SO much has happened since our first blog hop about a month ago.
Lots of things I don't think our participants were counting on. Like Toby here, a few are a bit exhausted. And some head-banging!
Others pounded metal, instead, as the aha! moments occured and the ideas began to flow.
The first unique point was learning about the PYRAMID.
This is not like the pyramid scheme type thing which carries a very negative connotion.
Instead is it a triple tiered system of developing a line according to pricepoints.
The bottom tier, or foundation, is based on lower priced goods from 15-50.00. This is the range most people spend on gifts and things they buy as a treat for themselves, without giving it a lot of thought.
A number of us had never given that level a lot of thought, and a few confused it with being asked to cheapen their lines. Not so! Instead, it was about thinking outside the box to be able to provide goods for a broader scope of potential customers.
Things like ....
fun key chains!
purse pulls...
simple finger rings.
Pendants on simple chains!
Simple bracelets.
LOTS of earrings! Never go to a show without a full rack of earrings.
These are things that I have made and sold in the lower reaches for my little shop.
No, they really don't show off my ability as an artist, but not everyone who comes around understands handmade design or even cares. You may need to educate them!
The best way to get them to hang around so you can do that is to offer them easy-peasy things that are nicely made, have some appeal, that they can afford.
Here is Javi putting back into shop stock things we took to a local show. At this show ALL WE SOLD were the lower range items.
That being said, what we all REALLY want to make are statement items. These form the wide CENTRAL part of the pyramid. Most of these goods would be sold in the 50- 125.00 range. This is the FUN level, where we get to stretch our wings, show our abilities, and get some attention as jewelry makers and designers!
But how do we mesh those larger statement pieces with a lower priced line, so that it would be cohesive?
A good thing would be to take one of our favorite statement pieces and examine it for design elements, things we could take from it, whether components or color families....and step them out into smaller elements. This could be the start of the lower priced foundation gift-impulse line.
From there we can pull our statement line together by working in certain mixed metals families:
We can really take that any way we please.....but again, trying to do it in a way so that at the end of the day, we have lines that form a collection, and a designer look that becomes part of our brand.
Then of course we can have the greatest fun by branching out to the peak of the pyramid with custom design, custom bridal, one of a kind, runway jewelry. These are the designs that will pull customers into a show booth, a website, a shop because they are a feast for the eyes.
BUT....they are also the pieces that sell the least. They may be costly, but you will probably not sell enough of them to keep your line and your brand afloat.
The next thing we considered......and again, was a new thought for a number of us!....was how does our work fit in with the fashion of the day?
Are we aware of color trends? Have any understanding of what colors flatter most skin types? Do we know what sort of clothing is coming down from the top fashion designers, destined eventually to influence what people wear at least to some extent, in our own demographic?
Especially if we sell on the internet, the world is our demographic....so wow, YES, we really need to have at least an over-all understanding of what current fashion is, EVEN IF we completely personally eschew it !
Marica Zammit, one of our class participants, expressed it well in her poster made to bring a little levity into a difficult 'light-bulb' moment:
Thank you, again, Marica, for the poster! I'll be using it again and again!
Have you ever considered that VOGUE magazine is the world's fashion leader and that many of the decisions that eventually affect even what is sold in WALMART are made in its offices?
Probably everyone has seen the movie, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA. Perhaps you found it entertaining but the truth of it is, it's more fact than fiction. The character played by Meryl Streep is based on Anna Wintour, who is the editor of Vogue; the situations in the movie happen in the fashion world every day.
And YOU, the artisan designer, cannot pretend these things do not exist.
WHAT TO DO?
Elizabeth Hildreth of MadScientistDesigns took the bull by the horns. She had determined that she would be designing a Boho-Mediterranean style line. Stepping back, she began to imagine what sort of woman would be drawn to and buy......and WEAR! her jewelry. From there, she began to imagine what sort of CLOTHING this woman would wear, so that her jewelry would accent it.
Going forward, Elizabeth did research to find out which fashion designers were making clothing like that.....and find them she did!
