Update on Latest Group Activities

I have been swamped (but happily so) with all the membership requests coming in about AJC, and with the 90 Features in 90 Days Challenge; http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5276160 , which is still accepting participants, so it has been awhile since I've had a chance to post an update here on the group's current workings, but exciting things are happening!

We have completed two issues of our full-page ads in Ornament Magazine and still have one more to go in March's issue. If you purchase a piece from one of our members, you saw our ad, and that was what generated the purchase please let us know. We are always curious to see how our advertising is working, and that will help us evaluate where to spend our advertising dollars in the future.

Patricia Vener (SilverDragon) has agreed to be the webmaster for a new AJC e-commerce site and we are currently discussing the details to get this up and running. This site will provide another outlet besides Etsy through which to sell members' work. We are very excited about the prospect of having our own self-supporting e-commerce site and no additional fees other than PayPal or Propay and the proceeds gathered from yearly membership dues. It appears that this will be even more cost-effective than what we're currently paying Etsy for listing and commission, maximizing our profit. This venture really puts the "Independent" in Indie! The Website Maintenance Committee is currently involved in planning for what it will look like, how it will function, and the overall look of the site.

A number of members have placed their jewelry in Emily Conroy's (Precious Meshes) new brick and mortar store in Philadelphia, VIX Emporium, which opened in November, and sales are already off to a great start! We look forward to a long and happy working relatrionship for many years to come! Thanks Emily for extending this opportunity to our membership.

Over the holidays, Kelli Coaxum (Kelliope), Jill Quisenberry (JQJewelryDesigns), and Teri's Treasures (now on Ruby Lane), compiled a Holiday Gift Guide featuring designs from many of the members in order to spur sales. This guide has the potential to be made into a catalogue either online or in print. It can be viewed at our other blog; http://artjewelrycollective.wordpress.com . Valentine's Day is coming sooner than you think, so be sure to take a look at members' available jewelry from which to make that special purchase this year.

Also, over the holidays AJC held a "Secret Santa" organized by Catherine Marche (Kalicat). I received some of her beautiful BlumBlum rings from (one little flower ring and two plain thin bands to go on either side of the focal band). These are a great design and would make great engagement rings!

At last count we had 55 members, but that number is growing daily. I am thrilled to see the new pieces of jewelry on our slideshow above. We are growing, not only in number but in diversity of techniques and styles, and we are sure to have something for just about any buyer who values upscale, well-constructed, and unique jewelry. We hope that readers will check back here often, if not for the articles, at least to see what new pieces we have for sale.

We now have members who work in PMC, hydraulic fold-forming, metal fabrication, casting, etching, wire-weaving, beadweaving, stone-cutting, and many other fascinating styles.

Keep your eyes peeled for tutorials, how-to articles and other interesting jewelry and gem-related articles to come! We have several members now who have a greed to contribute interesting material to one or the other blogs.

We are always in need of people to help with the massive work that must be done to keep things running smoothly, so if you feel your jewelry might fit and you are reliable and responsible with skills you can offer the group, convo me on Etsy. My username is Giftbearer. We are especially looking for at least one or two people who can help with the Etsy group shop, and possibly also in posting members' bios and banners on the Wordpress blog. Right now both Kelli and Winnie have their hands full with the volume of new members to be processed. I may need someone to assist me in the near future to send out welcome letters to new members as the rate of applicants continues to increase and to get information that new members might have forgotten to provide.

We are looking forward to a lucrative 2008!

Sincerely,

Pippit Carlington
Coordinator
The Art Jewelry Collective