Living in the Now

This post is inspired by my friend Bree's latest entry.

Living in the present is so very important.
I believe I do this most of the time.

I have memory issues - I am not sure if they are self-inflicted so that I can live in the now, or if they are related to my epilepsy and the meds I take for it. (it is completely controlled)

I don't dwell in the past much, because I can't remember alot of it. What I do remember is emotions connected to the present.
Let me explain, I take my younger son, Ay for a bike ride or play in the yard with him, while my oldest, J, is at school. I find myself suddenly nostalgic remembering my J doing the same things with me, (not all that long ago), I almost feel guilty about it, The emotion is guilt I believe. It can bring me to tears. I realize this is totally unfair to Ay. I find myself realizing what I am doing and have to reel myself in to the present, I say self, "stay here with Ay right now, enjoy this as much as you ever did with J, if not more. Years from now you will feel guilt for not enjoying this, and you will be so nostalgic for this very moment" Suddenly I find myself enjoying the now again.

I do have to force myself to "make memories" - if something feels special to me I focus on every feeling, scent, sight of that moment. These are the memories I get that nostalgic feeling about.
And the ones I can remember the most. When my Ay was 8 months old, I was all alone with him holding him as he snuggled close, I realized this may be the last time in my life I get to hold such a small body, which Is MY child so close. I relished in the moment, now it is such a joyous memory with all the feelings attached, I can easily tear up remembering that moment. I am happy to have such feelings about the past, but realize if I dwell that can be unhealthy so I force myself back to here.

Blogging also helps with ridding me of an unpleasant now. If something is on my mind and I don't really want it to stay there, just write it out, and let it go. That way it is still around, but I don't have to keep it with me.

As far as how the future helps me stay in the present,
when I was in high school, every grown up kept saying how this was the best time of our lives, to enjoy it because when it was gone, it was gone. I was sitting outside eating my lunch with friends, when I thought of what this meant, I looked around at all the wonderful people around me and imagined them not there anymore, because of growing up and having responsibilities, that is when it hit me to enjoy every second, because that future wasn't here yet, and I may not enjoy it as much. Or I might but because it is unknown and I was happy at that moment, that is where I wanted to stay. This moment is when I started consciously "making memories".
When I think about the future now, I have no feelings attached, I feel like I can take it when it comes and not worry about it now. I realize than now means more than stressing about what hasn't happened yet.
The only time I do really contemplate the future is when the now isn't pleasant.

I recently made a sale, It was an enameled piece, right before packaging it up at 9 at night, I noticed a chip in it. Now I do not want to sell something online which is flawed. I decided to fire it one time to reflow the enamel.
well I must have not cleaned it well enough because that one firing ruined it! I had already sole it and it was ruined.
The only thing to do was make it over. I worked til 1am. and it still wasn't right. It is very difficult to get enamel the same in two pieces. I have to say near impossible. So right before bed I said this to myself (I always say this in hopeless or uncomfortable situations - which also allows me to involve myself in situations which my shyness almost cripples me, I do them anyway and get through saying this)
"Think about next week, (or 3 days or a month, whatever time frame is appropriate), next week this will all be over and either it will be a good outcome or a bad one, but next week it will be over and you will still be here and you will be OK."
This allows me to push through a difficult now, but it also allows me to still experience the now.


This probably wasn't cohesive or coherent, but that is ok.

Christmas Time!

I love Christmas Time, moreso since I had kids.

I don't particularly like the commercialism surrounding Christmas.
However the parts of the commercialism I do like is - going to the mall and sitting on a bench and watching the people. People can be quite entertaining!
I like the fact that is boosts the economy! I worked at a high end Jewelry store for a while, and believe me they start talking Christmas in July! Christmas is when they make their money, I dare say half the years profit comes from Christmas time.

As far as my teeny tiny business goes, nothing really changes at Christmas time, I have made some specific Christmas sales over the years, but nothing to brag about.
This year, no different
I can't even put my new merchandise in my shop,
MY CAMERA BROKE! All the way BROKE!

Traditionally we would go to my parents house for Christmas. My family and my Brother's family.
Since my dad died 3.5 years ago, we have tried to keep up the tradition. But it is not the same!
We get together, and my hubby makes my dad's special dish, and there is just an air of, well not the same joy that there used to be.
There are 3 small children now though, and it is very fun to watch all three tear into their gifts.
that is very joyous!
My husband and I, do not have alot of $$, therefore we cannot get great gifts for my mother, brother and SIL. Though we try to for the kids.
There is some (not guilt, not shame, I just can't think of the word) because they always get us really nice, and expensive things.
My mother always asks what we want specifically, and what we want is never cheap. But she seems to get joy out of getting us those things we cannot get for ourselves.
I don't really care for the getting something for someone because I asked what they want, but I would rather put some thought and creativity into it. Even if I gave someone a four-leaf clover for good luck, that should mean more than some $1000 leather boots (just an example).

Anyway we have made the decision to break away from our standard christmas.
We don't want to drive 3 hours again (just did it for Thanksgiving and the kids were not happy about the drive). We don't care for sleeping in a bed which is too small for hubby, me and my youngest. Its cold there. And my dad isn't here anymore, why try to keep things the same, when they are not?
And Christmas does not even mean the same for us as it does them.
They are all Christian and Jesus birth yadda yadda,
For me I prefer to celebrate in a more pagan style - ya know the original festivities.
The tree, yule log, garland, ext....

I hate lying to my kids about Santa. When my oldest was one and two years old people kept asking what Santa was bringing. I hated to start with it, and felt I had no choice. Now they believe whole heartedly.
Oh well maybe when they realize Santa is not a real entity they will question other made up Characters.
And maybe they will not begrudge us for lying, for the sake of the magic and wonder of Christmas.

