Tribal Designs in the Shop

As I mentioned recently, I'm really loving the tribal trend that's popular lately! And I've been looking for ways to add this trend to my shop. I went on a creative streak and added 4 new tribal products to my shop. And even had to make some of these for myself!

Tribal Necklace (choose your chain length)

Tribal Dangle Earrings

 Tribal Post Earrings

Tribal Design Magnets

 And as some of you noticed, I wore my new necklace to the wedding last weekend :)

Are you liking the tribal trend?

Redesigned Packaging

Last month I blogged about redesigning my magnet packaging so it would fit in a 2" shipping tube for the Umba Box I participated in. This got my brain thinking about how I could redesign it again to be more cost effective.

I used to package my  magnets on metal canning lids. I'd seen the idea somewhere before and thought it was great since the magnets stuck right to the lid. I just slid that in with a paper backer that had my banner and etsy address on it and they worked great. But, the lids can get costly and I like to keep my packaging supplies to a minimum.

After I made the Umba Box magnets, I took that concept paired with my old packaging and made some new packaging. Instead of canning lids, I used repositionable adhesive dots. They're strong enough to hold the magnets in place, but come off easily when you're ready to remove the magnets and use them. I also made the tags a little smaller since they didn't have to accommodate the size of the lid. I was able to buy smaller baggies to put them in and fit 6 tags instead of 4 on a sheet when I printed them.

Just a rough estimate, but I figure I'm saving over a quarter per package of magnets now! It's a small amount, but it can sure add up fast.

Take a look at your current packaging...are there ways you can reduce your costs or improve  your design?

New Techniques - January Challenge

Our first Blogging Business Artisans Challenge for 2013 is brought to us by Deb of storybeader. Here's what Deb has to say about her challenge: "Set aside time to work on and complete a new technique that you admire. It can be within your field of expertise, but doesn't have to be. Blog about your project at least once during the month of January and show us your progression with photos or a video."

This challenge was very popular last year that we decided to do it again...we all need that nudge to work on new projects! For my new technique, I decided to make some fun chevron designs and paint them fun colors! I first engraved and cut them with my laser. I then hand-painted them and topped them with a clear coat for protection.

 Of course I started with pink :) I made a set of post/stud earrings and a set of magnets. I just LOVE how these turned out! I can't wait til I can get a bunch more painted in several different colors! I plan on adding dangle earrings and maybe thumb tacks at some point too.

Thanks Deb for this challenge. This is a technique I've wanted to try for a while and hadn't sat down to do it. This challenge was just what I needed!

Umba Box

You've heard of the Fruit of the Month Club, right? Each month you get a different basket of fruit sent right to your door. How cool would it be to get a basket of handmade goodies sent to your door each month? Well, a company called Umba Box does just that! Each month subscribers get a handmade treat delivered to them! And I was lucky enough to get to take part in one of their recent boxes!!!

My Woodland Magnets were selected to go out in January's Umba Box!!!

They are a great company to work with and my contact person was super nice and answered all my questions quickly.

I had to redesign my packaging a bit so they would fit inside a 2" mailing tube to go along with a poster that was shipped. And I made miniature business cards to go inside the packages too. That's 215 magnets and biz cards headed out to people who love handmade...how awesome is that!

I really hope to work with Umba Box again! I have several items that I think would work well for their handmade boxes!

 Interested in having your items sent in an Umba Box? I see they have a contact link for artists!