Be Profitable in Your Jewelry Business...

Five short years ago, I decided to start my own jewelry business. Having zero knowledge of anything beyond making one pattern of a bracelet and some very simple earrings, I was pretty much on my own. I had done direct sales before, so I wasn't totally lost in the business arena, but I was clueless on how to run a jewelry business, let alone a successful one. I really can't remember how I ran across this particular website 5 years ago, but it has probably been my most used resource for starting and continuing to run my business today.

The Home Jewelry Business Success Resource operated by Rena Klingenberg is probably one of the THE most used web resources for people wanting to start their own jewelry business. Rena like other great leaders in the world recognizes that she doesn't have the answers to everything, although she knows quite a lot, has created this wonderful website, chocked full of valuable information from her knowledge as a business owner and designer as well as other business owners around the world, and her site has become a huge success!

When you visit Home Jewelry Business Success Resource, (we'll call it BSR for now), what you'll find is a mini operated Small Jewelry Business Administration, is what I like to call it. There is information on everything from how to start your business, to pricing, to taking photos, to building websites, starting blogs and the list goes on and on, literally on the left side of the page.

Rena also has a newsletter that comes out twice a month, that is a must receive for anyone in the business, plus, you'll receive USEFUL mini tips all month long from she and other readers. I emphasize useful because there is always some tid bit of information I can use. Rena's mailings are probably the longest running correspondence I've ever elected to receive! AND, I'm not finished...then there's the Jewelry Business Blog, where you'll find tutorials, and photos, e-books and so much more!

Rena has truly been an inspiration to me in my business and starting my own blog. Not only is she a wonderful writer and teacher, but she's also a very talented jewelry designer. If you're thinking about starting your own jewelry business or need help with the one you have, I strongly encourage you to visit BSR, bookmark it, sign up for the newsletters and read often.

If you're familiar with Rena's site, I'd love for you to leave your comments about how her resources have helped you!

Unveiling and sharing,

Help...I Have Less than 48 Hours!

Every once in a while you just have to bite the bullet and do something fun, and that's exactly what is on my agenda for this coming weekend.

Usually Halloween for us consists of giving out candy, attending a Harvest Fest or doing something totally non related, but this year, I'm going to have some good old fun after the porch lights go out, because I'm headed to a Halloween Party!

It has been years, since I dressed up in costume for Halloween. Every year I envy my neighbor as she prepares for the festivities. I've seen everything come out of that house, but I must say my favorite was Smurfette, that topped everything, blue paint and all!

This year, I won't be left behind, I won't let another year go by. I'm going to get all gussied up in my costume and make up, and paint the town...okay, probably won't be painting any towns, but in disguise, who'll know right? I'd love to make up some fun jewelry to wear, oh wouldn't that be fun! BUT....there's one small problem .....I've been sooo busy with 6th grade homework and assignments, that I haven't had time to figure out what to wear!

This is where you come in. I have less than 48 hours to come up with something fun to wear to this Halloween event and I need your serious suggestions. I have a show Saturday morning, so I literally have tomorrow night and about 4 hours Saturday to make this happen. Only rule is keep it clean! Thanks in advance, I'm looking forward to your suggestions!

Unveiling in disguise,

Kazuri - Beads That Change Lives

In 1975, way across the ocean in a little place known as Nairobi, Kenya, Lady Susan Wood, daughter of English Missionaries, set up a fledging business making beads in a small shed in her back garden. She started her business by hiring two disadvantaged women to help make beads and soon realized that there were many more nearby women who were in need of jobs. This idea was the birth of "Kazuri".

As a help center for needy women, especially single mothers who had no other source of income, Kazuri expanded to over 180 women and men, mostly women by 1988. One job holder often provides for an extended family of 20 or more. Workers were trained to make these beautiful beads and jewelry, using clay from the Mt Kenya area, thus giving them authenticity to their craft. Each bead is hand-shaped, and hand painted, with what some call "the kaleidescope colors of Africa", some to include gold and platinum.

Kazuri, the swahili word for "small and beautiful" produces a wide range of beads and jewelry. Now under new ownership, the factory continues to operate under its original philosophy of helping to provide for the disadvantaged and to provide a safe and enjoyable working environment for their crafts people. Kazuri beads are Fair Trade goods, much different from Free Trade. Fair Trade workers are provided safe work conditions, no child labor, and they are paid "living wage". Kazuri workers are also paid a little more than living wage. Profit from Fair Trade good purchases provide funding for clothing, education, housing, and medical benefits. With few job opportunities in Kenya today, the Kazuri factory is a welcome "gathering spot" for those fortunate crafters who have been lucky enough to obtain jobs.

