Well, just packed up and shipped out the family for their final camp out of the year. Brrrrrr!!
The house is clean and the laundry is almost done so now it's just me and my beads for two days! Weeeeeeee
I've been wanting to share with you all the things that have been happening with me, my beads and my jewelry.
Had my first craft sale about a month ago and it was a bust. The sale was held in a local library which was very nice and I was set up in the reading room with 5 other crafters of varying talents. Nothing being sold was what I would consider cheesy. The problem with this sale as most of you with experience know was the clientele. It seemed that most came with $20 in their pockets and were determined to see how far that $20 would get them. I had no clue when I committed myself to this sale that this was how it was going to be but after reading posts here I was prepared but still disappointed. Lessons learned, so it wasn't all for naught.
Last Sunday I had my second and last sale for the year. What was I thinking to do two in 4 weeks? I was stressed but really didn't need to be. I had a wonderful time with the ladies from the paper guild and most of the friends and family I invited came out and showed their support. This was a "by invite only" fine art and craft sale. I made a profit and some new friends and have been invited to sell whenever the guild has other sales. And everyone loved my zipper pulls which I decided at the last minute to make and include. 19 out of 20 were sold, the last one being sent to my sister-in-law to thank her for involving and inviting me.
Oh and I met a wonderful polymer clay artist named Nadine Buck. She made the most wonderful netted gourd necklaces I've ever seen! I curse myself for not buying one. I know Becki would love them, they reminded me of her.
Anyway, after that sale I decided I was not going to attempt to sell jewelry on eBay. Too much competition, too busy and I know I'd get lost in the crowd. I want to sell my jewelry but how to do it. I enjoy the process of making creating, designing and selling. I find great satisfaction in even the smallest of sales , it's a validation that I'm doing something I love and someone is loving what I do. So I looked at my picturetrail albums and decided I would just point people that are interested to it. Then I discovered a tutorial for adding PayPal buttons! Whooeee My own little site until I can afford my own domain and website. I'm still tweaking it and having fun doing it.
Monday, an online friend of mine asked if I had any jewelry in the $15 to $20 range. She needed something for a school auction. I sent her a picture and she was thrilled! My first online sale! We belong to a mommy's group and she bragged me up and gave me some press, the sweetheart that she is. Now the group is aware of my site. See how these things come together?
The icing on the cake is that I decided I would get my hair color touched up. I was 2 months overdue and I was starting to look freakish with my strawberry blonde, streaked and gray hair. When your dh asks if it's time to get your hair done, you it's already too late! LOL For the first time I wore a necklace and a bracelet that I made to the salon. Shameful person that I am, I took the necklace off lest it get hair dye on it and left it on the shelf at my stylist's seat. When I was ready to leave I asked Michelle (my stylist of 7 years) if she saw my necklace and would she believe I made it? She was shocked and brought it over for Laurie the receptionist to see. There was another client there and we all started talking about the jewelry and crystals and colors. I have been commanded to bring in all the jewelry I'm interested in selling to the salon. I am not to wait until my next appointment. I am to pass go and collect my $200. heheeee Michelle whispered to me that Eddie the owner was a sucker for sparklies and silver and that he loves to spend money on what he likes.
And the beat goes on and on and on.....
A special thanks to Sooz for asking after me and being in my corner rooting for me. Phew! I haven't written a post this long in well....I can't remember when. :=)
-- Margie