Monday, December 28, 2009

Goodbye Magnets - Hello Toggles



I'm sorry to announce I have decided to stop offering the magnetic clasps for my rosary bracelets in my shop.  Over the next few weeks I will be modifying the bracelets in my shop to have a toggle clasp only.

After two years of using different styles of magnetic clasps I have yet to find a specific style of that I am completely happy with. I have also had some customer complaints that some are too weak and come apart easily and some are too strong and stick to the metal findings in the bracelet.

I strive to make high-quality handmade items and send out only the very best to my customers.  I cannot, in good conciousness, keep sending out bracelets and hoping that they are just "OK".  When you get an email on Christmas day that someone's gift was unsatisfactory it breaks your heart.

The toggle clasps are easy to use and feel comfortable to wear as they weigh considerably less than the magnetic clasps. I find them visually pleasing and hope that my customers do as well.

I will keep a few extra magnetic clasps on hand for a couple specific customers who have requested them, but when my inventory goes down I will not be reordering more. These customers have been notified.

Today I will be removing the bracelets in my shop that have the magnetic clasps. I will soon change over to the toggle clasps and relist them when I can get new photographs prepared. I do have some new bracelets that are already made with toggles I can list soon. 

I hope this change will not be upsetting to my customers and that they understand that I am doing this in their best interest. I know I cannot please everybody all of the time but I am doing what I think is right by them and doing what's right for me.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Name those Saints! Get a discount!

A long time ago I acquired some digital prints of old prayer cards. The idea was to make some glass "marble" magnets using the prints.  The art was small in size and had no names or identification for the Saints featured.  Using my own research I was able to ID some of them, but some of them are still nameless to me.  I hesitated for a long time about posting the magnets for sale because I didn't know who they are. 

Someone out there has got to know who they are - and for that knowledge, you will be rewarded!  If you can name the mystery saints you can get the magnet sets at a discounted price!  $2 off for each Mystery Saint you name! Sets 1 and 2 have one Mystery Saint each. Set 3 has three Mystery Saints! That would be $6 off the price if you got all three!

Check out the sets. Send me a Convo via Etsy if you can identify one or more of the Mystery Saints and you will be elligable for the discounts.  You will need to include a picture or a URL to a picture to prove your claim. If they are a reasonable match I will discount the items just for you!

Set 1: Can you name the pretty little nun with the lamp?  Get $2 off this set if you can identify her!  See picture below. Larger pictures at the website.   Set 1 has been claimed by my Etsy pal SpoolofPlenty! She identified St. Claire of Assis as the Mystery Saint and gets the discount!  Congratulations!
(She's also working hard to find the other Saints too...can you beat her? )



Set 2: Who is that young man kneeling in prayer?  Get $2 off this set if you can identify him!  See picture below. Larger pictures at the website.




Set 3: This is the big one!  WHO ARE THESE SAINTLY PEOPLE???  You will get $2 off the set for each of the three Saints you can identify. If you can get all three you will get $6 off, making the price of the magnet set only $2 (plus shipping)!!!  So who are they?  See picture below. Larger pictures at the website. 

Set 3 has been claimed by SpoolofPlenty! She identified St. Monica, St. Stephen, and St. Maria Goretti! Congratulations! She gets this set for only $2!!!


(She's also working hard to find the last fella in set #2...can you beat her? )


I hope you folks have fun with this.  I am going to be thrilled to learn more about these Mystery Saints and very glad to give these magnets a loving home.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Craft Show Success - Accept Credit Cards!


One of the reasons my recent craft shows were such a huge success is that I have started accepting credit cards.  I had 16 sales through credit cards the other weekend alone. 

That's 16 customers who may have otherwise walked away from my booth. And in most cases my credit card customers purchased multiple items! They may have only had enough cash for a $5 item, but since they were using their card they scanned my table for more goodies to add.  My lowest credit card transaction was for $12.  My highest was for $65.

