Hello!

Hopefully, this post finds you in good form and good health. I've been pretty busy lately with a full-time job, a three hour daily commute during the week, household responsibilities, writing for three blogs, running two on-line business' and leading a life off-line. There are times when I just need to step away from my on-line life and recharge my batteries. Last weekend I took a 3 day break from the computer - it was absolutely lovely - but now I'm behind schedule and I'll be working at getting back on schedule. Lately, I've been concentrating on my BellaFaire blog. If you're into gardening please visit it - I'm working on gathering all sorts of resources for gardeners.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you all know about this great web-site I found called zenhabits - simple productivity. The author is Leo Babuta and here is what he has to say about his blog:

"Zen Habits is about finding simplicity in the daily chaos of our lives. It’s about clearing the clutter so we can focus on what’s important, create something amazing, find happiness. It also happens to be one of the Top 100 blogs in the world, is uncopyrighted, and goes well with anything chocolate. Zen Habits features three powerful articles a week on: simplicity, health & fitness, motivation and inspiration, frugality, family life, happiness, goals, getting great things done, and living in the moment."

My favorite post so far is about how to motivate yourself when you're in a slump "Get Off Your Butt: 16 Ways to Get Motivated When You're in a Slump". Take a moment to check out this great blog, you'll be glad you did!

A Change in Direction...

I bet you are wondering what does yogurt have to do with jewelry and/or business. Nothing, really. I have nothing jewelry or business related to write about today. I've only just resumed my blogging and I'm already hitting a brick wall in regards to scintillating blog topics - related to jewelry or business that is. I really wish I would have made this a blog about me, jewelry, starting a business, life in general and what ever the heck I wanted to write about. It would make my blogging life so simple. But wait and hold the phone here people!!! What's to say I can't do that anyway?? I'm in the process about re-inventing myself and my jewelry shop...maybe I should include my blog. Clever idea? Perhaps. Or does this fall in step with "Don't fix what ain't broke" philosophy of life. Well, I think I'm going to find out.

How many of you are still with me?? Here's what's really on my mind right now - Spega Yogurt - specifically the little jars it comes in. I'm on a mission (read: obsessed with) to find some empty jars. I just know there's this little cult following that buys this yogurt and either has kept the jars (because they're so cute but haven't a clue what to do with them) or have kept them because they know exactly what they want to do with them. Then there's the group that I fall into: I haven't bought the yogurt because no one sells it in Washington State and I would know what to do with those little jars once I consumed my yogurt. I have a little project in mind and those little jars would work quite nicely. If had some. Which I don't. Do you?

I'm willing to trade some hand-crafted sterling silver artisan earrings for some of these little yogurt jars - no matter the brand - French, Italian, England - it doesn't matter. Let me know.

Tips For Driving Traffic To Your Blog

I'm recycling my blog post. I've previously wrote a post about this topic right when I started this blog. With a couple years of experience under my belt, I've revised it a bit. So, if you want a bit of hard earned advice on how to drive traffic to your blog - here are a few suggestions:

1. Update your blog frequently and consistently - a static blog attracts no attention! Use lots of pictures - people like to look at pretty pictures - like the photograph I took of the hollyhocks. What do they have to do with this post? Nothing other than to capture your attention. And speaking of a attention...

2. Keep your blog post short and to the point. You've got to capture your reader's interest in a few short sentences. If you don't your readers will be moving onto the next blog. This post is an exception to the rule.

3. Check out the blogs of other bloggers and leave comments or sign their guest books. I've found that when I leave comments/sign the blog guest books of other bloggers they'll reciprocate in kind with my blog.

4. If you're a photographer or a crafter, do you have a Flickr account? If you don't get one. If you do have a Flickr account, have you joined any groups? If not, you should. There's a group out there that will cater to just about any interest. When you join a goup make sure you participate in the group discussions. I'll bet you dollars to donuts that someone has started at topic regarding blogs - most likely they're interested in driving traffic to their blog and or linking their blog to another blog.

5. Sign up on Blogcatalog.com and fuelmyblog.com - they'll drive some traffic to your blog. There are other web sites that do the same thing - these are the two that I can think of off the top of my head (If you scroll down towards the bottom of my blog - you'll see how many services I've linked my blog too).

6. If you have an Etsy account - include a link to your blog on your profile page, post in the forums (especially the Promotions forum) -again the name of the game is to promote your blog and drive traffic to it. Also, check out the Etsy groups in the Flickr forums - get to know the other members of Etsy and Flickr - they're a curious lot - they'll want to check out your blogs, shop and photographs.

7. Promote other artisan's work or their blogs that you come across while viewing your favorite sites (Flickr, Etsy, PoshMama, Capitola Girl for example) and let the artist know - everyone likes to know that they are receiving recognition for their hard work.

What I really want you to know is that it's going to take a lot of work driving traffic to your blog - it's going all about promoting yourself and networking with other bloggers. Matter of fact, you'll probably spend more time networking and putting yourself out there than you will writing your blog. And for you crafty types -don't forget why you started your blog - remember to spend some time crafting.

Is blogging worth it? I can't really say for sure. It seems like it is but then I don't have a lot to show for it sales wise. One thing I do know, you get exactly what you put into your blog. The more attention you pay to your blog the more attention you'll get.

Happy Blogging!

PS: Don't be a stranger - leave me a comment or two or sign my guest book!

