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.

Last Show 2014

***Let me say this is my new song of my soul and Ed Sheeran is a new friend of mine. This particular song tears through my soul and will not let me go.   It doesn't go with my post, but it goes great with me.*****




My last show of the season is the best show of the season. I am a little late with this post.    Every year I vend at Mt. Caramel's  Women's Conference.  The conference is headed by the phenomenal Sister Loretta Murphy.  I attend for the fellowship, the word of God delivered by women who excel at elegance, dignity and excellence and oh, to sell my handmade jewelry.  Plus I always get to set by my good friend, the wonderful Authoress Tracie Loveless Hill.  Please check her out.  You will not be disappointed.

See you next year.  2015

Good Deeds

This is EnVogue.  One of the baddest girl groups that ever was.  Considering that every man wanted them, women really couldn't get mad because the girls can blow.  Plus they had one of the sexiest brothers in their video, Djimon Hounsou.  This is fine to the 10th degree.  Is it getting hot in here?





Today was one of my first shows of 2014.   I was back at Maucker Union at UNI College.    Ive been making jewelry since being off from my job, trying to stay ahead of the game.  I have always been down to the wire, preparations.   A  full time job will do that for you.  I had my game tight and ready.  I set up, paid my money and waited for the crowds to appear.  It was homecoming week and I was sure that money was to be had(I like to thank all of the customers who stopped my table).  A few students who have brought from me in the past stopped by.  Glad to see old familiar faces, but the sales were not there.   My new earring cards worked perfectly.  I just couldn't stand up(another post).  I was by the door(which I like) and the wind coming in kept knocking thing down.   I did manage to sell some earring, a couple of bracelets , two necklace sets and pass out some cards.  One young man wants me to help with a fun raising project for his group.

It just was not clicking.   The vibe was all wrong.   Since the booth rental has gone up, I had to adjust my prices accordingly.  Nothing too drastic. 50 cents here, 2 dollars there.   It just wasn't my day. Especially when I did not make my booth rental back.  For a small business like mine(small as in only - me),every penny counts.

Now I have had setbacks before.   I can remember a show where I only made 75 cents.   I cried like a baby that day and the next.  Would have continued to cry and give up, but something my mother told me stopped my pity party.   She asked me a question. " Do you think McDonald s makes the same amount every day?.   Bless her heart.  My mother comparing my teeny, tiny business to a corporate giant as McDonald s. I kissed her on her forehead and said thanks mom,   She always has my back.     But her theory was right.   Some days are up and some days are down.  If I am going to be honest with myself, the down days, make the up days.  Whether it was you, your items or whatever, you go back to the drawing board and come up with other means at your next show.  Maybe more of this and less of that.   The down days keep you in fighting spirit.   You come out leaner and meaner, ready to take on the world.

And no, I didn't cry this time.  I just listened to the voice inside my head.   Thanks Mom.  Today McDonald s, next the world.

More cards, bags and Watching you

 It is so good to have to the time to make things and get them together.   I have not had this kind of freedom in a long time.  I am having the time of my life.  Since I have so many interest, I spread a lot of my post around.  To see my one of card display projects, check out my other post.   Now that I have the time, I might as well make use of it.  My latest creations.

It did not bother me, that they had another company's name on them.  
That is what I like about them, plus the fact they were FREE.

These bags were FREE.   I can always spot a winner.
  I will keep saying FREE.  It feels good inside.

All I had to do was to add my label to the bag.  Ownership.

They are perfect for holding my long necklaces.  I like the hole at the top.

  I can use it to hang on my peg board display, whenever I get it built.

You don't have to spend money on expensive displays and jewelry holders.

A little imagination goes a long way.  

 FREE(there is that word again) bags, labels from the dollar store and some ink.

I am so proud of myself.    I sat at the dining room table and made 6 sets for my jewelry show + several pairs of earrings.  This something I could do in my sleep.  I am proud because I sat at the dinning room table watching episodes of Orange is the New Black.   I have decided to make a life style change and get myself into some kind of shape(check out my other blog ILOVETOCREATE .  Why am I so proud.   I have decided not to sit on the couch watching TV while making jewelry.  One might argue that watching my computer screen is the same thing.  I beg to differ.   Sitting on the couch was robbing the life out of me.   Sucking me dry.  I needed to regain control get my body back into some kind of shape.  Plus, if I am going to be doing shows again I need my body to work for me not against.  

I Just Love It

                               

   Al Green - Simply Beautiful

I like to always find ways to make my business better. What business doesn't?  I love making my own tags, bags, displays, anything to enhance my booth/table/site and increase sales.  Since I am the frugal, crafty type, I am always on the hunt for items to use, reuse or recycle.  The school where I work had a carnival on the last day.  One of the booths that we have is the White Elephant.  Donations of used goods are sold to fund our next years activities.  I picked up a box of party favor bags.  8 bags to a pak, and I had 21 paks.  I knew instantly what I could do with them.

I love the round center

.

Opens up to fit earring, bracelets and small
necklaces.

Look how deep the bag is!!

The ribbon is an added bonus.  How pretty.

Someone must have ordered these for a party or wedding.

