Happy Pay it Forward Day!

I was invited on Facebook to join an event today for "Pay it Forward" day. I just love spreading love, happiness and a little 'sumpin, 'sumpin on occasion when it really surprises people.  Seeing a huge smile on somebody's face when they least expect it is such a gift... the kind that keeps on giving.

So today, I'm working on custom orders that people have placed for Christmas gifts.  The joy I'm putting into the special orders just makes me giggly!  But also, the gift giver will also find a little 'sumpin, 'sumpin for them too! More smiles + more love = a much brighter, better world!

Spread joy & love!  Tomorrow, I'm going to have a blog post about open enrollment for Blogmania.  For those blogs looking to gain additional exposure on your blogs to a global audience, stay tuned.  If you'd like the info today, drop me an e-mail!

Make it a terrific day a share a little love!
{Hugs!}
Dawn

Cinderella went to the ball...

And my dear friend Stacy gets to go to the ball too!  She's actually going to the Marine Ball which is a very elegant event for anyone that is serving in the Marines or in the case of Stacy's husband a retired Marine.  When Stacy asked me to design her jewelry, she sent me a photo of her gown and specified that she wanted something in red, white and blue that was elegant and classy.

I chose to use dark blue crystals, with fire polished czech glass beads in a garnet shade and clear Swarovski crystals to add ALOT of sparkle to the set.  The set just glistens out in the sunlight... oh how I love Swarovski!

For those that don't know Stacy, she's a true sweetie.  Stacy is a master of up-cycling and breathing life into treasures that most people overlook.  She's an exceptional crafter and foodie extraordinaire!  To see her great recipes, brag books and amazing customized Charlie Bags, check out her blog:  http://slmpetersen.blogspot.com. 

Stacy, I'm sure you're going to look like the queen of your castle all dressed up for your prince!  I hope you have an amazing time at the ball!

{Hugs!}
Dawn

Super Sparkly Custom Order

I received a message in my FB mailbox from a friend I met via one of the many home businesses Chris & I tried to build before I decided to take control of my own future.  While those businesses had challenges from a corporate leadership stand, we were blessed to meet some really terrific people!  Kathy was one of them!  If you met her... you'd never forget her, she's really that wonderful!

milna is a Social Media expert and will be speaking at a huge conference sharing everything she knows.  So as the star of the show, she wanted stunning jewelry that was guaranteed to be one of a kind.

Here's what Kathy was looking for: "I Love Sparkley!  I'm looking for something in browns, golds or neutrals.  I don't want it to short (like a choker).  I'm undecided what exactly I'm going to wear, but this will give me lots of options.  Oh yeah, and earrings to match too, please."

Enter into Kathy's world pearls & swarovski crystals... I created a Bib-style necklace because it offered lots of sparkle and yet isn't chunky.  This way Kathy can handle the microphone like a pro and not let her jewelry get in the way!  I used bronze pearls with Crystal Swarovski rounds & bicones.  I also added some small Lt. Colorado Topaz to add sparkle and color that was a perfect match for the pearls.

Thanks so much Kathy for trusting me to add some sparkle to your already sparkly personality!  I know you'll do well and people will be enthralled with the message you are delivering.  You're the best in your field dear and I guarantee your message will be well embraced.
To learn more about Social Media, you can find Kathy on Facebook where you'll get to know her and find
I loved working on your custom order Kathy!  Designing with a purpose, for a special person or personality is a true pleasure.  Thanks for allowing me such joy!

Open House Tomorrow

I've been busy as a little bee here in WI.  Buzzing around, tying up loose ends, putting up my table, re-arranging, trying different things and creating special designs that are going to be debuted live & in person at my first Open House - TOMORROW!  I'm extremely excited and very greatful to my friend Carol for asking me to be part of the open house. 

While I don't strive for perfection most of the time I think I'm almost ready!  YEAH!  I've made sure all of my designs are well labeled so people know what quality materials I use and the size of the necklaces, bracelets & anklets.  With people starting their Christmas shopping, I think that knowing sizes of things really helps people to have an easier time buying jewelry as a gift.

I can't wait to meet new people from my area, and see some that I haven't seen for a while!  Should be a grand time and I'm looking forward to sharing my custom designs with an audience that has yet to experience Designs by Dawn Marie!

Wish me luck!
{Hugs!}

Putting the Service in Customer Service

Recently I had read a post on another blog about Customer Service.  (I'm sorry, I wish I could remember who's blog and where the post is... but I forgot to bookmark it.)  The author was discussing how 98% of your customers are happy with their purchase and very appreciative... but... the other 2%.  Well that's the 2% that will make or break your business.  Especially in this digital age where bad publicity travels 10x faster - and farther - than the good publicity and advertising you pay for.

