sheep + wool

Making industrial felt - via Cooper-Hewitt

thanks for helping me grow!

I've got a new post up over at Crafting an MBA. Its a continuation of the ongoing cozy/cuff discussion that's been taking place here.

Ultimately, its a summary of some of the lessons I've learned this past week - lessons that your support and positive feedback helped me reach. So thanks for being the best blog readers in the world! I couldn't imagine running my business without you!

cozy/cuff winner!

Thanks to random.org the winner of the cozy/cuff is....

Christina J!

Christina - email me at meauman(at)yahoo.com to claim your prize!

And thanks to everyone for your awesome suggestions!

the cost of the cozy/cuff, part 2

I'm going to do my best to keep this from becoming a rant, but no promises.

Today, Etsy included a link to the cozy/cuff on their facebook page. For the most part, this was amazing. My page views blew up, and several people purchased cozy/cuffs of their very own.

But the link also sparked an interesting discussion about the price. More than a few people thought that $32 was an exorbitant amount of money to pay for the cozy/cuff. There were some people who jumped in to defend the price, but there were a lot of people that seemed to think I am making some ridiculous profit on the cozy/cuffs.

I am here to tell you that is just not true.

Here is just a small sampling of the cost factors that go into the cozy/cuff:

1. The Etsy costs are retail costs. When I wholesale the cozy/cuff, I have to cut the price in half. Which means I still need to build in profit for a wholesale price. And let me tell you, the profit margin on my wholesale price is pretty slim.

2. The cozy/cuff is made in small batches in the US. (If you read my original post - the cost of the cozy/cuff - you already know this.) And when you are buying materials and making products in small batches, the price is always going to be higher.

3. Not only do I not make the cozy/cuff in China - but I don't live in China either. And you have to factor cost of living (not to mention cost of working) into the price of the objects. (Or the workers wages.) And while I don't live in the most expensive part of the US, I certainly don't live in the one of the cheapest places in the world. And I think its only fair that I pay myself a living wage. (And if you don't believe that workers should be paid a living wage, please stop reading my blog. We cannot be friends.)

4. You also need to take into consideration the fact that the cozy/cuff is a bracelet. Here's a little math for you: today I had a cozy/cuff on my person for approximately 9 hours. For 8 of those hours, it was on my wrist. It was on my coffee cup for about an hour. (Probably a little less than that, but its easier to round.) So given those numbers, 89% of the time, the cozy/cuff functioned as a bracelet. And $32 is a pretty reasonable price for a cuff bracelet. (Its actually fairly consistent with the pricing of other cuff bracelets.)

After all this, its pretty clear to me that I should do a better job marketing it as a bracelet first - one with the added bonus of being a coffee cup cozy. Hopefully that will help justify the cost in some people's minds.

I should also probably stop reading internet discussions of my work.

help please! (you could win a cozy/cuff)

I've been working on lots of new promotional materials to get ready for the gift fair - postcards, and catalogs, and the new website - but I keep getting stuck every time I try to write the copy.

At this point, I'm just a little too close to the product. So I need your help!

If you were writing about the cozy/cuff, what would you say? How would you describe it? What are its benefits? Can you describe its style and function in one short sentence? What aspects about it do you like best?

Leave your thoughts in the comments, and I'll pick one winner to send your very own cozy/cuff!

Thanks in advance!

the new shopcozycuff.com

Apparently, I'm all about launching new websites lately, because in addition to crafting an MBA, I recently re-launched shopcozycuff.com.

Where before it was purely an information site, its now a fully-formed e-commerce site, thanks to bigcartel.

So head on over and check it out! And as as a little thanks to all my blog readers, use the code BLOG2010 and take 10% off your first purchase! (Good until Wednesday, January 6th.)

crafting an MBA - business thinking for designers & makers

I alluded to it in my last post, but I wanted to officially announce the launch of my new website - crafting an MBA - business thinking for designers and makers!

Its seems long overdue that I would start a blog focused on business thinking - its something I always love to talk about. Over at craftMBA, I'll be sharing useful tips on running a business, marketing, pricing, social media and more, my recommended and currents reads (which are sure to triple since I got a Kindle for Christmas!) and my thoughts on trends in the craft and business world.

Its only because of the support I've received on my business related posts here that I had the courage to start crafting an MBA, so thank you! Won't you join me in my new space? The new year seems like the perfect time to focus and get our businesses into shape!

(No worries, I'll still be blogging here as well.)

my year (and decade) in review

The Personal MBA has a really great post up about taking some time to review your accomplishments at the end of the year. Its likely that you've reached the end of the year feeling disappointed at what you haven't accomplished (which is how I feel all the time) but by taking the time to list out what you've done, you should realize that you've accomplished a lot.

