Shop Spotlight: Jen's Dream Decor

I love taking photos and I almost never have them up on display because I never know where or how to display them. How do you put your treasured photographs up in an elegant and fashionable way? Well, with beautiful photo memory boards from Jen's Dream Decor. Jen also works very hard to create beautiful magnet boards, jewellery holders, and other decorative items for your home.

Oh Canada: Of all the things that you sell, which item or style is your favorite?

Jen: I really love making my Photo Memory Boards the best. I have introduced a gathering technique which I do over double ribbons which really looks lovely and romantic.

Oh Canada: Where did you learn your skills?

Jen: I took a 5 year long night school program in Interior decorating which has helped a lot in the design of products and in fabric choice. A lot of the upholstery and sewing skills I learned in my previous life as a collector bear designer and maker.

Oh Canada: Everyone has different motivations for making their unique wares. What drives you to create?

Jen: What I really love is the feeling of timelessness that comes when you create, where you look up at the clock and can’t believe how much time has passed. There is simply nothing like it.

Oh Canada: If you could learn to use any new technique or material, what would it be?

Jen: The art of upholstery is something I admire and love to do in my limited fashion in my shop. I would love to do more and larger projects like headboards.

Oh Canada: Any plans to incorporate a new product into your shop this year?

Jen: Yes, a lot of plans…I’ve become re-interested in decoupage and plan to make book ends and expand on my line of key racks and coat racks.

Oh Canada: What is your favorite thing about selling on Etsy?

Jen: I love having creative control and being part of this fabulous amazing group of talented artists.

Oh Canada: Do you have a number one tip for new sellers? 

Jen: Join this team (lol) seriously, joining a team to give you support and friendship is the best thing I ever did.

Oh Canada: What is your favorite thing to buy on Etsy?

Jen: Supplies, I can’t believe how fabulous the sources are on this site. It would take years to find all these products if I didn’t have Etsy. I also love to support the other members of my teams as much as possible.

Oh Canada: What is the number one best item in your shop right now?

Jen: I love this frame(see photo to the left), which was a rare and wonderful garage sale find.



Keep up with Jen and see what new discoveries she has made by visiting her Facebook Fan Page. You can also follow her on Twitter and drop by her shop to buy a beautiful, handmade treasure for your home.





Copyright 2011 Oh Canada Team

Shop Spotlight: Sadie Designs

If you're looking to wear one of a kind jewellery pieces made with raw crystals you'll be in heaven at Sadie Designs. Sarah's unique and feminine style is remarkable and her shop represents all that is original and natural. You'll also find some beautiful wooden jewellery pieces to dress up your look. Wear a Sadie Designs original and you will surely get noticed. Please take a moment to get to know Sarah a little more.

Oh Canada: Of all the things that you sell, which item or style is your favorite?

Sarah: My favourite piece is always changing. Right now I really love geometric stone pendants, like the pink and green pastel triangles that I use to make my Miriam necklaces and the amazing crystal quartz pendants that I use in my pendulum necklaces.

Oh Canada: Where did you learn your skills?

Sarah: When I have an idea for something that I'd like to make I generally teach myself how to do it through a lot of research and trial and error. I do find that the people who work at local supply shops are really helpful in pointing me in the direction of new materials or helping me learn new techniques. When I was learning to use the laser cutter to make my baltic birch pieces I spent a lot of time watching amazing YouTube videos about drawing in Illustrator (the computer program that I use). I love that people take the time to make tutorials for others just out of their own love of the subject matter.

Oh Canada: Everyone has different motivations for making their unique wares. What drives you to create?

Sarah: As a landscape architecture intern, a lot of my design work stays in the computer and is done on the screen. I started making jewelry as a way to work creatively with physical materials. I love experimenting, the tiny scale of jewelry pieces, and making something that is 100% unique. Making jewelry makes me happy after a long day drafting architecture projects on the computer.


Oh Canada: If you could learn to use any new technique or material, what would it be?

Sarah: While I was finishing up my degree I bought myself a steel bench block as a promise that I would teach myself more involved metalsmithing techniques this summer. I really want to start working with copper and repurposing some of the metal plates that I used to make etchings in my fine arts degree.

Oh Canada: Any plans to incorporate a new product into your shop this year?

Sarah: I really do dream of adding photographs to Sadie Designs. I love taking pictures and have a bunch of really fun cameras. For now, my blog is where I share my photos, but I do hope to be able to offer some prints in the future in the Sadie shop. Perhaps even some large scale photographic posters.

