As someone who loves both small business and polymer clay videos (fellow shop owner here), this is my favourite type of video to watch! More behind the scenes like this please! Love seeing your process as someone who has successfully scaled your business as well.
Aww I'm so glad you enjoyed this! It was a lot of fun to make, although it certainly takes a lot more work! That makes it much harder to separate myself from the outcome of how the vid does as well because now I'm so invested haha. I'll certainly keep your comment in mind though 🥰
@@CreativeHiveCo You are adorable, talented and a delight to watch...but when I heard you claim you've been doing this for 2 decades I had to comment. How is it you've been doing this for 2 decades when you don't look a day over 20? Did you come out of the womb making charms? Whatever it is you're doing, keep doing it!
Thanks for sharing your process Mei, they came out so cute! The Renaissance faire circuit is into pickles, so there's that. I like your soft curls BTW. Happy Holidays!
Aww, thank you so much for saying that, Robin! Didn't know that about the Ren Faire circuit (we love going) and that makes total sense! And thank you about my hair! I'm always fighting with it to look right 😅 Happy holidays!
This was one of your best videos. So interesting to see how you make them and the listings etc. How do you set up shipping for multiple items? Thank you!!!
i'm not much of a pickle lover but they turned out really cute. it was cool to see your process and the thought you put into designing a new product and also how you handle your business. very inspiring
you're such an amazing teacher Mei ! 😭this video was not only packed with information but it is also really enjoyable to watch ! love how you have everything set up in a way to increase efficiency and how you even record your process so the people helping you know exactly what to do. I do digital art and I've never imagined working with physical products like charms was this challenging D: WOW thank you again for sharing the behind the scenes videos with us ! they're very inspiring
Omg I WISH I could do digital art like you! I've always wanted to learn but it's so intimidating to me. Thank you for your sweet and lovely comment 🥰 I think there's a balance between creativity/art and efficiency/profitability/money stuff when it comes to running a business. I hope I was able to express some of that in this vid!
I can definitely relate to undervaluing and undercharging for my work. I see that you did exactly what I would've done, you changed the price to $35 and then changed it again to $32. Lol! 😅 Pricing is something that I'm still struggling with. It's hard to find a good balance. Definitely trial and error.
After so many years of being in business, pricing is STILL challenging! The math/science part of pricing is easy if you just follow a formula but so much of pricing is also psychology. Both in figuring out what people would value AND our mindset and relationship with money play into it as well. Definitely lots of trial and error like you said!
There's an amazing article titled "your happy price." Basically, up the price until you suddenly relax and feel quite happy selling at that price. This is your happy price. It can also change over time. Importantly, it is also your _lowest price_ so your customers are actually getting the best deal. If your happy price is too high, then don't sell! You will be unhappy at a lower price. Go read the article! It helped so much!
Basically, don't price for you. Price for your audience! I'll add that we artists likely set the price too low because _we could make it!_ For someone who cannot make these things, they will pay for both your expertise as well as the item!
Your pickle necklace is perfect! Great video! Have you considered making a mold of your tiny pickles for future production? Congratulations and best wishes!
What a cute pickle idea and fun to see the process. As and artist myself its hard work but its so neat to see the ending results 😄 Enjoying your channel new to it 🙂
Aww I super appreciate that! Thank you for subscribing and I'm so glad this was helpful! I think a lot of the concepts can be used for other types of physical products too. The overall process is generally the same!
@CreativeHiveCo absolutely! I feel like a lot of UA-camrs that are in this similar kind of niche actually kind of gatekeep their tips and tricks and stuff like that and ONLY offer their knowledge behind a paywall. I'm so happy you have chosen to do both for those of us that simply cannot afford the courses as well as for those that can. 🙏
These are soooo cute! I love seeing some of the behind-the-scenes aspects, and I’m glad I’m not the only one that struggles with pricing! This may be in another video, but what is the box that you were taking pictures in? Some of my pictures have lines of shadows from my apartment windows and I think that would be an easy and easy-to-store solution!
