Blog of Lava Jewelry / Zbella

This is a recipe I made up one night recently when I needed a snack. Although it is much less fattening than real cheesecake, it is not a low calorie snack! Enjoy!

Ingredients
1/3 pkg Neufchatel cheese
2 Tbsp confectioners powered sugar
1 drop of vanilla extract
low-fat honey graham crackers
Optional: chocolate chips, fresh fruit, or fruit preserves

Mix the Neufchatel cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl until well-blended. Top graham crackers with cheese mixture. Top with extras if you like (chocolate chips, fresh fruit, or fruit preserves work well).

Yes, this is one lazy cheesecake to make!

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My featured Etsy shop today is baronika5, a shop featuring jewelry made using a combination of polymer clay and filigree components – something I’d never seen before!

Red square filigree earrings

“My name is Rony and I am a Multidisciplinary artist. I design unique and colorful jewelry with several mediums as polymer clay, fused glass, silver and more, all inspired by flowers and other beautiful things around me.”

Tell me a little about yourself.
I’m an Israeli artist.
I’m married and have two children.
I live in a small city near the Mediterranean Sea.
I have a business degree from an Israeli University and for the last seven years I worked as a broker at the biggest bank in Israel.
In high school I studied art and fashion design.
I have always had a passion for art, I create in several mediums, such as polymer clay, ceramic, glass, sew, silver.
A few months ago I left my day job at the bank and now I am a full time artist, I feel blessed waking up every morning, doing what I love in my studio.

How did you name your shop?
My shop name is Baronika; I’ve just randomly changed my own name words, until I reached a satisfying sound.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about starting their own small business selling handmade goods?
I really believe that people need to follow their dream.
However, turning a hobby into a business is quite a challenge. You’ve got to be prepared to treat it like a job and realize that there will be some obstacles, both financial wise and personal wise. If you have interesting, unique, colorful or beautiful products, people will notice.

Gold and turquoise filigree necklace

Baronika5 jewelry can be found online at http://baronika5.etsy.com, http://baronikadesigns.etsy.com, and http://ronyrb.etsy.com

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It’s been a while since I’ve featured an Etsy seller, and I’m happy to be starting up again. The first seller in my renewed series is Alison Kelley Designs, who sells handcrafted limited edition jewelry in a wide range of styles.

Blue Blossom Jade Earrings - Blue Jade Briolette, Bali Sterling Silver Flower Ear Wires

“My designs are eclectic, this is because I like so many different styles myself that I like to also offer a wide range of styles to my customers as well.”

How did you get started making jewelry?
I started tinkering with jewelry making back in High School. I used to wear these great big hoop earrings and with my long curly hair getting tangled in them I tore my ear piercing to a point were I could no longer wear french hooks, I was stuck wearing posts. Posts were very hard to find so came the need for me to make my own earrings. I have been making jewelry for over 17 years now, mostly off and on for family and friends. It wasn’t until the Summer of 2006 that I was inspired once again to start making jewelry. While visiting my mom we went shopping. We can across some pretty beads and my mom asked me if I could make her a necklace to match a top she had. I was so happy to make her something and I immediately fell in love once again with making jewelry. I began making piece after piece and with my great and supportive friends those pieces quickly sold, thus the start of Alison Kelley Designs.

What other types of art do you make for fun?
I enjoy all sorts of crafts, I like to sew, and paint, I love building things and working with tools. Give me a tool any day over any other kind of gift.

What inspires you in your work?
Everything around me in an inspiration, the garden, my swimming pool, the walk to my kids school, I see something that sparks a design or color combination. Color plays a huge part of my designs, I live to be surrounded by vibrant colors. Colors make me happy and I try to have a bit of every color under the rainbow in my jewelry. Something for everyone. After all wearing color with color is the best style advice I give.

