New Jewelry Designs

During my time designing and making jewelry, I have managed to get caught up in a few things.  Mostly that I have pieces, that I love to make, but that also sell very well.  They are all fun to do, and very much me, but what happens is through wholesale shows, trunks shows and selling online, those become my staples.  My bread and butter if you will.

But there is the is other part of me that loves doing bigger, chunkier pieces. 

Stone setting is so much fun!  I love finding Turquoise, Laramar, Aquamarine stones and finding them homes in metal.  It is so much fun and the outcome is usually something you want to wear forever.  But they are also more expensive to make therefore they cost more to the buyer, and there isn't always a market for it.

The last 2 shows that  I did, LV and SF, I decided to make a few "one of a kinds" and to see how they do.  Well both shows sold out on all of them.  Most buyers bought a piece or two to compliment the rest of their order.  To create a picture book, a story line, if you will.  It was so exciting for me to have those pieces, that I love making, purchased for stores.

So next I have decided to start creating more difficult pieces to have cast and to really expand my designs to pieces that hopefully will be adored by my customers and their customers, all over !

#jewelrydesigner #jewelry #gemstones #lasvegas #sanfrancisco #rosegilleydesigns

Jewelry and Social Media

I must belong to 1000 different groups online.  From Jewelry specific to women in business to Whiskey and Wine.  It in some ways is overwhelming.  In other ways it can be enlightening.  I have had great conversations with other women business owners to discuss our goals, how we structure our days, who we use for vendors, where we go for marketing and lots of other discussions.  And then sometimes it can be very overwhelming.

My objective is always to grow my business.  I have read a book about "Saying Yes" and in many ways I follow that motto.  I say yes to most things that are brought to me, within reason.  I clearly don't have a huge bankroll.  If I did my business would be at a whole other level, because money talks, but I will save that for another day.  But for the most part I say "yes". 

But with social media, there is this great community of people trying to figure it out.  Some have it done, others are still working towards it.  For me, it sometimes reminds me of all the work I haven't done yet.  Everything I thought I would have done by now, and that I still have a long way to go.

Now I understand many people would look at some of the things that have happened for me and say, yes you have done this, this and this.  And I agree, and understand.  But if you look at your goals, ie business plan, where is it you expect to be in your business, $$$?  What did you say would happen within 3,5,10 years out.  That for me, is the ultimate goal.

So when it comes to social media, it does wonders for my thought process, sometimes I find I get on a soapbox depending on the topic and what I have to contribute, sometimes I just read everything and don't make a peep.  Usually because I am thinking, OH I HAVE TO DO THAT!!!  But regardless what matters is that we remember our own paths.  Our own creations are important and all the other stuff, will come, in time.

#smallbusiness #socialmedia #jewelry #owningit #makingithappen #rosegilleydesigns

Jewelry and Inspiration

What is the most fun about designing jewelry?  Playing!!

I get the most from spending time playing, not producing, filling orders, or even blogging, but playing.  It's amazing the ideas that come and the different possibilities that arise from just playing.  I play size, textures, metals, stones, different melting of metals, design, and whatever else I can play with.

I happen to find that this is the best part of designing.  As a one woman team, I don't get a lot of time to play.  You probably don't know this, but I blog at 6am in the morning, it is the only time I can.  The rest of the day is a whirlwind of calls, emails, orders, filling, shipping, oh and I have a 2 year old.  So I likely work maybe an hour a day and the rest is about him LOL

So the other day, I don't know how it happened, it must have been his nap, and I must have said fuck it to all the above, but I played.  And I came up with a few new ideas and love some of the pieces.

In addition I took my son to the bookstore the other day, he loves books.  And although it was for him, I was able to throw in 2 minutes to look at jewelry books for me.  And yes I bought a great book for metalsmiths.  I often do this, not for the techniques, although I always learn about new product, new ways of doing things, but for the pictures, the gallery and all the amazing inspiration!!
So I challenge you to step out, play, even if that means just going to the bookstore.

