Crazy A$$ Sale!!

Maybe it's too many late nights spent watching my Tigers trying to clinch the ALDS, or I've completely lost my mind . . . I am having a HUGE sale in my shop right now.   Everything is 40% off, for a limited time only.   Hurry up,  and start your Holiday shopping now :) 

p.s.  You must use coupon code "TAKE40" to get the discount ;)

The Biggest One Yet

In honor of the current state of affairs in the US Government, I am having a *RAISE THE DEBT CEILING* SALE!!! Here's how it works:

30% off Orders of $50.00 or more ( use coupon code 30OFF50)
40% off Orders of $100 or more ( use coupon code 40OFF100)

Start shopping now because this special could end at any time ~ LOAD UP!!! This is a first in the history of Dreamin' of Beadin' :)

You Say It's Your Birthday??

In honor of my birthday today, take 18% off your order in either one of my Etsy shops!!  That's half my age, by the way ;)

Use Coupon Code BDGRRL during checkout to receive the discount here or here. 

Lessons Learned

When I opened my shop on Etsy four years ago, I knew virtually nothing about selling online.  Since then, I've learned so much ~ mostly through trial and error, but also through the Etsy forums, blog and by comparing notes with my seller friends.  Four years and two shops later, I consider myself far from being any kind of pro at all of this.  It is a constant learning experience, but that's partly why I love it.

Recently I was thinking about the secret to having a successful shop.  My suspicion is that many sellers would like to know the secret to success.  Of course, each of us has a different idea of what it means to be successful, and how to get there.   Unfortunately, I am still in search of the magic formula.  

I am an observer by nature, and I can tell you one thing I have observed when it comes to selling online ~  Having a terrific product surely helps, and finding a niche really helps.  Selling jewelry is especially challenging, when there are over 1,000,000 pieces for sale on Etsy.   So what is the secret?  Marketing, of course.   I truly believe you can sell anything, and sell it well, if you market it right.   By that I mean ~ take awesome, artistic photos, give your shop a clever name, and make your product names especially cute and catchy.    It seems to work for many.   That has to be it.  If it was based on hard work alone, then my sales would be in the gazillions :)

Obviously marketing is not my forte'!   

So . . . I would love to hear your thoughts, if you sell on Etsy or anyplace online.    Please share them!  What have you learned from running an online business?

Oh, you're probably wondering what the photo above is all about.  That is the front window of a Fluevog shoe store in San Francisco.   I snapped the pic when we were there in October.   I thought the sign was pretty clever . . . it caught my attention anyway!

Shop Update ~ Survivor Jewelry is on the way!

A few weeks ago I shared a sneak preview of my new stamped metal designs. I had the best of intentions to photograph and list them to my shop today, but Mother Nature had other plans. It was such a dreary day that I barely had enough time to snap this picture while daylight was sufficient. Ugh . . . this is not my favorite time of year! So, I decided to spend the day creating a few more new pieces, and I will try again next weekend to get them all photographed and listed, just in time for the holidays. I also spent some time working on yet another surprise that I will be sharing very soon . . . yay for surprises!! Be sure to check back for the good news :)

Plum Crazy!

I really love this time of year ~ if you think about it, Fall is a very colorful season. That is why I was surprised to see, while on a recent window shopping trip, that the "hot" colors of Fall 2010 are rather drab and dull. Let's liven things up a bit, shall we? My favorite color is purple, especially the lovely shade of plum. Lucky for me, plum is plentiful on Etsy. Here is a very small sample of some of my faves: Where to find, from left to right starting at the top: Misty morning translucent resin earrings by Under Glass

Wise Little Owl Organic Cotton Tee by Putu Princess Escapes

Hand Knitted Fingerless Gloves Arm Warmers in Plum By HandKnitted Things

HAZEL Eyes Fun Vegan Eye Shadow Mineral Makeup Kit By PinkQuartz Minerals

Purple Scarf Cowl Warmer By Heatbria

Lampwork Beads RUSTIC PLUM NUGGET TRIO By Radiant Mind

Handmade Earrings, Purple Artisan Glass and Gunmetal, Mulled Wine By WildWoman Jewelry London Fog Fringe Scarf in Chunky Gray Grey and Plum Purple By BeautifulBridget

Bringing Sexy (Wrists) Back!

