State of Daring Digits: A Letter to my clients

Hello All,

I wrote out this long rambling blog post explaining my shipping delays and orders mix ups....but you know I thought I wouldn't waste time with a long explanation and just get down to the nitty gritty.

First of all:

Thank you! For supporting Daring Digits!

Secondly:

I know that I have been shipping slowly. Here is the reason. I still work full time, and do all my orders at night once I get home. DD isn't in the position where it can support me, so I won''t be leaving my job anytime soon. So here is my typical weekday:

 I leave for work at about 7a each day and get home around 6p. I pre-make all my bottles on the weekends (Usually 8-10 hours on Saturday). During the week I print, prepare and pack up all the orders for the next  day from about 7:30pm (after getting home and eating dinner) to around 12am. Sometimes I have time to drop orders off at the post office on my lunch break, but I have meetings a lot at lunch also. So I usually drop the orders off on my way home from work.

The long and the short of my "Sob Story" is that Sunday is usually the only day of the week that I don't work at Daring Digits and work my day job. 

Don't get me wrong. This is an amazing problem to have! I thank my lucky stars to be this busy. I am just telling you all this because I want to bring the subject into light. Believe me, I am not twiddling my thumbs and keeping your orders for the fun of it.

I have thought long and hard about what I can do to make this situation better.  As I mentioned above DD just isn't able to support me right now. I have even thought about closing Daring Digits, but I can't. I just can't. This is my dream. My baby. I can't even think about stopping. My life would be empty. I would miss you all so much. Even with all the challenges I have been through, I would be lost without DD

So until I can work out some sort of deal with a supplier, or online store, here is the plan.  

As of 5/5/2013 I will be discontinuing most of my polishes. I am going to have a reboot. I will be launching some new colors and styles, but the biggest change to DD will be my restocking inventory and schedule. 

1. DD will be Restocked only every 2 weeks (see  below)  
2. At each restock I will have about half the number I usually do (Between 10-15 bottles of each color)
3. I will be lowering the number of different types of polish that will be available. ( I am aiming for 10 different colors. This does not include Donation Polishes. I currently carry more than 25 different colors)  

Daring Digits 2013 Restock Schedule.

May 10th 2013

May 24th 2013

June 7th 2013

June 21st 2013

July 5th 2013

July 19th 2013

August 2nd 2013

August 16th 2013

August 30th 2013

September 13th 2013

September 27th 2013

October 11th 2013

October 25th 2013

November 8th 2013

November 22nd 2013

December 6th 2013

December 20th 2013

My hope is that this change will help me get more organized, make more time for me to make new colors, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, to get orders out MUCH QUICKER! Also now you never have to guess when the next restock is :)

Any ideas or comments you all have would be awesome. You know I appreciate you all so much!

<3 Ash

Pricing and Shipping Changes

Hello Lovelies!

First of all thank you all for such a GREAT celebration of my anniversary.

Words cannot express how much I appreciate my clients!! Thank you THANK YOU!

Now for the meat...Effective tomorrow 3/1/2013 I will be increasing my polish prices slightly. The costs have been rising for most of my materials and shipping costs, and unfortunately this makes it so I have to increase the price of my polishes.

I think I have done this in a way that has the least impact.

My prices will be going from $6.50 + $2.50 shipping (and an additional charge per item)  to $8.00 per 16.5ML bottle  but everything is now SHIPPED FOR FREE TO THE USA and FLAT RATE $3.00 SHIPPING TO CANADA! 

Mini 9ml Bottles are changing from $3.75 + 2.50 shipping (and an additional charge per item) to $4.15 with the same shipping deal as above.

You know they say to always give bad news with a little good news, so I hope this seems fair!!

Thank you all!

<3

Ash

March Fan Choice Restock!

Hi Polish fans!

I have received a ton of requests for some of my retired polishes. So I decided to take the 3 most requested and set up a poll. The one that wins the voting this week will be stocked in my store only during the Month of March.

All you have to do is write a comment below and I will tally all the requests!

Thanks all and have an awesome week :)

Swatch Credit Links
Fallen Leaves- www.instagram.com/lacquerloon
Blueberry Square - www.globeandnail.blogspot.com
Girl's Night Out- www.foxclaws.blogspot.com/

Thanks so much for the awesome swatches ladies!! <3

~Ash

Anniversary Giveaway! Extended to 3/3/2013

Hi All!

I have set up a Rafflecopter for my giveaway! There are 3 Prizes (Gift Certificates to my store)

The giveaway starts today and ends at Noon Mt time on 2/28/2013 Enter below :-) <3 You can earn 2 entries. One by tweeting and one by commenting below :-) I have Extended to Giveaway for just a few days! With the launch of a new lone on 3/1/2013 I want to make sure I set aside time to pick winners and send out notices! Thanks everyone!

Please note that shipping is still only available to the US and Canada, so unfortunately this giveaway is closed to all other countries :-( a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Base for my Polishes (No more Super Strong Smell!)

Hi Everyone!

