Long time no Write..... Small Business on the Horizon

What have I been doing for the last 2 months?   A lot.  I have been working to fill orders, getting new pictures of pieces, taking care of my 3 year old, coming up with a new business concept, writing a business plan, getting funding, a space....it has been crazy!

So as of today I plan to open a brick and mortar, yes I said it, a retail store....I think sometimes this is crazy, but this is also something I have dreamed about for many, many years.  I have always been interested in design.  I am more interested in how settings make people feel, connect.

So I am creating a lifestyle store, creating a space that provides items for people to love and connect with, pieces that people want to bring into their homes.  So much more to come, and more to share.  I am excited for what's on the horizon!

#makingithappen #smallbusiness #womensbusiness #workingmom

Happy Halloween, or is it Happy Holidays?!

I am a fanatic about the holidays.  I love them!  Now I am not one of those who goes all out decorating, or spends her time in the kitchen baking for everyone, but I just love the "feel" of the holidays.

You won't find me out shopping the day after Thanksgiving, or shopping the day after Christmas in the malls, but you will find me snuggled up by a fire.  Or enjoying a crisp cool morning or evening.  There is something about the air, it smells different, it feels different.

The ground covered in leaves, rain, and the fog settling in around the valley is spectacular.  Now my thing is Holiday music though.  I listen to it starting in October.  Yes, I can't help myself.  I love it!  It makes me smile, makes me think of earlier times in my life, it makes me think about my dad who has been gone now for 7 and a half years, my grandma's who have been gone for many years, and my childhood that has also been gone, for many years (if you didn't know, lol).

I asked my son the other day, "Do you like Christmas music?" and he looked at me and said "Yes, mommy!" and that was enough for me, and honestly all that matters to me.  That he is happy.  So really what do the holidays mean for me?  They mean its another season that I get to share with my son, that I get to watch him change and grow and explore, it is another time of joy for he and I.

#luckymom #momlife #momboss #girlboss #blogger #blogging #jewelry

Christmas 2014

Everybody's Doing It.....Jewelry that is

Is there anyone who is not "making" jewelry today?  I mean every time I turn around someone famous has decided to make/design jewelry.  It's something they always wanted to do, according to them.  I often wonder how long "always" is?

I have been making/designing jewelry for over a decade.  Since my mid 20's to be exact.  I have done it day and night, I have worked hard to figure out how to self teach myself, how to design, how to create, how to start a business, how to do shows, what shows to do, which ones don't work for me.  It has been a long, tiring, inspiring, fabulous adventure. 

Now, the thing I have learned is that there is room for all of us in the jewelry world.  I do believe that.  But what I also believe is that there is something to be said for the designer who has been creating, and forging forward in an industry that is overwhelmed with people.  Look at Etsy, there are more designers than we can count.  It is almost impossible to be found on Etsy if you are "newish", "smallish", or your prices reflect the actual cost of handcrafting pieces.

Well with all that said, what I want to say is that, it is all inspiring, there is a place for it all.  I read a quote recently that said something to the effect of, "just because you aren't there today, doesn't mean you won't be tomorrow". 

True. 

Hello Tomorrow!

#Etsy #jewelry #jotd #ootd #business #smallbusiness #shows

New Website for Jewelry Designs

Do you own a business?  Do you want to?  What is difficult for you to keep up with?

For me it's wanting to change, update things all the time.  Make them fresh, renewed, inspiring, manageable, complimentary, relevant, all of the above.  It is never easy to come up with new ideas, new designs, new works.

It takes time, energy, focus, decision making, all of which I can do, but none of which I thoroughly do when it comes to certain issues.  As you may have figured out, my son is number one on my priority list.  Then comes my second child, my business.  Which is why I hired Lauren, to help, as like my nanny, with my second child.

So first on our agenda was updating the website.  If you have seen my work, then you know it is somewhat raw, organic, as I like to put it, perfectly imperfect.  It never looks the same, but is always colorful, honest, wearable, affordable, and complimentary.  So the website also needed to be.

Lauren created the background, a turquoise (my favorite), ocean feel using rough wood as the backdrop.  I use wood displays at market and this fit perfectly.  She redid my logo and gave me something a little softer, but still similar.  I like it, it is round, I like round!

Overall if you haven't seen the old site, well then you will not notice, but if you have and you haven't visited the new site, well please do so.  Let me know what you think!  I would love to hear!!  www.rosegilleydesigns.com

#website #jewelry #jewelrydesigns #blogger #bloggerlife #jotd #ootd

How not to do a Blog?

Just don't post anything.  I can't believe it has been a whole month since I last put anything down. Don't ask what I have been doing, I myself do not know.  Maybe creating, maybe playing, maybe just hanging out with my favorite boy. 