Oh Canada: What is your favorite thing about selling on Etsy?

Sarah: Etsy has been a great place to connect with other sellers. I love being part of national and regional teams and meeting like-minded creative types. Ultimately, though, I most appreciate Etsy for giving me a fun venue to connect with potential customers from all over the world. This week I shipped orders to Sweden, Germany, Australia and Winnipeg. I love writing out those addresses, it's exciting to think of people half the world away wearing a piece of jewelry that I made.

 Oh Canada: Do you have a number one tip for new sellers?

Sarah: Just keep going! It takes a while for people to learn about your shop and in the meantime you can spend your time perfecting your techniques and improving the appearance of your shop. Concentrating on making the best possible product you can will get you far, so stick with it!


Oh Canada: What is your favorite thing to buy on Etsy?


Sarah: I love shopping on Etsy! I buy a lot of jewelry and supplies, but I also love buying paper goods and accessories. I'm planning my wedding for the fall and I know I'll be buying things from a lot of fabulous Canadian Etsy shops as we get ready.

Oh Canada: What is the number one best item in your shop right now?

Sarah: The best-selling items in my shop are definitely the dipped crystal pendant necklaces. Right now amethyst is the most popular, but around the holidays it was the citrine points. I've been making these necklaces almost since I opened my shop and I really can't see myself stopping any time soon.

Here's a special message from Sarah:
Thanks so much for featuring me on the team blog. As a special thanks to my Oh Canada teammates you can always use the coupon code "FRIENDS" in the Sadie shop for 10% off your order. Happy spring, everyone!

So drop by the Sadie Designs shop and buy yourself something special. You can also keep up with Sarah through her Blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

Copyright 2011 Oh Canada Team

My JK Calendar is ready for bookings! :)

Whether or not you live in the Boise area, I am more than happy to help you host your own Jewel Kade party, be it live or a fun book party to introduce your friends to the beauty of Jewel Kade!  It is always fun to be the first to show women in any area this unique jewelry line--they immediately fall in love with it and as a hostess, you are duly rewarded for your efforts!  Contact me today for more information about this fun opportunity and I will hook you up with all the information you need to have your most successful at home party EVER! 

Friday Finds: Caramel Fudge Ceramic Ring

I love the richness of this ceramic bead.  It's aptly named - Caramel Fudge.  Wrapped with gold filled wire, it will make delicious finger candy for your hand!  This ring has been created by Vitrine.  She offers several rings made with gorgeous ceramic beads.  As well, Vitrine offers the buyer a selection of earrings, bracelets, necklaces and glazed paper pendants.

Oh Canada Team Spring Thaw Sale
The votes are in, and the week of April 10-16 is when we'll be having our team Spring Thaw Sale! If you want to participate, come leave your information here in this special discussion thread.

Copyright 2011 Oh Canada Team and Vitrine.

Jewel Kade's Wee Shadowbox Charms!

Don't let the size of this picture fool you!  In real life, this is the chunkiest, most adorable size of Jewel Kade charms they have available!! At a pint size of .75 x .75", this lil guy packs a big punch of cuteness!!  There's just something about little things that make us go, "ah, that's so cute!!"  Add that with this color palette, and you've seriously got it made in the accessory department!

Introducing Jewel Kade drops and coordinating earrings!

Newsflash: Jewel Kade is more than just charms and chains!!  The new catalog features 5 "drops" with coordinating earrings.  They are so much fun to throw on alongside a charm, or add to any existing necklace you already own.  They come in all sorts of fun colors and the earrings all have the unique "JK flavor" to them!  Jewel Kade truly has something for everyone! :-)

Jewel Kade's New Spring Catalog Debuts TODAY!!

I AM SO EXCITED!!!

I am going to keep this short and sweet so you have more time to browse the new catalog!  Here's the skinny:  The new catalog has 50 newly designed pieces by Janet Kinkade seriously to die for.  You gotta see it to believe it, so go to www.jewelkade.com/sarahfoutz RIGHT NOW!!!

The Timeless, Handcrafted Quality of Jewel Kade's Charms!

You know you're attracted to the inherent beauty of Jewel Kade jewelry, but what makes it so special?  Here are a few tidbits that will make you fall in love with it even more!!