Small and beautiful they may be, but they definitely speak bold and fabulous in any finished piece of jewelry.

I love using Kazuri beads and will a few more new designs for the holidays coming out soon .

Until next time, "unveil" and don't be shy about it!
Dee

Too find out more about Kazuri beads and how you can sponsor a non-for-profit fund raiser in your area, contact Kazuri USA. Turtleneck Jewelry is one of my favorite distributors of Kazuri beads, please visit.

Watch Me Create - Designing for XY

Please visit my newest post over at Watch Me Create and read all about what was going on inside my creative head when I created "Ode to Barney Fife".

Unveiling,

Eye Candy Drive By....

My head is spinning from all I have to do. I forgot an important thing or two. To all who've stopped by, expecting something new, my apologies run deep, I just don't know what to do. Middle school homework has taken over my life, so tonight I leave you with "Ode to Barney Fife".

Created recently for my neighbor who's a real hoot of a policeman. He'll be wearing this when he's running his marathon races and on his daily jogs. The jade will give him good luck and the sharks tooth represents masculinity and strength.

Unveiling on a drive by,

Milo's on the loose in Australia!!!

While I've been gone, Milo has been hopping around the world, now he's cutting it loose all the way in Australia, recently seen hunting for Gumnuts!Visit him at Lost Aussie, where today, he played a little Cricket!!

Unveiling and feeling much better!

Flu Season Giveaway!!

Appropriate for this week, since I'm not feeling very well, Angelina Fong has designed the most adorable little tissue holders, and she's offering two lucky winners the opportunity to win one for FREE. Incidentally, Angelina has been sick this week as well. Isn't it Amazing what life's experiences lead us to create. I created something today as well that relates to my illness, will be posting soon as I'm up to taking photos. In the meantime, visit Angelina's Blog and enter for your chance to win!
Unveiling,

My Only Friend Right Now...

Back from my trip to the beach and souvenirs weren't the only thing I returned with!! I had the pleasure of unpacking the Influenza bug last night and I'm feeling pretty bad! Right now, NyQuil, Advil and some flu medication is my only friend.

Please excuse me as I take a break from posting to get over this bug.

Unveiling in chills, sweats and aches all over,

Just What I Needed...

Watching a moonlit ocean from a balcony in Virginia Beach is just what the doctor ordered! Can you guess where I am? I've been waiting for this all year and it finally came. Two much anticipated events in one weekend, and I couldn't ask for more.

I'm writing to you from Virginia Beach, where I'm attending the Virginia SHRM conference. SHRM is a national organization for Human Resource professionals. Every time I attend one, I leave with so much more than I arrived with in terms of knowledge and contacts. The events start tomorrow morning, so today...I bask in the beautiful temperatures, total relaxtion and the breathtaking view.

Even though I totally needed this time away from work and home, the first thing I thought about when I arrived was "Iwish my son were here." I couldn't have asked for better weather and the beach is actually full of people. We both needed the break, but unfortunately school has started. If the weather holds out, I may just have to bring him back for a quick weekend getaway!

Unveiling by moonlight,

Breast Cancer Answers In Art

Girls Night Out is having a Celebrate Pink Weekend to spread awareness about Breast Cancer since this is the first official weekend of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Participants are to blog about Breast Cancer in some form or fashion, that is meaningful. To learn more about participating in this special weekend celebration please visit the Pink Celebration Post.

My contribution tonight is to bring awareness to this awesome online art Gallery called The Breast Cancer Answers Art Gallery. "It is a unique collection of personal artwork from over 25 women and men touched by breast health, including breast cancer. This collection portrays many different emotions, ranging from fear, mourning, and anger, to strength, healing, recovery, and surviving." Works range from portraits, to sculptures to poems and more.

"Many of the artists are breast cancer survivors who rely on art as a coping tool and a useful way to express the emotions surrounding their experiences. Others are friends and family members who have a loved one with breast cancer, or who have lost a loved one to cancer."

I do hope you get a chance to visit this awesome site and after you do, please come back and leave me a comment.

Unveiling in Pink,