It has been a very nice weekend in the Bay Area, warm during the day and perfect to spend a few hours on the beach. I searched a little on Etsy to find some outfits for this summer season and wanted to share them with you.
I haven't used those bright colors in a few years now, but after seeing these pictures I'm thinking that it's time to try it again. What do you think? I guess it's time to go shopping!!!
I just found this fun way to get to know more blogs and enjoy some wonderful posts about handmade items. Interested in participating? Just follow the instructions!
Here's how it works:
- Create a new Tuesday Tag-Along blog post. Include the Tuesday Tag-Along button by copying and pasting the code above. (You are also welcome to copy and paste these instructions in their entirety, or any portion of this Tuesday Tag-Along blog post!)
- Add your blog name and the URL of your TTA post to the MckLinky below.
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The weekly Tuesday Tag-Along MckLinky opens every Monday night at 8:59pm Pacific Standard Time (that's 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time), and the TTA blog post will be posted well in advance of that time. The MckLinky will be open to add your blog until 11:59pm Tuesday night. You then have all week long to visit blogs and return follows!
There is a new list every week. The link you enter one week will not carry over to the next week's MckLinky. Please link up again each week to join in the fun!
Finally Summer is officially here! I love the sun and long days. Summer is definitely my favorite season. It's time to go to the beach, have BBQ's, Margaritas, just so many things to do. But remember also to update your wardrobe. Forget about the dark clothes and start using colorful items. A good way (and more affordable) is to change your accessories. Just take any piece of your wardrobe and then finish your outfit adding colorful accessories. Here is an example:
I'm using a white dress and then decided to add some color to it. From top to bottom I'm recommending some items you could use to make your outfit stand out. I searched on Etsy to find similar items to what I use and with which you could copy this outfit.
1. Makeup. For summer season I like shiny colors. I normally don't wear any base in summer. Just apply a bronze or coral color blush, some mascara, a rose or metallic color lip gloss and then focus on your eyes. In my picture I'm using Gold shadow around the eye lid and then enhanced them with a coral color in the bottom half of the eye lids. Here's a recommendation of color I found on Etsy from Orglamix
2. Necklace. Here I'm using a Coral and Pearl Necklace from my Summer collection. I like how it looks with the white dress since it really pops out and is very eye catching. This Necklace is available in my shop
3. Handbag. This is very important. In my picture I'm using a handbag I got from my husband. He brought it from a trip to Cancun. Isn't it gorgeous? I think that the outfit could also look good with something smaller. So I searched and found this beautiful flower clutch from BrianaEdelmanDesignsshop.
4. Earrings and Bracelet. I'm not wearing Earrings in my picture, since I'm allergic. But I would recommend you wear some. The bracelet I have in my pictures is also from my Summer Collection. It is made of red Coral, white Pearls and embellished with a Silver Starfish Charm. It is available in my shop
5. Hair. I recommend to wear it very natural. I like to look very fresh in Summer, so I definitely would say to wear it without too many products. I'm just using it half up without any embellishment but you could use a flower in your hair like the one I found at Nomsa's shop
I hope you like my selection. I will try to post more Summer outfits soon, so remember to come back to see more beautiful items that I will suggest throughout the season.
I'm very proud to announce that I had a Shop Makeover. I've wanted to do this change for a couple of months now, but hadn't had the chance to do it. I saw this awesome banner from another store and then figured out who the designer was. So I went to her store and I just fell in love with her work, but she then suddenly put her shop on vacation since she was finishing school. I know, I could have chosen another designer, but I just felt that I wanted her to do my new design. So I patiently waited until she came back. Don't worry, I'll tell you her info just in a second.
But first, take a look at my old image. That's what it looked like:
I won't lie. I really liked it when I made it. And since I was the one who created it, I was very proud of it. But you know it's nice for the beginning. Once you've figured out you want to have a business and that you want to be serious about it, you should consider upgrading and have an expert handle this. After all it's the image your giving to your clients, right?
Well, I decided it was time for that change. I wanted to give a good impression to my clients. Professionalism, cleanliness and reflect my jewelry: Stylish, modern and rustic at the same time. So I contacted this shop, gave her a little background and what I wanted and she prepared me this stunning new image
Here's the banner only
So what do you think? Isn't it gorgeous? I think it reflects exactly what I wanted. It's like she read my mind and created the perfect image for me. Well, that's why she's so successful as well. There are many businesses that have hired her and she just does a great job. Her shop is Winchester Lambourne Here are a few other designs she has made.
So finally the Trunk Show happened. It was this Saturday and I was very excited and nervous. The day before I still was trying to find items to set up my display table and on Saturday I packed and finished the details just before the show started.
The Gallery was very small and we all twenty vendors had to fit in, so the space was very tight. I shared table with Gloria from Mornin Gloria's. She has this beautiful shop and I'm so happy that I shared with her. Our items looked very good together and she's an amazing person. Here's a picture from her setup and please make sure to also check out her store to see her beautiful victorian inspired French Beaded Flower accessories.
So, just next to her was my jewelry. I think for being it my first show I did well. Although now I've learned a few things and for next time I would definitely set it up differently. But still, I think it does look good.
My featured items where the Coral and Pearl Necklace, which is in the white bust display and the Sirari and Black pearls necklace with is in the black display. Actually the Sirari necklace was the one that most people looked at. It is made of natural seeds from Bolivia and complemented with black pearls a silver chain and enhanced with a big black rose cabochon. I just love that necklace! Here's a closer picture.
Here's a picture from Gloria and me when the Show was just starting.
So, overall it was a good show. I learned a few things and also had a few sales. I also was very happy when a couple of friends came to visit my booth and they actually purchased some of my jewelry. They are just so awesome and I'm very thankful for having those great friends :)
Ohhh, and before I forget. I also had an awesome helper. He helped me since the day before to make a test of my table setting and the day of the show he spent almost all the time helping me on my booth. Here is a picture of my handsome helper, my husband.
So, what do you think about my setup. Not bad, right? I'd love to hear your comments!!!
A couple of weeks ago I went to the Beads Show in San Francisco. It was a great show and I had the opportunity to see lots of supplies and a few finished pieces of Jewelry. There was a large variety of items and prices. But there were a few things I noticed and that I would suggest you to improve if you are participating as an expositor.
- Prices. This is very important. Make sure your customers can see the prices and don't have to ask. If I don't see the prices I will most likely just go to the next booth since I don't like asking prices.
- Be helpful to your clients! I would be in some stands and the sellers were just chatting or on the computer or doing something else, but they wouldn't come to see if I needed anything or if I had questions. If they are doing something else I will most likely not interrupt and just leave.
- Don't look bored! If you're sitting there and telling the people how slow it is and how nobody is buying, I will probably not buy either. Please, show always a positive attitude. I bought from people who were smiling, friendly and helpful, that attracts buyers.
- If a potential customer asks you about one of your pieces tell them useful information about it. I loved the sellers who would explain me more about the item. Like some vintage flowers, the person told me what year they were from, what you could do with them, etc. Of course I purchased from them :)
- Don't build your booth so that only one person at a time can see your items. People don't like to wait until the other person finished looking. So design it in a way that people have access to your items.
- Don't get upset if a person asks for information on your items and then leaves. If they liked it, they most likely will come back. I normally see all the stands first and then come back to the ones I liked the most.
I hope these tips help. I'm having my first Show this Saturday and will be bringing all my handmade jewelry, so I'm making my list of does and don'ts. If you have anything to add please feel free to comment :)
