Interview by Storybeader of my Shop!

Interview by Storybeader

http://www.Storybeader.etsy.com

Friday, August 28, 2009

Thanks Deb for a great interview on my Shop and my jewelry!

Internet Artisan Interview - Magdalene Jewelry

Pam, from Magdalene Jewels, sells her jewelry on the Internet, in addition to filling custom orders and attending fairs. On Etsy, she's an active member of the Etsybloggers (where I first met her) and the Bbest (Boomers and Beyond) Team. She's also involved with Blockhead Radio and Plugger's United. Now don't get confused - Pam has TWO blogs: one ending with "pjk", the other ending with "blogs." I enjoy reading her blog posts because she's so passionate about what she writes about. Read more about Magdelene Jewels here:

• What's the name of your business/shop?
  

MagdaleneJewels

• Do you have a registered domain name and/or a blog?

My Blogs are:
http://www.MagdaleneJewelspjk.blogspot.com
http://www.MagdaleneJewelsblogs.blogspot.com

I also have some photos on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/magdalenejewels/

And also have a shop on ArtFire: http://www.artfire.com/users/MagdaleneJewels

• What type of handmade products do you sell?

I primarily sell Jewelry in my shop, which consists of Necklaces, Bracelets, and Earrings – all of which I have designed and created myself. I primarily only use Swarovski Crystals for all my pieces. I recently added “personalized bracelets” to my shop, and so far I have done over 18 custom bracelets with the individuals’ names; and just received an order asking if I could make a “personalized” necklace to match one of the bracelets I had already made. During the winter months I also sell a few knitted and crocheted items in my shop, such as scarfs and neck warmers. In the Fall I plan on opening a new shop just for knitted and crochets items (stay tuned – there will lots of cute stuff!)

• Show us a piece you recently finished

I just listed these earrings this week –

• What are you working on right now? Any sketches?

Right now I am working on a bracelet which will be totally different from the items in my shop. It will be Antique copper with large gemstones which I covered with Antique filigree pieces to give them a Vintage look. This is a sample of some of the pieces which are almost ready to be assembled onto a Vintage chain.
[Here's the finished piece, a few weeks later, called Anais, named after the French writer]

• If you have a website or blog, what do you use for advertising? What do your avatars look like?

On Etsy it is hard to advertise except through Treasuries or listing your item in the Promotion or Team Forums. Since the blogs are linked through Google – any item listed on my blog is automatically listed on Google (search: MagdaleneJewels). I started selling on ArtFire about 2 months ago: what I like about ArtFire is that every item can be viewed through an internet search. They have a section called “STATS” which shows how many people have viewed your item and also how often it has been viewed from an outside source by showing the # of URL hits.

• If you have a website or blog, tell us about your favorite widget?

I just recently posted a widget call on my Blog: http://www.MagdaleneJewelspjk.blogspot.com “Baby Mia Giveaways” If you click on the widget – you will find a heartwarming story about Baby Mia, who at birth was given no chance of survival as she needed a heart transplant. Fortunately, on November 10th Mia received her “angel heart” from an organ donor, and has just recently celebrated her 1st birthday. They have a few fundraisers on their site. It truly is a miracle, and when I see her little face on my blog, I realize just how precious life is.

• Which online selling vendors do you use? What do you like best about each one?

One can find my jewelry on both Etsy and Artfire. Although I like both venues for selling purposes, I find they do differ in many ways. I very much like the format of Artfire and how my jewelry is set up. I think it is a cleaner look and easier for a shopper to browse through. I also like the "stats" which shows how many views you have, not only from those who go onto Artfire, but also those who browse my shop through Google or other online websites.

I have been selling on Etsy for exactly 2 years this Aug. I would love to see them be able to set up the shops in the same format as ArtFire. or give one a choice of how they would like to set up their shop. I notice just not from my shop but from others also, that people tend to just browse the first 2-3 pages (which you can tell by how many views there are), then assume the rest is all the same. In favor of Etsy compared with Artfire, one does not find the friendship that exists through the various teams that we have in the Forums. To me that is most important, although we promote our shops and a new listing, the caring that exists when one is going through something personal, or just wants to chat about the Yankee's, we are all very supportive of one another. I have made quite a few friends while here on Etsy, which to me is more important than any sales could compete with.

• Are you involved in social networking? What's your favorite and why? If you're not involved, you must have a good reason!

I can be found on Facebook – it is fun chatting with friends some new and some from my past. And love doing my many YouTube Videos.

• All of us can use a helpful business hint once a week. What's yours?

I tend to always put my jewelry projects last in my list of things to do. I recently was lucky enough to work on a project with Marion Barnett, and learned so much, one of which I will share will all of you. Commitment! I made a commitment to myself to complete at least one project a week of which I have kept to my promise.

• Do you have a "modus operandi" for computing the price of a handmade object? Tell us your formula?

When I first started I really didn’t know how to price my work. I asked a friend who owns a bead shop in Nyack NY – she said I was completely under pricing myself; that one should price according to materials, design and labor – each adding up to 1/3 of the total price. I do still tend to undercharge at times, I totally enjoy what I am doing and to me that is what is important – money comes second.

• We'd love to see your little corner of the world, where you create.

I create in my head, and my workspace is my bed, if I show some pictures that means I would have to clean my room first. Actually though I have organized shelves for all my different crafts; jewelry, quilting, knitting, crocheting etc.

• Where do you see your artwork in one year? Any plans in the works?

My goals are to learn new techniques in beading and designing. As I mentioned earlier, I am planning on opening another shop in the Fall in which I will be selling knitted and crocheted items.

• OK, the storybeader's turn to pick a favorite!

I especially love Pam's crystal necklaces. Even though I like the look of multi-strand necklaces, like her Marley necklace, I think my favorite is called Nightingale. I always assumed crystal jewelry meant bright colors, but this 17" necklace is just beautiful with the use of black, gray and white.

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7 comments:

MagdaleneJewels said...

Thank you Deb for doing such a nice interview about my work, shop and myself.
I know all the work you put into these interviews, besides trying to make all your beautiful pieces of jewelry; so it is very much appreciated and from the heart ;)
hugs Mags

August 28, 2009 8:27 AM

Rose Works Jewelry said...

She has such wonderful work :)

August 28, 2009 10:42 AM

Julie G. said...

Beautiful work, great interview. Pam is a wonderful person and helped me a lot when I was a newbie on etsy. Thanks for 'highlighting' her and her work. Julie

August 28, 2009 10:57 AM

Marion said...

I always get the nicest compliments on the bracelet that Pam made for me. Nice interview!

August 28, 2009 2:35 PM

BeadedTail said...

I enjoyed learning more about Pam in this wonderful feature! Her work is so beautiful!

August 28, 2009 5:28 PM

Nancy said...

Cute jewelry artist! It's cool that she makes so many videos. It was your little turtle in my screen shot- thanks!!

August 29, 2009 5:37 PM

memoriesforlifescrapbooks said...

Great feature...her work is beautiful!

August 31, 2009 9:51 AM

Splendid Little Stars said...

What a great feature on Pam!

September 1, 2009 3:47 PM

A Keeper's Jackpot said...

I can't wait to see what she makes w/ that antique copper in her bracelet!

September 1, 2009 10:36 PM

Judy Nolan said...

Great post on Pam, nicely balanced with lovely illustrations!

September 3, 2009 10:56 AM