It’s been a rather fuggy week. I seem to have spent much of it trapped inside, stuck in my arm charm, doing repetitive tasks. I finished the sprucing up of the jewellery shop. I’m half-happy with the results. (All the new jewellery is listed - including a few pieces I’ll share here.) One of the final chores was standardising the listings - very repetitive. I’ve always had great difficulty writing listings, a far greater difficulty than the task warrants! I found myself writing this stuff - ‘this beautiful’, ‘featuring a wonderful’, ‘a very lovely’, etc., etc. - and it just didn’t sound right. It probably sounds a bit precious to say it but it just didn’t sound persuasive coming from me. I really have always admired the shop name Buy My Crap. And I also admire listings that give a detailed, descriptive account of the piece and its making, highlighting its qualities and loveliness. I just can’t strike the right tone.
I don’t imagine anyone finds it easy to enthuse at any length about what they make. I’m hoping the format I’ve arrived at (which includes losing the adjectives) is an okay compromise. It might seem a bit impersonal. I don’t know… But I’ve probably spent more than enough time fretting about it for the time being.
(ceramic cottage - Bo Hulley Beads, ceramic flower - Captured Moments)
The other repetitive task that has dominated my time during the last few days is bead sanding. Once done with shop-sorting, I was quite ready to get to work on some new bead designs. Several days on, I can say that my desire for bead making has been thoroughly sated. I’m very happy making them, but the sanding…. . I’m sure there must be an easier, quicker method than the one I’ve arrived at. And my hands are in ribbons! Anyway, I must have made about 150 beads and they’re all sanded finally. Now it’s time to add paint details to the ones that need it, then, some will need glazing. However, I’m going to leave off the glaze with most I think. I’m always tempted to finish beads with it because I think it will protect the surface, but for some designs it just doesn’t look right. Also, some people prefer beads unglazed. There’ll be photos soon and I hope to get them listed by the weekend. Today, however, I’m having a break. I’m going for a pub lunch. I know - on a Tuesday! But I must leave the house.
Absolutely love your Bracelet on here Claire it is simply divine and such great colours.
xx
I fully understand where you are coming from on the description side of selling. I never know what to put and also think it does not sound right or come across appealing to buyers.
Well I look forward to seeing your beads I love your owls and bird and simply must purchase one very soon.
Enjoy your pub lunch
I love the name buy my crap as well! Will look it up. I agree about listings. I always think it’s up to someone else to say if my beads are lovely or not , so I just about manage a ‘cute’ or ‘sweet’ when describing something I’ve made. I love the earrings.
Oh - and the house bracelet!
x
I know what you mean about feeling awkward enthusing about self-made pieces, but I think your descriptions hit the right note and, perhaps, most importantly include all the materials used. Clear away the fluff and that is the information that I would want to know of a jewellery item.
Don’t forget that your pieces do a fair bit of talking on your behalf. “Look at me!”, “Hello, I’m made up of all of your favourite colours and you just can’t resist”, “Buy me so that you can lust after me in the privacy of your own home”. Plus, you take lovely clear and enticing pictures. The sales package is all there.
Mmmm. Enjoy that pub lunch!
Thanks for all the feedback everyone! I really do appreciate it as I’ve been puzzling over the matter for some time. And thanks for the compliments, of course!
Let the jewellery do the talking Claire - it’s fab! K x