I wanted to share a personal experience I just had 2 weeks ago.  I sent a package down to a brand new customer that had purchased from my Ebay store.  Through no fault of theirs or mine, the post office delivered the package looking like it had been run over by a bulldozer - and it was torn open.  The product obviously was damaged beyond use.  When I shipped, I did not get insurance because A. I hadn't had a problem before and B. The value of the items wasn't high enough to warrant it.

So upon receiving the product, the buyer e-mails me and sends photos of how the package arrived.  I immediately felt terrible, I put myself in his shoes and knew I'd be upset if I received that package.  Now on ebay, each store has a different policy.  As I sell cosmetics, I have a no returns policy for obvious reasons.  But this was the exception to that rule.

I responded immediately to the buyers e-mail, apologizing profusely and offering to ship new  products to him or give him a full refund.  He had purchased the product for his wife & daughter, so after checking with them he asked that I send new product.  I put together what they ordered and an extra little something for each of the ladies - double bubble wrapped the product - packaged it up and immediately went to the post office to BUY INSURANCE :) and ship it.  Just in case this too was damaged, which I didn't expect - but just in case, I'd now be covered.

Skip ahead 5 days and I sent a follow-up e-mail to make sure the package arrived safe & sound.  I received this e-mail back.

"Everything arrived undamaged this time, I thank you so much for help making my wife and daughter more beautiful.  We will check with you when we need more.  Thanks for treating us like customers used to be treated."

Bob

I felt so relieved, but proud too.  Proud that I could give small business owners a positive review in the eyes of this gentleman, his wife & daughter.  Yes, it was my cost to re-ship the item with insurance and yes, it was more product out the door.  BUT for me to have a happy customer that is willing to communicate with me about a problem and then be satisfied enough to offer their repeat business is priceless.

I really wanted to share this experience because I know as entrepreneurs we encounter challenging and negative situations often.  Some people snap back and then potentially lose that customer's  business forever.  Not to mention the negative reputation and remarks that the unsatisfied customer can put out there about you and your business practices.

Custom Birthday Gift Wrap

On the flip side, with my jewelry designs, my goal is to exceed customers expectations from the beginning.  If they are getting one of my custom designs as a gift for someone I am more than happy to gift wrap the jewelry and send it directly to the recipient if necessary.  From many brides in particular with their bridesmaids' jewelry, when I send them a box with each set completely gift wrapped and decorated with curly ribbon.  So many brides have 10,000 things to do before their wedding and the last thing they have time for is wrapping 5 or 10 little bitty gift boxes.  So it's just part of what I do, and I love doing it! 

Custom Order - for a Paris Wedding!

One of my BFF's asked me to make her some custom jewelry for a wedding she's going to in Paris!  It's so wonderful when you can design from the heart for someone that's more than just a friend, but really like a sister to me.  She's been there to support me through miles of life changes and so this set of jewelry is supremely special.

Her dress is a guava color - which I say is like a tropical pinky orange with clear A/B crystals in a cracked ice pattern at the bottom of the skirt.  It's a strapless dress, so I wanted to make a huge statement while keeping the necklace light and not klunky.  :)  Thus enter Swarovski crystal into my life... and my infatuation with big bling!

I created a triple strand bracelet, chandelier earrings and coordinating necklace featuring crystal and padparadascha Swarovski crystals.  I love how the light reflects off the bicones and crystal cubes.  I'm developing an even greater love crystals and formal jewelry! 

This week I'll be putting out my May Newsletter.  If you haven't signed up to receive my free monthly newsletter, fill in your information in the box on the right.  As my gift to you, you'll get a copy of my e-book "Twitter Marketing Made Easy" for free! :) I look forward to sharing great updates about summer trends and all things related to jewelry!

Hope your week is absolutely stellar!

Crystal Chandelier Earrings

Fit for a queen... or for a princess... or for a bride!  I've been having oodles of fun with beautiful Swarovski crystals.  It started with the prom jewelry I created in April, then I received a custom order for a dear friend who's attending a wedding... in PARIS!  I know, how romantic is that?  So I ordered the special crystals to go with her gown and ordered a few extras to "play" with.  I can't wait to show you that piece.  I'm using the Swarovski that I can't pronounce the name of... but it's perfect!  Padparadascha... or something like that!  LOL

There's something special about the sparkle of Swarovski... I don't know how they do it, but they're amazing!  After seeing the highlights from the Miss USA pagent on Sunday night, one recurring theme jumped out at me.  I don't watch the whole pagent, I just don't care that much... but I do love the evening gown competition.  Why?  Because the gowns are gorgeous and I LOVE jewelry.  So what a better showcase of all the most beautiful bling on the planet!  (And the hottest formal jewelry trends)  The one HUGE trend I saw was the long chandelier style earrings!  I love chandeliers, always have.  But seeing them all "blinged-out" on the runway... I was salivating!  Seriously, I was in my element.