It's officially Spring and temps are expected to reach a glorious 70 degrees here in Michigan this week :) Ready or not, it's time to peel the layers and expose some skin. I don't know about you, but I am much more of a bracelet wearer during the short sleeve/sleeveless season. There's never been a better time to perk up your jewelry wardrobe with the addition of some new bracelets, and I'm here to help ~ You are being treated to a glimpse of two pieces that are so brand spankin' new, they haven't even been listed in my shop yet! It's not like me to jump the gun, but I couldn't wait to share these. Be sure to check my shop in the coming week for them to appear.

The above bracelet features 6mm Swarovski crystal pearls in that shade of coral that is hotter than ever. Both bracelets are hand knotted by yours truly and have gorgeous filigree locking clasps. They are timeless and simple in design, yet feminine and elegant.

This bracelet was created using 6mm Swarovski pearls in that sumptuous shade called "Platinum". It looks so rich, doesn't it? I am most excited because I finally made some hand knotted pieces. I attempted to teach myself pearl knotting a year ago, but didn't get very far with it. After making it a goal for 2010, I finally sat down and put my mind to learning and mastering this technique, and I am enjoying it. I love the look and feel of a knotted piece of jewelry ~ you can be sure there will be more to come in the near future!

Shop Update: Spring Has Arrived!

The official start of Spring is just a few short weeks away :) Word on the street is that coral is the hot color of the season. I've always been a fan of this shade ~ it looks especially great when paired with light blue, white or even yellow. I am excited to announce that a couple of favorites will be making their way back to my shop this week. If I have a trademark piece, it would have to be the ever popular Miriam necklace. Grab her quick before she is gone! Also, the pretty Valerie necklace has returned due to popular demand :) Below is a sample of what I currently have to offer in coral. Keep your eye on my shop this Spring, as you will surely see some new pieces in this fabulous shade!

Miriam Necklace, $40

Valerie Necklace, $25 Miriam's Sister Necklace, $48 Maude Earrings, $18

Shop Update: It's My Etsy Anniversary!

January marks the 3rd Anniversary of my shop on Etsy! I really can't believe that it's already been three years since I started this venture ~ I sure have enjoyed every step along the way. To celebrate, and to thank everyone who has supported me, I will be offering specials, giveaways and other surprises all month long.

Each week I will feature a different promo in my shop. For the week of Jan 4-10, I will be offering FREE SHIPPING to everyone, including International customers. Hooray!!!

Keep your eye on this blog for the giveaways ~ I can tell you that there will be a few of those before the month is over ;)

December Earring Giveaway!

Hopefully you've all been nice this year :) Santa Claus will come early for the lucky person who wins the ravishing red earrings you see pictured below. They feature lovely antique brass filigree links that look rather gothic to me, gorgeous Siam Swarovski crystals, and plenty of chain that you naughty girls might especially like ~ haha! They measure about 2½" in length, and you can enter to win them by following the instructions below: Leave a comment on this post ~ be sure to leave a way for me to contact you in the event that you are the winner. Entries must be received by 12:00 am EST on 12/18/09. A name will be selected at random and the winner will be contacted no later than 12/19/09. This giveaway is open to anyone age 18 or older.

EARN EXTRA CHANCES TO WIN!!

***Here’s how to increase your odds of winning ~ you can earn up to two additional entries by doing any of the following:

• 1. Become a follower of this blog -------------------------->
• 2. If you have a blog of your own, post a link to this contest on it.
• 3. Tweet about this contest on Twitter.
• 4. Become one of my fans on Facebook.

Just be sure to let me know in your comment which of the above you have done so that I can give you extra credit for them ;)

This will be my last giveaway of 2009, so good luck to all!!

Shop Update: New Items and A Reminder About Holiday Shipping

If you've visited my shop lately, then you've probably seen that I've been steadily listing new items. In case you haven't, here's a glimpse of what's new:

La Paz - Gold Branch Necklace with Green Quartz, $25

Miss Fickle - Smoky Quartz and Pearls on Oxidized Silver and Gold, $52

Gold Digger - Czech glass and Brass Necklace, $40

This piece sold within minutes of being listed :)

Sangria Twist - Oxidized Silver and Lampwork Bead Bracelet, $40

I still have several new items to list, which I plan to accomplish by the end of this weekend. Then that will be it until 2010 :) If you live in the US, you still have about one week to purchase something from my shop and have it shipped in time for Christmas. I do offer free gift wrapping and Gift Certificates, too ~ make it easy on yourself! I will ship through the 23rd of December, so if you need to upgrade to Overnight shipping, that will be available for an extra charge. I'll be away from the shop starting December 24th, so that I can enjoy the holidays with my family.

