The Integrity of Handmade

Being a jewelry artisan who uses handmade nail polish in one of her lines, I try to keep a light foot planted in the indie polish world.  And while my decision to stay on the outskirts of the fold is calculated and purposeful, it still allows me to be cognizant of the problems going on so that I may know how it affects my own brand.

The recent debacle, or "PR nightmare" as my entrepreneurial spirit sees it, with Mentality polish highlights a struggle all us artisans will likely encounter at least once in our small business venture.  As Ashley is Polish Addicted points out in this new blog post highlighting the *cough* drama, handmade businesses are not exempt from customer service integrity more so than any other company or industry.  If anything, I argue being a small business has its advantages in addressing customer service problems (as well as its disadvantages).  In short, it means we can give individualized service that big box stores can't (but make us more vulnerable to customers with demanding and unrealistic expectations whose influence can be majorly impactful).  It is both a blessing and a struggle, an aspect that comes with the territory.

As an artisan and entrepreneur running a small handmade business, my passion to share handmade with the world is what drives me.  The integrity of handmade is a part of that gestalt.  I reiterate over and over to my customers that a major part of my brand is customer satisfaction.  I am unabashedly a perfectionist - if I am not happy with my product in production, that affects how I sell it... IF I sell it at all.  These pieces are either not sold or go into an Oopsie album with a full disclaimer.  While one of the beauties of handmade is its imperfections, another beauty is quality control.  My customers appreciate both sides of that coin: they indulge in the beauty of wabi-sabi, but also know to report to me any major defects in my pieces.  Every day I start with many intentions with my handmade business.  Handmade has spirit, has dignity, has integrity.  As artisans turned business owners, we must continue to spread that message and seek customers who appreciate it.

How Mentality is handling this whole base issue (*edit update: new info has come to light that indicates it may not be a base issue like Mentality is saying, that it's likely something that Mentality is doing.  WHICH makes this post that much more relevant!) not only baffles me, but blows my socks off with confusion.  As a business owner, I am obligated to fix wrongful situations.  As a handmade artisan, I am obligated to maintain quality control through testing and feedback.  As a human being, I am obligated to apologize and make things right in a moral and ethical fashion when my products do not live up to my guarantees.

With that being said, yes, Mentality, you have the right to handle situations as you please.  I respect that it is your company, which means it's your business how you make decisions and none of mine.  But know this: your customer service not only affects your customers and the future of your business, but it also affects MINE and those belonging to other handmade artisans.  We have many battles to overcome as handmade business owners (a long post for another day), and you just outed yourself as another bad apple for us to overcome.  Because, you see, we are such a small community that what one does affects us all.  As a fellow artisan stated, "When this type of thing happens it makes all handmade artisans a bit looking bad, and now we have to pay for what someone has done."  I'm here to share my passion, my calling... we already have enough barriers to overcome, let's not make each other another to overcome.


I've been crafting since I could hold a piece of paper and scissors.  So to my fellow handmade artisans know this: us veterans can smell whether you're a dedicated artisan wanting to share your craft with the world or if you're looking to make a quick buck.  We are watching.  We know.  So don't make me attach another eye roll to your name and throw me in a tearful rage of frustration with another reason to keep me up at night.


Be an inspiration, not a distraction.  Let your heart guide your journey, for handmade is a beautiful one from the soul.  And to those that keep spreading the message: keep on fighting.  This is a team effort and we've got your back.

Life Lessons from a Handmade Artisan

Essentially, this blog is an extension of my handmade business: a space where I can place the "extras" that relate to my entrepreneurial artisan lifestyle, but don't quite fit appropriately on Facebook or Instagram.  I am an artisan that believes in supporting handmade, shopping local, and eating organic as best as I can.  In my vision for this blog, I intend to discuss and impart the life lessons I learn as someone running a handmade business in a world of cheap trinkets, trying to live+breathe a lifestyle of handmade, and educate others about the massive benefits of supporting local.