What book do you recommend improving on marketing and branding? I'm still in high school and planning to make my Etsy account, then in summer focus on making my own website. I love reading self improve book, and you seem so knowledge on the marketing side. Was this because of experience? Did you read any books? If so, what do you recommend?
That's so great that you love reading self-improvement books! I've read so many and it's hard to pinpoint just one of them for general marketing/branding. These books are usually focused on one topic in the realm of marketing. I learned a lot of business through taking courses online and getting coaching mostly. And a lot of trial and error and learning from the data! Some of my fave marketing/business books are: The Pumpkin Plan by Mike Michalowicz, $100M Offers by Alex Hormozi, and Purple Cow by Seth Godin!
That is so insightful to hear! Thanks to the holidays, I have time to check out these wonderful cast of selections Thank you for taking part of your day to respond to me🎉
Your first set of pickles look like what can be seen in jars at the grocery store or if you were to can them yourself. I think your first pickles would sell just as well. Other than that, you did an awesome job. Happy late birthday.
Hi, this is Mei here! (Deya is my awesome friend who inspired this vid!) Tbh I wouldn't overspend on an oven. My first one was a $20 one from Walmart and it served me well for many years. People say a cheaper oven doesn't regulate temperature as well but just get an oven thermometer to put inside it so you can check the temp! Also put an aluminum shield around the heating element (not tightly) or over your charms as they bake so they don't burn which can happen more often with a cheaper oven. That's about it!
Yay Mei you're a Sag! When I heard it was your birthday it was validating as a fellow creative hehe my bday is December 5th. Do you know your moon sign? I'm Pisces moon cos obviously lol
@CreativeHiveCo happy belated birthday to you! Ooh a fire moon is very passionate 🔥 well I guess it feels validating cos I've always felt different and that I'd need a work style that reflects my creativity and energy levels rather than just a fixed schedule. I mean I knew I was a weirdo but yesterday I did my Human Design chart (only just learnt what that is lol) and apparently I'm a "reflector" which is only 1% of the population. So that made me feel less of a weirdo...😆
Maybe I'm missing something, but how come I've never seen you actually MAKE any of these charms with your own little hands? If I'm missing something, please let me know. I would love to see the process.
That's a fair statement. What someone perceives to be over priced may be low or just right to someone else. We all have different value systems. Artists who are super into the process and like to DIY things usually have a different take on pricing than someone who doesn't know how to make their own things.
As someone who loves both small business and polymer clay videos (fellow shop owner here), this is my favourite type of video to watch! More behind the scenes like this please! Love seeing your process as someone who has successfully scaled your business as well.
Aww I'm so glad you enjoyed this! It was a lot of fun to make, although it certainly takes a lot more work! That makes it much harder to separate myself from the outcome of how the vid does as well because now I'm so invested haha. I'll certainly keep your comment in mind though 🥰
@@CreativeHiveCo You are adorable, talented and a delight to watch...but when I heard you claim you've been doing this for 2 decades I had to comment.
How is it you've been doing this for 2 decades when you don't look a day over 20? Did you come out of the womb making charms? Whatever it is you're doing, keep doing it!
Also the dark greens are exactly what pickles should look like on the outside. lol
Thanks for sharing your process Mei, they came out so cute! The Renaissance faire circuit is into pickles, so there's that. I like your soft curls BTW. Happy Holidays!
Aww, thank you so much for saying that, Robin! Didn't know that about the Ren Faire circuit (we love going) and that makes total sense! And thank you about my hair! I'm always fighting with it to look right 😅 Happy holidays!
This was one of your best videos. So interesting to see how you make them and the listings etc.
