Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li Creations Blog

Help Me Help You: a Small Business Owner Speaks to PR Pros and Press

2012-01-25T23:04:00.000-08:00

I am loving being a member of small business community Preneur.net. A big part of their strength is that their founders own businesses that service small business -- web design and PR. So they see all sides of the coin!

Public Relations are always a hot button topic with small businesses. Getting those big magazine and celebrity placements for your product or business often seems like the holy grail, the sign you've "made it". PR can seem like a big mystery and often small businesses turn to PR professionals for help. PR pros can be very very expensive, especially in relation to the typical small business budget. I've had my own experiences with DIY PR for Peggy Li Creations jewelry as well as with many different professional services, so I read with interest this article by PR pro Sabina Ptacin (one of Preneur's founders).

Help Me Help You: Publicists Reveal How Small Biz Clients Can Improve Chances for Press & Their Working Relationship

Reading the comments from PR pros affirmed for me that there is often an inherent tension in a client/PR relationship -- as a client, I am relying on a pro to secure placements I feel are vital to my business. These placements, however, may or may not actually drive sales or achieve my goals (but the PR pro is getting paid regardless).

So here is my response. Don't be surprised to find that we as clients have the same sentiments!

Help Me Help You: a Small Business Owner Speaks to PR Pros and Press

Give me all the information I need to fill your request. If you don't have all the details yet, let me know so I will wait for a second email instead of starting the back and forth of email strings. What is the shipping address? Is there a shipping number? Do you want your images in a specific format or resolution? Is there a deadline and if so, when?

You ask me to be transparent -- be transparent for me. There is value for a brand to share their brand story -- inspirations, experiences, latest news (although as one pro said, they are not there for idle chit-chat or to be our therapist). So if I ask for a little transparency on your part, like wanting to see the language of a post, pitch or the pitch list, I think that is within the realm of the professional relationship. Especially in the beginning of a working relationship, when you are (hopefully) building trust with a client, it is not enough to say "just leave it to us, we're the pros." I want to see how you are representing my brand and perhaps even more interesting to me, I want to see my brand through your lens.

Yes, sometimes I cop an "artist" attitude. I know intellectually that taking a brand to the next level can be boosted by taking advice from pros and those with more experience. And in the case of PR pros, I am usually paying for that advice. But yeah, sometimes I'm not emotionally ready for that "tough love"! If you believe in our small biz product and brand, it's just as much your job to find a way to reach us, educate us and work with us as it is for us to open our minds. If there is an impasse, then I am probably not getting the info I need, and neither of us will grow.

If you don't have a strength in an area I need, don't pretend you do. Marketing and PR is an ever-changing industry. If I want more social media and you traditionally work with print and don't feel comfortable taking on that work, say so. And then don't be surprised if I go to other sources to achieve those goals.

Explain it to me, please. The answer can't always be, "Editors don't like X", because inevitably the next month I'll see a fashion spread featuring X!

Surprise! I'm busy too. Timing can be crucial to PR -- often samples are needed overnight, and the time pressure can be enormous. As a small business owner, often solo, I'm well aware of the pressure of not having enough time . As much as I want to drop everything for that "fabulous-AH-MAZING-major!" opportunity, sometimes I have orders to fill or other projects that I also have on my plate. So forgive me for not jumping for joy every time I have to drop everything and rush to the FedEx office before it closes.

It all comes down to communication -- and chemistry. I equate hiring a PR professional to finding a good date -- you want someone who fills your needs (has the right expertise, level of service, etc) but you also need to be able to get along. A good client/PR relationship should be built on mutual respect, trust and that spark of excitement that is created when someone truly believes in your product and business vision.

Bottom line is, we are all working hard here, all trying to be successful. Only by taking the time to educate each other on our businesses and business needs will we be able to work well together. Help Me Help You, indeed.

Peggy

2011 Peggy Li Creations Survey Results

2012-01-24T01:00:00.000-08:00

Keeping busy in 2012.

I'd like to thank everyone who answered the 2011 end of year survey for my Peggy Li Creations jewelry website (if you haven't gotten your responses in, you can still take the survey here!). I ask questions about my website and my designs and your responses help me plan for the upcoming year!

While all of the responses are anonymous, I wanted to address some of the feedback I've received from customers.

1) Website features for the upcoming year -- the biggest request is for jewelry photos on models (as it is every year!) and I hear you. I've added pictures of jewelry on a life size bust to help give you additional scale, do you find those useful? I'd love to style a real model shoot, but it can be difficult due to the delicate nature of my designs to take stylish photos and still give a good look at my designs. I wonder, is this request more about seeing some "how to wear" or styling ideas? I know I like photos on models to get a better idea of the "vibe" of a fashion line.

2) Alternative metals -- most of you are open to trying designs using alternative metals, which is awesome! If I do introduce some other metals like bronze, stainless steel or other, I'll be sure to describe them in the product description for those of you with known metal allergies. I think I am most curious to try alternative metals as they come in a variety of interesting finishes and colors and due to the lower cost, could result in some more elaborate designs at similar pricepoints to what I already carry.

3) TV Placements/Magazines -- I wanted to address a comment left to me in the survey that questioned how much I write about the TV and other PR placements my jewelry has received. The commentator said they were not impressed by the "freebies" given to celebrities and stylists. I want to let you guys know that the jewelry placements I have received for TV and film are 98% paid placements (some are used and returned to me) -- that is, the stylists requested my work and paid me for their use, just like any other customer. I'm proud to have had long relationships with some of the best stylists in the business and that they have turned to me over the years as a way to help their characters shine.

As for print magazines, it is the same story -- 98% the samples they request are all returned to me (if not lost!) -- in fact, it is magazine policy to not keep samples.

It's fun to get recognized for your work by folks who are tastemakers in the biz of fashion -- so if I get excited and post a few times, that's why :).

4) User reviews -- this is a new request I'm seeing in my survey for this year and I've definitely been thinking about it. It's a difficult website feature to implement, so I have to consider it carefully. I love that there is interest to talk about your experience with my jewelry products and even to share photos/styling tips with other Peggy Li Creations fans. While I explore the options for this feature, I would like to ask that if you have feedback, questions or comments you'd like to share with others, please feel free to do so on my Peggy Li Creations Facebook page or to @plcpeggy on Twitter.

I'd love to keep this dialogue going and hear from YOU, the customers! Thanks for your time and attention and here's to a fab 2012 year of the Dragon!

Best,
Peggy

Valentine's Day Jewelry Ideas (Great Gifts!)

2012-01-21T19:52:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't love a little bling for Valentine's Day? Here are a few choice picks from Peggy Li Creations Jewelry that are sure to please you or your BFF. Be sure to visit my website for even more selections of personalized jewelry, charm necklaces, or diamond jewelry. It's easy to let someone know you'd like Peggy Li jewelry as a gift -- simply use the Amazon Wishlist button, located on every item page, to add the item to your Amazon Wishlist! Cool, right? It's never to early to give your sweetie a little hint.

And now until 2/2/12, save 20% your entire order with code "PSW20", an exclusive savings I currently have featured as a People Stylewatch Deal of the Day! Enjoy!

PLC Valentine Gift Picks

Tucson 2012 Gem Shows

2012-01-13T21:51:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again! Tucson becomes a beader and jewelry maker's paradise, with tons of stone and bead expos taking over the desert city. I went last year and had a series of posts about it:

Registering for Shows at Tucson

Getting Ready for Tucson Gem Shows

Tucson Day 1 with Peggy Li Creations

It was a difficult decision, but I decided not to go to Tucson in 2012. To have a really effective trip, I think you need to have a real game plan (and budget) in place. While I had a blast there, I found myself visiting my usual vendors. They tend to bring more inventory to Tucson due to the size of the show, but since I didn't have a complete gameplan, I was reluctant to spend extra on items I may not have planned for.

I also did not get to mingle and meet other folks at the show. It may be worth it next time I go to allow for some social events or make more of an effort to meet and greet other designers as we converge on the shows.

I definitely want to return to Tucson, as there is tons of inspiration to be found in every corner of the event. Not just in the amazing materials to be found there, but in the sheer volume of stone mavens and jewelry designers roaming the town.

Alas, Tucson, I will miss you in 2012. Hopefully I'll be back in 2013!

Peggy

Take the 2011 End of Year Survey for Peggy Li Creations

2012-01-12T12:30:00.000-08:00

Hi all! Happy New Year!

It's that time of year again where I want to reflect on 2011 and prepare my handmade jewelry business for 2012. The best way for me to make Peggy Li Creations even better is to hear from YOU, the customers! What jewelry trends and colors do you want to see in 2012? How can I make the Peggy Li handmade jewelry website even easier to use?

You've all made 2011 amazing -- I'd love to hear your thoughts, wants and concerns! Thank you so much for your support of me and small business! I read all the responses personally and they are completely anonymous.

Take the PLC 2011 Survey (link will open in a new window)

Best,
Peggy Li

Review: HP Topshot Laserjet M275 Printer/Scanner

2012-01-03T21:45:00.000-08:00

This holiday season, I decided to treat myself to some new technology to help my small jewelry business, Peggy Li Creations. My brother had told me about a new HP printer, the HP Topshot Laserjet M275 that had an innovative scanner that was designed to scan 3-D objects, like jewelry! I currently use a scanner for a lot of my images at Peggy Li Creations, but this new printer would allow you to scan, remove backgrounds and send those images directly to the web. More importantly, it has a camera mounted on an arm that would take multiple images ("scans") of the object and using its software, would stitch those images together to form a shadow-free, "3-D" image. Essentially, it acts as its own lightbox to take a photograph-style image of your object.

The HP Topshot, with camera arm extended.

Sounds genius, right?

Well, for starters, the printer is not inexpensive. I purchased mine at Frys Electronics for $395. The setup I left for my BF, so I can't say how difficult that was. I currently have about a 3 year old injet printer, so this new fangled type of laserjet certainly seemed foreign to me. But, once the printer was out of its packaging, it only took a few minutes to load the scanner program onto my computer and then set up a test scan.

Sadly, the image quality of the scan left a lot to be desired. The max resolution you can scan at is 300dpi (the minimum if you want to have print-quality images) and the LED light the camera used did not seem nearly powerful enough to capture fine details. The light also still had hotspot/glare problems, especially on the reflective jewelry surfaces.

Below is an example of a necklace I took an image of my usual way (with a flatbed scanner) and with the TopShot.

Old English Initial Charm Necklace -- original scanner image.

Old English Initial Charm Necklace -- HP Topshot Scanner.

I tried scanning objects at night with artificial lights as the room lighting, as well as trying the scanner during the daylight hours to see if natural ambient light would improve the quality of the image. I may have been able to tweak settings to improve the image, but who has time for that? Not me when I am busy running a small business! I'm afraid for highly detailed objects, the HP Topshot simply wasn't able to give a clear image.

Disappointing, but it did seem almost too good to be true to use a printer scanner as a replacement for product photography. The printer will be returned!

Have you had a better experience with the HP Topshot printer/scanner? Please leave a comment!

'Preneur Meetup Dec 21st

2011-12-19T13:54:00.000-08:00

IMPORTANT UPDATE -- Due to hectic schedules, we'll be cancelling this event and trying again in the new year. Happy Holidays! -- Peggy

I've recently joined an entrepreneurial networking group called 'preneur and it's a great group of women who are all in business for themselves. They offer articles with tons of information on small business topics, including PR, social media, and "Ask the Expert" tips. There are members-only features, including PR leads and forums. So far, the group has been fairly active with an email newsgroup and a steady stream of articles for their members. Based in NYC, there are also social events for networking.

I'm happy to announce that the very first West Coast meeting of preneur members will be hosted by me on December 21st at The Coffee Bar in the Inner Mission. While this time of year is a little crazy for me, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to meet up with other small business owners, which is something on my "to-do" list for 2012. To grow my own business, Peggy Li Creations jewelry, I need to continue to grow my knowledge base and being a member of preneur has encouraged me to do so!

So come out on to The Coffee Bar, purchase a great beverage and sit and chat with me! Please RSVP here so I know to expect you:

IMPORTANT UPDATE -- Due to hectic schedules, we'll be cancelling this event and trying again in the new year. Happy Holidays! -- Peggy
Hope to see you there!
Peggy

SF Made Holiday Fair Sunday, Dec 11, 2011

2011-12-07T16:01:00.000-08:00

Peggy Li Creations jewelry is proud to participate in the first SF Made holiday fair at Fort Mason! This is my one big show for the holiday season. SFMade.org is a neat local organization for businesses, you guessed it, based in San Francisco.

Over 50 vendors will be at Fort Mason on Sunday, December 11th from 10 am-5pm, including yours truly. I'll have lots of items from the website as well as one-of-a-kind pieces just at my table. For more information on the show, visit the SFMade Holiday Fair website. Want to see something specific? Email me in advance so I can be sure to have it at the show!

Hope to see you there! Follow Peggy Li Creations on Twitter or Peggy Li Creations on Facebook for additional news and updates.

Peggy

FAQ: Where Can I Take Jewelry Making Classes / How do I learn to Make Jewelry?

2011-12-04T15:59:00.000-08:00

Every now and then I get asked about how I got started making jewelry and if I have any recommendations for people who want to learn. I started out making handmade jewelry for Peggy Li Creations completely self-taught, but have gone on to take a few classes and read books on new techniques. What's great about jewelry, however, is that it is so easy to get started and learn. Just some beads, wire and pliers! But if you're looking for more instruction, here are a couple of ways I've found to learn about the art of jewelry making!

1) Check out your local community Parks and Recreation Center. They often have quarterly classes/events, with sections on arts and crafts that may include jewelry making.

2) Community colleges or even universities are a great resource -- see if they have summer courses or what they call "extension" courses in fine arts. If they don't have classes available for that quarter/semester, they still may have "open studio" time where you can use their art studios.

3) Bead shops. Great community bead stores often have folks with great experience behind the counter, even if they don't hold formal classes. Some big Bay Area bead stores include Global Beads in Mountain View, Baubles and Beads in Berkeley and General Bead in San Francisco.

4) Jewelry arts colleges do exist! I've taken an amazing seminar at The Revere Academy in San Francisco (which offers diploma courses and full on technician training) and have applied to FIT's jewelry design major.

5) Apprenticeships. Ask local jewelry designers if they are willing to teach! Up and coming designers often need some extra hands on big orders, or want to push of some repetitive work onto a helper. Get some practice and learn from someone more advanced in skill.

6) Online resources. OMG, there are many online jewelry supply companies that are offering video or printable jewelry how-tos. Not to mention You Tube! Do a search and you're sure to find a lot of different resources.

7) Magazines and books. There are countless magazines with great basic tips (and ads for the biggest jewelry suppliers around) and great books that can teach you everything about jewelry making. Try your library and peruse the choices before buying.

8) Local instructors. The DIY movement is only growing. Do a search for local artisans/instructors/classes and you are sure to find some. The Bay Area is lucky to have vibrant local artist communities and I've found awesome independent studios who also offer instructional classes.

