August 31, 2017 — Comments are off for this post.

Map Medallion

Joy Complex Map Medalion

JOY COMPLEX INTRODUCES CUSTOM GPS COORDINATE JEWELRY

Custom jewelry with GPS coordinates have been fairly popular for several years now. The designs are all basically the same - a piece of metal stamped with coordinates.

Typical examples of coordinate jewelry. Clockwise from bottom left: PureImpressions, QQ47, LittleHomebirdStudio, CaitlynMinimalist

There is a place for minimalism but I thought a more visually striking design was in order.

JOY COMPLEX Map Medallions (now available on ETSY) are a new line of coordinate jewelry that not only display latitude and longitude but also a cartographic representation of that actual location.

Three Map Medallions. GPS coordinates on back.

JOY COMPLEX Map Medallions feature a fully customized map (with an optional spherical place marker) on the front and the latitude & longitude of the special place you'd like to commemorate on the back!

Using state of the art metal 3D printers I apply your custom map to my design to create a beautiful representation of your special place in metal. The coordinates are located on the back so you can always look up the location as well!

Have your wife wear the place where you first kissed around her neck. Make a keepsake of the location of your first home. Maybe you have a favorite coffee shop in Paris? Or perhaps make a map showing where someone you love is located. The possibilities are limitless.

Celebrate the place on this beautiful planet that is most meaningful to you!

Map Medallion design evolution.

The Map Medallion has gone through several iterations and been refined via input from past customers. The final design of this product looks great and I'm certain that you'll be pleased when yours arrives. Furthermore, it is not stamped but made to order as one piece of metal that will last a lifetime.

The standard pendant is fashioned from bronze infused stainless steel and is slightly larger than a US quarter - about the size of a watch face.

Further customization is possible as well.

Cast metal versions in polished or antique silver and different colors of gold will also be available in the coming weeks.

: Three Medallions (front)

: Three Medallions (back)

: Vintage Steel

: Vintage Steel

: Gray Steel

: Gray Steel

: Bronze Tone Steel

: Bronze Tone Steel

Approximate size:
Cm: 3.3 cm diameter
In: 1.35 in diameter

PURCHASE on ETSY

The Process:

(1) Go to http://www.latlong.net/ and get your coordinates and copy the results.

(2) Place your order and paste the coordinates in the notes section along with whether or not you'd like a specific point marked with a tiny sphere.

(3) Two to three weeks later you receive a beautiful heirloom!

Steel Map Medallions ship with an 18” or 24" steel “ball” type chain.
Steel Medallions are available for purchase in three colors:

Vintage Steel | textured worn in look - color ranges from silver to slightly gold
Bronze Steel | warm coffee color
Rough Gray Steel | smooth faded gray appearance

There will be slight color/texture variations because of the unique metal printing process

Published by The Owner in Uncategorized

Tags: GPS, Maps

July 10, 2017 — Comments are off for this post.

Launching Wonder Women Collectible Enamel Pins

I've created a new Kickstarter to launch a series of Wonder Women collectible enamel pins. Each pin in the series will be inspired by and celebrate an amazing woman and her accomplishments.

These women are role models for people of any gender and they should be recognized for their contributions to the world - especially women who managed to get their ideas and talents across in a male-dominated society.

Why start with Hedy Lamar?

While you may know her as a star of the silver screen during Hollywood's "Golden Age," she was also a talented and (until recently) unsung inventor. If you're reading this on a phone one of the people you can thank is Hedy Lamarr! She co-invented "spread spectrum" technology which is part of the backbone of digital communications.

It’s about time she was recognized for all of her talents.

Each pin will come attached to a backing card. On the front, the pin will be displayed along side a reproduction of an original work by collage artist Lola Dupré. (I personally own this piece and look at it every day.)

The reverse of the card will contain information about Hedy Lamarr and her scientific and artistic contributions to the world.

The Hedy Lamarr pin is the first of (I hope) many more Wonder Women pins.

Are you aware of someone who you think deserves to be recognized? LET ME KNOW! I’d love to learn about the women who inspire you.

Please share this campaign too! The more people who are aware of it the more likely that it will be successful and lead to more pins in this series.

About the Pins:

2 inches at the tallest point. Black dyed metal plating with a butterfly clasp on back. White enamel fill with blue fill for eyes. They are designed and made in the US.

About Artist Lola Dupré:

Lola is a collage artist and illustrator with clients including Penguin Books, TIME Magazine, Nike Basketball, MAXIM Magazine, Die Welt, New Statesman, WIRED and BURTON.

She makes some of the most amazing art you will see today.

Check out her website: http://www.loladupre.com/

Published by The Owner in Uncategorized

Tags: crowdfunding, enamel pin, hedy lamarr, Kickstarter

May 31, 2017 — Comments are off for this post.

Small Ways To Build Your Brand: Thoughtful Packaging

joy complex thoughtful packaging There are a lot of budget friendly ways to build your brand. Thoughtful packaging - notice that I didn't say "custom" packaging - is one very simple and effective way to help people remember you.

