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!

Maya Angelou Quote on Travel and Understanding

"Human beings are more alike than unalike, and what is true anywhere is true everywhere, yet I encourage travel to as many destinations as possible...Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples laugh, cry, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try to understand each other, we may even become friends" - Maya Angelou

~~~~~

I read this quote in one of my textbooks but I thought it'd be great to share as I love inspiring quotes and I love travel! Its so true, the more you travel, the more you realize that we have alot more in common with each other than you originally thought, and have more understanding of each other too! I am getting antsy for my next travel fix, but no vaca time in the near future though!

FYI: The photo above was taken in Gwangju, South Korea, nearby their Democracy Memorial. I love finding these "May Peace Prevail" polls whereever I travel. You can see the collection I have in my Etsy Shop.

Latest Line of Jewelry - Cute as a Button Earring Studs

Here is my latest jewelry additions, cute surgical stainless steel earring studs, perfect for children and sensitive ears! Click on the photo above to see their listings on how you can purchase them. They are listed in my Etsy shop under the "Earrings" section.

I was inspired to make them when I was just browsing the "promotions" section, and decided to do my first "buy and replace" game. So I bought some of these adorable buttons, and decided to turn them into affordable (only $3.50!), cute earrings! I then went crazy and bought up lots of cute earrings. I bought ladybugs, daisies, strawberries, squirrels, even yellow submarine buttons! I'll slowly but surely add these onto my site too! If you're interested in them sooner, feel free to contact me, and I can make you a special listing! (either post on the blog here, convo me in Etsy, or email me...same user name @gmail.com)