Reaching Out To the Universe (and Other Artists!)

by Julie
(CT)

Labradorite, Cross, and Medals Necklace by Julie Saillant.

As I have said many times before, most of the time artists work in a vacuum.

We create what we think looks good and/or what will sell, but ultimately it is our design and inspiration that we love - along with the creative process of making something from nothing.

I don't worry too much about what will sell or won't sell (in the beginning) - usually I have an idea in my head and I feel like I will die if I don't get it out there into some form.

rose gold hoop earrings by Julie Saillant

Rose gold and garnet hoop earrings
by Julie Saillant.

I am also always jotting down info, and another artist that I work with who does photography told me to get an "idea book".

This could be a small notebook that you can carry with you that you can just jot down information on as it comes to you.

I don't carry it with me so I have lots of separate pieces of paper with notes on it and one of these days I am going to have to put it into a book.

Anyways, the point of my post today is that we all need a network of people who will support us (friends and family) - but ultimately when making important business decisions, it would be nice to be able to talk to other artists who have been down the road before.

Why re-create the wheel, right?

Hope necklace by Julie Saillant.

So I am asking today (other artists and the Universe) if someone has any ideas on how to proceed with the business.

Some of my thoughts are: trunk shows, getting a rep, small to medium size shows (I have started applying), updating my blog and using some of the blogging tools out there (that is a work in progress).

But if you have a specific amount of money and you have the rest of this year to create what you want to do and how you want to market yourself - what would you do?

I did the Boston Show which was a bust and because of that I decided not to do the Atlanta Show.

However there is a Catholic Show I am thinking of as well as advertising on Catholic Online (they get 2 million visitors a month).

I am retooling some of my pieces and thinking about a new collection - Spirituality with an edge.

And then will be taking some shots with the photographer again.

I am working on my branding.

Any help others can give me would be great.

There are many, many shows but what works for one won't necessarily work for another.

Thoughts?

Jules
Heavens Jules

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Reaching Out To the Universe (and Other Artists!)

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Ideas for your spiritual jewelry
by: Rena

Hi Julie,

I too sometimes have an idea in my head for a jewelry design, and I feel like I will die if I don't get it out there! :o)

Sometimes it winds up being a piece that sells quickly - but often it turns out to be one I keep and treasure myself.

(And of course sometimes it just turns out to be a mess!)

I think the Catholic show and website you mentioned sounds like it could be a really great fit for your jewelry.

Your cross and medal spiritual pieces are artistic and beautiful, and I'm sure the right audience will find them irresistible.

Also, if you start doing well with your Catholic spiritual jewelry, you may want to consider making some rosaries.

Another idea - in the past I've occasionally been asked to create simple cross jewelry (necklace or earrings) for girls to wear for First Communion. I've sometimes used white mother of pearl crosses for earrings for First Communion.

Your spiritual jewelry also has kind of a Southwestern feel to me, so that could be another possible audience for your work.

advertising dollars
by: Denise jenkkins

Julie,
Make a plan to tackle wholesale, and retail. These venues need to be handled differently to be noticed. Retail shows will help you fine tune what the public wants, and wholesale orders pay the bills with their seasonal hefty orders. To look into wholesale without spending $$$, research your area and all the outlying 5 states. In those places find the stores that sell Catholic spiritual items. Call and ask for the manager that is the purchaser for the store. Ask them where they go to purchase stock for their store. Concentrate your efforts on the show you hear the most stores tell you they attend. While you are doing that, work on the creative end. Have a line of jewelry that has at least 10-20 different looks to fill an entire case. Think about the entire package of neckwear,earrings, bracelets,rings, and maybe a catchy little something to put at the counter by the register. Also, for retail or wholesale, have a brochure made up about your story. The story of you and why you make your jewelry and why you feel compelled to make jewelry for others. This tool will help sell you jewelry very effectively. THIS is what you could spend some of those precious dollars on. It is a form of advertiseing that goes with your purchases as an added deeper level of meaning, it gets the word out to your targetd markets, and validates you in a classy way as an artist/designer. I could go on and on, but most of all, GOOD LUCK!

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Submitted by: Denise jenkkins

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Julie, Make a plan to tackle wholesale, and retail. These venues need to be handled differently to be noticed. Retail shows will help you fine tune what the public wants, and wholesale orders pay the bills with their seasonal hefty orders. To look into wholesale without spending $$$, research your area and all the outlying 5 states. In those places find the stores that sell Catholic spiritual items. Call and ask for the manager that is the purchaser for the store. Ask them where they go to purchase stock for their store. Concentrate your efforts on the show you hear the most stores tell you they attend. While you are doing that, work on the creative end. Have a line of jewelry that has at least 10-20 different looks to fill an entire case. Think about the entire package of neckwear,earrings, bracelets,rings, and maybe a catchy little something to put at the counter by the register. Also, for retail or wholesale, have a brochure made up about your story. The story of you and why you make your jewelry and why you feel compelled to make jewelry for others. This tool will help sell you jewelry very effectively. THIS is what you could spend some of those precious dollars on. It is a form of advertiseing that goes with your purchases as an added deeper level of meaning, it gets the word out to your targetd markets, and validates you in a classy way as an artist/designer. I could go on and on, but most of all, GOOD LUCK!

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