This year we will be celebrating with friends! YAY I am so excited. I am looking forward to helping plan the food, and making the food, I want to make a Yule Log Cake with my kids on the Solstice, They need to know what Solstice is all about, not enough people celebrate it in its own right. And I am making gifts for them from the heart. My kids will also make something, though I am not sure what yet. I want my hubby to also but he is so busy he may not be able to.
That is ok though, this christmas is about family and friends and togetherness, and love, more than gift giving.

We want to give my kids a good Christmas first and foremost. We have already gotten my eldest son a bike and my younger one a nice jungle play set.
They may get a few more items but it won't be much this year.

Anyways I am happy, and I am pulling out the decorations soon!

Excercising the body

I need to get into shape. I have been doing my yoga practice for about 2 weeks now, minus a few days here and there (I can't seem to do it when my hubby or son is here - too distracting)
During my practice I can really pinpoint 3 spots in my body which are not up to par. I knew about them already but it really brings them into focus.

they are my wrist (I have a ganglion cyst - which may be the beginnings of arthritis (wtf I am too young) and my shoulder - (might be pulled from carrying my young son.) and my right ear. I know the inner ear is about 40% weakened, at least I am not dizzy anymore (knock on wood) _ I was plagues for a year and a half with vertigo.
I contemplated not living anymore if it continued. It was torture.

Well back to getting into shape and exercising I will apply

Newton's Law of motion to it

"A body in motion stays in motion, A body at rest will stay at rest"

I stand by my last entry

I searched for 45 minutes yesterday for my card reader to put pictures on the computer, then 20 minutes for a cord to hook the camera in directly. No luck in either endeavor.

So today it came to me in a flash, "if I were a toddler, where would I put it?" In that diaper box which is open but never used right under the desk. Sure enough within 10 seconds today, I looked and found it.

I should have not wasted my time yesterday. I probably would have eventually found it, but it is easier, and wastes less time to let it come to me. When I realized this and made my post yesterday, I stopped my search at that moment.

My all time favorite Quote

"You can look....and you will FIND it. You can not look.....and you WILL find it. That which is yours will surely come to you."

Dancing

I got to go to work today! I am so lucky to be able to be happy to go to work!

My ritual is turn everything on, light fresh handdipped incense, open a can of cream soda (I substituted hot spiced cider today, because it was cold, and turn the music on.

When I am enameling I find myself dancing. It is so liberating and fun to break loose, where no one can see me. I would be so embarrased if someone saw me in there acting like a raving lunatic, singing and dancing and enameling.
What else am I supposed to do during those 2.5 minutes during firing.

I must get loads of exercise. Oh well it just counteracts the calories in the cream soda (or spiced cider)

I have fun! And get stuff done at the same time.

creative block and toxins

I got out to the studio today!!
Granted it was only for 2.5 hours, but my creative block is gone!

I got two projects halfway done.

I think I was holding in to much bothersome information. I have written a lot of it out and it is released from my head for now.
I can do that you know, just let things go and totally forget them and focus on the here and now.
But I like to document the now for later. I don't like forgetting things which are important to me.
People around me find my forgetfulness annoying too. But most of the time I find it refreshing to not worry about the future too much and forget the past.
Then when I do go back to it (in written format) I can remember and look at it with a new perspective.

It amazes me how liberating writing things down is. It is like releasing the toxicity from my mind and body.
Now I must go do some yoga for further relaxation and release of toxins.

Inspiration

I don't get to my studio often, but the last couple of times I have been so uninspired that nothing manifested itself from my hands.
Yesterday I realized part of the problem. While playing with my kids on the trampoline, I just sat there for a moment with them running circles around me. and it struck me, I miss nature.
I looked out to see the leaves blowing in the wind like snowflakes, covering the ground like a beautiful multicolored blanket, and that wind was intoxicating in and of itself. It was not hot, it was not cold, the sun was not out, but it was beautiful and magical, with the grey clouds swirling overhead.

I need to get out more. Nature is my spiritual base, and I am separated from it lately.

I have a friend who lives in the mountains of NC. She posts pictures of where she lives every now and then. The place she is in calls to my spirit. I want to be there so very badly.
rolling hills as far at the eye can see, mountain tops overlooking more rolling hills and peaks. gorgeous!
This environment calls to me more than the ocean. I love the ocean and the beach, but it doesn't have the same sparkle for me.
The closest it has come was a morning when the water was as calm as a lake. I paddled out on my surfboard anyway. As I sat straddling the board on that still water, watching the sun rise over the ocean, and the gulls passing overhead, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the beauty and sheer majesty of where I was.

I need to get back to that place and don't know how, I am sure there is more to where I live than the beach, If I can just find it.

Like a Kid in a Toy Store

I LOVE Harbor Freight Tools store!

They have tools there I just dream about owning! And so inexpensive.

Rio Grande is so very expensive in comparison, and they always charge $13 for shipping no matter what, actually it is probably more than that now.

My wish list (hopefully I can afford some of this someday)

Hydrolic press
mini saw
bench top shears
sandblaster

and many more - those are just at the top of my list

Upcoming Festival

I got a postcard in the mail for the Spring Daze Festival in Cary. This is my all time favorite festival!
and I can't do it. :(
this makes me so sad.
I can't do it because I don't have enough cash for a booth fee, and gas to get there and back and food while there.
Though I might make all that back, I won't make anymore than that.
and with the economy the way it is, and people not needing jewelry (though it will always make you feel better to have something shiny and new around your neck :) ) I might not even cover the costs listed above.
I cannot justify doing the show.