I'm starting by using ProPay. I researched a bit with my local credit unions/banks and found Propay's annual fee and per/transaction fees to be reasonable. You can find out a lot of information about the service on the Etsy forums. One of the best hints is that they offer a discount to Etsy sellers!  You get a Premium Plus account for the price of a basic account.  To acccess the Etsy discount, use this link:


Like most Etsy sellers using Propay, I got my "knucklebuster" from an Ebay salesman named Mr. Imprinter. I got a bundle that looks a lot like this picture. The imprinter is small and lightweight. It came with 100 slips. And they custom made a plate with my name, email address, website, and more info.  All items arrived in less than a week's shipping time.  I printed out my own "I accept Credit Cards" display for my table which included the CC logos in bright colors to catch customer's eyes.

Like with all things, please do your own research to find out what is best for you and for your store.  Talk to your local banks and credit unions. Some may provide a knuckbuster and slips to you. Some may charge monthly fees or rental fees for the equipment. Some may have higher/lower transaction fees. 

I also reserve the right to change my service and sing the praises of another credit card processer at a later date.  But I know one thing for certain...Accepting credit cards ROCKS! It's easy and not scary at all. I'll never go back to cash/checks only.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Last weekend's update - craft shows!

It has been a very long time since my last update.  There is A LOT of things I have been intending to post but have been busy with the Christmas rush getting some custom orders done and making new inventory to replace all the items I sold at the my recent craft show events. 

I was really blessed with fantastic sales at both of my shows last weekend. 


Saturday the 5th I was at JFK Catholic High School in Burien, WA. HUGE event!  They fill the entire gym and the entire cafeteria with vendors.  I was downstairs in the cafeteria and was concered that the traffic was going to be low since the main entrance to the event was in the upstairs gym.  Boy was I surprised! From the moment the doors opened to the moment the doors closed there was a constant flow of customers! I was working alone, without an assistant, so I was only able to steal away from my booth long enough to use the lady's room and get a bottle of water.

Because it was so busy I didn't have the opportunity to see any of the other vendors or do any shopping for myself. That's OK though because I made a lot of sales!  My best-selling items at the school were the cellphone charms.  I had less than 10 left when I went home for the day and spent the evening at home making more so I could have them for my Sunday show.  The purse fobs were also a big hit!

I have already told my best friend to mark her calendar a year in advance to come andhelp me next year at the JFK school show.  I would have loved an extra pair of hands to help customers because there were many times I was helping someone and had 2-3 other people needing help too.  I barely sat down the entire time. 

On Sunday I was selling at my church's, St. James Cathedral,  Avent Bazaar.  This is my second year selling there and the difference was night and day!  The church event was only 5 hours long but I made MORE at this show than I did at the school.  I was amazed!

The cellphone charms continued to be very popular.  Young persons, parents, and grandparents were all buying them up as stocking stuffers.  The bookmarks almost sold out completely - I only have 4 left when I packed up.  The rosary bracelets were also flying off the table.  As they sold I set out more until my bag was empty.  I think I had 6 left at the end of the day. 

I was completely blown away.  I am still on a high from the wonderful feeling of being so well received at these events.  Such nice customers, even those who didnt buy were fun to talk to.  I got a couple custom order requests and follow-up emails after the events were over. I am so very blessed!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Rosary Winner!







CherryBlossomsDesign announced the winner of my rosary her blog last week and I almost forgot the announce the winner here!

CONGRATULATIONS TO MARIA IN PENNSYLVANIA!

The rosary has been mailed out and will soon be in it's new home in PA.  I hope it provides decades of love and joy. 

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Giveaway.  Thank you also to CherryBlossoms for hosting it on her blog.  I hope to have many more Giveaways to come in the new year.  This was a lot of fun!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

The BIG craft show wrap-up.

First off, BIG THANK YOU to the EtsyRain team, specifically the organizers, for making this event possible.  It was my very first two-day show and it was exciting and challenging all at the same time. The show was a huge success for our street team and customers alike. You may be able to see in my first picture the line of people waiting outside of the venue for the doors to open Saturday morning.  It was cold. They were brave. And they wanted those awesome EtsyRain swag bags!

Secondly, thank you to everyone who has followed me here on my blog and on my Twitter as I frantically prepared for this show. Thank you for the tips and tricks I learned by reading all of your blogs and Twitters and Etsy forum posts. Thank you for your words of support and encouragement.

