Studio Vlog #15 | packing jewelry & bead orders, new bead stock, preparing for another shop update

[@nellieolguin-davis1519]

Love watching your videos you are such a very patient person and I have fun with that! Thank you you for that !

[@LorenasChesed1beads]

It must take you a long time to make all those pieces in your inventory. Bead weaving takes so long. Not for you, of course. Love your work. I think that's why I haven't pursued it. Every single day I take classes for Resin jewelry, Polymer clay jewelry, and regular jewelry. I make hairpieces, rings, Holders for glasses, book marks, and now learning resin coasters, and more. I am happy to see your business is doing great.

[@bafflingbeads]

Yes, beading does take quite a long time. I thought about adding bead embroidery into the mix for a long time because I didn't know whether I want to invest the time but I enjoy it very much. Sounds like you have a lot on your plate - quite the variety, sounds very fun! The focus for any artist or artisan should be on the joy and fun the creative process brings to your life. Otherwise there is no need to go the extra mile and trying to make it as an artist. I have a ton of respect for aynone who manages to be self-employed full-time and earn a good salary from it.

[@LorenasChesed1beads]

OK I see why the big boxes. Thank you for bringing us in to watch you fill orders.❤😂

[@bafflingbeads]

My standard letter boxes really aren't big - only 2 jewelry pieces or a bead order for up to 80 euro fit in there. Yes, they are large for an order of only 1 or 2 bead types but you need enough space for both addresses and the label on the same side of the box. Otherwise I'll get problems with the post office. I only use my smaller letter boxes for tiny national orders. Glad you enjoy the packing content 😄

[@diamondsandthings]

Thank you for taking us with you during all your orders and beads and making. I love seeing all your creativeness. I have an Etsy shop that I put on hold. I am going to start it back up and was just thinking earlier today about how much work it is, but can be rewarding. Thank you for sharing. I love all the light in your room and plants. What a great space.

[@bafflingbeads]

I think that you need to check in with yourself and see how much joy a business brings you when you compare all the tasks that you like and also dislike. If you notice that most tasks drain your energy and you dread them then it's probably just not worth it. But if you can say that there is only a tiny fraction of tasks that you don't enjoy then it's well worth having a business. Overall I do enjoy most of the things I do. I still have problems with switching on the camera and recording and then having to edit it and see myself. Not a fan 😅 but everyone's feedback is so lovely and positive that in the end it's worth doing it. And then there are tasks that you will get better at with practice and then they become easier to get done. I also feel very cozy and at home in my little studio space. I really enjoy spending my time here. If you decide to reopen your shop I wish you all the best 🙂 take it slow and don't overdo it. Much success! ❤️

[@Darlene.P]

Wow , thanks for that demonstration. All this time I’ve been doing herringbone wrong 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@bafflingbeads]

Did you ask that question? I really don't know anymore - I just kept it in the back of my mind 😊 but anyways, it's great that this little demonstration helped someone. 🌞

[@Darlene.P]

@@bafflingbeads no , it wasn’t me . But I can definitely see the differance .

[@LorenasChesed1beads]

Hi sweetheart 😊 happy to see you well. You are very organized. I admire that. I am retired, but in 2019 I discovered my gift. Now I'm starting my jewelry business, but I still need to organize my inventory. I have business cards made, stamps made, and everything else is done. I noticed you were poking holes in those cards that had writing. What do you have written on them? Are those the cards that give instructions for taking care of their jewelry? And your shipping boxes are big. What do you ship in those boxes that you were stamping? I hope you don't mind me asking these questions. i'm just trying to get ideas, I am organizing my inventory first to get a website. I designed jewelry also. I'm not known in social media yet. Lol, but i'm in many groups in Social media. I have jewelry designing materials in stock to sell. Plus, the items I've made with resin, polymerclay, gemstone, swarovski crystals etc..I've invested well over $15,000.00 into my business. I've done craft shows, but I need help. I had my husband, but he started a new job that takes him away 2 weeks at a time. I see you unboxing, and that's what I keep doing, buying and buying. It is fun. I enjoy watching you. I've yet to learn bead weaving. I took some classes. 😢 Social media can be rude. Dealing with the public is never easy. Hopefully, the plan is to sell everything and enjoy retirement. The last five years, i've made many pieces. My husband is the one who said; " you must sell all this". I love designing. I love crafts, but I don't like selling it. Lol 😅 ❤

[@bafflingbeads]

The backing cards for my jewelry have care instructions on them. Then I usually also add handwritten thank you cards and business cards to every jewelry order. I do not depend on my boyfriend for help with my business because you never know what happens. I do everything myself just so that I know exactly how much of a workload I can manage myself. But I don't do craft shows - I am not social enough for that. I will probably stick to my online shops. Yes, social media can be rude - I had quite some trouble with IG when I started out. I found that the number of haters decrease the larger you get. I really don't enjoy marketing but I find selling is fun. I do enjoy packing up orders and bringing other people joy with both jewelry and glass beads. 😊And receiving a thank you message or a super lovely review really boosts you and builds trust in yourself. I can imagine that you would find that also very pleasant. 🌞

[@LorenasChesed1beads]

Do you have an e-commerce website That tracks your inventory?

[@bafflingbeads]

Not anymore, I used Inventora for a while but right now I don't need it. I have my Excel sheet and that's fine. But I guess it really depends on how you organize and structure your data and how list everything initially.