Jewelry Business Guru by Cindy Edelstein

Jewelry Designer Business Education -- Live Events Coming Soon

We've been very busy this year with our online initiatives for designer business education --

• this blog
• our free ecourse (sign up for it by sending a blank email to [email protected])
• our free discussion group (send blank email to [email protected])
• free e-newsletter Tip of the Week (sign up from our homepage)
• and of course, our content-rich member's only portion of our site www.jewelersresource.com which has several hundred savvy designers subscribed

Coming in the second half of the year is a brand new website that will help consumers and retailers source your work, an affordable web developer package if you don't have your own website yet AND an affordable advanced custom website that is fully e-commerce enabled.

This is all happening thanks to our strategic partnership with the guys at Ideal Diamond Solutions - a new internet company specializing in the jewelry industry (the lead dogs are industry pro's turned internet gurus). The basic Ideal Diamond Solutions web platform is for retail jewelers to gain market share online with a fully integrated ecommerce back-end that has a virtual diamond inventory as well as a virtual designer inventory sponsored by us.

You'll learn more about this soon. But you're going to love how we hook you up to dozens if not hundreds of great retailers automatically. To everyone's benefit.

Also coming soon are two live events for designers seeking advanced business knowledge that is specific to a designer jewelry business.

After a 2 year hiatus we're bringing back our DESIGNER DAY Business Conference for Jewelry Designers. It will be in NYC in the first quarter of 2009. Keep checking with us on content and speakers -- and feel free to drop us a line or comment on this blog with ideas on what kinds of sessions you'd like to see us produce.

Tell us what you need to learn and we'll find someone to teach it to you.

Secondly, we're getting a lot of request for a higher-level event where designers can get more personalized attention and more indepth knowledge. So we're planning our first-ever DESIGNER BUSINESS SUMMIT with two-days of personalized attention for several key business gurus (specializing in marketing, sales, finance, legal and production) with lots of time for networking and brainstorming.

The DESIGNER BUSINESS SUMMIT will be capped at just 35 attendees -- so if this intrigues you please send us an email, too, to be sure you get the information and earlybird sign up form.

As always, feedback is vital to us so that we can serve your needs best.

Designer Jewelry Business Processes, Checklists, Systems

I've had an interesting day here at the Jeweler's Resource Bureau... several consulting sessions in one day. When I work with clients one-on-one like this I definitely get "in the zone" when we're brainstorming. Ideas, connections and lessons just start spilling over and I'm dying to figure out a way to share those spur-of-the-moment pearls with the rest of my clients, website subscribers and blog readers.

So here goes.... I'm going to throw out some ideas to see what percolates with you. Please add your thoughts to the comments section, if you're so moved.

A lot of our topics today circled around the idea of check lists, procedures and timelines for specific tasks you have to perform all the time.

Like getting ready for a trade show. Not just the packing list but a real timeline with check boxes for what to do 6 months in advance, 4 months, 3, 2 and so on right up until and through packing your suitcase. While most of us know what we're doing (at least as far as packing a suitcase for a week long trip) wouldn't it be better to click to auto-pilot and follow a checklist so that your brain could be used to better use than working on remembering to pack your pajamas. Best example I could think of since I forgot to pack PJs on my last trip, so focused on client-centric outfits and taking enough shoe choices to fend off blisters and swollen ankles (didn't work, feet were miserable all 9 days regardless of the extra suitcase of shoes. Trade shows are merciless on your feet.)

And then there's checklists for doing your own publicity. Again, what to do first (figure out your news angle) and then what steps to take from photography to writing to licking the envelopes (or clicking send). Ever forget to label the slides or CD until after you sealed the envelope?

Surely you could remember all the steps but would you be more efficient if you followed a checklist rather than relied on memory to get it done? Wouldn't a checklist eliminate oops like this that can zapp your self-confidence and tank your professionalism?

I've heard recently that you lose up to 20 minutes of productivity by multi-tasking. Every time you break your concentration on a task to answer the phone, respond to an inbox beep, etc., it can take you up to 20 minutes to get back to the exact point at which you were interrupted. That must be true for projects that can be done in stages -- like packing -- where you get distracted by something and forget you hadn't packed PJs yet.

Continuing on this theme how much time (and attention) do we lose by not being more organized. Standardizing our non-vital operations  -- I'm sure your vital ops are well designed like your manufacturing process or how and when you take care of your casting/services et al --- so that more things can be done by rote. Again freeing up your brain to concentrate on things that really need concentration.

• Do you start your day with a plan?
• Do you have a realistic To Do list that let's you actually have a chance of completing it that day -- or do     put everything you have to get done EVER (short of  "buy burial plot") on one  list so that it's never complete and you never get a sense of satisfaction?
• Do you answer every call or email as it comes in or do you reserve that for a concentrated, and designated time?
• Do you make spreadsheets, charts, check lists? Or do you wing it each time since you're smart enough to be a good winger?

As a lifelong winger -- with a fair amount of lists but by no means enough -- I am beginning to really see the pattern.

The most effective and successful designers I know are also the most efficient.

I was in awe recently over one designer business owner's new spreadsheet-and-client-file-binders system they used with their trade show appointments. They were so prepared for each client appointment that they sold more jewelry and made more use of their time than at any previous show.

Another designer's daily schedule of organized, repetitive actions had me stunned. He found success in ritual and so starting his day the same every day, reviewing goals and creating a daily list (with reasonable, accomplishable To Do's) and meeting with staff -- every day the same way helped keep him and his team on track and more efficient. And most importantly, it did not quelch creatvity -- it freed them up to be more creative where it counts. At the bench.

