In search of a brand rep!

 

As my small business goes from taking tiny shredded lotus steps to leaps and bounds like a gazelle, I am searching for a few brand representatives (maybe 1-3 individuals) to help spread the word. Bloggers are definitely welcome, but must have an active following. If you are not a blogger, fear not! Just send me your social media platforms! (Instagram, Facebook, etc)

If you are interested in helping me out, please answer the following questions and email to me at julemijewelry@yahoo.com.

1 - Name
2 - Email
3 - Your blog website (if you are a blogger)
4 - Your social media links (Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook sites are a must)
5 - How do you plan to market my items?
6 - My target market are ages 20-50. Will you be able to successfully market to these individuals. How do you plan to reach out to them?

I'm sure I will have more requests in the long run, but these are the questions that came to me.



Please note that I will NOT be sending out free samples of my work, but will offer them to you at a discount. Not only does this warrant a fair review in blogs (if you are a blogger) or sharing on social media, but you also help a sistah out with groceries :)

Items will include anything available in my shop (no custom requests).

So get cracking on the application, and I can begin the search!

I look forward to hearing from you!

Step Into the Aqua Blue Room

With Valentine's Day hearts, kisses, candies, and stuffed animals now a fuzzy memory, I am surely in need of another color to look at besides red and pink. Don't get me wrong, pink is my favorite color and I could wear seven shades of it to next Sunday, but I am aware that there other other colors out there that are just as gorgeous.

The color that first popped into my head was aquamarine blue. I love the simplistic color and serenity it gives off. After an hour of Etsy searching, I found a few aquamarine items that I love.

It is still February which means we are still in winter (boo) but this scarf by SilkLetters on Etsy will make the snow seem like a beautiful thing. Shop owner Sirje is from Estonia and creates lovely hand painted silk scarves. Each scarf has a story and this one is inspired by Robert Frost's poem Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening. Sirje's beautiful silk scarf can be found here.

Photo taken by SilkLetters on Etsy

Being a jewelry maker and lover, I had to search for some great pieces to admire. One of the first items to pop up was this aquamarine, pyrite, and labradorite bracelet from MoonLabJewelry. For those who are not familiar with gemstones, pyrite and labradorite are silvery-gray colored stones, and in this bracelet, they compliment the aquamarine perfectly. This delicate bracelet has a muted elegance that is absolutely breath taking. This beautiful bracelet can be found here.

Photo taken by MoonLabJewelry on Etsy

Anyone who knows me is aware that I cannot stop at one piece of jewelry. After the bracelet, I found this gorgeous aquamarine bar necklace by RobinWoodard jewelry. Again, the colors of the stones are truly astonishing. Three raw free form slabs hang from a gold-filled chain. I can see myself wearing this with a simple white top and jeans or to a black dress event. That is the beauty of jewelry. A single piece can subtly enhance an outfit or speak volumes. Robin's necklace can be found here.

Photo taken by RobinWoodard on Etsy

When it comes to decor, aquamarine colored items are no stranger to beach houses, cottages, and every day homes all over the world. This throw pillow by Emerey is a great addition to complete your home furnishings. This decorative throw pillow can be found here. Although I am a fan of this color and design, Emerey also offers a wide selection of colors and prints. Complete your furnishings with coordinating duvets, shower curtains, and area rugs.

Artwork and design created/copyrighted by Emerey

Speaking of living spaces, the kitchen is a very integral part of any home. In fact, it's my favorite spot! In searching for some kitchen ware, I came across this cute sauce bowl from AllisonGlickCeramics. I'm always experimenting with sauces and this bowl is a perfect size for sauces, lemon wedges, or other ingredients in the kitchen. It can be a salt or pepper bowl for cooking time. The possibilities are great. Each bowl is hand spun and hand painted with great care. To find this bowl and others like it, please click here.

Photo taken by AllisonGlickCeramics on Etsy

Thank goodness for February being a short month and it puts thisclose to becoming spring. Living on the east coast, I long for spring as soon as temperatures go under 65 in October. The minute the long awaited first crocus pops out of the ground, I look forward to other flowers following suit. My favorites include tulips and hyacinth blooms. Where else to showcase these beautiful flowers than in a charming hanging terrarium like this one from AvolieGlass. This pretty vase is hand blown with a hanging loop to dangle from an outside tree or from your indoor ceiling. Find this hanging terrarium and many other designs by shop owners Demi and Dean here.

Photo by Elizaville on Etsy for AvolieGlass on Etsy

There are so many beautiful items to find on Etsy! Stay tuned for my next color showcase!
Until then, take a peek at these great artisans.

