Archive for September, 2011
This contributor post was written by Christina of Down and Out Chic. This is Christina’s first post as a contributor here on pns and I am super excited to have her aboard, writing bi-weekly round ups and gift guides for handmade. Take it away Christina…
I’m starting a new job in a week or so (yay!) and am looking for the perfect handmade workbag. I need a bag that’s big enough to hold all the essentials without being cumbersome. Here are some options that I’m currently loving at a few different price points:
1) flo tote bag $49 via fabric & handle
2) play bag leather and canvas $78 via quote
3) agatha fold over in distressed brown leather $172 via rebyc
4) navy white striped tokyo bag $49 via rib & hull
5) diamante tote bag $96 via proud mary
6) 2 tone tote in pure wool herringbone $105 via infusion
7) natural canvas and leather percy bag $110 via sidney & sons
8) workhorse bag $222 via missibaba
Christina is the writer behind the design blog, Down and Out Chic. She’s a budget-friendly design huntress that’s passionate about art and the handmade movement. She adores all things striped and polka dotted and would spend most of her afternoons vintage shopping if her closet were big enough. Find her on Twitter or on D&OC.
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Last week’s studio tour was quite popular, so this week I have another really cool workspace to share: it’s full-time jewelry designer Jenny Present‘s home studio. You may know Jenny’s custom hand stamped line of jewelry already, but have you had a behind the scenes look at the space she makes those charming pendants, earrings, and more? Probably not. Until now!
Here’s my interview and studio tour with single mom and St. Louis native, Jenny Present…
-In three sentences or less, how would you describe your jewelry line?
Jenny Present jewelry is feminine, delicate and tells a story. In particular, the hand stamped pieces tell stories of love, hope and appreciation of the customer who chooses to personalize their own. There’s beauty and meaning in every piece!
-Where is your studio located?
My studio is in my home.
-What have you found to be the best time of day (or night) to get work done? And why?
Late at night my world is a bit calmer. There aren’t phone calls or many emails to distract me. My son is fast asleep and safe in bed. And I feel most creative when the sky is dark.
“I feel most creative when the sky is dark.”
-What has been your most exciting / noteworthy event or happening in your work recently that you interpret as a success?
Success for me is every time a customer makes a purchase. It really validates what I am doing because they like what I am offering. However, an incredible feeling of satisfaction is when I see someone in St. Louis (where I live) wearing a piece of my jewelry and I have no idea who they are. Something recently that was really neat is that an old friend from college called me to say that she complimented a co-workers piece of jewelry and the co-worker said that she loved it and that it was a “jenny present”.
-What advice do you have for other artists who may be just starting out, or are struggling to be seen?
My advice would be to really do your homework (from the product you sell to the people you choose to have business relationships with) and to take risks. You can’t further yourself or your career without taking chances – so go for it!
“My advice would be to really do your homework…and to take risks.”
And here are a few more photos of Jenny’s jewelry collection + home studio…
Thanks again Jenny for showing off your cozy space and answering my questions! Please visit Jenny at her jewelry shop on Etsy and jennypresent.com. *Now through October 2nd, receive a 10% discount on all purchases at www.jennypresent.com when you enter coupon code: pns10 at checkout.
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Uh oh. I think I am about to get myself into some trouble. Because I am in a jewelry craze this week and right now everything at Seaworthy is 20% off (when you use coupon code “PNS2011″ at checkout).
I am obsessing right now with this shop. So I know my wallet is in trouble. But hey, at least I’ll be saving money with the discount, right?
I want this…and this…and these…and these…and well, I won’t bore you by listing every single piece. I’ll just say you should really check out this shop!
Visit Seaworthy now and receive 20% off your entire order when you use coupon code “PNS2011″ at checkout. Like this shop? Tweet it or facebook it using the share buttons below.
You might remember today’s shop of the day, Oh Dier, from my house tour on Etsy a while back (the hello sign in my office is Oh Dier). I am a huge fan of what William and Katie have created with their shop and just seem to become more impressed with their line of recycled wood signs the more I see them.
Of course I love my turquoise hello sign, but I am also thinking that this one would be a nice addition to our new place. Or this. Or this. Or…well, its kind of hard to decide….
Which one would you choose?
Get 10% off your Order Now: Receive 10% off your entire order when you enter the coupon code “OhDierMoving” into the promo code section at checkout. Visit Oh Dier now (and Oh Dier on Etsy too - the code works on both online shops) to browse available products now.
