Weekly Update 8/11/2014

As always lots of new going on in the studio the last few weeks. I can't believe its already August! It makes me sad summer only lasts a few months here in New York!  I love the warm weather, laying out on the deck, soaking up the sun. How can you have a bad day when its beautiful out!

Here are some of the quartz points I shared last update all finished. I have two stone choices, labradorite and tigers eye.

My best friends dog Bailey. She is a little seal baby water pup. I love her she likes to go swimming everyday if she could.

A glimpse of different made to order rings all available for purchase.  Also I just ordered 14mm trillion cut (like the labradorite above) pink amethyst stones :)

Garnet Gallery Ring, Pink Tourmaline in Gold/Silver, Garnet Posts, Labradorite Stackers

A bunch of new made to order and customs on the bench. This is the first step of making a piece. Creating a fitted bezel.

A little progress in this shot, the bezels have been created, and matching ring shanks. Freshly pickled in acid to remove any fire scale.

My hair has been growing for months after getting a pixie cut last year. Im finally at a very short bob stage yay! Thinking about doing a blogpost on cutting your hair into a pixie and then growing it out.

A custom pendant and earring set I recently made. This stone is peruvian amazonite. I have rings made to order on my site. I may launch more earrings like this that dangle with the ear wire attached to the bezel.

All of these dreamy blue labradorite were recently launched. These are top grade blue labradorite. One featuring a moon design the others with a beaded wire bezel.

A selection of new labradorite cabochons I recently received. That extra large on in my hand is going to be a big momma! Once I finish a few bridal orders, I am going to start that project.

I have mentioned before I am a huge makeup collector. I really love collecting limited edition releases as well as having a full selection of colors to work with for all seasons. I recently purchased a few goodies from MAC and Chanel. The MAC lipstick and lipliner are my favorite selections from this purchase. MAC Kinda Sexy Lipstick, MAC Whirl Lipliner, Chanel Lipstick In Boy, Chanel Les Beiges.  I find myself time and time again disappointed with Chanels Powders more often than not. I like this one it is beautiful great for a collector not a holy grail by any means.

All lined up for soldering

Empress rings all soldered ready to setting and polishing.

All set moonstone and labradorite Empress rings. The flash on these are beautiful and really pop against the oxidized setting.

I only have two left of these vintage crystal octopus necklaces. The crystals were found in a vintage warehouse.

I ordered this from Etsy seller Lauren Sumner Pottery. She makes these little cat ring trays in two sizes and they are so adorable. Anything Kitty :)

A bridal order I just completed for an old friend. 

Every summer by my house they hold a seafood dinner every Wednesday where they have live music at the beach.  Its a nice break midweek to enjoy family and friends and some good food. I even ran into my cousin. Small world, no just small town ha!

In the studio firing away at ring. 

A few rings at the door, bloodstone, garnet stacks, labradorite single stack, and labradorite trillion cut.

New vintage posts up. Set in brass with a sterling post. 

I shared these on my Facebook a few weeks ago.  I would like to add more gemstone options to the mix. What other stones would you like to see?

I am apart of a group of talented metal smiths who I am proud to call friends! Here are some of their pieces. Our group will start to hold charity auctions every month or so with one piece from each artist and we all will create based on a theme for each challenge. Like our Facebook Page to keep up to date with us (we are still working on the page).

New Om and Heart recycled earrings. 

New sterling Swarovski necklaces, Swarovski launched there new skull beads recently. I thought they were rad so I grabbed a few.

Norwegian Moonstone ring, this I may retire this stone/ring soon. Not sure yet. It has been a great seller but maybe time to feature other stones in this style.

Custom lapis and post earring set I made for a customer. Available made to order.

  More orders out the door. Swarovski on floral band, Green Amethyst Stacker, Mother Of Pearl (Custom request for scalloped bezel) and OOAK Jasper.

 I am so excited to launch my new packaging for all metal orders! Yay for branding!  I am very pleased so far with my upgrades. What do you guys think? All recycled paper, new stamped box, and ships in a box.  My vintage pieces will still ship in bubble mailers.