Social Media Help Is On The Way (Dear) !!

Using social media can be scary (and time consuming!) for some people. I know a few shops who choose only one platform and refuse to try any others. Please don't make this mistake! Your target market may use Instagram but not Pinterest, they may use Twitter but not StumbleUpon, or they may use Facebook but not Tumblr. Using only one avenue means that you may not be reaching out to all in your target market.

In today's blog, I will share my experiences with all the social media that I use. Grab a plate of cookies...I mean, rice cakes...a plate of rice cakes and something to drink. This may take a while.

INSTAGRAM
My absolute favorite platform is Instagram. This app is not only used for photo sharing but videos as well. While photos and videos may only be loaded from a smart phone, you can still access it on a computer. The keys to optimizing use of this app is great photos and the use of popular hashtags (#). Make sure that your photo space is clear of clutter, well lit, and that your product is in focus. You can search popular hashtags in the app itself by tapping on the magnifying glass and typing the first few letters of the item you wish to promote. Another great tool is iconosquare.com. Iconosquare provides your Instagram stats - day and time to post, best tags, less popular tags, etc. I check my iconosquare once or twice a week to see if my tags are still popular or if I need to change them up.

But add a bit of personality into your profile! Although I'm sure all your items are super gorgeous and you want to promote your finished product, share the creative process with your followers. Let them know what you are going to be making next, what supplies you love, and then post your finished product. This gives your followers an inside view of you as a shop owner and not just a salesperson. Maybe you're taking a break from sewing. Post a picture of your coffee cup next to your sewing machine. Show them you are also a normal person.

If you're just starting out, tap on the magnifying glass again to find people to follow that have the same interests. You can also search for others who have used the tags you use. Be sure to like and comment on profiles with similar interests as they may have the same target market audience as you. This gives those followers a chance to see you.

TWITTER
Twitter can be a little more tricky. Most of the time, it may feel like you are on a crate box shouting to passersby. The trick here is to find twitter parties or certain hours where an account shares links. I have found that #craftshout and #shoppershour on Facebook are the most successful parties that I have seen. The days and times vary so be sure to join the teams to find out the correct times. Another one of my favorites is #handmadehourusa on Twitter which is every Wednesday, 7-8pm EST. My views nearly triple each time I do this twitter hour. Make sure to follow @handmadehour and @hmnation for the latest updates.

Aside from parties, I try to find random times to send out a few tweets. Coffee break? Send a tweet. Baby sleeping? Send a few more. In the potty? Send as many as you can. Just like Instagram, hashtags are very important here as well. Make sure that your tags relate to your items but aren't too general that they'll get lost in the Twitter-verse abyss. Sometimes I will check the most popular tags being used by typing a few letters into the "tweet box." Like Instagram, make sure you follow others, communicate with them via tweets, and stay active.

PINTEREST
Ah the art of pinning. When I first began Pinterest, I was completely lost at how all of it worked. I never fully grasped the concept until I started using it for shop promotion. The key here is to create boards that not only reflect your shop but YOU as a person. For example, my boards consist of my jewelry, other people's hand made items, hair styles, food, make up, fun stuff to do with my daughter, etc. My boards are unrelated but there are some folks who keep boards that are strictly related to art, or jewelry, or home decor. It is completely up to you how many boards you choose and the overall appearance of them. Think of Pinterest as a huge platform where you put all your sticky reminder notes.

Now to find followers. Type a keyword relating to your items (or anything you are looking for) and pin them to your boards. I suggest finding other boards to pin to so you can share your work and possibly gain followers as well. Most of them go by invitation so make sure you check their descriptions up top. Most of the time, they'll have an email address to send your request to. Sometimes all you have to do is follow their board and they can add you.

FACEBOOK
And lastly, Facebook. A well-known blogger has advised that closing or not having a Facebook account is bad for business. While I personally feel Facebook is not for me due to all the restrictions they are enforcing, it still has its perks. The best advice I can offer is to join groups. Facebook groups allow promotion and provide help within their discussions. The groups are great for gaining Facebook likes or followers on Instagram and/or Twitter.

I'm hoping that your plate of cookies...er....I mean rice cakes...have lasted long enough to read this blog. Finish up that beverage and start your social media accounts!

Follow me at:
Instagram @julemijewelry
Twitter @julemijewelry
Pinterest.com/julietarampi
Facebook.com/julemijewelry
www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/julemijewelry

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Men

The lovers holiday is slowly creeping and I feel as though I am standing in a vegan store looking for Steak'Ums. I'm so lost.