Still don't know where to start? Stop by your favorite bead store and ask! If anyone is in the know, its people who love beads as much as we do.

best,
Peggy Li
www.peggyli.com

Savings for Cyber Monday

2011-11-27T22:43:00.001-08:00

The Monday after Thanksgiving Day weekend has been dubbed "Cyber Monday" to note that more and more gift shoppers are turning to the Web to do their purchases. And why not? You may shop without the hassle of finding parking, waiting in line, or traveling to the store only to find that they don't have what you're looking for.

With Peggy Li Creations as a primarily online handmade jewelry site, Cyber Monday is a big part of my year. When you order early, it gives me time to create your pieces and ship them out in time for you to receive them for any holiday gift-giving. It also ensures that you will get the pieces you want (before they sell out)!

And don't forget my Cyber Monday Deal -- coupon code "HOLIDAY11" for 20% off* anything on my website (that includes sale jewelry items)! Hurry, this offer ends this Monday 11/28/11! *Offer can not be combined with other coupons or used on custom orders.

Use this coupon even on new items like the just posted Amber Droplet Necklace (yummy)!

Oh, and these amazing Spiked Drusy Earrings!

Thank you for your support of small business and Cyber Monday! Happy Holidays!

Peggy Li

Small Business Saturday!

2011-11-25T22:55:00.001-08:00

American Express has declared Saturday, November 26th as "small business Saturday", helping to promote holiday shoppers to shop local, shop small business! Pledge to shop today on the Small Business Saturday Facebook page.

I'm definitely thankful for my amazing customers and friends who support my small business (for over 10 years now!). So please don't forget to take advantage of my coupon deal this holiday weekend -- use code "HOLIDAY11" for 20% off* anything at Peggy Li Creations handmade jewelry. Shop for feminine, timeless jewelry, looks that have been seen on TV's "Private Practice", "Ringer", "Hart of Dixie" and more!

So have an amazing holiday weekend of deals and steals! The support of one small business supports dozens of other small businesses! The coupon expires at the end of Cyber Monday, so don't miss out! It also helps me to get your orders in as early as possible to ensure I can ship your jewelry goodies out in time for holiday gift-giving.

Thank you!

Peggy Li

* Offer expires 11/28/11. One coupon per customer. Sorry, coupon not valid for custom orders or previously placed orders.

Holiday Gift Guide 2011 -- Peggy Li Creations

2011-11-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

Looking for an elegant, simple necklace or charm necklace for a great holiday gift? The holidays are the biggest time of the year for Peggy Li Creations handmade jewelry! Here are a few of my picks from the best selling necklaces, earrings and more. Each piece reflects the PLC woman -- classic, elegant, feminine. To see everything I have to offer, jump on over to the Peggyli.com website. Don't forget to use the "Amazon Wishlist" button, Twitter, Facebook or Google + buttons to let your friends and family know what you're craving for the holidays! If you're giving a gift, please order early for best selection.

Peggy's favorite holiday gift picks for the 2011 holiday season! Why not give (or get) a great piece of jewelry for a gift?

1. Pave Diamond Necklace
$159 - peggyli.com

2. Butterfly Twist Earrings
$32 - peggyli.com

3. Herkimer Diamond Necklace
$59 - peggyli.com

4. Clustered Circle Necklace
$44 - peggyli.co

5. Rimmed Initial Pendant Necklace
$49 - peggyli.com

6. Round Gold Initial Necklace
$52 - peggyli.com

7. Large Lotus Hoop Earrings
$42 - peggyli.com

8.Montana Agate Brass Cuff
$44 - peggyli.com

Finishing Touches

2011-11-09T22:51:00.000-08:00

Every single Peggy Li Creations jewelry order goes through my hands. After making thousands of pieces for hundreds of customers, I've been thinking a lot lately about the finishing touches to my pieces. There are some details that I find important to remind myself of as I assemble and create your jewelry pieces!

Every wire loop I make and cut, I like to tuck in the loose ends with my pliers.
Stones or jewelry components in pairs I choose by hand to match as best as I can in shape, color and size.
Each piece gets a final polish to remove fingerprints and give it that last bit of shine before going to its lucky owner!
I use the thickest gauge wire possible when making wire connections.
With the exception of some vintage materials, I use sterling silver, 14k gold-filled, 14k gold or quality gold overlay and gold plate over silver. I've begun adding domestic bronze from a trusted supplier to give a range of price points and metal color options.
One of my goals is to constantly study, learn and improve my techniques through classes, reading and practice, practice!

As is to be expected with handcrafted jewelry designs using handmade components and natural gemstones, variations are going to happen. I actually love the little quirks and irregularities and differences in color, size and texture in the raw natural materials I use -- these are nature's patterns and there is really no way to improve upon the natural beauty or happenstance that goes into the creation of a new piece of jewelry!

I hope that you feel the thought and care put in to every PLC piece and enjoy it! When you purchase a piece of jewelry from me, you have a piece for life.

Best,
Peggy

Jewelry Seen on Ringer, Hart of Dixie, Private Practice

2011-10-27T15:48:00.000-07:00

September and October means the return of Fall TV and the debut of new television shows! I am so excited to say that Peggy Li Creations jewelry is appearing on TV shows again this fall. I love playing "I spy" and spotting my handmade jewelry designs on new shows and old favorites, all worn by beautiful actresses! You can see all of my jewelry on TV on my Press page.

The most recent jewelry seen on Private Practice (worn by Emmy-winning actress Amy Brenneman). Her yoga-inspired necklace features a Tiny Om Necklace in a gold plated silver, on 14k gold-filled chain:

KaDee Strickland wears (one of her favorite) earrings, the Large Lotus Hoop Earrings. she wears these earrings in both sterling silver and in a gold-plated silver.

Jewelry seen on new CW hit show "Ringer" which stars Peggy Li Creations favorite Sarah Michelle Gellar (review jewelry seen on Buffy, the Vampire Slayer). Tara Summers wears my Drusy Cuff bracelet. There is somuch fabulous jewelry on Ringer, it is truly amazing to be included! Ringer is set in Manhattan, with Tara Summers playing Gemma, a well-known interior designer and best friend to Siobhan, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar.

I might be most excited about new CW show "Hart of Dixie", since it stars fashion icon Rachel Bilson. I see Rachel all the time in magazines and she even has her own column in InStyle Magazine! In the last episode, "Gumbo & Glory", My Geo Shape Earrings in triangle were worn by Nadine Velazquez as Didi.

In Hart of Dixie episode "In Havoc & In Heat" we were treated to more backstory between mayor Lavon Hayes and Lemon Breeland, plus a peek at my Oxidized Fringe Earrings as worn by character Didi!

In the latest Hart of Dixie episode, one of the town matrons, played by Esther Scott, gossips in the local beauty parlor (hub for all news in the little town of Bluebell), wearing my Tiger Ebony Floating Chain Earrings.

Breast Cancer Awareness Jewelry -- Pink Coral Earrings

2011-10-16T11:02:00.000-07:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, a month where women all over the world are asked to remember their breast health. Early detection and awareness is the best weapon against this horrible disease. I am lucky enough to say that my Mom is a survivor of breast cancer. She had a mastectomy back in 2000 and has been cancer-free ever since. She was diligent about having regular mammograms and her cancer was detected early enough for doctors to take action. So October for me is an important month and I'd like to encourage women, no matter what age, to take control of your health and at least get informed with information! With Peggy Li Creations jewelry, you also have the chance to help me support breast cancer awareness with a pair of earrings for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Pink Coral Earrings for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Everyone knows the pink ribbon as the symbol for Breast Cancer Awareness. In honor of this symbol, I am donating 50% of sales of my Pink Coral Earrings during the month of October to the Susan G. Komen foundation, the largest and best-funded breast cancer foundation in the U.S. With partnerships in over 50 countries and over $2 billion in funds going towards education and cancer research, the Susan G. Komen foundation is a solid foundation that I am proud to support. Read more about the Susan G. Komen foundation on Wikipedia.

The BCA month was in created in 1985 as a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical company now known as AstraZeneca. The history of the month as a fund-raising and awareness opportunity is outlined on the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month page on Wikipedia.

Thank you for helping me support breast cancer awareness with great jewelry for a great cause!
Peggy

Book Review: The Big Enough Company

2011-10-11T17:53:00.000-07:00

As a "solo-preneur" for my handmade jewelry business, Peggy Li Creations, I'm always on the lookout for resources for small business owners. It was through my membership to Preneur.net that I first heard about the book The Big Enough Company. Of course I have a very long reading list that I ultimately never get to. But the premise of the book really intrigued me, as it promised to cover topics I think about often with my business and topics I often speak about with fellow small biz owners.

Written by Adelaide Lancaster and Amy Abrams, small business coaches who founded a small business collective office space called In Good Company, wrote this book from their experiences talking to entrepreneurs. Usually the approach of small business coaches is, "I'll show you how I did it" and "Ways to get more out of your business." This book was refreshing in that it addressed the unique motivations of truly small small business owners -- that we face this ongoing pressure to "do better" and "get bigger", while this may not be at all what the business should do. More importantly, it may not be what you *want* to do. And if nothing else, a small business owner gets into business for themselves so they can call the shots!

I enjoyed thinking about the questions they posed (and I asked the authors to create a printable worksheet to follow the Q&A that permeates each chapter) and it was a very quick read. It was also insightful to read anecdotes from other entrepreneurs (and in my case, business owners other than jewelry designers was refreshing). In addition to the real-life cases, Adelaide and Amy also demonstrated their examples with fictional characters to give clear examples of the concepts they proposed.

I highly recommend this book to small business owners, especially if you've been toiling in your business for a few years and find yourself a little lost in it. If you feel like the business is running you and you're not running the business, give this book a try. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the book, if you've already read it! Please leave a comment!

Buy a copy in print or in digital format here at Amazon: The Big Enough Company.

Follow In Good Company on Twitter: @ingoodcmpny

All the best,
Peggy

Celebrity Style Inspiration: Vanessa Hudgens

2011-09-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

Vanessa Hudgens first burst on the scene as the "good girl" in the High School Musical TV movies. Now branching out from the Disney-world, her sense of style has evolved far from that bubblegum world. Vanessa is now known for her eclectic, boho chic style and old Hollywood glamour. She first caught my eye in the photo below-- sleek black trousers and a gorgeous Tucker silk blouse, given a studded belt to contrast the soft with a bit of edge. Gorgeous!

What Vanessa Hudgens usually never lacks is accesories! She's not afraid to layer long necklaces on her petite frame, going for lots of texture and sparkle. For her Oscar look below, her then-boyfriend Zac Efron was her best accessory, and she opted for just some elegant long earrings. Pink coral, maybe? Check out my simple Pink Coral drop earrings here!

Get the look! Check out my Pink Coral Drop earrings.

Most recently, Vanessa has been sporting more of a boho-chic look, complete with floppy felt hats, feathers, armcuffs, and lots of layered jewelry. Think Ali Macgraw with a little early Cher thrown in. Check out Vanessa's outfit she wore to the Outside Lands music festival, below. I love the tribal jewelry, maxi skirt, and of course, feather accessories!

Get the look! My Small Chevron Necklace and Long Feather Earrings.

Here's another look that Vanessa loves to wear, a simple black cross. Even with its simple lines, the black stone makes an impact! I have a version of her black cross necklace in black onyx with gold overlay, on leather cord. Wear it shorter or choose a longer length to layer.

Get my version of Vanessa Hudgen's cross necklace: Onyx Cross Necklace.

I'll continue to watch Hudgen's style evolve. As she continues to find her own voice and style, I'm sure it will become something even more amazing.

Please visit my jewelry website, Peggy Li Creations, for even more fabulous handmade jewelry inspiration!

Thank you,

Peggy

Celebrity Style Inspiration: Megan Fox

2011-09-12T15:29:00.000-07:00

I recently spotted this photo of Megan Fox on her way to dinner with her stepson Cassius and hubby Brian Austin Green and was mesmerized by her look. I loved the scarlet of the flowing long maxi dress and of course loved the chunky chain she wore with a bright pop of turquoise color contrasting against the red! A stunning jewelry look on a stunningly beautiful actress.

The mystical properties of turquoise say that the stone helps you communicate, so it is a good stone to keep around your throat and neck. Peggy Li Creations jewelry has a few turquoise necklace options available -- necklaces, earrings and rings -- including a necklace similar to the one Megan Fox wears here:

Turquoise Chunk Necklace: On sale for $105!

3-Stone Turquoise Necklace: $69-$79

Turquoise Nugget Ring: $49-$52

Fringed Stone Earrings: $49

Do you love turquoise jewelry? To me, there is no other blue stone quite like it. It is a timeless addition to your jewelry wardrobe. Try any of my turquoise necklaces, earrings or rings to see for yourself!

All the best,

Peggy

FAQ: What jewelry was on Buffy, the Vampire Slayer Season 6, Part II

2011-09-06T13:02:00.000-07:00

Sarah Michelle Gellar's new show "Ringer" premieres September 13th, 2011. So excited to see her back on the screen! Her new show has gotten me nostalgic about the awesome Buffy days. So I dug into the image archives to find the place where it all started... my first Peggy Li Creations jewelry designs on TV!

Buffy, the Vampire Season 6 was a great year for me as a jewelry designer and big "Buffy" fan! You can see all the jewelry designs used on Buffy, Season 4, as well as on Buffy, Season 6 part I. Here are the rest of the Peggy Li Creations seen on season 6 on characters Amy, Willow, Tara and Dawn (Played by actresses Elizabeth Anne Allen, Alyson Hannigan, Amber Benson and Michelle Trachtenberg, respectively).

Here in the episode "Wrecked", Amy tries to persuade Willow to go see a friend of hers. She's wearing a handmade necklace featuring vintage mother-of-pearl belt buckles transformed into necklace links, joined together with ultrasuede. This neckpiece choker tied at the back and was adjustable!

Michelle Trachtenberg as Buffy's sister(?) Dawn in one of her first big roles, pre-Gossip Girl, wears a red white and blue pendant I created out of a sticker sheet, on a leather cord. They were puffy glitter stickers that I liked the look of. OK, so perhaps not my best design moment. But it was on episode "Doublemeat Palace" of Buffy fame!

In the episode "Normal Again," Alyson Hannigan as Willow wears a double stranded necklace I made out of vintage carnelian beads. These beads were truly fantastic, worn down like seaglass, matte and so unique! The longer strand featured a tiny 18k gold pendant and the entire necklace was finished with a filigree pearl clasp in the back. I sold out of these necklaces so quickly! And I have never seen those beads again.

Last, but not least, Amber Benson as Tara. I love the jewelry pieces she wore in the episode "Seeing Red". Here, she as on mother of pearl earrings with hand-twisted wires. Her necklace is a wire worked piece created with vintage mother of pearl carved into different size flower buttons. So amazing! It was an ethereal piece, fit for an Elf Queen, or in this case, a magical Tara.