I have been working with a very established goldsmith in my area privately. I am acquiring new skills daily with his help.  Here is a wax carving I am working on for a 8x8mm trillion cut faceted London Blue Topaz, I will be offering in multiple colors soon!

In the works is this awesome large labradorite pendant with a hand pierced Brass Moon detail.  This will be the back of the necklace! I can't wait to finish :)

My best friends birthday just passed and I made him this custom Anchor necklace. I will be offering these soon in my shop on silver and brass. If you would like to preorder one just shoot me an email @ meshedesigns@yahoo.com

As mentioned above it was my best friends birthday, we went to a lovely rooftop dinner in Long Island City.  The view was breathtaking!

My best friends. My rocks. We celebrated in the Lower East Side later that night, which is our favorite place to go for a good night out. Casual and good crowds.

Kyanite and Amazonite out the door.  Will be retiring this amazonite only have a few stones left!

 Brand new turquoise rings in the shop ready to ship. I am going to source more stones like this.

 A few orders that shipped the other day, Blue Lace Agate, chrome diopside (retired, shape and size of stone no longer available) Peridot posts , garnet posts, and recycled sterling posts.

Brand new Lapis 14KT gold bezel ring. Love the contrast of gold and silver especially on the rich royal blue of lapis.

SUPER SALE - comment sold or email me which piece you are interested in meshedesigns@yahoo.com 

I have the Rose Quartz heart ring size 6 and putting at a super sale price of 30.00 shipped to any US Address for free. International is 10.00

 Tree Agate Size 7 super sale $50.00 shipped shipped to any US Address for free. International is $10.00

Ice Cream Jasper super sale size 7 $50.00 shipped shipped to any US Address for free. International is $10.00

Last super sale of the week, $40.00 shipped to any US Address for free. International is $10.00

Thanks again for stopping in and taking the time to read my blog posts. Every comment, like or share never goes unnoticed.  I have a lot of really exciting things coming up and a big announcement I will be sharing soon :)  Love you guys!

MeShe xx

Etsy Small Business Tips: Christmas Sales

Etsy Small Business Tips: Christmas Sales

This post will focus on solely Christmas Sales for Etsy Small business owners.  Feel free to apply this to any ecommerce site. 

We are now reaching the Nitti gritty there are exactly 13 shipping days left for the Christmas Rush.  You want to pull in those last few sales, but you have had sales in the past and no one uses your coupon code, matter of fact there is no one in your shop.  Let’s grind out the next 13 days and see if these changes can pull in some extra business.

1 – Double Sale

That’s right scary but true do a double dip, offer that extra incentive for your buyer to purchase from you and not the next guy.  With the world wide web being well as big as the world you need to step up to the plate to amount to the other competition.  Sad but true, if you are not a power seller just yet chances are you need the boost of a double sale.

Example:  Free Shipping Off Every Order!

Or

Spend 50.00 Get an additional 10% off

Spend 100.00 Get an Additional 15% Off

Spend 150.00 Get an Additional 20% Off

Scary but true offering discounts starts to make you count on your hands and toes how much your profit is dwindling.  That’s where your wrong, if you are properly pricing your items with a decent profit margin, overhead, packaging, cost of materials, and labor you should be able to swing this type of sale no problem.   Bottom line people love choices especially when saving money.

2 – Liquidating Merchandise

In the process of this sale you will do what you love most besides creating and that’s selling.  Get rid of merchandise to refresh your shop with newer material, and now you will have the income to put back into your business.  Now were starting a pattern, selling! 

3 – Tagging your Sale

You can use sites like Etsy On Sale to add tags in one batch to your items such as sale, Christmas sale, free shipping etc.  When you want to stop the sale you can then remove that tag,  and it will remove them in one batch.  There is a fee for this service but if you never used Etsy on Sale you get four free credits.

You can also put your shop on sale without any promo codes, it will automatically reduce prices by dollar amount or percentage.

