Promoting Your Jewelry for a Charity/Non-Profit Group or Cause

I was recently approached by She Finds (as well as other indie jewelry, fashion and accessory designers) to create a jewelry design to help educate, raise awareness and support the non-profit organization, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF).

There were a couple of "rules"; the indie designers had to use teal the official color of the OCRF an incorporate the letter "O" in our design. Other than that, we were encouraged to be creative and share our inspiration behind the design.

During the month of September, She Finds will be promoting National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and the indie designer's efforts.


I created the Love & Hope necklace. This necklace incorporates a teal fused glass design (one rule down ..another to go), a hammered sterling silver ring ( my letter O"), and a white freshwater pearl for love & hope. Designing-Diva Jewelry has pledged that 25% of the proceeds will benefit the non-profit organization, OCRF.


Ironically, two of my dear Bunco Sister's (and you know who you are) mother was diagnosed last week with ovarian cancer. She saw the oncologist today and was told that it has metastasized to her major organs ; she is scheduled for a biopsy tomorrow morning to determine how her chemotherapy tx should be administered (scheduled to start mid-September). The whole reason I got involved in this women's health issue is because I was appalled there is NO early detection method for ovarian cancer and that it is the #1 gynecological cancer killer and 5th cancer killer of women. As a daughter, wife, mother and friend to many, this is my way of supporting a cause that just might prevent a tragedy like my Bunco sister's are experiencing right now from occurring!

I issued a press release when I first created the design online and have had a few other blogging sites that will be posting the design and helping raise awareness regarding ovarian cancer. Since September is just around the corner, I have pitched the following press release to the Dallas Morning News and local tv stations. Cross your fingers that we can get this in the public's face! I'll let you know if I hear anything back.

FOR RELEASE THROUGH SEPTEMBER

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL:
RANDI-SUE DECKARD- (469) 877-0805

Local Jewelry Artist is Baking Up Glass to Support Ovarian Cancer Research Fund

September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and a local jewelry

artist is baking up glass at a whopping 1500 degrees to help support the Ovarian Cancer

Research Fund (OCRF). The artist named the teal fused glass design Love & Hope as a

tribute to survivors and for those who have departed but are not forgotten.

Randi-Sue Deckard, a Dallas based jewelry artist, wanted to support this

important women’s health issue because at this time there is no early detection method

and this gynecological cancer is the leading cause of death in the US and

the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women in the US. With a friend’s mother just

recently diagnosed Deckard urges all women to get the facts at www.ocrf.org

Deckard states, “As a daughter, wife, mother and friend to countless women, I wanted

to help support research, education and raise awareness so that some family may be

spared a tragedy. “


The artist has pledged 25% of the proceeds from the sale of Love & Hope to the

OCRF. The teal fused glass design may be purchased online for $49.95 through

December 31, 2007. Love & Hope is available at www.designing-diva.com.

###

Randi-Sue Deckard is available for interview by calling 469-877-0805 during regular business hours.

Are You Missing out because you don't have a "luxury" ticket price on your jewelry?

I just read a fab On Style article by Christina Binkley online at the Wall Street Journal titled,The Psychology of the $14,000 Handbag .

Christine bring up some interesting points why so many successful companies have at least one high end almost absurdly priced item. Many people will buy a lesser priced item as a consolation prize even though it is the high $$$ ticket item they really covet.

Looking at my current business model, the highest priced jewelry item I have had in the past is my sterling silver crocheted designs with pearls and gemstones (Retail: $300-400). Did I sell a lot of them? No, but they are a great draw; so many folks can't resist picking up these necklaces even though their eyes bug out at the price!

Anyways, I thought this was worth sharing with y'all as so many artists struggle with pricing their craft....often they undercharge...which is a whole other story!!!

Keeping Up with Google-Universal Search

One of the challenges for my e-commerce jewelry boutique is keeping up with the changes at Google. Hey, I'm an artist and all this SEO and marketing takes a chunk out of my design/studio time!
I found a great article that discusses how to optimize your site for "universal search". The article is written by Tony D. Baker. He is Oklahoma’s leading Internet marketing expert with over 1000 clients and over 10 years of Internet marketing experience. As an author and public speaker, Baker has written several ebooks and has spoken at conferences throughout the United States. Tony D. Baker is currently the host of Xeal Radio, Sunday nights at 6pm on Tulsa's Talk Radio 1170 KFAQ AM.

In a nutshell, Tony says your website can be optimized for universal search using press releases,images,video content, site map so search engine can find links (keep it updated), and the basics like links, keyword rich text, etc...

At this point, I need to add some video content...maybe of me designed fused glass, soldering, etc..."Artist at Work Series" and update my site map....

Hey, if I can do it so can you!!! Don't invent the wheel or make mistakes...there is a lot of great information out there and you can make a difference!

Planning Your Jewelry Sales & Marketing for the Holidays, part I

Just because it's summer doesn't mean you should be slacking off in your jewelry business. In fact, this is the perfect time to prepare for the biggest selling season of the year-Holiday 2007!

This is part I of a series geared at helping you plan ahead for the lucrative holiday season and get the most out of your sales/marketing resources!

It is still smoking hot in N. Texas but I'm already thinking about the Fall/Winter Fashion Forecast. Whether or not your customers follow the fashion trends, they will notice color palettes whilst out and about shopping. Go into any major dept store and look at their displays....hint! hint! It's a great way to see for yourself what the dominant color palette of the season is. Yes, I know Pantone has a forecast but it's not the same as seeing the real deal...a retail merchandise display!

So, what can you do to translate this into lucrative jewelry sales? Plan to create jewelry using the dominant color palette and also find innovative ways tie it into your packaging. For me, that means I will be highlighting my "chocolate brown" more than my pink in my packaging The good news is that the colors for Winter 2007 have shifted marginally with designs favoring individuality. Now that has me excited as that is what Diva designs are all about ...individualism and dynamic personality!

