The wrap up details of how I solved packaging for my jewellery

The challenge of suitable packaging

I needed a complete packaging solution for the Clairely upcycled jewellery.  Preparations for my exhibition at the National Gallery of Denmark, museum shop in Copenhagen pushed me to make the final decision. So I set to and struggled over yet another weekend, scrambling around my studio for inspiration, trying to find something that would satisfy my many packaging criteria; one of them being that the packaging should already exist in some form, so I would not need to produce even more new packaging material, and another criteria that it should mail easily.

But first off, the MAIN issue was how to make the display for the museum shop.  I am always thrown into a tizzy when I have to design an new display – whether it be at a trade show, market, or in this case at the museum shop.

It was a serious challenge to make a beautiful display to complement  the grand and distinguished surroundings,  AND solve a long-standing issue with me – the packaging of Clairely upcycled jewellery.
[Jaws music playing here – da da,  da dah, dadadadadah].

Another criteria was the convenience factor, for the museum shop staff.
Having had three shops myself, where I also sold other people’s products, I know how irritating it can be to have to fiddle with complicated product packaging behind the counter which delayed customers.  And as a critical consumer myself, I am aware of, and delighted by how  products are presented when I am purchasing .
For example, I love a product packed in something that makes me smile, makes me think.  Like I love having food presented in such a visually pleasing way that it takes me several minutes before I eat it.  I bathe in the sheer joy of looking at it.  It’s just a seduction of my senses.

After much research to try and find the things I needed, and NOT finding them, my Jamaican ingenuity came shining through once more…I found a solution that I not only am happy with, but rather pleased with, as well.

Photo:  David Rivett

I am thrilled to have found a packaging solution from a product that is being phased out – the good old CD case. A  product that I can repurpose, squeeze one more use before they hit the crusher.
I love their transparency. Again, an important part of my own philosopy.
I not only borrowed from the music industry, I borrowed from the medical industry as well.  The product blurb, included in the CD case is on a piece of thin paper folded up in the packaging (just like when you buy pharmaceuticals) but visible through the plastic. If I were a shop/boutique owner, I think I would appreciate the ease of finding products for my customers by just checking the spine of the CD case.  Don’t think it can be any easier.

Thank you Lali of Adgreen for polishing the label idea.  This just seals it.  And it is sealed!

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Amazing jazz singer Dee Alexander in Clairely jewellery

(Re-posted from 020611)

I am proud to have seen this video posted today. I had to share this not only because she is incredibly talented,  because she is wearing Clairely jewellery on her arms,  and on her fingers.

And to boot, fabulous music.

I had the good fortune to meet her two years ago, and enjoy her music.
Enjoy.

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Influences and all

Re-posted from 31 Mar 2011

On the way into work today, I thought of how my life (and others, possibly) has been influenced by the media – films and TV.

My jewellery collection CLAIRELY has possessed me more and more as time goes on, and as I create new pieces, the organic way in which I create makes it a trifle difficult to be structured when comes time to categorize my pieces into collections and lists.

I realize this says something about me.That I am not so organized.  Oh well.

But my pieces say also something about the things I care about, about things that have influenced me.

My latest piece – CTM -which I have lumped in with my newest collection – STEPPIN’ OUT – is about getting your flirt groove on. It’s in the collection with high heels, handbags, music signs (go out and hear some music now). It’s a celebration of kicking hibernation to the curb and getting out.

Coffee, tea, or me?  I so remember when this book and movie came out.

Since I already had a coffee pot,

I went a step further wanting to do a teapot, and then the natural progression was this new piece  -CTM -all I needed to do was add the “me”.

So now, there is not only the triple neck piece, but coffee, tea, me  are also available individually.

The coffee pot is in the PORT ROYAL collection. My rationalization – that  pirates must also drink coffee – wouldn’t you think?

The collection was named after Port Royal a harbour in Jamaica, a (in)famous pirate haven back in the day.

In this same collection, I have this piece which came from my childhood watching TV at nights with my father. I thought the bird gave it a pirate-esque feeling. Hence it became part of the collection.

(Looks much better “live”)

I prefer to tie several pieces together not only for more drama, but also for telling a story. For example, I wear the guy with the bird with two of the other pieces  from the Port Royal line – very maritime, especially with stripes!

But them sometimes I change it up, and together with my big keyhole, this takes the story in another direction  (Hitchcock-esque).

  

So, influence and be influenced.

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Love red …

Re-posted from Tue, May 24, 2011

Red is for Christmas, red is for Valentine’s day, red is for passion, and just because……..

Claire de Lune ® Chandelier – red. My Claire de Lune Chandelier was originally done in red for ICFF in New York, as a tribute to the BIG APPLE. It was done in the larger size and quite spectacular it was!

Photos by David Rivett               This was it against my CDL wallpaper.

So I have done the red Chandelier  in a size that doesn’t require a smaller mansion to hang it in.

Doing a red theme here in our living room.

My design and production methods reflect a deep, long-time, personal commitment to the environment and the reduction of waste material. All left-over pieces of material from the production of lamps and mirrors are re-used for my jewellery line – CLAIRELY upcycled jewellery . The Claire de Lune Chandeliers are flat-pack to minimize carbon footprint, and eco-friendly packing materials are used where possible.

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My websites.      accent      clairely

Lock down

Lock down, lock it up, who’s locking now?

These pieces are from the Positive Vibrations collection.

I do two different models, in a range of colors – transparent, mirror, red, black, opal.
I also do locks with keys – I call it your challenge – with a solution.

… and I have five different keys in this collection, so come on down, you challenge you, I’m armoured.

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Re-posted from March 29, 2011