 

Just wanted to let everyone know that I have switched back to my previous Base Supplier.

 

Recently, they ran out of base and I was forced to switch suppliers. However the replacement base had a stronger order to it (which I didn’t notice since I am completely immune to the smell of nail polish) I just wanted to thank all those who let me know that this base had a strong smell. I am no longer using that base and have switched back to another suspension polish base. This does not smell at all as strong (I have had 3 people check it)

 

If you have any concerns let me know. I did talk to the “stinky” base supplier and they are unsure why the base has a strong smell. I checked the ingredients, and yes it is 3-free and actually 5 free (no Formaldehyde resin and camphor), so no worries on that end. I think it might have something to do with the containers they are stored in.

 

I just wanted to make sure everyone knew in case that was holding you off from trying new colors or ordering more!

 

Thank you all so much! Without all your support where would I be? Nowhere I tell you  J

 

~Ashley

International Shipping Currently Unavailable

Morning Everyone!

***EDIT*** THIS DOES NOT EFFECT ORDERS CURRENTLY SUBMITTED

As many of you may know the Post office took an increase on postage at the beginning of February. Normally I would take the increase and increase my prices on shipping. But holy moly this increase is just unbelievable!

After doing testing the last few days I have confirmed that all international shipping (even to Canada!) has increased dramatically. Here is a quick chart of the differences. I have underlined the common one I use for Canada and other countries. Although this shows the 1 pound price, my minimum weight on a polish is about 8oz, that is running in most countries at least several dollars more. Basically you would have to pay the polish price plus $13.00 (or even more) to get a polish over seas.

So this has prompted me to again look into other services such as UPS FedEX etc. If any of you international ladies have a suggestion please let me know. I will be redoing my international shipping prices this weekend, but until then the international option will be disabled.

Thanks everyone!

 

~Ash

Anniversary Polishes and Sale Announcement!

Hello Everyone! Hope you are having a lovely week so far. Below is a preview of 2 very special polishes coming to my store on 2/1. They are called Daring and Digits. They both are a mixed matte glitter polish. One has a black base and one has a white base.

I made these polishes to celebrate my anniversary on 2/1. They are really fun. Shown below 2 coats over a white cream and 2 coats over a black cream, and 3 coats on my ring finger on each mani!

This scheme represents my original labels, and logo. I think it is good to remember where you started and this is my tribute to that!

 

 

Also starting 2/1 I will be restocking and starting my Anniversary Celebration!  All full Size bottles will be marked down by .50c making them $6.00 each, and with each purchase everyone will receive one free mini (9ml) bottle of a very special polish that will only be available as a free gift with purchase during the month of Feb! I will post pics of this special polish later tonight and tomorrow!

More deals, giveaways and fun coming next week! Keep your eyes peeled for my giveaways and coupon codes!!

Stay tuned Ladies!

~Ash

Daring Digits Anniversary Extravaganza!

(Sorry for the long post, but I am feeling a little sentimental! Skip to the bottom for a quick preview of the sale and celebration!)

 

Happy Monday Polish Fiends! Hope you all had an UBER awesome weekend!

 

SoooOOoooOo. Last year on 2/1/2012 I took the dive and opened my Daring Digits shop on Etsy.com. I can tell you I didn’t expect to have such an awesome support group and community behind me. I am floored each and every day by the amazing awesome support that all my clients have for me. I would be nothing without you!

 

I am in total shock that it’s been a YEAR a whole YEAR since I opened the shop! So much has changed and I have grown so much as a brand! There have been highs and lows but I wouldn’t trade them in for anything. So much going on already in 2013, and I look forward to another exciting and amazing year!

 

Most of you have seen by my previous posts that I am trying to focus more on getting back to the root of it all. This is a handmade product, and my life heart and soul is in every bottle. It has been my decision to individually number each of my new colors so each of the bottles are unique, and limited. Some bottles will be limited to 20-35 bottles, and some I will make more of. I will put all the details in each listing, and if there is an outpouring from the polish community that I need to make more bottles, then I will consider it. Nothing is ever etched in stone!

 

Anyway, back to the point! I want to celebrate my 1 year anniversary with all of my awesome and amazing clients! So, my shop will be closed this week as I finish out orders and get geared up for my Anniversary Extravaganza starting 2/1/2013 at 9:30pm Mountain Time

 

What is an Anniversary Extravaganza? Well here is a little preview of what you can expect during the celebration

 

·        Tons of new polishes, some previewed already and many more previews coming soon

·        Giveaways each week in February!

·        New nail & skin care products!

·        Nail Art Competition

·        Coupons for showing off your Daring Digits!

·        Super Awesome Mega Sales!

·        Free Polishes!

·        Reduced and Free Shipping!

·        Much more!  

 

This celebration will go on the ENTIRE month of February!!! I will begin posting more information tomorrow!!

 

-Ash

Lupus donation Polish!

Hello All!

 

I hope you all had a nice MLK day yesterday! I wanted to take the time to make a quick entry about a new polish now available in my shop. This polish is a very special donation/charity polish that I worked on with a customer of mine named Priscilla! She approached me with her idea on a Lupus donation polish, and the below pictures show what we came up with.

