Introducing: Kate Miss Jewelry, Fall 2012 Collection
After a few years of flying by the seat of my pants with my jewelry business, I decided it was high-time to get my act together and start making seasonal collections and a better system so things weren’t just selling out in a flash and making people wait another month until I dreamed up 20 new necklaces off the top of my head. I also decided to start using my own name rather than For Me, For You as I think I’ve matured past that name. So, I’d like to invite you to take a look at the newly re-launched shop and my Fall 2012 Collection lookbook, which my friends Emma and Alison worked on with me a few weeks ago at my apartment. The shop will open for business Monday, August 20th at 9am PST/12pm EST. Read on if that time worries you, as there won’t be such a scramble anymore.
Let’s talk about the changes, as I know I’ve always done things in a unique way that some of you may have gotten used to. I’m sorry this is long winded, we have so much to talk about! I’ll splice in lookbook photos to break it up. Here is a short summary in case you want to take a nap at the sight of all this text:
1. Everything is made to order except the one of kind pieces.
2. Brass drops out, cast bronze pieces in.
3. A handful of one of a kind pieces released each month per collection.
4. Mix CD with every order!
5. Wholesale now offered! Let’s do it.
The long version:
1. First off, almost everything is made to order now. I have a few things made, particularly the cast pieces, but for the most part when you order it, I then make it. It’s not a completely unlimited amount so that I don’t get too backed up, so you may see things sold out, but if time is not of the essence, give me some time and watch the email list and I’ll put it back online for ordering.
2. Your beloved brass drops is no longer. I think I talked about this enough to have warned you and eased you into this change, but after three years it was time for it to grow up and mature into something new: cast bronze pieces. I hand carved wax beads and had a local caster here in Los Angeles cast the beads in bronze and matte finish them. The drops are reminiscent of the old drops, but they are thicker, more organically shaped, and the number of beads reduced to three so the necklace isn’t outrageously expensive and heavy. There’s also a new bead in town, a triangle that’s also a bit organically shaped that I’ve been wearing every single day for the last month. And on the topic of expensive, casting rather than buying pre-made beads costs me about 100 million times more, so naturally the price had to jump but I’m trying to keep it as reasonably priced as possible. But not only are these beads unique and one of a kind from other necklaces you could buy, I upped the quality of the materials used to include gold fill findings and overall the necklace is more delicate and fine – and also sits on your chest higher. I’m really excited about these and I hope you are as well!
3. Because I can’t just do a 360 on my usual ways, every month I will be releasing a handful of totally one of a kind pieces. This season I’m making clay amulets, after becoming fascinated recently with egyptian jewelry, lucky charms and amulets worn to ward bad spirits away, I though it would be fun to make something similar. This month I have five of these beauties for sale, and I’ll be making more in September and October.
4. My packaging has changed a bit and you can read more about it here, but I just wanted to mention something fun that my friend Bianca gave me the idea for: every online order will come with a special mix CD specific to each seasonal collection. I figure a way to bring my love of music and mixes to my costumers is a win-win because making it was ridiculously fun. I won’t be posting it online, you’ll just have to order something to hear it!
5. Lastly, I am now taking select wholesale orders! Email me if you are interested – katemiss at gmail.com
So check back on Monday when I open the doors, the amulets are one of a kind and won’t be re-made exactly the same. Thank you guys for all of your support, as always.
Lookbook credits:
Photography: Kate Miss, shot on a Mamiya 645
Styling: Kate Miss and Alison Brislin (twitter/instagram/pinterest)
Model: Emma Robertson
The pink tank is by the lovely Ilana Kohn. Everything else, ain’t gonna lie, is from Forever 21 or Emma’s own.
August 16th, 2012 at 11:09 am
oh! it’s all so lovely! looking forward to the shop opening.
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Kate Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 8:20 pm
thank you, Jodi!
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August 16th, 2012 at 11:20 am
The clay amulets are gorgeous! I love your approach to things, explaining and taking us along your thought + work process.
