Saturday, April 19, 2008

New metal jewelry...
I have been playing around some more with my wire and metal sheet... and it's been so much fun!! Here are 2 of my newest creations from last night.


You can find these newest pieces at my Etsy store...





Thursday, April 10, 2008

Take a poll! One thing I’m going to start utilizing my blog for is polls. I always have ideas, sometimes conflicting, and I’d love to hear everyone’s input. From existing customers, potential customers, other jewelry designers, or just browsers… everyone has different ideas and different input. I’d love to hear what you all think.

My first poll is about the home page on my website. My original introduction was very informative and factual, and a bit formal. It described my jewelry in paragraphs. My new introduction is still informative, but in bullet points and more succinct. I think the information is easier to look at this way. I’ve also spruced it up with a little ‘story’. I’d love to hear what you think. Which do you prefer? And if you’d like to comment, I’d love to hear why. Is the first one too stuffy and boring? Or does it sound very professional? Does the second one seem too unprofessional and whimsical? Or does the ‘story’ appeal to you, does it draw you in? I think most importantly, which introduction makes you want to actually start delving further into my website and looking at my jewelry?

Sorry, this first poll is a little more than just a question with a yes or no answer. But this is my first issue that comes to mind. Thanks to all who respond!

Introduction #1:

Elegance. Class. Beauty.
This is what I want for my jewelry.
This is what I want for you.


Welcome to Symphony Jewels, where you can find beautiful handcrafted jewelry in truly original designs. My jewelry is the perfect treat to indulge yourself or give as a gift.

Symphony Jewels handmade jewelry is designed with high-quality materials, including Swarovski crystals, sterling and fine silver, Bali and Hills Tribe silver, freshwater pearls, and genuine gemstones.

All handmade jewelry designs are unique and usually one-of-a-kind pieces. Although I create many styles, my designs tend to be feminine and delicate. They don't overpower you, they simply make a beautiful statement. So whether you are looking for simple, elegant, flashy, or casual... classic or trendy... choose from Symphony Jewels' wide variety of colors and designs to match your personality (and your outfit)!

This website is updated with each new jewelry creation, so please check back often. I specialize in custom jewelry to cater to your specific style and color needs. Please see the Custom Orders link for more information.

Please email me at symphonyjewels@aol.com for specific questions on jewelry sizing, availability and pricing. Most items are in stock and can be shipped immediately.

Introduction #2:

Pirates of the Caribbean. Goonies. National Treasure. (keep in mind, a fun "pirate" font shows up on this line!)
…All great treasure hunt movies have a stash of loot at the end.

Imagine that you have just stumbled onto One-Eyed Willy’s pirate ship hidden unknown for decades underneath the Goon Docks. As you walk downstairs, in the dim misty light, you discover the infamous pirate’s secret treasure of glistening crystals, precious metals, and sparkling gemstones…

You have just stumbled onto Symphony Jewels!
Welcome, and enjoy your loot! (fun pirate font here too!)

Whatever your style, simply enjoy the compliments you’ll receive when you wear your Symphony Jewels jewelry. Just say, “Thank you.” (You can give them the website address too!)

Symphony Jewels offers you:
*Original one-of-a-kind and limited production jewelry designs.
*High-quality materials, including Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls, genuine gemstones, precious metals, artisan silver and lampwork, and other beautiful and unique components.
*Elegance, beauty and simplicity.
*New, fun, beautiful designs offered almost every week.
*Wonderful gifts, even if it’s just a treat for yourself.
*Custom design services.
*100% guarantee on craftsmanship.
*Personalized service directly from me, the sole designer, artist and owner of Symphony Jewels. I will always be available for you, forever.
*Newsletter offering regular updates on fashion and style, new jewelry lines and designs, product specials, jewelry care and anything else that comes to mind that you might like to know.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

SHAME ON ME!
I know!!!!! Shame on me.

I've been absolutely dreadful about keeping up with my blog. I know, I swear. I KNEW I was going to blow my new year's resolution of doing a weekly blog! I just knew it. But I am going to TRY much much harder. I do have excuses though! I have tons of valid excuses!!! :)

Okay, so here goes... here's all the SUPER-FUN stuff I've been doing lately that has kept me away from my blog!

FIRST of all... art fairs!! I've been keeping my fingers crossed about my 2008 art fair applications, and I was just accepted into some spiffy ones!! So far, here is my 2008 art fair schedule. I will post more as they're juried and approved.

Aug 24, Sun, 10-5
A Walk In The Park
North School Park, 410 N Arlington Heights Rd
Arlington Heights, IL

May 24, Sat, 10-5 & May 25, Sun, 10-5
Cuneo Gardens Art Fest
Cuneo Mansion and Gardens, 1350 Milwaukee Ave
Vernon Hills, IL

May 31, Sat, 10-5 & Jun 1, Sun, 10-5
Deerfield Festival of Fine Arts
Park Ave & Deerfield Rd
Deerfield, IL

Jul 12, Sat, 10-5 & Jul 13, Sun, 11-5
Art in the Park
Village Green Park, 1320 Shermer Rd
Northbrook, IL

SECOND of all, I've been concentrating heavily on promoting my Etsy store. Check it out... http://symphonyjewels.etsy.com/

THIRD, I really have been playing a LOT with my new wire work AND with sheet metal! Check out the new photo! This is a copper pendant, cut, filed, hammered and patinated. Then I hung one of my wire wrap pearl drops and finished it off with a Swarovski amethyst crystal. On a knotted black leather cord, this baby is so cool!!
4th.... I've been quite busy these last couple weeks with custom orders, and hunting down more boutiques to carry my jewelry. Keep your fingers crossed for me! I'm meeting in a few weeks with an owner of one of my all-time favorite stores ever, and I'm dying to get my stuff in there! It's in an extremely busy tourist town, in one of the most popular, perfectly located shops in town!
FIVE.... my photography. I have been wasting, ooh, sorry, spending SO much time working on my photography. See the first photo? Nifty huh? I'm trying to get photos of my jewelry with the plain light background to show off the piece itself, showing the colors, textures and lines of the jewelry, with no competing "accessories". But I also love the artsy look of different backgrounds and props. So that just means I'm taking about 30-40 photos of every single piece of jewelry. Then downloading it to the computer, editing the photos, uploading them to websites... it's purely exhausting, and never-ending!
SIX... since I have shows coming up, I've been trying to get a beautiful new booth setup. I'm all about image, so I want my booth to be totally warm and inviting. The old booth setup was very "pristine"... it was simple, had an ivory tablecloth, white leather displays, with some silver and black metal displays. But I want some PIZAZZ to the booth! Nothing too shocking, but I just want people to see my booth from across the park and say, "ooooh, let's go there!!!"
SEVEN... I'm actually putting together some videos to post on youtube and webshots. They're basically going to be an introduction of me, kind of a "meet the goofy artist" video, while my cat jumps on my lap and does her smoochy lovey thing she always does. Seriously, during my intro video, she snuck in the room and stole the spotlight. I'll also do videos showcasing different pieces of jewelry, whether there's a special story behind them, or just favorite pieces.
EIGHT... I know there's more. In fact, there's a big one more, but I need to get some rest. I'll save that story for another post. But, to remind myself, it's about moving, back and forth, and renovating a brand new house. Ugh... seriously, I'll tell you all about it later.
And for some reason, my separate paragraphs aren't separating. Sorry about that. :(
Good night folks!