She started a visual journal at Pinterest which I'll share with you here:
Going to the Bazaar Collection
If you are struggling to find a fashion pathway that fits who you are as an artisan jeweler, you might want to think as Elizabeth has and spend an afternoon doing some internet research. Make yourself a Pinterest board! It's fun and it will be very revealing.
We also had some pricing discussions. At first I had rather hoped we would not go this route as at the end of the day, pricing is up to you and your knowledge of your customer, as well as the components you are using.
I do think the discussions were fruitful and we found a blog post that was easy to read and made a ton of sense:
I hope you get a chance to look at it.....but be SURE to check out all the posts to ensue. We still have 55 participants and though it truly has been a challenge for them so far, there are plenty of AHA! moments and great new ideas. We have some amazing opinions and you are going to enjoy the insights. TAKE YOUR TIME, get a journal, TAKE NOTES!
Join us on this adventure:
Marcia Tuzzolino
Jann Tague
Judy King
Linzi Alford
Magpie in the Sky, Spoil Heap Tales
Cynthia Wainscott
Carole Carlson
Lynn Stinten
Marica Zammit
Catherine Shattuck
Michaele Collie
Mary Craig
Lee Koopman
Erin Whitacre
Monica Casady
Leila West
Cindy Peterson
Leila Belcher
Gloria Allen
Pamela Anger
Tammy Adams
Lynda O'Mara
Elizabeth Hildreth
Dana Hickey
Janet Calardo
Maria Clark
Lori Beekman
Jennifer Kroeger
Amy Jorgensen
Robin Reed
Artistry: Handcrafted Bead Designs
Ingrid Anderson
Louise O'Shields
Susan Killam
Mary Katherine Deis
The Rose Sword: Artisan and Vintage Collectible Jewelry
Nike Bottalico
Susan Bowerman
Kristy Le
Kristy Le Trendy Jewelry Designs
Jan Peters
Mitzie Crider
Needful Luxuries Occasional Blog
Gina Hockett
Linda Anderson
Alexandra Sefton
Imaginary Jewelry and Altered Art
Melida Boman
The Journey of Pens and Things
Teresa Shurter
Melissa Latimer
Renee Hong
Fine and Dandy Jewelry and Art
Nadine Edris
Lori Meyer
Jennifer Merrill Williams
Denise Lussier Poirier
Renee Allen
Autumn Adams
Elizabeth Owens
Kat BarronMiller
Midnight Kat Productions Art Jewelry
Sandra Ballard
Coral Law
Thank you, Brenda Sue! Wonderful post, and the photographs are gorgeous!
Posted by: Melissa Latimer | February 19, 2015 at 07:50 PM
Hi B'sue: great blog post! Thanks
Posted by: Sandie Ballard | February 19, 2015 at 07:51 PM
As always you are an inspiration Brenda Sue.
Posted by: Lynn | February 19, 2015 at 08:21 PM
And we are off and running again! Great post and lots of yummy pictures!
Posted by: Nadine Edris | February 19, 2015 at 08:30 PM
This is great, Brenda Sue. I'm definitely sending my blog readers to you for the best explanation of the last month! Thanks for guiding us. :)
Cheers,
Susan
Posted by: Susan ~Killam Creative | February 19, 2015 at 08:35 PM
woo hoo let the fun begin!!
Posted by: Kat BM | February 19, 2015 at 09:31 PM
OMG my wee ostrich poster got featured! lol Made me laugh when I suddenly saw it haha
Another great post Brenda Sue! Summarizes beautifully what we've been discussing and working on. And I got a bit of an aha moment reading it too!
I love love all of the gorgeous jewelry you showed here.
Off to run some errands and then it will be hopping time.
Thank you for doing such an amazing masterclass!
Posted by: Marica Zammit | February 19, 2015 at 11:55 PM
A great post with so much info. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us. Yes definitely think taking notes is a great idea. Love all the things you added with links.
