Supplies

I like to pay it forward and share both good and not so good experiences and information on purchased bead supplies. I have been ordering only on artfire and etsy..well sometimes e-bay if I can get a good deal. I recently made a purchase at The Beadin' Path.(they have a web site) It seemed like a good deal they were moving next door and they had a special 30% off and free shipping orders over $50. My beauties came today and I absolutely love them. I don't think the percentage is still valid but the supplies are worth every penny I spent and shipping is still the same. Of course I did over spend and over purchased so when I am ready to part with some of my beauties I will be sharing and posting items in an array of fashion to be purchased. I can't wait to use them. I already feel the design. Check out my shop and stop back often new items to be available.
Sometimes the world flies bye me and I get off track (darn chronic pain) I am a perfectionist and want the utmost happiness for all my customers so the almost beaded bra straps are in the final stages.
Thanks God Bless and Pay It Forward

Open House

Over the past few months I have been reading everything posted on how to promote your shop and increase or getting your first sale. I have had home jewelry parties in the past but my chronic pain issues prevent me from doing them more often. I needed to promote my merchandise and my web site. I had an open house jewelry party. I decide to have light refreshments. I did not have a lot to spend on refreshments, but I had a plan. People began to offer to bring something...so I accepted help and said yes. It turned out very nice and I had a successful open house jewelry party. I would like to share ideas I used to sell my merchandise while also promoting my artfire store. Most people were first time buyers, but there were a few regular customers.

I chose a date before Mother's Day
I had a free earring contest (which I obtained e-mail address, home addresses, and phone#).
I made my own earring cards with a special note and web site info on them.
Every bag had a business card attached (which has web site info)
My granddaughter special gift wrapped all purchased items, if it was to be given as a gift there was a inexpensive bag that we decorated and put the merchandise in, with pink tissue paper.
I had a sign for custom orders.
I had a "sale bin" which was items I made sometime ago and needed to sell or take apart. ( it is now empty).
I had a variety of prices (like my web site).

Right now that is all I can think of but I used a lot of suggestions from artfire news page, marketing, and other informative pages on the news page, .. chatterbox. I found this blog very informative for a lot of info.. check it out http://kaysommers.blogspot.com

I have been down for 3 days now with chronic pain but would I do it again......yes

Advertising

I have been working very hard preparing and getting my house in order. I am promoting my shop and merchandise by having a home jewelry party. I have gathered soooo many ideas from this web site www.squidoo.com/stand_out. Hope it is as helpful to you as it was to me.
PS I finally did receive my long awaited order.

Savings

In these times I know for myself saving money is a great way for me to have a little extra to spend on other areas (jewelry & sewing supplies). I found this web site very helpful with coupons and freebies go to Saving with 6abc. Let me know how you make out. The only thing I had to do was download the coupon printer so my coupons print. It worked for me passing it forward to you. Enjoy

Ambushing

I really like the idea that Artfire Sneakers does. They help people get their sales by ambushing their store. The un-sub is revealed every Tuesday at 9:00 pm. I am coming up with a few ideas of my own.
I would like to mention leafingearth her jewelery is so inspiring to me. She is on artfire and etsy check it out.

I am moving slow these past few days..I had a slip and fall on Friday. I went straight back and hit my head (pounding headache) and really injured my whole right side from hand, elbow, shoulder down to my feet (ouch). This is not a good thin considering I am trying to get my house in order for a in-home jewelry party next Saturday. I have been completing one task at a time.

Up coming item....I don't know about you but I hate when I wear a top and have my bra strap stick out...I will be displaying my new items in a few days how to solve this dilema....keep coming back

Taking advantage of resources

I really need to post a blog more than one time per week. I don't know about the rest of you but I find it difficult keeping up with all the things I need to do on a daily basis to promote my shop.(yes and there are those who are tired of hearing about the complaints of those who have not sold anything. They tend to blame the people for not promoting their shops). I don't believe that pertains to everyone. I work hard at being open to ideas, feedback, etc... I do apply a lot of information to my shop. I like reading the artfire news because there is a lot of information and a lot of how to's. If you have an etsy shop I find their community and all the ideas very helpful. I am constantly working the ideas given which I know will enhance my shop and get some sales. I personally cannot help everyone my paypal account is already to high. I felt bad for the people who have no sales and I would try to find those shops and purchase something I liked. It worked for a while but like I said it was getting very expesive. I now purchase almost all of my jewelry supplies through Artfire or Etsy. I am prefering Artfire to try and get our website out there in cyber world.

I will not name the seller but I have let them know I am not happy with their shipping. I placed several orders April 18th. I have received all my orders but one. This is the 2nd time with this seller. I thought I would give them a 2nd chance because the items are exclusive and I really needed them. Well it is May 2nd and I still have not received them. I think it is important if you post that you ship orders 2 to 5 times per week you do what you say. I have looked into the shops past orders when purchased and when the person posted their comments and I am not the only person this happened to, but yet this seller has 100% ratings and thousands of sales? I don't get it??? I convo'd with the seller and they said they know their irresponsible, time is of value, their doing the best they can, but then change your bio and shipping information. As long as no one rates shipping time others have false information. I look at those things when I am considering a purchase. I am researching other options because this is not good business dealings. PS my items were paid for the same day I ordered them.