Sometimes as an artist I take my ideas for granted but I was told that my ideas were amazing by my counselor and that I should proceed with these ideas. I had a plan to implement them and then my husband's stay at the hospital lasted longer than we both thought it would. Eventually I just got wrapped up in the situation and tried to balance the home life with business and I just dropped the business part to focus on my health before I became too overwhelmed. I can't promise that I will stay on track but I can do what I can when I can.
Anyway I'm glad to say I'm starting the virtual parties again. It's been such a long time because I've also had so much technical difficulties since my microphone on my laptop won't work. I'm just glad to give it a try once again.
My next 2 virtual parties are on the 16th and the 30th. You can still win a free prize. I change the stipulations every time. Sometimes I do a front door prize or I just randomly pick a guest who's watching and interacting. Since we are moving everything to Zoom though, I think I'm going to change it up!
I'm just glad I'm getting back on the game again. You can order a ticket on Eventbrite! Click the link for the virtual event!
Bracelet Stacking
I wanted to go over this concept of bracelet stacking in this blog as well, because I started an article a long time ago and then abandoned it in my drafts. Basically bracelet stacking isn't new, it's just a new hashtag, but I have seen video's from the 70's and see all the different color "bangles" (metal bracelets). They wore. Understand that the 70's, 90's, and even now there's a repeat in fashions because it repeats ever 10-20yrs. Raising Awareness in our black communities has brought so many fashions from the past out in the name of getting reconnected with our African Roots. So fashion is now being used again to make a statement about embracing our blackness even in our jewelry.
Personally I used Bracelet stacking more as a marketing technique growing up as a teenage entrepreneur than I did for style. I did used to get flack for it from my elders though. A lot of people said I was overdoing it, and that I didn't need all that, but I used to sell each bracelet for at least $1. So if I had 6 on each wrist I made at least $12. I had way more confidence selling then than I do now as an adult. I think somewhere I let all that discouragement zap me of my energy, and so I work very hard to observe and see where I can reintroduce a concept I may have already done years ago.
So this bracelet stack was what I wore for mothers Day. Yes I do have 7 bracelets on! But the way I envisioned this bracelet stack was like a cuff. the center bracelet goes with some earrings I made for myself a long time ago where there is wire wrapped around it. So after that I just used solid colors for the bracelets in the midle and then finally the purple and pink bracelets. If you look closely at the purple beads you'll see that they have every color in it. The yellows the pinks, and even white. Sitting those solid yellow and pink bracelets next to those beads totally made every detail in that purple bracelet pop.
I do have these purple bracelets on sale at www.kanawearboutique.com and they come in alterante colors, yellow, pink and even black. I do sell the solid pink, yellow or multicolor ones on there as well, No black solid ones yet. Apparently black beads are a hot commodity and so when I ordered them there were very few because they were more expensive to order than the other colors were. So understand that when you buy the purple bracelet the fact that it's black raises the price if that's what you want.
Changes in Pricing
In case you were wondering-yes I did raise my prices. I'm not 11yrs old anymore or 14 and my bracelets are not $1 anymore. Some people only want to show support when you're selling yourself short. You have to beware of those types of people too, because they only care about themselves and not whether you're truly making a profit. This is why I'm moving my events to Eventbrite. I'm putting myself out there a little more so another crowd can appreciate my work. Once I total shipping and handling, and then the actual prices for supplies to make everything, I've made nothing if I keep selling myself short. There's a difference between having jacked up prices and making a profit. Jacked up prices come from greed, profits are totaled up after subtracting your expenses and all it took to make your product. A $5-10 profit is reasonable. So next time you tell someone who handcrafts everything that they are charging too much, just go to the nearest beauty supply store and get the set you want customized there. Oh yeah...you can't get anything customized at a beauty supply store...so guess you can just stick with the manufactured stuff they have on the shelves. We DIY and handcrafted business people put way more effort into our works to be diminished to the likes of what you can "buy at the store". We do have our own stores, our creations are worth buying at the price we set. If you don't want to pay the price for quality work, let that be your problem and don't be rude. Thanks-sincerely the handcrafting community! END RANT.
Eventbrite
If you want a ticket you can register on Eventbrite. Click Here to register for the event. The tickets are free so even if something pops up there's no cost to you anyway. The Zoom meeting should last about 45 minutes anyway, and there will be a quick display of items that are for sale as well as a small presentation about what the company is about. Thanks in advance for registering for the event!
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