Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July weekend everyone! I am pleased to announce that my shop was featured in a blog today- Bumbershoot Designs. Sharon has two shops on Etsy - Bumbershoot Supplies and Bumbershoot Designs, both of which are totally fabulous! I have purchased quite a few of her vintage metal and glass flower beads to make earrings and am always checking in to see what new goodies she has! Her jewelry shop features lots of wonderful and feminine vintage-inspired pieces. Be sure to stop by and check out her blog and shops!

Here is a treasury I made in honor of the holiday-

Hope you have a fun-filled weekend!

It's Nearly Summer!

I can't believe this year has been going by so fast and now it is summer! The kids are just about out of school and I have been thinking about activities for them to do so that they can keep busy and enjoy the short time they have away from next year's schoolwork! I love June especially because it still has some cool days and bits of spring still linger, but the promise of  relaxing summer days is just around the corner.
June's birthstone is Pearl and lately I have been making lots of lovelies with this gift from the sea. It is amazing that such an unattractive outer creature, the oyster, can create such beauty from within. And on top of that, the pearls can be dyed to create all sorts of beautiful colors. Here are some pieces to start off your summer season - Enjoy! Just click on the photos to access my shop.

Gift Card Giveaway!

Hi all-
Thanks to the lovely Lelanie of To Sew With Love I am offering a $10 gift card towards merchandise in my shop to a lucky winner! You can enter here - the drawing ends May 14. Check out Lelanie's Etsy shop Arcoiris to find really pretty handcrafted hand-sewn items and jewelry.Hope to see you there and thanks to all of you who have supported my shop through this contest - it is really great to meet you!

My Online Business Journey

       I have been reading lot of articles lately about promoting your online business and, based on my own personal experience, it is one of the hardest things I've ever done! For years I either sold my artisan jewelry via consignment or wholesale orders to shops with the occasional craft fair or home party thrown in. I decided to join Etsy back in 2008 on the recommendation of a friend and really had no idea how to go about things. All the helpful tips about SEO and social networking provided for people new to the online scene from sites such as Handmadeology and Unanimous Craft were either hard to track down or non-existent. And if you didn't know about those things in the first place how would you know to look for information on them? I remember taking not-so-good photos of my work (I still cringe when I look back at those photos and to think - some lovely people bought those items!), bought a  few showcase spots a few months after opening up shop, added an item here and there and that was it! I didn't even really know about relisting! Even though the competition for jewelry vendors was much less then than it is now, needless to say I didn't get many views or sales.
       After working for 2 years on my shop photos ( I will post another article about that journey!), trying to join all the pertinent social sites - ie. Facebook, Twitter, my blog here, Flickr, etc. , joining the Jewelry on Etsy Team and especially my treasury teams - I noticed a huge increase in views and sales from when I first started  - still not as much as I would like based on those "quit your day job" articles, but definitely enough to supplement my wholesale income. Currently I am still struggling to have my shop be seen but when I get comments from my customers, Etsy visitors and shop owners that they really like my items and/or photos, it makes all the hard work worthwhile! I would love for you to visit my shop and give me any feedback you may have! Here it is - Fuchsia Bloom Studio.

March's Birthstone

Aquamarine is the lovely gemstone of the month of March - ( my favorite stone, as March is my birthday month!) The word "aquamarine" comes from  the Latin  words for " water" and "sea". It is purported to have many healing properties for the wearer such as bringing peace and serenity, conflict resolution, insight, harmony and good luck. Even if you don't believe in its powers - it's beautiful blue green color is enough to lure you in! Here are some examples of pieces I have made using this seductive stone-

A Blustery Day

We are having some typical March weather today - cloudy, sunny, warm, cold, lots of wind! I made a treasury inspired by the weather with members from the Jewelry on Etsy Team and the Etsy Treasury Team - enjoy!

Valentine’s Treats

I have some new jewelry that would be great as a Valentine’s gift for a special someone or a little treat for yourself! Check out these listings from my shop ( just click on the pictures!) Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

New Team Treasury Challenge for January

The Etsy Treasury Team had a challenge this month - to make a team treasury and at the same time share a little about yourself by the items you choose. It has been great getting to know my teammates better - they have some great stories to tell!Search in the Etsy treasuries under "etteam - getting to know me" to see for yourself!
Here is mine-
1) I almost chose fashion design as a career
2) I now make jewelry and love flowers!
3)I am of Scottish and English origin
4)I have a vintage and bead supply shop here on Etsy and love all things vintage
5)I currently live in Rhode Island and have been here for nearly 17 years.
6)I love my tea!
7)represents my lovely daughter
8)I collect glass of different kinds and green is my favorite color
9)represents my wonderful son
10)represents my business
11)I was born in NYC
12)I like to knit as a hobby
13)I used to be a marine illustrator and love all things ocean
14)I was a punker in my college days
15)I love mermaids and all things mythical
16)my favorite place to be is Maine
thanks for looking!

Green Love

Here is a treasury I made today reflecting my love of all things green- and of course it applies to Valentine’s day too! Anything here would make a great gift for your loved ones.Enjoy!

Country Valentine

I made a new treasury for Valentine’s Day reflecting my love of all things rural and reminding me of the simplicity of the country. Enjoy!

Holiday Spirit!

I am finally starting to feel it – that anticipation that only happens at this special time of year, waiting for the magical day when the kids faces shine with happiness and excitement upon opening their presents, the warmth of friends and family as you prepare the holiday dinner and share memories, but most of all that unidentified euphoria in the air that hits you when you least expect it!

I made a treasury today that reflects some of the fun things that the holidays bring!

I also have some pieces from my shop that feel festive-

just click on the pictures to view the listings!

Holiday Brights

I just made a new treasury in answer to the treasury challenge on the Non Team Treasury Blog. They provide a required item to base the treasury around and if your treasury wins, the next challenge is centered around an item from your shop!

Here it is-

Holiday Sale!

It's Holiday Shopping Time once again! And once again I am having a Black Friday thru Cyber Monday storewide shop sale! 10% off everything from 6PM Thursday Nov 25 thru 12 AM Tues Nov 30. This will be my only holiday time sale so take advantage!!! Hope to see y'all there-

http://www.etsyonsale.com/shop/fuchsiabloomstudio

Some pieces for the holidays-

Citrine –November’s Birthstone

These semi-precious stones come in a beautiful saffron yellow to a deep golden amber. Here are some great examples of jewelry made from these gorgeous stones by the Etsy Treasury Team and the Jewelry on Etsy Team. Enjoy!

        
  
from top left to bottom right- Citrine and Iolite earrings with Gold by Foret, Selkhet Earrings by Blue Scarab Jewelry , Golden Citrine Stud Earrings by One Garnet Girl, Citrine Gemstone Drops Earrings by Sending Love Gallery, Raw Citrine Crystal on Copper Chain by Jenny Hoople , and Golden Pearls with Citrine and Peridot Necklace by PJ Lacasse.