The show was a lot of fun. Stressful, but fun.  I got to meet some really wonderful people, both crafters and customers.  I got to buy some really cool things.  And I sold a little bit too.

This was a big risk for me - sticking my neck out into the "indie" community and trying to sell my Catholic goodies among all the fine and funky jewelry, knitted comfy things, hand-sewn clothing, soaps, and other goods made by our crafty community.  My products really speak to a small market of people - I know this and I embrace this.  So this was a real test to see if I could hold my own among them. 

How did I do? I know you only want to hear about the money.  lol  Well, I made back my booth fee.  That's about it.  But I did not walk away totally discouraged.  I was paid in compliments, smiles, and kind words. I got some great ideas on how I can branch out my offerings for future shows.  I made some friends and I got my name and my business out there.  Lots of business cards were taken. Some custom orders may be on the horizon. 

I have two more shows coming up this season.  Both will be a little more focused on my target audience (at a Catholic school and at my church).  And I hope to announce some exciting additions to my Etsy shop in the new year.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Blog Feature and Giveaway!



WIN THIS ROSARY!

CherryBlossomsDesign was kind enough to feature me on her blog
and together we are offering one of my favorite rosaries in a giveaway!

Please visit her blog to enter in the contest. 
This Giveaway ends November 23, 2009 at 12 PM EST.

Good luck!!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Buy Handmade! Buy Seattle-Made!



Buy handmade this holiday season - buy Seattle-made from the EtsyRAIN team! 70 talented local artisans will be selling unique, handmade delights ready for gift-giving.

The EtsyRAIN Holiday Art &Craft Show will be held in the lobby of Intiman Theatre (201 Mercer Street) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, November 21-22. Two full days!

The first 50 people in line each day will receive a swag bag filled with awesome stuff from our EtsyRAIN members.

The featured charity for this year’s holiday event is Treehouse, an organization for kids in foster care, providing services that no other agency addresses.

Admission to the event will be a suggested donation of $1 that will go directly to Treehouse or an article of warm clothing for a foster child in need. There will also be a raffle for a gift basket filled with amazing products from the EtsyRain team.

http://etsyrain.com/

Facebook event link - http://bit.ly/3u5WGm

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Win this Rosary! Twitter contest!

****THIS ROSARY GIVEAWAY HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO LACK OF PARTICIPATION. A NEW ROSARY GIVEAWAY HAS BEEN CREATED. SEE MY MOST RECENT BLOG POSTS FOR INFORMATION. THANK YOU*****


To celebrate Advent (a little early) it would be my pleasure to give this rosary a loving home. I will ship it to you for free if you win. Details about the contest are below, but first, here's a little more about the rosary you can win:

This is a beautiful, handmade rosary is made with Czech glass 6mm beads in a bright cherry red and clear crystal accents beads. Silvertone centerpiece of the Virgin Mary and Child and beautiful crucifix of our Lord. Aprox 17 inches in length when laid out end to end. Retail value $20 in my Etsy shop. Actual value, priceless!

Great care and thoughtful prayer is put in to all rosaries I make. Each bead is pinned and linked to the next with strong materials to last years of use. Please note this rosaries is intended to help facilitate prayer and are is meant to be worn as jewelry.

An organza pouch will be included for the rosary as well as a wallet-sized card with instructions on how to pray the rosary.

Contest rules:

1. Follow @prayers4theresa on Twitter

2. RT the following message no more than once per hour to qualify.

Win this #handmade #Catholic #Rosary for Advent! http://bit.ly/redrosary Follow @prayers4theresa 301st RT will #win! 1 RT/hr.

3. 301st person to RT this message will win. I will DM the winner with notification.

4. If there is no 301st RT, if the contest stops rolling, the giveaway will close with no winner and the rosary will go back up for sale in my Etsy shop.
 
Good Luck!
 

Monday, November 16, 2009

Facebooked!

I've resisted this long enough, I guess.  I finally set up a Facebook Fan Page for my shop.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prayers4Theresa/180827847061

I don't use Facebook on a regular basis.  I find the website extremely difficult to navigate and irksome.  having people from my past pop up and find me kinda of freaks me out too.  But all the cool kids are creating Fan Pages so I should too, right?  I don't even know if I did it correctly (again, the site is a chore to make sense of!) but my items show up under the "My Stuff" tab so that's as good as it is going to get.  I don't know if I'll add any more pics or deal with it really.  My true loves are this blog, Twitter, and the handmade forums I read.  I don't really want to add another project to my plate, but I figured I'd at least create the Facebook page and get it over with.