Click link below:

http://www.etsyonsale.com/sellers?referralCode=CAWDYS7X43

3-  Promoting Sales:

As part of the Team Etsy Entrepreneurs Holiday Challenge 2011 we are inviting 16 shops to promote one item of there choice to a holiday sale team treasury.  Your item will be featured and in the description of the treasury will state All shops featured in this treasury are running different promotions feel free to click and take advantage of the holiday sales.

All team members participating must post this treasury and promote for the next two weeks by blogging, tweeting, facebook, or share with other promotion teams.

We did a similar challenge in the past that brought a lot of views to our team members.  If successful we can repeat challenge for other holidays such as Valentines Day, Saint Pattys Day, Easter etc.

Link to Etsy Entrepreneurs:

http://www.etsy.com/teams/7978/etsy-entrepreneurs

Happy Sales,

Michelle

Gift Guide 2: Scarf Lovers

Gift Guide 2: Scarf Lovers

With the fall vastly approaching we start to unpack our fall fashions and creating wish lists on our favorite sites.  Scarves are a great accessory that spice up an outfit, it can completely transform your look.  Take a simple sweater and make it jazzy in one two three.

Which led me to this weeks gift guide: scarves!  A great guide for you or if your in need of a gift for a special someone!  I really tried to offer a variety of colors and styles to suite any ones needs!

Gift # 1:  Bows of Love:

Image Belongs to  
http://www.etsy.com/shop/victorianbird?ref=pr_shop_more

Etsy Seller: victorianbird
www.victorianbird.etsy.com

Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/59954460/grey-scarf-with-white-bow-print

Price: 31.03$

I love this scarf a great unique structure with buttons and bows.  This is a little bit rock n roll meets punky meets cute, a fantastic find for that unique individual in your life.  This seller offers other apparel from skirts to shirts to scarves!

Gift # 2: Painting Inspired Scarf

This image belongs to: http://www.etsy.com/shop/OnlyScarf?ref=seller_info

Etsy Seller: OnlyScarf
www.OnlyScarf.etsy.com

Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/79162516/digital-print-linen-scarf-shawl-monet

Price: 110.00

This scarf is simply breathtaking with swirls of color this is a piece of art for the neckline.  Bold yet subtle a great way to incorporate color into your wardrobe if you tend to stick with basic colors.  This seller is a newer etsy shop yet they seem to be offering quality products with a eye catching presentation.

Gift # 3: Chunky Infinity Scarf

Image Belongs to: http://www.etsy.com/shop/JarvisGift?ref=seller_info

Etsy Seller: JarvisGift
www.JarvisGift.etsy.com

Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/66945442/infinity-scarf-copper-extra-large-chunky

Price: 40.00

This scarf makes me want to fall asleep in it, a cozy chunky cowl neck infinity scarf.  These are so versatile you can wrap then into a cozy neck bundle or leave it long and drapey.  Either way this seller offers a variety of colors and styles with a fully stocked shop for this coming season!

Gift # 4: Silk Scarf

Image Belongs to: http://www.etsy.com/shop/KavitaKriti?ref=seller_info

Etsy Seller: KavitaKriti
www.KavitaKriti.etsy.com

Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/72501761/indian-handpainted-luxury-silk-scarf

Price: 46.00

A silk scarf is a great addition for any scarf collector.  You can add a touch of sophistication to any outfit, a great piece to incorporate for the office.  Silk is an elegant fabric for scarves the texture and lightweight provides luxury and comfort all in one.  This seller has a very Moroccan feel to her collection!

Gift # 5: Unisex Scarf

Image Belongs To: 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/necklush?ref=seller_info

Etsy Seller: NeckLush
www.necklush.etsy.com

Listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/37375365/scarf-necklace-necklush-circle-infinity

Price: 74.00

This seller offers a ton of necklace like fabric scarves, fashionable, colorful, and unisex.  A great gift for both men and women.  This seller has fantastic photos and has been featured in a variety of magazines for there brilliant work.  A great unique quality gift that can be treasured for a lifetime!

Enjoy until next time!