I had an emotional day, I visited the etc. forum on etsy.
I should not have done that feeling the way that I was.

Sometimes people can be disrespectful, even though I love etsy, you have to visit forums realizing you will not always hear what you want to.

I have stopped going there as often as I used to.
I made a post here because I did not want to be attacked there, here was not the right place.

I am gonna get back to my cheery self now, my funk is declared OVER.

OK I am going to have to separate my venting into a new blog, I can't win for losing.
I NEED a safe place to out my personal thoughts. To put them in order, where I can read and re-read them and make sense of swirling thoughts in my head. A place where I won't ruffle friends feathers, because I like (LOVE) my friends, so I will take my thoughts elsewhere where I can ruffle complete strangers feathers! I don't care what Strangers think of me.


Sara if you want the new blog link, I will give it to you only. You have never given me any inclination that you mind my thoughts.

Serious Topic - Economy

This Post has been moved!

I am not a good vegetarian!

Sure I have found new tastes and new ways of cooking, and I am happy about that. But I simply do not make a good vegetarian. I do not like alot of those tastes, and some I do, but I find it much easier to incorporate meat into my diet. I won't be eating as much as before, and when there is a veggie option I will go for that, but I can not be strict on myself, it just isn't an option for me.

Food

Ok this blog has gotten a bit stale. There is only so much I can write about my Jewelry before I can't write anymore. I just cannot get to my studio often enough to keep a blog about it and write daily or even weekly. Kids get in the way so much of things like work.

So inspired by my friend Bridget, I am gonna also incorporate my journey into vegetarianism.

I am a four day old vegetarian, and I ate a hot dog today.
We went to a kids clinic at my husband's work and they were cooking hot dogs and my stomach was growling. I had to or my body was gonna kill me.
The good part is it wasn't satisfying at all! Quite the opposite.

I do not have any political reasons for changing my food consumption habits, I mainly want to do it because my body feels better when not bogged down with meat. I believe it is harder to digest. I don't poo often (tmi) so I don't like the idea of meat just sitting in my colon. I think my body will be able to break down vegetable matter more quickly therefore kicking my metabolism in the ass.

I also like a challenge. It is hard to figure out all these new ingredients, and recipes, and flavors.

It is too easy to fry some chicken and add a side of potatoes and greenbeans.

I find I like the 'exotic-ness' of these new foods.

My carnivorous husband is less than enthusiastic about this choice. Him and my youngest son would eat meat until it came out their ears. My oldest son I believe would take to veggie eating quite easily.

I figure I can make a veggie meal and quickly grill up a piece of chicken or whatever on the Gorge Foreman for him.
Seems like it should save some money after the initial staple ingredients are stocked up.

well I have taken 2 pics of meals I made
the first is boiled dumplings on top of cous cous on top of a bed of spinach. (hubby liked it!)It was not from a recipe but from my head




The second is Spinach Mushroom Alfredo (hubby liked this also)
Both were actually vegan except some parmesan cheese on top if desired.

beads

I got my enamels, and the work great at making my beads, i love them and the process.

the problem is, I cannot for the life of me get a good photo of them.

They are too small to get right up on, and when I back the camera away they are too far to be detailed good.

This is frustrating, since I know how to photograph jewelry - and this just isn't working.

poo

I ordered some larger grit enamels, woot! I hope I can get my beads to work out better now!

I have added Project Wonderful advertising to my blog. I hope to be able to use them for my personal advertising in the near future. It seems a wonderful idea, hee hee.
We shall see what comes of it.

miscellaneous goings on

I haven't posted anything in a while, and just feel the need to update.

I was doing those paintings like I mentioned in the previous post, I am bored with that, and was getting grumpy. I need my studio! And a break from these kids, I love em but too much of a good thing and all. The weather seems to be cooling off here a bit so I have been out one time last week. I have once again decided to take my etsy store in a different direction. There are a few reasons for that. The major one being the economy. With gas soaring higher that $4.00 per gallon, food now cost more, I am stuck at home, and have very little cash. I am sure I am not the only one feeling the effects this hard, no one is buying non-essentials - and lets face it Jewelry is a non-essential. So I haven't been selling anything lately.
I have decided that rather than cater to the masses with finished jewelry, I will target other etsy sellers. It makes sense to do so, They are there making awesome jewelry, they look on the site for awesome components, So I am going to be making handmade beads. I hope they are good enough for other artists to want to incorporate them into their pieces, if not I can always make things from them later - If this doesn't work.
I am really enjoying making the beads so far, I have 3. I am enameling on top of copper forms. I form the copper - they are not pre fab copper pieces.

I tell ya what I am a better mom, and wife after I get to go to my studio, when it has been a while, I am one grumpy mama, and I hate that. I love getting that creativeness out. And simply getting away from my stuck at home mundane life. (Its mainly mundane because I am stuck at home (remember gas prices).
Well I guess I will show a picture of one of my beads.....

Paintings

OK I have decided to do something a little different for a while.
The heat index here is over 100. I have no AC in my studio, so jewelry is out for a while.
I decided to paint! I right now am just painting ACEO size paintings 2.5" x 3.5" - Its mini art!

I love it so much so far, and my husband said I have "talent", this is a big compliment coming from him, trust me!

He said that because I haven't painted in about 10 years. (and I was good then but not great)
I just picked up the paint brush and he said I am a natural considering. This makes me so happy, I must keep painting now!

I posted my very first one and within the hour it SOLD! what a confidence booster!

ok here are the pics, since I know by now you are dying to see them......

