Sharma Designs - Behind the Scenes of a Handmade Jewelry Business

Facebook Fan Page Contest

Want to win free jewelry?  Pop on over to my Facebook fan page and comment on my contest with which piece of jewelry from my shop you would be thankful for.

Easy to enter!  One entry per person and the winner will be chosen tomorrow night.

Local Show Dec 5th!

Since joining Etsy I have had a lot of people ask me if I do local shows.  This year I have had to answer with "Unfortunately..no"  We are in a temporary residence that is much smaller than where we were living and I had to put my excess Sharma Designs things in storage.  Which means I have no show equipment.  I honestly didn't even see this coming because I had no idea we would be here so long but...such is life.

Because I am a perfectionist of sorts the idea of doing shows without my perfectly planned setup is unthinkable.  Apparently though, I have a weak spot.  That would be a fundraiser at my daughter's preschool.

So if you are in the Bay Area please come by and shop!  There is going to be a book fair hosted by Hicklebees in Willow Glen and vendors selling their handmade goods.  Some of the proceeds of the show will go to Campbell Parent's Participation Preschool.  I don't have all the details yet but I do know that Dribs will be there and also it sounds like there will be raffle prizes.

Here are the details:

CPPP Holiday Boutique and Book Fair

Campbell Parent's Participation Preschool 528 Harrison Avenue Campbell, CA

December 5th 4:00pm - 7:00pm

Accessorize your Thanksgiving!

A few pieces of jewelry from my Etsy shop that I thought would be the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving attire.  If you hurry you will get it in time for Turkey Day!  The free shipping that is offered right now is for first class but if you want it faster just contact me to upgrade to Priority mail for only $3.

More fun related links from my web wanderings this week:

Want to try a new pumpkin pie this year?  Try this Pumpkin Pie with Caramel Pecan Topping

Need a non traditional but seasonally appropriate dish? Butternut Parmesan Pasta Recipe

Send a funny dancing Thanksgiving ecard from JibJab

Warm and Toasty

french roast sweater dress - $38.99 : ShopRuche.com,

I LOVE this sweater dress from Shop Ruche.  It is finally getting cold enough around here to consider sweaters.  Being a coffee addict, it's hard to resist a piece of clothing (my other addiction) with a name like "French Roast".  I think it would look fabulous paired with my Ebony Wood Mod earrings ($17).

On my Etsy Wish List

I saw these eco friendly gnome baby dolls on the front page of Etsy the other day and when I clicked my 2 year old screamed "It's a small world!"  For that reason alone I want to buy them.  Her little eyes lit up so bright when we looked at them and they are so cute!

Eye Candy

Recently I stumbled upon a website called Craftgawker.  It is a beautiful gallery of handmade items.   The site is juried so only pictures that fit their high standards make the cut.  I think I spent 2 hours on it the first time I was there...feverishly favoriting items.  Not only am I a sucker for handmade but I love a good product photo.

Of course I had to submit a few of my own.  I desperately wanted to be among the beautiful things.

A few days later I clicked on their sister site Foodgawker.  Then I lost track of time for a few days... which is random because I am not a foodie.  I honestly don't even enjoy cooking all that much.  For me it is means to an end.  BUT this site has me drooling and clicking and favoriting.  I have tried a few recipes already with very satisfying results.  Now if only someone will bake all the desserts I have favorited and bring them to me.  Baking is not my thing.

I think both sites successfully inspire.  I was in a menu slump when I found Foodgawker and now I have ideas for days.  Craftgawker has found many of my Christmas gifts this year too!

So go browse at your own risk.  You can't say I didn't warn ya!

New "Shop By" features in my Etsy store!

For the last few weeks Etsy has had beta testers testing the new "Rearrange your Shop" feature in their Etsy stores.  Traditionally, we could only change our shop by re-listing an item and that just brought the item to the front of the page.  The Rearrange your Shop feature allows you to put the items wherever you choose regardless of when they were listed.

 

I chose to arrange my shop by color.  When shopping for jewelry, you are often looking for a specific color to match an outfit so this should make things easier to find what you are looking for.

To shop by color: 

1.  Go to my Etsy store and click on the gallery view link (this is not mandatory but it is easier to see the pictures in gallery view ) 

2.  Change the drop down menu to custom

 

The changes that Etsy have made also allow you to shop by when the items were listed as well as by price.  Pretty handy!  Of course, you can always shop by the categories on the right side of the page as well.

Enjoy the new features!  I'd love to hear feedback!

Back in Stock!

These branch necklaces sold quickly the first time around and I'm sure they will again.  The have a delicate silver branch and a sweet olive jade butterfly.    I also have them with a black bird but I do know that I only have one black bird left so if you want that style you better hurry.

August Jewelry Winner

For those of you who don't know..I run a contest every month where I pick a newsletter subscriber to win their choice of jewelry from my shop.  This month's winner is Jessica B.  She chose the Dragons Vein Lariat.  Great choice in my opinion!

Last month's winner never got back to me so I had a quick contest on my Facebook Fan page.  Another good reason to become a fan if you are not already ;)

I've loaded lots of pretty new necklaces in the last few days to my Etsy shop.   Go have a look!

New Colors in the Flower Wood Twiggy Earrings

I love the flower wood twiggy earrings so much that I had to add a few more colored flowers.  So last week or so I added red flower twiggies and today I am uploading 3 more colors.  My favorite new color just might be the orange.  I can't wear orange at all but I do love it!

I combined the flowers with the twigs I thought best complimented them but if there is a certain style that you want but don't see offered just ask!  I'd be happy to make them for you.

 

I picked July's newsletter winner today.  When I hear back from her I will announce what she selected.  Everyone who signs up for the newsletter is eligible to win!

Hope you are having a great Wednesday!