Friday 26 April 2013

Support Genuine Handmade Shops on Etsy!

Just to show an example, here is the dreaded bubble necklace, which is handmade by lots of different people from around the globe. It's amazing how each person have thought of the exact same design and colours! Wow! What a coincidence!

Of course this is not handmade, by a small business from home. This is of course mass produced and assembled using cheap labour.

Unfortunately, no matter how many times me and other people have reported these kind of shops to Etsy, Etsy seem reluctant to get rid of them. This is because these shops sell incredible cheap and by the thousands. They make Etsy a lot of money.

This is unfair, unjust and against Etsy's rules and ethos. These shops damage genuine handmade shops, just like mine. I cannot compete with the low prices, and I am not the only one. There are plenty of disgruntled handmade shop owners on Etsy who feel cheated by these shops. But nothing seems to be done about it.

Please support genuine handmade shops! Please help to keep Etsy full of artists and crafters who make high quality unique items that you treasure!

Enough is enough!

Katie
Xx

Wednesday 24 April 2013

New range of stud earrings

I'm so excited about these that I had to post a quick update. I have been busy making my new range of earrings. Using wooden circles cut with a laser, I hand decorated the circles using a variety of different shades of glitter, then topped off with a resin dome. Gorgeous. The earrings are highly sparkly and have various depths of texture and colour. I will be taking photos of the pairs I have finished tomorrow, then posting on my shop.

Katie
Xx

Tuesday 23 April 2013

Treasury Lists!

I have been featured in so many treasury lists on Etsy, I thought I show you some of my favourites. 

What is a treasury list? Well. A treasury list is a member made list of items found on Etsy, that people can comment, heart and buy from. Some treasury lists have themes, such as, colour, style, objects, seasons etc. Some treasury lists are so nice to look at that they even get featured on the front page of Etsy.

Treasury lists are a great way to browse on Etsy for unique and unusual products and to discover new amazing shops. They also help promote shops and their items, so it is encouraged to share them on various social media sites and blogs. 

Here are some treasuries that I am featured in, to give you a taste!





And here are treasuries that I made. (It is considered bad taste to include items from your own shops in your created treasuries)




So there we have it! If you're a member on Etsy try making a treasury! They are really fun!

Katie
Xx

Monday 22 April 2013

Galaxy Earrings

Hello all,

I'm currently working on these beauties. Galaxy earrings! I am using real photos of our stunning universe and turning them into jewellery. I am hoping to be finished sometime this week, unfortunately two of them went wrong on the last stage of making them. (How annoying!) So I have to start again.

I was asked how I make these, I can't tell you! Otherwise you won't buy from me and you'll make your own! Either way I don't hide the fact that I am using the decoupage technique.

These earrings, once they are finished, are approx 2x2 inches wood circles, so they are really light weight. They will be varnished in a gloss to make them weather proof too. I will attach sterling silver ear hooks too. They will cost £16. If these go well, I may even make galaxy stud earrings too!

Katie
Xx

Wednesday 17 April 2013

Here are my first four unique bangles


Hey all, just a quick update. Here are my unique wooden bangles. They are the only ones of it's kind in the world. I have only made 4 so far and you could own a one of a kind bangle that nobody else has for only £26. 

All four are now for sale in my shop. Be quick. They won't be around for long!

Katie 
Xx

Monday 15 April 2013

My unique bangles

People have asked me how I create my one of a kind bangles. They all know I search through endless amount of magazines with a pair of scissors...

Then I gather them into colour blocks. I go through all my clippings and organise them into textures and patterns that I think are interesting and appealing. Then I decoupage them onto my wooden bangles.

Sorry about the background, I was doing this on my bed as my work area was taken up with my other jewellery drying!

I'm planning on making two bangles this week, using two of my colour packs. Watch this space people!

What makes these bangles unique? Well, I can never replicate the exact same bangle. I cannot find the exact same colours, textures or objects either. So this makes my decoupage magazine bangles unique. You could have your own unique mini wearable pieces of art! How exciting!

Katie Joy
Xx

Monday 8 April 2013

Hello Monday

Hello Monday!

I am trying to be good by posting at least once a week on my blog. And here I am!

I got a few treasuries to make today, to help spread the word and to promote etsy UK. Now some people don't know what etsy is, especially in the UK and its a shame! Etsy is an online shopping experience, which sells handmade and vintage items for you and your home. Etsy supports small businesses, like me, and we get to spread our love of craft and art to people all over the world.

I would ask that more people use Etsy and to buy from UK shops. You can do this by changing your location on the etsy homepage (sometimes you're located automatically to the USA) or search UK in the search bar. Because etsy is a global market, depending in where your location is set, you will see everything in the local currency.

Please support etsy UK! Currently 80% of my customers are international, I would love it if I had more support from my fellow Brits!

Thursday 4 April 2013

Post from my phone?

Right boys and gals, lets see if this works!

Here is one of my latest unique bangles, which I just posted for sale on my shop!

Let's blow the dust off my blog...

Hello World.

I am trying to make a bigger effort to use my blog. I just simply don't know what to say! I don't think the world is that interested if Im honest.

So, from now on, I am promising to update my blog at least once a week. Even if it is just gibberish! What shall I blog about? I suppose I should blog about me, my life and my jewellery.

I have been experimenting (as always) with new techniques. I have bought 3D Crystal Lacquer and I have used it for the first time today. I won't be able to discover what the results are until tomorrow, when its all dry. It's all very exciting!

I have also asked for any old magazines, which I have been using to make gorgeous decoupage bangles, to sell on my shop. They are unique. It is amazing to know that someone in the world will own one of my designs and it will be the only one of its kind in the whole world!

Now... how do I send my pictures from my phone to my blog.... *google* aha!!!