• Each charm created by Janet Kinkade has an Old World craftmanship feel--beauty from handmade quality and timeless designs.
• Every single charm is handcrafted in the JK production studios in Alpine, UT
• The charms are each framed by hand in pewter.
• The flat glass is hand-cut.
• the artistic designs are printed one-by-one on artist's canvas.
• The designs are embellished by hand with dazzling touches like Swarovski crystals and German Glass Glitter.  All drops are added by hand.
• Each charm is individually inspected and polished before it's deemed JK-worth and shipped out.
• Because each piece is handcrafted, no two charms are exactly alike, adding value to your JK collection!

New Downloadable Projects!

Okay, I'll admit that I'm a bit odd.  I really enjoy writing jewelry instructions.  I especially enjoy writing jewelry instructions with big color photographs that are clear and easy to follow.  So imagine my excitement every time I get to post new FREE downloadable jewelry instructions to our website.  (It's a good thing I found a job at a bead store -- I can't imagine getting this worked up over insurance claims!)  I've added two new earring patterns just this week, including the Wire Wrapped Scroll Earrings (pictured at left).  Just scroll down to the bottom of the Downloadable Projects page to find our newest additions!  Happy Beading!

http://www.beadworldinc.com/

Twitter Jewel Kade "Survivor" charm giveaway!!

Since the last Twitter Giveaway was so much fun, I'm spreading the JK love on to those who deserve it:  Survivors!  Whether it be cancer, the loss of a loved one, or getting through life as we know it, we are all survivors in one form or another!!!  I am giving this beautiful Jewel Kade charm away to one of my lucky Twitter followers when we reach 1000!! (It's not even available for sale yet!) Add it to your favorite Jewel Kade necklace, and you'll be set!  Let's try to do it within a week!  Love, Sarah

P.S.  If you're here, comment--you will add $1 to my weekly blog giveaway!
P.P.S.  Want to charm your friends?  Be the first to introduce them to Jewel Kade by becoming your area's first stylist!!!  Share the JK love while looking fabulous at the same time! (the extra money doesn't hurt, either!)

Jewel Kade Jewelry, Chains, and Charms, OH MY!!

I must admit, before my Jewel Kade days, I was a minimalist (at most!) when it came to wearing jewelry.  But there's something different and unique about each of the pieces designed by Janet Kinkade, they instantly won me over and now I feel naked without them!  Picking the jewelry pieces that speak to you is part of the joy--each one is hand-made and truly one of a kind, and many of them contain little quotes and quips that describe you or the ones you love.  Find which one speaks to you and let me know!  I love hearing which ones are people's favorites!!   (by the way, if any of the ones in the above picture catch your fancy, order before Feb 28th as they are being retired and on their way to becoming collectibles!)

Christmas Kits are Back!

It's that time of year again!  Christmas kits are available at your local Bead World this holiday season!  We try to make your holiday gift giving easy, with thirteen adorable and exclusive kits.  Each kit includes everything you need to make a special holiday project, with complete instructions and a color photo of the finished piece.  Can it get any easier than that?!   Every kit uses premium materials (Swarovski crystal, sterling silver, 14K gold filled, copper and more), so your loved ones get the very best.

Toy Soldier Earrings, $9.99

Christmas Lights Earrings, $5.99

Christmas Present Earrings, $10.99

Swarovski Crystal AB Christmas Trees, $8.99

Nina Designs Interview our own Lezli Goodwin

I love those crazy gals over at Nina Designs.  (I might have covered my love of them before, in a few zillion of my posts.)  So I was extra stoked when they asked me to be their first featured "Designer Success Story"!  They sent me a list of questions, and let me choose five to answer.  It was really fun working my way through the questions.  The responses flowed easily, and I was surprised to find I had an immediate answer for ever question!  (Not so shocking to those who know me, I'm sure.  I have an opinion about everything!)

Here's a taste of the article.  To read the whole thing, click on the link below:

"There are as many avenues into jewelry design as there are jewelry designers. Each story is unique and inspiring. In our first Customer Success Story we’d like you to meet Lezli Goodwin. Lezli is a well known jewelry designer, accomplished modern painter and creative director for Bead World Inc, an Arizona chain of boutique bead stores. Her modern beaded jewelry features metaphysically active gemstones, gorgeous sterling silver findings and exquisite handcrafted techniques.

What is one piece of trusted advice you would give to someone just starting their jewelry business?


“Be who you are and not who you’re not.” I think that’s Dr. Seuss. Make jewelry you love, and then find the market. Forget about trying to make pieces you think will sell — that’s a recipe for frustration and defeat. There is a market for everything, if it’s made with integrity and passion."

To read the entire article, click here!

