Ever feel like *everything* you touch kinda turns to dust and then you realize that you need to turn that dust into SOMETHING because you committed to it? This is pretty much how I've felt every day in the last 30. I'd like to say that I just need some time to catch up, but the truth is, I feel completely overwhelmed.
I DESPERATELY want to get my line going. In seeing the 35 notifications pop up everyday, the more I want to read, but the more I just run out of energy to read. I feel like 50+ people is maybe waaaay too many for something like this, but that's just me.
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| Beautiful pieces from B'Sues Boutique - didn't use filigree beads |
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| A dainty version |
While I was working on my "line" last night, and thinking through the question "What my ARE my barriers to getting a line going?"
Here's what I came up with...because actually MAKING the line isn't a barrier for me. Pricing, I have a decent idea of (not really for wholesale yet, but I have a good idea of how much I use in terms of beads and generally what they cost) retail pricing and what is a good price point for me to focus on. Doing shows for 2+ years has given me some insights, at least for THIS area of the country.
So....my barriers include:
- Packaging
- consistent packaging....for pieces that could go wholesale, for sending pieces and packaging at shows
- Where do I find said packaging? How do I buy less than 500 or 1000 pieces at a time?
- Coming up with a new logo and is it wise to do something with crochet fool or stick with my current branding and do something cherry-esque (I'm leaning towards a new brand as cherry is OOAK, so if I go with another brand, then I could do non-OOAK)
- How do I get my products in their hands?
- How do I set MY pieces apart as my own - which I think just the way that I approach these pieces is "maybe" enough? Maybe not.
- Could I have a little charm that's added on to each piece that notes it's mine?
- Maybe this is where packaging comes in.... including a story about their piece or even just signing the packaging with a personal thank you?
From where I'm sitting, these are MY biggest barriers. What are your thoughts?
Hostess and Teacher: Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B'sue Boutiques
Jewelry Making Outside the Box
Linda Anderson
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ab:coraldesign
Wow! I love that bracelet. The colors are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of adding a charm to each one so they're more recognizable as yours. Also maybe you could choose certain color combos to make them more identifiable or only use certain types of beads.
The bracelet is lovely. Everything will work itself out in time. Just hang in there! ~Melissa
ReplyDeleteThere is magic & grace in all that lovely 'dust' you've created. Your line will be all You - and I look forward to your March reveal 💖
ReplyDeleteI love that bracelet and I enjoyed your blog, Linda. We are all asking quite a few of the same questions these days. Well done!
ReplyDeleteI like both bracelets. And I enjoyed reading your blog
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bracelet! I can identify with your"barriers" all valid points/concerns!
ReplyDeleteYou'll get it done!
ReplyDeleteLove the bracelet and the color combo works so well with the copper. you raise lots of interesting questions. So much to think about with the group! Well done.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and questions. I love what you are doing! Keep going, you're on to something beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLovely bracelet, Linda. It'll all come together for you ... your work is great! ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely bracelets! And you raise some wonderful questions that have me thinking. ~mary
ReplyDeleteThis bracelet is really beautiful!
ReplyDeleteVery thoughtful post Recognizing barriers certainly lends itself to finding ways across, over, or through them, which you have already started to do. I personally gather so much food for thought from all the reading too. Something will come from that dust, you can be absolutely sure of it! Gina H
ReplyDeleteVery thoughtful post Recognizing barriers certainly lends itself to finding ways across, over, or through them, which you have already started to do. I personally gather so much food for thought from all the reading too. Something will come from that dust, you can be absolutely sure of it! Gina H
ReplyDeleteWell, I can't answer all your questions but for my line, I have a charm combo on every piece. It's the "Meet me at the garden gate" puffy heart and a tiny B'Sue key. It's on every piece but earrings where it's just not feasable. So, me personally I think finding a little charm logo that fits in with your design is a good idea. Makes it instantly recognizable. Now, enough about that I LOVE your pieces. Even if it was just a beaded charm combination that said "I made this".
ReplyDeleteI'm exhausted! Now you have me thinking about all this stuff. LOL!! The bracelet is fab and all these peeps will hopefully help us get through those questions. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are the best! Thank you so much for speaking out loud because it help me not to feel alone in my own quest to brand my new line! Your bridesmaid piece is just beautiful!! Every concern that you have will be a great plus for you in your new design line for this challenge because you are an awesome artist! ~Louise
ReplyDeleteCant help you with packaging, but your bracelet is gorgeous! Look forward to seeing the finished line!
ReplyDeleteFor packaging, look at the ads in any of the beading magazines. I like Store Supply Guy. Reasonable prices and lightning fast delivery.
ReplyDeleteStore Supply Guy might be his social media moniker, but the company name is something like that.
ReplyDeleteThose flowers look wonderful in the crocheted copper wire. Great color combination. I just recently got myself a second logo for more cohesive branding purposes. Still not sure it was one of my brightest moves, especially when it comes to managing my time on social media, but, hey, why not?
ReplyDeleteGoodness - that is a lot to think about, no wonder you are overwhelmed. Give yourself time, and break it into manageable pieces - you'll get there :)
ReplyDeleteI got overwhelmed in the challenge also so don't feel alone. I think the questions you are asking are the right ones and will lead you to great resources. Love the bracelet. Keep going!
