Rose of Sharon Jewelry

Time to spruce up your jewelry wardrobe for Spring. A great start is to clean out your jewelry box. These 5 tips will help you face the challenge.

If you’re like most women your jewelry box has evolved into a jumbled collection of cheap impulse (yes – I do mean those Minnie Mouse earrings) items and if you’re luck an assortment of quality pieces.

Tip #1  - Set up 4 sorting boxes. Over the newest few blog posts, I’ll discuss ideas and resources on what to do with jewelry in each box.

1. Keep – Classic jewelry pieces, mementos and jewelry that works with your current fashion sense and wardrobe.
2. Repair/Repurpose – “Valuable” jewelry worth the cost of repair, jewelry components that can be repurposed into other jewelry or crafts.
3. Donate – “Not your style” jewelry that in good condition can be passed on through thrift shop donations and other community charities.
4. Toss -  Seal the box so you’re not tempted and toss

Tip # 2 – Ask a good friend to help. Jewelry can stir up a lot of emotions making it hard to truly access it’s “value” in your life. A trusted friend can give you some clarity so you end up with a jewelry box worthy of all this effort.

Tip # 3 – Take a good look at your wardrobe BEFORE you start cleaning out the jewelry box. Jewelry should accentuate your beauty and clothing. If that Hello Kitty necklace no longer fits  your fashion style or that bright orange floral pendant classes with your wardrobe colors – let it go!

Tip # 4 – Set the 4 boxes aside for a few days before you finish your clean up project. This will give you time for your “jewelry” emotions to even out. Take a quick scan  (and I do mean quick or you’ll get lost in the feelings again)  of each box and then take action!

Tip # 5 – Collect (buy or make) organizational components that fit into your jewelry box (or in my case boxes and drawers) for all the “keepers”. You’ll also need zipper style plastic bags, plastic twist ties and labels.

Sign up for the Rose of Sharon Jewelry blog via email or RSS Feed  to learn more about getting your jewelry ready for Spring. This series will run for next 4 blog posts!

Thanks for stopping by again. Don’t forget to check out the newest releases in the Rose of Sharon Jewelry store.

Easter is a great fashion holiday where florals and pastels spring forth.  Celebrate the holiday season with a beautiful Christian cross necklace and save 15% plus free shipping!

All Rose of Sharon Jewelry artisan necklaces featuring beautiful crosses are on sale through April 4, 2010.

You’ll find over 30 one-of-a-kind necklaces (some include matching earrings) created by Betty (my Mom). She’s always on the search for beautiful crosses and this collection features everything from a bold white “faux” turquoise cross to a Tudor-style cross with bold red Swarovski crystals.

Here are a few of my personal favorites and links so you can learn more.

Courage

  Sterling silver and garnets

Dedication

Silver cross with brown heishe shell beads

Crown of Kings

Amethyst and silver

Today is International Women’s Day! Since 1911, women have been standing up on March 8th for themselves. Are you using your power as a women to help other women? Yes, I mean YOU!

Within every women is a power so great that violence, degradation, starvation, humiliation and discrimination cannot stop it. As a woman of  the 60s, I learned to stand up for what I believed in and I believe that every single woman can make a difference.

I know you’re busy raising a family, paying the bills, making dinner and keeping up with the demands of a job. But I want to encourage you to find some time on a regular basis to make a difference. Here are a few ideas and resources you might explore to help other women.

Start Young

Become a Big Sister – The Big Brother, Big Sister organization matches you with a girl at risk. Extend a helping hand to a young girl and you’ll be able to positively impact generations! My daughter-in-law Dawn is a “Big”. Her “Little” is an adorable 9-year-old from an at risk family. I can tell you that Dawn probably gets as much from the pairing and sharing as her “Little” does. Contact Big Brother, Big Sister online to locate your local chapter.

Stop Violence

Answer a phone – Women’s Hotlines around the nation need people to answer their phones and assist women and children in crisis. You will be required to undergo training but imagine the power of helping women escaping violence. Contact your local police department to find active organizations within your community.

