fabulous fridays...the interview ~ Jewellery by B

It's Friday and we are pleased to bring you one more interview from our beloved crafters. Today we are featuring: Jewellery by B. Her name is Belinda and she makes amazing jewellery.

Let's meet her:

1. Tell us a bit about yourself/ introduce yourself. Besides crafting what else do you love doing?

My name is Belinda and besides making jewellery, I like going for long walks in the countryside, travelling, meeting up with my friends for a good gossip, cooking and going to the cinema.

2. How did you start crafting and how long have you been doing it? 

I have been making jewellery for just over 7 months now. I had an operation on my foot so I had plenty of time off work and I was getting bored with the usual shows on TV. I started channel hopping one day and discovered the Jewellery Making channel. After watching several shows, I thought to myself, I think I would like to have a go at this, and so my new hobby was born and my bank account has not been the same since!!

3. What are the problems you faced as a crafter until now? Do you have any advice for someone who is thinking to start or is new to the crafting business?

The main problem that I have is the lack of funds to try all the new designs that I want to do and the new techniques that I want to learn. My advice to anyone wanting to start any sort of craft is just give it a go, if you don't like it then at least you tried. It could just be the career change you were looking for.....

4. What's your favourite crafting category? Do you have in mind to start crafting something else (besides your usual crafting category)?

My favourite crafting category is jewellery and I don't have any plans at the moment to try any new crafting (I don't think my husband could take it!).

5. What is your main source of inspiration? How do you propel your creativity?

My main source of inspiration, is probably the Jewellery Making channel. I learn my techniques from them and then try to incorporate them into my own designs. I like to keep up to date with everything that is going on so I also buy jewellery magazines and look in jewellery shops. 

6. Tell us about your crafting space. Do you have a favourite material and tool?

My crafting space, the place where I make my jewellery is my dining room. The place where everything goes once its been made and where I store all my tools and beads is the spare bedroom. My husband says that we need a bigger house as I keep buying new tools and display equipment for my craft fairs, that I am now starting to run out of space. I am just starting to use craft wire in my jewellery and have bought myself a wire coiling gizmo, so at the moment that is my favourite tool, but I am sure there will probably be a new one next month...

7. So your crafting space transmutes to an online shop. How do you promote your e-shop, which social media you use?

When it comes to social media, I am affraid that I am a complete novice and have always been a bit scared of it. I am probably the only person (other than my husband) who has only just got herself a face book account! So that is how I am promoting my jewellery. Hoping to get into other social media when I know what I am doing and feel brave enough.

8. How long after listing an item into your e-shop you had your first sale?

 I think it was about a couple of months before I had my first sale on MISI. I was so excited to think that someone liked my jewellery enough to buy it. I have since had several more sales since then and my friends have been buying some for christmas presents for there friends. I have also been doing some craft fairs as well and have had lots of positive feed back.

9. Where do you see your business in 10 years from now?

In 10 years, it would be a dream come true to have my own little shop or stall selling lots of lovely jewellery handmade by me.

10. How did you find MISI? What else would you like to see being added to the site?

I found MISI just by searching online for different places to sell my jewellery on line. MISI was the first one that I looked at I thought it looked like a good site, (and I still do). I can't think of anything at the moment that I would like added to the site. The changes you have made to listing products are definately better than they were when I first joined. I hope to have many more years with you. - we hope so too :)

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Fabulous Fridays...The Interview ~ EvelynMae

It's Friday and we are pleased to bring you one more interview from our beloved crafters. Today we are featuring: EvelynMae. She creates amazing and inspired cards. 

Read her interview:

1.Tell us a bit about yourself or introduce yourself. Besides crafting what else do you love doing?

My name is Shelly, aside from running my business 'Evelyn Mae', I enjoy living by the seaside in Margate, watching Christmas movies and baking. I love anything that leaves me covered in glitter and glue!

2. How did you start crafting and how long have you been doing it?

When I was 7 years old a friend and I set up a card making business - felt pens in hand, we even named our business and created designs. I have had a number of jobs and careers since then - college lecturer in performing arts to professional actress - but they have always been creative. Three years ago I came back to card making in a professional manner, setting up Evelyn Mae.

3. What are the problems you faced as a crafter until now? Do you have any advice for someone that thinks to start or is new to the crafting business?

The biggest problem I have encountered is competing against 'hobby' sellers who do not charge for their time. It is a highly competitive market and I find that many sellers only cover their costs. Its hard, but finding a niche and always being professional is a good place to start.

4. What's your favourite crafting category? Do you have in mind to start crafting something else (besides your usual crafting category)?

I like art work, and I like the Christmas category! Anytime I can look at festive items, I am a happy bunny!

5. What is your main source of inspiration? How do you propel your creativity?

Taking a day off ... by making myself not think about work, I seem to find the answers to my creative block!! Rest is so important, and helps to keep a grounded perspective on your business.

6. Tell us about your crafting space. Do you have a favourite material and tool?

I am lucky that I have a spare room in our house for my craft workshop/ office. Its nice to have a nice environment to work in, and a huge bonus is being able to shut the door at the end of the day. In terms of favourite material- I love paper- I'm always looking at packaging and wondering what I could do with it!

