April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month!

Origami Owl is partnering with Childhelp to be a force for good in the lives of abused and neglected children; and those who face any form of bullying.

Last fall Origami Owl asked what causes were nearest and dearest to the hearts of the Independent Designers, and they were told that issues dealing with children’s issues were very important. So Bella, Chrissy and Robin took the words to heart, and went in search of a national nonprofit that not only serves children, but also shares our mission and values. They discovered Childhelp. Click here to see Chrissy, Bella and Robin along with the founders of Childhelp, Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, express their gratitude for this life changing partnership.

Like Origami Owl, Childhelp grew from humble beginnings, and they’ve touched the lives of many. Since its creation in 1959, Childhelp has saved the lives of more than 9 million abused children.

Origami Owl is thrilled to announce its sponsorship of the Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe abuse and bullying prevention and education program.

This national program will provide a curriculum in all schools across the United States to educate Pre K – 12th grade students.  These children will be given the necessary tools to help protect themselves and learn how to ask for help. While more information will be available in late July, people can immediately make a difference in the lives of abused and bullied children today, by purchasing our exclusive Bully Proof Shield and Silver Heart Hand Charms. Designed especially for Childhelp, 100% of O2’s profits from the sale of these two charms will go directly to the Speak Up Be Safe program.

We hope you will embrace our new partnership with Childhelp, because together we’ll be able to be an even bigger Force for Good!  We invite you to learn more about our inspiring partner by visiting www.childhelp.com.

Please join us in saving the lives of the most innocent, vulnerable and, often, voiceless.

Origami Owl vs. Everyone Else

I was browsing online and I came across a post comparing our jewelry to another company.  There were a LOT of incorrect statements, and I'd like to clear that up if I may.  First, please know, while I am an Origami Owl Designer, I known virtually nothing about the competition or their jewelry.  Obviously I love the jewelry that I sell or I wouldn't be selling it.  I honestly don't care what the others are doing.  Sorry to be flip... 

This missive is not about bias or trying to say who is better.  I will leave that up to the consumer.  My main purpose is to dispel the inaccuracies as it were.

Misconception 1: We "market to a younger crowd with that silver, black and turquoise look." FALSE!

This following is a small sampling of our jewelry.  Origami Owl has no age limit.  If you're a teenager or looking for something young at heart, or you're a mature adult and prefer something more sophisticated, Origami Owl jewelry has something for everyone in every age group (though it is not recommended for ages 3 or under).

Misconception 2: Lengthy Wait-List.  FALSE!

Response:  Origami Owl Designers used to have a wait list.  This was put in place only because the demand for our product was so high that adding on new designers would have meant that current designers would not have the product to sell to their customers.  Origami Owl has instituted an amazing new shipping process and upped their production so there is no longer a wait list.  You can join today if you want! (Message me and I'll be happy to help!!!)

Misconception 3: Poor Customer Service. FALSE!

Response:  Origami Owl's #1 Concern is Customer Service.  Part of our motto states that we be "A Force For Good" -- It's in everything we do. From the designer all the way up to the CEO and owners of the business.  Admittedly there were some issues in the past because of the growth of the company, they had to hire on and train a larger staff of customer services reps during one of the busiest selling seasons with Origami Owl designers outselling an entire year of orders in one month.  Despite this Origami Owl managed to satisfy its customers and went above and beyond to fix issues.  Origami Owl has a great customer service system put in place and is capable of living up to the motto of being a Force for Good.  A new state of the art shipping department has ensured timely delivery of products.  I'm a designer, I placed a party order with regular shipping last Tuesday and I had the entire party order the following Tuesday.  That's pretty fast!

Misconception 4: Lack of Quality.  FALSE!

Response: Origami Owl lockets are durable stainless steel and adorned with Swarovski crystals. They also use high quality Austrian crystals in some of the pieces. Each charm is hand painted and our Tagged line is made of high quality pewter.  Any plated items are plated at ten times the industry standard.  You will never be disappointed with the look of Origami Owl jewelry.  Guaranteed.  Speaking to the "free chain with locket" issue, Origami Owl used to give away free chains, but since we offer so many different choices, not everyone wanted the chain that came free with the locket.  Allowing customers to better tell their story by choosing their own chain means a more custom piece of jewelry that fits the taste and budget of each customer.

