Elegant Displays That Won't Break the Bank

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the ShesSoWitte Queen Bee Boutique!  Or should I say Winter? This year I decided to decorate with design elements that take me through February 1st (which traditionally produces immediate guilt for still having Christmas decorations out.) Historically the first quarter of the year is my busiest time, so I didn't want to have to change out displays until spring. 

I used white garland to wrap strands of white lights and draped it around the mirror. It's gorgeous at night. So cozy. 

One of my goals is to create beautiful displays while making sure my jewelry is easy to access. Some customers may be shy about asking you to remove a piece from a display, and some feel more obligation than desire once the salesperson is involved. I've found that if they can pick it up, see the price, and try it on without asking for assistance, they're more likely to buy.  (Always stand by to listen for questions and watch for cues that they want assistance.)  So to combine beauty and ease of access, I've become adept at repurposing thrift shop finds to create pretty AND functional displays.

  

This is an old brass coat rack with 7 swivel arms, each of which holds two necklaces - longer ones to the back and shorter ones in front.  Everything is easy to see, and it doesn't feel wrong to remove something to try it on.  

This is one of a pair of brass candlesticks that never sat straight. No matter what, they wobbled. But screw them into the wall and add a 1980's clip earring to the end and you have an elegant hook upon which to hang a couple necklaces and a coordinating bracelet!  

One of the most useful decorating skills I've learned is how to tear apart old lamps.  The most hideous $1 yard sale lamp can provide parts that make a gorgeous display element.  Take the spinning stand above, for instance.  The arms and the top are old chandelier parts.  The base and stem are repurposed candlestick pieces and everything is secured on a lamp pipe with a large screw and a hex nut. Proof positive that you don't have to spend a fortune to create elegant displays!

Presentation is Everything

Create a crisp neutral pallet and vertical displays for maximum exposure.

I just wrapped up a successful show at the White Mule Winery this weekend, and wanted to share some of my thoughts and little lessons learned, while they're fresh in my mind. One of my favorite sayings is "presentation is everything" and it certainly paid off for this show. 

This was the first show that I had done in two years so I had to build my displays from scratch. Thankfully, I had my boutique displays to pull from, but I needed to make everything fit within an 8ft x 8ft space, keeping as much as possible at eye level with easy access to the jewelry. If they can't see it, hold it, and try it on, you're not going to sell it.  

If they can't pick it up and try it on, it's going home with you. 

I posted my prettiest decorated mannequin at the front of my display area where she would attract the immediate attention of shoppers as they entered the venue.  In the back right corner of my display, I placed another winged dress form to draw them into the booth. 

A pretty mannequin posted in front draws passing customers' attention to your booth.

The tall display in the back right corner draws customers INTO your booth.

I used an old oak library card catalog box as a base for my center display. It held two leatherette bracelet trays perfectly with enough extra space for pre-packaged sterling charms. Atop this section, I used an antique Waltham watch parts cabinet with three of the drawers pulled out in tiers. It was a great fit for the leather cuffs. Next was an old wooden crate which held a stand mirror. I hung several long layering necklaces along the sides of the crate. I changed this a bit for the show, adding two small metal file drawers to hold the ring trays and raise the display to an even better height. 

At the last minute, I decided to add a small display of the tools and materials I use to  create my jewelry. It really brought home the nature of handmade to my customers and added value to my pieces. 

I discovered that signage is a must to direct attention once customers are actually in the booth. Well-placed, succinct signage added interest to items that may have otherwise been overlooked. 

What would I change? I think in the future I would like to use jewelry rolls to transport necklaces for easier travel, and more large plastic tubs to carry display pieces. The toughest part of my display is lugging the heavy crocks around, but I think what they add to the ambiance of the presentation is worth it. Now to post all the new items to my Etsy shop!

Brave Girl: Hold Your Own Key

 "The secret to her happiness was holding her own key"

                                                                                -  Brave Girl

Abraham Lincoln is credited with saying "people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be".  It's one of the great secrets of life, really.  Taking control of one's own mind, choosing to be happy in each moment on a daily basis can transform your life.  Recognizing the difference between that over which we have control and that which is beyond our control is the first step.  And surprisingly difficult.  It takes a good bit of practice to learn how to stop trying to control the behavior of others.  But once we do, the magic door to Happiness opens and we can begin to enjoy our lives. 


 Women are socialized to make others happy - husbands, children, in-laws, bosses. And we're bombarded with images and messages telling us that we're responsible for everything.  Literally everything.  We're supposed to raise healthy, pretty, popular, well-adjusted children, keep our bosses and co-workers happy, and be the perfect wife who maintains her figure and looks.  All while smiling with perfectly white teeth and gorgeous hair.  