Even with prodding (gentle and down to the point), Ian hasn't helped me at all with gift ideas. Looking through my favorite online shop venue ETSY, I was able to find a few cool ideas for him.

The very first "manly" gift I have ever gotten for him was hand salve from The Becksters Lab. Ian works on cars every day and is constantly washing them so he really has sand paper hands. These salves not only helped tame his shredders, but began to heal them from dryness and redness. His favorite scent is peppermint lavender. Other scents include mojito, orange spics, lemon, and unscented.

Photo by TheBecksterLab on Etsy.com

Speaking of skin care, another favorite that I have yet to buy is this papaya scented soap set from NearlyNakedProducts.The set includes soap, body scrub, and a clay mask for your face. Added bonus: You can share! If he doesn't want to, get this or another great item from Nearly Naked Products for yourself!

My favorites that I've seen include pine tar soap, coconut oil soap, and papaya soap. I've used these products at one point or another in my life and they all work wonders. The first is the pine tar soap. It works great for itchy skin, and any pregnant woman knows what I am talking about! About seven months into my pregnancy, my belly felt itchier than it would if I rolled around poison ivy completely naked. Pine tar soap has helped with the itch and left a great scent on my skin afterwards.

Growing up, my mom always rubbed coconut oil on her skin and hair. Still being a little fledgling, I couldn't understand why she couldn't just use lotion. "This is better" was always her response, and now I know why. Coconut oil is a natural hair and skin moisturizer, and it smells AMAZING. And lastly, papaya soap was also a part of my childhood. My mom (who apparently knows so much about natural skincare!) used it to wash her face. She always said it makes her skin pretty...and it sure does! Papaya helps with age spots, lighten your skin, and provide a softer appearance.

They have other handcrafted soaps, lip balms, and oils for nearly everything! Each item is hand crafted and designed to aid with certain skin conditions.

Photo by NearlyNakedProducts on Etsy.com

If your hubby-lubs is into home decoration (yes, there are some out there), I found this super romantic sign that he can use on his book shelf, next to his bed, or hung at work. Romantic Sign  It is from the shop JohnWGolden.

Photo by JohnWGolden on Etsy.com

John's shop has many fun and romantic signs, but this is one of my favorites. He has some hilarious signs under the category "Order of Management." These signs are great for bathrooms, kitchens, children's rooms, and living spaces. Remind the kiddos to wash their hands, play outside, and brush your teeth. This also goes for the adults! Haha!

Take a peek and find something for your home this Valentine's Day or any day.


If your guy is constantly losing his keys or just doesn't have a place to put them, take a look at this key holder from BoWinston. BoWinston has quite the collection of nostalgic key holders including Pulp Fiction and beautiful women. Bo also has an amazing Kurt Vonnegut key holder.

Bo doesn't stop there. She also has vintage items, unique prints, and funny mugs.

Photo by BoWinston on Etsy.com

Ian is an avid tea drinker - must be in in the blood...he is British after all :) I found this adorable spoon for him from JessicaNDesigns. He's not into tea? Good. I'm a coffee drinker myself :D Check out these coffee related items. Jessica also creates personalized hand stamped jewelry and key chains in her shop. She also has a Valentine's Day category to help with your search!

Photo by JessicaNDesigns on Etsy.com

Not into any morning beverage? We know beer is always an option. Check out this personalized beer mug by Melshera

If wallets/bags are...well, his bag, take a look at these wallets  from TiposCreations. Having originally crafted gorgeous jewelry designs, Tim has branched out into personalizing gifts for men and women as well. Using genuine leather for his products, Tim creates engraved and embossed items in his shop. I have a few of his wallets and jewelry items in my own Favorite list on Etsy.

Photo taken by TiposCreations on Etsy.com

There are some men who like accessorizing as much as women do. Check out some of these bracelets from my shop at Julemi Jewelry. All bracelets are made with premium beads, gemstones, and rare Hawaiian shells.

Photo by Julemi Jewelry on Etsy.com

If I've completely missed the mark of what your guy may be into, there is always a nice home cooked meal and some "adult" time for the night :D

Well, it can also be a Whopper from Burger King

This is Why it's HOT!

First of all, I would like to thank all of you, old and new, in supporting my blooming small business. If you haven't seen my numerous posts (sorry about that! Haha!) about what I sell, I create handmade pieces of jewelry, from expandable bracelets to hammered earrings and more.

