On May 5th Evelyn Brooks Designs @ The Embassy of Peru

What an honor! In late January 2012 I received and invitation from the Embassy of Peru to be part of Passport DC 2012

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To be honest I have been waiting for this moment but as I always think when the time is right, things will come to you (of course sometime you have to knock doors, too). So I thought this MUST BE our time! To be considered one of the most notable Peruvian artists living in Washington DC and having the opportunity to share my jewelry designs with thousands of people at the Embassy of Peru during Passport DC, means a lot to Evelyn Brooks Designs. Perhaps I could also say that hard work is giving its rewards…FINALLY…huh?!

Who is Evelyn Brooks? I consider myself a young jewelry Hispanic American mompreneur who came to this country nine years ago to marry a wonderful man, with many dreams under my arm to fullfill. I also wanted to prove my parents that YES you could be a professional mompreneur, having a husband and child to take care of BUT if you balance your live style; YES YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL.

Just as many other immigrants who are business owners and who want to see their business growing especially in a different country  than the one they were born,  it isn’t easy. Being invited to participate in events like Passport DC is something to feel proud of.  Thanks to the Embassy of Peru for considering my work to be part of Passport DC 2012 and for their continue support!

Evelyn Brooks Designs will showcase her Nasca Collection inspired in the Nasca Lines and will continue promoting the famous Peruvian huayruros through this new jewelry collection. Don’t know what huayruros are? Huayruro seeds come from the rainforest of Peru. It is believed that huayruros bring good luck, positive energy and prosperity to whomever wears them. The Nazca Jewelry Collection is available in sterling silver and 18kt vermeil gold. Prices range from $38- $750

 

Want to know more about the Nasca Lines? Love Peruvian history?  And have the time and money to travel. Explore my beautiful country Peru, DON’T WAIT!  Did you know?…The famous city of Macchu Picchu located in Cuzco, is considered one of the 1000 best places to visit before you die.

Stop by my booth at the Embassy of Peru on May 5th and get a complimentary good luck charm!

Sincerely,

Hasta la proxima

Evelyn Brooks

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

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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!

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GOOD ENERGY, GREAT CLIENTS AND A 2012 FULL OF HOPE…

Time flies since I posted on our blog…why because I only have two hands. There is only so much you can do just with just two hands. This year it will be different. We are more organized than ever. We will post once or twice a week.

I truly believe in good energy, some call it good vibrations, others wear a clear crystal, others wear a Huayruro for bringing positive energy (like me, I always carry my red huayruro), whatever it is just think positively at any given time and even if it is in the middle of a cathastrophe at least thinking positively will give you HOPE for better times.

Our holiday season was STRONG, not great because I think the economy situation is still a big concern for buyers. Whom were actually looking more for the lower ticket price items and  few for the high ticket items. But it is what it is…and we were happy with it.

MOST IMPORTANTLY we are still in business, FULL OF HOPE and taking bigger projects for 2012.

One of the best things that happen to me as an entrepreneur during the holidays was…I got a call at 10p on New Years Eve (the day our MOSCHIK coupon expired) and this lady did not want to miss the opportunity to complete her whole EVELYN BROOKS DESIGNS set with the $25 off). Anyways while I was taking her order, she mentioned: I had wore the necklace and the earrings I purchased from you to a dinner party I was going to in Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, and a very refine lady came up to me and told me: YOU ARE WEARING AND EVELYN BROOKS DESIGNS PIECE…of course to me it almost brought me in tears, I couldn’t believe it!;  that someone in Kentucky would recognize my work. Which means we are growing and we are making it all the way to Kentucky.  It may sound funny at 1st but working and being an entrepreneur is not easy. We are always trying to do something to grow our business and perhaps we never sit down to think WHERE ARE WE? in what stage? and that call made me SIT DOWN and THINK (just a for a few minutes)…that my work is truly paying off, is not just in DC, VA, MD like in the begining. It is going all over the US, just as I dream it.

We have made it into over 20 boutiques …and that is why this year our efforts will go even further….I am gonna use a phrase that I heard BUZZ LIGHTYEAR from Toy Story the movie says: TO INFINITY AND BEYOND…that is what my little one is now saying, so I can use that phrase, too.

