And the winner is...

I have the winner of the Team Challenge for January! Our favorite design is Joyce Bevil's 'Daisies and Lace' dress with a total of 4 votes! Second place goes to Jill Milan's anklet, and 3 people tied for 3rd: myself with my 'First Flower of Spring' choker, Wilma Travis's 'Spring Pinks and Greens' bracelet, and Anna Lee Husband's 'Springtime Imagery Study' earrings.

The theme for this challenge was 'Springtime Pastels' and we had many truly fantastic designs entered!

All entries are beautiful and here's a list of those who participated and their designs:

Jamie's First Flower of Spring Choker

Elayne's Groovy Spring Flowers Bracelet

Wilma's Spring Pinks and Greens Bracelet

Diane's Candy and Pearls Necklace

Jann's I Love Pink Set

Lois's Carnelian Carnival Necklace

Jamie's Springtime Branches Choker

Anna Lee's Springtime Imagery Study Earrings

Jill's Entry Anklet

Wezz's The Mermaid's Blues Necklace

Joyce's Tulip Garden Dress

Joyce's Pastels for Spring Dress

Joyce's Daisies and Lace Dress

Theresa's Garden Trellis Bracelet

Joella's Spring is Sprung Bracelet Heather's Think Pink Bracelet

Van's Turtle Medicine Wheel Goard If you want to see these designs for yourself, please visit my Picasa site at http://picasaweb.google.com/creationsbyjae and look for the January Team Challenge 09 album! })i({

New listing on my Etsy shop! Also made a sale!

I listed a new item in my Etsy shop this morning, my first January Challenge entry for the eSMArts team! Please check it out at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20529775 and let me know what you think of it! I tried something different for this design, and I think I like it, the more I look at it. Stepping out of your comfort zone is difficult for sure!

The listing has already been picked up by CheapTweet. If you want to vote for it, go here and click on the 'Cheap!' button!

On another positive note, I woke up this morning to a sale! My Monet Bling Ring is packaged carefully in its envelope and waiting to be mailed to MA this afternoon! Woohoo!!!

My friend and fellow teammate Wilma has been chosen for an Etsy treasury! Check out the treasury here and check out all the cool 'Aquafied' items, including Whimsey's 'Swirling Seas' lampwork beads. They are gorgeous and I want them bad!!!

Enjoy the eye candy and let me know what you think! })i({

Etsy Teams Newsletter

I am way behind in writing blogs, but as usual, I do several at the same time. Sorry folks, so much to write about, so little time!

Our Etsy street team eSMArts has a mention in the last issue of the Etsy Teams Newsletter! Woohoo!

I wrote the following post for the newsletter, and although it came out a week late it still helps promote us as a whole!

Read on...

'"eSMArts January Happenings

eSMArts is hard at work for the New Year! There is a fantastic January Challenge in the works with a theme of pretty pastels, just in time for spring. eSMArts members are asked to work with pretty spring colors and fix up a wonderful project (or two) for the team to vote on at the end of the month. Maybe this will brighten up those dreary winter months!

eSMArts is also working hard to fill up the team etsy shop with a contest! Team members are listing inexpensive items (around $20 or less) through the end of this week and then doing a Twitter/blog blast to encourage customers to send a direct twitter message or blog comment. Customers who do so will be entered into a drawing to win a $10 eSMArts gift certificate compliments of Lois Linquist (A Beaded Affair)!"'

Yay to us!!! })i({

Learning more about Theresa, of Studio 618

For the past 20+ years, I’ve been working as an architect. My projects range from small residential remodeling to multi-million dollar corporate headquarters and public institutions. After years of being on the more technical side of architecture, watching my designs being built by the construction trades, I longed to use my own hands to create. This gratification comes in the form of jewelry-making. Now I have the best of both worlds, from macro to micro scales, offering design and technical challenges that keep me up at night.

I joined the Etsy artisan community in the mid 2008, and it opened a whole new experience to me. The benefits of buying from independent handmade artists are tremendous. Since marketing is not my strength, I joined one of the Etsy teams - Etsy Social Marketing Arts Guild. The goal of this team is “further understanding and applying eCommerce advertising and promotion techniques.”

Our members consist of artisans across the globe, working with all art medium.

My jewelry is available through the team shop http://esmarts.etsy.com, at local art shows and through my online store http://studio618.etsy.com under the name Studio 618. My blog http://studio618.blogspot.com reflects my creations, my various interests, issues important to me, and much more. So come on by, say hello, and let me know what you think.

