Feline Friday

Today's post is all about cat jewelry.

At a neighborhood sidewalk sale, I purchased this Laura Burch cat pin/pendant from a jewelry dealer. You know me, cats, multiple colors, it's sooo me!

I also purchased these personalized cat earrings from a PromoFrenzy teammate

These are 2 of my babies, Sammy (left) and Fritz). So, he's not left out, here's a picture of Buddy

When I logged on to my Blog today, I found that one of my favorite bloggers has these limited edition porcelain cat pendants and/or pins. We had 2 calico cats; Pokey and Mischief. They're both in kitty heaven now.

And, here's a black cat who reminds me of our Stubbers (RIP)

So, here's to all of our fabulous cats. Have a terrific Labor Day weekend.

2012 Goals Reviewed - Part 1

1. Sales numbers: In January 2012, I set goals for 400 sales for both shops for December 2012
Etsy Sales 229  Artfire Sales: 38

In August 2012, these are my numbers:
Etsy Sales: 237 Artfire Sales: 51 Outbid Auctions (destash): 7

I’m revising this goal to be 325 in both Etsy and Artfire shops.

2. Local handmade craft shows: I researched other show opportunities in local area, and found that the market was too small and not my venue, it's more for foods and party plan items. One show that I like to visit is the Elgin Art and Soul on the Fox, but I won't do it because it's outside and a 2-day show-not within my criteria.

3. Record results of customer satisfaction surveys – partially done, need to send out more surveys to recent customers.

4. Keep better records of sales and postage in a spreadsheet – done through 8/22/12 in Excel.

5. Send newsletters to subscribers from shows with coupons – sent out 2 email specials so far  You can subscribe to my newsletter https://www.facebook.com/LinorStore/app_100265896690345

6. 2 techniques to learn: wire beaded combs and create Herringbone wire wrap:

• a. I did create 2 wire beaded combs. 
• b. Created wire crochet beaded necklaces from tutorials
• c. Created wire wrap rings from tutorials
• d. Need to watch Herringbone DVD again (this technique might not be for me. 

Pearl Swarovski Hair Comb

White Pearl Swarovski Bridal Comb

Wire Crochet Turquoise Gemstone Necklace

7. List more on Artfire – achieved this goal and am continuing to list more and be active with teams.

For the above goals I:

• haven't achieved as many sales, but my goal number was very optimistic, considering the current economy. 
• have learned new wire techniques and added new designs to my shops. 
• achieved my listing goal on Artfire and am considering remaking some expired designs in my Etsy shop. 

More goals will be in another blog post, so please stay tuned.

What goals have you achieved? Do you need to revise any of your goals?

Treasury Love

I’d like to thank those artists who have included my work in their Etsy Treasuries and Artfire Collections. Please visit their shops and show them some love.

 

The Cats Meow by Christie Cottage	Hand Embroidered Pin Cushion
Deep Autumn Rich Reds by Baskets by Rose	Pumpkin Pillow
Rainbow Carousel by Judy	Spa Cloths set of 3
Licorice and Bubble Gum by Amy	Specked Red Coaster Set
Green Forest by Lina	Crochet Linen Bracelet

 

Thank you again.

Thursday Tips - HootSuite

Hootsuite is one of my favorite ways to use Twitter, see what my tweeples are up to, and to schedule Tweets.

With Hootsuite, you can make lists of topics or Etsy or Artfire teams and see what tweets are happening. This helps you retweet items from teammates.

And, now Hootsuite has made it easier to schedule tweets. You can do this 2 ways.

The old way:
Look in the upper left, where you see a calendar and a time. You 1) post a tweet and 2)schedule it for different dates and times, changing the text slightly.

The new way:

You post the tweet and click "AutoSchedule" and Hootsuite automatically tweets it for you. If you have more than 1 tweet, Hootsuite schedules them spaced apart already and you don't have to remember times you've already tweeted, like if you're retweeting items for team members.  

What Twitter tips do you have to share? 

September Birthdays - Sapphire

September birthdays are divided into 2 astrological signs:
Virgo, “the Virgin” in Latin, “Partenos” in Greek is the astrological sign for birthdays from Aug 22 to Sept 21 and Libra from September 23 - October 22 (coming in another article). 

The word sapphire is from the ancient Greek word for blue, "sapphirus." 

Gemstone Qualities: Sapphires brings mental clarity and clears mental garbage. Blue is the color of healing and tranquility, related to the 4th or throat chakra. It is said a necklace of sapphires will cure a sore throat. Sapphires promote financial rewards, and are the the symbol of heaven and joyful devotion to God.

Today most sapphires are mined in Australia.

