’s sweet.
Favorite part of owning your own business? Sending off packages and hearing back from customers. It is such a thrill!
Favortie color? Brown.
Does this color show up in a lot of your work? Yes, quite a bit.
If there were more hours in the day, what would you be doing? I would spend more time outside with my dog and husband - picinics, hiking, reading under shady trees, etc.
A sample of Oh Pangaea products. For all products, please visit Leigh’s website.
Permalink
08.04.08
Posted in Uncategorized, fun, shopping, site promotion, interviews, Perfume at 9:14 am by KellyM
Meet Diana Rajchel, Owner of http://magickalrealism.etsy.com .
Where are you located? Minneapolis.
What do you design? Perfume.
Where/How did you learn this? Like nearly all indie perfumers, I am self taught. This involved books, herbs, experience, and sticking a lot of things near my nose.
Favorite Artist who inspires you? Paul Rucker is a Pagan artist who creates these vivid inspirational paintings that tap straight into my subconscious and forces experience out of me. Anything he does triggers my own creative process.
Where does your inspiration come from? I think that question might be more awkward to answer than Where do babies come from? In my case, I think if it sparks my sense of humor - I have great comedic timing - it also sparks my creative inspiration reflex.
What do you do to combat creative block? I look at the many, many bills I still need to pay. Also, I do take breaks to read a book or watch a DVD - sometimes the brain just needs a different type of exercise before diving back in.
Where do you design your creations? I have a shared studio/office where my boyfriend does geekboy things and I write and do perfumey things. Yes, it is well ventilated.
What does your workspace look like right now? It’s more chaotic than usual. We’re moving soon so I’m trying to get as much stuff as possible placed in good homes - consequently, there is bubble wrap and paper strewn everywhere.
How does your family feel about what you do? They’ve been astonishingly supportive. My father even asked me to make him a sales kit of perfume samples he could show to the ladies he works with!
Do you have any advice for someone looking to make their own creations using this method? In perfumery, it’s all don’t ask, don’t tell. That said, I think I would tell any other perfumer that was serious enough about it as an art form to take risks and to honor instincts. There are a few people in the botanical community that have turned a little bit preditory, and they take advantage of people’s lack of faith in themselves. To make truly great perfume, you have to have faith in yourself, because without it, you’re just a timid smartass with an eyedropper looking for validation that it isn’t really possible to get.
Best advice you received when starting your business venture? Be prepared to work your butt off.
Favortie part of owning your own business? It’s between being able to take naps as I need them and having the freedom to watch episodes of Doctor Who while I pack orders.
Least favorite? Having a business is much like having an infant - it takes nearly all of your time and attention, and you just don’t have the money to go out.
How do you relax? I watch entirely too much TV, I do yoga and I go for a walk. I also have a friend who comes over once or twice a week to ensure I get out of the house and do something non-businessy and to double check that I’m still capable of human speech.
Favorite color? Red.
Does this color show up in a lot of your work? Actually, yes. It shows up not only in my product photography, but my favorite perfumes in my own line usually have a substance that colors them red naturally, like red sandalwood or dragon’s blood.
If there were more hours in the day, what would you be doing? Still working. Also, I might get more writing done.
A sample of Magickal Realism products. For all products, please visit Diana’s website.
Permalink
« Previous entries ·
