A Week at The Folk School

Learning a new craft is irresistible to me. I suppose that’s how I wound up with such a long list of interests, and an even longer list of things I want to learn in the future (which ranges from loom weaving to learning to ride a unicycle). Earlier this month, I did something way out of my comfort zone, and took time off to learn something I knew nothing about. It wasn’t really a vacation, more like an intense work week that left my hands stained and sore, but I’m so glad I didn’t talk myself out of it. I had a pile of reasons to cancel my art camp plans, but the part about “it might be really cool” was what got my butt to Brasstown, NC.

I chose to take a jewelry metalworking course at the John C. Campbell Folk School, a place full of history, simplicity, music from another era, misty mornings, and practically no cell reception. This is the kind of place where you can learn blacksmithing one week, and traditional basket making the next. During the week of my attendance, there were about a dozen other classes occurring simultaneously. My time was spent in an area called “Studio Row” in a building dedicated to jewelry & metals. I’m still blown away by everything I learned in such a short time, but now I feel pressure (the good kind) to continue to take classes whenever I can, because I have an awful lot of things to learn, and an uncertain number of years left to learn them.

I’m already comfortable designing and making jewelry, it’s part of how I earn a living, but working with metal was 100% new to me, so it was a humbling experience to start from scratch, not knowing what would work and what wouldn’t. The instructor, Cindy Moore of www.cooltoolchick.com was extremely knowledgeable and patient, and I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to the medium.

In just a few day’s time, my class of 8 got to try out embossing metals on the rolling mill, torch enameling, forging, soldering, the hydraulic press, cold connections (like rivets), plus cleaning & finishing techniques. We were permitted to focus on our own projects after general instruction, so I was able to skip things like wire working and making beads out of old coins in exchange for more time with the torch annealing and shaping copper, or experimenting with texturing enamel (my personal favorites, out of everything we learned). The curriculum was fairly open, which was perfect since everyone had different interests. I was thrilled to have the option for additional studio time in the evenings after dinner, which always went by way too quickly. That’s how you know you’re having fun - when having to eat or sleep becomes a major bummer because you don’t want to stop working!!

All in all, I made 32 pieces of jewelry. Some aren’t very good. Some I’m extremely attached to, and would love to add to my jewelry line in the future. I’m already making plans to invest in some of the equipment so I can continue material explorations in my own studio with my new found love of metals. I will always work in leather, wood, and wool, but I think metal is the missing element in my work, and I’m thankful to have had the chance to dabble in it just long enough to know I need to dabble more soon.

Turning 10

On June 18th, 2005, Etsy began. So did my marriage. 

I like sharing this happy day in history. Getting married changed my life, and so did Etsy. That probably sounds weird, it's just a website, right? To me, and billions of others, it's a lot more than just a website.

If it wasn't for Etsy, I never would have started my handmade business Once Again Sam. They made it easy for people like me with creativity and ideas, but no business background, to get started and eventually succeed. I literally learned something new every day thanks to their mission to educate and help you help yourself and connect with others. After a few years selling handmade jewelry and fiber art, I now consider being a Maker to be my full time job. Being a wife is my other full time job. They both take work, they're both incredibly rewarding, and they both define who I am. 

Ten years as a wife has shown me a pretty good glimpse of the highest of highs and the lowest of lows life has to offer. We've been through some really awful stuff together, but we've also laughed so hard we've cried, we've both grown in so many ways, but still have SO much to learn. Thankful for these 10 years, and all that's to come. 

OAS FAQ

I’m taking time today to run through my most frequently asked questions and answer them all in one shot. If you have inquiries of your own, send em’ over!

1. What’s with the name?   

    Once Again Sam has been my shop name from the beginning, and it has nothing to do with Casablanca (the line from the movie is actually “Play it, Sam”, but it’s often misquoted). My name isn’t Sam, and neither is my husbands. We both get that a lot!

Here’s the real story: when I got married, my initials became S.A.M., and I thought having a name within a name was pretty novel, so I decided to use that for my business. When I first started my shop, I never dreamed I’d ever meet my customers in person, I assumed my business would only exist on the web, so I liked using an alias to maintain some anonymity. Well, that blew up in my face - nowadays I meet thousands of customers every year in person and they don’t know what to call me (you can call me Sarah, by the way)!  The “Once Again” part of the name refers to my love of upcycling. I repurpose materials like leather & wood and give them new life “once again” in a whole new way.