What is your day job?
I am a business owner, a wife and I am a stay at home mom. I’ve got three sons ages 11, 9, and 5. They keep me quite busy but I am ever so thankful to have an outlet/business that I can do from home so I can still take care of my family’s needs.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about starting their own small business selling handmade goods?
Be true to yourself. Do and make what you like, if you don’t enjoy doing it then why bother. Have a business plan or some kind. Think of where you see yourself in say, 5 years. It’s good to visualize your goals and dreams, they are more likely to come true.

Lovely Red and Turquoise Necklace - Red Sponge Coral Tear Drops and Beads, Turquoise Heishe Beads, Sterling Silver

You can find Alison Kelley Designs online at http://alisonkelleydesigns.etsy.com, in a local boutique called Elegant Corner (San Jose, CA) and at the occasional craft fair.

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There seems to be a myriad of confusion among candle makers and candle buyers alike about candles, so I’ve decided to compile my own list of facts and myths about candles.

Facts about Candles

Soy wax burns more slowly than paraffin.
TRUE. As someone who has made both soy and paraffin candles, I can attest to the fact that soy candles burn more slowly than paraffin. I have not done studies to compute an exact percentage, but it is a truly noticeable difference.
Soy candles produce less soot than paraffin candles.
TRUE. I have made and burned both soy and paraffin candles, and can attest to the fact that soy candles product less soot. The soot from the paraffin candles I burned in college left black marks on my computer and my walls. Oops!
Natural wax candles are more eco-friendly than paraffin candles.
TRUE. Natural waxes (soy, palm, beeswax) are derived from renewable resources, whereas paraffin is derived from petroleum. Some natural wax (although not all) is derived from sustainable sources. Natural wax is biodegradable, and produces less soot than paraffin as well.
Soy candles have a poor scent throw compared to paraffin candles.
TRUE. I have made and burned both soy and paraffin candles, and it never ceases to amaze me how some fragrances just seem to vanish when added to soy wax, despite the fact that soy wax can typically hold MORE fragrance oil than paraffin. (Typical paraffin can hold 6% fragrance oil, and typical soy 9%.)
Natural wax costs more than paraffin.
TRUE. Soy wax costs more than paraffin. Palm wax costs a bit more than soy. And beeswax costs WAY more than paraffin, soy, or palm.

Myths about Candles

Soy candles do not product soot.
FALSE. Anything that burns is going to produce some amount of soot. It would be impossible not to. Soy and palm wax do produce LESS soot than paraffin.
Palm wax candles contribute to deforestation.
FALSE. It is true than some palm kernel oil is often harvested in a way that is harmful for the environment and results in deforestation, but there are groups like The Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels dedicated to sourcing sustainable palm kernel oil. I buy my palm wax from a sustainable source, thanks to the work of the Roundtable.
Essential oils are safe because they’re natural.
FALSE. Essential oils are extremely concentrated all-natural substances, which can be a health hazard if not used properly. Some of them are not even skin-safe, and can cause burning or rash when placed on the skin in concentrated form.
Melted soy wax cannot burn your skin.
FALSE. Although soy wax melts at a lower temperature (just over 100 degrees Fahrenheit) than other waxes used in candle-making, it can reach temperatures in excess of 200 degrees.
Triple-scented candles smell stronger than other candles.
FALSE. This one is counter-intuitive, but triple-scented candles are not necessarily more aromatic just because they contain more fragrance. Triple-scented candles are produced by adding more fragrance oil to a wax than the manufacturer recommends. In order to get the wax to hold more fragrance oil, additives such as stearic acid or Vybar must be added to the wax. These additives can actually hold the fragrance oil TOO well, not allowing for a good scent throw.
Buying soy candles supports American farmers.
FALSE. Although some soybeans are grown in the US, not all soybeans are. There are some soy wax suppliers that source only from American-grown soybeans, however.
Soy wax is water-soluble.
FALSE. Wax by definition is not water-soluble. Soy wax is no different than any other wax in that regard. Soy wax does have a very different character than paraffin, beeswax, or palm wax, but it is not water-soluble. It is true that soy wax can be cleaned up using soap and warm water. In fact, sometimes I just wipe really well with a dry cloth, and that does the trick.
Votives and pillar candles can be made using pure soy wax.
FALSE. Pure soy wax is too soft and sticky to form molded candles like votives or pillars. Soy votives and pillars are made using a wax that is a blend of soy and either other vegetable waxes or paraffin.
One type of wax is the best for candles.
FALSE. Each type of wax has its pros and cons. The advantages to using paraffin is that it is inexpensive and it has a good scent throw. The biggest disadvantage is that paraffin is not environmentally friendly. Soy wax is more environmentally friendly, and long-burning, but it has a poor scent throw, and it is too soft by itself to make molded candles. Palm wax is a little pricier than soy or paraffin, but it makes amazing molded candles, and it has a better scent throw than soy. My personal opinion is that it’s the prettiest of the waxes because it forms beautiful crystals in intricate patterns as it cools.

