To occupy (oneself) with or involve (oneself) in something habitually or compulsively.

First step is admitting your "problem".

Thankfully I am not alone on this one.  

Here are 3 of my favorite looks from Shopbop accessorized with Piecemaker Jewelry.  

Enjoy the sunshine San Francisco!

Trend Takeover: Tassels!

http://www.fashionologie.com/Spring-2011-Trend-Tassels-13254664


http://www.skimbacolifestyle.com/2011/03/spring-trend-tassels.html

 http://www.asianfashion.com/blog/fashion-trend-tassels.html

XOXO...The Random Generator

THANK YOU to those who entered the 

off-centered custom letter stamped, vegetable-tanned leather earrings giveaway. 
The amount of entries equaled my favorite number 27!  (My birthday: August 27.  Yes!  I'm a Virgo.)
Congratulations to the winner:  Entry #25!

 

 

Uncomplicated, Ethereal Bliss (Giveaway Announcement!)

Giveaway Announcement! Effective April 12 to 19, 2011. No purchase necessary. 

Win a pair of off-centered custom letter stamped, vegetable-tanned leather earrings.

See listing here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/71614066/leather-earrings-off-centered-custom

Directions: Leave a comment on my blog (www.piecemakerjewelry.blogspot.com) with the letter(s) you want on your pair of off-centered custom letter stamped vegetable-tanned leather earrings AND what's your favorite Piecemaker Jewelry piece (www.piecemakerjewelry.etsy.com).


Winner will be chosen via random number generator.  Check back on April 20, 2011 for the winner.

Good Luck! 

Final Results

Here it is...
2011 Spring/Summer Collection: Ethereal Realm
Don't you just love the name? If not, keep that thought to yourself please. =)
Shop here: www.piecemakerjewelry.etsy.com
Link to video: Piecemaker Jewelry

the Enchanting Clarion Alley

Graced with beautiful weather, Alicia, Sarah and I ventured to the Mission District for an afternoon of laughter,  the smell of urine, captivating murals, and piecemaker jewelry!  Armed with her fancy Nikon, Alicia quickly immersed herself in this bohemian alley.  I can't wait to share the results with you. 


Here are a few shoots from today:

S*&T! Mistakes...never too late to learn.

After hours of shifting through receipts, here are a few things I’ve learned this past year as a really small home business entrepreneur...in no particular order.

1. Buy bulk, it’s easier and more cost effective.

My first few orders were shipped via bubble mailers purchased from the local post office.  The cost was approximately $1.49 plus San Francisco sales tax each.  Now, I purchase from www.royalmailers.com.  Free shipping, great prices, and great service.  Current cost is now approximately $0.25 per mailer.

2. Document receipts every few months.

Going through a year’s worth of receipts is not my cup of tea.  My goal this year (key word: goal) is to document my receipts every 3-4 months on Excel.  That way I still remember what it is I purchased and get a sense of my budget.

3. Google those international addresses.  Good ol’ Google. 

Take that extra step to validate each and every international address.  Paypal shipping does not allow one to create first class international shipping labels, therefore each has to be handwritten.  This search checks that great handmade items are shipped to the right person, especially when the address is five lines long.

4. Samples. Test. Revise.

I get these amazing ideas for novel jewelry pieces.  I’ll run to the store, purchase the supplies, and attempt to manifest my ideas.  Sometimes I fail, miserably.  Then I’m left with these useless supplies.

Ask for samples from your local brick and mortar stores; few of my suppliers would even gift me a few pieces or snippets of beads, fabric, etc.  This way my San Francisco apartment doesn’t look like a cross between a bird cemetery and a S&M boutique.

5. Start small, simple, and slow.

This one is just my opinion.  The glitter, sparkle, and glam is addicting, however costly.   I am not saying be cheap, because that would be evident to your audience. Spend wisely.  Within 6 months of starting piecemaker jewelry, I owned glossy black kraft boxes, colorful tissue paper, colorful ribbons, matte boxes, poly bags, fancy big business cards, fancy SMALL business cards, a logo, domain, website, personalized email address, Etsy website, professional editorial style pictures, etc.  Did I need all that so soon?  Probably not.  Some things can wait.

6. Use those free resources right in front of you.

In the old days (um....4 months ago), I galloped to the post office and waited (almost) patiently in line.  Nowadays, I utilize Paypal’s shipping.  I print from home, price includes discounted delivery confirmation, and no more waiting in line.