Posted by: Janet Calardo | February 20, 2015 at 12:09 AM
Wowie--I just LOVE how you explain things in general, and the pyramid in particular. Every time I read it, it makes more sense! And I really enjoyed all the pictures as examples of what you were saying. You're such a good writer! I can't thank you enough for wanting to offer this class--if I never got another thing out of it, it would be that I was scared to try but signed up anyway. And baby--I have already gotten so much more out of the class that is so very valuable to me, but hard to describe. You are a special angel placed here by the Lord and you surely are magnifying your calling! Just please don't float away yet! You have such a gift for gathering people, encouraging them while saying it like it is, and uplifting people's spirits. You know that one sock that is always in the road--well you're rocking our socks off and they're flying everywhere! LOL.....<3<3<3
Que Dios te bendiga.
Posted by: Alexandra Sefton | February 20, 2015 at 01:28 AM
Brenda,
You are our sweet, smart,incredibly gifted, red-headed "spark plug," our catalyst of creativity, our mentor, and friend. What you have taught us in a month is incredible. We cannot thank you enough. I'm seriously thinking, after a month with you, my college education was less than stellar. Your style, grace, and passion exceeds that of my most cherished professors. Well done, my friend. Very well done, indeed! xoxoxo
Posted by: Susan Bowerman | February 20, 2015 at 04:51 AM
Chief design a line inspirational motivational guru! Your passion for jewelry design, sharing and teaching is unmistakable. Your passion for people is overwhelming! XOXO
Posted by: Judy King | February 20, 2015 at 07:05 AM
Thank you so much for this. Great recap that really clarifies things! Lovely jewelry as always!~Ingrid
Posted by: Ingrid Anderson~Lilis Gems | February 20, 2015 at 08:17 AM
Wow!! Thank you so much for the shout-out! Great post. :-) ~Elizabeth
Posted by: Elizabeth Hildreth | February 20, 2015 at 09:35 AM
Brenda, your posts are always so thoughtful and cock full of info and pictures. Inspiring.
Posted by: Maria Clark | February 20, 2015 at 10:27 AM
Wonderful pictures and ideas, as always! Thank you so much B'sue for all that you do.
Posted by: Renee Hong | February 20, 2015 at 10:54 AM
what a wonderful blog & class! you share some great information for us to think on and learn from. wonderful pictures and thanks so much for all you do!
xoxox
Posted by: Nike Bottalico | February 20, 2015 at 11:39 AM
Brenda Sue this journey has been amazing and i learning so much from you and everyone. Brenda you are my Muse. I have always been a huge fan of your jewelry. Words could never express how much you have changed my creative process, broadened my mind and given me this wonderful Challenge to learn by. Love you Bunches sweeet lady and I can't wait to see you in May. XOXO!
Posted by: kristy le trendy jewelry designs | February 20, 2015 at 12:16 PM
Wonderful post and photos, Brenda Sue! Thank you for all of your guidance and patience with us as we learn more about jewelry lines, and ourselves! <3
Posted by: Pamela Anger | February 20, 2015 at 02:13 PM
Wonderful post Brenda!!! I love your statement pieces and then of course your WOW pieces!!! You have an amazing talent!!! I really appreciate being able to do this class and Thank you so much for teaching it!!!
Posted by: Robin Kae Reed | February 20, 2015 at 06:03 PM
This was a great summary of all the discussions that have been going on in the class. I've always tended to make more earrings than other types of jewelry, but I hadn't previously thought of them as being the base of a pyramid. Nor did I try tying them to bracelets or necklaces by repeating elements like colors or components, except on rare occasions when I made sets. After my BALC line is complete, I think I can take a fresh look at my other designs and see which I can build upon or from for other lines.
Posted by: Tammy Adams | February 20, 2015 at 07:12 PM
I've learned so much from this class, but the most important thing that's happened is that I have just done it. Knowledge is one thing. Making things happen is another. Thanks for doing this.
Posted by: Carole Carlson | February 20, 2015 at 10:23 PM
Thanks so much for hosting not just the hops but the class as well!
Even I managed an aha moment :) It's been a blast so far and I'm truly looking forward to what this next months class brings!
