Happy New Year SALE!!!

Hi all -

I hope everyone had a great holiday season and the new year is off to a good start. I haven't posted in a while but I have BIG news now. As a big Thank You to all those who have supported me and my business over the past three years, my ENTIRE INVENTORY IS ON SALE starting Jan 20th at Fremont Market. It took me over a week to go through every piece of jewelry I have but it was worth it. Half my inventory will be 50% off and the other half will be minimum $2.00 off. Absolutey everything is discounted. There is a catch, however... The sale will only last Jan 20th and 27th at the market. That means you'll need to bundle and brave the weather to reap the savings. The good news is you can buy yummy candles to warm up with once you get home. Jim the Candle Man is already out in full force for the new year.

There are a couple other things on my to-do list for '08. Here are some highlights:

I hoping to expand my in-home parties, so if you, or someone you know, would like to host an evening of friends, food and fabulous jewelry, send me an email. The host gets a discount and there will be exclusive pieces for home parties only.

I'm also hoping to get more wholesale orders. If you know of a boutique (anywhere in the country) that you think would be interested in my jewelry, I'd love to know about it. Also, If you would like to be a rep for my regular jewelry lines, I'd love to talk. I'm especially looking for someone local. Since I still work a regualr 9-to-5 it's hard for me to hit the pavement and meet with shop owners during business hours. Reps would be paid on a commission-based scale. This also includes online reps. If you are tech-savvy and digital-picture-handy and would like to help set up an online shop, let me know.

For a few months in 2007, and for all of 2008, $2.00 of every pink and rainbow purchase will be donated to Verbena. Verbena is a wonderful local organization specializing in women's health, specifically lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, etc. They put on wonderful programs and need all the support they can get. My two favorite things about Verbena are my friend Wendy and the mobile mammogram van. They both ROCK! Check out more info at www.verbenahealth.org

That's all for now. I'll try to be more timely with my posts this year, and get more pictures posted, too.

Happy crafting,
~Anna

Holiday show list

Hi all you out there in jewelry-loving land. Anna here.

I wanted to let everyone know about all the upcoming shows I'm participating in. They are all the perfect opportunity for holiday shopping, both by supporting local businesses and artists, and by avoiding traffic and the mall. Along with all these wonderful shows, the booth will be set up at Fremont Market every Sunday. Stop by to say hi to me, Rachel, Jamie, and our neighbors, Jim (handmade candles) and Janet (children's books).

This weekend: Unzipped Event
www.unzippedevent.com
Unzipped showcases the best Northwest emerging designers and brands. Meet the artists and get to know the latest fashion trends. Seattle Center Pavilion, Sunday, Nov 18, 12-6.
(There is also a buyer/press preview on Sunday 10-12, and a preview party and fashion show on Saturday, Nov 17. Check the website for details.)

Urban Craft Uprising www.urbancraftuprising.com
Saturday and Sunday, Dec 1-2 at Seattle Center
This is the largest independent crafter/artist show this season. Last year was a huge success for me, and I thank everyone that came to the booth. This year I'm sharing the booth with two of my favorite gals. KneLow Cosmetics - Jamie and Lisa - make the most scrumptious lotions, scrubs, and lip balms. Also, the first 50 people in the door each day get a swag bag.

Swank www.seattleswankshow.com
Seattle: Saturday, Dec 8th 10-4 at Magnusson Park
Bellevue: Saturday, Dec 15th 10-4 at Highland Community Center
These shows showcase an elite selection of Seattle area artists. This is the place to find the gift for the person who has everything or for the mother-in-law with impeccable taste.

Along with all those shows, I'm also available for in-home parties (think Tupperware but much more interesting). I've teamed up with Jim of Kaleidoscope Candles (my neighbor at the Market) and Jamie and Lisa of KneLow Cosmetics. We will bring an exclusive collection from all our products to you. All you need to do is provide the place and the customers. The host of the party will receive special discounts on all products.

As always, I hope to see all of you sometime before the holidays. If not, I hope yours are happy and safe.

Happy crafting,
Anna

Anna Perrone Designs
www.annaperronedesigns.com
www.annaperronedesigns.blogspot.com

If you no longer wish to receive email about Anna Perrone Designs, please respond to this email with your request.
Thanks!

Total Bummer

Well, for all the hype and hard work I put into I Heart Indie Holidays, I will no longer be participating in the shows or the planning. Cassandra and I have different ideas on how the shows should be promoted and how business should be operated. As the business was originally hers, she has asked me to terminate my affiliation with IHIC. If anyone has any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

The good news is that I am still participating in many other holiday season shows. Swank Show www.seattleswankshow.com is putting on two shows: Seattle on Dec 8 and Bellevue on Dec 15. The organizers, Kim, Kristin and Julia, have put together two more exciting shows. The vendors are all fantastic and the crowds truly appreciate hand crafted functional art. Urban Craft Uprising, www.urbancraftuprising.com, is on Dec 1-2 this year. I will be sharing a prime location with Knelow Cosmetics www.knelow.com. Jamie and Lisa hand craft the most luxurious lotions, scrubs, perfumes, and lip balms. I've been wearing Jezebelle all week.

As always, I'll be at the Fremont Sunday Market every week, rain or shine. This is, by far, the best place to see me and all my jewelry. Every piece I have is out on display, and it's amazing. I have 40 square feet of pure earring overload. Fremont is a great place to spend a few hours on a Sunday, even in the rain. It is the mecca of independent business in Seattle. And the food at the Market is amazing. The crepes are my favorite.