LOL - can you tell how excited I am about this? 

So "Fan" me or "Friend" me or whatever on Facebook if you want to.  Just know I am not going to be very active over there. 

Friday, November 13, 2009

Treasured!

I'm thrilled that I have TWO items in this Treasury!  My bone hairsticks and my mini-holy medal pin.  All the items selected are a lovely reminder of Our Lady.

Yes, that is my hair, by the way.  LOL!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=75507


Update to previous post

I just wanted to add a little extra to my post from yesterday about "Why I'll never be an Etsy Featured Seller." I hope I didn't ruffle any feathers about the One-of-a-Kind vs. Sell/Relisted comparison I was making.

It was not my intent to insult anyone who is lucky enough to have a craft that allows them to sell multiple quantities of the same item. I am honestly a tad jealous of you who do because it means less time taking photographs and editing them, less time writing and re-writing Etsy listings, and probably a larger profit because you buy supplies in bulk and at wholesale prices.

And I am not saying that my items, primarily being OOAK, are any better than yours for the simple fact that they can't be duplicated. I know that each and every person who creates something handmade works very hard to do so. I do not doubt that you work equally as hard as I do, if not more because you sell more and list more than I do. One of my idols in the handmade crafting world recently shared with me that she got an order for over 600 handmade silver rings which she wholesales to a jewelry mail-order catalog. She is a much busier and harder working woman than myself with my weird little beads in mismatched sets. I admire her and envy her all at the same time.

So again, I apologize if anyone felt I was boasting about my OOAK items. The post was meant to illustrate how I could never be an Etsy Featured Seller and that my OOAK items are a major hindrance to that goal. I did not intend to insult anyone.

Peace be with you all,
Theresa

Thursday, November 12, 2009

I'll never be an Etsy Featured Seller

It's been long aparant to me that I will never be an Etsy Featured Seller.  Even if suddenly there was a run on rosaries and religous gifts (possibly the panic of 2012? LOL!) I'm pretty darn sure I still would not be a contensant in the running to be an Etsy Featured Seller.  There's one major thing holding me back from this Featured Seller dream - I don't make mass produced items. I can't twitter the phrase "sold and relisted" very often. 

I will admit I get jealous of those who can sell and relist their most popular items.  These are also the people with the numbers of sales that I can only dream of.  But I also hold a great deal of pride that I offer items that can't be found anywhere else.  I don't make normal "jewelry".   I make items to inspire prayer - and invigorate Faith.  I don't see how making cookie cutter duplicates would possibly be appropriate since Prayer and Faith are such uniquely personal things.

Out of the 11 different items I make, there are exactly two things which can be reproduced fairly easily as long as I can continue to get the parts needed - and those would be my Mini Medal Brooches and my Holy Medal Cell Charms/Zipper Pulls.  Everything else is One of a Kind (OOAK).

I love being able to offer my customers OOAK items.  No two rosaries will be alike.  No two bracelets will be alike.  No two beaded fobs will be alike.  I can try to make "matching" pieces if someone wants more than one item but they will probably only be similar in color.  Where's the fun and art in makng duplicates?


I have one customer who has purchased at least 10 fobs from me this year (and she has already told me she is ordering 12 more this Christmas) and each and every one of her items is truely unique and different from the rest.  She gives some as gifts but, funny enough, she keeps most of them for herself to adorn her own collection of purses - so no matter what bag she has with her that day she has her Holy Medal charms jingling merrily with her.  So while a lot of them are in various tones of blue they are each still individual and special.  And she knows that no other customer of mine will have another one just like it.

My beads are as unique as my customers.  My customers are not carbon copies of each other so why should their products be?  I specifically buy most of my beads from other Etsy sellers "destash".  They don't want or need the beads anymore so they sell them.  While it may not be wholesale pricing when you're just scooping up 10-20 random beads, having a good selection of beads means more to me than saving a penny or two.  I make up those pennies when I buy my findings in bulk. 

