“Cindy you
make everything
look so simple… I would
have never known to bend
the end that way so it would
hook easier.” ~Brenda-M
This blog is a community meeting spot for polymer clay artists of all skill levels. It is a place for learning and applying new techniques that have been taught over at the Polymer Clay Tutor Video Library.
And for everyone’s benefit, enjoyment, inspiration… there is a Facebook Photo Gallery that makes it quick and easy to share pictures of your polymer clay projects.
The selection of Vol-025-4 Dangle Bangle images showcased below, is just a very small sampling from the 553 Facebook photos uploaded to date. Way to go guys! As your Tutor, it makes me very proud to see how much everyone is accomplishing.
Man, I love this! I was thinking that all those lonely left over beads that didn’t get make it into the design of a necklace can now become dangles. Thanks, Cindy and Doug. ~Elizabeth-S
For more feedback about this tutorial,
Click here: Dangle Bangle reviews.
To watch a video intro clip for the Vol-025-4 Polymer Clay Tutorial, click here: Dangle Bangle Copper Bracelet
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Member Project Photos: Polymer Clay Dangle Bangles
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************************************************************************************************** The Polymer Clay Dangle Bangle Jewelry Project photos posted above were submitted by: (1) Brenda-M and (2) Elizabeth-S. If you have any questions or compliments for these talented polymer clay artists, please use the comment section below. Want to Share Your Polymer Clay Project Photos?
************************************************************************************************** ** Did You Know… Members with current subscriptions to the weekly tutorial videos are always entitled to a 10% discount when purchasing 6 or more back issue packages in a single transaction. If you are interested, let me know which back issues you would like and I will send further instructions on how to complete your order. |
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Ooh, there’s my little dangle bangle dude. Thanks for including him today, Cindy. Love yours, Brenda!!!
Off Topic: I’m wondering, since Cindy is not officially teaching today if we could stray a bit and talk about selling successfully. So many of you do so-I know because I visit your shops. We have lamented about how saturated the primary sites have become and have discussed price point for our work, thinking that these are significant factors in successful sales,and to a point that is certainly true. Yet, during recent travel, when I had time to really investigate the pc sellers on Etsy, I was encouraged to find shops doing super well, with all types of pc products and price points. It made me wonder why when I found other shops with comparable quality and price not doing as well. Is it building a loyal clientele? Is it focusing on a particular product, a particular theme? Is it having lot of items for sale? Is it having the items promoted? Is it about using the right tags? Maybe there is no hidden factor-maybe it’s more about getting lucky and having someone hit on your shop at the right time. Anyway, this inquiring mind wants to know, so I expect each of you to drop whatever you are doing and give me the answer.
I’ll bet you are dying to know why I need this information. Well, yesterday I did the usual test run on one of my pieces (the “I”ll wear it to be sure it doesn’t fall apart, chain doesn’t break,” etc.) Now, let me tell you, this was a real hoity toity luncheon event. (I was the token non-hoity toity but they let me in because I was with a girlfriend who is hoity toity qualified and also paid for my lunch.) Those hoity toity attendees just loved my necklace (A Cindy rose on a Cindy textured base thing–turned out real pretty). I mean there was jumpin’ over tables and raucous interruption of the poetry reading as those ladies tried to get a glimpse of my necklace. It made me think that I oughta be able to sell it if it passed hoity toidy scrutiny, don’t you agree? Yet, there it sits in my Etsy store—(sigh).
EXCELLENT POST Elizabeth!!! This is kind of conversational stuff I would ABSOLUTELY LOVE to see happening here at the blog more often… where you guys come up with your own topics to chat about. Sharing ideas with each other about stuff like this is SOOO…. valuable. So have at it… I can’t wait to see where this conversation goes…
Elizabeth- I have been told by many Etsy sellers that it took them between a year and a year and a half to get to the point that they were making regular sales. The biggest factors, I’ve been told, are: # of items in your shop, how you promote your shop, and price range. Several sellers told me that they had around 100 items in their shop when their business really started picking up. One of the best ways to promote your shop is to participate in the forums on Etsy, most sellers are also buyers! And make sure to have a variety of prices. Other than that, luck does play a huge part! I have had 15 sales in a little over a year with only about 30 items consistently in my shop. Most etsy sellers say that this is outstanding. A lot of them said it took them a year to even get their first sale.