#bookstore #inspiration #jewelry #play #design #jewelrydesigner #rosegilleydesigns

Selling Jewelry Online

So I sell most jewelry through stores and boutiques across the U.S.  I have worked hard over the years to put my business in wholesale shows and sell wholesale, it isn't easy.  Doing the shows sometimes can be discouraging if it is slow, if people aren't buying, etc.  And trust me, it happens to all of us.  Each business gets used to the flow eventually but it isn't easy.

In addition to wholesale shows, I sell retail, and more specifically online retail.  Now this is a different story.  Selling jewelry online is an art.  People will spend around $20-$30 online for jewelry without seeing it or touching it.  But my price point is a whole other deal.  It is a difficult price point.  My pieces aren't extravagant, and don't take days to make, so I don't sell them to galleries or at high price points.  But my pieces are all handcrafted, no casting, they are made with precious metals, and yes they require some skill level to make.  Therefore pricing has to be appropriate.  Not to mention I have to be the same if not more than my stores and boutiques.

Which leads me to this, selling retail online is crazy difficult!  I have Etsy, 11main, Amazon Handmade, and I think I sell one piece a month total.  I have many ideas as to why this is.  Those stores that have lower price points, sell more, therefore they often come up more in searches, they are talked about more, and shown more, simply because they sell more, their product may not be beautiful or unique or expensive, but people will pay for it, because it isn't expensive and they don't feel like they are losing out if something doesn't go right.

So, my suggestion.  Good pictures, everyone says that.  It's true.  But think about your price point.  Think about your product.  Look at what the others are doing, and what is selling.  Then decide.

Jewelry and Styling

So I had my first experience in the life of a stylist last Monday in LA.  We flew down in the morning to meet with Ivan Bitton, a well known, respected stylist in the fashion industry, and honestly a really friendly man.

We arrived, after being somewhat lost, to an amazing space of fashion couture, jewelry, accessories, shoes that would make you cry and a room full of amazingly friendly people.  Ivan was there and greeted us upon arrival.  He had us walk his space and look through the clothing, designers and ask any questions we may have, he then had us sit and that is where the whirlwind began. 

We discussed fashion, his history, his knowledge, the people around him told us stories, we learned  how everyone got started, why they do what they do and most importantly why they all love it.  I have to say it was amazing and inspiring to be in a room full of people with passion for what they do.  An energy that honestly you don't see most places.

It was inspiring and overwhelming all at the same time.  It definitely put my dreams on another level. It was amazing, Oscars was the next weekend and so it was just buzzing in the style house. 

Truly though, there is so much out there for all of us.  It was great to be surrounded by that energy!!!

Here are some pictures, yes I look a little overwhelmed, but it was good.

#IvanBitton #Rosegilleydesigns #jewelry #wholesale #boutique #stylist #stylehouse #stylistlife #boho #boholife #inspiring

In Memory of my Dad

It has been 7 years since my dad passed away and it feels like yesterday.  Yesterday, in fact, was the day that I had found him gone, asleep, and that was it.  I am not found of February 28th at all.  It happens to create so much anxiety for me.  The month itself, the days leading up to it, and just the thought of it. 

This past 1/2 week I was in Humboldt County, where I am from, and specifically Trinidad Beach where my dads ashes are spread.  It was an amazing trip and I felt very relaxed, enjoying my son, the beach, the waves, and really feeling present.  It was a great way to pay my dad respect and celebrate his life.

When I returned Saturday I had received an invitation, late one, but still an invite, to a baby shower for yesterday, yes, February 28th.  I normally wouldn't spend the day celebrating, I would stay home, relax, and just be with my family.  But I decided to go.

Little did I know that I would spend the day with the most amazing group of women.  A group that is very close, but all family.  They were fun to be with, they laughed with each other, had great history, there were multiple generations, and just honestly made you feel like you were part of it. 