Ecrater

I really like the format of ecrater
here is the link
http://bordeauxart.ecrater.com/

Craft Show Checklist

Here is a list of everything I need to take with me to my shows......

Display Materials

o Chairs

o Posts

o Shelves

o Sleeves and backboards

o Tent

o Walls

o Weights

o Flowers

o Fans

o Bracelet bar

o Busts

o Duct tape

o Mirror

o Small card table or side table for conducting transactions

o Tent stakes / drill – screws for asphalt

o Ruler or tape measure

o Trash bags

o Paper towels

o Tarnex

o Wet wipes

Basics box for repair, etc., Should include:

o Basic tools

o Clasps

o Jump Rings

o Extra cord

o Extra chain

o scissors

Merchandise

o All product

o Earrings

o Bracelets

o Necklaces

o Rings

o Other

Sanity savers

o Sketch pad

o Food

o Drinks

o Cooler

o Camera

o Sunglasses

o Sunscreen

o Cell phone

Money

o Credit card imprinter

o Credit card slips

o Gift boxes

o Bags

o Receipt book

o Pens

o Tape

o Calculator

o Cash box or bag

o change

promotion

o poster

o business cards

o guest book and pen

o other signage

o Extra pricing cards, earring cards, display cards

o Notebook to write custom orders, questions, inventory needs for next show

Check it!

My new enamel pieces (I love doing these)

Spring Daze - Cary, NC

The most organized, and well put together show I have EVER done!

There were people there to help you unload and set up, they furnished lunch if you prepaid for it. They came by to booth sit if you needed a break. They were there to help you break down.
They were just AWESOME! I could do this show by myself if I need to. I will definitely be doing it again, as well as Lazy Daze, in the future!

Spring Daze - my adventure

Thursday night, Ayden sleeps poorly, thus mama sleeps poorly. No biggie I am ok on little sleep.
Friday, I get up at 5:30 am (after sleeping poorly) and get to work in my studio, I make quite a bit of enamel pieces (none of which I sold :( - that is how it goes though).
I come in at 12:20 for lunch, then Richard and I load up the Van will all my stuff - tent, displays, jewelry, everything.
then we leave to go to Wake Forrest to stay with my Brother. We get halfway there (3 hour drive, so it had been 1 hour 30 minutes) I realized I left the vendor pass at home. We frantically called my mom to get us a phone number to see if we were going to have to turn back. it took about 20 minutes (we did turn around) when we got ahold of the main lady and she said it was OK and put us on the exceptions list and told us our booth number. Ayden slept for almost 3 hours on the trip there.
So we get to Chris's house, they have Lasagna for us to eat., yummy. Taylor and Justin were so happy and played well. Taylor snatched something from Ayden's hands twice and it made Ayden pucker up and cry and run to me, so pitiful. Debra made taylor say sorry and give the toy back.
That night Ayden and I slept in the Bonus room, (we went to sleep at 10) we slept well Until 4am when we had to get up. Justin and Richard slept in the guest bedroom, where you can hear Taylor crying and screaming for his mommy at 1am, This seems to be a recurring theme with him. He kept Richard up for an hour. Then finally Chris and Debra get him back to sleep.
Richard, Ayden and I got up at 4am, Get ready and get on the road to Cary (almost an hour drive), Ayden sleeps the whole way there.
meanwhile we left Justin at Chris and Debra's, Chris had to get up at 5 to go to work.
Debra (and her friend Betty) took Justin and Taylor to Pullen Park, where they rode the train, and carousel and had a good time. Taylor had only about 8 drop seizures, he had his helmet on and didn't get hurt.
At the festival, we got there at 6:20, and got checked in(I have never had to check in to a festival before) then we went to our spot and unloaded, then Ayden woke up and decided to help us set up, he is so cute pulling pvc poles over and trying to stick them in the footing holes. He stayed right with us and thouroughly impressed those around us with how good he was.
I sold a decent amount - not as much as I would have liked, but I believe I made a tiny profit - If you don't figure any of my time in, just materials, gas and booth fee.
Taking credit cards is awesome and the best decision I have ever made.
One lady was about to purchase my gold potpourri, then when she realized it was $530 decided not to since she thought it was $53 - uh no it is gold! and as scrap I can probably get $300 for it, which I may go ahead and send it in.
so yeah that was disappointing. Richard took Ayden to the park, and walking around, and I took him walking around, and he slept for the last 2 hours we were there. He was quite easy to deal with, but I felt kinda bad, it was 85 degrees!
I got a little sunburn but not bad, Richard and Ayden got sunblock on early enough that they were fine, I just forgot.
So at the end we pack up and head for Chris and Debra's stayed for about an hour (ate and such) then packed up our clothes and the kids and head home, Justin slept and Ayden was not happy - he had already slept, but he finally passed out. Got home around 11, put the boys to bed and went to bed myself.
Whew it was fun.

Copy and Pasted from WireYourWorld on Etsy, She copy and pasted from craftlister.com but I am putting it here for my own reference,

I need to take time to read it soon........

As an Artist or Crafter, you will only get out what you put in. These days you even have to put in more to get out the same as yesteryear. So, if you want to make MORE money in this field, you need to increase the amount of WORK you do AND the QUALITY of it, anything else is fantasy. Smarts and planning will help, but hands down you will need to find a way to make MUCH MORE PRODUCT for MUCH LESS MONEY AND TIME and have it be of HIGHER QUALITY than before.

You will not get rich with a few dozen items on your single table at a show close to home. You won't either with a thousand less costly but nicer items in 2 booths, acting like a salesperson, at what you researched to be the best show in the state on that day, but you're bound to fare better.

