My sea glass creations are unique and original... just as one-of-a-kind as genuine sea glass should be. I use both vintage and new baubles and beads combined with wire to create my pendants. In addition to necklaces, I also design bracelets, earrings, frames, wine stoppers, candleholders, magnets and paperweights. This is my passion, not full time profession. Which brings me to the point. I've done fairs, festivals, home shows and consignment, and currently sell on eBay. I've had tremendous positive feedback, but would like to take it a step further. Any comments and/or suggestions would be soooo welcome!

 Hi,

Beautiful necklace! Have you considered joining the North American Sea Glass Association? They are hosting a sea glass festival in Lewes, Deleware in October. The deadline has passed for applications but there is always next year.

Good luck and have fun,

 Lisl Armstrong,

Out Of The Blue Seaglass Jewelry

I like your design! It's very different from most I've seen using sea glass.  your wirework almost looks like a jellyfish's tentacles hugging the glass to bring it back to the sea.

Hi, thanks for commenting... I love the image of tentacles, it's not something I intentionally created ... must've been that crazy subconsious mind. I appreciate your words and that you took time to respond. Feedback is more inspiring than most people might imagine. Your designs are wonderful, I'm honored that you wrote! 

Beautiful work - very, very original :)

 Appreciate your comments... I love to create with sea glass and I'm always hoping that it shows through in my designs... thanks again.

You work has a great organic look to it and it looks like you may have a style with which you are comfortable.  Not sure what "taking it further" would look like for you, but I think that staying open to inspiration and ideas will cause your work to morph and provide you with new avenues.   I think you might like the look of Sherilyn Miller's style - you might want to check it out and see what appeals to you in terms of techniques that you might want to add to your own reportoire.

I took a look at your ebay store. wow, you have a lot of nice pieces and they are priced pretty low. have you thought about an etsy shop or raising your prices?  

 Well, by 'taking it further,' I'm referring to moving beyond eBay. My official profession is as a freelance graphic designer, however my passion is creating with sea glass. Unfortunately the passion doesn't translate financially. I'd like to be able to work with my glass more, as opposed to doing it in only my free time, so I guess I want more exposure which I would hope would generate more interest. Hopefully this might ultimately allow me to pursue the 'passion' as my full time occupation. I haven't yet, but do intend to investigate the artist you have suggested. Thanks again for your thoughtful input.

 I've considered moving from eBay to etsy, but wondered about the traffic flow. I know etsy appears to be up and coming, but I'm concerned that it doesn't offer as many visitors as eBay. I do set my prices low with the hopes of attracting a larger audience and possibly getting a bidding war started. It's occurred, but not as often as I'd like of course. And it's difficult to raise prices on Ebay, many people come to the site looking for 'deals.' My sales have been very steady and I have a loyal repeat customer base, but I'm striving to get more people's attention. I've come to this jewelry site with the hope of hearing what others do to get more notice. I also would love more discussion about different avenues to pursue to get that attention. Thanks for checking out my 'store,' I am always interested in hearing comments and thoughts from other artisans...very much appreciated.

you are correct, etsy is nowhere the volume as ebay. there are hundreds of thousands of people and getting noticed is tough.

good places to sell your type of work: mid-high level art/craft fairs,home parties, open house at your own home, mid-upper-level stores. how about gift shop at hotels near the beach?

 

 I've done fairs/festivals and also used to do a yearly holiday open house at my home. Newport, RI is nearby and I've done consignments in several shops. I guess I'm looking to expand beyond the local scene. I've sold items worldwide and enjoy a number of repeat customers on the West Coast through eBay. It's actually been fun and quite easy selling there. I'm proud of what I do, but I'm not such a great 'sales' person, so eBay allows me to put stuff out there without the heavy sell. I guess what I'm uncomfortable with is that whole eBay 'good deal' concept. I'd like my work to be considered more than just a good deal, I'd like it to be appreciated as more of an artistic pursuit. Does that sound impossible or silly?

how about inquiring at galleries in places like Laguna Beach, La Jolla, and other artsy  high-end communities not in your area? 

 Good idea. I have an electronic file that includes samples of what I do, along with a simple statement. I had originally sent it out to several magazines, hoping for exposure. Actually got the idea from some comments that I'd read from this site. Unfortunately, I had no replies and was rejected once. And, needless to say, that made me slink back into the corner again, ya know?  But maybe I'll try again. Are those areas nearby to you? I've driven through Laguna Beach... it's gorgeous.

yes, I live 30 minutes from Laguna Beach and and 1.5 hours from La Jolla. Once my kids are both in school full time I plan to market myself in Laguna and other hot spots. you really ought to try harder to get published. read their call for entries and submit according to their guidelines. it's not very difficult. your stuff would go perfectly in "Belle Armoire Jewelry", they are published by Stampington - the next deadline is probably October 15. Go to the site to read their submission guidelines. But, you do need to write an article explaining how to do what you do.

Really beautiful! I like your style!

And thanks to Sea Glass for the link to the Sea Glass Festival!  I forwarded it to my sister who makes amazing sea glass mosaics from glass and pottery shards she finds beach combing.

Cheers!

Pippi 

 Thanks for taking the time to check out my post. And thanks for the compliment! I love your wire work, it's absolutely gorgeous and so unique. I can relate to the whole idea of playing around with a new design... it's so much fun to get lost in doing that isn't it? Oh, and, by the way, does your sister sell her sea glass wares? I love to see what other people create with sea glass.

 Thanks for the compliment!  Here are a few of my sister's mosaics.  The first 3 are part of a series of Cape Cod maps made w/glass found on the beach in Provincetown, and one of her Green Giant series.

 Pippi
 

Beach Lady,

You've got some great pieces on ebay!  Sometimes starting a select few at higher prices shows the buyers that your pieces are worth the price and you are serious about our business.  When I went to your website I was a little surprised to find that the beach glass jewelry was not front and center, but instead burried under lots of other interests.  If you want your beach glass jewelry biz to really take off, I would suggest you dedicate a site wholly to it, and offer a link to your other interests.  Your home page should have a large photo of one of your pieces and a paragraph about the uniqueness of your beach glass jewelry.  Have a few non-ebay pieces available for purchase on your site.  If some don't sell on ebay, rotate them to your site, and vice versa. Also, always have a link to your website and to your ebay site when you post anything on the web, whether it's a post on a forum or blog, or even just sending emails to family and friends. 

Don't get discouraged with trying to sell to shops.  Any salesperson will tell you the ratio of sales calls to actual sales is huge.  So you must keep trying--the end result will be worth it!  Take a look at how you do your sales pitch.  Really sell your pieces by explaining how they are different from other jewelry.  Let them know how the beach glass is found.  Also, make sure you provide a business card.

Good luck, and keep trying! Your jewelry is beautiful!

Alice    

 Well Alice, you've given me lots to consider, thank you for all your suggestions. I had originally started offering my wares on eBay just to see if there would be interest. And so, following general eBay instructions, I started my prices low in order to grab a larger audience. In the time since then, I've gradually raised my prices, but really feel as though they could be higher, as I've checked around to see what's 'out there.' I like the idea of an independent site, but my only concern is losing all the traffic that I know eBay provides. I will certainly keep trying to sell, but I honestly find that to be the most difficult part... ha, I'd better get over that pretty fast, huh? I'll also be sure to add my links to everything too, good idea. You sound as though you've either been there/done that, or know someone who has...????