Why should you buy handmade and support a small business?

Have you ever thought about why you should buy handmade and support a small business?  As a handmade jewelry designer and owner/designer of a small business, I have to think of things like that.  Whenever I see an article or title on this subject, I immediately read it.  I want to know what others think.

This is what I think and these are only my ramblings.  I may discuss other opinions later.  

1.  Artist have a passion inside them that needs to get out. We have to create. Because of our creative nature, many times we evolve into what we begin our small business into.  That is another post for another day.  But when we settle on our 'thing', we put our heart and soul into it.  This is the artistic reason.

2.  An artist with a small business needs to support their passion.  I typically only impulse shop when it comes to jewelry supplies.  Unless we are wealthy, which most artist aren't, we have to sell our designs to keep creating.  When there have been times I haven't been able to create, I feel it inside my soul. That need to get it out.  It's hard to explain.  This is the ugly truth.

3.  Sometimes our small business helps make ends meet.  It helps pay bills, allow us to eat out, go on vacation, etc.  It provides for the extras, and sometimes the necessities.  This is the other ugly truth.

4.  We aren't a big box store or a 3rd world country make items cheaply or shabbily.  An artist takes pride in their designs.  Because we create handmade, our designs are a reflection of ourselves.  We don't want to be embarrassed by poor workmanship or cheap materials.  We are the face of our business. This is the heart reason.

I am through rambling for now.  I would love to know what you think of my thoughts and what your thoughts are on the subject also.

#handmade #small business #jewelry #passion #artist

Redoing my blog and email list

It has been over 3 1/2 years since I have posted on a blog.  Today, a friend helped me 'reboot' and we figured out how to convert my old blog onto this new one I created.  I haven't figured out but a smidgen but, stand by and follow me and you will see it evolve.

On that note, I am also trying to evolve in my handmade jewelry biz.  I am either constantly updating listings, my photo's, designing new items, or studying how to be a better entrepreneur.  Revamping and updating the blog as well as creating an email list are two BIG items in my plan.

If you want to be a VIP with designs by susan, please join my email list .  I will send you first looks, special discounts, and, yes, giveaways.  When you sign up, I will also send you a special coupon code for 20% off your next purchase in my Etsy shop.

Look for me more often and, give me a holla!

Wow, I am shocked.

Time sure does fly!  Last time I posted anything was September....bet y'all thought I fell off the ends of the earth.  Sitting here watching the superbowl commercials and thought I would post about my new tags and my new bracelet style.  Would love to hear back from you!

MY TAGS!!!!!!!!

I am sooooo excited I can hardly stand myself....I commissioned Mamacita Beadworks to create a tag, unique to ONLY designs by susan! I designed the bead and Mamcita created it for me out of pewter. No one else in the world will have this tag. IT IS MINE FOR MY DESIGNS. Can you tell I'm excited? Because of the cost to me, I am only going to add them to my higher end pieces....Come on, celebrate with me!

Charm Bangle

Can I brag and tell you how incredibly in love with this bracelet I am? OK, I am so in love with it. There, I said it. This bangle is .999 Fine Sterling Silver (better than the .925 of regular Sterling Silver). Then I used 20 gauge Sterling Silver Plate wire to wrap around it and coil at the ends. I wired wrapped Fresh Water Pearls in different shapes, Swarovski Crystals and Glass Pearls. I threw in some other beads to add a little color. So, what do you think? I only purchased 2 of the bangles right now cuz they are a little expensive and want to see what you thought. $45

 

 

a quick small challenge for you!

one of the bloggers I follow list 3 things she is thankful for each day. she does what happened that day but I don't want to be limited to that, so, I am going to start today! I challenge you to do they same thing, in your own way. tell your child, husband/wife, best friend, blog it, tweet it, comment on mine, email your friends...or just thank God. hope to hear from you sometime!

 1. clean sheets
2. a job, no matter how hard or difficult the situation
3. my county.

so, are you up for the challenge?

my cousins designs and mine

my cousin is a designer like myself.  i currently do jewelry, she does handbags.  i would love to one day purchase one of her beautiful designs but can't right now.  each one is created in her mind and has a biblical story behind it that she shares.  i would love for you to check her and her designs out.  this is her link and you won't be sorry: http://www.facebook.com/#!/scarletcloverdesigns.

 

she encourages me and has invested in some of my designs.  this is what i designed for her so far:

 

 

these charms respresent the symbolism of her designs.  each on tells a story.  you should read about them.  this is in sterling silver and slowly but surely, we will add more to it.

 

she also likes my sari silk designs.  this is the latest thing i made her

 

 

and this one.

 

 

 

she wanted a bracelet to match so this is what i created for her today.  shhhh, she hasn't seen it yet.

 

 

 

 

 

are you familiar with fair trade and sari silk and sari yarn?  find out about the women who benefit from these purchases to support their families here:

http://www.darngoodyarn.com/

 

so, i'm writing this blog so you can learn more about heidi bonwell and scarlet clover designs and also, show you a little more about my designs.  oh, and fair trade too!

