Instagram Baby

It's about time.  I always seem to be late to the party.  Good thing the party is still going on.  I have finally decided to use Instagram as a source to showcase my creations and as another avenue to sell my goods.  There are all kinds of You Tube tutorials on how to use Instagram (take a look and let me know if you like what you see) to promote my Etsy shop, which houses my handmade jewelry.  Her are some of new pieces.  Also don't forget to check out my Instagram.  It will house some of my merchandise that will not be at my Etsy store.

Etsy

Etsy

Etsy and Instagram

Etsy and Instagram

Etsy

Etsy

Etsy

This piece has been sold, but I want to show it anyway.

Etsy

Etsy

Back to the drawing board

A acquaintance of my mine said I had to many balls that I was juggling in the air.  That maybe I should concentrate on just one thing.  I thought really hard and long about that and decided to streamline my activities.  If I am confused, then my readers will be as well.  Currently I have so many passions, jewelry, home decor, frugal living, TV, movies and just general crafts.  So to get started, I have been streamlining my blogs.   This is one of my last blogs that I have been working with.  Hopefully this will get me started in the right direction for 2016.  Hope you will take this ride with me.

The Drawing Board

Recently my husband and I decided to try our luck an outdoor venue.  Considering the price and the location, we felt it would be an excellent opportunity. This was not the case.  You would think I would know better, but I have been out of the game for a while, especially an outdoor event, I have forgotten a lot.   I made some critical mistakes.  Ones I will not repeat again.  Rookie mistakes.  And I am no rookie.

Number one - I let the price/length of the event cloud my judgement.  I was certain I could make my money back.  I didn't do my homework, ask enough or the right questions.

Number two- I did not check the weather forecast for the weekend.  It rained for better part of the first day.   I also broke my tent(another bad idea.  Never buy a tent on sale at Kmart). EZ Up are the way to go.   You do what you have to do.

Number three - I did not have the necessary outdoor equipment.  Chairs, weights(the wind did not die down until 3 pm), cover sheets, extra tarp, shower hooks, alternate setup.  I use to keep a bag with safety pins, small hammer, clips, rope, rubber bands, bricks, plastic.  This might seem a lot, but when you are outside anything can happen.

Number four - I did not do recon on the surrounding area.  Most advertising is done weeks in advance with poster, mailings, signs in strategic places. 

 
The next time I will not be caught off guard.  Never again.

Taking A Stand

********This song is by the Ojays.  The baddest group yesterday, today and tomorrow.******



It's a brand new year.  A new year brings about changes, goals and resolutions.  It also a time for organizing or reorganizing.  I want to be ready for the new shows.so I need to rework my jewelry displays.  I am always on the lookout for better ways to make my table setup more inviting, organic, welcoming and functional.  Plus I don't like to spend a lot of money and take pride in the fact, that I can take ordinary objects and use them for a wonderful table scrape.  You can also see some of my tutorials on how to make your own earring cards and necklace display.   Here are my latest finds.

This bowl was made by my nephew.  I love the shape and its texture
It will hold my business cards.

I really don't know what this was used for.
I plan to use it for my earrings.  I just love the shape.

I found this piece for $1.00.  I love the fact is functional,
 but gives me height without taking up table space. 

A Christmas tree makes a great earring or bracelet holder.

What luck.  I found these 3 metal animals? Large, medium and small.

I love the details

It's like someone took a sander to all three. 

It is always good to have some table art.  

As you can see, I have a little work to do,
 but spray paint to the rescue.


Now that is the way to take a stand.

More Jewelry Displays and Maxwell singing Fortunate

***Side Note -  I will start all my blogs with music.  It will be a link or as in this case a video.  You can choose to play it or not.  If you, sit back and enjoy as you read.  If not, send me some suggestions. ***
 

 


I am revamping my business.  Some things will stay the same and other's, well........   I have been DIYing (yes it is a word) a lot of my displays and  holders.   I will usually take garage sale items and thrift store finds to help set up my table.   I try to have at least several different setups depending on the table and where I am vending. That's another post.   Let me show what I have been working with and what I am working with now.