Keys to Success: Preparation, Research, Learning, Planning, and Execution. ( and printing this...)

Think BIG! - You will unlikely see much more, let alone many times, your current yearly profit unless you do more, better shows AND sell more at each AND make more profit on each item AND sell more items per sale.

Start By:

1. Review your suppliers and sources. If you are buying thousands of dollars of anything, make sure you are getting the best possible price, find out what is necessary to qualify for discounts. Shop around with new suppliers, prices are never stable and there are almost always deals to be found or made.
2. Find a way to produce more for less cost to you in less time. Then, stock, carry, and DISPLAY more inventory.
3. Book larger, better shows, and ask more for your quality products at them. The top customers are still to be had and still travel in packs!
4. Create a Customer Base - Start a customer/mailing list! Send them announcements of shows you are doing near them and include a few repeat-customer specials with each mailing.


Tips for Crafters to Increase their Profits and Total Revenue:

Create a Customer Base - then repeatedly market and sell to it. Include a re-order form in every bag!
Start a Mailing List - collect names at shows and market to it! Send special offers, coupons, hot specials, upcoming show locations, etc.! Include a few repeat-customer specials, engendering customer loyalty!
Home Gift Parties - Customers throw home parties where you show your wares to their friends and the host gets a discount on your items based on total orders placed at the party.

Create a Distribution Chain!
Crafter / Artist Representatives - They are out there! They take on multiple artists as clients, then market your products to stores, large and small.
Craft malls, crafter collectives, galleries
Approach stores, gift shops, etc. and ask them to carry your local, hand-made product. - It may take time to find even one, but then you have more opportunities for sales even on weekends with no shows!
Trade table space with other Artists - if you make purses, match up with some purse accessories - straps, charms
Sales Force - Get helpers so you can do more shows or target more stores. If your time is best spent creating, you should pawn off some sales activities to those that are experts in sales.
Seek out wholesale opportunities
Place flyers about such in every sale bag
Actively contact and visit any possible gift shops, boutiques, etc.
Do Wholesale Shows, Crafter Clearance and Cash & Carry Markets
Offer drop shipping
QVC & Wholesale Buyers - if you can produce many identical es quickly and cheaply, ask for a sitting with any large store's buyer!
Web Store - create one today! 24/7 sales opportunities. Hassle-free order taking. Customer expected.

Seek Out Unique Selling Opportunities that Others are Passing Up!
Fund Raisers - Send letters to local organizations offering your goods for use in their fund raiser. Offer reduced price so they can mark up enough.
Local Business Professionals - as gifts to clients - local made crafts or art makes a great client gift and usually is cheaper than a fruit box!
Corporate Vendor Shows - some promoters arrange these, other large corporate buildings or hospitals will arrange themselves for a local crafter to set up in the lobby, hallway, etc. for a few hours during lunch. Etc. Call companies and ask if you can sell there! Often, there is no spot fee even, but you might be asked to reduce your prices slightly as a courtesy to the employees.
Coupons! - It's hard to pass up a discount! Give a coupon to each purchaser enabling them or anyone in their party they give it to to get some thing for 20% less, etc.
Offer to take special orders �€“ for an additional fee since it does take more time
Create an Online Store, it never closes & your repeats can always find it!
Contact local interior designers as a possible supplier of even custom pieces
Colleges / Universities �€“ Contact them. Most let vendors setup any in-school weekday near the cafeteria, bookstore, or common area
Offer wholesale to other vendors, stores, gift shops, boutiques, etc.
Offer wholesale hand-made components to other artists and crafters. Parts that most buy...

Booth Presence, Salesmanship Skills �€“ Turning a Looker into a Customer
Encourage and direct their envisioning the use of your product. Ask them where they would wear it, where they would place it, etc.
Get an item into their hand! Encourage touching - have items displayed in a pick-upable way and even directly hand items to customers if they ask anything about one, even only the price.
Ask for the sale �€“ Ask 'Would you like this in a box?'
Market the hand-made aspect of your product
Don't hover, or be perched too close to customers; add a barrier and distance between where you sit and where the customer walks. You should pop out into the booth if they do ask for help or if they appear to be of the friendly nature where it might even be expected by them. But remember, no customer will ever not come in your booth because you are not on top of them as soon as you see them; however, there are MANY customers will NOT even look at your booth or items as they pass if you are standing center booth, eying all passers and shoppers!
Do NOT ask if they need help!!!! Do NOT tell them to let you know if they do need help. They already understand this and most do not appreciate such remarks. If you must say something more than 'Hello!' like 'I have those colors in all sizes under the table, let me know if you like one'.
Learn to read body language and you WILL sell more of your work!!! - Only smile or say hello at the most until the customer says anything other than a hello greeting response!!!
Crossed Arms - they feel they need to protect themselves from you
Hands in Pockets or Behind Back - they do not want to be seen as potential buyer yet and do not need help as they are 'just browsing'
Eye Contact Avoidance - they do not want to acknowledge that you see them and now need to say hi
Smile - they only want to smile, not say hello or hear how you as the booth owner could help them
Torso facing direction - if they are pointing away from you as you talk, they signaling their intention to run at first opportunity
Shoulders Hunched, head Down - they want to keep to themselves
Disarm the husband - Often his pushing makes or takes the sale. He pushes her on with 'why don't you pick out something for...' or he pushes her on to further their booth march. Often occupying HIM with chit chat, questions, plain old BS, etc. will make the sale. He might simply not urge here to leave the booth by his non-attending to her, but there are many times that after the game of 'so where are you from', and others that he will not only approve of her pick-out but even suggests she buy MORE with a 'why don't you pick out a matching... too?'
Encourage touch and try on! - Feature SEVERAL prominent mirrors. Don't have items behind
glass! Too neat of a display and some folks will fear touching, slightly shopped is best!

