5 Reasons to Make Handmade Gifts

Handmade gifts are not only unique and more valuable, but they can also be fun and relaxing to make. Yes, handmade gifts can be time consuming to make, which is most likely why most of us choose not to make them. However, there are many reasons to make your own gifts, many of which will outweigh the time issue.

Here are 5 of them:

Unique. Handmade gifts are always unique. They have your personal touch - a touch that will always remind your recipients of you when they use your gift. And isn't that what you want?

Fun and Relaxing. Making handmade gifts can be fun and relaxing to make.
No matter which craft you choose, once you get going you'll find your worries and other stress begin to disappear.



Inexpensive. Ha! you might think. But, no really, handmade gifts can be inexpensive. It can be expensive when you first get started as you will need to go out and get all your tools to actually do the craft. But once you have the basic tools, all you need is the material, which in many cases is cheaper than if you were to purchase the gift.
In addition, staying home and crafting is a lot cheaper than going to the movies on Friday nights.



Environmentally Friendly. Making your own gifts can help to save the environment. How you might ask? Because when you make things at home, you are not utilizing large machines that require a lot of energy. You are using your own energy to make the item with your hands. Thus, the need for huge factories is eliminated.

Says You Care. Last but not least, there is nothing that says you care like a handmade gift. Time is the most precious gift that we have today. Simply put, time is money. And by taking the time to make something unique tells the recipient they were important enough for you to take the time and make something for them.



If you need some ideas and want to see how our users did it than visit www.misi.co.uk

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Benefits of Handmade Gemstone Jewelry

Whether you're looking for something special for yourself, a loved one, friend or family member you could walk into any jewelry store and pick out a piece. While this is possible, it's also important to remember that in doing so, you or your friend will be wearing the same item as thousands of other people throughout the country, if not the word.

Uniqueness is just one of the benefits of handmade gemstone jewelry. Because these items are hand crafted there aren't as many of them available, ensuring that the item you purchase is different, unique and spectacular. This can make gift giving more exciting and make it a wonderful surprise for whoever receives the piece.

With age old traditions being used to make handmade gemstone jewelry, these pieces are exceptionally attractive. There is such an eye for detail that goes into making them that they are one of a kind. Unlike items you purchase in store that have been made on a mass scale, these have little details that show that someone spent time making this by hand and that is what makes it such an advantageous piece to own.

These items are works of art. Over the years the traditions are passed down from generation to generation, each one using custom techniques taught to them by the parents and grandparents. These techniques are skills, they're unique and they result in the most beautiful pieces of handmade gemstone jewelry available today.

Surprisingly, when you purchase this type of product you expect to pay a high price. In most cases when you purchase a unique item, you pay for it. This type of item isn't expensive, even though they have been made with real gem stones and real silver or gold, they tend to be more affordable, because you aren't paying for high tech machinery. If you looking for a place where you can buy amazing handmade gemstone jewelry Misi is the right place for you.

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Fabulous Fridays... The Interview ~ Vintageellie

It's Friday! - I think we are all happy about this - so we have a brand new interview for you. We are pleased to present you Vintageellie, two sisters who run the professional business Bespoke Vintage Castle!

With over 55 colours unlimited fabrics, exceptional designs and an excelent quality service, they offer unique items created with love and creative flair, from wedding centerpieces and supplies to childrens personalised items and chic home furnishings.

Let's meet them:

1. Speak a bit for yourself or introduce yourself. Besides crafting, what else do you love doing?

Hello, my name is Lizzie (Elizabeth) and with my younger sister Jazzie (Jazzmine) last year October 15, I officially started Bespoke vintage castle and at the time MADE my younger sister do it, now we share the vision and are equally inspired and passionate as to what we can achieve.

Besides crafting, I am a wife and mummy, which takes up a lot of my time and a voluntary youth worker with my husband. We travel, giving talks to young people and help raise money charity work with youth and vulnerable young women.

Jazzie, besides crafting, likes music playing piano, singing and songwriting.

2. How did you start crafting and how long have you been doing it?

We have both been crafting all our lives, our mum was a fashion designer in the 80's, hence Jazzies studying textiles - now its genetic! Jazzmine is into fashion, designing, and being abstract with her art. 