Handmade for the Holidays

When it comes to the holidays, my family is the type who has their gifts bought and wrapped before most people (me included) have even given it a second thought. So, it caused a bit of anxiety when my parents asked me for my Christmas list this past week. Yes, we still do those in my crazy family. You wouldn’t think that having to come up with a wish list would be that big of a deal, but for me it is really turning out to be. Honestly, there isn’t that much that I want, yet alone need. I just went through my house for the second or third time this year and purged a bunch of unwanted stuff and donated it to charity. Time, people, and experiences mean much more to me than any trinket. Yeah, I know I’m getting sappy, but try explaining non-consumerism to my family ~ they don’t really get it. So, if I’m forced to provide them with a list of things to buy me, I’d rather they buy from the indie artists on Etsy instead of some big box retailer. I went through my favorites list, and here is what I came up with. Do you think I can turn mi familia into Etsy shoppers?

I eat pepper on everything and would love a handcrafted pepper mill, like the one pictured. There is nothing like freshly ground pepper. I would get a lot of use out of this gorgeous pepper mill, and it would look fabulous sitting out on the countertop. It would last forever, too. Pepper Mill 460 by Richlynne, $109.95.

You can’t go wrong with yummy treats, and these marshmallows sound irresistible to me! Organic Cinnamon Sugar Marshmallows, $9 from haveitconfections.

I could always ask for something on the pricey side, which would cut their shopping trips very short ~ hee hee. I’d get a lot of use out of this chic black bag! Baby Ruche Bag in Black, $168, jennyndesign.

Of course, beads are always welcome under my tree. I am loving this lampwork artist, and would cherish anything from her shop, including these Black and White Raku nuggets, which are priced at $16 for a set of 8, from Blue Seraphim.

A local artist, melissahappystuff makes some very unique knitted items, such as this darling neckwarmer. Knit Organic Cotton Scarf Neckwarmer Blue, $30.

A few weeks ago, while at a craft show, I fell in love with a pair of hand felted mittens like these. They are made from upcycled sweaters and then felted by hand~ so soft and warm! I wouldn’t mind these wool knit socks, either. Both hail from Etsian Shady Side Farm.

Shop Update: Fall Has Arrived!

I’ve been really, really busy creating new items lately. At the moment there are well over 200 pieces of jewelry for sale in my shop. That is truly a record for me ~ proof of just how busy I have been! In the past few days I began listing the first of my latest Fall inspired creations, and I’ve still got a bunch more to go. For now, take a look at these brand new earrings. All of them feature leaves. See, I wasn’t kidding when I said I have a leaf obsession!

Iced Leaves

Frosty Birch

Green Leaves

Finding Martha at Big Lots

Every now and then, I get a hankering to go to Big Lots ~ love that place! You never know what you might find there, if you're in the mood to dig. I compare it to a casino ~ sometimes you hit the jackpot, and other times it's a bust. On a recent trip, they had racks of these Martha Stewart craft kits for only $2 each! Each kit is filled with all the materials you need to make a fun craft. I bought a few of the felt accessory kits to send to my little niece who just had a birthday. I know she will love them. She is already taking after her aunt by being an avid beader!

Leaf Obsessed.

I am obsessed with leaves. I think it is because they signify Fall to me, which I love as much as I love the Spring. Today is September 1st, and the first day of Autumn is just three weeks away. I’ll be sad to see Summer go, but I love this time of year, for many reasons. Here are some gorgeous handmade things with leaves that I found while browsing Etsy:

Autumn green dragonfly print, by Pretty Much Art

Rain kissed leaf necklace, by jaC jewelry

Hosta vase, by White Earth Studio

Bamboo Pillow, by Cut out and Collect

Accessorize!