2. Do you make everything?

    Yep! I have many hobbies, my skill sets are always growing, and I make everything you see on my table at craft shows and in my Etsy shop. My husband helps with the general operations of my business, and he definitely has a hand in the designs and will often assist with some of the woodworking items as well. Everything is made in our home studio in Greenville, SC.

3. I’m local, can I pick up my order?

    It seems like an easy way to save a few bucks on shipping, so I don’t blame you for asking, but I’m afraid I cannot do meetups or deliveries. I do go to the post office almost every day, so I promise you wont be waiting long! I get asked this question a LOT, especially around holidays (the record still stands at 22 meetup requests in one week last year right before Christmas). If I had taken the time to meet up with 22 different people to deliver their orders, 22 other people wouldn't have gotten theirs on time, so it's really not fair to the rest of my customers (or myself). 

If you really don’t want to pay shipping, here’s a few things you can do:

• Checkout some of the local stores that carry my work: Urban Digs, The Shoppes on Trade, Liz Daly, The Art Lounge.

• Find me at a local craft show: I always post schedules on social media, and often have 10 times the inventory of my Etsy shop. You can order online and pickup at a show, then I’ll refund the shipping.

4. Do you ever have coupon codes?

    Yes, but it’s rare. I only do discount coupon codes about 4-5 times a year (usually for 20% off or less). Here’s why: I decided I would rather have my “real price” as my “all the time price” rather than marking things up just to put them on sale. I wanted my customers to be able to buy whenever they wanted, and not have to wait for the next sale to be able to afford the purchase. 

5. Do you take custom orders?

    YES!!! I’d say about 50% of my business is actually custom work. People see something they like in my shop or on social media, but they want something slightly different (or completely different) and I’m cool with that. Interested in a custom order? Just send me a note (via Etsy Conversation, a direct message on social media, or through the contact form on this website).

6. Did you go to school for this?

    Nope. Although I did go to art school (Maryland Institute College of Art), I studied Environmental Design (Interior Design / Architecture / Furniture Design), nothing to do with fiber art or jewelry. When it comes to the items I make & sell through Once Again Sam, I’m primarily self taught.

7. Do you do this for a living?

    Pretty much! In 2013 or thereabout, I was able to flip flop my hobby with my career. My business was doing well, and I was making more selling my work than I was in my full time interior design job, so I made the switch. The problem was, I actually liked my day job too (as an interior designer in the field of commercial architecture), so I’ve been lucky to find a firm that’s flexible enough to let me work part time. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to do both! I typically work 20-25 hours a week as a designer, and 40+ as a maker. Income-wise, I'm about 80% self employed. 

8. Will you ever open a brick & mortar store?

    Boy, that’s tempting, but as of right now I have no plans to. I love working out of my home, and having the flexibility to set up temporary shops at regional craft shows, while not being chained to retail hours. I know I’d enjoy the retail design & display side of things, but for now, I’m sticking to what has worked well so far: online shops & craft shows. Things can always change in the future though!

9. Do you teach classes?

    I have in the past, but it’s not something I do regularly.

10. About the needle felted fiber art: Are these toys? Why are they so expensive?

    They are definitely NOT TOYS! They’re actually quite fragile, and I’m afraid if you give one of these needle felted creations to a small child or household pet, it will probably not survive. Although a lot of my felted pieces are cute little animals and monsters, they’re intended to be decorative art pieces.

As for the cost, they may seem pricey, but it’s because they take an awful long time to make. I’m talking hours and hours. A small four-legged felted animal figurine may require 4-6 hours of my time to create, so in the end, I’m making minimum wage of some of these things, which isn't much for something that requires a specialized skill, but I do it because I enjoy the process.

Spring Is Here

The months leading up to spring are my most creative time of the year. I’m done with holiday orders, things slow down a little on Etsy, and craft show season is behind me, so my mind is freed up to think, while my hands are freed up to experiment with new ideas in the studio. This year, on the first day of spring, I launched several new handmade jewelry collections I’d been working on and developing throughout the dreary winter months. Here’s a recap of all things new at Once Again Sam. 