There you go! As I find more screencaps I will add more pieces (yes, there is more). Too bad Buffy was not filmed in the age of HD. Someday! Want to see more of my designs on TV and film? Check out the Peggy Li Creations Press Page for movies, TV, print, celebrities and online press.

Peggy

Flashback: "Superbad"! Peggy Li Creations jewelry worn by Emma Stone, Martha MacIsaac

2011-08-31T23:34:00.000-07:00

"Superbad" is one of those movies that has become a teen classic, taking raunch and geeky insecurities and humor to a whole new level. We will never forget the breakout performances from Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, and oh yeah, that guy who played McLovin'. It also marked a big breakout debut for one sparkling Emma Stone, who plays dorkably loveable Jules. I was so excited to hear that my jewelry designs, Peggy Li Creations handmade jewelry made it into the film! And now you can see them anytime on DVD.

See Martha MacIsaac as Becca wearing my Peace Tag necklace:

As well as my Champagne Bubble necklace worn by Emma Stone! I'm sure we'll be seeing even more amazing movies from Emma Stone, she currently is in "Crazy Stupid Love" and "The Help" and will soon play Gwen Stacy in the Spiderman reboot!

Click here to see all the Peggy Li Creations in the movie Superbad.

FAQ: Jewelry on Buffy, the Vampire Slayer Season 6 Part I

2011-08-29T21:48:00.000-07:00

So excited for Sarah Michelle Gellar's new TV show, Ringer, which premieres in September! It's got me thinking about the exciting days when I would watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer on TV every week, hoping to see my jewelry worn by the cast. I was never more thrilled than seeing Sarah Michelle Gellar wearing one of my floating crystal chokers!

The fun continued during season 6 where my jewelry designs were worn by Alyson Hannigan, Michelle Trachtenberg, Amber Benson and more. This post is part I of the jewelry pieces featured on Buffy, then check out post Part II!

Season 6 season premiere episode "Beginnings" was certainly the beginning; this episode gave us hints of Dark Willow to come. Here, Alyson Hannigan as Willow wears a blue chalcedony necklace on sterling silver chain (right before dispatching an innocent fawn).

I loved this handmade necklace I created that featured round amber beads and a red carnelian pendant. The small round beads in amber (fossilized tree sap!) were truly a unique find. I bought all I could find and have never seen them again! Willow wore this necklace a few times during the season.

In this episode, "Life Serial", Willow wears one of my most popular jewelry designs of the time, a hand knotted silk necklace featuring a mix of semiprecious stones. This necklace has amethyst, garnets and carnelians. I also offered this design in a silk bracelet that a customer recently asked me about. Maybe I will bring it back? Thoughts?

More Willow! Here, in the episode "All the Way", Alyson Hannigan wears a necklace I created featuring a vintage glass pendant that I wire-wrapped and matched with a leather cord.

The lovely Amber Benson as love interest Tara also wore some of my jewelry designs. Here, in Buffy episode "Smashed", she wears tourmaline earrings and a matching handmade tourmaline necklace that has a vintage amber pendant.

When I started making jewelry, I was always drawn to unusual stones and pendants, often using vintage components. Many of the necklaces and earrings were one-of-a-kind and such a pleasure to make. It was even more amazing to see these pieces being used on a hit TV show! As my business grew, I had to think about creating pieces that more than one person could enjoy. But that doesn't mean I don't still make one of a kind pieces, or work on custom jewelry designs for my customers. Feel free to email me with any questions and please visit my jewelry website, peggyli.com for even more handmade jewelry!

all the best,
Peggy

Feather Earrings, Feather Jewelry

2011-08-25T15:15:00.000-07:00

With the current burst in the feather hair extension trend going on right now (do we have Steven Tyler of American Idol to thank?) and seen on actresses everywhere, including the Glee girls Dianna Aragon and Ashley Fink, and one of my style inspirations, Vanessa Hudgens, I thought it would be a good time to revive some feather jewelry creations for Peggy Li Creations handmade jewelry!

I first dabbled in feather jewelry back when I made pieces for Buffy, the Vampire Slayer. I used dark black feathers on a floating invisible wire choker, as seen on Harmony in the 4th season episode "Harsh Light of Day". (See other PLC jewelry on Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 4).

Feather accents these days are light, colorful, and made to be seen! While feather hair extensions are attached to your hair, I think feather earrings are a great option because you can add/remove them as you please.

I have two versions available on the site right now, a burst of color from smaller peacock feathers in my Peacock Glow Earrings;

Or a longer version of awesome natural rooster feathers that have an eyecatching tiger-stripe pattern are Long Feather Earrings:

What do you think of feather jewelry and feather accents in fashion?

Peggy

Celebrity Style Inspiration: Selena Gomez

2011-08-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

I've been a fan of Selena Gomez since she first hit the scene as Alex on Wizards of Waverly Place. In fact, I had sent the show some jewelry to be used on the show a few years ago! Her style on the Disney Channel show was a bit boho chic, with lots of colors and TONS of accessories that she would layer. Alex wore hair accessories, bracelets, necklaces, rings -- and her BFF Harper wore quirky jewelry, like fruity earrings, too.

Selena Gomez's style has come a long way since then! Now a regular on the red carpet, she is now turning heads with her elegant, increasingly grown-up fashion. Wearing gorgeous dresses and sporting old Hollywood glamour makeup, Selena is becoming a fashion icon. Her fame is also helped by her current boyfriend, maybe you've heard of him? Justin Beiber!

From Wizards of Waverly Place to the Vanity Fair post-Oscar party. Selena Gomez is changing her fashion for a whole new image. That red dress and classic red lip is a great look!

At the recent Teen Choice Awards, Selena stunned on the red carpet with a cheery yellow Erin Featherstone dress and a simple charm necklace in gold which featured three gold rings. I loved her look so much, I immediately added my own version of the gold circle necklace to my charm necklaces collection!

Selena Gomez looked stunning at the 2011 Teen Choice Awards. I loved the necklace she wore, a delicate karma necklace with gold rings. See my version of the necklace, now part of my handmade jewelry collection.

My version of the Selena Gomez gold charm necklace -- available also in sterling silver!

Hard to believe this girl is only 19 years old. I'd love to know where she goes shopping! Can't wait to see where her chic sense of style takes her next.

Celebrity Style Inspiration: Kate Hudson

2011-08-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

I must admit; I'm a huge US Weekly fan and gobble up every issue. One of my favorite celebrities often in the spotlight is Kate Hudson. Kate Hudson's style is so Californian -- with a casual, breezy, sunny ease to her look. With a love for structured suits and bold pattern, Kate has a great range in her style, quirky and free-spirited, which seems exactly like her personality! She often wears Stella McCartney fashion and Jennifer Meyer jewelry, who also happen to be her friends. Can you imagine having fabulous fashion designers as friends? Drool!

Some of my favorite Kate Hudson style looks:

Kate sports big shades, fringe, and a love for clothes with ease at the airport and at the beach.

Red carpet style often includes a sharp suit (with a pop of color) or a magnificent gown, often with a bold pattern!

Kate Husdson wears fab chandelier earrings and a super cool Jennifer Meyer 18k gold nameplate necklace (which costs hundreds of dollars).

Check out my Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li Creations version of a nameplate necklace featuring hand-stamped letters and your choice of sterling silver or 14k gold-filled. This handmade nameplate necklace is made with care and is personalized with your choice of letters or numbers by me!

Personalized necklaces make great gifts for moms or friends. What is a better mother's necklace than one featuring the name or initials of their children or family? Check out my entire collection of Personalized Necklaces at my shop.

Kate also sports chandelier earrings -- I have some chandelier earrings of my own design, be sure to check them out here! Pictured below, my Gemstone Scroll Earrings.

Who are some of your style inspirations?

Peggy

Chevron Necklace Inspiration; Navajo Blankets, Jewelry Breastplates

2011-08-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

I'm loving the Southwest trend happening in fashion right now. It seemed to start with the more exotic tribal/Ikat and now is moving closer to home, with definite Native American influences.

I took inspiration from this beautiful Navajo blanket, circa 1880. I love the zig zag shape, the simple forms, and repeating pattern that emphasizes the overall motif.

I've created my own chevron zig zag with hammered metal forms. Stacked together, they make a neat armor-like pattern. Here, see the Large Chevron Necklace and Small Chevron Necklace, worn together.

Check out my flowing Chevron Earrings! These Chevron Earrings are in a chandelier earring shape, but are still light and airy.

This fabulous image highlights a Native American wearing a bone breastplate ornament. With my hammered links, you get the same rough-hewn feeling, plus the sense of some sort of ancient armor, but for modern, fashion times!

Do you have fashion inspirations? Please share in the comments below!

Peggy

E! News Jewelry: Ashlan Gorse and Kristina Guerrero

2011-08-08T18:39:00.000-07:00

E! News entertainment reporters Ashlan Gorse and Kristina Guerrero rocked Peggy Li Creations handmade jewelry on recent episodes of E! News. These gals report on the latest celebrity gossip, celebrity fashion and hot entertaiment news, so it was so exciting to see them rocking Peggy Li Creations jewelry!

Kristina Guerrero wears my Needle Necklace with aquamarine stone. Love how the dramatic drop of the necklace complements her decolletage! The combination of the sunny yellow dress from Keepsake and the aquamarine blue from the necklace is a fresh summer confection.

Ashlan Gorse wears my Dots Zipper Earrings (very glam and rock 'n' roll) that add just a bit of glimmer to her outfit. Notice that she is also wearing some rooster feather hair extensions in her hair... don't want the commitment of adding feathers to your hair? Why not try wearing some Peggy Li Creations Long Feather Earrings instead!

A big thank you must go out to @CatWrightStyle for the information on what these lovely E! News ladies are wearing and for supporting a small business like Peggy Li jewelry.

Find out what other celebrities are wearing Peggy Li Creations plus Peggy Li Creations on TV, in print and in film at Peggy Li Creations Press pages.

Peggy

Hole-Punch Pliers -- Jewelry Making Tip

2011-07-28T18:26:00.000-07:00

I love my hole-punch pliers! These convienient tools allow you to punch perfect circles into sheets of metal (no more than 20 gauge thick) with the ease of a pair of pliers. You can purchase these hole punch pliers in two circle sizes, 1.25mm and 1.8mm in diameter. Both hole sizes allow for a 20 gauge jump ring to fit through it easily. You can also purchase them with a square punch or oval punch shape. Genius!

Just apply pressure and a hole will be punched in your stamping blank!

One problem I was having with this tool was when I wanted to punch two holes in a blank and have them line up properly. You could scribe or draw lines on your blank to be extra precise, but I found a simple tip helps me quickly make these types of punches.

The "top" of the plier punches through the blank.

After you've punched your first hole, flip your pliers upside-down so you can clearly see where the second hole will be created! Line up your first hole with the second hole that is cut out of the bottom of the plier, a very easy to see negative-space, and voila! You can punch your second hole.

Flip over your pliers to help align your second punch with the first.

That's it! I hope you find this hole punching plier tip useful. It definitely has saved me time in creating multiple holes in metal blanks.

Your finished product!

See my handmade jewelry creations using this tip at Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li. I especially love these hammered, brushed and cascading Metal Petal Earrings using this hole punch plier technique.

Enjoy!
Peggy

Gifts for Runners

2011-07-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

Runner's Necklace

Due to popular demand by running fans out there, I recently added a new personalized necklace to my Peggy Li Creations jewelry collection. This one features a sneaker running shoe charm plus a mini dogtag that I will hand-stamp for you with your running accomplishment. Commemorate a marathon run, or just add in an intial for your BFF running partner. All sterling silver with a lobster clasp, this sucker will endure your longest run.

Looking for other running jewelry options? I have tons of charm necklaces that feature lobster clasps and simple, light charms.

What do you look for in your running jewelry? I'd love to add more gifts for runners to my handmade jewelry collection!

Peggy

Adventures in Wax Carving

2011-06-29T11:29:00.000-07:00

Summer is upon us for another year of Peggy Li Creations jewelry. I always have to keep myself challenged and motivated, so this year, I'd like to try getting some custom components made for my jewelry designs. I have done some lost wax casting before in a class, so I know about the basics, but to put them in to practice is something else.

I purchased some wax for carving and a wax carving pen. Encouraged by this neat video post by jewelry maven Tina Tang about the waxes she designs for her own line, I got to work trying to make some small items I'd like to have for myself.

It definitely wasn't as easy as I thought it might be! I started by trying to reproduce something simple, like a musical note charm. The wax is pliable and forgiving, but this also means that it takes every indendtation and mark as well!

How does it look so far?

I like to have SMALL charms, so the hardest part is keeping the detail while working with such a delicate piece of wax. Fortunately, I received my book on wax carving, Basic Wax Modeling, an Adventure in Creativity. While an older book, there are many pictures and it seems to cover the basics.

Now, to "carve" out some time to play with my waxes some more!
Peggy

Re-Imagining Jewelry Designs

2011-06-17T14:39:00.000-07:00

At work or at the Burlingame Farmer's Market, I often get people who have jewelry pieces that they love, but want changed in some way. It is usually a piece of costume jewelry they have worn to bits, or a treasured favorite from college/mom/earlier that they want updated.

It's a challenge to re-work these pieces! I will first evaluate the history of the piece (is it vintage? real gold or stones?) and let the person know whether I think it is worth altering or worth taking to a fine jeweler for changes. I also remind folks that my design aesthetic is what you see at my jewelry website Peggyli.com. Then, I just let my imagination go!

My friend Vivian brought me these glass earrings she has had since high school and wanted reworked to be "longer and more modern, please." I loved the shield/arrow shape, but didn't love the dated looking AB finish bead on the earwire.

I thought the shield shape would contrast nicely with a circle shape, which would also give it some extra length, which Vivian was looking for. Next, I domed and brushed the silver discs to a matte finish to give them an even more modern edge. I then switched out the old hook earwires to secure French leverback earwires and the transformation was complete!

How do you rework your older designs to make them usable again? Have a project you want reworked by me into a handmade jewelry creation? Let me know! You can read more about my custom jewelry design here.

FAQ: How do I sell at a Craft Fair?

2011-06-16T13:35:00.000-07:00

Summer is here and that means CRAFT SHOWS and outdoor markets! I thought this would be a good time to repost this FAQ I wrote about attending craft shows for my jewelry business, Peggy Li Creations. Any other tips? Please comment!

A lot of small crafters get their first sales through friends and family. A logical next step is to start selling your work at local craft fairs and events. Most of these small events are locally run, so they do not require you to have a resale license (though you should have one) and their fees to attend are low.

1) Find a show. A good way to learn about shows in your area is to pick up local newspapers and check local news websites. Keep an eye out on the weekend activities. A lot of local clubs or cafes will host craft sales, usually run by individuals. Larger craft fairs are usually run by event companies and will have a formal application process. Note that the larger craft fairs also require a longer application lead time, up to 6 months in advance or more!