Most creative types resist routine and structure but most successful types thrive on it. So the key must be to create systems that support creative thinking.

Websites I've found to help along the way are:

http://www.43folders.com/
http://www.davidco.com/what_is_gtd.php
www.wishcraft.com/        (plan backwards)

Another Essay Contest to Use for Self-Promotion

Tell Real Simple Magazine how you started your business or got your biggest order...or something else profound and win editorial ink and some cash, too.

You can email your essay -- deadline is Sept. 9th.

Go for it -- you never know!

Jewelry Salesgal at Saks finds a New Way to Sell More Jewelry

She must have been the most popular sales gal at the Saks Fifth Avenue jewelry counter. According to the June 19th New York Post, a former Saks saleswoman is set to stand trial today on charges she stole more than a million dollars from the posh chain's Manhattan flagship store - a small fortune she's accused not of keeping, but passing along to customers.

Read story here......

Martha Stewart Dreamers to Doers Contest - Show off your Entrepreneurship

Jewelry Designers have a great opportunity to enter a contest that awards their smarts rather than just their  designs. You could win up to $10,000 as part of Martha Stewart Living's second annual Dreamers into Doers Awards --and appear on "The Martha Stewart Show"!

From May 2nd - July 11th, we're accepting entries from anyone who has turned a dream into reality, just as Martha did when she published her first book, "Entertaining." 

It sounds easy, you just send a 250 word essay telling them how you've turned a dream or hobby into a career. Be sure to include photos of your project or business.

• 1 grand-prize dreamer will win $10,000 to expand her business and Vacation for a Lifetime with Wyndham Vacation Ownership
• 10 inspiring finalists will each win $1,000 and a week-long vacation at the spectacular Wyndham Rio Mar Resort + Spa in Puerto Rico

Click on this photo to go to the contest website.

Trends from Couture designers -- #1 gem slices

Large, flat gemstones cut in slices was one of the most fun trends seen at this year's Couture. Designers set all kinds of stones from diamonds in an array of colors to colored stones both transparent and opaque.

Here's the first of probably many images...... Pippa Small's bracelet of brightly colored flat cut stones of  Carnelian and Pink Tourmaline.

And here's a set of diamond slice stacking rings by Melissa Joy Manning -- a huge hit at the show.

Seal at Couture - a Private Concert for the Best in the Jewelry Industry

The opening night party of the Couture show featured a private concert by SEAL. He was at the show with Mouawad who produces his wife Heidi Klum's jewelry line -- and a new line by Seal, too.

I swear, he was singing just to me most of the time! What a great concert... it kicked off the show with energy and sex appeal. The exhibitors at Couture continued that vibe for the next six days.

Most of the designers in the show rocked, too. I'll share some trends in future posts.

Tantalizing Party by Tanzanite Foundation & Erica Courtney & Stephen Webster

So many parties and events happen during Las Vegas Market Week. We'll try and show you as many as we can.

One eveing Erica Courtney and Stephen Webster teamed up with the Tanzanite Foundation for a tantalizing party at Couture 2008 to showcase both phenomenal designers' tanzanite collection. Many wonderful designers, editors, and stylist sipped on their “Tanzatini” while admiring the one of a kind collections! It was a great schmoozefest.

Just another party that helped make this year's Couture the star event of the jewelry industry.

Town&Country Couture Design Awards Celebrate A Wide Variety of Talent

The 13th annual Town&Country Couture Design Awards is a major highlight of the Couture event.

This year the voting system included an online first round of judging that let nearly 5000 people view and vote on the 168 applicants. WOW! Talk about viral marketing.

After the first round online 80 designs were chosen to be displayed onsite at Couture. Show attendees made the final votes during the first 3 days of the show. Winners and finalists were announced at a fab party at Blush on Friday evening hosted by Jim Taylor, publisher of Town&Country.

As Couture's consultant for the designer sector I was particularly pleased (read: out-of-my-mind happy) to see that many awardees were smaller, independant designers. This underscores that  great design is born at Couture and belies any conspiracy theories.

Here is the list of the winners:

Bridal Category Winner: Katherine James
Finalists: Sonya Ooten & Judith Conway

Colored Gemstones Category Winner: Sevan
Finalists: Marco Bicego & Rodney Rayner Ltd.

Diamonds Category Winner: Arunashi
Finalists: Kwiat & La Reina Collection

Gold Category Winner: Pamela Froman
Finalists: H. Stern & Calgaro

Haute Couture Category Winner: Valente Gioiellieri S.P.A.
Finalists: Yossi Harari & Kuwayama

Natural Color Diamonds Category Winner: Todd Reed
Finalists: Shamballa & Roberto Demeglio

Newcomer Category Winner: Blu by Betty Lou Moscot
Finalists: Christofle & Cresber

Pearls Category Winner: The Autore Group
Finalists:  Mikimoto & Roberto Coin

Platinum Category Winner: Erica Courtney
Finalists: Tom Munsteiner & Podicko Diamonds

Silver Category  Winner: Emily Armenta
Finalists: Robert Lee Morris & John Hardy

seen at the party, from left, Erica Courtney, Sonya Ooten and Pamela Froman

Some of the winning jewels: tri-color "crushed" gold cross by Pamela Froman, black diamond ring by Erica Courtney, gold and moonstone ring by Betty Lou Moscot, blackened silver bracelet by Emily Armenta, colored diamond bracelet by Todd Reed and colored stone masterpiece by Sevan.