Name: Clara
Web Site: http://www.ninadesigns.com/staff/05Clara.html
Bio: When I was 10, I saved all of my babysitting money and bought my first bead loom and bag of seed beads and from there I was hooked. I continued making jewelry and working in bead stores through college, where I studied textiles. After graduation I wanted to work somewhere full of creative fun people and I started at Nina Designs--a perfect fit for me (and a great way to feed my bead and jewelry addiction.) As the tradeshow manager, I am always on the go, but I try to find time to make jewelry from beads I have collected at shows all over the country. When I am not on the road I spend most of my time crafting with friends, reading, hanging out with my cat Frances, riding my bike and hula-hooping. I always love meeting our customers, so if you see me at a tradeshow stop by and say hi.
Posts by clara:
- I highly recommend you check out my earlier blog post titled Bead Show Survival Guide. Make sure you pay special attention to tips # 1, 3, and 5. Having your documents in order, your feet cozy and your energy levels stable will definitely make your shopping days more pleasant.
- Plan for all kinds of weather in Tucson. It is usually chilly, but there often are days with full sun and days that are blustery and rainy. Pack an umbrella, a waterproof tote, and a raincoat.
- You will need good shoes. I cannot emphasize this enough. I have ruined at least 3 pairs over the years walking through muddy gravel to get from the parking lots to the main entrance of the shows. If your weatherproof shoes aren’t very comfy, bring an extra pair to change into once you get inside.
- Scan every booth as you walk up and down the aisles. There are hundreds of new products at every show, so give each booth a good look before passing it by. Ask the vendors about new products or which products have been popular. Nina Designs isn’t the only company that realizes having new designs is important to customers who want to stay on top of the trends.
- Ask vendors for their recommendations. If you like their product, it probably means you trust their taste. I am always happy to recommend my favorite vendors.
- As you scan the booths, also pay attention to your experiences with the vendors. I prefer to develop relationships with vendors who are friendly and knowledgeable about their products. Having a relationship with your vendors can be really beneficial. Not only will they be helpful and courteous, but they will listen to your suggestions, bring special products just for you, and possibly even give you better discounts – this is especially true if you are buying stones.
Working Through Creative Blocks with Sterling Silver Chain
May 14th, 2011I have been playing around with an idea lately – a fun, bold, statement necklace that will use up some sterling silver chain scraps that have been lying around on my desk, but every time I sit down at my desk I feel STUCK. Why can’t I put a jump ring there? Why doesn’t this sterling silver charm have two more holes? Why can’t I make the perfect necklace that I envisioned? Nothing seems to lay the way I expected it to! (I am sure you have felt this before).
This necklace is much better than the one I had planned
When I start to feel like things aren’t working, I look at my inspiration boards. Right now mine is bursting with pictures of chunky rings, talisman charms, and geometric and colorful ethnic patterns. Then I look at my jewelry supplies and pull a few special things out that have been waiting patiently to be turned into a wearable creation – a new silver charm, some sterling silver chain pieces, and a some tiny silver spacers. I turn off my left brain (the one that planned that necklace that won’t come together) and rely on my right brain for a minute. Wire a bead to some chain, connect the chain to a charm. Hold it up . . . add another wire wrapped bead. As I work, I let go of the struggle and find myself enjoying the creative process.
How do you get unstuck when you have a hard time getting in touch with your creativity?
Here’s one of my inspiration boards:
Help Make Buying Silver Charms at Tradeshows Easier
March 30th, 2011Bead shows are a great place to see our new styles and hand pick silver charms in person (and without a minimum purchase). As of Jan 1, 2011 we have changed some of our tradeshow procedures and I wanted to give you a heads up so that you can be prepared and help make check out a breeze!
All wholesale customers purchasing at California tradeshow are now required to fill out a Board of Equalization (BOE) form for every trade show purchase. This means even if you have filled this form out for us before at a prior show, and even if you’ve sent one in to our office, you will still have to fill one out for your current purchase, as I cannot check with the office to make sure we have a current copy filed.
Trade Shows are fun & checking out can be a breeze!
To make this process faster, download the BOE form, fill it out with your business info and your resale number. But do NOT sign it until you’re checking out because you’re required to sign and date it at the show. Bring this copy with you and just hand it to me when you are ready to checkout. Trust me, it will make everything easy-peasy.
If you are a retail customer, make sure you give us your e-mail and address so that we can add you to our mailing list so we can send you postcards with discounts for upcoming bead shows, and our newsletter. The newsletter is packed with great stuff like exciting new website features, new styles, new design ideas, sale items and more!