Sweet Gold Charms

I am usually a sterling silver girl.  Rarely does a gold item (14K, gold filled or vermeil) catch my eye for any significant period of time.  These beautiful 24K vermeil charms from Nina Designs, though, have me smitten.  The color is radiant, the quality is impeccable.  Plus, of course, they are super cute!  A sweet little vermeil charm is the perfect way to add a splash of gold to this season's trendy "mixed-metal" pieces.  I've gotta say, I really like them and have had fun showing them to our clients at Bead World!

24K vermeil Om charm

24K vermeil Lotus Flower charm

24K vermeil Evil Eye charm

24K vermeil Buddha charm

Reverse Those Colors for a Fresh New Look!

Selecting colors can be one of the hardest tasks for a new jewelry designer. Try as we might, you guys never quite believe us when we say, "There is no wrong answer!" Truly, the best reason to learn the basics of color theory is to learn your favorite ways to break them. Once you do find a favorite color combination, here's a neat trick to keep you out of the dreaded rut -- whatever your instinct tells you to do, reverse the colors! It gives your pieces a fresh, exciting look and allows you to execute twice as many projects in your most beloved color scheme! Good friend and longtime client Fran Gilcrest-Piper loaned me two of her Sidewinder bracelets to help illustrate the concept. Fran used topaz seed beads and jet Swarovski crystals in the example at left, while she chose jet seed beads and topaz Swarovski crystals for the bracelet on the right.

Light interacts with different kinds of beads differently, and color placement can effect the look as well. These two pieces look very different, but use two of Frans favorite neutral colors in a rich, sophisticated way. Beautiful work, Fran!

Have You Checked Out Beaducation.com?

I'm the first person to spread the word about my favorite places, and let me just tell you:  If you haven't been to http://www.beaducation.com/ yet, you are missing out!  Lisa Niven Kelly's fun, interactive site offers the innovative beader lots of opportunities.  Free video lessons, project ideas and custom products compliment the host of online beading classes.  Lisa's exuberant designs are liberally represented, but she's brought in a whole team of fantastic designers to teach along side her.  Seriously, check it out!

Gorgeous inspiration on their blog!

Classes and instructions you can't find anywhere else!

Metal stamping in an avant garde way!

My Best Necklace Ever

Every beader has an example of the one time they just hit it out of the park.  You know, that certain design that everyone comments on and wants to steal.  I made a necklace about six years ago that is still my all time favorite piece.  I was inspired by a picture in a magazine, purchased some gorgeous chalcedony rondelles and whipped it up one summer afternoon.  Never did I suspect that I would spend the next six years explaining that 1) it wasn't difficult to make and 2) I wouldn't mind if they copied it.

It's actually a really easy piece, you see. Just select approximately 4.5 feet of any oval link chain.  (Mine is sterling silver, nicely aged by throwing it on the bathroom counter and leaving it there for weeks, repeatedly.)  Cut it into a whole bunch of 5 link pieces, or whatever length you prefer.  (Really, it doesn't particularly matter.  My piece took 36 sections, plus 2 pieces of about 3 inches of chain for the back.  You'll need to adjust for the size of the chain you select.)  Pick out some gorgeous rondelles, somewhere between 6 and 10mm.  (Mine are 8mm chalcedony, but faceted Czech glass, Swarovski crystal and pearls have also worked out nicely.) 

Now for the fun part! 

1. Using 22 gauge wire that matches your chain, cut 18 pieces that are 3 inches long. 
2. Form a wire wrapped loop on one end of a piece of wire.  Add the end link of TWO of the pieces of chain BEFORE you wrap the loop closed.  Both chains should dangle freely.  Now, wrap that loop closed.  Cut off any extra wire.
3. String on one of your beautiful rondelles, then form another loop.  Once again, string on TWO of the chain pieces, and then wrap the loop closed.  You've now formed a chain unit. 
4. Continue in this manner until you have built a 12 inch section with open chain on each end.  Then repeat to build a second twelve inch section.  Lay the chains together and align the ends.
5. Form a wire wrapped loop on one end of a piece of wire. Add the end links of ALL FOUR of the end pieces of one side of the necklace BEFORE you wrap the loop closed. This will permanently attach the two sections together. Now, wrap that loop closed. Cut off any extra wire.
6. String on one of your beautiful rondelles, then form another loop. This time, string on the end of one of the 3 inch chain pieces for the back, and then wrap the loop closed.
7. Repeat this process on the other side of the necklace.  Add the clasp of your choice and Voila!

