Sharma Designs - Behind the Scenes of a Handmade Jewelry Business

A Peek at New Jewelry

I make my jewelry in steps. 

I spend a few nights designing the jewelry.  If I decide I am happy with the way a necklace looks I add it to the "assembly line" (That's what the picture above is).  I create new pieces until I feel happy with the number of pieces.

Then I finish off the ends and cost the pieces.  I measure pendants and necklace sizes and add Sharma Designs tags.

Next is the dreaded picture taking.  Well I dreaded it in the past.  With my amazing new camera and years of tweaking the pics to something I am happy with it is actually not so dreaded anymore.  It's just hard to let go off the dread. 

Then the photos go to photoshop and get cropped and tweaked again. The picture above will not go on the site.  It's a little crooked.  I was so distraught by the end of "What About Bryan" that I was a little distracted and obviously was not paying close enough attention.

Lastly I upload the pictures and the product descriptions to the site and voila!  There is beautiful new jewelry awaiting you in the "New Jewelry" section of the site.

Right now I am just finishing and measuring necklaces.  I believe I counted 21 new necklaces and 2 pairs of earrings.  They were supposed to go up tonight but my daughter had other plans.  After I went to bed at 1:30am last night she woke up at 4:30 this morning.  Yes.  Three hours of sleep.  So instead of jewelry making during naptime I was dreaming of jewelry during naptime. 

Since tomorrow is Halloween I am not too worried about it.  I doubt that people will be doing a lot of online shopping tomorrow.

So look for new jewelry on Wednesday and have a good time stuffing yourself with candy tomorrow night!!      

Let's Learn About Thai Silver

A few months after I began making jewelry I discovered Thai Silver and I fell in love.  I knew that the silver pendants and beads were made by the Karen hill tribe in Thailand but I didn't know the whole story until recently when I read a newsletter from my supplier.

They gave a long history of the economy and farming practices in Thailand but here is where the silver comes in...

"Opium cultivation was a major source of income for many of the hill tribes and the government worked hard to eradicate this cultivation by successfully substituting it with other cash crops, such as cabbages, peppers and fruits. In the early 1960's, their Majesties, the present King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit, undertook to help the Karen hill tribe people develop an alternative to growing their traditional cash crop- opium. As part of a royal project, silver experts were dispatched to impart their knowledge of jewelry to the farmers of the Karen Hill Tribe.

The first generation of Karen silversmiths was taught to carefully handcraft each design from scratch, using high-content silver. They learned to give each design a unique appearance only seen in their own creations. From Karen mothers and fathers to Karen sons and daughters, they have passed down their silver work skills and traditions. Today, each handmade ornament is a unique masterpiece that represents centuries of Karen culture and art. Often, the jewelry is engraved with plant, animal, or geometric designs, symbolizing their direct connection to their land and water.

Choosing Karen silver is much more than buying jewelry of rare distinction. Your purchase also helps preserve the timeless culture, art, religion, and language of the gentle Karen people, and helps their Majesties, The King and Queen of Thailand, in their goal of providing a stable economy for the Karen hill tribe people, an economy based on beauty instead of illicit drug crops."

If that's not a good reason to buy Thai silver I don't know what is.  I love that these pendants are handmade and come with such a rich history.

Here are a few necklaces made with Thai Silver pendants that are currently available in my store:

Thai Silver Flower Handmade Necklace, Stamped Thai Silver Handmade Necklace, Thai Silver Mini Flower Handmade Necklace , Red Thai Silver Handmade Necklace , Thai Silver Flower Handmade Necklace , Thai Silver Swirl Handmade Necklace , Thai Silver and Black Drop Handmade Necklace

Amazing Sale!

Just a quick note to let you know I have marked all sale items to $10 or $15!!  If you see something you like grab it fast!

See sale items

Studio Friday: My Collections

This week's topic is: My Collections

"Most people collect something, it would be fun to see what others have in their collections."
~ Silvia

I have to admit...I read this and thought..ha ha I don't collect anything!  You see, my mom has a million collections and we have teased her for years about all her "obsessions" so I have tried to keep my own to a bare minimum. 

I do have one fairly large collection of Starbucks bearista bears.  It's kinda embarrassing.  Collecting little bears in cute little outfits.  But the outfits are soo cute!  And they smell like coffee when you first get them!  I can't resist them.  Of course my mom has bought me a ton..feeding my "obsession".  Now they have a home in Bella's room.  Not that she is allowed to play with them.  She might mess up their outfits..(She is so mad at me right now because we took the picture then I put the bears away.  Mean mommy!)

Beads..duh

Lastly is my newest little collection...the Body Shop home fragrances.  This collection has the most to do with my studio because the smells create a wonderful working environment.  My favorite is the vanilla spice.  Oh my goodness!  It smells like you fell into a vanilla chai latte.  It makes the house cozy and inviting.  If you haven't tried them you must.  They are even on sale right now (I should get some more huh?)

Nothing too exciting but like I said...I try to avoid the collections!  Ha ha

Can't wait to see what everyone else collects!  See more here!

MMMM Just like Candy!

Maybe I am just hungry from working out (yes for the second night in a row - yay me) but these in-progress stocking stuffer earrings remind me of delicious hard candy. 

I am making a bunch of stocking stuffers to do a promo swap with Pam of Paper Scissors Rock.  Rumor has it her swaps are super cute and really good quality so I thought my customers might enjoy a free gift with purchase!

Of course I will post pictures when I get them!

Some Fabulous New Earrings

Over the weekend I bought myself a few new fall sweaters and tops. This morning I was wearing a new top and as we were heading out the door I decided I needed a pair of earrings to match. I loved them so much that I made a black pair too and I'm going to put them on my site.

