DG Designs

2011-09-12T10:25:00.003-05:00

Good morning~!

For the past three years I have been on this whirlwind of building my business. I have been on the road constantly trying to create a presence and recognition of my company. Endless tradeshows and open houses, hours of networking, marketing and promoting and countless trial and error attempts to find my niche.

And just when I thought things were getting good, along comes the need for me to make a new number one rule. Have a plan B. I don't care how good things are, if you do not have a back up plan you are skating on thin ice, business wise. As is usual, it's the bottom line that concerns me. And not just how costs and expenses affect MY bottom line but how my resulting prices affect my customers because they are the ones who will ultimately carry the burden of rising costs.

Some things you just can't control but I feel strongly about providing high quality at an affordable price. I also feel strongly about who my business is associated with including my suppliers, my artisans and the promoter and venue that my products are sold at. They all reflect something on my business in the mind of the client.
If any of those influences begin to be out of sync with one another, it's time to make a change. In my case, it is time to reconsider which tradeshows to continue with and which ones to cut from my schedule without losing my customer base in that city. So, how do I fill the gap? Which direction do I take that will benefit not only my bottom line but my customer's pocketbook as well?

These types of decisions do not come with their own "time". There is little, if any, room for hesitation. It can mean the end to all the hard work put forth so far and starting over. Not an option for me. For now, I am cutting back on a few of the shows that have in the past not been great performers. I am also upgrading my own jewelry making skills by taking lessons in silver smithing to enhance the uniqueness of my products and I am investigating new options to bring affordable quality to my customers.

Hopefully, I will remain calm and rationale as I decide on a new game plan as far as the shows are concerned and not make hasty decisions that could be costly. So here is to taking time to grow. Let's hope it's not tooooooo bumpy of a ride~!

Power of Words

2010-01-11T11:12:00.010-06:00

There was a very interesting thread on a special interest group that I belong to and last week someone started a topic that had some interesting responses. The poster introduced the idea of a "Word of the Year", using a single word as your inspiration during the coming year.

The members responded with a variety of words and a few even explained all of the areas and directions in their lives that their word could apply. Joy, focus, and vision were just a few that were shared and the application of even just one of those words could be expanded to motivate them in so many ways. So it really made me stop and think about the power of words and how desensitized we have all become to the impact that some words have. We toss out labels on things without a second thought as to how they are perceived by others.

Take the word "friend" for example. Webster's defines friend as someone you know well and regard with affection and trust. A friend can also be a supporter, lending their efforts and backing to a particular cause, as in "Friend of the Art Community". Quakers, from my understanding have never called themselves Quakers but are members of The Religious Society of Friends.

One might, with a cursory glance, conclude that the word friend has many definitions and levels attached to it and that simply agreeing with others, or having the same goals as another classifies them as a friend, when in reality, if you break it down, it does not.

There is a requirement of commitment. Before calling yourself someones friend, shouldn't you have more than a passing knowledge of who they are and where they live. Shouldn't you actually care about the things happening in that person's life? Can you really be someones friend if you cannot accept or respect that person's commitments or struggles outside of their relationship with you? Wouldn't a friend take into consideration that there are bad habits, bad days, bad timing, or unexpected schedules that come along with the "friend package"? Or have we gotten so transient through the shrinking of our world via the communications explosion of telephone, television and Internet, that using the word friend is as common as saying gesundheit?

Have we truly evolved into a society that can easily toss our "friends" under the bus just because they stood you up for lunch? Even worse, is the utter lack of conscious some people have in proclaiming to be a friend. How can you call yourself a friend when you could care less about anything that is going on in that friend's life beyond how it affects you? Does anyone care at all how they make another human being feel by calling them a friend and then trashing them to any one who will listen when that person cannot center their life on them? Sure, we've all had these kinds of "friends" but we can change that. We can be more responsible in who we call a friend. When you regard someone as a friend without really knowing them, you open yourself up to being taken advantage of. Don't hang that title on someone after meeting them the first or second time just because you did not pull each other's hair out. Personally, I would be very leery about anyone who called me a friend after a meeting or two. I would wonder what they wanted from me. I, for one, will never, ever again assume that because I considered someone to be a friend (in the true sense of the word), that their use of the word carried the same committment.

There are so many words and phrases that are treated just as lightly in today's society. "How are you?" is one. Everyone asks but the majority would be shocked to hear an honest reply. They do not want an honest reply. They want to hear that everything is fine because anything else requires a commitment from them.. a commitment to listen, to sympathize or console, a commitment to care, even if only for a minute or two.