Check out this new site for Indie Craft Shows.

2) Apply. Most small craft shows are screening to make sure they have a good mix of sellers at their event (if you're jewelry, apply early!). Larger craft shows will be juried, meaning they will want an application, a fee to apply, as well as examples of your work and booth setup on slides. They may also require some small business insurance. Fees to apply for a show can vary, from $10 and up. The shows themselves can run into the hundreds for a weekend. The good news is that there are ways to start small with local crafty shows before trying out the larger ones. Schools, art galleries or local recreation centers often have fundraising shows or holiday shows that you can sell at (and help the community).

3) Get your booth together. The more professional your booth, the better! It doesn't have to be fancy, but it should display your product in a clean, easy-to-shop manner. Check what a show provides (if you need electricity or other special set up, like a tent).

My kit includes:

Folding tables (in small sizes to fit any booth configuration. Only if venue doesn't provide tables)
Folding chair
Table cover
Signage (let your customer know who you are and what you sell!)
Biz Cards
Mirrors (customers want to try things on)
Displays (with weights/clips for wind)
Packaging (make it easy to take your product home)
Order book (for your credit card imprinter/machine or cash record)
Cash box with change
Pens/notebook (for checkwriters and notetaking)
Calculator (I am not a math whiz!)
Press examples (show off a little)
Tent/umbrella (with weights in case of wind)
Snacks/water

4) Get the word out. Do you have a mailing list, a website, an email newsletter? Tell your fans where and when they can find you. Have a local cafe with a public posting board? Drop a flyer around your neighborhood. It helps you and helps the event. 5) Get ready to sell! Be approachable -- while it's tempting to keep your nose in a book while waiting for customers to stop at your table, it really makes a difference if you are engaged with the event. Do onto others, really! Know your product -- how it was made, the ingredients, and the options available. If you love your product, so will your customers. See the type of events I attend at the Peggy Li Creations Events page.

Trista Sutter Wears Jewelry by Peggy Li Creations

2011-06-03T10:37:00.000-07:00

When I heard that Peggy Li Creations had provided Trista Sutter jewelry for her "US Weekly Hot Bodies" photo shoot, I was totally excited! THEN the lovely Trista Sutter of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette fame surprised me with a very kind Tweet about wearing some of my Thin Hammered Bracelets! While the picture didn't make the magazine, Trista was kind enough to send me this Twitter message @plcpeggy about the jewelry she wore:

@Tristasutter: "I loved wearing them!"

Check out her hot tropical photo. You may purchase similar bangles to the ones she's wearing at my jewelry website, http://www.peggyli.com. Check out the Thin Hammered Bracelets!

Thanks Trista!
Peggy

PS You can follow me on Twitter @plcpeggy!

Rhonda Giedt Photography Photo Shoot

2011-05-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

Now, I'm one of those people who *hates* getting their picture taken. Especially when it's a headshot!

(so where did this Model Card come from? That's a story for a different post!).

But part of growing a business is about being a representative for your brand and putting a face to the facelessness of an online shop. In my case, I needed a professional headshot to help represent me as the handmade jewelry designer for Peggy Li Creations. This is why I turned to my friend and photographer, Rhonda Giedt for some help with getting some headshots made for my bio. You may learn all about Rhonda's photography and services (she does portraits, pets, wedding photography and more!) at her website, Rhonda Giedt Photography.

Rhonda made me comfortable immediately, explaining her technique and then shooting away! Knowing I was nervous, she made me feel at ease. We tried a variety of poses and she was totally open to try different setups that I wanted to see. She worked quickly and efficiently and the experience couldn't have been easier.

The best part is that the photographs turned out fantastic! I had a range of photographs to chose from and after I made my selections, I received a lovely package containing a disc of my images in hi-res format, plus a hand written thank you and some cards for friends to have a free portrait session with Rhonda.

Do you live in the San Francisco bay area? I'd be happy to pass on one of Rhonda's free portrait sessions to you. Just email me at info@peggyli.com!

Here are some samples of the finished result of our portrait photoshoot. I couldn't be more pleased! Thanks Rhonda!

FAQ: Are Item Descriptions Important?

2011-05-23T10:43:00.000-07:00

YES. I know as artists, we want to describe our babies in the most creative, whimsical way. I think I wrote about naming items in a previous post, and while I believe you absolutely need to have a consistent voice and personality to your writing (to go with your brand), you absolutely can not ignore the importance of giving your shoppers the information they need to make a shopping decision!

For my jewelry business at Peggy Li Creations, there are a few things I *always* try and give to the shopper in the description (and sometimes, when I'm updating my website at 2AM, I forget, but I try!):

1) Length/sizes for items. Describe the pendant size or stone sizes as best you can. I've tinkered with using rulers or coins in my images, but it's a little... tacky? Which brings me to...

2) Images. Images are so important. Try and get the color and scale right. Have reinforcing images -- closeups for the detail, and if you can, a photo on a model. I use a clothing bust ('cause pictures on people are hard!). If I had all the time and money in the world, I'd use people as models, absolutely.

Does this give you a better idea of the length? Go ahead and give a measurement, too.

3) Describe the materials used. Don't just say "silver" if it is sterling silver or fine silver. Don't just say "gold" if it is really gold plate, 14k gold, or 14k gold-filled. Find these descriptions confusing? Me, too -- so I often reference other websites and keep a glossary on my website for my customers to understand the differences.

4) Describe the colors. It may seem obvious, but capturing colors in photos are tricky. I like to try and describe colors, especially if I think the photo isn't the most representative of the actual color of the item.

5) Use texture descriptions. Is it smooth? Faceted? Rough? Again, details are often difficult to pick out of a photo, especially of small items like jewelry.

How would you describe the stones on these earrings? Chips? Chunks? Are they faceted? A good description would help!

6) Describe shapes. Is it round, teardrop, flat, fat, faceted, domed?

7) Describe techniques. Did you brush it for a matte finish? Hammer in a texture?

I'm learning all the time how to improve the descriptions I have for different jewelry designs, and I will continue to tweak descriptions, especially if there is customer feedback on an item ie "I didn't think it was that ----" and try and cover those topics for new products going forward.

OK, so maybe most people don't actually READ the descriptions. But if they do, definitely give them some information to better understand your design. Think about what *you* like to know about an item before you buy it (especially when it's online!). That will tell you all you need to know about writing good descriptions for your products!

Good luck,
Peggy

Symphony of Circles

2011-05-19T15:32:00.001-07:00

Symphony of Circles by Peggy Li.

FAQ: Best Polishing Cloths?

2011-05-17T20:41:00.000-07:00

I've tried a few different types of silver polishing cloths over the years, with different results for each. Here is my opinion of some of the different options. Like with most tools of the trade, the key is to choose the right tool for the job:

1) Sunshine Polishing cloth - by far my favorite product, Sunshine Polishing cloths are a small square of yellow fabric material that is infused with microabrasives. The cloth itself feels slightly tacky to the touch, and will blacken as you use it. The cloth holds up well to use and is very durable. The abrasives in the cloth are indeed micro -- the cloth removes tarnish *and* polishes, without removing or scratching silver surfaces. I find these gentle enough to clean 14k gold-filled and vermeil items as well (use carefully!).

You may purchase a Sunshine Polishing cloth from my website.

2) Rouge cloth - this style of polishing cloth comes with two sheets that are connected together on one end. One side is red, representing the "red rouge" side that contains the microabrasives for cleaning and polishing. The yellow side is meant to be used after the cleaning for a final high shine polish. I find that the red cloth side is not the best cleaning cloth, that the abrasives don't last long in the fabric. However, the yellow side does bring out a nice shine to the item with some buffing.

3) Pro-Polish pads - this is a favorite of a lot of folks, they come in small squares so you only need to use as much as you need at any time. Be careful, as one side of the pad has the harsher abrasives that can scratch surfaces (for a slightly matte finish). I like using these for heavier-duty jobs, such as polishing items to remove excess oxidation or to smooth out scratches on items. Some cons for this product is that you *can not* get it wet or it turns into a goo, so use only with dry pieces. The other thing I noticed is that they dry out over time, leaving the spongy pads brittle and the abrasives powdery. Keep stored in a nice ziplock bag to help prevent dry outs.

There it is! The cloth I always keep handy are Sunshine Polishing cloths (for quick clean and polish) and Pro-Pads (for heavy duty work). For even heavier work, I will sometimes use microfine abrasive papers before doing a final polish with cloth. For tarnish in hard-to-reach spots, check out this nifty trick to remove tarnish with aluminum foil.

Do you have a favorite polishing/cleaning product for your metals?

best,
peggy

Last of their kind designs -- get yours soon!

2011-05-03T18:38:00.000-07:00

I only have a few more pieces of these fabulous jewelry designs! When they're gone, they're gone! With semi-precious stones, or some materials, I never know when I'll find the same cuts and colors. The 14k gold pieces are priced based on gold prices from *years ago* and are a great value! Many of these have been bestsellers and now are endangered species! Check 'em out and get yours today. Don't miss out on one of your favorites.

Earrings
Topaz Earrings
Chocolate and Yellow Diamond
14k White Gold starburst posts
Pearl Cascade Earrings

Necklaces
Tourmaline Cascade Necklace
Turquoise Swirl Necklace (the matching earrings have sold out!)
Pearl Crinkle Necklace

Visiting Neiman Marcus

2011-04-30T19:25:00.000-07:00

Had an interview today with freelance writer Daisy Miclat (check out her fab blog about style and eco-fashion at unfshnable). We met at the San Francisco Neiman Marcus fresh cafe and after our chat, wandered around the store for a little window shopping!

The most inspirational moment (besides talking to a young writer just starting her career) was spying these dresses peeking out from their corner of the Oscar De La Renta nook.

The green dress was absolutely stunning, and made in the most unusual fabric. The fabric was textured, woven, it was the most glamourous version of a -- potato sack? -- that I've ever seen! Perhaps you just had to see it in person. Love.

Peggy

Nikki Lang Jewelry by Peggy Li Creations

2011-04-13T09:49:00.000-07:00

So excited to find out that LA singer/songwriter Nikki Lang wears Peggy Li Creations jewelry in her music video for "Bros before Hos". She's seen here wearing silver and red coral earrings that will be part of my Summer 2011 collection!

Nikki just recently played in San Francisco and is currently touring to promote her new album and first single, "Feel Better." According to her website, Nikki began singing at age 12, and is inspired by artists like Joni Mitchell, Alanis Morrisette and Lily Allen. Catch up with Nikki at her website Nikki Lang.

I'll update this post when I have the silver and coral earrings available online at my website, peggyli.com!

Peggy

Peggy Li Creations in the SF Chronicle!

2011-03-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

Peggy Li Creations is featured in the Sunday March 27, 2011 issue of the San Francisco Chronicle (my home city paper) in the Style section! Had a great interview with the writer, the multi-talented Jeannie Matteucci. Turned out we had a ton of stuff in common (including the same hometown, can you believe it?). It was fun, and at times difficult, to think back to the beginnings of peggyli.com and remember the struggles, dreams and hopes that starting your own business can bring. It's been a great ride and I've loved sharing with you all my designs and debuts, big hits and blunders, and am so grateful to have made it this far.

Read the article: Peggy Li's 'Real' Job: Jewelry Maker

It can be a lonely task to run your own business. Sometimes it helps to stop, think about what you've accomplished, and try not to be intimidated/afraid/discouraged by what else is out there. I've been lucky to have a creative outlet that is also a business that equals... more creative freedom! But, ultimately, it comes down to my fabulous customers who support me and encourage me.

Thank you!
Peggy

Polyvore Jewelry Collage: Botanical Beauties

2011-03-23T10:54:00.001-07:00

Botanical Beauties by Peggy Li.

I've pulled together some of my favorite botanical-inspired jewelry creations! Wear a gorgeous Rose Flower Pendant Necklace, a serene Lotus Flower Pendant Necklace or some leafy earrings. Love.

FAQ: What jewelry did Audra McDonald wear on Private Practice?

2011-03-22T13:21:00.000-07:00

Reposting this in tribute to the beautiful and multi-talented actress/singer/performer Audra McDonald, who left Private Practice this season! Will miss her!

Audra McDonald has worn multiple handmade jewelry pieces by Peggy Li Creations on ABC's "Private Practice", the "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff starring Kate Walsh, Audra McDonald, Tim Daly, KaDee Strickland and Amy Brenneman.

Some of my favorite jewelry pieces Audra McDonald has worn are:

Bubble Earrings in white pearl.

Rutilated Quartz Earrings

Amethyst Bubble Necklace

Chocolate Kiss Pearl Necklace

See all of my handmade jewelry on Private Practice here.

best,
peggy

FAQ: What jewelry was on Buffy, the Vampire Slayer Season 4?

2011-03-08T19:02:00.000-08:00

Having my jewelry designs on the hit TV show "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer" started my whole journey as a handmade jewelry designer. I've been digging through the archives and found these great pics (before HD TV!) of some classic Peggy Li Creations handmade jewelry that appeared on season 4 of the show. This is what started it all! Remember the stretchy Swarovski Crystal bracelet trend? I used a lot of crystals in these designs, "floating" necklaces and bits of silver. I was so amazed and proud to see these earrings, necklaces and bracelets being worn by the likes of Sarah Michelle Gellar and Alyson Hannigan. What a thrill each week to watch the show and see what would unfold!

A lot of the designs are no longer available but that doesn't mean I can't still make 'em ;).

Browse through these Buffy season 4 screenshots and enjoy jewelry worn on Buffy!

From the Season 4 episode, "The Freshman", Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers wears my Illusion Choker Necklace in pinks. This floating invisible wire necklace features sterling silver and Swarovski crystals.

From the Season 4 episode "Harsh Light of Day", Willow (Alyson Hannigan) wears a handmade necklace made of copper wire. I created each link by hand, swirling copper wire and attaching small dangles to each section. The piece was a popular item on the website, and the copper aged over time into a rich dark patina.

Season 4 episode "Harsh Light of Day", Buffy wakes up wearing only a Peggy Li Creations ribbon cuff! This cuff was made from wide woven ribbon, backed with soft supple suede and closed with hook and eye closures.

In episode "Fear, Itself", Buffy wears a one-of-a-kind woven sterling silver and Swarovski crystal choker necklace. I wove fine silver wire into an almost spider-web like pattern, weaving in tiny Swarovski crystals into the web for a glittering effect.

For the episode "Beer Bad", Buffy briefly wears a special floating necklace I made using just some simple sterling silver swirls and sterling silver crimp beads. A truly unique necklace that just glittered subtlety in the light.

From Season 4 Buffy episode "Wild at Heart", Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers wears a 4-Crystal Floating Necklace in a combination of pink Swarovski crystals. More illusion wire and floating crystals!

In the same episode, we see Buffy being very reflective and wearing my Illusion Choker Necklace in the Blues colors. At this point, I was amazed that they'd used so many of my pieces of jewelry on the show!