Even though the holiday season preparation has to start now - for me at least - the fun continues to grow. I'm putting together some home parties. They're not your grandma's Tupperware parties, but similar. The idea is the same, get a bunch of friends together and shop at home - but now you can shop AND drink. So, if you, or anyone you know, want to do all your holiday shopping from the comfort of your home, and have access to wonderful hand-crafted items, just drop me a line. The party will be tailored to your specific likes - what products, how many people, blended or mixed drinks... We can also put together a similar party for fundraising. With your support, we can bring crafty goodness to the masses!

Happy crafting,
Anna

Punk Rock Flea Market, Sept 15

In case you were wondering, I'm still alive, just VERY busy, hence the delay in writing. I'd like to invite everyone to two events this Saturday. The Punk Rock Flea Market is taking place in Belltown, all day long, at the Underground Events Center. Also, Atlas Clothing on Capitol Hill is having a grand re-opening Saturday evening. Yours truly has a whole case full of jewelry, many of which are exclusive designs for the store. A fashion show starts at 9. See you there!

A.

IHIH Needs Sponsors, and junk...

There's not too much new here. I'm still busy with planning for the triple-threat holiday shows. Remember, there's still room for vendors but the app deadline is the end of the month. Check out the new site www.iheartindiecrafts.com for details and an application. And as always, feel free to ask questions if you're not sure about us, the shows, or vending in general. I'm always happy to help.

We're also looking for sponsors. If you, anyone you know, or any of your suppliers are interested in a great advertizing opportunity, let me know. We have incredibly affordable advertising packages that will be on the website all year and in print for all the shows. Just because we are crafters and artists, doesn't mean that our advertisers have to be. For instance, my chiropractor is a sponsor. He believes in well-being through natural avenues, and is a true "hand-crafter" in his own right. He keeps me sitting up straight which results in very happy crafting!

You should also check out the Fremont Market. The summer vendors are all out and the market is fantastic. Be sure to check out the delicious candles (in the booth next to me), the delicious crepes, and the delicious T-shirts and original art at Partybots. The market runs every Sunday from 10am-5pm.

OH!!! I almost forgot. It's SUMMER SALE for me. I'm clearing out some pieces from last fall. Get them while they last, at amazing prices. I'm gearing up for having jewelry in three new stores, so there will be huge turnover in stock over the next few weeks. If you saw something at the market you liked, come back and get it before it's shipped of to the East Coast or Los Angeles.

Happy crafting!
~A.

I Heart Indie Holidays UPDATE

I have some exciting news! We just finalized the venues for all three I Heart Indie Holiday shows. There have been some scheduling changes, but we were able to book all our first choices. Check it out:

I Heart Indie Holidays Seattle: Saturday Nov 24, Seattle Pavilion
I Heart Indie Holidays Portland: Sunday Dec 2, Wonder Ballroom
I Heart Indie Holidays Bellingham: Sunday Dec 9, The Majestic

I'm so excited about these shows. It is our goal to provide the best opportunities for local crafters and create a sense of community in the Northwest.

There are still spaces available for vendors of all types. So far we have jewelry, bags, paintings, clothing, soap, cards, housewares, candles, and even chain mail. But we're still looking for more of you. Every hand-crafted item is unique and special and we want to give you an opportunity to show off your creativity.

Don't forget about booth shares, too. We have no limit on how many crafters share a booth. If you have some crafty friends, band together for a 10' x 10' space at all or just one of the shows. Everything is better with a friend! And you double your customer base at the same time.

We also want to encourage everyone to think about ways to expand their businesses. We know that IHIH shows are not the only ones offered during the holiday season (although they are the most affordable). We don't want you to feel like you have to make a choice between shows - we encourage you to do them all, even if they fall on the same day. This will just make you think about your business plan a little harder. Start thinking about ways to do two shows on the same day - how you will create displays and split inventory.

My first two-show day was about 10 months ago, when I decided to do IHR for the first time. I had to figure out how to keep my booth at the Fremont Sunday Market but also participate in Seattle's longest-running and most-talked-about indie craft show. I thought about how to divide inventory and how to leverage my friends and family to help me out. Not only did I double my customer base but I instantly saw the value of expanding my business to accommodate every show I could possibly get in to. And look at me now - co-directing 3 great shows at the forefront of the indie craft world.

If anyone is hesitant to double up on shows or needs some guidance on what shows to participate in, I'm more than happy to help. Since I've been there, recently, I have some insight that you might not. And although I'll push for you to participate in the IHIH shows, I'll offer sound business advice for your specific situation.

Stop by Fremont on Sundays or shoot me an email if you have questions or need some friendly crafty advice.

Happy crafting!
~Anna

ACK! It's been far too long...

I've been incredibly busy with pulling together some new shows in conjuction with I Heart Rummage. Cassandra Lanning, the indie craft goddess, has asked me to co-direct I Heart Indie Holidays. This is a group of shows - Seattle, Bellingham and Portland - aimed at providing new, affordable retail opportunities for local artists and indie crafters.

I'm also swamped with filling orders for summer weddings, restocking for Fremont, and putting a class together. That's right - a class! This Saturday I'm running a BYOS (bring your own stuff) class for beading at the Capitol Hill library. And IT'S FREE!!! If you want to participate, email Cassandra at iheartrummage@hotmail.com. The class will focus on helping students design and complete beadwork projects that they "thought" they could do themselves. So, if you bought a bunch of beads, but have no clue where to start or how to finish, bring them along.

Hopefully I'll be better at keeping you informed in the future. As always, you can come see me at Fremont Sunday Market every week.

Happy crafting!
A.