Support Women Entrepreneurs

Build financial security – Many problems women face around the world center on a lack of financial security. War has devastated many countries leaving women with little resources to fend for themselves. As little as a $50 loan can help a woman launch her own business or the donation of a goat can create a cottage industry where milk is sold, goat hair is used in resalable crafts and the meat can eliminate starvation. Heifer International concentrates on self-sufficiency through farming. WorldVision Microloans help women start businesses.

Whatever you find that suits your schedule, talents and interests will reward you beyond what you commit to it. I guarantee it!

I’d love to hear how you support women and encourage others to do likewise!

Other Resources

• Women for Women International
• Kiva - microloans
• National Organization for Women
• Foster Grandparents – find your state program here
• Accion – microloans

Share your valuable resources for supporting women worldwide by leaving a comment below.

A recent Scientific Mind article pondered reasons why depression has increased in the Baby Boomer and younger generations. It seems that moving away from work activities that engage the hands and mind plus result in a tangible reward may be a cause.  And one potential “treatment” may be crafting!

In the not too distant past, we physically raised our own food, chopped our own wood and made our own clothing.  The rewards of a healthy, tasty dinner, a warm place to sleep and enjoying a soft new sweater were a direct result of our actions!

Studies have shown that this action/reward pattern stimulates the parts of the brain that relate to happiness and our feelings of well-being. Work has become disconnected from rewards.

We now earn money (that we never even hold in our hands) in a less physical manner and our brains miss out on the rewards. We run for take-out, pay the electric bill, shop online for shoes while we collectively feel more unhappy or depressed.

The rewards we are giving ourselves aren’t as fulfilling now and simply don’t last very long. That’s why scientists who study happiness believe more and more people overspend. Don’t we all know someone who has a dress or two in their closet that has never been worn? The high evaporated before they got home.

Rebuilding the action/reward connection may be as simple as starting a new hobby that requires your hands, multi-step learning and complex brain activities. What better way to do that than to craft?

So get off the computer, turn off the TV and get out the knitting needles or pick up a pair of pliers. Knitting, crocheting, polymer clay work, intricate beading and other crafts can be a great way to ward off depression.

As my Granny always said “busy hands mean happiness.”

Many artisans and craftspeople use models in their product photos but are they doing it “safely”? Are you getting a signed model release when you snap those shots? It isn’t a “law” but it is good business practice to obtain legal consent before using someone’s image in your advertising and marketing.

A model release form is a simple single page document where the model (or legal guardian if you are photographing children) agrees that you have the right to use their image for business usage. Some professional photographers actually “pay” their models a dollar to solidify this agreement.

But she’s my sister-in-law? He’s my best friend? While we like to think that disagreements won’t arise – the fact is they do. With a signed model release, you don’t have to fear that someone could legally prohibit you from using their image after you’ve designed an ad campaign or sent out product releases. And should your model become a “recognizable person” you might find yourself in hot water later on.

If you have a prepared model release and explain its purpose, you’ll find most people will willingly sign. Be sure to keep these releases in your file for later reference.

The take away here is to obtain a model release before you use the person in your business photography – just to be safe.

If you’d like a model release form for your own use, complete the contact form on the Rose of Sharon Jewelry site and I’ll be glad to email you the version I’ve used during my marketing career.

While this may seem a silly recommendation – do the right thing and obtain a release. It’s only your integrity at risk.

Using the image of a celebrity (even if they are deceased) in your marketing/advertising/promotion is a NO-NO! Their livelihood is tied to their image and legally they “own” it. A picture of Elizabeth Taylor or Lady GaGa used in a way that implies they endorse you or your business may seem like a great idea – until someone decides to object.

Social networking is hot for businesses – at least that’s what we’ve been told. So I’ve devoted my waking hours to promoting Rose of Sharon Jewelry via Facebook, Twitter and this lonely blog for months.  We’ve been blessed with Rose of Sharon fans and personal Sharon Fullen friends and store traffic is growing rapidly. I’m loving connecting with everyone and sharing a love of handmade arts and crafts BUT

where are the sales?