In 2014, my best selling item was the "Aunt" expandable bangle. It was also very popular in 2013. I would like to come to the conclusion that this is because there aren't many "aunt" related gifts unless you are becoming one. Most "aunt" gifts are related to popping the news of a pregnancy and/or relating to a baby. I have not seen many that can be a day-to-day gift; something for a birthday, Christmas, or a simple "thank you for being an awesome aunt" gift.

Here is the aunt bracelet that has been flying off the shelves (or in my case, my "creation station" aka "computer table") Aunt Expandable Bracelet  

Although this bangle was the most popular selling item for the past year and a half, I also have other expandable stacking charm bangles. Aside from having other family members/people such as mother, daughter, sister, grand daughter, grandmother, friend, baby boy, baby girl, and cousin, I have bracelets that are out of the norm such as robots, dinosaurs, and cupcakes. If you are looking for a gift for certain occupations, I have one for hair dresses, knitters, seamstresses, and even dental hygienists.

All expandable bracelets in my shop are now made with non tarnish and hypoallergenic stainless steel which is perfect for those with metal allergies. Even the charms' jump rings are now stainless steel. Have small wrists? Contract the bangle. Larger wrists? Expand the bangle at the coils to enlarge. The maximum expansion is a 3" diameter which is approximately equivalent to an 8 to 8-1/2" length bracelet.

And it doesn't stop there.

If you're not into the whole stacking bracelet thing, my shop also stocks beaded wire bracelets that can be seen here: Beaded Wire Bracelets

I use semi-precious gemstones such as garnet, agate, jade, ladradorite, and quartz to name a few. Into something a bit more sparkly? I also have shiny fire-polished Czech glass beaded bracelets in the shop.

I've still got much to offer.

If earrings are your thing, I have hand forged and hammered earrings in my shop! Earrings

Again, I use semi-precious gemstones, hand picked shells from Hawaii and Florida, and premium beads from all around the world (India, Mexico, and even Peru.)

And lastly, the best news....all items are super affordable! Prices begin at only $6 for earrings and my top selling expandable bracelets are only $18. All items come with the option of being beautifully gift wrapped (if they are being sent to a special someone).

Come take a peek at my shop at julemijewelry.etsy.com today and support small businesses!

Follow me!

Twitter @julemijewelry
Instagram @julemijewelry
Pinterest.com/julietarampi
julemijewelry.tumblr.com
facebook/com/julemijewelry

Going to Paris!

Starting a business is a great and huge endeavor: a product is created, you promote and sell your product, you rake in the dough, and you have the best boss ever - yourself. I pictured myself as a small business that was going to be based out of my home and working in pajamas.

I like to compare my adventure so far with going to Paris. I'm thinking bright "new order!" notifications, fashion, style, and excitement. I'm excited, all packed up, ready to go.

The first step for me was to decide if I wanted to take the plunge. I shopped for raw materials and set a budget for my soon-to-be shop. The cons were weighing out the pros (do I really need to be spend $XXX when I need it for groceries for the week?) but after a deep breath and a glimmer of faith, I decided to hit that "submit" button and ordered the supplies I needed to create my bracelets.

The best button I've ever pushed

I did research on the Internet on what was popular and figured out price points. My main goal was to create affordable jewelry for others (and mothers!) who did not have a lot of extra cash but wanted to have something pretty for themselves. I began to work at my "creation station" and beaded, twisted, and charmed away. The entire time, while still seriously determined, I was excited like a 5 year old girl who just received a Barbie Corvette and matching Ken doll for her birthday.

But my Etsy shop is better than the mall!

This is such a great idea!, I thought. I created a surplus of expandable bracelets, the kind that is famous like the Rhode Island based maker, with a different type of charmed style to make it my own. One hundred bracelets later, I opened up my shop at  julemijewelry.etsy.com and waited. Crickets. And those crickets had crickets. Then those crickets had crickets. I may as well have been in the deep meadows making friends with other creatures under rocks.

"I'll just wait here, and...wait."

So this isn't Paris. I'm on the outskirts staring in. Where are the bright lights? The noises? The fashion? Still just crickets. I began to lose a bit of the excitement and put my things away. It seemed like I was going to be here for a while.

Then, trumpets came blaring and lights start flashing when I hear that first glorious cha-ching from my smart phone. Well, no parade really, but the feeling was so gratifying. All that work in creation, and I finally received a sale three weeks since opening up shop. I was beginning to feel that much closer to Paris. I started re-packing because I felt that this was just the beginning and more was to come.

THEN THE REAL WORK STARTED....