Well whatever it has been, it has had nothing to do with this blog.  So what is new?  Not much, I have been spending most of my time just playing in the studio.  Doing some large pieces that I have wanted to do for a long time, but haven't gotten around to.  Since I skipped out on shows this summer, it has given me more time to play.

Rose Gilley Designs New Jewelry Website

With the addition of my intern, has come a little change.  I have really liked my website for a long time, but let's be honest, I am not a techy.  Not even a "t", so when Lauren joined me, we sat down and took a look at what I like and don't like. 

I love turquoise, it is truly the color I choose to surround myself with.  My designs most often have a variation of turquoise in them, or at least blues and greens.  My clothing is mostly blue, the walls in my house are turquoise, literally surround myself.  So it was a no brainer to go turquoise.  The wood walls are perfect, it is what I use to display my jewelry at shows, and honestly I love different variations of wood, in particular, redwood as I am from the redwoods. 

Last, I like clean, so turquoise and clean.  So take a look at my new website www.rosegilleydesigns.com, let me know what you think.  I am excited.  It is still a little rough, needs a bit of clean up, but it's progress!!!  Love it!

#website #wholesale #jewelry #jewelrydesigner #websitedesign #rosegilleydesigns #intern

www.rosegilleydesigns.com

Growing Up

I did it. I finally hired an intern. Her name is Lauren. It is nice to see RGD expand a little. It is something I have wanted to do for a long time. But for many different reasons I didn't.

Mostly because of trust, cost to do business, etc. Then one day there she was. Just through a normal conversation we started talking and the more I knew, major in Graphic Arts, her own personal experience with small business and her drive, it suddenly dawned on me, huh maybe she could intern for me. 

After a few emails to junk we finally connected and now she has expanded my little business to two. She works about 10 hours a week. But her ideas, initiative, and fresh perspective is inspiring and exciting. She is working on some rebranding for me as well as outreach online materials. 

Not to say it will all work out exactly as I hope, but I can hope that things work out for a while! Wish me luck on this next step in RGD journey!!

The importance of Social Media Feed?

So as a business owner, and as a jewelry designer, I spend a lot of time reading about how to increase traffic, to my site, to my IG, to my show schedule, etc.  And I have to tell you there is a lot of information out there.  Everyone is doing everything for "free", giving you all the secrets, telling you everything they have learned, and it is pretty amazing.

But I have to tell you, my pieces are on Etsy, Amazon Handmade, and I feel that my descriptions are telling, my pictures are professional, and I still don't get the traffic that some sites do.  I have a theory on why, I think there are some businesses just through the nature of their price points, are going to receive more attention from the Etsy and Amazon Handmade sites.  

Now, I also think though that their are those that have done such a good job on their social feeds, that they are driving business to their shops.  I follow so many jewelry designers, and there are some whose feeds make me want to go out and buy all their pieces.

I think ultimately that is what appeals to us, not the words, but the visual.  It feeds on our desire to have/be surrounded by beautiful things.  It's human nature. 

What's Important in Life?

In today's world things are ever changing, and in some instances they can be scary.  I watch the news this morning regarding the shooting of teens in a night club in Florida and it breaks my heart.  I can't help but think about my son, and think about his life and his safety.

Sometimes in my day to day life I find myself getting caught up in what, honestly, isn't very important.  It seems like it in the moment, because you can get caught up in, this or that.  But ultimately whats most important are our loved ones.  Trying to step back and reflect on the big picture can sometimes be difficult.  But in the other hand it is necessary so as not to get caught up in those things that aren't important. 

That is why I have found myself doing more to enjoy my life with my son, and just a little less of focusing on the "other" stuff.  It has been great, and much needed.  I will continue to do that, as life is too short.  I know in my final days, breathes, it will always be about those I love. 

What's Important in Life?

In today's world things are ever changing, and in some instances they can be scary.  I watch the news this morning regarding the shooting of teens in a night club in Florida and it breaks my heart.  I can't help but think about my son, and think about his life and his safety.

Sometimes in my day to day life I find myself getting caught up in what, honestly, isn't very important.  It seems like it in the moment, because you can get caught up in, this or that.  But ultimately whats most important are our loved ones.  Trying to step back and reflect on the big picture can sometimes be difficult.  But in the other hand it is necessary so as not to get caught up in those things that aren't important. 

That is why I have found myself doing more to enjoy my life with my son, and just a little less of focusing on the "other" stuff.  It has been great, and much needed.  I will continue to do that, as life is too short.  I know in my final days, breathes, it will always be about those I love.