Archive for the ‘Grow your business’ Category

The price of amethyst, and how to benefit from it

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009

A showroom customer asked about the price of amethyst, particularly the “A” grade amethyst we carry.  We had not noticed the recent price of this, so we asked our supplier who specializes in amethyst.

a-grade_amethyst

A-grade amethyst beads from Rings & Things...an investment?

She told us,

“Yes, Amethyst rough has kept increasing for the last two-three years.  For the same price, we won’t be able to get the same quality rough.  Since last year, I notice vendors in [market shops] are now selling the “A” grade amethyst by grams, just like peridot and aqua.”

So take a tip:

FYI for all birthstone / purple lovers.  Don’t wait till you’re old to get hold of genuine amethyst beads, if they’re your thing!

Have more insider gemstone tips?  You can share them with enthusiastic readers right here, in a comment!

May giveaway:
* You enter by leaving comments this month
* At the end of May, 2 winners will receive coveted Rings & Things goodie packs!
*
So read the blog regularly, to enter a lot & to see if you won!

Strand enhancers enhance your business

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

Looking at the new Wedding / Bridal / Prom section that we’re building in our Design Gallery, I learned a technique…

Strand enhancers can grow your business.  For a second, I thought this might mean “necklace extenders“, which are amazingly useful findings themselves.

But no, strand enhancers are yet a different way of offering extra value to your jewelry customers.  They instantly make any necklace into a “Y” necklace, as @wendytgibson put it on Twitter.  See one detached, and one in action, in this “Always a Bridesmaid” necklace design:

The "Always a Bridesmaid" design from Rings & Things

The "Always a Bridesmaid" design from Rings & Things

For this necklace, designer Cindy made the “pearl enhancer” with a #39-541-11 9x15mm oval no-trigger lobster clasp, in sterling silver.  Have a custom wedding order?  You can make clip-on strand enhancers with colors that match the bridesmaids’ dresses!

You can take this idea to craft fairs and jewelry shops too!  Offer necklace-buying customers a matching strand enhancer for a little sales bump.  They let the customer multi-purpose her necklace, choosing the style she wants.  And they’re easy to make — so you could even offer to “build to order”.  As @CreationsWHeart (also on Twitter) pointed out, “I can see how you could come up w/ a ton of designs whether it’s on a chain or beaded necklace! How fun!”

PS: A little extra design trick is to use seed beads in a pearl necklace like the one seen here.  They’re easy, affordable spacers and they take far less time than knotting the cord!

Want to suggest more necklace design tricks and tips?  Share them in a comment below.  You’ll be entered in our drawing!

May giveaway:
* You enter by leaving comments this month
* At the end of May, 2 winners will receive coveted Rings & Things goodie packs!
*
So read the blog regularly, to enter a lot & to see if you won!

Multipurposing: teapot bead cap => Aladdin’s lamp charm

Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

Multipurposing tip:  Rings & Things’ sterling silver teapot bead caps also make a magical Aladdin’s lamp charm.

sterling_teapot_bead_cap_43-546-02

Sterling silver teapot bead cap (Rings & Things #43-546-02)

Credit goes to @tamdoll on Twitter for this great craft business tip!  Just “cap” this finding around your favorite 10- to 12mm bead.  It makes a fine addition to a charm bracelet, or earrings…  Here’s another style that we offer:

Sterling silver teapot bead cap (Rings & Things #43-546-01)

Sterling silver teapot bead cap (Rings & Things #43-546-01)

This means you have at least three flavors of lamp for Arabian Nights-themed jewelry, because we’ve also added this new antiqued-silver plated Aladdin charm:

Aladdin's lamp charm (Rings & Things #44-940-17-AS)

Aladdin's lamp charm (Rings & Things #44-940-17-AS)

How about an aquiline crystal bead as a lamp?  Check out this Aladdin’s Lamp earring design from our Design Gallery!

normal_aladdins_lamp_earrings

Have more ideas for Arabian Nights jewelry?  More multipurposing magic in mind?  Share by leaving a comment!

April giveaway: “DIY Display Ideas”:
* You enter by leaving comments under the March 31 giveaway announcement
* At the end of April, 2 winners will receive coveted Rings & Things goodie packs!
*
So read the blog regularly to see if you won!

Announcing the Kreativ Blog Awards

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009

Rings & Things’ blog received the Kreativ Blog Award from A Bead A Day.  We’re honored by Lisa’s vote of confidence!  Now to pass the torch…

These are the rules of the Kreativ blog award:

  • The winner may put this award on their blog
  • Please put a link to the person that presented you for this award
  • Nominate 5 blogs
  • Put links to all their blogs
  • Leave a message for your nominees

For blogging above & beyond the call of duty, Rings & Things gives the Kreativ Blog Award to these highly readable bloggers who help others grow their craft business:

  • Jen at Naughty Secretary Club
    (it’s as much fun as it sounds; new techniques all the time!)
  • Cindy at Polymer Clay Tutor
    (she’s an endless source of crystal-clear how-to’s)
  • Etsy’s official Storque blog
    (a superb resource for craft business tips)
  • The Craftzine.com blog
    (like an encyclopedia, only funner)
  • The Blog for Beaders
    (they’ve been putting up some entertaining stuff…and you’ve got to take a break for fun sometimes!)

Thanks to all five of you for some genuinely top-notch blog writing.  We’re looking forward to seeing who each of you picks out to give Kreativ Blogger Awards to!

Want to nominate more great bloggers for recognition?  Talk about them (with a link to their blog) in a comment!

April giveaway: “DIY Display Ideas”:
* You enter by leaving comments under the March 31 giveaway announcement
* At the end of April, 2 winners will receive coveted Rings & Things goodie packs!
*
So read the blog regularly to see if you won!