Inspiration Comes From…

It’s hard to say exactly where my inspiration comes from since it varies from day to day.  Sometimes it may be how I’m feeling at that particular point or it can be something that I saw or a certain song that I listened to.  Things that I find very inspiring and that have helped me to create certain jewelry pieces have been the ocean, beach and tropics.  It may be that I haven’t had a vacation in a long while, so many pieces that I’ve created are either tropic inspired or relates to a sandy beach somehow.  What helps drive different inspiration for me is constantly seeking new things and never settling for  just what’s in front of me.  Exposure to different people, music, culture and art forms can always help inspire one.  It’s a way of constantly reinventing yourself and going beyond your limits.

Jewelry Feature of the Week: Beaded Coral

Beaded Coral

This week’s jewelry feature from our Etsy store is the lovely Beaded Coral ring retailing for only $11.  This beautiful ring is bent into a lovely flower using rose copper wire.  The band is beaded with coral glass beads giving the ring a very bright and finished look.  Available only on our Etsy site.

By: Kamilah C.

The Pink Locket

The Pink Locket Etsy

What to Look Forward to from The Pink Locket

We have so many different ideas for this divine 2009.  This year we will really focus on building and positioning The Pink Locket brand and continue to design creative jewelry pieces.  You will be in for various surprises.  In addition to new jewelry collections, we will officially launch “The Pink Clutch” line of handbag clutches.  We’ve connected ourselves with fabulous fabric vendors, so just stayed tuned trust me you’ll be excited.  Here are a few of our estimated launch dates:

 

End of January/Early February:    Launch of The Pink Locket Signature Piece

 

End of April/Early May:               Launch of Ivy’s Violet Collection of Vintage Jewelry

 

Early September:                           Launch The Pink Clutch

 

Until next time—SHOP PINK!

 

Check out our sites:

The Pink Locket

The Pink Locket Etsy Store

Etsy Store of Week: Armando Javier Designs

In honor of this joyous occasion of our new President Barack Obama, we decided to post our Etsy Store the Week a day early. We all talk about change in our lives well now it’s time to live it. Let’s start with this lovely clutch from Armando Javier Designs. This mother and son designing duo came up with this wonderful technique of transferring newspaper print onto leather. Check out this Obama clutch, this is definitely a must have. Even though we’re in a recession I may just have to stash away some extra cash to purchase my very own Obama clutch. Check out their etsy site: www.armandojavierdesigns.etsy.com

By: Kamilah C.

The Pink Locket

http://thepinklocket.com

www.thepinklocket.etsy.com

Jewelry Feature of the Week: Beau s’est leve

Beau s'est leve-$30

This week’s Jewelry Feature of the Week is the beautiful pink rose beaded glass bracelet known as Beau s’est leve. It is a beautiful rose indeed having a very classical look and color. Pink glass beads are preciously wrapped in sterling silver wire with a handcrafted bowtie clasp. Available on our Etsy site. Check it out.

By: Kamilah C.

The Pink Locket

http://thepinklocket.com

www.thepinklocket.etsy.com

Top 5 Marketing Tips That Helped Me

Marketing your business can be fun. It allows you to brew creative ideas on how to get the word out there about your business or service. Finding the marketing strategies that work can also pose challenges, but you’ll never know unless you try. Below are five ideas that have helped me to build brand awareness for The Pink Locket.

Giveaways: Last year I came up with an idea for a contest called “The Pink Email Extravaganza,” where I sent out an email blast to all my current customers to forward this email to all of their family and friends and the person who sent it to the most people received a jewelry piece from my gallery of their choice. It helped to build excitement and increased hits on my website as well.

Co-sponsored Events: Team up with another business or organization and plan an event together. Last year my cousin, who owns her own PR company, had a cultural event and I sponsored giveaways for the event. I was even listed as a sponsor on the program and email blast.

Online Socializing: This can get a little out of hand and crazy, especially since social networking sites are popping up everyday. The best thing to do is join the top three that come close to your target audience. For instance, if you want to target online baby boomers eons.com might work for you. If you want to target teens then Myspace might be good.

Create a Video: This helps to give more visuals about your business and it’s a great way to tell your story. I created one with some of my most colorful jewelry. Check it out:
The Pink Locket Video. If you have a Mac iMovie will work fine or if you have a PC Windows Movie Maker will do.

Monthly E-letters: This is a great way to keep your customers in the loop on what’s going on with your business. It’s a way of saying “Hi, I’m still here and this is what we’ve been up to.” I usually do it once a month at the beginning of the month. You don’t want to do it too often because you don’t want your customers thinking all you do is fill up their inbox with spam.

Hope these tips are as helpful for as they were for me.

By: Kamilah C.
The Pink Locket
www.thepinklocket.com
www.thepinklocket.etsy.com

Etsy Store of the Week: J & J Wild Desserts

This week’s Etsy Store of the Week is J&J Wild Desserts.  This online cookie bakery is operated by two kidpreneurs.  Originally from Brooklyn, NY this dynamic twin duo creates the most delicious cookies on the face of the earth.  Check them out on Etsy www.jandjwilddesserts.etsy.com.

By: Kamilah C.

The Pink Locket

The Pink Locket on Etsy

Jewelry Feature of the Week

 

Golden Aqua- $15

 

 

This week’s Jewelry Feature of the Week are the “Golden Aqua” studs.  Check them out on our Etsy site.

By: Kamilah C.

The Pink Locket

www.thepinklocket.com

www.thepinklocket.etsy.com

Etsy Store of the Week: Vintage Sparks

This week’s Etsy Store of the Week is Vintage Spark’s “Sprinkles Burton.”  She has the most unique and precious vintage jewelry.  This store is run by a young entrepreneur by the name of Vintage Sparks.  She collects most of her pieces through estate sales.  I just love when our youth spread their “Entrepreneurial Wings.”  Check out her Etsy Store www.sprinklesburton.etsy.com.  My personal favorite is the Sarah Coventry brooch.

By:  Kamilah C.

The Pink Locket

www.thepinklocket.etsy.com

www.thepinklocket.com

Very Chic

Some may say that the two words don’t go together. Well, I think others as well as myself would stand to disagree with the nay sayers. This past holiday season we saw many stores giving steal bargains on great apparel pieces. When I found out just how much retail stores mark up their merchandise I vowed that I would never pay full retail price for an article of clothing ever again—of course there may be a few exceptionsJ Here are some great places to find chic and cheap bargains:

1. Planet Lulu is a great site to find designer jeans. They have online sample sales several times a month and will email you when there’s an upcoming sale. www.planetlulu.com

2. Plato’s Closet is an excellent place to consign your clothes, accessories and shoes. They also have amazing steals on consignment apparel. www.platoscloset.com

3. Blue Fly is also a great site. Most of their items may be a bit pricey, but their sales are usually great. www.bluefly.com

4. Let’s not forget Marshall’s, TJMaxx and Loehmanns. You may need to sift through some stuff, but you can generally find nice steals.

Happy Shopping!

By: Kamilah C.

The Pink Locket

http://thepinklocket.com

www.thepinklocket.etsy.com