Our Open House is Saturday December 6th, 2008

More favorites~ Teal and Brown...

Here are some of my pics for the day. See if you can't tell my theme.

#1 Serpents Dance Designs

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_11&listing_id=14816193

#2 Phydeaux

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_15&listing_id=11787743

#3 NoraJane

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14894847

#4 & #5 Two Little Wrens

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=12604751

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_10&listing_id=14628393

Light Box Project

Here is a list of materials you will need to complete this low-cost light box:

1. 5 12x12" pieces of white acrylic



2. 1 12x22" piece of flexible polystyrene in white



3. Acrylic Cement



4. Double Sided Tape

Glue the five pieces of acrylic together with the acrylic cement to create a cube with one open face. This will be the side you take the picture from.

Take the double sided tape and attach a 12" strip alont the top and bottom of the styrene. Peel the backing off one side and place it inside the cube on the bottom edge. Peel the second piece of backing off and attach it to the top back of the cube.

Set up lights above the cube, and on both sides. The acrylic will filter the light and give the light box a nice glow. I am still experimenting with the correct lighting to use.

I also used suction cups with hooks on them to suspend my necklaces from.

Favorite Finds 9/2/08

Its finally September. The beginning of my favorite time of year, and a great time to start with a listing of great fall season finds from ETSY! I want to feature some of my JET Team members' pieces! Check out these great jewelry finds!

#1 Catherinette Rings www.catherinetterings.etsy.com

#2 Beadstylin www.beadstylin.etsy.com

#3 & #4 Alyson1234 www.alyson1234.etsy.com

#5 Designsbycher www.designsbycher.etsy.com

Just a couple designs I think are fantastic. So proud of my JET Teamers!

TTYL

Brenna

My August Report! 2008

In the month of August I started out by having my first jewelry party at my home. All in all it was a success, or at least I will call it that. I invited 50 and 25 came. Sold several pieces, at least 1 to each guest that came, and had three people show interest in hosting a party. I think this will be the best source of income for me, as sales on etsy seem a little hard to come by at my shop.

I was accepted to JET Team, and that started a whole new rush for me. I have joined in on the Friday night chat twice, and been watching the google group threads religiously. I have added a few of my "two cents worth" a couple times and have really learned a lot from the members.

I have listed a few new items for my fall collection. I just sent in a deposit to rent a booth in the Women's Conference in October here in town. The Medical Center hosts a day long event that features lots of women owned businesses. I am super excited!

Thanks to Michele (Malves) all her help in getting me started with the group. She has been a really great guide in JET. Thanks to Daniel (CatherinetteRings) for his suggestions in making my shop more presentable.

I created a banner and avatar for the JET Holiday Sale and posted it on my blog: www.allthatglitters1.blogspot.com

Also recruited a great jewelry maker friend, Janice Ranburger. She is on etsy at www.jewelrybyjanice0129.etsy.com Again I can't say enough about her, she is a great lady and of course friend!

I also want to thank everyone for accepting me into the family. I really feel welcomed!

Ta Ta For Now,
Brenna
AllThatGlitters1

JET Team Holiday Sale Banner

Hi guys. I just created a banner for the Holiday Sale. Let me know if you want me to email it your way!

Convo me on etsy or I can send it directly to your email.

A larger version is listed on the bottom of the page! (look below)

Accepted the the JET (Jewelry on Etsy) Team 8/21/08

Yesterday was a big day for me. I was contacted about being accepted to the JET Team on etsy.com. Kind of a big deal to me because you have to go through an application process and be approved. Only a select few are accepted into the group. Basically the group supports one another by promoting, and sharing good selling tips. I havemn't really gotten a chance to dive in to all the group has to offer but am really looking forward to what will come.

I got an awesome opportunity to create a commisioned piece. A lady contacted me with an idea for a fabulous triple strand turquoise necklace. She wanted graduated sized nuggets on the three strands, a pair of matching earrings, and a bracelet. So excited because she is coming today to pick it up and look at some of my other pieces.