Misconception 5: Low Commission for Designers.  FALSE! 

Response:  Origami Owl gives one of the highest commission rates in the industry with 30% commission on lockets and chains and 50% on charms, plates and dangles. And let's face it, you can give 100% commission, but if the quality is not there and you're not selling--100% of nothing is still nothing.  In addition, Origami Owl also has amazing hostess rewards!  Parties are at the heart of our business.  Our incentives are incredible giving our hostess a percentage of free jewelry with even the smallest qualifying party.  They also receive 50% off an item of their choice for each party booked during their party and for reaching certain sales goals. Finally, they have access to purchase a "hostess exclusive" which is generally a complete locket with chain and charms containing items that are available only to hostesses, at a reduced rate or even earn it free depending on sales. All of these hostess incentives are provided by Origami Owl. Nothing comes out of the pocket of the designer.  Beyond all of this, Origami Owl also offers special designer incentives to include trips, (Hello Cabo!), free stuff (iPads, Beats speakers, etc.) and all kinds of other amazing gifts, pop up sales and special offers.  Not sure if the other companies do that, but I KNOW Origami Owl does this consistently.

Some other things worth mentioning Origami Owl jewelry comes with a 90 day warranty with regard to defects in our jewelry... I have no idea what the quality of the competitions product is, though I have done some side by side comparison at flea markets and mall kiosks (Somewhere you will NEVER find authentic Origami Owl!) and there simply was no comparison.  Again, I leave it up to the consumer to decide.  If you feel the detail and quality of another product is better, by all means, go with the other product.  But I can promise the quality of Origami Owl will stand the test of time.  

If you are interested in joining my amazing team in this fabulous company called Origami Owl, or if you wish to host a party (online or in person) get in touch with me at:  http://www.IrresistibleCharms.OrigamiOwl.com and on facebook at OrigamiOwlByKimPrice!  

Silence Just Means Busy

Hi everyone! Please don't mistake my silence for inactivity or disinterest.  I've just been slammed.  Aside from Origami Owl, I am a fulltime IT Tech, and parttime WebDesigner.  Needless to say I have very little free time.  I wanted to give a shout out to the new products coming out in a few days. That's right, Origami Owl is about to launch the Spring/Summer 2014 line!  I have one sneak peek so far of a new charm (I can't make out what the model is wearing on her neck or wrist) and I am SO excited!  The rest of the sneak peek will be revealed today.  I'll post everything here for your perusal! (Love this Crazy Daisy as I'm calling it!)

Getting Back in the Swing

I was told summer is tough for direct sales marketing.  I don't know because I, along with those I would be selling to, took off for the summer.  Honestly I got slammed with my web design business and then add to that my full-time job, which I recently (as of Tuesday) changed to a new position within the county where I work.  My focus was kinda shot.  Funny enough I still managed to sell a few things and book an online party and an in person party that I need to seal the date, and acquired a member of my team.  All of this without even trying.  So it just goes to show you that Origami Owl really does sell itself. At least in my experience.  I'm really excited about the new catalog and once I get settled in the new job, and get this other web design done that I have recently acquired I will be looking to rock the new takeout menu!

Sum-Sum-Summertime

Hello blog!  It's been a while since I've posted.  You know how it is, free time is spent doing fun outdoorsy type things and you skip over the inside sitting behind the computer things.

While I did not attend the Origami Owl convention this summer, I did get a glimpse into what is coming for the fall.  It's so exciting.  I really believe this is going to jump my business into high gear.  Aside from the lovely lockets, dangles and tags that we already carry we are now going to add charm bracelets to our repertoire.  But not your average ordinary charm bracelet.  We're talking about a glass locket charm bracelet!  That's right, our regular size origami owl locket will attach, much like a watch to an silver rollo chain that allows for attachment of all sorts of dangles!

Aside from that HUGE deal item (because yes folks have been begging for bracelets for a long time now), there are also new "window" plates.  These are beautiful items that can be added to your locket that do not fully block the "see through" effect of the lockets.  I'm particularly fond of "love"!

Of course there will be new charms and dangles added to the mix as well.  So fall, and the Christmas shopping season, is going to be incredible!