I have been into making and up cycling from being a teen. We went to a lot of car boot sales the three of us and practically lived in auctions! My mother, sister and me we were always trying to find antiques. Its a hobby that when we have the time now we still try and do.

3. What are the problems you faced as a crafter until now? Do you have an advice for someone that thinks to start or is new to crafting business?

The one problem I have had is when I was trying to book a stall at a popular event and venue. I was talking to the organizer for months and being completely ignored. In the end they basically said "We will get back to you". They have standards and only want people who have shops and things they like and not people that work from home. At that time I felt discouraged and that my work was not good enough and I should stop, but my husband encouraged me and then I decided not to let one person change my destiny and it would only make me more determined to work harder. 

My advice to anyone starting a new business would be: Once you have a vision, go for it, aim at you're dreams and don't stop till you get there! 

4. What's your favourite crafting category?

My favorite thing to craft is wedding bouquets and hairpieces. The sky is the limit with imagination and ideas you can literally creating anything to put on someones head or for them to hold! 

Jazzie loves making boys bow ties best.

5. What is your main source of inspiration? How do you propel your creativity?

We are inspired in crafting from the antiques I have seen at car boots and vintage fairs. I love history - it is my greatest inspiration and I research period living customs and traditions. We also adore the Victorians, Marie Antoinette, and classic french living. The rustic timeless and ornate things they used to have back then are our ultimate inspiration. I love the fabric manipulation of grand silks and the luster of the Georgian color palette. In fact this is why we work with silk, dupion, cotton, satin, taffeta, organza, chiffon, vintage buttons and brooches and lashings of original Nottingham lace

Jazzmine says shes inspired by things around her, the littlest things in nature, or events daily life inspire her colors, work and design.

I propel my creativity by my research and I love watching the great British sewing bee and Kirstie Allsop "Homemade, home". I also watch wedding TV and bridal programs to be up to date with current trends. We both love pinning on Pinterest and reading in the library. 

6. Tell us about your crafting space. Do you have a favourite material and tool?

We both work from home and I have converted a room into a work space. Initially I was in my dining room  now in a room, but I know I will have to rent a little space soon as a studio, as clients are increasing and I am taking more orders,which is fantastic! 

My sister has a room at home that's full of crafts, paint and fabric. Sometimes she comes to mine or I raid her stuff, but all of this will go to our studio, once we have a space.

7. So your crafting space transmutes to an online shop. How do you promote your e-shop, which social media you use?

We are taking over social media. It's confusing to keep posting, tweeting, pinning,liking.whew.. 

Here are our links: Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Polyvore, Blog

8. How long after listing an item into your e-shop you had your first sale?

It took us 4 weeks to make our first sale! It was supplies glass mirror plates and then a week later we sold a tutu skirt to my first international customer (USA)

9. Where do you see your business in 10 years from now?

Oh my, in ten years time! Well, we have agreed that we would love for us to be a brand name, like Vera Wang or Jenny Packham. We want to have a franchise in every city and be interviewed on TV, be the next Sondra Celli or Thelma Nadine and be on a reality TV show. We would love to be in fashion shows and on runways, own our very own wedding boutique and make lots of money by selling to celebrity clients! Also we want to have written a book and done radio interviews. Ten years! I think that's achievable and we will probably do more.

10. How did you find MISI? What else would you like to see being added to the site?

I first heard about MISI recently through my auntie. She said we should come here as were brave enough and we are fans now, and follow MISI on Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook! 

The site is improving as it goes along. I like it just as it is and we are willing to move along with any updates that happen, were here for life!

Visit Bespoke Vintage Castle

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Fabulous Fridays...The Interview ~ Busy Bee Jewellery

We are pleased to present you the first interview of the new year! Today it's our beloved day and we have interviewed another MISIAN: flowerboxrosie and her shop Busy Bee Jewellery

Read her interview:

1. Speak a bit for yourself or introduce yourself. Besides crafting, what else do you love doing?

Hi I'm Gail, I'm married and have a grown up son and three gorgeous grand children. I am retired due to ill health but keep busy making jewellery. As well as making I also teach jewellery making twice a week in my home town of Peterhead.

