Art Jewelry Collective

Name: Art Jewelry Collective

Team Shop: artjewelrycollective
Search for items from this team: AJC team

Profile: If you have not yet made a membership request but would like to, please convo me (Giftbearer), and be sure to get the process completed within a few days of my reviewing your work and accepting you. Once you have completed all the steps I will add you to our membership list.

Our informational letter convo'ed to accepted applicants will tell you everything we need from you and who to send it to, so please print it out and keep it handy so that you don't forget.

A few guidelines to consider:

AJC is for serious jewelry artists who are ready and willing to take their business to the next level (and can rise to the challenge of all that goes with it).
That means you are actively working on your business as a whole; improving the pictures in your shop, open to constructive feedback, listing a new piece more than once a month (at the very minimum), taking the time to actively promote your work, and to collaborate and communicate with other members on group activities and votes, and continue to challenge yourself as an artist.

Materials:

* Sterling and Fine Silver, Gold, Gold-filled, Vermeil, Copper, and some brass are acceptable.
* No plated metals please, as the surface can rub off. (the only exception to this is in de-stashing supplies you do not plan to use anymore).
* Little or no base metal (nickel or pewter only used tastefully and in moderation).
* No plastic except for polymer clay and shrink sheet (neatly and securely executed).
* More delicate materials such as feathers and paper should be stabilized or protected in some way so as not to disintegrate, tear, absorb water, or otherwise fall apart. It only takes one dissatified customer to ruin an artist's reputation (and that also reflects on others in the group).
* We require each member to opt in to at least one paid AJC advertising activity per year.
* Once Committees are set up, each member is expected to volunteer for at least 1 committee and follow through with the duties they've signed up for.
* We have a requirement that each member donate at least one item of quality jewelry, tools, packaging, displays, or supplies to our group Etsy shop upon joining. Please send the listing to our treasurer within a few days of acceptance. If/when that item sells, please replace it with another. The proceeds from your sold items (minus fees) will go back toward your advertising account.

The URL of the AJC group Etsy shop is http://artjewelrycollective.etsy.com .
Feel free to take a look at the items current members have donated.

We now have a $20.00 yearly membership fee payable upon joining. This is minimal considering the benefits of being part of this group. Please send this to our treasurer (whose info will be provided in the acceptance letter) without delay.

Note: At this time we are not accepting any more artists of which simple beaded jewelry makes up a substantial portion of their work. Beadwork must have some element of uniqueness in how it is used and/or the beads themselves must be exceptional.

This is in keeping with our philosophy that artists should be listing their best work on Etsy if they are to attract like-minded buyers. While we realize that some artists list their nicest pieces on other sites, sell them at shows, or in brick and mortar stores, we encourage that like items be listed in their Etsy shop as well.

If discerning buyers looking for uniqueness and master craftsmanship only see plain and/or lower-priced items in your Etsy store they will move on because they don't know that you can do better. Those are opportunities missed that you can't go back and un-do.

A word about pictures:

* The goal in creating effective pictures should be to show the piece clearly and in a manner that entices the buyer. Pictures that are too dark, have a grayish or manilla cast to them or a haziness over them dull down the impact of the piece and reduce its desireability.
* Please make it a priority to get all the pictures in your shop up to par. This will help you better to carve out a nitch in the long-run when more upscale customers do come to Etsy. Clearly focused, and bright pictures that pop, with an eye toward good layout and photo styling are key and make for a professional-looking presentation that will reflect favorably on your business. Our promotion of you can only be as good as what we have to work with.
* Since we do frequent Treasury Lists you should expect that one of your items will be pulled to be included at any time.
* Note: The Treasury shows images somewhat darker than they show up in your shop, so there is little margin for error there.
* As more and more advertising opportunities become available, the issue of high quality pictures will become increasingly essential. Please be aware also, that for print your photos should be at least 300 dpi. 72 dpi is a common default setting in many cameras and simple photo editing programs. If you need help with this there are people in the group you can ask.

Current Ad Project

In the October 2007, December 2007, and March 2008 issues of Ornament Magazine, our team will be placing a full-page full-color ad. Ornament spans clothing, jewelry and accessories, and reaches a market of highly discerning and upscale buyers who appreciate fine art jewelry. These are educated consumers; representing both wholesale and retail, and include but are not limited to gallery/store owners, collectors, museum curators, other artists, and other connesseurs who appreciate art/fine craft. 27 members signed up for this ad, and we are in the process of gathering pictures for the layout.

We want all our members to have both a fruitful and enjoyable experience and wish you increased sales this year.

How to Join: The Art Jewelry Collective is temporarily not accepting new members.