"DEAR OLIVIA"

I've been making beads for two years now. I am currently trying to move from just a "hobby", more like an addiction, to selling my work. I find I am having a lot of trouble with this and being a perfectionist. I've worked so hard to gain my skills, and to refine them, yet I find I still have trouble believing in the worth of my work. My bead friends tell me my beads are good, and I appreciate that, sometimes I can see it, but sometimes I can't.

Is this just a normal growing pain that we all go through? Do you have any suggestions how I can make this a more graceful transition?

Help!

driving myself crazy

Dear driving myself crazy,

Making the transition from hobby to self-representing artist is not easy.  The feelings you are experiencing are very normal - - ask any artist who their worst critic is!  

As an artist, a person continues to grow in their skill and knowledge, we never quite feel as though we have “reached” our goal.  There’s always more to learn, and with what we learn, our creativity is unleashed and we now have a new direction in our art.  Never feeling “totally accomplished.”   I believe that the artists’ knowledge of this “feeling" or lack thereof, prevents us from seeing and believing in the worth of our own work.   So, what do we do about it?

Talk to your peers about your feelings, and ask for constructive criticism.  There are several forums specific to lampworking where you can do this.  Post a photo of your work and ask for comments, see if there are any suggestions regarding your work.  You can also ask what they think about your asking price for your work.  Most people will be honest enough to help you. 

Another way to help you overcome this (providing you are reasonably skilled in the techniques you are using to make your beads) is to use the $1.00 per minute guide for pricing your beads – regardless of what YOU think of them.  Some may actually be worth more, some less; but it is a reasonable and fair starting point for all involved.  Do this until you see a pattern in your sales and become comfortable with pricing and selling your art. 

You must remember that you will need to build a name for yourself in the market place.  This could take some time, depending on where you are selling (i.e. auction sites, art & craft shows, bead shows, etc.), so please don’t be discouraged if you do not sell your beads the first time out.  This is not uncommon, and usually has nothing at all to do with your artwork.  Keep at it, and before long people will get used to seeing your work out there and the sales will start to come in.

Wishing you much success in your new business,

Olivia

I'm relatively new to lampworking, I've been doing it since March of 2007, and now I'd like to try selling my beads at a bead show.  I've never done anything like this before, never even been to a bead show, where should I start?  What do I need to take with me?  How many beads/focals should I have on hand at my first show?  What should I expect my first time out?  Do you have any tips/tricks for a bead show newbie?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Bonnie

Dear Bonnie,

Yes, I can help you a little with your first bead show.   Not knowing any details about the show itself, it’s hard for me to tell you how many beads to take with you, what I would suggest is that you have enough stock to set up your display at least 2 times.   It’s always better to have more than enough rather than not enough to keep your table stocked throughout the show.

How you display your beads is very important, right down to the cover you have on your table.  Make sure your cover enhances the beads – keep it simple, a solid color so your beads do not get lost in it.  Take along some boxes or other items you can use to make various levels on your table to create some interest.  You’ll want to drape the same material over these items and then put your beads out for display.   Many people use baskets and other found bowls, etc. with rice in them to lay their beads on.  If done properly, this is a very effective display. 

The day before the show, you’ll want to be sure everything is priced.  There are several ways to do this: use wire to have your sets together and put a tag at the end; on smaller beads you can actually put one of the string tags through it; some people use white out – just a dot and then write the price on it; others have their beads separated into different areas with one price for each area.  This is up to you and really depends on the variety of beads you have.   (If you use the white out, be sure to either bring nail polish remover with you so you can clean the bead as you sell it, or tell your customers how to remove it from the bead).   

One or two days prior to your show, get yourself a table (or a flat area) the same size or as close as you can get to the same size as the table you will use at the show.   Set the area up the same way you want to set it up at the show.  This allows you to arrange and rearrange until you have a pleasing display.  This will also help you the day of the show since you will already have an idea of how you want it set up and will cut down on your set up time.

Don’t be discouraged if people do not buy your beads right away.  Most people want to make their “rounds” at the show before purchasing anything.   Stick to your prices – many times bead makers are tempted to lower their prices thinking this will help sell their beads.  This is not the case.  Most people who attend the bead shows are there for that reason, to buy beads!  They know what kind of prices to expect for quality beads and most are actually prepared to pay it when they find the bead they like.  Lowering your prices tells people you don’t feel your beads are worth the “going” rate, and does not guarantee that they will buy them.  In fact, I’ve found that people buy the higher priced beads before buying the lower priced beads.  (Unless they are simple spacers – then they go crazy over a good deal). 

