One of my first Fused Glass Pieces

The first batch I did of fused glass pendants was in a workshop with my mentor. I made 4 pendants in about 2 hours and it was fired and I picked it up the next day. At that moment...I fell in love with it. I instantly loved fused glass!!! And I also fell in love most particularly with one of the pendants I made that day. It is one of my all time favorites and I almost decided to keep it for myself....but I said no...this is a business and I will make this available for somebody that connects with it. 

I have named it VENETIAN ROSE....the way the glass is arranged, it sort of reminds me of a rose... And I called it Venetian because it reminds me of the glass made in Italy...murano glass. Here it s my VENETIAN ROSE....

 

One of my most favorite dichroic patterned glass is the Florentine dichro. It has a gorgeous shimmery essence to it. The flowers are beautiful and when the light hits it, it just bursts with all sorts of sparkle. The best part of creating with this glass is mixing and matching with other transparent and solid glass.

This one is the simplest...florentine on a black backing. Black always brings out so much when using it with dichro..everything is so intense. 

I named this piece MIDNIGHT FLORENTINE. This one will be available very soon on my ZALORA shop page. Yup I became part of Zalora as a seller. But I am still waiting for my boutique page to go live. It should be any day now...

So, you can check out soon. This one is php1,480..including free shipping!!!

Computing Prices for Handmade Jewelry

Sometimes I like to look at pictures of handmade stuff online just to get the juices going and wait for inspiration to hit. At times though, I scratch my head wondering how people come up with their prices. Some charge sooo low that you barely even cover the cost of materials. What about the time you put into making stuff...how about the packaging....the internet costs that you use to post.

It makes me kind of feel frustrated because by charging so low, the market is ultimately ruined. How can you run a handmade business when you have to compete with those that cut their costs so low...not to mention the commercially made items that are waaay cheap. Well, for those mass produced items, there's actually a chance...some people prefer quality, uniqueness and individualization ....which is where my pieces can definitely be on top..

I used to come up with a price willy nilly...just how i feel it should cost. But being that with this new jewelry line, i need to crack down and cover costs of big investments, everything has now been seriously documented. All materials are listed out and i have come up with how much each piece actually cost to make...

This includes...
- all materials used to make the items...
which will depend also on the size of the piece

- electricity costs...
whether pieces are fired once twice or more, as well as cold working costs

- expenses...
these includes overall overhead like internet fees, travel expenses, different fees and marketing costs

- investment fees
these include expenses acquired when purchasing materials

- labor ...self explanatory

Then the formula..

Item cost = materials + expenses/investment + labor

and one comes up with their formula for profit which will include a wholesale price and the retail price.

So, that's what I have done and I am sticking to my pricing.

I am actually very proud of my work and can say that what I have is not just any product off the streets that anybody can make. You need to learn how to make these art jewelry pieces and that takes time,money and practice. The materials need to be sourced out so, that has to be considered too. Then of course, the process and accessibility of firing in the kiln.

So i have re-thought my prices carefully and have come up with my formula. I needed to do this because my site/ boutique on Zalora is about to be launched any day now.... Well i haven't talked about that lately but maybe in my next post...

For now here is an update of my latest kiln firing...

Individual pics to follow....

Cool and Calm

Don't you think that the color shades of blue has such a cool calming effect...it makes me think of the fresh breeze by the ocean...that's what I was thinking of when i made this bracelet set... I call it COOL WATERS.

I so love this color...and the stones are gorgeous too. Agates are a wonderful healing stone. The Aqua Agates stimulates creative expression which helps in communication. It also helps improve one's mood, helps inspire, increases hope and optimism

This one comes in a set which includes a beaded bracelet and a pair of dangling earrings. 

I have it available in my shop so if you want one, message me on my facebook page... and it is on FREE SHIPPING right now!!!

"COOL WATERS"
SKU - SET02-201510AQ0002

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The Classic Styles Never Grow Old

I have been on a fused glass "kick" lately but once in a while I still like to create that classic beaded bracelet... I never get tired of making them and the simplicity of beads strung up into a pretty wearable piece never get old.

I have always loved the feel of stone...and I believe in the vibrations that they have and emit. For example...

This is a Lepidolite Memory wire bracelet strung up with german crystals. It has metaphysical properties that bring about a calming and balancing effect, dispels stress, negativity and depression. It is great for recalling dreams when placed nearby when you sleep. Best of all, it brings good luck, success in business in career.

So as you can guess, I made an extra one for me to wear everyday. And i must say, it has brought about good mood and good vibrations. I don't know if it something that I myself have brought about because i believe or is it really the properties of the stone...Never the less, I love how it looks worn so, I am keeping mine on for sure....

I have more available in my shop so if you want one, message me on my facebook page....here's what it looks like...  Oh and it is on FREE SHIPPING right now!!!

"OF THE EARTH"
SKU - BRL03-201510NC0003

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