I believe that this year, I will use the word commitment to help define and shape my life. I think it is time to commit myself to friendships of value, of reciprocal understanding. To growing myself and my business with trusted alliances instead associations who cannot thrive if they are not the center of attention or who may, :: GASP :: have to come second once in awhile. Also, committing to accept when my friends have to put me second. Hopefully, I will end the year with a stronger circle of acquaintances and business peers that are committed to the same goals. I might even make a few new friends.

How Do You Spell Relief?

2009-04-22T07:04:00.015-05:00

Remember that commercial? R-O-L-A-I-D-S. Let's try a non-chemical relief. Let's spell relief "K-O-I P-O-N-D". I love spending time at my koi pond. Even with the house barely 15 feet behind me, when I'm at the pond I am the only one around for miles.

It really is a world unto itself. Living in the country, I have always lived among wildlife... deer, possum, skunks, boars, vultures.. not to mention the daddy long legs and scorpions. I usually let the bats take care of those critters. .

But the pond is mine. My special "end of the day let it all roll away" place

There is a small pool behind the sun where the birds play and use it as a birdbath. It drives my dogs nuts seeing the birds in "their" pond.

The newest members of our family, little chihuahua sisters named Thelma & Louise, love exploring while I sit and relax.

Thelma is determined to find one of the two turtles that keep a low profile. I have tried for two weeks to photograph them myself but every time I see them, they scurry back to their cave before I get the camera set.

The fish, the older ones anyway, are so used to me they will come up to the very edge where I am sitting and look at me with those fish eyes and wait for me to feed them, but I guess the turtles are too cold blooded to be friendly... (no pun intended). No matter, I know they are there and thriving, so it is what it is.

It has become such a neat little environment since we put it in. Attracting all sorts of new wildlife to the area. Including a migrating crane that thought it was his own personal buffet for a week or two then happily went on his way with a full belly.....
During the summer, it is the first place my rottweiler runs to when I let her out of her kennel. She heads for the very middle, sits down and bites at the water as the fish swim around her. After she cools off, she climbs out and gives the rest of us a shake bath before running off to the far ends of the property.

I noticed soooooo many new fish this spring. Sometimes, when feeding them, I'll sprinkle some of the food near the lily pads. The little guys can get to it easily while the big boys prefer munching in the open areas.

I always see something new or observe a new habit of the fish. And once in awhile, when I lose myself in the quietness and total peace of the moment, I am rewarded with an opportunity.....

I don't think the turtle even noticed I was there. I imagine he was just as relaxed as I was.....

My Lemonade Award

2009-02-03T14:48:00.004-06:00

I received the Lemonade Award from Jamie of Creations by Jae, one of my fellow eSMArties and a good friend. Thank you, Jamie for making my day!

The Lemonade Award is awarded to sites that show a positive attitude and gratitude.Here are the rules for the award:

1.Put the logo on your blog or post

2.Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great Gratitude and/or Attitude.

3.Be sure to list and link your nominees within your post.

4.Let them know they have received this award by leaving a comment on their blog.

5.Nominate your favorites and link to your post.

I choose these bloggers to win the Lemonade Award:

1. Izzy of Precious Creations by Izzy

2. Theresa of Inspired Designs

3. Jill of Jewelry Elegance

4. Jackie and Lara of Silver Lodge

5. Tracy of Orange Starfish

6. Joella of Always Wired Bead Lady

7. Kim of Artisan Jewelry

8. Susan of Perfectly Twisted Jewelry

9. Theresa of Studio618

10. Kristina of Wash When Dirty

Have fun with this, I did~!

Kreative Blogger Award

2009-02-03T07:22:00.007-06:00

I have been awarded the 'Kreativ Blogger Award' by Mei of Wire Bliss Mei. Thank you Mei for the award. I'm always humbled when my peers give me features and awards. I consider them the ultimate compliment. This means I have the daunting task of choosing only 5 bloggers to pass along this award to. This was tougher than I thought but here are my choices:

1. Anna Lee Husband of Ga'hoole Tree Designs

2. Wilma Travis of Wilma's Whimseys

3. Joyce Bevil of Hobbnobbin' Originals

4. Lois Lindquist of A Beaded Affair

5. Van Stewart Bevil/Coastal Artist

These are the rules:
1. The winner may put this award on their blog.
2. Please put a link to the person that presented you for this award.
3. Nominate 5 blogs.
4. Put links to all their blogs.
5. Leave a message for your nominees.