As an additional note: Theresa is one of the most helpful and kind people you would meet in eSMArts or anywhere for that matter. Her jewelry often reflects her religion, judiaca and is simple yet elegant. I really wish her the best success and can't wait to see what she does next! })i({

Esmarts Gift Cert Grab - Friday 1/9

The Esmarts Team Shop at Etsy was created in the spirit of "PAYING IT FORWARD". The Team has jumped on board and loaded it with scrumptious new listings for you to peruse. In that spirit we'd like to give a bit back to all of our readers and buyers by running a contest on Twitter and our blogs. All you have to do to enter the contest is leave a comment mentioning the contest here on A Beaded Affair, the Esmarts Team Blog or Direct Message @abeadedaffair on Twitter and you might win the $10.00 Gift Certificate in the drawing on Saturday which you can use in the Esmarts Team Shop . Gift Cert donated by A Beaded Affair at Etsy. Take a chance, have some fun, enter our contest and win $10.00.Just a few of the new items donated by the talented members of EsmartsContest runs from Noon Friday January 9 (that's tomorrow folks) til Midnight.On Saturday we will announce the winner here!!!This weeks donations by Creations by Jae, dgdesignstx, SandTCreations, The World of Wezz, Chic Hats and More, Gahooletree, Studio618 and Wilma's Whimseys. Visit these Etsy shops for more exciting hand crafted goodies.

When you snooze you lose. If you didn't check out the Esmarts Team Store on Tuesday you missed donations by M5 Creative Corners which sold right away.

One more note, Coastal Artist has reduced the price on 3 of his prints to $20.00 just for the contest. Don't wait, leave a comment and check out all the fabulous items at Esmarts Team Store and win the Gift Certificate.

Are you on Twitter? Share the love and Tweet about the contest for us. The more the merrier.

Cheers

Interview with eSMArts Team Owner Anna Lee!!! Must Read!!!

I had the pleasure, and honor, of interviewing the eSMArts team owner/leader, Anna Lee (AL) Husband, for this blog feature. It's the very first time I've interviewed anyone for my blog! I am so pleased that AL makes time to help mentor me and encourage me to be more involved with the team as well as with my passion for jewelry making, despite her super-busy schedule. She's a fantastic lady, full of spunk and zeal. Without further ado, here she is!!!

1. Tell me a little bit about yourself and your family/friends. What do you do for fun? Are you married, for how long, how many children do you have?
   
   My spouse of 30 years David is wonderfully supportive of my addiction to hobbies, crafts and creating artwork. Our daughter Kate, who lives near us in a full time health care residence because she is now totally disabled, visits us for holidays and special events like her birthday. David and I spend most of our free time together with our young Airedale Terrier Amy (http://amytheairedale.blogspot.com) at our home in Oshawa, Ontario.
   
   I am Team Leader and Founder of the Etsy Social Marketing Artisans (eSMArts) street team and yahoo group where I have a small family of online friends. We’re all independent artisans who feature our items for sale on Etsy and who got together for support, inspiration, friendship and connection.
   
   At eSMArts we’re trying to develop strong social marketing ties with one another in order to drive web traffic to our sales sites. We’ve each donated creations to our team store (http://esmarts.etsy.com) where all sales support worthy causes. Visit our blog for more info on my talented friends: http://esmarts.blogspot.com!
   
   In my free time I love the outdoors, entertaining, cooking, travel, music, movies, TV, spectator sports, computer games, golf, gardening, cycling and well just making things!
   

2. What inspired you to get started making this gorgeous jewelry? How old were you when you started?
   
   As a child I was instantly drawn to the beauty of shiny and pretty stones. I kept special boxes of my lovelies as soon as I could walk. I loved to play with just about any type of crafty endeavour or toy, so when I was 8 or 9 I got a rock tumbler that I was obsessed with. I polished nuggets, made primitive jewelry and kept an extensive rock collection. I guess I’ve never met a gemstone, crystal or rock that I didn’t like.
   
   In my teens I borrowed cookbooks from mom to learn how to bake and cook. Mom (an oil artist) dabbled in virtually every medium so I read with interest her library books to learn basics of embroidery, knitting, crochet, crewel and the like. When mom learned how to sew so did I, and throughout high school I often made my dresses and pant sets (this WAS the early 70s!). My dad (a jazz musician by night) stressed musical training for all three of us kids, so when I wasn’t making something I was likely practicing the piano or flute.
   
   Throughout my 20s and 30s I kept busy with work, home, family, university etc. and only returned to my first love, gemstones, in 2002. I started beading only because I wanted designer level shinies at a fraction of the retail price. I receive compliments on my jewelry continually so in 2003 I decided to display a few showcases of my creations in my retail bicycle shop (http://oraclecycleworks.com). Positive feedback from customers helped me begin to take jewelry making seriously.