2. How did you start crafting and how long have you been doing it?

I started crafting over 30 years ago. Firstly I did knitting and crocheting, then I began making cards, before I retired, as a way to raise funds for work and continued for a period after I retired but became interested in jewellery making when a good friend asked me for some support when doing a school demo. I agreed to help, she had planned to make earrings and stretchy bracelets with the kids, so I asked what she wanted me to do. When she said loop head pins to make earrings, I had no idea what she meant!!! I told her this and she said not to worry she would send me over the necessary thing to practice and an instruction book. Then I found out that we were going into school the next day! So that evening no tea for hubby just practising turning loops!!! I thoroughly enjoyed it. We did a few more then I persuaded her to start classes to pass on her skills. This she did with me as her assistant. After a while we moved on from stringing to bead weaving and I became hooked. I was persuaded to take over the classes when she decided to give them up.

3. What are the problems you faced as a crafter until now? Do you have an advice for someone that thinks to start or is new to crafting business?

The main problem I faced as a crafter was when it seemed appropriate to try selling some of my jewellery, where to sell? I started with a few local fairs schools, churchs, charity etc. I now go to fairs most weekends all around my local area, and have jewellery for sale in a local tourist shop it was quite hard getting on to the circuit, but once my craft and my face becames recognised organisers started to ask me to attend their events. It maybe hard to start with but perseverance is the key.

4. What's your favourite crafting category? Do you have in mind to start crafting something else (besides your usual crafting category)?

I still enjoy making special cards for my own use but my first love is now bead weaving jewellery. I am looking into giving wire working with beads a try but who knows I may even pick up my knitting needles or crochet hook again.

5. What is your main source of inspiration? How do you propel your creativity?

I'm inspired by a variety of designers and use various patterns. I also play about with a different variety of stitches to come up with the occasional original design...I like to look at the different bead pattern sites which are online. Sometimes it's a particular colour of bead that will inspire. Inspiration can come from many places and at the most unexpected times...I now sleep with a notebook beside me as I often wake with an idea which, if I don't write it down, will have vanished by morning.

6. Tell us about your crafting space. Do you have a favourite material and tool?

When my whole life began to revolve round jewellery making, beads, patterns, findings, classes, more beads every room had been taken over until one day my granddaughter suggested that "her room" ie my spare room would make an ideal craft room. So with her help this became my crafting space. I like using needle and thread to weave my projects especially Swarovski crystals and pearls. But really, any good quality bead is what I like. 

7. So you crafting space transmutes to an online shop. How do you promote your e-shop, which social media you use?

I' m not very confident using social media but I have a facebook page and twitter account and can just about manage to use them (with a bit of help from my grandchildren when I get stuck) to promote my Misi shop and my classes. I find photographing my jewellery a really painful experience - twenty+ shots to get one decent photo but using advice from Misi I have used Pic-monkey to re touch my shots so this is getting better.

8. How long after listing an item into your e-shop you had your first sale?

As yet I have not had a sale, but I'm forever optimistic. I have managed to post my items for sale on facebook and twitter so hopefully a sale will follow.

9. Where do you see your business in 10 years from now?

Who knows what the future holds for me but I hope I can continue to manage crafting and selling for many years to come.

10. How did you find MISI? What else would you like to see being added to the site?

I learned about Misi while speaking to another crafter at a fair. We were chatting about other outlets and she told me about Misi. She explained how easy it was to become a Misian, so when I got home that evening I had a look and opened my own Misi shop the next day.

Visit Busy Bee Jewellery

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Fabulous Fridays...The Interview ~ Garden of England

We are really close to Christmas now and for once more it's Friday - I think we are all happy about this - so we have a brand new interview for you. We had the pleasue to interview: GardenofEngland. Her name is Clara and she is specialized in cards and jewellery!

Read her interview:

1. Tell us a bit about yourself/ introduce yourself. Besides crafting what else do you love doing?

My name is Clara Sander and I founded the label Garden of England Jewellery in July 2012. That year I came to the UK to live here with my British husband and to give birth to our lovely daughter Charlotte.