One of the best Buffy episodes ever, Season 4 "Hush". Buffy wears a handmade turquoise suede cuff that features vintage felt flowers. I found these vintage felt flowers in a crumbling cardboard box in the back of a tiny bead shop in the heart of Hollywood. Real wool, some of the flowers had been destroyed by moths. The remaining, pristine flowers I sewed by hand onto a suede cuff. I love how the color of the bracelet matched her top perfectly!

Big baddie Harmony (Spike's girlfriend), wears an illusion choker necklace featuring floating feathers and sterling silver. I loved how these feathers stood against your throat and seemed to float there -- an interesting accent for a vampire, no?

In the Buffy episode "Something Blue", Willow (Alyson Hannigan) finds herself jealous of her BFF Buffy finding a love interest (in hunky Riley). Here, Willow wears a handmade turquoise necklace I made using leather, turquoise beads and knotted. It's perfectly Willow style, with bright color and an earthy edge.

I'll add more when I find them! Want to see all the Peggy Li Creations jewelry featured on TV? Check out my Jewelry Seen on TV page!

Best,
Peggy

FAQ: What jewelry did KaDee Strickland wear on Private Practice?

2011-03-07T23:26:00.000-08:00

UPDATED! Lovely KaDee Strickland plays Dr. Charlotte King on ABC's "Private Practice". Charlotte has worn the following jewelry pieces available at Peggy Li Creations handmade jewelry through seasons 2-4:

Large Lotus Hoop Earrings

KaDee wore these earrings in both silver and gold plate: Small Lotus Hoop Earrings

Open Lotus Earrings

Handmade with square wire, the Butterfly Twist Necklace, Butterfly Twist Earrings

Dove Charm Necklace

I love how KaDee (and therefore, Charlotte's) jewelry style is clean, simple and open! I especially love how the gold necklaces and gold earrings look on her -- the rich tones really compliment her golden Texan beauty! See these handmade earrings and handmade necklaces and all my handmade jewelry at peggyli.com!

Want more jewelry on Private Practice? Click here to see all my pieces used on the show!

FAQ: Handmade Jewelry Tools at My Bench

2011-03-03T17:36:00.000-08:00

Tools are the lifeblood to my handmade jewelry business, Peggy Li Creations! So I thought it would be fun to share a quick snapshot of some of the tools near my jewelry workbench -- pliers, wire cutters, hole punches. Nothin' too fancy. I will say, if you're working a lot with these tools (and I am!), don't skimp on the quality. You will pay more for quality tools, but they will be more durable and last you much, much longer than the cheaper tools. Plus, your hands and forearms are your MOST important tools, so treat them well with good equipment to use (and remember to stretch and not get locked into the same motion for too long).

When I look for quality in jewelry tools, I look for tools that spring back open, have ergonomic features for your hands and replaceable parts. I prefer Lindstrom over Swanstrom, two of the biggest jewelry tool brands. I find that Lindstrom tools, which are made in Sweden, are smaller in size, which fit my smaller hands, and they are lighter overall. Lindstrom tools are made in the USA and feature longer handles and heavier construction.

I've always said, have a pair of needle nose flat (no teeth!) pliers and a pair of wire cutters, and you're in business.

Armed with these basics, I have all I need to create most of my handmade jewelry designs for you!

Essentials at my bench:

Lindstrom Rx 7893 pliers
Erem wirecutters (I've had these for over 9 years now and they are still sharp!)
Swanstrom S512E flush cutters (I use these sparingly to keep blades sharp)
Xuron wire cutters (for thicker wire ie over 20ga)
Punch pliers (round, 1.8mm size punch)
Bench block (for hammering against)
Hammer (chasing)
Rawhide hammer
Metal ruler at least 18" long

What do you have at your jewelry bench? What jewelry tools can you not live without?

Peggy

Hand Forged Hoop Earrings

2011-02-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

Handmade Hoop Earrings by Peggy Li Creations by Peggy Li on Polyvore.com

Always a bestseller, handmade hoop earrings can come in a variety of sizes and shapes! And since every pair is made by hand by me, each pair is unique. Delicate and hammered for a bit of sparkle and texture, the Delicate Round Hoop Earrings are by far the bestsellers. I love the Mixed Metal Hoop earrings (for their great texture) and the Bean Shape Hoop Earrings (for their original shape). Use these hoop earrings gently, open them just enough to slide them in and then back closed. Please don't sleep in them! If they get bent out of shape, coax them back to their original shape with your fingers.

These hoop earrings are available in a variety of metals; sterling silver, 14k gold filled and 14k rose gold filled. You can also request a design using 14k gold, if you so desire!

These handmade hoop earrings can be hard to make (and my poor neighbors hate the hammering noise!), but they are a definite jewelry staple. What shape is your favorite? Any new hoop earring shapes that you would like to see? Maybe a heart or a star?

Best,
peggy

Bird Jewelry

2011-02-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

Bird Jewelry by Peggy Li Handmade Jewelry

Fly Free Necklace : Necklaces : Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li Creations, $79
Owl Charm Necklace : Necklace : PEGGY LI CREATIONS, $45
Bird Charm Necklace : Necklaces : Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li..., $49
Large Swallow Necklace : Necklaces : Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li..., $59
Little Bird Earrings : Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li Creations, $39
Guardian Angel Wing Necklace : Necklaces : Handmade Jewelry by Peggy..., $59
Tiny Feather Necklace : Necklaces : Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li..., $49
Dove Charm Necklace : Necklaces : Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li..., $39

Still experimenting with the wonders of Polyvore... what better collection to pull together than one of the Bird themed items I have at Peggyli.com?

I love birds! Their diversity, beauty and pure physical wonders have always fascinated me. I grew up with Zebra finches and a cockatiel as pets. I treasured my Audubon Field Guide to Birds and climbed trees and camped out in bushes to view the birds nesting around our home (for the record, there were some orioles, doves and swallows that made nests around our house. Awesome!).

So it's no wonder I have a diverse selection of handmade jewelry featuring many different bird charms! From swallows (ancient symbols for home and hope) to wings (angel or otherwise), delicate feathers, peaceful doves and wise owls, there will be bird necklaces or bird earrings here for you.

Feel free to explore my website for even more bird jewelry plus other whimsical and wonderful charm necklaces! Are there any charms in particular you'd like to see? Make your jewelry charm request for me in the comments of this blog!

best,
peggy

Tucson Day 4: AGTA and Holidome

2011-02-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

I already knew what was on my agenda for Day 4 -- a return to Holidome! I had mulled over and sorted through my buys and notes from Day 3: This is Holidome and knew I would be returning to do some "clean up" shopping!

We set off early once again and luckily it wasn't quite as cold as the day before. I did my "surgical strike" of the Holidome show and then it was off to the most elite of the shows in Tucson, AGTA.

AGTA, like GJX, had a pretty thorough registration proceedure, requiring credentials, stickers, and being scanned as you went from room to room. And no wonder -- there were exhibits of some of the most amazing jewels! There were examples of the most high-end, artisan ready to wear jewelry, one of my favorites being Todd Reed's use of diamonds and oxidized metals. After being dazzled by the gemstones at AGTA, I was ready to put the beads to bed and enjoy the rest of my time in Tucson. That meant more golf and the excellent truffle fries at Zin Burger!

Thanks, Tucson!

Tucson Day 3: This is Holidome

2011-02-09T18:15:00.000-08:00

I was very excited for my third day in Tucson, because that meant going to one of the biggest bead shows in Tucson -- Holidome! I had prepped the night before by marking down on an exhibit floor map the location of the vendors I knew I wanted to visit and reviewing my shopping list that I had prepped for Tucson in advance.

It was very cold again in the morning, so we bundled up. Still, we weren't prepared for the below-freezing winds and the long walk from the parking lot to the Holiday Inn where the Holidome tents are located. See, the hotel has a pretty small parking lot, so we had to park at the Gem Mall location, which was luckily only two or 3 blocks away.

Once in the tents, I was immediately hit by the sheer enormity of it all! Still, I managed to stay on target.

My first booth was a very popular one, and there were masses of people grabbing at anything and everything, it seemed. I always like to talk to the vendors, ask what's new, and what's been good sellers. I try to avoid the "mob shopping" mentality, but it's tough to not try and check out what other people are oohing and ahhing over!

Thinking about my Fall collection, I started pulling trays featuring deep blues, blacks and greys. A good place to start, don't you think?

Eventually I finished my "hit list" and moved on to start systematically walking the floor. I passed by every booth, and anything that looked interesting I took a card and wrote on the back what had caught my eye.

It was so cold that day, the port-a-potties set up outside the tents were non-functional. The poor hotel lobby bathrooms were not enough for the big crowds, so that sort of put a damper on the day! Still, I did the majority of my shopping at Holidome, and with my head swimming, called it a day after about 4.5 hours at the show!

Next, I had one more day left to cover the shows. Stay tuned for Day 4!

Peggy

Tucson Day 2: Dove Mountain Golf

2011-02-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

After a busy first day in Tucson, my BF and I took the chance to do some real sightseeing in Tucson! We had a 10 AM morning tee time at Dove Mountain Golf Course, a golf course north of town near the Ritz Carlton resort and spa. We had a day planned complete with golf, massage and dinner! It would be hard to top the previous day, where we had finished with a a great dinner at Jax Kitchen (contemporary American food).

We woke up, however, to a record cold snap! Temperatures were hovering around 32C when we woke up and while we hoped for things to warm up by the time we drove to the course, we got the bad news when we arrived -- there would be a frost delay and we couldn't tee off as planned. This turned out to be a good break, however, since it meant we could zip down to the local Walmart and pick up some extra clothing layers (thank goodness for thermals -- I'd need them later).

Finally, we got to play, and needless to say, the course was gorgeous! Cacti, birds and desert dunes, plus an immaculate course challenged us, especially with the still-chilly temperatures. I kept handwarmers in my pockets and two hats on my head!

I won't bore you with the details, for that you can visit my BF's blog, Bay Area Golf Guy.

When we finally had a chance to come in from the cold, we headed back to the hotel to get ready for a wonderful dinner at Cafe Poca Cosa. I wanted to have an early night, because the next day would involve the biggest show of all -- HOLIDOME.

Peggy

Tucson Day 1 With Peggy Li Creations

2011-02-01T21:40:00.000-08:00

I've made it to the promised land, the mecca, the superbowl of gem shows -- the Tucson Gem Show that runs annually every Jan-Feb and draws hundreds of vendors (and shoppers) from around the world.

I rolled right off the airplane and since it was too early to check in to the hotel room, decided to (duh!) hit some shows! Gotta get those great new gemstones for Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li Creations.

I started with the J.O.G.S show, which is at the Tucson Expo Center. Large, sprawling, and smelling of BBQ from the food tents set up outside, I breezed through the registration (remember to register in advance!) and got to walking down the aisles. This show was a bit of a mish-mash of items, from finished jewelry to gemstones to mineral displays and smaller booths of handcrafted items. The most interesting booths to me was a booth with vintage ivory components and another featuring diamond-encrusted pendants and jewelry. Now, I realized quickly that one of the hardest things to do during the show will be to recognize "quality" from not-so-quality. But I don't want to stick with the vendors I normally shop with, so I remembered to pick up a lot of business cards and catalogs.

Next, we hit the GJX(after stopping for lunch at the In-n-Out). Here the registration booth was quite alert, asking for ID and making sure we displayed the proper passes before allowing us inside. GJX definitely had a higher level of products than the JOGS show, and (yay!) a lot more beads. Some familiar faces were here so it was nice to see if they had anything new. Hot sellers? Premade gemstone chains and more of the oxidized, diamond encrusted beads. Hmm.

After picking up a few goodies at GJX (my first purchases of the day!) the next stop was gonna be the GLW show at the Gem Mall, but we somehow hit a wrong turn and ended up at what I later realized was the Tucson Electric Park show. Now, it is exactly what it sounds like -- sort of a big flea market show for gems. The highlight here was definitely a big tent filled with amethyst and citrine geodes (some up to 5 feet tall) and fossilized tree trunks -- amazing!

We did make it, with an hour to go before shows closed, at the GLW. Now, this show was two huge tents and tons and tons of vendors! Lots of tables of beads and chinese turquoise, Bali beads (watch out for those silver plated styles). We barely had time to walk through both floors quickly, so I think I'll have to go back.

Whew! The feet were just about to start hurting, but we checked in to our hotel and just had time to get out to our dinner to Jax Kitchen (get the hanger steak -- amazing!).

Tomorrow? GOLF! Thursday -- the Holidome, the show that promises to have the biggest finds.

G'nite,
peggy

Turquoise Jewelry by Peggy Li Creations

2011-01-31T09:55:00.000-08:00

Turquoise Jewelry Picks by Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li.

Turquoise Fan Earrings : Earrings : Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li...
$79 - peggyli.com

Turquoise Chunk Ring : Rings : Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li Creations
$59 - peggyli.com

Turquoise Chunk Necklace : Necklaces : Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li...
$129 - peggyli.com

Lovely Leftovers Earrings : Earrings : Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li...
$59 - peggyli.com

blue saffire 2009
$49 - peggyli.com

Turquoise Slice Necklace : Necklaces : Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li...
$29 - peggyli.com

Turquoise Swirl Necklace : Necklaces : Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li...
$52 - peggyli.com

Sideways Cross Necklace : Necklaces : Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li...
$49 - peggyli.com

Explore a range of delicate and chunky Turquoise Jewelry from Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li Creations! I've got a bunch of different turquoise stone looks, perfect for summer. From a long Chunky Necklace (see the review on fashion blog Style Pint here) to the most delicate Turquoise Slice Necklace, there is a turquoise gemstone look that everyone can enjoy. I've even got a Turquoise Chunk Ring that features a wonderful natural tumbled stone!

What types of jewelry/colors do you like to wear for Summer?

Peggy

Green Jade Jewelry from Peggy Li Creations

2011-01-28T11:28:00.000-08:00

Green Jade, Jade Green by Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li.

Jade Chunk Earrings : Earrings : Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li...
$79 - peggyli.com

Jade Chunk Necklace : Necklaces : Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li...
$95 - peggyli.com

Jade Drop Necklace : Necklace : Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li Creations
$49 - peggyli.com

Jade Disk Necklace : Necklaces : Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li...
$39 - peggyli.com

Jade Tile Earrings : Earrings : Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li Creations
$24 - peggyli.com

A plethora of handmade jewelry items featuring green jade! Rough hewn jade chunks in a deep green are almost like a neutral. Or, choose flat tumbled stones for a more elegant look. I'd pair these jade jewelry pieces with khaki, browns, blacks and vibrant orange/reds. Think safari-inspired! These stones can hold up to a bolder look and are cut in big, bolder pieces. Love it.

Safari Inspiration by Peggy Li.

For their mystical quality, Jade is considered to promote peace and balance to the wearer. Who wouldn't want more balance and serentity in their lives?

My Jade Disk necklace was used in the movie "Superbad", worn by Martha MacIsaac as "Becca". I think necklaces featuring natural materials like leather are making a comeback for summer -- what do you think?