3. What are your favorite materials to use when making jewelry?
   
   I enjoy making pretty things and unique adornments using all gems, metals and materials. But unlike some artisan jewelry makers I started working with precious stones and sterling silver wire because I began making items for myself to wear for work, play and formal. So my creations had to look professional. I have to admit that I am hooked on Thai Hilltribe silver and tend to use it in almost all my silver creations.
   
   I am self taught, but have continually been amazed at the amount of good free information there is on the web regarding handmade jewelry techniques.
   

I now find it easier to work with gold wire than its silver counterpart although I am very fond of coiling effects using oxidized silver wire. I no longer do any pure bead stringing as stringing bores me to tears. Just about any other technique or genre intrigues me and keeps me interested. I’ve never made the same design twice as repetition does bore me. I enjoy the challenge of fresh, new designs and custom commissions the most.

I’m enjoying PMC and really get a kick out of creating mens/unisex creations, bead crochet (which I rarely have time for these days) as well as creating ornate bridal jewelry and bridal hair accessories too.

4. Who inspires your designs now? Who do you look up to in the jewelry-making world?
   
   Linda Trent’s clean crisp lines were my first inspiration on Etsy and her talents prompted me to make the leap into online jewelry marketing. Passementerie first caught my eye when she had an Etsy shop and Magdalena Borejko is a huge favorite of mine too. I recently began to follow Iza Malczyk’s wire work and no doubt over time my own style will evolve as some combination of all these. I follow the work of several emerging design houses.

5. What techniques would you like to master in the future?
   
   I strive to hone my wire working skills until they are the absolute best they can be (this may be a life sentence!). I plan to set up a glass studio in the near future and to develop solid glassmaking skills. I am a huge fan of lampwork glass and borosilicate beads. Metalsmithing is also near and dear to my heart. I know silversmithing basics but will take a good silversmithing course or two. The designer in me dreams of venturing into the world of fabricated pieces.

6. Do you have any advice for new jewelry-makers and people trying to get an Etsy business going?
   
   Great photographs are the key to online sales so learn how to take them – invest in photo training and good equipment. Regardless of your current skill level, strive for perfection. Develop a few signature pieces using the best materials you can afford. Study your favorite artists and their techniques. Take courses if necessary or buy tutorials but hone your skills. Above all, market yourself feverishly and shamelessly both on Etsy and off. And don’t forget to smile – enjoy the journey! 

7. Where can we find you?
   
   My flagship online outlet is called Gahooletree (http://gahooletree.etsy.com) where I feature luxe gemstone and pearl formal and bridal creations. Email: tiger_eye@rogers.com
   
   We recently opened SassyDLite (http://sassydlite.etsy.com) an off price discount outlet for sale items where I can also experiment with offering fun and casual designs created at times with base metals (copper, brass) and more affordable materials like semi precious stones, swarovski crystals and shell pearls.
   
   I offer studio overstock of gems and findings for sale online at Gahooletree Supplies (http://gahooletreesupplies.etsy.com) and there’s plenty more information about my jewelry business in general at http://oraclegemdesigns.com, http://gahooletreedesigns.blogspot and http://sassydlite.blogspot.com.

Again, I really want to thank Anna Lee for taking the time to talk with me, and for being so patient with me. You ARE appreciated! })i({

New relists and items for the day, don't forget about our eSMArts team shop!!!

5 items relisted and 1 new item listed in my shop this morning! What work at 6:30am!!!

Relisted:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=17172868 Pastel Crystal and Butterfly Chain $18
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=17151703 Swarovski Snowmen Earrings $12
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=17149932 Blueberry Quartz n Chips Necklace $18
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=17149475 Black Pearls n Chips Necklace $18
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=17149132 Black and White Spiral Rope $22

New item:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=18876123 Springtime Hoop Earrings $10 (Made to match Springtime Butterfly Necklace http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17176651 $26)

Thanks for looking! Vote for my CheapTweets at http://cheaptweet.com/search?q=creationsbyjae })i({

PS - Do not forget our team shop at http://esmarts.etsy.com for a great variety of items at incredible prices!!!

I just LOVE the attention!!!

My friend Helene AKA glass0beads has been just wonderful to me the past couple days. I really enjoy talking with her, and helping her out with the technical aspects of this crazy internet marketing when she needs it. In return, she has mentioned me in a couple of her blog posts! (To the left, Helene's 'Hearts and Teardrops Earrings', just lovely, and available on Etsy!) Visit her store at Glass0Beads.etsy.com (#0, not letter)

We all love some publicity, don't we??? I'll take what I can get!

Her first post was titled 'Notes to Self - Footloose and Fancy Free' where she lists some great websites to visit, including mine!!!

Her latest post is 'A Great Christmas Season' and she gives kudos to some of our eSMArts members, myself too! She includes some really nice pictures of different items.

