Wire and Bead Rings - Crafts Beautiful January 2008

2008 is coming, for jewelry maker like us its good to have a new idea or techniques in jewelry making for 2008. We found this video from Youtube, a very interesting steps in making rings for all occasions, whether its for formal or for funky, you could make your own rings...enjoy...

Things I’ve learned in joining Bazaars, Fairs and Shows

Since my bazaar escapade is almost over, I should say that joining bazaars or fairs is not an easy way to make a living. It requires research, planning and the ability to keep a smile on your face while standing on your feet for long hours.

I thought joining bazaars is just simple and full of enjoyment. I never thought that whether you will do this as a part time or full time job, you need the same amount of perseverance and hard work. Now, I realized that you should have a vast knowledge on what you are doing to able to have successful bazaars. In joining bazaars, you need to have a "retail personality"! What do I mean by that? I mean, you should be patient, industrious, cheerful, hospitable, positive, out going, friendly, cool tempered, and most important of all is that YOU ARE NOT A QUITER. Because making money at fairs and bazaars isn't as easy as it seems, you don’t make a fortune for the first or second try. You should expect a progress in your profit on your third or fourth day in fairs or bazaars- that is when you learn how to minimize expenses and mastered the skills of budgeting.

Although it seems hard to start on this business, there are opportunities and advantages that you will enjoy when joining fairs or bazaars.

First, joining at fairs or bazaars provides an opportunity to build your business network and find new good customers at a little cost and small capital. Bazaar’s joining fee is minimal that allow sellers to enjoy reasonable mark-ups on items they are selling.

Second, joining at fairs or bazaars does not need you to have a business permit since you don't pay taxes for that one- the organizers are the one responsible for that. So if you are just starting or experimenting on your business, this is the best way to launch your products or services without worrying about government responsibilities.

Third, joining at fairs or bazaars does not only provide a venue for you to boost your business but also for you to improve your interpersonal skills. It will enhance your communication skills and your leadership capabilities.

For me, improvement of interpersonal skills is the most important advantage that you can have when joining bazaars. The interpesonal skills that you developed could help take your business places and will keep your business going.

Below are the things I considered and learned along the way in joining bazaars. Actually I’ve read many tips and techniques in many magazines and websites and I proved that they are really effective, but learning from your actual experience is the best ever. So for those who want to try to join bazaars for their business, here are some tips to consider.

1.) Find a good venue. Not because one venue is offering a lower price, it will be the best place for you. You should first ask yourself the following when selecting your fair venue:

a.) Did they launch successful bazaars the previous year?

b.) Do they have advertisement campaign for their fairs?

c.)Where is it located?

d.)What gimmicks do they have to attract shoppers?

These are the basic questions to remember; you still need to be intellegent when selecting good bazaar venue for your products.

2. Research. Find out who typically attend bazaar, know their target market, is it the Class A people? Class B people? Class C people? From here you will know if your products or services are applicable to their event. Also, find out how much it will cost you when you join their event, calculate travel cost, material cost, booth cost and other expenses that you will shoulder when joining bazaars. Its also best to know your break even point--that is, how many items you need to sell in order to make a profit--before you decide to pack up and go.

3. Watch your expenses. It is important to maintain your expenses to a minimum. If you could share a booth with someone with same category as what you are selling, it will be great. Just make sure that you are selling different items so as to avoid conflict.

4. Product pricing. Add a reasonable mark up to your items, its better to have a little profit on each item than going home without even a cent on your pocket. I know you’ve got to sell more items to cover your cost but its better that way than go back home empty handed.

5. Prepare materials for booth. Aside from the items you are going to sell, you need to prepare materials for the presentation of your booth and selling activities. You need to prepare extra chairs, small table, calculator, plastic bags, table cloth, wire mesh, thumb tacks, scissors, strings, nails, tapes and any brochures or marketing materials you might have. Believe me, all these are very useful when arranging your booth.

