Ok Hija4 Designs Blog will no longer be posting blogs here. Please visit me at
http://houseofraquel.blogspot.com
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Last post
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
HIJA4 is changing
Hija4 (4th Daughter) I have decided to change my business name after many conversations with important people in my life.
1st Reason - I wanted a new name that people could pronounce and understand.
2nd Reason - House of Raquel is preparing for a Larger than life future.
I hope the name change isn't to disturbing to all my customers. It's all good!! Look for a new blog, new website, and exciting NEWS!
Monday, March 31, 2008
White Iris Designs
I wanted to start including on my blog a weekly interview with another jewelry designer. Yes I also create jewelry but I am always interested in hearing about what others have to do to get their results. Hope you find it as interesting as I do. My friend an awesome jewelry designer, Tammy McCain was kind enough to be my very first interview.
What inspired you to start creating jewelry?
I have been creating something or another since I was a little girl. I love unique pieces of jewelry, things that look handcrafted not mass produced, I guess I would say I decided to start creating my own pieces after wanting so badly to purchase jewelry out of Robert Redford' Sundance catalog. The pieces were what I loved, but for a price that was not in my budget. So I decided that I would try to make my own versions. I did & for a fraction of the cost.
What inspired you to start creating jewelry?
I have been creating something or another since I was a little girl. I love unique pieces of jewelry, things that look handcrafted not mass produced, I guess I would say I decided to start creating my own pieces after wanting so badly to purchase jewelry out of Robert Redford' Sundance catalog. The pieces were what I loved, but for a price that was not in my budget. So I decided that I would try to make my own versions. I did & for a fraction of the cost.
How long have you been making money selling your jewelry designs?
I would say that I started selling my designs not long after I started making them. I would wear pieces & get compliments all the time & still do. women would ask where I got it & when I told them I made it they would ask, if I could make something for them. It started out as family & friends, but soon grew.
Anyone who designs jewelry knows that you quickly develop what it called "beader's stash". I needed a way to use the beads that were left over from various projects, so in the summer of 2006 I decided to open a bead section in my flower shop. We offer beads, findings & supplies needed to make jewelry & offer some bead classes occasionally. We also do Beading Birthday Parties for little girls & tweens. My customers may come in anytime, during business hours, sit at a table in the flower shop, work on projects using our tools & just pay for the materials that they use. We charge a small fee if we need to help them with their projects.
I would say that I started selling my designs not long after I started making them. I would wear pieces & get compliments all the time & still do. women would ask where I got it & when I told them I made it they would ask, if I could make something for them. It started out as family & friends, but soon grew.
Anyone who designs jewelry knows that you quickly develop what it called "beader's stash". I needed a way to use the beads that were left over from various projects, so in the summer of 2006 I decided to open a bead section in my flower shop. We offer beads, findings & supplies needed to make jewelry & offer some bead classes occasionally. We also do Beading Birthday Parties for little girls & tweens. My customers may come in anytime, during business hours, sit at a table in the flower shop, work on projects using our tools & just pay for the materials that they use. We charge a small fee if we need to help them with their projects.
Is jewelry designing your only business?
No, I am a floral designer & I own a flower shop in a local town not too far from where I live. I use to jokingly say that I am a "Floral Designer by Day & a Jewelry Designer by Night", but that has now become part of my tagline on my business cards. I love everything about flowers & love beautiful jewelry, so to be able to do both of them, I feel very blessed.
No, I am a floral designer & I own a flower shop in a local town not too far from where I live. I use to jokingly say that I am a "Floral Designer by Day & a Jewelry Designer by Night", but that has now become part of my tagline on my business cards. I love everything about flowers & love beautiful jewelry, so to be able to do both of them, I feel very blessed.
Do you ever get in a slump in your creativity?
I wouldn't call it a slump, what happens to me is I have so many ideas in my head, that I get frustrated that I do not have enough hours in my day to get all that I would like done.
Since I do have a brick & mortar shop, the floral designs come first. From 9 to 5 the flower shop dictates my day. It is a rare occasion that I am able to sit & design jewelry in the flower shop. Too many interruptions.
Usually by the time I get home I do not have a lot of extra time to work on the jewelry designs, therefore I have unfinished ideas left in my head.
What do you do to get out of it?
I wouldn't call it a slump, what happens to me is I have so many ideas in my head, that I get frustrated that I do not have enough hours in my day to get all that I would like done.
Since I do have a brick & mortar shop, the floral designs come first. From 9 to 5 the flower shop dictates my day. It is a rare occasion that I am able to sit & design jewelry in the flower shop. Too many interruptions.
Usually by the time I get home I do not have a lot of extra time to work on the jewelry designs, therefore I have unfinished ideas left in my head.
What do you do to get out of it?
How do you sell your designs?
Right now I have jewelry in my flower shop that is for sale. I also have a friend who owns a salon & she sells my designs. I have some pieces in a tanning salon that are geared more toward teens & girls in their early twenties, that are a bit more affordable for them. I am in the process of populating my website where my jewelry will be for sale. I am hoping to have it open very soon.
Right now I have jewelry in my flower shop that is for sale. I also have a friend who owns a salon & she sells my designs. I have some pieces in a tanning salon that are geared more toward teens & girls in their early twenties, that are a bit more affordable for them. I am in the process of populating my website where my jewelry will be for sale. I am hoping to have it open very soon.
Do you have a blog? Yes/No
Yes, I have a blog.
Yes, I have a blog.
What is the name of your blog?
