Karisma by Kara - Latest Blog Entries

Slam!

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 10:03:00 -0500

I am so happy I discovered Slam! Saturday Local Art Market. Yesterday was my third time selling there. It was a beautiful October day and I am sad that it is almost over for this year :( I will be there again this Saturday for Fall for Greenville and the 22nd will be my last show with Slam! for this year. It will start up again June 2012. I plan to participate in most of them next year. Afterward, my sister, Kelley and I headed out to Pumpkintown, S.C. to check out their Pumpkin Festival (possible show for next year).

Keep it Simple!

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 08:13:00 -0500

As a self-taught business woman I am constantly learning new things. This past year I have realized the positive impact of having a strong social media prescence. I have made it a routine to post something on my FB wall everyday and to host frequent giveaways. After hosting several giveaways I decided to try something new and the results were eye opening! Previously, I was doing monthly giveaways by picking out a specific piece of jewelry, posting it on my FB wall and then asking my fans to share it on their wall and then post on my wall that they had shared. This worked fine but recently I discovered that keeping it simple goes a long way! I needed 10 more fans to hit 500 so I simply posted, "10 more fans until a giveaway!" No picture. No complicated rules. But the result was the same if not better! In a matter of a day and a half I gained 20 new fans. So. Moral of the story: Keep it simple!

Indie Craft Parade Reject

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 20:47:00 -0500

This year was the second year that I have applied to and been rejected by the Indie Craft Parade. After last year's rejection I decided that I wasn't going to announce that I would be applying again this year-just in case I were to get rejected again. Well, after being rejected this year as well, I was glad I didn't make the announcement! I really was hoping to get accepted and waiting for my "customized" notification email just about killed me. The email read:

Thank you for applying to Indie Craft Parade! We received nearly 350 applications and wish we had room for everyone. Each application was judged anonymously by our panel of jurors. Work was selected based on how well it aligns with the vision of Indie Craft Parade, as well as its originality, quality, uniqueness, and innovation.

The status of your submission is as follows:

TO WEAR
Declined
 Your application in this category was not accepted by the jury for the following reason:
We like your concept, but it's not the level of quality we were looking for. Keep refining your craft and try again next year!

Thank you for applying! Please join us at Indie Craft Parade this September to support your fellow artists and the modern craft movement.

Cheers, 

Erin & Elizabeth
 Indie Craft Parade

I couldn't believe it! Why would they say my work is not the level of quality they are looking for? I could accept that perhaps it is not the style they are looking for or maybe that the section for which I had applied was full, but not that my work wasn't good enough. I wonder how many other talented, skilled, and creative artisan/crafters received this identical disheartening response? This is not supporting the local crafters--this is discouraging perfectly good artists just because their style does not suit the Indie Craft Parade "look". Needless to say, I will not be applying again next year.

Wire Formed Owl Necklace: Sneak Peek

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 07:30:00 -0500

Well, I have the pendant made and now I just need to make it into a necklace! This is a super fun piece partly because it sways and jiggles :)

Design by Kara Mavar of Karisma by Kara Jewelry.

Wire Formed Owl Necklace

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:34:00 -0500

I have an awesome design for an owl necklace in the works! Plan to have it made, photographed, and posted to Etsy by Monday! I am really excited how the mock-up has turned out. Needs some fine tuning but I finally have it figured out. It's taken a while to work through! I also have another fun necklace design and two earring designs in the works ~~ also to be posted Monday. Eeeek! Super excited!

Kara

Anniversary Date

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 08:52:00 -0500

Yesterday was my husband's and my 4th anniversary! It really has gone by fast and it's fun to think back at our first home, etc. Definitly some good times! Anyhow, Luke took me to TJMaxx to get whatever I wanted! This was a kind gesture but we are far from loaded so what he should have said is, "anything you want up to" : ) I ended up spending only $20 but it was fun picking out a few things that I did not need at a leisurely pace. I got a candle, a cute apron, and a cucumber wavy slicer. Not bad for $20! I loooove this store! Luke HATES TJMAXX so this was a very sweet gesture. We had lunch at a Mexican buffet where some guy watched me eat the entire time. That was annoying! I went away hungry because I didn't want to back up to get more because I kew he would be watching. Sigh. But, we also went to Copper River Grill for dinner and that was enjoyable. Nobody watched me eat there :)

Big Rings!

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 07:35:00 -0500

My beaded flower ring was featured on Bead Trends blog! Check it out, here:

http://bead.northridgepublishing.com/2011/departments/inspiration/etsy-roundup-a-ringer/

Canvasing Greenville!