How do you set up shipping for multiple items? Thank you!!!
i'm not much of a pickle lover but they turned out really cute. it was cool to see your process and the thought you put into designing a new product and also how you handle your business. very inspiring
I love how honest & transparent you are. you inspire me to go for it! Thank you!😊
Absolutely GO FOR IT! Life is short! What's the worst that can happen? 😁
Look up the tradition of hiding the pickle in the Christmas tree. Maybe you can salvage those pickles and make them into tree ornaments
Amazing idea!
I saw that as I was making the pickle! What a fun tradition 🥰
My family and I do this every yr!! And my mom bought us all our own pickle 🥒 to put on our own trees 🌲. I’ve been doing this since I was a kid.
Love this behind the scene video format and the pickle is so so cute!
So happy you enjoyed this! Thank you for watching 🥰
you're such an amazing teacher Mei ! 😭this video was not only packed with information but it is also really enjoyable to watch ! love how you have everything set up in a way to increase efficiency and how you even record your process so the people helping you know exactly what to do. I do digital art and I've never imagined working with physical products like charms was this challenging D: WOW thank you again for sharing the behind the scenes videos with us ! they're very inspiring
Omg I WISH I could do digital art like you! I've always wanted to learn but it's so intimidating to me. Thank you for your sweet and lovely comment 🥰 I think there's a balance between creativity/art and efficiency/profitability/money stuff when it comes to running a business. I hope I was able to express some of that in this vid!
Thank you so much for taking us through your process and most of all for keeping it real!!! I love your content, you rock 🤗🙌
Thanks for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed it! 😊
I can definitely relate to undervaluing and undercharging for my work. I see that you did exactly what I would've done, you changed the price to $35 and then changed it again to $32. Lol! 😅 Pricing is something that I'm still struggling with. It's hard to find a good balance. Definitely trial and error.
After so many years of being in business, pricing is STILL challenging! The math/science part of pricing is easy if you just follow a formula but so much of pricing is also psychology. Both in figuring out what people would value AND our mindset and relationship with money play into it as well. Definitely lots of trial and error like you said!
There's an amazing article titled "your happy price." Basically, up the price until you suddenly relax and feel quite happy selling at that price. This is your happy price. It can also change over time.
Importantly, it is also your _lowest price_ so your customers are actually getting the best deal.
If your happy price is too high, then don't sell! You will be unhappy at a lower price.
Go read the article! It helped so much!
Basically, don't price for you. Price for your audience!
I'll add that we artists likely set the price too low because _we could make it!_ For someone who cannot make these things, they will pay for both your expertise as well as the item!
Your pickle necklace is perfect! Great video! Have you considered making a mold of your tiny pickles for future production? Congratulations and best wishes!
Never seen a video like this... Tremendously enjoyable and satisfying to see you creating the pickles!
Thank you for sharing. Very helpful tips. This helps with some of the beginner paralysis and how to move forward with specific goals.
You and your pickle are just awesome.
And YOU are awesome too! ⭐
What a cute pickle idea and fun to see the process. As and artist myself its hard work but its so neat to see the ending results 😄 Enjoying your channel new to it 🙂
what a great video. both entertaining and inspiring. and a happy new year.
Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed watching it!
Very inspiring. Thx for sharing
Ps where can I buy a pickle
Really appreciate you for watching and asking! You can buy one of the pickles I made here! tinyhandsonline.com/products/scented-pickle-necklace
This is the first video of yours I've seen as a new subscriber and I found this so very helpful even though I don't work with clay. Thank you!
Aww I super appreciate that! Thank you for subscribing and I'm so glad this was helpful! I think a lot of the concepts can be used for other types of physical products too. The overall process is generally the same!
@CreativeHiveCo absolutely! I feel like a lot of UA-camrs that are in this similar kind of niche actually kind of gatekeep their tips and tricks and stuff like that and ONLY offer their knowledge behind a paywall. I'm so happy you have chosen to do both for those of us that simply cannot afford the courses as well as for those that can. 🙏
This was so great to see! Love your process and how detail you are.