Best,
peggy

All About Aquamarine

2011-01-27T11:59:00.001-08:00

All About Aquamarine by Peggy Li on Polyvore.com

I've noticed a lot of searches on my handmade jewelry site recently for "Aquamarine" -- and why not? This beautiful semi-precious stone is the color of water, a clean fresh blue gemstone perfect for Spring and Summer fashion! So... the featured gemstone this month -- Aquamarine! In crytal lore, aquamarines are said to instill courage, attract friends, and aid in communication. I am an aquamarine horder, I have tons of stones just waiting to be transformed into jewelry pieces... what are you hoping to find? Do you prefer cut stones or smooth tumbled nuggets? I'm traveling to the Tucson Gem Show this year, and I've got to create my shopping list!

Check out these handmade jewelry styles featuring aquamarine stones in earrings and necklaces at http://www.peggyli.com

. I especially love the serenity of the Lotus Charm Necklace with aquamarine and the slinky elegance of the Shimmery Discs Necklace.

Graphic created by cool fashion site Polyvore -- clip images from your favorite sites to save them and collage them later to create fashion inspiration. I'm trying it out for the first time, are you a Polyvore user? What do you think?

Getting Ready for Tucscon 2011

2011-01-18T12:41:00.000-08:00

It's only about 2 weeks until I'll be traveling to Tucscon for my first-ever Tucson Gem Show experience. I pre-registered for most of the shows I wanted to attend, bought a travel book and have even started making restaurant reservations. I of course booked my hotel and plane ticket many months in advance.

Now, on a whim I decided to check my hotel booking to confirm my dates and reservation online. Imagine my surprise when it was marked cancelled! Well, after a few phone calls of me in near-panic, it turns out my hotel changed ownership and failed to transfer my reservation. Luckily, Jamie from the Sheraton was helpful enough to re-book my room, and at the original rate I had booked. Whew!

Just goes to show that you can never be too prepared.

So, the Tucson preparation continues! Do you have any restaurant recommendations? Must-see shops? Favorite golf courses (I'll be bringing my clubs!)?

In the meantime, check out this old post about tips and hints for attending Gem Shows.

Some additional tips for navigating a gem show:

1) Bring a sharpie with you to mark vendor names/prices on bags.
2) Bring a notebook and pen to keep track of your finds before you want to buy them.
3) Create labels that contain your address and resale number to make checkouts faster.
4) Wear a secure purse (zippers!) that you can sling across your body to allow for hands-free (but stay aware of your surroundings).
5) Bring a little mirror with you --- vendors don't often have them, or they are always with someone else!

Also check out Nina Designs' blog for other handy Shopping at Tucson tips.

That's all for now!

Peggy

Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li and Elizabeth Anne Designs

2011-01-16T22:22:00.000-08:00

I am very pleased to announce that Peggy Li Creations has been listed as a vendor on the Elizabeth Anne Designs wedding blog! This wonderful blog is filled with photos, vendor listings, DIY ideas and overall inspiration for the bride-to-be. There are also sections divided out by regions, so you can have even more context to your wedding ideas.

Based out of Chicago, the Editor and Publisher Ami Price is not only passionate about design and crafts, but also shares her blogging knowledge on tip site Edit and Post.

I think both sites are very cool and filled with information. And the photos? Amazing! I'll definitely be browsing through the "real weddings" posts and galleries to see what fab colors are inspiring brides today to help me create my bridal jewelry collections.

Thanks Ami!

Peggy

Private Practice Jewelry 1/6/11

2011-01-08T12:04:00.000-08:00

Ah, the holidays are over and we're in a new year (hello, 2011!), and best of all, TV shows are back! I've been watching a ton of Top Chef All-Stars, What Not to Wear (yes, a steady diet of reality TV) plus new show "Are We There Yet?" and oldies "Private Practice" to try and spot some PLCs!

This week's episode of Private Practice, "If you don't know me by now", Naomi Bennett (Audra McDonald) wears my Bubble Earrings in white pearl! Audra always looks so put together and classically elegant in smart suit separates and dresses. My simple gemstone and pearl jewelry always looks clean and fresh with her gorgeous skintone and classy style!

See these earrings and more at Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li Creations. Want to check out all the jewelry seen on Private Practice? Check out the Private Practice Press Page.

Happy New Year!
Peggy

Holiday Gift Guide -- Give Handmade Jewelry from Peggy Li!

2010-12-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

It's never to early to get gifts for the holiday or pick out items for your Wish List! Here are my top handmade jewelry picks for everyone on your gift list.

The TV watcher
I've been lucky enough to have pieces on various TV shows (Private Practice, Outlaw) and also have a few pieces I've made that have been inspired by hit shows! Right now the hot sellers are:

Star Charm Necklace (inspired by Glee)

Swarovski Slice Necklace (inspired by a Kate Walsh diamond necklace)

Lotus Hoop Earrings (seen on Private Practice)

The Hippie Chic Chick
I can't pick just one! Check out all of my Yoga/Spiritual Necklaces; you can't go wrong.

The Fashionable Mom
No question, a great pick for Mom would be a Personalized Necklace, like my Lowercase Initial Necklace.

The Girl Who Doesn't Wear a Lot of Jewelry
This is always a toughie. You wanna give a little glitter but not go too over-the-top. Luckily, Peggy Li Creations Handmade Jewelry has a wide variety of styles to choose from! My pick is my Simple Dot Necklace, because it is exactly that -- simple and easy to wear!

Need other suggestions? Post a comment, let me know!

FAQ: Did you make Kate Walsh's diamond necklace?

2010-11-20T23:50:00.000-08:00

I am often asked if I am the designer who makes the gorgeous diamond necklaces Kate Walsh (she plays Addison Montgomery on "Private Practice"), wears in many episodes, and although I have many handmade jewelry designs featured on Private Practice and other TV shows, this Kate Walsh necklace is not my creation. From what I can see, the Kate Walsh necklace is a trillion cut diamond solitaire on fine gold chain or a fine 14k gold chain with diamond briolettes. Kate Walsh also wears these necklaces outside of Private Practice, so my guess is that it is part of her personal jewelry collection. **UPDATE**: In fact, Kate Walsh has confirmed the Trillion Cut necklace as Anita Ko herself via Twitter (thanks Ms. Walsh!)

"k8_walsh @plcpeggy the trillion necklace is anita ko, as are my cougar earrings and bracelets"

Here's a great link to a closeup pic of the necklaces Kate Walsh often wears.

I do have necklaces that have a similar feel to the Kate Walsh necklaces -- a Herkimer Solitaire necklace, a Tiny Bubble White Topaz necklace, a Rose Quartz Briolettes Necklace, a Herkimer Slice Necklace and a gorgeous, sparkly yet simple Swarovski Slice Necklace.

Swarovski Slice Necklace.
Sparkling Swarovski Crystal beads on simple drawn cable chain. Layer these necklaces for a gorgeous effect!

Rose Quartz Briolettes Necklace.
The palest of pink rose quartz stones float on simple drawn chain. Texture plus sparkle in this delicate gemstone necklace!

Herkimer Solitaire Necklace.
Herkimer quartz crystal has a diamond-like quality and just floats at your throat on delicate chain.

Tiny Bubble Necklace.
Unusual cut of white topaz is centered on elegant rope chain. This necklace design is timeless and classic.

Herkimer Slice Necklace.
Herkimer diamond crystals sparkle in this popular gemstone necklace style from Peggy Li Creations.

Enjoy!
peggy
Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li Creations

Peggy Li Creations Holiday 2010 Shipping Dates!

2010-11-11T08:24:00.000-08:00

Holiday shipping dates are now posted at peggyli.com and below:

***HOLIDAY SHIPPING DATES 2010***
Please remember that mail often takes longer than posted delivery estimates around the holiday season. Please place your orders early to give me time to make and ship your goodies!

For (Continental US) USPS Priority Mail, FedEx and Global Express customers, please place your order by December 12 to ensure delivery by December 24th.

For USPS Global Priority Customers, please place your order by December 5 to ensure delivery by December 24th.

If you miss these dates, I'll do my best to ship your packages as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding! Please feel free to email me if you have questions about your order.

Happy Holiday shopping!
Peggy

Simple Necklaces

2010-10-28T14:00:00.000-07:00

I'm often asked what my design style or inspiration is. I always want to respond that I have a simple style! I love clean lines and wearable pieces. I want you to be able to integrate my handmade necklaces and earrings into your wardrobe and use the pieces every day. Many of these pieces you can mix and match with other necklaces to create a layered look, or wear them alone for a siple singular design statement. How you wear them is up to your imagination!

Here are some of the bestselling simple necklaces from Peggy Li Creations handmade jewelry:

Simple Dot Necklace
A flat circular bead in sterling silver or gold vermeil floats along fine chain for a great everyday jewelry look.

Little Leaf Necklace.
This popular necklace design is just a little off-kilter for a whimsical and not literal nature-inspired charm necklace.

Butterfly Twist Necklace
Seen on "Private Practice", each of these necklaces is unique because I make each by hand.

There are tons more styles at my website, Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li Creations!

Jewelry on Outlaw Worn by Ellen Woglom

2010-10-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

Jimmy Smits and Ellen Woglom star in NBC's new show "Outlaw", and Peggy Li Creations handmade jewelry was there! Unfortunately, the show has been cancelled recently, but the remaining four episodes are airing Saturdays 9pm Pacific time.

Ellen Woglom plays young attorney Mereta Sprows. Here in the episode "In Re: Tracy Vidalin", Ellen wears my Pearl Disk Necklace in 14k gold-filled.

Learn more about Ellen at her Facebook Fan page!

Celebrity Client -- Ballerina Maki Onuki

2010-10-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

I was thrilled to discover that a recent client was a member of the Washington, DC ballet! She is in her seventh season with the Washington ballet, and just recently won a bronze medal at the International Ballet Competition in Jackson, WY.

Read more about Maki Onuki at the Washington Ballet website here: Maki Onuki.

What did Ms. Onuki purchase? These garnet and smoky quartz earrings, which are now sold out!

Thank you, Maki!

peggy

Registering for Shows at Tucson 2011

2010-10-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

I've had some great responses to my plea for help with planning my trip to the Tucson Gem Show 2011. Thank you and please keep 'em coming!

One common piece of advice for navigating the overwhelming Tucson show event is to pre-register for the big shows. Avoid the long lines and get the details on what paperwork they require when you show up at their doors (and even if you pre-register, you'll want all your papers with you at all times!). Most require a business license, others also require a jewelry professionals' membership OR proof of jewelry purchases in the form of invoices with mimimum purchase amounts. A hassle, but I guess its their way of filtering the crowds to just serious buyers.

Here are some shows who have already opened their pre-registration forms for Jan-Feb 2011 Tucson. Registration often ends early Jan, so don't forget to sign up soon!

J.O.G.S Gem Show
http://www.jogsshow.com/index.php

AGTA GemFair Tucscon
http://www.agta.org/tradeshows/gemfair-tucson.html

Gem and Lapidary Wholesalers Show
http://www.glwshows.com/

Gem and Jewelry Exchange
http://www.gjxusa.com/gjxhomepage.html

Am I missing any biggies? Post your favorite Tucson shows here!

peggy

Celebrity Client -- Actress Meredith Eaton

2010-10-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Picture courtesy of Ms. Eaton. Photo by Brian Gordon.

I'm lucky to have the best clients ever for my handmade jewelry creations! Many of you have supported me for many seasons, including one fabulous actress, Meredith Eaton.

I first became a fan of Meredith on an episode of CSI called "A Little Murder". Meredith first encountered Peggy Li Creations jewelry on the set of "Without a Trace" and has been a fan ever since. This beautiful brunette has been a star on the big and small screen, including other memorable turns as Bethany Horowitz on "Boston Legal" and most recently on an episode of "NCIS". Check out her work on IMDB!

Even more fantastic, Meredith is also a clinical pyschologist. So not only is she creatively talented, but she takes that talent and uses it to help people. See her interview with Matt Roloff (of "Little People, Big World fame") here on You Tube.

What are Meredith's picks? She loves her:

Square Initial Necklace
Snowflake Mother of Pearl Necklace (only a few left!)
Square Monogram Necklace

Thanks again for your support, Meredith!

peggy

FAQ: Can I Grade My Website for SEO?

2010-09-27T18:00:00.000-07:00

We've all heard about how important SEO, or Search Optimization, is important for your business on the web. There are many techniques you can use to improve the SEO for your website, some of which I talk about in this FAQ: How Do I Drive Traffic To My Site?

A neat tool I found recently is this Website Grader tool from SEO/Marketing company Hubspot.com. It runs a check on your website (and you can see what your competition is doing!) and gives you a quick summary of how your site own site is doing. I like using it to monitor my progress on site changes I make for SEO.

Check it out at Websitegrader.com.

best,
peggy

Yoga Jewelry for National Yoga Month

2010-09-15T10:29:00.000-07:00

September is National Yoga Month, a month where Yoga fitness professionals promote the health benefits of Yoga to those who are curious about this ancient art! There are free classes and events given around the country, definitely check out the National Yoga Month website if you are interested in learning more.

Here at Peggy Li Creations, there is a great selection of handmade jewelry featuring favorite Yoga symbols, such as the Om and Tree of Life. Check out my Yoga/Spiritual Jewelry section for all the options!

Peggy

FAQ -- Non Toxic Pickle for Metal?

2010-09-07T13:00:00.000-07:00

Now, with pictures, my experiments with non-toxic pickles to finish your silver soldered projects.

Eureka! After a few experiments, I've found a way to pickle my soldered metals to remove firescale using common household ingredients! Now I can work on my handmade jewelry at home and not depend on going to the studio to do soldering work.

For those who haven't tried soldering, applying heat to your sterling silver causes it to darken with 'firescale'. The typical studio proceedure is to "pickle" the metal in a mild acid bath. There are also many commercial liquids out there, but I've never mixed them up myself -- I've always had a classroom environment that helpfully provided these (sometimes hazardous) chemicals. But it's tough to always have a class or a studio as a resource. So how could I solder and clean up those pieces safely?

The two methods I had heard about that were non-toxic were:

1) Lemon (only lemon, for the citric acid) Kool-Aid.
2) Vinegar and salt.

My tools:
a ceramic cup
an electric cupwarmer
binding wire
wooden chopsticks

Pickle test was on: small 1/2" and 5/8" sterling discs that had sterling silver pieces soldered onto them with soft solder. Also fine silver components that had sterling silver components soldered to them.

I've now tried both methods and here are the results!

Lemon Kool-Aid
The idea here was to use a highly concentrated solution of lemon Kool-Aid and heat it like a pickling solution. I don't have a pickle pot (typically a small slow-cooker with a glass or other non-reactive heat container inside). I just use a ceramic mug and one of those desk cupwarmers to keep my liquids hot. I start by boiling some water and adding that hot water to the contents in the cup to get the heat going.