I enjoy the creativity of making items using random assortments of mismatched beads.  It keeps my crafting fresh and new to me.  I don't get bored of making the same thing over and over again. 

So I'm gad I'll never be an Etsy Featured Seller.  I'll take quality over quantity any day.  I'll take imperfect and different over carbon copies.  I'll take unique and made with love over mass produced. 

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Craft show banner

Since I've booked these upcoming craft shows I have been looking for a banner for my table.  I am not crafty in the sewing arts so I didn't feel abitious enough to make something from fabric.  But I am crafty at hunting down a good deal - I found that deal at Vistaprint!

Vistaprint has recently started making large vinyl banners and the price can't be beat!  And the fact that YOU customize your banner to look exactly the way you want it to is fantastic.  I got myself a "small" 3'x1.6' banner with my own photography and hanger-tabs for less than $15 - including shipping!!  I think it turned out fantastic (if I can brag...)




Looks even better in person (if I may continue to brag...)  It was printed and delivered to my door in about 10 days.  I absolutely love it.  I can't wait to see it proudly displayed on my craft show booth.  But for now it is proudly photographed on my living room floor.  LOL

There are different schools of thought about Vistaprint.  Some people (like me) love them and some people don't.  I've been ordering business cards from them for many, many years and have never been disapointed.  They do have a tendancy to go overboard on the emails - spamming me at least once a day about a sale.  Every day is a sale at Vistaprint so I just ignore the emails and order when I need to order.  I love that I have a fantastic craft show banner, glossy postcards, and business cards all with the same brand recognizability.  My rosary. My photograph. And now my banner, postcards, and more. 

Friday, November 6, 2009

Promo bags and postcards

2 more weeks until my BIG craft show!  You know I have been prepping like crazy!  Last night I completely finished the shopping bags I have for my customers.  (I apologize for the dark picture - darn cameraphone.)

I started with a couple boxes of business cards and stuck labels on the back of each card with a promo code for shopping at my Etsy shop.  Using the promo code in the "Message to Seller" part of checkout process the customer will get 10% off the order and free shipping.  Not a bad deal, I'd say! 

These business cards are attatched to the 100 swag buttons that will be given away for the first 50 people who come to the show each day.  The business cards sitting out on my table will also have the promo stickers.  And each shopping bag for a customer who purchases from me will get a card with promo sticker already stuffed inside the bag.  So potentially, early customers who get a swag bag, grab a card off my table, and buy something from me will walk away with 3 of my business cards.  Maybe that's overkill, but I don't think it hurts.  LOL

The little paper bags I got for the shoppers was easily printed on using my inkjet printer at home.  I ran each one through and printed my shop information on them including website.  Brand recognition is everything, right?  I was originally thinking of getting a custom-stamp made but pricing it out I realized it would cost just as much to replace my ink cartridge as it would to get a big stamp made for me.  I think they turned out really well.   

Last, but not least, I added a little slip of paper into each of the bags letting customers know that I have two more local craft shows coming up and where to find me.  I included the dates, addresses, and times of the events.  On the paper I noted that if they come visit me at these other shows I'll give them a free gift!

Having the pre-stuffed shopping bags is going to be very helpful.  Hopefully all the promo inside and on the bags themselves will lead to a few online sales and maybe a visit or two at my next shows for some last-minute purchases. 


In addition to the promo shopping bags I will also have a small stack of promo postcards I had specially made.  These full-color postcards contain images of my own items and all my contact information.  Email, website, Twitter, and Blog.  I am not going to hand these out to the public willy nilly, but there have been times in the past when someone shows particular interest saying things like "These would be perfect at our church bookstore!" I'll whip out one of these impressive cards just for them (and maybe give them a "sample" rosary) in the hopes that they will contact me after the show for future business.  The post cards are so large and colorful they will be less likely to lose than a little business card in the bottom of a purse or stuffed in a wallet. 