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Kate Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 8:20 pm
Thanks, I’m glad you are ok with my rambling:)
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August 16th, 2012 at 11:25 am
Congratulations on the changes and updates, Kate! Looking forward to browsing the collection on Monday.
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Kate Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 8:20 pm
Thank you, I look forward to you browsing it as well!
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August 16th, 2012 at 12:27 pm
I really love the clay amulets! They’re so pretty and unique.
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Kate Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 8:20 pm
thanks, Sally!
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August 16th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
Fantastic changes, but is selling mix CD’s legal?
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Kate Reply:
August 16th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
I’m not selling them, I’m just giving them as a gift. I’m not making any money off of them.
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Anonymous Reply:
August 16th, 2012 at 12:36 pm
Alright, I don’t know anything about law, and this is an answer I found online:
“you buy the rights to listen to a song,
NOT copy it and give it away
If you bought a New CD, you could give it away,
but NOT a copy
That’s why it’s called the “copyright law?
the fact that a lot of people do it,
does NOT make it legal, or right”
Hopefully you’re right though :/
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Kate Reply:
August 16th, 2012 at 12:46 pm
I’m not too worried, if anyone wants a song taken off the mix I gladly will. Hopefully I’m introducing someone to something new and they buy the album, I’m only giving them a taste. Tons of blogs do this all the time and I get submissions for my mixes all the time.
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vanessa Reply:
August 21st, 2012 at 5:23 am
I hate to be a buzz kill, because I think the shop design and jewelry is really beautiful! but the CD irks me, too. Imagine that someone bought one of your photos from your print shop, scanned it on their home scanner and told customers “you will get a free print out when you buy something from my shop!” unless they got your permission to do this first, then it’s a little weird. I hope you are giving these artist the chance to op-in to your CD rather than op-out. it’s a bit more respectful.
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August 16th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
Kate! You genius. This is all so great! I’ve become super super picky about the kind of jewelry I like but I kind of want one of each. So many good details. Good luck!
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Kate Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 8:21 pm
Thanks girl!!!!
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August 16th, 2012 at 1:06 pm
Love, love, love the redesign, Kate! The new packaging has very “Kate Miss” colours. I’ve got my eye on that beautiful bronze triangle.
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Kate Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 8:21 pm
I’m very glad you picked up on the color thing:) xo
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August 16th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
DUDE! this is so exciting! and awesome! congrats!! everything looks so lovely. plus i love the egyptian feel of those amulets…but with a much more modern, minimalist feel. :)
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Kate Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 8:21 pm
yay! thank you!
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August 16th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
this is SO SO BEYOND. and super stoked for these mixes!
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Kate Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
ohh beyond, I like that:) thank you!
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August 16th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
beautiful! love the new packaging too, and the mix cd is brilliant! can’t wait for the shop to open!
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Kate Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
thank you!
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August 16th, 2012 at 1:50 pm
GORGEOUS KATE!! lovin’ the new packaging…and what a kick ass idea for throwing in a mixed cd. I’ve already made a wishlist of what I want to order…
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Kate Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
thank you thank you!
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August 16th, 2012 at 1:59 pm
Gorgeous! Love the work and the lookbook is perfect. I certainly wouldn’t worry about the mix CD :)
xx
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Kate Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
thank you! yeah, I’m not worried at all, I’m a rebel like that:)
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imogen Reply:
August 24th, 2012 at 5:08 am
what exactly are you rebelling against? the musicians/artists that you admire?
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Kate Reply:
August 24th, 2012 at 8:29 am
I’m sorry, that was a stupid thing to say, I was exhausted and not thinking clearly. Every mix CD/online mix I have ever listened to (as I collect and listen to them obsessively) introduces me to new bands and musicians that I’ve never heard of and I often go purchase those albums and become a new fan. My hope is that my mix will do the same since giving someone one song is only a very small taste. I’m not sending out hundreds of orders with the cds and spreading out entire albums for thousands of people.
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August 16th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
congrats kate! everything looks so beautiful!
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Kate Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
thanks, Lexie!
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August 16th, 2012 at 6:11 pm
congrats, kate! love the cast beads.