6. Dress-Up. Don’t just make your booth presentable, also make an effort to dress-up for your customers. Of course, you don't like people to see you like you haven’t showered for a long time. So make sure you make yourself presentable too.

7. Have a companion. Yes joining a bazaar is exciting and profitable, but it is also physically and emotionally exhausting. That's why it's important to bring along someone to help you with the work at the booth and deal with customers. In our experience, you should at least have three persons in the booth to serve your customers properly.

8. Count your money. After every bazaar, sit down and figure out how much money you made. Calculate how much profit you have. From here it will help you have an analysis whether you made a successful bazaar or not and you will figure out also if the venue you selected is good or not.

How to Crochet with Beads

Love this idea!!! Hope I could do this also...so unique, crochet with beads?? never thought of that...love the designer of this, it gave me an idea what to give this Christmas to my friends..ooopsss...sshhhh (top secret!) ha ha hha.. cross your finger I could do this... heheheh

Dual Strand Headband

Famous hair accessory here, almost every girl in my place wore a tripple or dual strand headband (including me…), because it’s stylish and gives accent to your look. Its comes with different colors like silver, gold and copper…and silver one is the most famous color of them all…

Since its famous I’ve decide to create my own dual strand headband…because I’ve notice, most dual headband that I bought were made of thick garter or synthetic leather that after long hour of wearing it, it will give a discomfort feeling to your head and later on will hurt you. I tried to look for a dual headband made of lighter material in many accessory stores but I found nothing. So I thought why not make my own dual headband with a lighter material... I thought of ribbons immediately because its easy to find and comes with different designs and colors…So I use ribbons as the material and violaaaa I have my perfect dual strand headband, just for me…so light, not slipping and as I thought it don’t hurt my head. Love it!!! . and you know what its easy to make ha...it will only need a few stitches, some glues and its done....you have your wonderful dual headband... easy!

I showed it to my friends and went crazy about it…and asked me to make one for them too. (ok, fine!). And they also told me why not make many to try to sell them to our bazaars, (afraid!!!), at first i'm really skeptical about the quality of my work, but when I saw that the first headband that I made is doing fine so far... and with trust to my friends that my dual headband will be sold easily, I go for it and give it a try....So I made few pieces of dual headband and tried to sell them in our store…with my surprise, it is selling like hot cake…as in...many girls are liking my headbands over the other types....amazing.....I never knew that they will love those headbands because they are very light and they are as if not durable because of its extra lightness…but girls who bought my dual headbands have the same sentiment with me…. The hurt feeling…that's why they preferred the light ones over those garterized dual headband....cool !heheheh.... I feel really great…I’m so glad !!!…I made many girls very happy for my headband.... Love the feeling!!! Still can’t believe it… :-)

I hope for my next bazaar, more girls will buy my dual strand headband…


My Dual Strand Headband

Thank you !

We would like to thank everybody who visited our booth and bought our products last Nov 8 & 9, 2007 at San Miguel Corporation Xmas Bazaar 2007.... Its really a very successful event and we hope that everybody enjoyed the bazaar and loves the accessory you bought to us.... we guarantee that our fashion accessories are the latest most affordable accessory ever! Again we thank you so much ! and hope to see all again in our coming bazaars... LOVE YOU ALL!!!

You could catch CHARMS SPARKLE ETC at the following venue!

November 17, 2007 Night Bazaar @ Cubao Expo 4pm to midnight
November 24, 2007 Night Bazaar @ Cubao Expo 4pm to midnight
November 31, December 1 & 2 St James Parish Cuenca Ayala Alabang Village 8am to 9pm
December 22 Night Bazaar @ Cubao Expo 4pm to midnight
(For Dec 8 & 15, pls wait for our announcement for details)

Thanks !!! See all again…! Muah Muah

Hello

Hi everyone, vacation for all souls and saints day here in the Philippines was over. It’s been busy days for us Filipinos, because aside from visiting our departed love ones at the cemetery, we are holding our family reunion at the same time there. :-) Cool right? Well that’s the tradition every since the world begun. hehhehe. Everyone are bringing food except for liquor, it’s prohibited! Once you’re caught, you’ll be penalized… Anyways, people are staying at the cemetery from afternoon of October 31 till midnight of November 1. anyways, we were just chatting and chatting, knowing the latest updates from each other and EATING!!! Most important of all!