Elizabeth, I’m afraid that my Etsy shop still sits empty, so I can’t give you any tips there. However, I think I can offer some advice for your hoity-toity lunch group. When people get excited about the jewelry that you’re wearing, first you tell them that you designed and/or made the piece. Then you tell them that it’s for sale. You’ll be amazed at how many people never consider the fact that you might sell your wonderful work.
If they don’t bite yet, offer them your business card. I used to buy the special packages of perforated cardstock to make my own, but I’ve since realized that it’s much more professional to have them printed. If you don’t have them already, it’s really cheap if you use Vistaprint.com. Use their templates. You can get 250 cards for the price of shipping. They’ll pester you afterward, but with great offers.
@Linda K.: Holy cow! What a great idea! I do have business cards (unfortunately sitting in a box somewhere not doing me much good, obviously). You know, I probably could have sold it yesterday if I had done as you said. I did go so far as to tell them it was one of my pieces but missed a wonderful opportunity to take it further. Thank you so much Linda. I’ll be ready next time.
@Elizabeth S.: It took me a while before I got comfortable doing that. I’d wear one of my pieces out and later tell my husband, who is a salesman, how much everyone liked it. He’d say, “If everyone liked it so much, why didn’t you sell it?”
I think at first it was because I didn’t give myself enough credit for my work. I kind of had the attitude that people don’t value the work of someone who “does crafts.” So I now refer to myself as an artist and a designer…and people take me seriously! Having a website and business cards shows that you run a business and that you’re more than just a crafter in their eyes.
@Linda K.:This post hit home, too. My husband is forever saying to me, “Betty, you’re an artist”, but I guess I don’t believe it ,yet. I’m getting closer, though. Maybe a part of selling successfully is truly believing in yourself and your work. Thanks, Linda.
@Elizabeth S.: Believe it. I’ve seen your work and you ARE an artist.
@Linda K.: Coming from you that means a lot. Thank you.
Oh, my goodness…I completely forgot to say how much I like your dangle bangles, Elizabeth and Brenda. You both did a great job on the construction and your dangles are beautiful.
Any suggestions for those of us who can’t use the sell it off my body form of Jewelry Marketing, I’d either look funny wearing a rose necklace or people would think I am “funny” so to speak. I do carry a few samples with me when I ride the train but then I feel like the person on the street that opens the raincoat and asks “want to buy a watch” :)
@Ken H: roflmao no flashing please, unless it’s from home depot to make jewelry
@Ken HI’m LMBO!! You’re so funny. How about a female mannequin? You could prop her up in the seat next to you on the train and let her model your pieces.
@Elizabeth S.: only one problem, I’d probably have to pay full fare for the “dummy”.
@Ken H: Hey, are you committed to selling your jewelry or not? Sheeesh! or Geeesh! (unsure of the correct pronunciation and spelling).
@Elizabeth S.: I already pay $155/Mo. for one dummy, I don’t Think I could afford two. :)
@Ken H:ROTFL! I think I have found a kindred spirit in loving the joy of spewing nonsense. Love it!!!
I share this with Marlene—the mental visual of watching you haul that dummy onto the train, getting her propped up, whipping out your jewelry, people moving into the next car to get away from you——-I’m dying.
@Ken H: I’m laughing, but I hear ya. Can you set up a small display of jewelry at your desk? How about asking a female co-worker to wear your pieces at work?…she could stop by your desk in the morning, pick out something that matches her outfit that day, and return it before she goes home. Best choice would be someone who move around the building a lot…someone who see a lot of women each day.
I know you make beautiful jewelry for your mother. Ask her to carry your business cards and give oneout whenever she gets compliments on your jewelry.
@Ken H: OMG Ken I haven’t stopped laughing!! I can just see the headlines, another one of Cindy’s Lietz Polymer Clay student arrested outside the train station!! LOL
Linda’s advice really works. My husband always laugh when I come home from a meeting or lunch with the girls minus my jewelry!! And always have your business cards with you. I’ve been in line at the store and had people comment on my jewelry and ask me for my card and they end up calling me, so you never want to miss an opportunity.