I also got in my fire mountain gems order. As usual my firend Janice and I ordered together to get the great deal on quantity orders. They are such a great company to order from. When opening my last order and item was damaged and when I called to see about getting it replaced they were very accomodating. No questions asked they said they would send me another one and let me keep what was undamamged in the package I has received. Amazing, before when ordering from other companies, I have had big problems with this.

Now that I have my new fall/winter stash in I can really start with my creative process. I have had my spotters out searching for new fall trends and color combos that will be popular. They are so great... Courtney, mom, Janice!

~This just in!!! I had a commisioned piece just go out the door. ~

Ok back to what I was saying. I have been planning out my fall/winter season and have planned a party for the first week in January and am going to be participating in the Women's Conference held by the Medical Center October 28th. Lots of great prospects for home parties have been presented. Three ladies have shown interest in booking them. Hope they get the ball rolling and offer up a date.

Well, I need to get back to work.

Talk to you later
Brenna

Jewelry Party was a big success

I just want to say what a relief. The jewelry party went really well. Thanks to the help of Courtney, my mom, and Janice. Courtney came over Firday night before the party and we set up all the jewelry. I used the Dining Room table for my Fall and more Fallish looking pieces from the Summer collection, and the kitchen table for the Summer collections. Overall I thought the setup looked very nice. We used little items I aready had around the house and I bought a few crap pieces of a satin type material in balck to use for tablecloths. It helped make the jewelry stand out.

Clint made me a sign for the end of the driveway so people could find our house. Our mailbox doesn't have a number on it, and the driveway is long, so people have a hard time finding it. He also made me some signs for the displays with the names of my collections. I had business cards folded in half for the price tags on my necklaces and bracelets, and used the full length of the cards as earring displays. It looked pretty professional if I do say so myself.

The day of the party I was so nervous. I went over the setup probably ten times to make sure everything looked right. I set out wine and cheese, and also used a great recipe Courtney had for fruit tea. Yum! Instead of finger foods I set out cheese and toothpicks. I kept it pretty simple. Next time I don't think I will serve wine because the timing wasn't very appropriate. The part was from 4-7 and I don't think the laies wanted to drink that early. Oh well, more left over for me!

Courtney and Janice were great. They both took turn helping me write out tickets when the ladies checked out. Janice used her knowledge of all the stones to help explain my designs, and mom was just straight up a talker. She kept everyone very entertained.

Overall, I sold 25 necklaces, 10 braclelets, and 20 pairs of earrings (there abouts, I can't remember my actual totals). I had one lady ask about hosting a party and several people showed interest in coming to a Christams/ Fall show later on in the season. I am going to for sure set up in October at the local Women's Conference held by the Medical Center. It will have at least 600 women in attendance. I can't wait to see the how it turns out.

I will try to update on the status of my little business after my order from FIre Mountain Gems comes in. I place it yesterday, so it should be here in about 7 business days. Woo hoo! I can't wait to play with all the Fall/Winter items I ordered!

TTYL Brenna

Headache

I feel so blah today. Customers are unhappy at work, the phone don't seem to stop ringing, and I am having jewlery maker's block. My brain fart on designing won't let me come up with anything new. I took the opportunity to look through my new Fire Mountain catalog that came in the mail!! As I usually do, I started adding lots of items into my wishlist. I am so stinking addicted to that place.

I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday looking for some craft paper bags with handles for the jewelry party. They really didn't have any good prices on them, so I will hunt them on the internet.

Mom came over last night and we beaded. The only thing that would have made that better would have been if Clint was home. He has been working late every night for the last two weeks working on a large job for Western Kentucky Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates, try saying that 5 times fast. whew!

So to say the least I have really been missing him. Mom has trouble finishing off her eye pins and head pins, so thats where I come in. I don't mind, its not like I am an expert anyway.

Last night I ate half a watermelon, and pead the whole evening. It was so good I couldn't help myself. Summertime was meant for bare feet, sunshine, and watermelon. Wish I could get time to enjoy more of it.

MY FIRE MOUNTAIN ORDER COMES IN TOMORROW!!! I am so stinking excited I could cry. I'm sure I'll be back on to talk about what I got in.

