So, I just posted that I was moving over to wordpress. I think I lied. They're so pushy with trying to sell you stuff (OOO! I can pay $5 for a different background color!). Blogger is so much more customizable without having to pay extra. I think I might just deal with the glitches I'm experiencing on blogger.
I’m hoping to start blogging again. I know I’ve said that several times, but for real this time. I’ve been neglecting my little Etsy shop since I started working full time, but now I have a job with better hours. Might be time to start getting back in gear.
One thing I’ve been wanting to talk about is free alternatives to Etsy. There has been a lot of Etsy drama going on lately, and I know a lot of people that are looking for other options. I set up shops on Zibbet, Square Market, and ShopHandmade and haven’t spent a dime so far. Looking forward to seeing if I have any success with them.
Here are links to my free shops if you’re looking for comparison. I’ve tried to put approximately 20 items in each shop.
My Zibbet Shop
My Square Market Shop
My ShopHandmade Shop
I’m planning to leave them up for a few days, maybe add some new items, and see how they do. I’ll make posts to discuss any pros and cons I see with them. But like I said, I haven’t spent a cent on any of this. I figure it can’t hurt, and maybe people are looking for some opinions.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Thursday, December 9, 2010
I went on a major shopping spree this weekend. I got lots of craft supplies so I could re-make everything I've sold in shows lately. I also got a little bit of Christmas shopping done. That's awesome for me... I never know what to get for anyone.
I'm thinking about totally overhauling my photo pendant-making process. I used to make the little circles out of clay by hand, but I hate the process. It takes forever and the circles are never perfectly round. While I was shopping for jewelry supplies, I found some packs of round wooden circles. I bought them and decided to try them out. I'm super excited about them. No more forming my own circles out of clay! The only thing I'm worried about is how to attach them to a chain. I can drill a hole through the circle, or I could drill a hole in the top and glue a loop of wire in there. I shall experiment.
I'm thinking about totally overhauling my photo pendant-making process. I used to make the little circles out of clay by hand, but I hate the process. It takes forever and the circles are never perfectly round. While I was shopping for jewelry supplies, I found some packs of round wooden circles. I bought them and decided to try them out. I'm super excited about them. No more forming my own circles out of clay! The only thing I'm worried about is how to attach them to a chain. I can drill a hole through the circle, or I could drill a hole in the top and glue a loop of wire in there. I shall experiment.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Things have been busy. I haven't posted in awhile.
The last couple of days have been great. On Thursday I sold my jewelry at Artropy in Lafayette Square, and today I was at the Green Living Expo at the Missouri History Museum. Artropy went extremely well. It was my best show ever. The history museum show started out very slow and I was worried, but things picked up and I managed to do pretty well. The location was great (a few blocks from my apartment), and the shoppers were very polite and pleasant. I'll definitely do it again.
My card swiper and ProPay account ended up being good investments. I got a lot of credit card sales, and no hitches so far.
My Etsy shop feels so emptyyyy... but it's all good I guess. I'm feeling very proud of myself. Can't wait for next year's shows!
The last couple of days have been great. On Thursday I sold my jewelry at Artropy in Lafayette Square, and today I was at the Green Living Expo at the Missouri History Museum. Artropy went extremely well. It was my best show ever. The history museum show started out very slow and I was worried, but things picked up and I managed to do pretty well. The location was great (a few blocks from my apartment), and the shoppers were very polite and pleasant. I'll definitely do it again.
My card swiper and ProPay account ended up being good investments. I got a lot of credit card sales, and no hitches so far.
My Etsy shop feels so emptyyyy... but it's all good I guess. I'm feeling very proud of myself. Can't wait for next year's shows!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Man... I don't have another craft show until December. I don't know what to do with myself. My last craft show was pretty slow (but still a lot of fun), so I don't have to replenish my stock the way I had anticipated. Sales in general have been good, though. I made a goal of reaching 4 pages in my Etsy shop, but I'm having trouble because things keep selling. It's a very good problem to have.
Daylight savings is already driving me nuts. I hate it when it gets dark so early. I wonder if we're going to have to suffer through this useless tradition forever.
Austin and I watched "Aliens" last night. I was truly surprised at how awesome it was. Better than the first, I think. It had me nail-biting and screaming at the TV. It's also a perfect example of how CGI has ruined movies. A movie from 1986 managed to be more visually compelling, realistic, and engaging than any new, live-action movie I've seen in the last 15 years (perhaps with the exception of "Pan's Labyrinth"). There's no "wow... how did they do that?" effect in movies anymore. I'd be more convinced by a guy in a bad bear suit than I would by a perfectly rendered CG bear, to be honest. I really want the movie industry to bring back animatronics and make-up, and stop with the over-the-top simulations that aren't fooling anyone.
Daylight savings is already driving me nuts. I hate it when it gets dark so early. I wonder if we're going to have to suffer through this useless tradition forever.