Star of India - Largest Sapphire

The priceless 563-carat Star of India is on display at New York City's Museum of Natural History.

Here are some of the Sapphire jewelry and kippot that I have available:

Sapphire Heart Earrings

Sapphire Hamsa Earrings

Copper & Sapphire Blue Kippah

Happy Birthday Sapphire babies!

Blog Her 2013 Sponsors Opportunity Updated

BlogHer, an event I'd like to attend is coming to Chicago in 2013.

Here's what the Website says:

1. Registration will open September 1st. Look out for that announcement soon!

2. Like in San Diego, we will be at a convention center and hotel! We are offering the usual room rate of $199 per night, including in-room Internet, at our host hotel, The Sheraton Chicago. Reservation information coming soon!

3. FYI: Expect to see our call for ideas for the conference soon. We need your ideas, and wish-list too. Keep in mind one of our goals is to feature new and fresh voices every year. If you've never spoken at a BlogHer event before, that can evenincrease your chance of speaking.

I need sponsors (multiple sponsors are fine) to send me there, for the room rate and the conference registration fee (I'm not sure of that amount, yet). 

In return: 

• I would feature your name/shop on my blog for 6 months to 1 year for free. We'll work out the details. 
• I am a notetaker and would share what I learn there. 
• I would take pics and post them for my blog readers to see.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please leave a comment with your email address and let's talk about this fabulous opportunity for both of us.

The prices might be $300 for conference registration and $400 for the hotel or around $700. It would be great to have 7 sponsors at $100 each. or 14 sponsors at $50 each. 

I've been blogging since 2008, and really appreciate my blog readers. 

Also, I invite you to post any topics you'd like to see discussed on this blog are always welcome. 

Thanks,

Linda B

Treasury Love

Thank you to the curators of Etsy Treasuries and Artfire Collections for including my items. Please visit their shops and show them some love.

 

Halloween	Turquoise Silver Bubble Necklace
Apples & Oranges	Lined Journal
Time to Party	Art Print Greeting Card
Prototype	Infinity Scarf
Tree Huggers	Aqua Sock Monkey
Jade	Silver Watch Face

Thank you, all!

Gem Show Haul

I went to the gem show last weekend with some friends. I was on a mission to find ring displays, cobalt blue glass beads and crystal rondelles.

• Sadly, there were no display people there; we were told they were probably at another show in Vegas.
• Happily, I spent under budget and got these items and a few more.

 

 

 

So, I’ll be gearing up for Hanukkah and Christmas in the next few weeks.

I won a giveaway by Jewelry Designs by Adonis – there’s a pendant too, but my kitties hid it on me.

 

2 of my kitty babies, Sammy & Fritz are being made into cat earrings by Ariella. You can see the listing here

 

Last, but not least, I’m having my 3rd Auction on Outbid on Thurs. Aug. 16 at 7:45 CDT. Handmade Jewelry and Overstock supplies'! Bidding starts on Aug 16, 07:45 PM CDT. You can RSVP http://www.outbid.com/auctions/2166 – hope to see you there.

Cubs Fans?

I haven't gotten to a Cubs game this year, but I do have a few Cubs items in both of my shops. 

Sterling Silver Official Cubs Fan Logo Keychain

Cubs Fan Ring and Earrings Set 

Really, I'm a fair weather fan. I like both teams, the Cubs and the Sox. 

What's your favorite team? 

Voice Auction Today at 5pm CDT

I'm hosting another auction today at 5pm CDT on Outbid.

You can preview the items and RVSP at http://www.outbid.com/auctions/2132

Outbid offers voice auctions where you are the auctioneer and you can talk about the items and people bid on them. There is a chat window for typing, too.

Currently, the auctions are free, payment is by PayPal.

These are some of the items, along with some keychains and magnets and jewelry.

Hope to see ya later.

New Jewelry Designs from Linda B

It’s been a little while since I’ve posted new jewelry designs, so I wanted you to see some earrings and necklaces that I’ve been working on.

As I edit my photos, there’s definitely a theme when I create, either colors or charms. You’ll see what I mean …

 

Orange & Black Skull Earrings	Halloween Purple Skull Earrings
These are coming soon
Aqua Cat Earrings	Cat Earrings
Blue Cat Earrings	Calico Cat Earrings
Bridesmaids Earrings	Peridot Tree of Life Necklace
Sneak Peek – Coming Soon Beige Pearl Orbit Necklaces	Green Pearl Orbit Necklace

These are all in stock items.

I think my new tag line is “I make affordable jewelry for everyday, holidays and occasions.” What do you think of that?

When you create new items, is there a color scheme or a theme? What is it?