I hope my enthusiasm brings you HOPE to any projects you are about to begin or are in the middle of…

My sincere wishes of a happy, healthy and succesful 2012! THANK YOU SO MUCH for your continuing support!

Sincerely,

Evelyn Brooks

PLANNING FOR A RETAIL SHOW

Dear friends

I am writing this blog from Los Angeles California. The Annual National Hispana Leadership Institute 2011 Executive Leadership Training Conference & Mujer Awards is happening Nov. 3rd & 4th.

This is the 1st time Evelyn Brooks Designs is officially exhibiting in the West Coast.

And of course we had to plan ahead of time for this so awaited exhibition..

I have a list of items to bring for my retails shows...but now I realize that there must be a list for every show just cause every show is different. There are different clients and different expectations for every show. There are different promotions that apply for every show, too. It is a lot of work getting ready for every show.

We not only do retail shows, we also do wholesale shows, we do marketing only shows, we do runway shows, so for each show make your list of items you should never forget. And of course every time you do them make sure you at your list at the end of your show and see what other things you can implement. You can always learn from other exhibitors. Some have been around longer than we are and can give us some advice. Specially try to find how to travel lighter and lighter.

My personal advice if you are returning to a show don’t forget to email all your clients that live close by that area, or clients that you met the year before, invite them and informe them that you will be there:) perhaps an extra incentive would not hurt either

I love the reading the Entrepreneur magazine and they always have ideas and advices for those entrepreneurs just starting a  business and for those already are on their way…

I found this link that talks about how to start your retail business

http://www.entrepreneur.com/startingabusiness/businessideas/startupkits/article75912.html

And this one that talks about how to increase your retail sales

http://www.entrepreneur.com/startingabusiness/businessideas/startupkits/article75912.html

Good luck!

Sincerely

Evelyn Brooks

P.s.- Pictures above, attendees admiring and purchasing my latest designs at the 2010 NHLI conference in Miami Florida. One of the best parts of my conference last year was that I got to personally meet Miguel Bose  

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Counting the days for the Buyer’s Market of American Craft…

 

I must say you I have learned a lot since my 1st show during the BMAC Summer Show  of 2010. We worked hard and kept our fingers crossed that everything was going to be fine, and that we would get more wholesale orders so Evelyn Brooks Designs would be seen and purchased nationwide at the most prestigious museum shops, galleries and boutiques.

For those who don’t know what the Buyer’s Market of American Craft is, it is the premier show for American artists to showcase/sell their work. During the show which usually lasts 4 days, buyers from all over the United States and owners of the most prestigious museums, galleries of art and upscale boutiques meet and  place their wholesale orders.

The Buyer’s Market of American Craft (BMAC) has opened the door of many artists and has helped them bring their work to where you want your work to be at.

For example at my last show in Philadelphia, a lady came to me and said: Are you Evelyn Brooks? and I said: YES!? ohhhh it was Linda Marks the buyer from the National Museum of  Women’s in the Arts. We have spoke a lot on the phone but never had a chance to meet  in person and it is always good to see your client in person and built a personal relationship with them.

It is not easy for an artist to hit lots of galleries and museum shops during the 1st wholesale show (BE PATIENT) or perhaps you are the luckiest artist and your work hits the right clients and you make tons of sales on your 1st show…you never know…, I have heard it takes at least three shows to get more and more people interested in your work. Maybe I am wrong but my honest experience is that it hasn’t been bad but I still need to work hard especially because I have to explain that I work with natural seeds and mix them with silver and gold. Again I have learned a lot and that is what matter to me.

One of my biggest client now is Uno Alla Volta. Uno Alla Volta is an upscale boutique which sells through catalog and online. They represent artisans from all over the world. We will go nationwide beginning July 2011 with them. If I haven't’ been  last February at  the Philadelphia Show, I wouldn’t have met them and established a working relationship with them. I truly look forward to have them and new buyers that I can build a relationship with, for many years to come.

Getting ready for the show…YES it is exhausting! But I do this for living and I can’t wait to show my new collection to more buyers And it will also allow me and my work to be in more states in the United States. Thanks to the BMAC, Evelyn Brooks Designs can now be found in Philadelphia, North Carolina, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland.

