To prevent such pricing faux pas from happening again, I'm adding one more very important step to my design process. I'm documenting the production process from gathering up the beads to tying off the last knot!
I plan to generate production notes for every piece I design, beginning with the Bridesmaids Earrings I created for my son's wedding last month. I was making six pair of these brick-stitched designs, so I sat down at the computer after completing the second pair. My production notes have a space for a materials list (the digital document includes links to purchase), a breakdown of costs (including scrupulously accounting for my time), and a crisp photo of design options. The rest of the sheet details step-by-step instructions and design notes.
An added bonus: documenting the step-by-steps this way brings a different eye to the process and I quickly saw a better thread path to ensure optimal alignment of the center crystal.
And if someone admires these in daughter Dani's ears and wants to know if they can be made in turquoise and silver? I'll know the answer can be found at Fire Mountain Gems, since my production notes tell me it's the only place that my design's non-standard size of faceted crystal ovals can be found!