I originally come from Berlin/Germany and used to work as a public relations manager. I still love making new contacts and talk about my products.

2. How did you start crafting and how long have you been doing it? 

I've been crafting all of my life. As a child my mother taught me how to knit and I did it ever since. As a teenager I started working with clay. I made my own jewellery and wore it in school. My dream was to become a gold smith. My parents told me not to go for a job in that direction so that I will always have a hobby. When I started my life in the UK I was searching for a product I could attract customers to. So the idea of an own jewellery label was born.

3. What are the problems you faced as a crafter until now? Do you have any advice for someone who is thinking to start or is new to the crafting business?

For new crafters I have one advice: Don't just concentrate on your product but also think about the presentation. It took me a long time to find out how to present my jewellery to galleries and offline customers. Online it is essential to have well lit and clear product shots. The item need to be eyecatchingly presented. In a store full of beautiful things it needs to stand out. If it is well presented, customers will go for it.

4. What's your favourite crafting category? Do you have in mind to start crafting something else (besides your usual crafting category)?

My favourite crafting category is women's jewellery. I love making affordable costume jewellery that every woman can wear to every outfit. Garden of England Jewellery will spread it's emporium to cards and coasters too. Watch this space.

5. What is your main source of inspiration? How do you propel your creativity?

Garden of England - Handmade in Kent - this is my slogan. I live in the beautiful landscape of Kent and ever since I was here for the first time I have fallen in love with it. The sea, the forests, the green hills and cliffs, the medieval towns and friendly people are an everyday inspiration for me. I have taken my European heritage with me but I'm so much influenced by the scenic south east, I'm so fulfilled with the beautiful nature that you will see a lot more from Garden of England Jewellery.

6. Tell us about your crafting space. Do you have a favourite material and tool?

My favorite things to work with are images that I make shining again. With Garden of England glass cabochon jewellery I concentrate mainly on artwork from long lost artist that I brush up a bit and give it a new background and frame. Keeping creativity alive.

I also love looking at nature through a lens, combining colours and atmosphere. You can see this in my cubic glass bead jewellery.

7. So your crafting space transmutes to an online shop. How do you promote your e-shop, which social media you use?

As a former public relations manager I know how extremely important it is to draw attention to a product and to see and promote it from many different levels.

With every new collection I send out press releases to magazines and newspapers. At the moment I'm building my own pressroom at my website www.gardenofengland-jewellery.com

I have regular updates on news and promotions of Garden of England on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Picsity and Polyvore. Social Media is great fun and with a lot of interaction of your followers your products will be recognised much more.

8. How long after listing an item into your e-shop you had your first sale?

I usually have more sales after I send newsletters, promoted competitions or on sales events. The internet is so big that it is hard to be seen with so many competitors. With great ideas how to attract online customers it sometimes frustrating with an e-shop. Selling offline seems so much easier. But as a mum with a young child for me selling online is a great opportunity.

9. Where do you see your business in 10 years from now?

In 10 years time Garden of England has spread to an even wider product range and I am still designing beautiful things that make people say: Wow, look at that!!!

VIsit GardenofEngland

Other Profiles/Pages:

http://www.gardenofengland-jewellery.com/

Polyvore

Pinterest

Twitter

Picsity

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10 Tips to Write Great Handmade Jewelry Descriptions

Your handmade jewelry descriptions have to persuade someone that your jewelry is worth buying... And just making a list of materials just doesn't go very far. That's why spending time to hone your description is so important to your ultimate longterm success.

Here are some tips for making those product descriptions more likely to make the sale.

Tip #1: Think of the Title as a Headline

A great description has to first catch your readers attention. Make sure the title of your product is something that catches the eye and makes someone want to read further. You'll want your title to be both descriptive and representative, and not vague and "artsy". Remember, your title won't always be seen with the photo of your work. In search engine listing for example, the title and brief description is all the reader will see. Artsy titles will appeal to the reader more when they actually see the item on your product page.

Here are some examples

• "The Perfect Mother's Day Bracelet" is a much better title than "Crystal Bracelet".
• "A Summer Bracelet for Lazy Casual Evenings Out" is better than "Summer Shades".