Are you able to take credit cards?  I have found that credit card sales are 80%-90% of my total sales at shows.   If you don’t have a portable credit card machine or some other way to accept credit cards on the spot, upgrade your paypal account so you can manually enter the information there after the show.   Be sure to get an imprint of the card (put the card under a piece of paper and “color” with a #2 pencil to capture a legible image of the card).  Write down the expiration date and the 3 digit code as well as the billing address associated with the card, then write the amount of the sale and have the customer sign it.  You can enter the credit card sales after the show.  If you are lucky enough to have wi-fi available at the show; you can bring your laptop so you can input the information as you make the sales.

Lastly, you’ll want to bring a small book with you.  Ask your visitors if they would like to be on your mail list, and have them put their name and email address down in the book for you.  Should you decide to do another show later on, you can send an email to these people letting them know you will be there.  This puts your name in their mind before the show and more likely than not, they will come looking for you.  Like any venue, even the bead show circuit takes a little time to get your name out.  Don't give up if you do not make what you expect at the first show or two.  Keep in mind that some shows are simply better than others.  As you meet other sellers at the shows, ask questions about the shows they do, and which ones they do well at.  Their responses will help guide you for future shows.

I hope this information is helpful.  Good luck on your first show!

Olivia   

I would like to sell my beads and some jewelry made with them at
a local art show.  It is in Cary, NC and has a very large turnout.  What I would
like to know is this: will it be OK to accept cash only, or will it hurt
sales.... I have until August to get everything ready but would like to hear form
someone who has sold at shows if I should get a merchant account to accept
credit cards, or if most people pay with cash at art shows these days. Any advice
is golden, thank you so much:)

Jenelle

Dear Jenelle,

Taking only cash transactions will certainly affect your sales.  Most seasoned show attendees know to carry cash, and the really savvy customers will use their credit card with the vendors that offer that option - saving the cash for those who don't.  However, we are seeing that credit card sales could equate up to 95% of total sales at art shows (if you accept them).  If you don’t accept them, then expect your total sales to be reduced by at least 40% or more.  The shows in Cary, NC, particularly Spring Daze and/or Lazy Daze, are certainly  events I would accept credit cards at.

If you have a website or you plan on doing more then the one show, I would recommend you get a merchant account.  If you decide on taking credit cards there are numerous types of accounts as well as different machines from the old knuckle busters to the GPS instantaneous approval machines.   You can also get an account through your paypal account (if you have one), accept the cards at the show then enter the information once you get home.   

Sit down and figure out the numbers on having a merchant account.  Whether or not  this will be worth it,  you will not know until at the end of your show.  Good luck at your first show!

Olivia

Dear Puzzled,

There are two types of cracks that are obvious – one has to do with compatibility when you use different glass that is not compatible – this generally is an uneven crack or crackling where the different glasses touch.

The more frequent crack is from one hole to the other and is an even crack that generally splits the bead in two.  This is caused by your bead cooling too fast.  The programming of kilns depends of the type of kiln and the type of glass you are working with.  

First, I turn my kiln on when I first sit down to torch.  It ramps up to 950 and holds until I am finished working then I switch it to the pre-set program.  Do not start the pre-set program if you are going to be working a few hours – do it after you turn your torch off.  If you immediately set the pre-set program and your last bead is 2 hours later then it never gets to soak at 950.

Second, once your beads lose that glow place them right into the kiln.  If you are batch annealing then the problem is probably at that stage or when you are ramping up to batch anneal.  If you are putting them right into the kiln then it is possible you are admiring them too long.  Try bathing them for a few seconds, lose the glow and put them in the kiln.  I frequently have breakage if I try to do too many spacers on the same mandrel without remembering to bath the other beads as I am working.

For instance, with soft glass the pre-set program soaks the beads for 2 hours at 960/970 – ramps down slowly to 750 and holds for 2 hours then ramps down to about 90 over another 3 or 4 hours.  If your kiln is doing a program similar then it probably is not your kiln breaking your beads.  If none of these help then watch the temperature of the kiln as it goes through the program to make sure it’s doing to proper steps and then check with the Manufacturer.

Olivia

PS she ended up loving the bracelet

Dear Worried:

The biggest hurdle with taking custom orders is getting over the anxiety of being able to stay true to your artistic muse while pleasing a demanding customer - and yes, if they weren't demanding they would just buy a piece already made.  They expect more and want more.

