Yet another name help post

I like Magik Cat Jewelry - it's catchy, reflects you as a person, and has Jewelry in the title. Plus, it would be easy to create a visual logo with that name. The other two names are good, too - but I like that one best. Good luck! I'm from Portland as well - moved up north last year and miss it a lot!

Tanya

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "Magik" :

]I live on the west side and ]was still stuck at home for 3 days.

my sister lives in Gresham and still can't get out.

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from mjoann :

]In fact, everyone here who sells may want to check! It doesn't seem like ]a big deal, and usually isn't, but if you are sued, it REALLY adds up. ]Even if you aren't sued, you don't want to waste time and money on a ]name you can't keep.

no kidding. someone else who makes jewelry also goes by "vicki jean" and i just saw that Karleen uses VJ on her "Vibrant Jewels" creations. **sigh**

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

I don't have any name ideas, but some very important advice... Be very careful about trademarks! You don't technically have to register for a trademark, just using it is enough. Even if you check TM databases and don't see a name registered, it may still fall under a common law TM for someone else. So, no matter where someone is, if a name is in use, it is best to avoid it! Someone decided to borrow our business name last year, and we successfully stopped them. If you, even accidentally, use someone else's name in the territory they claim rights to, you can be held liable for damages, and they can claim your profits. If you are selling online, it is even trickier, because you need to beware of trademarks in every place you might possibly sell to.

You may want to come up with backup names, and be sure to search each one on the internet at least. (To be really careful, you would need to search each state's business records.) Also, check uspto.gov for federal trademarks, and hoovers.com for businesses.

In fact, everyone here who sells may want to check! It doesn't seem like a big deal, and usually isn't, but if you are sued, it REALLY adds up. Even if you aren't sued, you don't want to waste time and money on a name you can't keep.

mjoann

Tanya

I like the CAT and the Silver for their associations with you and your product..

using "Magik" may not associate in some people's heads to "items of jewelry" - so I might avoid it...

I think Silver Cat Creations or Silver Cat Designs would be really good...

how about a combination Cheryl of DRAGON BEADS Flameworked beads and glass

I like some permutation of Magik Cat...

First of all, I like your work. I like Majik Cat Jewlry best.

I second what Kandice said. I love Magik Cat Jewelry!

I like Magik Cat Jewelry best so far. Sarajane

Sarajane's Polymer Clay Gallery

That's one thing I am concerned about. If I decide to sell other things later on, it would require a name change which would not be such a good idea after sinking money into branding the original name. So thinking of tacking Creations on the end, which is generic enough to cover a range of stuff.

Tanya

Yuck! The east side got so hammered with the cold and wind. I saw a post elsewhere from someone that lives in the Gorge. They got their first mail delivery in 5 days on Sunday! Even the postal service was no match for the snow and ice. But things are melting now (slowly) and hopefully everyone will be out and about soon. The stores were extra busy this weekend with many people getting out of the house for the first time in days. I know the folks back east are laughing at us, but this was the biggest storm in over

Tanya

Good information to keep in mind. And when it comes to research Google is my friend. I have checked the trademark office, the OR state database and a little on Google. I will search more later on. Thanks!

Tanya

Just goes to show that even using your own name is not safe if someone else with that name started using it first. But at least you were able to get the web address! :)

Tanya

I am really liking the Silver Cat one more and more, but I have sentimental attachment to Magik and really don't want to let it go. I understand it my throw some people off. I read about someone who's business name was Magic Jewels or something like that and had a home party ruined because a narrow-minded woman told the members of her church group that they shouldn't attend because anyone involved with magic was opening themselves to the devil. All kinds of people in this world, some are just nuttier than the rest.

Tanya

Well, 1) filing an ABN is the only way to get official government paperwork that says I am a legitimate business since I live in an unincorporated area (no sales tax permits in OR), 2) I wanted to be creative with my name and 3) my first name I got by birth, the last by marriage. I would like to have a business name of my choosing that reflects me and what I am doing, yet is catchy enough for people to remember. Using their name may work for some people, but it just doesn't work for me. I am just waffling on which of my ideas would be a better choice in the long run.

Tanya

Thanks! I just need to make more of it!

Magik Cat seems to be leading the pack so far. I am thinking Magik Cat Creations (or Designs) might be better than limiting it to jewelry. Wire Magik was my original choice, but that limits the business a bit to making things with wire. I'm still torn about Silver Cat as that does relate more to the jewelry.

BTW, your stuff is very nice too!

Tanya

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "Magik" :

]Just goes to show that even using your own name is not safe if someone else ]with that name started using it first. But at least you were able to get ]the web address! :)

true. and she's in a different state.

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)