There are some who arranges Halloween Parties but not so many because it’s not a thing here. We are more on a family thingy related.

Well well, we are now back to normal, so business business business…and posting on my blog (before i sinked in to my work…hehehhe).

Btw, I found a video in youtube about how your jewelry-making hobby can turn out to be your home base business. So please take time to watch it, its good! Cheers! :-)

Jewelry Making Parties / Home Based Business Opportunity

Philippine fashion accessory makers vs. Economic Crisis

Most fashion accessories exporters in the Philippines have common ability; they possess strong outlook despite economic crisis. Though fashion accessory maker in the country faces stiff competition from china and other countries, Philippine accessory maker manage to develop various strategy to survive the competition. The country has comparative advantage in terms of design and have variety of raw materials available such as wood, horn, coconut shell and fibers like abaca, raffia, buri and pandan that could create a distinction or image as “Philippine Made”. Some fashion accessory industries had also expanded their products from accessory to bags and other products related to fashion using the native materials.

However, even with various strategies at hand a few factories had stopped operation while other slows down because of price, first labor in china is much cheaper than the Philippines, second even the Peso is strong at present, raw materials cost and other commodity remains high.

Regardless of the difficulties fashion accessory maker faces, they remain optimistic and continue to find ways to remain competitive in the market. They view these difficulties as challenges and wont stop developing new strategies.

Here is my top 3 favorite site of Philippine Fashion accessory. They are all “Proudly Pinoy Made”.

http://www.dianamulticrafts.com/
http://www.maybellefashion.com/index.php
http://www.audreycreation.com.ph/

Karla Kam - Basic Beading

Enjoy Beading 101 from AuntieBeads !

All about Bazaars

So our woodrose bazaar turns out really nice, we have fun and there's full of excitement. Love the kids playing soccer, they are adorable, they make the bazaar interesting and colorful. We really enjoyed joining this bazaar and will definely join more bazaars in the coming weeks.

Popular bazaars around metro manila

St James Cuenca
Nov. 30, Dec 1 & 2

Cubao Expo
October saturdays

Karl Edward International Bazaar
all weekends of October, November & December

Valle Verde 5
Nov 17&18
Dec 15 & 16

and a lot more....

I will post pictures of our woodrose bazaar later coz i think blogspot has a problem in uploading pictures. :-)

Making A Pair of Ear Hooks

How to Make Easy Earrings

For beginners jewelry maker out there, Here's a video I found in Youtube, that would show you step by step instructions on how to make an easy earring. enjoy!

Beadwork websites

Somebody from femalenetwork gave these wonderful sites to me regarding accessory making, tips and technique…I found the websites very helpful and useful. From the website you can get design inspiration or if you are new in accessory making, there are simple step-by-step instruction on how to make any accessory. So hope to find the site useful too.

Check out these wonderful sites.
http://www.beadage.net/
http://craftpop.com/
http://www.craftsitedirectory.com/beadwork/beadwork2.html

Starting an Accessory Making Business

Points to consider:

Creative Ideas & Passion in Fashion Accessories:

Before going to this business, you must be interested and love fashion accessories to appreciate the art and craft of accessory making. You must also have a creative mind and vast imagination to produce unique and exceptional designs. I believe that “being interested” in fashion accessory is the most important factor to consider before to going to this kind of business.