Posted by: Dana | February 20, 2015 at 11:38 PM
Marvelous summation, you can't repeat it enough, it took me the last seven weeks to finally get it, so you haven't wasted a single word. Tonight I find your pictures are even more inspiring, seeing these pieces in such clear close-ups makes them even more beautiful. Especially the last one w/ the pink roses. I'd swear that was a Haskell piece from your collection. Your amazing & so are your designs. Thanks for all your time. I'm so glad you took the time to design some pieces too, if you hadn't I don't think I'd have ever really understood what you've been saying.
Posted by: Teresa Schurter | February 20, 2015 at 11:42 PM
Excellent post, and although you are the greatest teach with a wealth of information, I hope you too have gained some insights you didn't know about. I love the fact there is always something new to learn and the support, and knowledge base in this class is awesome. Thank u so much for being its sponser.
Posted by: gloria allen | February 21, 2015 at 01:16 PM
Brenda- I am so glad that I decided to do this challenge. I am learning so much and even making new friends, near and far. This is one of the best things I've done and am really enjoying this journey...even when I'm up until 1:00 a.m. to finish my blog!
Posted by: Lynda O'Mara | February 21, 2015 at 03:06 PM
As always you are insightful, thoughtful and generous with your knowledge. The team is lucky to have you. I do love the idea of a visual fashion board on Pinterest. I need to give that some consideration.
Posted by: gail | February 22, 2015 at 10:50 AM
Once again, giving us all advice-but making sure we can all go our own way in this challenge. I think that is the best thing you have given us. It makes us think about our process and ourselves, and by the end I think we will all be better jewelry artist's and designers than before.
Posted by: Jjan | February 22, 2015 at 12:43 PM
Thank you for doing this for us. We really appreciate it. Lovely pieces!
Posted by: Mitzie Crider | February 22, 2015 at 02:19 PM
Great post - the visual explanation of the pyramid really helped me, even at this point in the game. Thanks again for doing this Challenge, Brenda! My designing and marketing will never be the same :)
Posted by: Amy J | February 22, 2015 at 06:40 PM
Great blog post, Brenda. All of those in the BALC have benefited from your experiences and expertise, but the rest of us are benefiting as well. I appreciate the wealth of information you have shared. It has been interesting seeing how the BALC participants have grown as they have designed their new lines. I will look forward to seeing your new line too, Brenda.
Posted by: Vonda Stephenson | February 23, 2015 at 12:19 AM
Thank you , as ever for the encouragement, information and the education that this challenge is affording to all of us participants, we are all growing and blooming like flowers as a result of your nurture XOX
Posted by: Linzi Alford | February 23, 2015 at 01:45 PM
Mi amiga linda I Have Read your post twice and printed it, you always without knowing know exactly what I need to hear, you are full of knowledge and you are so selfless that you are willing to share it with us, te quiero mucho mi Amiga, gracias por tu apoyo incondicional
Posted by: Cynthia Wainscott | February 23, 2015 at 04:42 PM
We are well on our way thanks to you Brenda Sue.
Posted by: Lynn | February 24, 2015 at 05:38 PM
Hi B'Sue~
Great post! So comprehensive and well explained.All your necklaces are beautiful statement pieces- for sure! Thank you so much for offering us such aq great oppotunity to improve our business and further our brands! you are the best!
See you in class!
XOX Liz
Posted by: Elizabeth Owens | February 25, 2015 at 01:39 PM
I love all of your pieces! Thank you for providing to me an opportunity to grow as an artist, designer, and business person.
Posted by: Monica | March 03, 2015 at 10:53 AM
Ms. Brenda when I become an awesome jewelry designer I'm going to make amazing jewelry pieces just like you!! Thank you for these priceless lessons this information is just so valuable to creating a successful jewelry design line. Always Grateful Louise
Posted by: Louise | March 30, 2015 at 11:18 PM
Don't know how I missed this last month, but your explanation of the pyramid makes so much sense! Great post, and have learned so much thanks to your expert tutelage. I will never stop admiring your handiwork, both in words and in pictures. Thank you, our fearless leader!!
Posted by: Gina Hockett | March 31, 2015 at 05:23 AM