Happy Differences

Okay, so if you're following my progress I hope you're taking notes of the improvements I'm making just for you. My homework is coming along nicely I think but I'll let you be the judge!

Here is my first update: Product photos and bit of branding.

Taking product photos is not an easy task, there's so much to look at and as much time is spent in positioning your product and setting your lighting just right, less time is spent in the editing process if you use a good program. I had been using Picasa, a freeware application downloaded from the web, to edit my photos but I have been turned on to a preloaded program from Microsoft called Picture Manager. What a difference it made in the quality of my product photos, take a look

https://www.etsy.com/listing/112325969/beaded-gemstone-and-pearl-bracelet

The top photo was edited in Picasa, the bottom in MS Picture Manager - See what I mean - happy differences. The bottom photo is cleaner and shows product detail clearly and the sponge adds interest to the photo without detracting from the natural beauty of my gemstone and pearl bracelet. There are no distorting shadows or ugly touch-ups trying to hide the glare from misaligned lighting.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/112327862/beaded-gemstone-and-pearl-bracelet

The advice of using an object to add interest is pleasing to the eye as it lifts the product off the coldness of the sterile white background that reminds me of a doctors office. I chose a natural sea sponge because it reflects my brand style of using natural elements like gemstones, pearls, coral and metals found in our natural earthy surroundings.

When I was thinking about what props I would use in photos, it was important for me to think about the message I want to send customers about my company and products. Your product photos become part of your image and when trying to build a cohesive brand, it's best practice to think about your brand style and target demographic first and foremost. Think about what appeals to them? Put another way - think like your customer. For instance the SK brand style is casual elegant designs in distinctive, minimalist and natural styles. Therefore it wouldn't benefit my product to place it with or advertise in sporting or motorcycle magazines because it doesn't appeal to the "manly men" does it?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/116292423/pearl-post-earrings-handmade-earrings

Rather and because my casual elegant, distinctive, minimalist and natural styled jewelry product appeals to women between the ages of 35 and 55, I chose a "spa like" effect for my customers benefit. Here I think the sponge is a bit overpowering for these dainty pearl fine and sterling silver post earrings so be looking for photos with sea glass and tumbled river pebbles, a bit more proportionate for earrings I think and still in line with my brand.

But I've really rambled on too long and I must get back to making these product photo improvements - and more jewelry. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read, I enjoyed your visit! Come back next week I'll have another update, new photos and share more of what the SK Brand is all about.

Homework from the Critique

Earlier this month you may remember I had a critique done on my Etsy.com shop by Marilyn 1545 my GoldenRoseCrafters Etsy team captain. One of the things I wanted (needed) was advice on taking better photos you know photos that say a thousand words, ones that shout Ooh's, Ah's, and I just gotta have it to my Simply Katie's shop visitors and turn them into purchasing customers. I've been doing some homework reading and looking at some other shop owners product photos and taking notes on what I think makes theirs better than mine, and I've got a list of things that I'll be implementing like using a light box and re-positioning my lighting so that I have eliminated the shadows I don't seem to be able to rid my shots of.

And using things (props) that add interest and but don't distract my potential customers eyes. And using different props to add a diversity of positions and views highlighting the details of each piece of hand crafted jewelry.  There's many things I need to look at and think about when I'm shooting my jewelry photos and clarity is one of the top items.

I clearly need some focus and clarity improvements so you can see exactly what it is I'm selling. Take this shot for example, it's out of focus, there's too much glare from overhead lighting on the glass, you can't see clearly what these Knotted Copper and Agate earrings really look like. This photo doesn't do the earrings, the bracelet above or I as a shop owner justice and in fact makes me look as if I don't care about you or what I present to you.

I would like you to know and believe that I do care and that you as Simply Katie's potential customers are the reason I am putting forth the effort to make these photo taking improvements. I want you to be able to clearly see what you are viewing, to feel as though you can reach out and touch, to examine each piece of jewelry I work hard to create for you. And I want you to be delighted with your Simply Katie's/SK Wire Jewelry purchase. So I'm off to do the homework given me by Marilyn 1545 and make major improvements in my jewelry presentations to you, be on the lookout for new clearer, brighter, detailed, hand crafted jewelry shots in Simply Katie's shop over the next few weeks. And please let me know what you think of the changes I make, I do them for you and I'd like to hear your feedback, so don't be afraid to let me know how I'm doing.

Gifts Beyond Measure

As I read my assistant Sonya's first SK Wire Jewelry post (http://skwirejewelry.com/2012/star-of-david-on-the-rise/) tears welled in my eyes for the memories of my own Papa who was Jewish too. I remember the excitement I felt every summer as a child getting to spend a week or two with him and Nana, away from my older brother who was always poking at me and teasing me, he just flat out bothered me. My Nana and Papa, having long since passed, were the gems in my life who gave me comfort through their never ending unconditional love.
Their being raised in different faiths was a blessing for all who knew them because it gave them unbelievable patience and understanding  not only for each other but others as well. I never saw them argue or even heard them raise a voice to my brother or I, their voices always calm, warm and soft like the feeling of the down filled duvet Nana laid over my bed to keep me warm at our holiday visits.
It was my summer visits with them as a child that molded me, showed me how to be kind and loving, and how to give beyond a measurable object.