Take a look at the Tradeshow calendar to plan your next shopping trip. Looking forward to seeing you!
Shopping for Silver Beads and Gemstones in Tucson
January 10th, 2011We are re-posting this blog entry because shopping for silver beads and gemstones in Tucson is a lot more enjoyable when you’re prepared. It truly is an experience like no other. The entire city literally turns into one big giant bead show. There are thousands of vendors, some even on the road side. It can be a bit overwhelming. This will be my 8th trip to Tucson and after years of learning the hard way, I have compiled some tips to make your trip more productive and fun.
We Love Dansko Shoes
Nothing Beats Shopping our Silver Jewelry Supplies at Trade Shows
August 16th, 2010
Trade Shows are Fun!
I have spent the last couple of weeks getting all of our jewelry supplies packed and ready for our fall trade shows. If you haven’t ever seen us at a show, I really recommend you stop by. Trade shows are the perfect opportunity to see our silver and vermeil style gold plate beads, charms, and findings in person without having to pay for shipping or meet any minimum purchase requirements. Plus, nothing beats seeing our charms, pendants, and clasps in person.
This fall is going to be a busy one. We have added two new shows that we are really excited about: Bead Fest in Arlington Texas and The Whole Bead Show in Rhode Island. I can’t wait to meet some great new customers and show off our wonderful silver and gold designs.
Mark your calendars, come by the booth to see our Best Sellers and Latest Styles, or just stop by to grab a piece of candy and say hi.
FALL 2010 Trade Show Schedule
* Aug. 20-22. Bead Fest Philadelphia, PA Retail/Wholesale with credentials. Click here for a Free Admission Pass.
* Sept. 10-12. Intergem San Mateo, CA. Wholesale Only.
* Sept. 16-19. Intergem Denver, CO. Wholesale Only.
* Sept. 24-26. Intergem Santa Monica, CA. Wholesale Only
* Oct. 1-3. Bead Fest Arlington, TX. Retail/Wholesale with credentials. Visit Beadfest online for a Free Admission Pass.
* Oct. 8-10. Whole Bead Show Providence, RI. Retail/Wholesale with credentials
* Oct 15-17. Whole Bead Show New York, NY. Retail/Wholesale with credentials.
* Nov. 13-14. BABE! Oakland, CA. Retail/Wholesale with credentials. Click here for a coupon for discounted admission.
* Nov. 26-28. Intergem San Mateo, CA. Wholesale Only
* Dec. 3-5. Intergem Santa Monica, CA. Wholesale Only.
For more details see our Trade Show Schedule.
The Art and Business of Jewelry Design
July 30th, 2010
Craft MBA
I love the art of making jewelry, especially with Nina Designs jewelry components. For years I have been thinking about taking the leap and selling my jewelry online. Over the years I have sold to friends, family and the occasional stranger at a restaurant. Last year I participated in two holiday sales – one of which was a complete disaster, and another that was a success, but both great learning experiences. With the holiday season approaching again (I can’t believe it either!) I have started thinking about my plan and I have realized that I need to take the leap and dive into the world of online selling (ok, maybe not diving, but at least dipping my toe in the water.)
I am a researcher, so naturally, I decided to get started by reading some of the articles in our own Nina Designs Library: Starting a Jewelry Business and Is It Time To Quit Your Day Job?
I also branched out and started looking on the internet for more information. As it turns out there are tons of great resources out there, but my current favorite is Crafting an MBA. Megan Auman’s thoughtful and insightful blog is packed with tips about running a small business, and specifically a small business that sells handcrafted goods, and I have been reading it every day since I found it. Her advice comes from experience and reading the articles she writes and the comments of her readers has really helped me understand more about the ins and outs of starting and running a small business.
In Why you shouldn’t pay yourself (and other myths about profit), Megan examines some common myths about running a small business and makes some compelling arguments to refute old ideas (you mean I can pay myself and my business just might be profitable in the first year?!)?
Megan truly believes that small businesses selling handmade goods can compete and flourish in the current economic market and I really recommend you spend some time at her blog as soon as you can. I think you will learn a lot.
What small-business blogs do you read? What tips would you give to someone starting their jewelry business?
Tassle Chic: Fashion Trend Friday
June 4th, 2010
Tassle Chic
Once a decorative finish for drapes and upholstery, tassles have made a big impact in the world of accessories. Big designers in the fashion world have been using them to adorn everything including shoes, purses, dresses, belts and even jewelry. I first started noticing them in the magazines earlier this year and since then, I can’t look at a fashion spread without seeing them everywhere.