Please, please check out her blog at Glass0Beads.blogspot.com (#0, not the letter) and see what the wonderful woman has been up to! })i({

Goodies I personally selected from our eSMArts team members, YUmmY!

Etsy Buy Handmade esmarts

2 NEW ITEMS in my Etsy shop! Shop Cyber Monday!

For Cyber Monday, I have listed 2 new pairs of earrings and renewed 10, yes 10, listings! But, sorry folks, one sold, so it's 9 renewed listings! Please check them all out and have a great time finding deals and shopping the 'net!

New Listings:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18043268 Pink Jade Star Earrings $22
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18043534 Blue Jeans Earrings $25

Renewed Listings:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17038243 $15
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16709316 $25
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=16708562 $45
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=16652050 $15
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=16651237 $9
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=16220730 $12
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=16170823 $30
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=16170479 $15
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=15619355 $13

I am continuing FREE SHIPPING to the US and Canada until December 15th on all items in my store! International customers enjoy one flat rate with no additional costs for multiple items!

Also, do not forget our eSMArts team store on Etsy for all your shopping needs! Get that browser open to http://esmarts.etsy.com and congrats to Lois of A Beaded Affair for making our second official team sale! })i({

Check out my Etsy shop and the eSMArts team shop!!!

Reminder to all to please visit my Etsy shop frequently! http://creationsbyjae.etsy.com

I've just listed 4 new items and will be listing new items every morning, so bookmark it and check back often! The new items are:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17948020
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=17948190
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=17948411
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=17948576

The free shipping offer continues in my shop until December 15th on all US and Canadian orders. International customers get one flat rate on all purchases, no additional charges for multiple items are added!!!

Our eSMArts team shop is growing by the minute with items to suit every taste! We have paintings, jewelry, supplies, needlework and whatever your heart may desire for this holiday season. Please Please visit http://esmarts.etsy.com for your Christmas (or insert your religious holiday) season! })i({

Read Rena's Newsletter!

I had written an earlier post about Rena Klingenberg accepting and publishing my jewelry artist story on her website. Just this past week, when I checked my inbox and saw her latest newsletter, I skimmed through it like I always do. Then, I saw that my story and 3 others, 2 of whom are on my Etsy street team eSMArts with me (Wilma and Teri), were featured in her newsletter! What a great thing to happen! What great exposure!

So, please, read her latest newsletter. Click here to go to Rena's latest newsletter.

If you do not get them already, I highly suggest you subscribe. You will find them informative and very interesting. I learn all sorts of little hints and tips and tricks and display options and the like.

Plus, she's a super-friendly woman who takes time to answer her emails, and I know she has to get a whole lot every day! She even tracked down someone's email address for me because they commented on my story. I think that's top notch service and the sign of a professional businesswoman like she is!

Anyways, I will post again shortly, I had to reformat the computer last night and I'm still getting things up to speed. I am also feeling a big out-of-sorts and depressed, hopefully it will get better in the next day or 2. })i({

My Story Published on Rena Klingenberg's Site

I decided to write my personal jewelry story and submit it to Rena last night. It was a hard story to write, very personal and involved. So much I wanted to mention, and just not enough time or space to do it in!

I wrote about my lifelong, very difficult and continuing battle with depression. I think making jewelry has helped to save me. That and lots of therapy. My therapist loves that I do something to keep me busy and give me an outlet for my anxiety.

Anyone who knows me knows I'm high-strung, a perfectionist, obsessive-compulsive. These qualities are not always negative however, as they drive me to make great-quality jewelry. But, they do bring me a great deal of anxiety as well.

I chose not to mention my Etsy eSMArts team in it for the simple reason that the story was about my personal struggle with depression. I hope I did not offend or anger anyone by doing that. They are a great group and very supportive of me, and I wish to thank them for that. I'm a new member in the group, and they took me in with open arms, just as they do everyone who joins. I think this group will be a fundamental part of my recovery with depression.

So while I toot my own horn here as they like to say, I also toot the horn of my group. You can read my article at http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com/how-making-jewelry-saved-me.html. You may read about our group at our blog at http://esmarts.blogspot.com and see our wonderful, growing store at http://esmarts.etsy.com.

Other members of eSMArts have submitted their personal stories as well. Please read theirs, as everyone has a story and everyone has struggles, not any worse than mine necessarily but a struggle all their own. })i({

Wilma (Wilma's Whimseys) - http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com/finally-found-what-i-wanted-to-do.html
Teri (S&T Creations) - http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com/teri-b-partner-in-s-t-creations.html
Helene (Glass0Beads) - http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com/a-jewelry-story-lose-weight-save-money-and-travel-to-spain.html