My first thought was to get some round labels, print my name and paste them on to the bag.    I checked with Staples and they wanted 17.00 a package.   I did not know whether I would have the need for round labels again, so crossed out that idea.   My next thought was to use address labels.  I had already purchased some from the dollar store.

Plain old boring white labels.

Since I had gotten them from the dollar, store(Thank you Dollar Tree), I saw that they compared to Avery 8160.  If you know Avery Labels, they can be quite expensive.   Inside the folder was instructions on how to print on the labels using MS-Word.  Here is what I printed out.  Simple and to the point.

Now at this stage of the game, I thought about add some other embellishment to the labels to give it some style.  Here is what I did

Nothing at all.   The only other thing I did was to paste them down at an angle.  

Nothing more, nothing less. I just want my business name and the bag to stand out. 

 

I just love it!!!!!!

Memory Lane

Sunshine by the O'Jays.

 

This jewelry that has already been sold.  Memory Lane

 

 

Just a little bit deeper

Another cut from the past or least my past.  Enjoy

Here is my About Me page.

I have two distinct passions(well 3 if you count Denzel Washington). I love making jewelry or just being creative and I love working with computers. At times both interest mix, which is joy for me. I started making jewelry over 20 years ago. I was visiting a garden center and it turns on the inside was bead shop. One of the ladies who worked there showed me how to make a pair of earring. It only took about 15 minutes. I have making creating ever since. I love making jewelry. My favorite medium is wood. I started incorporating my jewelry and beads into other areas. I would decorate wooden trays, pictures, pillows, lampshades, clothing, shoes, window coverings, what ever I could get my hands on. I started working with computers after the birth of my son. It seem to come natural for me, user end that is. I think the computers are the marvel of the world. I don't know everything, but I have the capacity to find out, with understanding. I am always learning something new about this wonderful technology and about my self.

I 

I would like to go a little deeper.   As it states in my About Me page, I discovered this garden shop where I received my first lesson in jewelry making.  I had lost my job and had two small mouths to feed.  A single mother trying to make it.   I had tried to find work that was comparable to what I had before.   The best I could manage was home health care aid once a week.  I also did cold calling, selling tickets for a  non-for-profit agency.  That was a bust, since I was only able to work a few days a week.   Nothing was coming in and everything was going out.   It was a blessing, on that day,  that my sister asked me to drive her to a garden shop. My sister did not like to drive in the city(thank you, sister).  She wanted to pick up some flowers for her garden.  My mother came along for the ride.  You never know where your blessings are coming from.  My sister did not like the selection of flowers outside and decided to leave.  The sales associate steered us to the inside of the shop.  All three of us was jewelry fanatics and love big earrings.  We  couldn't believe our eyes.  Beads in all shapes and sizes.   Beads everywhere.  On the front wall was a some of the most beautiful creations(earring, necklaces, bracelets) that I had ever seen.   Necklaces hanging from the ceiling.  It was fantastic.  All made by the owner and the associate.  The owner and her mother ran a bead shop out of this garden center.  She must have taken pity on me( my mouth looked like a big O).  She said she could give me a lesson right now.  All I could manage was a nod of my head.    My first lesson was a pair of earrings.   It took only 15 minutes.  Those 15 minutes turned into a life time of joy, laughter, frustration and a lot of work,  but it was worth it.  I had finally found myself, my voice.  I would visit that shop often.  Buying beads, making product, selling and buying more beads.   I wish I could say, I kept up with those ladies. I had found other bead shops and was using their services as well.   Four months later,  the shop had closed and I was never able to find a forwarding address or their new location. I owe a debt of gratitude to those women.  They started me on my path.  They help me with my course in life.   Thank you, ladies. 

It's On Sale

******** A great stepper's cut********

I love looking at new beads and findings to add to my collection.   I will usually finger each and every strand. I love the texture and can imagine how I would incorporate the beads into a wearable item.  While my eye get big, my wallet stays close.   

I am always on the hunt for a bargain. My middle name is sale, clearance, closeout, you get the idea.   My first stop is always the clearance aisle and what is on sale.   My two favorite spots for crafting are Hancock and Jo-Ann Fabrics.  Just recently I stopped by Hancock Fabrics and came away with nice deals.  Let me show you.

26 gauge wire in all colors.  Great for crocheting.  
The added bonus is each packs was only 50 cents.
I picked up all 6 packs

My next find was packs of beads.  Each pack was 25 cents.   Can you believe it.  I can see the bracelets already.  I grabbed them all and each color.  As you can see they had been marked down several times.   Thank God for clearance.

My next purchase was tools.

This tool helps you make the perfect knot.    25 cents.   Regular price 12.99

Snap tool.  Need I say more.  Yes, 25 cents.

I love this tool.  It is a split ring pliers.
I can open jump rings, key chains and coils.
  50 cents.  What a deal.

Now my final purchases

String and cord.

You guessed it 25 cents.
They only had four main colors.
  And I cleaned them out.

The black  and silver cord is elastic.
 Need I say what the price was.
3 of each color.

Last, but not least.
  Velvet cord.
  Only one color, but I picked up all they had.  

My total was $11.50 (I had a coupon for 15% off the total).

$9.75 

 Being at the right place at the right time.