Guest post by Genevieve from Lightbox SF.
When I use the term vision I mean more than just having an idea of how much money you want to bring in or a clear description of your product or service. These are definitely part of the equation, but you should also be clear on your overall mission, what the business stands for, what your ideal role is, and the details of the business that you just won’t compromise on. Taking the time to describe the larger vision for your business is like drawing yourself a roadmap to the future. It not only sets up goals for you to work toward, but it gives you a framework that helps guide the choices you make each day. Working on your business without having a vision of what it will be like in 1, 2 or even 5 years is like getting in the car and driving with no destination in mind. You might have amazing experiences and visit great places, but you still won’t be any closer to where you’re going.
Your vision is the best possible future of your business, the big picture with all the details filled in.
What types of employees do you want or do you even want any? Do you want to make everything by hand or will you manufacture multiple items or even whole lines? Does your business keep running when you take a vacation or does it shut down for a week or two?
By imagining and sketching out the big picture, the incredible dream of your creative business, you’ve given yourself something to live up to and work toward.
Having a clear vision allows you to take ownership of the choices that need to be made in an entirely different way. Instead of wondering if a particular project is right to take on you can measure it against your larger vision. Does it fit in? Instead of feeling beat down that sales aren’t quite what you want them to be, you look to your target market and ask how you can serve them better. A vision brings focus and clarity to what’s really important and the short-term goals become clearer when you know what it is you’re striving for.
So how do you come up with a vision?
You need to give yourself time to daydream and ask yourself what’s really important.
Take action now: Set aside 30-60 minutes with no distractions and start by picking a specific point in time for your vision. Make it at least 1 year in the future and as far ahead as 5. Then answer these questions with as much detail as you can:
- What motivates you to make this business work?
- What are you or your business known for?
- How do you measure success?
- What is the most important thing you offer your clients?
- What’s your role in the business?
- What do other people say about your business?
Now designate one task you can do next week to get you one step closer to this vision.
image Thinking by Tosya
Genevieve Robertson is a photographer, writer, and thinker. As co-founder of Lightbox SF she helps makers, artists, and crafters tell their own stories and embrace their uniqueness to help them build a creative business. By showing them how to use social media, strategic marketing, and a community network to their advantage she gives them a business edge. Genevieve’s strength is her keen outside perspective and sometimes infuriating logic that puts structure to dreams and lays out paths to goals. Want to go even deeper into branding? Registration for Lightbox SF’s Ink Yourself, a 5-week branding with story e-course is now open. The course starts September 19th so sign up now!
Good morning! Hope you had an awesome weekend. I was just packing up all my jewelry last night, trying to figure out the best way to pack necklaces without tangling them (any suggestions?). So, I’m getting the week started with a little jewelry for you this morning…
Started by two best friends a bit more than a year ago, Two Little Doves is a cute little shop selling dainty jewelry pieces for the girl who likes to keep it simple. Once we get moved and I get all settled in, I might have to add a couple TLD pieces to my jewelry tree. I love those triangle earrings and this sunrise gold filled necklace.
Discount Code: Use coupon code PNS10 for 10% off your order at Two Little Doves.
Visit Two Little Doves now to take advantage of that 10% off. There is a lot of jewelry to explore (almost 20 pages of products), so you are bound to find something you like…
I am not much of a knitter (or crochet), but somehow I manage to collect giant tupperware containers of yarn. But as I was going through my boxes of supplies the other day, I realized that my yarn collection is kind of sad (just solid colors, nothing fancy). So, I popped over to Papernstitch (and then Etsy) because I knew that Brenda from Phydeaux Designs would have some beautiful skeins (am I saying that right? I really need to learn more about yarn).
And sure enough, she did! Aren’t the color combinations lovely?
All her yarn is hand dyed, which makes it all the more special. AND speaking of special…Brenda is running a special offer right now to celebrate Autumn: Receive 15% off your order at Phydeaux Designs when you use discount code “pnsaut15″ at checkout. YEAH!
And if you’re not a yarn kind of girl, Phydeaux also carries really cool handmade buttons and colorful roving, in addition to patterns for crocheting and knitting.
So head on over to Brenda’s shop, Phydeaux Designs , to take advantage of 15% off your entire order..
That’s it for me this week! I have a lot of house stuff to catch up on over the weekend to get everything in order for our big move. Hope you have a great weekend! See you Monday.