The citric acid in the Kool-Aid was to act as the pickle. While the solution smelled fresh and not chemical-y, the cleaning effect was slow and not very even across my firescaled pieces.

Vinegar and Salt
The trick here is to use a saturated solution. I heated the vinegar to almost boiling, enough to put about 2" deep into the ceramic mug (enough to cover my silver pieces). To this hot vinegar, stir in salt until it no longer dissolves. This means the vinegar is completely saturated with salt. The vinegar fumes can be strong, so be careful!

When you add your items to this solution, you'll see a reaction immediately -- white foam and if your firescale is light, it cleaned immediately for me. Success!

I will continue to experiment more and hopefully will add pictures. If you've tried any of these methods, I'd love to hear about it! Happy metal pickling!

best,
peggy

Tucson Gem Show 2011 -- or Bust!

2010-08-30T16:20:00.000-07:00

After many many years of making my own handmade jewelry, I am finally committed to making the journey to the Shangri-la of beads and stones... the (almost mythical) Tucson Gem Show!

This mass meeting of gem and lapidary shows from around the globe converges on Tucson Arizona every year in late January, early February. I'd love to hear stories and TIPS PLEASE from any beaders/jewelers out there who have gone to the show. How to get around? Where to stay? Which shows are not to be missed?

I'm looking forward to meeting fellow designers, meeting new supply vendors, and visiting the massive spreads of my current vendor friends.

Tips I've gathered so far:

1) Book lodging in advance. Well in advance. Many of the shows happen in local hotels and there is shuttle service between many of them.
2) Register as a wholesale seller in advance of the shows.
3) Have plenty of copies of your wholesale paperwork to show to vendors
4) Watch your belongings carefully! It's a big crowd with a lot of cash floating around -- and when there's cash, there's theft.
5) Bring a wheelie bag or other means of carrying your goodies around. There's lots of walking!
6) Remember the basics of visiting a gem show.

I'll keep posting on any updates or cool resources as I research more into the journey (can you say ROAD TRIP???). It's a *little* early to start planning, but I am determined to get there this time. Won't you join me?

best,
peggy

FAQ: Did you make the necklaces Rachel wears on Glee?

2010-08-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

The girls on Glee have such signature style! Rachel Berry, played by Lea Michele, is preppy and pretty with dainty jewelry. Rachel recently wore a tiny gold star charm (she is sure she'll be a star someday). I did not make Rachel's delicate star charm necklace, but I do have a version of my own that you can wear and dream of stardom for yourself!

Star Charm Necklace

I've added a new Tiny Star Charm Necklace for you to choose from! Select up to 3 charms (if you want more, just let me know). I hope to add in a gold-plated version soon.

On the season premiere of Glee, Rachel wore a pretty initial charm "R". I have a teeny tiny initial necklace that has the same feel!

Enjoy!
Peggy
Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li

New Look for the Peggyli.com Website!

2010-08-18T19:03:00.001-07:00

Hi all,

I'm so excited to announce a big changes to the Peggyli.com handmade jewelry website! I hope these changes make your shopping experience even better than before.

Here's what is different:

* A wider, more roomy page.
* Now you can "like" individual items, which will be posted to your Facebook feed!
* Item description and details are higher up on the page for easy reading.
* Bigger images to show you more detail of the jewelry.
* An accordian menu that opens on a click to make your browsing less overwhelming.

Let me know what you think and if there are any other new things you'd like to see. I'll be continuing to tweak the site to make shopping for handmade jewelry easier for you.

peggy

Should I Get My Ears Pierced?

2010-08-02T13:39:00.001-07:00

As I've mentioned before, I don't have pierced ears. This year, however, I'm thinking of taking the plunge and getting them pierced. In some ways, I prefer earrings over necklaces -- they can be so much more expressive, since they can move with your body! (And who wouldn't want to wear some sparklers like Angie does, above?).

What are your memories of getting your ears pierced for the first time? Where did you go (should I go to Claire's)?

Peggy

Peggy Li Creations Best of the Baylist

2010-07-13T13:14:00.000-07:00

I just want to thank all my faithful readers and customers for helping Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li Creations reach #5 of the Best of the Baylist Designer Jewelry at sfgate.com!

The competition was stiff, I hope to climb a few more places next year.

Thanks again for your support!

Peggy

Natasha Henstridge Jewelry by Peggy Li Creations in You Lucky Dog

2010-06-28T00:05:00.000-07:00

Natasha Henstridge stars in the Hallmark Channel movie "You Lucky Dog", the story of a NYC fashion designer who returns home to the family farm and rescues a sheep herding dog, Lucky. Needless to say, they have adventures, she finds love, and there is a dog competition at the end! And, of course, wears handmade jewelry by Peggy Li Creations, selected especially for her because she loves green and golds (to go with her eyes and blond hair).

Beautiful Natasha wears the following handmade jewelry by Peggy Li Creations:

Champagne Wishes Necklace

Champagne Wishes Earrings

Olive Bubble Necklace

Find an airtime and more about the movie here at the Hallmark Channel website for You Lucky Dog!

Peggy

Graduation Gifts

2010-05-14T22:44:00.000-07:00

Grab a great gift for your grad from Peggy Li Creations Handmade Jewelry! There is something for everyone, from simple necklaces to personalized necklaces, good luck charms and smashing fashion picks.

Give her (or him!) a personalized initial necklace. I have them in many styles and fonts, including an elegant Script Initial Necklace or modern Bauhaus Initial Necklace. Get one for yourself to commemorate the accomplishment for both of you!

How about a whimsical charm? Give them an Apple Charm (for the student!), a shooting star (on sale!) or a soaring bird necklace.

Able to splurge? How about a Petite Diamond Disk necklace or some Rough Diamond Earrings?

Post and let me know what gift you've gotten for your grad and congrats!

Peggy

FAQ: Cute Jewelry Storage

2010-04-12T23:59:00.000-07:00

I'm often asked by customers how to store their handmade jewelry purchases. While I have a few travel and dish options over at the accessories section of Peggy Li Creations, I have recently discovered a fabulous (and perhaps unexpected) source of cute jewelry storage -- Urban Outfitters!

I'm always looking for new ways to display my jewelry, not only at home but for craft fairs and displays. I recently purchased both a standing rack and rotating rack from Urban Outfitters and they are sturdy and of good size (the rack is 17" tall!). My favorite part, however, is the great variety of storage styles, all with a whimsical or vintage feel. I couldn't buy them all, but here were some of my favorites:

Branch Stand, $28

Bird Spoke Jewelry Stand, $28

Double Tier Rack, $28

Sensing a bird theme, perfect for my bird necklaces?! I'll be keeping my eye on their selections from now on. Check out all the fab jewelry storage options they have in their Jewelry Stands & Boxes section!

FAQ: How do I spot fraudulent orders placed online?

2010-04-06T10:45:00.000-07:00

UPDATED! I got burned again recently on an order that resulted in a chargeback and loss of my merchandise. As internet merchants, we are obligated to ship our goods before charging the customer, leaving us vunerable to fraudulent orders and scammers. Luckily, it happens infrequently for me, but that shouldn't have been an excuse to get complacent! So, I'm reposting this guide to help remind us all how to spot bad orders.

Online fraud not only hurts your bottom line, but chargebacks will affect your merchant fees. Since I've been an internet merchant with my site Peggy Li Creations, I've discovered that the best defense is to inform yourself of the warning signs and using the tools your merchant account should provide for fraud prevention. Some warning signs are:

-- Billing address does not match shipping address
-- CVV code does not match
-- Large orders, orders for your most expensive items
-- Orders for items easily resold
-- Requests for items not sold in your store
-- Requests for "rushed" orders
-- US credit card for foreign order(not marked as "International Credit Card" in your merchant system).
-- Customer places a "test" order that processes fine, then follows it up with a much larger order soon after and also orders it expedited.

You should be able to set up the first two checks, or require users to use matching billing address and provide CVV, in your merchant account. It is up to you to decide whether to allow or decline orders that do not meet the Billing Address or CVV code requirements.

Many CC merchant services also provide authorization help -- that is, you can call in for orders over $200 and re-verify the card before charging (and shipping). If I had done this with my recent order, I would have caught that the card had been cancelled before shipping out my goods.

An example of a clever scam -- I had an order from France that seemed legit -- I even got a story about needing items quickly because it was for a wedding (many emails asking for tracking number when I shipped it, when I would ship, etc). I let this first order through, and soon after got a second even larger order from the same customer. However, I got an email with the customer saying she'd like to get additional items not carried in my store, she was going to "ask the bridal party what they wanted..." and hopefully I could "help out." I immediately cancelled the order as fraudulent and told the customer I couldn't help them. I did not hear back at all from this customer since I did so.

Educate yourself on the warning signs! These guys are getting more and more savvy and can cost your business in inventory and, even worse, a bad credit record.

I found a fantastic PDF guide from the folks at PayPal about Fraud Prevention (they are telling you why PayPal is a great solution, but they explain a ton about Internet Safety): https://www.paypal.com/en_US/pdf/PP_FraudPrevention_Guide.pdf

Review: The Complete Metalsmith, Student Edition

2010-03-28T11:17:00.000-07:00

Master metalsmith and teacher Tim McCreight wrote one of the bibles of metalsmithing, "The Complete Metalsmith" which has been revised many times over the years. I purchased the student version of the manual, hoping to get the basics on starting to do bench work. I was not disappointed!

McCreight covers every topic you'd want information on for starting bench work -- tools, techniques, materials. Be warned that this is NOT an instructional manual -- it is more of a dictionary that explains materials and techniques and how they pertain to metalwork. There are tips and hints and illustrations throughout of these techniques, but they do not explain projects from beginning to end. Despite the fact that it isn't an instruction manual, it is still an extremely useful guide to orientating yourself around a metalsmith workbench.

Spiral bound to lie flat and with heavy cardstock cover, this book is meant to be with you while you work. If you're just starting to explore metalsmithing, I recommend this book to help get you started. If you are craving more in-depth detail, consider getting the Professional Edition of this book.

The Complete Metalsmith, Student Edition on Amazon
The Complete Metalsmith, Professional Edition on Amazon

Tim McCreight's page on Amazon

Clip On Earrings

2010-03-12T22:13:00.000-08:00

At Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li Creations, you have options for clip on earrings! I myself don't have pierced ears (funny, I know, since I make jewelry), so I have searched far and wide for the best clip on earring options. You don't have to go without earrings if you have non-pierced ears!

I have a few styled designs, like these fancy Clipon Cliptastic Earrings, made of Thai silver or these outrageous Sun Disk Earrings with your choice of pink or white coral.

There is the option of getting custom clipon earrings, however! Most of my handmade earring designs can be converted to clips! You lose the earwire detail, but you can get the chain/charms/gemstones on your choice of a springback or screwback earring.

What is the best clip on earring choice for you?

Springback (additional $15): These work with a spring action, with the tension holding the earring to your ear. You can adjust the tension slightly by squeezing or opening the earpad.

Screwback (additional $20): I prefer this style of clipon earring, since the style is sleeker and you can adjust the tension by turning the screw-on earpad. I have these in both sterling silver and gold-fill.

If you're interested in clip on earrings, check out my handmade earring styles and simply email me for details on getting your style converted to clip earrings!

Best,
peggy

Laser Cut Acrylic Jewelry Designs

2010-02-27T08:00:00.000-08:00

I'm so pleased to announce new laser cut acrylic jewelry designs at Peggy Li Creations! Made from patterns I've created myself, these lightweight items are modern, but still have a "handmade" feel.

I can make designs in a variety of colors and materials -- bamboo ply, 100% wool felt, and acrylic.

Hope you enjoy them! Please add your comments here for designs you'd like to see, colors, and materials!

best,
peggy

Peggy Li Creations Gift Wish List

2010-02-24T10:00:00.000-08:00

Newly added to the Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li Creations website -- the ability to add jewelry items to your Amazon Universal Wishlist! With the click of a button, you can add your favorite PLCs to your gift wishlists on Amazon. Anyone browsing your Amazon wishlist will be able to also see your jewelry picks!

Add away and tell your loved ones!

Best,
Peggy

All the Shades of Grey Website

2010-02-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

Are you a Grey's Anatomy or Private Practice fan? Get all the scoop at the All the Shades of Grey website, a fan site maintained with love by Adam and Megan. Get scoops, analysis, pics and news, all gathered into one place!

Here's a little bit from Adam about his labor of love:

"I appreciate the fact that you want to write a blog entry about the site! That would really be awesome. I started the site on May 16, 2006 - the day after the season two finale of Grey's Anatomy - because the season two finale had moved me so much, and I needed something to keep me busy and connected to Grey's over the summer. The longer the summer went on, the more and more I found that I loved running the site and that I didn't want to give it up, so I kept it going. As my love for Grey's Anatomy grew, so did my love for television in general, but Grey's Anatomy (and subsequently Private Practice) has always remained at the core and been my favorite series ever. Myself and my partner, Megan, absolutely love running All the Shades of Grey, not only for ourselves, but for the fans and readers as well. We don't ever plan to stop providing the best news and reviews out there for fans of Shondaland and beyond."

I'd like to thank Adam and Megan for including my handmade jewelry in their Round Up episode summary sections.

So please check out their website! You can also follow the All the Shades of Grey news on Twitter.

Valentine's Day Jewelry Gift Picks

2010-01-24T10:00:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is just around the corner! Check out Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li Creations for some great gift ideas...

1. Enamel Heart Necklace

2. Sweetheart Initial Necklace

3. Rough Diamond Disk Necklace

4. Heart Locket Necklace

5. Round Initial Necklace

6. Heartfelt Earrings

7. Peace Tag Necklace

8. Pearl Circlet Necklace

9. Feather Necklace

10. Two Hearts Necklace

Love,
peggy

New Fonts Coming for Personalized Necklaces!

2010-01-19T18:00:00.000-08:00

Coming soon to Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li -- two new custom fonts for stamping! They should be here in a few weeks and will give you even more options for your Personalized Necklaces.

I'll be adding, in addition to my plain Gothic and Typewriter fonts, a totally unique Script font and a charming large Lowercase font to choose from!

I hope you'll like them as much as I do. Valentines Day is just around the corner (and after that, Mother's Day). Get in your orders early or join my Facebook Page and post suggestions for what you'd like to see!

best,
peggy

Revere Academy Bench Tips

2010-01-14T09:55:00.001-08:00

I was recently browsing for the Revere Academy website (I'll be taking this class on surface texturing in Feb) and found this great page on Jewelry Bench Tips. I'll be applying some of the great ideas, like using a cork to stabilize metal stamping tools!

Revere Academy Bench Tips

Peggy

Peggy Li Creations 2009 Customer Survey

2010-01-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

Happy new Year! You, the customer, make it all happen. Thank you for supporting my work!

Please take a minute or two to fill out this short customer satisfaction survey for Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li Creations. Your feedback is important to me and will help me plan to serve you better in 2010.