Meet Diane Geisel of My Gemstone Box

2009-01-07T19:17:00.006-06:00

This week I would like to spotlight someone that I have a great deal of admiration for; as an artisan, an empowered woman and dedicated wife and mother. Living in Providence, Rhode Island, Diane Geisel is employed as a quality Engineer for a flexible packaging facility. She manages to balance her very analytical day job with her passion for family and her creative, unique jewelry design. Diane says " have dabbled in art all my life. As a youngster I would
draw "Precious Moments" figures, horses and of course, unicorns! My Etsy name is a combination of those items I love to collect and have around me- unicorns and yummy gemstones of all colors. The date is the year I was blessed with my son (unicorngem1994).

I know Diane also as a huge asset to our Etsy Team, eSMArts, where she is the Social Marketing Director for the Team. The Etsy Social Marketing Arts Guild (eSMArts Guild) is a global collaborative of mixed media artisans intent on further understanding and applying eCommerce advertising and promotion techniques.

As a life learner, her enthusiasm for trying new things is reflected in her jewelry design thru the use of new design and medium ideas. This self taught artisan, having never taken any formal lessons, hones her skills thru books and magazines and putting her own personal touch to the techniques she learns.

Diane has recently been named as the Jewelry Collecting Editor for BellaOnline. Read about her vintage jewelry passion at Jewelry Collecting Channel on BellaOnline - The Voice of Women.

The photos that I share with you here are just a small sampling of her work. I encourage you to browse her etsy store - Unicorn Gem 1994 and see for yourself the range of her creative skills, or get to know her a little better by visiting her blog at My Gemstone Box.

This has to be my absolute favorite piece of hers. Mostly I'm jealous that she finds this on her trips to the shore close to her home. I live close to the Gulf Coast and I never find beach glass so I may have to pay Diane a visit~!!!!!!!!!!

Oscar's Christmas Present

2008-12-28T06:46:00.015-06:00

Well, Oscar had a very nice Christmas. His present did not actually get here until yesterday but once he saw what it was, he was not upset, LOL~!!! It's a miniature Palimino filly that we got from my youngest sister's fiance. I was so proud of having the darned camera ready this time but I could kick myself for not recording the audio. ::dies laughing all over again:: OMG~! The nickering/braying/whinnying/ that went on. Just when we thought they were thru, we would start talking and all of a sudden...they started up again.

She's shy... she would not come out until we all backed away including Oscar. Then we coaxed her out with a bit of carrot and Oscar got jealous so we had to give him a piece.

I think he forgot about the carrot. Awwww~! We have not named her yet, but two suggestions; one from Henry who said, when the trailer first opened up, "She has Tina Turner hair" and my sister who always thought our "food" names for our dogs.... peanut, popcorn, nestle, ... was cute, said we should name her "Myer"..... I'll let you think about it before I make the connection for you LOLOL~!

So after letting them sniff around each other a while, and soon after Oscar tried to ....umm...... errr..... after he tried to jump her bones, we took her to the stall. She will stay there for a week until donkey, horse, cats, dogs get a little more used to each other.

Somehow, Oscar does not look all that happy about that decision.

Oscar Part II - The Thieving Continues

2008-11-13T06:46:00.004-06:00

Well, Oscar is getting donkey sized reputation lately for being a little thief. (By the way, we are thinking of dying him green and expanding his name to Oscar the Grouch if he does not stay OUT of the trash cans.) Anyway... The other day was delivery day for Schwan's. Schwan's is a home delivery food service company. So the driver comes up and I go out to meet him as he is talking to Oscar. I give him my order and run back into the house for my checkbook as Oscar follows the driver to his truck like a little puppy dog.

I write the check and go back to the front door to find my husband in fits of laughter. I peek around him and there goes the Schwan's man, running across our front lawn.......... what the........ "Oscar! Oscar! come back here!"....... I look at my husband who can't talk for laughing and about that time, Oscar comes from around the house at full miniature donkey speed, racing past........ with a bag of buffalo wings hanging from his mouth. Then the driver once again.........."OSSSSSSSSSSSCARRRR!" and they both disappear around the side of the house.

I'm laughing as hard as hubby by then. Seems that as the driver was pulling my order and setting in on the little shelf on the back of his truck, Oscar was scoping out the goodies and finally made his move. We've been thinking about getting him a girlfriend. I guess we will have to name them Bonnie and Clyde.............