I’m not a newbie marketer but social networking as a marketing tool is still pretty new. There are tons of “experts” telling us what to do and how sites like Twitter and Facebook can level the playing field for small businesses like Rose of Sharon Jewelry.

What I’d like to know is how well Social Networking is working for your business? How much time to do spend every day in keeping up with tweets and wall posts?

I’m spending so much time talking to everyone online that my studio time is really an afterthought. And that’s not why I launched Rose of Sharon Jewelry.

I’d love to hear from everyone about their real-world experiences and thoughts about their marketing via the Internet.

Thanks,

The “creative title” you give yourself tells a story. Words set an image and affect how potential customers approach you. When introducing yourself, how do you describe yourself and your  creative work? Do you say you’re a busy Mom trying to earn some extra money, a Artisan with original work, a single gal with expensive hobbies or a devoted Grandma who does some crafting to keep busy?

How you present yourself tells people how you value what you do. Earning money from your talents is an honorable career. Don’t undermine your image by diluting your work story with “poor me” talk – I’m just trying to make some extra money, I need to pay for my hobbies, etc. By definition, if you are selling your creative work – then you are a professional. And you do not have to have formal training!

For example, people often mistakenly believe Artists are more talented or produce more “important” work than Crafters. In spite of multi-millionaire Martha Stewart working diligently to advance the image of Crafters, many of us still have to “upgrade” our titles.

Professionals have “titles” that have perceived value (notice the word perceived does not mean actual). Unfortunately, that’s the way the world works and if you want to earn money from your art/craft/creative work, you need to be sure you are representing yourself as a valuable, creative talent.

For many years during my early writing career, I never told people I was a writer. I was just a Mom, a wife and freelancer. A wise Life Coach made me introduce myself every morning to my bathroom mirror. I’m a professional writer who specializes in….

She also made me carry my business cards everywhere and to assertively introduce myself to as many people as I could for 2 weeks. That was a hard task for me! It made my knees shake every time. BUT, at the end of the 2 weeks – I knew I was a professional writer and published author.

So when I launched Rose of Sharon Jewelry, I proudly announced to everyone that I am a professional Jewelry Artist. I’m not a Grandma stringing necklaces, a wife making money on the side or a woman hoping to pay for her bead addiction – I’m an ARTIST!

So this week, rework your story, update your Twitter, blog, Facebook or MySpace profile to reflect your position within the creative world. Announce proudly, who you are (not who you are in relationship to others). Put it on your business cards and get out there and tell everyone!

Good Luck!

P.S. Never be embarrassed that you want to be paid for your work! What you do has value beyond money but money is a good start. LOL

Even snow on the ground won’t stop me from preparing for Spring! Pulled out all the garden catalogs, ordered more plants and today I’m featuring two great handmade jewelry designs that shout Spring!

Pink = Spring for a gardener like me. And nothing compares to the bold pink of Candy Jade.

Fetching in Pink is a handmade pink Candy Jade necklace with matching earrings and bracelet from the talented Sandra Lee.

Sandra loves to make matching pieces so this Fetching In Pink set includes earrings (left) and a wonderful bracelet. You can wear them together for a traditional coordinated look or separately for just a splash of Jade.

April Remembered is a lovely enameled floral pendant accented with Swarovski crystals on a silver chain. Betty created this design and says she' hopes someone who loves flower will wear it with pride.

I have another half dozen brand new necklaces waiting to be posted in the Rose of Sharon Jewelry store. Subscribe to the ROSJ blog today and you’ll be the first to know when they are available.

Win a Pair of Earrings

We’re counting down to 1,000 Facebook fans for Rose of Sharon Jewelry. We’ve passed the 900 mark and are eager to give away a beautiful beaded watch from the A.F.F. Jewelry collection. Just become a Facebook fan at http://www.facebook.com/rosjewelry to be eligible to win. All fans are eligible for the drawing so do your part and pass it on!

I’ll use Random.org to pick the winner! It’s a lot easier than writing 1,000 names on little slips of paper and then drawing from a hat!