Creating Your Own Opportunities

As part of my business re-launch, I've been wondering how feasible would it be to start selling my jewelry at home shows? I'll admit that every now and then I like attending home shows especially if the product appeals to me. Throw in a good group of people, some food and some drink and I can manage to have a good time. I usually end up spending money I hadn't planned on spending (hmmm...maybe it was that 2nd glass of wine that loosend up my purse strings). However, I've never hosted a home party as it always seemed a hassle to find enough friends who would agree to show up, let alone purchase anything. Knowing all this I've got plans (mad plans even). Mine would be different. Want to know? Well...here are my plans for making this a successful show for all of us:

• Offering a Gift to All Guests - You can't really demonstrate jewelry - so I will be setting up a crafting station where we'll be creating "Wine Charms". I'm calling this a "A Gift from Your Hostess".
• "Frequent Shopper Program" - Offer free membership to my Frequent Shopper Program - For every $100.00 you spend, you will receive a $10.00 credit towards your next purchase.
• Mailing List - If you sign up for my mailing list you will receive $10.00 off any purchase of $30.00 or more, plus receive special offers just for members all year long.
• Offer a Hostess gift to each guest who books their own party - 1 pair of pearl earrings if you sign up to host a jewelry party of your own.
• Gifts for the Hostess - When you host a home party you will receive the following: With guest sales of $250.00 or more you'll receive 25% off everthing you purchase for the year, plus you'll receive 10% of the sales to apply towards your purchase on the day of the party. With guest sales of $500.00 or more you'll receive 25% off everything you purchase for the year, plus you'll receive 10% of the sales to apply towards your purchase on the day of the party and last, but not least, you'll receive 1 item at 50% off (of equal or lessor value - certain items are not eligible for the 50% off).
• Payment Options - I accept the following forms of payment: Cash, Check, Credit Card, Post-Dated Checks (up to 50% of the purchase price for up to two weeks).

In this economic climate I'm willing to do just about anything to make a profitable sale. So, I need to ask you a question: In your opinion, how likely would you be to attend a jewelry home party? Would you participate in the "Hostess Project"? I'd be curious to find out what you think.

Can you re-invent yourself?

I've made a big decision: I'm going to change how I approach my jewelry business. To be honest, I lost a lot of the enjoyment in making jewelry when I turned it into a business. Sales haven't been good. I was more interested in making money - and when I didn't make money I became discouraged - and being discouraged is no fun. This year, I've made no money so you know what kind of year it's been for me. But I'm going to change that.

My focus will be designing jewelry that is simple, organic and elegant, made from fine silver, semi-precious stones and fresh water pearls. I will make as many of the findings by hand so that my jewelry will truly be hand-made artisan jewelry.

I will be taking some business' classes through the Small Business Administration. I haven't a clue in what it takes to run a small successful business. It will be a skill that will come in handy when I start making some money.

Also, I'll be re-launching my business on Etsy. I've put it in vacation mode so none of my inventory is available for purchase. My re-launch date is March 15, 2010. My shop will have a new look, fresh inventory, and will be better organized. For the first time I'll be offering coordinating necklaces and bracelets to go with the earrings I offer.

That's just the beginning - there's so much more I'll be doing but that will be a topic for another post.

Do you have any suggetions? Tell me what you think.

Rediscovering Myself...

After putting my on-line life on hiatus I've decided it's time to return and get down to the business of blogging. (Yeah!!!) In my last post I talked about being laid off from the university where I worked for 15 years and was feeling a bit anxious about "being cast out in a sea of uncertainty". My emotions were all over the place - one day I felt fine, then there were times I would curse the managers that laid me off and wish nothing but ill will towards them and then there were the dark moments of almost despair (I wobbled on the brink but never went over the edge). Of course there were days where I was happy to have some time to myself and actually enjoyed being unemployed.

I had plans, glorious plans on how I was going to spend my time: such as working on my blogs and my online shops, networking with all my contacts, creating fabulous jewelry, improving on my photographic skills - becoming a very successful photographer, and just so I had company I wanted to a part-time job at Starbucks - good plans. Aside from the two craft shows I participated in I accomplished NOTHING! I've learned that I'm the type of girl who doesn't like to be alone and needs the structure of an office and an employer. Thankfully, three and half weeks later I was back at work, back at the university and I'm quite happy to be employed again.

Now I can relax and get down to the business of spending some serious time indulging in my hobbies - like creating jewlery. I would like to get back to selling and I'll be focusing more on craft shows and less on Etsy. I'm going to return to my roots and make this a hobby again - the jewelry business is an oversaturated market and it's hard to stand out in a venue like Etsy. Who knows, this all could change before any of you read this blog - it's all up in the air right now.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

With the changing of the seasons my life is entering into a new chapter in this book called "Life". Unfortunately, I'm not the author - matter of fact - it's being ghost written by an author I did not choose.

On September 9, 2009 I was given my "60-Day Lay Off" Notice. I'd like to say that I didn't see it coming but I did - it didn't make it any easier to accept the news but I wasn't surprised (upset, yes.) I've had time to digest the news and have decided that "being cast out in a sea of uncertainty" is not the end of the world. I'll be able to get unemployment and will be able to make my mortgage and pay my bills , my husband has his job and he didn't remove me from his insurance program, I've got a 6 weeks of vacation pay and, most importantly, I've got options. To be honest, it will be nice to have some time to think about where I want to go and what I want to do with my life.

So...if I don't have a job before my the last day of my job (very unlikely) I'll start looking for a job to tide me over until a) I get a full-time position or b) all of a sudden there's a huge demand for my jewelry and photography and I don't have to return to full-time work and will be able to work part-time at Starbucks. Option "A" is more likely, but it doesn't hurt to have a dream - which would be option "B".

Hopefully, this time next month, I'll will have been able to maintain my positive outlook on life. As I like to tell people "Where other's see adversity, I see opportunity."