Wednesday, May 25, 2011

What's going on in the studio?

Key, Keys, Keys!

When I get an idea in my head, there is no stopping me!  Right now I am obsessed with making key style pendants.  These are my newest additions.



I have also added a new Lotus pendant to my ever growing collection of flowers.  I started making this blossom about a year ago but only offered it in my shop when one was made.  It is now available as a made to order item. Let's see how it does!!!


Spring Cleaning  

I know some metal artists participate in challenges such as "Ring a Day".  I would love to do that but there is not enough time in a day, week or month to devote the energy needed to come up with designs for a new ring EVERYDAY.  I also can't see myself creating so many pieces that may never find a new home but the plastic container I keep them in! 

On that note, one doesn't have to participate in a challenge to have excess rings and pendants. I think all jewelry artists/Metalsmiths, have pieces they have made tucked away in  baggies titled, "NEED TO LIST ON ETSY", or "NEED TO RE-PHOTOGRAPH"! 

It may have taken me 2 years but I final am starting to clean out those baggies and get these pieces out for public viewing!  Visit my "Is this Ring Your Size" section of Hapa Girls and get Free Shipping !



Friday, May 13, 2011

Change up your packaging presentation

When running your own handmade business, I feel the artist should stay as true to handmade as possible. After all, if a customer wanted something more commercial looking why not go to a big brand name store. 

I have always used commercially printed "Thank you" cards with all of my orders. I love the style of the card I use and they fit within my budget.  However, after using these cards for sometime now I would like to hand make my own.  Sounds crazy doesn't it? Seeing that I am so busy with being a Mom, homemaker and running a small jewelry business.

I have decided to start off small by first carving out my own Cherry Blossom stamp.  I think it gives my handmade products a bit of a personal touch.
I have yet to perfect the appearance of the stamp but feel it looks pretty nice! 

Recently I purchased a Letterpress kit for my Cuttlebug.  My next step will be to transform my design into a letterpress plate so I can letterpress my own note cards with this kit.  I am excited to try this new tool out and will blog about the results!!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Collaborating with other Etsy Artists can be fun -

Especially when it's your sister!

At Urban Corner you'll find beautifully hand wrapped leather bracelet decorated with Swarvoski crystals and Rhinestones.  Now you'll be able to purchase bracelets with my sterling silver and copper cherry blossoms.  I have customized my cherry blossoms to fit her leather wraps, not only as a decorative piece, but as a closure.
Have a peek into her shop and request a custom order.  I put my order in for a Triple leather wrap with these gorgeous 6mm red Agate beads.  I can't wait to share it with everyone!

Monday, May 2, 2011

Unlock the month of May

with a handmade key by Hapa Girls!


Each key is hand fabricated and stamped with my signature. Now available on Etsy!!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Spring has Sprung!

Hapa Girls will be collaborating with Urban Corner! If you have not yet taken a look at my sister's shop, Urban Corner, now would be a good time.  I will be making a few silver and copper cherry blossom buttons for her beautiful leather wrap bracelets.  I am exclusively customizing my cherry blossoms into button closures for Urban Corner.  You will not be able to find these anywhere but in her shop!
I am excited and can not wait to show my fans and followers the final product!
Here is a sneak peek of the blossom closure!
Recycled sterling silver and bronze

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Celebrating MOM

Mother's Day is fast approaching. There are many wonderful commercial gifts for Mom but why not give her something unique and handmade.

Flora and Fauna Press
Belle Terre
Angelina Fong
Wapa

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Where are they now?

In October 2009, I did a feature called "Exposure" on 8 Etsy artists.  I chose artists that had been on Etsy for about 1 year and had less than 50 sales, like myself.  So you ask, where are they now and how is their business doing a 1 1/2 years later?  Have a look at their shops now!

This is the post from October 2009.  Let's revisit them and show them some Etsy Love!  Click on their shop NAME to visit their shop!

This month I wanted to feature shops that were either on Etsy for more than a year and had less than 50 sales, or had been on Etsy for less than a year with less than 50 sales. My shop, Hapa Girls falls into the second category of less than a year and 50 sales or less. While putting this feature together, I got my 50th sale!!

I would like to help Expose everyone I have featured so they can reach their 50th goal.



Featured are 8 different shops from different areas of the art world. In photo order.

I found Studiondanale in the Etsy forums. I went to her shop and found this great children's painting of a train. I thought it was interesting how she had taken a 2-dimensional painting and turned it into a 3-dimensional painting by adding air dried clay. Studiodanale has many other unique items for decorating your nursery.

How can anyone pass up this lavender dandelion by ginaphoto . I think photographers don't get quite enough credit as I think they should. As we all know taking photos of our works of art can be frustrating. Can you imagine taking a photo of building or a bridge, outside, in a variety of light conditions? Gina is a 12 years veteran of photography and it shows! Her black and white cityscape photographs are amazing.

I originally found WhiteSparrowbindery on Twitter, or maybe they found me first! Either way, I was immediately drawn to their Giraffe Journal. I love writing in journals and my daughter loves giraffes, what a great combination! The Whitesparrowbindery offers a great variety of handmade journals, photo albums and sketch books ( a must for us artists). They even make holiday journals which make great gifts!

Drcraze, was found in the Etsy forums. I am so glad the Dr. replied to my post. As a jewelry artist and wood worker, I love to mix the two mediums. So naturally I was drawn to the idea of concrete, glass and metal. Though we think concrete is heavy, Dr. Craze's pendants look light and airy with the use of brass tubing inlays. Love it!

Studiomme, has been a favorite of mine for the past 6 months! Her Victorian inspired illustrations are amazing! Let me just say, drawing is a requirement for any art degree, but that doesn't mean we can all draw!!!! Some people have a gift for it and Megan has it! Megan is not only an Illustrator , but she is also a printmaker, photographer and much more.

I found Gr8clay while I was searching for sushi dishes! I think I have found them! Gr8clay offers great functional pottery with amazing detail. The Oxyblood mug is too die for...

Choumie7, Is another great Illustrator that I have been following on Twitter for some time now. Christelle has a dreamy style to her illustrations that radiate a sense of tranquility! I also like the idea that she has taken her original drawings and made them into jewelry and accessories. Can you say "Multifunctional Art"

Lastly, I found Rebecca of edwardandlilly on flickr. Her wool felt and embroidered bird ornament caught my eye, especially the lavender one! Her shop is filled with handmade embroidered items and plush animals, a sure "sweet" friend for your little one.

Everyone needs a little Exposure now and then. For some of us having an Etsy shop is a business and for others its just a hobby. Whichever it may be for you, it never hurts to help someone else attain their goals.

Thank you to all the artist that allowed me to feature them.
Please leave a comment and visit their shops!