Aww yay, thank you so much for saying that and I'm so happy you enjoyed watching this 🥰
These are soooo cute! I love seeing some of the behind-the-scenes aspects, and I’m glad I’m not the only one that struggles with pricing! This may be in another video, but what is the box that you were taking pictures in? Some of my pictures have lines of shadows from my apartment windows and I think that would be an easy and easy-to-store solution!
How do you add scent to the charms?
Your dog is so cute!!
Love this new subscriber❤❤❤
What book do you recommend improving on marketing and branding? I'm still in high school and planning to make my Etsy account, then in summer focus on making my own website. I love reading self improve book, and you seem so knowledge on the marketing side. Was this because of experience? Did you read any books? If so, what do you recommend?
That's so great that you love reading self-improvement books! I've read so many and it's hard to pinpoint just one of them for general marketing/branding. These books are usually focused on one topic in the realm of marketing. I learned a lot of business through taking courses online and getting coaching mostly. And a lot of trial and error and learning from the data!
Some of my fave marketing/business books are: The Pumpkin Plan by Mike Michalowicz, $100M Offers by Alex Hormozi, and Purple Cow by Seth Godin!
That is so insightful to hear! Thanks to the holidays, I have time to check out these wonderful cast of selections
Thank you for taking part of your day to respond to me🎉
Very informative….. could u please tell how u calculate and charge the time spent…. TIA ❤
Very useful, thank you so much!! ❤❤
Your first set of pickles look like what can be seen in jars at the grocery store or if you were to can them yourself. I think your first pickles would sell just as well. Other than that, you did an awesome job. Happy late birthday.
Very inspiring!
So glad you think so! 💙
Hi Deya. Do you have any oven recommendations or tips for choosing the right ovens? I've tried polymer ovens and convection ovens.
what's the best oven for hobbyist i have low budget right now.
Hi, this is Mei here! (Deya is my awesome friend who inspired this vid!) Tbh I wouldn't overspend on an oven. My first one was a $20 one from Walmart and it served me well for many years. People say a cheaper oven doesn't regulate temperature as well but just get an oven thermometer to put inside it so you can check the temp! Also put an aluminum shield around the heating element (not tightly) or over your charms as they bake so they don't burn which can happen more often with a cheaper oven. That's about it!
My birthday is December 8th too 😂 and so was my dads ❤
That’s cool. ❤
Thank you for watching!
Yay Mei you're a Sag! When I heard it was your birthday it was validating as a fellow creative hehe my bday is December 5th. Do you know your moon sign? I'm Pisces moon cos obviously lol
Happy belated birthday, fellow Sag! I'm an Aries moon. What about being another Sag creative person is validating for you? Are we different somehow? 🤓
@CreativeHiveCo happy belated birthday to you! Ooh a fire moon is very passionate 🔥 well I guess it feels validating cos I've always felt different and that I'd need a work style that reflects my creativity and energy levels rather than just a fixed schedule. I mean I knew I was a weirdo but yesterday I did my Human Design chart (only just learnt what that is lol) and apparently I'm a "reflector" which is only 1% of the population. So that made me feel less of a weirdo...😆
That's amazing
Thank you 🥰
The calculator don’t work
This is cool haha
Thanks! 🙏
Have you ever tried using an airbrush to paint instead of a brush?
Maybe I'm missing something, but how come I've never seen you actually MAKE any of these charms with your own little hands? If I'm missing something, please let me know. I would love to see the process.
She has just shown making the pickle charms
you are so cute! 😊😊😊
😊😋🤗
12:35 wait, what? i thought you were in your 20s 😳
Wait, did I say my age in the video? I forget already 🤣
OH yeah, I started my biz really young!!
that's over priced
That's a fair statement. What someone perceives to be over priced may be low or just right to someone else. We all have different value systems. Artists who are super into the process and like to DIY things usually have a different take on pricing than someone who doesn't know how to make their own things.
Very nice Mei, I enjoyed this a lot and found it inspiring. 🫶