(I sure hope that's the case, because reading the list of Josh's accomplishments at the Personal MBA has just made me feel more inadequate.) So here's my list:

In 2009, I:

• launched a new line of home decor goods at the New York International Gift Fair.
• traveled to Arizona, Ohio, and New York to speak to students at Arizona State, Kent State, and FIT.
• traveled to San Francisco to participate in the SFMOMA trunk show for the second year in a row.
• taught 5 classes at Towson University (including integrating new assignments and processes into the curriculum).
• exhibited at the Museum Store Association Show and NYIGF.
• designed and launched the cozy/cuff!
• completed 2 triathlons.
• coached middle and high school cross country.
• traveled to Washington, DC to advocate for bicycling.
• organized a fundraising bike ride.
• launched a new website dedicated to business thinking for designers and makers. (This one's so new I haven't even posted about it on this blog yet.)

And since its the end of the decade, Josh recommends looking back at what you've accomplished in the last 10 years as well.

In the last decade, I:

• graduated from Syracuse University with a BFA in metalsmithing (and with honors).
• designed and implemented a program with my Residence Hall Association that won National Program of the Year.
• received an MFA in jewelry/metals from Kent State.
• was awarded a SNAG Student Scholarship.
• was a Searchlight Artist at the American Craft Council Baltimore Show.
• was a Visiting Assistant Professor at Towson University my first year out of grad school.
• have continued to teach at Towson, where I helped redesign the intro metals and jewelry class.
• presented "Navigating the Web 2.0" at the SNAG Professional Development Seminar in Savannah.
• traveled to Santa Fe to consult with Patina Gallery on using web 2.0 technologies.
• started this blog and launched my Etsy shop.
• participated in many retail craft shows.
• got married.
• bought a house.
• adopted a dog.
• ran a 1/2 marathon, a lot of 5ks, and completed 3 triathlons.
• won a 5k.
• coached middle and high school cross-country for 3 seasons.

After making my list, I'm still not completely satisfied. Perhaps I'm too much of a perfectionist, or need a serious self-esteem boost. Or perhaps I should take my own advice and do some big picture goal setting so that I can look back on the next decade with more satisfaction.

"packaging"

So I guess I wished everyone happy holidays a little early, because I still haven't started my Christmas vacation yet.

I've been working on some new "packaging" for the cozy/cuffs. While they've been selling really well online, I'm having a little trouble with them in retail venues. Online, I can totally communicate all the product uses with a few good photos, but in person they are hard to understand.

Ok, that's not entirely true - if you see one being worn or used on a coffee cup, they make perfect sense. Its just in a retail display, they are a little tricky. And with the gift fair right around the corner, I really need to resolve that.

So I'm trying to work on a tag that clearly displays the dual function of the cozy/cuff, without bogging it down with excess packaging. And since I took some new product shots that I'm totally loving, I'm working on incorporating those into the "packaging."

happy holidays!

How can you resist a face like this?

Thanks for all your support in 2009! Have a safe and happy holiday season and a wonderful new year!

And if you're lucky enough to have a white Christmas (like it looks like we will in PA) go out and enjoy it!

you buy, i buy

I've been feeling the Etsy love lately, and this morning I came up with an idea so crazy it just might work. As of this morning, I had $142 in my paypal account, and decided, "wouldn't it be fun just to spend it all on Etsy today?" A little holiday treat for myself + I get to support other independent makers. And then I thought, "what if I sell anything else on Etsy today?"

So I decided, for every dollar of sales in my Etsy shop today, I'll turn around and spend that money back on Etsy, today. The more I sell, the more I buy.

So if you were thinking about buying something from my Etsy shop, today is a good day to do it, because you'll be supporting another Etsy seller as well. How cool is that?

And if you're in the US, any orders placed today will still arrive in time for Christmas.

Happy holidays!

PS. The You Are So Loved print by Jess Gonacha was my first purchase today - and she's having a sale, all screen prints are $5 today.

cozy/cuff SKINNY SNAP

One last addition to the latest cozy/cuff redesign is the cozy/cuff SKINNY SNAP. The SKINNY SNAP is a narrower version of the original design - perfect if you want a smaller bracelet, but still big enough to protect your hand from that hot beverage. Available now in my Etsy shop.

And don't forget, I'm still offering free shipping on all cozy/cuffs. The last day to order for guaranteed holiday delivery (if you're in the US) is Sunday, December 20th, so don't wait too much longer! The cozy/cuff makes a great (and totally unique) gift!

recent press

I've had two very busy days in my Etsy shop thanks to some really wonderful press. First, Grace featured the cozy/cuff on design*sponge. Then Tara did a lovely post on the cozy/cuff and my new ornaments over at INK + WIT. Thanks, ladies!

You might be wondering how I was lucky enough to get such nice press, but truthfully, it wasn't all luck. I actually emailed both ladies (along with several other bloggers). It really is as simple as that. (Sort of.) The key is to make sure you send a polite, personalized email with great pictures and a clear description of your product. To a blog that's right for your work. And don't get angry if they don't feature you. And be sure to say thank you if they do.