I loved having Sonya join me in my studio, listening to the story about her grandmother and the love she has shared with her. It took me back to my childhood summers and the wonderful gift of love given me of my own Nana and Papa. But it gave me greater joy to create a small token as a memento, a sterling Star of David and sharing my gift with her.

Blessed Opportunities

I've just teamed up with Sonya D Gonzalez, a talented young lady with the gift of writing to help me with the http://skwirejewelry.com blog. She's 19, beautiful and originally from San Jose, Puerto Rico and has a very well defined direction in life, so give a big welcome to Sonya D. Gonzalez everyone!

As I said she's a talented writer but she's a lot more, a published poet, "pop-up" card maker, pianist, choir singer (with a beautiful voice), an Emmaes Baptist College student, and my friend. I've known Sonya for a little over six months and I'm excited about teaming up with her. Not only am I getting a talented writer but she'll be bringing in a few of her girl friends to model my Simply Katie's/SK Wire Jewelry for my shop. Wow, real models to wear my jewelry, now you can see how it looks on, rather than seeing it as an item by itself.

She's really multi talented and busy, busy, busy - she writes a few blogs of her own, just got her work permit and is looking to work for Family Christian Store in Parkside Mall. I wish her luck with her employment and know she'll be fine balancing all that life has to throw her, just 19 and already so much going on. Just wait Sonya till you get to be my age, then you'll understand how grateful I am for you!!!

Gifting Handmade Love

I've recently been taking this opportunity within my church family and have given SK Wire Jewelry by Simply Katie's to a few of the ladies who've made big impressions on me. The gifts that I give do not include expectations of a return gift or sale, but just the hope of a smile.

It gives me pleasure to create and give a gift from my heart, it's a gift of love really. Every little detail of the gift is a reflection of what makes the receiver special to me.

Dangled Spiral Optimism

I've been having a nice run of creative energy lately and listing new (and old) designs in my Etsy shop SK Wire Jewelry by Simply Katie's. One of my favorites is my SK Signature Spiral earring design:

The SK Signature Spiral is an elegantly distinctive minimalist style that boldly plays in fashion versatility. The SK Signature Spiral is a playful wire earring design for casual weekends, elegant evenings and work days for everyday life.

Handmade Jewelry, A Niche Market

On Friday I took a trip down to St Pete Beach to The Blue Sky Boutique where I had placed a few of my handcrafted wire and gemstone jewelry designs for sale last year. I was glad to have the opportunity to put my handmade wire and gemstone necklaces and earring designs on display at a local boutique that proudly welcomes our local artists. A niche boutique venue where visitors and locals alike could see and admire my work and  where I could hopefully gain a following for my distinctively minimalist style of handcrafted wire and gemstone jewelry designs. 

Copper Pendant Necklace - Fossilized Ammonite

I not discouraged by not being able to complete any sales of SK Wire Jewelry by Simply Katie's handcrafted wire and gemstone jewelry at The Blue Sky Boutique and realize that at this time, it's just not a good fit for my style of distinctively minimalist styled wire and gemstone jewelry. I choose to remain positive about The Blue Sky Boutique venue and will keep my relationship door open. I'll also visit the owner from time to time because someday this venue may turn out to be a good fit for my distinctively minimalist style of handcrafted wire and gemstone jewelry.

New gemstone bracelet (nyl)- Carnelian & Carved Jade

New wire & gemstone bracelet (nyl) - Copper tube, Goldstone & Tigereye

New gemstone bracelet (nyl) - Unakite, fwc Pearls & Hematite

Some have suggested that I set up shop at a flea market but I've been that route and it's just not profitable for me. It's not because there's too many competitors selling jewelry at flea markets, but because handmade jewelry is a niche market that can demand a higher price. And from my experience most flea market consumers are looking for a deal which they can find at any one of the commercially mass produced jewelry vendors two booths down. The discerning consumer however knows that this form of wearable art can't be found anywhere else and can appreciate the hand crafted aspect of the time and skill that goes into creating each piece of SK Wire Jewelry by Simply Katie's distinctively minimalist style of artisan wire and gemstone jewelry. 

Copper Earrings - Dragonfly & Turquoise

Copper Earrings - Unakite & Goldstone

Silver & Copper Earrings - Turquoise

Corey Avenue is home to several boutique style shops and restaurants and is a weekend venue for a farmers market and monthly arts & crafts fair. I set my sights on one day being an arts & crafts fair vendor, enjoying visits and conversations with customers and vendors and selling SK Wire Jewelry by Simply Katie's handmade wire and gemstone jewelry I alone create while basking in the Florida sunshine. Ah what a wonderful life!