Sales began to trickle then pour in because of the upcoming holiday (Christmas 2013). I needed more supplies! I needed more charms! Different charms? Well okay! I need more beads! And time! Where's all the time???? I work full time at a day job and have a daughter, so my time is limited. I maybe have 1-2 hours a day to create, photograph, edit, list, and promote. Sometimes I just want to work on my shop and shut the world out. I want to create.I want to sit at my desk and bead and twist. I want to make sure all my bracelets are perfect.

Then it dawned on me that I am now an actual business. What started as a hobby and a vision was now an up and coming shop. I had registered my business with the state to obtain a sales tax ID so I could sell at craft fairs and at home shows.

While I still consider myself a "newbie," I have gone much farther than I thought I would...and that's great!!

So...Paris isn't what I had expected. There's a lot of hustle and bustle. There's a lot of noise. There's an endless need to visit the craft stores and an endless need for beads and other supplies. There's endless fees and charges for running a business.

But, there's also a sea of endless possibilities.

Just last year alone from October to December sales, I was able to take a trip to Hawaii for a surprise visit to see my parents.

I have a creative outlet and I am doing something that I love that brings in revenue. It has its ups and downs, highs and lows, but it is still my home based business and I love my Etsy shop. I am always creating, thinking of new ideas, and putting items out there for the world to see. A part of me is in each piece.

Here's to more creativity!!

Hi! My name is Julie...and I'm addicted to beads.

Anyone who is a jewelry crafter will know what I mean. Hi, my name is Julie, and I have a problem. I'm addicted to beads.

Ever since I began my Etsy shop, new ideas have been swimming in my head like koi fish in a small desk bowl. I was on eBay a lot looking at items and things that I would need. Then I started visiting Etsy for supplies. I decided I needed more instantaneous gratification, so I started going to Jo Ann Fabrics and Michael's Craft Stores. OH...MY...GOD!! And OH MY WALLET! The Jo Ann store right by my abode is not so great when it comes to a selection of beads, but is great for supplies like jump rings or connectors. The store that is a few miles away in another town seriously has a sun ray shining down on it and should have a group of angels singing at the entrance.

Not only is it HUGE but the item selection is magnificent. I feel like Mr. Scrooge in his money tower walking through the store's endless possibilities.

This past Saturday, I received a 25% off my entire purchased coupon which is the sole reason I decided to leave my house. I got Emi ready and headed to the store. I immediately went towards the bead section, and wouldn't you know that the pretty much the entire stock was 50% off!!

 

While perusing the aisles, I met a woman who needed an opinion on matching beads with a swatch of fabric she had. A quick opinion turned into a shopping venture down the beading aisle. If she were a man, we'd run off together into the other crafting aisles hand in hand and swim in spools of yarn. Just kidding...but I digress...we chatted about colors, shapes, how to get the coupon code (she did not know), and what would match with what. The entire time, I kept thinking I should give her my Etsy business card. If it resulted in a sale, GREAT!, but if not, at least I would have a new (beading) buddy who gets just as excited as me when it comes to craft shopping. I said goodbye to her when I left to go look at wrapping options. I was a little sad to leave and regretful of not giving her my business card.

If this Jo Ann store location was much closer, I would be visiting it more than the Michael's location by me. BUT...Michael's is one of my most favorite stores. Coming first before Target, and my friends and family know how much I LOVE Target, I visit Michael's almost once a week to look and touch the beads. I swear I have a connection with the beads and have a "conversation" with them to see what kind of projects they could be in. Kind of like an interview. I can see that I sound crazy at this point, but remember...I have a problem...and I'm addicted to beads!

I have not met anyone as special as the Jo Ann lady, but enjoy my time here as well. I am convinced by myself that I cannot bring the baby here (if I can help it) because I will seriously take an hour looking at the beads and deciding which ones to purchase for upcoming projects. Sometimes I won't even have an idea in mind, but once I see the bead, I know what to create. I keep telling myself that I have enough beads to make Lady Gaga a dress that she would be proud of but 1) I don't know Lady Gaga, 2) I can't sew, and 3) there's never enough beads!

I've actually begun to save my daughter's Gerber food containers to keep my beads in (washed and dried of course!) so I don't have to keep buying those organizers. Although the organizers are not costly, I would be able to stack a Fort of Beads with them and I would be the watch guard. Sounds fun, but my walls would not withstand the Power of Emi.

I plan to visit the store tonight for something completely non-bead related but we all know how that may end.... Stay tuned for news on my addiction!


Visit julemijewelry.etsy.com to see my completed pieces :)