Sunday Spotlight: Creative Cove Jewelry Designs

Sunday Spotlight: Creative Cove Jewelry Designs

Posted using ShareThis

Beautiful Gifts For Fall From Artfire

Here are some gorgeous items for fall that you can find on Artfire. I love the fact that I got these items from the shop by color feature on Artfire.

ARRRGGGHHH!

Featured artist today is PiratePixieCrew  She makes fantastic hats as well as cell phone holders.  She does beautiful work and I encourage you to take a moment and browse her shop.  You never know what you may find.  ARRRGGGHHH!

How to Start a Business In This Crazy Economy

So, I'm surfing the net like I seem to spend an inordinate amount of time doing, looking for business ideas for promoting on the web, keeping business records, etc. and I came across this article.  I thought I would share it with all of you since we are all in the same boat with the downturn in the economy.  It's tough to be starting a business now.  Here is the article:

                              Starting

a Jewelry Business
in This Economy?

© by Linda Guzik; all rights reserved

I must be crazy. Downright, pickle-brained crazy.

Starting a jewelry business during the worst economic crisis in recent history? What the hell was I thinking?

I can barely stand to look at my bank account, never mind shell out extra money every time I leave the house to gather supplies upon supplies upon supplies for my magnificent handcrafted masterpieces.

Necklace by Linda Guzik

I reason with myself as logically as I can. I need inventory, right?

I can't possibly set out on my e-commerce venture with just a handful of jewelry designs.

So I spend. A lot. And then I spend some more.

And when I think I'm done spending, well guess what? I'm not.

There's always one more thing I seem to need (or want) for that certain design I've been tinkering on and can't quite seem to get right.

It never ends. The buying, the beading, the ideas just keep coming.

Wires, beads, patterns, stones - I see them in my sleep.

Making jewelry makes me happy. It satisfies my creative drive and yes, it satisfies me to make that blessed sale!

The sale that helps keep my beading habit afloat.

I am not sinking. I am not sinking. I am not sinking.

This is my mantra.

I refuse to read the business headlines. I refuse to look at my retirement portfolio.

I refuse to acknowledge my sons' shrinking college funds.

Even as the dreaded "D" word is being bandied about by financial analysts, journalists and an assortment of Aunts and Uncles who feel the need to remind me that the economy sucks right now, I will not give up.

I refuse to believe that the vast consumer marketplace out there no longer cares about good, quality handmade products.

I believe there is a market out there for the small craftspeople who create unique, artistic, and often one-of-a-kind items.

Yes, the economy stinks.

Yes, jewelry, in particular, is an impulse buy.

But it's a "feel good" buy, too.

And in this economy, we all need that little something to boost our spirits now and again.

Maybe it's a nice glass of wine at the end of the night that makes us feel good.

Maybe it's a really decadent piece of chocolate, or a lovely dinner out with friends.

Or maybe, just maybe, it's a "one of a kind" piece of jewelry that your friends and family have never seen the likes of before, something that makes that special outfit you have, or even a pair of blue jeans, look not just fantastic, but unforgettable!

Call me crazy.

I prefer to say I'm hopeful and maybe a bit of a fool, but this beading fool is not going anywhere.

And neither am I and neither should you, no matter what you are selling, jewelry or not, keep on keeping on and be better, not bitter!

Featured Artisans From Artfire

.Today I thought I would try to feature some of my fellow artisans.  With Mother's Day and Easter coming up, I will try to feature items with that theme so here they are:

This stunning pendant is the work of Sandy of Jewelry by Sandy.  Her wire working is just unbelievable.  Can you believe someone use wire and a pair of pliers and come up with that?

Here's her link http://www.jewelrybysandy.artfire.com

This gorgeous clock was created by Larry.  He does beautiful wood work.  His shop is www.chelsealynndesigns.artfire.com 

Stop in and check out his designs. They are great!!

Creative Haven and I share part of the same name and the same love of semi-precious gemstones.  I think your Mom would love this. Click here to go to her creativehaven

I think that's about it for today, so have a great day and Happy Shopping

Indie Spotting

The flu bug has hit our house so I have been busy nursing everyone and myself.  I have neglected my blog and my shop.  No new items added, but a bright spot in my week was having my Pretty in Pink necklace featured on Indie Spotting.  To view it just go to www.indiespotting.com.  I also have a show coming up at the Fur Rendezvous.  I will be in the Fourth Avenue Marketplace Feb. 27, 28, and March 1st.  I just took the buy handmade pledge today.  I am going to try to start buying gifts from my peers in the handmade business and I encourage you all to do the same.  It promotes the economy and gives you something unique to give or keep for yourself.. Take care all

New items added to my shop at http://creativecovejewelrydesigns.artfire.com

Happy Monday!! I just finished sprucing up my shop on Artfire.com and would love for you to stop by and check it out. I added a beautiful blue opalite beaded necklace and a gorgeous green jasper and marcasite pendant necklace. Either would look great on you!! They are very versatile pieces. It is definitely a Monday. My husband and I spent the weekend trying to photograph jewelry.... he doesn't like any shadow or reflection, while I like the sparkle that the reflection gives. Oh well, onward we go into another week.