DG Designs

2008-10-28T17:27:00.001-05:00

My new grandbaby~!

2008-10-23T20:40:00.001-05:00

Here she is, my first granddaughter~!!!!!!!!!!!!

News News News~!

2008-10-13T05:56:00.008-05:00

Announcing a new marketing organization to promote and support the wonderfully creative artists of Texas. Texas Artisan's Promotions, or T.A.P., is dedicated to promoting not only the wonderful creations but their equally wonderful artists. Polymer clay, lampwork, precious metal clay, silversmithing, photographers, every media imaginable is considered.

I do a lot of traveling and selling around Texas and one of the biggest problems that I have encountered is the dismal lack of organized shows that will target the right market for their finished work. My grandma used to say "you can't sell snowballs to Eskimos" and that is pretty much what I see artists attempting to do because they have so few options available. Word of mouth works for the dabbler or the hobbyist but the artist who is trying to market and promote themself as well as their work into a viable, flourishing business is left with little more than consignment sales, which can be slow, craft shows and webstores.

Enter T.A.P.~! An organization dedicated to helping Texas Artists promote themselves, target their market and build a following. An organization that provides a venue designed to attract clients interested in unique, custom, quality products. An organization that helps the artist develope a lasting customer base.

This venture has drawn huge support from consumers as well as artisans. T.A.P.'s very first show is scheduled for November 7th & 8th, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m at the Westin La Cantera Golf resort in San Antonio. The Westin is located at 16641 La Cantera Parkway in San Antonio. Traveling west on IH 10, take the La Cantera Parkway exit and turn left. The resort is situated high on the hills above Fiesta Texas Theme Park. Some of the artists selected for this show include Barb Wolf, a lampwork artist from San Antonio, Ann Pearce of Ann Pearce Designs in San Antonio, Esther Morrison of San Angelo with her gorgeous jewelry art creations, polymer clay wizard Sharlin Korbar, stunning beadwork by Nancy Powlas of Juicy Jewels, photography by Matt Garcia and the funky, fun styles of Wild Honey Pie Designs, Antonette Garcia.

Texas Artisans Promotions' aim is to create an atmosphere that is compatible to developing an artist/client relationship by reducing or eliminating the high stress levels of competing with the booth next to you rather than focusing on the client in front of you. T.A.P offers clients a smaller group of quality, mixed media artists and their work in a calm, gallery type showcase for them to browse and shop. Each show will be closely monitored to include a broader range of merchandise rather than a room full of 10 painters or jewelry designers or sculptors. They are kept small to allow each artist the time to develope a working relationship with their clients who don't feel the need to power shop the deals.

T.A.P. also aims to match artists and their work to the same customer base. Who wants to sell leather at a vegan convention??

Any and all feedback on this topic is greatly appreicated and I will make regular posts about their progress and hopefully success. Any inquiries about Texas Artisans Promotions can be sent to texasartisans@yahoo.com. Sharlin Korbar and Matt Garcia have been chosen as promoters for T.A.P. and will be happy to help you with your requests~!

Yesterday's Photo Shoot

2008-08-14T14:05:00.003-05:00

Well, interesting photo shoot yesterday. It was such a nice afternoon and I have had a very rough week and I decided that I would take some pictures outside. Sounds easy enough. I have tons of space and some nice spots on the property for taking "different" shots so I loaded up my new merchandise, the camera, a few props, a glass of tea and out the door I went.

I tried several spots and finally decided on an area of the deck where I could get different backdrops like the gazebo and the palm trees, the pool, etc. Laid all my pieces out on the railing around the deck, all nice and divided into necklaces, bracelets, earrings...... and started setting up my first piece. A few of the cats that have adopted us came around, curious, sniffing, realizing it was not food, they walked away.

About the time I was ready, I heard the phone ringing in the house and ran to answer it. As I was walking around my kitchen talking, I happened to look out the window and .... hey! One of the cats was walking along the railing, sniffing the jewelry and then pushing it overboard to move on to the next one. My miniature donkey had joined in and just as I made it back to the deck, he was backing away with a bracelet in his mouth. The little vandals!!!!!!!

So, off the deck, chasing the donkey (why do they take off running when you want to approach them but try and get them to move when they don't want to....geesh).. Then around the rail to pick up the pieces that the cat knocked over. It turned out to be just the thing I needed though, a good laugh at the end of a pretty stressful week.

Here's my donkey, Oscar, contemplating another go at a bracelet.