Findings

I've been doing some thinking about how to make my itsybitsycutes a little more versatile and marketable.

When I started sculpting tiny things back in 2004, they were solely Christmas ornaments.  Seasonal gifts.  Now that I'm trying new things and making itsys all year round, I've got to get creative about how people will use them.  Why would you want an itsybitsycute?

Today I had to pick up some jump rings for my championship puffin, he's sold already!  My buyer wants to make him into a necklace, so he needed a jump ring and I was out.  While I was at the craft store, I perused for other interesting things in the jewelry aisle.  Here is what i found:

 

On top is a package of "cellphone straps"... These are the little straps that you can loop through a small hole if you want to add a charm to something.  I'm pretty sure this trend is on its way out by now.  I know my google phone doesn't allow for me to add a charm to it, nor would i want to. I think the trend started in started in Japan with Nokia cellphones way back in the day.  Maybe kids still think it's fashionable to bling  out your cellphone, if so, great!  However, I envisioned them holding little uker charms onto ukulele's like I made for my friend Dominic.  

Another thought - Charms for dog collars.  I've toyed with the idea of making some dog accessories (once i can get a sewing machine).  Custom or modern dog collars seem to sell well on etsy, and i love dogs, so it would be fun to find cute fabrics to make leashes and collars out of.  But for now, I could take a stab at selling some charms for pets.  Is it trendy to bling out your dog? Maybe just in LA...

I also got 6.5 ft of small figaro style chain.  I'm thinking charm bracelets, chains to hang from rearview mirrors, and necklaces.  Maybe more kid-friendly stuff is in order?  I think kid items would be marketable at a local shop here called Stuff.  They sell a lot from local etsy shop owners and other local artists.  I've never really been a sales person for my art, but it might be getting to be that time soon.

My final thought of the day is packaging.  I've been in search online and in person for practically a year to find the perfect packaging for itsybitsys... i want to offer gift wrap and custom packaging as an option, but i need to decide what it will be first, not to mention i need to design my logo still.

Gosh I have a lot to do... One thing at a time.