I've slowly eased my way into reviving my blog, and have many plans for its future.  Like my business, it is a part of the makeover of my branding.  You may have already noticed the series #MondayMani, through which I feature handmade indie nail polishes - which ties into my support for handmade and my using indie polishes in my jewelry.  On Fridays, posted series will include Feature Friday, in which I feature and review a handmade product; or Foodie Fridays, in which I post a new dish I've tried from my clean eats inspired arsenal of recipes.  I will also be posting weekly topics on the lessons I've learned on running a successful handmade business and wish to teach others so that they may thrive, too, at doing what they love.

Excited as I am to watch this blog grow?  Have ideas for topics I should write about?  Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!  I look forward to connecting with you all.

Monday Mani: #52WPNMC with Girly Bits Just My Cup of Tea'l and Polynesian Sunset

It's Week 34 of the 52 Week Pick N Mix Challenge with this week's prompts being lilac and teal or pastels. Considering I have a most-likely-diagnosable problem with the amount of blues and purples I buy, I figured why not give the lilac and teal a shot. Luckily for me, I have the perfect duo of untrieds to fit the bill.  From my stash I picked from one of my favorite indie handmade brands, Girly Bits. Pam released a custom polish trio in June 2014 exclusive to the GBCF Facebook group, two of which happen to be a purple and a teal. For the purposes of this nail art challenge, I'm arguing it's a lilac. ;) 

Since these were released as customs, they were available only one time to a select group of people and did not have an official description. As provided by Pam at the time of preview for purchase: "This teal leans slightly more blue than #islandtime and it has more aqua shimmer and less gold. This purple is slightly darker than #endlesslove, with prominent pink shimmer and silver holo sparks in addition to the base holo." I applied both colors in thin layers (with top coat), and both, as is my usual experience with GB, were super easy to apply and dried quickly. I had not discovered the pink shimmer (which I thought at the time was a pink flash) of Polynesian Sunset until later under the lighting of my bedroom light fan, a very pleasant surprise. I enjoyed Polynesian Sunset for two days with very minimal tip wear (only one minor chip), which is also my typical experience with GB, as a monochromatic mani. I later applied Just My Cup of Tea'l ruffian style, mimicking nail art from this post.  Both are jam packed with holo and stunning colors.

As you will see in the nail art photo, my index finger is not pictured.  To my surprise, the lilac layer pulled up with my vinyl upon removal.  While I patched the screw up with the teal polish, I felt it wasn't camera ready.  I have had the teal on since Thursday with extremely minimal tip wear, only one chip (I'm sensing a theme).  Girly Bits polishes are VERY hardy.

In the shade with indirect lighting

In the shade

In the shade with indirect lighting

In the shade

Monday Mani is about showcasing beautiful indie polishes that I've purchased through lifestyle shots. So many swatches out there are captured under lighting and conditions that aren't common of every day. My intention is to show mani's under typical lighting and wearing conditions so you can decide if the beauty is right for you or not. Please note that although colors are accurate on my computer monitor (Macbook Pro), colors do vary among devices. Professionals blogger swatches are perfect - here's my life lessons from a handmade artisan.

Disclaimer: All reviews and opinions are my own. Products were purchased with my own money. No affiliation with Girly Bits or their products.

An InLinkz Link-up

Day3JNAC - 13 Days of January Nail Art Challenge: Half and Half

So this is turning out to be *quite* the learning experience.  Things I learned yesterday: the answer to the question "Do I still need to wait several minutes after applying quick dry top coat before trying nail art with Scotch tape?" (the answer is yes); pulling tape off not-completely-dry polish creates a cool, but undesirable effect; sometimes doing lines freehand is easier; using a second color to completely cover the basecoat color is easier said than done.