Starting Capital:

It really depends on what you want to create. If you want to create accessory out of precious stones, like swarovski, pearls or gems; you must prepare PHP 3,000 to PHP 5,000 for startup capital. But if you will just use ordinary beads, startup capital of PHP 1,000 is enough

Materials Needed:

Aside from stones and beads, you will be needing the following materials and tools

MUST HAVE TOOLS:

1.) Pliers:
a.) Long nose and flat nose pliers - used to handle the pins, bend the wire, crimp bead, etc.
b.) Round nose pliers - used to make loops for the pins.

2.) Cutter: for cutting pins and wire.

MUST HAVE MATERIALS:

1.) Pins

a.) Head pins - the nail-like pin (flat base) used to create dangles for your jewelry
b.) Eye Pins – have loops in the end of the pin, used as connectors from one beads to another

2.) Ear wires or fish hooks – hook that goes through the ear

3.) Clasps - a fastener that attaches two things, like the ends of a necklace or a bracelets

4.) Open jump rings - are jump rings that are not soldered shut. They can be opened or closed using pliers

5.) Trigger clasp - utilizes a lever and spring to open and close the arm of the clasp. Trigger clasps can come in various shapes such as an oval or heart

6.) Stringing materials – composed of multiple strands of steel wound together and then coated with nylon. It is sometimes referred to as tiger tail.

7.) Bead cap - used to "dress up" a bead, crystal, stone, or other type of bead. It adds a touch of gorgeousness to your bead.

Above are just the basics tools & materials. You will need more stuff as you go along.

Where to buy materials:

1. ) QUIAPO – The Philippine bead paradise. There are so many bead shops to choose from along this area. Its in Villalobos St., the narrow street in front of Quiapo Church, behind the Mercury Drug Building. The most famous shop of them all is the Wellmansons shop, because you will see all materials you will need for accessory making at a very affordable prize.

Tips & Techniques in making accessory:

Visit artbeads.com to have a free tutorial on accessory making
http://www.artbeads.com/learning-center-handy-tips.html

You are invited

We are inviting everyone to come and visit our booth CHARMS SPARKLE ETC. at 10th Woodrose Family Bazaar on October 13 & 14 2007 at Cuenca Community Center, Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa City.

For inquiries:
Email:woodrose.bazaar@gmail.com
Phone: +632 850-6380 loc 128 or 842-9458
Fax: +632 842-1481
(Office Hours: 7:30am-4pm M-F)

CHARMS SPARKLE ETC.'s booth number is 130 (See below Bazaar's Layout)

Bazaar, Bazaar, Bazaar

“BER” months are the most awaited months of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs wanna-be's because these are the times when Bazaars or Tiangges are organized everywhere in the Philippines. Many
entrepreneurs take advantage of this season, because they could reach to as many customers at a minimal cost, and most of the people who go to bazaar have a pure intention of shopping.

Since bazaars are known for their trendy and unique items, entrepreneurs make it a point that they are selling the newest designs as much as possible, so as not to disappoint shoppers. People who join bazaars make it sure that the items they are carrying are
according to bazaar’s culture. This ensures an increased chance of success in bazaars.

For those who are interested to join a bazaar, here are 7 tips I found from Entrepreneur Magazine (September 2007 issue) by JET RAMOS-CRUZ

1.) Consider the type of Crowd a particular bazaar attracts.
2.) Consider the date and location of the Bazaar
3.) Look for bazaar organizers with good reputation and a good publicity program.
4.) Select a good location in the bazaar for your merchandise
5.) Plan a particular look for your bazaar stall to reflect the image of your brand
6.) Prepare calling cards or flyers with your contact information
7.) You must like the product you are selling

So, above are just the basic things to know in joining bazaars, for more details, pls check out the Internet and other magazines regarding bazaars.

My top ten favorite FASHION ACCESSORY 2007

1.) Hortensia Flower Gold Earring by BACARRAT

2.) Gecko Bangle by ROBERTO CAVALLI

3.) Diorette Yellow Gold Ring by DIOR

4.) Diorette white gold ring by DIOR

(love the butterfly in the center... ;-) )

5.) Dog Carrier Bag by JUICY COUTURE

6.) Heart Necklace by DIOR

7.) Charm Bracelet by VERSACE

8.) Pave Heart Locket Necklace by JUICY COUTURE

9.) Love and joy pendant by ME&RO

10.) Sparkling Heart Earrings by DIOR

Gosh, I wish I could have all those...

