Tis The Season.......

I think it is time to talk a little trash (good trash) about the upcoming holiday season and what the expectations are for those of us who make artisan-crafted handmade goods. Take a trip around your local retailers like Needless Markup in Bellevue and the She She Foo Foo store that began as a shoe store in downtown Seattle. There is serious bling blang bling everywhere. Beautiful glitzy dresses, platform shoes that would say "timber" if you fell off of them and slinky looks that are fine for LA; unfortunately you would freeze your little diva behind here in Washington trying to look cute in 35 degree weather. I may be fine, but that is dead. Anyway, who wears all that stuff to holiday parties where men wear short-sleeved shirts? We artisan crafted folks need to take heart and realize that this is hype. Most of us are at home, eating stew and balancing our checkbooks! Oh, and I cannot forget exfoliation on Friday nights! We are designers, the wonders of the universe! Twinkling lights have nothing on us. Our prices are reasonable, and we design from our hearts. Too bad we were not invited to the Kardashian, "I can buy diamonds, you can't buy food for your kids" farce of a wedding bash. We could have pawned the guest trinkets for cabochans and gold wire. I'm always in the wrong place! Anyway, we are on the move for the holidays! Carry your treasures with pride, find a marketing plan and places to sell your wonderous goods. What about festivals, marketplaces and in Santa's Toy Shop? Elves like jewelry! They have rather large ears! Tell Santa, the Elf crew and everyone else to scurry over to Ashar Gems on Etsy: www.Etsy.com/shop/Ashar. You can also Google Ashar Gems is you are totally lazy. Also check me out on Facebook.

Life is Fast and Furious

Hello sports fans! Thought you were in another blog? I wanted you to know the good news! I got a job ( you know the kind, with money). Even though I have been blessed with creating beautiful jewelry, you know that it has been rather slow of late, no actually slowsville. Not much money. Well, I am here to to tell you that God works in the 11.9 th hour. I had decided to take a discipleship class at my church, with major committment and all before the job came. And then I had 5 sales from one customer! SHAZAM! Everything came together at once. Now I am exhausted, walking into walls (without glasses of course) and catching up with my Etsy site; but I am truly thankful! Ashar Gems will be getting a bit of a face lift with a seasonal banner and new items. Yes, I have taken the time to get somewhat ready for the holidays. So.....let me know what you think of my little blog. All of this silence (some say is golden) is a bit creepy. Buy something. I get excited when people buy things. I makes my heart go pitty pat!

Raining Cats and Dogs (and Goats)

Well now cats and kittens, as you may be aware, it is raining like I don't know what here in Olympia. Don't be surprised if a hammer head shark is in your front yard in the morning. It found it's way through a mud puddle or stream from the Ocean here at Tolmie State Park. Just messing with you of course. I purchased an iPad the other day for my design business as well as my day job (who knows the difference between night and day these days). When Theresa (BluJeanBeads) and I were in Olympia for a recent street fair, I saw a woman using a iPad with an attachment for credit cards. I was intrigued, and asked her about it. Fun times! She swiped the credit card and the receipt comes to your email account for your overspending records. Cool huh? I went out in search of this attachment, and so far, I have not found it. I think I need a Sherpa. Anyway, just sos you know, I had 5 sales on my Etsy account from my buddy at the UW Medical Center. This occurred on the same day, I confirmed my job with United Healthcare Partners, Inc. in Los Angeles. Everything hit at once. Thank you Jesus. My friend was shopping early for Christmas. I am glad she is a sick, orderly woman. Anyway, my sale will end on the 10th of October, so you had better get it together and make your holiday purchases. Stop by BluJean Beads as well. My sister loves to buy boots!

SALE***SALE***SALE***SALE

Hello my jewelry fanatic friends. Ashar Gems is having a sale! Many items have been discounted 15% or more. This sale is great especially for those strange folks that buy Christmas gifts early. In the future, I will be moving more towards my wire wrapping background, working with cabochans etc., therefore, the stock must go. Save your pennies and purchase one of my delectible delights. I need to buy new under trou as well.

Etsy Showcase, September 8, 2011

I finally found openings to showcase a few of my designs on Etsy. Wow, one showcase each for bracelets and necklaces. What excitement. I started a few weeks out planning and placing the different accessories in the right place based upon how many admirers I had on each individual piece. What anticipation, and when the day arrived I thought that this might be my day. Sales, sales and more sales! WRONG! No sales, not one; funny....I have been featured in three Treasury Lists in as many days of which I am grateful, and various "favorites" by fellow artists in the Etsy community. I was recently invited for membership in a group of talented gem artists as well. Ashar Gems has been in existence on Etsy for one year. After assessing and reassessing, re-tagging, price changes, reasonable shipping changes, attractive banners, Photoshop assistance, profile changes and Google Analytics up the gazoo, I have eight sales to show for it. I guess it takes some mystical unseen force to understand the patterns of buyers and sellers, marketing and sales. The only thing to do now is decide whether or not the price I have paid for materials, work time, patience, disappointment etc., is worth it in the world of custom-made jewelry. Thank God I have no husband or children or we would be begging bread by the roadside. So the decision has been made. If things do not turn around I will close the shop on Etsy by January 1, 2012. No magic here, just facing the facts!

Thank You

Thank you everyone for going ga ga over the burgundy pearl bib necklace on Etsy. So far, I have 16 admirers and have been added to 3 treasuries. Many thanks to PersonalDesignz on Etsy for her inclusion of my necklace in her current treasury "Burgundy Rasberry." I appreciate your support very much. This is such a great feeling. Now I have a better idea of what people like. I have a Ceylon Sapphire necklace in this style as well. Enjoy!