My First Craft Show!

I did my first craft fair this weekend, it was definitely not how I expected it to be, but it was still fun and I cant wait to participate in more! The show went alright, I did gain enough to cover the booth fee at least with a bit of profit, but as my business boyfriend points out, for the hours put into creating the items, sitting at the craft show, etc., I'm technically probably in the negative! Its ok though, it was a great way to get my feet wet. I felt my items definitely catering to a different crowd though, as the majority of the fair goers were retired elderly, some of which thought my items that were $2.50-3 were too expensive, despite the hours it takes for me to make each item. I thought I did have a good variety given some were more youthful jewelry and others were tea canisters and gift tins for all ages, but it was hard getting any buyers. I did meet some nice crafters though who were very encouraging about my first show and said my items were very reasonably priced and well-made which made me happy, though I wish they pitied me enough to purchase something though! :P

I definitely felt prepared for the craft show by bringing:

-spare change/bills

-mirror

-extra inventory

-variety of inventory with variety of prices

-mailing list sign up

-knucklebuster, receipts, and laptop to process credit cards

There definitely are some things I will remember to do for the next show though!

-iron table cloth! perhaps buy a larger table cloth too

-prop up my magnets

-have more display trays and levels to my booth

-I need to remember to always offer business cards to those who drop by

-bring something to do, e.g., origami so people can see me creating as well as gives me something to do during the lulls in traffic

-different sized gift bags

New Item - Goldfish Magnets Gift Tin

I just turned one of my popular necklace designs into a cute gift set of magnets. These magnets can be purchased from my Etsy Shop: www.majentadesigns.etsy.com

These 1"x1" glass magnets are made out of handmade chiyogami paper (traditional Japanese washi paper). This set includes 3 aqua pieces and 3 seafoam green pieces.

These magnets are both useful and decorative for your home, work, school, or dorm room. They can be used on:

-refrigerator
-filing cabinet
-locker
-dorm room
-mirror

These magnets come with a cute and practical gift tin which makes these magnets perfect for gift giving. The tin can be reused to store your mints, emergency sewing kit, buttons, secret knickknacks, etc.! This magnet giftset is perfect for all occasions:

-birthday
-graduation
-bridal shower
-housewarming
-teacher appreciation
-ANYTIME!

New Item - Popup Invitation

PLEASE VOTE: I entered this invitation as part of the Etsy Wedding Challenge which is sponsored by the Jetteam, EstyGreetings, and EstyFAST. Please vote for my item (#5) at http://www.etsyfast.com/blog/?p=65

DESCRIPTION: This accordion popup booklet makes a perfect invitation card or a wedding party favor! Simply untie the ribbon and it unfolds into a 6"x6" display. I used traditional Japanese handmade paper, picking this particular design not only to match the bride's color scheme, but also the colors red and gold are auspicious colors of good luck and good fortune which are always used in Chinese wedding decorations. Cranes are also symbolic of peace, happiness, and longevity, as well as are often used in Asian weddings because it is said that cranes mate for life and are devoted to their partners in all seasons.

I'm in a Magazine!

This is my first advertisement, I hope it goes over well! It can be found in the latest Sinister Girlz magazine, or else on their website at www.sinistergirlz.com ; its a great magazine about punk rock music, concerts, etc. You can read the articles and see the ad here (p.19): http://sinistergirlz.com/issue6V4.pdf

All my jewelry can be purchased at www.majentadesigns.etsy.com

Pendants for Sale!

I completed my first wholesale order recently! Some of my chiyogami glass pendant necklaces can now be found on www.galleryup.com or in their brick & morter store in South Carolina! So exciting! They only listed a couple of my pendants, but hopefully they'll sell the rest as well.

Those interested in purchasing my pendant necklaces should look in my Etsy shop as I sell them for a lower price. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5317150&section_id=5187928

Blog Interview

I recently was interviewed by MyWoodenRobot. You can read about the stories behind my craft-making, inspirations, goals, etc. Here's the interview: http://mywoodenrobot.org/blog/?p=286

(or copy/pasted below)

Getting to Know…MajentaDesigns in 10 Questions

March 5, 2008 – 10:09 am I first discovered MajentaDesigns in December while doing Christmas shopping. Unfortunately, I was too late to put in an order that would arrive in time and well, my funds were seeing red. Fortunately, I start a new job today and there’s no Christmas rush! So MajentaDesigns, expect to send an order over to MyWoodenRobot in about two weeks (pay day!). Until then, I had the pleasure of getting to know MajentaDesigns in 10 Questions.

(Do check out her blog to find a special Spring Break Sale offer!)

1. How did you begin making jewelry?

I have always loved jewelry making. Ever since I was young, I always enjoyed going to the bead shops and buying beautiful items in trying to come up with creations.

