Sharma Designs - Behind the Scenes of a Handmade Jewelry Business

Studio Friday: Favorite Color Combinations

Today's Studio Friday topic is one that I suggested.  I suggested it for selfish reasons....I always gravitate towards the same color combinations and I wanted some new inspiration!  Plus its another great way for us to show off our work right?

For the most part, my color combinations revolve around brown.  I am such a brown girl.  Turquoise and brown is one of my favorites.  Yummy right?

I went through a phase where so many of my necklaces were green and brown that I had to make a conscious effort to not use them in combination anymore....well at least not as much.  I can't help it though.  I wear tons of brown and my eyes are green so I wear a lot of green and brown.  I guess I just gravitate towards these colors.

Lastly, we have pink and (of course) brown.  For some reason the combination reminds me of yummy ice cream.  It's girly meets earthy.  My two favorite things.

I have to really push myself to try new combinations and trust my instincts.  So give me some fabulous ideas here!

See fabulous color combinations here! 

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A few earrings that haven't quite made it to the website yet.

It's a little crazy over here right now.  Orders are pouring in...I'm trying to replenish stock as fast as it leaves so that I still have goodies for my shows...I'm working on some new badge holders for my show at Lockheed Martin (the ones they have in the gift shop leave a lot to be desired)...and of course I'm trying to do my Christmas shopping at the same time.

So here are a few earrings I missed when frantically taking pictures the other night.  The shell circle ones are $19 and the silver leaves are $33 and the gold are $35.  So if you want any of them for yourself just shoot me an email.  I'm not sure when I will have a chance to get them up.

 

New Jewelry!

So we had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Of course I ate too much as Thanksgiving is my favorite food holiday.  Yummy! 

The way it worked out I had a solid week off of work.  I figured I would relax and drag out the Christmas decorations but instead I made new jewelry.  Somehow I just fit it in between cooking, cleaning, and getting up at 4:00am to go shopping on the day after Thanksgiving (Yes I am one of those.  Oh the stories I could tell...)

I made a lot of bracelets.  I have noticed I am getting a lot of requests for them at shows so I figured I better stock up before I get busy with my Holiday shows.  I actually solely made bracelets when I first starting making jewelry so it's always fun to get back to my roots.  I want to steal a few for myself but I won't.  There is always time for that later.

I did steal a pair of these for myself.  I LOVE them!  This is one of my favorite styles of earrings.  They are really light and delicate.  They go with everything too.  I made a bunch of variations to these and lowered the price for the Holidays so be sure to check them out!

(I was wondering why I got a google search hit the other day for "How to Steal Jewelry".  Looking at the above paragraph I see how that could happen.  Maybe I should call it borrowing instead)

There are a few necklaces too.  I am running low on a lot of necklace supplies but should they should be refreshed this week and then we'll see if I have time before Christmas to get at least one more update in.

If you want a leaf necklace please get it right away.  I sold 3 over the weekend and I have a feeling the rest will go very soon.  I get tons of google hits for real leaf jewelry everyday.  They seem to be very hot right now.

Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful and head on over and see What's New! 

What Bracelet Size do you Wear?

I was working on making some new bracelets last night and I was having a hard time deciding what size to make them. I think my wrist is small. It's about a 6 -6 1/2 maybe? So help a girl out and let me know your wrist size!

The poll is to your left. The black box at the bottom is the vote box. Don't ask me why it isn't showing up! Go vote!

Why Sharma?

I get asked that alot.  Why did you name your company Sharma Designs when your name is Sharla?  Well I was pretty green when I named my company.  I wanted a name that wasn't my own name.  At the time I started Sharma some people called me Sharma and I thought it would be a fun name because it sounded like my name and charms together.  I also didn't want my own name all over the internet (Too bad) 

So I went with Sharma.  And I have been confusing people ever since.  I had a jewelry party Friday night and that was the number one question!  I'm used to it though.  I just laugh. 

If I did it again (I can't imagine changing it now.  Imperfect or not it is sooo me!), I would choose a name that started closer to the beginning of the alphabet for one.  I'm always near the last page!  I might also make it sound more like a jewelry shop.  I left it Designs because I wanted to be able to sell other things one day.  Well I like jewelry the best and I can't see myself making anything else now (I use to sell scarves on my site too).