7. So your crafting space transmutes to an online shop. How do you promote your e-shop, which social media you use?

I use lots of social media- Facebook, twitter, google +, LinkedIn, Tumblr, and of course, my own website. I find that online networking- speaking to people behind other pages, has been the most effective form of promotion.

8. How long after listing an item into your e-shop you had your first sale?

Super quick! I think it was in the first week! I was thrilled - and especially happy to see my stats adding up so fast! I've found that element of MISI particularly useful.

9. Where do you see your business in 10 years from now?

I haven't got a plan as far ahead as 10 years, but over the next three I would like Evelyn Mae to be available in more stores that at present. It would be lovely to think that my business would be the first port of call for people to buy handmade personalised greetings cards!

10. How did you find MISI? What else would you like to see being added to the site?

I heard of MISI in a forum on Facebook.

Visit EvelynMae

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Listing Tips ~ How to Write Great Handmade Jewellery Descriptions

Your handmade jewellery descriptions have to persuade someone that your jewellery is worth buying...

And just making a list of materials just doesn't go very far.

That's why spending time to hone your description is so important to your ultimate long-term success.

Here are some tips for making those product descriptions more likely to make the sale:

Tip #1: Think of the Title as a Headline

A great description has to first catch your readers attention. Make sure the title of your product is something that catches the eye and makes someone want to read further. You'll want your title to be both descriptive and representative, and not vague and "artsy". Remember, your title won't always be seen with the photo of your work. In search engine listing for example, the title and brief description is all the reader will see. Artsy titles will appeal to the reader more when they actually see the item on your product page.

Here are some examples

• "The Perfect Mother's Day Bracelet" is a much better title than "Crystal Bracelet".
• "A Summer Bracelet for Lazy Casual Evenings Out" is better than "Summer Shades".

Tip #2: Benefits are More Important Than Features

Focus your description on benefits (what's in it for me?) first before the features.

A quick overview of features vs. benefits.

What's a feature? A feature is a descriptor.

Here are some examples:

* Handmade, one of a kind piece
* Sterling silver components
* 16" long.

What's a benefit? The benefit is what that feature does for your customer.

To know what benefit to emphasize, you'll need to know your customer. What are they like? What is important to them? Are they looking for a feeling or experience? Do they need admiration and status? Or are they more concerned with getting something that doesn't break easily?

Here are some examples of benefits:

• One of a kind There is non other like it in the world (Feeling unique is an emotional benefit that's important to lots of people)
• Sterling silver Real silver is a luxury and we all need to be pampered sometimes, don't we? (Feeling pampered is sought after by many)
• 16" long the perfect length for showing off a V-neck and to highlight the face. (Feeling attractive is a strong emotional desire that could be a benefit of your jewelry item.)
• Strong Chain Links Durable and long lasting, and won't break when a baby pulls on it (Logical benefit)

Tip #3: Include Emotional Benefits and Logical Benefits

People buy for emotional needs, but rationalize with logical benefits so it's a good idea to hit on both. A good rule of thumb is to include 3 emotional benefits and 2 logical ones.

Examples of emotional needs:

• Feeling loved
• Feeling attractive
• Feeling caring or nurturing
• Feeling altruistic (this is a good one if a portion of your sale goes to charity)
• Feeling spiritual
• Feeling intelligent
• Feeling unique

Examples of logical benefits:

• Solves a problem (for example if it's a great gift solution for Mother's Day)
• Money saving (like free shipping or a coupon savings)

Tip #4: Write Conversationally.

Throw out whatever you learned in school. No one wants to read formal, stilted descriptions full of self-important big words. Don't write a dissertation, and you're not making a legal argument either. Write like you speak, and you are much more likely to engage your reader.

Tip #5: Speak Directly to Your Reader

Here's a trick: Pretend you are talking to your best friend. One person only. If it sounds like you're having a chat with a friend, you'll build trust and likability, which ultimately is what will tips the scales for making your sale.

Tip #6: Use "You" instead of "I"

The sweetest word to a reader (other than the person's own name!) is the word "You".

So instead of talk about yourself and what you like about your product, talk about what the product will do for them.

For example...

"You'll feel like the Belle of the Ball on your wedding day"

is infinitely better than

"I created this necklace to suit the bride who wants to be the Belle of the Ball on her wedding day".

Tip #7: Stories are a Jewellery Seller's Best Friend

People often buy handmade jewellery so they can feel wise or insightful and you, believe it or not, YOU are often the biggest selling point especially is your work is very distinctive and unique, or if you yourself are distinctive and unique.

Depending on your market, you'll want to make decisions about what types of stories to tell.

Here are some jewellery story ideas:

• How you came to be inspired for a piece
• What funny thing happened that made you think to make this handmade necklace
• The story behind an interesting found component
• How one coincidence became a necklace.

Tip #8 Offer a Guarantee

You should always offer some kind of guarantee to increase your customer's comfort level and trust. The guarantee is up to you, but the sales increase is significant for people who offer guarantees, and you might be surprised to know that refund requests are about the same (or even less!) for those that are up front with their guarantee so it only makes sense to offer one.

Source.