Imagining, dreaming, planning for a cruise - which is still just in dream stage, or my wedding and picturing all that bling - even if I'm just standing on a beach in sandals!  So let's all take a moment, and than Swarovski for creating so much bling in such tiny packages! :)

Jewelry for the Queen

If you read my earlier post, I set out on a mission to create a very special set of prom jewelry.  The recipient will still remain nameless because prom is still a few weeks out and I have to ship the jewelry to her.  I just wish I could have a hidden camera in the box as she opens it and sees her special set.

I have to say, as an artist, isn't it a wonderful feeling when you have an idea in your head and when you start working with your wire, crystals & pliers they all agree with your idea?!?!  Isn't that grand?  With this set, I had an idea that instantly popped into my mind.  I wanted to do something in a charm style with crystals and beads that dangle. It turned out exactly as pictured (in my mind).

The extra special touch to this set are the earrings.  She's never had her ears pierced and many of the clip-on styles are to old for a high schooler to wear.  These hoops I got from Fire Mountain Gems have a retractable spring closure that don't even look like they are clip ons!  LOVE THEM!  

I know she will just love this set and who knows, she might end up being prom queen!  Even if she doesn't get the royal title, one thing is for sure, she's going to look like royalty - crown or not! :o)

Special Surprise Custom Prom Jewelry

Pearls, Crystals and Glass... Oh My... Pearls Crystals and Glass.. Oh My (thank you Wizard of Oz for getting that stuck in my head this morning.)   My project for this week is near and dear to my heart and I just wanted to share the "before" pictures with you.  I will share the full story and the "after" photos when I finish the set.  But it's a surprise... so this is all I can give you just yet.

Doesn't it remind you of the Caribbean Sea?  I'm so exciting to start wrapping and stringing with these beautiful crystals.  I think the Fed Ex guy that delivered them on Saturday thinks I'm really a whack.  I was almost... seriously, almost skipping out to his truck to meet him.  Except for the fact I was still in my slippers.  He graciously said "You're welcome ma'am" to my "Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!" Then jumped back into his truck before I could hug him!  Poor guy, I'm sure I gave him a good story for his family BBQ if he had one! 

Can't wait to share more!  Don't drool too much.  You know you wish I were making this for you!! :o)  Wouldn't this be beautiful for an aqua & brown wedding party too?!?!  I'm just sayin'...

Custom Orders are Sincerely Appreciated

How has your week been? Here we are in the midst of another weekend and it's been a really busy week! Busy in a good way! I got several new pieces completed. Then I got a phone call from a dear friend that asked me to design a custom piece for his mother's birthday next week.

I can't tell you how wonderful it feels when your dearest friends love your work so much that they would hire you to create something one-of-a-kind for their own family. Thank you T.E. for giving me the opportunity to create you mom's birthday present! Here it is ready to go!

Here's a few pictures of things I've been up to! If you are interested in any of the pieces and would like me to create something custom for you, send me an e-mail! I'm happy to help!

Turquoise - the Spring '10 pick!


Cherry Quartz Bracelet & Earrings


Earrings & Wire crochet bracelet...
The bracelet is a multi-strand crocheted strips that are then braided together!
It looks very cool on the wrist!

My Charitable Contribution

One of our local High Schools is having a silent auction as a fundraiser. While I don't have children, I know how important fund raisers were when I was in High School. Our booster club made so many donations to help our athletic program out and I feel very blessed to have been able to enjoy 4 great years of athletics... including a win at the State Championship in Women's Basketball.

So when asked if I'd donate a piece of my jewelry, my answer was ABSOLUTELY!!!

3-Piece Set - Necklace, Bracelet & Earrings

I wanted to design a piece that would be appealing to both the female students and the mothers of students. Because I have no idea who the highest bidder will be, whether they'll keep my design or give it as a gift, I wanted something that had mass appeal and versatility!


I chose to go with a black and silver theme with a slight oriental feel. The school colors are Scarlet & Silver, so I wanted a piece that would match the school colors and could be worn anytime...


Double Strand Bracelet with Diamond Cut Black & Silver Beads

So here's what I created - a matching 3-piece set; Necklace, Earrings & Bracelet. I can honestly say, I love it! I really hope that it brings in a great donation for the High School and that the winner loves it as much as I do!

I wrapped it in pretty packaging so the winner would fall in love.

New Years Eve Jewelry

What are your New Year's Eve Plans? I know some people throw (or attend) lavish parties with friends and pop corks on the champagne bottle all night long.

Personally, I prefer a more intimate New Years Eve... Steak & Lobster on the BBQ, a fire in the fireplace and good wine all surrounded by family and friends.

I've had a few people that contacted me about doing a custom jewelry order to match their special New Year's Eve outfit, and it's been so much fun!

I hope your holidays have been wonderful and that 2010 brings you many, many blessings~

Happy New Year to you and yours!