Finding Your Voice and Niche In Your Art

It seems like when we are first learning to make beads, we are told to "find our voice" and pick an area in which to specialize. And I know I'm always telling beadmakers, that for selling online, you will be more successful if you specialize in one area, so that buyers know that if they need something specific, you are that "go to" person.

I've found someone who has done both, and I think you should notice what she's doing. Meet Jenny of EmbellishYourself on Etsy.

Jenny's niche is lampwork glass jewelry for Blythe or similar sized dolls (Barbie, Pullip, etc). If you aren't familiar with them, my definition is slightly edgy dolls for modern women. I love them. Their eyes change colors and you can even buy crazy wigs in all colors and styles and Converse high top shoes for them.

Jenny makes fun stuff for these dolls. I can't help but smile, when I see her little skullies, cupcakes and she even has a cute little frog necklace too.

Jenny told me that for years she had wanted to sell what she makes, but at the time she said she wasn't making something that really stood out from what others were doing. She didn't want to be a copy cat. It was important to make something unique.

When Jenny found Etsy, she noticed Blythe and found all kinds of neat fashions for her. She said she couldn't resist a doll who wears Doc Martens. She came across the book, This Is Blythe by Gina Garan where Blythe is shown doing lots of things in great clothes.

Because there were all kinds of accessories, but not jewelry, Jenny found her niche. Blythe is her muse and was her inspiration to get involved in the Blythe community. Since she is a jewelry and a beadmaker, this was the perfect match.

I'm particularly impressed that Jenny says what a joy it is to take photos of her product. She dresses up her doll and has fun with it. I think there are a lot of us who would like to enjoy that part of our business more.

Currently, Jenny is working on some coordinating owner and doll necklaces. They'll be added soon.

If you want to learn and see more about Blythe and her jewelry collection, visit Jenny's blog and Flickr page. Her shop has great product photos where you can see Blythe with her different wigs, jewelry and wardrobe.

So now I'm asking you, what is your specialized area? If you're still looking, can you tie in one passion with another? I love how Jenny has combined both to carve out her very own specialized niche and think there is a unique one out there for most of us.

Inspired by the Sea

I think you know that anything ocean and beach related really appeals to me. I'm sure growing up on the Connecticut coast and swimming in the ocean had a lot to do with it. (Remind me to tell you my jellyfish story sometime. Sometimes I was a little bit naughty as a child.)

So you can imagine my happiness at being included in the lovely treasury, "Inspired by the Sea" by Luv2Have on Etsy. (She makes wonderful fused glass pendants!

My lampwork bead is in the upper left corner. I made it using a stainless steel hollow tube and two colors of glass. I'm still working on improving them, but have some listed in various colors in my Studio Marcy etsy shop.

And of course I'd like one of each of everything else too. I just recently bought a bunch of sea urchins. I've been making them out of glass for quite a while in a stylized manner, but would like to make a few that are more realistic too. (mine are a bit "pungent" right now. They're outside.

Don't forget that these treasuries are ephemeral. This one will just be up through 6/1/09. Feel free to take a copy of this photo, if you want it for inspiration.

So now you know that one of my loves is the ocean and beach. Do you have a category that you adore also? What is it? I'd love to know.

Saved By Deb Dunk

Do you sometimes get a bit frazzled when under a quick time crunch? I do. And during one of my more recent ones, artist Deb Dunk of Dunk Designs pulled me out of it.

I received the ISGB's email with the deadlines, and realized that I hadn't printed this year's postcard and it's due by June 30th.

Drat. I knew I had to get going on this project right away. I'll be out of town for a lot of June.

I am not a graphic artist. I barely squeak by on the most minor things. And with my typical adventurous spirit, I chose to try a different online printer, who I had not worked with before. Double drat. I thought all online companies had an easy to use program that allowed the person to add copy over a photo after it was uploaded. I found out otherwise AFTER I had already paid for the postcards. I could handle the front of the postcard with my single photo, but I needed help for the back side. I hear hard lessons learned are the best. Well, this was a good one. Not sure how many new gray hairs and extra consumed calories over this one.

So I went to my favorite resource, Etsy.com and did a search for "custom postcard graphics" and scanned through the results. I immediately was drawn to "DunkDesigns" and her style.

I messaged her and it was so very lucky that Deb had some time available to help me. What a find! She's a delight and came up with this design for the back of my postcard, which was just what I was imagining- but much better.

Deb is an artist. So if you need some illustrations, invitations or other art related help, she seems to do it all.