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disclaimer: pictures are used for mere commenting purposes only. pictures are owned by eluxury.com
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Pre-Christmas Bazaar

Its Christmas season once again and here in the Philippines, its also time for bazaars and exhibits for gift giving tradition. Usually a bazaar here showcases the latest trends in fashion accessories, toys, gift items, Filipino Handicrafts, Christmas decor and many more.

Since we are only freelance accessory maker, we have decided to join small bazaar events around Metro Manila. After whole day of researching yesterday, we have found that big villages in Metro Manila will be holding a mini bazaar inside their places and outsider exhibitors are welcome to join their bazaars. We are very happy about it because these are exactly what we are looking for, small events but good audience. We didn’t waste our time and give our intention to join those villages bazaars and from October to December 2007 we are booked to the following events. Btw, we call our team as CHARMS Etc.

--> October 13 - 14, 2007 (Saturday & Sunday)
10th Woodrose Family Bazaar at Ayala Alabang Village

-->November 10-11 2007 (Saturday & Sunday)
Pre-Christmas Bazaar
at the Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati City

-->Nov. 17-18, 2007 (Saturday & Sunday)
Christmas Hearts: A Gift Bazaar at Valle Verde 5 open and covered courts

-->DEC. 1-2, 2007 (Saturday & Sunday)
Wack Wack Yuletide Blessings BAZAAR III at Wack Wack Golf & Country Club

-->Dec. 15-16, 2007 (Saturday and Sunday)
Christmas Hearts: A Gift Bazaar at Valle Verde 5 open and covered courts

Our product line will include bracelets, earrings, necklaces and hair accessories. We will also be launching our first ever accessory blog one of these days so better watch out for it coz the blog will be featuring up-coming events, our latest designs and many more.

See you all !

Just Yell

Hi Friends, you can now give your comments and suggestions to my blog using a shout box. Please do not hesitate to contact me for your request or suggestion.

I want to take this opportunity also to thank the people who support my blog.
Thank you thank you thank you...
I thank also the Almighty for giving me friends like you...

Hope you find my blog useful and entertaining....

Super Size Necklaces

Super size colorful stone or gems necklaces are very trendy today. I've seen many celebrities wearing those attractive necklaces. I've notice that they are wearing them without other accessories. I could say that super sized necklaces can be tossed on any attire, I think you could wear them with tank top and jeans or mix them with party dress or can accessorized elegant evening dress.

It is amazing that a single necklace can personalized a look and can form a decorative self-expression. It could give a surprising effect on anything you wear. Its like no matter how you wear them, it will surely turn out to be fashionable. Fantastic !

Take a look at this 60" necklace below, i found this at JCpenney's site, for me its perfect, because you could wear them everyday or even for important occasions. Its simple but full of life, I wish i could make a resemblance of it... :-)



Another beautiful necklace from allysonsmith.com..... love it !





Gosh... its inspiring...

Green Rose

For the last couple of days my head has been empty of a design...i can't get inspiration from magazines or sites that I've been reading on. I felt so frustrated because I'm running out of stock for my online store and I need to create one as soon as possible.

Today, I started working with no design in mind, I checked on my available materials and tried to see what design i could make. Little by little i got ideas coming to my head... I matched pink and green beads and suddenly I find myself making a pink rose with greens petals. oh felt so relieve because at last, I have a concept in mind, I made the pink rose with green petals as the earring and the high light of the bracelet. and make some pure pink rose that will surrounds the bracelet...hehehhe...terrific! I have a new creation....I felt really great...I've realized that sometimes, you just let your own imagination work for you.....