Image, Appearance, and Branding.
Improve your display and thereby image. You should look presentable too. Appearance is the name of the game here folks.
Make Clear that your Items are Hand-Made by YOU ( IF they Are...) This MUST include a SIGN, a PHOTO ALBUM of your shop, and your VERBALLY STATING it to customers you do talk to as in 'we do make everything ourselves, so I can answer anything' . Everyone with such a sign and album has told me it DOES INCREASE SALES. It has also been said that product price tags that say 'HAND-MADE By ...' increase sales and even that folks will then later seek out your name if they see the tag - branding!.

Evaluate and Refine your Business Determine Profitability of each Product: Profit = Number Sold x ( Price Per Unit - Supplies Cost & Time Cost Per Unit ) - Incidental Business Expenses 4 methods exist to maximize profit: Sell More Units, Sell Same Units for a Higher Price, Produce Units at a Lower Cost, Reduce incidental business costs and Sell more Units without increasing them Determine How much Profit you make on each Item Type per year Drop your least profitable products Duplicate and develop your most profitable products into More lines and types. Make a High-end line of your most profitable products Product Diversity, Quality, etc. BE NECESSARY! - do you have 'functional', necessary items, that folks buy anyway? Repeatedly or even regularly?? Do you offer easy reorder, contact, and 'find us again at shows' methods? Sell something Different or at least Better; stand out! State on a sign why yours is better. People love to be informed and have a better product that they understand and can relate the superiorities of. Keep up with fads, and colors; also your own sales trends! Photograph old best seller designs Adjust your product line and prices. Drop your least profitable items after calculating profit on each multiplied by the number sold per year, then diversify and improve upon the types of items you made the most on. Any items that sold faster than you could stock a few, should be raised in price! A product for every price should be your goal. If you don't have an expensive item, you can't sell an expensive item. Packaging - Offer some units in a new types of packaging and see how it affects sales! Folks love gift boxes, little jars, anything they think they can re-use.... especially for gift packaging/wrapping. Improve your Product Line LISTEN to your customer. What they say they would like, what they ask if you have, can do.... Ask for more Ideas if they start by offering one and they seem knowledgeable and grounded. Carry Seasonal Items Diversify and carry more of your top sellers Make some practical items that customers need and buy anyway Design Products TO Sell. Increase their Perceived Value. Market their benefits, not features. Add Value Watch and record color selections, styles, etc. Make more variations on those that SELL. Keep consistent in style and colors so customers can collect and match. Always offer FRESH designs! Watch what sells. Watch what the competition is doing and what is working for them. Learn rom others. Talk to other vendors at shows. Adjust your product line and prices. Drop your least profitable items after calculating profit on each multiplied by the number sold per year, then diversify and improve upon the types of items you made the most on. Any items that sold faster than you could stock a few, should be raised in price! A product for every price should be your goal. If you don't have an expensive item, you can't sell an expensive item. Do More, Better Shows - Show & Event Selection Raise your show standards and drop the lowest quarter or so of your shows and try new ones. Shows that cost more, if long running, often cost more for a reason.... Try a few 'better' shows. Raise your show standards and drop the lowest quarter or so of your shows and try new ones each year. Ask vendors where they do well and ask customers where they go that they think are great shows! Often customers will ask, 'do you do ...?' This is their telling you that '....' is possibly another great show in that area. Ask them more about it! Write the info about it down and then investigate further! Ask More Questions of Promoters whose shows you are considering. Make a Question Sheet and print it up to fill out while on the phone with each promoter asking for an application. You can save a whole wasted day at most bad shows by asking all promoters the critical questions. What percent of vendors return each year and what % are first time exhibitors? How many years has the show been running? Has attendance in recent years gone up, same, or down? What was last years attendance, year before? Weather each? What is your spot price & how much do average vendors make at your show in total sales? Average product price at show. Door admission cost? Has it gone up in the last 3 years? What % of exhibitors have more than one booth? Do you allow non-hand made? Do you and have you removed merchants with non-approved products? Do you Jury? What is your process? What percent of Applicants are accepted? Do you limit by category? How many categories do you recognize for that purpose. How many in my category? What other types of products in my category? What is the avg vendor quality? Are you flea market, crafts, art and craft, fine art, etc. What % of crafters are mom and pop operations and what % are full time professional crafters? Advertising? How many newspapers? How far in advance? Street signs? $ spent on ads? General Advice To Increase Sales Quantity & prices Vs. show prices and your options Consider that you might be ready for the next level of show where you may pay more for a booth, but where you will have many more people make purchases and where you can ask a higher price per work, and receive it with smiles! Clearly post Prices; sometimes the same item with a higher price actually sell BETTER! Also, all shows are NOT the same, prices should not be either. Charge tax as added, not included. Add tax onto even dollar priced items. $5 sells as well as $4.95. Since you must pay the sales tax anyway, you might as well not have it come out of your product price and your profit. Make Larger Sales to each Customer Offer multiple item discount specials. 3 for ... Add TAGS to all items with you contact info. It may be gifted and you have more sales opportunities if the recipient know who made it. Turn more Passer-bys and Lookers into Customers Add Lead in items, Loss Leaders, etc. In stores these are the cheap ones in main walkways that get you into the isle of higher cost ones. A Sandwich Board style price board has been said to improve sales. Price tags should be one each item. Signs near groups of items. A Workshop Photo Album and posted Sign stating you make everything improves sales. Quickly get rid of lookers that want your attention but not your items. Spend time on others! Make sales calls. Contact past large $ or custom order customers. Let them know of shows near them. Improve your appearance and that of your booth and product packaging. Accept Credit Cards and have a sign stating an at least $25 minimum charge. Get out of your chair and re-arrange your booth from the customer side whenever no one is in booth. Make out to be a shopper yourself!!! People are MUCH more likely to look if others are looking (you) and there is no salesperson to watch them browse. Display and Carry More Inventory Get better racks that show more at once. Make them if necessary. Take 2 spots instead of one. The extra room allows you to display much more and gives a larger distance between you and the customer so you are not looming over them as often happens in a single spot booth. If you put out one of an item it will go unnoticed. You need a whole rack or booth of an item type before it often takes off. Make Products Faster with Less Effort Learn or Invent new Production Techniques Make Jigs, Tools, Masks, Templates, etc. - Create your own tools, devices, jigs, clamps, patterns, templates, etc. to help you do your repetitive work faster and more accurately. Have someone help you construct it once you conceive of it, heck it might be sold online already as a tool of your trade! Work in Assembly Line Fashion - Produce more efficiently - Reduce the time needed to produce a unit. Your production time is your most valuable! Make it more productive. If you make 10 items at once, but finish them in later stages differently as appropriate, your time for each will be much reduced that if you had only made one. As artists we must maintain uniqueness, but to compete with bulk crap from china, we must also ourselves produce in bulk - but with quality. There will always be a market for true one-of-a-kinds, but even then, other supplies and prep steps can be production lined so you do many items at each stage on many at a time rather that each item all the way through at a time. As craftsmen we have the obligation to be resourceful and fruitful, productive manufacturers of the goods we are experts at producing. From those that much is given, much is expected in return. Subordinate idiot prep work, clean up, shopping, ordering, etc. Keep up with industry techniques, tools, knowledge, alternate supplies, etc. Buy the Right Tools. Set Production Goals, then work to meet them Find the bottle-necks in production and concentrate improvements there Set a Work Rhythm. Then gradually increase it. Make multiple items at once if normally one. Make 50 if normally 10. Experiment with new production methods and designs. Tinker, Play, and have Fun! Consider that changing an existing design in some small way may not affect sales and might half your production time for it. Lower Your Costs Make components you currently buy already fabricated Re-evaluate suppliers of most costly supplies. You might find a new better deal that saves you 75% of something that is 80% of your total cost if you order 2 months worth of raw material at once. Any money saved is FREE profit! Sell or Re-use 'waste'. Order More Supplies at Once. Large suppliers will save you multiple times off craft stores. Then Ordering thousands of dollars at once will often save up to 50% of even already wholesale supply costs. Review your suppliers and sources. If you are buying thousands of dollars of anything, make sure you are getting the largest volume discount available, find out what is necessary to qualify for more. Shop around for new possible suppliers each year! Prices are never stable and there are almost always deals to find. Buy surplus, with friends in group-buys, only when on sale, off-season, in-person to reduce defective/damaged supplies that otherwise are a loss, etc.