With the exception of buying a second table cloth (or bedsheet!), I am just about done with all my craft show prep.  Most items are made and price tagged.  I've done a test display.  I may do a second test display this weekend.  I really feel well prepared.  Hopefully that sense of preparadness doesn't go flying out the window on the big day.  Trying not to jinx myself by being too optimistic!  LOL

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

All Saints Treasury

Inspired by All Saints and All Souls days this week, I found a beautiful litany of Saints right on Etsy and made a Treasury.  Would greatly appreciate your clicks and comments on the Treasury page:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=74381


Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Go International

I'm taking the plunge to ship Internationally again.  I stopped shipping outside of the U.S. earlier in the year for two main reasons - 1) I was worried about not being able to track packages/having lost items and 2) I'm too lazy to go to the post office multiple times a week when I can click and ship Domestic orders through PayPal.


The worry about the lost packages isn't really gone, but I have been lucky enough not to have it happen yet.  I've shipped to the UK, Australia, and even Singapore before without trouble.  Why worry about something that may never occur?  I'll cross that bridge when, and if, I come to it.

And thanks to a fantastic post in the Etsy Forums, I have learned I can now click and print authorized Customs labels for International shipments and not have to go to the post office! 

Using the USPS Shipping Assistant I can print those pesky Customs forms and just adhear the correct amount in postage to the package (to be clear, we're talking stamps, not PayPal labels).  Anything under 13oz. can be dropped in a blue Mailbox or given to your Mail Carrier without needing to go to the post office.  I already have a postage scale so I can accurately price my shipments using the Postage Calculator.  The only reason I'll need to go to the post office is to buy some assorted stamps (75¢, 41¢, 26¢, 4¢, 3¢, 2¢ and 1¢). 

I've revised my listings with what I think are appropriate International shipping costs for the weight and materials needed to ship my items.  I'll post again in December or January and let you know how this new shipping method is working for me.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Craft Show Dress Rehersal - Display practice.

I've been neglecting the blog (sorry!) but that doesn't mean I've been sitting around on my duff. Ok, maybe a little of duff-sitting...but I've actually been pretty darn busy with the craftyness!  Been making lots and lots of inventory and finally got a table for my booth. 

Browsing through the Flickr Groups Show Me Your Booths and Arts & Craft Fairs I realized I need to figure out how I am going to display all this inventory!  So yesterday I moved some stuff around in my living room, put out my tables, and did a craft show dress rehersal!

Over the last month I have been picking up some display pieces here and there but hadn't decided how to arrange everything on my tables.  This was a great opportunity to see what worked for my needs and what didn't work. 

I don't have any pictures of yeserday's display practice for you but I can give you some hints on where I got some GREAT display pieces and fantastic prices.


My first stop was a great Etsy seller NotableNotions!  Top quality display supplies and excellent customer service.  She had just what I needed for prices that are an absolute steal!  These upright stands are my best investment! I'll be using them to showcase my rosaries by draping them over the top using the scalloped edge and letting them dangle down.  They also have earring holes if you are an earring seller.  I also coudn't do without these wire bars. They are the perfect size for my bracelets, cellphone charms, and anything else that dangles.  I can't say enough good stuff about NotableNotions and highly recommend them for your professional display needs!


I'm luck enough to have a Diaso Japan store in a local mall near my home.  It's kind of like a Japanese Dollar Store, except most items are $1.50.  I got some of these wire blocks which link together and some small hooks to hang items from - the oens I have are actually tall rectangles.  This allows items to up off the table and easy to see.  Especially helpful for my car mirror rosaries.  Daiso also had some great little clear acrylic boxes to use as small risers.  If I had a local Dollar Store I certainly would have gone there too because there is bound to be some fantastic (and cheap!) stuff a crafty person could use for their display tables. 

After my little practice session I now know what works and what doesn't work.  I know I'm going to feel a lot more relaxed having taken the time to do this dress rehersal in advance instead of wait until the morning of the event in a state of panic.  I also now have a couple weeks to pick up the last little touches and keep making inventory.  

I may actually do another dress rehersal at home again just to get everything finalized.  I'll most certainly post pictures of the final set-up. 

Friday, October 23, 2009

Crafty tweets

Still busy ramping up inventory for my three upcoming craft shows.  Yesterday I started making a whole pile of my Purse fobs/keyrings/zipper pulls - like this St. Patrick one

I have a lot of fun picking out the various beads and different shapes, sizes, and color assortments and deciding which Holy Medals to use.