Peggy Li Creations 2009 End of Year Survey

Thanks again!

peggy

FAQ: What's in a name? Naming your jewelry.

2009-12-31T08:00:00.000-08:00

Is it important how you name your jewelry pieces? Yes, yes it is! A good name is part of the overall branding experience and you should follow similar rules. That is, know your target market and name your pieces with the same flair as you would treat any of your other branding materials.

Creative vs. Actual Names:
I used to give all of my handmade jewelry pieces "creative" names. And we've all seen jewelry lines where every piece is named after a persons' name, like the "Julia" or the "Rebecca". While there is nothing wrong with creativity, or by naming pieces after friends/family/famous people, I now prefer to do a mix of creative that evokes a feeling or image (that your customer would relate to) OR a direct name, which is beneficial for SEO reasons.

Creative Names:
A creative or evocative name helps the customer imagine the mood/situation they'd wear the piece for. For that reason, I try and stick with positive names (remember, do what works for your branding) that someone would feel good knowing they are wearing. For example, the Nested Jewel Necklace. To me, that name feels warm, comfortable, yet luxe, and also can describes the actual "nested" design.

Some of my most popular designs have tongue-in-cheek names, for example:

Weather the Storm! Necklace

Tuxedo Crystal Earrings

Fly Free Necklace

Clever names must make sense with the design, so it becomes memorable and creates an image in the mind. Otherwise, it can become silly.

Actual Names:

The Fly Free Necklace is a good example of an actual/creative name. The name creates an image, but is also descriptive of what the item actually is. Same goes for the next piece, the Bird on a Branch Necklace. An "actual" name can be useful if you are using keywords -- in the above example "bird necklace" is a search term. "Pearl Necklace" is pretty boring, but people are probably searching for "Pearl Necklace" when they shop. How about, "Gunmetal Pearl Fringe Necklace"?

So remember to keep in mind when naming your jewelry creations:

1) Spelling counts!
2) Keep it short (if you can)
3) Think SEO
4) Evoke a feeling
5) Be descriptive
6) Think of your brand/image

Hope that was useful! You can read more about naming jewelry in this article by BeadingDaily.com -- How to Name Your Jewelry Projects

The Birds! Charms, Toggles and More...

2009-12-22T10:41:00.000-08:00

I've noticed recently that I LOVE all things avian -- I have bird charms in many styles, shapes and finishes. I even have some bird-themed clasps! So, in honor of this feathered madness, I've created a new Necklaces category of "Bird Necklaces"!

Check out the latest Bird Necklaces, including the fabulous Rumi Bird Pendant (a poem is on the back) from Green Girl Studios.

Need Bird themed earrings? I have those, too!

Bird on a Branch Earrings

Peggy

Tips and Hints: Finishing Touches

2009-12-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

I'm often completely focused on cranking through my designs and fulfilling my Peggy Li Creations orders. Packing up the orders is my LEAST favorite activity. But that step after the order is completed can be equally important! I'm talking about packaging and other finishing touches. After all, the first impression a customer gets of your work is when they get the package in the mail and first open it!

I ship using USPS Priority shipping because they provide the boxes/packaging -- that in and of itself looks consistent and professional. I also take advantage of their online postage printing -- a printed label also looks more professional than a hand-written one. It can also help eliminate errors in addresses.

For the product itself, after some trial and error, I've settled on a system that works for me. Zip-top bags for each item (to prevent items from scratching each other), bubble wrap and colorful tissue with a branded sticker. It's simple and functional and doesn't cost a ton (you have to consider all of your packaging part of your expenses. After time, it definitely adds up!).

I've also started giving my jewelry a final polish before packaging -- seems like a no-brainer, but when you are tired at 1 am, it's something I usually forget to do! Smudges, fingerprints, I try and make sure those are cleaned up before the item gets bagged. I like using a Sunshine Cloth, but Pro-Polish pads are great, too (just remember that there is an abrasive on one side).

Got packaging tips and hints? Post a comment and please share!

best,
peggy

UPDATE -- Peggy Li Creations Holiday Jewelry Events

2009-12-12T10:00:00.000-08:00

RAG Co-op event CANCELLED Due to rain! But there's still time to order online! Use coupon code "rainyday" to get 20% off* this Saturday and Sunday Dec. 12-13th at http://www.peggyli.com! Place your orders before Dec. 14th to ensure delivery in time for xmas!

* Limit one coupon per customer. Expires 12/13/09. Not valid for orders placed before 12/12/09.

I have three events this week where you can meet me and see my handmade jewelry in person! I always have unique, one-of-a-kind pieces plus great discounts on your Peggy Li Creations favorites. Want to see something specific? Please email me in advance and I'll do my best to bring it.

Appel and Frank is this Thursday, Dec. 10th from 5-10 pm. If you RSVP online by Wednesday, you'll get in FREE.

The Regency Center: The Sutter Room
1270 Sutter Street at Van Ness
San Francisco, CA

RAG Co-Op Sidewalk sale this Saturday and Sunday Dec 12-13, 12-4 pm (weather permitting). I'll be in Hayes Valley outside the RAG Co-op with my jewelry! Come on by.

541 Octavia St.
San Francisco, CA

For more details on the location and times for these events, please visit my Events page.

Happy Holidays!
Peggy

Rio Grande Emerging Artist Call for Entries -- Deadline December 3

2009-11-30T08:00:00.000-08:00

Rio Grande is one of the world's leading wholesale suppliers of jeweler's equipment, materials and finished goods. Every year they sponsor a design competition for jewelry artists in many categories. This year, the entry deadline for Emerging Artists is December 3, 2009.

The Emerging Artists category is for designers 18 years or younger. First place is a $500 gift certificate to Rio Grande plus having your winning entry named during JCK Las Vegas in 2010.

This is a prestigious competition not to be missed. Submit your entry online at the Saul Bell Design Award website. The website also contains details on entry qualifications, examples of past winners and more.

Black Friday 25% Off Coupon for Peggyli.com!

2009-11-25T18:00:00.000-08:00

take a break from cooking and shop early! Here it is, a huge 25% off savings for Handmade Jewelry by Peggy Li Creations! Just enter coupon code "holiday09" at checkout until 12/1!

Items that normally are $49 are now just $36.75!

There are new Swarovski crystal earrings and Swarovski crystal necklaces on the site. Go shop!

best,
peggy

FAQ: Why Social Media?

2009-11-13T10:56:00.000-08:00

This year has certainly been the Year of Social Media. Suddenly you can't turn around without somebody mentioning Facebook or Twitter. As sites like these continue to blend the lines between friends and businesses, information and speculation, it leaves many small businesses wondering, "do I need to get involved?".

It's especially difficult because small biz owners are already so busy! We run our sites, manage our orders, write in our blogs (remember them?). The first question to ask yourself is, do you have time for the upkeep additional outlets would require? They only work as long as you can feed the beast. Luckily, there are a few tricks to make this part easier, but it still requires time... keep reading!

What are the benefits of having a Facebook page and Twitter account? Here we go:

Facebook: There are millions of people using Facebook these days to interact with friends (and let's be honest, it's great virtual people-watching). It makes sense to put your product/brand where the people are! In addition, you get "free" promotion by taking advantage of the Kevin Bacon effect -- when you build your pages you can populate it with your friends and current contacts. Any action they take on your page is pushed out to the News Feeds, where *their* friends, who may not know your company, can see it!

I recommend making an official business (or "Fan") page for your business. That way you can keep your personal stuff personal (but realize customers may find you there, as well) and business just business. If you stay disciplined, you can absolutely keep the two separate, and Facebook provides permissions tools to help you manage those accounts.

With Facebook, you have a platform for people to become "fans" of your work and interact with you directly. The interface is probably something they use already (unlike blogs), so it's easy and spontaneous for them to reach you. Give your fans insights into your daily work life, plus don't forget to try special offers/coupons just for fans!

Twitter: Twitter is a strange place. It's like an ongoing stream of information, and your customers can "follow" this stream of updates from you. In many ways the content is similar to Facebook -- give followers a peek into your everyday business life. It is also a platform to instantly communicate to your followers -- they will most likely only see the message if they are online at that moment. Keeping this in mind, play with Twitter to do "of the minute" promotions and contests.

It can be difficult to keep up with all of these outlets in addition to running the business. However, there are tools to help you connect your blog, Facebook and Twitter accounts so one update can appear in all places.

You can follow Peggy Li Creations Handmade Jewelry on Twitter.

and on Peggy Li Creations on Facebook!

Have other thoughts on Social Media? Post a comment here!

Good luck,
peggy

Holiday Jewelry Picks From Peggy Li Creations

2009-11-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

It's never to early to get gifts for the holiday or pick out items for your Wish List! Here are my top picks from Peggy Li Creations for everyone on your gift list.

The Girl Who Has Everything
There's only one answer for this one; diamonds! Classic, classy, and oh-so-unique, I recommend these Rough Diamond Hoop Earrings.

The Girl Who Doesn't Wear a Lot of Jewelry
This is always a toughie. You wanna give a little glitter but not go too over-the-top. Luckily, Peggy Li Creations Handmade Jewelry has a wide variety of styles to choose from! My pick is my Simple Dot Necklace, because it is exactly that -- simple and easy to wear!

The Girl Without Pierced Ears
No worries! Most of my handmade earring designs can be converted to clip on earrings. Click here for more info.

The Fashionista
I like to take trends and do them my way -- right now the tangled chain look is hot hot hot. My version is a little more refined while keeping the edge! Oxidized Mesh Necklace.

The Hippie Chic Chick
I can't pick just one! Check out all of my Yoga/Spiritual Necklaces; you can't go wrong.

The Fashionable Mom
No question, a great pick for Mom would be a Personalized Necklace, like my Floral Initial Necklace.

Need other suggestions? Post a comment, let me know!

FAQ: Where Do You Get Your Materials/How to Navigate a Bead Show

2009-11-06T16:10:00.001-08:00

I go to the International Gem and Jewelry Show at the San Mateo Expo center every time it is in town to get fabulous beads for Peggy Li Creations Handmade Jewelry. This November 27-29th you can browse for amazing finished jewelry as well as for everything you need to make your own! These large shows can be very overwhelming for the first-time visitor. Here are a few tips and hints for making the most of your visit if you are looking for jewelry making supplies.

1) Sign up for the event mailing list. They will send coupons and brochures previewing the exhibitors that will be attending the show.

2) Dress comfortably -- you'll be on your feet for potentially a few hours!

3) Bring a snack and water with you, the only concessions are your basic greasy/soda offerings.

4) Bring a shopping list, set a budget for yourself and walk the whole floor! The best way to stay focused is to have an idea of what you are looking for and to walk the whole floor before making a purchase decision. Many vendors will carry the same supplies at different prices!

5) If you have a resale license, you can enter the wholesale area at the back of the venue. Bring a copy since you will get great wholesale deals and exclusive vendors in the back!

6) If you are trying to match stones or other materials, bring a sample with you so there can be no question about what you want to get.

7) Pick up business cards or catalogs from your favorite vendors so you can find them again next time!

8) Get your hand stamped at the door if you want to exit and reenter later. They also often hand out free passes for the rest of the weekend at the exit, so be sure to grab one.

9) When in doubt, don't buy. If you're not an expert in the materials you are looking at and you feel pressured to buy something, go home and do research and sleep on it, or if you do buy, ask whether there is a return policy (often there isn't). There's always going to be some cool supplies you wish you could get, but put it on the list for next time rather than have buyers remorse!

10) When you get home, write down notes on your favorite vendors, including what you bought from them and the prices.

Shows like this one can be a fantastic resource for the jewelry maker. If you follow these tips, you'll have more time to focus on your creative inspiration while you're there! Have fun and see you there!

Do you have other tips? Feel free to add them as a comment, below!

JA Warns Industry About 60 Minutes Segment on Gold

2009-11-02T22:37:00.000-08:00

JA Warns Industry About 60 Minutes Segment: "Jewelers of America sent out a letter Monday in an effort to prepare the jewelry industry for the upcoming CBS 60 Minutes segment that focuses on the issue of artisanal gold mining in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo..."

I had a jewelry customer ask me yesterday if I knew where my gold came from (I've also been asked about my diamonds)... alas, I do not know firsthand. And when I've tried to source materials, often my suppliers don't know the true origin, either. This information is often lost in translation or because materials change so many hands before becoming a final product.

This has gotten me thinking -- I see many jewelers who claim to be "eco-friendly jewelry" that state that their materials come only from recycled metals, etc. How do they know this? I'd love to hear better ways of sourcing my materials.

I do want to say that I source the majority of my materials through the largest US companies as well as through local suppliers. I'll try and do a little more research, though, and will post on what I discover!

best,
peggy

Swanstrom Disc Cutter - Review

2009-10-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

When running your own small business, it is often a difficult decision to invest in tools. I find that I purchase new equipment rarely, especially since I do more beadwork than benchwork in my handmade jewelry business, Peggy Li Creations. However, I recently purchased a Swanstrom disc cutter from Rio Grande and love it! It takes minimal force from a brass (I use a 1 lb) hammer to punch perfect discs from soft metal sheet. Metals such as copper, sterling silver, fine silver no thicker than 20 gauge. Be sure to use burr-life lubricant on the cutting tools to extend their sharpness and a piece of scrap sheet opposite the hole you are punching (in the same gauge of sheet) to extend the life of the tool.

The Swanstrom disc cutter is a bit on the pricey side, but look at the cool handmade jewelry pieces I've been able to make with it. See these and other handmade jewelry pieces at Peggy Li Creations:

Domed Pearl Necklace

Patterned Disc Earrings

Peggy Li Creations on Vacation!

2009-10-19T17:00:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Just wanted to let you know that I'll be on vacation from 10/19-10/29. Orders can be placed during this time BUT you will not be charged until I return and your order ships.

Thanks for your understanding! Aloha!

Peggy Li
Handmade jewelry by Peggy Li Creations

Jewelry Accessories at Peggy Li Creations -- Rolls, Cleaning Cloths, Trays

2009-10-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

Don't forget that Peggy Li Creations handmade jewelry carries accessories for your jewelry! Including fabulous Stephanie Johnson jewelry travel rolls (these things are sturdy and substantial and make a great gift), jewelry trays for your table, and Sunshine jewelry cleaning cloths (perfect for sterling and gold-fill items).

Check these out on my Accessories page!

best,
Peggy

Peggy Li Creations Holiday Shipping Dates!

2009-10-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Holiday shipping dates are now posted at peggyli.com and below:

***HOLIDAY SHIPPING DATES 2009***
Please remember that mail often takes longer than posted delivery estimates around the holiday season. Please place your orders early to give me time to make and ship your goodies!

For (Continental US) USPS Priority Mail, FedEx and Global Express customers, please place your order by December 14 to ensure delivery by December 24th.

For USPS Global Priority Customers, please place your order by December 1 to ensure delivery by December 24th.

If you miss these dates, I'll do my best to ship your packages as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding! Please feel free to email me if you have questions about your order.