Watch the  Preview of the 2011/2012 Jewelry collection on YouTube.

On Sunday July 10th, join me during the BMAC Collector’s day. It is the only day that the Buyer’s Market of American Craft will be open to public. BOOTH 2108

Don’t miss this opportunity! Stop by the Baltimore Convention Center.                     
Remember July 10th (1p-5p)                                                                        

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For buyers it is open from Monday July 11th-13th (11a-6p) – BOOTH 2108

Send me all your positive energy and good wishes to have a wonderful show!

Sincerely

Nos vemos  

Technorati Tags: Buyer's Market of American Craft,BMAC,Uno Alla Volta,Baltimore Convention Center,Evelyn Brooks Designs,Moschik Jewelry Collection,Artists jewelry

ARTFIRE VS ETSY–Cause’ competition is good…

How important is marketing research, huh!? I am working on how to bring more sales to my e-store or better say how to sell more designs through different online stores. It seems like one/two aren't not enough…. How can a small jewelry designer entrepreneur do it?

Well, lots of researching, lots of reading and this is just the beginning. During my research I also found a book that explains clearly how to drive traffic to your website. The web traffic evolution guide
Photo courtesy of Webtraffic Evolution Insider

In my research of which stores are dedicated to sell hand-made, hand-fabricated jewelry/art, I found the most heard of ETSY and a new site named ARTFIRE (founded in 2008)

My next step, find out how good/bad or well recommended is ARTFIRE. So I goggled: feedback about Artfire; one of 1st sites to come up was www.HandmadeMarketing.org with lots of comments about how artisans and jewelry designers feel about artfire and their number one competitor etsy.



Some artisans said to be very happy with the results, some complain about artfire being new, some mention it is an advantage being new because there is still not many artisans selling as they are on etsy, some others are saying competition is good and also someone suggests don’t just list 12 items, go for more which means paying $9 monthly; and give it at least a year to make a final decision if it is good for you or not.

Again having your own business is not easy and it is always a roller coaster full of risks, good and bad days. In Spanish there is a phrase that I always think about “EL QUE NO ARRIESGA NO GANA”, which means IF YOU DON’T RISK YOU DON’T WIN...

Artfire is free for the 1st 12 pieces you upload and then unlimited $9, although I read that if you reach 5000 sold items, they raise your monthly fee to $20 dollars. I wish I could be paying $20 the next month, right? But I am sure everything takes time.


Do you want to know more about ARTFIRE??? - . Read a complete interview with John Jacobs (Artfire CEO)

Now I will talk about etsy…hmmm etsy, etsy, etsy…my personal experience…


I have sold my pieces there, NOT A LOT. I just stopped doing it because it is TOO MUCH TIME. Maybe it is me …I don’t know (please tell me if I am wrong- your comments are welcomed!) ; but it takes too long to upload a picture and also I feel like now there are so many more jewelers/artisans, different categories that makes it overwhelming for a customer to buy something. If I were to buy something from etsy ( I am speaking as a customer looking for a gift), it will probably have to be a very specific gift otherwise I wouldn’t do it. There is SO MUCH to look at, that makes me dizzy. And who has the time to look at soooo many pieces of jewelry to choose the right gift? Maybe there are buyers who have that kind of time, don’t get me wrong, otherwise etsy would not exist.

Will I try etsy again, YES just during holiday season which for us starts in September and I am pretty sure that people will be looking for RED JEWELRY and my RED HUAYRUROS will be perfect for the season.



The Passion Red Classic Necklace (picture bottom right) & The Classic Crochet Collection (picture top left) will soon be available for sale of etsy & artfire.

STAY TUNNED….HASTA LA PROXIMA;)

Men’s jewelry is sexy…BUT all HE wants is COMFORT!

Did you know there is a men’s jewelry study ? that says 60% of men would consider wearing jewelry, 42% don’t buy it because they don’t shop for jewelry, 37% of men don’t buy jewelry because they don’t feel confortable wearing it and that only 5 % were uncomfortable buying men’s jewelry.