If you follow me on Twitter you may have seen me tweeting pictures of my newest creations.  I figured why wait until I get the "real" photographs online to share them - so as I completed each one I took a quick snapshot of each with my cameraphone and tweeted away.

The pictures are a little dark since it's just a cameraphone and terrible office-lighting.  But it was great to share the little creations as they were made throughout the day.  

I'm finsihed for now.  I made a total of 20 new fobs over the course of yesterday and today.  If you want to see them all you can visit my Twitter account.  You can also browse through my Twitpic page and leave comments if you like.  :) 

All of the fobs I have just made will NOT be available in my Etsy shop until after all my craft fairs are over.  But if you stumble across one you really like I'd be happy to make a listing for you.  I can also change out the medals if you wanted a different Saint featured on whatever color arrangement you like.  I love making custom creations.

I have some more bookmarks and cellphone charms to make.  I might be live-tweeting those creations too. 

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Treasured x4!

My fellow Etsy rosary makers have been making delightful mischeif!  We somehow acquired a total of FOUR Treasuries yesterday!  Two in the main room and one in Treasury West.  Here are the newest addtions as our October celebration of the rosary continues on!

Thank you to Beadedtreasuresetc and SpiritualArts! Thank you to the friends and fans for the clicks and comments! And thank you to the entire guild for being such a talented group of artisans! I am blessed to be surrounded by your love and inspiration!




Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Treasured!

The Rosary Guild did it again! Our members LaudeArts  & PMMDesigns1 have created TWO beautiful Treasuries as our Celebration of October as Rosary Month continues!  Whoo hoo!

Please comment and click each and every item in both Treasuries to help boost them to the top!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=88865
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=89010


Sunday, October 18, 2009

Treasured!

Another Treasury for the Etsy Rosary Guild! October's celebration of the Rosary is going strong!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=88509


Friday, October 16, 2009

2010 Crafting Calendar - Marketing Locally

I'm about a month away from my first big show - I have been busy, busy, busy getting everything together and I'm about 3/4 of the way finished.  I have 3 shows this season and that is a huge increase from the one show I did in 2008.  But I'm already looking to 2010 and filling my Crafting Calendar full...



Now that I've made the purchases of tables, display pieces, and the hundred and hundreds of business cards that I need to be a REAL craft show seller, I fully plan on doing a lot more local craft shows next year. When I'm not preparing for this season's already-planned events, I am searching for more places to sell.

Since I am in a niche market - only selling religous (heavily Catholic) products - it can be a little intimidating applying to a local street fairs and Indie marketplaces where my products may not be fully appreciated.  I'm not letting that deter me by any means - and will still be happy to sell anywhere and everywhere that will accept me - I realized that I can also use my niche market by focusing on events sponsored by local churches and schools in my Archdiocese.


First, I was thinking of doing direct self-marketing campaign.  I wouldn't send them to the whole Archdoicese of course, but I would send them to the churches/Catholic schools that I can get to easily in my neighboring cities.  I want to let them know who I am, what I make, and that I am available as a vendor at their parish/school craft shows or fundraising events.  For those parishes with gift shops, my items would also be available for wholesale or consignment. 

I'm thinking of starting with post cards with pictures of my rosaries/crafts and links to my Etsy shop, Blog, and Contact information.  Instead of postcards, I may consider sending a small package with one of my inexpensive rosaries included as a gift to showcase the quality. Focusing on the fact that everything I make is handmade and that I am a local parishioner of the Cathedral in Seattle will be my selling points.  Knowing that a rosary or Holy Medal trinket was made with love from a fellow Catholic - and not mass produced in another country - could make all the difference.

I'm going to give this a lot of condiseration with plans on executing my first batch of marketing early in 2010  in hope of some Spring/Easter Sales and then again later in the year as a reminder for Fall/Winter/Advent sales.

If I get positive response from this campaign idea, and I'm not too overwhelmed with orders (I wish! LOL!), I may consider in 2011 branching out to other parishes in the Archdioces specifically for gift-shop wholesale or consignment.

So tell me, bloggers...how do you market yourself in your community? Do you sell in local shops as well as online and at craft shows? Besides social media (blogs, Twiiter, etc.) how do you get the word out there about what you do?