White Iris Designs ~ Flowers, Jewelry & Other Girly Things
whiteirisdesigns.blogspot.com/
White Iris Designs ~ Flowers, Jewelry & Other Girly Things
whiteirisdesigns.blogspot.com/
Do you have a website? Yes/No
Yes, I will be opening my website very soon.
Yes, I will be opening my website very soon.
Where do you advertise other than your website and blog?
I think of myself as walking advertisement everyday just by wearing my jewelry. Just the other day I was delivering flowers to our local High School & a lady stopped me to compliment me on my necklace. I thanked her & told her that I made it & gave her a business card. She remarked that she could tell that it was handcrafted, not something that she could buy in a store. I walked away with a smile & hopefully a new customer. I also believe that word of mouth is some of the best advertisement you can get.
I sometimes advertise in our local paper, mostly during holidays. I am not sure it is worth it though, I find it is hard to guage how well it is working.
I hope to exchange links with other business women with websites once mine has gone live.
I think of myself as walking advertisement everyday just by wearing my jewelry. Just the other day I was delivering flowers to our local High School & a lady stopped me to compliment me on my necklace. I thanked her & told her that I made it & gave her a business card. She remarked that she could tell that it was handcrafted, not something that she could buy in a store. I walked away with a smile & hopefully a new customer. I also believe that word of mouth is some of the best advertisement you can get.
I sometimes advertise in our local paper, mostly during holidays. I am not sure it is worth it though, I find it is hard to guage how well it is working.
I hope to exchange links with other business women with websites once mine has gone live.
What are your future plans?
My future plans are to try to make my website an extension of the quality products & services that I offer to my local customers & make them available to the world.
I would like to focus more on weddings & event work with my floral designs. Maybe a destination wedding, that would be fun.
As far as the jewelry designs, I would like to offer eparties. Since my time is already an issue & home parties are really not that probable, I feel that the eparties are my solution. I hope to add them in the near future.
My future plans are to try to make my website an extension of the quality products & services that I offer to my local customers & make them available to the world.
I would like to focus more on weddings & event work with my floral designs. Maybe a destination wedding, that would be fun.
As far as the jewelry designs, I would like to offer eparties. Since my time is already an issue & home parties are really not that probable, I feel that the eparties are my solution. I hope to add them in the near future.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Social Networking
I am a member of Divapreneur. I found this network group of women on another network group, Myspace. I have since neglected my myspace page. My new network group has done so much for me. This is a group of business women who are interested in helping one another. Yes Believe IT!
The Diva Executive is Elaine Bliss and she is the reason for the success of this very fast growing group, my opinion of course. She gives of herself 100% at Divapreneur and she is a wife, mother and Entrepreneur on her own accord.
Since I've joined Diva, Elaine and I are not only business associates but I consider her one of my friends. We chat about our husbands and children. hahah. Yet I can ask her business questions and if she doesn't have the answers (but mostly always does) she will recommend another Brilliantly talented Diva.
Ladies if you have a business and need to step it up, may I recommend to you,
Divapreneur. Your life will honestly, change for the BETTER!
Friday, March 28, 2008
Weekend Plans
What are your plans for the weekend? I can feel it. Friday! The lighter energy, everyone is happy.
The weekend is close and I don't have any plans. I'll be working on my photos and doing laundry.
I've just finished my cereal I put raspberries and blueberries in it, it makes it so delicious. That will keep my stomach happy till lunch. Gotta get dressed to go to work. I work full time, my jewelry is my part time passionate job.
After work I'll stop on the way home to get my favorite Chinese food. I like to stop in at least once a week. It's take out.
When I get home my cats (3) are yelling out me to feed them. I just want to sit down and eat but they won't stop yelling out me.
I'll watch my favorite soap on Tivo, The Young and The Restless while I eat my dinner and turn on my laptop to check my email, Divapreneur messages.
Tomorrow I can sleep in and drink my morning coffee in bed, awhhhh. That evening I'll go see my son's band The Federalists rock!
Oh today is the 28th!! See how plans can change. What are yours?
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Learn to Draw
Designs
In two days I’m gonna start to take a draw design class given by Elaine Biss.
I’m so excited about it. I want to learn to draw so I can create my own Sassy Girl wearing Hija4 jewelry Designs.
In two days I’m gonna start to take a draw design class given by Elaine Biss.
I’m so excited about it. I want to learn to draw so I can create my own Sassy Girl wearing Hija4 jewelry Designs.
Who takes great pictures?
I am not a Photographer
Before I retouched the background:
After using the few tricks I know:
I've still got quite a bit to learn to get my photos looking crisp and sharp for my website. If you don't have the photoshop program, it is a must. I have the EZcube lighting system and as you can see my photos just weren't doing it. Photographers (which) I am not know what to use to enhance their photos. Finally I'm on the road to Fabulous.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
How do I get my pictures brighter ?
On Easter, I went to my Mom's house to enjoy Easter with my family. Of course, with the website now a huge part of my life, I had to bring my laptop with me. I needed to work on re-touching my website pictures. My brother lives there and knows a whole lot more about photoshop than I have the time to learn. I asked him if he could help me touch up my photos.
Yesterday he sent me an email telling me that he now has photoshop and would love to touch up my photos. What a blessing for me! I can now keep my energy toward jewelry creations! I have to face the fact that I am not a photographer or a graphic artist. Although I enjoy taking photos for fun. But I simply don't have the time it takes to make the most important feature on my WEBSITE fabulous.
I am so grateful to my brother and I thought maybe just maybe there are others out there in cyberland, who might need a little help touching up their photos for their website too. So I asked my brother to create a banner and get a blog so just maybe he could get a little business going. 
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