Friends....my latest creation...hope you like it...

Online Selling

Yesterday I tried to sell some of my accessories on auction.ph. Its my first time to do online selling and i feel like clueless. Yes, I'm buying my cellphone load online, but selling is very new to me. In fairness, auction.ph has a very user friendly site and selling and buying process is simple. I never had a hard time following their instructions in selling an item. Anyway, i just hope somebody will like my items, i know there is...I'm positive bout it. ;-)

Alright, Let me share with you some of my work, hope you like them :-) Enjoy!

I know my designs are ordinary and simple, but the concept is mine, I just get inspiration from magazines or books but I don't copy them. This is my way of giving respect to the work of others. :-)

Ciao!

Practice makes perfect

Everyday my accessory work is getting better and better, I've been perfecting every stroke of curving and rounding wires and hooks...I've realized that you just don't connect it piece by piece, you should know the right dimension and the right distance of stone or beads on the chain. Its very important also to plan your design and prepare the materials before you start working. Like the first time i made a bracelet, it takes me 6 hrs in making it, because first, i don't have the right tools and i don't have a plan in mind...so it ended up not good and i have to start all over again. Anyway, now i'm learning everyday...as the saying goes, practice makes perfect. ;-)


I've been reading a lot of accessory making books and sites for ideas and techniques. Its very helpful for beginner like me. I found one site in the Internet where there is a learning center, thanks to my friend Kristine for giving me the site, gosh its so helpful because it shows the step by step instructions on how to make a bracelet or necklace...love it ! really.. :-)


You want to see my favorite workmanship...Naks! drum roll everyone my favorite work of art....

I call it the blue rose bracelet... So how was it... is it bad?? hope not... i find it cute... heheheh


Ok, the materials i used for that are the following


4 pcs. blue rose murano beads (earring and bracelet)
18 pcs. white small round plastic beads (earring and bracelet)
2 earring hooks
7 1/2 inch of Silver coated Chain
11 nail hooks (earring and bracelet)
1 lock


Its very easy, I just connect the beads to the chain with 1/2 inch distance from one bead to another...and then viola!


I hope you find it interesting....

basic tools to HAVE in ACCESSORY making

I've learned my lesson, my fingers were so painful last week because i don't have the right tools for accessory making. so the other day i finally bought my chain nose pliers and wire rounder. At last, I'm more comfortable and no more pain..so for you guys who wants to try accessory making, better buy the right tools or else you'll be like me...hehehe

Oh let me share with you the basic tools in making fashion accessories, i've search this via the internet...

1.) Beading awl
2.) Chain nose Pliers
3.) Crimper Tool
4.) Flat nose Plier
5.) Nipper Tool
6.) Round nose pliers
7.) Wire rounder

So i've got Chain nose Pliers and Wire Rounder...meaning I need to buy 5 more tools...hehehe

History of my love to accessories

I've been fascinated with earrings ever since i was in grade school, I remember asking my mom to give me more earrings so i could change my earrings everyday at school but my mom declines because everyday when i get home i lost the other pair...hehehe i remember one time when we attended a wedding and my mom ask me to wear gold earring and i lost it before we reached the church... my mom gets mad and never let me to wear true jewelry ever again...true.. even today, my grandpa gave me jewelries but haven't wear it, because my mom is afraid i might lose it. i can't blame her, i never change....i'm still clumsy when it comes to earrings as before...

its good that accessories is in fashion today, there's no hard feeling even if you lost them...hehehe but you know what, with instances of always losing earrings, i found myself making my own earrings..yeah, from the other pair that was left, i make a new pair out of it...until now i still repair broken earrings or bracelets...now i even make my own accessories, i'll buy beads in malls and make whatever style i like...I'm thinking also of making this as a business. why not maybe somebody out there will love my design, my mom and sister like it, maybe others too... :) actually love to sell them online.... I'm already making some sets of accessories and i gonna post those when i'm finished... will keep you updated...hope you will like it...