ReplyDeleteI got overwhelmed in the challenge also so don't feel alone. I think the questions you are asking are the right ones and will lead you to great resources. Love the bracelet. Keep going!
ReplyDeleteLinda--Thank you for your honesty in sharing with us. You are definitely thinking bigger than I have been. You brought up some really good points that I will be pondering. Nice bracelet. I'm looking forward to seeing more of what you create.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing great! Don't over think it!!!
ReplyDeletewonderful thoughts and question about where you are going while in this class and where you want Your Business to go~ I have thought about a lot of the same things and become overwhelmed. I have decided to focus on each day, and take it smaller -- a piece at a time. I enjoyed reading your blog! Very pretty bracelet!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
nike
I agree, there has been A LOT of information to take in, but with working full-time job, I do what I can.( I always read Brenda's information and save the rest for later.) Your bracelet is a show-stopper, nice job!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing your struggles so honestly--I was really overwhelmed until the last week or so before the Hop and for a while I felt like I was the only on e who wasn't making things during the struggling time while others were! But look what a GORGEOUS bracelet you created from B'sue things and your fertile soul! I just love the copper and flowers wire crocheted in. I think it's very saleable in many color combos and sometimes with charms dangling at various places. I really look forward to what this next month brings you and us as we get to see your final collection! Soar on wings of angels!! <3
ReplyDeleteThe bracelet is gorgeous and it takes time to learn everything I'm still learning and we never stop learning. just go with the flow and ask many questions at the regular B'sue Creative group after this done. I have learned so much more by Being a part of Brenda Sue's groups. Keep on keeping on my friend an don't let it overwhelm you it will come. XOXO!
ReplyDeleteDon't be discouraged. This class has been tough and at times overwhelming, but anything worth doing is going to be hard at the start, even if you've been doing it for a while adding a new direction takes a lot of effort. Just remember, if the ship's not moving the rudder won't steer it. Personally I hope you keep up the crochet line. I've been crocheting for years, but only tried my hand at using wire this summer so I know how good you are at it. This is lovely and really well made.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing great, don't doubt yourself.
ReplyDeleteLinda, your dainty bracelet and your more robust bracelet are amazing!!! Love the style and the color and the over all feel!!! You are doing great! Be Blessed!
ReplyDeleteYou just have to dig in and start googling it. For packaging, I use Fetpak, yep you have to buy bulk but it's affordable and you have to be sure you have enough. There are plenty of people out there who will design a new logo for you for a reasonable fee, I would check Etsy, there are some designers there, or ask among the group, we have a few designers among us who do this sort of thing. Doing shows for two years at retail, are you ready yet for wholesale? This type of jewelry takes time to produce, and shops usually are looking for stuff they can sell reasonably unless you can get an upscale boutique or gallery shop. You may have to change up what you are doing or go a bit of a diff direction. Can it be done? YES. I did with no Google, no coaching, no help, just a little networking from a neighbor at a show I did at a mall who made things and sold them wholesale and gave me the number of a gift show promoter. I decided to go for it. I bombed the first couple times but I figured that it was my education, so I kept making my stuff and going til I started finally making enough to pay the rent and my expenses. THIRD TIME was the charm, I'd done enough networking and met some people who were interested in doing some rep work....and it all started clicking. And I kept learning! I stayed at it almost eight years til I'd had enough and began to do what I'm doing now. But I long for it again.....so we'll see what the future holds, for you and me both! THANKS for hanging in there.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are hanging in there. This challenge has been much more difficult than many of us anticipated. Look forward to seeing your coordinating pieces next hop!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are hanging in there. This challenge has been much more difficult than many of us anticipated. Look forward to seeing your coordinating pieces next hop!!
ReplyDeleteLinda, I hope you can set aside these self-installed barriers and concentrate on the design and construction of your new line *before* you worry about packaging and wholesale. If you want to focus on bridal, use bridal colors and use bridal/wedding keywords in your Etsy shop. If you want them to be able to customize colors, give them a visual representation of it in the photos. In your descriptions, answer any questions that your in-person customer doesn't even have to ask because they can touch it. Most importantly, don't let those barriers paralyze you and stop you from *making* the jewelry in the first place! You can do it!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Susan
Pretty Bracelet, Linda!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bracelet. I am thinking only of my line right now and figured the rest will come when needed. Hang in there and take one step at a time. Look forward to seeing more pieces of your line.
ReplyDeleteSometimes everything falls apart before it falls together. don't agonise yet over the minutae , packaging etc yet- they are only a google search away. Your line is there- just don't panic and concentrate on how you make make a series of pieces of varying price scale and difficulty from there. Look forward to seeing how you evolve. Linzi
ReplyDeletePut those barriers away and just make the jewelry. That bracelet is divine.Once you get the pieces done. The group will tell us where to get packaging, cards,etc. I think now that eveyone has their makering on, we will discuss all this marketing in group for our final weeks. Great job
ReplyDeleteGreat blog post! Listing your barriers, or struggles, plus knowing them is so important for us all. Your necklace is gorgeous, love the wire wrapping!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, what a pretty bracelet! I am trying to come up with some custom packaging as well. The organza bags from China aren't consistent with my pieces and I'd like to find something else.
ReplyDelete