So there you go.  The story behind Sharma vs Sharla.  Hopefully that makes it a little less confusing!

How to Pick out Jewelry for your Friends

As the Holidays approach I thought I should give some tips on how to buy jewelry for your friends.  For the most part you know their taste, but here are some important things to consider when buying necklaces for your friends.

You want to take into consideration how tall your friend is.  I am 5'7" and until I started selling jewelry it never even occured to me that people that weren't my height didn't always look best in the big bold necklaces that I am so fond of making.  Of course there are exceptions to every rule but here are some general guidelines...

Petite Women (5'4"ish and under):  Your best bet for a shorter gal is a collar length or a little longer necklace.  If the necklace gets too long (like past the waist) it's also a bad thing.  A longish necklace can elongate and hey..that's always a good thing right!  From seeing a ton of women try on my necklaces I would also say that for the most part....smaller pendants look better on skinny petite women.

Average Women (5'4" to 5'7"):   The "average" woman can pretty much rock any necklace that she desires.  The only exception would be for the full busted woman.  For her pick a necklace that is a little higher on the neck around the collar bone.

Tall Women(Over 5'7"):  My two closest girlfriends fall into this category.  They look fabulous in everything.  I especially like them in necklaces with huge pendants.  A woman that is tall and slim (lucky girl!) looks good in a choker too because it de-emphasises height.

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Another related tip would be that if your friends have a thicker neck they will feel more comfortable with a longer necklace.  Since most of my necklaces are adjustable by 2 inches it is not a problem but I would try to pick an adjustable necklace that starts out at 15.5 inches or above.  For the non-adjustable ones go for one that is 17 inches or more.

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Stylewise you probaly know best.  You know what your girlfriend likes.  Although it is kinda fun to get them something that might be a little more sassy than they would usually wear.  I have converted many of my customers to bigger pendants over the years.    My sister is among the converts.  She started out as a Dainty Diva and now those are "too small" for her.  Victory is mine!!!

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As far as colors go, try to think about what outfits she has that are bare (ie no accessories).  Never see her wear a necklace with that cute blue shirt?  Get her a blue necklace!  Does she have a ton of black necklaces?  Try brown! If you are feeling super brave get her a necklace in a color that she may not wear a lot of but you think looks great on her.  Then she'll get to buy herself a new top!

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I hope this helps a little.  If you want to buy your friends earrings please read the "Earrings to Flatter Face Shapes" series.  There are some great tips there to help your girlfriends look their best!

If you need more suggestions you can always e-mail me!

Pssst...if you want a deal on your purchase go here!    

A Great Gift Idea

Sharp Lily featured our Stocking Stuffer earrings yesterday and they posted a great idea that I thought I would pass on. 

It happens every year.  You make your Christmas list and you do your shopping and then it happens...someone that you barely know gives you a present.  It could also be someone that you may know well but have never exchanged gifts with before.

It's awkward and you feel bad.

Well buy a few of our earrings so if you find yourself in that situation this year you will be prepared.  And hey..if it doesn't happen then you have some new cute earrings!!

Friday Features

Sharma Designs was reviewed by Wickedly Chic!  Read their glowing review here

Shop indie for the Holidays!  Sharma Designs is proud to be part of the Indie Collective Holiday Gift Guide.  It's a really nice looking gift guide and you can even print out a pocket version!  Too cute!

Studio Friday: Studio Indulgences

I consider my Studio indulgences to be things I can't really justify but just really want for whatever reason.  Meet my mannequin.  Why does a jewelry artist need a mannequin?  Well she doesn't really.  (Necklace busts yes - mannequin no)  But I have always wanted one and when a good deal came my way I just couldn't pass her up.

I have justified my purchase by using her for "see worn" pictures.  Oh I also indulged by buying her a cute backdrop.  A painted wall (In a color I HATE - but we won't get into that) just didn't do my lady justice.  Now she looks even prettier in pictures.

Here is another indulgence...a piece of pretty jewelry for myself.  Obviously I haven't made a lot of progress on it.  I'm sure my fellow artists understand...who has time to make something for themself?  But every night I'll indulge myself just a bit and soon I will have something beautiful to wear. 

What are your indulgences fellow artists?  See them all here!