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 19:37:00 -0500

Today Tara and I went out canvasing Greenville to distribute Karisma by Kara information. We discovered some really cute shops and most likely will make this a quarterly routine. I was very pleased with how the packets turned out. I worked very hard on them and even almost went cross-eyed as I sat there working on the computer designing the inserts! I'll be happy if even only one or two of the shops decide to carry my jewelry. We'll see! I'll be contacting them again in a week... Pictured below is the front and back of the new promotional card that I designed and included in the packets that were distributed today :)

Wow! It's Been FOREVER Since I Last Posted...

Sun, 10 Jul 2011 07:35:00 -0500

...and a lot has happened. Not all of it is directly business related, but since my personal life and my business life are so closely related, I guess each of them does affect the other!

The two biggest changes in my life this past year are buying our first home and getting a rottweiler puppy! Yep. We purchased our home in February and then adopted our puppy in April. Life has been incredibly busy ever since :) I've thoroughly enjoyed fixing up the home and even though it has been difficult adjusting to a puppy, I have thoroughly enjoyed him as well. As a matter of fact, I've fallen hard for the cute, little guy! Well, he's not so little anymore! My husband gave him the wretched name, Severus, which I HATE! I call him Sev. :) Despite his bad name, he is remarkable cute! See for yourself....

So now you know why I haven't been very good at posting. It's Sev's fault! :) I do hope you've enjoyed these pics. I enjoy bragging on him :) I will try to post updates more regularly. For updates on sales, promotions and giveaways, "like" me on facebook. You can find me by typing Karisma by Kara in the search block.

Kara

Holiday Fair 2010

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 14:54:00 -0600

My latest post about the Holiday Fair!

Wire-Wrapped Stone

Sun, 24 Oct 2010 17:29:00 -0500

My brother-in-law wanted me to wrap this stone & make into a necklace for his girlfriend. I loved the way it turned out so I wanted to show it off a little:)

Haywood Mall Show

Sun, 24 Oct 2010 15:40:00 -0500

I've been relaxing today after two very long, busy days at the Haywood Mall Craft Show. Whew! I'm glad that is over! Don't get me wrong. I enjoy it but it is definitly hard work. I was pleased with the booth set-up but will be making some adjustments to make it look even better for the next show. Here are some pics...

Giveaway and BOGO Earring Sale On Facebook!

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 13:24:00 -0500

Hello everyone! I apologize for not writing more frequently. I have been busily preparing for the holidays which are quickly approaching by the way;) I did want to let you know that I am having a giveaway on my FB page for a $25 gift certificate to my Etsy shop. I also wanted to let you know about my Exclusive FB BOGO Earring sale going on tommorrow (Friday, October 15th)! Make sure you stop by and take advantage of these opportunities:)

Halloween Necklace

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 06:32:00 -0500

This year I decided to come up with a Halloween design... Here is what I came up with:) This necklace is great for those who don't like to go all out for the holiday but would like to wear a little something festive:) I am planning on wearing mine with a black knit top and black slacks when passing out candy this Halloween.

Upstate Women's Show 2010

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 10:12:00 -0500

Well, the Upstate Women's Show has come and gone. I really feel that the show was a great business investment. Not only did I make sales but I also met some wonderful business people who offered tips and advice on running my own business. On top of this, I also met two store owners that would like to carry my jewelry. I have actually contacted one and already have jewelry in her shop. I still need to contact the other one.

Here are some pictures of my booth...

Me in front of my display...

My assistant, Tara

Gift Certificates Now Available for Purchase!

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 06:41:00 -0500

This upcoming show has been a huge motivation for me to get ideas up and running. I have been thinking of offering gift certificates for quite some time and am now super excited to finally be able to offer them! Each certificate comes tucked away in a chocolate colored box and may be used in my Etsy shop or at any of the shows I participate in during the year. I will be selling them at the upstate Woman's show this week and will have them listed on Etsy soon:)

Personalized Name Necklaces

Sat, 14 Aug 2010 13:46:00 -0500

Something new that I began a couple months ago is hand-forming names in wire and then making them into necklaces. This has been very popular and so I wanted to post some samples of the names that I have done so far. This is the first order that I actually thought to take a picture of. Keep in mind that chains will be attached:) I can use copper or sterling silver for these.

Fall Jewelry Sneak Peek

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:38:00 -0500

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 02:15:00 -0500

Visit my FaceBook page to participate in this month's giveaway! This necklace can me made into any name and most words:)

Live Models!

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 05:17:00 -0500

Yay, they are finally here! I have been planning the use of live models wearing Karisma by Kara jewelry for quite some time. This is the second batch of pics, this time modeled by my friend, Elle and a couple of her friends.