It's always a great idea to create pieces that are versatile? Create pieces that can be dressed up or down. Think what can be worn at the office but would still look compliment a "holiday party/girls night out" outfit. Or think about a necklace that can be wrapped into a bracelet? Or a necklace with a removable/interchangeable pendant?

Combine gold and sterling silver rich colored stones in red, green, blue and purple. Textures are another way to offer style. One of my favorite ways to add texture is to incorporate silk and various fibers into my design. I've been known to haunt Quilt Shows for hand-dyed silk ribbons to use in my designs.

I do hope you've enjoyed part I of this series. Read part II of the Jewelry Sales & Marketing for the Holiday here. Part III will be released by the end of September.

Got a comment or suggestion? I'd love to hear it!

Reduced Price Advertising Opportunity with Daily Confection She Unlimited

WOW! Just had to shared this amazing deal on advertising from Veronica over at Daily Confection She Unlimited with you. I'm taking advantage of this oppportunity and here are the two design banners that Tink designed at no extra charge for me. Normally, it costs $2k to start an advertising campaign but due to the relaunch your bank account will be shocked at how affordable it is for a featured or sponsor ad and the best part...they will lock in the advertising price. This indie jewelry artist is saying Woohoo......

Scroll down to see the offer that Veronica so graciously let me share with y'all....

Daily Confection She Unlimited

Hey There! We wanted to let you know about our special offer below, and to please pass this along to your clients, that would be fabulous!!! This is only till Aug, then we go back to $2000 to start a campaign

Like Don Corleone in The Godfather, I’m going to make you an offer you can’t refuse. A one time, life long offer, guaranteed to enrich your profits, increase your readership and further your quest for success.

Due to the recent merger and relaunch of Daily SheUnlimited-Daily Confection, we are offering for a limited time only, drastically reduced prices on advertising. We’re not talking small reductions here. We are so thrilled with our new relaunch, that we want our advertisers to join in the celebration.

SheUnlimited-Daily Confection has grown by leaps and bounds over the last few years. The prospects for the future are brighter than bright. In the next six months alone, we expect to triple our readership. The same is true with the growth of our multi-media ventures, including pod casts (which are well over 300,000 subscribers now) the launch of our new print magazine and of course, our high tech advertising.

Featured Ads

Featured ads have a predominant place in the upper-right hand corner of every single page on the website. We don’t hide ads under tables, on obscure pages or at the bottom of the heap. We show them off!

Normally a featured ad runs for $100 weekly. Now, for a short time, we are offering you an astounding offer: $30 a week. And that’s not all…for joining us in our celebration, if you purchase at least two weeks at $30, we will give you an two additional weeks at $18 each. I can hear you now, no, we’re not crazy, just excited. That’s a mere $96 per month; a whopping $304 off the standard rate.

Wait…there’s more! I know, I know you’re wondering how can there be more?

Take us up on this fabulous offer now, and it is locked in for life. That’s right, you will never have to go back to the old rates again.

Sponsor ads

Sponsor ads are placed on the highly visible right-hand side of each and every page.

Normally sponsor ads run for $25 weekly. While our relaunch festivities continue, we are offering these high traffic ads at $12.50 per week. That’s 50% off the regular price; a mere $50 per month.

Like the featured ads, any sponsor ads purchased during this time are locked into a lifetime opportunity.

If you are looking for a place that will take your sponsorship seriously, and a place that can offer a high level of multi-media advertising from newsletters, to pod casts, to glitzy moving banners, take a gander at our advertising page.

Our growth is your growth!

http://www.sheunlimited.com/about/advertising

Tink, Online Advertising

Manhattan, New York, 718.312.8437

Asia/Pacific, 81 (50) 5539.6883

Fax: 1.270.423.7485

pr@sheunlimited.com

www.sheunlimited.com

admin@sheunlimited.com

veronica marie, Publisher-CEO 1.718.312.8437

unlimited media group

she unlimited network

www.sheunlimited.com

usa

general nyc & advertising 718.312.8437

fax 1.270.423.7485

admin@sheunlimited.com

admin@sheunlimited.com, general

Headquarters- Asia Pacific Tokyo Japan

A-2 Maison Tamano, 22-1 Aza-Kamishinden. Ichinomiya City,

JAPAN 494.0013

81.50.5539.6883

editors & product submission

editors@sheunlimited.com

Marketing Tips for Your Handcrafted Jewelry ----The Office Shopping Lunch

One of my favorite gigs is pitching larger sized office or buildings to host a "shopping lunch". What the heck is a shopping lunch?

This is where you the vendor can come in and set up for a few hours so the employees can shop on their lunch hour.

Generally, I set my shop hours from 11am - 2pm depending on the office.

I get thanked all the time for these lunch time diversions! Why? I'm saving people time . I'm providing a service. They love the fact that they can get a gift or treat themselves without running around town. I offer free gift wrapping and hand crafted note cards for those purchasing a gift. My business has been a lifesaver many times or so I'm told!

Best of all, I've never had to pay to be a vendor. In fact, I've been offered money to show up (which I declined in lieu of blatant promotion).

What makes an office shopping lunch successful?
Promotion--When I approach the office or building manager, I either get permission to approach the different companies within the building to promote my "Shopping Lunch" or if I get lucky the folks in Communications will send out an e-mail and a day before reminder. Either way, I offer an incentive for folks to come visit. A FREE DRAWING (no purchase necessary) always pulls people in record numbers.

When I set up, I always have a Free Drawing and Newsletter Sign-Up area with the incentive of 10% off if they sign up....This way I can keep in contact with folks and funnel them to my website/keep in front of them until the next show.