I'm loving this business.  I love the jewelry.  And despite the little hiccups in shipping around mother's day over the spring, we've bounced back better than ever.  Every single customer who has purchased from me has been completely happy with their items.  The only return I've had was the classic ball chains because they didn't work for what the person ordered them for.  I only had one issue with a customer that wasn't happy about service.  She was treated poorly by the newly-untrained customer service, however designer care got involved and took care of that with a quickness! She's totally happy with her purchases (yes plural, as in repeat customer).  Since that time our customer care team has had a lot more training on the vision of Origami Owl and and O2 has amped up their shipping team and hours which means orders are arriving as scheduled.  I'm also noticing a lot less items on back order from the get go which is fantastic.

Yes, loving Origami Owl!

Loving the New Lockets

I received my chocolate locket, black locket with crystals and my mini gold lockets and I'm in love.  I am even more so in love with the variety that I have to offer my customers. I am getting back into having parties again after taking a slight break, waiting for the waters to settle from the huge demand Mother's Day had put on the company and I cannot wait to see the response to the new items.  Based on the questions and comments I receive from total strangers regarding my black locket, I think they'll be a huge success!  I love Origami Owl!

Origami Owl Backlash

I posted some time ago and mentioned my fear at the backlash that would result due to Origami Owl's current problems with delivering orders on time.  Aside from the dock worker's strike, which created it's own mess of problems, there was a tremendous influx of orders for the Mother's Day holiday.  I'd go so far as to guess, and with good reason, this is "the season" for Origami Owl.  Who wouldn't want to give their mom a cherished piece of jewelry so uniquely fitting?  This created an ordering demand of almost double what was placed in the entire year of 2012 - in one month alone.  That is staggering.  I can't imagine any company that would be able to predict or compensate for such a large increase in orders and need for production.  I did not expect Origami Owl to come through this unscathed.  Especially when you throw in the constant and unrelenting barrage of emails and phone calls they received from designers and customers asking where their orders are.  It is safe to say Origami Owl was dealt a near crippling albeit temporary blow.  As a designer who still has some items that haven't been delivered, I've tried very hard to wrap my head around the numbers aspect of it and could only come up with the following analogy.  What would you do if you were suddenly handed a years worth of work times two?  And what if you were expected to complete this work in the span of one month, would you be able to do it? Even if you had been permitted to bring in help, you'd still need to train and instruct your new staff, and that takes time.  Plus figure you'll need to have an entire team devoted to answering calls and emails because your servers are being pushed to their limit and your phone lines have blown up.  I wonder though, how would you feel about your job security at this point?

I've heard a lot of people speculate that Origami Owl won't be able to make it.  Some designers have even gone so far as to quit, selling off their stuff and moving on.  I on the other hand feel nothing but excitement over the growth of this new little company that I've been fortunate to stumble upon.  I have SEEN the "I've gotta have it" response when my customers first see an Origami Owl locket. (I had the same reaction!) So I'm not worried that designers are quitting--I'm happy to take their customers--though a long list of Designers in Waiting are chomping at the bit to take their place as soon as the hiring freeze has been lifted.  So I don't think my optimism is unfounded.

It has been almost a month now and shipping seems to be getting back on schedule. More and more items are dropping off of the back order list.  So from an honest, first hand experience from a real Independent Designer with Origami Owl, I can tell you, while there have certainly been some aggravations, it hasn't been the end of the world.  I've been able to keep my customers informed and they have been understanding - for those designers who have had difficult customers, I've said all along, do what you can to make them happy, including giving a refund.  Because ultimately, this is YOUR business and YOUR responsibility.

For those customers who have been afraid to order for fear their jewelry will be sitting in limbo forever, I can tell you that I've had at least 25 orders in the past month, all of those orders have arrived in a timely fashion, there were only four creations where items were on back order. I was able to purchase a large number of these items from my fellow designers and I have completed all but three of my orders (and these only because the customers are holding out for certain charms that they absolutely cannot live without).  Most of the Origami Owl Designers I've had the good fortune of knowing, will bend over backwards to make sure you're going to get what you want within the time frame you need it.  So don't be afraid.  There are no conspiracies.  Just a lot of hard working people trying to keep up with the tremendous demand of some amazing jewelry!