I hope you’ve found my Candle Facts and Myths interesting and informative. I plan to update it periodically as I gather more information, so please let me know what you think I’ve missed in the comments below. Adding links to credible sources would be wonderful. I’m especially interested in adding more information about beeswax candles, about which I have heard many incredible claims.

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I’ve written this candle glossary for those who wish to know more about candles. If there are terms I haven’t included here, just let me know in the comments. Enjoy!

Types of candles:
Container candle – Candle that is made by pouring wax into a container, usually metal or heat-resistant glass. Waxes that are used to make container candles are usually softer than waxes used for molded candles, and can generally hold more fragrance.
Gel candle – Clear, translucent candles made of a specially formulated candle gel containing mineral oil and polymer resin.
Molded candle – Candle that is made using a mold. Includes pillars and some tapers and votives. Molded candles can be many different shapes and sizes. Waxes used to make molded candles tend to be harder than waxes used for container candles, and typically cannot hold as much fragrance.
Pillar – Free-standing candle that is typically 2”-4” in diameter (can be larger or smaller too). Made using a mold. Can have single or multiple wicks.
Taper – Free-standing skinny candle. Made in a mold or by dipping.
Tart/melt – Wickless scented wax that is melted in a tart warmer to release fragrance.
Tea light – Small container candle, usually in an aluminum or heat-resistant plastic container. Typically measures 1 ½ inches in diameter by ¾ inch high.
Votive – Small candle that is meant to be burned within a tight-fitting votive candle holder. Typically about 1 ½ inches in diameter by 2 inches high, although size can vary.

Other candle-related terms:
Additives – Chemical, such as stearic acid or Vybar, added to wax to enhance certain properties of the wax, such as hardness, opacity, and fragrance capacity.
Base notes – Scent that lingers the longest in a perfume or fragrance.
Beeswax – Natural wax derived from honeycomb. Not a vegan product.
Carving – Technique for enhancing a candle’s appearance. Carving is usually done to a candle that has been dipped in many layers of different colored wax.
Cold throw – Scent of a candle when it is not lit. The “throw” refers to the strength of the scent and how far it carries.
Dipping – Traditional technique for making candles. Wick is repeatedly dipped into a vat of molten wax to form a candle layer-by-layer.
Dye – Used to color candles. Usually refers to colorants that dissolve completely when added to wax.
Essential oil – Very concentrated oil, extracted from various plants, used to scent products. Also used in aromatherapy.
Fragrance oil – Synthetic oil used to scent products such as candles.
Hot throw – The scent a candle gives off when it is lit. The “throw” refers to the strength of the scent and how far it carries.
Mottled – A texture given to some pillar and votive candles.
Paraffin – Wax derived from petroleum.
Pigment – Colorant used in candles. Consists of suspended particles in the candle wax.
Top notes – First odors that are detected in a perfume or fragrance.
Wax – Insoluble, flammable substance derived from any number of oils, including palm kernel oil, soybean oil, or petroleum oil.
Wick – Probably the most important part of the candle. Provides fuel for the flame. Can be made of a wide variety of materials, including cotton, wood, paper, or hemp.