Hi All! I’m new here. :) Just wanted to say what beautiful work everyone has been creating! I have been making pc animals & such for years. I am just now starting to learn how to make the beautiful beads & jewelry that you all do.
I have been selling my pc creations on etsy for years & have had fairly good success there. Nothing mind blowing but good extra money. I have recently started a shop on Artfire, does anyone else here sell on Artfire? It is similar to etsy but in a lot of ways very different. If you haven’t ever looked at Artfire it think it is well worth checking out.
@Anita: Welcome. You already have a head start with PC.! Your knit markers are soooo cute. Who wouldn’t want THEM?? What a great idea. There is always someone,somewhere, who wants what you want………..Glad you joined -it sure is well worth it. And, bonus, all of us love what we are doing…………
Lovely Dangle Bangles ladies! Brenda, those pumpkins are adorable! And Elizabeth, I love your swirly lentil..!! I have yet to try this technique, but after seeing your pieces again I am inspired to give it a go.
Peace, Love, & Clay,
~Lisa :)
To start, I love the bracelets that Brenda and Elizabeth made. I’ve been wanting to do that, but I have been recovering from a bout of the shingles, so not always up to creating.
Regarding the topic on How to sell on Etsy, or Artfire. I recently purchased an ebook called “The Etsy Seller Success Kit” on etsy site etsy.com/listing/62122783/the-complete-etsy-kit-brand-new-3rd , and it has great information on how to market your online business.
I,too, recently opened an Artfire Store and am happy with the ease in running it. I’m at lorettasboutique.artfire.com.
@Loretta Carstensen:Loretta, I am so glad you found this book! I just ordered my copy. Thanks for the reference.
Thanks, I WAS trying to be funny with a little nod to Elizabeth S. while still describing my “plight”, while I could model unisex or male designs, most of the people who have been interested in my work were/are female. I like the idea of a wandering model at work, but I don’t think the atty’s I work for (I’m a file clerk) would be doing backflips over a jewelry display at my work area. Hopefully during my Thaknsgiving Vaca I’ll be able to get some stock made and FINALLY open up an Etsy store.
To anyone using, or thinking of using business cards, I had business cards made up prior to my first craft fair, handed a bunch out, but didn’t get any feed back from them. It wasn’t until I added the line “Custom Orders Accepted”, that I had several requests back. (Just a hint for you).
In regard to Etsy, visited it, and got ABOSULTELY intimidated by the size of the Polymer Clay section, so went over to Artsy and opened a site there. It is still small (between making items, and then getting quality photos, and the process of listing items – PHEW)
What has worked out for me better than anything else, is family (daughter and daughter-in-laws) who work in offices. They have first worn items I made for them, and once gotten compliments, offered to bring some of my pieces in for others to see. Not only has this produced sales of some directly, but also more “custom” requests (which usually are a slight change from what is in front of them, and easy to complete) and of course, each one goes back with my businsess card attached.
Ken: Just LOVE the vision of you carrying your “dummy” on and off the train, but al least she wouldn’t make you miss your stop with idle conversation, NO???
Hi Anita,
Welcome, welcome welcome! It’s always exciting for us to have a new friend to talk to here. Promise you will post often. I just got back from visiting your site, which is absolutely awesome!! Your little pc friends make me want to try (again) to learn to create pc figures. Hard to pick a favorite but your little pigs are too much.
I also was impressed with your fiber artists’ co-op. Isn’t it wonderful when artists support each other in this way?
Thanks for your input yesterday regarding selling successfully. I felt so much better after reading about everyone’s experiences. Again, welcome.
@Elizabeth S.: Thank you so much for the warm welcome.
And thanks for the huge compliment! I can do the silly figures (I can’t do realistic at all), I seem to have a knack for silly… hmm, what is that saying about me? LOL But I REALLY want to learn how to make these beautiful beads that all of you are creating.
I think I’ll be back quite often. :)
@Anita: Welcome to a wonderfully warm family of clayers, who will always be here to encourage and often times inspire you. Believe me, since joining (not so long ago) I have already come to this conclusion myself.
