UPDATE: Earth Day Gifting

As you all know, I got super lucky recently and procured a spot in an artisan gift basket opportunity for Earth Day.  Thirty amazing gift baskets stuffed with artisan handmade products will be delivered to 25 celebs and 5 press for the upcoming holiday.  Today, I had to submit my photo for the guide that will accompany each basket.  I took hundreds of photos and couldn't decide on one.  This is my first time having my photos in an official guide and I wanted it to be perfect.  Below is the photo I settled on with the help of the Coordinator.  I will be sending each celebrity my awesome luxurious soy candles, one Birthday Cake and one Mango Peach Salsa, my top sellers.  The following talent will be receiving my eco-friendly soy candles: Hayden Panettiere, Ginnifer Goodwin, Edward Norton, Adrian Grenier, Kate Bosworth, P!nk, Leonardo DiCaprio, Rachel McAdams, Emily VanCamp, Woody Harrelson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Daryl Hannah, Malin Akerman, Ted Danson, Orlando Bloom, Jake Gyllenhaal, Josh Hartnett, Sting, Barbra Streisand, Alicia Silverstone, Courteney Cox, Cameron Diaz, Sheryl Crow, Mark Ruffalo, and Natalie Portman.

Going Wholesale!

I've always been interested in doing wholesale, but have not had the good fortune like other artisans to be approached by businesses.  Back when I was going to school in OR, I did meet with one local business with all of my inventory and, to my surprise, she bought from me right on the spot.   Looking back on the meeting... wow, was I naive!  And while the experience was interesting, to say the least, it did get my feet wet (but boy oh boy I didn't know what I was doing!).

Recently, I learned how big a deal going wholesale really is.  That there's lots of paperwork involved on both ends of the transaction.  And then there's this thing called a "wholesale kit": line sheets, lookbooks, contracts, business terms, permits, etc.  Being overwhelmed/confused by this info is an understatement.  Feeling lost may be more accurate.  Hopefully my desire to do wholesale propels me to easily figure this all out (ha!).  Oddly enough, there really isn't anything out there on Google for doing it yourself, and I can't afford someone else doing it for me right now.  So perhaps, once I figure it all out, I can throw together a wholesale-how-to for newbies.  For now, this is one of the best, super simple resources I've found: by The Mother Huddle.

There are several great boutiques in the town of my grad school - the community is really rallying around emphasizing local and handmade, which is great.  I decided to muster up the courage (not sure if that's the right word, but it certainly took me out of my comfort zone because I hate doing anything where I feel unprepared or uneducated) to approach one of them via e-mail.  Because I don't know the technical/professional way to go about it, I spoke from my heart instead.  I was pinning my hopes on perhaps a small boutique owner being more sympathetic to my naivete.

Lucky for me, the owner said yes to an appointment!  She didn't specify whether I'd be a wholesale or consignment account, but I'm going in with samples of all of my jewelry line.  Seeing as she owns a boutique filled with unique finds, I figure my OOAK Chiyogami jewelry would be a perfect fit.  This morning I started some fresh samples, and below is a pic of my progress from about an hour ago.  My appointment is in a couple days.  I'm super nervous, but I'm going to try my best to be prepared.  Wish me luck!

UPDATE: The Wendy Williams Show

Just received word that the segment my ring is a part of on The Wendy Williams Show airs Feb 22nd.  Tune is to see how it'll be featured!

Newest Celeb Gifting: Earth Day Artisan Gift Baskets

This has already been a crazy year for my business in terms of who I am sending my products to.  My ring will be a part of an upcoming segment on The Wendy Williams Show.  (Psst.  You can buy it here!)

So here's the newest awesome news: Yesterday morning I booked an opportunity to be a part of Earth Day gift baskets full of handmade artisan goodies!  These will be specially delivered to 25 celebs and 5 press/bloggers.  So OF COURSE I'll be sending my amazing soy candles!  Come April, they'll be in the hands of: Hayden Panettiere, Ginnifer Goodwin, Edward Norton, Adrian Grenier, Kate Bosworth, P!nk, Leonardo DiCaprio, Rachel McAdams, Emily VanCamp, Woody Harrelson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Daryl Hannah, Malin Akerman, Ted Danson, Orlando Bloom, Jake Gyllenhaal, Josh Hartnett, Sting, Barbra Streisand, Alicia Silverstone, Courteney Cox, Cameron Diaz, Sheryl Crow, Mark Ruffalo, and Natalie Portman. This is also in addition to the Mother's Day artisan gift baskets that I'm in that will go out in May; the recipients of these will be confirmed later this month.

It's hard to believe that about a week ago my ring was featured on The Vampire Diaries! I'm also gearing up for my 4th Etsyversary (wow, can't believe it!) so stay tuned for those exciting details.