I NEED SOME $$ IN PAYPAL!!!!

I had two sales and promptly spent all that money on things for my upcoming show and supplies, I am in the hole with paypal to a tune of $9.
I need to sell something soon to set me straight!
There are things I need to pay for!

I guess I need to post into the livejournal clothdiapering community, to sell my cloth diapers my youngest no longer fits into, and his Maya Wrap sling as well (into the babywearer sales community), he is too big for that as well.

FlexShaft part and imprinter

Sooooo, I signed up with propay.com in order to take credit cards at my shows. My first show (after my long hiatus to have younguns) is in two weeks in Cary. I am excited about going to this one. I am from Cary and there are alot of wealthy people there. So I figured if I really want to do well I need to have the ability to take credit cards.
I just ordered my imprinter off if Ebay, Mr. Imprinter.com.
I got the custom plate and slips with it for a grand total of $16.
not too shabby, It was the cheapest I could have gotten it for anywhere I do believe. I did quite a bit of searching.

Also today Richard called Foredom to see if he could just get the switch which has burnt out in my flexshaft, he can put it in, and we figured it would be alot cheaper than replacing the entire foot pedal. we were right, it cost $10 to replace the switch, the pedal would have been $25 plus shipping. I think we did alright today!

My Flexshaft Broke!

This could not have had happened at a worst possible time. I am getting ready for a show in 2 weeks, with no flexshaft my work comes to a halt! I need it fixed now!!!

I hate the Alundum Stone!!!

but I love my newly made Plique a Jour earrings!!!

website

I fixed my website, as of right now it is a free site with ads, and it points straight to etsy, but hey I like it!
http://www.angelfire.com/biz6/sebordeaux/index.html

Just need a domain name. I think "Bordeaux" is taken - ;)

I got my kiln back - woo hoo!
I just hope they correctly fixed it, I will know soon.

Spring Green

Blue (no name or item number written on my tube of blue)

Enamel Tests

I should be getting my kiln back this week. It has been in the repair shop because of the faulty display.

Anyway here is some big news....

I GOT A SINK!!!! Running water to my studio. I could not enamel without running water, now I can.
So in getting ready, I am doing some enamel tests of my existing colors. It is going well.
I am making earrings my test pieces and I am going to document each color here as I go.
These earrings will be for sale for $21 each.

