New products and new combined logo!

Hi All -
I posted the first round of new products on Etsy - Bridal hair combs! Now these combs are not just for brides, but for anyone that likes pretty sparkly things in their hair. Have just a few up so far - but have a bunch of different styles and sizes coming...so check back for those.

Here's the handy dandy link to the collection: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5292399&section_id=6125226

Here are a few pics:

Peacock

Cerella

Blushing

Azura

And my brother finally finished up my new logo for Wind Dancer, a little more edge a little less little old lady...hahah, only kidding. Anyway, the ex helped out with the change to my Etsy banner so that is all done. Double sided business cards have been ordered and FedEx is holding my new displays captive again....still trying to figure out how to connect to the internet so I can take credit cards at upcoming shows using my cell phone, think a trip to AT&T is in order.

Anyway...here's the new banner.

And that's it...back to creating! More new stuff tomorrow and throughout the week.

Toodles,

Leah :-)

New designs up and coming...

Hi All:

Busily working on new designs since a couple of shows coming up with my favorite time of year...Wedding season. haha.

Been ordering up a storm - needed new business cards (double sided for both lines), rubber stamps and bags for packaging, new displays because after 4 moves over the years, my old ones are really battered.

Ordered tons of new supplies type stuff: chain, wire, lovely gemstones, etc....had to do something besides homework to keep myself from going stark raving since pretty much flat on my back in pain. Pulled something, not sure what...and have been working on earrings for short bursts throughout the day.

Have posted several new things to Etsy: http://www.winddancerdesigns.etsy.com/

Some are below - check them out.

-Leah :-)

Wind Dancer is sponsoring a giveaway!

Hi all -

I am sponsoring my first giveaway - check out Cafe Handmade, cool virtual craft fair and giveaway of delicious things from talented artists around the globe.

Go here to enter to WIN - a pretty pair of earrings specially designed for this event. OOAK!

http://cafehandmade.blogspot.com/2009/05/giveaway-sponsored-by-wind-dancer.html

Winner will be selected on May 10th.

-Leah :-)

Summits of Awesome on Etsy

Hi All -

I awoke with anticipation today, and ran into my studio to log onto the computer...because it's the beginning of Etsy's Summits of Awesome. Can I get a woohoo? WOO HOO! Oh yeah! A couple days of summits on everything from Branding to promotions, and social networking sites, etc...plus a shop critique in there too.

So here's what's on the agenda for the next couple of days as your favorite redheaded jewelry designer seeks to mind meld with all those lovely crafty people at Etsy to help bring Wind Dancer and Reyna Red to the next level.

Fri - 10:30am was the Networking thru Social Networking sites. This was a truly invaluable session, lots of get resources scribbled mad-bomber like on my steno pad next to the laptop.

Fri - 1:30pm Branding/Identity - how to differientiate myself from the thousand of other great jewelry artists...I mean yes, my mum thinks I'm special but how to make the internet community at large think this too?

Fri - 6pm - Critiques with the Sassy Team on Etsy - the mavens of cool, the harbingers of hotness if you will...help sellers like me with suggestions on how to improve our shops and give other advice.

***************
Sat. - 9am Product Lines - Learning to optimize product lines - what to offer and how to market those products effectively. So far my giant human billboard approach hasn't worked, although I have got some pervy comments along with phone numbers. Nice!

Sat. 1:30pm Selling Online - Tips to help sellers link and connect with potential customers in the great wide expanses of this lovely world called the Internet....without nudity and 900 numbers.

Sun. 10am - Craft Booth Display - How to present a fun and professional craft booth to draw the eye and steal customers from your neighbor (I'm only kidding!) But seriously...a craft booth display could be a very covert way to take over the world. uh oh...and there's my neurosis showing....quick, look over there!!

So anyway...that is my weekend in a nut shell. Well that and working on new luxury items for my Bridal collection....on the hunt for truely spectacular gold fill chain for a citrine and rock crystal necklace I am work on.

And now onto the abject begging portion of the blog post - Check out my amazing designs at http://www.winddancerdesigns.etsy.com

Toodles!
Leah :-)

Ponderings while I sit here sorting gemstones...

Hi All -

So I've said those dreaded words to hubby again...."honey....can you pick me up some more bead boxes?" Yep...I think I may have a problem. I am currently sorting all the gemstone beads I got on my trip earlier this month. And I find that I have managed to purchase another 4 bead boxes worth.

Oi...at this rate I will soon grow out of my expanded space that I was so thrilled to have picked up a couple of weeks ago. Oh well...we all have our problems I guess. haha.

My birthday was a few days ago so Mum did what she always does...threw some moola my way which went to sterling findings and some more gemstones. Hubby just rolls his eyes now...no comments necessary. Hey, the way I see it...he has his man cave and I have my studio. At least my space is organized. So there!

The countdown has begun for the end of my degree...just 3 more classes. Can I get a woohoo?!! Then I will have even more time to work on jewelry...which means I will more than likely go back to school for my Master's degree. I don't do well without 50 things to do at once.

So back I go to sorting and designing...more new stuff coming soon.

-Leah :-)

I found Mecca in New Mexico

Hi All -

So I'm back from my whirlwind tour of my inlaws across 4 states and 7 days...and have finally caught up with chores and sleep and generally schlebbiness. The trip itself was mostly uneventful, meeting the in-laws for the first time, cleaning out hubby's storage space, and a tiny bit of sightseeing.

But in New Mexico I found my new favorite place...a gemstone importer with amazing prices that is housed in a 7000 sq. foot warehouse. Bead strands of gemstones of all kinds dripping from the walls EVERYWHERE! I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. After an hour or so and several hundred dollars later...hubby and I went to dinner in Santa Fe.

So now I am home...spent the last couple days working on a paper for an international business class I am taking. So that's done and so I have tonight and part of tomorrow to work on pictures and new product.

Check out my Etsy at: http://www.winddancerdesigns.etsy.com

-Leah :-)

The call of the open road...

Hi All -

I am off to a road trip in just a few days...I will try to update along the way with pics and stories of my travels.

My route takes me from Omaha to Tucson through Denver and Santa Fe and where ever else strikes my fancy. A wee vacation to visit the in-laws...woo hoo. I am excited to see if I can find some cool new beads along the way.

Went to a bead show here in town yesterday, hubby went along...he's such a good sport. Wow, the slowing economy working in my favor with supply costs...everyone offering low, low, low prices. Picked up some gorgeous micro-faceted crystal rondelles in a bunch of spring colors as well as some lovely briolettes and these amazing heated, banded agate curved links. In tones of reds, black, white, greens, yellows...they are awesome!

Can't wait to work with them. The next couple days are filled with picture taking of the new stuff I've made over the last week or so. So look at Etsy for that. http://www.winddancerdesigns.etsy.com

Toodles!