Rockin' the DDM--Smu's Successful Day!

This past Saturday was the third Designers' Downtown Market for 2009 and without a doubt it was my most successful show to date! I was given a prime location in the Ornamentea parking lot just inside the entry across from the Popsicle Vendor Locopops (which was great for traffic as the day grew warmer!)

Despite a few incidents early in the day (in my clumsiness I knocked over and broke a ceramic hand and one of my star-shaped mirrors while setting things up) my displays held up well and there were no wind-related catastrophes :) The wooden hands generated lots of comments as they always do, and I got quite a few compliments on the suitcase. In fact, several returning customers remembered my set-up for previous shows and commented on the overall progress I have made in improving my booth, which made me very happy! In addition to my returning customers, I also had a special visit from my Twitter friend TheSickChick! Keep an eye on her blog as she will be posting about the DDM and may just include a photo of the two of us in my booth!

An Adventure in Asymetry

Here is a sneak peak at my recent foray into asymetrical design! These are the first two asymetrical designs I plan to list on Etsy, both necklaces, and I am quite pleased with how they turned out, despite my predisposition to symetry in design :) Please post a comment letting me know what you think of these new designs!

Variations on a Theme

Recently I've been seeing a lot of neckware designs featuring a charm-adorned hoop as the focal pendant. I love the simplicity of this look, and decided to try several variations of the design in different colors. The Purple version, themed with charms reading "HOPE" is the first of these designs I have listed on Etsy: Circle of Hope

The other designs pictured here will be listed on Etsy this week :)

Circle of Laughter Circle of Creation

Circle of Dreams

Circle of Imagination

What’s in a Name?

I have created a new jewelry design that can be worn as either a necklace or converted to a bracelet by removing the chain. I love the look and the idea of my new pieces, but can’t decide on what to call them. My husband and mother have been hard at work helping me think of names. So far, my best idea is “ShapeShifters”, my Mom’s best is “Chameleons”, and my husband is completely stuck on calling them “Neckbraces” (he is very amused with the idea, and thinks it will get attention due to curiosity.)
I need your help! Please leave a comment weighing in on the name issue—feel free to propose something new or to lend your support to an existing option!

Work work work

I have started a new job recently that has demanded more of my time and mental energy......so there hasn't been much going on at SmuTopia since my last show. However, I got a chance to take some pictures this afternoon to start my new listings for the Holiday season. Here is a quick preview of some of my better shots. More coming soon!

Designers' Downtown Market 9/13

My work/life balance has tipped a bit more toward work lately, so I've been spending less time on SmuTopia-related activities. However, I find myself unexpectedly on vacation this week as I wait to transition to a new role at work, so I've thrown myself into preparing for the upcoming 9/13 Designers' Downtown Market. If you live in the RTP, NC area come by and check out the wondeful handmade goods for sale! http://www.designersdowntownmarket.com/

Freebie Friday Jewelry Giveaway!

Happy Friday! Would you like to win these earrings? Here's what you need to do:

1. Check out my Etsy shop http://smutopia.etsy.com --I am going to add more inventory soon and would like to know your thoughts on what items and styles I need to add.
2. Return here and post a comment about my shop--what I need more of, your favorite styles, or any other feedback you would like to give.
3. Be sure to include your email address in your comment here.

I will pick a name at random from all of the entries on Sunday August 10th. Good Luck!

Time to Stock my Etsy Shop!

The inventory in my Etsy shop is rather low, and I finally got some good photos for new listings! I've added a few items to the shop already, but here are some photos of things I will be listing later this week. Both are rings made during my recent E6000 glue experiement--I had never used it before, but everyone says it is the best for this sort of work. I agree that the hold is fantastic--but boy does that stuff stink!

A little background on the pieces pictured here: The top ring features a chunk of lace agate that I purchased at the Raleigh Gem & Mineral show in April of this year. The bottom photos shows a ring made of sea glass my Mom brought home from Grand Turk Island on a trip she took with my Dad in Febrary--Thanks Mom !!

Etsy Success--500 Hearts!