 

let me know if you found our face book pages and like us!  we are all three here:

http://www.facebook.com/designsbysusan

http://www.facebook.com/#!/scarletcloverdesigns

and

http://www.facebook.com/#!/DGYarn

 

 

 

 

 

It's been a while...

so, it's been a while since I've blogged.  why, well first, writing is not easy for me or even something I like to do.  don't even know if I do it well.  (btw, my son HATES that I use lower case letters but there is just something about them.  I also love fonts but there are not many to choose from here).  I digress.  anyway, another reason it is hard for me to blog is because I don't think anyone out there reads this.  I have become addicted to blogs, especially jewelry blogs.  I follow about a hundred and it is hard to keep up.  seriously.  I see so many people reading and commenting on other blogs but...ok, enough whining.

here are a few new designs I created.  Fair Trade Sari Silk and Yarn has become part of my latest and I am liking it.  it is hard to create designs that are not something that you would be drawn to or normally wear.  that is what I am trying to do with the Sari Silk.  and guess what, customers are liking it and making purchases.

speaking of purchases, a friend prayed over me recently as I have been so stressed about money. she approaches God and prayer a little differently than I do but I sure needed the intercession.  God's timing is rarely ours but He is blessing me this month and I am very thankful.  I am also thankful for friends who will pray over, for and despite me!

Combining two pieces, both with Sari Silk and/or yarn. Antique Sterling Silver Plated chain on both pieces.

The purple beaded drop necklace have each bead individually wired wrapped to dangle along each chain link. I used a swirled hook on the side for the clasp. Sari Yarn in mainly purple hues finish the back. I used black Chinese Silk cord to wrap and finish the ends. Matching earrings complete the design.
$35 Necklace
$10 Earrings

The second piece has both Sari Silk and Yarn in the design, finished with the Chinese black Silk cord and pink hemp cord. I through in some Bali Silver beads to accent the silk, yarn and chain. $35

To read more about Fair Trade Sari Silk and Yarn, go to:
http://www.darngoodyarn.com/

This piece has both Sari Silk and Yarn in he design, finished with the Chinese black Silk cord and pink hemp cord. I through in some Bali Silver beads to accent the silk, yarn and chain. $35

Fair Trade Sari Silk and Sari Yarn creates depth to this design. The Silk shimmers a deep blue and/or black, depending on the light. The Yarn has variegated colors but primarily black. I secured them with Chinese Silk Cord to a Sterling Silver Plate chain. To pick up the shimmer of the Silk, I added a few Fire Polish Beads that are beautiful as they catch the light. A silver tone pendant with a midnite black center finishes off the look. $38

hope you like these....I will post more later this week.  love to hear from you. truly!

Fun with Angles

I'm having a lot of fun using my new/old dress form and different camera angles...what do you think?

A design of colored fresh water pearls, mother of pearls, shell and antique brass beads intertwined at various levels on antique brass chains, resulting in a triple chained adjustable length necklace. $60



Coupled with another fun necklace: I layered lots of antiue brass and a few antiqued copper pieces to create this unique necklace. Swarovski Crystals and Glass Pearls accent some of the focal points. It is very light weight and is adjustable in length for your neckline. I love the double link antique brass chain too! $45



I will be very interested to hear what you think about this design. I took different silver tone chains, large, matted, oblong, round and small. I added white ribbon and white cords along with Sari Silk in a shimmering silver hue. (The Sari silk fabric scraps in the design were once on the cutting room floor in a factory half way around the world. Instead of being thrown out, they are sewn together by women in Nepal and India, which provides those women with a way to make a sustainable living in otherwise poverty stricken conditions.) This is considered a Fair Trade Fabric Design. I braided the three groupings together and finished it up with a matted silver chain that measures 28 inches. It is adjustable for your neckline so wear it short or long.
$42

Either way, let me know what you think!

Huge Fresh Water Baroque White Pearls, individually wire wrapped in the rosary design. Accented with AB crystals, teardrop and bicone shape that picks up all the colors and simply shimmers with them. Wish you could see them! A beautiful silver chain adds more class to the design. Adjustable for your neckline but average is 18". $38

Antique silver links and chains of different shapes are surrounded by lovely glass pearls. Each one is individually wire wrapped for security. The necklace measures 24 inches and has colors of shimmery blues, fushias, greens and silver "Cherries Jublilee"!
$32

Different hues of gold and antique gold chain accent the rich color of these glass pearl beads. Another style in the “Black Eyed Pea” collection of glass pearls; shades of light and medium cream, black, brown, two-tone black and brown, off white, mocha, bronze in 12mm, 10mm, 8mm and 6mm in size. Each pearl is wire wrapped onto the individual chain. The necklace measures a little over 27 inches. The earrings are part of the set.
necklace $32 

Huge Fresh Water Baroque White Pearls, individually wire wrapped in the rosary design. Accented with AB crystals, teardrop and bicone shape that picks up all the colors and simply shimmers with them. Wish you could see them! A beautiful silver chain adds more class to the design. Adjustable for your neckline but average is 18". $38

I hung a glass pearl necklace with it (even though I know it doesn't go together). Antique silver links and chains of different shapes are surrounded by lovely glass pearls. Each one is individually wire wrapped for security. The necklace measures 24 inches and has colors of shimmery blues, fushias, greens and silver "Cherries Jublilee"!
$32

Red coral and antique brass beads look striking with the large yellow genuine dyed Turquoise gemstone nuggets. You will get so many compliments (if I do say so myself :)) Measures 23 inches. $52

hello?  anyone out there????