Doing custom orders is an acquired talent that many artist don't have the time to learn but really it's an exciting way to create jewelry.  First, you have to learn to be more assertive then the customer (as far as your design ability) but willing to listen to exactly what the customer wants.  If the customer could design, they would not be seeking your help.  So, if you decide to include custom orders in your business, you must make sure you eliminate as much of the stress as possible.

Write up a contract for custom orders that includes a deposit amount, a non-refundable amount out of that deposit, the size of the piece, the color combinations, particular stones, crystals or metal components, a price range or a maximum that the client is willing to spend, an estimate of when the piece will be finished, etc.  Determine whether or not what the customer wants can be done for the price range and, if it can not, tell them what price range it will be so they can make a decision.  A customer who doesn't want to put down a deposit or thinks your prices for custom work is too high isn't really interested in a custom piece.  Your custom pieces should be more expensive then your normal line of work or your customers will always want custom work.

Olivia

I would like to know what I can do to prevent my mandrels from bending.  It seems that after I have used them for a while, they get soft- not as sturdy as when I first purchased them, and they bend very easily.  Is there anything I can do to prevent this?

Thanks!

Bent out of shape

Dear Bent out of shape,

I have worked mostly with 1/16 size mandrels and make my own out of 316L and 308L TIG [welding] rods so I really know about soft mandrels.  There are several things you can do.

(a) find something that will allow you to loosen the bead release you are using so that you don't have to manhandle the rods a lot.  I use small channel locks to hold my rod next to the bead while I gently roll the bead back and forth until it breaks away from the release;
(b) buy very good rods [I get mine from Aura Lens];
(c) temper your rods about once a month.  You do this by getting them red hot [only the end that you usually dip] and then dunk them in a pail of water and let cool.  

The 1/16th and smaller are the weakest but I can bend anything given the right circumstances.

Olivia

Dear Bad Torch Day,

Considerate people should not have to work in public places!  Why, because we have this innate uncontrollable desire to straighten up even without realizing we are doing it - and believe me nothing drives a procrastinator crazier then someone who can't sit still for two minutes.  Talk to the shop owners and see if they will have each artist sign out and have a place on the sheet to check the "condition" of the torch they were using.  Other then that there's little you can do except drive yourself crazy and clean the torch!

Olivia

 I was wondering if you have any suggestions for color combinations?   There are so many colors it is sometimes difficult to pick a place to start!

Thank you.

Dear Color Challenged,

If you are like me you have every color rod sitting in front of you begging to be used and it is definitely color overload.  Most people are amazed when they stand in front of their closet to realize that they tend to stick with a limited color palette that is their comfort zone and even though in the store they are drawn to new and exciting color or color combinations they still pick from their own comfort zone.

We are surrounded by color combinations everywhere but the best examples are catalogs and magazines and the most unique is in nature - animals, birds, flowers.  I recently bought the book "The Beader's Guide to Color" by Margie Deeb.  It is a must have for anyone who has never studied art and color.  I have found that having a color chart in my studio helps me to think outside my comfort zone but the trick I use most is making a small spacer bead when I try a new color.  Then I can sit with my little box of spacers and slide the beads on a mandrel to see how colors look with each other.  Read the book and start your box of little spacer beads then I think you will find your color combinations will expand naturally.

Olivia

Dear Stressed Out,

Welcome to the world of "where did my hobby go!"  First, it is great to have people recognize your bead design [signature bead] and better when they are willing to pay for your art.

The downside to being successful is the stress of remaining successful especially when it supports you.  There is the fear factor of your bead no longer selling and having nothing else to offer because you have been too busy making your signature bead to keep up with demand.

The only way to take off the stress is to build up your inventory.  This, initially, is labor intensive but it can be done.  First, you need to set the number of beads for sale in a week/month.  Then raise your price slightly just to give you a little cushion.  Second, start making extra beads each session and put them into "inventory" - do not be tempted to sell them until you have at least 4 weeks of inventory on hand.  The inventory will allow you to have bad days, slow days, days off without feeling pressure or losing money.  Finally, on those days where you are just rocking on the torch and making beautiful signature beads make a lot of them and add the extra to your inventory.  

It is impossible to sit down at the torch each time and be in the mood to make a specific bead.  Give yourself a cushion and allow yourself some time to play and experiment on new designs without the guilt of needing to make money.

Olivia