I shared this study with you because it is important to know what men seek when shoping. What kind of jewelry they would wear so we could get the perfect gift for them. I have being reading different reports and seeing the lines of a mulitple jewelry companies that I admire, such as John Hardy & Simmons's. Both follow the studies needs and create comfortable jewelry for their male clientele.

"Men have traditionally been the biggest purchasers of jewelry, while women are the most important consumers of jewelry”,  Having said this, I invite you to treat the man in your life. Father’s Day is approaching and you could find the perfect Father’s day gift from my MOSCHIK MEN’S jewelry collection. Evelyn Brooks Designs has  a great selection of men’s jewelry. Pieces that are easy on the masculine eye, ready to wear and VERY COMFORTABLE.

The Moschik jewelry line is inspired by the Moche Inca culture mixed with modern designs and following the latest trends. My cuff bracelets & adjustable rings show  delicate minimalistic lines and geometric figures. While my rosaries has being a HIT & FAVORITE  among our male clientele.

My adjustable cuff bracelets & rings are also favorites by my men’s clientele. They can easily adjust the size of it,  wear the rings even if sometimes their finger is swollen and adjust the size of their cuff bracelets/rings even if you have lost weight

DON’T FORGET TO USE YOUR 20% OFF AT TIME OF CHECKOUT ON YOUR ONLINE PURCHASE – (USE CODE: ebd4u7Y) – LET’S CONTINUE CELEBRATING OUR 7TH ANNIVERSARY!!! – Offer ends June 30th

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PERSEVERANCE

This is my 1st post on my blog, so as I am thinking what to write about. I figure some of the readers may be wondering who is this girl Evelyn Brooks and should know about Evelyn Brooks Designs, too, right?!

Evelyn Brooks Designs has a rich family and cultural heritage to preserve, and it all started with my parents back in 1970. My father, who did not have many resources or education, was able to build his now-thriving jewelry and manufacturing company. He also provided my mother the opportunity to run a successful fashion and accessories boutique in my native Peru.
My parents worked very hard, long hours, weekends and holidays. I remember helping my father’s business while I was attending middle school and high school. My parents wanted to teach me that you can get anything in life but you need to work hard, be responsible, and committed. They also wanted to give me and my two brothers better opportunities than they both had when they were children.
When I finished high school I decided to study Tourism Management; soon after I graduated I began to work for United Airlines which gave me the opportunity to travel and work around the world.
The fatal events of September 11th of 2001 changed my life. I could have been aboard UA flight 93, the one that went down outside of Pittsburgh. I was booked to travel UA flight 93 on September 11th, but I was requested to return to my headquarters a day earlier; therefore I had to return on Flight 93 on September 10th instead. That was an epiphany regarding my career and in any personal decision I made thereafter.
Following September 11th I returned back to Peru and remained there for a few months. I came for a vacation to the United States in March 2002 and I met my husband the very first weekend I arrived. We got married eight months after we met, established our home in Virginia, and I took a job in the travel industry in Washington DC.
During the Christmas of 2003, my father gave me a small box of rubies and sapphires to design something for myself. This grand gesture inspired my creative abilities and that day I began my jewelry design career.
With that, my husband and I decided to launch my company in 2004. I feature handmade jewelry designs that inspire men and women to wear modern jewelry pieces with a fine touch of Peruvian and contemporary art.
I design and assemble my jewelry line at my studio located in Alexandria, Virginia and now have two assistant designers helping me. I also design corporate jewelry and began teaching jewelry design since 2009. My classes are taught in both Spanish and English. I have also being invited as a motivational speaker to share with young adults and proffesionals my history and inspire them to pursue their dreams.
Evelyn Brooks Designs has received international and national recognition since 2007 when received 1st award The Outstanding Artist Achievement Award given by Empowered Women International. The year 2010 has been the most successful year thus far. Some of the rewards received by EBD during 2010: the Fashion Chamber Choice Award 2010 by the Fashion Chamber of Commerce; the Best of Peru in Washington DC by Washington Life Magazine; the Young Entrepreneur 2010 by Dialogue on Diversity; Proud to be Peruvian Award 2010; and the Anna Maria Arias Business Funds 2010.I was invited to write the articule you have just read for Latina Style Magazine.