Tip #2: Benefits are More Important Than Features

Focus your description on benefits (what's in it for me?) first before the features.

A quick overview of features vs. benefits. 

What's a feature? A feature is a descriptor.

Here are some examples:

* Handmade, one of a kind piece

* Sterling silver components

* 16" long.

What's a benefit? The benefit is what that feature does for your customer.

To know what benefit to emphasize, you'll need to know your customer. What are they like? What is important to them? Are they looking for a feeling or experience? Do they need admiration and status? Or are they more concerned with getting something that doesn't break easily?

Here are some examples of benefits:

• One of a kind There is non other like it in the world (Feeling unique is an emotional benefit that's important to lots of people)
• Sterling silver Real silver is a luxury and we all need to be pampered sometimes, don't we? (Feeling pampered is sought after by many)
• 16" long the perfect length for showing off a V-neck and to highlight the face. (Feeling attractive is a strong emotional desire that could be a benefit of your jewelry item.)
• Strong Chain Links Durable and long lasting, and won't break when a baby pulls on it (Logical benefit)

Tip #3: Include Emotional Benefits and Logical Benefits

People buy for emotional needs, but rationalize with logical benefits so it's a good idea to hit on both. A good rule of thumb is to include 3 emotional benefits and 2 logical ones.

Examples of emotional needs:

• Feeling loved
• Feeling attractive
• Feeling caring or nurturing
• Feeling altruistic (this is a good one if a portion of your sale goes to charity)
• Feeling spiritual
• Feeling intelligent
• Feeling unique

Examples of logical benefits:

• Solves a problem (for example if it's a great gift solution for Mother's Day)
• Money saving (like free shipping or a coupon savings)

Tip #4: Write Conversationally.

Throw out whatever you learned in school. No one wants to read formal, stilted descriptions full of self-important big words. Don't write a dissertation, and you're not making a legal argument either. Write like you speak, and you are much more likely to engage your reader.

Tip #5: Speak Directly to Your Reader

Here's a trick: Pretend you are talking to your best friend. One person only. If it sounds like you're having a chat with a friend, you'll build trust and likability, which ultimately is what will tips the scales for making your sale.

Tip #6: Use "You" instead of "I"

The sweetest word to a reader (other than the person's own name!) is the word "You".

So instead of talk about yourself and what you like about your product, talk about what the product will do for them.

For example...

"You'll feel like the Belle of the Ball on your wedding day"

is infinitely better than

"I created this necklace to suit the bride who wants to be the Belle of the Ball on her wedding day".

Tip #7: Stories are a Jewelry Seller's Best Friend

People often buy handmade jewelry so they can feel wise or insightful and you, believe it or not, YOU are often the biggest selling point especially is your work is very distinctive and unique, or if you yourself are distinctive and unique.

Depending on your market, you'll want to make decisions about what types of stories to tell.

Here are some jewelry story ideas:

• How you came to be inspired for a piece
• What funny thing happened that made you think to make this handmade necklace
• The story behind an interesting found component
• How one coincidence became a necklace.

Tip #8 Offer a Guarantee

You should always offer some kind of guarantee to increase your customer's comfort level and trust. The guarantee is up to you, but the sales increase is significant for people who offer guarantees, and you might be surprised to know that refund requests are about the same (or even less!) for those that are up front with their guarantee so it only makes sense to offer one.

Tip #9 Tell Your Reader What to Do Next

People are indecisive creatures. It's been proven time and again in sales tests that telling people to buy increases the likelihood that they will. That's why you often see "buy now" or "add to cart" on buttons. So be sure you tell people what to do next at the end of your description. This might be simple as saying click the "add to cart" button to place your order now.

Tip #10 Make it Easy to Buy

Finally, don't make your prospect jump through hoops. The less complicated it is to place an order the better. Try to make it as easy as possible with one click order buttons, and don't ask people for more information than you need. The easier it is to buy, the more sales you'll see.