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I’m excited to announce that I have just started a new line of handmade candles, available for sale on Etsy!

My new collection is called Fresh Picked Candles. I am offering candles made using all-natural waxes, top-quality fragrances, and 100% cotton wicks. I have 12 fruity scents as well as unscented candles for sale. (Blackberry Sage, Blueberry, Cranberry Citrus, Cucumber Melon, Juicy Pear, Lemon Verbena, Luscious Lime, Mandarin Orange, Peach, Pomegranate, Succulent Strawberry, and Wild Cherry.)

I am offering wax melts/tarts, tea lights, votives, pillars, and container candles.

In addition to the 12 fragrances I will be carrying on a regular basis, I am offering two limited-time-only fragrances seasonally. This spring, my Limited Edition fragrances are Pink Grapefruit and Green Apple.

I can also custom-create palm wax or soy wax candles to your exact specifications. Just contact me to let me know your needs.

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Pastiche Jewelry has asked me for a critique of her shop, and she has graciously agreed to allow me to post the critique publicly, so that others may be helped by it. Thank you, Pastiche!

Your banner is the first thing I notice when I go to your shop. It’s very eye-catching, and it illustrates the type of jewelry in your shop very well. One very minor detail, and this is a personal nitpick of mine (others may not agree): I’m not fond of the Photoshopped-in fake sparkles on the jewelry. I just don’t care for them myself. Your banner is otherwise great!

Your avatar is very hard to see. I’m not sure what is in the picture. I’d recommend changing it to something more recognizable.

I recommend including your state in your location. Where are you? Portland, Oregon? Portland, Maine?

Your shop announcement is short and to the point. Two small recommendations I have: 1. Avoid using too many CAPS. They are the equivalent of shouting on the internet, and they can be a turn-off. 2. I recommend making a sale time shorter than a month. If you have a month-long sale, people see that and think they’ll come back later (which they usually don’t.) A shorter sale gives a greater sense of immediacy.

Your product photos aren’t bad, but some of them could use some work. I recommend not shooting on a red background for two reasons: 1. Red doesn’t seem to show up well on Etsy. and 2. Red overpowers any colors that might be in your jewelry. I suggest making using backgrounds with a consistent feel to them. If you want to use a black background, use that in all of your photos. With your jewelry, you could probably use backgrounds that are a little more colorful and whimsical. Just make sure the backgrounds you choose aren’t too busy or overpowering. Play around with some different things, and decide what feel you’d really like your shop to have.

Make sure to always include at least one photo of the entire piece of jewelry. You have five photo slots – use them well! People will want to know what an entire necklace looks like, not just bits and pieces of it.

I think it’s generally a good idea to use a close-up photo in your first photo slot. You want a photo that catches the eye and makes people interested. The bracelets on the black cones are particularly difficult to see.

Your descriptions are very well written. You describe the piece, provide measurements, and share your personality – very nice! There are a few minor spelling mistakes here and there.

Remember to include things like color in your tags. Try to think of how someone might find your jewelry when doing a search on Etsy. Think about what you’d search for if you were going to buy jewelry online.

Your shipping costs could be a little lower if you’d consider using First Class Mail. I don’t think the prices you have listed are outrageous, but First Class is something you might want to consider.

In your policies section, you ask the customer to let you know if they want insurance. Getting an item to the customer is your responsibility, not theirs. PayPal always holds the seller responsible for items lost or damaged during shipping. I’d reconsider your policy. You also mention that you cannot refund or replace items lost while shipping internationally. Even when shipping internationally, it is your responsibility to get the item to the buyer. Lost and damaged merchandise costs should be part of your overhead. Plan ahead and be prepared to refund or replace items sometimes. It’s just part of doing business by mail.

Everything else in your policies looks pretty good to me. It’s difficult to state your policies, and not sound off-putting. It’s a delicate balance, but I think you’ve done a pretty good job.

Your profile is very nice, and you’ve made good use of your sections. I think that’s about it!