The other day I was thinking back to my pre-jewelry making days. I had to laugh, because at that time, my personal collection was pretty small. I’ve loved jewelry for as long as I can remember, but there was a time when I wore the same pieces day in and day out. How boring! In fact, I still have the hammered Sterling Silver pendant on a chain that I wore around my neck every single day. It’s simple and pretty, but nothing spectacular. The same can be said for the hoop earrings that I would wear with it. I think at the time I kept things simple because I didn’t realize how fun it is to accessorize with jewelry. Eventually I acquired more and more pieces, and learned how to change my look up a little. Part of the fun of dressing each day is picking out a different necklace to wear. I love earrings too, but the necklace is my statement maker, since it doesn’t get hidden by my hair. Soon I started to get compliments from people. The look in their eyes told me they were both impressed and maybe even a bit envious that they didn’t own anything so unique and one of a kind. I can be having a bad hair day, my pants might feel too snug, or I might have a zit on my chin, but a stunning necklace can detract from all of that. I love hearing all the “ooohs” and “aaaahhhs” when I wear a new piece of jewelry to work. I’m not the snappiest dresser, so I don’t get nearly as many compliments on my clothes as I do my jewelry. But that’s OK with me. Let me show you an example of how you can dress up your look with pieces from my shop:

Take this basic brown dress. It’s perfect for the office environment, but it needs a little something, don’t you think?! "Grand Haven", Silver leaf jasper and Silver Necklace, $38, in complimentary earth tones.

"Simple Girl", $18. Long necklaces are hotter than ever, and this piece suits the dress perfectly.

"Solar Eclipse", $40. Brass necklace with Citrine nugget pendant. Stunning!

Shop Update ~ *FREE* Shipping!

I’m only eight sales away from the big 3-0-0! In order to make it that much easier for you to help me reach my goal, I am offering *FREE* SHIPPING to everyone until I reach 300 sales! This includes Canadian and International orders, too. Just complete the checkout process, and I will refund the fees to you via Paypal. Combine this offer with my current SALE items, and you’re getting a heck of a deal on some terrific, one of a kind handmade jewelry. Just my way of saying “thanks” for your support over these last 2+ years :)

Shop Update ~ New Bridal Pieces

As promised, I've added some unique jewelry to my shop that is just perfect for a bride. Take a look at "Sabine", which are three coordinating pieces that are inspired by vintage romance, with a little French twist thrown in ;) Each features lovely Ivory Satin nugget pearls that are nicely sized at 10mm each. My obsession of the moment is pearls and brass together ~ I think they make a spectacular pair.

Earrings ~ $22

Bracelet ~ $32 Necklace ~ $20

These pieces would look awesome with this dress, which comes from Jones New York. The name of it is "Let's Elope" ~ love that! Soooo perfect for a beach or garden wedding. Who says you must have a big poufy gown? I love its simple elegance. At only $105 (on sale), it's ideal for the bride on a budget!

Sneak Preview

Here is a little sneak peak at a new creation that I will be adding to my shop very soon. I call this the “Pearl Treasure” bracelet. It is made with nearly 300 4mm Swarovski “pearls”. I had a lot of fun making it with a tool called the Coiling Gizmo. I love the classic design of this piece ~ it will never go out of style. This bracelet can be made in any color that Swarovski pearls come in. For this one I chose Burgundy, but I do think that it would look stunning in any shade. Imagine this in Ivory for a bride ~ sooooo elegant and lovely!

This and a few other new designs will be listed in my shop very soon. Stay tuned!

An Etsy Fave: Dornick Designs

Just because I make jewelry doesn’t mean I’m too proud to buy stuff that’s made by others. The reality is that the only time I acquire a new piece anymore is when I buy it. Feast your eyes on this recent purchase from Dornick Designs on Etsy. Kathy Hardy is the talented artist behind this successful shop. She has a penchant for naming most of her creations after Classic Rock songs. I love that! The name of this piece is “Stone Free” and it features lovely chunks of Labradorite, which is a gemstone that’s at the top of my list of favorites. The stones are hand knotted on silk cord. I love every detail of this piece. I’ve already worn it several times since receiving it about one week ago. I love the fact that it looks great whether dressed up or down. Check out this shop, if you haven’t already. Her designs are both whimsical and wonderful. Perhaps what I admire most about this seller is that she has carved a niche for herself and created a style that is unmistakably her own. Hats off to you, Kathy!