MetalSugar

Another Monday - I love Mondays- we get to see the beautiful work of a jewelry designer every Monday and today we have the spectacular Melissa Cohen of Metal Sugar Designs in Brooklyn, NY. Metal Sugar is exactly what it sounds like: hard and soft, tough and sweet jewelry with a dash of flair, humor, and class to meet the needs of any buyer. All handmade by me and full of personality!

What is your "real" life like?
I live in a one bedroom apt with my boyfriend, my dog bosco, my cat isaiah and my boyfriend's cat Kanji. It's a zoo but I wouldn't trade it for the world. We watch Netflix movies more than I'd like to admit and I'm obsessed with Project Runway. I stay home alot and work on jewelry and try to get out of the house as much as possible to connect with my friends and to eat at all of the delicious restaurants in NY.

What is your process?
I mainly work with sterling silver, but like to work with gold. I also am beginning to incorporate technology into my work-by using illustrator for laser cutting and soon will be working on making pieces that light up and move. My process is sometimes planned and sometimes random. I have sketchbooks and try bringing one in my purse so whenever I think of something, I can draw it out. These often transform into pieces later. Many times I just sit down with my metal and make a piece in the moment. I have come up with some really interesting pieces this way-those are probably my favorite.


What are your goals and vision for your business?
My goals are to continue expanding and growing, learning constantly-I would like to get into more stores, get on more blogs, be part of more interviews, get noticed by magazines, press, anything to get my name out there. My goal long term is to do this for a living, have a cute studio to call my own, where I work in the back, teach small classes, and have a shop in the front where I sell my work as well as hand-picked items that I love from other artists.. This is my dream and I hope to see it come true one day :-)

How and where do you market your business?
I keep my business cards in different stores, I put my products on flickr, myspace, and facebook. I send out updates via email to my list of contacts that I've made at craft fairs or just through networking. I also get blogged about from time to time which helps get my name out there. I'm also part of a great collective of artists on my Etsy Street Team and we promote one another and are almost finished with a catalogue featuring many of these amazing crafters. I haven't put enough time and money into my marketing, but I'm working on it!

Do you subscribe to any business related blogs, zines or magazines?
I have a Bust subscription, often buy jewelry magazines, and subscribe to many blogs that feature handmade artists.

What inspires you?
I am inspired by so much-animals, Japanese toys and candy, simple lines and textures, and taking the humor in the world and making it pretty when possible.

What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
The Cupcake Signet Ring (second picture) and my new Duckie Jewelry (third picture)


I am a Fan of...
NOTCOT
Cake Spy
Fred Flare
fromjapanwithlove.etsy.com
http://glassfiction.blogspot.com/

Find Seller....
www.metalsugar.com
metalsugar.etsy.com,
http://metalsugar.supermarkethq.com, stars and infinite darkness and more to come!