Geometric & Geometric Florals

An addition to my most popular collection, Curious Cameos, these designs are more abstract than their predecessors. Inspired by textile patterns, these designs are done in vibrant colors for spring. I used my laser cutter to etch the intricate designs into hand painted wood, then set the wood in a metal bezel. The pendants, earrings, and rings are all very easy to customize. 

Geometric & Geometric Floral Designs

Dipped in Color 

For this clean modern look, I combined exotic and dyed wood veneer with matte acrylic paint. I love the contrast of the wood with the paint. This collection, like the rest of the cameo-style pendants, uses commercial settings in order to keep the price affordable, and are easy to customize. Available as horizontal or diagonal, which can be done on small & large pendants, earrings, and rings. 

Dipped in color series

Painted Wooden Pendants

Laser etched maple and walnut wood is painted then sealed with Danish oil. These designs are geometric and are created through a process that reminds me of painting by number. The lines are etched into the wood with the laser, then I painted in each block of color after sanding the wood. There’s no setting to contain the wood, only a simple pinch bail to string it onto the chain. 

Painted Wooden Pendants

Turned Wooden Pendants

Recently, my husband and I took a woodturning class, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Turning is my new addiction! These pendants are made from mostly exotic woods, and a brass tube goes through the top of the teardrop shape, giving the necklace some structure and a modern touch, while also providing a place for the brass chain to loop through. Each pendant is one-of-a-kind, and are limited in availability. 

Turned Wooden Pendants

Once Again Sam Press:

Recently, I was honored to have my jewelry featured on Southern Living’s The Daily South, and get the chance to join Jamarcus Gaston on Studio62. 

The Makers Summit: 3rd Annual Kick in the Butt

Earlier this month I attended a 2-day conference for creatives called The Makers Summit, put on my Indie Craft Parade. This was the 3rd annual gathering, and I wouldn’t miss it for anything. People from all over the country come to Greenville, SC, to be a part of this event. There's workshops to attend, the chance to meet one-on-one with industry experts, hear keynote speakers share their story, and get to know other makers.

Each year, I’ve gotten something completely different out of the conference. It’s true the workshops and speakers change every time so the experience is never going to be the same, but I think a big reason why my personal takeaway is vastly different year to year is because my business is in a completely different place each time. A lot can happen in between one Makers Summit and the next!

The first year (2013), I was really wanting to improve my Etsy shop, so I signed up for one-on-one sessions with experts related to that, and made big changes in the following weeks to my tags, descriptions, and photos. At the time, I was also toying with creating a personal website where my jewelry, fiber art, interior design, and writing could come together (THIS website, the one you’re reading right now!). Lastly, I was inspired to pitch to a magazine for the first time after hearing Amy Flurry, author of Recipe for Press, speak at the conference. Backstory on my first magazine pitch & feature can be found here:  

Last year (2014), I was focused on re-branding and giving my business a better overall appearance, so by the summertime I was finally ready to take the plunge and get serious about this major overhaul. It was a huge thing to check off my Makers Summit to-do list, and now I can finally say I’ve never been happier with my logo and branding. Backstory on my re-branding can be found here:

This year (2015), I found myself tuning in to advice related specifically to wholesale. I already do a fair amount of wholesale business as it is, but I really need to step it up a notch (several notches, actually). Most of my big goals for this year are for growing my wholesale reach even further, and making that side of my business significantly more professional.

Post Makers Summit To-Do List:

• Create a printed catalogue to showcase my linesheet

• Develop SKU’s for all wholesale inventory

• Launch my own e-commerce website with wholesale section

• Simplify custom ordering process: color chart, setting options, designs, etc.

• Exhibit at one tradeshow in the next 12 months (which is way different than a craft show)

So there it is, my official list. Now that it’s posted here, I really have to be accountable! 

The conference was, as it always is, a kick in the butt to take the next major steps of this entrepreneurial journey. My brain is still processing everything I heard. I’m still buzzing with inspiration, even several weeks later.

After the Makers Summit was #thebestcraftpartyever - which is exactly what is sounds like. Click through the album below for a peek at how crafty people get crafty just for fun, when they’re not making things because it’s their job.