This blog post has been brought to you as a public service. If you are submitting postcards for the Gathering, get them done now. If you are adventurous and just charge into something without reading carefully first, slow down. Luckily for me, it all turned out just fine. Only three more gray hairs out of it.

See you tomorrow!

Cheaper by the Bakers Dozen Cupcake Glass Beads

I had an inquiry from an online bakery specializing in cupcakes. We discussed a wholesale price for cupcakes.

Now I know that a lot of artists don't do wholesale, but I have a different opinion. If the details are spelled out carefully and agreed upon, then it can be a win/win situation.

But back to cupcakes. Part of the fun for me, was trying to figure out what types of cupcakes to offer. I reviewed her website, and then thought about what would I want to make multiples of at the price we agreed upon. (and decided that I was pretty open as long as the cupcake wasn't too detailed)

Here are four samples of the many that I came up with. I first made a list of what colors cake bases might be. Then I went to frosting colors and then I have a separate column for decorations. By writing out my ideas, it's easier to make an assortment, once I get to the torch, than having to think them up as I go. I'm a list person through and through.

Do you sell wholesale? And if so, do you have any pointers for our readers? And of course the other thing I want to know is...what's your favorite type of cupcake? I think mine would be rum cake with pineapple frosting and lots of coconut sprinkles, I've never seen one, but it sounds good.

See you tomorrow!

Making Your Own Headpins

Do you belong to Beaders Showcase?

I really enjoy that they strongly encourage videos to be posted there. I recently watched one on making your own headpins.

Here is the link to the How To Make Your Own Headpins.

I hadn't realized that it's so easy to do. I'm not sure that I want to make all of my headpins, but there are times in which an extra long one is needed. Or now that I have watched it, I think there are other things I might want to do with fine silver. I just need to think of what they may be. Got any ideas?

Of course it wouldn't be so much fun if a torch wasn't involved. The Creative Jeweler, who made this video, said even a creme brulee kitchen torch would work. I guess that's an excuse to go buy something else that's shoots fire. Woo hoo! I like those tools.

Do you make your own headpins or something else that is really easy? Tell me about it. I'm always interested in acquiring new skills. Especially if they involve just a touch of danger.

See you tomorrow-

Handmade Chic & Interview Chatter

I was so delighted to be featured on Handmade Chic's blog. It's a fun feature with bead photos and an interview.

It's written by Rachel of Inferno Glass Beads, also a lampwork artist and jewelry designer.

When asked to provide information for an interview, it's always good to think about the audience who reads it. Will the information be too technical or broad enough? Are they fellow glassies who read it, or folks who are perhaps just like to look.

I think a good mix of art/craft information, with a generous smattering of personal detail, is about right. I don't think the reader wants to know too much about me, but perhaps a bit that helps them relate to who I am and why I create my style of art. Sometimes I get a little silly like in this interview, where I reveal something that I have been trying to learn for many, many years, but still have not mastered.

Hope you enjoy it. Please comment, so Rachel knows you stopped by. And I hope your next interview is fun to write and just the perfect mix of information. See you tomorrow!

CIM's New Colors, Frantz's New Blog & More!

Starting today, these five new Creation is Messy (CIM) colors are available through Frantz Art Glass.

I was interested to see them, as I'm a big fan of CIM glass as a supplement to my other 104 COE brands.

Along with the new colors, Frantz has rolled out a blog, which you might have already seen. I like Patricia's beads which illustrate what she's talking about. It gives me a visual which is so helpful.

The top photo is Commando with Triton dots and goldstone swirls by Patricia Frantz. Not only is it a pretty bead, but it shows the variegation in the glass, which is important. A lot of CIM colors seem to do that.

The second photo is Olive with a pink and black dragged design. You know, the top photo with the 5 colors made me think there was more distinction between the two greens. These two colors makes me wonder if they are closer in hue, than they appear. I will probably choose one shade to try first. (and undoubtedly, end up with both at some point.) I already have the deep and lovely olive shade from Lauscha, which I have loved for years. GlassDaddy has been a great source for my Lauscha glass. And besides Frank DeRosa is "dad" to one of my local glass buddies, Jill Symons.

Right now, Admantium is not doing it for me, but the other four have possibilities. I have a feeling I'll end up eating my words about the Admantium too. It's hard for me to find a color I can't find a use for.

So tell me what you think. Which of the five colors do you like? If you were given samples of all 5 colors, which shade would you pick up first? Which would be last. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Tuesday to you.