The only imageI can think of now is in MASH when the hid the one chopper pilot’s dummy in Margaret’s tent scaring the you know what out of her, she thinks she’s being attacked and tears the dummy apart and afterward she proceeds to beat Hawkeye, BJ and Charles with the parts of the stuffed dummy, leaving stuffing strewn across the camp.
I especially liked the image of one of us trying to get through airport security with a pasta machine and a T-Shirt with Cindy’s picture on it and an angelic look on out face.
I’ve got a few ideas for peices to sell but haven’t had any time to work them out, so I’ve got to get going during Thanksgiving and make some stock to sell.
MASH was a classic, wasn’t it?
Is there a way this bracelet shape could be enclosed with polymer clay, or will it break?
Glad I read this, got a hoity toity paid deal coming up myself. The business cards are great, but, if you have the opportunity, I’d sure sell anything I had on me on the spot,
LOL. Thinking that bringing a couple pre-packaged treats as samples might just be the ticket. Lord knows most pocketbooks these days are large enough to carry lots of stuff.
Tell folks you had these on hand to drop at a store later that day.
On disability pay, and would be pleased as punch to go home nekkid with cash in hand from that parking lot. Outfit would be vintage or handmade. Beaded adjustable hat bands, or those great boot bracelets would spark some conversation for the Christmas season giving for sure.
Welcome Anita, you will love this site. Cindy is a fabulous tutor and the claying community – we’re just one big famiily and having so much fun.
Re selling- for a long while I too did not feel I was an ‘artist’ and my work was good enough. i was still nervous about it even after my first jweelry party at my friends home (at the time I was only doing beaded jewelry). I’ve had some custom orders through friends and I’m just getting there and getting more confident. I’m still not very sure with the pricing – will people find it too expensive? ?
What an informative & fun post! I went back to the 1st comment & read the entire thread (must’ve overlooked it during the holidays.) Lots of great info & tips on selling — and it’s funny, too!
Poor Ken, you ARE at a slight disadvantage when it comes to selling right off your bod. I agree that opening your raincoat to display your wares (of ANY kind!) could get you in trouble, LOL. ;) I hope you’ve had some success with the good ideas here. Like having your mom hand out business cards when she wears your jewelry (and gets the inevitable compliments!) If that’s not possible, you could find a female friend, co-worker, sibling, etc. to do it. If you haven’t tried this yet, give it a go…I’ll bet there’s someone willing to wear your lovely jewelry in exchange for handing out cards. They may not want (or be able) to actually “sell right off their body”, but at least you’d be getting your pieces out there, being seen. And it’s better than carrying a mannequin, too! :D
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@Cherie: Your jewelry is wonderful, you should have confidence in that! Pricing is hard, though. The truth is, some people WILL find your jewelry too expensive…but that’s because they are not your customers! (They buy their jewelry from discount stores & the like…and you can’t compete with those prices.) Your customers want a piece of art…something handmade by an artist/jewelry designer — like you!
Make the best quality pieces you can, then research similar items, making sure your prices aren’t too high (or too low!) Then be confident — you make beautiful, artistic jewelry! You create a little piece of art with every design. You handcraft one-of-a-kind beads/pendants/jewelry of fantastic quality, and there’s a little piece of YOU in every bead — THAT’S valuable! (And therefore, not expensive at all!) :D
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On a side note: Sometimes when browsing Etsy, I come across shops that have careless spelling mistakes & bad grammar in their item descriptions. Sure, it’s not directly related to the creation of the listing. But it makes me wonder…if the person doesn’t take the time to correct obvious mistakes, are they similarly careless with their craft? Does their lack of “perfection” translate to the item in the store? I’m a bit anal-retentive/OCD, so I would be hesitant to buy from someone who didn’t bother to spell check. Are there others who feel the same way? Or is it just me?
As a seller, perhaps it’ s best not to take the chance, and miss those “opportunities” when a shopper is in your store. Take a little extra time & type the item description perfectly. If you can, add a unique “story” or inspiration for each piece, (instead of copying & pasting the same thing over & over.) It adds extra pizazz to your shop… Good luck, everyone!