Magic Zoo Animal Jewelry News

We are doing stuff!

Since my eldest granddaughter is now working for me, we needed to update the studio a bit, and make it easier for both Ada and me to operate in a rather small space. Here is my son building this cool new shelf where after packaging The Magic Zoo animal jewelry designs they will be ready to ship. Makes things a bit easier when my granddaughter is filling orders, especially when I need to get around her to reach something I need…

Voila! The shelves are built, the boxes full of jewelry are neatly stacked…Time to fill orders!

What I’m Doing These Days…

Here I am, working on one of my newest designs. I’m up to 13 brand new Magic Zoo silver pieces just since the holidays. I love creating, and I’m at the point in my career where I have time to just settle in and let my inner artist do her thing in a big way! Look for lots and lots of new designs appearing over the next few months.

“Cliff Notes” Creating in 10 Easy Steps

1. Sculpt the design from clay, bake in my special curing oven
2. Smooth out the back with a foredom tool (This little drill in the photo below… I couldn’t do what I do without it!)
3. Fill in any thin places to make sure the piece is durable, then cure once again in the oven
4. Add a little patch of clay to the back for my signature “M” – Cure again in the oven
5. Do the same thing to imprint my .925 stamp (for sterling silver)
6. Send the piece to my caster
7. Get it back
8. Take photographs of each piece
9. Write the copy to tell you all about it
10. Put it on the website

Anyway, those above 10 reasons are why it can take 2-3 months from beginning the design to having it finally appear on my website. It’s a little frustrating, because I’m a fan of instant gratification.

Nonetheless, this will be a good year for new creations at the zoo.

Say…Do You Have an Idea for Me?

By the way, what would YOU like me to design this year? I didn’t get to everyone’s requests the last time I asked, and honestly, I have to pick and choose what I spend time crafting.

One of the challenges is creating a design that not only YOU will like, but lots of other people as well. I’ve starting using a tool called “google trends” so I can see how many people are searching for particular animal jewelry designs. As much as I would love to make obscure critters, I have to pay some attention to what is being searched for, too.

Although sometimes I just ignore it and make what interests me. Sometimes it works (think “kiwi bird jewelry” one of my more popular designs) and sometimes it flops as in “cape buffalo jewelry.” I LOVE my cape buffalo designs, but so far I’ve sold two in 3 years! Not what I’d call a best seller.

So I’m trying to be a bit more logical in my approach. Here’s where “google trends” comes in.

But you know, I’m still available for the occasional custom design. So if you have been looking forever for a particular animal, or you would like a custom design of your favorite pet, please let me know!

Meanwhile, what WOULD you like to see me design this year? I am really curious!

Your animal loving artist,

Merry