Teri's Knotted Pearl Necklace

Teri’s Knotted Pearl Necklace

Teri’s Knotted Pearl Necklace is a stylish twist on a timeless classic. Everybody loves hand knotted pearls. Teri gives us a great way to freshen them up using sassy colored pearls and fun Vintaj charms.

Necessary Skills:
Cord Knotting
Using clamshells
Jump rings



You Will Need:
3 pieces of brass chain (1/4 inch, ½ inch and ¾ inch)
Size 5 Griffin pearl knotting silk (2 meters)
8mm teal freshwater pearls (1 strand)
Vintaj charm, sunflower charm and teeny lizard charms
5mm Vintaj jump rings (4)
7mm Vintaj jump ring
Size 11 seed beads OR 2mm Swarovski crystals
Clamshells (2)
Trigger clasp
Awl or knotting tweezers

Instructions:

1. Tie a knot in the end of the knotting silk opposite the needle. Thread the needle through the hole in the hinge of one clamshell. Pull the silk all the way through, so the knot sits in the cup of the clamshell. Tie a knot and press it against the outside of the clamshell, using your awl or tweezers.

2. Leave a ¾ inch space. Tie another knot and pull it tight. String on one seed bead, one pearl and another seed bead. Tie a knot and press it against the seed bead, using your awl or tweezers.

3. Repeat this technique until you reach the desired length. Be careful to use an even number of pearls! (Teri’s is 18 inches long.) Add the second clamshell and carefully knot inside the cup. Apply superglue to both knots, trim the silk and press both clamshells closed.

4. Open the loop on one clamshell, string on the trigger clasp and curl the loop closed.

5. Open the loop on the second clamshell, string on the 7mm jump ring and curl the loop closed. You now have a functional necklace!

6. Carefully open one 5mm jump ring. String on the end link of all three pieces of brass chain and the silk in the center open space. Carefully close the jump ring.

7. Carefully open one 5mm jump ring. String on the other end of the longest piece of chain as well as the loop at the top of the butterfly charm. Carefully close the jump ring.

8. Carefully open one 5mm jump ring. String on the other end of the medium piece of chain as well as the loop at the top of the sunflower charm. Carefully close the jump ring.

9. Carefully open the last 5mm jump ring. String on the other end of the shortest piece of chain as well as the loop at the top of the teeny lizard charm. Carefully close the jump ring. Your necklace is finished!

Our Crystal Link Necklace Kit

One of the most fun things about working for a bead store is the opportunity to design beading kits.  After all, sometimes clients just want to grab a quick project that they know will turn out beautifully!  As professional beaders (what a thrilling thing to call ourselves!) we understand the desire for fresh, interesting designs -- not to mention the ease of having all of the required elements pre-assembled.  Of course, as beading teachers, we try to make sure everyone has ample opportunity to practice their new beading skills! 

Sometimes, the perfect seasonal necklace is less about over-the-top design and more about assembling basic elements into a sleek, wearable pendant.  Our new Crystal Link Necklace (featuring stunning quartz crystal and hammered TierraCast links) is just such a piece.  Who knew two links and one bead could become such a lovely counterpoint to a fun summer dress?  In this case, simplicity reigns supreme.

How to Become a Wholesale Client

One of the questions I get most often is, "How do I get my wholesale license?"  In the state of Arizona, you will need to obtain a state Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) License.  You can accomplish this task online at the Arizona Department of Commerce web site.   You are often also required to have a license from the city in which your business is located.  The state TPT license, however, is the one you need to qualify as a wholesale company.  Once you obtain your state TPT license, here's how you register as a wholesale client at Bead World: bring us a photocopy of your state TPT license and fill out a short worksheet.  That's it!  Once this is done, you qualify for a 20% discount off almost everything in the store and you are sales tax exempt for all resellable jewelry items.

Starting a jewelry business and getting your wholesale license has a lot of great advantages:

• earn extra money doing something you love
• gain entrance into "wholesale only" gem shows
• obtain discounts at many bead stores, including Bead World
• be permitted to order from "wholesale only" web sites or purchase at different prices
• write off expenses at tax time

Of course, there are responsibilities that come with running a beading business, too. In addition to the job of making and selling jewelry, you will also have to handle the business aspects:

• sending monthly sales tax reports to your city and state
• filing income taxes annually as a small business
• keeping track of all of your expenses for tax purposes

Most wholesale clients find that the duties and responsibilities are quite small compared to the benefits of maintaining their wholesale TPT license.