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

Technorati Tags: Rui Barros Photography,Alvaro Luna,Evelyn Brooks Designs,Jewelry Photography,Jewelry Business Photography,Photograph Jewelry,Nazca lines,Nazca Jewelry

WHY PROFESSIONAL FOLLOW UP IS SOOO IMPORTANT?

The wholesale shows have passed and the next ones aren’t happening until January/February, right? So what happens when you have clients that did not visit your booth at the recent wholesale shows or you simply have not heard from them.

You are probably wondering why? what happened? was my product good enough for their clientele?  and  did my product met their sales expectations? etc., etc.…One of the main things your have to find out is making sure they have received your information which means your new catalog, brochure, etc., etc.…

Don’t wait to find out that the post office did not deliver your wholesale catalog and that you lose an order because of that. That just happened to me. I was hoping to get an  order from a very important client BUT GUESS WHAT? my client never got my catalog and when I spoke with her she told me. I am really sorry because I already placed all my orders for the rest of this year. So please contact me back in January. OH WELL! maybe it wans;t my time BUT I was really upset. Although I learned a lesson. With your VIP’s make sure you mail your wholesale catalogs via certified mail.

Anyways…as the fall is coming and the weather is changing I can not just sit down and wait for calls to come in to get orders from my clients. So I am actively calling my clients to make sure they have received my wholesale catalog and if they want to place another order.

Following up is SO IMPORTANT! Don’t feel bad by calling and getting feedback on your product. Every time we learn something and don’t be afraid of hearing some constructive critic.

Surprisingly, few businesses actively follow up with their existing clients. This is a mistake. Your existing customers produce more sales at a lower cost to you. They already know and trust you.

If you follow up, it will help you to identify problems that customers had but didn’t complain about. This will allow you to resolve those problems and keep those customers. You are providing excellent customer service, and you will generate positive and ongoing word of mouth advertising about your company.

You can read  Word of Mouth Advertising for more on this subject.

Marketers tell us that it costs 5 - 8 times the amount of money to get a new customer than it does to keep an existing customer satisfied. Well, it’s true. Think of customer retention as pebbles rolling down a mountainside. Happy customers spread the word, and soon you can have an avalanche on your hands. Follow up is the key.  

Follow up works to build customer loyalty. It’s how you tell your customers that they are important. Research shows that 68% of customers that don’t return to a company say that the company never contacted them, was indifferent, or had a poor attitude. Sending your customers follow up letters is the solution.

And of course your competition is trying to win your customers. But you can beat them. A follow-up personal note is more powerful that a full page ad in the New York Times. If you invest in your customers, they will keep bringing – and sending – you business for life. No competitor will be able to win them away if you stay in contact and follow up with your customers.

For more information of Professional Follow Up

Partnering with The Green Cup Polo…

My partnership with the Green Cup Polo began last year. But Evelyn Brooks Designs has been part of the Green Cup Polo for already four years. It all started in 2008 when Evelyn Brooks Designs donated a piece of jewelry to support the efforts of the Green Cup Polo.

Then in 2009 we came back to participate as one of their vendors during the main event and at that point the organizer/event planner and myself were already talking about the possibility of designing a customize piece of jewelry that would help raise funds for the Green Cup Polo. This proyect did not happen until November of 2009 when we started the process and creation of the Green Cup Polo bracelet. The final piece was ready by February of 2010 at that point we thought it would be a great idea to add cufflinks to the Green Cup Polo Eco-Sustainable Jewelry Collection.

The bracelet is made with natural peridot and recycled silver  (Suggested Retail $150 – Yours for $95). The cufflinks are also made with recycled silver (Suggested Retail $195 – Yours $150)

Evelyn Brooks Designs supports the efforts of the Green Cup Polo initiative of preserving our world while working with eco friendly materials to create a final product.

It has been a wonderful experience and partnership. Last year Evelyn Brooks Designs was also invited to be part of the Eco-Fashion Show accesorizing the georgeous models.

During last year pre-events and the main event we were selling the Green Cup Polo bracelets and cufflinks with proceeds benefiting them. Lots of guests were proudly wearing their new jewelry pieces.

We are ready for the 2011 Green Cup Polo and look forward to seeing you at the 1st Eco – Gala  happening on Sep. 15th at the L2-Lounge of Georgetown and during the main event happening on Sunday Sept. 17th at The Capital Polo Club in Poolsville Maryland. 12n – 6p)

Tickets are on sale NOW – GET YOURS! COME OUT & SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF THE GREEN CUP POLO 2011 this year benefiting the National Resources Defense Council.

You can also support The Green Cup Polo 2011 buying the bracelet and cufflinks.

Watch our  PROMO  VIDEO  (Click below)

Green Cup Polo Jewelry Promo Video

 

Nos vemos!

Evelyn Brooks

Technorati Tags: L2 lounge,green cup polo,capital polo club,lorraine lamont,roberto do,evelyn brooks designs,eco sustainable jewelry,natural peridot bracelet,green cup polo cufflinks

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

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