Do you have any handmade jewelry description tips or a comment? Share yours by adding a comment at the bottom of this article.

source: handmaderesults.com

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September Craft-a-long

The September Craft-a-long on MISI was organised by RosyTint ~ Thank you Rachael!
Our theme was PETS...

A few highlights from our Creative MISI Makers include:

This gorgeous pendant by Just K Jewellery

This cute Hen and Horse bag by Sweepy

Pretty Pink Kitty Necklace by The Beading Lady

 Adorable felted kitten by RosyTint

Cute little mouse themed children's bracelet by One of A Kind

Puppy Hat by Hennie

If you'd like to join us with a little bit of creative thinking in the October Craft-a-long sign up here.  The theme for October is Autumn Colours...

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MISI Maker - Josephines

Hello! 

My name is Shani, I’m married to a wonderful husband and a mother of 3 amazing boys and 1 beautiful daughter.

How I got into crafting: I believe it is in my blood. I was always very creative as a child my mum loved vintage jewellery that's where I got my creative flair from. My Misi shop Josephines which shares its title with my mothers name, "I remember as a young child how she loved to go to camden town; she said if you want something beautiful thats the place to find it." I have a love affair with vintage jewellery and enjoy mixing old and new designs, plus I like to add aspects of nature such as bees, birds and flowers.

My best sellers are my Honey Bee Earrings, Honey Bee Necklace, my Vintage Cameo Bird and Flower Necklace.
Customers just love the nature aspect and always get compliments on them.

As A Misi User~
A primary goal of any website should be to provide its visitors and users with a pleasant and fulfilling experience and, I can say "Misi is a very friendly user site" you can buy and sell unique Handmade gifts
from upcycled, new, vintage, Handmade soaps and much much more!


Misi also have a featured seller this is wonderful experiences for misi sellers/buyers, as well as latest Handmade gift and craft supplies.

Top Tip~
Find the sunniest location in your home to take pictures of your products, natural light is best and filtered sunlight because otherwise the shadows are too harsh!

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Happy St Patricks Day

All GREEN!!

Square Apple

Butterfly Bessie

Abstract Cat

My Calico Heart

The Massage Lassie

The Knitting Yarn

Scary Biscuits

Lisa Marie's Jewellery

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Fabulous Friday... The Interview ~ Sparkly Things

Let's meet Carol... who is the crafter behind... Sparkly Things on MISI...



How did you get started in your particular craft and how long have you been doing it?
I've been making jewellery for about 6 years, I started not long after the birth of my daughter, I was looking for something to do as a hobby and jewellery has always been a passion. I started selling my jewellery when I realised I was running out of room to keep it and my wesite has been running for 4 years.

Are there any negative aspects to doing your craft and if there are how do you work around them?
There are so many wonderful jewellery makers out there and I worry that what I make does not compare, but everytime I get a sale or a compliment it always helps my confidence. Last week at my workplace, a few of the women there were looking at my website and there was a lot of 'oohs and aahs' going on, someone commented that it sounded like they were at a firework display.

What tips would you give to anyone thinking of starting your craft?
There are several jewellery making magazines out now, I think they are probably the best place to start, they're a mine of information for basic techiniques and also suppliers.

How did you find Misi?
It was actually mentioned in the Daily Express, a small piece about making money by selling crafts and after having a look around the site I thought I would give it a go.

What is your favourite item in your own Misi shop?
It would be the purple turquoise wrapped pendant, I'm pleased with how that came out and I do like a bit of purple.

What is your favourite shop on Misi (besides your own)?
Lots to choose from but I think I'll go with V B Designs, they're items are so unusual.




Random Facts about you:

What is your favourite season and why?
Spring, just as it's starting to warm up and you can get out of the house again after being stuck in during the winter.

What is your favourite food?
I'll give most things a try, Chinese maybe.

How many DVDs do you have?
I normally rent, but if I include the children's DVDs we have just over 50.

What is your favourite animal?
Cat, they like their independence.

What actor/actress would you NOT kick out of bed?
Richard Armitage, aka Lucas in Spooks or Guy of Gisburne in Robin Hood.




Thank you for chatting to us today Carol.
Visit Sparkly Things to see... well, more sparkly things :-)

Helen
xxx

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