I am so thankful for that experience yesterday.  I walked away thanking them for allowing me to be part of their family for the day.  Such a blessing.  They come in so many ways. 

Jewelry Friendships

Several years ago I met a woman who essentially is someone I admire greatly.  She has an ease about her, she is dedicated to her children, a great wife to her loving husband, and an amazing artist.  She came into my life at such a difficult time.  In the year I met her I also lost my father very suddenly, my husband was having an affair (not my husband anymore), and it was just all around a difficult time. 

I met her at an event that we were both working at.  We immediately found a friendship with each other.  Our talks started about jewelry and all the experiences she had had in the jewelry world.  See she had done the things and experienced the things I was dreaming of.  And the best part, she was willing to share with me, the good, the bad, and the well interesting.  I felt so honored and fortunate.

But our conversations turned to personal, and we began to just talk life.  At one point during my difficult marriage, she asked me if my then husband was having an affair.  And I said to her, I asked, he said no.  I think she knew more than she would have ever let on about.  But as a good friend does, she didn't pass judgment. 

So here we are years and years later, we still get together once every month or so.  It's amazing what we talk about....LIFE.  And the last thing we try to squeeze in is jewelry.  Such a blessing are the people that you sometimes least expect. 

There is a gem everywhere.

#jewelry #family #friendship #workingmom #workinprogress #girlboss #rosegilleydesigns

The Jewelry World

I recently read a book, I read books other than this one, but this is the one I am focusing on, and it talked about how there is room for all of us in this industry, or really any industry.  And it was truly right on.

With technology and access to so much now, things have changed.  The way we go about business has changed, what we need to do is not just have a great product but you have to inspire, you need to drive home a feel, an experience through your pieces.  That can be easy at times, at other times you can get lost in over thinking it all. 

For instance on Instagram, you can find every jewelry design that is out there, the looks, the designs, the culture of the product, the lifestyle that goes with the jewelry, is all different in and of itself, but there are some similarities. 

I often have people say, oh I have seen pieces "like" your pieces at.. .... And when I see the pieces I find that they are not anything like mine.  They are often different for a list of reasons, but most often because every piece I make is handmade by me.  So there are NO 2 alike.  And the differences add an element of specialty that isn't often there.  But I can still see how someone would see some similarities, but I also find that person isn't my client. 

My client sees the uniqueness in my designs, in each hammer, in each stone hand chosen, wire wrapped, each link that I create, etc.  That is my client.  When they wear my pieces they feel special and know that it was made with them in mind. 

So back to the book.  There is a place for all of us in all industries, because none of us are the same.

#jewelry #Instagram #girlboss #rosegilleydesigns #boutique #Etsy #handmade

Twisted Over You Jewelry

Tucson Today and Jewelry

So today is my normal day to fly to Tucson, every year for over a decade.  Right now I would be at the airport, my flight would leave within the next 30 minutes. I would be in Tucson by 1030, grab my car, and off to the Holidome, from there I would go to JOGS or maybe some of the road places along the way (there are so many venues).  Then off to AGTA to purchase some refined stones, cabs, etc.  Then maybe to some of the other venues, then back to Holidome, because I always forget something, and then back to the plane by 730 and home by 11.

Yes that is crazy!  But I have done that many, many years.  But there have also been the years that I have left today, same flight, landed same time, and then stayed for days, taking my time, exploring, figuring out new stones, ideas, sketching and just taking it all in.

Why not this year, I can't answer that.  I don't know what happened, it's like I didn't know it was coming.  I think I was too busy thinking about shows, where I was going to be at for wholesale, and creating pieces for that.  Clearly I have lost my mind!!!

So I am planning September, and I will make it.  Regardless. Next February I will also be in Tucson, 3 days, with my little one, so that will be interesting.  By the way, JOGS doesn't allow kids inside, just in case you were wondering where kids can go.  They can go everywhere,  but JOGS show. 

#jewelry #Tucson #gemshow #holidome #AGTA #Designer