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Kate Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 8:23 pm
thanks, Maria!!
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August 16th, 2012 at 7:39 pm
The amulets are stunning! Love it all!
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Kate Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 8:23 pm
thank you, Nome!
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August 16th, 2012 at 10:10 pm
I want it ALL. No, really. All of it.
Congrats on all this newness. I’m in awe.
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Kate Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 8:24 pm
You can have it all! (ok probably not). thank you!
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Ashley Reply:
August 23rd, 2012 at 7:55 pm
Guhhhhhh. The necklaces arrived today. I probably won’t take them off for at least a week. Ehhhh, let’s be honest. A month.
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August 17th, 2012 at 8:50 am
Super excited for you and this gorgeous new collection! So, so, so looking forward to purchasing one….and for a presumably rad mix cd, too! Congrats!
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Kate Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 8:24 pm
I hope it is indeed rad, thank you!
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August 17th, 2012 at 12:01 pm
Congrats, Kate!
I think a jewelry party pop up shop would be fun! Bring your goods to Venice :)
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Kate Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 8:24 pm
That would be fun!
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August 17th, 2012 at 1:14 pm
Bravo on such a beautiful collection! Not a single disappointment. And also, Made in USA! Have to say it… kudos! ;)
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Kate Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 8:25 pm
thank you, I’m glad to not disappoint:)
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August 17th, 2012 at 3:58 pm
i love this so much. i love the new collection, i love the changes you made and the fact that you’re explaining it. my husband and i are thinking of making similar changes with his line of accessories and it’s motivating to see other small business take the leap like you are. just giving it your 100% you know? way to go!
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Kate Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 8:26 pm
It’s funny how getting more structured once you’re already established is, making changes is so much work! But so worth it in the end. I’m happy to motivate you, Rubi!
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August 17th, 2012 at 6:36 pm
Ahh crap, “lucky charms and amulets worn to ward bad spirits away?” I was into it already but way to push my buttons! Congratulations to you, this seems like it’s going to be a really great venture!
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Kate Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 8:26 pm
just call me Witchy Woman pusher. thanks:)
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August 17th, 2012 at 9:39 pm
just gorgeous! i wanted some time to explore before writing a reply so that i can soak up all the goodness. your work is always inspiring & i love how the essence of how your portray yourself is infused in every piece.
i’ve had my eyes on a few pieces, but have always been beat to the punch. hopefully i’ll be able to finally have one to call my own. :) congratulations on the new name change as well! i think it’s a great move.
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Kate Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 8:27 pm
Oh thank you Satsuki, that means so much coming from such an inspiration like yourself:)
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August 17th, 2012 at 11:21 pm
Sounds awesome
Is it wrong to want a beautiful piece of jewelry as well as your music pics?…
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Kate Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 8:27 pm
Never wrong!! :)
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August 19th, 2012 at 7:18 pm
The lookbook is really great, Kate (& team)! Nice work.
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Kate Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 8:28 pm
Thank you, Brian! I have to say that blog post you linked to + talked about a ways back about not being scared to shoot all film really inspired me. My digital to film ratio has changed so much since then.
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August 20th, 2012 at 10:41 am
[...] Miss jewelry Fall 2012 collection /// Delicious summer tomatoes, from a photography class on Tartelette Blog @HeleneDuhardin [...]
August 24th, 2012 at 8:41 am
I just received my triangle bronze necklace and I’m in love. And the packaging really felt made it feel like a really special treat to myself. Congrats on your rebranding…I think you really hit it out of the park!
PS…I’m excited for the mix CD too! So old school.
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August 31st, 2012 at 2:53 am
What a wonderful collection! I’m very pleased with the development of your line and would love to have one of everything! I’ll keep an eye out though, and when funds are better, I’ll snatch a few of your wonderful necklaces up.
I also perused a few of your comments and I think your mixes are wonderful and give people the chance to experience new music. It’s basically free advertising for band, and giving people exposure to music they may not have otherwise had the chance to hear!
Keep it up, you’re doing a great job!!
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