Inspired by this current trend, I decided to try to make a tassle of my own, but instead of using the traditional materials of decorative threads, I wanted to make mine with a variety of silver and vermeil style gold plated chains. By varying the textures and sizes on the chain, my pendant looks a little more edgy and contemporary and is perfect worn long on a chain with a little black dress.
What trends have you been noticing lately and how do you incorporate them into your jewelry design?
Tassle Chic by ninadesigns featuring Christian Louboutin shoes
Silver Beads Come to Life
April 21st, 2010As Nina mentioned in one of her earlier blog posts, I was lucky enough to visit our production facility in Bali in March to see just how our sterling silver beads and findings are made. We started in the office where the orders are received and jobs are assigned to the silversmiths, where I finally got to put some faces to the names I see on e-mails and orders in our office.
Next I was taken out to the workshop where I got to see the silversmiths hammering, soldering, and carefully forming each link, charm and earring finding by hand. Once the silversmiths are finished, the pieces have to be polished and oxidized before being perfectly matched and packaged.
When I was done at the silver factory I was taken to a nearby village where our newest wood and mother of pearl pendants are carefully carved by hand. In the hands of a skilled carver, a raw piece of recycled arang wood or mother of pearl is carved into a detailed pendant in a few hours. It amazes me that the carvers can look at a dull flat piece of material and then completely transform it, creating sophisticated and enticing centerpieces for a necklace.
Watching the steps involved in making even the simplest looking earring hook gave me a new appreciation for all of the detailed work that it takes to make each silver jewelry part. It was so wonderful to finally meet some of the people who make the beautiful jewelry parts that have been such a large part of my life over the last 8 years.
Polishing Hook Earring Parts
Hand Carving Wood Pendants
Matching Hook Earring Parts
Tips and Tricks to Finding Amazing Jewelry Findings and Beads at Shows
March 3rd, 2010I have been to more than a hundred beadshows as the tradeshow manager at Nina Designs and I have collected amazing jewelry findings and beads in my travels. The ladies in the office always ask me where and how I find my goodies, so I have decided to share some tips to finding unexpected delights.
An Awesome Street Vendor in Tucson
Sweet Summer Beads (Part 2)
November 11th, 2009When I gathered my jewelry findings and gemstones together to make some jewelry for a summer wedding, I didn’t so much have a picture in my mind of the finished piece as I did an idea of what I wanted my jewelry to feel like – joyful and fun. I looked at my goodies, an array of colorful stones and luscious vermeil style gold plate findings, and started putting things next to each other. I had lots of ideas, but it wasn’t until I started wire-wrapping stones to links that a bracelet started to take shape. Black garnets and gold links formed the base of the bracelet while colorful aquamarines, rubies and other gemstones wrapped on headpins made it more playful.
Sweet Summer Bracelet
When I looked at my finished bracelet I realized what a great necklace it would make! Since I made my bracelet long enough to wrap around my wrist twice, to make it a necklace all I had to do was attach a clasp to a length of chain that would fasten to my bracelet. Doing this at least doubled its length so that I could now slip it over my head and wear it as a necklace. To give myself yet another way to wear this design, I tied a black silk ribbon to it. This way I end up with an entirely different third look – a luscious double strand necklace that’s even more joyful and fun.
I love how my design process evolved as I made this bracelet so that I ended up with a convertible design that I can wear three different ways. I am not sure that I would have made such an ingenious piece of jewelry had I tried to draw out my design in advance.
Click here to read “Sweet Summer Beads, Part One.”
Sweet Summer Necklace
Double Strand Sweet Summer Necklace
Bead Show Survival Guide
September 16th, 2009It is time to get ready for the busy fall and holiday seasons by stocking up on jewelry supplies at your local bead show. Since I spend about a third of my year at bead shows I thought I would put together a survival guide to help you navigate your way through those long hard shopping days.
1. Wear comfy shoes – the floors are usually cement and being on your feet all day is hard. I like to have a second pair with me to change into half way through the day, or for your ride home. You would be surprised at how much this helps.
2. Layer your clothes. It can start out chilly in the morning, but by the time the afternoon rolls around and the lights have been on all day, most busy shoppers are breaking a sweat.
3. Food and water – Show food is terrible. Sure a hot dog will seem like a good idea when you have been shopping for 5 hours, but if you just plan ahead and bring a sandwich, some nuts and dried fruit, and a bottle of water, you will be much happier. I always go to the grocery store in the morning to stock up on pre-made sandwiches and snacks and plenty of water.
Nina Designs in Tucson 2008
To read the rest of our handy bead shopping tips, click below.
Read the rest of this entry “
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