Separate the embroidery ring, stretching the fabric over the inner ring.  Put the rings back to together  keeping the material tight.  Sew down the edges.  This is a great holder for
fish hook earrings.  You can also hook the rings on a peg board.

I  use this stand to hold my business cards.  so that If I am busy, anyone can take card.  Genius!  I know you will agree.

Coffee cup stand is great for bracelets.

                                                

         Another bracelet holder.
                    I actually got this at a after Christmas sale for 75 cents.

This is the only jewelry display, I have brought brand new.   It holds a multitude of  necklaces. and it turns. 

I use this tray to hold earring on cards that have posts. 

This item holds my business sign.

Now for my new displays.

Isn't it cute.  50 cents.  I love the curls and swirls.

It has this glass ball on top.  Very glamorous

.

I love this bowl at the bottom.   More items can fit inside

Sorry about not cropping.   I found this one for $2.00.   I think I will keep this one for my  self.  Wanna see?

 It has a little bowl too.   So happy.

It holds all my earrings except my hoops.  Will find another display to those

I love the swirls on this one as well.  I  put two earrings into on groove

Again, sorry.   Not lazy, just having computer problems.  Another 50 cent find.  I  have not decided to use this one.  I will let you know.

I wish everything cost 50 cents( Yes, I got this one for ....... 50 cents).
 I know I am going to put this on my table,
but in what capacity, I dunno.

I do know, I am going to attach
this base to something more sturdy.

The Last Show of the Season

This is my last show for the year 2012.   Oh,  I miss Chicago.  I would have shows back to back.   There would be no breaks for me.  Creating buying and selling.   What I didn't sell would go for Christmas presents.  Plus my inventory would be more vast.  Scarfs, belts, hair accessories, jewelry made and handmade, and whatever would catch my eye to sell.   Here, I rely on what I make only.  It is hard to get back and forth to Chicago every weekend to stock up.  2nd time - I miss Chicago.   Let me stop whining.   3rd time, I miss Chicago.

My last show is the best show.   The Women's Conference at Mt. Carmel's Church.   Headed by Ms. Loretta Murphy.   See her picture below.   I have done this show for the past 6 years.  I would never miss it.  To tell the truth,  I was not feeling well the night before, but as they say, the show must go on, I went.  Some of the other vendors was there, Mrs. Tracie Loveless, Authoress.  and some new vendors.   We were all there to make money, network and support the Women's Conference.   I had a good time.   We were fed a delicious meal, as always.  I was not able to attend the conference and had to leave early, but a wonderful time was had.      I would like to introduce you to some of the people there.

 Here is the lovely Ms. Murphy.  She is the coordinator of the Women's Conference.  She puts on a great show each and every year.   If you want to learn how to put on a show, she is the women to ask.   Plus, she is a just good person.  Wonderful combination.

 Authoress Tracie Loveless Hill.    A very talented author, and a all around good person with a kind heart.   She is a treasure.   Her latest book is Escape from the Garden of Eden.  You can contact  Tracie on Face book - Tracie-Loveless-Hill-Authoress  concerning her book,up coming interviews and future books.  You can also find her books at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble..   The women is going places, straight to the top.

This is a new comer to the vendor game.  Her name is Diane Sexton. 

She sells skin care and cosmetics.  A lovely lady who invited me to sit down share a table for our lunch.   

The name of the company is Aularale Skin Care and Cosmetics.   She can be reached at Diane.Sexton@yahoo.com. 

This young lady is Adele S. Vanarsdale.  She like myself is a jewelry designer. 

She has some awesome pieces.  Her creative touch is miles in the stratosphere. 


Her unique and wonderful pieces can be found @ Asv-Artisticvisions.Here are some pics of what she displayed at the show.




Here are some pics of what she displayed at the show.

Last but not least is my very own table.    If you are follower of my blog, you will begin to notice a patten with my displays this year.   Everything has been flat on one dimensional.   I have started collecting displays(of course diy) to make my table more attractive.  Its not like I have not tried different styles to decorate my table.  I think I just got lazy.  My customer did not seem to mind.  Well there is going to a new me and new look to my jewelry business.  Stay tune.