Daily Blogs : beading business

How to Package Your Designs for Bead Shows or Magazines

Michelle M. — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:58:00 GMT

Well, I’ve got my tickets and hotel booked to go to Bead Fest Portland. I can’t wait! I get to spend 4 days beading with a bunch of other happy, eager beaders. I don’t know about you, but that’s simply heaven to me, and the fact that Portland is such a beautiful city is just icing on the cake....(read more)

7 Ways to Turn a Jewelry Shopper into a Buyer

Michelle M. — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:20:00 GMT

Yes, it's true: part of my job is to go to shows and look at the jewelry. I'm not sure how it happened exactly, but it was also part of my job to help launch Bead Fest, and ever since that first one seven years ago, it's been part of my job to pitch in at our shows as well, helping people find their workshops or checking hand stamps at the door. It's never actually been part of my job to shop at any show, but sometimes that happens, too. ...(read more)

How to Make Bracelets That Fit

Michelle M. — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:42:00 GMT

A few years ago I tried my hand at being a retail jewelry designer, with my line consisting of mostly bracelets. I’ll admit, I really stunk at it. Not only were my designs a bit out of touch (too funky) for my mostly middle-aged Midwestern market, many of the bracelets were sized too small! I quickly discovered that not everyone has a 7 1/2" wrist....(read more)

How to Sell at Craft Shows During Tough Times

Michelle M. — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:30:00 GMT

If you do craft shows, you know show season is upon us and it’s time to dust off the canopy and prepare for the warm months ahead and a busy schedule. There are so many fun things about doing craft shows: getting outdoors, meeting new people, developing relationships with customers and other artists, and making money! Doing craft shows is also very hard work and there’s been lots written on how to assure success at shows. You’ve probably heard a lot of it. Make eye contact, don’t sit all day, encourage people to come into your booth. ...(read more)

Organize Your Bead Studio

Michelle M. — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 11:58:00 GMT

I woke up this morning and the ground was covered with snow. Even after all the signs of spring had come--robins, worms, one robust thunderstorm, and the premature donning of t-shirts and shorts in 45° weather—this is what we get? Yes . . . a big reminder of why Minnesota isn’t over-populated....(read more)

How to Name Your Jewelry Projects

Michelle M. — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:49:00 GMT

You remember the famous line Shakespeare’s Juliet says to her Romeo, “What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Well, I beg to differ, Miss Capulet. Here in the Stringing and Beadwork offices, we place high importance on names, or, in our case, titles. For instance, would you, dear Beading Daily reader, prefer to make a project called Red and White Beads on Steel Wire Necklace or Beach-ball Bling? I rest my case....(read more)

5 Shopping Tips for the Tucson Bead Shows

Michelle M. — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:16:00 GMT

Usually the weather in Minnesota at this time of year makes people cuss and throw things. But I’m happily whistling away as I pack up beading kits and my Bermuda shorts. You see, I get to join 60,000 of my rock, gem, and beading enthusiast buddies and head down to Tucson, Arizona in a couple weeks! ...(read more)

Match Your Jewelry to Your Neckline

Michelle M. — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 09:30:00 GMT

In the winter issue of Stringing, editor Danielle Fox wrote a great article titled "Jewelry Rules: How to Accessorize 5 Favorite Tops." The basic idea is that different types of necklines work best with different types of jewelry. I found the article fascinating--probably because I've figured this out only with a lot of trial and error....(read more)

5 Tips for Launching Your Personal Website

Michelle M. — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:37:00 GMT

You need to have a website, Jean. I wonder how many times I heard that before I actually did something about it. It wasn’t that I didn’t want a website. The reality was that I just didn’t know where to begin. The whole thing seemed so daunting and costly that I chose instead to become Cleopatra, Queen of D’Nile. ...(read more)

Fearlessly Creative: An Interview with Kristal Wick

Michelle M. — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 07:41:00 GMT

Kristal Wick is one of those folks who sparkle with creativity-- just take a look at her colorful new book, Fabulous Fabric Beads! I was lucky enough to catch a few minutes with Kristal before she took off to the International Quilt Show in Houston. I asked her about her signature beads, her love of color, making mistakes, and current projects. I loved her advice about creating fearlessly and listening to yourself--and your customers!--Michelle Mach, Beading Daily editor...(read more)

How to Write Your Artist Bio

Michelle M. — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 06:31:00 GMT

If you’ve ever submitted a piece of jewelry to a magazine, book, or bead show, you’ve had to sit down and write a few sentences about yourself. “Oh, that’s easy!” might have been your first thought. But then you actually tried to do it. Chances are you couldn’t limit yourself to just three sentences. Or, worse yet, you couldn’t come up with that many!...(read more)

Behind the Scenes of Stringing Magazine

Michelle M. — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:13:00 GMT

I don’t know about you, but I’m kind a sucker for those "the-making-of" special features included on DVDs these days. You know, the laugh reels, the director’s commentary, the short history documentaries that provide a backdrop to the movie. I’m not the only one, right?...(read more)

Advice on Naming Your Jewelry Business

Michelle M. — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:49:00 GMT

Today I'm sharing some questions and answers from past Bead Biz columns in Beadwork magazine. The author of the column, Viki Lareau, has been in the jewelry-making business for more than 20 years. Viki is the author of Marketing and Selling Your Handmade Jewelry: The Complete Guide to Turning Your Passion into Profit.--Michelle Mach, Beading Daily editor...(read more)

Jazzing Up Your Beadwork Photos

Michelle M. — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:42:00 GMT

The way you shoot beadwork photos is important, even if the results are used only to show Aunt Milly in Poughkeepsie what's been keeping you from her Sunday pot roasts. But if you’re using your beadwork to make money, good photos are especially important. They not only record your work, but also market it. ...(read more)

3 Simple Steps to Better Beadwork Photos

Michelle M. — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:26:00 GMT

How big a difference does a good photo make? Fair or not, it can be the deciding factor in making a sale, winning a contest, or gaining entry to a show. I'm not just saying that--my own experience is proof....(read more)