Healthy Competition at the Buyer’s Market of American Craft

I just got back from showcasing my latest collection at the Buyer’s Market of American Craft (BMAC)  this past weekend at the Philadelphia Convention Center.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don’t think about who is showcasing what, or for how much, or how the boot is decorated. Instead, I look forward to being surrounded by SO MANY artisans in a variety of craft mediums. There are candle makers, glass makers,furniture, metal smiths who fabricate their own pieces, others who love casting pieces, jewelers showcasing their latest creations, and much, much more.

Every time I go back, I try to walk around and see how each of us is unique in our work. The creativity put into each jewelry piece is breath taking,  so I feel I am nurturing my brain just by looking. and when I come home I just want to continue creating. Although what I have to do is fill in the orders I got and deliver on time my purchase orders.

I know that getting accepted into the BMAC showcase is extremely competitive, but that’s exactly why it is so well renowned in the industry. This year they celebrated their 30th anniversary. Top galleries and museums from all over the United States come to the shop  to stock their shelves for the coming season and they know that they will not leave the show disappointed.

Every time I go back, I get to see other artists I have been neighbors with and we get to share our experiences and what we go through, we talk about the challenges we face and we help each other with decoration tips, exchange suppliers info and more…and I call this HEALTHY COMPETITION.

This has been my 3rd year showcasing at the BMAC and I’ve heard sometimes you have to wait three years to see that your investment to showcase at the BMAC is all worth it. To  be honest we have been lucky to sell every year we have showcase since our 1st show, BUT we did not see our return right away it took months because once one gallery/boutique receives my pieces then they have to sell them and I have to say luckily again we have received many re-orders. So my time at the BMAC was TOTALLY worth it.

This year has also been different, perhaps it could be that my booth stands out because everything is in red and black, could be because we had a great location , could be cause I was giving away the huayruro good luck charms, or simply because some people has seen me been back every year so  is not like I will disappear all of a sudden…right?…MAYBE but let me tell you… This has been by far the best show we have ever had.

Presenting my Nazca Collection at the Buyer’s Market of American Craft.

I took orders from galleries and boutiques in New York, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arkansas, Pittsburg, Delaware and Washington DC.

I will continue sharing my experience in getting into new markets like the ones I just mentioned to you. Now let me recuperate and get ready to showcase for the 1st time at The Boston Gift Show. March 23-27th

Hasta la proxima

A PROFESSIONAL JEWELRY PHOTOSHOOT…

When I first started to create my jewelry pieces, I was taking pictures of my own jewelry pictures (who doesn’t start like that, huh!?), but I am not a professional photographer. I’ve tried for so many times to do my own pictures and I took many pictures but could never give them the right white background or the right black grayish background plus you could see the shadows, light reflection etc., etc.….I took quick photography classes, did some internet research on how to photograph your jewelry and still was not getting that perfect professionally looking picture.

In the beginning…I couldn’t afford to pay for a professional photo session of my jewelry pieces. So I post and add on the famous craigslist and got me freelance photographers that were looking to gain expertise in product photography and who wanted to add experience to their resumes.

These were my 1st pictures taken by me a not professional jewelry photographer…not so good right?

Then it was time to launch my men’s Moschik catalog and I was not going to invest so much time in creating a whole new jewelry collection with poor pictures and poor presentation. Two of the most amazing relationships were born. My catalog designer Alvaro Luna & my professional photographer Rui Barros. I personally find that there has to be good energy,  positive attitude and willingness to work with your business partners (that is how I call them).  Just as me they want the final product to speak highly of their work. I believe I can sense energy VERY well and I was not afraid when my dear friend Alvaro was taking the responsibility to re-design my image/logo/designing my catalog everything till he handed me my Moschik Men’s catalog.

I also knew it was going to take some time. It was not going to happen in a couple days…although I wanted see the final product ASAP.

One of the first things Alvaro asked me was you need a professional head shot…I was thinking OMG another expense to the creation of my men’s catalog. BUT I can still remember what he said to me: I refuse to create the catalog with a picture that you have cropped from some wedding and put it in this professional jewelry catalog. He said go to Rui Barros Photography. He will do your headshot.

This was my 1st professional headshots as a jewelry designer

Then our photo-shoot for the catalog took us a whole day at The Park @ 14th in Washington DC, models came on time, photographer and Alvaro took care of styling models & the photo-shoot. We ended exhausted but with amazing photos to be used in our Moschik Men’s Catalog.

What to order my catalog? (click here)

I have been working with Rui for quite sometime now. I’d say at least five years. We have shot my jewelry pieces at his studio in Arlington, VA. It usually takes us a whole day. Every time I come in he has some new tool to shoot faster and have higher quality pictures, better lighting or the latest new gadget in professional photography. Another important thing to mention is that you have to communicate well how you like your product to look like, if you want to highlight some areas more than others, etc., etc.…My advise as a jewelry entrepreneur is do some research  before you call someone to do your professional product photo-shoot. I have done so much research about it that now I feel confident to share my ins and outs about shooting jewelry pieces.

