SILKFAIR Blog

Aron is new to Silkfair, but started strong and was lucky to come up first in the weekly Giveaway draw. Without further ado, Designs by Aron and the personal story.

"I first heard about Silkfair from a girlfriend who knew I was looking for new ways to expand and sell my handmade jewelry line. She gave me an article from the Wall Street Journal that talked about boutique sites that were popping off in response to eBay changing their policies and becoming disadvantageous to small artists.

I decided to check out the sites listed and settled on Silkfair as I would have my own webpage that I could direct people to show my jewelry. I read about the November giveaway when I was reading the instructions to sign up , and I am certainly glad I did since I was a winner this month!

The story of my business is an evolving one. I started in college with a girlfriend learning how to do wire wrapping and made my first pair of earrings with the help of the local bead shop owner. I later began taking classes to perfect my techniques. I am allergic to base metal and was never able to wear the fashion earrings in most chain stores, so I started making my own using all sterling silver ear wires and headpins.

Over the years I have designed earrings, necklaces and watches to coordinate with new outfits and also made them as gifts for friends and family. I began attending bead shows a few years ago and met a woman who made handmade Lampwork beads. I liked the uniqueness and quality of her beads so much that I started designing earrings around them. I started wearing them and began getting compliments and soon everyone was asking me to make custom items for them. I recently hosted my friend's daughter's birthday party to work with them create their own custom beaded watches. We made close to 20 watches in total and the girls had a great time, and left with an incredible party favor.

This is the first time I have made my line available to the public and hope that everyone can enjoy the uniqueness and quality of the handcrafted items as much as my friends and family have."

Hurry up, check some great jewels and welcome Aron around!

Every person in this world falls for someone and something. This is how we end up speaking about favorite things. One of our users made them public and opened a shop with plenty of favorite things. Take a look at the listings and who knows, maybe you find a new favorite there, too.

Favorite Things won one of the last week's Giveaways. They shared with us a little piece of their heaven and we're giving some to you, too. This way, your first visit to Favorite Things shop will have already have a familiar feel.

- How did you find out about the November Giveaway? After I had registered as a buyer, then a seller and had set up my store I landed on one page mentioning the Giveaway . I clicked on the link for more detail but then discovered it was for signup accounts (which I had alread done). Not sure if I did anything after that. The next thing I knew was a notification that I had won the drawing - pretty exciting.

- What's the story of your business? My wife and I (mainly my wife) wanted a way to make some extra money for Christmas and began making some crafts. We thought a great way to get exposure is on the internet and began searching for an online store - we like what Silkfair had to offer and signed up.

Welcome to our community!

Image source: Jaunity

We are thankful for the community we have built here and for you helping us make Silkfair better and better every day!

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

Remember the November Giveaway?

Our last week new user winner was DedDesigns. We got in touch with the master artisan to get to know more about its specificity. Meanwhile, DedDesigns took charge and set up a store with cute, interesting and unique pieces of art. So, if you're looking for a Sushi bracelet for example, you reached the right place.

"I joined SilkFair to see if it offered any selling potential for independent artisans. I did intend to set up a store. I am in the middle of taking some high quality pictures of my products. I wanted to start out with a bang! Ive been making and selling my handmade goods for a little less than 2 years. Ive been making things since I could remember."

We are happy because independent artists also join and start a business using Silkfair. And we wish DedDesigns a long and profitable life in our community. Enjoy and don't forget to have fun while doing business!

And tidbits about the lady who brought buttons back to light while effectively accessorizing them to cute little things. She's one of the weekly Giveaway Winners and I invite you all to take a visit to All About the Buttons shop and greet her for becoming one of us, the Silk fairers.

"I have always been 'crafty' starting with knitting at age 8. I was an art major in college but followed a general teaching career in elementary education for 33 years. I was always busy making stuff-knitting, needlepoint, collages and in 1993 button mania hit. I started with pins and barrettes and those evolved into clocks, magnets and much more. I sold mostly to friends, colleagues and a few stores. Great pocket money!

In 2002, I retired from teaching and moved south from the northeast. I had enough physical space for a studio and more time to seriously pursue selling. I consider buttons as little works of art and some have such great history. They are great fun to use in unexpected ways.

I've learned that you can't just put yourself on the internet and expect all the world to visit so I have actively promoted myself and Silk Fair came to light. One great excitement about selling on the internet is knowing how far reaching it is. It's so exciting to know that your clock is hanging in a London kitchen or your hat is being worn in Sydney. I can't see ever stopping 'doing' and being able to sell my creations is the whipped cream on the cake. The cherry is 'meeting' wonderful people from all over the US and the world. What an opportunity to share what I love! "