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Treasures galore!

The Etsy Rosary Guild is at it again! A third Treasury in a week!  How lucky we have been to get these hard-to-come-by Treasuries...and we hope to get many more as we continue to celebrate October being the Month of the Rosary!

This Treasury features the talented artisans of the Rosary Guild - we make a whole lot more than just standard rosaries! This showcases the other fun and funky items you can find in our shops.  Please clikc, comment, and enjoy!  Thank you for your support!



Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Treasured!

Another Rosary Guild member,  BeadedTreasuresEtc, was able to get a Treasury last night!  Great selections!  We would love your support with Clicks and Comments.  Remember, clicking each individual item helps boost our Treasury rating.  Thank you so much!

Visit our Treasury!



Sunday, October 11, 2009

Treasured beads

The Etsy Rosary Guild has a Treasury to celebrate October - The Month of the Rosary as proclaimed by Pope Leo XIII in 1883.  Please visit the Treasury, click the items, and leave a comment.  The Treasury expires October 14th.  http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=71525


Friday, October 9, 2009

I'm PoppyPlace's Friday Feature!

The crafty and kind artist behind PoppyPlace has featured me today on her gorgeous blog. 

http://poppyplacepdx.blogspot.com/2009/10/friday-features_09.html

I really loved doing her little interview - she's an absolute delight to talk to and I plan on doing a shop feature for her soon as well.  Until then, please give her blog and shops a visit -

http://poppyplacepdx.blogspot.com/
http://www.poppyplace.etsy.com/
http://www.vintaget.etsy.com/
http://www.designt.etsy.com/

Thank you PoppyPlace for the feature.  It's my very first blog feature ever! I am over the moon with excitement!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Rosary Guild Chatroom Sale Thursday!


October is the Month of the Rosary and The Etsy Rosary Guild is going to be hosting Chatroom Sales once a week all month long.  Our first Chatroom Sale will be this Thursday, October 8th starting at 4pm PDT/7pm EDT.

I'll be your host/moderator for the chat.  We'll be chatting with and featuring our teammates and the beautiful beads they make. 

You are encouraged to stop by the chat to make some new friends, ask questions, see pretty thing, and maybe even learn a little something in the process of having fun.

Hope to see you there!

Neato Site of the Day!

My Etsy shop is featured on NeatoStuff.com today!! I am the Neato Site of the Day!

See the scrolling banner at the top of the page.  If you click it you can Tweet it.  Please Tweet!


Friday, October 2, 2009

Treasured!



My red St. Benedict rosary was chosen for this Treasury for the CASTTEAM.

Beautiful items!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=85434

Click, comment, link, and love!  Thank you!

I'm in the Big Show!


I GOT ACCEPTED TO THE BIG CRAFT SHOW!!! *happy dance*happydance*

To be more precise, I got accepted to the EtsyRain show which I really, really, really wanted to be in (I was calling it "Big Show #1" in previous posts).  I got the email last night and I busted out a "WHOO HOO!" so loud it scared my cat off my lap and she hid under the bed for a while.  LOL!
It will be the weekend before Thanksgiving - Two entire days! - November 21st & 22nd. We have the entire upstairs and downstairs of the lobby at the Intiman Theater which is located on the Seattle Center campus near the Space Needle. Prime holiday shopping time in a prime location - I could not be more thrilled! I feel like an understudy hitting the Big Time! 

For the record, I was NOT accepted to Big Show #2.  And this is just fine by me.  The booth fees for that one are a tad intimidating (over $300!) so I'm a little relieved I won't be doing this one.  I will, however, consider applying for it next year for either the Summer or Winter shows.

I will also, of course, be selling during my church's Advent Bazaar in early December.  I am also thinking about contacting another local parish that has an upcoming event too. 

So that's two (possibly 3) events to look forward to.  Needless to say, I have the  jitters and will most certainly be blogging a lot about my excitement and nerves as I prepare more inventory, creat swag, work on display set-up, etc.  I apologize in advance for any upcoming blog posts where I am spazzing out with joy and worry all at the same time.  LOL!  I appreciate you guys putting up with me and supporting me.