However, like usual, Girly Bits did not disappoint.  Although My Ten Friends will always hold a special place in my heart, Girly Bits is quickly becoming possibly my second favorite indie brand.  The formula is so amazing that it doesn't require clean-up if you've got good technique.  Unless I slip, I'm able to paint with BOTH my hands without clean-up being warranted.  Dries quickly and the wear on it is AMAZING.  Tomorrow will be my third day wearing it and I'm willing to bet I'll end the day with hard-to-notice tip wear.  Oh, and she also makes pretty colors. ;)

Today's nail art is half and half.  Of course, this was WAY cooler in my head... also would've helped if I was patient with the tape.  Ah well, live and learn.  I used What Happens in Vegas Ends Up on Facebook (2014 version) and What Happens in Vegas Ends Up on Instagram (2014 version).  I wish the camera would capture the stunning glitters in this better - they're a gorgeous surprise.  The purple glitter in particular is breathtaking.  Maybe tomorrow's sun pictures will do it justice.

Indoor Lighting

An InLinkz Link-up

Monday Mani: #fightforlightandlive and Girly Bits

Yesterday afternoon I discovered the #fightforlightandlive and #depressionawareness mani movement on Facebook.  Being a mental health professional first and foremost, I didn't want to miss out on participating.  I figured better late than never!

I had just opened up my three Mystery Bags from an exclusive sample sale for group members that handmade indie polish maker Girly Bits ran earlier this month.  The bags contained OOAKs, Oops, Prototypes, Testers, Discontinueds, and the like.  Among them was a beautiful green/purple holo duochrome (if I'm guessing correctly) and I thought it perfect to try out since it was a newbie and green.

While I had some application and drying issues - an anticipated risk of mystery samples - that affected clean up and appearance, it is quite the lovely color.  If the application issues were worked out (which may be the reason it didn't make it into production), I think this prototype would turn into a huge hit!  Next time I think I will build with super thin coats as I think I was a little overzealous with my painting.  This is two semi-thick coats with Zoya's Anchor and Armor.

Sadly, my camera was NOT cooperating with capturing the purple side of it.  When I walk into full sun, it turns into a full blown muted purple shade and the holo lights up.  While the naked eye can clearly see it, my camera clearly cannot.  Which is SO unfortunate because I wish I could easily show you how dynamic a color this is!  Instead, I tried my best with different lighting and angles in hopes of highlighting its beauty.

Post in the comments below what you think of the color!  And, please, help fight stigma surrounding mental illness and become an advocate for changing society's perspective.  Visit your local community agency or NAMI chapter, and help educate yourself and others about mental illness disorders.  Together we can #stampoutstigma and be agents for change!

Shade lighting

Direct sun lighting

(aka when my camera should have captured the purple instead)

Indirect sun lighting

(trying to capture the purple at a new angle)

Indirect sun lighting

Indirect sun lighting

(can see the purple a little bit)

Disclaimer:  All products were purchased with my own money.  All reviews and opinions are my own. Not affiliated with Girly Bits.

Handmade Quote of the Day

"When you buy something made by a person, there is something special there, and you do feel it. The consciousness with which a thing is made is often more important than the thing itself." - J. Donald Walters

BKD Signature Takes Giving Back To A New Level

As you all know, the furbaby assistants and I here at BKD Signature like to charitably give back to the animal shelters that have been a part of our lives.  Not only have I volunteered at several shelters, but I would not have been able to rescue my three kitties from the streets if it were not for the help of local shelters.  Over the years, we've run special auctions, promotions, and products that have benefited the various animal shelters we know on a personal level.  Amongst the many things we're researching right now during our down time is how to bring you newer and cooler products.  Among our ideas is a line of polish jewelry dedicated to donating proceeds to our animal charities.  One month after our grand reopening (tba), we're hoping to launch a special line of charity jewelry by teaming up with indie polish makers to create exclusive LE shades. The listing would consist of a special limited edition shade created by an awesome handmade polish maker and a piece of jewelry made by BKD Signature featuring said polish (basically, this listing would consist of two products - polish and necklace - for around $35 USD with 100% of proceeds going to a specific shelter).  Of course, this is all in the brainstorming phase, but we're optimistic we can make it possible! We're hoping to find indie brands eager to collaborate for our idea.  If you are the owner of a handmade nail polish brand interested in learning more about this idea, please leave a comment below or drop us an e-mail!  We anticipate this won't happen for another couple of months, but do realize that brainstorming early is important in order to accommodate for the creative process and testing periods of new polishes.