My Struggles With the Concept of a “Fresh New Year”.

“2008″. . .I still cringe when I say it. I have been struck with that same state of melancholy that blankets my soul immediately after the Christmas holiday has passed. Partly, that is because I tend to reflect on the collection of the 365 days that just passed me by while trying to figure out how I can improve the next round of 365 days that are ahead of me.

I have always heard that women handle change much better than men. I wish that I were one of those women. If I am going to change, it has to be SO drastic that it spins me off of my axis and into a whole new universe. Drastic change seems to create a mental numbness that puts me into survival mode. As the numbness begins to wear off, I am left wondering if I need to spin off of my axis again to find yet another universe to blindly explore.

The reason that I use this analogy is because I was very recently presented with a job opportunity that would not only provide the benefits that I so desperately need, but also a handsome salary and rather large office. Initially, I thought that this so called “opportunity” couldn’t have arrived at a better time as I have been ramping up for a that proverbial big spin that would launch me right off of my current path and into something shockingly new.

I attended the formal job interview yesterday, dressed in that same stuffy business attire that I so happily pushed to the back of my closet a year and a half ago. The suit that I wore is still in fashion but fit a bit more snug than I remember, which reminded me of yet another thing that I need to change in 2008.

As my would-be boss explained his expectations of my would-be job performance, all I could think about was my journey as a glass artist. It was a layoff from a job much like this one that launched my career as a lampworker. The journey has been like a roller coaster. . .So many ups, downs, loops, and curves. You never really know what might be around the bend. . .All you can do is hold your breath and hope that the track doesn’t fall out from under you as your round the next corner.

I barely remember the moments as I departed the stuffy office building, wearing my snug and stuffy suit. My mind’s mental flash player presented slide shows of the beads that I had made over the past year as I made the drive home. They served as a reminder of what I would be leaving behind if I went back to the cold corporate world that I at one time wanted so badly to get away from.

The first three photos above are of some of the beads that I thought about on my ride home from the interview. They were created in early 2007 and were sort of a launching pad for the work that would follow over the next year.

This next grouping of photos are of beads that I made in late 2007/early 2008. They remind me of my progress over the past year. They also help me to know that my happiness and peace can only be found within the four walls of my basement studio.

Reinventing the wheel, finding different avenues to sell your goods

I love creating my beads and jewelry… wouldn’t it be nice if they sold themselves? Unfortunately that doesn’t happen very often so a fairly large part of my time is taken up trying to find different ways to sell my work.

Over the years I’ve tried a variety of ideas that have worked for awhile. I started out doing home parties I called Bead Together’s. I would bring all the supplies to create bracelets, earrings and other easy projects, made into kits, and taught people how to make their own jewelry. That worked great for a few years until I began to run out of leads.

It occurred to me that local community ed programs might be interested in offering leisure classes in jewelry making and off I went in a new direction. Again, that was great for awhile but eventually Michigan’s economy caught up with community ed classes and it was time for me to find another venue…

For the last few years I’ve been selling my jewelry in galleries around Michigan and have been pleased with the response I’ve received. Unfortunately, this year sales have been way down and it’s time, once again, to come up with a new game plan!

A good friend of mine hosted an open house featuring my jewelry this week and I was amazed at how well it went! It’s got me wondering if there might be a way to do these more often. I have to confess it’s nice not having to split the profits with a gallery or shop!

So I will continue to plug along with my website and Etsy, but I know that I need to keep working to find new avenues to showcase my jewelry and beads. I never realized how much was involved in being a successful artist… Exactly when does my clone arrive??

Nancy Sells Puffer is a lampwork bead/jewelry artist from Grand Rapids, MI. Check out her very own blog here and visit her website at www.nancysellsglass.com

Creating and Marketing Limited Edition Collectible Beads

My background in retail has helped me in the bead business. The idea for marketing special geisha for Christmas came from my experience working years ago in the toy department of a large department store. During my stint in retail I remember stocking Christmas Barbies. Women would come around asking when they would come out or if we had any stashed in the back, hot items because each year was a new holiday design. Something to look forward to, wondering how the next year’s dress would look. One year Barbie wore a deep red velvet dress, another year a glittering poinsettia design.

I thought this would also be a great idea for my little glass geisha dolls. Each one is unique to begin with, no two ever look alike. They all seem to have their own little personalities, some look proud, aloof, sweet, shy, joyful, dignified. But to make a design that will never be repeated is quite a commitment. If you’re going to do this you must keep your promise to your customers.

When I made this year’s geisha based on the the 3 Wise Men I had second thoughts. Would I really be willing to never make another Magi themed Christmas geisha? I decided yes obviously because here they are.
I’m happy with how they turned out, their little guiding Star of Bethlehem (cz) in the front of their kimono. I made six this year, 3 with red and yellow trim and 3 with red and gold. Only 3 are for sale to the public and it’s important your customers know how many were made total for that year.