I really love these new czech beads. The have a vintagy feel to them. And maybe it's just me but the only colors I saw in the stores this weekend were brown, black and grey. Which is fine with me because they are my favorite colors and they also happen to be the colors of these cool beads (minus grey but the black would look great with the grey)

You may have noticed that my posts have been a little sporadic lately. I have been trying to figure out how to juggle everything a little more efficently. Tonight I (finally) added working out at night to the already packed schedule. It's one thing that is so important to me that I have let slide for way too long. Hopefully I will be able to figure out how to do things a little more effectively and will be back to normal posting soon!

Studio Friday: Autumn Inspiration

This Week's Topic is Autumn Inspiration:

"Autumn inspiration - According to my calendar, today (Sept 22) is the "Autumnal Equinox," and it's my favorite season, so show me what you love about the fall - the colors?... the leaves?...etc."

Everything about Autumn inspires me!  The colorful leaves, the warm sweaters, the pumpkins, the crisp air and of course..the pumpkin lattes!  I wrote a whole post dedicated to why I love Fall a few days ago. 

To me happiness is working in my studio at night with a hot cup of tea, watching non re-run fall shows and wearing a super comfy pair of thick socks.  Every once in awhile I might pop a candy corn in my mouth too!

This is seriously my favorite season of the year.  I was thrilled to find some real leaf pendants to celebrate the season.  I even made one for myself and wear it everyday!

To see more Studio Friday entries click here

Making Dad Proud

Yesterday was the show I was busy getting ready for all weekend.  I set up a display in front of the cafeteria at Lockheed Martin.  Seems like a strange place to host a jewelry show right?

Well my dad works there.  He has for years.  He noticed awhile ago that on certain days there were vendors outside of the cafeteria at lunchtime selling their wears.  Being my biggest fan, he found out how to get me in there.  I was a little hesitant at first.  I remembered visiting Lockheed years and years ago for "Take Your Daughters to Work Day".  My impression was lots of nerdy guys with pocket protectors.  However, he swore there were lots of women that worked there too so I figured I would give it a go.

I actually had a great time.  Obviously, it is a huge company so there was a ton of foot traffic at lunchtime.  My dad sent an email to all his friends to come down and check out my jewelry. I got to meet alot of the people he works with everyday.  That may seem like no big deal but when your dad works at Lockheed you don't get to just "go visit dad at the office" or "drop by for lunch".  I had to go to a special visitors station and get a badge just to get on the campus.  So it was an unusual treat.

I have been experimenting with new display accessories and my display looked the best it has ever looked yesterday.  I wish I could show you a picture but they don't allow cameras on the campus.  You'll just have to trust me on this one.

Here is the funniest part of the day (to me at least).  The majority of the necklaces I sold were the assymetrical necklaces.  Why is that funny you ask?  Well I guess it's because I picture all Lockheed employees like my dad.  He's an engineer, super smart, and well...anal (Sorry dad but you know it's true).  If he wore jewelry it would be perfectly even and matching.  No assymetrical pieces.  Kinda like my sister actually....

So it really suprised me and made me chuckle that the assymetricals were such a hit.  My dad's theory is that maybe they are trying to break out of the routine and try something new.  Sounds like a good idea to me!

All in all a fun day.  Sometimes its good to do a show that's a little different. 

Taking Some Family Time

Things are a little off around here.  The little stinker has been consistently waking up at 5:30am.  In order to get everything done in my crazy days I usually go to bed very late so I have really been dragging.  There is only so much a triple caramel machiatto can do.

Sometimes I just take these occurances as a sign that I need to slow down a little.  I took the weekend off from Sharma(almost) and just had fun with my family.  We went to the Uesugi Farms pumpkin patch this weekend and had so much fun.  I'm sure I have said it before but one of the best things about being a mom is watching your child experience something for the first time.  Little munch was in heaven!

In the middle of all of this I am getting ready for a show so it was probably good to take it easy this weekend.  The nights leading up to a show are always a little crazy.  I always try to do way more than is necessary.  Then after the show I realize how unecessary it all was and I vow to never do that again...until the next time.

So if I am a little quiet this week you know now why.  Ahh the busy season begins!

Studio Friday: Fear

Today's Studio friday topic is fear:

"I have been away from Studio Friday for a while, and I really struggled with the toot your own horn topic.  It actually made me do some free-writing and I thought of another topic that might be helpful for some of the studio friday artists: Fear."

I couldn't resist posting this lighthearted picture to bring a little humor to such a serious topic. 

I think as artists we all struggle with the fear of rejection.  When you create something with your own hands you feel that there is a part of you in that piece of art.  If others reject it it feels like they are rejecting you.  Obviously, we all know that what we create will not suit everyone's taste but it is a constant struggle to keep embracing the compliments and letting go of the negative feedback.  Personally I think through the negative feedback to see if there is any truth to it and then try to let it go.  Sometimes I am successful and sometimes I'm not.

I have other fears too.  Will I be able to keep up as things get busier and busier?  Will I have enough product for the show next week?  Will I still be able to run my company successfully with more children?  Am I spending enough time with my husband or am I working too much?  Should I spend the money for the advertising?  Should I do more shows?

The list really goes on and on.  I found a great series at eMoms at Home that has helped me a lot.  I especially like the post Overcoming Obstacles versus Untapped Potential.  It talks about what is keeping you from obtaining your bsuiness goals (like fear) and how to overcome it.

A community of support is so important in dealing with your own fears and insecurities.  Head on over and give all the Studio Friday ladies your love and support!