2. Describe the process you take (from start to finish) to make a necklace.

First, I find a piece of paper I like. I started off just using designs from magazines, and then I found the wonder of beautiful Japanese chiyogami paper while I was traveling in Japan last year! Anyway, so I take a glass tile and I hold it over the paper, and running it around the paper to see what would look best. Then I trace the tile, and then cut out that portion of the paper. Then I glue the paper onto the glass, and squeeze out all the airbubbles (this is my least favorite part as it can take awhile). After that, I coat the back with a waterbase sealant, so making the piece more wearable. Then I glue on a bail, then I measure out a piece of chain, and I add crimp beads to the end, and attach clasps using jump rings, to make the necklace strand. And that’s it!


Fish Pond Pendant $15

3. How long did it take for you to find the process that worked for you to get the desired effect?

I think its an ongoing process to perfect making my items. Just last week I found a new glue and turns out it works much better on the glass…but then I later learned that it only worked well with certain glass shapes, where as the other shapes there actually was more air bubbles. So I’m constantly trying to perfect my crafting process.

4. How often do you make new jewelry?

I have so many ideas, I am constantly creating. Each week, I try to post up new items, so definitely check my Etsy shop often! In fact just recently I decided to make a whole new line of products, and all your readers will be the first to hear about them! Basically, I wanted to play one of those “Buy and Replace” games on the Etsy “Promotions” forums, so I found someone who was selling cute beads so I thought they’d come in handy for some crafting goodies, so I just got a set. But then I perused the rest of her shop and she had so many cute buttons I ended up buying a bunch of them! Then I realized that they looked a lot like earrings I used to wear as a kid, so I came up with the idea to turn these adorable buttons into cute earrings! I bought surgical steel posts too, so these creations are perfect for children as well as the young at heart too! They’re also great as you get a lot of comments wearing them too!


Bumblebee Stud Earrings $3.50

5. Where do you get the ideas and inspiration for new designs?>

Mostly from walking around the craft store (I <3 ACMoore!) and seeing what supplies they have and I get so many fun ideas of things to make! (drives whoever is with me crazy as I spend so much time there!), I have a weakness for pretty scrapbooking paper and beads! But its so funny as when I come across everyday objects something might pop into my head and be like "hey I can make something with that!"

6. When and how did you decide that your crafts were good enough to sell?

After I took this jewelry making class in Korea using Swarovski beads, I thought the items looked really professional and people always would comment on where I bought the items. Soon I found out about Etsy, so I started off selling those items. Its always so exciting when people comment on the jewelry you’re wearing that you’ve made and they think you’ve bought it, so to me, that was a sign that I was ready to sell my items.

7. Can we find your jewelry anywhere else aside from etsy?

For now, they are mostly sold on Etsy, I have the same items listed on lov.li. I am very excited as a boutique in South Carolina called “GalleryUp” will be selling some of these glass pendants soon. Their site is www.galleryup.com . Also, feel free to read my blog to find out about my latest items and usually a story behind the creation of those items! http://www.majentadesigns.blogspot.com . One of my goals or aspirations for my creations is that I’ll hopefully be able to get more wholesale and consignment orders and have them sold in actual shops and boutiques too.


Grape Earrings $15

8. What do you credit your success on etsy to?

I think having a variety of items, constantly having new and different type of items in the store, and having great customer service.

9. Do you have any advice to give to other aspiring etsy sellers?

Don’t give up! I’ve seen lots of forum posts where people are discouraged because they aren’t selling, but it took me 2 months before I got my first sale! And some of my items have been sitting there for 3 months with few views, but all of a sudden someone bought those items too! I think a lot of it is quality in your products, having detailed descriptions and great customer service, but I think part of it also is luck and having that person that is seeking exactly what you offer! So if you have an idea for a creation, go for it! You might stumble across something that ends up being a hit! For me, my grape earrings and glass pendants have become my big sellers.

10. What do you hope will be the future of Majenta Designs in the next 5 years?

I am hoping to do craft shows soon, as well as having more of my items sold in boutiques and B&M shops. I’m definitely hoping the business will grow and more people will know about the shop, and refer their friends, etc. I also hope to continue to be inspired to make new and unique creations for others to enjoy.

Spring Break SALE!

After enduring endless paper-writing during midterms, its time to relax during my Spring Break! What that means is plenty of time for craft-making! Anybody who reads this blog can get 15% off their entire purchase in my shop http://www.majentadesigns.etsy.com! Simply add all the items you want into your cart, and “check out” and make sure you mention the Spring Break sale and that you found me through my blog in the “message to seller” . Then WAIT BEFORE PAYING until I send you a revised invoice with the 15% off discount factored into the total payment, and pay that amount.

Sale will run through Sunday, March 9, 2008. Be sure to take advantage!