Wednesday, August 25, 2010

How to promote your blog

I have been going over and over ways to gain more exposure to my blog and hopefully more visits to my jewelry store on Etsy.

Although I haven't found out how just yet, I have been trying a few things lately: Including other people's work in my blog and signing up for this blog called giveaway scout. Giveaway Scout is a wonderful free site that scans your blog for any giveaway posts that you have and includes them in their website (hello exposure!!)

Have a look around and sign up for their service if you like :)

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

A book in the future?

So I took a trip to Barnes and Nobles books today... just looking around, not really looking for anything in particular.... when a thought hit me; maybe I could write a book about crafting (how about "find your craft" or "a hobby in your spare time... yes you do have time"
I'm going to start collecting some more information on this and hopefully I'll have a brand new book in a little while :)

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Gearing up for another round of craft shows and a treasury to kick it all off

I'm so exited for August! I had such a blast at my first craft show a couple of weeks ago that I'm heading back to Danville tomorrow (Thursday 5:30-8:30 PM) to do it again... Next is this Saturday at Market SF in San Francisco from 12-6 (come for the $5 drinks and food, too!). This treasury, that was created by one of my Etsy friends, features some of the amazing artists who will be joining me at the show on Saturday.
Enjoy!

Monday, July 26, 2010

Things I learned from my first craft and trunk shows


About a week ago I was a vendor at a craft show in Danville and a few days later I threw my first trunk show (I've been busy...). I learned a LOT from these events that I would love to pass on to my crafty fans :)
1. Word of mouth is key. Tell your hair stylist, the grocery checkout person... everyone. They will be more likely to show up (and potentially buy something) if they feel like they have
personally been invited by you.
2. pull your car up as close as possible to the set up site. I parked my car about two blocks away because I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to find parking closer to the event. It doesn't seem like a big distance, but five or six trips back and forth to the car lugging ladders and displays was hard work!
3. Get potential customer's names, email address, and at least two phone numbers. The email address that a customer gave me bounced back... thank goodness I had a couple of phone numbers to call.
4. Signage is key! I had plenty of compliments on my banner ($60 at Fedex). I'm sure that it brought in a couple of people :)
5. Bring a lot of change. I didn't run out, but that's only because my customers gave me exact change.
6. Upsell! I had a treasure box with inexpensive-to-make one and two bead earrings (one pair for $20, two for $35, three for $50). A customer bought a pair of regularly priced earrings and a pair of earrings from the treasure box. It looked like she was having a good time digging around the box :)
7. Family and friends are wonderful when it comes to business.... a lot of the time they will spread the word about your product and may even become customers!
Good luck with all of your future shows XOXO
Ros

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

A craft show, a trade show, and a shabby-chic display

I've been a busy lady...

In between taking care of an almost one year old (who loves to open up all of my cupboard doors and drawers and pull everything out) and taking care of the house (nothing beyond the norm of laundry, dishes, and feeding our two cats), I have been making tons of jewelry for my upcoming shows.

Tomorrow is the start of my crazy schedule. It goes like this: from 5:30-8:30 Summer Serenade in Daville. We then fly out to New York (for a visit with family). While out in the Big Apple, I have a trunk show in the morning on Sunday the 18th and my son's birthday party in the afternoon.

I get a bit of a break until I am scheduled to go back to Danville on August 5th for the Summer Fest (5:30-8:30). Two days later I am heading to San Francisco for the Market SF show from 12-6 (this looks AMAZING btw!!)

At the end of August is another craft show on the 29th in Berkley called Last Sunday's Fest. This one looks really lively... music, food, lots of handmade goodies.

I decided to only have two events in September (a trunk show in SF and a craft show in Danville early in the month) as I am turning the big 30 (gulp) on the 24th and I have no idea what my wonderful hubby has planned for me.

I'm sure that I am going to have something planned for October, but nothing yet.
November 21 is another craft show in San Jose (1 1/2 hrs away...) and I am thinking about doing a booth at the local farmer's market every Sunday in November and December, too.

So, of course I have to have a display that matches my jewelry, looks fairly professional and put together, and is easy to set up and break down. After lots of trial and error (the Elfa system was a thought), I decided to buy two 6' wooden ladders and put pieces of plywood on the top four steps. My displays were items found on the internet, in thrift stores, and a fortunate trip to Michaels.

I'm, to say the least, a bit nervous about participating in my first show, but I know that it will turn out well :)

I will post some pictures of the show shortly and tell you all how it went (fingers crossed!!)

Sunday, July 4, 2010

It's time for another addition of Match This Jewelry!!

Happy 4th of July, Everyone!So I have created some more jewelry since April, when I posted the first blog article of "Match This Jewelry" and have been searching for more amazing fashion designer's clothing to go with the new pieces. Please take a look at my talented Etsians :)

This beautiful summer seersucker bubble dress by tortillagirl (www.tortillagirl.etsy.com or http://www.etsy.com/listing/49951125/seersucker-bubble-dress for the listing) goes well with...
The Cherry and Grapefruit circle frame earrings in 14 K gold filled (http://www.etsy.com/listing/49345601/cherry-and-grapefruit-circle-frame)

The geometric shape of this top by Outofline (www.outofline.etsy.com or http://www.etsy.com/listing/48850901/cotton-jersey-necklace-top-in-silver for the listing) would pair well with the long and lean cluster of...

The Aqua and fuschia sterling silver long cluster earrings (http://www.etsy.com/listing/49727435/aqua-and-fuschia-sterling-silver-long)

I would pair this beautiful ruffled top by necessityisthemother (www.necessityisthemother.etsy.com or http://www.etsy.com/listing/47077746/the-peachy-keen-cinch-dress for the listing) would be great with...
these simple Peaches and Cream studs (http://www.etsy.com/listing/50786259/peaches-and-cream-stud-post-earrings)

I hope that you have enjoyed this and feel more comfortable accessorizing :)
Please be sure to check out Etsy's talented designers!

Monday, June 21, 2010

Soren playing with the Peach Tree earrings

I have to be really careful about what earrings I wear! My 11 month old (happy birthday, Soren!) has just discovered that they make a really nice sound when they are fiddled with. Here are some blurry pictures (sorry) that I took of Soren. I will have to switch to studs from now on (could be worse)