Abby Bennett (Persia White) Seen Wearing BKD Signature Ring on Episode 4.12 of The Vampire Diaries

Brianne Durkin, designer/owner, BKD Signature, Sacramento, CA, is pleased to announce her company’s “Boldly Poignant Poinsettia Ring” was worn by character Abby Bennett (Persia White) on Season 4, Episode 12 of “The Vampire Diaries.” The episode aired January 31 on CW TV.

Sacramento, California (PRWEB) February 07, 2013

Brianne Durkin, designer/owner, BKD Signature (http://www.etsy.com/shop/beegrl88), Sacramento, CA, is pleased to announce her company’s “Boldly Poignant Poinsettia Ring” was worn by character Abby Bennett (Persia White) on Season 4, Episode 12 of “The Vampire Diaries.” The episode aired January 31, 2013 on CW TV.

Watch a BKD Signature video.

The “Poinsettia Ring” is part of BKD Signature’s handcrafted Chiyogami line of glass tile rings, earrings and pendants. Each piece in the line incorporates handmade glass tiles and Chiyogami, a durable, yet flexible Japanese paper that blends the Japanese traditions of woodblock printed Japanese papers and a style of Kimono fabric known as Yuzen.

“For me, “The Vampire Diaries” has always brought to mind shades of black, purple and gray,” noted Durkin, a longtime fan of the show. “So I knew right away that for this gifting, I wanted to incorporate a particular black, purple and gray Poinsettia patterned paper that I had hidden away in my paper stash.”

The more difficult decision was whether to fashion a wide band ring, a style that has been wildly popular for Durkin since it was introduced in 2012, or a more easily seen on television pendant. In the end Durkin followed her instincts and went with the ring, a decision she is happy about today.

Leigh Leverett, wardrobe stylist for “The Vampire Diaries,” received BKD Signature’s “Boldly Poignant Poinsettia Ring” as part of a Stylist Gift Bag initiative spearheaded by art promotions and celebrity gifting company The Artisan Group (http://www.theartisangroup.org). Valerie Guerrero, founder of The Artisan Group, sent the gift bag, which included jewelry and accessories from 80 of the Group’s 600+ members, to Leverett in November. So far, Leverett has selected about 15 pieces from the bag for use in Season 4.

Every piece of BKD Signature jewelry is handcrafted by Durkin using Chiyogami paper, handmade glass tiles and handmade glazes. Durkin notes that because of the handcrafted nature of the work and the fact that no two pieces of Chiyogami paper are ever alike, each piece of jewelry she creates is unique.

“My customers can truly say the piece was made especially for them, and I absolutely love that,” smiled Durkin. “Who wouldn't want a piece of jewelry that only you own?”

Durkin, who has a minor in Studio Art and who is working on her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, founded BKD Signature in 2009. She has been enamored with jewelry design and fabrication since childhood and is pleased that her passion has turned into a professional endeavor.

BKD Signature jewelry has been gifted to Rachael Ray, Kaley Cuoco, Genevieve Gorder and Alison Sweeney as part of The Artisan Group collaborative gift bags, and will soon be on its way to Stana Katic (“Castle”). BKD Signature jewelry has also been selected for inclusion in a special The Artisan Group Mother’s Day 2013 Collaborative Gift Bag, which will be delivered to some of Hollywood’s hottest Moms, including Hilary Duff, Rebecca Gayheart, Keri Russell, Beyonce, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jessica Alba, Molly Sims and Sienna Miller, among others.

To learn more about BKD Signature, contact Brianne Durkin by phone or email. To shop BKD Signature, visit the Etsy Shop at etsy.com/shop/beegrl88 or Craft Café at http://craftcafe.co/shop/bkdsignature. Select designs are also carried at Red Berry Boutique in McMinnville, Oregon. You can also become a fan of BKD Signature on Facebook and follow it on Twitter (@BKDSignature).

About BKD Signature

BKD Signature (http://www.etsy.com/shop/beegrl88) provides the world with luxurious high-quality handmade products including its distinctive Chiyogami Asian glass tile jewelry and a line of eco-friendly soy candles. The company, located in Sacramento, California, was founded by designer Brianne Durkin in 2009. BKD Signature jewelry has been featured on “The Vampire Diaries” and is in the hands of numerous celebrities, including Rachael Ray, Genevieve Gorder and Alison Sweeney. BKD Signature is a proud member of The Artisan Group, as well as Unique Women in Business, Sampler Village and California Crafters Club of Etsy.

For the original version on PRWeb visit:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/prwebBKDSignature/TheVampireDiaries/prweb10409668.ht
m