This pair is #2720 Trans HARoid Purple. (the color isn't exact in the photo - it is a eggplant kinda color)

Display Tweaks

Last week I decided to get a jump start on getting my display ready for use again (it has been put away for 2 years).
I drug the whole thing to the center of the yard and assembled it. I realized the shelves needed a good washin' and to be re-painted. So I dis-assembled all of it and put it back together in two unit sections, with half the total shelves set up in such a way for me to paint them and let them sit in the air to dry. I then realized it would be a good idea to set up the tent around the shelves in case it rained, so I wouldn't have to take them down until I was done. I got the tops of the white shelves, cleaned and painted. I left it outside overnight to dry. That worked out quite well, however the next day a nasty storm came to town, nearly blew the tent down on top of the shelves, so my 4 year old and me, rushed to disassemble it before it started to rain and wind really whip up. We did it! All that time to set up though, alot of wasted time, we need to do it all over so I can finish painting.

N E C K L A C E D I S P L A Y S

I really could care less for the conventional neck bust displays for necklaces, and at $30 each, it really is unreasonable to use them in my set-up. Besides that they get dirty and banged up, just by the nature of taking them to shows. So my alternative was to cut fan shaped pieces of plexiglass with notches cut out of the top for the necklace to hang on.
My problem - a way to make them stand on their own -
My solution - well, everytime I have set up at a show so far with this display (which has only been about 3 times) I stuck the plexiglass down into bars of soap. It worked until customers handled them or the wind blew them, the holes worked larger and the fans were no longer sturdy. It wasn't working good enough. Though my booth smelled wonderful.

So I asked on the etsy forum if anyone could suggest a solution, Only one person seemed to have any ideas, a tripod stand or some of that foam for plants you can get from the floral dept of the craft store.

I bought some tripods, though too little they would not hold my plexiglass. So I tried the foam and it seems to work well, I guess the best test of that will be to use it. They will work better than soap but I don't believe they are the best solution still yet.

In looking at the picture of my booth, I realized how much I dislike the three big white boards where I showed off multiple necklaces together. They are dirty and not the look I want.
So I have all these tiny tripod easels now with no use, so I made tiny fans to compliment the larger ones, they work perfect, and my pendants will fit on those as well. I can also use them for earrings. I think I will paint the little ones white.
I am excited about how they are turning out.

here are a couple of pictures to help illustrate what I am describing,

Upcoming shows

I was accepted in the Spring Daze Festival in Cary, NC. It is a juried show, however I have no idea how it differs from a regular festival where you just pay for a booth and are in, next to god knows who.
(I was in the middle of 2 food venders once, lets just say I will never order food from one of those festivals based on what I observed)

Anyway, I am also planning on selling at the local Farmer's Market on Saturdays. Maybe just set up half my display. (I am iffy on this one)

And one more the Orange Street Festival. I really like that one, because well I do really well there.
Three years ago I won third place for my setup and got a hundred dollar check, then had to break down and not even show up for the second day because, my dad passed away at 3pm on the first day.
2 years ago I attended that one when I was pregnant and really hurt my foot bad, there.
hmmmm maybe I should avoid that one huh? :)

I think those three should be good enough for a start - esp since my youngest is still quite young.
I am thinking my 4 year old could help me sell at the Farmer's Market, he might enjoy that - If not he can sit at Grandma's each week.

Today I painted half of my shelves. I am in no hurry but they definitely need the overhaul since I haven't pulled them out in over about 2 years.

I need to set everything up to make sure I have enough merchandise. I am nervous about that.
and I need to make a few more necklace holders.

Well I have to send my kiln back :(

The digital number is broken.

one of the lines in the screen doesn't light up, so I wouldn't be able to tell if the temp was at 1500 degrees or 1300 degrees, that would be a problem.

Amber

I have been mulling over what to do with this Amber Cabachon for well years now, and here is what I finally did with it.....

Dawanda

OK, I have 4 items listed on Dawanda now. I do not have to keep renewing there to get seen! My views come in 3 times faster than on etsy. Most people say the opposite is true for them. Maybe it has something to do with my ring being on front page of the category for jewelry artists for the past week, IDK. I am also translating my listings into German and French - supposedly this also increases views. I can't wait to get my first sale there!

New Avenues for Revenues

OK I just signed up with Dawanda - I am nervous about the set-up and $$ conversion. we will see how it goes. here is the link

http://en.dawanda.com/shop/Bordeaux

I got my book, and I realize that there are some tools and such that I still need to get before I can get started.

• A sink with running water (hubby is working on this)
• a sheet of mica (not essential)
  
• fireproof gloves (I knew this already)
• a good dust mask
• a fiberglass brush
• wet/dry carborundum paper (320-, 400-, and 600- grit)
• a jar (I am sure I have one ;))
• comet powder
• some green scouring pads
• a new watercolor paint tray
• some paint brushes
• teeny spatula
• holding agent (klyr-fire)
  
• eutectic solder
• cloissone(sp) wire
  

Wow that is more than I realized, I guess it will still be a while til I am fully ready (cash flow ya know)

What to do with it!

I will be enameling copper and silver with my new kiln.
I have not used a kiln in about 6 years, so I bought the book "The art of Enameling : Techniques, projects, inspiration" by Linda Darty.
I know the book will be a good one because she was my professor at East Carolina University.
I can't wait to get the book, refresh my memory and get started.


There is something else I wanna do.
Since Argentium Sterling Silver is so new, there isn't anything really published about enameling on it. I plan of testing the waters to see what happens. We shall see. I already know torch firing works just fine on Argentium Sterling Silver.

Have I ever mentioned, I LOVE Argentium Sterling Silver!

I GOT A KILN!