If anyone has additional comments, or would like to disagree with my critique, please feel free to post in the comments section below.

Thanks again to Pastiche Jewelry!

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Date: Saturday, September 12, 2009
Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Location: Pizzaiolo Restaurant
Street: 5008 Telegraph Ave
City/Town: Oakland, CA

I will be selling my jewelry and candles at Feria Urbana again. The designers there are AMAZING, I promise! It’s a handmade shopping paradise!

Feria Urbana is an urban fair made up of local artists and designers selling a range of items at accessible prices. Clothing, jewelry, home accessories, ceramics, fashion accessories, baby items and more! Shop locally for amazing items made right here in the bay area.

It will be happening in the back outdoor area of Pizzaiolo (in Temescal.) The restaurant will be serving coffee & toast with Blue Bottle Coffee & Blue Chair jams, Yummy! Come support your local art community, buy something for yourself or buy someone a gift. Grab a bite to eat
or a drink as you take a little shopping break.

This will be the last Feria Urbana at Pizzaiolo, so don’t miss out!

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I’m reposting this article I wrote for Sellers Assisting Sellers a year ago. New advice coming soon, I promise!

After product photos, product descriptions are the most important element in successful online selling. Because your customers cannot see and feel your items in person, you need to provide that experience in your description. Your description can be what turns a browser into a buyer. You might not be the next Nobel Laureate in literature, but with a little time and practice, you can write great product descriptions.

Write your description as if your buyer were blind.
When you write your description, pretend that your customer cannot see your gorgeous photos. Describe the shape, size, color, luster, feel, etc. of your item. Don’t leave anything out. Think about what information you would want to know if you were shopping. Always include what materials your product is made of. Remember that most people aren’t going to take the time to write and ask you about something you’ve omitted; they’re much more likely to just move on to the next shop.

When possible, include a little information about your process.
Etsy is all about handmade. Unless you are selling commercial supplies or vintage, you should be able to provide a sentence or two about your process. People love to know a little bit about what went into making the piece they are buying. Don’t leave someone wondering if you made that gorgeous silver pendant, or just bought it and put it on a chain.

Include measurements in Imperial and metric.
Etsy is an international site. Most of the world uses the metric system, but many Americans are unfamiliar with metric measurements, so include both. 1 inch equals 2.54cm exactly.

Avoid abbreviations and technical terms.
There may be terms that you use every day in your business that your buyer is unfamiliar with. Sometimes you can use this as an opportunity to educate your buyer, but if you define every technical term you use, your description will become long and will most likely turn buyers off. Also, be careful about using abbreviations that are not universally known. An example I often see on Etsy is “convo.” New Etsy users are not generally familiar with this term, so I recommend saying, “Please contact me,” instead of, “Please convo me.”

Add a little of your personality to your descriptions.
For me, this is the most challenging part of writing descriptions. If you can do this well, it will draw people to your shop. If you do this poorly, you can lose sales. Make sure the tone of your writing matches the type of item you are selling. For example, if you are selling fun, colorful, whimiscal costume jewelry, go ahead and write something cute, fun, and whimsical in your description. If you are selling a $10,000 emerald necklace, a different approach is needed.

Make sure your customer isn’t surprised.
When your customer receives an order from you, there should be no surprises. Be extremely clear in your listing what your buyer will receive. Your buyer should know the color, size, shape, quantity, etc. before ordering. If you are selling an item with a flaw, however small, be sure to disclose that.

Get a second pair of eyes for proofreading.
It can be difficult to find your own mistakes. Have someone else read your description to check for spelling and grammatical errors or omissions. I also find Firefox’s spell check feature to be extremely helpful. (For those of you unfamilar with Firefox, it is a web browser that includes a built-in spell check. Firefox will underline incorrectly spelled words in red for you.)

I hope you will be able to use some of these ideas to improve your listings on Etsy. If you have further advice about writing descriptions, please post in the comments below. I’d love to hear your ideas!

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