 

 My mani shows 2 coats over Nina Ultra Pro polish in gray (the color sticker fell off and I can’t find the color anywhere!) This polish is full of purple glitters in 2 different colors and sizes, and tiny silver butterflies. The base has a nice purple shimmer, making the grey polish appear purple!

 

50% yes I said 50% of the proceeds from the sale of this polish goes to the Lupus Foundation of America! This polish will be available for the next 90 days so make sure to check it out!  The link for the listing below there you can find out more  about Priscilla’s Story , Lupus, and of course the listing to buy the special polish!

 

 Thank you all so much 

 

 <3 Ash

 

Here is the link to the polish!

 

 

 

 

Color Changing poishes!

Hi All! Here is a preview of one of my color changing polishes! I am working on a whole line that will be available on Feb 1st to celebrate my year anniversary!

This color is called Fiji. It's a great blueish turquoise green when cold and when it gets warm it turns a seafoamy green.the polish also has a great mix of iridescent glitters. Show on my mani 2 coats over white and 1 coat of Seche Vite. Top coat does not effect the color changing! More previews coming soon :-) 

Polish Preview- Laser Tag

One of the new polishes that will be available on 1/20/13. This polish will be individually numbered! I call it Laser Tag!

More Dots!

Hey All! A few people have asked about my WoW polish More Dots! and how it's a World of Warcraft polish. Well my pretties I think if you watch this video you will most likely laugh and see how I got the inspiration for this polish :)

Thanks to Tamara for asking about this, and encouraging me to show this video!

My Polish- More Dots!

The awesome video inspiration! O..and sound is required! Oh and there is A TON of cursing...so if you are offended by that please don't watch!

<3 Ash

2013 for Daring Digits- Important Announcement!

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Just wanted to talk for a minute about my plans for DD this year and what you can expect.

 

First and foremost February marks the One Year Anniversary for Daring Digits! Expect great deals and offers all month long! I will be making a more complete announcement as Feb draws closer.

 

Secondly I wanted to touch base on something that has been in my mind for a long time now, and this new year is the perfect time to announce it.

 

I am a huge crafter and lover of all things handmade. Hand-making nail polish has been an amazing journey thus far and I look forward to continuing it into the future. I have noticed recently that I have fallen into a bit of a rut and have become, without really noticing it,  more of a production and assembly rather than a crafter. So I asked myself...

 

What is the point and reason to have indie polish makers? To me it's 2 fold,

1. We have the ability to make a product that is ever changing and growing faster than most large cosmetic companies can turn their heads.
2. It's handmade, and thus absolutely unique and special.

Well in my want to make a brand and to make enough polish for everyone, I have forgotten about that important fact. Indie Polish is handmade. My love time and soul go into making these colors, and I have taken part of that away by forgetting the point of handmade items. Their rarity and the feeling you get when you buy a limited product. Some indie makers would not agree totally with me, but for me it's always been about the fact that it's handmade. I mean who ever knew that nail polish could be handmade?!

 

So, after really reevaluating what I do and how I have been going about making my polish, I have decided to take a new, and more handmade, approach.

 

I launched about 10 new colors last night, those will be on the same type of model as I had last year, basically make bottles until they are no longer selling. However, my new colors will be of a different mold. Please consider anything I launch from now on to be Limited Edition.

 

Here is how I will go about doing these launches. Each polish will be made in small batches, and will only be made once. I will be launching no more than 35 of each new color I make (sometimes less). I hope that I will have about 12 new polishes a month (at least 3 new polishes each week). I will be previewing each polish the week before it is launched. I will be launching polishes on Sunday evenings, so Monday-Saturday prior I will be previewing my polishes. I will have pictures and swatches available for you to view so you can decide if it's something you would be interested in. (on Facebook Twitter Instagram and here on my blog)

 

Each polish will be individually numbered, adding to the fact that these polishes are handmade with my love. (wow that sounds corny!)

 

I know that this model will be a bit of a roller coaster ride, and this may turn off some people to buying my polishes, but I really hope that it puts across the thought that to me, this is a handmade and unique item. Prices on all polishes will remain at the $6.50 for large and $3.50 for small bottles. I am not making all my polishes LTD Edition so that I can make more money off each bottle.

 

I will start previewing next weeks polishes on Monday! This first launch will happen on 1/20/2013.

 

OK, last but not least, I just wanted to make a really quick note. I am still at this moment in time, still working a full time 9-5 job M-F in addition to making nail polish. So I am packing orders from when I get home (about 6pm) until about 12am.  So that is why my shipping times are a little longer than you would expect (usually within 3 business days!) If you have any questions about your specific order just email me and I will be happy to answer any questions.

 

I think that is all for now ladies! I hope you all have an awesome Thursday!  If you have questions let me know in the comments <3

 

~Ash

 

 

 

 

 

Coming tonight at 9pm mt

:-) coming tonight!!! Www.ddpolish.com