Will you be celebrating Valentine's day?

Valentine day is coming soon and at the risk of losing a few readers here, I must admit - I love Valentine day. I know some people feel that Valentine day is just a commercialization of love and invented only to sell flowers, candy etc. I myself don't feel like that. I think it's nice that we have a day when we are reminded to take a short break from everyday life and give some appreciation to the person who shaers our life.

Sure we can do this every other day of the year but to be honest, how many really do this?  We are always busy with so many things, running and trying to accomplish everything. If you happen to be one of those few who do express how you feel every day of the year - than you really don't need Valentine's day. Most people, myslef included,  need to mark a date on the calender to make sure they do the things they want to do.

So I will be celbrating valentine this year, as I do every year. Don't know exactly how yet but I will think of something.
For those who also plan to celebrate Valentine day I of course will be offering some heart shaped jewelry in my store and if you don't like hearts, there are many other jewelry items that would make great gifts.

1. Red heart earrings in sterling silver and agate gemstones

2. Thin bangle with 3 hearts in a drop design

3. Sterling silver heart ring

4. Lariat of 2 hearts - sterling silver

Clearance sale to make room for new jewelry designs

A new year is a great time for new beginnings. One of the things I like doing as a new year begins is to refresh my shop. I think it's important to have new jewelry designs all the time so that people will enjoy coming back to visit. Not to mention that it's much more fun for me to create new jewelry and not repeat myself all the time.

So now is the time when I evaluate my jewelry and decide which items to keep and which I want to take out of my line. This is not an easy decision. As the creator I do get attached to all of my jewelry.

So how do I decide what stays and what goes? popularity of an item is one criteria. I have a few items that are my "stars" or best-seller and those obiously will stay in my line. But this does not mean that any item that doesn't sell well is taken out. Many times I have found that taking a better picture of an item or even making a small change to it, can turn it around and it will suddenly begin to sell.

More often I just take out items that are from older collections or items that I got tired of making.

I am a big believer in making small series of each design. After all, that is the purpose of handmade isn't it? Having something you will not see on every person you meet.

So I have created a new section in my store "clearance sale" where I put a few items that I do not intend to re-make after they sell. If you like these jewelry designs, this is your chance to get them and even get a nice discount.