A small business just getting off the ground has to use money wisely. It's great to aspire to have awesome custom boxes that are foil stamped with your logo and contain an enclosure that unfolds like a flower petal opening in the sun to reveal your amazing product. However, that kind of packaging flourish costs a lot of money.

Thoughtful packaging doesn't take a lot of money. All it takes is some thought and creativity to craft a nice experience for your customer while staying within your budget. The materials you use don't have to be fancy or expensive and any freebies you provide don't have to be luxurious. What you're looking to elicit is a smile. If the packaging and presentation makes your customer smile they're primed to feel positive about your product (you know the thing they actually spent money on). They'll remember that little moment. I know I do and that's why I package my products with giving people a smile in mind.

For most of my small jewelry I use inexpensive natural brown kraft boxes that you can get at any craft store. If you want to buy them in bulk definitely check out Amazon - they have them there for ¢33 a box if you buy 100.

: Blank Kraft Box

: Simple ink stamper

: Stamp

: Stamp on Box Lid

: Larger Ink Stamper

: Two stamps

: Inside box lid

I purchased two self inking rubber stamps from Zazzle to brand the boxes. I put my stylized logo on the outside and then when my customer opens the box they also see the full text logo on the inside. I also add small note inside the box so that my customers see that an actual person has prepared their order and wants them to be happy with their purchase.

Kimberly Falk of Ontogenie uses a similar box but goes even further to thoughtfully brand them as her own. Not only are the lids stamped but in keeping with her naturalist theme she uses a wood shaving fill to carefully protect her creations.

: Wood Shavings

: Beautiful Presentation

Furthermore she has a variety of cards to which her jewelry is affixed. This lovely presentation of her work shows her customers how much thought Kimberly puts into every one of her items - from design to the packaging every aspect of her work is special.

Finally check out this creative box by designer Daniel M. Floey Jr. of D & O Celtic Jewelry.

D&O box

For his smaller jewelry pieces he uses origami boxes that he hand makes with craft paper. Each box is truly unique and since he uses craft paper with different patterns on it his boxes can change depending on the season and the holiday! Now if that's not thoughtful packaging, I don't know what is.

What examples have you see of thoughtful packaging that has impressed or inspired you?

Published by Jeremy Burnich in Brands and Branding, Tips

Tags: branding, marketing, tips and tricks

May 22, 2017 — Comments are off for this post.

Small Ways To Build Your Brand: Lagniappe

If you're starting a business from scratch there are a lot of small ways to build your brand that won't break your budget. Lagniappe is one practice that I use to help build customer loyalty.

What is lagniappe? First, it's pronounced lan-yap. Second, basically think of it as a small gift that you give with a purchase as a compliment or just for good measure. It's a little something special. How did I get the idea for enclosing a bit of lagniappe with my products? I first learned about the term while living in New Orleans. But I rediscovered it by ordering things from Japan. There are lots of small businesses in Japan and they all sweat the small stuff. Things I've ordered from Japan came with fun little extras that brought a smile to my face.

Examples of lagniappe from Japanese purchases.

I like these sorts of little extras because it makes me feel like a person I don't know took the time to think of me. Lots of times these little origami cranes or little gifts of tea or candy come with a hand written note explaining the symbolism of the gift. I'm sure there are people in Japan with lousy handwriting, but every note I've gotten showcases impeccable penmanship that puts my chicken scratch to shame.

It's these little touches that keep me ordering from the same sellers again and again - well, that and great products and customer service. I feel a sense of loyalty to sellers who go that extra mile and prefer them over trying someone new for the same item.

That feeling of loyalty is why I have emulated this practice for my own sales. Since JOY COMPLEX is a Pittsburgh based business I started giving out little pieces of Pittsburgh memorabilia. One fun extra I've used are little Heinz Ketchup and Pickle pins that I got in bulk from the Heinz History Center.

: Heinz Pins

: Clemente Bridge Postcard

I also turned some of my own photos into postcards that I got printed on Zazzle. One unexpected results was that I noticed people buying the cards for themselves as well! Zazzle is a great place to get things made because they are ALWAYS having sales. When they have a 70% off coupon I bulk up but if I miss the sale, I'll just wait because I know another one is right around the corner. There's also the possibility of additional sales if customers like the cards themselves.

Lately I've been enclosing cute sized Almond Joys because it's always nice to get something sweet in the mail. The name plays nicely with JOY COMPLEX and they are an inexpensive way to say thank you. (Fun fact: did you know that the company behind Almond Joy was founded in 1919 by Armenian immigrant Peter Paul Halajian in New Haven, Connecticut? Learn more here.) But, I'm thinking of going back to the cards, maybe with some limited editions.

As you can see there are many ways to add a little something special for your customers to further brighten their experience and build loyalty without breaking the bank. I'd love to hear some of your ideas in the comments below!

Published by Jeremy Burnich in Brands and Branding, Tips

Tags: brand building, lagniappe, tips and tricks