Thanks again, Grace and Tara! And thanks to everyone who bought something. And thanks to you for reading this! This is one of those weeks where I can see how truly blessed I am, and what an amazing job I have. Thank you!

blue + reusablebags.com

I am officially sold out of original turquoise blue cozy/cuffs in my Etsy shop, and won't be getting any more before the holidays. But a little birdie told me they are available over at reusablebags.com. I'm so excited to be partnering with a company whose goal is to stop the spread of cheap disposables.

And of course, don't forget the new cozy/cuff SNAP, which is available in a lighter turquoise blue in my Etsy shop.

two lectures by Garth Clark you must listen to

When you do as much driving as I do, you start to look for ways to make your commute do double duty. I'm a big fan of audiobooks, but my preference for niche non-fiction means that many books on my "to read" list haven't made it into audiobook form.

Thats why I was so excited to discover all the lectures from the recent American Craft Council conference were available as podcasts on iTunes. The standout, must listen to lecture of the conference has to be Garth Clark's "Palace and Cottage". This is a follow up to Clark's 2008 lecture, "How Envy Killed the Crafts Movement" at the Museum of Contemporary Craft in Portland. Both lectures express a sentiment I have often thought - craft needs to stop aspiring to be art and move on.

I must admit I have grown a little disgusted with the crafts world in the last 18 months, and have actually distanced myself from it. (Or at least, distanced myself from the craft establishment.) But Clark's lectures have reinvigorated me and reminded me that craft is worth fighting for - or as Clark would say, resurrected.

I highly recommend you listen to both lectures, they will certainly give you much to think about. You can download "Palace and Cottage" from this page, and "How Envy Killed the Crafts Movement" here.

A big thank you to Gabriel Craig of Conceptual Metalsmithing for making me aware of these lectures.

cozy/cuff SNAP

I'm so excited to finally reveal the newest edition of the cozy/cuff - the cozy/cuff SNAP. I've spent the last 2 months working to redesign the cozy/cuff to be more functional and more eco-friendly, and I think I've succeeded.

The cozy/cuff SNAP features two sets of snaps. Snap it on the outside setting and it fits perfectly on standard 12, 16, and 20 ounce coffee cups. Snap it on the inside setting and it fits snugly around your wrist. Perfect for small to medium size wrists. (In fact the cozy/cuff SNAP is available in two sizes - small - for wrists up to 7" - and medium - for wrists up to 7 1/2")

And because you can unsnap it, the cozy/cuff SNAP ships flat, which is a reduction in packaging over the original cozy/cuff.

The cozy/cuff SNAP is available in six colors - light grey, dark grey, black, light turquoise, camo green, and fuchsia pink. The cozy/cuff SNAP is available in now in my shop for $32 each. And I'm currently offering free shipping on both the cozy/cuff SNAP and the original cozy/cuff.

The cozy/cuff SNAP makes the perfect gift for a coffee or tea loving friend. (Or a great treat for yourself!)

new cozy/cuffs are on the way!

I've been hinting for a while now about a new cozy/cuff design, and its JUST about time for the big reveal. I'll be posting all the new cuffs (including new colors) in the shop later today, but I wanted to give you a little sneak peek for now.

cozy/cuff quantity updates

Just a little note to let you know that I am down to my last two turquoise blue and last three dark grey cozy/cuffs. I won't be getting any more of either of these colors before Christmas, so if you were hoping to give (or receive) a cozy/cuff in one of those two colors, I recommend heading over to my Etsy shop to pick one up now.

I'm also currently out of black, but I've got more on the way. I'll be able to ship them the week of December 7th, so still with plenty of time for gifting. I only have a limited quantity coming though, so I recommend ordering one now, and I'll ship it to you as soon as they come in!

Happy holiday shopping!

#indielbs

Are you looking to lose a few pounds or even to maintain your weight over the holidays? Need a little motivation? Jen from Indiefixx has started a great new project called #indielbs.

#indielbs is a weight loss challenge that uses twitter, a blog, and some cool indie prizes to help motivate people to lose weight and get healthy. Check out the blog to see how you can win these fabulous prizes (including one of my cozy/cuffs) and follow the #indielbs thread on twitter for added motivation and support.

In addition to donating a prize, I'm also participating. I'll be posting on the blog as I attempt to get back to my regular exercise routine and shed the few pounds I've picked up since summer. You can read my first post here.

new ornaments + FREE SHIPPING

As much as I hate to admit it, the holidays are just around the corner. And that means it was finally time to get my butt in gear and list my new laser cut ornaments in my Etsy shop.

Six different styles of ornaments are all available in a durable white powder coated finish. You can buy them individually or in set of 3. And best of all, I'm offering free shipping on all ornaments!

The ornaments are perfect for gift giving or your own holiday decorating. And they're pretty (and non-holiday) enough that you can display them throughout the year. Available in my Etsy shop.