Despite slacking a bit on promoting my Etsy shop lately, I've just reached one of my two first year goals: I've passed 500 hearts!!! WooHoo! I have just four more sales to go to reach my other first year goal of 100 sales :) My main priorities right now are to get more photos taken (I have a ton of new unlisted work at home) and to fill up my shop--I'd like to keep at least 40 items listed but I keep falling back toward 30. I suppose I should be happy about that since it means I'm making sales!!!!

Since I've almost reached both of my first year goals (in only 6 months!) I'm starting to think about where I go from here. I'm very interested in advertising my shop outside of Etsy and my blog, but don't really know where to start. Anyone out there who has input about advertising, please comment on your experiences--I'm sure there are lots of people out there like me who would value the info!

89 Sales and Counting!

Since I listed the first item in my Etsy shop in January of this year, I have had 89 sales and counting! I have definately exceeded the expectations I had when I opened the shop, and I'm creeping up on the initial mid-range goal I had set for myself of 100 sales. I had hoped to have 100 sales by my 1 year anniversary on Etsy.....now I'm hoping to reach that goal much sooner and am starting to think bigger.........

How long did it take you to reach 100 sales (if you have)? What are your current goals? Leave a comment and share your thoughts :)

Brand-New! Rhondite Necklace and Earrings

Here are the photos of the Rhondite necklace and earrings set I finished up this weekend!

Bead Binge!!! Enchanted Foundlings

The most fantastic packages from my recent bead binge were those I received from Enchanted Foundlings: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5446017

I have already turned these bright blue candy jade rondelles into a 'Smu-Berry' Cluster Ring :) I've ordered from this shop twice already and I'm sure I'll be back!

Bead Binge!!! Merri Morningstar Jewelry

I've been on a bead binge lately (I'm sure you bead-lovers out there can relate) and wanted to share some of the fantastic artists and suppliers I have been purchasing from! First up is Merri Morningstar Jewelry on Etsy--I recently purchased the two stone focal beads pictured above. Check out Merri's shop on Etsy to see fantastic jewelry and beads: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5165836

It's Like Christmas! Bead Bonanza

I've been binging on beads lately on Etsy, and my packages are starting to arrive! I'm so excited, it's like Christmas in June :) One of the packages pictured here is my May bead-swap package and the rest are purchases. I've opened all of the envelopes, and will post photos of the contents and links to the shops where they were purchased later today :)

Bearly's Ongoing BNR

Check out BearlyTimetoScrap's BNR treasury on Etsy, including my 'Celestial Sparkle' bracelet! Take some time to click away and visit the shops of all the fantastic Etsy artists featured.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=45155

Bling Ring Bonanza!

Bling Rings are one of my favorite items to make, so I was thrilled to get a custom order for the three rings shown here! The front ring is a re-creation of my 'Seafoam Sparkle' ring (also purchased by this customer) and the two in the back are my first rings in shades of brown. They came out so well, I've already started on a third I plan to call 'Chocolate with Peanuts' :)

Creature Feature!

Pictured here are two of my most recent creations--earrings featuring creatures! The silvertone seahorse charms were purchased from fellow Etsian blacksheepbeads (http://blacksheepbeads.etsy.com/) and the adorable bluebird shell beads were part of a trade with atrag2, one of my Flickr buddies (http://www.flickr.com/photos/atrag/).

Alchemy Flower-girl Tiara--Finished!

I've gotten the enthusiastic approval of the buyer and added the final wire-wrapping around the base--this alchemy order is officially finished!

Alchemy in Progress--Almost Finished :)

I have added lots of champagne-colored swavorski crystal bicones and small ivory-colored shell beads since my previous post, and the project is almost complete! I'm thrilled with the way this project has turned out, and just need to contact the buyer for final approval before adding a final wire-wrap around the base for additional durability. What do you think? Leave a comment!

Eco-Friendly Etsy Find: Arnym

Arnym's Etsy Shop: http://arnym.etsy.com

While surfing Etsy this weekend I found this artist, who makes wondeful handbags and other items from recyled materials. Follow the link above to check out the other wondeful items in this eco-friendly artist's shop!