So, if you choose to make limited edition collectible beads keep in mind:

1. Keep your word, make sure you’re willing to give up the design and truly never repeat it. Don’t try to sneak a few more in for customers, friends or family that decide they want one too and missed out. I made six 2007 Christmas Geisha this year and that’s all that will ever exist.

2. Be consistent. My 2 favorite holidays have always been Christmas and Halloween so those are the 2 annual limited edition beads I chose to make. I made them for 2006, 2007 and I will make them next year also. Something to look forward to.

3. Be selective. Don’t try to make a “collectible” every week. Limited edition beads should be special. If you’re cranking out “special beads” every time you turn around they won’t be special for long and people will probably start rolling their eyes.

These are my own personal marketing guidelines of course, so do as you wish. I hope sharing this has helped you and inspired you to come up with your own special beads. Don’t limit yourself to holidays either, I think seasonal beads would be great also: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. Great opportunity for those of you who do murrini! Imagine a big, beautiful round bead full of falling autumn leaves, flower blossoms or snowflakes, etc. Do what you love.

Tracy Jerrell Akhtar blogs from her home in Southern Michigan. To see her webpage and more of her creations, click on TracyBeads

Confessions of a Lazy Lampworker

I am terrible. Really, truly… just pathetic. I am supposed to be some kinda “Stay-Home-Mom-Entrepreneur” but it is all a sham. I am secretly a very very lazy lampworker. I love making beads… I love watching my website as people buy them up… I love the last second jumps an auction bid takes… I don’t even really mind (but sorry I can’t say “love”) packing said goodies up and hauling them off to the post office. But that is where the line is drawn. It is all the effort I want to put in.

I know what you are thinking… you are saying to yourself “Kerry, what else is there? Create, Sell, Send… duh… that’s it“. Wrong-O!! There is more… there is that whole “business” side and I have been neglecting it for months!!

I have this spreadsheet my computer savvy hubby created for me. It is an excell document comprised of 3 pages…. Expenses, Sales, Summary. All I have to do it click on a little box and type in the amount of a sale or the amount of a purchase. It is very straight forward… couldn’t be easier. And yet, I haven’t opened that spreadsheet since June. LOL… I know, I need a serious slap on the wrist.

I have no excuses… no wait… I’ll make some up… the numbers on my keys stick so it takes forever to type in those numbers… um, my dog ate the Paypal shipping receipts (I know I don’t have a dog, just go with it)… oh, I know… my kids were sick everyday something sold and I just couldn’t make it to the computer. Yes, yes, they are all very weak (and fake) excuses.

The truth is… I am just a lazy lampworker. I much rather spend that time surfing the web getting inspired by daily bead show and tells or reading the countless blogs I have in my blogroll. I want all the success of selling my beads online without the work, is that really too much to ask? I don’t understand why the government can’t understand that artist don’t like doing paperwork. Taxes, shampses! It really effects my creative energy having it looming over my head all the time. Oh I know… maybe there is something online where all I have to do it forward a payment confirmation email to someone and they will do all the work? You think? Hmmm… maybe I should google that!! (oh would you stop shaking your head at me… it is my spreadsheet and I’ll avoid it if I want to!)

Kerry Bogert is blogging about her glass art beads and jewelry from her home studio in Ontario NY. Check her work at www.kabsconcepts.com.

Mother Goddess Evolves With a Good Cause

As I melt, grind, polish, write, edit and account for my actions, take care of my children, and remember to do my yoga; I thought I would stop in to share some exciting outcomes from my most recent inspirations.

Mother earth beads have evolved….

The earth beads are going to contribute to saving the planet. They will be going for sale soon on my Website (you can read more about that there in the next week).The figures are larger than my “norm”, I am very happy with the size, and the relationship in scale between the earth and the Goddess.

With three shows in a row, I have been pretty busy. The Grand Rapids, Michigan bead Expo called me at the last minute to say there was an openning. And, next week is the Bead Bananza in Southfield, Mi., where the Michigan chapter of the International Society of Glass bead makers, (GLASSACT) will be selling beads to raise money for breast cancer. Many bead makers donated beads, and 100% of the sales go to Breast cancer research. The Winter Wonders show in Birmingham, Michigan is a couple weeks later. I am contributing 20% of my sales to the local guild, GLASSACT; this contributes to our show expenses and advertisements/events to promote glass art. It feels good to be able to contribute to good causes.

Sheila Morley’s Art blog is about her works in progress, and her life as an Artist.. Sheila’s art work is currently documented in an on line gallery, and can be purchased at her website, e-bay, and she has a new shop at Etsy.