First Booth!
Well, yesterday was an important moment for me. I had my first display of my jewelry for the public! Right around the corner from my house, in a tiny little park across the street from the grocery chain store, there was a festival celebrating the history of Red Bank, Tennessee. And Moon Pies. It was a great learning experience, and I made money! Lots of people seemed interested in my jewelry, and loved the concept of earring jackets. I handed out almost 100 business cards, and started spreading the word about renegade jewelry
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On a personal note: It was a monumental day for my son Devin, as he debuted his business, Devinsdrinks.com and sold refreshments in the booth next to me. He is 6 years old, and an entrepreneur!
Working on the website!
Everyday I try to promote the website, research key words, tweak a few listings, take new photos, make new listings, and try to design something new. This morning I filled my time with making an order to send to Germany! They ordered a brass adjustable ring ( https://www.etsy.com/listing/223615074/adjustable-brass-statement-ring-shield?ref=shop_home_active_7 ) and a pair of silver earrings ( https://www.etsy.com/listing/225981647/sterling-silver-big-rounded-circle-studs?ref=shop_home_active_6 ) Making the brass ring takes patience, because I make it out or 20 g sheet. It is thick, and hard to handle. After cutting to size, and shaping, I spend lots of time filing before I give it it’s hammered texture. Then, sand and round the edges, and tumble to a high shine.
Courtney has been making a few sales with her earring jackets, and I think the product photos are great! A black and white model photos really makes it stand out. Plus the designs are awesome! The conversations from customers on etsy has been fun, and informative. I love the input that is coming directly from the customer!
We spent the evening making displays, and I can’t wait to show off all the new jewelry! I’m pooped. Netflix time!
Our story!
Courtney is my partner in Renegade Designs, the etsy shop. http://www.designsbycatie.com
As co-owners, we are always designing jewelry, and talking about how to keep things new and fresh. The story starts with the place we working before, as bench silversmiths, selling handmade jewelry on Etsy. I became friends with Courtney the first day I met her, on the job. I trained her how to work with metal, and now she makes amazing jewelry on her own! We make earring jackets, earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets, and other jewelry. We are life long artists that want to sell our art directly to you! Making jewelry out of quality materials is a passion. We love sterling silver and gold fill. Custom 14 K solid gold designs available.
We get together in our studio, and do everything. Design and make the jewelry, photograph, and package. My son is 6, his name is Devin. I have a dog named Bear, and Courtney has a dog named Maybe. We try to take lots of breaks, and work really hard!
Check me out on instagram for previews and progress photos! @catiesilverstone
E-mail me to join our news letter, cprosser110@gmail.com
Lotsa love,
Catie
Blogging for Jewelry Lovers
After many requests- My blog is designed for people who love jewelry. Handmade jewelry with only the finest and highest quality craftsmanship. I am welcoming all comments, ideas, and feedback, as I am just entering this next chapter.
A Little History – I learned how to silversmith and work with metal and clay in high school. I had a fantastic teacher who had a beautiful studio to teach in, and very few students who appreciated it. I was one of them. After four years of learning the most complicated techniques, I left high school and didn’t touch metal again for years. I felt depressed and lonely, and would cry on the phone to my mom begging the universe for a creative outlet. Many years later, in Chattanooga, TN, I was hired by a woman who owned an etsy shop, named homegrown silver and stone. I was opened up to a world of self-taught silver smithing – and unorganized production. Most importantly, I was exposed to the world of Etsy- A world wide market place where consumers buy directly from artists. I knew I could do it better on my own, but I had committed myself to helping my new boss and friend. I poured my heart and soul into her business. I Trained silversmiths, increased and upheld quality standards, helped open a brick and mortar, helped my good friend Aria run the business, developed marketing strategy and product lines, produced most of the product, and many more things. After some ups and downs, I was being paid pretty well (for the south), and I enjoyed most aspects of my job. I came home at the end of the day feeling tired and accomplished. There was one major problem- the employees were not being heard. There were issues that had been going unresolved for over a year. OSHA standards were not being kept up with. No heat, nor hot water in the building. The lack of acknowledgement and respect was really wearing on the entire team. After trying to confront her about it as a group, all four full time employees were terminated over the phone that night.
That was January of 2015. That is where my personal Etsy journey began. Within a few weeks I had secured all the tools I needed to make higher quality jewelry than I had made since high school. I spent over $1,000 on supplies, and got to work. I started by listing my earrings, the best seller in the Homegrown brick and mortar store. No views, and very few favorites. I was nervous, but within being open for 24 hours a good friend, and jewelry lover, bought a pair of oxidized sterling silver double triangle earrings. Woot woot!!
check them out here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/218058771/sterling-silver-handmade-double-triangle?ref=shop_home_active_4&ga_search_query=triangle
Slow to start, I had nothing but drive and determination to make my own store. I really want to focus on wholesale- and being able to sell to stores. I know that simple, dainty, high quality silver jewelry is what people want. Making a midi ring that is adjustable was my first move. It has been my best seller since I dropped the price to $6.
check the line out here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/218730613/adjustable-sterling-silver-midi-ring?ref=shop_home_active_4&ga_search_query=midi%2Badjustable
Everything with Etsy takes patience and perseverance. I am a hardworking mom, that wants to make a good life for my son. He deserves to watch me build a successful business, so I can spend more time with him and supply him with more wonderful experiences than he would ever get, if I was to work for someone else.
Check out my shop link : https://www.etsy.com/shop/RenegadeSilver?ref=hdr_shop_menu
Follow me on instagram for daily photos, listing previews, and more visual fun! @catiesilverstone
Join my newsletter! email me at cprosser110@gmail.com
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designsbycatie 