Is it any wonder that we forget to nurture our own happiness in the pursuit of pleasing others? The newest brave girl collection reminds us that we alone have the power to make ourselves happy.  Never give the key to your happiness to someone else.  Hold your own key.

Brave Girl: Badges of Honor for a Life Hard Earned and Well Lived

 Brave Girl

I've had this line in me my whole life.  It wasn't always jewelry, though.  It started out as moments of clarity, notes to self, timely revelations, and sacred vows never to repeat certain . . . shall we say . . . unwise choices.  It was only as I watched my sweet niece working through her own life issues that the line began to take form in my head. These pieces began as part prayer to the Universe for her continued strength through hard times, and part badge of honor for continuing to make wise choices despite the challenges of forging a path that leads to a better life.

I chose basic materials like steel, copper and brass, as well as found objects like garter belt hooks, and vintage carnival tokens.  The pieces have a rustic, make-do feel that represents the brave girl's tendency to work what she has to the best of her ability until something better and truer presents itself. That uncomfortable place when you're quite clear about what you don't want to do anymore, but haven't quite figured out what to do instead?  That's the inspiration for this piece:

"she tended her dreams with fairy dust and elbow grease"

Because there is an undying vision of what could be in the heart of every brave girl.  That's not to say she never has doubts or fears.  Remember your first apartment?  Brave girls can turn an old house trailer into an adorable cottage with sheer will, $20 at a resale shop and ingenuity!  And when they finally get a home of their own, they appreciate every inch of it and what it took to get them there.  They never forget where they came from and will always offer a hand to another brave girl.

 Brave girls are no strangers to bad relationships.  In fact, it just might be a qualification to be a brave girl.  One thing's certain: when she loves, it's with her whole heart . . . . scars, bandages and all.

This piece was created using vintage filigree brass stampings as a foundation, upon which I wired two hand cut and stamped plates in sterling silver and brass.  The heart is torch fired cloisonne on copper. 

Shop the Brave Girl Collection

Holiday Hours in the Queen Bee Boutique at ShesSoWitte

ShesSoWitte holiday displays featuring the new Brave Girl collection.

The Queen Bee Boutique is now open noon to 6 pm Saturdays and Sundays through December 21st.  Stop by if you're in the area, and share a bit of Holiday Cheer!

Complimentary gift wrapping for all purchases.  Or visit my Etsy shop here:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShesSoWitte

An antique coat hook makes a great necklace display. 

Sweet snowmen hold my business cards from MOO.  Opposite sides feature examples of my work.

The snowman theme allows the holiday decorations to extend into January and February.  The antique heart shaped iron padlock and pops of red compliment the Brave Girl collection.

Oh how I love bumble bees!  The Queen Bee Boutique mascot tops this handmade copper earring display. I used 10 gauge copper, antique bumble bee print, Diamond Glaze, and a rivet to create it.

 Check out lots of other cool projects using Diamond Glaze at JudiKins.com

Brave Girl Collection now available in my Etsy shop.

Brave Girl

There are those women who, despite all the obstacles and trials in their lives, rise to become a whole which is greater than the sum of their experiences.  Surviving horrendous families of origin, bad boyfriends, undiagnosed learning disabilities and the schizophrenic messages about women in our society, they become healthy, successful and happy creatures free from their past and free to engage in fulfilling relationships and exciting careers. Despite the odds, they win.  I am one of these.

The one who strives for better, despite the obstacles and naysayers.
The one who learns that their are worse things than failure.
The one who does the right thing, even when it's the toughest option.
The one who isn't afraid of hard work.
The one who looks for the silver lining on the darkest of cloudy days.
The one who refuses to settle for mediocre.
The one who ties a knot in the tiniest thread of hope and hangs on for dear life.
 And when she loves, it's with her whole heart.

New collection available in my Etsy shop update, Sunday October 19th 6 pm

So Many Stones, So Little Time

Ahhh Summer . . . the slowest time of the year from a retail perspective, but a great time to work on all the projects I've been dreaming about.  One of my goals this year was to expand my inventory of stones and I'm very happy with the results. 

Now all I need is an extra 8 hours a day to keep up with all the ideas swirling in my brain!  Here's what I put together so far:

Sweet rainbow moonstone and tanzanite pendant with handmade sterling silver leaf design mounting.  

This pendant turned out so cool and I love the beautiful twig accent.  It was a bugger to get soldered so it looks natural, but well worth the effort in the end.