TTYL-Brenna

to do list

Its late and I am trying to organize my thoughts on this whole jewelry party thing I am working to plan. I spent the better part of the afternoon looking into past forum postings on etsy and gathering information on successful parties. WHat I have found so far is that simple is better and having a game plan is going to be my best bet. Here are a couple good ideas I ran accross today.

1. Send invitations to twice as many people as I expect to attend- It seems that about half those you invite are likely to actually attend your party. Also, asking those you invite to bring a friend seems to be a good idea. After all, its not an invitation only event.

2. Keep the food and beverage options simple and appetizing. Wine and cheese or simple finger foods. By keeping the list simple, overhead will be kept to a minimum.

3. Offer a "raffle" by asking all guest to put a dollar in a jar and picking one guest to win a set of jewelry. Who can resist winning something for a dollar, or at least the chance of winning.

4. The layout/ presentation of the jewelry should flow easily through the house. Offer lots of colors and styles to fit everyone's likes.

As I find more tips, I will add to my list. This may come in handy for future parties or to help other designers who are looking to plan a party like me.

My first blog post

So this is my first blog post, and I guess I should start out my introducing myself. My name is Brenna and I have begun a small jewelry business called All That Glitters. That I suppose is my first motive in blogging, getting my name out there... I joined etsy.com and absolutely love everything it has to offer. The artists there and the wealth of knowledge they share is a great asset to have. As I said, I just began making jewlery.

My interest in jewelry designing and making came from my friend Janice. She was placing orders for beads and stones on FireMountainGems.com and asked if I might be interested in placing an order jointly. Being a kind-of craft fanatic, I agreed. Now I can't seem to get enough. I find myself surfing through the paper for designs and looking on the internet for new fashion trends. My sister-in-law is very trendy and keeps me up to date on what is fashionable. It helps me becuase I am a little out of the loop.

I graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2006 with a bachelor's of science in agriculture business....? what....? I know, what the heck is a crafty, married type going to do with that. I'll tell you what, pay student loans back, and start their own internet/home business. SO, that's what I am gonna do!

I married my best friend Clint in September of 2007, and its been the best ride of my life! I love learning new things about him, even though we've been together for nearly three years. He is the most kind, generous, hard working person I know. He makes me want to be a better person everyday!

I suppose that is what got me into the whole crafty mode, being a new wife and having a little extra time on my hands. I have a job working with Clint at his sign business. (Another thing to admire him for, never going to college and creating a successful business from the ground up!) I answer phones, take orders, help put a few things together, and other odds and ends. It provides me with oodles of extra time. At first, I started sewing, quilting, cooling, scrapbooking, gardening, etc. Nothing quite stuck as much as the whole jewlery making endeavor. I swear I am hooked.

I just placed an order with fire mountain gems on Thursday the 3rd of July. Cannot wait until it hits the door. Its like Christmas, except I paid for it! Don't care, not a single bit, because half the time I forget what it was I ordered.

My mother in law has made a special request for a necklace with clear and smoky colored quartz crystals. I think it will be fantastic. I especially like the tan leather cord I am going to use! As much as I would like to, I cannot take creadit for the design this time. I think she saw somethinkg similar to it on Dillards website. Regardless, I am happy to have a customer, mother in law or not.

Coming up.... I am getting information together to host a jewelry party!!!! The prospect of having girlfriends over to wine, dine, and shop is very exciting; however, I just wonder what they will think of my designs. Furthermore, what will I do if I don't sell the volume I anticipate, or even worse, nothing at all. Its giving me butterflies just thinking about it. God, help me! But I wouldn't be making jewlery if I didn't think I had a shot, so I'll focus on the task at hand!

I am going to get off here and get back to work. Today is a lazy day at work for me, the guys are out installing a big set of signs at the new Western Kentucky Orthopaedics building and I am in the office answering the few random calls that come in. QUIET!! I can get down to busienss now!

TTYL~ Brenna

-think I am really gonna get into the blog thing!