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Friday, March 28, 2008

Life Keeps Moving

Well, tomorrow is the last Saturday we have planned at the Flea Market. It's a little bittersweet ... it's tiring getting up so early on a Sarturday morning so it will be nice to be done, but we've also gotten to know some very nice people ... and saying goodbye is always hard. These will be the first of many good-byes.

The new jewelry displays are coming along -- we'll be using them tomorrow, although they still need some finishing coats of paint and laquer. I'm hoping to post pix next week ... I'd like to wait until they're totally finished. The last major thing I need for my displays are table skirts. I'll probably make them so I'm looking for the right fabric in the right color at the right price. I'd like a medium-light green -- something that will look good with any color flowers. I decorate my tables with small bridal bouquets and like to change them for different seasons. I've been using red all winter -- tomorrow I have pink bouquets. Since my jewelry is perfect for weddings, I want to hint at bridal in my displays.

For the past several weeks, when I sell a piece of jewelry, I've been enclosing a little flyer that tells customers how to place a special order and advertises my Etsy shop. The back has been blank. Last weekend, it occurred to me that I could use the space on the back to promote other Etsy shops -- it will help other sellers and make my customers aware of shopping at Etsy. I contacted a number of sellers and have put together a very nice list of shops. The response was so big, I ended up with 4 groups - it works out great because the sellers in each group are unique -- no one else in that group sells the same kind of art. I'm able to advertise nearly 40 artists!

We still don't have permits to build the church here. The red tape is incredible but we're working our way through it. We are very close to having the site plan approved and we're in the process of getting the prints ready to submit. Port St Lucie has a "pre-permit" approval process that allows us to submit the plans and have them approved to prepare for permits. We will be leaving at the end of April -- the next project is preparing for us. It is our hope to come back after the WI project and build here. Our plans over the next few weeks are still a little fuzzy ... so more later!

Monday, March 24, 2008

Our Easter Treats

Our Easter was a wonderful day! We started by celebrating the resurrection of Christ at a great morning worship service! Then we drove, with friends from church, over to Sebring, where we met more friends and had a very nice lunch together. It was a little hard not being home with family ... maybe next year. We got to visit with some of the volunteers who have worked on our crews in the past and are currently living in Maranatha Village -- great to see all of them! Then the church in the village had a wonderful cantata/drama sharing the story of Christ and HIs love. We also saw more friends, which was a treat.

A Special Treat. We got to talk with Alice -- she's maybe in her late 70's and her husband died suddenly 2 years ago -- she's a special kind of friend. She was looking particularly happy ... and had a very nice gentleman beside her .... then she showed us her ring! Three weeks ago, she told me about him .. so I wasn't totally surprised. They are getting married in May! It's been a whirlwind romance and they both look so happy!! We are so happy for her!!

On our trip to Sebring, we drive beside a canal -- we saw a little something (or rather, a big something)!

No bunnies for Easter, but actually, we saw 4 alligators yesterday -- the most we've ever seen on one of our trips!! Three of them were pretty good sized!


We are still working on the new jewelry displays -- we think we have things mostly figured out and the prototype is nearly done. Everything is coming together and looking good! And we're excited at the prospect!

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

These Days, These Daze

Saturday was the best day we've had at the flea market -- only by a few dollars but it was nice to be increasing! We also tried out our new earring racks and they worked beautifully -- and were the envy of the couple next door who thought they were very creative and professional.

I sold my first necklace! It was one of the new designs I worked on last week. So nice to have a hit! The necklace is very simple, and it doesn't take long to make so I'm going to be able to make it COD ("custom on demand") at shows and markets. It's also my least expensive necklace design so I'm expecting it to be a great seller -- if Saturday is any indication, I'm off to a great start! The customer also bought earrings so it made a nice sale.

I'm still trying to figure out how to market my Etsy site. Yesterday I sent off 40 business cards to a gal in SC who is putting together little goodie and sample bags to give away at some craft shows she will be attending. Today, I committed to sending a couple pairs of earrings to a lady in Texas who is selling her work at an anime convention and plans to raffle a gift basket every day. She isn't planning to sell the tickets -- she'll give them away -- but the tickets will feature all the participants of the baskets. She expects to give away hundreds of the tickets. She will also feature the sellers on her blogs. Her work is very interesting and she is an established Etsy seller so I'm hoping that this will be an effective connection.

This week, we are working on a new idea for displaying necklaces at shows -- if everything works like we think, it should make everything easy for us as well as being quite professional looking. I've tried a couple different ideas for necklace display but haven't been satisfied with the look. I've also tried putting sets together in a box, but I haven't really liked the way they looked and I have so many neat earring designs, I think it's better for the customer to choose their own pair. But, having tried other options, I think we're going to get it right this time. I've been unhappy with displays -- a couple of my necklace designs really need an open oval, rather than hanging them, or putting them in a box -- because the style looks a bit odd and unnatural unless it's on a neck. On a neck, they look wonderful! And we don't really have the space for bunches of busts -- so we think we've come up with the perfect idea.
If it works, I'll post pix later.

I also have another idea or two for necklaces -- I'll keep playing with those thoughts and see what happens.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Shuttle Launch


We had an awesome night last night! We were able to go see the night time launch of the space shuttle (sts-123) -- it was so incredible! The launch took place about 2:30 this morning and we were only about 5 miles away. The only disappointment was a low ceiling of clouds -- we lost sight of the shuttle fairly quickly -- but it was still so amazing! It started with a huge ball of fire, then the shuttle lifted gently into the air. The shuttle was already out of view when we finally heard the low rumble.

We didn't get back home until about 6 -- and I've had a couple hours sleep. I think my pillow will be calling my name a little early tonight!!

Monday, March 10, 2008

Creative Energy!

I've been BUSY! I was able to get in to a craft show on Saturday, but we were also still committed to being at the flea market -- so we did both. My wonderful husband did the flea market and I headed for the craft show (a friend also went with me until my husband could get there). The weather was windy and chilly, so neither was a good as we had hoped but it still wasn't bad ... and I made some GREAT contacts! One lady was interested in my stuff for a wedding. Another lady told me about a monthly event in an upscale part of town ... then said my stuff was PERFECT for that show (that was flattering!) ... then called me later with phone number so I can try to get in. I gave out a bunch of business cards, too. So, while it wasn't the fabulous sales day I would have liked, I think it was profitable.

While I'm at a show/market, I offer to make jewelry "on demand" -- customers can get any style earrings in whatever color they choose and it only takes me about 15 minutes (which is why I don't do a show alone -- I usually end up making while someone else keeps on eye on business). I usually don't do necklaces on demand because they take too long to make ... but Saturday, one lady asked me to make something for her, and she created her own design. I wouldn't have put it together quite the way she did, but it has prompted a flood of ideas for a couple new styles! So.... this week I'm hoping to perfect the ideas and make some more necklaces! It was also a simpler design than what I usually make so I could probably make it on demand at a show ... and it will be the least expensive necklace in my repertoire so it should make a good seller. I couldn't sleep last night ... too many creative juices rolling!!

And back to last week, because we were going to split up, I made about 150 new pairs of earrings. I guess it kept me out of trouble! Sort of?

Tonight, we are planning to go see the launch of the shuttle -- it's a night launch at 2:30 tomorrow morning. Night launches are FABULOUS!!!!! So I'm pretty excited! But I really need a nap this afternoon, so I better get crackin' on the new necklaces so I can sleep.