Austin and I watched "Aliens" last night. I was truly surprised at how awesome it was. Better than the first, I think. It had me nail-biting and screaming at the TV. It's also a perfect example of how CGI has ruined movies. A movie from 1986 managed to be more visually compelling, realistic, and engaging than any new, live-action movie I've seen in the last 15 years (perhaps with the exception of "Pan's Labyrinth"). There's no "wow... how did they do that?" effect in movies anymore. I'd be more convinced by a guy in a bad bear suit than I would by a perfectly rendered CG bear, to be honest. I really want the movie industry to bring back animatronics and make-up, and stop with the over-the-top simulations that aren't fooling anyone.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Propay and Travel
My ProPay account was approved today. I shall be able to accept credit cards at my next show.
I was planning on accepting cards at my last one, but I had to mail in an exceptions form because ProPay couldn't validate my information. I've never heard of that happening to anyone. Most people can set it up on 10 minutes. Mine took a week. Lucky me.
I ordered a card imprinter with carbon copy slips and a business plate. I know I said I could just write down the information, but my mom talked me into it because it will make me look more professional. And I had an e-bay gift card. Best birthday present ever. I hope it gets here in time for the show... otherwise I'll be handwriting on sales receipts.
Austin's at a computer science conference in Florence, Italy. His mom went with him since Austin will be reimbursed for their hotel room. I'm staying with the cat my mom's while he's gone (I get lonely).
We also got some good news a couple of weeks ago. His paper was accepted into a conference in freaking HAWAII. In freaking JANUARY. We decided to spring for my plane ticket, so I'm coming along. Can't wait!
I was planning on accepting cards at my last one, but I had to mail in an exceptions form because ProPay couldn't validate my information. I've never heard of that happening to anyone. Most people can set it up on 10 minutes. Mine took a week. Lucky me.
I ordered a card imprinter with carbon copy slips and a business plate. I know I said I could just write down the information, but my mom talked me into it because it will make me look more professional. And I had an e-bay gift card. Best birthday present ever. I hope it gets here in time for the show... otherwise I'll be handwriting on sales receipts.
Austin's at a computer science conference in Florence, Italy. His mom went with him since Austin will be reimbursed for their hotel room. I'm staying with the cat my mom's while he's gone (I get lonely).
We also got some good news a couple of weeks ago. His paper was accepted into a conference in freaking HAWAII. In freaking JANUARY. We decided to spring for my plane ticket, so I'm coming along. Can't wait!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Upcoming Show in Troy
I haven't updated in awhile. I've been pretty busy the last couple of weeks, but I guess that's a good thing.
Austin ran 18 miles in the Chicago marathon. I was very proud of him. It was nice to visit with his family too.
I got accepted into a craft show (at the last minute) in Troy, IL. I'll be there Saturday and Sunday of this weekend. It looks like it's going to be HUGE. I'm debating getting a ProPay account so I can accept credit cards. I realized that if I sign up for the account, I'll have to write down credit card information to put into ProPay later. I can't imagine allowing someone to do that with my card. Everyone in the Etsy forums suggests getting a knucklebuster or a Propay card reader, but that just means paying more $ to record the exact same sensitive information. To me, those things almost seem like fooling people into thinking you're being more secure. ProPay says they can process and authorize orders over the phone. Maybe I'll give that a shot if people are willing to wait.
I improved the design for the earring display I posted awhile ago. I put a couple of pieces of wire along the edges and used mod podge to glue another piece of card stock on top. They're really sturdy now! Can't wait to try them out at the show.
Austin ran 18 miles in the Chicago marathon. I was very proud of him. It was nice to visit with his family too.
I got accepted into a craft show (at the last minute) in Troy, IL. I'll be there Saturday and Sunday of this weekend. It looks like it's going to be HUGE. I'm debating getting a ProPay account so I can accept credit cards. I realized that if I sign up for the account, I'll have to write down credit card information to put into ProPay later. I can't imagine allowing someone to do that with my card. Everyone in the Etsy forums suggests getting a knucklebuster or a Propay card reader, but that just means paying more $ to record the exact same sensitive information. To me, those things almost seem like fooling people into thinking you're being more secure. ProPay says they can process and authorize orders over the phone. Maybe I'll give that a shot if people are willing to wait.
I improved the design for the earring display I posted awhile ago. I put a couple of pieces of wire along the edges and used mod podge to glue another piece of card stock on top. They're really sturdy now! Can't wait to try them out at the show.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Going to Chicago this weekend. My strong, handsome husband is running in the Chicago marathon on Sunday. We'll be staying with his sister, and his mom's coming too. I am very excited.
Yesterday I applied to a couple of craft shows I found at the last minute. As a result, I felt the need to make a bunch of stuff today. I made some really pretty earrings. If they weren't such a pain to make, I might make some for myself. I shall post pictures later.
A (poorly lit) video of me playing with my cat:
Yesterday I applied to a couple of craft shows I found at the last minute. As a result, I felt the need to make a bunch of stuff today. I made some really pretty earrings. If they weren't such a pain to make, I might make some for myself. I shall post pictures later.
A (poorly lit) video of me playing with my cat:
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