Rui is so dedicated to what he does, that I totally trust his work and I know no matter what my pieces are going to have a professional look. The look I need as a professional jewelry designer.

My Nazca Jewelry collection has recently being photo-shoot again by Rui, take a sneak pick at it

 

If you are trying to take your jewelry business to the next level and want to bring it to high end boutiques, museums, fine art fairs and so on…don’t waist your time trying to make it yourself. It is more beneficial to invest your time in what you know best. In my case I rather use my time designing more beautiful jewelry pieces. In Spanish there is a phrase that says: AL CESAR LO QUE ES DEL CESAR = GIVE UNTO CESAR’S WHAT’S CESAR

Hasta pronto

Evelyn Brooks

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The Latina Style 50 Awards Ceremony and Diversity Leadership Conference Review

Two great events we attended today.
We came to be part of the Latina Style 50 Awards Ceremony & Diversity Leadership Conference at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington Dc. Our day started really early at 6a BUT we had an amazing day!
I was also interviewed by the team of Lexus for Vida Lexus. I talked about being a Hispanic Entrepreneur in the US and my advice to women entrepreneur ( I ll share the interview in a few more days) I also had great pictures taken I want to share with you;)

The Macy's team came by my booth and loved my new Nazca Jewelry Collection.

And Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen loved getting our complimentary good luck charm and promised to wear it for good fortune and prosperity ALL THE TIME!

Thank you to all of those who stop by my booth and support the work of a Hispanic Woman And Minority Entrepreneur.

Hasta la proxima!

LIVING AS A JEWELRY ENTREPRENEUR IS UNCERTAIN…

How great it is when you are at an art show and a couple people come into your booth, wondering a lot about your jewelry, asking you questions about how you make your pieces, why the red & black?, Are you local?….And then the best question of ALL. Do you do wholesale? DING DING…OF COURSE…

That is how a met business partners Edward Hart & Eric Nelson owners of Artfully Gifts & Chocolate  at the Alexandria Fine Arts & Wine Festival on October of 2011. We scheduled time to meet so we could talk about possibly placing an order to carry Evelyn Brooks Designs at their Alexandria location.

When I walked into the shop, I immediately fell in love with it and the variety of gifts they have to offer, BUT their hot coco’s with famous hollywood names is an ingenious idea. So if you are in Alexandria, stop by and see it for  yourself. If you feel in a mood of ice cream you can find it here, too

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I went there the other day and saw a mom with two kids trying to get some gifts…and as a mom I admired what she did…she got a cup of ice cream for each of her kids, sat them on the tables and she peacefully got her gifts…I was thinking inside myself  WHAT A GREAT IDEA!

Getting into a new boutique or gallery is always a uncertain. We did not know if my jewelry designs were going to work or not, but Edward & Eric saw my work as a great fit for their gift shop. And indeed I brought my 1st pieces by the end of November, they quickly sold and have been selling non-stop ever since.

Later in January we talked about launching my Nazca Jewelry Collection at their Alexandria location just in time to celebrate Valentine’s, too.

This exclusive line of jewelry is an extension of my eco-chic collection and it is inspired by the Nazca lines, which represented a celestial Inca calendar used for rituals related to astronomy, the Spring 2012 Nazca Collection evokes mystery and mythology. Legend has it that the Nazca lines were built by an ancient Peruvian civilization called Nazca, located in the south of Peru.

The collection is hand-made with natural seeds of red, black, and hand-texturized sheets of silver. This new collection will feature necklaces, bracelets, and earrings for women. Prices range from $68 - $950.  

Now if you have the opportunity and travel to Peru take at least to days to visit Ica and go to the town of Nazca. Where you can take off on a little airplane and fly over The Famous Nazca Lines. Once you are there, you will understand more closely my jewelry collection inspired by the Nazca Lines.

Hasta la proxima
Evelyn

Technorati Tags: jewelry traveler,nazca lines,jewelry entrepreneur,evelyn brooks designs,artfully gifts and chocolates,sterling silver jewelry,red jewelry,ecofriendlyn jewelry,artistic jewelry,mompreneur,jewelry marketig,jewelry trends

More Valentine’s Gift Ideas…

 

 

My angels are a great gift when you are thinking about giving something special & affordable to  someone special or simple to say Thank YOU for our friendship 

Want to go for something classy? These sets passion red huayruro pieces are favorites among my clientele….The knots in between each huayruro bead and the silver heart in the middle of the bracelets makes an statement.

What to go romantic & exotic. This is one of my new assymetric onyx heart necklaces hand-wired with huayruro seeds around the heart. Length 18”

If you like to order it…email me @ evelyn@ebrookdesigns.com

Want to buy more pieces or add to your excisting collection order

The Evelyn Brooks Jewelry Catalog (click here)

Hope this helps you find and give you ideas for the PERFECT Valentine’s Day!

Hasta la proxima!

Technorati Tags: valentine's day,valentine's gifts,evelyn brooks designs,jewelry ideas,jewelry entrepreneur,angels jewelry,heart jewelry,red heart jewelry